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  • Captivating Beauty 69p1

    Chapter 69 p1

    The Alpha’s crude scent, like a cockroach lurking in a sewer, made Shen Shu’s stomach churn. She couldn’t scream, couldn’t even gag, her throat constricted by a rough hand.

    Panic seized her, the suffocating grip triggering a flashback to a past trauma.

    Her body trembled uncontrollably, her hands and legs shaking.

    The Alpha’s other hand shoved her roughly against the car, her back hitting the door handle, the impact strangely painless as she struggled frantically, a choked gasp escaping her lips.

    The hand tightened around her throat, silencing her.

    She felt like she was drowning, the world turning dark, a wave of despair and helplessness washing over her.

    Xu Jinnan.

    Her mind clung to the name, a lifeline in the suffocating darkness.

    Xu Jinnan, where are you?

    —

    The secluded corner of the parking garage, hidden behind a van, offered a measure of privacy.

    It wasn’t quite quitting time, nor was it late enough for those working overtime to be leaving.

    The few cars that passed by didn’t notice what was happening.

    Shen Shu’s face was flushed, her body struggling against the suffocating grip, desperate to break free.

    She hadn’t given up, her muffled whimpers echoing in the enclosed space as she clawed at the Alpha’s arm, her nails digging into the rough skin.

    But the difference in strength between an Alpha and an Omega, compounded by her recent illness, made escape almost impossible.

    “I love the way you struggle. It excites me, just like that time,” the Alpha whispered, her face close to Shen Shu’s neck, inhaling the intoxicating scent of her pheromones.

    Even in this precarious situation, the Alpha wasn’t worried, her eyes gleaming with a perverse excitement.

    The corners of her eyes crinkled as she smiled, revealing yellowed teeth. “Darling, you have no idea how long I’ve waited for this opportunity… you’re so cautious, you and your little wife. I was so angry when I heard about your marriage. How could you betray me like that? How could you give yourself to someone else?”

    “Such purity shouldn’t be tainted. It’s a shame you’re not a virgin anymore, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t mind. Even if you’ve been with someone else, I still love you… See? I love you so much.” She pressed her fingers against Shen Shu’s throat, the touch almost tender.

    Shen Shu’s nails dug deeper into the Alpha’s skin, the repulsive scent of her pheromones filling the air, suffocating her.

    She felt like she was dying.

    The Alpha winced at the pain, tightening her grip on Shen Shu’s throat. “I’ve never forgotten you, not after all these years. I almost marked you back then, but… it doesn’t matter. I’ve waited so long for this opportunity, and now it’s finally here.”

    “Let me mark you.”

    “I’ve been dreaming of this for so long.”

    Shen Shu’s vision blurred, her lungs burning.

    Perhaps sensing she was about to lose consciousness, the Alpha loosened her grip slightly.

    Shen Shu gasped for air, then, seeing the Alpha’s leering face approaching, she screamed, the sound echoing through the parking garage.

    With a surge of adrenaline-fueled strength, she punched the Alpha in the face.

    The Alpha instinctively closed her eyes, and Shen Shu, seizing the opportunity, shoved her away and ran.

    But the Alpha reacted quickly.

    As Shen Shu turned to flee, she tripped and fell, her knees and elbows scraping against the rough concrete floor, the pain a sharp contrast to the earlier numbness.

    Then, she heard the sound of a car approaching.

    Tears streamed down her face as she cried out, her voice muffled by the Alpha’s hand covering her mouth.

    The Alpha dragged her back, her voice cold and emotionless, like a true psychopath. “You’ve been a bad girl.”

    Shen Shu saw a box of grapes, the ones Xu Jinnan had given her earlier.

    “Mmm…!” she whimpered, tears streaming down her face.

    The Alpha placed the box on the floor, opened it with one hand, and picked through the grapes. “I was looking for the one you touched, but I couldn’t find it, so I took them all. You have no idea how much trouble I went through…” She took a grape, rolled it against Shen Shu’s tear-stained cheek, then popped it into her mouth.

    “Let me mar—”

    The screech of tires echoed through the parking garage as a car came to a sudden stop.

    The Alpha turned around, startled, just as a fist connected with her nose, the bone cracking, blood spurting out, her face instantly covered in crimson.

    Then, she felt a sharp tug on her hair, her body lifted off the ground and slammed against a car.

    Bang!

    The impact made the car shudder.

    Xu Jinnan’s face was a mask of fury as she slammed the woman against the car again, then, as she fell to the ground, kicked her hard in the chest.

    A scream echoed through the parking garage.

    Tong Jia, approaching from a distance, saw the scene and her blood ran cold. She ran towards them.

    “Shu Shu!”

    But before she could reach them, the Alpha scrambled to her feet and ran.

    Tong Jia, seeing her attacker fleeing, instinctively wanted to stop her, her fear momentarily forgotten.

    But a hand grabbed her wrist.

    Viola, running towards them, pulled Tong Jia aside. “Stay back,” she said, then, with a swift kick, sent the Alpha sprawling to the ground.

    Xu Jinnan, after a brief glance at Viola, rushed to Shen Shu’s side.

    Shen Shu was slumped against the car, her hands on the ground, her body shaking, coughing and gagging, flinching at Xu Jinnan’s touch and instinctively recoiling.

    “Shu Shu,” Xu Jinnan whispered, her hand hovering over Shen Shu’s shoulder, her brow furrowed, her breath catching in her throat.

    Hearing her voice, Shen Shu’s ragged breathing slowed slightly.

    Xu Jinnan gently touched her shoulder, then pulled her into a hug.

    Shen Shu collapsed against her, sobbing softly, her body trembling.

    It wasn’t a loud, dramatic cry, but it tore at Xu Jinnan’s heart, a wave of anger and protectiveness washing over her.

    She gently patted Shen Shu’s back, her voice soothing. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

    Shen Shu clung to her, her fingers digging into Xu Jinnan’s back, her body still trembling, her voice hoarse and barely audible, but she still whispered Xu Jinnan’s name, as if seeking reassurance, or perhaps just instinctively seeking comfort.

    “I’m here,” Xu Jinnan murmured, her face buried in Shen Shu’s hair, the close contact a silent promise of protection. “I’m here,” she repeated.

    Viola had apprehended the Alpha, pinning her arms behind her back.

    Tong Jia rushed to the van, her eyes filling with tears as she saw Shen Shu in Xu Jinnan’s arms.

    She bit her lip, her heart heavy with guilt.

    She shouldn’t have been so careless.

    She had thought it would only take a few minutes to retrieve the keys, hadn’t anticipated the delay, or the missing grapes.

    She couldn’t imagine what Shen Shu had endured during those few minutes alone.

    Seeing Shen Shu’s trembling form and the blood on the ground, she couldn’t bear to think about it.

    And Xu Jinnan had warned her not to leave Shen Shu alone…

    She was consumed by guilt.

    Xu Jinnan held Shen Shu tightly, her attention focused solely on her, feeling her trembling subside slightly. She gently cupped Shen Shu’s face, wanting to see the extent of her injuries.

    Her fingertips brushed against Shen Shu’s tears, and she flinched… If only I had arrived a few minutes earlier.

    “Shu Shu,” she whispered, her voice gentle but firm, “let me see if you’re hurt.”

    Shen Shu shook her head.

    Xu Jinnan’s lips brushed against her hair. “Just let me see, okay?” she murmured.

    The familiar, comforting scent of her pheromones, like warm sunshine, eased Shen Shu’s fear, and she slowly lifted her head, her eyes red and swollen, her face streaked with tears, her long eyelashes wet.

    Her face was flushed, the redness a lingering effect of the Alpha’s chokehold.

    Xu Jinnan’s gaze fell on the dark red marks on Shen Shu’s neck, the imprint of five fingers, like the scars of a knife, a painful sight.

    She took a deep, shuddering breath, suppressing the rage that threatened to consume her.

    Her thumb gently wiped away Shen Shu’s tears. “I’m sorry I’m late,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

    Shen Shu’s eyes fluttered, her throat tight and sore.

    “Xu Jinnan, let’s go home,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

    The sound tore at Xu Jinnan’s heart. “Okay, let’s go home,” she replied, helping Shen Shu stand, then, seeing her legs buckle, scooped her up into her arms.

    Shen Shu, seeing Tong Jia standing nearby, her face pale and her eyes filled with tears, coughed, trying to catch her breath. “Jia Jia, I’m fine,” she said, her voice raspy.

    Tong Jia looked like a child who had been caught doing something wrong.

    Hearing Shen Shu’s attempt to comfort her, her guilt intensified.

    “Tong Jia, open the door,” Xu Jinnan said.

    The van was more spacious and comfortable than her car.

    Tong Jia immediately opened the back door, and Xu Jinnan gently placed Shen Shu on the seat, brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead.

    “Wait here for me,” she said.

    Shen Shu’s eyes, still red and swollen, met hers, her silence a clear sign of her fear and anxiety.

    “I’ll be right back. I promise,” Xu Jinnan reassured her, touching her hair gently, then, leaving Tong Jia with her, got out of the van.

    The door closed.

    The gentle warmth in Xu Jinnan’s eyes vanished, replaced by a chilling coldness.

    As she walked towards the woman Viola was restraining, her heel crunched on a stray grape, and she glanced down, remembering seeing this woman before.

    The one who had barged into Shen Shu’s dressing room. She had assumed it was a mistake, but now, it seemed like a deliberate act.

    She reached the woman and gestured for Viola to pull her into a more secluded corner.

    As the woman struggled, her glasses fell to the ground, and Xu Jinnan, without a second thought, stepped on them, the lenses shattering, the frames twisting beneath her heel.

    As she stood over the woman, a wave of powerful Alpha pheromones, like a tsunami, filled the air.

    The woman screamed, collapsing to the ground, her body trembling.

    Even Viola, despite being an Alpha herself, felt a surge of fear, the instinctive recoil of a lower-ranking Alpha in the presence of a dominant one.

    The woman’s mind reeled from the psychic assault, but she wasn’t afraid, her eyes still wild and frantic, her voice shrill. “Let me go! She’s mine! Shen Shu is mine! I almost had her back then! Let me go!!!” She didn’t seem to comprehend the danger she was in.

    Hearing her words, Xu Jinnan finally understood the depth of Shen Shu’s fear. This wasn’t just a random attack; this woman was a ghost from her past – the Alpha who had assaulted her, the one Cai Ying had mentioned.

    The one who had triggered Shen Shu’s aversion to Alphas.

    Xu Jinnan’s eyes narrowed, her fingers curling into a fist. “CEO Xu, should I call the police?” Viola asked.

    Xu Jinnan unclenched her fist, her voice devoid of emotion. “Call an ambulance first.”

    Viola paused, then, understanding Xu Jinnan’s intentions, her eyes widening slightly.

    Xu Jinnan, wearing a beige trench coat, the sleeves secured with cuffs, unbuttoned them, freeing her wrists.

    A few seconds later, a bloodcurdling scream echoed from the corner of the parking garage.

    —

     

  • Female Lead Was Coaxed Away by the Villain Again [Quick Transmigration] 128

    Chapter 128: Money is Really Tempting (1)

    Jiang Zhiyan opened her eyes, a smile still lingering on her face, but it vanished after she received the plot information.

    Xie Liaoyi in this world was actually married! And that scumbag of a husband was constantly cheating on her. The plot was a cliché “rake turns over a new leaf, marriage before love” story. Tsk, someone who still flirts around after getting married, disgusting!

    “Host, calm down,” the System said soothingly.

    Jiang Zhiyan sat up in bed and looked for the female lead’s contact information. The female lead in this world was named Jin Shuang. “Does she know about his affairs?”

    “Yes.”

    “Then why doesn’t she get a divorce?” Jiang Zhiyan gritted her teeth, although she knew it was part of the plot, she was still very annoyed.

    “How would I know? The author didn’t say, but it’s a business marriage,” the System said. “Calm down, this is a society ruled by law.”

    Jiang Zhiyan sat cross-legged on the bed, studied the plot, and then sent Jin Shuang a message.

    In the original plot, the female lead was hopelessly lovestruck. She hoped this version, who had a fragment of Xie Liaoyi’s soul, wasn’t, or she would truly go crazy.

    [Jiang Zhiyan: Are you free tonight? Let’s have dinner.]

    [Jin Shuang: ?]

    “Host, you’re being too aggressive, is it possible that your relationship isn’t good, that you’re not even close?” the System reminded her.

    “I know, if I don’t take the initiative in this situation, I’m doomed,” Jiang Zhiyan said, nervously clutching her phone.

    [Jin Shuang: Is there something you need?]

    [Jiang Zhiyan: Something very important.]

    [Jin Shuang: What time? Where?]

    Jiang Zhiyan quickly chose a restaurant, sent the location, and set the time for 6 pm.

    She got out of bed and started getting ready, looking at herself in the mirror.

    In this world, she had just graduated from university and was basically unemployed. Because she liked the male lead, Mu Chen, she disliked the female lead, Jin Shuang. However, Jin Shuang was a few years older than the original owner and usually ignored her.

    It was their first meeting in this world, and Jiang Zhiyan was excited. She arrived half an hour early, sat in the private room, and hearing the door open, immediately looked towards the entrance.

    Jin Shuang entered, pushing open the door, and glanced at the time: “Have you been waiting long?”

    “Not really,” Jiang Zhiyan said, her gaze fixed on Jin Shuang.

    Jin Shuang put her bag aside and sat down opposite Jiang Zhiyan.

    Jiang Zhiyan looked at Jin Shuang: “Mu Chen has cheated on you so many times, are you really not considering divorce?”

    System: ???

    “What a direct approach,” the System was shocked, so straightforward?

    Jiang Zhiyan observed Jin Shuang’s expression. Jin Shuang was stunned for a second, looked at Jiang Zhiyan, her expression remarkably calm.

    “You’re not still planning to stay in this marriage, are you?” Jiang Zhiyan frowned at Jin Shuang. “Don’t be so lovestruck.”

    “Host, how can you even say that?” the System was speechless, it had never seen anyone more lovestruck than Jiang Zhiyan.

    “I’m not human,” Jiang Zhiyan said matter-of-factly.

    Jin Shuang looked at Jiang Zhiyan and still didn’t speak.

    “Get a divorce first, only after losing you will he realize your worth,” Jiang Zhiyan said earnestly.

