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  • Reborn to Stew Soup (GL) 120p2

    Chapter 120: Team Change Card p2

    Yu Naihao regretted buying the steak, if they hadn’t, they could have a tiled house!

    But even after getting the house, they still had to spend five coins on bedsheets, blankets, and pillows, and another two coins for a toiletries set, which consisted of a roll of toilet paper, two toothbrushes, a tiny tube of toothpaste, and equally small bottles of face wash and toner, barely enough for a couple of uses.

    These seven coins were unavoidable.

    The website updated in real time. Ji Junxin and Bao Yueqiao’s team: tiled house, eight coins remaining. Mi Hongdou and Jiang Lingling’s team: same. Zhang Zijing and Jiang Duo’s team: thatched hut, thirteen coins remaining. Lu Changhuai and Yu Naihao’s team: thatched hut, twenty-three coins remaining.

    The fifty starting coins had created a clear divide. The live stream comments were buzzing, they loved seeing the consequences of poor choices!

    And the comments praising Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou’s teams were endless. The difference in intelligence was apparent even before the team challenges and the mission system started!

    Regardless of the online praise, even the two teams with tiled houses faced new problems.

    It was almost past lunchtime, and they were still cleaning their houses with the two-coin toiletries sets. Even though they were aware of the importance of saving coins, it was unavoidable. After all, the houses were empty, and to live, they needed to spend.

    Mi Hongdou was efficient, but to the viewers’ surprise, Jiang Lingling, whose skill was “Rich,” was even faster. Such competence for a rich girl!

    By the time Mi Hongdou and Jiang Lingling’s house was spotless, with their new blankets airing out in the courtyard, Ji Junxin and Bao Yueqiao’s team, across the courtyard, had only cleaned half their house.

    Mi Hongdou stood in her courtyard, looking at Ji Junxin sweeping the courtyard across from her, her heart aching.

    Unlike other shows that emphasized teamwork, the rules of “Reality Online” were clear: intra-team cooperation, inter-team competition, no helping other teams. Mi Hongdou could only watch, frustrated.

    Being watched by Mi Hongdou made Ji Junxin uncomfortable. Not being on the same team is so frustrating! But… she couldn’t just keep being stared at, they were being filmed! Pay attention to the cameras, you fool! Ji Junxin closed the courtyard gate, blocking Mi Hongdou’s view, using the excuse of wiping the gate.

    The “no helping other teams” rule had been criticized by some viewers as heartless, but most approved. This was a survival competition, who wanted to see constant cooperation? The strong should thrive, the weak should struggle!

    Unable to see Ji Junxin, Mi Hongdou returned to her own courtyard, waiting for the chicken to be cooked.

    Jiang Lingling’s chicken slaughtering was too bloody for live broadcast, so it was censored, like the luggage packing scene earlier. But after the killing and bleeding, the live stream resumed.

    So, the viewers, who had just been impressed by Jiang Lingling’s cleaning skills, now watched, dumbfounded, as she skillfully killed, bled, plucked, and gutted the chicken, then carried the cleaned chicken and a bowl of chicken blood away… She was like a professional butcher! Compared to her three-minute efficiency, the two men from the other team, struggling for half an hour to kill a goose, looked incredibly incompetent!

    She’s so brutal… we can’t be friends… does she need a leg pendant? College-educated!

    There was enough firewood in the courtyard for two meals, and the discounted starter pack of seasonings, bought with one coin, was enough for one pot of chicken soup. Mi Hongdou was grateful they had drawn a hen. Chicken soup only required the basic seasonings from the starter pack, while other chicken dishes would require additional soy sauce and spices. With their limited coins, every coin was precious.

    Mi Hongdou put the chicken on to simmer, the gate across the courtyard still closed. Unable to see what was happening there, she was incredibly anxious. She waited, the aroma of chicken soup filling the air, but the other courtyard remained quiet. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and went to knock on their gate.

    The rules forbade helping other teams, but not checking on them.

