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  • You’re Not Allowed to Kiss Me Anymore! [Quick Transmigration] 55p2

    Chapter 55 p2

    As the Mo family and the hotel staff struggled to contain the chaos, the video montage continued, now showing a series of photos and screenshots.

    While Xin Yao didn’t have any direct evidence of their relationship, she did have proof of her efforts to advance his career.

    Photos of her attending business dinners, drinking herself into the hospital, all for Li Xu’s benefit, flashed across the screen.

    While the photos didn’t explicitly name him, it was clear who she had been working so hard for.

    And then, interspersed with Xin Yao’s photos, were images of Ying Xi.

    From her early days as a university student, her innocent devotion to Li Xu, to her role as the president of his fan club, the evidence of his manipulation, his exploitation of her and his fans for financial gain, was presented in a clear and concise manner.

    Ying Xi knew that revealing this information wouldn’t be good for her.

    But what else could she do? Keep his secrets forever?

    He had manipulated her into doing these things.

    And later, he had become increasingly distrustful, excluding her from his schemes, keeping her at arm’s length, only using her to manage his fans.

    She wasn’t entirely blameless, but her culpability was far less than his.

    And thankfully, she had been smarter than the original Xin Yao, keeping evidence, a safety net for herself.

    The video continued, the images of Xin Yao’s sacrifices and Ying Xi’s complicity a stark reminder of Li Xu’s cruelty, his years of deception.

    It was clear that he had been two-timing them all along.

    Then, the video ended, the screen returning to the original scene, Li Xu kneeling before Mo Yuwei, confessing his love.

    Mo Yuwei, her hand covering her mouth, her eyes filled with tears, had just said, “I do.”

    The cheerful music now sounded mocking, almost cruel.

    Mo Yuwei stood there, her face pale, her body trembling, as if she were standing in a blizzard.

    They were telling her, showing her, that they weren’t the homewreckers, that they were the victims.

    She had believed Li Xu’s lies, her impulsive nature and her love for him blinding her to the truth.

    She had been the other woman, the one who had unknowingly interfered in their relationship.

    And the man she loved, the man she had defied her parents for, was a two-timing scumbag, exploiting women for his own gain.

    The realization made her stomach churn, her body swaying slightly.

    Li Xu rushed to her side, but she slapped him hard across the face, the sound echoing through the silent ballroom.

    The guests, their initial amusement fading, their expressions turning serious, watched the drama unfold.

    What had started as a simple case of infidelity had escalated into something far more sinister.

    He had been two-timing them, exploiting them, then, after finding a richer, more influential partner, had tried to destroy their reputations.

    They had to be more careful, they thought, avoid men like him, gold-diggers preying on wealthy women.

    But it wasn’t over yet.

    The final, and most damning, piece of evidence was yet to come.

    Li Xu’s manipulation of his fan club, his encouragement of their excessive spending, even urging them to take out loans, was already illegal.

    But he had done worse. He had tried to kill them. He had hired someone to kill them.

    Screenshots of his messages with Xin Yao’s cousin, the gambling addict, clearly showing his instructions, his encouragement of the cousin’s harassment of Xin Yao, flashed across the screen.

    The messages had been provided by the cousin himself, retrieved by the dog system through some legal but unconventional methods.

    Even the heartless cousin had expressed some concern.

    [My cousin is emotionally fragile. Will this push her over the edge?]

    Li Xu, at the time, had been annoyed, his patience worn thin by the scandals with Xin Yao and Ying Xi’s pregnancy. He had wanted them both gone.

    And believing the messages would be deleted, he had replied carelessly.

    [If she kills herself, the money is all yours.]

    He hadn’t expected the system to be able to recover the deleted messages.

    The room, already tense, fell silent, then erupted in a cacophony of gasps and whispers.

    This wasn’t just manipulation or extortion, it was attempted murder!

    And as if that wasn’t enough, another video began playing.

    A man, dressed in rags, his appearance disheveled, his body bruised and battered, was crying, his voice filled with despair.

    A woman’s voice, trembling slightly, asked him, “Did Li Xu hire you to kill me?”

    It was from the day Xin Yao, having learned through the system that Li Xu had hired someone to kill her, had confronted the man, along with Ying Xi and Liu Nuan Nuan.

    The man, initially hesitant, then thoroughly beaten by Liu Nuan Nuan, had confessed everything.

    In the silent ballroom, as the hotel staff fumbled with scissors, trying to cut the projector’s power cord, Mo’s father, his hand raised, stopped them.

    “Wait,” he said, his voice barely a whisper.

    And then, in the tense silence, the man’s voice, clear and distinct, echoed through the room.

    “Yes.”

    “Li Xu said he would pay me if I killed you, so I could afford my daughter’s medical treatment.”

    The video ended, the screen going black.

    The room was silent, the silence so profound that you could hear a pin drop.

    The guests, having witnessed the entire spectacle, were speechless.

    Even the wealthy and influential, usually so detached and indifferent, felt a chill run down their spines.

    What had started as a simple gossip about a cheating boyfriend had escalated into a criminal investigation, a tale of manipulation, extortion, and attempted murder.

    He was a monster!

    The woman who had been live-streaming the event to her friends, her voice filled with disbelief, muttered, “Don’t bother coming. Just watch it on the news tomorrow.”

    The engagement party was in chaos.

    And so was the internet.

    Because Xin Yao’s phone, placed strategically on the table, had been live-streaming the entire event, using Liu Nuan Nuan’s account.

    And Liu Nuan Nuan, following Xin Yao’s instructions, had been releasing the evidence online, timed perfectly with the video montage.

    The internet was practically melting down, Xin Yao’s live stream flooded with viewers, the servers struggling to keep up.

    The top trending topic was:

    [Li Xu’s Engagement Party Live Stream]

    Followed by:

    [Li Xu and Xin Yao Were Really Together]

    [Li Xu Cheated on Three Women]

    [Li Xu Exploited Women for Fame and Fortune]

    [Li Xu Used His Fan Club for Financial Gain]

    But as the final two pieces of evidence were revealed, the hashtag [Li Xu Hired Hitmen to Kill Two Women] quickly climbed to the top, replacing the live stream.

    And Xin Yao’s live stream exploded with new viewers.

    With the Lunar New Year approaching, the entertainment industry was clearly trying to end the year with a bang. This wasn’t just gossip, it was a full-blown scandal!

    All those cheating scandals and celebrity breakups were nothing compared to this! This was the first time a celebrity had been accused of attempted murder!

    Ying Xi, sitting beside Xin Yao, smoothed her hair.

    “That’s enough. It’s my turn now.”

    Xin Yao looked at her, wanting to say something, to stop her, but she hesitated, then let her go.

    Ying Xi was sick, not physically, but mentally.

    The betrayal, the breakup, the unexpected pregnancy, it had all been too much for her.

    And then she had discovered that the man she loved had tried to kill her.

    Her already fragile mental state had crumbled, leaving her a mix of despair and rage.

    Xin Yao had advised her to be more discreet, to remain anonymous, to let the evidence speak for itself.

    But Ying Xi needed to speak, to confront him, to release her pent-up emotions. Her therapist had agreed that it would be cathartic for her.

    So, Xin Yao had relented.

    Ying Xi stood up and walked towards the stage, her steps firm and resolute.

    Unlike Xin Yao, who had planned everything meticulously, her actions driven by logic and strategy, Ying Xi was a woman driven by emotion, her love for Li Xu now turned to hate.

    She grabbed the microphone, her voice echoing through the silent ballroom.

    She bowed politely to the stunned guests, then smiled, her voice bright and cheerful.

    “Hello everyone, I’m Li Xu’s girlfriend.”

    “Oh, and the lady sitting over there is also Li Xu’s girlfriend.”

    She turned to Mo Yuwei, who stood there, her body trembling, her face pale, her forehead beaded with sweat.

    “And Mo Yuwei, what a coincidence! You’re also Li Xu’s girlfriend!”

    “Wow, three girlfriends at his engagement party! Which one are you planning to marry, Li Xu?”

    “Oh, he already dumped Xin Yao and me after finding a richer girlfriend. Never mind, then.”

    Li Xu, still reeling from Mo Yuwei’s slap, stood there, frozen, the whispers and stares of the guests like daggers piercing his skin, transporting him back to his childhood.

    The mockery, the taunts, the accusations, the constant reminder of his poverty, his shame.

    Trash. Trash. Trash.

    I’m not trash! You’re the trash!

    He trembled, his body covered in a cold sweat.

    He should be stopping this, apologizing to Mo Yuwei, appeasing her father, explaining everything.

    But he couldn’t move, paralyzed by their gazes.

    And the video, edited by Xin Yao and Nuan Nuan for maximum impact, its short duration belying the sheer volume of evidence, had already moved on to the most damning accusation: attempted murder.

    As the evidence of his crime flashed across the screen, Li Xu’s carefully constructed facade crumbled, his face contorted in a mask of rage and fear, his body trembling.

    It was impossible!

    How could they know?!

    It had to be Xin Yao and Ying Xi! They were trying to ruin him! Where were they?! Those bitches!

    He scanned the crowd, his eyes darting from face to face, but there were too many people. He couldn’t find them.

    He couldn’t take it anymore. He reached for a chair, wanting to smash the screen, to silence the accusations.

    But the gazes of Mo’s parents, and Mo Yuwei’s heartbroken stare, held him captive, his body frozen.

    And just as he hesitated, the video ended.

    As Ying Xi walked onto the stage, Li Xu, his face contorted in a mask of rage, knew he had to stop her.

    “Get that crazy woman off the stage!” he yelled.

    Mo’s father, while wanting to see the full extent of Li Xu’s crimes, didn’t want to prolong the humiliation, his family’s reputation already tarnished. He spoke quietly to a nearby staff member.

    “Escort her off the stage.”

    As the staff member approached Ying Xi, she yelled, her voice shrill and piercing, “Don’t touch me!”

    “I’m pregnant! With Li Xu’s child!”

    The ballroom, already in chaos, erupted again, the guests gasping and whispering.

    “Holy shit.”

    “How many women has this guy screwed over?”

    “How did the Mo family manage to find such a prize?”

    And the netizens watching the live stream were even more shocked.

    [What kind of crazy rich people drama is this?!]

    [Holy shit, Li Xu is a scumbag!]

    [So, he knew she was pregnant with his child, and he still tried to kill her?!]

    [That’s beyond evil.]

    [Who’s evil? You’re the evil ones, making these accusations! Do you really think he would kill them? Ridiculous!]

    [Open your eyes! The evidence is overwhelming!]

    [Look at your precious idol! He’s pale and trembling! He’s clearly guilty!]

    [He’s going to jail!]

  • As a villain, I just want them to behave 252

    Chapter 252: Changing Faith

    “Try not to travel far these days. Also, have Phils seal off the Royal City for a few days.”

    After their discussion, Afra relayed Kailun’s instructions.

    They didn’t have any concrete information about the Empire. Kailun had tried various methods but couldn’t find out what was happening there. The most useful information they had was that Fate had left the Empire.

    As for whether she was in the Xiya Kingdom, the Abyss, or the White Jade Alliance’s Portland, they didn’t know.

    Bella asked, “Should I tell Grandpa to be careful?”

    Afra led everyone towards the courtyard. “Of course, tell Dragon King Bolton and the others to be careful. If anything unusual happens, please contact Kailun or me immediately.”

    “Okay.” Bella replied obediently.

    Afra spent the rest of the time inspecting the manor’s defenses.

    “Adapt to the situation,” Kailun had said.

    ……

    Meanwhile, the battle in the Temple was nearing its end. Paul, severely injured, had exhausted all his efforts but couldn’t escape.

    He was imprisoned in a dark, damp dungeon. Charles and Huallomen were responsible for escorting him.

    The only good news was that Harry was imprisoned in the cell next to Paul. The bad news was that, separated by a wall, they were unaware of each other’s presence.

    That afternoon, Pope Meggie Liran successfully completed a series of tasks: purging, whitewashing, and wrapping up.

    The rebel army, which had shaken half the world, only lasted for a few days. The Pope’s decisive actions silenced the Temple’s leadership.

    The second wave of purging began before many could react, this time targeting the middle and lower ranks.

    However, this had nothing to do with Kailun. He wasn’t interested in handling these trivial matters. He didn’t have the time.

    If Meggie Liran couldn’t even handle this, Kailun would find someone to replace her.

    Speaking of Kailun, he had spent the entire afternoon chatting with Empress Galina.

    He had extracted some information through his efforts, but it was all irrelevant to him. It seemed that the Empress didn’t know any crucial information.

    He was a bit disappointed. The only gain was that the Empress’s goodwill rating had increased by twenty points.

