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  • On How to Conquer System Fairies and Make Them Your Wives 206

    Chapter 206: A Chosen One’s Battle

    Ten miles outside the Wu Xuan Cave, deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains…

    Under the cover of darkness and miasma, Fu Zhe strolled casually through the forest, a massive, man-sized saber slung over his shoulder.

    The surroundings were eerily silent.

    Hidden behind a large rock, Qingying watched him, her body concealed in the shadows, her eyes fixed on him.

    “This isn’t good,” the System said, its voice grim. “This guy’s System is definitely high-level. He’s probably a powerful figure in Shen Li. You’ve attacked him three times, and you haven’t even touched him.”

    “That’s not the problem.” Qingying’s brow furrowed. “Every time I get close to him, my spiritual energy vanishes, as if I’m just a mortal.”

    “Just a guess, but could his System ability be nullifying spiritual energy?”

    “…That would be terrifying.”

    Such an ability would be deadly to any cultivator.

    Even Ye Huang, with his impressive swordsmanship, would be helpless against it.

    “You should be grateful,” the System said, its tone slightly teasing. “If it weren’t for your enhanced assassination ability, your attacks wouldn’t even scratch him.”

    “You’re the useless one! Your assassination ability is pathetic!”

    Qingying retorted angrily. “If you were more powerful, I wouldn’t be running for my life!”

    The System, feeling wronged, grumbled, “Maybe his plot record is just more tragic than yours! At least I didn’t give you a terrible storyline!”

    “Shut up and think of a solution!” Qingying snapped.

    At that moment, Fu Zhe suddenly chuckled.

    “Well, well, little girl. Not bad.”

    “So agile and stealthy. Your Heavenly Dao Fragment ability must be related to concealment or assassination.”

    “Such a useless ability, and you don’t even have any experience fighting Chosen Ones, yet you’ve managed to evade me for so long.”

    “If I could recruit someone like you, the Divine Son would be pleased.” He chuckled darkly.

    Qingying ignored his taunts, her eyes fixed on his back.

    …If spiritual energy was useless against him…

    …She would have to find another way.

    How could she harm a powerful cultivator without using spiritual energy—

    “Ah.” She suddenly remembered something.

    Her time in the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain with Chen Yin.

    “System, do I have enough points for that?”

    The System seemed to have the same idea. “Barely. Are you going to try it?”

    “Do we have any other choice?”

    Qingying took a deep breath. “Exchange for it. I’m ready.”

    A small, round orb appeared in her hand.

    Looking at it, a flicker of memory crossed her eyes.

    She remembered being trapped in the ice with that idiot Chen Yin, their bodies pressed together.

    He had stared at her chest shamelessly. Such a pervert.

    And now, she was being hunted, thanks to him.

    Qingying blushed slightly and muttered,

    “That bastard.”

    “If he doesn’t compensate me for this, I’ll make him pay.”

    She didn’t know how she would make him pay.

    Perhaps it was just an empty threat.

    But she had to say it.

    Fu Zhe was getting closer.

    Qingying concealed herself in the shadows, her eyes like stars in the night sky.

    …She only had one chance.

    She didn’t have enough points for another one.

    She closed her eyes, slowing her breathing, her presence fading into nothingness.

    Fu Zhe, having guessed her ability, was on high alert.

    Although he appeared to be strolling casually, his senses were heightened, his attention focused on every shadow, every flicker of movement.

    He was confident that no one, regardless of their cultivation, could defeat him.

    But he also knew that

    Chosen Ones were unpredictable.

    A moment of carelessness could be fatal.

    As he took another step forward,

    A dagger flashed towards him.

    Although his reaction was swift,

    The blade stopped inches from his throat.

    …So fast!

    But seeing her attack, he relaxed slightly.

    It was the same as her previous attempts.

    As the dagger approached, its power waned, the spiritual energy dissipating.

    Without spiritual energy, it was no threat to him.

    “Enough playing hide and seek.”

    He sneered. “It’s time for you to die.”

    He swung his massive saber, the blade whistling through the air.

    Qingying’s figure emerged from the shadows, her movements swift and graceful as she backflipped and fled.

    “Trying to run?”

    Fu Zhe roared, his cultivation erupting outwards, his body like a raging hurricane.

    At that moment, Qingying finally understood how helpless a mortal was against a cultivator.

    Even the wind generated by his spiritual energy felt like a world-ending force.

    Without her spiritual energy, her body couldn’t even withstand his aura, as if a mountain was pressing down on her.

    But her expression was filled with a calm determination.

    Fu Zhe grinned triumphantly. It seemed she had finally given up.

    But then, a voice came from behind him.

    “Two.”

    He froze, confused.

    Qingying’s figure melted into his shadow.

    As he turned around, he heard the next word.

    “…One.”

    Hengyu Particle Bomb.

    Activated.

    Chen Yin flew through the Ten Thousand Mountains on his sword, his spiritual energy surging, his speed incredible.

    Qingying was in danger. He couldn’t waste a single moment.

    Suddenly, a deafening roar and a powerful shockwave echoed from the distance.

    A bright light flashed, illuminating the night sky, a mushroom cloud rising above the mountains.

    It was visible throughout the Ten Thousand Mountains, even from the Wu Xuan Cave.

    Chen Yin’s eyes narrowed, and he flew towards the source of the explosion.

    The dust took a long time to settle.

    The sky above was clear, the miasma that usually shrouded the Ten Thousand Mountains having been completely dispersed by the blast.

    A massive crater, perfectly round, had appeared on the mountaintop.

    “…Cough.”

    Blood trickled down Qingying’s chin as she coughed, her face pale and bloodless.

    “I didn’t realize it last time, when I threw it into the chasm,”

    “But this thing… is incredibly powerful.”

    “I didn’t expect you to be injured so badly, even after retreating so far,” the System said worriedly. “But at least that guy is definitely dead.”

    Qingying breathed a sigh of relief.

    Luck was on her side.

    In a normal fight, this bomb would either result in mutual destruction or be neutralized by the opponent before it could detonate.

    Even if a Chosen One found it in the System Shop, they probably wouldn’t use it.

    Only in this specific situation, against an opponent who nullified spiritual energy, could its true power be unleashed.

    “Alright, it’s time to—”

    Qingying’s voice trailed off.

    She stared in disbelief at the figure standing before her, completely unharmed.

    Fu Zhe stood there, his appearance unchanged, unlike her own battered and bruised form.

    Only his eyes, usually calm and indifferent, were now filled with a dark, menacing glint.

    “You’re good.”

    “Battles between Chosen Ones are always full of surprises.”

    “But this… was unexpected.”

    “If it weren’t for the Life Substitution Puppet, I would have been caught off guard.”

    Life Substitution Puppet? Qingying froze.

    “Let me check… holy crap,” the System exclaimed.

    “What is it? Is it from the System Shop?”

    “Yes, it allows you to cheat death once, like a second life… but let’s just say all your points combined wouldn’t even be enough to buy a tenth of it.”

    Qingying’s face paled, her lips pressed together tightly.

    …She had lost…

    …because she was poor.

    “That’s enough.”

    Fu Zhe cracked his neck, his eyes filled with a chilling malice. “You made me pay a heavy price. Now it’s my turn. I don’t have time to waste. If anything happens to the Wu Xuan Cave, my plans will be ruined.”

    He raised his saber, its blade gleaming in the moonlight.

    “Go to hell and regret your decision to defy Shen Li!”

    He grinned and was about to strike,

    When his expression changed drastically, and he leaped back hundreds of meters, retreating to the edge of the mountain.

    A terrifying chasm, stretching from where he had been standing to the edge of the cliff, split the mountaintop in two.

    Qingying blinked, her brow furrowing slightly, her lips pouting.

    “…Couldn’t you have been a little faster?”

    Her voice was filled with a mixture of annoyance and playful reproach.

    “My bad.”

    Chen Yin took off his robe and gently draped it over her shoulders.

    Qingying’s beautiful face was smeared with blood, but her eyes still glared at him resentfully.

    “I paid a heavy price for this, you better compensate—”

    Before she could finish her sentence, he pulled her into his arms.

    “Mmm!”

    Her face turned crimson, but she couldn’t speak.

    “Anything you want,”

    Chen Yin whispered in her ear,

    “After I kill him, we can discuss it.”

  • Back to Three Years Old: Crushing Scumbags on a Parenting Reality Show 136p2

    Chapter 136p2

    No matter how much she changed or sabotaged the plot, even though Cheng Tingyan was no longer the confident, cheerful, and talented girl from the original novel, even though she had become withdrawn, sensitive, and quiet. Once this variety show started, once Cheng Tingyan arrived, the female lead’s halo was activated.

    Then what about her? Was she also going to follow the fate of her character in the original novel?

    Before transmigrating, Cheng Rongrong had read many novels, including ones about transmigrators. Some transmigrators got the OP protagonist script, they confidently took away the original protagonist’s opportunities, even their love interests, and eventually achieved great things. Some transmigrators got the moral high ground script, no matter how hard they tried, they were suppressed by fate, they couldn’t compete with the original protagonist and eventually failed. Of course, there were also transmigrators who tried to cooperate with the protagonist using their foreknowledge, some achieved a happy ending, some… became stepping stones.

    Cheng Rongrong, having read the original novel, knew very well that as the illegitimate daughter, she and the legitimate daughter couldn’t have a happy ending. In the original novel, Cheng Tingyan rose to the top, and she never even offered a helping hand to her half-sister.

    And besides, having what others had, how could it compare to having it herself?

    Cheng Rongrong had always believed that she was destined for greatness.

    But now, she suddenly… wasn’t so sure.

    This variety show was nearing its end. She hadn’t managed to gain the other babies’ favor, Qin Sichao’s gaze wasn’t on her, and even her risky attempt to eliminate Cheng Tingyan had failed…

    What else could she do?

    In the car, Cheng Rongrong, staring blankly out the window, was lost in confusion.

    At home, Bai Lei, opening one memo after another, was gradually seeing the light.

    Wei Maomao woke up, she was still in the car, she rubbed her eyes, the scenery outside the window was still unfamiliar, she couldn’t tell where they were.

    “Awake? Do you want some water?” Cheng Tingyan asked immediately, noticing the little chubby bunny’s movements.

    “I…” Wei Maomao was about to speak when she saw the photo in Cheng Tingyan’s hand.

    The photographer at the studio hadn’t developed the photos yet, this was clearly taken by Wei Chengli with the Polaroid… A little chubby fish trying to touch a shark’s face with her chubby paw…

    Help!

    Wei Maomao, embarrassed, closed her eyes, pretending she hadn’t woken up.

    Wen Jiangyue, Wen Jiangyue, they were friends, why be so eager to destroy each other?

    For the sake of the children’s happiness, Wei Maomao had sacrificed too much, of course… she would sacrifice even more.

    She didn’t know if the program team was planning to fulfill all the babies’ wishes at this Shudian stop.

    After Cheng Rongrong’s dance academy and Shen Zilin’s night market, on their way back from the aquarium, the babies saw the new facilities in the villa’s courtyard before even getting off the bus.

    Fifteen minutes later, Wei Maomao, wearing her swimsuit, looked at the inflatable pool and water slide that occupied the entire courtyard, she touched her chubby belly, her heart filled with despair.

    Whatever… Let the world burn…

    “Maomao, I’ll hold your hand.” Cheng Tingyan said, slowly approaching the edge of the pool from the water, she reached out to the little chubby bunny who was sitting by the pool, only her feet submerged.

    Wei Maomao glanced at the genuine smile on Cheng Tingyan’s face, her expression softening.

    Okay, she would let the world burn later…

    With a splash, the little chubby fish, without her fancy dress, entered the water, her chubby paws slapping the surface.

    “Who wished for this water park?” Wei Maomao asked, looking at the boys who were playing with inflatable ducks. “I remember it was Wen Dongyu, right!”

    Hmph!

    After the tight-fitting mermaid tail skirt, it was a tight-fitting swimsuit, Wen Dongyu, you’re in trouble!

    The little chubby fish’s merciless water splashing marked the beginning of the water battle.

    The little ones were happily splashing around in the water, but among the dads, sitting on the villa steps, eating popsicles, some weren’t so happy.