    The gate wasn’t even latched, and with a gentle push, it creaked open.

    Ji Junxin and Bao Yueqiao were squatting by a wooden basin, and hearing the sound, they looked up. Mi Hongdou, still in her knocking posture, they looked at each other, the atmosphere… awkward.

    Why do I feel like I’m interrupting their… domestic bliss? Mi Hongdou’s heart sank.

    Ji Junxin was the first to react, breaking the silence. “Have you eaten?”

    “Not yet, just started cooking, what about you?” Mi Hongdou quickly replied, seizing the offered branch.

    “We’re finished, plain rice and pickled cucumbers… I don’t think I can eat that again!” Bao Yueqiao said, grimacing. “The show is so cruel! Why pickled cucumbers? Even preserved tofu would be better!”

    “Too much preserved tofu isn’t good for you…” Mi Hongdou thought of the chicken simmering in her pot and the two fish in their basin, feeling incredibly frustrated.

    “That’s true.” The easily swayed Bao Yueqiao agreed, then said happily, “But it’s okay, Sister Junxin said we’ll see if it’s easy to earn coins. If it is, we’ll buy two eggs tonight and make egg drop soup!”

    Mi Hongdou’s gaze shifted from the cheerful Bao Yueqiao to Ji Junxin, who remained silent. In just a few months, she had gone from the little foodie who needed to be fed to the capable “Sister Junxin” who made all the decisions?

    Although she knew that her earlier view of Ji Junxin as a naive and clueless foodie was partly due to her own affection, Mi Hongdou still felt a strange pang of disappointment…

    Sensing her own shift in mood, Mi Hongdou exchanged a few more words with Bao Yueqiao and then left.

    Ji Junxin gritted her teeth! She came all the way here and only talked to Bao Yueqiao! Didn’t even ask me anything! Plain rice and pickled cucumbers are terrible! And I could smell your chicken soup…

    Although the set rules were against helping other teams, it didn’t mean one couldn’t show concern. Seeing Ji Junxin at the door with two fish in a wooden basin, and remembering the exorbitant price of fish on the Supplies Board, Mi Hongdou knew that with only eight coins left after buying the necessities, Ji Junxin’s team couldn’t afford any seasonings. This fish, if cooked without any seasoning, would be… Mi Hongdou felt sorry for Ji Junxin and the clueless Bao Yueqiao and decided to offer some friendly advice. However, in front of the cameras, she couldn’t be too obvious. She casually told them about the river by the village and the many aquatic plants suitable for feeding fish. If they didn’t kill and cook them now, perhaps they could raise them and have fresh fish later.

    “There are four groups of chickens there, so I think each team can feed them once. You and… Jiang Lingling, you should go check it out later.” Ji Junxin’s voice was slightly hesitant when mentioning Jiang Lingling.

    Mi Hongdou noticed the hesitation, but just nodded. It seemed she would have to postpone her pursuit of Ji Junxin until after the reality show.

    Hmph! She nodded so quickly! Ji Junxin was a little annoyed.

    And then… the director’s voice boomed through the loudspeaker.

    “Okay, everyone, before we begin today’s activities, we’ll have a team reshuffle! This morning, the teams were formed by mutual consent. This time, it’s a forced pairing. One person nominates another, and the nominated person has no right to refuse. This is the last chance to change teams, so choose carefully. You have thirty seconds to discuss.”

    Ji Junxin’s heart leaped at the mention of “team change.” But those darn screens between the teams, she couldn’t even see Mi Hongdou’s reaction. But… this was her last chance!

    Mi Hongdou’s heart was also racing. As soon as the director finished, she looked at Jiang Lingling.

    Jiang Lingling smiled knowingly. “It’s also fun to team up with different people.”

    Mi Hongdou knew that Jiang Lingling had seen through her and was giving her a way out… she nodded in agreement, but her gaze towards Jiang Lingling was apologetic. She was being disloyal.