    “Okay.”

    Jiang Zhiyan: ???

    She had just said that casually, why did Jin Shuang agree so readily?

    The System was also shocked, was she that casual about it?

    Jiang Zhiyan couldn’t tell if this person was lovestruck or something else.

    “Let’s order,” Jin Shuang said.

    “You just agreed like that?” Jiang Zhiyan hadn’t expected to succeed today, she thought she would have to persuade her for at least ten days or half a month.

    Jin Shuang nodded: “I think you’re right, but it’s a business marriage, the process might be a bit complicated.”

    “I don’t think it’s that difficult, I’ll help you gather evidence of his infidelity, so you can get more compensation in the divorce,” Jiang Zhiyan looked at Jin Shuang.

    “Thank you,” Jin Shuang nodded.

    Jin Shuang and Mu Chen were still maintaining a loving image in public. If Jin Shuang made a fuss, it would severely damage Mu Chen’s reputation and might even affect the company’s stock price.

    Fortunately, in this world, the Jin family was on Jin Shuang’s side. After Mu Chen’s infidelity was discovered by the Jin family later, they kept persuading Jin Shuang to get a divorce, so there was no need to worry about them obstructing it.

    “You can order,” Jiang Zhiyan handed the menu to Jin Shuang.

    Jin Shuang looked at the menu and said casually: “Honestly, I didn’t expect you to care about my matters.”

    “I’ve always been concerned about you,” Jiang Zhiyan said.

    Jin Shuang glanced up at Jiang Zhiyan, then lowered her head and ordered a few dishes.

    Since they were leaving anyway, Jiang Zhiyan decided to use her remaining points to obtain evidence of Mu Chen’s infidelity, no point in wasting them.

    The two weren’t close, and Jin Shuang didn’t talk much, she was also very polite, responding to Jiang Zhiyan’s words courteously, but not warmly.

    It was normal, after all, their relationship wasn’t good.

    Halfway through the meal, Jin Shuang’s phone rang, she picked it up, glanced at it, and frowned.

    “Hello?”

    Jiang Zhiyan looked up at Jin Shuang.

    “I’m having dinner outside.”

    “Just send him back, don’t send him to my place.”

    “I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

    “I’m busy, I’m hanging up now, you handle it.”

    Jiang Zhiyan, listening to Jin Shuang’s cold tone, suddenly felt that she was very amiable when talking to her.

    “Mu Chen?” Jiang Zhiyan asked.

    “His assistant,” Jin Shuang put down her phone and smoothed her hair. “Sorry.”

    “Hm?”

    “I shouldn’t answer calls during dinner.”

    Jiang Zhiyan pursed her lips: “No need to be so polite, it’s fine…”

    “I thought you liked Mu Chen,” Jiang Zhiyan asked tentatively.

    “Who knows,” Jin Shuang said, twitching the corner of her mouth.

    Jiang Zhiyan felt there was a hidden meaning in her words.

    “So what time are you going home tonight?” Jiang Zhiyan continued to ask.

    “I’m not going back,” Jin Shuang said. “We don’t live together most of the time, only when he’s drunk outside does his assistant try to send him to my place.”

    Jin Shuang wiped her fingers: “Thankfully I locked my bedroom door before leaving.”

    Jiang Zhiyan raised her eyebrows, her delight evident: “I see, so your relationship really isn’t good.”

    “Then where are you going after dinner?”

    “To another apartment,” Jin Shuang said.

    Jiang Zhiyan felt a little disappointed: “I thought you meant we could go out for a while when you said you weren’t going home tonight.”

    Jin Shuang thought for a few seconds: “That’s fine too, where do you want to go?”

    Jin Shuang wasn’t working now, so she had plenty of time.

    “Let’s walk around to digest our food, then watch a late-night movie?” Jiang Zhiyan looked at Jin Shuang.

    “Okay,” Jin Shuang nodded.

    The smile on Jiang Zhiyan’s face brightened, and Jin Shuang, seeing her smile, also felt her mood improve, she smiled back.

    After dinner, Jin Shuang paid the bill first.

    “We agreed that I was treating you,” Jiang Zhiyan sighed softly.

    “You can treat me next time,” Jin Shuang said, swiping her card.

    Jiang Zhiyan: !!!

    There would be a next time!!!

    What did this mean? It meant that she didn’t mind having dinner with her! And even wanted to interact with her further!

    Jiang Zhiyan smiled faintly and followed Jin Shuang out of the restaurant.

    A long silence followed, Jiang Zhiyan racking her brains for a topic of conversation, she glanced at a billboard, would it be too stupid to comment on its color?

    “What do you want to do after the divorce?” Jiang Zhiyan asked.

    Jin Shuang fell into deep thought.

    “I don’t know,” Jin Shuang frowned slightly. “There are many things I don’t know, I can’t even remember why I married him in the first place, I even gave up my job for him, I seemed to be very much in love with him.”

    “Then focus on the divorce lawsuit and use his money to make a comeback,” Jiang Zhiyan paused. “I don’t know about other things, but I’m certain you don’t love him.”

    “Really? Actually, I didn’t have a career to make a comeback from before, it was just an ordinary job,” Jin Shuang said seriously.

    Jiang Zhiyan was stunned for a second, then laughed: “You’re actually making jokes now.”

    “I’m serious.”

    Jiang Zhiyan, looking at Jin Shuang’s serious expression, wanted to laugh even more, it was rare to see Xie Liaoyi’s face with such a serious expression, it struck her funny bone.

    Jin Shuang looked at Jiang Zhiyan, puzzled, then looked away, also chuckling.

    The two wandered around the mall, which was still open, and bought some small items.

    “I’ll pay,” Jin Shuang said, stopping Jiang Zhiyan, who was about to pay.

    “That’s too embarrassing.”

    “His card,” Jin Shuang said, taking out a card from her bag. “I suddenly remembered this, it’s a pity I didn’t remember it during dinner.”

    “Buy more,” Jin Shuang added. “Might as well use it.”

    “I think she definitely doesn’t love Mu Chen,” Jiang Zhiyan said. “How can she say such things with a straight face?”

    System: …

    In the plot, the female lead was always reluctant to spend Mu Chen’s money, mostly using her own, sometimes even giving him money. But this one, after discovering she had Mu Chen’s card, wanted to buy the entire mall.

    Now Jiang Zhiyan could see more of Xie Liaoyi in her.

    The drunk male lead was lying on the floor of his living room, his phone buzzing constantly with transaction notifications.

    He struggled to get up, opened his phone, and looked at it: ?

    Was he seeing things? Why didn’t he recognize the numbers? How many digits were there?

    He tried to count, but his arm went limp, and he collapsed, falling asleep again.

    “It’s a pity it’s so late, I could have bought a car too,” Jin Shuang sighed softly.

    Jiang Zhiyan could tell she was truly regretful, thinking about the things Jin Shuang had bought for her just now, she felt like they could fill her entire living room.

    “Let’s go shopping again tomorrow during the day,” Jin Shuang said, judging by Mu Chen’s personality, he probably wouldn’t ask for the money back. “Let’s go get some custom-made dresses.”

    “What movie do you want to watch?” Jin Shuang looked at Jiang Zhiyan. “I’ll buy the tickets.”

    Jiang Zhiyan opened her phone, casually picked a newly released romance movie, and Jin Shuang glanced at it and went to buy the tickets.

    “This feeling is really strange,” Jiang Zhiyan said, looking at Jin Shuang’s retreating figure, feeling emotional.

    “Indeed…” the System said hesitantly.

    “How much did she just spend?” Jiang Zhiyan asked.

    “Eight figures,” the System glanced at the amount.

    Jiang Zhiyan twitched the corner of her mouth, she hadn’t looked at the prices at the time, but it was probably around that amount, after all, Jin Shuang was basically trying to empty the stores. “I wonder how the male lead is reacting right now.”

    “He’s drunk, passed out drunk.”

    “The male lead is really rich,” Jiang Zhiyan said, opening her own account balance and taking a look, six figures was also a lot, but it was nothing compared to the male lead.

  • I’m Surrounded by My Own Pets! 218

    Chapter 218: More Married Pet Beasts???

    —Moon Soul World, Tai Yin Kingdom—

    “Boom, boom, boom, boom!!!”

    Under the watchful eyes of several powerful beings, silver threads flickered like sparks in the sky, the silver rabbit relentlessly pursuing the Fallen phoenix. Wherever they went, Pet Essence and air turned to nothingness, mountains and rivers crumbling into dust, mushroom clouds rising into the sky. The landscape of the Tai Yin Kingdom was constantly being reshaped, only to be instantly restored by Sumeru. The countless dead were like NPCs respawning in a video game.

    Tai Yin, the First Guardian and orchestrator of this chaos, reclined lazily on her moon ship, watching the battle with amusement, her shimmering silver hair cascading down her body, clipping through the ship’s model.

    A Fallen Species, not yet an Emperor, had arrived in her territory with Death Sentence and the white silk stocking.

    Such good fortune before the Lunar Divine Festival…

    Tai Yin would do everything in her power to push this Fallen Species to its final evolution.

    Not only did she not stop the destruction, but she even sent Dao Yao, the fifth-ranked Legend, to “dance” with it.

    Having spent countless years in other Soul Worlds, Dao Yao had mastered the art of suppressing her power, feigning an even match with the phoenix, her movements filled with feigned enthusiasm.

    “…”

    “…”

    “Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—”

    After another clash with the silver rabbit woman, the white phoenix, struggling to maintain its balance, unleashed a barrage of fiery feathers, like a meteor shower.

    Dao Yao, below the clouds, didn’t even bother dodging, charging straight into the fiery rain.

    Her graceful form, like a silver sword, pierced through the feathers, appearing instantly before Smelting Fire Wrathful Luan’s forehead.

    “Swish—”

    A fatal blow.

    But Smelting Fire Wrathful Luan wasn’t thinking about the battle, her mind drifting to the past.

    She remembered the white-stockinged girl with twin buns and her promise.

    The girl had said that even though she had mistakenly entered the Transcendent evolution path, she would find a way to make her the strongest Pet Beast in the game.

    She had also said that after the Moonlight Rabbit evolved, she would focus on evolving her.

    Finally, she had excitedly shown her a Shining combat skill card, muttering about selling several apartments in the capital to buy it.

    Within the Divine Machine’s Beast Taming Evolution Duel, Pet Beasts’ consciousness was suppressed, and they couldn’t communicate with their Beast Tamers through words or text.

    Smelting Fire Wrathful Luan didn’t know the value of “several apartments in the capital.”

    But she knew…

    …

    Her master hadn’t lied.

    But she probably wouldn’t live to see that day…

    As Dao Yao’s silver hair, like needles, neared her forehead, Smelting Fire Wrathful Luan opened her eyes.

    Despite her resentment, she let it go.

    After all, Death Sentence and White Silk Weaver Girl had trusted her…

    As Dao Yao’s eyes burned, a Shining light erupted from the white phoenix.

    “—Shining Combat Skill, Hidden Fire—”

    “…”

    “…”

    “BOOM!!!!!”

    Under the disbelieving gazes of Tai Yin, Sumeru, and the other Legends, a massive, white-hot explosion sent Dao Yao flying, crashing through countless mountains and nations before finally stopping.

    A dazzling, flowing phoenix tail materialized behind the Fallen phoenix.

    Though its Fallen body wasn’t large, the magnificent tail stretched for over fifty million kilometers, covering half the sky above the Tai Yin Kingdom.

    Smelting Fire Wrathful Luan had finally used that woman’s combat skill.

    If she had used it during her battle against Snow Flower on Drought’s back, Golden Leaf and Snow Flower wouldn’t have stood a chance.

    Seeing the massive phoenix tail, Sumeru and Mountains and Seas were stunned.

    Tai Yin stood up from her moon ship in disbelief.

    “How…?”

    “The completion level of this Shining combat skill…”

    “No, more importantly, it’s just a Monarch-Tier Fallen Species! Even with multiple transcendences, how could it enhance a Shining combat skill to this level!?”

    “…”

    “…”

    “Whoosh—”

    Before Dao Yao could even get up from the ruins, countless dazzling phoenix feathers rained down, grabbing her ears and dragging her through the mountains.

    Under the feathers’ terrifying onslaught, nations and mountains crumbled, the surrounding landscape collapsing.

    Dao Yao, struggling to protect her head, was flung away again, her body like a tiny ant, crashing through the kingdom’s edge.

    The shockwaves sent even the distant Legends flying.

    Mountains and Seas, Sumeru, even Tai Yin herself, fell silent.

    This phoenix…

    Though not an Emperor, nor one of the Four Great Calamities…

    Once it reached Emperor-Tier, its destructive power would likely rival theirs!

    Tai Yin heard Dao Yao’s voice in her mind.

    [Tai Yin, something’s wrong with this one. I suspect its transcendence count is unprecedented.]

    [I think it entered Transcendent evolution in its juvenile stage…]

    “J-Juvenile stage? How…?”

    “What luck is that?” Tai Yin was incredulous.

    Who would keep a Pet Beast that entered Transcendent evolution at Mid-Tier, even evolving it to such a terrifying level?

    That Beast Tamer must be insane!

    Yes, such a Beast Tamer did exist…

    Lian Xing, having just started the game and knowing nothing, had seen the double affix on the little phoenix and assumed it was a rare species, capturing it.

    And so, she had inadvertently reached this point.

    A childish mistake, a playful whim…

    [Regardless, I’ve found a treasure.]

    [I’ll fight her with my full strength. If I accidentally kill her, have Sumeru revive her.]

    [And those two support Pet Beasts… they shouldn’t be easily defeated.]

    A brilliant light erupted from the ruins where Dao Yao lay.

    Sand, gravel, even the entire mountain range, were blasted away by her aura, like a meteor shower.

    Dao Yao’s silver hair swirled like needles, her eyes burning with fiery intensity as she stepped out of the ruins.

    ***

    At the center of the Tai Yin Kingdom battlefield, Dao Yao saw clearly that the phoenix hadn’t actually used the white silk stocking.

    It was simply tied to a feather, fluttering in the wind.

    Why possess a treasure and not use it?

    Did the stocking belong to someone else…?

    With a puzzled expression, Dao Yao’s body radiated a silver, moonlit aura as she raised a paw towards the white phoenix in the sky.