    Perhaps because of this increase, their interaction became more natural, and Galina revealed more of her true personality.

    Open-minded, straightforward, with a hint of ruthlessness, somewhat overlapping with the rumors.

    They spent the entire afternoon in the courtyard, even having dinner at the table there.

    It was worth noting that besides Empress Galina and her maids, Kailun didn’t see any other high-ranking individuals.

    He couldn’t help but suspect that those high-ranking officials had been taken away by Fate. As for what they were doing, he had no idea.

    Perhaps they were attacking the Abyss, or the Xiya Kingdom, or even the White Jade Alliance.

    He had already made arrangements for the first two scenarios. If the Abyss was attacked, Dragon King Bolton could lead his people to retreat to the Xiya Kingdom through the teleportation magic circle. Kailun would have Butler Roden arrange their accommodation in the Royal City.

    After all, it was unrealistic for the Abyss to withstand Fate’s attack, even with Kailun’s support. Unless he sent Afra to defend it as well.

    But that was even more unrealistic. Kailun’s defensive focus was on the Xiya Kingdom. He had to prioritize.

    Time passed slowly, and soon it was dark.

    Galina, his “trial wife,” led him to a small building in the courtyard, her cheeks flushed.

    After dismissing the maids, only she and Kailun remained.

    Even though she was mentally prepared, she was still incredibly nervous.

    But thinking about that entity’s plan, she had to grit her teeth and go through with it.

    Honestly, she felt that that entity was too lenient towards Kailun. In her opinion, they could have used this opportunity to kill him. She didn’t believe that he alone could withstand the entire Empire’s forces, especially with Fate’s own strength.

    However, Fate not only rejected Galina’s suggestion but also scolded her, saying that such a thought was dangerous and could lead to the world’s destruction.

    Therefore, to achieve maximum benefits with minimal cost, Fate chose to sacrifice Empress Galina.

    In fact, Galina found the idea of world destruction absurd. No matter how strong Kailun was, he couldn’t possibly influence the world, right?

    But she didn’t argue. That entity was the origin of the Temple of the Celestial God, and also the origin of the Empire. In a way, Fate was her faith.

    Without any complicated rituals or lengthy explanations, Galina found herself sitting on the edge of the bed with Kailun. It was too late to run now.

    “Miss Galina, it’s not too late to back out now. Are you sure you’re willing to sacrifice your most precious possession for that entity?”

    Kailun played with Galina’s hair, the faint fragrance filling his nostrils.

    Galina averted her gaze. “My faith is my most precious possession. My body is just a shell. For the sake of our friendship, I’m willing to offer it to you as a sign of sincerity.”

    Her voice lacked conviction. Only she knew how much of this was a lie.

    Based on her understanding of Kailun, tonight’s sacrifice was more likely to be a “meat bun thrown to a dog.” No, it was even worse than that.

    She didn’t know if Kailun would be gentle, but she would definitely be in pain.

    She hoped Fate’s plan would succeed. Otherwise, she would be at a huge disadvantage.

    If Kailun was eliminated by Fate in the future, she would be alone. How tragic.

    With her personality, she wouldn’t favor another person, even for benefits. No one was worthy of her. Kailun was a fortunate accident.

    The precious thing she had kept for over twenty years would eventually be taken by Kailun. She felt a tinge of sadness and a strange excitement.

    Thankfully, Kailun’s personality and temperament were to her liking, so she didn’t resist much.

    ‘It’s all for Fate,’ she comforted herself.

    “I’m sorry, but if faith is your most precious possession, then you might change your faith after tonight. It’s not my intention, but since it’s a symbol of our friendship, I will gratefully accept it.”

    With a gentle push, Kailun pushed Galina onto the soft bed.

    She looked at him with defiance, her white hands clutching the sheets tightly, her ample chest heaving, a tempting expanse of white flesh exposed.

    One of Kailun’s hands rested on her slender waist, his gentle touch making her body tense. She bit her lower lip nervously.

    Looking at him, she wanted to appear strong, but this thought could only remain in her mind. Every time she tried to do something, Kailun’s gaze would make her heart skip a beat.

    “Can you tell me where your faith is hidden?” Kailun’s hand paused at the sash around her waist.

    “I don’t know. You’ll have to find it yourself.”

    Galina’s breathing became heavier, a blush creeping up her neck and ears.

    She glared at him as his knee pressed against her inner thigh, moving upwards, rubbing against her skin.

    But her faith wasn’t something so superficial. To change one’s faith required a deeper understanding.

    Only through guidance from within could one truly change their faith. Kailun understood this principle well.

  • Transformed into a Female Villain, But Captured by My Beautiful Girl Disciples v2c23

    23. A Plan Within a Plan 

     

    “Follow me.”

    Amidst the blinding light, Qiu Shui and Lu Xinyao felt someone grab their hands and pull them along at a breakneck pace.

    When the dizziness subsided, they realized the person was…

    “It’s you?” Qiu Shui looked at Gong Yiling, then calmly thanked her. “Thank you for saving us.”

    “But how did you…?”

    “Oh, I was nearby. I saw the fire and came to investigate.”

    Gong Yiling hid the anti-mother weapon and looked behind them. “Good, they didn’t follow.”

    “But this is the competition area. Why were they chasing you?”

    —Miss Gong already had a guess.

    The answer was obvious. Whoever controlled this area was the one behind the attack.

    Undoubtedly, it was Shangguan Yaochang who sent the assassins.

    And they weren’t sent in after the competition began!

    To avoid attention, he must have had them hide beforehand.

    And the First Prince and Young Master Xuli coming here first… their purpose must have been to instruct the assassins.

    “I’m the only one who showed my face in the palace,” Lu Xinyao said, realizing the truth.

    “It’s Shangguan Qingyun.” She gripped Qiu Shui’s arm.

    “He wouldn’t attack us personally, so after finding us, he must have notified the assassins.”

    But instead of worrying about their own situation, the two girls were concerned about Gong Yiling.

    “Will they target Master too?” Qiu Shui frowned. “There’s no one protecting her.”

    Lu Xinyao nodded. “I think so too. Should we withdraw and warn Big Sister?”

    “Yes… Master’s safety is more important.”

    They were about to crush the blue crystals they had been given.

    Their concern surprised Gong Yiling.

    But she wouldn’t let them waste this opportunity.

    She stopped them and said, “Don’t worry, your master is with Shangguan Lingyue. She’ll be fine. But you two… are you planning to run away?”

    “Run away?”

    Her words irked them again.

    “I just took a look,”

    Miss Gong smiled and clapped her hands. “Those guys aren’t that strong. The strongest is only at Return to Origin. You two aren’t afraid of them, are you?”

    Afraid? Not really…

    But there were at least fifteen of them.

    They couldn’t fight so many people!

    “I know what you’re thinking.” Gong Yiling said, “What if I told you I have a way to deal with those assassins, and even make the First Prince suffer?”

    She took out a talisman with a strange symbol on it—a “No Parking” sign.

    “Want to try it?”

    —

    —

    Time passed.

    The First Prince led the group through the forest, while Young Master Xuli used his techniques to conceal them from sight.

    Even if they passed right in front of other participants, they wouldn’t be seen.

    But as they walked, the First Prince sensed something amiss.

    They were heading towards the central area.

    “Your Highness, they…”

    The lead assassin also noticed this and asked, “Are you sure they went this way?”

    Normally, anyone questioning him like this would face consequences.

    But this time… he didn’t react.

    He was also puzzled.

    He knew their location because of a special incense called Thousand Miles Fragrance.

    Colorless and odorless, those affected by it wouldn’t even realize it.

    Others, however, could smell it with a special antidote.

    This incense was incredibly valuable on the black market. If he hadn’t needed to control Lu Xinyao, Shangguan Qingyun, having just suffered a major financial loss, wouldn’t have used it.

    He had applied the incense to the two girls while greeting them. Theoretically, they shouldn’t know they were being tracked.

    Could it be… they were intentionally heading towards the central area?

    “Heh—” Shangguan Qingyun sneered.

    If they were courting death, then he wouldn’t stop them!

    He quickened his pace.

    After following them for a while, until the surrounding scenery changed significantly, Shangguan Qingyun realized something.

    “This is… still the outer area?”

    He looked around.

    The plants here had a distinct purple hue. He knew this was the result of absorbing the poisonous mist.

    These trees were called Demonic Qiong Trees. They absorbed the toxins, turning their leaves and branches purple, but their unique filtering system ensured their fruits and sap remained untainted.

    These trees sustained the demonic beasts living between the outer and central areas.

    But their presence here meant they were no longer within the designated competition area, but had entered a dangerous zone.

    “Stop!”

    Shangguan Qingyun frowned. “We’ve been tricked.”

    “Is this the central area?” The lead assassin asked, puzzled. “But we haven’t encountered the barrier. It requires a special dispelling talisman to break, right?”

    Shangguan Qingyun glared at him coldly. “What if those two girls have such a talisman?”

    Just as he finished speaking, demonic roars echoed through the forest, followed by tremors and the continuous roars of giant beasts, confirming his suspicions.

    However, the sudden appearance of demonic beasts didn’t faze Shangguan Qingyun and Young Master Xuli.

    They immediately abandoned the assassins and fled.

    But soon, they encountered another group of demonic beasts, seemingly waiting for them. And behind the beasts stood their original targets, Qiu Shui and Lu Xinyao.

    “It’s you two.”

    Shangguan Qingyun, looking at the hostile beasts surrounding them, greeted them calmly. “What a coincidence.”

     

     

  • The Grotesque Miss’s End Story v2c66

    Chapter 66: Miss Luo Ling, A Brick to Be Moved Wherever Needed 

    The biting winds of early March still swept through Victoria, accompanied by a drizzling rain and a dreamy, hazy fog that enveloped the entire city.

    Before Highgate Cemetery, three young women in black dresses and veils gazed sorrowfully at two tombstones, one large and one small, mourning in silence. Luo Ling thus achieved the feat of attending her own funeral for the second time.

    However, Luo Ling’s consciousness had already withdrawn, no longer impersonating Eve. The Eve puppet’s actions were now driven entirely by Eve’s memories and emotions.

    Previously, she had maintained the impersonation due to the presence of Ms. Nightingale, a powerful Myriad Path Awakened One who could perceive the essence of life, one of the furthest progressed individuals on the Myriad Path.

    There might be other Awakened Ones of the same Path who were stronger in combat, but in terms of healing, Ms. Nightingale was second to none.

    The fact that Luo Ling’s puppet could deceive Ms. Nightingale’s perception was a testament to the Puppet Ballad’s incredible power. However, the puppet’s empty consciousness could easily be detected during the healing process.

    Outside of treatment, an empty consciousness wasn’t so easily noticed.

    The main reason for withdrawing from the Eve puppet now was that Luo Ling felt she couldn’t perfectly impersonate Miss Eve. Her abilities were fine, but in certain situations, she couldn’t maintain the act…

    She hadn’t had this problem when impersonating the stranger, Alyssa. Even Stasha, who had grown up with Alyssa, only vaguely sensed something was amiss.

    Seeing her two teammates consumed by grief through Eve’s eyes, Luo Ling sighed inwardly. The three of them would soon join the Star team to hunt down the White Witch’s Apostle.

    …Of course, it wouldn’t be Elsa. Elsa was currently safe and sound in Starry Victoria.

    Clearly, this was a setup by the Harbingers, shifting the blame onto the White Witch…

    “Truly worthy of being two organizations branching from the same root, even their scapegoating tactics are so synchronized, inexplicably dragging me into their conflict,” Luo Ling thought with a sigh.

    Now that the three team members had returned to being cogs in the Company’s machine, there was nothing for Luo Ling to worry about. She had to hurry to the Harbingers’ side and investigate the situation.

    How could the White Witch have made a deal with the Harbingers without her knowledge, so secretly that even she herself was unaware?

    After withdrawing her consciousness from the Eve puppet, Luo Ling immediately descended onto Alyssa’s body.

    The blindfolded nun sat in her wheelchair on the pulpit before the cathedral’s central hall, receiving the worship of her followers, facing the statue of the Sacred Heart and performing Mass.

    Luo Ling didn’t immediately take control of Alyssa’s body, as she knew nothing about religious rituals. She began browsing the Church of Light’s recent memories.

    “Good heavens…”

    After browsing for a while, Luo Ling narrowed her eyes slightly.

    No wonder the Company believed they had made a deal with the White Witch, possibly even forming an alliance.

    The Harbingers had been quite active in these few days…

    The Harbinger leader had directly ordered “Theologian” Alyssa to expand the number of priests in the Church of Light.