    “But if we’re not on the same team, I won’t get to eat your cooking. Just chicken alone, there are so many dishes I want to try: five-spice chicken, braised chicken, salt-baked chicken, big plate chicken, spicy chicken, roasted chicken, fried chicken, soy sauce chicken, braised chicken, and barbequed chicken…” Jiang Lingling listed them on her fingers.

    “…” Mi Hongdou understood, her apology vanishing. “If we’re not on the same team, I’ll make them all for you after the show.”

    Jiang Lingling beamed. You understand me!

    “Then… I have no regrets~”

    Good thing you didn’t say ‘then I can die without regrets’! This girl was truly a master schemer.

    Mi Hongdou and Jiang Lingling quickly reached an agreement.

    Ji Junxin and Bao Yueqiao’s discussion was more complicated, Bao Yueqiao wasn’t as perceptive as Jiang Lingling.

    Thirty seconds was too short. Ji Junxin quickly thought, then sighed and said, “We can’t even kill a fish or fix a window, we’re not exactly… survival experts.”

    Bao Yueqiao, nodding in agreement, said, “Exactly, feeding chickens only earns you one coin, and you can only do it twice a day, not even enough for an egg.”

    Hook, line, and sinker!

    Ji Junxin sighed again. “Although we’re a good team, perhaps we should switch with a stronger team, to… survive…”

    “Time’s up! End of discussion!” the director announced.

    “…” I wasn’t even finished! Ji Junxin thought, exasperated.

    Bao Yueqiao, however, seemed to understand and patted Ji Junxin’s shoulder reassuringly.

    “Okay, anyone who wants to switch teams, speak now.”

    I wonder if Mi Hongdou will choose me… Ji Junxin thought anxiously. She’s been spending so much time with Jiang Lingling… I’ll give her ten seconds, if she doesn’t choose me, then I’ll choose her.

    But before she could even count to two, someone spoke.

    “Me! I want to be on Mi Hongdou’s team!” Bao Yueqiao’s voice was clear and firm.

    Ji Junxin’s mind went blank.

    What?! You said you understood, what did you understand?!

    “Okay, Bao Yueqiao wants to be on Mi Hongdou’s team. According to the rules, Mi Hongdou has no right to refuse,” the director announced.

    “Jiang Lingling is the strongest, you should choose her,” Bao Yueqiao said to Ji Junxin, her expression saying, I’m doing this for you.

    Ji Junxin was speechless.

    Mi Hongdou and Jiang Lingling were also shocked. That was the result of their thirty-second discussion? Are they crazy? The thought that this was a joint decision between Ji Junxin and Bao Yueqiao shattered Mi Hongdou’s heart.

    “Quickly, nominate Ji Junxin!” Although heartbroken, Mi Hongdou’s mind was still working.

    Jiang Lingling quickly reacted. “I choose Ji Junxin!”

    “I choose Ji Junxin!”

    Almost simultaneously, Jiang Duo’s voice also rang out.

    What the…! Mi Hongdou almost cursed.

    “Ooh, interesting. Two people want to be on Ji Junxin’s team!” the director said. “Then it’s up to Ji Junxin.”

    The teams were still separated by screens. After a moment of silence, Ji Junxin finally said, “Jiang Lingling.”

    “Phew…” Jiang Lingling patted her chest. When she and Jiang Duo had spoken at the same time, Mi Hongdou’s expression had turned so dark that she felt like if she didn’t choose Jiang Duo, Mi Hongdou would kill her.

    Ji Junxin was feeling miserable. Jiang Lingling and Jiang Duo were the same to her, anyone but Mi Hongdou… But remembering Mi Hongdou’s dislike for Jiang Duo, she chose Jiang Lingling.

    Almost as soon as she made her choice, there seemed to be a brief argument between Jiang Duo and Zhang Zijing, then they both spoke at the same time.

    Jiang Duo: “I choose Yu Naihao.”

    Zhang Zijing: “I choose Lu Changhuai.”

    From behind the screen separating Lu Changhuai and Yu Naihao, a loud “Fuck!” Clearly Yu Naihao.