    “It’s okay, the water isn’t deep, it’s just a little bit above Maomao’s waist. There are so many of us here, and the cameramen are also watching.” Wen Qiming said, squatting next to Wei Chengli, he handed him a tissue. “Eat quickly, it’s dripping.”

    Wei Chengli, hearing his words, looked down at the popsicle in his hand. Okay… His mind had been on the pool for a while, he hadn’t even noticed the melted popsicle dripping on his hand.

    “Right, don’t worry. Look at Maomao, she’s so agile in the water, every splash hits its target, and then she runs away, making my son look so clumsy, he hasn’t even hit anyone after splashing for so long.” Wen Xiang said, taking a bite of his popsicle, he continued comforting Wei Chengli. “With Maomao’s skills, yesterday’s incident was truly an accident, she’ll definitely be fine today.”

    Wei Chengli: “… “

    Wen Qiming: “… “

    Sigh, the son was a fool, and the dad was just as bad.

    Wen Qiming, reminded by Wen Xiang, wanted to find someone again.

    Although Yueyue seemed fine after talking to Yan Yan and Maomao, the hurt was real, it couldn’t just disappear silently.

    Thinking of this, Wen Qiming glanced at Wei Chengli before standing up.

    This one, he was also a fool!

    Losing track of the cameraman, it could happen once, it could happen again.

    When Zeng Huanian saw Wen Qiming disappear behind a pillar in the live broadcast window, then the live feed only showed the scenery, no people, he knew he must have gone behind the cameraman again, voluntarily pausing the live broadcast.

    As expected, within two minutes, the missing person appeared at the door of the monitoring room.

    Zeng Huanian, helpless, pointed at his collar, mouthing the word “microphone.”

    “Removed it.” Wen Qiming said, striding into the monitoring room, then he froze when he saw the third person inside.

    “Director… Qin?” Wen Qiming asked, surprised.

    “Hello.” Qin Sichao said, standing up politely and extending his hand in greeting.

    Honestly, he felt for the first time that it was good to be recognized instantly.

    Hmph, who was fat, who was so fat that he couldn’t be recognized, only that Wei guy had such bad eyesight!

    Wen Qiming was surprised to see Qin Sichao in the monitoring room, but he was even more surprised… that Shi Dingshan, the head director he wanted to find, had been taken to the hospital this morning and hadn’t come back yet.

    Because Qin Sichao was there, Zeng Huanian took Wen Qiming to another empty room, first apologized for not knowing about the situation earlier, then apologized again, saying that the other assistant director, Jin Youliang, didn’t know much either, and since it was inconvenient to contact Shi Dingshan for now, he could only focus on filming, then find time to investigate, he hoped Wen Qiming could give them more time.

    What else could Wen Qiming say? He couldn’t drag the director, who had a heart attack, out of the hospital to help him investigate yesterday’s incident.

    Angry as he was, he was still a human being.

    It was a pity that they always handled this matter behind Qin Sichao’s back, missing the person who knew the most.

    In the villa’s courtyard, the little babies splashed and rolled around in the pool, it wasn’t until sunset that they reluctantly (still engrossed) got out of the water.

    Wei Maomao thought that her day of “tight-fitting” outfits was finally over, she could soon close her eyes and welcome a fresh new day, leaving everything behind.

    However, after getting out of the water, showering, eating dinner, and being told to start their “evening sleep,” with a two-hour countdown, Wei Maomao knew it wasn’t over yet.

    Everyone’s wishes were truly… a bit too much…

    The little chubby fish, lying in the soft bed, her chubby belly patted twice by Yan Yan, her vision went black.

    9:30 PM, night had fallen, the breeze was cool.

    The grand and massive entrance of the amusement park made the filming crew of dozens seem tiny.

    The amusement park, open past its usual hours to accommodate the live broadcast, was empty of ordinary visitors, only the flashing lights and roaring machines, and the staff who were barely visible…

    How should she put it…

    Although based on the opening hours sign at the entrance, this amusement park did have night sessions, and it was indeed brightly lit. But… such a large place, with only a handful of them, looking at the empty entrance, it truly… felt like walking into the mouth of a technological monster.

    In the night breeze, the little babies instinctively moved closer to their dads, closer and closer.

    Wei Chengli looked at the other babies clinging to their dads, Wen Dongyu was so scared that he even asked Wen Xiang to carry him. Then he looked at the little chubby dumpling, walking two steps ahead of him, her stride confident, her chubby paw firmly holding Yan Yan’s hand, why wasn’t she coming over!

    Hmph, chubby body, fearless heart.

    Wei Chengli, seeing that they were about to enter the gate, and the little rascal was still walking straight, showing no signs of seeking comfort, couldn’t help but take a few quick steps forward and poke her. “Aren’t you scared?”

    Scared of what?

    An amusement park without queues!

    She wouldn’t have this opportunity in a lifetime if it weren’t for this show.

    In her previous life, after finally paying off her debts and having money to spend, she went to an amusement park she hadn’t been to in years. Because she was used to being poor, she was reluctant to spend money on VIP fast passes, she had to queue for over an hour for each popular ride… Truly, ninety minutes of waiting, three minutes of fun.

    How sore her legs were from queuing back then, how strong they were now as she walked forward!

    And…

    Wei Maomao unconsciously tightened her grip on Cheng Tingyan’s hand.

    In her previous life, it wasn’t her who first thought of going to the amusement park.

    It was Cheng Tingyan… on the other side of the internet…

    When they were sharing some travel videos, Cheng Tingyan mentioned that she hadn’t been to an amusement park in many years. At that time, they hadn’t officially talked about meeting in person, they just jokingly said that maybe they would have a chance to go together in the future.

    Whether Cheng Tingyan meant it or not at the time, Wei Maomao was… quite serious about it.

    At that time, to pay off her debts, Wei Maomao also hadn’t been to an amusement park in years. The world was changing so fast, Wei Maomao, focused on making money, couldn’t keep up with many things. She was a bit afraid, afraid that if there was truly a day when she could go to the amusement park with Cheng Tingyan, facing unfamiliar places and unfamiliar procedures, she wouldn’t be smart enough, she would be embarrassed.

    So… she went by herself first.

    Although in her previous life, that “maybe” they talked about eventually became a shattered dream.

    But… now they truly had a chance.

    To go to the amusement park with Cheng Tingyan, and they didn’t even have to queue!

    Such a good thing, Wei Maomao’s heart was about to leap out of her chest, what was there to be afraid of?

    “I’m not scared.” Wei Maomao said firmly, facing Wei Chengli’s impolite poke.

    Wei Chengli: “… “ Little chubby dumpling, she was truly fearless!

    Wei Chengli next to her fell silent.

    But Wei Maomao remembered, it was night again, there would probably be no cameras or microphones when they went back, Wei Chengli should go find Shi Dingshan.

    A useful dad needed more attention.

    “Are you scared?” Wei Maomao asked, tilting her head to look at Wei Chengli, she raised her free chubby paw and said politely, “Hold my hand if you’re scared.”

    Wei Chengli: “… “

    The flashing lights, changing colors, concealed the conflicted expressions on some of the dads’ faces.

    “I’m scared.” Wei Chengli said, finally surrendering to his desire to be close to the little chubby dumpling, he grabbed her paw.

  • The Delicate Female Lead Only Wants to be Loved by the Villainous Young Ladies 322

    Chapter 322: Teacher Victoria

    In the Eastern Capital, a museum welcomed a special guest. Special because she had no ID, no ticket, wore ancient, elaborate, and gorgeous clothing, and…appeared out of thin air.

    She was a woman with long, light blue hair, a tall figure, and a dignified expression. Some people rubbed their eyes, thinking they were mistaken, perhaps this elegant lady had been there all along. But then they realized that was impossible. Because the lady’s beauty was breathtaking, and her whole being exuded a classical aura. It was impossible to ignore, impossible not to be captivated by her. With her appearance, all the art in the museum seemed to dim.

    Some people started taking pictures, some recording videos. Some called the police. Some anime fans thought she was a cosplayer, but couldn’t figure out which character she was portraying. Just ask for a photo! Met a lolita lady with blue hair at the museum today, absolutely amazing!

    The lady wasn’t exactly bothered by these human actions. Perhaps she was more surprised and curious. But even so, the elegant lady didn’t refuse their requests.

    “A photo? I’ve heard of it, like a photo-taking spell.”

    “This era is amazing.”

    “Make a V-sign? Sounds strange, but…” She still gently responded to the request of the lively young girl, raising her hand and making a gesture with a doting expression.

    It was worth mentioning that when faced with the advances of male tourists, this lady didn’t even spare them a glance. Truly blatant preferential treatment…

    Soon, someone rushed over. It was a petite woman in a simple, professional ladies’ suit, with slightly curly, flaxen hair. If it weren’t tied up, it would probably reach the ground. It was a pity that there were no students from Cromwell Academy in the museum today. Otherwise, they would have been surprised to find that this woman, disguised as a professional, was none other than their Headmistress Winona.

    Accompanying Headmistress Winona were members of the Enforcement Bureau disguised as police officers. They were all nervous, not daring to breathe loudly. After all, this was a significant event in their careers. Facing a legend from history, one of the founders of the magical world.

    “Teacher Victoria!” Winona called out the lady’s name.

    Yes, Victoria. One of the most prestigious legendary mages in the history of the magical world. The story based on her, Victoria’s Secret, was still a bestseller in the magical world. It was because of her efforts and her influence on later generations that the magical world transformed from a lesbian taboo to the…beautiful landscape it was today, filled with affectionate displays. Although not as prevalent as within the Vampire Clan, the close relationships in the magical world were still quite famous. Including Victoria herself, who became a pioneer and great teacher in the hearts of later generations of affectionate mages.

    So it was perfectly normal for Winona to call Victoria “Teacher.” Even though she had remained single for so many years, without a girl she liked, and the only cat she raised was “stolen” by Adele…being able to meet Teacher Victoria in the same era was already the happiest thing in Winona’s life, making up for all past losses and regrets.

    That’s right, this woman was Victoria’s ultimate fan. She might even be considered a fanatic. But due to her age and status, Winona couldn’t express her enthusiasm and admiration as passionately as young girls.

    “Winona, you’re here.” Victoria turned around and smiled gently at the woman. This smile alone made Winona’s heart race. Thump, thump… It wasn’t easy to experience the feeling of a racing heart at her age. Winona: What do you mean, ‘at my age’! ￥%#%

    The Headmistress was the youngest legendary mage in history. Compared to the students at school…it might be a bit depressing. But compared to the old geezers and grannies in the upper echelons of the magical world, she was the key figure who drastically lowered the average age.

    Winona came to Victoria’s side, her heart racing but not forgetting her responsibilities. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, either because she had rushed over too quickly, or for some other reason.

    “Teacher Victoria! Why did you sneak out again…”

    “If you want to visit the museum, you just need to tell me, and I’ll be your guide.” Winona’s words were a bit evasive. Victoria didn’t just sneak out. She used a long-distance teleportation spell! That’s why she suddenly appeared in the museum, causing a commotion among ordinary people.

    The Enforcement Bureau agents on the side had already begun to mitigate the impact of Victoria’s appearance. Using their authority as disguised police officers, they guided the incident towards a more acceptable narrative. For example, saying that Victoria was a famous foreign cosplayer visiting the Eastern Capital for tourism. And an agent with the ability to modify memories altered the memories of the ordinary people who had close contact with Victoria.

    After a flurry of activity, the commotion caused by Victoria gradually subsided. The “police” also left, leaving only Winona and Victoria alone. Now, they could finally visit the museum in peace. Victoria sighed with emotion.

    “So many beautiful girls, what a wonderful era~”

    “Winona is also very cute, and so talented, much better than me.”

    Winona blushed at the compliment. “N-No…Teacher Victoria is…v-very beautiful!” Winona was so nervous that she stuttered. Was this the legendary mage Winona, who had faced countless grand occasions and met high-ranking officials without changing her expression? Why did she act like a lovestruck girl in front of Victoria?

    She took a deep breath and secretly cast a calming spell on herself without chanting, which eased her nervousness and shyness.