    Previously, almost all priests in the Church of Light were from the Harbingers’ former cult, or if not, they were wicked individuals.

    These people had all been killed by Alyssa and perfectly dominated, becoming complete puppets.

    Therefore, despite the Church of Light’s recent popularity, it hadn’t expanded on a large scale.

    At most, when encountering wicked individuals deserving of death, Alyssa would have them literally lay down their butcher knives and become Buddha on the spot, personally meeting God to repent, their bodies joining the Church of Light.

    As a result, the number of priests in the Church of Light had remained at a few thousand, a relatively small number among other church branches, even with many people wanting to join.

    Because of this strange behavior, rumors circulated in Victoria that only those most devout to God were qualified to follow the Saint.

    …In a sense, this wasn’t wrong.

    However, under the Harbinger leader’s orders, Alyssa, the newly appointed Theologian, had no choice but to obey and expand the church.

    Due to the large scale of the expansion, they couldn’t find enough deserving sinners to instantly become Buddha, so Alyssa opened recruitment for priest positions in the Church of Light for the first time in Victoria.

    This news was a bombshell in Victoria’s religious circles. Everyone had witnessed the Church of Light’s recent rise. Regardless of the benefits, just joining it would significantly elevate one’s status.

    The recruitment ended a few days ago, bringing in nearly half ordinary people and expanding the church’s size by almost a third.

    At the same time, the number of branch churches increased significantly. Looking at the map, one could see that the combined coverage of these churches now encompassed all of Victoria.

    Clearly, Philosopher intended to use these churches for something.

    Meanwhile, among the newly recruited personnel, the intelligence network had identified several unusual Awakened Ones. Alyssa judged them to be members of the Harbingers.

    The Harbinger leaders hadn’t informed Alyssa about this, but judging from Religious’s recent actions, he seemed to be aware of it.

    …Philosopher and the others still didn’t fully trust Alyssa.

    This was normal. Theologian Alyssa was, after all, a newcomer to the Harbingers. Even the less favored Religious was a more trusted, older member.

    Speaking of Religious, after relinquishing his position in charge of the church, he hadn’t taken on any major tasks. Perhaps he was preparing for his ascension ritual, or perhaps for other reasons. In any case, he was quite idle.

    He would often visit Alyssa to discuss religious scriptures and explain things about the Awakened world, sometimes like an academic discussion, other times like he was trying to win her over.

    Luo Ling could guess Religious’s intentions. He was going to become the fourth leader of the Harbingers. If he could win over the highly talented Theologian, his influence within the Harbingers would increase.

    Where there were people, there were selfish desires. Even without infighting, power struggles would always occur in any organization, unless everyone was a saint.

    It was during this expansion that the Harbingers infiltrated the church, using the costly secret technique to steal the White Witch’s Authority again, spreading the news of a collaboration between the White Witch and the Harbingers.

    As for why the Company believed this information so readily…

    Luo Ling recalled the strange object Educator had given her after her “interview,” the Sacred Tool.

    Every time Religious visited, he would take something from this Sacred Tool. These items could mimic the White Witch’s Grotesquery aura, not just her abilities.

    This was the true purpose of this Sacred Tool, not to collect the White Witch’s power, but to simulate her aura through its connection to her.

    —The Company was well aware of the Harbingers’ secret technique. Stealing a bit of power wasn’t enough to convince the directors that the two powerful enemies had formed an alliance.

    Only this unique Grotesquery aura could truly confirm their collaboration, forcing the Company to divert some of their attention to this matter.

    The Harbingers likely weren’t afraid of the White Witch’s retaliation, as the Grotesquery aura was being simulated by church organizations throughout Victoria.

    If she wanted to kill them, she could. It would further exhaust the Company, forcing them to deal with a rampaging High-Risk Grotesquery.

    As long as they could divert the Company’s attention at this crucial moment, the Harbingers’ objective would be achieved.

    Unaware that the “White Witch” had already planted a piece within the Harbingers, Philosopher’s calculations were quite thorough, their little scheme working perfectly.

    “So, I’ve been played…”

    Luo Ling’s eyes flickered. Even with her advantage in the shadows, she was still somewhat naive compared to these old foxes, easily used as a neutral pawn.

    However, using her came at a price.

    This was true for both the Company and the Harbingers.

    The Harbingers’ success was partly due to Cheng Jianming’s death.

    If Cheng Jianming hadn’t died, the Incubation Barrier nodes throughout Victoria would likely be in place.

    The Company, holding the initiative, wouldn’t worry about an alliance between the White Witch and the Harbingers. They could simply risk initiating a collapse, putting the Harbingers at a disadvantage.

    But now, with Cheng Jianming dead and the Incubation Barrier nodes incomplete, the Harbingers could seize the opportunity to turn the tables. Unfortunately… they had used the wrong piece and made the wrong move.

    However, it had to be said that the game between the two sides was extremely dangerous. The slightest misstep could be fatal.

    Just as Luo Ling finished browsing the key information in Alyssa’s memory, her Mass was also coming to an end.

    After Alyssa descended from the pulpit, Religious, as always, was waiting for her behind the scenes in the central hall. Seeing the wheelchair approaching, he quickly went to greet her.

    “Saint Alyssa, you’ve worked hard. How are you feeling today?”

    “Thank you for your concern, sir. It’s the same every day. I’m used to it.”

    Alyssa smiled gently, nodding slightly at Religious, then skillfully wheeled herself towards the back of the hall.

    Religious quickly followed, entering the prayer room with Alyssa.

    A barrier had been erected around the prayer room. Only now could Religious and Alyssa reveal their true identities and converse as Harbingers.

    A joyful smile finally appeared on Religious’s face. “Theologian, the leaders have brought good news.”

    “Oh? Mr. Religious, please elaborate.”

    Luo Ling, now controlling Alyssa, was immediately intrigued.

    “You’ve done an excellent job with the tasks assigned to you. Educator is very pleased. These are extraordinary times, and you’ve been exceptionally promoted. I can now tell you more about the Harbingers’ secrets.”

    The joy on Religious’s face was genuine. He believed that Saint Alyssa, the Theologian, was firmly on his side. Her promotion was naturally good news.

    “Thank you, sir.”

    Luo Ling’s expression remained calm, her smile unchanged. For Alyssa, this wasn’t something to be overly excited about.

    However… getting closer to the Harbingers’ core at this time was indeed good news for Luo Ling.

    Religious took out a parchment scroll, an ancient ring, and a dagger as exquisite as a work of art.

    “These are the Harbingers’ unique secret techniques, allowing us to utilize power far beyond our own, but at a price. Use them wisely.”

    Religious first handed the parchment to Luo Ling. After receiving it, she scanned it briefly, her expression turning serious.

    The scroll detailed how to inscribe rituals, construct inspiration circuits, perform sacrifices, and avoid being completely consumed by the Grotesquery’s price.

    The Harbingers’ ability to contend with the Order-side organizations despite their smaller numbers was largely due to these secret techniques.

    With these techniques, even a Mid-Order Awakened One (Fourth to Sixth-Order) could threaten a High-Order Awakened One (Seventh-Order and above).

    But the slightest mistake could be fatal.

    “However, the Company seems to have similar secret techniques. Cheng Jianming used one before his death, seemingly more complete… So, is this a modified version?”

    Luo Ling calmly put away the parchment. Next, Religious presented the ancient ring, carefully holding it before Luo Ling and saying,

    “This is a Taboo Ring, containing a trace of a Taboo’s power. Used in conjunction with the secret techniques, it allows one to briefly wield a Taboo’s Authority… However, it must be used with extreme caution.

    “The path of Taboo is irreversible. Even with your talent, it would be difficult to fully control it, unless—”

    Religious suddenly realized he had said too much, pausing before continuing, “You’ll understand later. For now, keep the Taboo Ring safe. It could save your life in a critical moment.”

    “Wow, even Taboo items, given to ordinary members. The Harbingers are truly the Company’s greatest enemy.”

    Luo Ling sighed inwardly, accepting the ring and hiding it.

    She had an idea: if she Devoured this ring, would she further develop her Naraku form or gain a new form?

    The former would be a waste. A trace of Taboo power was definitely more useful than mere sustenance. The latter would be excellent, but… Taboo existences were probably difficult to fully control.

    Her Naraku form was already somewhat unruly, often malfunctioning when using its abilities…

    The last item, as expected, was a Sacred Tool.

    Judging from Religious’s envious gaze, this wasn’t something every new Harbinger member received.

    Sacred Tools were precious everywhere, and the Harbingers were no exception.

    Religious reluctantly handed the dagger Sacred Tool to Luo Ling, his envy unconcealed. “Theologian, this is a Sacred Tool bestowed upon you by Educator himself, called ‘Lifebreath.’ Explore its abilities and usage yourself.”

    Religious couldn’t help but add,

    “Sacred Tools are extremely precious. Ordinary Awakened Ones might never obtain one in their lifetime, even I only possess half of one… Educator has high hopes for your future, hence such a generous gift.”

    Luo Ling, who possessed several Sacred Tools and had the backing of a master Sacred Tool crafter, nodded in agreement. She also felt that Sacred Tools were precious. This showed Educator’s favor towards Alyssa.

    “Educator is too kind. I am unworthy of such a gift.”

    Luo Ling accepted the dagger without any hesitation.

    After sensing it briefly, it seemed to be crafted from a Silent Demise Path Sacred Relic, but the crafting technique was ingenious, giving the Sacred Tool Myriad Path characteristics.

    In reality, it shouldn’t be called a dagger. It was a staff crafted in the shape of a dagger, its primary function being healing, quite fitting for Alyssa’s abilities.

    After presenting the “welcome gift,” Religious’s expression turned serious. “Theologian, now that you’ve officially joined the Harbingers, there are some more important tasks… that must be entrusted to you.”

    He pointed to the shrine beside them, saying gravely, “The matter of the White Witch must be handled by you… From now on, you are the White Witch’s Apostle. Use this Sacred Tool to activate your abilities, and it will carry the White Witch’s aura.”

    “Huh?” Luo Ling paused slightly. “I’m the White Witch’s Apostle?”

    “Of course, of course, I know you’re not. The White Witch is such a cruel devil. I know you detest her. How could you become her Apostle?” Religious quickly said. “It’s just that the Harbingers are currently implementing some plans that require you to… put on a small disguise and cooperate, understand?”

    Religious had explained most things about the Awakened world to Alyssa, including the White Witch’s atrocities, naturally from the Harbingers’ perspective.

    In his narrative, the Company was the greatest villain in the world, the evil organization preventing them from saving the world.

    …Although Luo Ling felt the two organizations were equally bad, birds of a feather.

    “May I ask, what do I need to do?” Luo Ling asked calmly.

    Hearing the Theologian’s reply, Religious finally relaxed. He had worried that she would refuse to become the White Witch’s Apostle, even if it was just an act.

    “Act secretly as the White Witch’s Apostle to divert the Company’s attention. During this time… the Harbingers absolutely cannot be disturbed.”

    Religious thought for a moment, then lowered his voice further. “To be precise, I cannot be disturbed. I can’t tell you the details now, but you’ll understand later.”

    Religious couldn’t help but smile. Educator had repeatedly warned him not to reveal his upcoming ascension to the fourth leadership position, so he had been keeping it bottled up.

    Finally, he found an opportunity to hint at it, even just a little, to relieve his pent-up feelings.

    To Luo Ling, who knew the inside story, these words undoubtedly revealed the Harbingers’ plan.

    “It seems they need to distract the Company to prevent them from interfering with Religious’s ascension,” Luo Ling thought, a faint smile appearing on her lips. She nodded. “Alright, I agree. However… I can impersonate the White Witch’s Apostle, but not as the Saint.”

    “Of course, of course. The Saint shouldn’t be an Apostle of a devil, even I wouldn’t agree to such an arrangement,” Religious said. “You just need to secretly leave traces of the White Witch in various locations in Victoria. As for how… that’s up to you.”

    After giving these instructions, Religious stood up to leave.

    But then, Luo Ling suddenly remembered something and called out to him, “By the way, Mr. Religious, may I ask a rather presumptuous question?”

    “Hmm?” Religious paused. “Ask away.”

    “Which Path do you belong to?” Luo Ling asked.

    “That’s not presumptuous at all. I can tell you directly,” Religious said with a smile. “I’m an Other Shore Path Awakened One. As for my specific ability… that would be presumptuous.”

    They weren’t close enough to reveal such details.

    “Mmm, I understand,” Luo Ling said thoughtfully.

    “What’s wrong, Saint Alyssa? Is there something you need me to clarify?” Religious asked, his expression turning serious.

    “Shouldn’t all Other Shore Path ability users belong to the Speakers?” Luo Ling asked.