    Lu Changhuai and Yu Naihao had also just realized that nominating each other would prevent them from being separated. But they had both been nominated by others.

    If only one of them had been nominated, the other could have also nominated them, creating a competition, and the nominated person could then choose their original teammate, preventing separation. But Zhang Zijing and Jiang Duo had pulled a fast one, nominating both of them, dooming them both.

    Yu Naihao exploded, and Lu Changhuai could barely contain his own frustration. What were those two thinking!

    What else? Jiang Duo and Zhang Zijing, like Ji Junxin and Bao Yueqiao, couldn’t cook or fix anything. And they were stuck in the thatched hut. After buying bedding, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and the useless tool kit, they only had six coins left, barely enough to survive, let alone upgrade their housing. They had even argued about spending thirty coins on changing their uniform colors earlier, their team on the verge of collapse.

    Hearing about the team change, and Bao Yueqiao setting a precedent, Jiang Duo had an idea. With the cameras rolling, they had to maintain a good image. So… she could try getting closer to Ji Junxin again! She could still follow Lu Gaoshi’s plan and achieve success.

    Unfortunately, she lost to Jiang Lingling.

    Both Jiang Duo and Zhang Zijing knew that if they stayed together, they were doomed. Thinking that they had to maintain a friendly facade for the cameras, they decided to break up the seemingly more competent team of Lu Changhuai and Yu Naihao.

    Jiang Duo hadn’t expected Yu Naihao’s outburst and felt a sense of unease. But looking at the reckless Zhang Zijing, well… Yu Naihao couldn’t be any worse.

    So… the eight participants, four teams, a complete reshuffle.

    The live stream comments exploded. They had seen CPs being broken up, but not like this! Bao Yueqiao was one thing, she was just clueless and well-intentioned! But Zhang Zijing and Jiang Duo, their coordinated attack, hadn’t they seen how upset the CPs were! Could they still be friends after this!

    According to the rules, the team’s assets could be split evenly or however they wished, and their uniforms would be changed to one of the new team members’ colors.

    Their material assets were similar, all basic necessities. The valuable assets were their houses and their coins.

    Before the reshuffle: Ji Junxin and Bao Yueqiao’s team: one coin. Mi Hongdou and Jiang Lingling’s team: ten coins. Zhang Zijing and Jiang Duo’s team: six coins. Lu Changhuai and Yu Naihao’s team: sixteen coins (having completed the chicken feeding task).

    The houses were easy to divide, tiled houses for tiled houses, huts for huts.

    Ji Junxin gave Bao Yueqiao the one coin and sent her to Mi Hongdou’s old house.

    Zhang Zijing and Jiang Duo split their six coins.

    Lu Changhuai and Yu Naihao looked dejected. Lu Changhuai left the leftover braised goose and the repaired house to Yu Naihao and moved into Zhang Zijing and Jiang Duo’s hut.

    The reshuffle ended around 5 PM, just before dinner.

    Qiao Rubai, witnessing the reshuffle, was fuming. As a principled businesswoman who valued fairness, she had already made an exception by introducing this second team change for Ji Junxin’s sake. If either Ji Junxin or Mi Hongdou had been a little more proactive, this wouldn’t have happened. Qiao Rubai, exasperated, turned off her computer and left to pick up Yang Miemie and have dinner.

    Looking at the empty kitchen in Ji Junxin’s house, Jiang Lingling felt a little stressed. Fortunately, the chicken she had eaten at lunch and the promise of more chicken dishes from Mi Hongdou gave her courage!

    She greeted Ji Junxin, went for a walk in the village, and then returned to share a meal of plain rice and pickled cucumbers with Ji Junxin.

    This dinner was a stark contrast to her lunch, and Jiang Lingling was full after just a few bites. But seeing Ji Junxin, the usually picky eater, quietly eating the rice and pickled cucumbers without complaint, Jiang Lingling felt a pang of… something. It felt like forcibly separating a couple… although she was an unwilling participant.