    “But why did Teacher Victoria insist on coming to this museum?” Winona asked her question. She didn’t think Victoria would be the kind of woman who acted on a whim. However…it was also possible that she was. After all, both in history and in storybooks, Victoria was a proper harem king of that era, a multi-winged archangel. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be the protagonist. It was just that no one expected her to “revive” in this era.

    It was mentioned before that the day Victoria fell was a dark day for the entire magical world. Now that she mentioned it, that “dark day” was related to one of the Twelve True Ancestors of the Vampire Clan. That True Ancestor sacrificed himself to summon an evil god from another world. That evil god greedily plundered the knowledge of this world, but to the people of this world, its actions were destruction.

    The largest library in the magical world was destroyed by it, reduced to ruins. An entire generation of powerful mages fought against it with all their might, fearing no death. Even the powerful evil god couldn’t face so many united mages. So it chose mutual destruction. The final result was a chaotic space formed on the ruins of the original library. To this day, it was a forbidden zone in the magical world. Those who entered would be completely lost, never to escape.

    That was the darkest day in the magical world. Countless people held the now-dimmed fragments of life crystals and wept. Including Victoria’s staff, “Moon Sprout,” left in the outside world. The huge life crystal on the staff no longer flickered, completely extinguished. Because it meant that the mages who perished with the evil god, trapped in that chaotic, torn space, could never return.

    Everyone could only restrain their grief, inherit their will, and salvage the remaining magic books as much as possible. Then time passed, over a thousand years…

    One day in the peaceful modern era, the life crystal on Victoria’s staff, “Moon Sprout,” suddenly flickered. At that moment, Victoria walked out of the chaotic space at the ruins of the Grand Magic Library. Her appearance shocked the entire magical world. And Winona couldn’t believe it. Because the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. Winona’s last business trip, entrusting First Snow to Adele, was precisely to verify this matter.

    Fortunately, fate favored her, and the entire magical world. That lady was indeed the Victoria from history! She proved herself with her superb magic and memories of that era. After that, Victoria told the twelve legendary mages of the present age everything that had happened back then, including the crucial information that the concept of time was stagnant within the space created by the evil god. This meant that there was still hope for the people trapped in the chaotic space, whether during or after the tragedy, to return alive.

    But overall, the hope wasn’t great. Because everything in the chaotic space was chaotic, the trapped mages might encounter some extremely terrifying, indescribable monsters or situations. And it wasn’t impossible for their legs to be severed by the turbulent spatial currents with a single step forward. One could imagine what kind of hellish place it was. Only a mage as powerful as Victoria could find a way back from that desperate situation.

    A single moment, a thousand years.

    Victoria was still unfamiliar with many things in this world. She wanted to go to the most prosperous human city. So Winona was entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of her. But clearly, Victoria wasn’t a mage who readily obeyed management. Or rather, in the entire magical world today…no one was qualified to manage her. All Winona could do was ask, ask her to be slightly considerate of ordinary people’s feelings.

    Perhaps because magic was commonplace in Victoria’s time, she couldn’t understand that “ordinary people without magic occupied more than ninety-nine percent of the world’s land and ruled this planet.” But she was learning to change. Except for today, when she suddenly teleported herself into the museum. No one knew why. And this was what Winona was most concerned about.

    Victoria smiled slightly, without any concealment. “It just feels familiar.”

    “…” Familiar? Were there any artifacts from Victoria’s time in this museum?

  • Sickly Girl Doesn’t Die in Zombie Simulator 139

    Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Nine: Desperately Short of Blood Crystals

    After clicking on the Hideout, almost every building inside was flashing with an exclamation mark, and there were also several virtual buildings showing that they could be built.

    After glancing around, Lin Jiayao directly focused her attention on the most central 【Control Center】.

    In Lin Jiayao’s view, only the 【Control Center】 and the 【Training Grounds】 could truly increase Lin Jiayao’s strength and speed of improvement.

    【Control Center Lv.3 (Not Built)】
    【Introduction: Unlocks two additional login slots; evolution and death cooldown times are halved; optimizes consciousness switching, allowing simple commands to be issued before switching, and monitoring both views simultaneously】
    【Construction Materials Required: Blood Crystal X50】

    Farewell.

    After seeing the fifty blood crystals required for construction, Lin Jiayao directly closed the upgrade interface of the Control Center.

    Two more slots, death and evolution time halved… Six hours halved would be three hours, which meant that if she randomly got a bad zombie, Lin Jiayao could choose not to extract and wait three hours for the next random zombie.

    And it also optimized the mode of switching consciousness, which was very practical for Lin Jiayao.

    Before, when Lin Jiayao switched consciousness, her other self or the zombie would be in a “hanging” state, not even system-hosted.

    But now, if she built the Lv.3 Control Center, Lin Jiayao could see both screens at the same time and issue commands at any time to make adjustments.

    This avoided the situation where the other side had a situation and could not be controlled in time when switching consciousness.

    But it was too expensive…

    Just like the Zombie Loot Box, these creations that could substantially enhance Lin Jiayao’s ability improvement speed were very expensive.

    50 blood crystals, how many Hive Zombies would she have to kill… Lin Jiayao was already thinking about when to log into Goldie quickly to earn a fortune.

    “Huff…” Lin Jiayao slowly exhaled, letting herself stop thinking about blood crystals.

    She might as well look at other creations and see what they needed to upgrade…

    Lin Jiayao thought so, and at the same time opened the construction interface of other Hideout buildings.

    【Rest Area Lv.1 (Not Built)】
    【Introduction: Increases your stamina recovery speed by 10%】
    【Construction Materials Required: Blood Crystal X10, Zombie Brain X10, Game Console X2, Graphics Card X1, Firewood X10】

    【Library Lv.1 (Not Built)】
    【Introduction: Increases your mental recovery speed by 10%】
    【Construction Materials Required: Blood Crystal X10, Sofa X1, Various Books X100, Candle X1】

    【Nutrition Department Lv.1 (Not Built)】
    【Introduction: The host provides raw materials, and the system processes them into nutritious food, which can increase the stamina recovery rate of food and has a certain mental recovery effect】
    【Construction Materials Required: Blood Crystal X20, Workbench Lv.2】

    【Training Grounds Lv.2 (Not Built)】
    【Introduction: The time flow in the training space is further reduced, and you can spend blood crystals to train offline to inherit skills and combat memories】
    【Construction Materials Required: Blood Crystal X50】

    In addition to the 【Medical Station】, 【Workbench】 and 【Warehouse】 that could be upgraded originally, Lin Jiayao carefully looked at all the new buildable structures.

    Not to mention anything else, the 【Training Grounds】, which could improve strength, was as expensive as the 【Control Center】, but they were both necessary to build.

    Offline training! What concept was that?

    As long as she paid blood crystals, Lin Jiayao could even practice while sleeping, even when fighting, walking, or even eating, she would always be in an offline training state.

    And finally, those accumulated combat skills and muscle memory would be directly inherited by Lin Jiayao’s main body.

    Wow…

    If she could really build the Lv.2 Training Grounds, Lin Jiayao’s combat strength and combat experience would be raised to a terrifying level.

    The 【Library】 and 【Rest Area】 were very good creations, equivalent to giving Lin Jiayao a passive or BUFF for rapid recovery.

    As for those materials, they were not too difficult to collect, and they could even be collected in Kun City in two days.

    Finally, there was that Nutrition Department…

    Could it process food ingredients into food?

    She wondered if the food problem could be solved with this…

    But in any case, she had to find a way to unlock 【Training Grounds Lv.2】 and 【Control Center Lv.2】 first.

    Her own strength was the most important. After ensuring her own safety, Lin Jiayao would consider others—of course, her sister and Huayibai were exceptions.

    Even Huayibai, Lin Jiayao now regarded her as family. After so many battles, Huayibai’s pure and kind nature had also made Lin Jiayao feel sufficiently at ease.

    From the moment after that battle, when she saw Huayibai curling up in pain, Lin Jiayao truly regarded Huayibai as her family.

    “Eh? Is this a shopping mall?”

    Suddenly, her sister’s puzzled voice pulled Lin Jiayao’s consciousness back from the Hideout.

    Lin Jiayao, whose chin was resting on her sister’s shoulder, turned her head and looked in the direction her sister was pointing, and saw a building-tree growing against a building.

    This building was originally a complex building, a typical building with the upper floors rented out for offices and the first to sixth floors used as a shopping center.

    Now, the entire first floor area of the building was blocked by thick tree roots, but you could vaguely see the signs and transparent glass inside through the tree roots and moss.

    “Shopping mall?” Lin Jiayao looked at her sister and asked with some doubt.

    “Don’t you need to change your clothes?” Lin Xiwan said, holding her sister’s butt with one hand, and reaching into the hole in her sister’s clothes with her left hand, poking her sister’s armpit.

    “Okay.” Lin Jiayao nodded and continued to rest her head on her sister’s shoulder, seeming not very interested in clothes.

    “There is a small pool nearby. Let’s go there to wash our faces and then go in and search!”

    Unlike Lin Jiayao’s calmness, Lin Xiwan, who thought of helping her sister choose clothes, was now particularly motivated.

    Which girl wouldn’t want a soft and beautiful life-sized doll to dress up as she pleased?

    At this time, Lin Jiayao re-entered the Hideout and looked at the location of the Zombie Loot Box.

    She was distracted by her sister’s call just now, and almost forgot to collect the rewards in the Zombie Loot Box.

    This time, the zombie extraction time reached an unprecedented 12 hours. Although she didn’t see what kind of zombie it was, Lin Jiayao was still looking forward to what rewards there would be.

    Maybe she could directly collect 50 blood crystals in one wave. She already had 20 now.

    And didn’t she see that her sister seemed to have brought some back? If she was a little short, she would just ask her sister for some.

    Her sister had not mentioned those blood crystals, probably waiting for her to ask for them.

    She just didn’t know what her sister was planning.

    After opening the Zombie Loot Box, Lin Jiayao saw only a flash of golden light, and then she saw her reward.

    【330ml Canned Coca-Cola x1】

    Lin Jiayao: “…”

    This was what the system brought out after 12 hours of extraction?

    Lin Jiayao looked at that bottle of Coca-Cola, and her whole person was a little unwell.

    She spent 2 blood crystals and brought back a bottle of Coke?

    She couldn’t breathe.

    Lin Jiayao took a deep breath, resisted the urge to curse at the system, and looked at the system’s evolution retention interface.

    Now Lin Jiayao had been put down by her sister and was sitting by the pool. Lin Jiayao washed her face with water while looking at the loaded evolutions that could be retained.

    「Please keep your evolution」
    「1、【Bioelectric Field Lv.1 (Purple): Can release a bioelectric field in water to sense other creatures in the electric field】」
    「2、【Cnidocyte Lv.1 (Blue): Can generate stinging cells on your skin, causing neuromuscular complex toxin attacks】」
    「3、【Thunderstorm Crystal Lv.1 (Gold): Enables the blood crystals in your body to store lightning, absorb lightning to store, or consume blood crystals to create lightning, which can be released through the bioelectric field】」

    Store… electrical energy?

    Through other evolutions, and the description of the first evolution, it was not difficult to see that this was a deep-sea creature… maybe even a jellyfish.

    But it actually had the ability to control electricity?

    Lin Jiayao thought of Wu Hejun, who was flashing with blood-red electric light and had already cooled down.

    Was it the same ability?

    Unfortunately, this ability to store electrical energy actually required a prerequisite ability to be released…

    But there was no way. Even if it required a prerequisite ability to be released, Lin Jiayao had to choose it again.

    Because this was an ability opened from the Zombie Loot Box, she didn’t know how long it would take to encounter it next time. After all, it was not a zombie she logged into, which could be kept for the next login to obtain.

    Just like the abilities on A4 that had not yet been obtained, Lin Jiayao could obtain them through multiple logins, but this deep-sea electric zombie could not.

    As for how to release it… According to the description, it could make the blood crystal fluid or blood crystal nucleus in the body store electrical energy.

    If it could be stored, then the release was very simple.

    Lin Jiayao could even let these blood crystal fluids be infused into the mycelium tentacles and extend out, forming a lightning whip.