    “Indeed, so I am also a member of the Speakers,” Religious said calmly. “However, I joined the Speakers after joining the Harbingers, so I’m considered an external member—although almost everyone in the Speakers, besides the Four Harbingers, is an external member.

    “Almost all Speakers members have other affiliations, even members of the wicked Company.”

    This was new information to Luo Ling. She knew the Speakers were a mixed bag, but she hadn’t expected it to be to this extent.

    Judging from this, Religious should be a Mid-Order Awakened One (Fourth to Sixth-Order), not a High-Order Awakened One, at least not before.

    Other Shore Path Awakened Ones were notoriously difficult to promote. Only the Four Harbingers within the Speakers were High-Order Awakened Ones.

    “Saint Alyssa, any other questions?” Religious asked.

    “No more. Be careful, sir,” Luo Ling said calmly.

    Religious bowed slightly and hurriedly left.

    “A Mid-Order Awakened One attempting a forced ascension ritual? It seems these three months… were spent preparing for this,” Luo Ling thought, watching Religious leave the cathedral through her Spore vision, her expression darkening. “And this ascendant happens to be an Other Shore Path Awakened One.”

    Philosopher’s hidden Path was Present.

    The other end of the Other Shore.

    Luo Ling couldn’t believe there wasn’t some hidden connection between the two.

    “It seems ‘sacrificial lambs’ are also quite popular within the Harbingers,” Luo Ling said, tapping her fingers on the table, a sneer appearing on her lips. “Truly worthy of being ‘branches of the same root.’”

  • Second Time Around, the Villainous Daughter Decides to Indulge First 63

    Chapter 63: Caution

    “Well said!”

    The flattery made young Diana beam. “What’s your name? Tomorrow, you’ll replace Vermin. Stay by my side. I need talented people like you, not a bunch of incompetent fools!”

    “Ah! Your Highness!”

    Vermin, standing beside them, hadn’t expected to be replaced so easily. He protested, “I’ve been with Your Highness for so long, am I not as good as this newcomer?!”

    “Shut up, weakling! I feed you, I clothe you, and you can’t even bark when I tell you to bite. What use are you?!”

    Diana was fed up with these idiots; together, they weren’t as useful as Caramy’s silver tongue.

    “Useless! Idiots! You dare bark at me? Get out of my sight!!”

    The furious little princess even forgot her favorite “weakling” insult, a testament to her followers’ incompetence.

    “Please calm down, Your Highness. I am Caramy Godfrey, and it’s my honor to be Your Highness’s dog.”

    “Mm, you’re quite clever! Very enthusiastic, you have potential!”

    Diana wanted to pat Caramy’s shoulder, but her hand stopped mid-air, unable to reach. She awkwardly left it there.

    Caramy understood and half-knelt, allowing the ritual to proceed.

    “But it doesn’t matter if you’re a dog or not. I want that weakling to become my footstool, understand?”

    “Of course, I’m willing to offer my wisdom and go through fire and water for Your Highness,” Caramy said with a smile.

    From afar, Lena overheard their conversation.

    The naive princess didn’t realize she had already exposed her secrets to Lena, nor did she know that the lackey offering her advice was actually Lena’s subordinate.

    Diana was talented in managing internal affairs, but only on a national scale.

    Her age was her only weakness, and Lena intended to exploit this, both mentally and physically.

    She couldn’t let this tiger return to the mountain; Lena had witnessed Diana’s future power.

    The Eye of the Empire intelligence organization alone covered half the world, the information it gathered providing immense benefits to the hero’s party, some even invaluable, the core of their operations.

    Lena didn’t want Diana to become an obstacle to her revenge, so she had to be cautious and ruthless.

    Mercy to the enemy was cruelty to oneself. One “Angel” was enough.

    Lena would make Diana pay for the suffering she had endured in her past life, tying her to the bed and playing with her little feet!

    Whether she cried or laughed, begged or screamed, Lena was determined to have her way with Diana’s white-stockinged feet.

    “Master, your smile is terrifying.”

    “Do I look like a devil?”

    “…Well, I haven’t seen a devil, but a devil probably isn’t as beautiful as Master, so I don’t think so.”

    “Such sweet words.”

    “My lips aren’t the only sweet thing, my Master. You can taste even sweeter places… my dearest Master…”

    “You’re irresistible, kiss~”

    …

    Meanwhile, Caramy delivered his prepared speech:

    “I’ve investigated. To deal with Lena, my schemes alone aren’t enough. The key lies with Your Highness.”

    “Me?” Diana listened with boredom, her toes tapping the ground.

    Her delicate feet, clad in lace ankle socks, were adorned with light pink lolita-style heels. As a gentle breeze blew, her skirt fluttered, revealing long, slender legs that would make any foot fetish enthusiast drool. The pink ribbons tied around her thighs were cute and alluring.

    Diana’s appearance on the Imperial Beauty Ranking at such a young age wasn’t solely due to her status as a princess. Her reputation as the Imperial Flower wasn’t undeserved.

    Her beauty alone had made her the youngest Imperial Flower in history, and coupled with her royal status, she was naturally the subject of widespread praise and publicity. So, among the commoners, there were many admirers of the Imperial Flower, while the second and third places paled in comparison.

    However, Caramy wasn’t among them. He had been tormented by the cruel devil to the point of apathy. Even if a naked beauty stood before him, he wouldn’t bat an eye.

    “Hmph~ As expected, I have to do everything myself. Otherwise, you incompetent weaklings wouldn’t understand my brilliance!”

    Diana puffed out her chest, hands on her hips, her expression smug.

    “Alright, tell me, what should I do? If you do well, I can make you a member of the Imperial Guard, a height ordinary people can only dream of reaching.”

    She looked down at Caramy, increasingly satisfied with him.

    Caramy suppressed the urge to slap the little brat, saying respectfully, “Your Highness, imagine if you could defeat Lena in her area of expertise, making that notorious figure completely submit to you, becoming your slave, your victory would become her lifelong nightmare.”

    His proposal was good, filled with imagination.

    But Diana wasn’t a fool, and she immediately became suspicious. “How am I supposed to fight her?! Has your brain been infected? How can I possibly defeat Lena?!”

    Caramy broke out in a cold sweat. “Your Highness’s strength is undeniable…”

    “What are you saying?!”

    Diana’s voice rose, her suspicion turning into doubt.

    “Uh, I mean…”

    Caramy’s mind raced, flipping through the notes Lena had given him, which contained all the key points for dealing with Princess Diana. The most important one was “praise.”

    And the praise had to be subtle, yet noticeable.

    “I’m not suggesting Your Highness confront Lena directly. After all, Lena has already shown her disrespect by ignoring Your Highness’s invitation to the ball. Such an ignorant fool isn’t worth Your Highness’s personal attention!!”

    “…”

    “Your Highness can approach this from a different angle. Think about it, besides her professional rank, what else is Lena good at?”

    “You mean…”

    Diana’s eyes lit up, her violet eyes like a vast field of flowers.

    “Yes, just as Your Highness has surmised.” Caramy, seeing the opportunity, presented two pills. “After taking the blue pill, Lena’s mind will be under Your Highness’s control. You can make her do anything. The red pill is for Your Highness to take; both are necessary. Of course, this is just my first plan, Your Highness can choose.”

    “Heh, mind control, a trick played out by the powerful.” Diana took the pills, examining them. “Only two?”

    “Two is enough,” Caramy said confidently.

    “How can you ensure Lena will take it? And what if it doesn’t work on her?”

    “Please rest assured, Your Highness. Except for those specializing in mental power, no one can resist mind control drugs. These prohibited drugs are originally used for patients with brain damage, to control their thoughts. When used on normal people, the effect only lasts for a day and doesn’t cause any serious side effects.”

    Caramy explained, his throat feeling dry from reciting the long speech, especially while maintaining a facade of loyalty.

    However, seeing that Diana still didn’t seem convinced, Caramy decided to switch to his backup plan.

    Fortunately, Lena had given him a second option, so he wasn’t worried!

    “As for how to make Lena take the drug, we need someone’s help.”

    “Who?” Diana dropped the pills, her interest piqued.

    Caramy smiled, the fish finally taking the bait. “A member of the hero’s party, Vanessa Cavendish.”

  • Captivating Beauty 68p1

    Chapter 68 p1

    The traffic was surprisingly light, and they reached the studio ahead of schedule. As soon as they arrived, Xinxin hurried over, phone in hand, excitedly recounting the latest developments on Weibo.

    Shen Shu went to get her makeup done, and Tong Jia took the phone.

    Several hashtags were trending:

    #SelfShippingIsTheBest

    #XiaChunWeibo

    #NanShuSuperTopic

    #ShengXiaSuperTopic

    “Xia Chun reposted it?” Tong Jia asked, opening Xia Chun’s Weibo. She had reposted the pinned giveaway post from the “NanShu” super topic, even tagging Shen Shu.

    Xia Chun’s immense popularity meant the post quickly gained traction, the comments section exploding.

    Chun Chun is such a goddess! So kind and gentle!

    Poor thing, dragged into this mess, and now she has to help clarify things.

    This feels like shipping best friends…

    They must be close friends. They seemed to get along well before.

    Blink twice if you’re being held hostage.

    While the effect wasn’t as impactful as it could have been, it was still a gesture of support.

    Before the makeup artist arrived, Tong Jia lowered her voice. “I’m feeling conflicted. Should I thank her? She waited two days to do this. But then again, she did repost it. What do you think?” Xia Chun had reposted the giveaway before Tong Jia had given her the information about the “Sheng Xia” super topic, so it had been a deliberate act of support.

    “Let’s focus on our own work,” Shen Shu replied. She just wanted to act.

    Tong Jia nodded. “Then check this out. You and CEO Xu are trending too. She must be making a killing off this publicity.” She chuckled. “Time for CEO Xu to treat us to dinner.”

    Shen Shu took out her phone, glancing at Xia Chun’s repost before scrolling through the trending topics.

    EntertainmentGossip: #NanShuSuperTopic CPs are so hot right now! Checked out this super topic, and the giveaway amount is insane! Joining the hype train! Everyone, come get your free money!

    It was the most popular post, reposted by several other bloggers.

    NotAnInfluencer: #NanShuSuperTopic Never followed this before, but after watching that live stream, who can forget that epic takedown? CEO Xu’s kick was legendary. (If you haven’t seen it, check out my previous post! Go watch it!)

    The comments below:

    The way she told that bitch to turn off the live stream was so badass!

    For those who don’t understand, here’s a recap: Shen Shu protected her agent and got hit (not sure where, because they cut the feed), then CEO Xu, defending her wife, told the cheater to turn off the live stream… It was so hot! I was smitten!

    They’re both amazing! Relationship goals! Shen Shu is truly a goddess. Check out the video of her greeting her fans.

    A perfect match! I’m obsessed!

    Intrigued, Shen Shu clicked on the link to the blogger’s previous post, a short video of Xu Jinnan kicking Qiao Rui when she tried to grab the phone.

    As she finished watching, her finger accidentally brushed against the like button, and she paused, watching as it turned red, then decided not to unlike it.

    —

    It was lunchtime.

    Shen Shu was eating the low-fat meal Xu Jinnan had ordered for her when a shadow fell over her, blocking the sunlight.

    Tong Jia, who had been organizing some props, saw who it was and hurried over. “Xia Chun,” she said.

    “I saw the information. I wanted to explain something to you in person,” Xia Chun said, glancing at Tong Jia, then turning to Shen Shu. “I knew about the super topic, and I admit I had ulterior motives, but I didn’t know it was someone from my studio who created the giveaway.” Her candid admission surprised Tong Jia.

    She smiled faintly, glancing around, then handed Shen Shu a script, as if she had come to discuss the scene.

    Shen Shu took the script, understanding the gesture. She stood up. “I see. Thank you for telling me, and thank you for the repost,” she said, her tone polite and professional.

    “Ah Shu, I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” Xia Chun said, her voice sincere. “I’ve been struggling these past few days. Seeing those comments about you… it hurt me more than it hurt you. I’m sorry I didn’t defend you sooner.”

    Shen Shu paused, then shook her head. “You didn’t have to do that. You don’t have to apologize. Really.” Her voice was polite, almost distant, simply acknowledging Xia Chun’s words. She didn’t care if Xia Chun had been aware of the rumors, or what her true intentions were.

    Xia Chun’s heart ached, a heavy feeling in her chest.

    Tong Jia, sensing the tension, and afraid Xia Chun would say something inappropriate, like at the hospital, quickly interrupted. “Xia Chun, thank you for clarifying things. We believe you. We didn’t mean anything by sending you that information…”

    “I know,” Xia Chun said, looking away. “It was from CEO Xu. I understand her message. You don’t have to tell me what to do.” Her mood was dark, her voice colder than usual.