    There was no aroma coming from Mi Hongdou’s house across the courtyard. Jiang Lingling knew that Mi Hongdou wouldn’t be cooking tonight. Firstly, because she was probably upset, and secondly… Jiang Lingling touched her pocket, hehe.

    After dinner, Jiang Lingling went to the restroom. When she came out, she nudged Ji Junxin. “Weren’t you going to the restroom? I’m finished, you can go now.”

    Ji Junxin, who had been wiping the table, paused. Jiang Lingling winked at her. “Go ahead.”

     

  • Malicious Female Lead’s Guide to Causing Trouble [Quick Transmigration] 60p3

    Chapter Sixty p3

    Yu Zhao completely let down her guard against Bo Chi, but when she saw Bo Chi blowing on the spoon, wanting to feed her personally, she still turned her face away uncomfortably, and said awkwardly: “I’ll eat it myself.“

    Bo Chi didn’t dare to continue teasing her at this time, so she obediently put the bowl in her hand.

    Yu Zhao felt inexplicably depressed, but couldn’t figure out why, so she could only eat by herself with an expressionless face.

    The atmosphere between them was subtly tense, but Jin Xi on the side didn’t notice. After saying a lot of things about how it was good that nothing happened, she clenched her fist and said: “It’s too dangerous on the mountain! We must go down the mountain today!“

    Bo Chi looked at Yu Zhao: “Can you walk?“

    Yu Zhao was often looked down upon because of her appearance, and she thought she was used to it. Now, hearing Bo Chi’s hesitation, she realized that she was still unhappy, as if she couldn’t bear the slightest doubt from the person in front of her: “I’m fine, but you, you’re still wearing embroidered shoes, I don’t know if you can make it to the foot of the mountain.” Speaking of this, Yu Zhao suddenly paused.

    She originally wanted to continue saying ‘I can carry you if you can’t walk‘, but she felt that these words were too frivolous. Bo Chi had already fallen in love with her at first sight, and if she said such words, wouldn’t it be like deliberately playing with Bo Chi’s feelings?

    This wouldn’t do.

    Yu Zhao didn’t have the thought of being with anyone.

    Ever since her whole family was killed, she had sworn to spend her whole life subduing demons and eliminating monsters, and killing all the evil spirits in the world. After becoming an exorcist, she always kept her mission in mind, and had ruthlessly killed countless evil spirits.

    A few days ago, she found the evil spirit that killed her whole family, and seriously injured it with all her means, but she was also seriously injured because of this, her strength greatly reduced, and even a small cold could make her fall into a coma.

    She had been recuperating these days, because she knew that the evil spirit was not dead yet, and as long as it recovered its strength, it would definitely come to her again and kill her.

    Yu Zhao wasn’t sure if she could survive, let alone protect others.

    So she couldn’t and shouldn’t get entangled with Bo Chi.

    After thinking it through, Yu Zhao sat up straight, refusing to lean against Bo Chi’s warm embrace and be close to her for even a moment.

    Bo Chi and Jin Xi didn’t notice this detail. After she finished eating the dry food, the three of them packed up and started to go down the mountain.

    Although Yu Zhao was still weak, she was an exorcist, and had traveled around for many years, so going down the mountain was not a problem.

    Bo Chi looked delicate, but she was a real ghost, and it didn’t matter if she walked for three days and three nights.

    This led to them worrying about each other and paying attention to each other, but in the end, it was Jin Xi, the outsider, who slowed down first.

    Jin Xi cried, and even when blisters appeared on her feet, she refused to stop, and insisted on arriving at the inn at the foot of the mountain before dark.

    She cried tears of joy, and decisively took out the money and said: “Three best rooms!“

    “Cough, cough, cough.” Bo Chi coughed lightly and interrupted her, grinding her little white teeth and saying: “Little Sister Xiao Xi, I’m afraid our money is not enough to buy three rooms, right?“

    Jin Xi: “…”

    She almost forgot, she had to be a matchmaker now.

