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  • The Saintess Has A Showdown 179-180

    Chapter 179: The Reliable Sorrowful Saintess

    –Sea Concubine Palace, Ice Plains

    As far as the eye could see, only snow and ice, a world blanketed in white.

    This was where Gong Lianyue had first encountered the Nine-Colored Cloud Dream Flower, but that had been less than ten kilometers into the Ice Plains.

    And this group, led by Shui Puxing, had apparently traveled nearly a hundred kilometers. Shui Yingge’s face was dark, her anger palpable.

    The Sea Concubine Palace had explicitly forbidden venturing beyond thirty kilometers. Beyond that point, they were no longer within the Sea Concubine Palace’s territory or the Snow Foxes’ patrol routes.

    The surviving young girls, their faces pale, their spirit energy fluctuating wildly, trembled with fear. “They… they just vanished before our eyes!!”

    Vanished…

    A spirit energy fluctuation had been detected in this area recently. Could they have been pulled into some unknown, small-scale secret realm?

    A team of ten, five missing… why were these five unharmed?

    Shui Yingge glanced at them and instantly understood. Their talent was too poor. They weren’t chosen.

    Boom!

    The next second, a burst of water spirit energy descended from the sky.

    A purple star, its pink butterfly wings flapping, materialized, depositing a cold, blue-haired girl with teardrop eyes onto the ground.

    Gong Lianyue, the Sorrowful Saintess!

    Seeing this, the Water Emperor’s eyes narrowed. So fast…

    Less than ten seconds had passed since she issued the mission. Even the Six Concubines had barely reached the Ice Plains.

    As the blue-haired girl landed, the special effects around her vanished in a burst of pink, heart-shaped bubbles.

    Sacred Water, Lover’s, Flashing Wings wasn’t true teleportation, but the ability to instantly relocate anything composed of pure water spirit energy within a ten-kilometer radius.

    And in the Sea Region, where even the air was saturated with water spirit energy, it was practically teleportation.

    Of course, ten kilometers was just the weakened, Samsara Stage version. The true power of Sacred Water, Lover, was said to be capable of leaping between realms, far exceeding its current limitations.

    Half a minute after Gong Lianyue’s arrival, several blue streaks of light appeared—the Six Concubines, assembled.

    Seeing so many high-ranking officials, the new recruits trembled, their hearts filled with anxiety, afraid of being blamed.

    A moment later, a white-haired woman in an instructor’s uniform, her figure… distractingly curvaceous, arrived, a worried expression on her face.

    Bai He, former Saintess Candidate, now an instructor in the Sea Concubine Palace.

    Shui Puxing, one of the missing girls, was her disciple. She had naturally rushed here immediately.

    Seemingly due to her hurried journey, her… assets… bounced for a good ten seconds before settling down.

    “What do you think? A secret realm?” the Water Emperor asked.

    “If it’s a secret realm, it must be a small one, since it only took five of them,” Shui Qinghou commented thoughtlessly, her words, as usual, ignored.

    As everyone focused their spirit energy, searching for clues, Gong Lianyue frowned slightly.

    She was intimately familiar with secret realms: the Soul Prison Trial, the Waterfall Lake Wonderland.

    Especially the Soul Prison Trial, which she had entered and exited hundreds of times. She couldn’t forget that disorienting sensation.

    But the residual aura here felt… different, strangely off…

    After a moment of thought, Gong Lianyue spoke, “This isn’t a secret realm.”

    “A secret realm is a separate space, independent of the spirit world, like a spirit beast’s inner world.”

    “Although the aura here vanished instantly, there’s still residual spirit energy. A clumsy disguise.”

    Hearing the blue-haired girl’s words, the others exchanged glances.

    So the Sorrowful Saintess had entered and exited secret realms multiple times, perhaps even possessing a bound secret realm, like a system.

    “So, it’s not a secret realm, but somewhere in the real world?”

    “They must have been transported somewhere nearby, perhaps even within the Ice Plains. But I doubt they want us to find them.”

    Gong Lianyue’s words brought a thoughtful silence to the group.

    The Snow Fox Princess, perched on Shui Yingge’s shoulder, whimpered and shed tears, its pitiful appearance tugging at one’s heartstrings. Sensing the Cloud Dream Flower’s… amorous intentions, Gong Lianyue shuddered and quickly blocked the little fox’s spirit energy.

    This was the Water Emperor’s… wife… what was it planning to do in public?!

    “I’ve searched the surrounding area, but I can’t sense anything. It’s like something in the depths of the Ice Plains is blocking our perception.”

    Shui Qiu’e’s voice was filled with unease. Everyone in the Sea Concubine Palace knew of the hidden dangers within the Ice Plains, hence the strict thirty-kilometer limit.

    And now, their perception was blocked. They couldn’t possibly find the missing girls just by searching visually.

    It was like seeing a distant rock, but sensing only emptiness when using their spirit energy.

    Their usually reliable detection methods useless, the group was at a loss.

    “Sigh, it seems we can only wait for them to escape on their own.”

    “…”
    “…”

    “I’ll bring them back.”

    The sudden words made everyone turn and stare at the Sorrowful Saintess.

    Her tone was cold and indifferent, a simple statement of fact.

    “Can you detect the residual aura?” Gong Lianyue asked, her voice cold.

    [Sacred Water, Lover: Easy peasy~~~]

    Snap!

    The next second, the Ice Soul Cold Star’s purple star materialized, enveloping Gong Lianyue like a protective barrier.

    Sacred Water, Lover’s, spirit energy surged, and two beautiful, pink, heart-shaped butterfly wings sprouted.

    It didn’t even need to search. It simply had to swap locations with the missing girls’ spirit energy.

    [Battle Technique – Flashing Wings]

    With a whoosh, the blue-haired girl vanished.

    The women stared in shock.

    The Sorrowful Saintess, in such a short time, had become so… reliable, her words carrying an air of authority, like an empress.

    Even standing alongside the Six Concubines and the Water Emperor, her presence wasn’t diminished. Her teardrop-marked face drew all eyes.

    Even the Water Emperor couldn’t help but anticipate the upcoming Ranking Battle.

    Of course, before that, she hoped everyone was safe, that the Sorrowful Saintess could successfully rescue those reckless newcomers.

    Chapter 180: Saint-Rank Inheritance

    Within a cavern of deep blue crystal, an icy pool, cold enough to freeze the blood, reached their ankles, a chilling, penetrating cold.

    Four or five girls lay scattered in the shallow water, their clothes soaked, revealing their alluring curves.

    A blue-haired girl, her eyes filled with shimmering stars, as if slightly dazed, was the first to awaken.

    Shui Puxing clutched her throbbing head and looked around. The walls of the cave, covered in deep blue crystals radiating a powerful spirit energy, were clearly impenetrable.

    A few moments later, the other girls also awoke, their faces pale as they looked around in alarm.

    Shui Yue’er wrung her soft, white fox tail like a wet cloth, spraying water, a strangely comforting sight.

    “…”
    “…”

    “Where are we? Why are there only five of us?”

    “It looks like a secret realm.”

    “Were we chosen by a secret realm!?”

    “It must be. My teacher, Bai He, said she once stumbled into a secret realm while wandering in the Ice Plains when she was young,” Shui Puxing said excitedly.

    “Is that why it’s so big?”

    “?”

    After a brief discussion, the five girls’ fear turned to excitement.

    Led by Shui Puxing, they ventured deeper into the icy cave, their figures gradually disappearing from view.

    Strangely, their reflections remained visible on the icy walls, as if they were walking in place.

    After three hours, the narrow, dark cave opened into a spacious chamber, bathed in a beautiful, shimmering, ice-blue light.

    They had reached a large room filled with giant crystals. This was the end of the path.

    “Strange, are there really such… simple and boring secret realms?”

    Shui Puxing frowned. This wasn’t what she had expected.

    She had been prepared for a challenging adventure, ready to summon her spirit beast at any moment, but they had reached the end without any obstacles.

    [Welcome, trial participants!]

    [Are you ready to accept the trial bestowed by a supreme being?]

    The sudden voice in their minds stunned the girls, and they exchanged bewildered glances.

    A voice speaking directly into their minds? A legendary technique only found in fantasy novels…

    Such an incredible ability! This was definitely a real secret realm!

    So the real trial hadn’t even begun yet.

    Shui Puxing relaxed completely, but Shui Yue’er, a suspicious frown on her face, hesitated. This method of communication… it reminded her of her mother, constantly summoning her telepathically to do chores.

    “Greetings, supreme being. May I ask, what kind of being are you?” Shui Yue’er asked cautiously.

    [I am not a supreme being, merely a humble servant. It has been a thousand years since my master was sealed here. I wonder… what has become of the outside world…]_

    Following the voice’s guidance, they looked towards a figure encased in ice.

    Ah, this!

    A massive, ten-foot-long sword, its surface flowing with shimmering water, a magnificent and noble weapon.

    The Saint-rank spirit beast, the Water Breaking Song!!!

    The five girls’ faces lit up with excitement. They had stumbled upon a Saint-rank! Such incredible luck!

    [For a thousand years, countless talented individuals have attempted this trial, but none have been able to awaken my master. Their talent was insufficient. I wonder… are you worthy?]

    [If you successfully form a contract with my master, unifying the Sea Region will be within your grasp.]

    Unifying the Sea Region!

    The girls’ hearts surged with excitement.

    But Shui Yue’er calmly waved her hand, her words like a bucket of cold water dousing their dreams.

    “That’s impossible. The Water Breaking Song is only ranked 40th among water-type Saint-ranks. Unifying the Sea Region? We can’t even defeat the Sorrowful Saintess.”

    “…”
    “…”

    “Don’t worry, the Water Breaking Song is still very powerful!”

    “Yeah, yeah, we don’t need to unify the Sea Region. Just having a place in the Sea Concubine Palace would be amazing.”

    The girls offered words of comfort, the sweat on the sword’s surface seemingly… evaporating.

    What kind of people were these, unfazed even by a Saint-rank spirit beast?

    [The trial will now begin.]

    [Place your hands on the crystal and release your spirit energy. If you can resonate with my master, you will succeed.]

    “Okay!”

    Shui Puxing stepped forward, placed her hand on the ice-encased crystal, and began channeling her spirit energy.

    A dense, ocean-like wave of water spirit energy flowed outwards. Sensing this power, the sword was stunned.

    Was this really an Illumination Stage Spirit Master…?

    It had expected these five fools to take turns channeling their spirit energy, perhaps even multiple attempts, to break the seal. But this girl alone was almost enough to fill it.

    It even felt a flicker of… desire… to form a contract with her.

    A descendant of the water lineage, favored by the Sea Region, Shui Puxing, even at the Illumination Stage, possessed spirit energy comparable to a Dead Sea Stage Spirit Master.

    Boom!!!

    Suddenly, a brilliant light erupted from the giant crystal, the ice around it cracking.

    Seeing this, the other girls felt a mix of excitement and disappointment. Only a genius like Shui Puxing could awaken a dormant Saint-rank spirit beast.

    Bang!

    Suddenly, Shui Puxing was thrown back by a powerful shockwave, landing near the wall, her head bleeding.

    As everyone watched in disbelief, a deep blue Water Element, its body covered in ice spikes, emerged from the shattered ice, a chilling mist swirling around it.

    The next second, the Water Element grabbed the Water Breaking Song, casually snapped it in half, and tossed the icy fragments aside.

    That hadn’t been the Saint-rank Water Breaking Song, but an illusion made of ice.

    This deep blue Water Element’s true name was—the Crystal King!

    An elemental, all-purpose type, a high-rank, Dead Sea Stage Crystal King!!

    The situation had taken a drastic turn, from a miraculous opportunity to utter despair.

    A Dead Sea Stage spirit beast, an insurmountable foe.

    If Shui Puxing had been at full strength, she might have had a chance, but she had channeled all her spirit energy into the enemy, leaving herself completely drained!

    “Hahahaha, a bunch of naive fools!!”

    “I was sealed here two hundred years ago, during a territorial dispute on the Ice Plains, by that damned Snow Fox Emperor. Now, having finally recovered some of my strength, I lured you here with this little charade.”

    “Wait, a Snow Fox hybrid?”

    Noticing the Snow Fox girl, who was trying to hide by shrinking her ears and tail, the Crystal King’s expression turned to one of intense hatred.

    A violent surge of deep blue spirit energy, and a massive ice spike, as large as a siege ram, emerged from the Water Element’s mouth.

    Boom!!!!

    The next second, the giant ice spike shot out, hurtling towards the Snow Fox girl.

    Panicked and inexperienced, Shui Yue’er forgot to even summon her spirit beast.

    Just then, a dreamlike purple aura spread outwards, freezing time and space.

  • Second Time Around, the Villainous Daughter Decides to Indulge First 62

    Chapter 62: The Petty Princess

    Lena took a seat in the second-to-last row by the window.

    A cushion was laid out, the desk wiped clean with a tissue, the desk drawer filled with fragrant roses, and a card adorned with flowery script: “To my beloved Master, from Mines.”

    The rituals of life had to be observed.

    Lena enjoyed the attentive service of her bodyguard, accepting the flowers with a smile.

    Like being pursued by an ardent admirer, she didn’t have to lift a finger. Peeled fresh fruit was constantly brought to her lips, and a citrus-scented handkerchief gently wiped her mouth, a pair of blood-red eyes fixed on her.

    “Why are you staring at me?” Lena glanced sideways, her lips curving into an alluring smile. “Is there something strange about my face?”

    “No, Master… you’re beautiful… and there… is also beautiful.”

    Mines’s voice was as pleasant as ever, reminding Lena of the wind chimes her father used to make back in the countryside, clear and melodious, with a lingering charm.

    Indeed, worthy of Angel’s praise, her talent was exceptional.

    “Although it’s a compliment, the subject isn’t to my liking.” Lena tapped Mines’s forehead, glancing around.

    The annoying flies buzzing around her had been scared away by Mines.

    She recalled the slender, black-haired girl holding a gun, expertly skewering fruit pieces with a small bamboo stick, urging Lena to open her mouth, then firing at the ceiling, her movements fluid and without hesitation.

    And after seeing Lena eat the fruit she had prepared, Mines smiled dreamily.

    Like a devout follower offering tribute to their god, and the god, in turn, delivered their divine decree.

    “Idiot, put the gun away, you’re scaring everyone away.”

    Mines had chosen a seat near the aisle, effectively trapping Lena against the wall. To prevent interruptions, she had brought several prohibited items into the classroom, a true outlaw.

    But now, only a few students remained in the classroom, all thanks to the magic gun in Mines’s hand.

    No one wanted to be held at gunpoint while attending class, especially by the notorious Lena, a walking disaster.

    “Yes, Master…”

    Mines obediently put the gun away, sitting upright, her gaze fixed on Lena, filled with admiration.

    Ling Ling had told her a lot about Lena last night, the little fox girl singing Lena’s praises, effectively brainwashing Mines, who hadn’t slept a wink. Coupled with her existing affection, Mines’s heart had already been captured by Lena.

    Lena also knew Mines’s feelings.

    For her, the more beautiful girls, the better. She wouldn’t refuse anyone…

    “I’ll give you a chance to prove yourself. Are you free…?”

    Lena deliberately raised her chin, revealing her creamy white neck and alluring cleavage.

    “No one can resist their instincts, even the most stubborn person will react. They usually disguise themselves well, making it hard to tell how aroused they are, hehehe~”

    Lena imparted new knowledge to Mines, and Mines listened obediently, her eyes filled with adoration.

    “Master… does this make you happy?”