    There were always more solutions than difficulties, she chose it.

    It was just a pity that this was a zombie in the sea.

    Otherwise, Lin Jiayao would definitely let A4 catch a few back to generate electricity.

    No, it should be Mask to catch them. Skeletal zombies should not be so afraid of lightning.

    Today’s mental recovery was not bad. It was time to find time to log into Mask to check the evolution.

    After choosing the golden 【Thunderstorm Crystal】, Lin Jiayao felt a tingling sensation all over her body.

    This feeling was not only reverberating in Lin Jiayao’s body, but also conducted static electricity to the surroundings through the vines and moist moss.

    “Hiss—”

    Her sister, who was washing her face nearby, suddenly shrank her foot, as if she had been shocked by electricity, and Huayibai, who was nearby and had wet herself, was shaking her hair left and right, also shivered all over.

    “What’s going on? Is there a power leak?” Lin Xiwan looked at the ground and patted the green moss on the soles of her feet.

    Lin Xiwan was not wearing shoes, and she really felt the weak electric shock just now, it couldn’t be wrong.

    “I released it,” Lin Jiayao raised her hand and said with some apology, “New ability.”

    “Another new ability?” Hearing her sister’s words, Lin Xiwan widened her eyes, a little unbelievable.

    She just slept and took a walk, and her sister got a new ability in her dream?

    Cheating?

    Where did she buy the cheat?

    Instantly, Lin Xiwan felt a sense of crisis.

    Damn it, if she continued to be so idle, her sister would leave her far behind.

    No, she had to find a way to quickly improve her strength.

    She didn’t want to have to shrink into her sister’s arms when she encountered a battle in the future… uh… that didn’t seem bad either?

    Cough cough…

    She couldn’t always be protected by her sister, at least she had to reach the point where she wouldn’t be a burden to her sister.

    Now that there were sufficient blood crystals and a safe place, it was time to train herself devilishly.

    Lin Xiwan made up her mind that after helping her sister choose clothes, she would start devil training! Train until her whole body could not move.

    At this time, Lin Jiayao, who had dealt with the Hideout matters, did not continue to invest blood crystals in the Zombie Loot Box, but only invested a few dozen grams of blood crystals.

    Next, every creation in the Hideout required a lot of blood crystals. She had to save carefully and could not be as extravagant as before.

    After Lin Jiayao invested the blood crystals, her sister also finished washing her face.

    Then Lin Jiayao created a disposable mycelium vine wheelchair again, and let her sister directly push her towards the direction of the shopping mall.

    At the same time, Lin Jiayao also had some doubts about her legs.

    Why had she obtained so many abilities, and even had the super passive Hunting Rhythm that adjusted her physical and mental state, but still couldn’t feel the existence of her legs?

    They were clearly involved in her body’s blood circulation, but Lin Jiayao couldn’t even feel them, as if her legs didn’t exist.

    There was a… very difficult to describe sense of separation.

    “Crack, crack—”

    Under Lin Jiayao’s control, the building-trees and vines that originally blocked the entrance of the shopping mall slowly moved to one side, making a huge noise, and squeezing out a road that could accommodate a wheelchair.

    But soon, Lin Jiayao did not continue to dwell on this matter.

    As long as she wanted to stand up, she could stand up at any time by creating a composite exoskeleton formed by mycelium and bone spurs, it was just a bit of a waste of blood crystals. If there was no battle, there was no need.

    It was better to move with bone spurs, which was labor-saving and flexible, but it was a bit like a human-shaped spider.

    “Eh…”

    After entering the shopping mall, Lin Xiwan pushed her sister straight to the children’s clothing store, but unfortunately, the clothes inside were already tattered.

    This made Lin Xiwan sigh.

    And most of the shops were either covered with vines or covered with moss, and there were many dried corpses of humans and zombies hanging on the top and vines… It was really not very beautiful.

    Pushing her sister from the upper floors, the original elevator could also allow the wheelchair to pass well under the paving of the vines.

    “Sister Xi! There!” Huayibai seemed to notice something and pointed to a flowery white place.

    It was a women’s clothing store covered with white mycelium. Because of the white mycelium mass, there were few vines and moss there, and the things inside were not eroded much.

    “Go!” After discovering the target, Lin Xiwan pushed her sister and ran towards the women’s clothing store.

  • Dear, it’s time for your medicine! 289

    Chapter 289: It’s About Time to Deal with Athena

    Saint Monique’s gaze was unreadable.

    Bathed in moonlight, her figure seemed even more elegant and noble.

    She stood against the wind, her flowing robes billowing around her, an aura of authority surrounding her.

    Only her eyes, usually gentle, now held a chilling intensity. No one could guess her thoughts.

    With the previous Earth Mother’s retirement, the Saintess’s resignation, and the Saint Son’s death, Saint Monique had consolidated her power, eliminating Florence’s remaining influence. Those loyal to Florence had either been purged or forced to submit.

    Now, her control over the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess was absolute.

    “Your Holiness, it’s late. You should rest,” a nun said softly, appearing behind her.

    “The city is in chaos, but it’s being handled. You needn’t worry.”

    Saint Monique lowered her gaze, not answering. After a moment of silence, she returned to her chambers.

    The events outside didn’t concern her, as long as she remained unaffected.

    —

    Elsewhere, at the Holy See.

    Augustus also gazed into the distance.

    He hadn’t gone to the site, but he had sensed the powerful energies.

    His old face was creased with worry, his thoughts hidden.

    …

    It was a sleepless night.

    Rioters rampaged through the Imperial City.

    Like madmen, they ignored pleas for mercy, their blades taking countless lives.

    They focused on the noble district, knowing that attacks there would draw the attention of the Empire and the Church. No one cared about the commoners.

    Blood flowed through the streets, corpses littered the ground.

    Nobles, stripped of their dignity, fled in terror, fearing for their lives.

    But despite their ferocity, the rioters were outnumbered.

    The Imperial Guard, the Holy Knights, and the Earth Knights were more than a match for them.

    By late night, the rioters in the noble district had been dealt with.

    However, some remained unaffected by the chaos.

    Like… Loseweisse.

    Loseweisse considered herself the core of the former Hero Squad.

    While she didn’t participate in the fighting, she couldn’t remain idle. She needed to produce results to maintain her authority.

    Two problems occupied her mind.

    One was the conflict between Sylph and the Twin Thieves.

    Only she could mediate, but it wouldn’t be easy. She needed to give Sylph time to process her emotions. Attempting to intervene now would only alienate her.

    The second was the mysterious Horus, who had repeatedly leaked information about the Hero Squad.

    Capturing him could turn the tide in their favor.

    Loseweisse had mobilized all her resources, even spending countless hours in the library, searching for information about Horus.

    But despite her efforts, she found nothing, leaving her discouraged.

    If only Sylph had mentioned his name, she might have suspected deception, but the Twin Thieves had confirmed it. They wouldn’t lie.

    Who was this damned Horus?

    Loseweisse ran a hand through her hair, her usually impeccable appearance now disheveled, her face showing signs of fatigue.

    She knew searching the library was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

    Horus was likely a false name, a convenient alias used for dealing with Lomond. No one would be foolish enough to reveal their true identity while consorting with Demon Beasts.

    Finding someone with a fake name was nearly impossible.

    But she had no other leads.

    “Saintess…”

    A nun hurried over, a hint of excitement on her tired face. She held a thick book: “Is this what you’re looking for?”

    It was a book of myths and epics.

    Loseweisse’s eyes lit up as she saw the contents.

    She snatched the book, her hopes rekindled, and began reading.

    The poem told the story of a prince named Horus, betrayed and killed in a power struggle, his soul returning from the underworld to exact revenge.

    After succeeding, he became known as the God of Vengeance.

    Loseweisse’s excitement waned.

    It was just a poem, not a historical account.

    Perhaps the person dealing with Lomond had merely adopted the name Horus, the God of Vengeance, to symbolize his hatred for the Hero Squad.

    It was because of this supposed hatred that Ronald had been tortured so brutally. Loseweisse knew that much.

    She had tried to analyze individuals who held grudges against the Hero Squad and Jie Luo, but she had found nothing.

    The Hero Squad’s methods were swift and decisive, leaving no survivors. Those who held grudges were already dead, along with most of their families.

    She flipped through the thick book, the rustling pages accompanying her thoughts. She considered herself intelligent, but this was proving to be a difficult puzzle.

    Horus.

    The God of Vengeance…

    The Hero Squad.

    The names swirled in her mind.

    She reached the last page.

    A small note was tucked inside, a list of names of those who had borrowed the book…

    One name caught her eye.

    Augustus!

    Her pupils contracted.

    Augustus had read this book?

    He knew the name Horus, and its association with vengeance.

    He had also snuck into her room, stealing her valuables, seven scrolls, and her diary.

    He had placed an Eye of True Sight in her room, monitoring her every move. He knew the Hero Squad’s whereabouts.

    Then there was the matter of hatred.

    Augustus was the Pope of the Holy See, while Jie Luo was the Hero. As Jie Luo’s fame and power grew, so did the influence of the Hero Squad, challenging the authority of the Holy See, the Empire, the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess, and even Sage Mountain.

    Augustus, accustomed to being at the pinnacle of human power, wouldn’t tolerate this. It was natural for him to resent Jie Luo and the Hero Squad.

    Moreover, aside from herself, the Saintess, the other members of the Hero Squad had a rather antagonistic relationship with the Holy See.

    Karsus had even been hunted by them.

    Jie Luo’s choice of Karsus as a Squad member had been a slap in Augustus’s face, a humiliation. It was understandable for him to hold a grudge.

    And she herself had allied with Cardinal Douglas, plotting to overthrow Augustus and become the first female Pope. It was unlikely Augustus was unaware of this. She was also his enemy.

    Ekaterina and Muse had openly mocked him.

    Ronald had even publicly declared Augustus impotent.

    Suddenly, it all clicked. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

    She concluded that Augustus was Horus.

    Of course, she knew the evidence was circumstantial, but did it matter?

    Was it truly important whether Augustus was Horus?

    No. The mere possibility was enough.

    After all, Augustus was someone she wanted to eliminate. With him gone, she would control the Holy See.

    And blaming him would also conceal her own incompetence in finding the real Horus.

    Therefore, until she found the true identity of Horus, Augustus would have to be Horus.

    At the Holy See, Augustus, about to retire for the night, sneezed. Perhaps the night air was too chilly. He pulled his robe tighter.

    Perhaps it was the stress of recent events.

    He felt his back ache.

    The poor Pope didn’t know that his aching back wasn’t from stress, but from the weight of the metaphorical pot he was carrying.

    Bigger than even Shirou Emiya’s…

    …

    Meanwhile, Qin Chu, Heloise, Iyeta, and Sylph returned to the Hero’s Residence.

    Seeing him return safely, Anastasia breathed a sigh of relief, but a hint of sadness touched her face. She knew Mavis was dead.

    It was an unavoidable outcome.

    Qin Chu gazed into the distance.

    This matter was settled. Athena should have reached the Snow Chain Mountains by now. It was time to deal with her.

  • Transformed into a Female Villain, But Captured by My Beautiful Girl Disciples v2c20

    20. The Calamity Heart Flame Python

    At these words, a few people gasped, but most showed no reaction.

    A mere forest. How could it be more dangerous than a secret realm filled with unknown traps and deadly creatures?

    They were wrong.

    Gong Yiling knew quite a few secrets about the Yanxing Great Forest.

    At the heart of the central area lay a vast swamp.

    And within that swamp lived a peak-level demonic beast, the Calamity Heart Flame Python.

    This python was quite peculiar.

    Despite the “Flame” in its name, it wasn’t a fire-type python, but a venomous one, far more terrifying.

    It was only called a Flame Python because of its fiery red-brown scales.

    As for how terrifying it was…

    A demonic beast’s peak strength was determined by its bloodline. Shangguan Ziyuan, with her Divine Phoenix Fox Demon bloodline, was infinitely close to a phoenix, so her peak strength was the Divine Venerable realm, like a true divine beast.

    But a random mutt’s peak strength might not even be enough to withstand a few kicks.

    As for the Calamity Heart Flame Python, the “Calamity Heart” in its name meant “center of disaster.”