    Yu Zhao on the side also: “…”

    She almost forgot, her money bag had been openly taken away.

    Yu Zhao was determined to keep her distance from Bo Chi, and leave after recovering from her cold. However, after going around in circles, she still ended up sharing a room with Bo Chi.

    Bo Chi stared straight at Yu Zhao for a while, and suddenly had a flash of inspiration: “It’s getting late, we should take a bath!“

    Yu Zhao’s expression didn’t change, but she instinctively felt that she was going to do something.

    Leaving now might be the best choice.

    But Yu Zhao’s feet were rooted to the ground, and she couldn’t help but start making excuses for herself – Bo Chi was so weak, what could she do to her? Besides, girls needed someone to watch over them when they bathed. If she left at this time, what if the other party was taken advantage of?

    As the hot water came, Bo Chi went behind the screen, and the sound of flowing water could be heard in the quiet room. Yu Zhao’s thoughts changed again – Was she really just taking an ordinary bath? Why didn’t she ask to wash with her? Was she overthinking?

    Various thoughts filled Yu Zhao’s mind, and then were dispelled by Bo Chi’s light words: “Oh dear, I can’t reach my back, Master Exorcist, come and help me.“

    A pretentious tone, a deliberate request, clumsy acting.

    Yu Zhao calmly commented on Bo Chi’s acting, but the corners of her lips curled up imperceptibly.

    She said that Bo Chi would definitely do something, and now it seemed that she had guessed correctly.

    After Yu Zhao was satisfied and relieved, she suddenly realized something was wrong.

    This excuse… made her unable to refuse!

    But, there was no need for her to refuse, right?

    It was just wiping her back, not bathing together, could Bo Chi eat her?

    Yu Zhao calmed down, walked behind the screen with a calm face, looked down, and saw Bo Chi’s exquisite and graceful body.

    Yu Zhao’s heart skipped a beat, she suddenly turned around, and said through gritted teeth: “Why, why are you so impatient!“

    Bo Chi was also startled by her, subconsciously covered her chest and went into the water, and said angrily: “It was clearly you who came in without saying a word, and you’re blaming me!“

    Yu Zhao reacted, opened her mouth, and muttered: “I’m sorry, I was thinking about something else, and forgot to tell you.“

    Bo Chi snorted coldly, and said relentlessly: “I don’t believe it, your face was red before you saw me, you must have done it on purpose!“

    Yu Zhao was not good with words, and after a long time, she said dryly: “I didn’t…“

    Seeing that she was so anxious that she didn’t know what to say, Bo Chi suddenly wanted to laugh, and reluctantly gave her a way out: “Really?“

    Yu Zhao nodded seriously.

    She really didn’t mean to peek at the girl’s body.

    But… Bo Chi’s body was really alluring…

    Yu Zhao was a little lost in thought. After Bo Chi spoke again, she slowly turned back and picked up the cloth on the bathtub.

    The girl was already lying on the bathtub with her back to her, her fair and snow-white back like fine mutton-fat jade, water droplets sliding down from her butterfly bones and finally disappearing into her dimples.

    The water was clear and free of impurities, so Yu Zhao could see even more private and perky places with a glance.

    She pursed her lips, forced herself not to look too much, and seriously put the cloth on Bo Chi’s back.

    “Mmm…” The next second, the girl’s soft moan entered her ears, the drawn-out ending particularly sensual: “Master Exorcist, be gentle, don’t use the strength you use to deal with enemies to bully me, a little girl.“

    Yu Zhao’s mind buzzed, and she felt all the blood rush to her head. Her hand lost its strength, and she wiped a red mark on the girl’s snow-white back.

    The girl hissed softly, her body instinctively shrinking forward, but her head tilted back, revealing her bare face, her eyebrows furrowed: “Why are you even rougher after I said that?“

    Yu Zhao stared at her fixedly.

    This gaze was completely different from the cold gaze when she first suspected that she was a ghost, but a burning gaze, as if her animalistic nature had awakened, wanting to bite the prey’s throat, a very aggressive gaze.