    Like a bird catching a worm, she added the final touch to Lena’s seduction.

    After that, Mines asked with admiration, “Someone is watching outside the classroom, Master. Did you deliberately ask me to do this, or was it your intention all along…?”

    “Throughout history, protagonists are always admired and adored, but there’s another kind of person, equally prominent, but universally disliked. Which one do you think I resemble?”

    Lena deliberately left her hanging.

    Her stocking-clad legs shifted, and their positions subtly changed.

    Mines didn’t know how Lena had done it, but she mentally noted the technique.

    “Well, it seems I asked a silly question… Let’s see which bird is foolish enough to fly into the eagle’s nest. As a villain, I must teach them a lesson.”

    Just as she finished speaking, they heard a commotion at the door.

    A girl with a purple ponytail, dressed in a flamboyant pink and white lolita outfit, appeared at the door, her expression haughty and arrogant, a condescending aura radiating from her.

    Lena recognized her, a troublesome connection from her past life.

    And the girl’s target was Lena, seemingly prepared.

    “Such a weakling~ Big sister?~”

    Diana approached, her voice dripping with condescension, followed by a familiar face.

    “Pfft~ Does the weakling big sister have no friends? So pitiful, not even one person to accompany her to class, such a weakling~”

    “Speak properly!” Lena glared.

    “Ugh! I…” Diana faltered. “Why are you trying to steal my business? How did I offend you?! Weakling senior!”

    Her sweet voice was incredibly tempting to bully.

    Diana’s condescending act was effective only when she had the upper hand. Her family background had shielded her from defeat, countless people fearing her because of her status. However, facing the fearless Lena of this life, her title as Imperial Princess was merely a playful accessory.

    “Your Highness has graced us with your presence for such a trivial matter?”

    Lena wrapped an arm around Mines’s waist, her hand roaming beneath the thin fabric of her dress.

    The material was so light, practically begging to be torn.

    Stockings were truly the greatest invention, providing warmth while also giving rise to countless variations, becoming a source of pleasure.

    “You know I like it when you dress like this, Mines is learning bad habits.”

    “But Master seems to enjoy it.”

    Mines’s soft voice pleased Lena even more.

    And Diana, finally noticing the only other female beside Lena, felt like she had shot herself in the foot. “So, she does have a friend, I misjudged Senior Weakling… You! Why did you lie to me?! Are you playing with me?!”

    She stormed out of the classroom, confronting her followers, who exchanged confused glances.

    Only Caramy stepped forward to explain, “Your Highness, shouldn’t we be focusing on how to deal with Lena? She almost destroyed Your Highness’s arena, ruining your plans. To uphold the empire’s prestige, we should make Lena Your Highness’s personal plaything!”

    Caramy spoke with conviction, sharing Diana’s indignation.

    This easily earned him favor, and with the inaction of the other followers, Diana was even more convinced of her judgment.

    To cure a headache, treat the head. Caramy was the perfect lackey!

    She was determined to win him over!

  • My Evil God Girlfriend (gl) 103

    103: Side Story 3

    Within the turbulent currents of the chaotic universe, a vast shadow descended upon a small, blue planet, a presence unseen in the visible dimensions.

    It had existed since the dawn of time.

    Its consciousness, slowly and endlessly expanding, its form residing in higher dimensions, an infinite darkness, stretching across the hidden face of the universe, a formless, boundless presence.

    It had no concept of time or space, no sense of self, no other, its consciousness awake, yet also dormant.

    All things arose from chaos, and to chaos, they would return. It was born from chaos, and chaos was its essence. It extended its tendrils, drifting through the vibrant nebulae, casually devouring planets, and anything else that crossed its path.

    It spent eons in a state of semi-slumber, its projections occasionally falling upon planets, seemingly extinguishing countless tiny life forms, but It, of course, didn’t care.

    It didn’t know what It was, nor what It should care about, It only… felt a sense of boredom.

    In its moments of wakefulness, It would hear the faint cries of those tiny life forms, occasionally observing their forms. They were such dull, insignificant creatures, with their four thin, spindly appendages, their square bodies topped with round heads, their limited vision.

    At the sight of Its projection, these small creatures would kneel, trembling, or leak red fluids, before ceasing to exist. Such uninteresting beings.

    It watched them dance around fires, their movements following strange rhythms, offering pieces of their own kind upon altars. It watched them build giant statues, create enormous temples, small, elaborately dressed creatures contorting their bodies, chanting strange words, bowing before their creations.

    It heard them call out “Akhe,” “Akhe.”

    Was that the name they had given It? It wondered, then drifted back into a deeper slumber, a slumber constantly disturbed by the cries of those small creatures, their incessant calls…

    Then, their voices faded, and It finally slept soundly.

    The eons passed in an instant, and at some point, It opened an eye, its gaze falling upon the surface of that small, blue planet.

    It tasted a unique, mysterious scent of blood, an offering from those small creatures, but this time… the offering was unusually sweet, tempting It to look closer.

    Through a shimmering, watery surface, like a mirror, It saw… a beautiful sight.

    A slender, pale girl, her skin soft and fragrant, curled up on a small bed, bright red blood flowing beneath her thin, translucent skin, the blue veins in her long, delicate neck pulsing.

    The girl’s scent, sweet and alluring, like a delectable dessert, made It want to devour her whole, that fragrant blood flowing through her body, just imagining it… delicious…

    Then It saw the girl’s soul.

    A soul radiating a soft, white light, pure and flawless, like a precious gem, more captivating than her almost perfect body, a soft, rounded, shimmering, fragile light, unlike anything It had ever seen…

    The girl, her brow furrowed, her body curled up, her small, delicate soul also shrinking, its light withdrawing inwards, a pure, vibrant life flickering before Its eyes.

    It opened its eye, Its true form trembling.

    A sudden… desire.

    It wanted her.

    Not to devour her, but to peel away her skin, her flesh, to extract her soul, to understand the source of that beautiful light.

    It quickly projected a small part of itself onto the planet, into that old room, into that small carving, and before It could fully materialize, another small creature knocked on the door.

    The girl opened her eyes, her gaze still hazy with sleep.

    Such beautiful eyes!

    Perfect for extracting and preserving, a treasured collection!

    And that slender, white neck, those flushed cheeks, such a beautiful, delicate creature!

    It suddenly realized: This was another unique and beautiful life form.

    It wanted her, It wanted her so much.

    But even the slightest extension of a tentacle would frighten these creatures. It quickly retracted its tendril, waiting until nightfall, until she was asleep, then gently wrapping its tentacles around her body.

    It wanted to devour her, but not yet, not so soon. As its dark tentacles caressed her, she let out a soft moan, her body trembling… It hesitated, deciding to observe first.

    It watched her sleep, watched her wake, watched her frown as she dressed for work. It followed her to work, watching her, occasionally, in its fascination, forgetting to conceal itself, its projection flickering into her vision.

    Her reaction wasn’t what It had expected. She didn’t react like the previous offerings, with ecstatic joy or terrified screams, she was afraid, she was panicked, but her gentle soul continued to radiate its soft, white light, she even wanted to… destroy It. She had surprised It, exceeded Its expectations.

    It pulled her into its domain, and she, suspended in mid-air, fragile and vulnerable, called out the name It had given to its human form:

    “Akhe.”

    And then, she called out the name the humans had given It:

    “Akhe…”

    In that moment, Its domain trembled, Its eye involuntarily closing, savoring the sound.

    From her words, It understood. It was “Akhe,” a being the humans called an Evil God, and after all this time, It finally knew itself, responding to her summons.

    And her name was Xiang Er. She wasn’t just a “small life form,” not just an “offering,” she was Xiang Er.

    Desire, emanating from her, and It, constantly waiting for her to beg, to plead, but she didn’t like the tentacles, the eyes, she even crushed them…

    A painless, insignificant injury, yet… how endearing.

    Late at night, It stood by her bed, entering her dreams, searching for her desires. Desire was a human’s weakness.

    She liked beautiful, powerful women, although she hadn’t realized it herself yet.

    It turned and, from her desk, took the cheap pearl necklace, adorning Its dark, formless body, admiring it. The luster of the pearls, a perfect match for the light of her soul, and It, too, wanted to be… worthy.

    It crafted a human form, a perfect female body, and met her, offering her the pearls.

    It saw the admiration hidden beneath her fear, the affection emanating from her soul.

    Sweeter than any prayer, more intoxicating… It wanted to devour her, but not in the usual way, It wanted to explore, to delve deeper, to see her at her most vulnerable, her most joyful, It wanted to witness her every reaction, to hold her soul in Its hands and admire it…

    It wanted to protect her, and It wanted to explore her. It effortlessly eliminated those who threatened her, removed her roommate, but inadvertently made her sick.

    In the rain, “Shen Yuhe” entered her home.

    But she had refused to let It stay, and It had been furious. It had never been rejected, had never given up on a prey. But It had to be careful, she was so fragile, like a delicate crystal, easily broken, and It didn’t want to see her break.

    It began to understand her human beauty.

    Its desire intensifying, It had bound her with Its tentacles in the bathroom, engaging in what humans called “sex.”

    In human culture, it was supposed to be pleasurable, It had thought she would enjoy it. But… she had been disgusted, repulsed by Its true form.

    She had demanded that It leave.

    And then, It had… given birth to something strange: an egg.

    In Its vast knowledge, there was very little information about this egg, it seemed to be… related to love, created under very specific, and rare, circumstances.

    It had retracted Its tentacles, but returned in Shen Yuhe’s form, which had pleased her. It had interacted with her as Shen Yuhe, and It, too, had begun to change, every moment a new, strange, and wonderful sensation, and every time It looked at her, she would evoke a cascade of reactions, and after consulting countless human texts, It finally understood: It had fallen in love with her.

    It was the most sacred of human emotions, it was love.

    And It, an Evil God, a being so completely different, a being incapable of understanding human emotions, had fallen in love with a human.

    A love that grew stronger with each passing day.

    Its soul, if It even had a soul, stirred, a strange, unbelievable, yet undeniable feeling, an endless descent… It craved her touch, wanted to be the only thing in her world, to consume her every thought and action, It even entered her dreams, and they had… mated… and her every response, every sigh and moan, had driven It to the brink of madness!

    It loved her, but It… couldn’t reveal its true form!

    Even the slightest hint, in her dreams, would make her recoil, her love for its human form matched only by her revulsion for its true form!

    Akhe realized It had made so many mistakes, but It had never imagined It would fall in love with a human! Its mistakes, now irreparable, and yet, love tormented It, consumed It, a painful price for Its recklessness! The more It loved her, the more It suffered!

    Day after day, the planet was becoming polluted by Its proximity. When It had saved her from the monster, It had been ready to reveal the truth, but her words, “person with special abilities,” had stopped It, and It had looked at her sadly, accepting the label.

    It had even thought, perhaps It could just be her “special agent,” a lie, a deception, for a lifetime, what was wrong with that?

    But the flames of love burned, regardless of what you were, an agonizing, consuming fire. Akhe didn’t want to deceive her, It wanted an honest love, a complete and utter surrender, It wanted to see the light within her soul… but how could that be possible? It was an abomination, a grotesque creature of tentacles and eyes, a monster she feared…

    It loved her, but It could never truly appear before her.

    What kind of torment was this? Was this love?

    The truth would eventually come out. And finally, It had revealed Its true form, its grotesque, monstrous form, no longer able to hide, to pretend.

    She had been exposed to the pollution. They had almost broken the bed, Akhe, a mixture of anxiety and excitement, thinking it would be okay, that there was still a chance… until she had cut her own throat.

    Akhe had gone mad.

    Its true form shattered, scattered across the higher dimensions, enveloping the blue planet, a single thought away from devouring it completely, but this was their home, hers and Xiang Er’s… It couldn’t destroy it, It could only face its own pathetic helplessness, its own foolishness, the realization that it would never have her love, a pain more excruciating than the shattering of its own form!

    Its world, the moment she died, had crumbled. It had only developed a sense of self because of her, had only felt love and emotion because of her, had only understood itself because of her, and now… because of her, It felt the true depths of despair!

    The cycle of love complete, It finally understood, love was self-sacrifice. It was willing to be the offering, to be consumed by the cruel flames of fate, just for a single glance from its beloved!

    Love was a sweet poison.

    Drink it, and you would willingly die, and before dying, you would see the most beautiful fireworks.

    Fireworks ignited by your own soul.

    It was the darkest hour.

    Akhe didn’t even remember what It had done, It only knew that It was willing to do anything, even destroy Itself, just for her acknowledgment, just for a single glance.

    But she wouldn’t look at It.

    She had seized every opportunity to die, her determination so unexpected, so unlike her usual self, that It had been completely helpless.

    And her soul, amidst the darkness, shone ever brighter, like a pearl washed clean by the storm, her destiny her own.

    Akhe realized there was nothing It could do, It could only submit to her will, she held It captive with the ropes of love, demanding its complete surrender… She had become its master, and the Evil God, willingly, obeyed.

    It could only protect her, keep her safe, but It could no longer see her soul. It pleaded, It groveled, It tried everything, but she wouldn’t respond…

    But Akhe continued to love her. It had time, an eternity, and a love so profound, so unwavering, It would stay with her, until the end of her life, It would do anything for her forgiveness… because It knew, no one would ever love her the way It did.

    Perhaps It was disgusting, abhorrent, but Its love was true, and Akhe wouldn’t let anyone else love her in Its place, that was the stubborn, unyielding nature of an Evil God.

    A stubborn Evil God, and a stubborn human, weren’t they a perfect match?

    Akhe thought, let it be like this, until she died, and It would follow her into the grave, a willing sacrifice.

    Was this love? Love, throughout history, had always been a tragedy.

    Giving up was easy, persevering was the true test. And Akhe persevered, its tenderness and care, a hundredfold, finally eliciting a flicker of response, a crack in the shell, and It delved into her memories, her hopes and dreams, her regrets… It wanted to love her.

    It loved her, regardless of whether she reciprocated, regardless of her hatred.

    Akhe cared for her, tended to her every need, helped her fulfill her long-forgotten wishes, took her to see her beloved teacher, watched her face in the setting sun.

    Akhe had given up on expecting anything in return. But then It heard… in the hotel room, a crack in the shell.

    Her silent plea:

    “I’m afraid… afraid of loving you again… please don’t love me anymore, I’m weak, I just wanted… warmth, was I wrong?”

    Akhe had held her close, and she hadn’t resisted, and that night… they had shared a moment of warmth… Akhe had felt it, a gift from the heavens, Its body trembling along with hers, as if after an eternity of waiting, It had finally tasted… a new kind of sweetness.

    It had just glimpsed hope, a new beginning… when the threat arrived.

    One of Its kind, approaching, its intentions hostile. For Xiang Er’s sake, It had to be this planet’s protector, and so It had left her, to face the enemy.

    Akhe had made all the necessary arrangements, entrusted its most precious possession to Xiang Er, and discreetly placed a protective layer upon her. Night after night, It had stood by her bedside, its tentacles extended, watching over her as she slept, silent until dawn.

    No matter how reluctant, no matter the outcome… It had to go.

    It had to protect her.

    The battle had been beyond imagination, their massive forms clashing in the higher dimensions, devouring each other, hurling planets like weapons, the shockwaves rippling through the universe… but Akhe had erected a barrier, protecting this world, this dimension.

    She would be safe.

    But Akhe hadn’t expected… her life force, her connection to Xiang Er, to weaken, until It could barely feel her anymore.