    As she clenched her paw, the sky began to crack.

    Even the dazzling feathers around Smelting Fire Wrathful Luan shattered, a cry of pain escaping its beak.

    An invisible rabbit paw seemed to crush everything in its path, all matter disintegrating.

    Seconds later, the battered Smelting Fire Wrathful Luan shrieked, its millions of kilometers of feathers shooting outwards like a billion stars.

    But the closer the feathers got to Dao Yao, the faster they disintegrated.

    Yet, the phoenix continued its attack, relentlessly clashing with the invisible pressure.

    Finally, the feathers accelerated beyond Dao Yao’s expectations, the compressed world unable to keep up.

    A massive feather struck Dao Yao.

    “BOOM!!!!”

    An explosion. Dao Yao gritted her teeth, taking the hit head-on, her body partially sinking into the ground, blood flowing from her head.

    But the compressed air continued to crush the space around Smelting Fire Wrathful Luan.

    The phoenix finally gave up.

    “Death Sentence, I can’t win! Retreat!!!”

    [Understood.]

    “Clang!!!!!”

    Just as a black, crescent-shaped guillotine descended upon the phoenix, a strange sound echoed.

    Dao Yao, covered in blood, stood at the phoenix’s tail, gripping the corner of the white silk stocking like a vengeful ghost.

    “…”

    “…”

    In the tense silence, Death Sentence deactivated its ability.

    If this enemy was willing to shield the white silk stocking’s user, then the stocking couldn’t be retrieved.

    Dao Yao, seizing the opportunity, launched a final attack.

    Her three-jointed rabbit paw slowly clenched.

    Smelting Fire Wrathful Luan’s life force began to fade.

    “A Moonlight Rabbit! Another Moonlight Rabbit! Damn it…”

    “Moonlight Rabbits! Just stay away from me next life!!!!!”

    “…”

    “…”

    “BOOM!!!!”

    Suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, a deafening thunderclap echoed across the Tai Yin Kingdom.

    As Tai Yin and the others watched in disbelief, a golden figure plummeted from the sky.

    And as she fell, two Moonlight Rabbits tumbled from her head, screaming as they fell towards Dao Yao’s compressed aura.

    To Dao Yao’s shock and confusion, the two Moonlight Rabbits passed through her aura unharmed, landing behind her.

    What… what was going on?

    So many…

    So many plump Moonlight Rabbits!

    Dao Yao’s gaze was fixated on the two Moonlight Rabbits, like a love-struck fool, even forgetting to attack.

    Smelting Fire Wrathful Luan, after a moment of stunned silence, looked past the two Moonlight Rabbits at the falling golden-haired girl, realization dawning upon her, her heart pounding.

    “Bang!!!”

    The golden-haired girl landed precisely on the white phoenix’s fluffy feathers, spreading her limbs out lazily.

    Before Smelting Fire Wrathful Luan could react, the fluttering white silk stocking and a small black blade approached the golden-haired girl, staring intently as if sensing something.

    Lian Xing beckoned them closer.

    After a moment of hesitation, the black blade and White Silk Weaver Girl leaped into Lian Xing’s arms, licking her body like puppies drawn to… something unpleasant.

    Tai Yin watched this bizarre scene, dumbfounded.

    Was this their Beast Tamer…?

    Had the original owner come to claim them?

    But she had never seen this woman before…

    Meanwhile, with Dao Yao…

    Normally, powerful Pet Beasts, though protective of lower-ranked members of their species, wouldn’t be particularly interested in two Low-Tier ones.

    But now, she instinctively reached out with both paws, intending to catch the falling Moonlight Rabbits.

    But the moment they landed in her paws—

    “Bang!”

    Her priestess robe’s sleeves were torn, and her paws were pulverized.

  • Shion’s Notes 140

    Chapter 140: The World’s Malice

    Arriving home at seven o’clock, Ye Zhiyun felt a pang of emptiness, despite it being her usual arrival time. She often worked late, negotiating deals and signing contracts, sometimes even staying overnight at hotels.

    But before, no matter how late she returned, someone was always there, waiting for her. Now, the apartment was dark and silent, the kitchen lights off, the stove unused.

    She switched on the lights, illuminating the apartment, dispelling the darkness, but not the loneliness. She turned the lights off, plunging the living room back into darkness, then switched them on again, the light reaching every corner, but no one stood there to greet her.

    “Sigh…”

    Ye Zhiyun sighed.

    What was she thinking? Yu Linna had moved out; what was she expecting?

    It was a pointless expectation.

    Something was definitely wrong with her.

    She tossed her bag onto the sofa and collapsed onto it, her weight sinking into the cushions. She felt exhausted. She had recently scaled back on her projects, delegating work to her studio, wanting to focus on her upcoming gaokao. She was less busy than before, yet she felt more tired.

    Was it because something was missing?

    She had grown accustomed to Yu Linna’s presence, her absence making life feel dull and monotonous. When Yu Linna was here, no matter how tired she was, she felt happy, knowing she had a place to return to, someone waiting for her.

    Now, there was nothing.

    “Na… Nana…”

    That girl, initially her rival, their feud starting over two yuan on the bus, now… what were they? Their transformation from rivals to… this… was strange.

    Seeing Yu Linna happy brought her joy; seeing her cry brought her sorrow. What were these feelings? And her gaze, lingering on Yu Linna, becoming increasingly intense… it wasn’t like her. Could she be…?

    No, no, impossible. She loved Li Muqing, there was no doubt about it, even after being rejected. She loved him, undoubtedly.

    Undoubtedly…

    Ye Zhiyun’s mood was unusually somber.

    Meanwhile, Yu Linna continued her discussions with the illustrator, his provocative style clashing with her vision. Despite her insistence, Zhiqiu’s revisions failed to satisfy her. Zhiqiu, a proud artist, his patience wearing thin, finally snapped.

    “Shion-sensei, don’t think you can do whatever you want just because you won the Gold Award! My art is recognized in the industry! If you don’t like my style, find someone else!”

    Zhiqiu had his pride. He was a renowned illustrator, having worked with numerous Wenqing authors. To have his style criticized by a newcomer… he had been remarkably patient.

    Yu Linna wasn’t inherently stubborn, but she felt his provocative style didn’t suit her novel, a story focused on plot and character development, not fanservice.

    Their disagreement escalated into an argument.

    “Sister Chen, I heard Zhiqiu and Shion are having a disagreement. The illustrations aren’t finished yet.”

    Rabbit Princess, aka Qian Jiaxuan, reported the issue to Chen Xi.

    Though a newcomer to the editorial department, Qian Jiaxuan was capable and had earned Chen Xi’s favor. She mostly managed male authors, often receiving unwanted private messages, and longed to work with a female author.

    “What happened?”

    Chen Xi, working late, pushed up her glasses, her annoyance evident. The publication date was approaching, and the illustrations weren’t finished yet.

    “Well, you know Zhiqiu’s style… it’s… fanservice-oriented. Shion-sensei doesn’t like it. She insists on a less revealing style, and Zhiqiu is furious. So, a week has passed, and there are no finished illustrations.”

    “That girl…”

    Only a few people in the editorial department knew Shion was female; most assumed she was male. Her dislike of fanservice was likely seen as incomprehensible.

    “Sister Chen, what should we do?”

    “I hired Zhiqiu; I can’t just let him go. I’ll talk to Shion.”

    She wanted Yu Linna’s book to attract readers, and in this market, an eye-catching cover was essential, especially for an unknown author. Though a Gold Award winner, she was still a newcomer.

    “By the way, are Bai Chen’s illustrations done?”

    “Yes, they’re finished, ready for printing.”

    “That’s Young Master; make sure there are no problems. Resolve any issues immediately.”

    Bai Chen, the Silver Award winner, the author of The Cross-dressing Young Master Doesn’t Want to be Served, though officially a newcomer, was using a pen name. He had published before, though only short stories.

    More importantly, he was the chief editor’s…

    So, there couldn’t be any problems.

    The next morning, Yu Linna dragged herself to school, exhausted from another late-night argument with the illustrator, their disagreement unresolved. She disliked his style, but asking him to change it seemed unrealistic. She considered finding a new illustrator.

    “Linna, are you okay? I called the police yesterday. Zhiyun told me you were safe, but I was so worried! Did those men do anything to you?”

    Fang Jiangning, arriving early, fussed over her, checking for any injuries.

    “I’m fine. Perfectly fine.”

    “I’m so sorry, Linna. I shouldn’t have left you alone. I’m glad you’re okay.”

    “It’s fine.”

    If it weren’t for Ye Zhiyun, things might have turned out differently. She was grateful for Zhiyun.

    “Let’s not talk about that. We have a quiz today. Did you study?”

    “Um… is it too late now?”

    “Come here, I’ll help you with the key points.”

    “Heehee, you’re the best.”

    The pressure of senior year was relentless. Yu Linna, sitting down, pulled out her notes, reviewing for the upcoming quiz. Her distinctive blonde hair stood out in the classroom. Huo Ningning, sitting to her left, could still see her, even with several students between them.

    Yu Linna was as beautiful as ever.

    She still wanted to get closer to her.

    “Linna.”

    With that thought, Huo Ningning stood up and walked over to her, determined to be more proactive today.

    “I…”

    “Not today.”

    “Huh?”

    The swift rejection caught her off guard.

    “W-wait! Don’t reject me so quickly!”

    “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

    Yu Linna wouldn’t go out with her, absolutely not. That introverted, unpredictable girl… who knew what she was thinking? Huo Ningning was attractive, but Yu Linna felt no connection to her, no desire for a closer relationship.

    Going out with her was out of the question.

    “Class rep, Yu Linna, the homeroom teacher wants to see you in the office.”

    “…Fine.”

    Going to the office together didn’t count as going out, right?

    Huo Ningning, unexpectedly, had a chance to be alone with Yu Linna. Though Yu Linna looked displeased, they had to go to the same place, so they walked together.

    Their homeroom teacher, Li Lexuan, was waiting for them.

    “Ningning, Linna, I wanted to talk to you about something. The gaokao is approaching, and everyone’s feeling the pressure. Ningning, your grades are decent, and you’re the class rep. I expect a good score from you on the next mock exam. Look at Fang Jiangning; her grades have improved significantly. You need to step up your game. Also, I’m planning to conduct home visits for some of the top students soon. Inform the class president and have him make an announcement during the class meeting.”

    The words “home visit” made Yu Linna’s blood run cold.

    What the fuck?! Another home visit?

    And this time, it was for the top students. She was definitely on the list. They had already done a home visit last semester; why another one? Would she have to find someone to impersonate her parent again? That trick wouldn’t work twice!

    “And you, Linna, though you’ve been much better this semester, not skipping classes for work, I still want to remind you to focus on your studies. You’re a valuable asset to our liberal arts program; the school is counting on you to achieve a high score. Don’t disappoint us.”

    “Oh… okay…”

    “Why do you sound so unenthusiastic? Show some youthful energy!”

    “Okay.”

    “This child…”

    Li Lexuan sighed. This girl was excellent in every way, except for her occasional disobedience. With her academic abilities, she could easily surpass the students from the Experimental High School. She had even outscored them on several tests, though she remained the top student at their school.

    The principal had recruited her from the Experimental High School, waiving her tuition fees; she couldn’t afford to slack off. The principal had high hopes for her.

    “Also, I’ll be visiting your home soon. How’s your mother doing?”

    “Huh?”

    Yu Linna recalled asking Ye Zhiyun to impersonate her mother, a memory she wasn’t fond of.

    Would she have to ask her again?

    It wouldn’t be easy.

    “My mom… she’s… in another city. Can we skip the home visit?”

  • Qin Auntie, Save Me [Rebirth] 81

    Chapter 81

    Wen Shao Ze was truly serious this time, practically setting up camp in Meng City. He had temporarily handed over his business in Hai City to his company and was staying here, waiting for the investigation results.

    Qin Qianrou had tried to persuade him to return a few times, but Wen Shao Ze was adamant, his every word revealing his doting older brother persona.

    “Qianrou, I can’t just sit and wait this time. By the time those people finish their investigation, the western rains will have dried up. Besides, who knows how much of the truth they’ll actually uncover.”

    Shen Yiqiu brought out a bowl of wontons from the kitchen, and Wen Shao Ze, without hesitation, thanked her and started eating.

    “I’ve heard from Xiao Wan that your wontons are different from the ones outside. I’ve been craving them, and I finally get to try them today.”

    Qin Qianrou slowly swallowed a wonton, then casually said, “As long as there are any left, you’re always welcome to have some.”

    Shen Yiqiu smiled and added, “Shao Ze-ge, you should have told me earlier, I could have prepared some for you to take home.”

    Wen Shao Ze had initially just wanted to enjoy a free meal, to satisfy his craving, but now, after a few delicious wontons, his appetite had grown considerably. Hearing he could not only eat them here but also take some home was like winning the lottery.

    “How can I trouble you? You’re busy with your studies, and you still have to make these after class, and now I’m even taking some home…” Wen Shao Ze made a few polite remarks, about to end with a grateful “Thank you so much,” when Qin Qianrou interrupted him.

    “Shao Ze, it shouldn’t be difficult for your housekeeper to make some wontons, and there are plenty of good wonton restaurants in Hai City. You’re welcome to have some whenever there are any in the fridge, Shen Yiqiu is very busy lately, she doesn’t have time to make more.”

    Wen Shao Ze’s face fell, unable to argue with that.

    He glanced at the ever-calm Qin Qianrou, then at Shen Yiqiu, her eyes crinkling in a smile as she looked at him apologetically, and he could only resign himself to eating another wonton, suppressing his frustration.

    How outrageous, just a few wontons, and Qianrou is already so protective.

    Wen Shao Ze finished the wontons and the broth, leaning back in his chair contentedly.

    “Shao Ze-ge, let me make you some tea.”

    Just as Shen Yiqiu was about to clear the table, Qin Qianrou placed a hand on her arm. “It’s just a few bowls, Shao Ze, why don’t you wash them?”

    “I’m a guest, and I have to do the dishes?” Wen Shao Ze pointed at himself, his tone, however, not particularly surprised.

    “Didn’t you just say you were too full? This will help with digestion.”

    Wen Shao Ze shook his head and stood up, his movements surprisingly practiced.