    Literally, this python was the source of poison, the embodiment of calamity.

    If it entered a city, it could turn all the residents, including cultivators below Earthly Nether realm, into bones in an instant, without even lifting a finger.

    Even Heavenly Venerable experts wouldn’t dare provoke it easily. Even if they could defeat it, they would suffer greatly from its venom.

    And its poison wasn’t limited to the swamp.

    The poisonous mist was densest in the swamp, gradually weakening as it spread outwards.

    The further away, the lighter the color and the weaker the toxicity. Near the outer edges of the central area, the effects of the poison were negligible.

    “But then, why is there such a large buffer zone?”

    Qiu Shui, listening to Lu Xinyao’s explanation, couldn’t help but ask.

    “Think about it,” Lu Xinyao explained, “there’s a giant monster in the center, creating a large inaccessible area. What about the other high-level demonic beasts living in the forest?”

    Qiu Shui finally understood.

    That was the key.

    The high-level beasts’ habitat was compressed. With the human-made barrier on the outer edge, they were forced to compete for survival in a limited space.

    If someone foolishly entered the central area, unaware of the danger…

    They would be torn to shreds by the demonic beasts.

    That’s why Shangguan Yaochang guaranteed the safety of participants in the outer area. If they entered the central area—they were on their own.

    “Any other questions?” Shangguan Yaochang asked. “If not, please confirm your teams. I’ll send someone to record your team information and distribute the number cards in twenty minutes.”

    There was no need to discuss their team formation.

    Gong Yiling stuck to her two disciples like glue, and they felt obligated to let her participate.

    They wrote down their names on the registration form.

    Qiu Ming, Lu Xinyao, and Bao Qijin.

    Giving herself a random name felt cool. Miss Gong finally understood why the system called the old sect the Great One Engineering Sect. What a sense of humor.

    But her amusement vanished when she saw her number card.

    It had a single digit on it:

    “1.”

    How embarrassing.

    It seemed her luck had turned sour after recruiting so many overpowered disciples. Out of ten digits, she got a 1. All she needed was a 0 to complete the set.

    “What did you two get?” Gong Yiling asked, twitching her lips.

    Qiu Shui asked suspiciously, “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t ask?”

    “I’m feeling unlucky. Need some comfort.”

    She showed them her card. Qiu Shui wasn’t surprised.

    The two girls exchanged glances and showed her their cards.

    They were “1” and “2.”

    “Huh?”

    Miss Gong was stunned.

    They couldn’t be this unlucky, right? They had the three lowest numbers.

    Then, whispers spread through the crowd, turning into open complaints.

    The participants weren’t supposed to reveal their numbers.

    But their numbers… seemed absurd.

    “How the hell did I get a 1?”

    “You got a 1? Holy shit, me too!”

    “You too?”

    “I don’t know. The guy I came with got a 2.”

    “That’s not much better. 2 is practically the same as 1.”

    “Guys, I got a 3! Am I set? You all seem to have 1s.”

    “I’m different. I got a 4.”

    “Then let’s target this guy and steal his 4.”

    “Seriously? You’re even after a 4?”

    Suddenly, an idiot in the crowd shouted excitedly after receiving his card,

    “9! Hahahaha, I got a 9!”

    The noisy crowd fell silent.

    The man immediately realized his mistake.

    Dozens, if not hundreds, of eyes stared at him, as if ready to tear him apart.

    “Uh… actually, I misread it. It’s a 0. My eyesight… isn’t very good.”

    At this point, any attempt at damage control was futile.

    Gong Yiling offered a silent prayer for the man, then frowned in confusion.

    What was going on?

    Over seventy percent of those present seemed to have 0, 1, 2, or 3.

    Only ten percent had numbers above 6, and the rest remained silent, their numbers unknown.

    But regardless of their numbers, even those in the top eighty wouldn’t reach an average of 15.

    Strange… this was very strange…

    With such low numbers, no one could guarantee advancement even if they managed to steal a few 7s or 8s.

    Now, the best strategy wasn’t collecting number cards, but eliminating opponents, forcing them out of the forest. Every eliminated opponent was one less competitor.

    —

    —

     

     

  • After Failing to Find Immortality 221

    Chapter 221: Sand Table Deductions, The Magistrate’s True Form

    Deeply hidden?

    Hu Siqi tilted her head, a puzzled look on her face.

    This Magistrate Ma certainly had the imposing aura of a high-ranking official, and she didn’t dare to speak out of turn in his presence.

    But as for being deeply hidden…

    She couldn’t see it.

    After all, she had learned some basic Yin techniques and was no longer an ordinary mortal. This old man seemed no different from any other elderly person. However, she couldn’t risk offending him and facing severe punishment.

    Compared to him, those bloodthirsty constables outside were far more intimidating.

    “Oh?”

    Magistrate Ma’s expression remained unchanged, his voice deep and raspy. “What’s hidden about me?”

    “Before I came here, I assumed you were just a brute, someone who knew how to deal with demons and ghosts, but still lacking in other areas.” Lin Tianlu’s gaze shifted to the large table beside them.

    Instead of books and scrolls, a massive sand table covered the surface, miniature buildings and landscapes meticulously crafted from sand, a scaled-down replica of Anshi County.

    “But now it seems, Magistrate Ma, your vision extends far beyond this small town.”

    “And you’ve deduced this just from looking at the sand table?” Magistrate Ma’s voice was still serious. “Perhaps it’s just a relic left by my predecessor.”

    “But these pieces can’t lie.”

    Lin Tianlu smiled gently and walked towards the sand table, his eyes scanning its surface. He pointed at a small building beside a miniature street.

    “This is the inn where we’re staying. And those constables were heading there, to capture the young lady behind me.”

    A black piece was placed beside the building.

    Magistrate Ma’s eyes narrowed, and he said with a hint of admiration, “You’re quite observant, Master Lin, to be able to discern the layout of this sand table so quickly. Those constables would be completely lost.”

    The sand table was covered in black and white pieces, meticulously placed on streets, buildings, and even the surrounding villages, mountains, and rivers, a detailed representation of the entire area.

    And countless colored threads crisscrossed the surface, connecting the various locations, as if weaving a web of information.

    “I hope you don’t mind my presumption, Magistrate Ma. After all, I’m just a humble scholar.” Lin Tianlu smiled faintly. “But this sand table reminds me of a Go game. I’m somewhat familiar with the game, and I can see some patterns.”

    “I wouldn’t fault someone with your talent and intelligence, Master Lin.”

    Magistrate Ma’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “But can you see anything else in this sand table?”

    Lin Tianlu stroked his chin, studying the sand table carefully.

    Then he smiled faintly and began to speak. “You’re using threads to represent movement, different colors to indicate urgency and strength, mapping the locations and activities of dozens of demons and ghosts within Anshi County and its surroundings. You have a complete grasp of their movements.”

    “And these black and white pieces represent ghost practitioners and powerful demons that are difficult to deal with.”

    Magistrate Ma clapped his hands in admiration. “You’re truly perceptive, Master Lin, to grasp the essence of this sand table so quickly.

    As you said, these pieces represent the movements of those demons and ghosts. Wherever they go, wherever they hide, it’s all displayed here.”

    He picked up a wooden stick and moved a white piece, located in a village outside Anshi County, slightly further away.

    “For example, this demon will be active tonight. And his range of movement is limited to this area.”

    Lin Tianlu was secretly impressed.

    This magistrate could actually predict the movements of demons and ghosts with such accuracy.

    How was this…?

    He glanced at a nearby bookshelf, and a hidden compartment opened, revealing a scroll filled with tiny characters. It unfurled automatically.

    Magistrate Ma glanced at the scroll, then pressed a button on the table, and the compartment closed, the scroll disappearing inside.

    He moved a few more pieces on the sand table, even flicking a black piece off the edge.

    “So you have an extensive intelligence network, Magistrate Ma.”

    “It’s all thanks to the help of those martial artists. I couldn’t do this alone.” Magistrate Ma’s expression remained calm as he continued moving the pieces, his eyes deep in thought, as if he was calculating the demons’ and ghosts’ every move, his movements precise and deliberate.

    “Wh-what is this…?”

    Hu Siqi, who had been cautiously approaching, stared at the sand table, her face filled with confusion.

    Lin Tianlu smiled and explained, “Magistrate Ma is using the information he gathers to predict the movements of those demons and ghosts, to control the situation in Anshi County.

    He can track and monitor them, manipulate their actions, even turn them against each other.”

    “He can predict the movements of all the demons and ghosts in the county… just from information?!”

    Hu Siqi was shocked. “How is that even possible—”

    “Miss Hu, do you know how those constables found you?”

    “I-I—”

    Hu Siqi’s face paled.

    She finally understood why the constables had always been able to track her movements. Even though she had removed her shoes and concealed her aura, trying to sneak into the inn unnoticed, they had still found her.

    Looking back, it was all too suspicious.

    “Your every move was anticipated by Magistrate Ma. He knew you would enter that inn.”

    “…”

    Hu Siqi shivered, her face pale as she shrank back.

    Knowing this, she didn’t dare to look at the magistrate, afraid that he would see through her thoughts.

    This feeling was truly unsettling.

    “Of course, there’s another interpretation.”

    Lin Tianlu’s smile turned enigmatic. “For Magistrate Ma to possess such a comprehensive understanding of the situation, to be able to control the entire county from behind the scenes… he must have known about the powerful demon lurking near the inn, the one who was targeting those constables. He even knew they would fall into his trap.”

    “You’re right, Master Lin.”

    Magistrate Ma calmly removed another piece from the sand table, not denying it. “Although I don’t know the details of the incidents in Changling County, I’ve heard of your reputation, Master Lin. I know that you possess extraordinary power, capable of slaying demons and ghosts with ease.”

    “And this afternoon, I received information about your arrival in Anshi County. I chose a few trustworthy constables and sent them to patrol the area near the inn, to attract the demon’s attention. And then, tonight, they went to the inn to capture this Miss Hu.”

    Magistrate Ma’s dark eyes narrowed, his voice lowering. “It was all a plan to lure the demon into a trap, using your power, Master Lin, to eliminate him.”

    His plan was meticulous, every detail carefully calculated, the demon’s fate sealed from the beginning.

    Lin Tianlu nodded. “You’re a brilliant strategist, Magistrate Ma.”

    “It was just a simple trick, nothing special. You’re the truly remarkable one, Master Lin, a divine being, just like the rumors say.”

    Hearing his praise, Lin Tianlu’s smile faded slightly, his voice calm. “But how were you so certain that I possessed such power, Magistrate Ma? That I could defeat that demon? I’m sure you have a vast intelligence network, but Anshi County is quite far from Changling. Information can be unreliable, prone to exaggeration and distortion.

    What if I wasn’t as powerful as the rumors claimed? What would you have done?”

    “I would have made a difficult choice.”

    Magistrate Ma’s voice was calm and raspy. “If those constables died, I would have compensated their families generously. And I would have found another way to eliminate that demon.”

    Lin Tianlu’s heart sank.

    This magistrate was a ruthless man.

    He showed no sadness or hesitation at the thought of his subordinates’ deaths, simply accepting their sacrifice as a necessary loss. To an outsider, it might have seemed cold and heartless, sending his men to their deaths without a second thought.

    But…

    Lin Tianlu didn’t judge him.

    He knew he had no right to criticize.

    After all, it was thanks to this magistrate’s meticulous planning and decisive actions that Anshi County had regained some semblance of peace and order.

    Casualties were inevitable. And the situation was so dire that only drastic measures could turn the tide. Hesitation and indecision would have only led to more deaths and chaos, potentially turning the entire county into a playground for demons and ghosts.

    Magistrate Ma smiled faintly. “You’re not a sentimental fool, Master Lin.”

    “It was just a calculated risk, Magistrate Ma. I admire your decisive actions.” Lin Tianlu bowed respectfully. “No wonder your constables hold you in such high regard.”

    “They are brave and loyal men, dedicated to protecting their home. I’m grateful for their service.”

    Magistrate Ma’s gaze drifted towards the pieces on the sand table, lost in thought.

    Seeing his pensive expression, Lin Tianlu smiled faintly and moved two white pieces on the sand table.