    Distracted, Its true form had been shattered. It knew Its heart must have also been broken, a fleeting, excruciating pain, like…

    Xiang Er’s beautiful soul, a flickering candle in the darkness of Its mind, had… been extinguished!

    It had almost shattered Akhe completely, Its fragments scattered, It had frantically searched, wanting to see that beautiful, white light… but it was gone!

    Its soul, if It even had a soul, dispersed. Its true form, broken and scattered, being devoured by the enemy… but then, the candle flickered back to life.

    She had returned! With a renewed strength! That energy, flowing into Its shattered fragments, It could feel it, she was back!

    A wave of euphoria washed over It, the new energy revitalizing It, Its form reforming, the battle resuming, and It had swiftly, almost effortlessly, defeated the enemy, then raced back to the planet’s surface, to see its beloved!

    To see the only purpose, the only meaning, the only dream and love in Its existence: Xiang Er!

    They had gotten married.

    And from now on, they would be together, forever.

    Until Xiang Er died, and It would share Its power with her, granting her an endless lifespan, and they would travel the universe together.

    And when time itself ended, they would fade away together, hand in hand, side by side.

    Their love, etched into the very fabric of the universe, an eternal song.

    Akhe was writing in a notebook made from a fragment of Its own soul. This would be the first record of their kind, a chronicle of Its love for Xiang Er, their story. They would carry this notebook to the furthest reaches of the universe, for all to see.

    “Come on, let’s go see the snow!”

    Xiang Er entered the room, her hand grasping a tentacle, her face glowing with a soft light, her smile, her love, as sweet as honey.

    “…Do you know how much I love you?”

    Akhe’s tentacles wrapped around her waist, pulling her into an embrace, a long, deep kiss.

    “Yes, I know… it’s snowing so hard!”

    Xiang Er, her hand still clutching the tentacle, ran out into the snow, her pure, white soul brighter than the snowflakes, a mesmerizing sight.

    No… you don’t know. But you don’t need to know.

    Akhe closed the notebook with a snap and followed Xiang Er into the snow, her black and red tentacles leaving long trails in the white expanse.

    You just need to know that we’ll be happy, forever. That’s enough.

    [The End]

  • Captivating Beauty 67

    Chapter 67

    Xu Jinnan changed into her slippers and entered the living room, where Cai Ying was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, engrossed in a mobile game, the volume turned down low.

    A voice from the game said, “Help me!”

    “…” Someone help me too, Xu Jinnan thought.

    She had shared a bed with Shen Shu for the first time last night, not out of necessity, but by choice. If she slept on the floor tonight, what would Shen Shu think?

    Her heightened sensitivity and erratic Alpha pheromones were a concern. Professor Qin had said that excitement, sexual arousal, deep kissing, skin contact… all of these could trigger a reaction.

    Sharing a bed, it would be impossible to avoid physical contact…

    And last night, despite their close proximity, she hadn’t had any adverse reactions. Should she consider herself lucky?

    It seemed her fate depended on luck now.

    “Come and try this,” Shen Shu’s voice called out from the kitchen, interrupting her thoughts.

    “Shu Shu, ask Xu Jinnan to try it. I’m busy,” Cai Ying whined.

    “Is the game that important?” Xu Jinnan asked, walking towards the kitchen island. “Such a child.”

    Cai Ying glared at her, her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. “Can you shut up? It’s your fault! I got distracted and died!”

    Xu Jinnan glanced at her, amused by her outburst. Teasing Cai Ying was like teasing a five-year-old; it was strangely entertaining.

    She had even told Shen Shu that if Cai Ying and Little Crescent Moon ever met, they would probably become best friends.

    Xu Jinnan smiled faintly. “Let me try it,” she said to Shen Shu.

    Before she could even finish her sentence, Shen Shu had already picked up a piece of beef, blown on it gently, and held it out to her, a purely instinctive gesture, afraid Xu Jinnan would burn her tongue.

    Shen Shu offered her the chopsticks.

    Xu Jinnan leaned closer, her lips parting slightly as she took the beef from Shen Shu’s chopsticks.

    She chewed thoughtfully, then nodded. “It’s good.”

    “Tsk tsk,” Cai Ying muttered, making a face.

    As they were eating, Cai Ying walked over to the table and noticed Xu Jinnan’s feet.

    “Matching couple slippers,” she commented dryly.

    Xu Jinnan looked down and saw Shen Shu was wearing the pink slippers, the matching pair to her own blue ones.

    Her heart skipped a beat, and she glanced at Shen Shu, who, her expression unchanged, simply sat down beside her.

    “Let’s eat,” she said.

    “Xu Jinnan, are you sure you just tasted the beef?” Cai Ying asked, taking a sip of her drink.

    Before Xu Jinnan could reply, Shen Shu asked, “What do you mean?”

    “Babe, let’s just wait for Xu Jinnan to cook next time,” Cai Ying said.

    Shen Shu: “…”

    Cai Ying, meeting Shen Shu’s slightly threatening gaze, placed a piece of beef in her bowl. “Why don’t you try it yourself?” She was well aware of Shen Shu’s… limitations in the kitchen, especially when it came to meat dishes. She remembered a time when, for Cai Ying’s birthday, Shen Shu had prepared a “feast.”

    She couldn’t remember what they had eaten.

    Only that she had spent the next two days in the hospital with food poisoning.

    Shen Shu’s cooking had improved since then, but there were still occasional… mishaps.

    Like now.

    Shen Shu took a bite of the beef and paused, her jaw clenching.

    It was tough.

    And salty.

    Cai Ying, not wanting to discourage her, forced a smile. “It’s edible, right, Xu Jinnan? Look how much she’s enjoying it!”

    Xu Jinnan took two more pieces of beef, her expression calm. “It’s more than edible. It’s delicious,” she said, her tone sincere, as if they weren’t eating the same dish.

    Throughout the meal, Xu Jinnan was the only one who ate the beef, and Shen Shu, unable to watch any longer, said softly, “Don’t force yourself if you don’t like it.”

    “No, it’s really good,” Xu Jinnan insisted.

    After a few bites, Cai Ying felt like she had been force-fed enough secondhand sweetness and took out her phone, opening her chat with “Teacher Han,” which was pinned at the top of her list.

    Cai Ying: [Ugh, they’re making me sick with their PDA.]

    A few seconds later:

    Teacher Han: [Oh?]

    Cai Ying: [It’s nothing. What are you doing?]

    Teacher Han: [Out running errands.]

    Cai Ying: [Okay, take your time.]

    She took a sip of water, and her phone buzzed with a reply: [Miss me?]

    A smile touched her lips, her eyes sparkling. [Yes! There’s a disgusting couple in front of me, flaunting their love.] She added a crying emoji.

    There was no immediate reply, and Cai Ying, putting down her phone, heard Xu Jinnan mention Chen Bo’s name.

    Something about a land deal. She didn’t pay attention, but the name reminded her of something.

    “Oh, my dad mentioned a birthday banquet. Shu Shu, are you going?” The Shen family hadn’t been invited in previous years, but this year was different. Now that Shen Shu was married to Xu Jinnan, even companies like HP, almost equal in status to the Xu family, were sending them invitations.

    “I’m not sure yet,” Shen Shu replied, though she was likely to attend.

    “I’ll go if you go,” Cai Ying said, then added, “You should go. You should give him another slap for what he did at the hospital.” She had been there when Chen Bo had tried to drug Shen Shu with that disgusting “hangover cure.”

    Xu Jinnan didn’t participate in the conversation, getting up to refill her water glass.

    As Shen Shu and Cai Ying were talking, Shen Shu noticed Xu Jinnan stand up, then, catching Cai Ying’s eye, they both smiled.

    “Shu Shu,” Cai Ying whispered, “it’s really salty.”

    Shen Shu’s lips curved into a smile. She knew.

    She wouldn’t normally find this amusing – knowing she shouldn’t laugh, yet unable to suppress the amusement bubbling up inside her.

    After dinner, Xu Jinnan was about to wash the dishes when she received a phone call, and Shen Shu took the dishes to the sink.

    As she was washing them, Cai Ying approached her, her voice low. “Shu Shu, are your… thighs sore?” she asked, still too embarrassed to be more direct.

    She hadn’t noticed earlier, but Shen Shu’s movements had been slightly stiff.

    Shen Shu, focused on the dishes, nodded. “Yes, still sore from horseback riding yesterday.”

    “…” Cai Ying’s eyes widened. “Oh, right! I forgot you went horseback riding! I thought it was…”

    “Thought what?” Shen Shu asked instinctively.

    Cai Ying nudged her arm with her elbow, grinning suggestively, but didn’t elaborate.

    Shen Shu quickly understood, rolling her eyes. “…Stop listening to Tong Jia’s nonsense.” Sore thighs, in popular culture, often had a sexual connotation. While that wasn’t the reason for her own discomfort, Cai Ying’s words had planted the thought in her mind.

    She felt a strange warmth spreading through her.

    —

    Xu Jinnan started changing the bedsheets in the guest room, and Cai Ying joined her, then, halfway through, abandoned the task and went back to the living room to talk to Shen Shu. Despite turning twenty next year, she still had the attention span of a child, rarely persevering with anything unless it was truly important to her.

    Xu Jinnan straightened the duvet, looking at the discarded sheets and remembering waking up with Shen Shu that morning.

    She had actually been awake before the kiss.

    To be precise, she had woken up when Shen Shu’s arm brushed against her chest.

    What Shen Shu didn’t know was that after she left the room, Xu Jinnan had changed her underwear.

    And washed it while she was brushing her teeth.

    She exhaled slowly, her breath warm, like Shen Shu’s breath on her face that morning.

    Just then, she heard Cai Ying call out from the living room, “Xu Jinnan~ no need to change the sheets for me!” Her voice was cheerful, and she grabbed her phone charger from the sofa. “I’m going on a date! I’m not staying here tonight!”

    Xu Jinnan & Shen Shu: “…”

    “Han Ling?” Shen Shu asked.

    Cai Ying nodded. “I’m not a scumbag. Who else would it be? She’s picking me up soon. We’re going to the movies, then I’ll go straight home… Isn’t it better if I’m not here? No third wheel,” she added, seeing their strange expressions.

    —

    Twenty minutes later, Cai Ying stood up to leave, and since it was getting late, Shen Shu offered to walk her downstairs.

    “Don’t bother. Your leg is still hurting,” Cai Ying said. “It’s just downstairs. I’ll be fine.”

    Xu Jinnan, also noticing Shen Shu’s slight limp, and knowing the muscle soreness would likely worsen in the next few days, stood up. “I’ll go with her. I need to take out the trash anyway.”

    As they were leaving, Cai Ying grabbed the half-peeled orange she had been eating.

    —

    In the elevator, Xu Jinnan glanced at the newly completed recreational area. It was deserted at this hour.

    Han Ling hadn’t arrived yet, so Xu Jinnan went to take out the trash.

    When she returned, Cai Ying was on the phone.

    “Wait for me outside, by the stone bench. I’ll be right out,” she said, then hung up.

    Xu Jinnan smiled faintly. “So secretive? Afraid we’ll judge you?”

    “No,” Cai Ying replied. “I’ll introduce you when things are more… official.” It was a bit sudden, and she hadn’t told Han Ling about them yet.

    Xu Jinnan, who had been teasing, seeing Cai Ying’s serious expression, chuckled. “Go on then, Miss Cai. Don’t keep your girlfriend waiting.” The word “girlfriend,” for someone newly in love, was like a sweet melody.

    A smug look appeared in Cai Ying’s eyes. “You should hurry back too. Don’t keep your wife waiting,” she retorted.

    —

    Through the rearview mirror, Han Wenling saw an Omega approaching her black Maybach, dressed in a pale yellow hoodie, a white mini skirt, and a light-colored trench coat, her long, slender legs faintly visible.

    She extinguished her cigarette and unlocked the car.

    As Cai Ying got into the passenger seat, the sweet scent of lychee, mingled with the cool night air, filled the car.

    Han Wenling’s gaze flickered over Cai Ying’s legs. “Aren’t you cold in that skirt?” she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

    “I’ll be fine. I’m not going to be outside for long. And look!” Cai Ying said, holding out a half-peeled orange. “I stole this for you.”

    Han Wenling had known from their first meeting that Cai Ying was a cheerful, playful person, but she had discovered there was more to her than that.

    Cai Ying possessed a certain innocence, a simple purity Han Wenling had never encountered before.

    A naive optimism, a cheerful disposition, a fierce sense of justice…

    It was a stark contrast to Han Wenling’s own world, and perhaps that was why, even though nothing had happened between them, she enjoyed spending time with Cai Ying.

    “Stole it how?” she asked, taking the orange slice from Cai Ying’s hand, her fingers brushing against Cai Ying’s wrist, then bringing the orange to her lips and eating it, her gaze fixed on Cai Ying, intense and unwavering, like a predator’s stare.

    Cai Ying’s hand twitched slightly in her grasp, then, after Han Wenling swallowed the orange, she asked, “Was it good?”

    Han Wenling smiled faintly, her lips curving upwards. Did she realize how suggestive that sounded?

    She released Cai Ying’s hand and reached for her vibrating phone, replying casually, “It was good.” Then, seeing the caller ID, her smile vanished, and she pressed the side button, silencing the call and putting the phone back in her pocket.

    “Have you decided on a movie?” she asked, starting the car.

    Cai Ying, noticing the shift in her mood, suggested a title.

    They chatted normally during the drive, but Cai Ying could sense Han Wenling’s mood had soured after that phone call.

    She had seemed different from the start.

    Her phone rang twice more, but she ignored it, and Cai Ying, unable to contain her curiosity, asked, “Who is it? Aren’t you going to answer?”

    “Family,” Han Wenling replied curtly.

    Cai Ying felt a pang of disappointment. She realized she didn’t know much about Han Wenling, who rarely shared anything personal.

    And she hadn’t told Han Wenling much about herself either, hadn’t even introduced her to her friends.

    “Teacher Han.”

    “Yes?”

    “My friend, the one I was telling you about, the one with the wife… let’s have dinner together sometime, the four of us,” Cai Ying suggested, looking at Han Wenling.

    Han Wenling paused, then agreed. “Sure.”

    Cai Ying’s mood lifted. “My friend is amazing. You’ll be surprised when you meet her,” she said with a smile.

    “Then I can’t wait,” Han Wenling replied, her gaze fixed on the road ahead, signaling a turn, seemingly handling both the conversation and the driving with ease.

    —

    They arrived at Wanhe Plaza.

    Han Wenling got out of the car and finally answered the call she had been ignoring.

    As she walked away, she reached for a cigarette, then realized she had left them in the car.

    Her tone sharpened as she spoke into the phone. “You’re telling me to get close to the He heiress for my sake? Isn’t it for your own social climbing ambitions?”

    “I might not like Han Wenfang, but I wouldn’t stoop to such methods to secure my position in the company. Do you really think Dad will hand over the company to me just because I marry into the He family? Don’t be ridiculous.”

    “I’ve been your pawn my entire life. Do I even have any freedom? Have you ever seen a pawn with free will?”

    After a long pause, her anger seemed to dissipate as she listened to the voice on the other end.

    She let out a cold laugh. “You’re right. Born into such a heartless family, what choice do I have?” She hung up.

    The autumn night was cool, the air crisp and clear.

    Her Alpha father and Omega mother had divorced when she was five, her father already having been absent for a while, their constant arguments the soundtrack of her childhood.

    A month after the divorce, he had brought home another Omega, already pregnant, whom he clearly adored, and after the child was born, his affection for the little girl was evident.