    “Alright, you’re finally learning to be considerate, not letting Shen Yiqiu do anything, just making your older brother work.”

    Shen Yiqiu hadn’t thought much of it, but Wen Shao Ze’s words made her feel slightly embarrassed, yet also strangely… pleased.

    After Wen Shao Ze started washing the dishes, Shen Yiqiu made tea and joined Qin Qianrou on the sofa.

    “Should I go help him?”

    “He often does the dishes at home, don’t worry.”

    “Ah? Shao Ze-ge does the dishes at home?” Shen Yiqiu was surprised, a CEO, doing dishes?

    “He likes doing chores when he’s stressed.”

    “Oh, I see.” Shen Yiqiu glanced towards the kitchen, Wen Shao Ze’s movements seemed more energetic now, less sluggish than before.

    Wen Shao Ze had been utilizing his extensive network of contacts these past few days, determined to uncover the truth behind the incident at the Xinting Hotel. To his surprise, he first discovered that someone in another room on the same floor had also been targeted that day.

    “Qianrou, this is definitely not a simple matter. You were unconscious, and in another room, not far from yours, that Cheng Yan kid was also drugged, it can’t be a coincidence, can it?”

    Both Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu had been shocked when they first heard this from Wen Shao Ze. After learning Cheng Yan’s identity, Shen Yiqiu’s feelings had become even more complicated.

    As Wen Shao Ze continued sharing the information he had gathered, Qin Qianrou couldn’t find an opportunity to explain the situation with the Cheng family. However, she could sense the shift in Shen Yiqiu’s mood.

    Shen Yiqiu listened quietly, her heart heavy, when a hand gently covered hers.

    She turned and saw Jiejie’s perfect profile.

    She looked down, confirming it was Qin Qianrou’s hand holding hers.

    The warmth from Qin Qianrou’s hand gradually spread to hers, a silent reassurance, and the weight on her heart lifted. Shen Yiqiu looked up and gave her a loving smile.

    “Ahem, can you two show some consideration for this lonely single person? I’m talking until my throat is dry, and you two are flirting right in front of me.”

    Shen Yiqiu tried to pull her hand away, but Qin Qianrou held on tightly.

    With her free hand, she pushed the teacup towards Wen Shao Ze, her tone calm, “Thank you for your effort, have some tea.”

    Wen Shao Ze sighed and picked up his teacup.

    “I visited him at the hospital, he was worse off than you, after being drugged and then forcing himself to stay awake, he looked quite weak.”

    As a man, Wen Shao Ze understood Cheng Yan’s suffering that day.

    The other two, hearing this, their expressions also turned grim.

    “Thankfully, Shen Yiqiu arrived just in time, otherwise…” Even now, just imagining it was frightening.

    Qin Qianrou thought for a moment, then asked, “Was this targeting me, or Cheng Yan?”

    “We’re still investigating, but from what Cheng Yan said, it seems you were the main target, but using Cheng Yan as a pawn also suggests they wanted to implicate the Cheng family, it might be a scheme to kill two birds with one stone.”

    The Cheng family had been thriving these past few years, their influence in Hai City growing rapidly, almost on par with the Qin family. Cheng Yan, after returning from studying abroad, had taken over the family business, unlike Qin Qianrou, who insisted on being a reporter, fulfilling the elders’ expectations.

    “But I still think it’s related to the He Chao case.”

    Qin Qianrou had visited Jiang Yuan twice since He Chao’s death in prison, finding her withdrawn and unresponsive. But a while ago, she had unexpectedly contacted Qin Qianrou through her lawyer, requesting a meeting.

    Recalling He Chao’s words during their meeting, Qin Qianrou thought that perhaps the people he had mentioned, those involved in his shady dealings, had started taking action.

    He Chao had been the first, she was the second, and Jiang Yuan might be next.

    “The He Chao matter is definitely not simple, he had been tight-lipped before, taking all the blame himself, and all the evidence had been erased. If he hadn’t revealed it himself, it would have been very difficult to uncover.” Wen Shao Ze was also a little apprehensive, the forces behind He Chao weren’t just a few greedy businessmen.

    “Qianrou, you should stay home and rest for now, let us handle the outside matters.”

    Qin Qianrou glanced at Wen Shao Ze, “Is that what my family wants?”

    “Aunt said she’ll handle things in Hai City, and she asked me to take care of the Meng City side.”

    With her family involved, Qin Qianrou knew this couldn’t be suppressed any longer, especially with the Cheng family implicated. Although she and Cheng Yan had a cordial relationship, if it weren’t for Shen Yiqiu’s timely arrival, the consequences would have been dire.

    Qin Qianrou felt even more reliant on the person beside her, Li Wan had told her later that Shen Yiqiu’s hands and lips had been covered in blood that day, a frightening sight at first, then replaced by heartache, this usually gentle and sweet child had been so incredibly brave.

    **

    The plan to drug Qin Qianrou and Cheng Yan, to stage a compromising scene and take photos and videos, had failed, naturally, some were relieved, while others were furious.

    After so much planning and resources invested, it had all been for nothing. The person in charge of executing the plan had been apprehended and brought back to Hai City, what exactly had happened at the Xinting Hotel that day, to make such a seemingly foolproof plan fail?

    “Sheng-ge, I’m telling the truth, I followed the plan every step of the way.”

    The man addressed as Sheng-ge had a faint scar at the corner of his eye, a noticeable mark that made him seem intimidating.

    “Followed the plan? Then how did it turn into such a mess? My plan considered every possibility, and I even gave you extra time. Look at what you’ve done, it’s a complete disaster!”

    “Everything went smoothly at first, after drugging the reporter, I brought her to the room, even took off her coat, she was completely unconscious. Then, Ade contacted me, saying he had taken care of the Cheng kid, the drugs would take effect in ten minutes. I left the room to get him, and then…”

    He stopped abruptly.

    Sheng-ge looked at him coldly, twirling the gleaming dagger in his hand.

    “And then what? Don’t tell me you got lost in the hotel.”

    The man looked innocent and bewildered, almost pleading as he explained, “I didn’t get lost, but it was like… I was being haunted.”

    Sheng-ge scoffed, gesturing for him to continue, his eyes, however, clearly showing disbelief.

    “It was like I was cursed, I kept repeating the same actions, bringing the reporter to the room, receiving Ade’s messages, but as soon as I left the room, I would be back at the beginning again.”

    His story becoming increasingly absurd, Sheng-ge stopped playing with the dagger, his index finger gently tracing its sharp edge.

    “Are you telling me the truth?”

    “It’s true! I thought it was strange too, but that’s what happened!”

    “Then how did you find Ade?”

    If it was as he claimed, why had Ade been found in Cheng Yan’s room twenty minutes later?

    “I don’t know, I kept repeating the same thing several times, then suddenly, I could move on.”

    The man’s explanation seemed even less believable to himself. If he hadn’t experienced it firsthand, he wouldn’t have believed it either. Having worked for Sheng-ge for so many years, believing in ghosts and spirits would have sent him to hell long ago.

    “Do you think I’m a child?” Sheng-ge leaned closer, staring at the man kneeling before him, bound and gagged, his eyes sharp, his expression clearly saying, Do you think I’m stupid?

    “No, no, I’m telling the truth!”

    The dagger pressed against his neck, just inches from his artery.

    “I can tolerate mistakes, I can even accept you being twenty minutes behind schedule, but insulting my intelligence, making up such lies right in front of me…”

    The dagger moved slightly, forcing the man to raise his chin, not daring to lower it.

    “Sheng-ge, I really didn’t…”

    There was no explaining this, who knew he would encounter such a bizarre situation? This was even more frustrating than being caught by the police after drugging Qin Qianrou, but it had happened, and he couldn’t defend himself.

    Besides, no one would believe him anyway.

    Sheng-ge, seeing his silence, knowing he wouldn’t get any more details, waved his hand, dismissing him.

    With the plan having gone awry on Qin Qianrou’s side, Ade, waiting in Cheng Yan’s room, hadn’t dared to act. Seeing the agreed-upon time pass with no sign of his accomplice, he hadn’t dared to leave the room, his anxiety growing.

    Then, hearing a commotion in the hotel, he knew the plan had been exposed. Just as he was about to escape through the window, someone entered the room.

    Seeing him trying to climb out the window, the person seemed surprised, “I just arrived, and you’re already leaving?”

    Ade had wanted to confront this incompetent fool who had ruined everything, but escaping was his priority now, he didn’t have time for this.

    “You messed up, don’t drag me down with you!”

    The commotion outside intensified, Cheng Yan’s face flushing, his body stirring restlessly, but he couldn’t be moved now, and they couldn’t stay here any longer.

    Three minutes later, only Cheng Yan, still under the influence of the drugs, remained in the room, vaguely aware of the commotion in the nearby room, but unable to understand what was happening.

    Sheng-ge twirled his dagger, still puzzled by what could have happened during those twenty minutes that had foiled his plan.

    Although the man’s explanation had been absurd, he hadn’t believed a word of it. But seeing his desperation, clinging to that excuse even when facing death, perhaps it wasn’t entirely a lie?

    Sheng-ge was frustrated, he had guaranteed success, now, having accepted the payment, yet failing to deliver, how was he going to explain this to his clients?

    Wen Shao Ze, hearing this explanation three days later than Sheng-ge, had immediately questioned if it was a joke, using such an absurd excuse to collect his payment.

    “Young Master Wen, I’ve worked for you for many years, regardless of the task, big or small, the payment large or small, have I ever lied to you?”

    Wen Shao Ze, holding the phone, considered the truthfulness of his words.

    “This information wasn’t easy to obtain, I had to pull some strings to get this, this is the original account Sheng-ge got during the interrogation, guaranteed authentic.”

    Wen Shao Ze finally paid him, and when he relayed this information to Qin Qianrou, he saw the same puzzled look on her face.

    “What, you’re also confused?” Wen Shao Ze felt a sense of camaraderie, he wasn’t the only one baffled by this.

    Qin Qianrou, however, had a different focus. She couldn’t understand why that man would claim to have repeatedly brought her into the room during those twenty minutes.

    “Qianrou, are you okay?” Wen Shao Ze, seeing her silence, her furrowed brow, as if deep in thought,

    was worried she might be upset and tried to comfort her, “If you can’t remember what happened that day, then don’t think about it, you were unconscious anyway, you don’t know anything. Leave the rest to me, I’ll investigate.”

    “No, I remember.”

    Qin Qianrou wasn’t eager to relive the events of that day, but she knew that only by examining every detail could they find the true clues.

    Shen Yiqiu also remained silent, her expression even more serious than Qin Qianrou’s.

    “I’m fine now, don’t worry.” Qin Qianrou thought Shen Yiqiu was still traumatized by the incident, the child always looked distressed whenever it was mentioned.

    This was also why Qin Qianrou had deliberately avoided the topic, she didn’t want to upset Shen Yiqiu.

    “Jiejie, I think I can explain what happened during those twenty minutes.”

    What?

    Both Qin Qianrou and Wen Shao Ze were surprised, but Qin Qianrou recovered more quickly.

    Shen Yiqiu organized her thoughts, she had also been puzzled these past few days, something about that day had seemed strange, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was. With the new information, a theory had gradually formed in her mind.

    “That repeating twenty minutes, it might have been caused by me.”

    Wen Shao Ze’s jaw dropped.

    Qin Qianrou was startled. “You’re saying, besides your premonitions, you can also control people’s actions?”

    Shen Yiqiu nodded, then shook her head. “I can’t control them, but I can… freeze time.”

    Wen Shao Ze felt like he was watching a live-action science fiction movie.

    “You mean, your ability is different now?”

    Shen Yiqiu bit her lip, unsure how to explain, it was just a theory, after all, she would need to test it, but she really didn’t want to experience that again, it probably wouldn’t be a pleasant experience.

    “It might be related to my blood, I tried opening the door with my uninjured hand that day, and it didn’t work, then I switched hands, and the door opened immediately. At the time, I was just focused on finding you, I didn’t think much of it.”

    Li Wan, ever cautious, after taking Qin Qianrou away, had immediately arranged for someone to clean the room and remove any traces. She didn’t want the police involved, it would affect Qin Qianrou’s reputation, and Li Wan didn’t mind being selfish this time.

    If it was as Shen Yiqiu described, then it all made sense. Those inexplicable twenty minutes, the repeated actions, had been caused by Shen Yiqiu freezing time. And since it was a localized time freeze, it had only affected specific individuals, while time continued normally for everyone else.

    Wen Shao Ze’s mind struggled to process this, he understood each individual word, but the meaning eluded him.

    “Wait, were you two just discussing movies, or… what we were talking about earlier?”

    Qin Qianrou knew he wouldn’t understand immediately, and she didn’t want to explain the details, after all, this involved Shen Yiqiu’s privacy.

    “Do you think we’re in the mood to discuss movies right now?”

    Wen Shao Ze took a sip of tea to calm himself down, he had actually thought the informant had been making up stories to get his money.

    “Time freeze ability? Can I borrow Shen Yiqiu for a few days then? I’ve been eyeing a few stocks, she can help me out.”

    Shen Yiqiu looked at him, speechless. “I can only use it on people in danger, I can’t help you make money.”

    Wen Shao Ze was, of course, joking, if she could do everything, the world would be in chaos.

    “But why was only Qianrou’s time frozen? Wasn’t Cheng Yan also a victim?”

    Shen Yiqiu said apologetically, “I can’t control it, I can only sense and affect people I’m close to, I sensed Jiejie’s situation, so I could only save Jiejie.”

    So, Wen Shao Ze, with his confused and earnest questions, had been force-fed a large bowl of dog food (public display of affection).

  • Miss Luo Yan’s Feet Are Buried With Corpses v3c20

    Witch’s Night: Chapter 20 A Flashback Ride…

    Weary gasps, the sweet smell of sweat, accompanied by violent shaking and jolting. Warm liquid dripped onto her cheek, carrying a pungent, foul odor.

    Chris slowly opened her eyes, looking blankly at the scene before her.

    A few bright stars dotted the dim yellow sky, hanging above, as if eternally watching over this land.

    She was gently wrapped in a warm, soft embrace, and a rapid heartbeat echoed in her ears.

    Thump, thump…

    So real.

    Where was this? Why couldn’t she remember anything…

    Mom, where was Mom…

    Tears welled up in Chris’s eyes, and childish cries followed.