    Shen Shu’s indifference, her distance, filled her with a sense of dread she had never felt before, worse even than during the years they had been apart.

    As if she knew, deep down, that she had lost Shen Shu forever.

    Just as Tong Jia was about to speak, Tan Jie’s voice interrupted them.

    “What are you guys talking about? Sounds interesting!”

    She and her assistant walked over, smiling. “Discussing the script? Mind if I join you?” Her features were striking, her makeup enhancing her already glamorous appearance.

    With three actresses gathered together, they naturally attracted attention.

    Initially, everyone’s gaze was on Xia Chun, but after Tan Jie arrived, their attention shifted, glancing back and forth between the three women, then realizing, with surprise, that Shen Shu, despite being a newcomer, held her own against the Best Actress and the established star.

    Like a Roman vase, her beauty was both striking and subtly elegant, revealing more with each glance.

    “Just discussing a few lines,” Xia Chun said. “But we’re done now.” She exchanged a brief look with Shen Shu, then excused herself and left.

    With Xia Chun gone, there was nothing more to say.

    After a few polite exchanges, Tan Jie also left.

    “Sis, why do you even bother with them?” her assistant asked as they walked away. Tan Jie had been fuming for days after the green tea pastry incident.

    “What do you know?” Tan Jie retorted, glancing at her assistant. “If I didn’t talk to them, people would think we’re not on good terms.”

    The assistant nodded, understanding. “You’re so thoughtful, sis. But it’s not fair to you, and besides…” Shen Shu clearly disliked her… Trying to steal her wife, what did she expect?

    She kept her thoughts to herself, her words carefully chosen.

    “Sis, with your looks and talent, you can have any Alpha you want. A married woman isn’t worthy of you,” she said.

    Tan Jie stopped.

    “I’m just not willing to give up,” she said, her voice low.

    “Give up on what?” her assistant asked.

    Tan Jie took a deep breath, then didn’t reply, her thoughts elsewhere.

    —

    After lunch in the North District, Viola drove Xu Jinnan back to the office.

    Having been busy all morning, she finally had time to check her phone. Tong Jia had tagged her in the “No PDA Allowed” group chat.

    Cai Ying had added her yesterday.

    Tong Jia: [@Xu Jinnan CEO Xu, have you seen the trending topics? With all this publicity, the money’s rolling in! Time for another celebratory dinner!]

    Cai Ying: [Seconded! I’ve been craving Australian lobster, but the restaurants here are mediocre. Xu Jinnan, cook for us!]

    The rest of the messages were just their usual banter.

    Xu Jinnan: [Am I your personal chef? No.]

    She opened Weibo and checked the two super topics.

    The giveaway post on the “Sheng Xia” super topic had been deleted, and several users, clearly there only for the free money, were complaining.

    The follower count was steadily declining.

    Besides the deleted giveaway, Xia Chun’s repost had also shattered their CP dreams.

    In contrast, the “NanShu” super topic was thriving.

    The outcome was as she had expected. After discovering that someone from Xia Chun’s studio had created the “Sheng Xia” giveaway, she had known it would end this way.

    What she hadn’t expected was Xia Chun’s unprompted repost, before even seeing the information Xu Jinnan had sent her.

    As for why she had initially been uncooperative, then suddenly changed her mind, only Xia Chun knew.

    She had several unread private messages on Weibo, but she ignored them, a new notification from Cai Ying popping up.

    Cai Ying: [@Xu Jinnan Shu Shu wants to eat too! What do you say?]

    Xu Jinnan scrolled up—

    Cai Ying: [@Shen Shu Shu Shu, want some shrimp?]

    Tong Jia: [@Shen Shu Shu Shu, want some shrimp?]

    Shen Shu: [Yes.]

    Xu Jinnan chuckled, looking at the messages. [@Shen Shu Okay.]

    Cai Ying: […Gross.]

    Tong Jia: […Gross.]

    —

    Half an hour later, Xu Jinnan arrived at the office.

    As she stepped out of the elevator, she didn’t see Shen Shu, but Tong Jia, seeing her through the glass wall, waved.

    Then, she gestured towards someone beside her.

    Viola smiled at Xu Jinnan.

    “You two seem to be getting along well,” Xu Jinnan commented to Viola as she entered the office.

    “We’ve chatted a couple of times. Miss Tong is quite interesting,” Viola replied.

    Just then, Xu Jinnan’s phone vibrated, interrupting their conversation.

    It was a call from an unknown number.

    She usually didn’t answer calls from unknown numbers, but for some reason, she felt compelled to answer this one. She put the phone to her ear, not speaking.

    Viola opened her office door for her.

    “Is this Xu Jinnan?” a woman’s voice asked.

    As Xu Jinnan closed the door behind her, muffling the sounds from outside, the woman’s voice, slightly distorted by the phone’s speaker, became clearer.

    It was a young voice, soft and hesitant, the background even quieter than Xu Jinnan’s office. The silence after she spoke reminded Xu Jinnan of a frightened rabbit hiding in the bushes, its heart pounding.

    Xu Jinnan stopped at the doorway. “Yes, who’s this?”

    “I…”

    “Where is she? Where did she go?” another voice, harsher and more demanding, interrupted.

    Then, the line went dead.

    Even though the first voice had been brief, Xu Jinnan recognized the second one – Xu Lian.

    She walked over to her desk and sat down, her phone still in her hand.

    She didn’t call back; she had a pretty good idea who it was.

    Xu Lian had no children of her own, so the only person Xu Jinnan could think of was Li Laijia.

    But she couldn’t be sure.

    She saved the number as “Unknown.”

    If it was Li Laijia, she would call again.

    This call was both unexpected and a welcome surprise.

    While she had already asked Chen Yue to investigate Li Laijia, there was no guarantee he would find anything useful. If Li Laijia contacted her directly, it would save a lot of trouble.

    —

     

  • Female Lead Was Coaxed Away by the Villain Again [Quick Transmigration] 126

    Chapter 126: My Guardian Spirit is Dead (12)

    When Jiang Zhiyan entered Xie Yunzhi’s dream that night, she couldn’t find Xie Liaoyi’s consciousness, only the original female lead’s consciousness, which was in a deep sleep.

    So she really was pulled into a meeting. This was the first time Jiang Zhiyan had witnessed it firsthand, and she found it amazing that Xie Liaoyi could do this.

    Xie Yunzhi, looking at the few remaining conscious fragments, felt an urgent need to return.

    “There’s no need for a meeting if there’s nothing important, I’ve already relayed the message to her,” Xie Yunzhi said, her hands clasped on the table.

    “In such a hurry?” the fragment next to her asked curiously.

    “Mm, she said she would come find me in my dreams tonight,” Xie Yunzhi said, flipping her hair, a hint of smugness in her voice.

    “But we have a lot to discuss today, with fewer people, there’s even more for us to discuss.”

    Xie Yunzhi: …

    Jiang Zhiyan wandered through Xie Yunzhi’s dreamscape, which was very orderly, with clear boundaries, and then nothing, just a vast, empty space, quite boring.

    “Host, why don’t we go back?” the System suggested.

    “No, I’ll wait here.”

    Xie Yunzhi, on the other side, repeatedly urged them to hurry up, she knew these people were deliberately stalling, each of them very cunning. Finally, the meeting ended, and they could return. Xie Yunzhi was the first to disappear, and seeing Jiang Zhiyan in her dream, she immediately threw herself into her arms.

    “Hugging in a dream doesn’t feel real,” Xie Yunzhi said, burying her face in Jiang Zhiyan’s chest. “Although you feel warm.”

    Jiang Zhiyan kissed Xie Yunzhi’s forehead: “I’ve been waiting for a long time, what took you so long?”

    “Nothing much, they were jealous that I was going to meet you in my dreams, so they deliberately stalled,” Xie Yunzhi said, wrapping her arms around Jiang Zhiyan’s waist. “This is the first time I’ve seen myself blocking my own way.”

    “It’s also my first time, so what are your thoughts?”

    “It means I’m too happy right now, so happy that I’m even jealous of myself,” Xie Yunzhi winked at Jiang Zhiyan, gently hooked her little finger, and kissed her earlobe. “What about you?”

    Just as Jiang Zhiyan was about to speak, the two fell from the sky, landing on something soft and cloud-like. Jiang Zhiyan looked up at Xie Yunzhi above her.

    “Why are you so proactive today?” Jiang Zhiyan asked, narrowing her eyes. “There must be a catch.”

    “Can’t I be proactive sometimes? And I feel like I’ve always been proactive,” Xie Yunzhi said with dissatisfaction.

    “You use your eyes to hint that I should be proactive, then pretend to be reserved,” Jiang Zhiyan said, holding Xie Yunzhi’s shoulders and pulling her down.

    There was no hesitation in their kiss, only a direct and passionate exchange.

    The sensations in the dream were strange, intense stimulation spreading from her soul to her body. Xie Yunzhi writhed on the bed, her face flushed, she unconsciously gripped the bedsheet, seemingly about to wake up, but instead falling into an even deeper sleep.

    When Xie Yunzhi woke up the next morning, her head felt heavy, and her body felt unclean. She sat up, saw the half-crumpled bedsheet, and rubbed her temples.

    It was just a dream, and she was alone this time, why was it even more intense than with two people? Xie Yunzhi looked around, not seeing Jiang Zhiyan, she didn’t know where she had gone.

    Xie Yunzhi glanced at the time, took a quick shower, tidied up a bit, grabbed the bedsheet, and went to the balcony. On her way back, she passed by the kitchen and saw Jiang Zhiyan trying to manipulate the cooking utensils.

    “What are you doing?” Xie Yunzhi asked.

    “Trying to make you breakfast.”

    “No need, I’ve already ordered takeout,” Xie Yunzhi said, taking two steps back as she saw the kitchen knife waving in the air. “You should rest.”

    “I’m not tired, are you?” Jiang Zhiyan put the knife back and floated to Xie Yunzhi.

    Xie Yunzhi looked at Jiang Zhiyan and noticed a hint of color on her face.

    “I think you’re about to be promoted from the ranks of vengeful spirits. I wonder if touching you won’t freeze my hand then.”

    Jiang Zhiyan snorted: “So, if my touch is cold, you don’t want to hug me anymore?”

    “I do, but didn’t you not let me hug you yesterday? I’m here to check on the progress of your jade house and gold statue,” Xie Yunzhi said with emotion. “As expected, no matter how much money you earn, it’s never enough.”

    “Are you complaining that I’m high-maintenance?” Jiang Zhiyan asked faintly.

    “Of course not, I’m blaming myself for not earning enough.”

    A smile appeared on Jiang Zhiyan’s face, satisfied with Xie Yunzhi’s answer, she happily spun twice in the air.

    Because of the new assessment in the underworld, all the mystics were too busy to bother them. Xie Yunzhi easily passed the test and became the first officially certified mystic in the mortal realm, her business booming.

    Some people spread rumors about Xie Yunzhi keeping a vengeful spirit, but no one believed them, and even if they did, no one cared, after all, she was certified by the underworld, what else was there to say? Some even questioned the qualifications of those spreading the rumors.

    Xie Yunzhi started receiving more jobs from outside City A, much to the annoyance of her competitors, but there was nothing they could do, outsiders thought the “Xie” referred to Xie Yunzhi, not the Xie family.

    Xie Yunzhi’s apartment was constantly visited by clients. To avoid disturbing her neighbors, she moved to a larger villa, which also allowed her to dedicate a room for offering incense to Jiang Zhiyan.

    When Xie Yunzhi’s fame completely overshadowed the Xie family, they finally couldn’t sit still any longer. The Xie Family Head personally flew to City A to see Xie Yunzhi.

    “What do you want?” the Xie Family Head asked directly. “I don’t think our Xie family has wronged you in any way.”

    “You haven’t wronged me personally, but you wronged her,” Xie Yunzhi pointed at Jiang Zhiyan not far away. “As the Family Head, you should know what happened back then, right?”

    The Xie Family Head looked at Xie Yunzhi and frowned slightly: “Just for this?”

    “Just? For this?” Xie Yunzhi’s face darkened, looking at him. “A human life, is it that insignificant in your eyes?”

    “It was to save more people, she was suitable, and her parents volunteered her,” the Xie Family Head said, frowning at Xie Yunzhi. “Sacrificing one person to save several villages, it was worth it.”

    “Let’s not discuss whether it was worth it or not. Permanently suppressing her, preventing her reincarnation, what was that for?” Xie Yunzhi looked at him coldly. “Based on my understanding, that wasn’t part of the ritual, were you afraid of revenge?”