    “Hmm?”

    Magistrate Ma snapped out of his reverie and looked at the board, his brow furrowed. “What do you mean by that, Master Lin?”

    “There’s a slight flaw in your information, Magistrate Ma. I’m just trying to help.”

    Lin Tianlu smiled and moved a black piece closer to the county office. “Perhaps you should double-check your sources.”

    “…”

    Magistrate Ma studied the board for a moment.

    Then he nodded, his voice filled with admiration. “You truly deserve the title of ‘Master,’ Lin Tianlu. You’ve grasped the essence of my strategy, something I’ve spent half my life studying, in just a few glances. Your talent is truly remarkable.”

    “You flatter me.”

    Lin Tianlu chuckled and picked up another piece from the table. “But compared to you, Magistrate Ma, I still have much to learn. For example…”

    He placed the piece inside the county office. “A demon in disguise.”

    Magistrate Ma raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.

    Hu Siqi, who had been silent, stared at the board, her initial confusion turning to shock.

    A demon in disguise?!

    There was no one else in the county office with Yin energy, no other demon or ghost.

    There could only be one explanation…

    She looked at Magistrate Ma, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Could it be… you, Magistrate?!”

    Magistrate Ma put down his piece, his gaze calm.

    “How did you know I’m not human?”

    “I have some skill in judging character, Magistrate. I can sense the anomaly within you.”

    Lin Tianlu smiled and bowed slightly. “Although you’re concealing your aura, pretending to be alive, the faint traces of life force are not enough to deceive me.”

    Magistrate Ma was surprised, and he shook his head with a sigh. “I’ve been trying my best to maintain a human facade, suppressing my Yin energy. But it seems I can’t hide it from your sharp eyes, Master Lin.”

    “W-why are you a demon, Magistrate?”

    Hu Siqi’s face was filled with shock and confusion.

    She hadn’t expected the mastermind behind these recent events, the one who had been manipulating them all, to be a demon himself!

    “The reason is quite simple.”

    Lin Tianlu’s voice was meaningful. “You are… the late Magistrate Hua, aren’t you?”

    Magistrate Ma placed a piece on the edge of the sand table. “How did you guess?”

    “It was too much of a coincidence. Magistrate Hua was assassinated, and then a new magistrate, surnamed Ma, appeared overnight, seamlessly taking over his duties. I didn’t believe a newcomer could be so efficient.”

    Lin Tianlu chuckled. “And you’re a demon, Magistrate. That naturally raised some suspicions.”

  • Inferior A After Having a Baby with the Top Boss 44

    Chapter 44: Come to My Room Tonight 

    Snow began to fall outside the French windows.

    Ming Fei, standing a few steps away from Zhu Yiqiao, suddenly felt a little strange.

    Why did Chief Judge Zhu keep asking about this?

    It didn’t seem to have much to do with making the original Grape-faced Bellflower Orchid Drum.

    Although she thought this, she didn’t question Zhu Yiqiao, but seriously considered her question.

    —Just an online friend?

    —Of course not.

    Even though One Raccoon Hill had deleted her account without warning, and even though they hadn’t had any contact since then, the past shared moments were real.

    The shared stories had truly happened.

    The care and praise were sincere.

    All the connections established on “Supporters of the Rose” were genuine.

    Although that time was short, the joy and happiness it brought her surpassed the past thirteen years. So, even now, she was still grateful to One Raccoon Hill, grateful for everything she had brought her.

    Therefore, she accepted all the good and the bad, accepted all the outcomes of this friendship.

    But how could she define their relationship to someone who knew nothing about them? Ming Fei couldn’t immediately give a perfect answer.

    She pursed her lips, her gaze shifting to the French window, her voice a little low.

    “…To me, she was more than just an online friend.”

    Just as she finished speaking, Xue Xun, who had already gone to the second floor, suddenly returned. Having just overheard their conversation, she timely teased,

    “Teacher Xiao Fei, saying that, do you have feelings for that friend?”

    For Xue Xun, surviving in the apocalypse was already difficult. Many people didn’t even have the energy to think about tomorrow, so when it came to feelings, she was always frank and straightforward, without any hesitation.

    But she didn’t expect that after hearing these words, Ming Fei’s cheeks would turn crimson, adding a touch of beauty to her delicate face.

    A bit like an innocent deer, hiding out of shyness.

    Seeing this, Xue Xun couldn’t help but think, could an alpha… be shy? Weren’t alphas arrogant and conceited creatures who didn’t even know the meaning of the word “shy”?

    “No,” Ming Fei quickly explained, “I was only thirteen at the time, we were just friends.”

    Intrigued, Xue Xun continued to tease her: “But maybe the other party did?”

    Ming Fei was very firm: “No, they didn’t.”

    Xue Xun’s interest grew, wanting to tease her a bit more, but stopped when Zhu Yiqiao looked at her.

    Their gazes met in the air.

    One flamboyant like fire, the other cold as ice.

    Meeting Zhu Yiqiao’s cold gaze, Xue Xun raised an eyebrow and smiled, as if hinting at something. And Zhu Yiqiao’s gaze became even more distant and profound, like a misty sea.

    This clash of ice and fire ended with Zhu Yiqiao’s victory.

    Xue Xun, coming back to her senses, was a little surprised, because she had just revised her bet in her heart. After all, her friend’s aversion to alphas was not an exaggeration, and after learning about Ming Fei’s alpha identity, she found it hard to be optimistic about her chances.

    But thinking of Zaozao, the link between them, her surprise disappeared.

    “I heard from Zaozao that Teacher Xiao Fei likes flowers?”

    The topic change was a bit abrupt. Ming Fei nodded, puzzled.

    Xue Xun sat back on the sofa, gestured for Ming Fei to sit next to her, and raised her right hand.

    “I just made a joke with Teacher Xiao Fei, and I wasn’t careful with my words, it was a bit too much.”

    The blush on Ming Fei’s face had faded. She didn’t think it was too much, because Xue Xun’s tone hadn’t carried any malice from beginning to end. She had heard countless jokes far more malicious than this in the orphanage, and no one had ever apologized to her for a joke.

    She smiled gently, her dark eyes like the moon reflected in water, both bright and hazy.

    “No,” she said. “You’re being too serious.”

    Meeting Ming Fei’s gaze, Xue Xun conjured a white rose with her right fingertips. The freshly bloomed white rose had a captivating fragrance, and Xue Xun handed it to Ming Fei.

    “What kind of flowers does Teacher Xiao Fei like?”

    This was the first time Ming Fei had witnessed Xue Xun using her ability. Her eyes flickered with novelty. Touching the soft, white petals, she immediately asked,

    “Will using your ability like this affect your body?”

    Xue Xun said, “No.”

    She explained, “Ability users who awakened their abilities in the apocalypse can use their abilities without limit. Except for some overly aggressive abilities, they basically don’t have any negative effects on the body.”

    At this moment, Ming Fei sat up straight, like a student attentively listening to new knowledge, her slightly round almond eyes fixed on the white rose.

    “So amazing.” She asked, “Xue Xun Jiejie, is it convenient for you to reveal what your ability is specifically?”

    Hearing this, Xue Xun snapped her fingers.

    Instantly, all the flowers in the flowerbed outside the French windows swayed as if they had sensed something. The unopened new multi-cornered roses even bloomed layer by layer at this moment, instantly becoming as beautiful as a painting of a snowy landscape with a hundred flowers.

    Ming Fei looked up, completely captivated by this scene.

    Xue Xun’s voice rang out: “My ability is relatively gentle, belonging to the auxiliary type. I can control the growth of plants and also turn them into puppets for my use. What kind of flowers do you want? As long as it’s within the main urban area, I can make them appear in front of you.”

    Before this, although Ming Fei had read several post-apocalyptic novels and watched some post-apocalyptic movies, she had never so truly felt the wonder of another space-time.

    Flowers and the apocalypse, like gentleness and violence.

    These two unrelated elements, combined in Xue Xun, added a touch of mystery to her.

    Ming Fei suddenly looked at Zhu Yiqiao and asked,

    “Jiejie, what kind of flowers do you like?”

    Even though Xue Xun had returned, Zhu Yiqiao hadn’t spoken, but her presence couldn’t be ignored. There were many reasons for this, such as the aura of her high position, her cold and aloof temperament, and that face that could never be a mere backdrop.

    The Chief Judge of the Independent State of Yi Meng, whenever she appeared in public, was the center of attention. This was true at any time, in any place.

    Zhu Yiqiao looked over, not answering what she liked, but simply saying,

    “My preference isn’t important. She’s apologizing to you, your preference matters.”

    Ming Fei smiled: “Okay.”

    Driven by her curiosity about the unknown, Ming Fei showed a more lively side in the following time, a smile always playing on her lips and in her eyes, her whole person more energetic and cheerful.

    Clearly more relaxed and happy than when she was alone with Zhu Yiqiao.

    She chatted with Xue Xun, not noticing Zhu Yiqiao’s gaze, nor the pheromone bracelet on her wrist that occasionally lit up.

    Xue Xun was staying at the villa for the night.

    Ming Zaozao was the happiest to hear this news, because Xue Xun had played with her for a long time this afternoon.

    And Ming Fei was in the craft room working on the Grape-faced Bellflower Orchid Drum, extremely focused, striving to make every detail perfect.

    However, she was a little hesitant about whether or not to add a pear to the bottom corner of the drum’s surface. This would cater to Zhu Yiqiao’s preference and make this drum, specially made for Zhu Yiqiao, even more unique.

    Before transmigrating, Ming Fei had a habit of flipping a coin whenever she was indecisive to decide what to do next. But she had changed this habit after transmigrating, and now she had learned how to weigh and make decisions.

    After much deliberation, she sent a message to Zhu Yiqiao, who was in the study on the third floor.

    [Jiejie, do you want a pear added to the bottom corner of the drum’s surface?]

    [If you like this change, I’ll redo the drum surface. If you don’t think it’s necessary, then forget it.]

    Five minutes later, she received Zhu Yiqiao’s reply.

    [Okay.]

    [But I want it added to the right side of the bells.]

    Ming Fei respected Zhu Yiqiao’s wishes and ideas.

    [Okay, then I’ll do it according to Jiejie’s idea.]

    [[Kitten giving thumbs up.jpg]]

    Just as she was about to put down her phone, she saw a news push notification from the campus forum. The title was “Yuan Xiu from the university next door suddenly investigated and dismissed.”

    Ming Fei clicked on the notification and read the news, then logged into W University’s official website.

    Yuan Xiu’s name was indeed gone from the Institute of Paleontology. All traces of her had been erased, even the group photos with students from projects a few years ago were gone, as if she had never existed.

    Not only that, but another researcher from the Institute of Paleontology had also disappeared along with Yuan Xiu.

    This meant that the research institute had planted more than one person in W University’s Institute of Paleontology.

    Ming Fei’s heart sank.

    She exited W University’s official website and was about to start making the Grape-faced Bellflower Orchid Drum when she received a reply from Zhu Yiqiao.

    [Thank you.]

    [Send me a list of gifts you want or need.]

    Ming Fei immediately snapped out of the low mood brought on by the Yuan Xiu incident.

    Up to now, she still didn’t know the extent of Zhu Yiqiao’s wealth. After seeing the message, she replied without hesitation that she didn’t want or need any gifts.

    To confirm her thoughts and determination, she even sent Zhu Yiqiao the plan list she had made at the beginning of the year, and added an animated emoji at the end.

    [Jiejie has already given me everything I need, suppressants, pheromone bracelet, suppressor patches, and so on. Not only that, Jiejie has also helped me a lot. I don’t need any gifts in return.]

    [[Kitten happily playing a trumpet.gif]]

    Zhu Yiqiao’s reply wasn’t what Ming Fei had expected.

    [It’s not a gift in return.]

    [It’s a reward.]

    [You and Zaozao are heroes in the Yuan Xiu incident.]

    Ming Fei took a sip of the hot tea on the table, still not wanting to accept this reward, and she was certain that Ming Zaozao didn’t lack anything either. As she was still thinking about how to reply, Zhu Yiqiao sent her another message.

    [Blue Fia?]