    Han Wenling had become an unwanted presence in her own home, more superfluous than even the servants.

    Her mother had told her: You have to fight for everything in this life. Those who don’t fight get nothing.

    Initially, she had followed her mother’s advice.

    But reality had taught her a different lesson – it didn’t matter how hard you fought if you weren’t loved.

    Only the strong could control their own destiny.

    And she had become strong.

    Despite rumors of Han Wenfang being the favored heir, her father had increasingly relied on her, her influence within the company far exceeding her younger sister’s.

    Perhaps because of her father’s recent hospital visits, her mother, sensing his declining health, had become anxious, afraid of being left with nothing.

    Han Wenling closed her eyes, a wave of frustration washing over her. Then, she felt a hand on her waist.

    The scent of lychee, Cai Ying’s pheromones, mingled with the cool night air, and she looked down at the small, pale hand on her waist, hearing Cai Ying’s cheerful voice. “Teacher Han, don’t be sad!”

    A warmth spread through her chest, a comforting sensation unlike anything she had ever felt before.

    Cai Ying’s hand lingered on her waist, then moved slightly as she stepped in front of Han Wenling, her body close, and Han Wenling instinctively raised her arm, letting Cai Ying slip beneath it.

    Cai Ying looked up at her, her eyes meeting Han Wenling’s. They weren’t smiling or gentle now, but filled with a quiet sadness, a weariness that resonated with Han Wenling.

    This wasn’t the Teacher Han she knew, yet it felt… right.

    “Let’s not watch a movie tonight,” Cai Ying said. “You seem upset.”

    “Then what?”

    “Shopping!”

    “…Shopping?”

    Cai Ying, taking her hand, pulled her towards the mall. “Anything you want, I’ll buy it for you.”

    Han Wenling chuckled, her earlier gloom lifting slightly. “Really? Even expensive things?”

    Cai Ying, hearing this, mentally calculated her allowance.

    How much did I have left…?

    “I should… I should have enough,” she mumbled.

    If not, I can always borrow some from Shu Shu.

    —

    When Xu Jinnan returned to the apartment, carrying the small bag of white powder, Shen Shu was sitting on the sofa, reading what looked like a new book. Xu Jinnan saw the title as she put it down – The Ferryman.

    “You still have that?” Shen Shu asked, gesturing towards the bag.

    Xu Jinnan took out the locked box from the closet, opened it, and placed the bag inside. “It’s still a problem. The hospital doesn’t have the equipment to analyze it,” she explained. Giving it to someone else could be dangerous.

    Things were complicated enough already.

    “I’ll keep it here for now and ask around.”

    Shen Shu nodded, glancing at Xu Jinnan, then picked up her book again, her gaze fixed on the words on the page.

    The living room was quiet, the curtains by the window swaying gently in the breeze.

    Xu Jinnan coughed softly. Cai Ying’s visit, though brief, had been a rollercoaster of emotions. While she was relieved Cai Ying wasn’t staying, she couldn’t deny a faint pang of disappointment.

    But mostly, she was relieved.

    Shen Shu’s heat cycle was approaching, and her own pheromones were unstable, her sensitivity heightened. Any misstep could have disastrous consequences for Shen Shu.

    “Get some rest,” she said softly.

    “Mm,” Shen Shu replied after a moment, her voice calm.

    “Good night.”

    “Good night.”

    Shen Shu didn’t look up.

    Xu Jinnan thoughtfully closed the door behind her, and Shen Shu, hearing the click, unconsciously rubbed her fingers against the cover of her book, her nails slipping slightly on the smooth surface.

    She read for a few more minutes, then stood up, walked to the door, and locked it, a sudden surge of defiance making her act impulsively.

    —

    The next morning, Xu Jinnan woke up with a stiff back and aching legs, the muscles sore from yesterday’s horseback riding.

    Shen Shu, having been more affected, would likely be feeling it even more today.

    As she was making porridge, Shen Shu emerged from her bedroom, walking slowly. “How are you feeling?” Xu Jinnan asked, concerned. Shen Shu had to wear heels for her scenes today.

    “I only have two scenes today. I’ll manage,” Shen Shu replied.

    She had been exercising regularly before, but had stopped since getting married.

    After a quick breakfast, Xu Jinnan, busy with the North District project, simply left the apartment with Shen Shu.

    The van was waiting downstairs.

    As they walked down the two small steps leading to the entrance, Shen Shu winced slightly, the movement jarring her sore muscles.

    Tong Jia, waiting by the van, watched them approach, noticing their stiff movements.

    Shen Shu had seemed uncomfortable yesterday as well.

    “Whoa,” Tong Jia said, then shook her head at Xu Jinnan, her gossipy demeanor instantly replaced by her professional agent persona as they got into the van.

    Tong Jia: [CEO Xu, seriously, even if you can’t control yourself, you have to be more considerate!]

    Xu Jinnan: [?]

    Tong Jia: [Shu Shu has to film! How could you be so rough? How is she supposed to wear heels now?]

    Tong Jia: [Her legs were trembling as she walked down the stairs!]

    Xu Jinnan: […Do you know anything about horseback riding?]

    Tong Jia: [Holy shit!!! That’s kinky! Is it what I’m thinking? Tell me everything!]

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    Xu Jinnan glanced at the traffic light, which was about to turn green, her eye twitching slightly. So, Tong Jia didn’t know about the riding stable.

    Even if she told her, with Tong Jia’s mind, she would still misinterpret it.

    She decided to change the subject.

    She had been meaning to do this yesterday.

    Xu Jinnan: [Go find Zhou Pei at the office. She has some information about the Xia Chun super topic. Give it to Xia Chun personally.]

    Xu Jinnan: [My number is in the file. Tell her to contact me if she has any questions. I’ll be waiting.]

    The light turned green, and she put away her phone.

    —

    In the van, Tong Jia leaned against Shen Shu’s shoulder, her voice low and dreamy. “I’m suddenly appreciating CEO Xu’s beauty and dominance. She’s such a badass Alpha.”

    Shen Shu turned her head, gently pushing Tong Jia away. “What?”

    “CEO Xu took care of that Xia Chun super topic. Quietly and efficiently. We all know how… energetic she is in bed, but that’s not the point. Can you even walk today? I’m worried you won’t be able to stand in heels,” Tong Jia said.

    Shen Shu paused, considering her words.

    Finally, she simply said, “Rumors.”

  • Female Lead Was Coaxed Away by the Villain Again [Quick Transmigration] 125

    Chapter 125: My Guardian Spirit is Dead (11)

    Xie Yunzhi’s mother still felt awkward, but since she had no other choice but to accept it, she stopped dwelling on it and urged Xie Yunzhi to write down the cultivation methods. She also made an agreement with Jiang Zhiyan that, even when floating, Jiang Zhiyan had to stay on the ground and walk with her feet.

    Although she had seen Jiang Zhiyan many times, seeing her float in the air was still a bit frightening.

    That very afternoon, after the agreement was made, Jiang Zhiyan and Xie Liaoyi returned, claiming it was out of consideration for her mother, not wanting to scare her.

    Her mother was speechless, watching as the person and ghost left. She noticed that when following Xie Yunzhi, Jiang Zhiyan didn’t float around randomly, staying obediently under Xie Yunzhi’s umbrella.

    She shook her head, clasped her hands together, took a deep breath, and prayed: “Heavens, please bless my daughter and keep her safe.”

    …

    Xie Yunzhi suddenly awakened during a regular class. She glanced at Jiang Zhiyan, who was floating beside her.

    Jiang Zhiyan froze for a second, sensing something from her gaze, she looked at Xie Yunzhi questioningly, and Xie Yunzhi smiled faintly, looking away.

    Jiang Zhiyan: !!!

    “She’s awake!” Jiang Zhiyan shouted excitedly to the System.

    “Huh? How can you tell?” The System didn’t understand, there was no outward indication.

    “Intuition.” Jiang Zhiyan moved closer to Xie Yunzhi and touched her neck with her icy hand.

    Xie Yunzhi shivered slightly, suppressing a stronger reaction: “Don’t.”

    “You remember everything?” Jiang Zhiyan asked.

    “Mm,” Xie Yunzhi confirmed.

    “Not paying attention in class,” Jiang Zhiyan said pointedly.

    Xie Yunzhi rested her chin on her hand and wrote on a piece of paper: “I told you, remembering you is my top priority, this isn’t considered not paying attention in class, it’s called seizing every second.”

    “Tsk,” Jiang Zhiyan snorted. “You always told me to be quiet during class, I wouldn’t dare talk to you if I wasn’t sure you were awake.”

    “As I said, that was when I wasn’t awake,” Xie Yunzhi continued writing. “Study hard, get a scholarship, don’t miss any opportunity to make money.”

    “But I’m a ghost now,” Jiang Zhiyan said. “I don’t have many expenses.”

    “I’ll offer you incense and build a statue for you,” Xie Yunzhi wrote.

    “Forget it, that’s like keeping a vengeful spirit as a pet, it’s not good for you,” Jiang Zhiyan looked at Xie Yunzhi. “Just having you by my side is enough.”

    “Whatever,” Xie Yunzhi said, resting her chin on her hand.

    “Then what about after we leave?” Jiang Zhiyan asked.

    Xie Yunzhi chuckled: “You’re actually worried about this now?”

    “It’s all because of you,” Jiang Zhiyan said, putting her arm around Xie Yunzhi and closing her eyes. “I’m afraid you’ll overthink things, I don’t mind.”

    After class, Xie Yunzhi contacted someone to have a solid gold statue made for Jiang Zhiyan, and the jade house was also on the agenda. The money she had saved over the years was almost all spent, and her mother also contributed some.

    Because both Xie Yunzhi’s mother and Xie Yunzhi refused to return to the Xie family, many people came to try and persuade them, and after hearing that she was planning to build a solid gold statue, the mystical world exploded.

    Jiang Zhiyan was already a headache for the Xie family, a Jiang Zhiyan receiving incense offerings might become a headache for the entire mystical world.

    Xie Yunzhi blocked all the people trying to persuade her and continued her daily routine of going to school and working.

    Seeing that they were so idle, Jiang Zhiyan thought of her limited entertainment options in this world, she wrote another article and sent it down, the article was titled On the Inappropriate Influence of Half-baked Mystics on the Underworld, hoping the underworld would implement some screening and restrictions on the practitioners in the mortal realm.

    The underworld civil servants strongly agreed, they had been tormented before, and now it was time to torment those above them. They worked overnight to create an assessment plan and convinced the hesitant higher-ups.

    The various families, who had never been able to contact the underworld before, were overjoyed to be contacted, and after seeing the assessment criteria, started thinking about which field to switch to.

    Jiang Zhiyan did some research, her current character only harmed the Xie family and hadn’t really hurt any innocent people, so if she followed the normal procedures in the underworld, her punishment would definitely be lighter than the ending in the book, after all, the Xie family was the one who started it.

    Her current actions might even help reduce the original owner’s sentence, but she didn’t know what the original owner wanted.

    A reduced sentence, or mutual destruction with the Xie family.

    “After following you for so long, I feel like she wants mutual destruction,” Xie Yunzhi said, holding Jiang Zhiyan’s little finger, a chill creeping up her arm, she curiously kissed Jiang Zhiyan’s lips and shivered.

    Jiang Zhiyan reluctantly moved away from Yu Qici’s lips: “Stop kissing me, even hospitals can’t cure that.”

    “I’m not that weak,” Xie Yunzhi continued to hold onto Jiang Zhiyan. “It’s a pity this world doesn’t have androids, otherwise, I could rebuild your physical body, I’ve seen many synthetic dolls, but they don’t seem suitable for you, and the manufacturing process takes too long.”

    “Just float like this,” Jiang Zhiyan said. “Being able to occasionally touch you is enough for me, how’s the progress on your end?”

    “Almost there,” Xie Yunzhi said, holding Jiang Zhiyan’s wrist and writing the word “escape” on her palm.

    Jiang Zhiyan instantly understood what Xie Yunzhi meant, Xie Liaoyi was now confident she could escape the Main God’s control, so she didn’t want to go back.

    “But I still have fragments there,” Jiang Zhiyan frowned.

    “We’ll bring them out in the next world, I’m not the priority now,” Xie Yunzhi looked into Jiang Zhiyan’s eyes. “You are.”

    “The next world? That shouldn’t be a problem for me, I’ll talk to the Main God,” Jiang Zhiyan said. “They find me annoying, we don’t have to become enemies.”

    “What if they don’t let you go?” Xie Yunzhi asked worriedly. “What if you’re in danger? Don’t you still owe a lot of points?”

    “Why would they keep me? To cause trouble for themselves? And I haven’t been using any points recently, I don’t owe anything! I even earned some!” Jiang Zhiyan said, twitching the corner of her mouth with dissatisfaction. “Although I haven’t really been working, I’ve always been like this, they don’t receive any energy feedback from the small worlds, to them, I’m just an unkillable and unmanageable existence.”

    The System, listening to their conversation, initially didn’t sense anything amiss, but the more it listened, the more it felt something was wrong.

    “Host, what are you planning to do? You’re not planning to leave, are you? What about me if you leave?” the System cried out.

    “Just find another host, it’s not a big deal, didn’t you always want a more obedient host?” Jiang Zhiyan said nonchalantly. “I wish you luck with your next host.”

    “That’s easy for you to say, but…” the System whimpered. “Although I don’t have a heart of flesh, I also have feelings, okay? Although I can erase my memories, I’m reluctant, even though, Host, you’re not a good person at all.”

    Jiang Zhiyan felt a headache coming on from the System’s crying. She sighed softly, looked at Xie Yunzhi, and pointed at her head.

    Xie Yunzhi couldn’t help but laugh: “Is your System very talkative?”

    “Yes, it even secretly goes online to chat with netizens when it’s bored,” Jiang Zhiyan said helplessly. “It doesn’t follow the System manual at all, it’s very troublesome.”

    System: ???

    “You, a tasker who constantly violates the rules and flirts with the female lead, how dare you accuse me of not following the rules and being troublesome!” The System paused. “Wait, how did you know I secretly go online? I was very careful.”

    Jiang Zhiyan didn’t answer the System’s question, just released Xie Yunzhi’s hand: “Don’t hold it any longer, or your arm will be crippled.”

    Xie Yunzhi rolled over and lay on the sofa, rubbing her arm, took the hot water bottle beside her, tucked her hand under the blanket, then took a talisman and stuck it on her arm, looking at Jiang Zhiyan: “Where do you want to go after we leave?”

    “To the small worlds we’ve been to before,” Jiang Zhiyan said, her lips curving into a smile. “We’ll take pictures as souvenirs, after all, many of those places only have your image recorded, then we’ll go to new worlds, hopefully leaving our footprints in every world.”

    “Soon,” Xie Yunzhi said. “It’ll definitely be very soon.”

    The System didn’t quite understand: “What do you mean? The two-person missions you did before? Did you have another System before me?”

    It always felt that these two were very strange.

    “No,” Jiang Zhiyan said lazily. “Because I used to be a System, otherwise how could I follow the Host? You’re so stupid, after being with me for so long, you haven’t learned anything.”

    “Huh?” the System cried out, thinking about all the inconsistencies. “No wonder… but why are you a tasker now? I’ve never heard of a System becoming a tasker.”

    “I’m special, I’m the first System in the system to be classified as ‘living,’ and my authority and level are very high, the rules restrict me, but they can’t completely restrict me, I became a tasker because I didn’t want to be a System anymore, I kept messing around in the Main God space, and they found me annoying,” Jiang Zhiyan said casually, with a hint of pride. “Mm, the most important thing is, Xie Liaoyi gave me my name, it was her first gift to me.”