    “And was it really to save people, or to boost the Xie family’s reputation? You know the answer yourselves. You turned her, who died saving people, into a vengeful spirit, and even encouraged others who didn’t know the truth to hate her, what was that for? To cover up your inhumane actions and maintain the Xie family’s face?”

    “You did so many terrible things, how can you be so self-righteous?” Xie Yunzhi looked at him.

    “Then what do you want?” the Xie Family Head asked, taking a deep breath and looking at Xie Yunzhi. “You’re a member of the Xie family.”

    “We severed ties a long time ago,” Xie Yunzhi said, twitching the corner of her mouth. “You shouldn’t be asking me what to do, you should ask her. As for my opinion, I think the Xie family’s current status is undeserved, both your foundation and your descendants seem unqualified.”

    “I’ll do as she says,” Jiang Zhiyan said.

    Then let’s take the first step, Xie Yunzhi smiled: “Let’s take the first step then, explain to everyone why she’s been attached to the Xie family.”

    The Xie Family Head’s face darkened: “Impossible.”

    “Fine, you’ve made your choice,” Xie Yunzhi nodded, stood up, and extended her hand. “You can leave now.”

    “The Xie family’s centuries-old reputation, I won’t let it be ruined in my hands.”

    “Then step down, hand over the position of Family Head to someone else, then it won’t be ruined in your hands,” Xie Yunzhi said, looking at him with a hint of mockery. “A good solution, isn’t it?”

    The Xie Family Head didn’t speak, his face dark as he left.

    This conversation was doomed to end unpleasantly from the start. The Xie Family Head looked back at the grand house and sighed softly, he had thought Xie Yunzhi would return to the Xie family and help them reach greater heights, who knew it would turn out like this?

    Xie Yunzhi looked at Jiang Zhiyan: “As expected, truly shameless.”

    “They’re still using the incident where she saved those villages as propaganda, of course, they won’t contradict themselves. Let her handle it herself, after so many years, she doesn’t really care about what happened back then, she just wants those people dead, his words just now further intensified the conflict,” Jiang Zhiyan said.

    “But after we leave, the female lead might not be merciful towards her. At your current cultivation speed, she might even become a Ghost Immortal,” Xie Yunzhi said, she felt it would be a pity if a better future was ruined because of those people.

    “Let her choose for herself, we’re not involved, as for the female lead… let her choose too, she already knows the truth,” Jiang Zhiyan looked at Xie Yunzhi. “The female lead’s character is quite good, she should be able to come up with a good solution.”

    Xie Yunzhi looked at Jiang Zhiyan, narrowing her eyes: “The female lead’s character is good? So you like her?”

    Jiang Zhiyan punched Xie Yunzhi’s shoulder: “I only like your character.”

    “But I’ve also had many different characters, which one do you like the most?”

    “I like you no matter what,” Jiang Zhiyan said, opening Xie Yunzhi’s phone and showing her the time. “Just a friendly reminder, you’re going to be late.”

    Xie Yunzhi immediately stood up and rushed out with her bag.

    No matter how much money she earned, she still panicked when she was about to be late for a class that took attendance.

    “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Xie Yunzhi asked, getting into the car.

    “I was listening to you attentively,” Jiang Zhiyan said, sitting down in the passenger seat and looking at Xie Yunzhi’s profile.

  • I’m Surrounded by My Own Pets! 216

    Chapter 216: The Wife’s Post-Nuptial Autobiography

    In a guest room near Moonwalker’s palace in Cloud Mist Sea, Silver Dragon and Tears Maiden sat with Lian Xing, a golden-haired beauty in a translucent, creamy aqua bathrobe, sipping tea.

    Unlike her usual boisterous energy, her starry eyes held only calm and indifference, as if she had transformed from a girl to a woman overnight.

    Half a month had passed since the engagement ceremony, and this was Lian Xing’s first time leaving the palace.

    Looking at the golden-haired beauty’s bare shoulders and flawless face, Silver Dragon and Teas Maiden swallowed nervously, their expressions complex.

    After all, they had expected Lian Xing to be… worse for wear after spending half a month in there. They hadn’t expected her to appear so composed.

    Had Lian Xing’s physical issues been resolved…?

    Silver Dragon raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

    Despite the supposed “1v4” with four powerful Married Pet Beasts, Lian Xing’s body bore no marks or injuries, her creamy skin even more delicate and soft, as if purified by holy Pet Essence.

    This didn’t seem right…

    Countless novels depicted damsels in distress after being held captive for half a month. How could she be completely unscathed?

    After a long silence, Silver Dragon finally asked, “Lian Xing, are you alright?”

    “…”

    “…”

    “I was. Now I’m not—”

    “?”

    “Replay refreshes my state daily. Don’t worry…” Lian Xing set down her teacup, her voice flat.

    Tears Maiden and Silver Dragon gasped.

    So…

    Though seemingly unharmed, Lian Xing had been ravaged to the point of… constant reset?

    Though her body remained that of a young girl, her spirit was now that of a mature, experienced woman.

    What had happened in the palace…?

    Actually, it wasn’t just during moments of asphyxiation or spasms that she was reset. Any time Lian Xing showed the slightest hint of enjoyment, or if her Pet Essence fluctuations decreased, her Married Pet Beasts would immediately force Unbreakable Heaven’s Ring to activate Replay, restoring her to her pre-engagement state.

    This prevented Lian Xing’s body from… developing.

    Her Married Pet Beasts’ experience and… skills were constantly increasing, while Lian Xing remained at level zero.

    And the most terrifying part was that the Married Pet Beasts’ refractory periods were also reset by Replay…

    Therefore, Lian Xing’s greatest enemy wasn’t her four Married Pet Beasts, but Great Lord Biluo, Unbreakable Heaven’s Ring, residing within her.

    After a moment of silence, Tears Maiden suddenly spoke.

    “Actually, Lian Xing…”

    “We… haven’t had any Married Pet Beasts yet, and it’s about time we cultivated some. Could you… teach us how…?”

    “I mean, since you’re so… experienced…”

    Tears Maiden’s face flushed as she trailed off.

    She was essentially asking—

    Can I get a freebie?

    Silver Dragon, beside her, face-palmed.

    However…

    To their surprise, Lian Xing didn’t seem particularly opposed.

    She maintained her calm, indifferent smile, as if in a perpetual state of post-coital bliss.

    “Next time…”

    “I only have half a day off. I have more engagement ceremonies to attend.”

    “…”

    “…”

    Silver Dragon and Tears Maiden gulped.

    It wasn’t over yet?

    Emperor-Tier Married Pet Beasts were terrifying!

    No wonder many Beast Tamers with multiple Married Pet Beasts also had human partners.

    It must be a way to relax after the… ordeal…?

    Soon, Lian Xing was summoned back by Moonwalker.

    She left without hesitation or regret, her expression serene, as if prepared for her execution.

    But just as she reached the door, her knees buckled, and she fell to her knees.

    The next second, she stood up as if nothing had happened, brushed off her bathrobe, and walked away.

    “…”

    “…”

    Time flew by, and another half a month passed.

    A full month had passed since the engagement ceremony.

    When Silver Dragon and Tears Maiden saw Lian Xing again, all traces of girlishness were gone. Her every smile and gesture exuded the charm of a mature woman, her posture elegant in a custom-made, creamy aqua satin robe.

    She had clearly absorbed a significant amount of Pet Essence, her figure fuller, her smooth, white legs even more slender and delicate.

    As Mist Colt, Star Sand, and Calamity Sun returned from their outings, Lian Xing and Moonwalker finally turned their attention to business.

    Within a cloud-filled hall in Moonwalker’s palace, Lian Xing and Moonwalker sat on white thrones with massive antlers, the Divine Machine hovering nearby.

    Cloud Princess stood below, holding a report, her expression sullen.

    “Mother, I’ve been here several times! That Mist Colt keeps blocking the entrance! Even an engagement ceremony shouldn’t delay important matters!!!”

    “Please look at this report! Something big is happening in the Moon Soul World!!!”

    “…”

    “…”

    Under Cloud Princess’s resentful gaze, Lian Xing took the report, her expression unchanged.

    It detailed the major events of the past year in the Moon Soul World. However, the events of the past month alone filled three times as much space as the previous twelve months combined.

    Only major events like Flood changing its course, the Six-pointed Star Banquet, and Drought’s death were recorded.

    And this month’s events began around the time of her engagement ceremony with Moonwalker.

    [December 20231216]

    [Myriad-Level Ancient Emperor Moon Calamity repelled the First Emperor Lotus Concubine Tai Sui, confirmed to be one of Star Concubine Lian Xing’s Married Pet Beasts.]

    [Star Concubine Lian Xing’s Married Pet Beast, Monarch-Tier Shining Species Starlight Never Diminishes, Moon Eternal, became a candidate for the Shining Bipoles, code name Star Dew Concubine.]

    [Star Concubine Lian Xing’s Married Pet Beast, Emperor-Tier Fallen Species Nether Leaf Dark King’s Court, appeared conjoined with the high-ranking Legend Snow Flower, replacing Drought among the Four Great Calamities, code name Avalanche.]

    [Star Concubine Lian Xing recognized as the strongest Beast Tamer of this era.]

    [Moonwalker, the Third Guardian and master of Cloud Mist Sea, held an engagement ceremony with Star Concubine Lian Xing.]

    [Tai Yin, the First Guardian and foremost of the seventy-two Legends, reappeared on the map.]

    [The legendary Beast Tamer Nether Concubine, from millions of years ago, revived, re-contracting First Quarter, master of the Three Saints Palace. However, Flood, one of the Four Great Calamities and her former Married Pet Beast, refused her summons.]

    [The legendary Beast Tamer Ice Queen, from millions of years ago, revived, re-contracting Cold Moon, the Fourth Guardian and master of Cold Moon Palace, and forming a contract with her descendant, Heavenly Maiden. Their engagement ceremony will be held in five days.]

    [The First Emperor declared war on Nether Concubine, Ice Queen, Star Goddess, and Star Concubine. However, Star Goddess hasn’t revived, raising questions.]

    [Why have multiple legendary Beast Tamers from millions of years ago revived simultaneously? Is the order of the Moon Soul World about to collapse?]

    [Death Sentence, one of the seventy-two Legends, missing for millennia, appeared in the Tai Yin Kingdom and is currently negotiating with Tai Yin, the First Guardian.]

    Moonwalker chuckled softly, seemingly unsurprised.

    With the Lunar Divine Festival approaching, all sorts of strange beings were emerging.

    However…

    Lian Xing’s eyes narrowed.

    Tai Yin?

    Death Sentence?

    These two pieces of information were far more shocking than the revival of ancient Beast Tamers.

    Her past life’s only Legend and the Legend she currently desired most were together…

    She had to visit the Tai Yin Kingdom.

    As for Heavenly Maiden’s engagement…?

    Uh…

    None of her business.

    Lian Xing had a slight fondness for Heavenly Maiden; everyone liked beautiful people.

    But it wasn’t enough to crash her engagement.

    Besides, she couldn’t even handle her own Married Pet Beasts, let alone add more to the mix…

    “Darling, are this Ice Queen and Nether Concubine strong? Are they stronger than Lotus Concubine Tai Sui?” Lian Xing asked casually.

    “In terms of individual combat power, Lotus Concubine Tai Sui is undoubtedly the strongest. But Beast Tamers are tricky due to their diverse lineups. It’s best to avoid conflict with them.”

    “And one more thing: since Lotus Concubine Tai Sui also declared war on Star Goddess, it means Star Goddess has likely contacted Sharp Edge Seven King Mother. If Seven King Mother regains her Triple Awakening, no one in this world can stop her…”

    Moonwalker paused, clearly thinking of Lian Xing’s now-weakened Star Pole Awakening.

    Lian Xing could no longer use the Eleventh Zodiac’s power to activate Starlight Never Diminishes, Moon Eternal’s Triple Awakening.

    With her reduced power, the Shining Rabbit was no longer a top-tier combatant…

    Meanwhile, Cloud Princess, standing below, was practically fuming.

    This Star Concubine dared to call Moonwalker “darling”!? Unforgivable!

    She felt like she was wearing a bright green hat.

    And when Lian Xing and Moonwalker, having important matters to discuss, waved her away dismissively, Cloud Princess’s expression turned thunderous as she retreated.

    As Cloud Princess left, Lian Xing turned to Moonwalker.

    “Wife, what’s this Lunar Divine Festival about? Can even dead people be revived if they receive an invitation?”