    Blue Fia was a new type of lily that had only been cultivated in recent years. It was an extremely rare butterfly-wing blue and grew at the foot of the snow mountains in Silla.

    Because it was so far away, even Xue Xun couldn’t conjure it with her ability.

    Ming Fei didn’t expect Zhu Yiqiao to actually remember Blue Fia, because Zhu Yiqiao hadn’t spoken much during her conversation with Xue Xun, seemingly uninterested in these things.

    And in her guess, the busy Chief Judge wouldn’t remember things she wasn’t interested in.

    She was a little surprised, but didn’t think too much about it. And she really did want this flower, so she relented and agreed.

    [Thank you, Jiejie.]

    [[Little bear offering flowers.jpg]]

    The heavy snow outside the window never stopped.

    At seven o’clock during dinner, the entire garden was covered with a thin layer of snow, the occasional bright colors of flowers peeking through the snow like splashes of colored ink on a white canvas after an overturned palette.

    The four of them sat in the dining room. Outside the glass windows, the winter chill deepened, and the heavy snow fell, a beautiful sight.

    Ming Zaozao was the most focused eater, her head down the whole time, occasionally reminding Ming Fei to eat more when she drank water.

    Xue Xun asked with interest, “Zaozao, do you know what Mommy likes to eat?”

    Ming Zaozao nodded: “Mm-hmm! Baby likes to eat everything Mommy likes to eat!”

    “Then what are they?”

    “Mommy likes to eat shrimp, pineapple, carrots, tomatoes…”

    As Ming Zaozao recited the list of foods, Ming Fei was replying to Li Xing’s message. Her friend had sent her a newly published classical philosophy book and invited her to read chapter 3, page 56.

    She clicked on it and saw that it was about the philosopher they had talked about in the morning.

    So, she replied to her friend with a “little rabbit nodding” emoji.

    Ming Fei put down her phone, but accidentally knocked over a porcelain plate on the table, spilling Zhu Yiqiao’s soup as well.

    The milky white soup flowed along the tablecloth onto Zhu Yiqiao’s shirt sleeve. Ming Fei’s body reacted faster than her mind, and she leaned over to check if Zhu Yiqiao had been scalded, her hand covering Zhu Yiqiao’s.

    After repeatedly confirming that only the cuff was stained with soup, Ming Fei bent down and wiped Zhu Yiqiao’s sleeve, apologizing profusely.

    “I’m sorry, I didn’t notice the soup was there.”

    Zhu Yiqiao: “It’s okay.”

    Ming Fei hesitated to speak. After wiping it clean, she looked up and noticed Xue Xun staring at her.

    Compared to noon, there was a hint of scrutiny in her eyes.

    Ming Fei didn’t mind and sat back in her seat after making sure Zhu Yiqiao was fine.

    Because of this small incident, Ming Fei lost her appetite. Except for picking up food for Ming Zaozao, she mostly just drank water.

    She felt inexplicably thirsty, and her body temperature rose slightly without her realizing it. In the end, she almost finished half a pot of water.

    And Xue Xun, who had witnessed this small incident, felt the balance in her heart shift again—

    Based on her understanding of her friend, Zhu Yiqiao would only move away when an alpha approached, or throw them over her shoulder. Not like just now, remaining motionless from beginning to end, allowing Ming Fei to approach.

    Letting Ming Fei carefully wipe the soup for her, even… touching her wrist.

    Therefore, Xue Xun decided to observe further before deciding whether to change her bet.

    After dinner, Ming Fei put on her coat, gloves, and hat, and holding a black umbrella, went to the garden. After picking all the Bingjiao roses in the corner, she returned to the living room with the flower basket.

    The moon was silver, and Ming Fei, covered in snow, was chilled to the bone.

    When Ming Zaozao rushed towards her, she didn’t hug her because of the cold, just bent down and kissed her round face, coaxing her to continue watching cartoons.

    Xue Xun, her red curly hair tied up, sat down opposite Ming Fei with a smile.

    “You could have just told me,” Xue Xun helped her trim the flower branches. “I could have used my ability to bring them inside for you, and you wouldn’t have had to brave the snow to pick them.”

    Ming Fei didn’t want to trouble others with things she could do herself. She wasn’t very familiar with Xue Xun yet, far from the point where she could directly ask her to use her ability.

    She made up an excuse, and Xue Xun didn’t press further, quickly finding a new topic to start a conversation.

    “In the twentieth year of the apocalypse, plants and animals all mutated…”

    Ming Fei multitasked, trimming the roses while listening to Xue Xun’s apocalyptic stories. She was very interested in the mutation of plants and animals, sometimes even asking with a smile,

    “Xue Xun Jiejie, could marine life go on land then?”

    “Would small mushrooms turn into mushroom houses?”

    “Would mutated rabbits still eat carrots?”

    …

    Xue Xun patiently answered all of Ming Fei’s questions.

    She thought, perhaps it was because Ming Fei, like her lover whom she had been separated from for eight years, had black hair and black eyes.

    The atmosphere between them remained lively during the trimming process.

    But for some reason, this scene of them chatting happily was an eyesore to Zhu Yiqiao.

    She hadn’t felt this way before.

    Zhu Yiqiao looked away, lowering her head to browse the latest document sent by Lan Lubai. Five minutes later, she closed the document, her gaze sweeping over the display screen and landing directly on Ming Fei, who was still trimming the roses.

    The person who was usually slightly reserved in front of her now had a bright smile, her almond eyes curved.

    After a few seconds, Zhu Yiqiao left the living room.

    And when Ming Fei finished trimming, placed the roses in a glass vase, and took them back to the study, she received a message from Zhu Yiqiao.

    [Come to my room tonight.]

    [We’ll start the first guidance session.]

  • Friend(GL) 115

    Chapter 115: The Moon

    Yu Qiao delivered this slap with full force. The mark on Zhou Tianzui’s face was instantly visible. She turned her head away, silent. Yu Qiao said, “You can care about her mother? Then why don’t you care about your own mother?”

    Zhou Tianzui turned slightly and said, “We can’t just think about ourselves.”

    “Xiao Tian?” Yu Qiao’s voice was sharp, a mixture of disbelief and anger, “Have you gone crazy?”

    Zhou Tianzui looked at Yu Qiao. Ever since confessing her feelings for You Ruxu, she had been thinking about when and how to tell Yu Qiao, afraid that You Ruxu, unable to bear the guilt, would confess first.

    And she herself also felt the same.

    Every time she saw Yu Qiao, the guilt intensified, threatening to drown her. Now, having finally confessed, she felt a sense of relief, “Mom, I’m not crazy, I know she wronged us, but that was a long time ago, she was just a child back then, you can’t blame her for everything.”

    Yu Qiao took a step back, “Then who should I blame?”

    Her years of hatred, could they be dismissed so easily by Zhou Tianzui’s words, you can’t blame her for everything?

    Zhou Tianzui said, “If you really want to blame someone, blame those who blindly condemned us without knowing the truth.”

    “If it wasn’t for Shi Ran, would they have condemned us?” Yu Qiao said, “If it wasn’t for her accusation, would your father have been labeled a rapist? If it wasn’t for her, would we have had to live in hiding, in the shadows?”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “She made a mistake, but she hasn’t had an easy life either.”

    “A hard life?” Yu Qiao scoffed, “Her father works at the court, her mother is a university professor, she changed her identity and became someone important, how is that a hard life?”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Then do you know why she became a reporter? Out of guilt, she wants to atone, she’s been trying all these years…”

    “Trying what?” Yu Qiao interrupted her. “To get into your bed?”

    “Is that also a form of atonement?”

    “She turned you into a homosexual, she made you the target of ridicule and judgment, and that’s atonement?”

    Zhou Tianzui tried to sit up, a sharp pain shooting through her wound, her forehead covered in sweat. She said to Yu Qiao, “She didn’t ‘turn’ me into anything, I already was.”

    “Already was?!” Yu Qiao said, “If it wasn’t for her, would you have liked women?”

    Zhou Tianzui was speechless.

    Yu Qiao’s face was grim, “It wasn’t enough for her to ruin our family once, she has to do it again, it wasn’t enough for her to destroy your father’s life, now she wants to destroy yours!”

    Zhou Tianzui tried to reach for Yu Qiao, “Mom, please calm down!”

    “I am calm!” Yu Qiao said, “I’ve never been calmer.” Her voice was cold and distant, “From now on, you have nothing to do with You Ruxu, you are you, she is she, I’m transferring you to another hospital.”

    She turned and walked away, ignoring Zhou Tianzui’s calls. Zhou Tianzui tried to get up, but the pain was too much, she collapsed back onto the bed, angrily knocking over the thermos on the bedside table. Yu Qiao, hearing the crash, paused at the door, then continued walking.

    Zhou Tianzui’s eyes were red with anger.

    She called You Ruxu.

    You Ruxu’s phone was off.

    She had been interviewing for over two hours. Chen Xiang had repeatedly suggested she take a break, but You Ruxu insisted, “I’m fine.”

    Chen Xiang looked at her, so many thoughts and emotions swirling within her, yet unable to express them. She had always seen You Ruxu as someone blessed, someone who had everything, never imagining her past could be so dark.

    Perhaps because she had worked with You Ruxu for so long, a lingering affection, that even knowing the truth, she couldn’t bring herself to judge or condemn her.

    You Ruxu sat up straight, “Just two more questions, and we’re done, right?”

    Chen Xiang said, “Yes.”

    You Ruxu said, “Do you have any questions for me?”

    Chen Xiang said, “I don’t know, Teacher You, there’s so much I want to say, but I don’t know where to begin.” Her perception of You Ruxu shattered, she was still in a daze, “You know, I never truly understood our profession before.”

    But the incident with You Ruxu, with Zhou Qiming, made her realize what it meant to be a reporter.

    The weight of their responsibility.

    If there had been fewer sensationalized reports, fewer biased media outlets back then, perhaps Dr. Zhou and her mother wouldn’t have suffered so much. Was it right to place all the blame on You Ruxu?

    She thought, even if it wasn’t You Ruxu, even if it were someone else, they shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of it all.

    But You Ruxu, she was undeniably wrong.

    Whether intentional or unintentional, through her misinformation, she had ruined someone’s life.

    At this moment, Chen Xiang truly understood the burden she carried.

    You Ruxu said, “Let’s continue.”

    Chen Xiang nodded and sat opposite her.

    The interview ended at noon. Chen Xiang wanted to treat You Ruxu to lunch, but You Ruxu declined, “Could you take me to the hospital?”

    Chen Xiang said, “Sure.”

    She asked, “Are you going to see Dr. Zhou?”

    You Ruxu nodded, “Yes.”

    Chen Xiang said, “Did she, say anything?”

    You Ruxu said, “No.”

    Chen Xiang said, “She’s so kind.”

    Anyone else, they wouldn’t be so understanding. You Ruxu’s eyes reddened slightly, she turned to look out the window, the scenery blurring as they drove. They soon arrived at the hospital. Chen Xiang wanted to help her inside, but You Ruxu said, “You go back, you still have work to do.”

    Chen Xiang said, “Okay then, I’ll be going now, call me if you need anything.”

    You Ruxu nodded faintly.

    After Chen Xiang left, You Ruxu went inside and took the elevator, reaching the VIP ward. The head nurse came out, “Good afternoon, Reporter You.”

    You Ruxu nodded and smiled at her, “How is Dr. Zhou doing today?”

    “Dr. Zhou?” The head nurse said, “She was just transferred, her mother requested it.”

    You Ruxu froze, “Transferred?”

    The head nurse said, “Yes, she’s quite famous now, her mother didn’t want her to be disturbed, so she requested a transfer.”

    You Ruxu gripped the armrests of her wheelchair, “Transferred where?”

    The head nurse said, “To the City Hospital.”

    You Ruxu said, “Thank you.”

    The head nurse smiled, “You’re welcome.”

    You Ruxu returned to the now empty and quiet ward. Zhou Tianzui was gone, her bed also taken away. Only You Ruxu’s bed remained, all traces of Zhou Tianzui erased, the air thin and cold. She sat in her wheelchair, looking at the empty space.

    That was where Zhou Tianzui’s bed was last night.