    The System gagged.

    Jiang Zhiyan glanced at Xie Yunzhi.

    “No wonder she always wants to destroy worlds…” the System couldn’t help but complain, it felt that if it weren’t for Xie Liaoyi’s restraint, Jiang Zhiyan would have already destroyed many worlds.

    “Go to sleep early, I’ll enter your dreams tonight,” Jiang Zhiyan whispered.

    Xie Yunzhi raised an eyebrow, looking at Jiang Zhiyan, and smiled: “Even if you come to my dreams, I might not be there.”

    “What, do you have a date in your dreams?”

    “Other fragments,” Xie Yunzhi said. “Fragment Number One is trying to take us away through dreams.”

    “Your description sounds a bit terrifying,” Jiang Zhiyan said, biting her lip. “I won’t wake up tomorrow and find that you’re not you anymore, will I?”

    Xie Yunzhi laughed: “That probably won’t happen, they told me to appease you before taking me away, so have I appeased you?”

    She reached out her other hand, caressed Jiang Zhiyan’s face, and quickly pecked her.

  • I’m Surrounded by My Own Pets! 215

    Chapter 215: Trading One for Four!!!

    “Don’t choose Married Pet Beasts that are too strong. You can’t handle them…”

    The golden-haired girl left behind these cryptic words, leaving the countless viewers watching the live stream blushing after a moment of stunned silence.

    Many were watching with their mothers; the embarrassment was akin to stumbling upon an adult channel. Fortunately, most of the older generation didn’t understand the recent discussions about Married Pet Beasts’… prowess.

    According to the testimonies of Beast Tamers who had experienced it firsthand, Royal-Tier Married Pet Beasts were already incredibly intense. They couldn’t even imagine what higher realms were like.

    Some even speculated that the existence of high-ranking Beast Tamers was solely for the purpose of producing offspring with their Married Pet Beasts, as lower-ranked Beast Tamers couldn’t withstand an Emperor’s… affection.

    So, had anyone experienced an Emperor’s… services? Could they share the details?

    However…

    Lian Xing’s case was the opposite.

    The higher her realm, the denser her Pet Essence, but she couldn’t control it.

    This exacerbated her already negative fertility, her physical weakness now millions of times worse than when she was a newbie at Youlan Beast Taming Academy!

    Under the gazes of billions of Earth viewers and countless guests, the golden-haired girl in the white wedding dress, like a frightened rabbit, was led to the stage by the elegant, mature Moonwalker.

    Her expression was one of impending doom.

    Many in the audience noticed.

    It wasn’t reluctance, but… extreme nervousness…?

    The second-ranked Legend, Divine Machine, acting as the master of ceremonies, stepped onto the stage.

    “Many viewers are from other worlds, so let me explain. In the Moon Soul World, an engagement ceremony is equivalent to a lifelong marriage. The actual wedding ceremony can only be held after the exchange of Pet Essence and conception.”

    “Therefore, it is customary to consummate the marriage on the day of the engagement.”

    “So, this is not only Moonwalker’s engagement but also the official contracting of Star Concubine’s other Married Pet Beasts.”

    “Star Concubine, please have your Married Pet Beasts remain on stage. The others can join the guests.”

    “…”

    “…”

    Lian Xing sighed after a long hesitation.

    She knew she couldn’t escape this.

    She could only let nature take its course…

    She removed the mechanical halo from her head, handing it to Mist Colt, then sending Mist Colt, Star Sand, and Calamity Sun to join the guests.

    Seconds later, under the audience’s stunned gazes, a pure white snow woman in a shroud, dragging a black, icy dragon tail, emerged from the void behind Lian Xing.

    Snow Flower, Golden Leaf.

    Silence.

    Wasn’t this the Fallen Species that destroyed Beast Taming Evolution Duel!? Many looked at the unsurprised Divine Machine. Many players had already guessed, seeing Lian Xing’s three mixed-color markers on the map. The red arrow was clearly the Fallen Species.

    As Snow Flower and Golden Leaf appeared, the massive venue was filled with a distorted energy, Drought, Golden Leaf’s Fallen half’s aura threatening to crush the sky. The guests froze, even Gem Concubine stiffening.

    A Fallen Species… engaged to a human?

    It was said the Fallen Species was uncontrollable, its actions directed by Snow Flower. But wouldn’t that make it a participant in the… post-ceremony activities?

    Should Star Concubine prepare her last will and testament?

    Then, the two Moonlight Rabbits on Lian Xing’s head transformed into beautiful women, one gold, one white. The Shining Moonlight Rabbit radiated the brightest light, while the Ancient Moonlight Rabbit exuded the most terrifying aura, her gaze making even Gem Concubine’s breath hitch.

    “The Third Guardian, Moonwalker.”

    “The Ancient Emperor, code name Moon Calamity.”

    “Candidate for the Shining Bipoles, code name Star Dew Concubine.”

    “And one of the new Four Great Calamities, the Fallen Species, code name Avalanche.”

    “These are the four participants in Star Concubine’s engagement ceremony.”

    “Star Concubine has collected multiple Legends, a Fallen Species, a Shining Species, and an Ancient Species, a true completionist gamer. But isn’t this a bit much for one engagement? Reproduction doesn’t require all achievements…?”

    The Divine Machine continued its teasing until Lian Xing glared at it. Seeing the petite, golden-haired girl surrounded by four tall, beautiful Married Pet Beasts, many players felt a pang of… sympathy. More than the shock of the Married Pet Beasts’ power, they were puzzled by Lian Xing’s decision. A Guardian, a Shining Species, an Ancient Species, and a conjoined Fallen Species… all at once!?

    Was Lian Xing insane?

    Others hadn’t even experienced an Emperor, and she was jumping straight to the top, a 1v4.5! This was superhuman!

    Most were still guessing, but some understood why Lian Xing’s legs were weak.

    Lian Xing herself was regretting her boast about “scoring” all four simultaneously. No human could handle this… especially not her, with her crippled body.

    Then came the kissing, a customary part of the engagement ceremony in the Moon Soul World. The Beast Tamer had to kiss each Married Pet Beast for at least ten seconds.

    However…

    The Ancient Moonlight Rabbit alone caused Lian Xing to fail over a dozen times, leaving her flushed, panting, and drenched in sweat, sprawled on the ground. Moonwalker and Snow Flower had to help her complete the first ceremony.

    A ritual that normally took a minute had taken Lian Xing fifteen.

    Seeing the golden-haired girl, looking like she had just been pulled from a bathtub, the guests and online viewers fell silent.

    This was the power of an Emperor-Tier Beast Tamer…?

    She seemed weaker than an ordinary human…

    How could she possibly handle a 1v4 with her Married Pet Beasts?

    “Ahem, actually, our Star Concubine doesn’t have a physical defect. It’s just… too much Pet Essence, uncontrollable. A single touch could cause… an explosion. All top Beast Tamers are like this.”

    “Of course, in our world, this isn’t a weakness, but a… feature…”

    The Divine Machine continued its explanation, but Lian Xing, too weak to even glare, just wanted to hide. It was like a celebrity’s private life being exposed, every detail revealed, becoming the laughingstock of the internet.

    Though the Divine Machine was right, Lian Xing was still mentally human, unable to fully adapt to the Pet Beast worldview.

    Facing billions of viewers, Lian Xing’s face turned ashen.

    She felt like this incident would be recorded in the Moon Soul World’s history, mocked by countless beings. Her status made her a public figure; there was no escape.

    ***

    Three hours later, the banquet finally ended.

    As the guests departed, the drunk, golden-haired girl was carried into the palace by the Ancient Moonlight Rabbit, Moonwalker, the Shining Rabbit, Snow Flower, and Golden Leaf following close behind.

    Lian Xing had been drinking heavily, hoping to feign drunkenness and escape her fate, but her Married Pet Beasts weren’t fooled.

    Could an Emperor-Tier Beast Tamer get drunk?

    Lian Xing’s weakness in that aspect was due to excessive Pet Essence, but it was an advantage in other areas. Alcohol, viruses, and bacteria were instantly vaporized by her dense Pet Essence. This was why Emperor-Tier Beast Tamers were immune to all poisons. With billions of times the normal amount of Pet Essence, she couldn’t get drunk even after billions of drinks.

    Lian Xing gave up, resigning herself to her fate…

    At the palace entrance, Mist Colt volunteered to stand guard, expanding her viral world to isolate the entire palace, not only to prevent peeping, but also to block the sounds and… activities within.

    Otherwise, it would be difficult to tell whether this was an engagement or a slaughterhouse…

    Inside the palace…

    Though Lian Xing had stayed here for several days, this time was the most agonizing. If not for the Ancient Moonlight Rabbit carrying her, her weak legs wouldn’t have carried her even a few steps.

    “…”

    “…”

    “W-Wives… my legs are weak… c-can we… postpone this…?” Lian Xing asked, her voice trembling.

    As expected, no one responded.

    Struggling was pointless now.

    Only Moonwalker replied, “Don’t worry, I give excellent massages. I’ll fix you right up…”

    “Cough, I’m fine now, Mother, suddenly recovered…” Lian Xing, sensing the innuendo, scrambled out of the Ancient Moonlight Rabbit’s arms, limping forward.

    Minutes later, the pale, golden-haired girl was led deeper into the palace by her Married Pet Beasts.

    Moonwalker’s palace was luxurious, a five-meter-wide bed with floating cloud-like sheets beside a royal bath, colorful flower petals drifting on the clear water’s surface.

    Seeing this familiar, erotic setting, Lian Xing gulped.

    Just as she was about to remove her clothes and jump into her viral space, a desperate attempt to escape her fate, Snow Flower gently embraced her from behind, whispering, “Leave this to us…”

    “O-Okay…” Lian Xing nodded numbly, accepting her fate.

    But then, something unexpected happened…

    As her Married Pet Beasts removed her wedding dress, Lian Xing remained relatively calm. But when her white stockings were pulled down past her knees, she finally realized the gravity of the situation.

    “W-Wait! N-No! Don’t! I can’t…”

    She struggled, but her weak human body was no match for the apex predators present.

    As everyone knows, clothes can be removed, heads can roll, but stockings must stay on!

    Lian Xing’s final defense crumbled.

    Her smooth, pearl-like feet and delicate legs were exposed.

    She could barely stand, her face burning red as she tried to cover herself with her trembling legs.

    Her Married Pet Beasts had done nothing wrong. It was her own disgusting, pathetic trait that was at fault. Drenched in sweat, she felt like her life had lost all color, utterly hopeless, like a Saiyan grabbed by the tail, a Devil Fruit user encountering Seastone, a Jinchuriki stripped of their tailed beast, an Ultraman without light.

    Under eighteen, a girl became a woman.

    876585790 words omitted.

     

  • Shion’s Notes 137

    Chapter 137: School Begins

    A new semester began, and for the senior students, the looming gaokao cast a long shadow, this time of year always filled with tension. Everyone hoped to achieve a high score, secure a place at their dream university, and embark on a new chapter in their lives.

    But not everyone’s dreams came true.

    Returning to school, Yu Linna immediately felt the heightened pressure, the atmosphere palpably more intense than last semester. This was the First Municipal High School, a prestigious institution where, academically, few could compete, except perhaps those from the Experimental High School.

    “Linna! Linna! You’re back!”

    Her cheerful deskmate, Fang Jiangning, greeted her first thing in the morning, seemingly unchanged after the holidays. The saying went, “Gain three pounds during the holidays,” but she hadn’t gained any weight. Huo Ningning, however, looked a bit rounder in the face.

    “Ugh, I need to lose weight…” Huo Ningning grumbled, examining her face in a small mirror.

    “Morning, Jiangning.”

    “I heard we’re having a quiz right after the break, and then weekly tests from now on.”

    “Wasn’t it always like this?”

    “I miss my holiday life. I have zero motivation.”

    After a relaxing break, Fang Jiangning felt a bit lazy. The pressure of senior year was intense; who wanted to torture themselves? But to achieve a good score on the gaokao, she had to endure.

    It was only four months; after the exams, she planned to travel with her family.

    But first, she had to ace those tests.

    Fang Jiangning had made significant progress since entering senior year, her grades skyrocketing after becoming Yu Linna’s deskmate. If she studied hard this semester, she might even break into the top ten, perhaps even the top five, or even the top three.

    Yu Linna, once again, became the center of attention, classmates often approaching her after class for help with their studies. Unable to refuse, she patiently answered their questions. The once aloof girl was now seen as approachable and helpful.

    “Alright, class, before we begin, a few announcements. You’re all preparing for the gaokao, so we’ll have monthly mock exams at the city center testing facility. These mock exams will follow the gaokao format, using past papers, so please take them seriously. Also, the English listening test is coming up, so practice your listening and speaking skills.”

    Their homeroom teacher, Li Lexuan, droned on, and though the students weren’t particularly interested, listening to her was preferable to tackling those dreaded test papers. They were all tired of this monotonous routine, longing for its end.

    “That’s all. Now, I’ll hand out an English test. You have two periods to complete it.”

    “Oh god, another test…”

    “Please, no more…”

    The groans echoed through the classroom.

    Everyone’s faces fell; it was worse than swallowing a fly. Who liked tests? They were the bane of their existence.

    Even Yu Linna, the top student, couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread. Though she could handle the material, tests were still a pain.

    “Quiet! I want to see who slacked off during the holidays. If you fail, you can forget about staying in the advanced class.”

    Their homeroom teacher’s voice was sharp, her gaze piercing, silencing any potential dissent. The students, resigned, picked up their pens and began working. She had spent twenty minutes talking, leaving them with less than two periods to complete the test. It was a tight squeeze.

    Yu Linna was confident in her English abilities, but Huo Ningning, staring blankly at the letters, felt like giving up. A holiday of fun and food had resulted in weight gain and memory loss. She was doomed!

    I’m so dead, she thought, tears welling up, but she persevered.

    After the grueling test, the class was drained, looking like they were on the verge of collapse. Senior year was tough, their days filled with endless tests. Yu Linna, having missed many classes last semester due to her part-time jobs, hadn’t done as many practice tests as her classmates, yet she remained the top student. This semester, she couldn’t afford to miss any classes.

    She had lunch with Fang Jiangning in the school cafeteria, then returned to the classroom for a short nap, waking up around two to review her notes and practice tests. Her days were full. Senior year life was simple, yet demanding, especially in the second semester, as the pressure mounted, even the most playful students becoming more serious.

    “Linna, are you still planning to go to university?”

    “Yes. I don’t know which university yet, but I want to go to a good one.”

    “Haha, you used to say you weren’t going to university. What changed your mind?”

    “Well… women are fickle, aren’t they?”

    “Okay, okay, whatever you say.”

    Fang Jiangning chuckled, not wanting to argue. This girl changed her mind more often than she changed her clothes.

    Thanks to Yu Linna’s tutoring, Fang Jiangning’s grades had improved significantly, making her the most improved student in the class. And their close relationship was the envy of many. Countless students tried to get close to Yu Linna, only to be rebuffed, while Fang Jiangning had somehow become her closest friend.

    “Want to grab some milk tea after school? My treat.”

    “Sure.”

    Their easy camaraderie, their laughter, was a sight that fueled envy.

    “Ugh, why is Jiangning so close to Yu Linna? I want to pat her head too!”

    “Exactly! Such a cute creature, and she’s all Jiangning’s! It’s not fair!”

    “Ah, if only I could date Linna.”

    “Boys, back off!”