    “…”

    “…”

    “Technically, Beast Tamers don’t truly die. When their lifespan ends, they are ‘retrieved’ by a certain being, similar to the Eleventh Zodiac. This Lunar Divine Festival is organized by them, so naturally, they would revive former top Beast Tamers.”

    “Though I don’t know the details, I heard from Tai Yin that the Lunar Divine Festival is the only way for humans to become gods in the Moon Soul World. If you have the chance, you should try to win—”

    “It might even solve your lifespan issue~~~” the Divine Machine chimed in, eager to please.

    Lian Xing fell silent.

    So, she not only had to defeat Lotus Concubine Tai Sui, but also former legendary Beast Tamers?

    Ice Queen, Nether Concubine, Star Goddess—all were her opponents…

    But could she, with her current strength, truly defeat these ancient legends?

    Less than a week remained until the Lunar Divine Festival…

    ***

    Moon Soul World, Tai Yin Kingdom.

    Technically, the Tai Yin Kingdom wasn’t on the Moon Soul World map, but a Bubble World residing within Tai Yin, the First Guardian.

    It moved with Tai Yin, its aura appearing wherever she went.

    Under the silver-haired woman’s watchful smile, a white, fiery phoenix with three tails rampaged through the Tai Yin Kingdom, its massive body covering the sky, turning everything to white ash.

    However, Tai Yin, a silver-haired woman with a moon pendant, remained unfazed, even smiling faintly as her subjects were slaughtered.

    “How interesting. A Fallen Species on the verge of Emperor-Tier, rampaging before the Lunar Divine Festival…”

    “And it’s working with Death Sentence, the twelfth-ranked Legend, and the only stocking-type Weapon Species!!!”

    “And that stocking even carries the aura of a True Spirit…”

    “So, which legendary Beast Tamer’s abandoned Pet Beasts are you?”

  • The Grotesque Miss’s End Story v3c125

    Chapter 125: This World

    Chi Di Nü sat slumped on the ground, her expression gradually calming as if she had realized something.

    “I’ve always known that everything I did… wasn’t perfect,” Chi Di Nü said softly, regaining some of her former imposing demeanor. “But facing a great calamity, there has to be a path forward.

    You have to understand, humanity now… no longer has the Heavens’ favor. The only ones we can rely on… are ourselves.”

    She and Yao Ji had both personally experienced the Battle of Zhuolu and naturally knew its dangers. Even with the Heavens’ favor, humanity paid a heavy price.

    If the ghost god disaster returned, even on a smaller scale, with humanity’s current weakened state, there was no chance of resisting it.

    All of this was just a desperate gamble.

    Yao Ji didn’t speak, turning to look at Chi Nü, signaling her to release her.

    Chi Nü hesitated slightly, but still let go.

    Yao Ji nodded to her, then walked step by step to Chi Di Nü and sat down before her.

    “You know… I once divined the end of this world.”

    “It was precisely because of the end you foretold that I made these drastic decisions,” Chi Di Nü said. “Your divination has always been accurate. Changing it requires a price.”

    Free from the divine influence, she now admitted that these decisions were indeed drastic, but… if she had to do it again, Chi Di Nü wouldn’t change her mind.

    Because from the beginning, these were Chi Di Nü’s own thoughts, the divine influence only strengthened her resolve.

    “…I naturally know that.”

    Yao Ji slowly closed her eyes.

    It was precisely because she knew this that she had hesitated for so long.

    After all, Yao Ji didn’t have an indifferent divine will to bear the burden of these decisions.

    But could doing this truly save humanity from the destined ghost god disaster?

    No one knew the answer.

    “But Second Sister, they’re suffering too much.” Yao Ji opened her eyes and sighed softly. “Even now, I still remember the scenes of them wandering the wilderness for thousands of years.

    Only when completely liberated by a miracle… could I see a glimmer of hope in their eyes.”

    “After so many years, you’re still so weak.” Chi Di Nü shook her head, a disappointed look on her face, then turned to Luo Ling. “For this… you’re even willing to collude with ghost god minions?”

    “…Your Majesty, you’re being quite rude.”

    Luo Ling, initially intending to just watch from the side, not interfering in this family drama, couldn’t help but speak up after being called out by Chi Di Nü.

    “Did I say something wrong?”

    Chi Di Nü looked at Luo Ling’s hands, an unconcealed emotion flashing in her eyes.

    Even Yao Ji looked at Luo Ling with a puzzled look.

    Because the current Luo Ling, both in terms of aura and appearance, was undoubtedly a ghost god minion, completely different from the Miss Fairy she saw in the ruined city before, practically two different people.

    “Of course you did!”

    Chi Nü immediately retorted.

    She didn’t care if it was right or wrong. This woman wanted to kill her Sister Yao Ji, so she was definitely a bad person.

    And since she was a bad person, everything she said was definitely wrong.

    “You’re… both right and wrong.”

    Luo Ling walked over, casually stuck the Human Emperor’s Sword in the ground beside her, then sat down cross-legged, a strange look appearing on the faces of Yao Ji and Chi Di Nü.

    Seriously, this was the Human Emperor’s Sword!

    Although Yao Ji herself had just said that it wasn’t wielding the Human Emperor’s Sword that made one the Human Emperor, but the sword wielded by the Human Emperor that was called the Human Emperor’s Sword, regardless… this sword was the spiritual symbol of humanity’s will.

    But in Luo Ling’s hands, it was treated like an ordinary weapon.

    “The power I’m currently using is indeed… similar to the ‘ghost god’ power you mentioned.”

    Luo Ling extended her grotesque hands. She used to be afraid of her own appearance, but after learning the truth, she could now face it calmly.

    “But it doesn’t mean… I’m a ghost god minion. From the very beginning… ghost gods couldn’t affect me at all. The ‘ghost god’ power I wield doesn’t come from the ‘ghost gods’ themselves, but from myself.”

    Just like the Authorities obtained and used by other ability users came from beings above the Sequence, Luo Ling’s were entirely her own. Her Doomsday and Transcendence were her own power, she just happened to be walking the same path.

    Even when she first used this power, Luo Ling’s mind wasn’t deeply affected, only her personality slightly changed depending on the ability used.

    Compared to now, Luo Ling in her usual state was much more reserved.

    Unfortunately, Yao Ji and Chi Di Nü couldn’t understand Luo Ling’s words, their confusion deepening.

    “But I saw you use the divine power bestowed by the Heavens before,” Yao Ji composed herself and continued, “How do you explain that?”

    “What?”

    It was Chi Di Nü who was surprised this time.

    She looked at Yao Ji and Luo Ling in disbelief, her gaze shifting between them.

    “Third Sister, do you mean… she still possesses the Heavens’ blessing?”

    If it were before, Chi Di Nü would have just thought Yao Ji was making excuses for colluding with ghost god minions, but at this point, Yao Ji had no reason to lie.

    So that meant…

    Chi Di Nü looked at Luo Ling, who was sitting there with her arms crossed, her grotesque and alluring appearance making it hard to imagine any connection with the Heavens.

    Moreover… the Heavens had abandoned humanity long ago, after the Battle of Zhuolu.

    “It’s… both right and wrong.”

    Luo Ling repeated her previous answer.

    “Just like the ‘ghost god’ power, the ‘Heavens’ blessing’ I use doesn’t come from the Heavens, but from myself.”

    Yao Ji and Chi Di Nü were still confused, while Chi Nü, unable to understand anything since the first sentence, stood aside and recovered.

    She had just used the strange power bestowed by the “ghost gods” to save Sister Yao Ji from the Zhuxian Four Swords Formation, but it was her first time using this power, and she was a bit reckless.

    Exhausting all her strength in that dangerous moment, afraid of the formation breaking through her ability, she now felt exhausted, leaning against a corner.

    “Even so, I still have a question,” Yao Ji composed herself and said in a deep voice, “Why do you possess both the power of the ‘Heavens’ and the ‘ghost gods’? Wouldn’t they conflict?”

    Luo Ling paused for a moment, then realized.

    In this land of “Legend,” the concept of paths didn’t exist. Due to Mom Transcendence’s arrangements before its demise, this place directly connected to the source of the paths, Transcendence and Doomsday, without the six extended paths.

    Therefore, they didn’t know that the paths had two opposing sides.

    “What if I said… the so-called ‘ghost gods’ and the ‘Heavens’… are actually the same being… what would you think?” Luo Ling pondered for a moment and said.

    “Absurd!”

    Chi Di Nü scoffed, looking directly at Luo Ling, her face slightly pale.

    “Even though the Heavens has abandoned us, It did protect us from the ghost gods in the past. If It is the ghost gods, why bother?”

    Although Yao Ji didn’t speak, judging from her expression, she agreed with Chi Di Nü.

    “This… is going to be a long explanation…”

    Luo Ling couldn’t help but feel a headache. Explaining this from the beginning would take forever, and she currently couldn’t use Puppet Ballad, even if she had a memory packet, it wouldn’t be enough to contain all the details.

    “Anyway, that’s the situation,” Luo Ling shrugged, “I can’t explain it. Believe it or not.”

    “Heh…”

    Chi Di Nü sneered, then her pupils constricted, and she coughed violently, her aura instantly weakening.

    A large pool of foul-smelling blood appeared on the ground, corroding the surrounding sand.

    “Second Sister, you…”

    Yao Ji looked at the blackened sand, a shocked look on her face.

    “Hehe, this day… has finally come…”

    Chi Di Nü endured the pain, a bitter smile on her face.

    “Could it be…”

    Yao Ji looked at Chi Di Nü, suddenly recalling a long-circulating rumor.

    “Exactly,” Chi Di Nü closed her eyes, “We, who personally killed Chi You, can’t escape the spread of the ghost god power.

    First Ba, then Father, then me… and next… it’s your turn.

    I’ve been using the power of the Human Emperor’s Sword to resist the spread of this injury, even at the cost of my own will, but after the sword was taken… my life has entered its final countdown.”

    The Human Emperor’s Sword contained a trace of an outer god’s power. Although Chi Di Nü didn’t know this, she knew that the Human Emperor’s Sword was currently the only thing in this world that could resist ghost gods.

    Yao Ji silently looked at Chi Di Nü. She didn’t feel much about her second sister’s impending death, but facing a similar fate herself, she felt at a loss.

    It wasn’t that she feared death, but she was worried that, with her death, humanity would lose its last hope.

    But if she took the Human Emperor’s Sword, would she become like Chi Di Nü?

    Therefore, a rare look of struggle appeared on Yao Ji’s face.

    This was a difficult dilemma.

    Chi Di Nü struggled to stand up, strange characteristics appearing on her body, black qi surging.

    Her fair skin began to decay in large patches, a putrid stench filling the air.

    Her once beautiful face, ravaged by decay, became gruesome, although her expression remained the same.

    Chi Di Nü looked up at the distant darkness and whispered, “Third Sister, it’s time for me to join Father. And you… what choice do you have?”

    She gave Yao Ji a strange smile, then, using her last bit of strength, she rose into the air.

    At the cost of completely burning herself out, she flew towards the distant darkness.

    At the end of her life, Chi Di Nü made the same choice as the two Emperors, directly entering the ghost god domain.

    Yao Ji silently watched her second sister leave, then looked at the Human Emperor’s Sword beside Luo Ling, her expression complex.

    “If you want the Human Emperor’s Sword, just take it. I don’t need it,” Luo Ling said directly. “But… just like Chi Di Nü, using it… comes with a price.”

    An outer god of unknown intentions, even Luo Ling couldn’t guarantee anything.

    And she wasn’t sure if it was Chi Di Nü’s own choice that led to this, or the influence of the outer god within the Human Emperor’s Sword.

    Luo Ling had taken all the other Authorities imbued into the Human Emperor’s Sword by Chi Di Nü, leaving only its essence, the part Luo Ling couldn’t interfere with.

    After a moment, Yao Ji made her choice.

    “Give me the Human Emperor’s Sword,” Yao Ji reached out and said, “I have to be responsible for all living beings.”

    “Okay.”

    Luo Ling pulled out the Human Emperor’s Sword and tossed it to Yao Ji.

    Yao Ji caught the sword, gently holding the hilt, her expression turning even more complex.

    She had once refused to bear this heavy responsibility, directly rejecting the chance to compete with her second sister for the title of Human Emperor.

    But now…

    She had no choice but to take this position.

    “Miss Luo Ling, you seem to know… quite a lot.”

    Yao Ji put away the Human Emperor’s Sword, looked up at Luo Ling, and whispered.

    “Just a little more than you.”

    Luo Ling said noncommittally.

    “So, do you know… how to save this world?”

    Yao Ji looked directly into Luo Ling’s eyes, a pleading look in her eyes.