    “Alright, alright, don’t cry, I’ll take you out soon.”

    A gentle voice sounded. Despite its heavy weariness, it was like a warm spring flowing through Chris’s heart.

    Was this… Sister Qingling’s voice?

    Wait… she knew where this was…

    Chris struggled to turn her head and saw a pair of gentle eyes gazing at her, filled with pity and wonder.

    “Wake up, wake up… why did you suddenly faint?”

    Another light and indifferent voice sounded, and the gentle eyes instantly disappeared, replaced by a pair of cold, light blue eyes.

    Luo Yan held Chris, who was about the same height as her, her expression a mixture of helplessness and… something else.

    The moment they stepped into the Void, Chris collapsed.

    The helpless Luo Yan could only pick her up in the simplest way, in what was commonly called a princess carry.

    Then the unconscious Chris instinctively wrapped her arms around Luo Yan’s neck, but because they were in the Void, and Luo Yan was carrying someone, she could only let Chris hold her like this.

    It wasn’t until they left the Void through a spatial rift that Luo Yan freed a hand and shook the unconscious Chris.

    Finally, Chris slowly woke up and met Luo Yan’s eyes.

    She was so startled that she jumped out of Luo Yan’s arms, stumbling to steady herself, but slightly averted her gaze.

    The shadow cast by the previous experience was quite heavy; Chris still didn’t dare to look directly into Luo Yan’s eyes.

    “I… what happened to me?”

    Chris was a little confused. Her memory only lasted until the moment before they entered the Void; after that, it was as if she had entered a dream.

    A very familiar dream, the scene when she first met Sister Qingling many years ago, when she was only seven or eight years old…

    Wait, carrying someone through the Void?

    After a long moment of confusion, Chris finally came to her senses and realized that this unbelievably terrifying act had happened to her.

    “Did I just have a flashback…”

    Chris broke out in a cold sweat. Could this be considered a brush with death?

    But it was understandable. Even the powerful Rhine, with his strong will, and Lin Cheng, had almost the same reaction when they first encountered the Void.

    The reason they hadn’t fainted directly was that they had been mentally prepared, but the discomfort after leaving the Void still made them vomit for a long time.

    Chris had been spared from vomiting because she had a flashback…

    “Are you alright now?”

    Luo Yan asked with concern, although her tone was still as indifferent as ever.

    “Mm…”

    After casting “Siren’s Song” on herself several times to adjust her mental state, Chris finally recovered.

    She looked up and saw Luo Yan staring at her, but this time, there was no fear like before. A dreamy aura flowed in her light blue eyes.

    Wait…

    What appeared before Chris was no longer a black-haired young man, but a stunningly beautiful girl with long, silver-white hair.

    Her ethereal beauty was beyond words. Unlike the fleeting glimpse before, Luo Yan’s silver-white hair now had a few strands of ice blue, almost imperceptible to the naked eye.

    Moreover, her figure was somewhat translucent, very similar to Chris in her Shadow Guard uniform, but even more so, as if she was hovering at the edge of the present world.

    “Are you now…”

    Chris said blankly.

    “This is what I look like when using ‘End’.”

    Luo Yan nodded. When she used the power of “End” with all her might, she naturally shed the guise of her Life Hacks.

    “En-en-en-en… End?”

    Chris’s eyes widened. A second demonic power!

    My goodness… even Lannister’s records didn’t mention this, right?

    Luo Yan hadn’t revealed her identity and used “End” until the final moments of the Yan City war. At that time, the rescue teams from other mega-cities had already retreated a certain distance. They only knew that something had happened on the battlefield, but not the details.

    Therefore, Lannister hadn’t recorded this aspect either, only knowing that Luo Yan could enter the Void. But being able to enter the Void didn’t necessarily mean using demonic power.

    If they learned about this… Luo Yan’s danger level would probably be even higher.

    “Yes,” Luo Yan nodded. “Don’t mind it, I’m not very proficient in using it, I can’t use it as freely as ‘Envy’.”

    Actually, Luo Yan also had a third demonic power, “Absolute Death,” but she used it even less, because its only function so far was to cause instant death.

    “Miss Luo Yan, being able to… stay conscious like this while mastering two demonic powers is already remarkable.” Chris twitched the corner of her mouth.

    Forget it, Miss Luo Yan was already outrageous; being a bit more outrageous didn’t matter.

    Thinking of this, Chris composed herself and focused on observing the surrounding environment.

    Although this Void Traversal was relatively short, and the distance wasn’t far, and Luo Yan’s deviation was relatively small, there was still some deviation.

    Spencer Manor was located in the core district of Lannister, but Luo Yan and Chris were now surrounded by refugees in ragged clothes and with sickly complexions.

    “This should be… the Lower District, about seven or eight districts away from the core area.”

    Chris exhaled. The surrounding air was filled with a foul odor, but unlike most noble ladies, she didn’t show any discomfort.

    “Lower District?” Luo Yan tilted her head, puzzled.

    “The place where Lannister accepts refugees. It’s not covered by the energy of the ‘Ember Formation,’ and most of the resources it receives are discarded garbage from other districts. But… at least it allows these refugees, who should have perished in the Endless Wasteland, to survive.”

    Chris said in a low voice, an unreadable glimmer flickering in her eyes.

    Lannister’s Lower District was somewhat similar to District Nine in Yan City.

    But the difference was that Yan City’s District Nine was the result of a planning error during the city’s construction, while Lannister deliberately built such a district to accommodate refugees.

    As long as they passed the Calamity test, confirming that they didn’t pose a risk of triggering a Calamity outbreak, they could enter Lannister’s Lower District.

    However, they had to wear a specially issued refugee permit… But this wasn’t really necessary; the characteristics of a refugee were obvious and could be recognized at a glance.

    Unless they were like Anna, but Anna had already reached a certain level and couldn’t be considered a refugee anymore.

    Because the Lower District basically had no public security or sanitation management, the smell of decay and a faint smell of blood permeated the air, and everything in sight was a mess.

    Although the refugees on the road were thin and haggard, their eyes held a fierce glint; they didn’t look like good people.

    Wherever there were people, there would be conflict, but usually these conflicts were limited by certain rules, either self-restrained by morality or suppressed by the law hanging overhead.

    But the Lower District didn’t need these. Here, pure strength was the most powerful truth.

    However…

    “There seems to be no trace of Devil’s Minions anymore?”

    Luo Yan withdrew “End” and used the power of “Envy” again, enveloping herself and Chris in a barrier of cognitive distortion.

    When they first emerged from the Void, they attracted many curious gazes, but then these gazes, upon touching Luo Yan’s face, turned into pure malice.

    To avoid trouble, using Life Hacks was the most convenient method.

    Soon, these gazes were replaced by confusion and incomprehension, and finally, they all turned away.

    “The Church of the End Gods… They wouldn’t come to this kind of place.” Chris said in a low voice.

    “Why?” Luo Yan asked.

    “Because… they’re not worthy, I guess.” Chris chuckled mockingly. “They want to destroy human civilization, and the Lower District… and the refugees, have already been abandoned by human civilization.”

    Without the mega-cities, organized one after another through civilization, only refugees struggling to survive in the Endless Wasteland would remain. Then, although the human species wouldn’t be extinct, civilization would be.

    “I will disappear, but ‘Hope’ (true name) will live forever.”

    “Civilization may be destroyed, eras may be annihilated, but this world… will never give up its struggle.”

    Luo Yan looked up at the dazzling starry sky faintly visible in the dim sky.

    She thought of Her, and the words She had spoken.

    The Church of the End Gods… it seemed they weren’t just a simple cult; they could actually contact their Gods, the Malice of All Worlds, the Primordial Demons.

    “What?”

    Chris was still observing the surrounding environment and vaguely heard Luo Yan muttering something.

    Although she couldn’t hear clearly, she still couldn’t help but shudder.

    “Nothing, just thinking about something the ‘Witch of Envy’ said. Perhaps I understand what She meant now.”

    “Don’t scare me, sis,” Chris broke out in a cold sweat. “Seriously, stop it, if you understand any further, I’ll be finished too.”

    She truly believed Luo Yan’s words, but it was precisely because she believed that she felt so terrified.

    “Don’t worry, I know my limits, and I don’t think Her path is the right one.” Luo Yan nodded. “Anyway, let’s find Magistrate Norian and regroup first… Should we do another Void Traversal?”

    “…Please, no.”

    Another trip, and it might not just be a flashback…

    “Oh.”

    Luo Yan’s tone was somewhat disappointed. She still wanted to try Void Traversal more, otherwise she would always make mistakes.

    But since Miss Chris didn’t seem to like being in the Void, she could only give up.

    However, what Luo Yan didn’t notice was that, when she silently recited the words of the “Witch of Envy,” the dazzling starry sky above dimmed slightly for a moment.

    ……

    All the followers of the Church of the End Gods looked up at the starry sky at this moment, each recalling the truth they had witnessed behind the stars.

    A familiar feeling emerged in the minds of all the followers, including Bishop Hamid Surian.

    “This is… an oracle from the Gods!” Hamid stared at the sky, his voice trembling. “Are They… about to return?”

    This feeling… Yes, it was almost exactly the same as when he witnessed the truth.

    In the current Church of the End Gods, only Hamid had truly come into contact with the Gods and learned the truth from them. The images other followers saw were relayed by him.

    Therefore, Hamid’s feelings were even more profound.

    “It’s time to welcome the Gods.”

    Hamid sighed softly and gradually withdrew from his demonic avatar state.

    His appearance visibly aged, his gray hair seemed even messier than before. Using the power of a demonic avatar, even a Devil’s Apostle couldn’t avoid paying the price.

    Hamid hadn’t used his demonic avatar to deal with Granny Zoya.

    To put it arrogantly, Granny Zoya wasn’t worthy of Hamid showing this form. Back then, she was the straggler among the Saint candidates of the same period, while Hamid had always been in the top three.

    Until a certain someone, who had come in through the back door, rose to prominence, Hamid had been one of the most promising contenders for the next Saint “Shadow.”

    The reason for such a big fuss was that Hamid wanted to use this to sense the presence of “Miss Luo Yan.” This was why he had been absent-minded during this battle.

    But until the end… it still ended in failure.

    Even the avatar of the “Sovereign of Terror” couldn’t sense or summon her, and the faint divine words Hamid sent out with all his might didn’t receive any response.

    But this was to be expected. Even the Witch of Envy had to pay the price of her consciousness dissipating to barely manage to use divine words to awaken Luo Yan’s divinity, and she ultimately failed.

    With Hamid’s half-baked demonic avatar, and his even more half-baked divine words, it would be a miracle if he received a response from Luo Yan.

    However, the current result wasn’t unacceptable. Luo Yan had appeared, and clearly brought the oracle of the Gods.

    Seeing that Hamid was about to leave, Granny Zoya was startled and immediately used her own soul node to expand her spiritual domain, trying to pull Hamid in and delay him for a while longer.

    However, when Granny Zoya touched Hamid’s soul, her ability suddenly stalled and she couldn’t use it anymore.

    “How could this be…”

    It was a broken soul, pieced together from many fragmented thoughts, forcibly squeezed together.

    As if someone had clumsily tried to mold the shape of a living being, but could only create a distorted, monstrous thing.

    This was… Hamid’s soul.

    It was the only part of his soul that remained after he encountered the truth.

  • The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 82

    Chapter 82: I Love Slacking Off

    Many people wanted to see what the Mermaid was like, how beautiful she was, whether her tail was dazzling, and if her singing could truly lure people into the deep sea.

    Tao Ning was one of them, though her reasons were different.

    She just wanted to see what the Mermaid looked like.

    This was a futuristic interstellar romance. The female protagonist was a Mermaid, injured and stranded on the shore, rescued by a handsome Major General passing by, thus forming a bond between them.

    The male protagonist, Gu Yuan, was a rare gentle male lead. He had various interactions with the innocent and naive Mermaid, patiently teaching her everything about human society’s rules, healing her injuries, and successfully soothing her anxiety despite the language barrier.

    During a live interstellar broadcast where she had to choose a marriage partner, influenced by the imprinting phenomenon, the female protagonist chose the only person she trusted—Gu Yuan.

    The only Mermaid in the entire Federation choosing Gu Yuan was seen by everyone as a match made in heaven. Their excellent genes were sure to produce even more exceptional offspring.

    The reason Mermaids were so sought after wasn’t just their beautiful appearance, but also their genes, which far surpassed human psychic power.

    Humans had only developed psychic power a few hundred years ago, with the highest level currently being double S-class. However, research indicated that Mermaids from the deep-sea planet had possessed psychic power for far longer than humans, and even their humming carried psychic energy.

    Of course, this was the original world line. Since Tao Ning, an outsider, was needed to intervene in this relationship, it meant the world line had changed.

    There were two significant changes.

    First: The female protagonist wasn’t an innocent and ignorant Mermaid. She was the leader of the Mermaids on the deep-sea planet, and being found stranded on the shore was part of her plan to search for her missing people.

    Second: The female protagonist, being a Mermaid, still retained her animalistic instincts. She had no concept of marrying someone and raising children; she only felt that a strange human was constantly pestering her.

    So, she used her webbed claws, capable of tearing through mecha, to rip open the throat of the Federation’s youngest Major General.

    The final outcome was that the female protagonist became a wanted fugitive and died on her way back to the ocean.

    She refused to comply with human law, choosing imprisonment in a research institute, surrounded by watchful eyes, and forced to choose another mate decades later.

    The Federation, having finally obtained a precious Mermaid, was naturally reluctant to execute her. After careful consideration, they decided to confine her.

    The Mermaid leader would never stay in a cage, having her blood drawn daily for research, so she chose mutual destruction.

    The current world line development had just reached the point where the female protagonist was injured and stranded, discovered by Gu Yuan on a patrol ship, and brought back to the ship.

    The tremors Tao Ning felt in her dream were caused by the ship opening its bay doors to allow the patrol ship to dock and deliver the transport pod containing the Mermaid and seawater to the lower decks.

    Arriving at the lower decks, Tao Ning’s first reaction was: huge.

    The lower decks were vast, equivalent to dozens of large football fields combined. Accommodating a swimming pool-sized transport pod was naturally more than sufficient.

    Almost everyone who could come from the ship had gathered, standing in front of the transparent transport pod, trying to see the mysterious figure swimming within the azure water.