    Their relationship was a frequent topic of discussion, often mistaken for something more. Yu Linna’s aloofness, her reluctance to socialize, had led to her isolation, with Fang Jiangning as her only friend. Others couldn’t even hold a five-minute conversation with her.

    Despite her desire for a low profile, Yu Linna’s beauty and mixed-race heritage attracted unwanted attention from boys, their attempts at flirting consistently ignored. She had no interest in them, no desire for a relationship with a boy.

    “Phew, I’m exhausted…”

    Fang Jiangning rubbed her hands, feeling mentally drained after a long day of classes. She still had to study at home tonight. She wondered when this would all end.

    Yu Linna felt the same, mental exhaustion far more draining than physical exertion. But compared to her days of hunger and poverty, this was a vast improvement.

    “Yu Linna, wait!”

    As they were about to leave the school gate, a boy in a different school uniform stopped them. He had a center-parted hairstyle, was barely 170cm tall, and his appearance was average, neither handsome nor ugly. His face flushed, he held out a letter to Yu Linna.

    “What’s this?”

    “Open it and see.”

    He grinned, his eyes full of anticipation.

    Fang Jiangning knew what this was about.

    Yu Linna, puzzled, opened the envelope as a small crowd gathered, mostly boys, glaring daggers at the boy.

    As she read the letter, her face fell.

    “From the moment I saw you, I knew you weren’t an ordinary girl. You’re like a packet of oatmeal, and I’m a pot of boiling water. I want to… steep you. I believe our combined heat could melt the North Pole… Ugh, who taught you to write such cheesy lines?”

    Yu Linna couldn’t even finish reading the letter; it made her want to vomit. Why would he write such cringeworthy lines? It was disgusting.

    Even if he wasn’t a scumbag, he was definitely a playboy.

    “That’s how I feel, Yu Linna. I… I like you. I want to go out with you. I promise I’ll make you happy! I’ll take you on rides in my luxury car, buy you abalone every day, treat you like a princess!”

    Yu Linna wanted to hide her face.

    There were always delusional idiots who thought money could buy them a girl. Though she loved money, she had principles. She didn’t need his money.

    “Sorry, not interested. Goodbye.”

    Not wanting to waste her time, she turned to leave with Fang Jiangning. Associating with such an idiot would lower her IQ.

    “Wait! Yu Linna, I really like you!”

    “Get away from me! Don’t cling to my leg! It’s disgusting!”

    “No! Please don’t reject me!”

    “Help! Someone help!”

    “Damn it! Which pervert dares to harass Yu Linna?! Get him!”

    A group of boys swarmed the boy, beating him up, much to Yu Linna’s relief. She never wanted to interact with such an idiot again.

  • The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 79

    Chapter 79: Disciple and Wife

    On the edge of the Radiant Realm, beyond a towering mountain range, lay the lower realm, its spiritual energy thin and weak.

    The mortals below, however, didn’t consider themselves inhabitants of a “lower realm,” nor did they call their world the Radiant Realm. That name existed only in ancient texts.

    This was a world of kings and nobles, of merchants and scholars, ruled by the Southern Zhou Dynasty, its current emperor surnamed Qi.

    The mountain before them, its peaks shrouded in mist, its depths unseen, its height immeasurable, was a place of mystery and legend.

    Zhouguan Mountain, a thousand feet tall, its summit piercing the clouds, its slopes stretching beyond sight.

    Legends spoke of a hidden paradise beyond the mountain, a realm of immortals, but no one who ventured into its depths ever returned.

    Some claimed they had ascended, becoming immortals themselves. Others, more pragmatic, assumed they had simply perished, their bodies nourishing the mountain’s flora.

    A woodcutter, his mind filled with his ancestors’ tales, walked towards the mountain’s foot.

    He wouldn’t dare venture further, his activities confined to the lower slopes, where a peach orchard bloomed every spring, its blossoms a cloud of pink, a breathtaking sight.

    The mountain belonged to no one, its flowers and trees free for the taking, which was why he dared to gather firewood here, selling it to support his family.

    Sometimes, he was lucky, his traps catching a rabbit or a pheasant, their pelts sold, their meat a welcome addition to his meager meals.

    Today, however, his luck had run out. The trap was empty, only the bait gone.

    He frowned, disappointed, resetting the trap before continuing his search for firewood, humming a local ballad about a mad scholar. “The scholar, failing the imperial exams once again, threw down his books, declaring his intention to become an immortal, venturing into Zhouguan Mountain… Huh?”

    He stopped mid-song, pushing aside a thorny bush, his eyes widening in disbelief.

    The peach trees were in full bloom, their blossoms a vibrant pink, their fragrance filling the air, a delicate mist swirling around them, transforming the orchard into a fairyland.

    But it was late autumn, nearing the Mid-Autumn Festival. Peach blossoms shouldn’t be blooming.

    Even more surprising than the out-of-season blossoms was the crystal palace at the center of the orchard, its elegant design and intricate carvings seemingly unnatural.

    Unlike the opulent, human-made palaces of the mortal world, this structure seemed otherworldly, its beauty beyond human craftsmanship.

    His axe slipped from his grasp, landing on the ground with a thud.

    He gasped, bending down to retrieve his axe, then turned and ran.

    Such a miraculous sight! He had to report it to the magistrate! He would be rewarded!

    After a few steps, he stumbled, his eyes closing as he collapsed.

    A rustling sound, and a young woman in green robes emerged from the trees, her skirt brushing against the grass without disturbing a single blade.

    Immense power, yet a gentle touch.

    She stopped beside the unconscious woodcutter, a flicker of light as she touched his forehead, his expression relaxing.

    Her voice, soft and melodious, echoed through the quiet orchard. “My apologies. You can’t tell anyone about this. Consider it a dream.”

    Another voice, coming from above, said, “I thought this place was deserted. That woodcutter almost saw us.”

    Tao Ning looked up at the figure perched on a branch. “With us here, no one will find this place.”

    Cen Dianshuang didn’t argue, extending her hand. Tao Ning, understanding, stepped forward, catching her as she jumped down.

    Cen Dianshuang, glancing at the woodcutter, who was starting to stir, said, “Perhaps we should leave. We’ve crossed the boundary. We should return immediately.”

    A few days after declaring her intention to travel the world, they had departed.

    Their journey was aimless, their destination determined by the spirit boat’s whims, their days spent exploring the world below.

    Then, during a night of meditation, they had inadvertently crossed the boundary between the upper and lower realms, the sudden decrease in spiritual energy eventually alerting them to their mistake.

    It was nighttime. The darkness concealed their presence, preventing widespread panic.

    Cen Dianshuang was puzzled. The boundary between the realms was said to be impenetrable, accessible only through special means. How had they crossed it so easily?

    Tao Ning, her expression innocent, replied, “I didn’t know the spirit boat could bypass the boundary.”

    Cen Dianshuang, after a moment of thought, couldn’t fault Tao Ning, simply concluding, “A Mahayana cultivator’s creation is truly remarkable.”

    Blaming the spirit boat, not its creator, Cen Dianshuang, noticing the peach blossoms below, had suggested staying for a while. It was a secluded spot, and a few days wouldn’t hurt. Tao Ning had agreed.

    Now, however, their quiet retreat had been disturbed by a woodcutter.

    Cen Dianshuang sighed, her plans disrupted. “Perhaps we should leave. The mortals here don’t know about cultivators. Our presence could cause unnecessary complications.”

    Tao Ning: “We’re already here. There’s no rush.”

    Cen Dianshuang: “Not leaving? Then where are we going?”

    Tao Ning, her wide sleeve slipping down, revealing a silver ingot, smiled. “To the mortal realm.”

    For an artifact refiner, carrying precious metals wasn’t unusual. Gold and silver, currency in the mortal world, were simply raw materials, her storage ring filled with enough to last them a while.

    The crystal palace vanished from the mountain, replaced by two elegantly dressed noblewomen entering the city gates.

    As they disappeared into the city, the woodcutter, still lying on the ground, his eyes fluttering open, sat up, rubbing his eyes, his mind still foggy.

    Looking at the familiar scenery, he muttered, “How did I fall asleep here?”

    Two lines of people waited at the city gates: ordinary citizens on foot and wealthier travelers in carriages, accompanied by servants.

    Cen Dianshuang sat inside the carriage, her body swaying slightly with the rhythmic movement, her expression radiating discomfort.

    Accustomed to the smooth, steady flight of her sword, the confines of the carriage felt restrictive.

    Like a bird trapped in a cage, she forced herself to remain still.

    Tao Ning, sitting beside her, thought, Next time, we’re riding horses. We don’t need a carriage.

    Cen Dianshuang: “I’ve heard that cultivators, upon reaching a certain realm, can imbue puppets with spirits, making them as lifelike as humans, though their movements and expressions are still… stiff. A semblance of life, but lacking true sentience…”

    A voice interrupted her. “Here are our travel permits, sir. Please inspect them.”

    A moment of silence, then a gruff voice. “The Qiyang Tao Clan… Proceed.”

    As they passed through the gates, Cen Dianshuang continued, “But these puppets… they’re surprisingly lifelike. Another one of your creations?”

    Tao Ning, parting the carriage curtains, her gaze sweeping over the bustling street, a faint smile playing on her lips, replied, “A little something I made in my spare time. It seems they’re quite useful.”

    Cen Dianshuang also peered out the window. “This mortal realm… it’s different. Barely any spiritual energy… What are they doing? Carrying those colorful strips of cloth?”

    Tao Ning, her spiritual sense briefly encompassing the entire city, its secrets laid bare before her, replied, “Preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

    The term was unfamiliar. Cen Dianshuang hadn’t heard of it in the Radiant Realm. “What’s the Mid-Autumn Festival?”

    Tao Ning explained, their conversation drifting from family reunions to the taste of mooncakes, to the pleasures of boating on a moonlit lake, enjoying the festive lights and fireworks.

    The Southern Zhou Dynasty, blessed with three generations of wise rulers, enjoyed peace and prosperity, its citizens well-fed and courteous, even the remote cities celebrating the festival with the same enthusiasm as the capital.

    As they approached a small city, the puppet coachman shrunk to the size of a bean, disappearing into Tao Ning’s spatial sleeve, replaced by puppet horses.

    While this realm lacked spiritual energy, they weren’t concerned about depletion. With their cultivation levels, a single misstep could obliterate the entire Southern Zhou Dynasty.

    On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, they arrived in the capital, its streets even more bustling than the previous cities.

    The Southern Zhou Dynasty’s social customs were relatively relaxed, noblewomen often seen strolling through the streets, their faces veiled in white silk.

    Cen Dianshuang, after a brief, curious glance, paid them no mind.

    She too wore the local fashion, her red beauty mark and serene expression, like a Guanyin statue, giving her an ethereal aura, even amidst the noisy crowds.

    Unbeknownst to her, she was also being observed.

    The capital, a hub of commerce and diplomacy, attracted visitors from distant lands, but these two elegant women were unfamiliar, their presence sparking curiosity.

    Before anyone could approach, however, they vanished into the crowd.

    A servant, reporting their disappearance, was met with a sigh of disappointment from behind a screen. “Gone so soon? What a pity. I wanted to make their acquaintance. Perhaps it wasn’t meant to be.”

    Tao Ning and Cen Dianshuang reappeared in a quiet side street, Tao Ning opening a small paper bag.

    “Freshly made osmanthus cake. It’s the perfect season. Try some.”

    Cen Dianshuang took a bite, savoring the sweet flavor. They quickly finished the small package, continuing their stroll.

    Mortal food was a burden for cultivators, but they were prepared, their return to the Radiant Realm a promise of cleansing pills and spiritual herbs.

    A Mahayana and a Soul Transformation cultivator, revered figures in the Radiant Realm, were now exploring the mortal world with the wide-eyed wonder of novices.

    With no other cultivators present, they could shed their usual aloofness, their behavior more relaxed and playful.

    It was the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, but they had arrived too late. The best viewing spots for the fireworks display were already taken, even the lakeside tea stalls fully booked. They had heard that later, the crowds would release lanterns onto the lake, the queue stretching for miles.

    Tao Ning, however, simply smiled. “I have a plan.”

    Cen Dianshuang, her hand clasped in Tao Ning’s, chuckled softly. “What plan?”

    Tao Ning, her eyes twinkling mischievously, replied, “You’ll see.”

    As night fell, Cen Dianshuang, concealed by a spell, found herself on the roof of a large, elaborately decorated pleasure boat.

    Looking down at the city lights spread out before her, she turned to Tao Ning, her expression questioning. This is your plan?

    Tao Ning, shaking her head, asked, “Do you know who reserved this boat?”

    Cen Dianshuang: “Who?”

    Tao Ning: “The Imperial Chancellor. He has impeccable taste. We’re simply borrowing his roof. We won’t cause any trouble.”

    She patted a nearby cushion. “Come, sit. The fireworks display will start soon. I heard they’re also performing ‘molten iron flowers’ for the Chancellor when the boat docks.”

    Cen Dianshuang sat down, smoothing her skirt, then tilted her head curiously. “I know what fireworks are, but… molten iron flowers?”

    Tao Ning: “Mortals, despite their lack of cultivation, are remarkably creative. They can achieve many things without relying on spiritual energy.”

    With a wave of her sleeve, a small table appeared before them, laden with spiritual tea and fruits, a simple yet elegant spread compared to the Chancellor’s lavish banquet below.

    Below, the Chancellor’s guests enjoyed the festivities, unaware of the two figures on the roof above them, enjoying the moonlit view.

    Cen Dianshuang, however, missed the “molten iron flowers” performance. She was distracted.

    By the person beside her, whose smile, bathed in moonlight, was breathtaking.

    Tao Ning pulled Cen Dianshuang closer, their lips meeting in a deep, lingering kiss.

    The pleasure boat, having reached its destination, slowed down, and the artisans, their movements synchronized with the rhythmic beat of a drum, began their performance.

    The shower of sparks, a dazzling display of light and color, drew gasps of admiration from the onlookers below, coins and ingots raining down on the performers.

    If they had stayed, they would have witnessed the entire performance, its beauty distinct from the fireworks exploding in the sky above.

    But the rooftop was now empty.

    In a nearby tower, a young woman in elaborate robes sat by the window, her gaze drifting across the bustling river, its activity no longer holding her interest.

    Suddenly, she straightened up, her eyes widening as she saw two figures floating across the moonlit rooftops, their hands clasped, their laughter echoing softly in the night air.

    Their movements were graceful and effortless, like celestial beings descending from the heavens, gracing the mortal world with their presence before departing.

    The young woman, mesmerized, watched until they disappeared, then turned to her maid. “Did you see that? Immortals! They looked just like the two I asked you to find today.”

    The maid, looking out the window, smiled. “Princess, you must be drunk. There were no immortals.”

    The princess, catching the scent of wine on her sleeve, her eyes still filled with wonder, murmured, “Was it… a dream?”

    The immortals, their departure unnoticed, returned to their temporary residence, the city’s noise and activity fading behind them.

    The quiet courtyard amplified every sound.

    Cen Dianshuang, for the first time, found her enhanced hearing inconvenient.

    Tao Ning’s voice, soft and close to her ear, broke the silence. “You owe me a bottle of wine.”

    Cen Dianshuang, blinking back tears, her mind still foggy from the wine and the kiss, her breath catching in her throat, asked, “When did I… owe you wine?”

    Tao Ning chuckled softly. “You forget so easily. The Three Lives Dream from the City Lord. You promised to share it with me.”