    “I… can’t say for sure,” Luo Ling shook her head. “The answer… you have to find it yourself.”

    “Now it’s your turn to be cryptic.”

    Yao Ji twitched the corner of her mouth, seemingly wanting to smile, but couldn’t.

    “But I can tell you, the ghost gods… can’t be resisted, at least not by us.” Luo Ling said softly. “Chi Di Nü’s idea… was unrealistic from the beginning.”

    No matter how much they sacrificed, when the final moment arrived, it would all be in vain.

    “I see… actually, my divination also showed the same outcome, I just thought… we could still struggle a bit.” Yao Ji smiled wryly and shook her head.

    “Since you already know it’s a hopeless endeavor, why… make so much effort?” Luo Ling whispered.

    She knew her own answer.

    But she wanted to know Yao Ji’s.

    “Just… clinging to a pitiful, meager hope.” Yao Ji’s expression calmed slightly. “Even if I ultimately fail, at least I know… I tried my best.

    My second sister is right, my personality is too weak. I can’t stand the suffering of living beings, even cherishing the smallest of lives, truly unworthy of being the Human Emperor.”

    “No, no, that’s not true!” Just then, Chi Nü, who had recovered somewhat, jumped up, hands on her hips, and said, “That bad woman, the Human Emperor, can do it, why can’t my Sister Yao Ji?!”

    “It’s not that simple…”

    Yao Ji rubbed Chi Nü’s hair and said helplessly.

    “Don’t belittle yourself! You’re not any worse than that bad woman!” Chi Nü said, puffing out her cheeks.

    “These matters are complicated, not something that can be explained in a few words…”

    Yao Ji smiled wryly. “You’re still young. You’ll understand when you grow up.”

    “Then I’ll just… not grow up.”

    Chi Nü squatted down, her cheeks still puffed out.

    Luo Ling, exhausted after several days of high-intensity mental activity, found a place to sit down and said, “Yao Ji, I’ll probably be asleep for a long time, so listen carefully.”

    “Hmm? Tell me.”

    Yao Ji was slightly stunned, but suppressed her curiosity.

    “Just like last time?”

    Chi Nü was already familiar with this. Luo Ling slept for an entire month last time, even a pig couldn’t sleep that much.

    “Yes.”

    Luo Ling nodded and continued, “No matter what, don’t try to make any deals with the power within the Human Emperor’s Sword, even if you’ll eventually be consumed by the ghost god power and die.”

    “Huh?”

    Before Yao Ji could say anything, Chi Nü became anxious.

    “How can you say that, Luo Ling? I trusted you so much, but you also want Sister Yao Ji to die?”

    “Chi Nü, be quiet.” Yao Ji scolded Chi Nü, then said to Luo Ling, “I understand.”

    “But…”

    Chi Nü still wanted to say something, but Yao Ji glared at her.

    “Because the consequence of accepting that deal… might be worse than death.”

    Luo Ling said, recalling the tragic state of “Eternal Sky.” It was a failed attempt, although not entirely meaningless, the outcome… was truly heartbreaking.

    Chi Nü still couldn’t accept this and turned her head away, crossing her arms.

    But she couldn’t help but glance at Luo Ling, an indescribable emotion in her eyes.

    “Also, don’t try to resist the ghost gods and start another ghost god war. Find… another way,” Luo Ling continued.

    “This… okay, I understand.”

    Yao Ji nodded reluctantly. Although she couldn’t stand Chi Di Nü’s cruel methods of preparation, she didn’t completely want to abandon this approach.

    She only half-heartedly listened to Luo Ling’s words.

    However, at this point, this was all Luo Ling could say.

    An overwhelming drowsiness finally arrived, lulling Luo Ling to sleep.

    The demon-like girl slowly closed her eyes, the scales on her body disappearing inch by inch, revealing her delicate face.

    “Chi Nü, take Miss Luo Ling, from now on… you’ll take care of her,” Yao Ji said wearily, “I… have other matters to attend to.”

    “Oh…”

    Chi Nü was still slightly dissatisfied with Luo Ling’s previous words, but she carefully picked up the girl’s body and carried her on her back, just like a month ago.

    “This world…”

    Yao Ji held the Human Emperor’s Sword, looked up at the endless darkness in the distance, and sighed softly.

  • Shion’s Notes 138

    Chapter 138: A Certain Girl Goes Online

    Despite being a senior facing the gaokao, Yu Linna’s book hadn’t been published yet. The main obstacle was the illustrations. Chen Xi had found an illustrator, but Yu Linna wasn’t satisfied.

    The illustrator, Zhiqiu, known for his provocative and revealing art style, was reportedly quite famous in the industry, having worked on numerous Wenqing projects, commanding high fees. His illustrations often generated significant attention upon release.

    Chen Xi, considering Yu Linna’s status as a newcomer, hoped to capitalize on Zhiqiu’s fame and distinctive style to boost her popularity. After all, eye-catching illustrations often translated to higher sales. Zhiqiu’s art style, catering to male readers, was a strategic choice.

    “Shion-sensei, you requested less revealing attire, but this is already the most conservative outfit I can offer.”

    Zhiqiu and Yu Linna were discussing the illustrations on QQ. Zhiqiu wanted to stick to his usual style: revealing clothing, exaggerated proportions, and ample cleavage. Yu Linna, however, insisted on a more conventional, wholesome aesthetic.

    Regarding the attire, Ballad of the Enchantress was set in the future, implying advanced technology, including clothing. Zhiqiu had designed skintight outfits for the female characters, with unzipped chest areas and prominent curves, accentuating their figures. Even this, he claimed, was his most conservative style.

    But Yu Linna disagreed.

    She rejected his approach.

    She wanted her female characters in military uniforms, carrying weapons, their hair tied back, reflecting the battlefield setting. And with the escape scenes, she didn’t want the characters to be overly sexualized. This was a story about love and resilience, not a harem fantasy.

    “No, no, it doesn’t fit the setting. They have to wear military uniforms. The female protagonist can’t be so provocative. The fanservice is too blatant. I want illustrations that complement the story, a story about love, not a harem!”

    “With all due respect, this is already quite conservative! Most readers prefer this style. Without some skin, who would buy the book?”

    “People read novels for the story, not the illustrations. Illustrations are meant to enhance the narrative, to visualize what words can’t describe. Sacrificing the story for the sake of fanservice is foolish!”

    “Shion-sensei, you’re too stubborn! I don’t understand what you’re thinking. A good novel… and you insist on such a conservative style? Do you want your readers to stare at endless walls of text?”

    They argued on QQ, their disagreement escalating. Both were adamant, unwilling to compromise. Yu Linna was usually easygoing, but when it came to her work, she was incredibly stubborn, almost to a fault. For a newcomer to reject the current market trends was rare.

    Zhiqiu, having worked with numerous authors, had never encountered someone so stubborn. He lost his temper, arguing with her on QQ, unaware that he was arguing with a young girl. Had he known, he might have been more lenient.

    The argument continued late into the night, ending only when Yu Linna, needing sleep for school the next day, logged off. The next morning, she felt exhausted, regretting the pointless argument.

    Whatever. There’s still time before publication. We can discuss it further. I’ll deal with the illustrations later.

    The school day passed uneventfully, Yu Linna diligently studying. With the gaokao approaching, she wanted to finish her work quickly and focus on her studies. Since becoming a novelist, her life had become even busier.

    The real trouble started after school.

    Fang Jiangning had invited her and Huo Ningning for drinks, a usual after-school activity.

    Though Yu Linna still disliked Huo Ningning, she couldn’t refuse Fang Jiangning’s invitation.

    As they reached the school gate, they found a group of people gathered there, dressed like thugs, the leader wearing an earring and a short-sleeved shirt in the middle of winter, revealing his muscular arms. They looked menacing, clearly gangsters, and trouble.

    The other students steered clear of them.

    “Let’s hurry and leave,” Huo Ningning whispered, tugging on their sleeves, avoiding eye contact.

    These thugs were clearly not to be trifled with. Better to avoid them altogether.

    As Yu Linna tried to pass them, the leader blocked her path.

    “You… you’re Yu Linna?”

    “Huh?”

    Yu Linna was shocked. They were looking for her?

    She didn’t recall any dealings with gangsters. She had been a model student, never causing trouble, except for that one time in Shenzhen when she was harassed after eating a bowl of rice noodles.

    “Um… I think you have the wrong person…” she said, forcing a smile.

    “No mistake. The photo matches your face. You… I heard you had my little brother beaten up yesterday.”

    “What? I didn’t do anything like that!”

    “My brother confessed to you, and you rejected him, then had him beaten up! He’s in the hospital now! He showed me your picture. It’s you! What do you have to say for yourself?”

    “…”

    Yu Linna was speechless. These thugs were the brothers of the boy who had confessed to her yesterday. She wanted to hide her face.

    “It’s a misunderstanding! I didn’t have him beaten up! He was harassing me, and someone else stepped in…”

    “Stop making excuses! All you women are the same, hiding behind men, thinking you’re so great. Today, let’s see what you’re made of. Two choices: the hospital, or come with us. Choose.”

    The leader’s menacing glare and intimidating aura sent shivers down her spine. She couldn’t even lift her head, cold sweat trickling down her back. This was someone powerful, someone dangerous.

    “If you don’t come with us, your two friends… well, you can imagine what will happen to them.”

    He gestured towards Fang Jiangning and Huo Ningning.

    Yu Linna saw several men in the group leering at them, their eyes filled with lust. Fang Jiangning and Huo Ningning were attractive; they would be easy targets. If anything happened to them…

    “Fine, I’ll go with you.”

    “Linna, what are you doing?! You can’t go with them!”

    “Linna!”

    Though terrified, Fang Jiangning and Huo Ningning knew what would happen if Yu Linna was taken away. These men were clearly up to no good.

    “Listen to me! Go! Run! I’ll be back soon!”

    Yu Linna pushed Fang Jiangning away, tossing her bag at her, then stepped forward. The leader grinned; he knew this girl couldn’t defy him. His brother was pathetic, unable to handle a single girl, a true simp.

    “Smart girl. Let’s go. I promise I won’t hurt you. Just be obedient. Hahaha.”

    Yu Linna, suppressing her fear, followed him, surrounded by the thugs, preventing her escape. She sighed, following them out of the school gate, taken away in broad daylight.

    “Jiangning! What do we do?! We have to do something!”

    Huo Ningning, watching Yu Linna being taken away, was on the verge of tears. They had just wanted to enjoy some milk tea after school; how did things escalate so quickly?

    “Calm down! Linna told us to stay; she wants us to call the police! She’s not that stupid! Quick, call 110!”

    Though panicked, Fang Jiangning wasn’t foolish. She quickly dialed the emergency number. These thugs, abducting a girl in broad daylight, would pay for their actions.

    As Yu Linna was led away, the thugs’ expressions were filled with anticipation. Yu Linna could only imagine what they had planned.

    She was beautiful, a mixed-race girl, a rare treat for these men. They were clearly looking forward to… sampling the goods.

    Yu Linna was terrified, surrounded by these men, about to become their prey. The familiar fear from her time at Chenghe resurfaced.

    “Don’t worry, little girl, we won’t hurt you… much. You hurt my brother; I have to make you pay. He confessed to you, and you dared to reject him, even having him beaten up! We can’t let that slide.”

    “I didn’t have him beaten up!”

    “Shut up! I say you did, you did!”

    The leader grabbed her hair, pulling her closer. He wouldn’t do anything too drastic in public, with so many people watching. He led her through several side streets, towards a more secluded area.

    “Boss, remember to share after you’re done.”

    “This girl, though a bit young, looks delicious. Hehe.”

    Yu Linna’s head bowed even lower. What could she do? She was outnumbered, outmatched. The thought of her impending fate made her tremble.

    Suddenly, a scream echoed from behind. Yu Linna turned to see two of the men who had been harassing her moments ago collapse to the ground, clutching their groins.

    A chilling aura filled the air, a wave of killing intent far more intense than their leader’s.

    “Which one of you said you were going to… use her?”

    It was a girl’s voice, a voice like a demon from hell. The leader, hearing that voice, trembled. He, a seasoned gangster, was trembling? Impossible!

    “I thought it was someone with guts. Turns out it’s just a bunch of pathetic losers. Looks like you’re tired of living. Prepared your last words?”

    The sound of cracking bones followed by another scream made the leader’s blood run cold.

    A flash of dark hair, a usually elegant face now contorted with rage, her eyes burning with murderous intent. Though dressed in a school uniform, she exuded an aura of power, a force to be reckoned with.

    Looking at the blonde girl still in their grasp, Ye Zhiyun felt a surge of rage, a fury that threatened to consume her.