    Suddenly, everyone gasped in unison, catching a glimpse of a flash of ice-blue fishtail. Though only a fleeting glimpse, it sparked endless imagination.

    This was the most beautiful creature humans had ever seen.

    Its magnificence was beyond words; even the most eloquent writer would struggle to describe it.

    Just a glimpse of the fishtail was captivating; it was hard to imagine how breathtaking the full view would be.

    Tao Ning arrived quite late, the front rows already occupied. But even standing on the stairs, she saw the fleeting fishtail.

    An ice-blue fishtail, estimated to be between 2.5 and 3 meters long, including the torso and tail fin.

    The female protagonist, possessing a tail of this length, was definitely an adult, even at her peak fighting age.

    Though the tail fin looked as thin as gauze, it was probably cold and soft to the touch. A single swipe of her tail could send a medium-sized mecha flying.

    The female protagonist had done just that during her escape, one tail swipe per aircraft, one tail swipe per mecha, slippery and impossible to catch.

    “Is that all?”

    “Why didn’t she appear again? I want to see her again.”

    Everyone waited expectantly, but they didn’t see the fishtail a second time. She had concealed herself in the seawater.

    As creatures of the sea, they could hide themselves in the water, making them elusive.

    Sighs of disappointment filled the air. After lingering for a while, everyone dispersed.

    The water gradually calmed down, no longer rippled by the movement of the fishtail. The tail didn’t reappear, as if there was no life within the transport pod, quiet and still.

    Tao Ning didn’t leave. She remained on the stairs, lost in thought, her pale fingertips tapping the railing.

    Haste makes waste. She wanted to see the Mermaid, and she had a mission to complete.

    But with so many people around, and being a stranger to the Mermaid leader, she couldn’t make the noise-sensitive leader show herself.

    If she waited until the pirate attack a few days later, when the female protagonist would appear in panic, it would be too late to complete the mission.

    The current Tao Ning hadn’t considered what to do if her assumption was wrong. It wasn’t so much that she only wanted to complete the task at hand, but rather that she seemed to be avoiding something.

    She turned and headed towards the office of the second-in-command on the ship.

    This First Academy graduation exercise was taking place on a remote planet. An entire ship full of students naturally needed protection, so the Federation dispatched two Major Generals, also using the opportunity for an assessment.

    On this ship, the highest-ranking officer, besides Gu Yuan, was someone else.

    It was Song Man, also a Major General, but with greater seniority and experience than Gu Yuan.

    The Mermaid’s charm was almost irresistible. Song Man wasn’t in her office; she was on the fifth-floor railing, looking down at the calm water.

    The transport pod placed on the lower decks was three stories high and filled with seawater, like a giant blue gem.

    Even with her sharp eyesight, she couldn’t see through the seawater, only a blurry shadow within.

    Compared to the Mermaids Song Man had seen before, the one Gu Yuan brought back seemed even more beautiful.

    As Song Man stood by the railing, reminiscing, Tao Ning immediately noticed her presence.

    So, An He, who had just found Tao Ning, saw the patient hiking up her wide hospital pants and puffing her way up the stairs.

    Due to the exertion so soon after waking up, a blush crept onto her pale cheeks, truly resembling the nickname everyone jokingly called her in private—”Miss Rose.”

    An He: “…” She had never seen her so energetic before.

    Pushing through the surprised crowd, Tao Ning reached the fifth-floor railing. Before she could get close, she was stopped by Major General Song Man’s adjutant and guards.

    “What are you doing here? This isn’t a place for students.” The guard glanced curiously at her hospital gown.

    The guard who stopped her had been stationed with Song Man on remote planets for a long time and didn’t know who she was, let alone that she was the most seriously injured student in the exercise.

    Tao Ning raised her voice: “Reporting to Major General, I have something to report to you, regarding the Mermaid you’re currently observing.”

    These words successfully caught Song Man’s attention. She turned around, letting out a puzzled sound: “Zang Yuzhu?”

    Tao Ning stood calmly, her pale lips slightly pursed: “Major General Song, it’s me.”

    Song Man took a closer look, confirming it was indeed the person who had almost been given a death sentence, whose psychic sea was almost completely destroyed, yet she could still stand.

    She waved her hand, signaling the guard to release Tao Ning.

    Song Man asked, “Zang Yuzhu, shouldn’t you be resting in your ward? Why are you out here?”

    Tao Ning didn’t answer the question, instead bringing up the matter she had just raised: “Major General, based on our research data on Mermaids, this species lives in the deep sea and doesn’t interact with humans. I believe we shouldn’t use a transparent transport pod and gather around discussing, lest we cause the Mermaid distress.”

    No one expected her to say this, and even less expected her words to make sense.

    Everyone was stunned. Song Man and the others subconsciously looked downstairs. Although most people had left, some remained, and others were still arriving, hoping to catch a glimpse.

    The transport pod was made of transparent material, albeit very strong, impossible to break from either inside or outside. However, the constant flow of people was indeed inappropriate.

    This area connected to various parts of the ship; they couldn’t seal it off and prevent people from passing through, as that would cause more trouble.

    Song Man said, “We hadn’t considered this. You’re right. Our research on Mermaid habits is still limited. The Federation has received the news and ordered us to bring the Mermaid back safely, without any mishaps.”

    With Song Man’s order, the transparent transport pod was coated with a color-changing material, making it impossible to see the contents from the outside.

    The shadow that had been almost motionless on the coral at the bottom of the pod stirred. She lifted her eyes, looking at the bustling figures, thinking they wanted to see her.

    A faint smile tugged at the corners of her crimson lips, and her webbed claws deliberately stirred the water.

    Mermaids could hear sounds from thousands of meters away under the sea. No matter how subtle the sounds outside were, she could hear them clearly.

    However, she couldn’t understand them, just as they couldn’t understand the Mermaid language. Their voices were also unpleasant.

    To a Mermaid with an enchanting singing voice, almost no other sound was pleasant; they all seemed noisy and jarring.

    However, the busy figures didn’t react to the change. They looked inside, their gazes not focusing on the interior, but nodding in satisfaction.

    Mermaid: “?”

    Then, they all left.

    Mermaid: “??”

    After a while, after several attempts, the Mermaid understood. These ugly two-legged creatures couldn’t see her anymore.

    The Mermaid leader, who had been forced to stay put on the coral, swam a joyful lap. Staying still in one place was uncomfortable for a Mermaid. Once she found her people and returned to the ocean, she would never come ashore again.

    Being on land wasn’t good at all.

    Plop, plop. A few sounds came from above, as if something had been thrown in.

    The Mermaid swam forward and grabbed one of the objects, examining it before discarding it disdainfully.

    They were fish, still alive, their eyes wide with fear as they wriggled in the Mermaid’s webbed claws, trying to escape her grasp.

    They were quickly released, darting away in a flash.

    Fearing they would be caught and eaten by the ocean’s apex predator.

    The Mermaid’s blue eyes didn’t even bother to follow them.

    She didn’t like eating fish, any kind of fish. This had nothing to do with cannibalism; it was simply her unique taste.

    All Mermaids knew that their leader preferred to eat the fruits that grew in the sea, followed by various starfish wrapped in kelp.

    When the leader was young, some Mermaids teased her about her love for fruit, saying she was a Mermaid without bloodlust. As a result, she chased them down, her webbed claws tearing off many of their scales.

    It was like a rain of scales, the seawater stained red.

    After that, no fish dared to gossip about her. After she became the leader, the tribe members would even search for fruits to offer her as tribute.

    Free from the intense scrutiny, the Mermaid swam back to the coral, bored, reached out a claw, broke off a piece of coral, and nibbled on it.

    Eating coral was better than eating fish. Crunchy and sweet.

    The soldiers who had finished their work were carrying buckets of material back when they saw Gu Yuan approaching. They stopped and saluted: “Major General Gu.”

    Gu Yuan returned the salute, glancing at the now opaque transport pod. He asked, “What are you doing? Why apply a new coating?”

    One of the soldiers replied, “Reporting, sir, this is Major General Song’s order!”

    Song Man? Why would she suddenly give such an order?

    Gu Yuan nodded in understanding: “I see. I’ll go ask her.”

    After hearing Song Man’s explanation, Gu Yuan’s expression showed realization. He agreed, “I wasn’t thorough enough. I actually forgot. You’re more thoughtful.”

    Song Man shook her head: “It was Zang Yuzhu who made the suggestion. I’m just a simple-minded soldier, not as meticulous as you young people. She’s truly a thoughtful child.”

    Gu Yuan was surprised: “Yuzhu is awake? Where is she? I’ll go see her.”

    Song Man said, “After she spoke to me, she fainted from exhaustion. I had my guards escort her back to her dormitory.”

    Gu Yuan immediately put down his unfinished coffee, saying hurriedly, “I’ll go see her.”

    His concern for someone was unusual for him, but no one found it strange because everyone knew Gu Yuan was a good family man.

    Many people were injured during the exercise, but Zang Yuzhu was the most seriously injured, making it difficult for her to be with the others. Gu Yuan, distressed about his cousin, had arranged for her dormitory to be converted into a ward.

    The person who had slipped out at some point was brought back. The accompanying doctor was checking her condition, shocked to find that the person who had been given a critical condition notice this morning was slowly recovering.

    The doctor clicked her tongue, a thought inexplicably popping into her head: No wonder everyone said she was lucky.

    Although she was a war orphan, Zang Yuzhu was truly fortunate. Less than half a month after being sent to the orphanage, she was adopted by the Gu family and raised like a precious jewel.

    The First Academy was incredibly difficult to get into. To follow in her cousin Gu Yuan’s footsteps, she insisted on attending, rejecting the Arts Department and choosing a major that would allow her to go to the battlefield.

    She couldn’t handle the hardships of the Mecha Department, nor the dirt of the Mecha Repair Department, so the Gu family had to help her choose the Command Department, which had lower admission requirements and was considered a support role.

    The Command Department was a fringe major, on the fringes of the military.

    The classes were all theoretical, focusing on analysis and coordination, with very few practical mecha courses, just enough to ensure they could operate one, but not with the same proficiency as Mecha Department students.

    Moreover, truly capable warriors with combat awareness were far superior to commanders who hid behind the lines and analyzed. Where was the need for a commander? They were more of a burden.

    And so, she had shown her incompetence during the graduation exercise.

    And almost died.

    If it weren’t for Gu Yuan’s insistence on searching, and going himself, she might have remained on that desolate planet forever, quietly decaying.

    But she was lucky, she had survived.

    Now, hopefully, this spoiled young lady would recognize her situation, stop being stubborn, and quickly transfer back to the Arts Department.

    With her performance in this graduation exercise, she definitely wouldn’t be able to graduate.

    Many people shared this thought, most on the ship felt the same way, somewhat feeling sorry for Gu Yuan.

    The doctor leaned closer, preparing to examine the patient, and was startled when she unexpectedly met a pair of dark, unfathomable eyes.

    Then she realized that Zang Yuzhu had woken up. Unable to speak, Zang Yuzhu could only urge her with her eyes to open the medical chamber.

    The doctor skillfully opened the medical chamber, suddenly remembering a question: How did Zang Yuzhu, who couldn’t open the medical chamber herself, get out earlier?

    The first thing Tao Ning said after waking up was: “How do I transfer majors to become an aquarium keeper?”

    The pondering doctor: “?” Your brain really is fried, isn’t it?

  • Devilish Disciple [Transmigration] 69

    Chapter 69: “You’re Too Strong.”

    Her master sat down.

    The brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were still on the table, but she ignored them, pouring herself a cup of water.

    Mu Tao stared at the paper with the fingerprint, at the misspelled words, at the unfamiliar name, confusion swirling in her mind.

    Why were they all wrong?

    Her master couldn’t possibly misspell words…

    And why did her master write this unfamiliar name, Li Yu?

    Different characters, but the same pronunciation…

    Was her master trying to trick her?

    But if so, why write the preceding sentence—that wasn’t her command.

    Mu Tao couldn’t understand, tears blurring her vision again.

    Her master was right; she was a crybaby.

    A tear fell onto the paper, smudging the still-wet ink on the character “Yu.”

    Mu Tao was startled. She quickly wiped away her tears, protected the paper with a spell, carefully folded it, and put it into her spatial pouch.

    “Master…”

    “Hmm?”

    Mu Tao looked at Li Yu, her heart filled with questions, but she didn’t know where to begin.

    What was the point of asking?

    How many truthful answers could she possibly get now?

    It was all just obedience under a spell.

    Her master must be angry; the messy handwriting, the misspelled words, were all subtle signs of her displeasure.

    Mu Tao panicked, not daring to look at Li Yu, and quickly put away the writing materials.

    “What time is it?” Li Yu suddenly asked.

    Mu Tao glanced out the window. “About noon in the human realm.”

    Li Yu: “I’m hungry.”

    Mu Tao snapped out of her melancholy. “I’ll go and prepare a meal for Master!”

    Li Yu: “And wash your face!”

    Mu Tao giggled. “I know!”

    With that, she transformed into a dark flame and vanished.

    When she returned, the room was unchanged, and Li Yu was still sitting at the table, staring blankly into her cup of water.

    As if hearing Mu Tao’s return, Li Yu looked up and smiled. “What did you make today?”

    Mu Tao quickly placed the food box on the table and took out the dishes.

    “I had them bring some ingredients from the human realm. From now on, we’ll have fresh, seasonal produce delivered regularly, so Master can enjoy proper meals like before.”

    “Mm.” Li Yu nodded slightly, her gaze still unfocused.

    Mu Tao put the empty food box on the floor, picked up her chopsticks, and started feeding Li Yu, alternating between rice and dishes.

    It had always been like this.

    She liked feeding her master, it reminded her of their time in the human realm.

    Back then, her master always seemed to need her.

    She wished she could always be needed by her master like that.

    Her master was so obedient, so gentle, so reliant on her now.

    She should be happy, yet a hollowness lingered in her heart.

    Like a bottomless, dark sea, slowly consuming her.

    Mu Tao struggled against this emptiness.

    She started chattering, trying to recapture the past.

    Those days on Mount Chao Yao, in the human realm, or perhaps in some snowy wilderness, huddled around a fire, talking for hours even with bland grilled fish.