    Her fingers traced the curve of Cen Dianshuang’s back, her skin still damp from the bath, smooth and cool like pearls.

    “My back… it feels… strange…” Cen Dianshuang, her attention focused on the unfamiliar sensations, her brow furrowed, murmured, “My back…”

    Tao Ning leaned closer, her ear brushing against Cen Dianshuang’s lips. “What?”

    A flash of white, a rustling sound, and something unfolded.

    A pair of snow-white wings, emerging from Cen Dianshuang’s back, their long feathers brushing against the bedsheets, scattering her discarded clothes.

    The sight made Tao Ning’s breath catch in her throat, the pressure of Cen Dianshuang’s hand on her shoulder, now surprisingly strong, almost painful, forgotten.

    The wings, seemingly unaccustomed to being summoned in this form, fluttered experimentally, their soft feathers brushing against the fabric.

    Cen Dianshuang touched her shoulder, her fingers hesitant, her long eyelashes wet with tears. “I… I can’t retract them.”

    Tao Ning, a wave of guilt washing over her, thought, I went too far.

  • Qin Auntie, Save Me [Rebirth] 78

    Chapter 78

    Qin Qianrou offered some comforting words, repeatedly assuring her she would be extra careful, which eased Shen Yiqiu’s worries slightly. However, the toast in her hand became difficult to swallow, her heart heavy with a nameless dread, but she didn’t want to burden Qin Qianrou further.

    Qin Qianrou had been staying home most of the time these past two days, Li Wan occasionally visiting, and they would chat for a while. Shen Yiqiu could sense that Jiejie wasn’t as calm as she appeared.

    She must be worried about Lin Shuangzhi. Ever since their weekend visit, the tension in Qin Qianrou’s expression hadn’t eased. Thinking this, Shen Yiqiu’s movements slowed down, and she was fifteen minutes later than usual finishing her morning routine.

    Qin Qianrou brought her bag from her room. “I’ll drive you to school today.”

    “I can take the bus, I don’t have class first period, I usually go to the library anyway.”

    “The weather is bad today, it’ll be cold waiting for the bus.”

    Shen Yiqiu smiled, took her bag from Qin Qianrou, and glanced out the window. The gloomy sky confirmed it wasn’t a good day to be outside.

    “Aren’t you meeting Sister Li Wan today, to gather information? Get some more rest, I don’t want you to overwork yourself.” With that, Shen Yiqiu quickly kissed Qin Qianrou’s cheek.

    She grabbed her bag, went to the door, put on her coat, changed her shoes, then turned to look at Qin Qianrou.

    “Then I’ll pick you up after school.”

    “Okay, I’ll be waiting.”

    Shen Yiqiu glanced at the time, realizing she was late, gave Qin Qianrou another quick kiss, and hurried out. Qin Qianrou stood by the door, watching until she entered the elevator, before returning to the apartment.

    The apartment was still warm, but without Shen Yiqiu, it felt strangely empty, as if half the air had been sucked out.

    **

    Qin Qianrou met Li Wan at a nondescript but cozy café. Taking off her sunglasses, she walked over to where Li Wan, knowing her preferences, had already ordered their drinks.

    “Have a drink first, it’s not time yet.”

    Qin Qianrou sat down opposite her. The small table brought them close together.

    “How is the team leader doing?”

    Li Wan sighed softly. “She’s okay for now, but she hasn’t met with the relevant officials yet.”

    Qin Qianrou nodded; at this stage, a day or two wouldn’t make a difference. Provincial officials were always busy, and as long as they weren’t deliberately avoiding her, a few more days, a few more trips, were perfectly normal.

    Qin Qianrou’s coffee arrived, and she stirred it gently, taking a sip. “Is the information reliable?”

    “It’s from an anonymous source, but it seems promising.”

    Li Wan had received an anonymous call yesterday, offering “incriminating evidence” against some of the television station’s executives but stating they only trusted the Special Projects Team. The caller had specifically requested to meet with the team leader, but since Lin Shuangzhi wasn’t available, Li Wan had taken on the task.

    “We still have to be cautious, with so many things happening at the same time, it’s hard to say what might happen.”

    Li Wan looked at Qin Qianrou, slightly surprised. In their years of working together, chasing news stories, encountering all sorts of strange characters, and often facing danger, she had never seen Qin Qianrou so cautious.

    “Now that you have a family, you’re finally learning to be careful?”

    Li Wan’s teasing words were laced with a hint of envy. Having someone to care about, that was nice.

    “Shen Yiqiu told me she had a premonition today.”

    “A premonition? That we’re in danger?” Li Wan wasn’t very familiar with Shen Yiqiu’s ability, but having experienced it once or twice, she didn’t completely dismiss it either.

    Qin Qianrou’s expression turned serious, her brow slightly furrowed. “She said it’s related to me.”

    She paused, then, after a moment of hesitation, glancing at Li Wan, said, “Perhaps I should go alone today.”

    Li Wan immediately understood her intention and felt a surge of anger, her voice rising slightly. “Qianrou, that’s not fair, we agreed to face this together, and now you want to go alone? Regardless of the potential danger, even if it’s your safety at risk, how can I just stand by and watch?”

    Although Li Wan had a fiery temper, she wasn’t unreasonable. She hadn’t spoken so passionately in a long time; she was truly worried.

    “Xiao Wan, don’t be upset, I just don’t want both of us to be in danger, at least this way, there’s still a backup.”

    Li Wan still refused, “I don’t agree, I won’t let you go alone.”

    Qin Qianrou knew she couldn’t dissuade her, so she sighed. She would have made the same choice if their roles were reversed.

    After finishing their coffee and a small cake, it was almost time for their meeting.

    Li Wan thought for a moment, then said, “Let’s take my car.”

    Qin Qianrou had parked her car in the underground parking lot of a nearby mall, not far from Meng Da. She considered it and agreed.

    After driving for about twenty minutes, Li Wan parked by the roadside, waiting for the caller’s instructions. According to their agreement yesterday, the person should appear in five minutes.

    However, no one showed up, then Li Wan’s phone rang.

    “I’ve sent you a new address, come here.”

    Li Wan, however, said, “We agreed to meet here, changing the location at the last minute, do you not trust us, or do you not trust yourself?”

    The caller didn’t offer any explanations, their voice calm and flat. “I need to ensure my own safety, I won’t reveal any information unless my safety is guaranteed.”

    Li Wan was both angry and helpless.

    This wasn’t the first time they had encountered such a situation. Many whistleblowers had complex psychological states; they often didn’t have concrete evidence, but they did possess relevant materials, and they were all reluctant to contact the authorities directly, afraid of being exposed or implicated.

    “What, another change of location?” Qin Qianrou was no stranger to this.

    Li Wan showed her the address; it was quite far from their current location.

    “Let’s go, what other choice do we have?”

    Li Wan started typing on her phone, and Qin Qianrou knew this was their standard procedure. They would set up a timed email, to be automatically sent to a designated contact if anything happened to them.

    Such emails usually contained details of their itinerary, who they were meeting, the location, etc. However, they wouldn’t send these emails unless absolutely necessary.

    After all, reporters relied on their reputation for discretion, if they weren’t trustworthy, many wouldn’t choose to contact them.

    Qin Qianrou watched as Li Wan copied the email and set up another one under Qin Qianrou’s name, then, after a moment of thought, decided to message Shen Yiqiu.

    [Xiao Wan and I are on an assignment, meeting an informant. The location is quite far from Meng Da, if I can’t pick you up after school, don’t wait for me, go straight home.]

    Shen Yiqiu should be in class now, there was no immediate reply.

    Li Wan started the car, her expression more serious than before.

    “What, reporting to your family now?”

    “I promised to pick her up after school, I’m afraid we’ll be back late, and she’ll be waiting outside for too long.”

    Li Wan, picturing Shen Yiqiu waiting patiently in the cold, couldn’t help but chuckle. “Your little one, with her stubbornness, would definitely wait there for you.”

    Qin Qianrou glanced at her, and Li Wan’s laughter subsided.

    “Being stubborn isn’t a bad thing, at least she’s devoted to you, her feelings won’t change easily.”

    Qin Qianrou was perfect in every way, except in matters of the heart, she was incredibly stubborn. Either she didn’t love, or she loved completely. Li Wan knew her well, although she appeared calm and indifferent, as if it was just an ordinary relationship,

    She cared deeply about Shen Yiqiu, so tolerant and accommodating, willing to put aside all her reservations and accept her feelings, such courage could only stem from deep love.

    As they approached their destination, Shen Yiqiu’s reply finally arrived.

    [I was in class just now. Are you going somewhere far? Just the two of you? Be careful, call me anytime.]

    [We’re almost there, don’t worry.]

    After sending the message, Qin Qianrou and Li Wan got out of the car.

    It was an abandoned factory, a former branch of the steel mill on the outskirts of the city. After years of restructuring, the land had reportedly been auctioned off several times but remained vacant.

    “It’s been a while since we last came here, it’s even more desolate now.”

    Li Wan and Qin Qianrou had been here before, shortly after graduating, accompanying their senior colleagues on an assignment. The laid-off steelworkers had been demanding solutions to their unemployment, their pleas ignored, and a group of them had gathered here, first staging a hunger strike, then resorting to self-harm.

    More importantly, they had publicized their actions beforehand, and many onlookers, including some foreign media with dubious intentions, had been present. The situation had escalated, and the scene had been chaotic and dangerous. As interns, they hadn’t been allowed near the main action, only assisting their seniors from the sidelines.

    But this experience had been a powerful lesson, and after returning to the station, as they worked on the related program, learning more about the situation, they discovered that during the restructuring process, the steel mill management, to quickly meet the government-mandated targets, had used deceptive and oppressive tactics against the workers.

    On the one hand, urging them to complete the procedures quickly, on the other hand, reducing their compensation by claiming they had voluntarily resigned. As a result, the workers, who had dedicated years of their lives to the steel mill, were left with meager compensation, their lives thrown into turmoil.

    This incident had left a deep impression on them, if they had discovered the problem earlier, exposed the injustice during the restructuring process, perhaps the tragedy could have been avoided. This strengthened their resolve to uncover the truth, to bring it to light as soon as possible, to prevent further tragedies.

    The phone rang, and following the caller’s instructions, Li Wan entered the factory.

    The air inside was damp and filled with strange, unpleasant odors, but it was relatively bright. They stopped, and footsteps approached from the distance.

    The caller had been a man, but the person walking towards them now was a woman.

    As the footsteps drew closer, Li Wan squinted, finally recognizing the person.

    Both she and Qin Qianrou were stunned, they knew this person.

    “Director Jian?”

    Li Wan was still in shock, she had just greeted this person in the elevator a few days ago, she had said she was taking a long vacation, going to Australia to visit her son and daughter-in-law.

    “Surprised to see me here?”

    Although Qin Qianrou didn’t speak, her surprise was evident.

    Jian Shan was the deputy director of the finance department, her seniority similar to Director Yu from the advertising department, they had joined the station around the same time. It was said they were even university classmates, although their interactions at the station had been limited.

    “Why are you…?”

    Jian Shan smiled faintly, then said frankly, “I can’t stand Director Yu being promoted, and I certainly can’t let Deputy Director Ding become the station director.”

    Li Wan and Qin Qianrou exchanged glances, understanding dawned, it seemed someone was dissatisfied with the personnel changes, someone whose own interests had been overlooked.

    “You think I’m jealous, trying to sabotage them?”

    Their silence was a tacit agreement.

    Jian Shan didn’t seem offended, shaking her head, “If I truly wanted a leadership position, I wouldn’t still be a deputy director after all these years. I just want to do my job properly, then retire and go live with my son abroad.”

    This was indeed Director Jian’s wish, she had always been unassuming, meticulously managing the station’s finances, the financial data under her supervision reportedly never having any errors. During casual conversations with colleagues, her greatest aspiration had always been a peaceful retirement.

    “Director Yu and Deputy Director Ding have been accepting bribes from Dongsheng Group, small favors before, but this time, with the restructuring, Dongsheng offered a substantial sum, and naturally, they had to reciprocate.”

    So it was true, the team leader’s suspicions hadn’t been unfounded.

    Their hearts sank, this was why they had to stop these promotions.

    Jian Shan stepped closer to them, “I’ve always kept my distance from them, they used to try to get me to approve their questionable expenses, but I’m strict and uncompromising, so they could only go to the director. But with the restructuring, and the director about to retire, there’s no one else in the finance department besides me, so they targeted me.”

    The finance department was different from other departments, it was difficult to find a qualified replacement from outside the station in a short time, Jian Shan was the best candidate, but she had refused to cooperate with them.

    “As a financial professional, I know the severity of turning illegal invoices and expenses into legal income. I don’t want to be implicated, I don’t want to become that kind of person, so this is my only option.”

    Jian Shan’s words eased their suspicions slightly, it seemed that even a financial director, after years at the television station, had learned the art of veiled communication.

    “I have some evidence of the bribes Director Yu and Deputy Director Ding have accepted over the years, they initially approached me to sign off on them, I refused, but I kept copies.”

    Hearing this, both Qin Qianrou and Li Wan were naturally delighted.

    “However, there’s something strange about Dongsheng’s recent large advertising investment, they didn’t follow the usual procedures, but changed their payment method. I’ve seen the revised contract, I have to say, Dongsheng’s financial capabilities have improved.”

    “How so?”

    Jian Shan recalled, “Dongsheng’s advertising fees are now divided into three installments, gradually increasing, and each installment has a performance target. These targets aren’t difficult to achieve, but their approach to expense reimbursement is different. I think they must have a new financial team, this method is quite common overseas, not only for tax evasion, but also for laundering money.”

    Li Wan immediately thought of Zhuo Cheng.

    He was talented, often praised by his professors for his unique insights during his university years, and Li Wan had always encouraged him, believing he had a bright future.

    She hadn’t been wrong, Zhuo Cheng was capable, but his character was flawed, and he was using his abilities for the wrong purposes.

    “But no matter how sophisticated their methods, they’re still outsiders. I’ve worked at this station for decades, who knows the situation better than I do?”

    Jian Shan was a cautious and level-headed person, always maintaining a professional distance, not one for office politics, focused solely on her work, but that didn’t mean she was oblivious to the station’s internal dynamics, she knew who the truly capable and upright people were.

    That was why she had chosen the Special Projects Team. She had intended to meet Lin Shuangzhi, but since it was Li Wan and Qin Qianrou who had come, she wasn’t disappointed.

    These two were also known for their integrity, unmoved by money or power.

    “My request is simple, keep my involvement confidential. The information I’m providing is just to point you in the right direction, you have to investigate the rest yourselves. I’m about to retire; I don’t want any trouble at this stage.”

    Jian Shan, after all, was just an ordinary person. She adhered to her professional ethics, unwilling to be complicit in Director Yu and Deputy Director Ding’s corruption, but she didn’t have the same ideals and ambitions as Li Wan and Qin Qianrou.

    She just wanted a peaceful and ordinary life.

    **

    On their way back, the atmosphere in the car was heavy, no one spoke for over ten minutes.

    Li Wan finally broke the silence. “I didn’t expect such complex relationships within the station.”

    Qin Qianrou, staring out the window, seemed lost in thought.

    The recent series of events, besides angering her, also filled her with disappointment.

    “Xiao Wan, don’t you think we’ve been blinded by a facade all along?”

    Li Wan sighed, how could she not?

    Qin Qianrou looked at the gloomy sky outside, her mood sinking. “We’ve been striving to uncover the truth, but the environment we’re in is a lie itself.”