    Where they lay together.

    Where they held each other as they slept.

    Where she held Zhou Tianzui.

    It had been so warm. She missed Zhou Tianzui.

    Missed her terribly.

    You Ruxu took out her phone, wanting to call Zhou Tianzui, seeing Yu Qiao’s name in her contacts, it felt like a needle pricking her finger, she couldn’t bring herself to press the call button. Her hand trembling, the screen went dark. She wheeled herself to the bed, the cold sheets, the cold emptiness of the room.

    She leaned against the bed, the coldness seeping into her bones, like a patient struggling to breathe, only finding relief in Zhou Tianzui’s presence.

    You Ruxu, unable to resist any longer, called Zhou Tianzui.

    The ringing echoed, her heart pounding with each ring.

    Zhou Tianzui, hearing her phone ring, reached for it, but Yu Qiao snatched it first. Zhou Tianzui looked at her mother.

    Yu Qiao said, “You haven’t listened to a single word I said.”

    She handed the phone to Zhou Tianzui, “Answer it.”

    Zhou Tianzui’s phone vibrated in her hand. She looked at Yu Qiao.

    Yu Qiao said, “Many reporters contacted me recently, wanting to interview me. What do you think will happen if I tell them that You Ruxu is Shi Ran?”

    Zhou Tianzui gripped the phone tightly: “Mom, you know we don’t care.”

    “It’s you two who don’t care,” Yu Qiao said, “What about You Ruxu’s adoptive parents? Do they not care? Can they handle it? How much are they willing to endure for her? What if they can’t, will they disown her?”

    Zhou Tianzui thought of You Shu, of Wu Xiulian, of You Ruxu wanting a home, a warm and loving home, so desperately that she was willing to play the role of a deceased child.

    If she was abandoned again.

    She closed her eyes and said, “They won’t disown her.”

    “Even better.” Yu Qiao said, “Let them suffer what we suffered, Xiao Tian, didn’t you tell me to let go of the past? Then go tell them to let go, see if they can, after something like this.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s different now, she didn’t know back then…”

    Yu Qiao said, “Whether she knew or not, she’s still guilty, she committed a crime. Do you want her to continue being a criminal, to carry this guilt for the rest of her life? You two might not care, but if something happens to her adoptive parents because of her, can she live with herself? Can you?”

    The phone stopped vibrating.

    Zhou Tianzui looked at Yu Qiao.

    Yu Qiao said, “Cut all ties with her, from now on, you are you, she is she. Your father’s name has been cleared, I can let go of the past, but from now on, you have nothing to do with her.”

    Zhou Tianzui felt exhausted, her face ashen.

    The screen of her phone, dark and unresponsive, reflected her pale features. Her voice was filled with anguish, “What if I can’t?”

    Yu Qiao said, “Then I’ll do the interview.”

    Zhou Tianzui’s fingers twitched, dropping the phone onto the blanket. Her eyes were red and burning, tears threatening to spill. Yu Qiao continued, “I also heard that, her father has been released from prison, he’s been looking for her…”

    “Mom.”

    Yu Qiao said, “I don’t mind…”

    “Don’t.”

    Yu Qiao said, “Telling him who Shi Ran is.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Stop it!”

    She looked at Yu Qiao, then thinking of You Ruxu, how she always became tense and withdrawn whenever she talked about her childhood, about her mother being abused by her father, about that man, she couldn’t control her own emotions.

    She was still so afraid.

    Her phone rang again.

    The vibration against the blanket. Zhou Tianzui looked down at the flashing name on the screen, her finger hovering over the answer button. Yu Qiao watched her, her gaze cold and silent. Zhou Tianzui slowly curled her fingers, her hand closing around the phone, not answering.

    She turned to look out the window, her pale face gradually regaining its composure, the insistent ringing echoing in the quiet room, Zhou Tianzui closed her eyes and turned off the phone.

    How could she bear to watch the moon she held so precious fall and be tarnished by the world?

  • The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated 507

    Chapter 507: “What Does It Look Like When I Attack?”

    “Holy shit!”

    Shien, who was slaughtering Demonized Beings with highly lethal Bestowal Magic, saw Millu’s actions and couldn’t help but curse.

    Although it looked like she was doing the same thing as him, anyone with discerning eyes could see that despite the similar results, what Shien and Millu were doing was completely different.

    Shien relied on highly lethal magic to explode the Demonized Beings with a single touch.

    And Millu?

    This girl didn’t use any magic or skills, simply focusing her immense power on her fingertip and poking the Demonized Being, causing it to explode.

    The power unleashed in that instant could probably even destroy a small mountain.

    Such terrifying power, even the current Shien couldn’t achieve, not even Yulin. Perhaps only Airi and Lilith could rival it.

    How could Shien not curse?

    “Don’t let those Demonized Beings escape, Millu.”

    Lid, still on Millu’s head, gave instructions calmly.

    “Okay!”

    Millu nodded obediently, then in the next moment, her figure blurred and dashed out.

    Her speed wasn’t particularly fast.

    However, as she moved, her afterimage suddenly split into two, then four, instantly creating several figures that darted towards the fleeing Demonized Beings like ghosts.

    “Doppelgangers?”

    Shien was slightly stunned, then dismissed the thought.

    Because, in his perception, all those figures were solid, not illusory doppelgangers.

    Millu had transformed into several people, each rushing towards a Demonized Being, and like before, focusing her astonishing power on her fingertip, poking the fleeing monsters in the back.

    “Bang!” “Bang!” “Bang!” “Bang!” “Bang!” …

    Throughout the forest, as the ghostly figures flickered, Demonized Beings exploded one after another, turning into splatters of blood and flesh, dyeing the ground red.

    The scene was incredibly gruesome.

    “Tsk, tsk, how cruel, how merciless.”

    Shien condemned them seemingly righteously, but his actions didn’t slow down. Like Millu, he pointed at the Demonized Beings with his fingertip, and with a fluctuation of magic power, exploded them one by one.

    The already eerie Tegor Forest, under the merciless slaughter of Shien and Millu, had become a true hell.

    None of the Demonized Beings attracted by Shien’s magic power could escape their fate, all of them obliterated, leaving behind only blood, gore, and scattered body parts, a shockingly gruesome scene.

    Under their merciless slaughter, naturally, none of the attracted Demonized Beings could survive.

    When they finally stopped, the number of Demonized Beings they had killed, if not in the thousands, was at least in the hundreds.

    “Is it over?”

    Shien looked around, noticing that there were no more Demonized Beings, and said with a hint of regret, standing calmly amidst this bloody scene of carnage, completely different from when he first came to this world, vomiting after being splashed with blood.

    “No more?”

    Millu also stopped, her slender finger still extended, all her split bodies merging back into one, looking unsatisfied.

    “The Demonized Beings in the surrounding area should have been eliminated.” Lid glanced at the two of them and said with exasperation, “What? You still haven’t had enough?”

    Shien and Millu replied in unison,

    “Not enough.”

    At this moment, they were surprisingly in sync.

    Lid was speechless.

    “You were the one who said there would be an invigorating workout.” Shien said smugly, as if finally having a chance to retort, “But in the end, I only used one finger, and it was over. Such a waste. These guys looked so fierce, who knew they were so weak.”

    “Mmm-hmm!” Millu nodded seriously, echoing, “Finger kill, fun, opponents, weak!”

    The two suddenly became allies.

    “Millu, you traitor.” Lid knocked on Millu’s head, then looked at Shien. “I underestimated you. I originally thought these Demonized Beings could at least cause you some trouble.”

    It wasn’t surprising that Lid thought this way.

    Although she had heard of Shien, she didn’t know much about him.

    She knew that Shien could single-handedly subjugate the declining Old Demon Faction branch [Assassination Branch], decimate nearly half of the Kingdom Knight Order, and even destroy the noble district of the Kingdom’s capital. He was definitely capable.

    But Shien was only in his early twenties, and a human at that, not a naturally magical elf, nor a naturally gifted warrior like a beastman. Even if Lid overestimated Shien, it was difficult for her to imagine how strong he truly was.

    Therefore, in Lid’s view, Shien reaching the legendary level at this age was already astonishing. Throughout the human race, probably only that Kingdom’s treasure could compare.

    Who would have thought that Shien’s strength was far greater than she imagined?

    Although his level didn’t seem high, his strength far surpassed it.

    Based on what he had displayed so far, Shien’s performance was no less than any of the Thirteen Heroes of the past.

    Lid could guarantee this.

    After all, in the Demon Race, no one knew the Thirteen Heroes better than her.

    “I’m starting to get curious now.” Lid narrowed her eyes. “A little monster like you, why haven’t I heard of you before?”

    With Shien’s strength and talent, logically speaking, it was impossible for him to be unknown.

    But in reality?

    About half a year ago, no one had ever heard of the name Shien.

    This guy seemed to have appeared out of thin air, suddenly becoming famous and powerful, a prominent figure known to everyone in the world.

    Lid hadn’t paid much attention to this before, but now she found it strange and intriguing.

    (Big Sister and Airi should know something, right?)

    Lid had this feeling.

    Otherwise, with her cautious Big Sister’s personality, she wouldn’t let Airi mess around with a human of unknown origin.

    (Could it be that Airi is interested in this human brat because of some secret?)

    Lid figured this out and became interested in Shien.

    Millu, on the other hand, seemed to have taken a liking to Shien and was now hugging his leg with a beaming smile.

    “Big brother is so fun.”

    Millu’s eyes crinkled into crescents as she smiled.

    This made Shien uncomfortable.

    Recalling how this seemingly innocent, naive, and romantic little girl had just exploded those Demonized Beings with her fingers, Shien couldn’t help but worry that if she accidentally used a little too much force while hugging his leg, she might break it.

    And thinking about how this girl wasn’t afraid of the bloody scene at all, but smiled happily, finding it fun, Shien felt that his premonition was correct.

    There was something dangerous about this little girl’s nature.

    And her power was also quite strange, able to ignore barriers and enemy attacks, as if she didn’t exist in this world, just a mirage, impervious to both fire and the fangs of Demonized Beings.

    All attacks passed through her body, unable to harm her, and she possessed incredible strength, enough to explode a Demonized Being with a single finger, and she could even create doppelgangers. She was both strange and terrifying.

    Shien felt that this innocent and romantic little girl wasn’t human at all.

    She was more like a—”ghost.”

    Therefore, Shien always felt a chill around Millu.

    Lid, on the other hand, this seemingly mysterious fluffy creature, made him curious.

    “Speaking of which, why didn’t you attack just now?” Shien asked Lid. “I wanted to see what it looks like when you attack.”

    Lid glanced at Shien.

    “If other humans knew you had this thought, they would probably drown you in their spit.”

    Lid said these strange words.

    “What do you mean?”

    Shien raised an eyebrow.

    “It’s simple.” Lid chuckled. “Because unlike you, they definitely wouldn’t want to see me attack.”

    Shien naturally didn’t understand these words.

    Only Nadue, merged with nature, as if recalling some trauma, couldn’t help but shudder.

    Looking at Millu, who was hugging Shien’s leg with a smile, and Lid, who was lying lazily on Millu’s head, Nadue smiled wryly.

    Only she knew how terrifying this strange duo truly was.

    If, in the Demon Race, the Dragon Demon and the Poison Demon were widely considered the most ferocious, then these two were considered the most dangerous.

    The Dragon Demon and the Poison Demon were feared because of their brutal nature, but these two weren’t like that.

    Their personalities weren’t bad. One was innocent, naive, and romantic, the other lazy, mature, and easy to talk to. But when they unleashed their true power, besides the Demon King, these two were the ones who could bring the greatest harm to this world.

    Therefore, these two couldn’t act alone. One had to be restrained by someone, the other had to restrain herself.

    And once these restraints were removed, they would instantly transform into the most terrifying existences, bringing disaster to the world.

    Frankly, even Lilith, the evil god who once turned the earth into hell, was probably only on par with these two.

    If Lilith was the strongest evil god, then these two were the strongest evil demons.

    “Fortunately, these two aren’t as moody as the Dragon Demon and the Poison Demon, and they’re relatively easy to get along with.”

    Nadue could only be thankful that Shien encountered these two.