    She said that spiritual fire needed to be maintained with spiritual energy, which her master currently lacked, making things inconvenient at night.

    So, she had Xiang Hanyu bring candles from the human realm, along with candle holders and flint.

    From now on, her master could control the light in the room.

    She also said that many things in the Demon Realm were different from the human realm.

    Although she had adapted, she didn’t want her master to be uncomfortable.

    So, she had them create human-style furniture, which would soon replace the current furnishings.

    Then her master would be more comfortable.

    She suddenly ran out of things to say.

    Mu Tao, not wanting the silence to return, asked, “Master, do you remember Xiang Hanyu?”

    Li Yu: “I couldn’t forget her.”

    Mu Tao: “After I came to the Demon Realm, she and Yan Buqiu found me. They’ve been with me these past six months, taking care of me whenever I was injured…”

    Li Yu: “That’s good.”

    Mu Tao: “This care…Master risked your life for it; I don’t deserve it.”

    Li Yu shook her head. “If you weren’t…who you are, they wouldn’t have stayed. You deserve it; you earned their loyalty.”

    Mu Tao’s hand paused momentarily.

    Those words…sounded like her master from before.

    Could her master, controlled by a spell, still say such things?

    But her eyes were still unfocused, her expression vacant, regardless of her tone.

    Mu Tao sighed softly and continued feeding her.

    After lunch, she started clearing the table as usual.

    “It should be almost time,” she said. “Your wedding attire should arrive soon.”

    Li Yu: “What about yours?”

    Mu Tao: “It’s still being made. We’ll choose yours first.”

    Li Yu tilted her head, took Mu Tao’s hand, and said, her tone slightly stubborn, “I’ll choose yours too.”

    Mu Tao paused. “Okay.”

    Li Yu, having received the desired response, walked to the window and looked out at the dim sky.

    “The sky in the Demon Realm is always so dark, yet you can tell the time.” She touched the barrier, a curious look on her face. “How do you do it?”

    Mu Tao quickly walked to her side, as if afraid the barrier would harm her, and took her hand. “Don’t touch the barrier, Master, it might hurt you.”

    “Okay,” Li Yu replied obediently.

    Mu Tao pointed at the flowers outside. “Master, have you noticed those flowers everywhere?”

    Li Yu nodded.

    Mu Tao: “Do they look…different from before?”

    Li Yu thought for a moment. “They seem…brighter.”

    “These flowers grow everywhere in the Demon Realm,” Mu Tao said. “The Demon Realm lacks light, and most of its light comes from them—they’re called Netherbloom Flowers.”

    “Netherbloom Flowers…”

    “Mm.” Mu Tao nodded and explained, “They’re the most common wildflowers in the Demon Realm. Their leaves are long, usually grayish-black, and their petals are translucent, coming in all colors.”

    “They absorb and release nether energy every day. During the day, when the nether energy is weak, they show their true colors and glow with their respective light.” She continued, “At night, as the nether energy strengthens, they turn dark purple, almost black, emitting a black mist-like aura, then, around midnight in the human realm, they lose their light completely, only regaining it around dawn.”

    Mu Tao smiled at Li Yu. “The demons here rely on the Netherbloom Flowers to tell the time.”

    “I see.”

    “Sometimes I think…there’s no place in this world that’s truly dark. If a place is untouched by sunlight, moonlight, or starlight, it will create its own light.” Mu Tao said. “Like the Netherbloom Flowers in the Demon Realm.”

    Suddenly, as if remembering something, Mu Tao ran outside.

    She picked a blue flower from a nearby cluster and happily ran back to the window.

    “Master, look!” Mu Tao smiled, her eyes crinkling. “This one’s the same color as your eyes!”

    The translucent petals of the Netherbloom Flower glowed with a soft, blue light.

    A gentle light, like the light in a dream.

    Mu Tao reached through the barrier and offered the flower to Li Yu.

    Li Yu took it and smiled faintly. “It’s beautiful.”

    As she took the flower, a black flame flickered into its center.

    Mu Tao: “I infused it with my spiritual energy, so it won’t wither so quickly.”

    Li Yu stared at the flower, a thoughtful look on her face, then opened her left hand, palm up.

    After a moment of silence, she closed her hand and lowered it.

    “Master,” Mu Tao said, her head tilted curiously, her hands on the windowsill. “What were you doing just now?”

    “I forgot,” Li Yu replied softly.

    Mu Tao paused, removed her hands from the windowsill, and ran back into the room.

    She took Li Yu’s hand and gently swayed it. “How could you forget? Think again, Master!”

    The silver bells chimed softly. Li Yu seemed to think hard, then held Mu Tao’s hand and said calmly, “My meridians are still sealed.”

    Mu Tao’s smile faded, her gaze lowering.

    “You want to…undo the seal?” she asked.

    Li Yu nodded.

    Mu Tao’s voice was filled with disappointment. “Why?”

    Li Yu: “I haven’t retrieved the ice flower you gave me.”

    Mu Tao blinked. “You…brought it with you?”

    Li Yu: “Mm.”

    Mu Tao hesitated, then gently touched Li Yu’s forehead, and the demonic energy sealing her meridians dissipated.

    Li Yu raised her hand, and the ice flower appeared in her palm.

    Mu Tao stared at it as Li Yu placed it by the window. “Look, it’s still the same.”

    Her master’s voice was soft, her vacant eyes staring at the ice flower.

    It was still the same as last year, slightly melted even before she gave it to her master, not very pretty.

    But even so, her master had preserved its shape, placed it by the window with a smile, saying she wanted to see it every morning.

    She hadn’t believed her master when she said she had brought it.

    But her master had indeed kept her promise.

    And what had she done?

    Not only sealed her master’s meridians, but also used a mind-control spell…

    After placing the ice flower by the window, Li Yu looked at the Netherbloom Flower in her hand, unsure where to put it, then placed it beside the ice flower.

    She echoed her earlier words, “You gave these to me, I want to see them first thing every morning.”

    Mu Tao frowned and muttered, “That’s not good…”

    Li Yu: “Why not?”

    Mu Tao: “…”

    Li Yu stared at her, and Mu Tao lowered her gaze, guilt washing over her.

    After a long moment, Mu Tao looked up and sealed Li Yu’s meridians again.

    Li Yu didn’t react, just smiled faintly, her gaze fixed on Mu Tao.

    Mu Tao suddenly hugged her, her arms around her slender waist, and whispered in her ear, “Master should see me first thing every morning.”

    Li Yu chuckled softly. “Should I wake up later, or should you come earlier?”

    This question, asked with an almost unfamiliar tone, made Mu Tao feel slightly disoriented.

    But strangely, she didn’t dislike this unfamiliarity; it felt…right.

    She felt that her master should always be like this.

    —Perhaps she was going crazy.

    Mu Tao playfully nuzzled Li Yu’s ear with her nose.

    “After we’re married, won’t we be living together?” she said.

    Li Yu smiled, about to say something, when a knock came from the door.

    “Demon Lord, your wedding attire has arrived.” A demon maid’s voice echoed from outside.

    “Master, it’s the wedding clothes!” Mu Tao released Li Yu and happily ran to the door.

    As the door opened, the barrier temporarily dissipated, and five maids, each carrying a tray with neatly folded clothes, entered the room.

    They placed the trays on the stone table, bowed, and left.

    The moment the door closed, the barrier reappeared, the windows also closing, leaving only the flickering green spiritual fire illuminating the room.

    Mu Tao led Li Yu to the table. “Which one do you want to try on first, Master?”

    “Any one is fine,” Li Yu said with a faint smile.

    Mu Tao looked at the five sets of wedding attire, each with matching accessories, deliberated for a moment, then picked one up and held it before Li Yu, tilting her head as she examined it.

    She frowned. “This seems a bit too…flashy, not quite Master’s style.”

    “It looks nice,” Li Yu reached for it.

    Mu Tao shook her head, placed the clothes back on the tray, and picked up another set.

    This one looked better, elegant but not overly ornate, more suitable for her master’s ethereal aura.

    Thinking this, she held the attire before Li Yu, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “Master, let me help you try it on?”

    Li Yu nodded. “Okay.”

    Mu Tao placed the clothes on the table, turned around, untied the sash of Li Yu’s robe, removed it, and tossed it aside.

    Her slender fingers gently pulled at Li Yu’s robes, sliding them off her shoulders.

    Only a thin undergarment remained.

    —She really wanted to remove that too.

    But it wasn’t time yet; she had promised to wait until they were married.

    Mu Tao took a deep breath, cupped Li Yu’s face in her hands, her thumbs unconsciously tracing her delicate features.

    Like quenching her thirst with the mere sight of water.

    “Aren’t we trying on the clothes?” Li Yu asked calmly, her finger gently touching the red fabric on the table.

    “Yes, of course!” Mu Tao quickly picked up the wedding attire and draped it over Li Yu’s shoulders.

    She held Li Yu’s shoulders, moved behind her, and pulled her long hair out from the back of the robe.

    The sash, the belt, the golden ornaments, she put them all on Li Yu, one by one.

    Her hands moved around Li Yu’s slender waist, smoothing out every wrinkle on the wedding attire.

    Finally, Mu Tao stepped back and looked at Li Yu, dressed in red.

    Her master usually wore plain colors; this was the first time she had seen her in such a vibrant color, so beautiful it was breathtaking.

    Her hair was slightly disheveled from changing clothes; she needed to fix it.

    Mu Tao conjured a wooden comb and started combing Li Yu’s hair.

    As her fingers moved through the soft strands, her gaze was drawn to the smooth skin of Li Yu’s neck.

    After a moment of hesitation, she gently pulled Li Yu’s hair aside.

    She wrapped an arm around Li Yu’s waist, nuzzling her face against her neck, inhaling her scent.

    Her warm breath tickled Li Yu’s neck, a faint blush appearing on her skin.

    Either from embarrassment or from the contrast with the red robe.

    “Master…you look especially beautiful today,” Mu Tao whispered, looking up at Li Yu.

    Li Yu didn’t respond, just turned slightly and looked at her.

    Most of the time, after being controlled by the spell, Li Yu would just stare like this.

    A puppet’s obedience.

    Mu Tao felt a surge of frustration, her heart pounding restlessly.

    She didn’t like this vacant look in her master’s eyes, she preferred the anger, the panic, even the blush of embarrassment, anything but this unnerving calmness.

    Her fingers unconsciously dug into the soft, white skin of Li Yu’s neck.

    Li Yu flinched, a drop of blood welling up, staining the pristine white.

    Mu Tao frowned, a sudden heat rising within her, making her eyes burn.

    She couldn’t resist kissing the small wound.

    A faint sweetness, a metallic tang, as she gently licked the blood.

    She could feel the pulse throbbing beneath her lips.

    A rapid, erratic rhythm, echoing the frantic beating of her own heart.

    Unsatisfied, her teeth grazed Li Yu’s neck, breaking the skin.

    More blood.

    Li Yu’s breath hitched.

    Her body trembled again, her hair cascading down, slipping through Mu Tao’s fingers.

    The sting on her neck made her moan softly.

    Like a shard of ice thawing in a frozen pond, a spark of awareness flickered within her.

    Mu Tao’s light brown eyes had turned crimson.

    A dark red aura enveloped them.

    Blood trickled down Mu Tao’s lips, staining the white skin of Li Yu’s neck, a crimson stain against the pure white undergarment.

    A fitting contrast to the vibrant red wedding attire.

    “Mu Tao, what are you doing…weren’t we…trying on clothes…?”

    Mu Tao ignored her, licking the blood, savoring the taste.

    Li Yu’s breathing became more erratic, her usually composed body melting against Mu Tao.

    Mu Tao held her tightly, her restlessness growing, a desire to tear away everything that separated them.

    The sound of tearing fabric.

    Mu Tao’s warm fingers gently caressed the skin of Li Yu’s waist.

    Li Yu instinctively grabbed her wrist but lacked the strength to stop her.

    The silver bells on her wrist chimed softly as Mu Tao’s teeth grazed her neck again.

    “Mu Tao…it hurts…” Li Yu’s voice trembled.

    The soft plea, accompanied by the sound of a falling pearl, echoed in Mu Tao’s heart like a morning bell.

    Mu Tao paused, her mind slowly clearing, realizing that her vision was blurred with tears.

    She released Li Yu’s neck, looking at the beads of sweat on her forehead, the red mark on her pale neck, the torn wedding attire, the exposed skin, now stained with blood.

    —Her breath hitched.

    Mu Tao: “Master…I, I’m sorry…”

    Li Yu didn’t speak, just leaned weakly against her.

    Mu Tao: “I…I lost control…”

    “It’s fine, there are other outfits,” Li Yu said, her eyes closed, a weak smile on her face.

    “…”

    “Don’t…don’t help me with these anymore, I’ll choose myself later…before you ruin them all.”

    “I…”

    Li Yu took a deep breath, nuzzled against Mu Tao’s chest, and asked softly, her tone like a gentle reprimand, “Who taught you to treat me like this?”

    But her voice was flat, her eyes still unfocused.

    Mu Tao gently lifted Li Yu and placed her on the bed, then knelt beside her, holding her hand, unsure what to do.

    “Master, did…did my resentment hurt you?”

    “I don’t know, probably not,” Li Yu whispered, then smiled faintly. “This body is weak, and you’re…too strong.”

    Her body was weak, without even her protective spiritual energy.

    How could she have let her desires hurt her master like this…?

    Mu Tao shook her head. “It was my fault; I shouldn’t have sealed your meridians.”

    She released the spell, her eyes filled with tears as she kissed Li Yu’s fingers.

    Her voice choked with emotion, she whispered, “Master, if I ever do this again, please…scold me…”

    “…”

    “I’ll return your spiritual energy, you can scold me, you can even hit me…”

    “…”

    Silence fell, a deep, impenetrable silence.

    A puppet was just a puppet.

    If this were her true master, she would have been scolded relentlessly by now.

    A soft sigh broke the silence.

    “It’s so difficult,” Li Yu whispered, her eyes closed, her voice like a sigh, “Being your master…is truly difficult…more difficult than…cultivating alone…”

    “…”

  • Transformed into a Female Villain, But Captured by My Beautiful Girl Disciples v2c26

    26. You Can’t Trick a Trickster 

     

    Only one person in the world would say “that’s an order” to her.

    Qiu Shui froze.