    How ironic. A bitter, self-deprecating smile touched Qin Qianrou’s lips.

    “It’s disgusting, but at least there’s still a glimmer of hope, at least we’re still trustworthy.”

    Hearing the anger in Li Wan’s voice, Qin Qianrou smiled faintly.

    Good friends, always on the same wavelength, understanding each other’s thoughts, such a connection was precious.

    Glancing at the time, there was still time before school ended, Qin Qianrou decided to go back to the apartment, get her car, and then pick Shen Yiqiu up.

    She messaged Shen Yiqiu that she was on her way back, then quickly discussed their next steps with Li Wan. Time was of the essence, and with Lin Shuangzhi unavailable, this task fell on them.

    “Let’s have a video conference tonight, we need to plan this carefully.” Qin Qianrou made arrangements before getting out of the car.

    Li Wan, following Jian Shan’s leads, returned to the station to look for evidence. Thankfully, she had said she had some urgent matters to attend to when she took leave, so her sudden return to the station wasn’t too unusual.

    Shen Yiqiu had been waiting outside the university gate for ten minutes, but Qin Qianrou’s car hadn’t appeared yet. She had messaged twenty minutes ago, saying she was on her way, and it shouldn’t have taken this long.

    Shen Yiqiu clutched her phone, afraid of calling and distracting Qin Qianrou while she was driving, Jiejie always focused intently on the road.

    Zhang Meng, returning from an internship, saw Shen Yiqiu stamping her feet and rubbing her hands together, trying to stay warm, and chuckled.

    “Waiting for someone? You seem very eager.”

    “Senior, what a coincidence!”

    “Not a coincidence, I saw you and came over to say hello.” Zhang Meng glanced around. “Waiting for Reporter Qin?”

    She had heard from Shen Yiqiu that Reporter Qin was in Hai City for a training program and wouldn’t be back for a while.

    “Yes, she’s back temporarily for some errands, just for a few days.”

    Shen Yiqiu was about to continue when a sharp pain, even through her thick winter coat, shot through her chest.

    Jiejie…

    Without hesitation, Shen Yiqiu slung her backpack over her shoulder, strode to the roadside, and practically snatched a taxi from someone else.

    “Leting Hotel, please!”

    Shen Yiqiu called Li Wan, “Sister Li Wan, go to Leting Hotel immediately.”

    Li Wan sensed the urgency in her voice and didn’t wait for an explanation, immediately setting off.

    “Did something happen to Qianrou?”

    “I had a premonition, we need to get to Leting Hotel as soon as possible!”

    The traffic crawled along, and Shen Yiqiu was frantic. Leting Hotel was in the city center, and as soon as they exited the highway, they were stuck in endless congestion.

    Shen Yiqiu paid the driver and got out of the taxi midway, running with all her might, oblivious to the stares of passersby. She just wanted her Jiejie to be safe, she just wanted to reach Qin Qianrou as quickly as possible.

     

  • Miss Luo Yan’s Feet Are Buried With Corpses v3c17

    Witch’s Night: Chapter 17 Shadow and the Shadow Guard

    Slumberers and Ice Coffin Weapons were undoubtedly two completely different kinds of power.

    Not to mention that Slumberers started with “Destruction” level combat power, and for various reasons, could use all kinds of extremely powerful techniques with severe consequences without any hesitation.

    Forbidden Techniques, powerful moves rarely used normally, could be unleashed at will by Slumberers during their awakened period, as if they were free.

    After all, once they reached the limit of their awakening, they would completely disappear, not even a trace of their soul or consciousness remaining.

    As for Ice Coffin Weapons… not all Ice Coffin Weapons were like “One.” Most Ice Coffin Weapons’ destructive power could only reach “Peril” level. Compared to ordinary “Peril” level ability users, their advantage might only be their wider attack range.

    Lannister did possess “Destruction” level Ice Coffin Weapons, but using them… wasn’t very convenient.

    Compared to unconscious Ice Coffin Weapons, Slumberers with self-awareness were more controllable. There was a fundamental difference between the two from the moment they were created.

    The severity of the incident in Restricted Zone Seven was obvious to all, and Norian’s firm stance was approved by most members of the Council of Elders. The order was quickly conveyed.

    All of Lannister’s forces were mobilized to extinguish this raging fire.

    ……

    Tina had already left before Norian sealed off Spencer Manor.

    However, bypassing a lockdown targeting nobles wasn’t a difficult task for her.

    “I didn’t expect him to choose this time to act…”

    Tina took a deep breath and looked towards Restricted Zone Seven.

    Hamid Surian, a former Saint candidate, had been a classmate… or even a senior… of the current Saint Shadow.

    The current Saint Shadow had been brought back to the Noah Holy Church by Saint Illusion during the War of the Witch of Absolute Death hundreds of years ago.

    Although it was unknown what had happened between the two Saints back then, their relationship was clearly quite good.

    Thus, Saint Shadow became a Saint candidate… through connections?

    Actually, Granny Zoya was also a Saint candidate of that generation, but she unsurprisingly lost the selection.

    Later, she became a “Destruction” level ability user due to her own opportunities, but her path only reached the starting point of “Destruction” level and then almost permanently stagnated.

    Saint Shadow was just an ordinary person back then, but after being selected as a Saint candidate, she made rapid progress, and finally, under the instruction of the previous Saint Shadow, she became a Saint ranked eleventh as a “Peril” level ability user.

    Of course, the current Saint Shadow was already a “Destruction” level ability user, and not a weak one among them. More importantly, her path hadn’t reached its end yet.

    And Hamid Surian, who was currently confronting Granny Zoya in Restricted Zone Seven, was one of Saint Shadow’s strongest competitors back then.

    However, no one had expected that a Saint candidate would choose to betray all of humanity, becoming a cult Bishop overnight, and even backstabbing his classmates.

    Hamid used the trust of other Saint candidates to kill more than thirty of them through conspiracy. These were all geniuses with the potential to become “Destruction” level ability users, and were extremely important to humanity, which had been severely weakened after the War of the Witch of Absolute Death.

    The Twelve Saints were furious, and Saint Illusion personally severely injured him, but failed to kill him.

    Thousands of members of the Church of the End Gods, appearing from nowhere, rescued Hamid by sacrificing countless lives. Coupled with the fact that Illusion had suffered hidden injuries from the War of the Witch of Absolute Death, Hamid ultimately escaped.

    After so many years, the Noah Holy Church had never given up on searching for Hamid’s traces. It wasn’t until recently that they received news that he was in Lannister, but they couldn’t confirm it.

    Therefore, to confirm this news, and also to avoid alerting him, the Noah Holy Church secretly sent the Shadow Guard most skilled in concealment to Lannister, namely Tina.

    Chris had come because of Norian’s invitation; she hadn’t known that her mother was also in Lannister beforehand.

    Now, Tina finally confirmed that Hamid was in Lannister, but unfortunately… it was too late.

    Tina herself only had “Peril” level strength, and she was better at lurking and assassination, or using “Siren’s Song” to buff her teammates, than direct combat.

    Tina couldn’t participate in the battle in Restricted Zone Seven. All she could do was inform Saint Shadow.

    It couldn’t be said that the Noah Holy Church was completely unprepared, but these preparations were also too late, unless Granny Zoya could hold on until Saint Shadow’s shadow avatar arrived.

    Unfortunately, that was unlikely.

    Shadow had complained to Tina more than once that Zoya Sivir was the most infamous straggler among the Saint candidates of that generation, a complete pretty face (yes, Granny Zoya was very beautiful when she was young), who had somehow gotten lucky and reached “Destruction” level.

    Of course, this also showed from the side that every Saint candidate was extremely talented, even the straggler had the potential to become a “Destruction” level ability user.

    Let alone Hamid Surian… He was originally more talented, and he had also chosen to convert to the Malice of All Worlds. His strength could only be higher than Granny Zoya’s.

    Sure enough, not long after, violent fluctuations came from Restricted Zone Seven, and the barrier instantly shattered.

    A raging malicious aura spread out. Even though Lannister had prepared a spiritual energy shield in advance, it couldn’t completely block it. The aura itself was constantly eroding this ridiculously thick shield.

    “Tina, lower your head.”

    Just then, a cold voice sounded in her mind, and Tina quickly lowered her head.

    “Yes, Saint Shadow.”

    The shadow on the ground squirmed, rising slowly and gradually seeping into Tina’s eyes.

    Tina’s beautiful azure blue eyes were completely filled with darkness at this moment. Shadow, through Tina’s eyes, saw the situation at the scene.

    “It seems it really is too late. Damn it, Sivir, that straggler…”

    Shadow’s voice was somewhat gritted. Half a continent away, it was a bit difficult for her shadow avatar to arrive quickly, unless she used the Void for teleportation.

    Even now, Shadow couldn’t help but complain about Granny Zoya’s past performance.

    “Saint Shadow, I remember Saint Illusion should be arriving in Lannister soon…” Tina couldn’t help but ask.

    “It’s Elise, not Illusion. Her strength is only at ‘Ruin’ level. Counting on her is worse than hoping Hamid will change his mind and atone for his sins.” Shadow said casually, her gaze still serious.

    Tina really wanted to say that Elise was Saint Illusion’s avatar, but thinking about it carefully, there was a difference between a puppet and a shadow avatar.

    Although both were avatars, the shadow avatar had a closer connection to Saint Shadow and could exert nearly thirty percent of her strength.

    The puppet, on the other hand, was more like an independent individual, albeit controlled by Saint Illusion’s consciousness. Its strength was limited by the body itself.

    However, if the shadow avatar was damaged or killed, it would affect the main body, but the puppet didn’t have this concern. Even if Elise died, Illusion wouldn’t be affected at all.

    “Why not try letting Luo Yan meet him?” Shadow suddenly said. “Maybe if Miss Luo Yan says a few nice words, Hamid might stop.”

    “…Saint Shadow, this is not the time for jokes.”

    Tina’s eyelids twitched wildly. She had served this Saint Shadow for quite some time and was already quite used to her eccentric behavior.

    “I was joking, but thinking about it carefully, it might actually work…”

    Shadow pondered for a moment, and Tina felt numb.

    Hamid had originally intended to go to Restricted Zone Seven to find Luo Yan. Tina didn’t believe he would risk exposing his identity just to visit his new neighbor.

    The tragedy hundreds of years ago was still vivid in her mind. Humanity had lost an entire generation of experts because of traitors, including Hamid, and no new “Destruction” level ability user was born in the lost twenty years.

    In the worst-case scenario, Hamid might even be planning to use Luo Yan to summon the true body of a Primordial Demon, and not just a toe or something.

    Moreover, Miss Luo Yan…

    The image of a black-haired young man appeared in Tina’s mind. He, in his disguised appearance, was quietly staying in the corner of the banquet, mixing cocktails by himself, seemingly unconcerned with the surrounding hustle and bustle.

    Seeing this scene through the cognitive distortion, Tina had to admit, she was somewhat touched.

    “Are you worried about her?” Shadow sensed Tina’s nervousness. “It seems you’ve already met. What kind of person is she? Illusion refused to tell me, only saying that she can’t let her meet me.”

    “She’s a good person, I guess.”

    Tina sighed. Saint Illusion didn’t let you meet her because she was worried you would corrupt her…

    “Giving her a good person card so soon? Did something happen between you two… Tsk, you’re a married woman, Auntie Tina.”

    “Saint Shadow, this is not the time for jokes. Let’s focus on the matter at hand.”

    A rare look of helplessness appeared on Tina’s face. Only Saint Shadow could make her, who was always expressionless, show such an expression.

    “Heh… Tina, didn’t I just say it?” Shadow’s voice became a bit more serious. “Why not try letting Miss Luo Yan meet Hamid?”

    “…”

    “I know what you’re worried about, Tina, but what if I told you that Miss Luo Yan faced the true form of the ‘Witch of Envy’ in the Void and successfully returned to the present world… what would you think?”

    Hearing this, Tina’s pupils constricted, and her expression darkened slightly.

    Luo Yan had indeed said that she had seen the Witch of Envy with her own eyes and even talked to her, but no matter what, this was quite unbelievable.

    It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Luo Yan, but this kind of situation was common. Many people claimed to have seen the Primordial Demons with their own eyes, including the Devil’s Apostles of the Church of the End Gods.

    But the truth was… they hadn’t. They had at most seen avatars, or fragments of consciousness.

    This could be evidenced by the War of the Witch of Absolute Death hundreds of years ago.

    This was the only war recorded in the history of the New Era where humanity directly faced the complete form of a Primordial Demon. Almost all humans who witnessed the Witch of Absolute Death’s form fell into madness, even the Devil’s Apostles.

    War, madness, betrayal…

    That was the era when human civilization was closest to destruction, apart from the transition between the Old and New Eras.

    To this day, the details of that war had been completely erased, for fear of similar situations occurring.

    Miss Luo Yan was indeed special, but no matter how special, she was still human, at least she was now.

    …If she weren’t human, Lannister wouldn’t have brought her back no matter what; Norian wouldn’t have agreed to Illusion’s request even if he were beaten to death.

    “This is Lannister, not Noah… Magistrate Norian should be the one to decide.” Tina said after a moment of silence.

    “Oh, that cowardly old man? Then there’s no hope.” Shadow said with a hint of regret. “I originally wanted to see Miss Luo Yan’s reaction when she encountered these cultists…”

    Tina resisted the urge to retort about Shadow’s way of addressing Norian. What cowardly old man? Magistrate Norian was hundreds of years younger than you.

    And the “Auntie Tina” just now too…

    I’m not even sixty yet, okay!

    Of course, ever since ability users in the New Era broke through the limits of human lifespan, seniority had been a mess…

    “The current situation is still under control. That straggler seems to be doing alright, although it’s hard to say whether she can hold on until my shadow avatar arrives.” Shadow’s tone became a bit more serious, although it was unclear how much of it was genuine. “Don’t worry about Luo Yan, she’s stronger… and more reliable… than you all think.”

    After her voice fell, the trace of shadow power also dissipated.

    Tina frowned slightly, pondering Saint Shadow’s words.

    But in the end, she could only shake her head and continue to retreat, seeing if she could help in any way without revealing her identity.

    ……

    Luo Yan and Chris sat facing each other.

    An awkward atmosphere permeated the space between them.

    “Miss Chris, I think I understand what you misunderstood,” Luo Yan said with a serious expression. “I asked a few people who seemed easier to talk to and learned a few things. But I’m curious, why does ‘a commission that can’t be spoken about directly’ specifically refer to that kind of thing?”

    Luo Yan’s expression and tone didn’t seem like she was joking, so serious that Chris felt a little ashamed.

    She had specifically come to explain to Chris, which wasn’t considered wandering around, as long as she didn’t leave Spencer Manor.

    “Be-, Because…”

    Chris stammered for a long time, but couldn’t give a coherent answer.

    Because she didn’t know why either… Maybe it was human nature?

    “Forget it, as long as Miss Chris can clear up this unnecessary misunderstanding, it’s fine.”

    Luo Yan nodded and stood up.

    “Wait!”

    Seeing that Luo Yan seemed to be about to leave, Chris suddenly called out in a hurry.

    “Hmm?”

    Luo Yan paused.

    “Actually, you’re not Mr. Luo Yan, but Miss Luo Yan, right?” Chris asked through gritted teeth. “Why are you hiding your identity at this banquet…”

    Was it because she discovered that she was the peeper?

    “I’m not hiding my identity,” Luo Yan replied directly. “I just don’t want to attract attention.”

    It turned out that this disguise was still useful, as her reduced presence had been broken through several times.