    But a moment later, she chopped Little Heehee on the neck, knocking her unconscious. Then, biting her lip, she ran in the opposite direction, away from the central area.

    As she ran, tears welled up in her eyes.

    If only she were stronger, just a little bit stronger…!

    …

    …

    Gong Yiling watched the giant python approaching, her outward calmness masking her frantic search for a solution.

    She did have a trump card, one that could send anyone to another world.

    But it was best to save it for a true emergency. Knowing the system’s quirks, she might just end up being teleported back to the same spot.

    As for the current situation…

    “You’re actually staying here to die?”

    The Flame Python didn’t seem worried at all. “Although that girl has something I need, you carry a scent I despise. Interesting.”

    “A scent you despise?”

    Gong Yiling racked her brain but couldn’t figure it out.

    She didn’t know much about the Calamity Heart Flame Python. The Heartflame Empire wouldn’t provoke it without reason.

    However, although a demonic beast, it hated demonic cultivators, actively attacking any who entered the Yanxing Great Forest.

    Did it sense her demonic cultivation?

    Miss Gong’s eyes flickered, and she decided to stall. “I’m curious, what does a dignified Heavenly Venerable venomous python despise?”

    “You want to hear a story?” The Flame Python said, “Don’t think I don’t know you’re stalling for time. But can you withstand my poison? Can you guarantee they won’t come back to save you?”

    “Little girl, don’t think human intelligence can save you. Before me, you’re just an ant I can crush at any moment.”

    “Is that so?”

    Gong Yiling, secretly using the Blood Orchid Palace’s secret technique to absorb the poisonous mist, said confidently, “If you’re so sure, then what are you afraid of?”

    “Afraid of what?”

    The Flame Python roared with laughter. “I’ve never been defeated in my life, except for that one time I was ambushed by that bitch Gong Muzhi. Do you need to hear this to give up?”

    Ah… uh… what…

    Gong Yiling’s jaw dropped.

    The book only mentioned the Flame Python being defeated and sealed in the central area, without mentioning who did it.

    Who would have thought it was… her mother!?

    No wonder it said she carried a scent it despised.

    So that was it.

    “That old witch!”

    Gong Yiling exclaimed, feigning shock, while muttering inwardly—*I’m not a rebellious daughter! Mom, you have to understand!*

    “Why are you so agitated?” The Flame Python was confused. “Do you hate her too?”

    “Of course!” Gong Yiling said, “That old witch slaughtered my entire family! I infiltrated their ranks to get revenge!”

    “Is that true?”

    “Why would I lie to you?” Gong Yiling continued, “And honestly, even in your current state, you want to kill her? Heh, that’s wishful thinking.”

    The Flame Python, already puzzled, was now enraged. “What did you say!?”

    “I said, even now, you’re no match for that old witch.”

    Gong Yiling looked at it disdainfully. “Heavenly Venerable? Heh, even if you absorb that girl’s meager phoenix true essence, will it even be enough to fill the gaps between your teeth?”

    “This…”

    Ahem… Gong Yiling didn’t actually know if it would be enough.

    And more importantly… the Flame Python didn’t know either.

    It only knew that this Heavenly Fox bloodline with phoenix true essence was definitely stronger than itself, but how much stronger it would become after consuming it…

    It had no idea.

    “Then what do you suggest?”

    “Are you stupid?” Gong Yiling’s tone became increasingly arrogant. “Aren’t you good with poisons? Show me, how strong is your venom?”

    “Venom?”

    “Do I look like I’ve been poisoned?” Gong Yiling said. “To tell you the truth, I’m a poison master, trained by the Poison King Gul’dan. I can turn a brown-faced man green. Your venom is nothing to me.”

    The Flame Python was stunned. Thinking about it, it seemed true.

    This girl, a mere Core Formation ant, could withstand its poison for so long. If it wasn’t because of some poison resistance, he couldn’t explain it.

    “Then what are you…?”

    “Of course, I’m helping you test if your venom is effective against her. Otherwise, you’ll just charge in blindly and get beaten to a pulp.”

    “Ah… that makes sense.”

    The Flame Python thought about it.

    Its venom was ineffective last time because it wasn’t strong enough.

    But this time was different!

    Its venom had become much stronger after all these years. Maybe it would work now?

    And this girl didn’t seem to be lying. Even if she was, it didn’t matter. He could crush her with one strike.

    So, the Flame Python gathered all its power, condensing it into a sphere of venomous energy.

    The purple sphere grew to the size of Gong Yiling, its power terrifying. Even the outer layer of the poisonous mist could incinerate everything.

    But…

    Miss Gong continued to circulate her special technique, its advantage fully displayed at this moment.

    As long as she circulated her energy, she was immune to poison!?

    Absurd, utterly absurd.

    And she had another reason for provoking the python’s venom—

    The moment her hand touched the venomous sphere, she pushed her cultivation technique to the limit.

    A gust of wind erupted, the purple mist churning, and the Flame Python didn’t even realize what was happening.

    When it finally reacted, Gong Yiling was gone, leaving only a single sentence:

    “See ya!”

    This… had he been tricked?

    But how did that girl escape so quickly? What kind of magical pill did she take?

     

     

     

  • The Delicate Female Lead Only Wants to be Loved by the Villainous Young Ladies 326

    Chapter 326: Seraph’s Warning

    “The magic you used just now doesn’t need to be restricted by formulas, you just need to…” Victoria began to teach Adele hands-on. Adele also learned seriously. Since she had taken over First Snow’s job, First Snow was naturally free. But she didn’t slack off. Instead, she flew to the school’s beverage shop and bought fruit tea according to Adele’s taste. Winona liked coffee, so she bought coffee too. Two cups, because she thought that since Victoria was Xiao Wei’s friend, she should also like coffee. First Snow had only tried this adult beverage once. She bought herself ice cream. Finally, that little girl called “Xiao Ai”…well…she looked so much like Adele, she must also like fruit tea. So First Snow bought another cup of fruit tea. Now everyone had something to drink. She carried the heavy bag of drinks and flew back to the magic training ground, flapping her wings.

    When she returned, Adele could already skillfully manipulate wind magic. And it was a kind of epiphany-like improvement. She no longer needed to memorize formulas. She could shape the wind into whatever form she wanted. Although the range and power were still small and weak, it was enough to excite Adele. Victoria was undoubtedly an excellent magic teacher.

    Seeing this scene, First Snow was sincerely happy for Adele. She wasn’t the type of kitten who got jealous, so it didn’t matter if her tutoring job was taken away. Or rather, it was great that it was taken away, meow! After all, First Snow wasn’t cut out to be a teacher.

    But Winona didn’t think so. It was the first time First Snow had seen Xiao Wei jealous, and the little cat in her heart was secretly giggling with delight.

    As for Xiao Ai, her image as the silent “Little Red Riding Hood” was deeply ingrained. The little girl had been quietly watching from the side. Or was she learning? Her talent seemed to be far greater than Adele’s. The same moves, in her hands, would be magnified many times. Or was this not learning or imitation, but a reawakening? Like an amnesiac mage gradually recalling how to use magic through other people’s magic.

    No one knew how long Xiao Ai had existed. Even Xiao Ai herself had no memories of the past, only a vague dislike for the Vampire True Ancestors, feeling that they had stolen something.

    “Drinks are here, meow~” First Snow, like a cat-girl maid, handed each drink to its rightful owner. Then she wagged her tail to the front and held the ice cream that hadn’t melted because it was winter. That’s right, she had been holding the ice cream with her tail all along. And she was actually eating ice cream in winter!

    This was like eating hot pot in summer. Well, it didn’t matter when you ate what you wanted. The point of life was to be free and happy—and that applied to cats too!

    Victoria wasn’t good with bitter coffee. Cocoa beans didn’t exist in her era. But because it was offered to her with good intentions, she kept sipping the coffee with a smile until she finished it. But the bitterness in her mouth needed something sweet to neutralize it. So she set her sights on the fruit tea in Adele’s hand. Beautiful women always had a disarming effect when they approached you.

    “Can I have a taste of your drink, Adele?” She asked so politely.

    How could the generous Adele refuse? She smiled and put her hands on her hips.

    “Of course!” But Victoria’s next action made everyone present dumbfounded. Adele thought she would use her coffee straw to drink her fruit tea. But unexpectedly, she directly pressed her lips against the straw! Creating the fact of…an indirect kiss! The girl’s cheeks instantly flushed.

    Although Adele was a harem king, she was actually quite innocent. She was at a loss for what to do with Victoria’s overly familiar and intimate gesture. In the end, she could only comfort herself by thinking, She’s from a thousand years ago, they probably didn’t have the concept of “indirect kisses” back then.

    Winona’s coffee slipped from her hand. But just as it was about to hit the ground, the coffee froze in mid-air. Gravity magic made it hover, and it eventually returned to Winona’s trembling hand.

    Xiao Ai stood up abruptly, her eyes blazing with pink flames. This woman…what is she doing to Mama! If it was a girl Mama liked, it would be fine. Xiao Ai naturally acknowledged that Mama was the best girl in the world, and it was only natural for other girls to like her, and the women Mama liked shouldn’t reject her! But Victoria clearly didn’t have that kind of intimate relationship with Adele. Her presumptuous act naturally aroused Xiao Ai’s rejection.

    Victoria was good at reading expressions, so she looked at Adele with innocent eyes and asked softly, “…Did I offend you? I’m sorry, Adele.”

    “N-No, it’s fine!” Adele blinked rapidly. She was still as gentle as ever, handing her fruit tea to Victoria and giving her a way out, “If you like it, here, take it.”

    “There probably wasn’t this kind of drink in the past, right?” Adele thoughtfully steered the conversation towards “female curiosity.”

    Victoria narrowed her eyes and nodded. “Yes, there wasn’t this kind of drink before.”

    “But…” There were gentle and kind girls like you. Victoria’s smile suddenly became mysterious.

    This time, she obediently used her own straw instead of Adele’s. The others finally calmed down. It was just a small incident. And Adele hadn’t lost anything, just a little embarrassed. And she felt that Victoria’s gaze was strange, but it didn’t seem like lust, just…strange.

    After that, Adele, while she was still in the mood, continued practicing magic. Victoria continued to be her mentor, but this time, the restless Headmistress Winona also joined in. Adele became nervous and was constantly being corrected during practice. She suspected that the Headmistress was targeting her! Damn it, is it really necessary to be like this just because I’m dating First Snow…

    Then everyone stayed in the magic training ground until dinner time. The cafeteria wasn’t open during the holidays, so Headmistress Winona treated them to dinner at a hotel. Adele went with Xiao Ai and First Snow, and after a satisfying meal, they returned home. A fulfilling day of the holiday had passed, and the rest was time for relaxing and staying at home.

    Adele played games, and First Snow and Xiao Ai played together, whether it was Gomoku or something else. As expected, children of this age wouldn’t be lonely as long as they had playmates. Although First Snow had already passed childhood and entered puberty, that was clearly because Adele had accelerated her growth. In terms of mental age, she was similar to Xiao Ai.

    Of course, Adele wouldn’t hog the computer all the time. She also picked some two-player games suitable for First Snow and Xiao Ai. Then, Adele witnessed the birth of two talented e-sports girls. Once they got started, they were incredibly strong! She hadn’t expected that after playing games for so many years, she would become the one holding them back…

    First Snow’s gaming talent went without saying. She was a Cat-Bird, and her reflexes were undoubtedly superior to humans. This was evident from the last time she carried Adele through that roguelike game. And Xiao Ai demonstrated a super learning ability and focus. This made Adele feel both depressed and helpless. She felt that being with these two little ones could easily erode her will, turning her into the kind of girl who thought, Since others can do it better, why don’t I just be a kept woman?

    Damn it, I can’t let them mess with my mind! I’ll eat both soft rice and hard rice. That’s what being well-rounded means!

    “See you tomorrow, meow, Sister Adele, Little Sister Xiao Ai!” First Snow reluctantly said goodbye as midnight approached, kneeling by the window.

    “See you tomorrow, sleep early~”

    “See you tomorrow, Sister First Snow.” Xiao Ai’s voice was childish, but not deliberately cute or coquettish. It carried a calmness and indifference that shouldn’t belong to someone her age. But from her reluctant gaze, one could see that she was also a playful little girl, and First Snow was already one of her best playmates!

    In this atmosphere, First Snow felt a sense of happiness, even having the thought of not returning to Xiao Wei’s home and just staying in Sister Adele’s dorm. But Headmistress Winona’s authority was still strong. Almost the moment First Snow had this thought, she dismissed it, jumped out the window, and spread her wings, soaring into the sky above the academy. The air was a little cold, but the cat was covered in warm fur, so she wasn’t afraid.

    Adele didn’t retract her gaze until First Snow disappeared into the distant sky. But when she turned around, the scene before her startled her. Xiao Ai was sitting next to the angel girl, who was kneeling on the floor, wearing her usual thin, silver-white dress, looking delicate and beautiful, fragile and dreamlike.

    “Seraph! Why are you here again today…” Her feelings towards Seraph were quite complicated. On the one hand, she felt that the seemingly emotionless angel actually had a delicate and gentle heart. On the other hand, she was worried that Seraph would do something harmful to Xiao Ai. After all, the command from that god was to eliminate the false god and its creations, to eradicate heresy. Although thousands of years had passed since this command was issued, it was still valid, imprinted in Seraph’s heart. If that “Lord” truly returned someday, Seraph would be even less able to disobey this command.

    From this perspective, Adele was undoubtedly in conflict with that “Lord.” If possible, Adele certainly didn’t want to get into such big trouble. But in the current situation, she could only try to stabilize Seraph and take things one step at a time.

    Seraph heard the girl’s call and blinked, her innocent appearance making one want to… do things to her right then and there. But with Xiao Ai present, it wouldn’t be a good influence. Ugh, Adele now understood how middle-aged couples with children felt. Everything had to be considered for the child first, and even if they wanted to…do that, they could only do it secretly, like thieves.

    “My purpose today has nothing to do with her,” Seraph replied.

    “Then why?” Adele asked, puzzled, sitting cross-legged in front of Seraph. Seraph stared blankly at the scenery revealed by Adele’s improper sitting posture. After a while, the angel girl blushed slightly and looked away.

    “…Victoria.”

    “Are you sure the person who came out of the chaotic space is really her?”