    Bo Chi felt her hair stand on end from her gaze, and for a moment didn’t know if her seduction had succeeded.

    After all, when Yu Zhao looked at her with love before, her eyes were gentle and lingering, completely different from the greed at this moment.

    She was a little scared.

    Bo Chi swallowed, her voice weakening a bit: “You, you’re not possessed, are you?“

    Yu Zhao didn’t answer, stared at her for a long time, and then said hoarsely: “No.“

    After speaking, she picked up the cloth again, wanting to help Bo Chi wipe her back.

    Bo Chi’s back was still burning with pain. Seeing this, she hurriedly shook her head: “I don’t want you to wipe it anymore, I’ll do it myself.“

    Yu Zhao didn’t listen to her at all. Seeing her struggling so much, she directly reached into the water with one hand, tightly held her soft and slender waist, firmly pressed her down, and then wiped her back on her own.

    This time, her movements were very gentle and meticulous.

    Bo Chi relaxed, and feeling her hot hand on her waist and abdomen, she uncomfortably twisted her body and said: “I won’t run away anymore, let go.“

    Yu Zhao… Yu Zhao still ignored her, and insisted on wiping her back from top to bottom before putting the cloth back on the edge of the bathtub, and said softly: “I’m done.“

    Bo Chi smelled danger from her, and didn’t dare to be as unrestrained as before, and nodded weakly: “O-Okay, thank you.“

    Yu Zhao hummed, and stood there without moving.

    Bo Chi panicked a little: “Why aren’t you leaving?“

    Yu Zhao curled her lips: “I’m waiting for you to ask me to help you wipe other places.“

    Bo Chi’s face flushed red, and she shook her head: “No more! There are no more places that need your help!“

    Yu Zhao raised her eyebrows. The restlessness in her body was vented with the gentle caress just now, and she calmed down a bit, and also restrained her aura, and only asked gently: “Really?“

    The dominant role between her and Bo Chi had completely reversed. Now it was Bo Chi who kept wanting her to leave: “Really, really, you go out!“

    Seeing her so scared, Yu Zhao couldn’t help but feel a sense of pleasure.

    After turning around and bypassing the screen, Yu Zhao sat back at the table leisurely, and a thought arose in her mind – So Bo Chi was just a paper tiger, looking scary, but once touched… she was easier to push down than anyone.

  • A Girl Dies Every Day in Her Dream Life 163

    Chapter 163: Who Entered My Room? 

    This was Luo Xue’s first time participating in an auction, but nothing unusual happened.

    After all, it was just a daily auction, and even the final item wasn’t particularly remarkable to Luo Xue and Nangong Mian at their level.

    Of course, for Nangong Mian, as long as it was valuable, it was fine.

    Nangong Mian, unsurprisingly, bought the final item, a jade flute that was clearly not for her, a rare spiritual artifact.

    Its grade was quite good, but due to its nature, only music cultivators could utilize its full potential.

    Nangong Mian naturally bought it to resell, but she didn’t sell it on the spot. She planned to find a music cultivator who needed a spiritual artifact and could afford a high price after returning to the Nangong Sacred Land, to maximize her profit.

    Luo Xue, on the other hand, bought another ancient book, Compendium of Talismans, which stunned Nangong Mian.

    The reason the three arts were lost in the Great Thousand Worlds wasn’t because of a lack of ancient texts, but because they were unusable.

    Even if one followed the methods in the ancient texts, they could only reach the level of Foundation Establishment at most.

    And at higher levels, they couldn’t even create a working model.

    Something with a ceiling of only Foundation Establishment… naturally, few people would bother researching it. Perhaps some mortals might try to find a shortcut.

    However, Nangong Mian didn’t dampen the little princess’s interest. After all, Her Highness had plenty of time, it was normal for her to dabble in these unorthodox methods.

    Vivienne was very nervous, and her nervousness was directed at Luo Xue. She couldn’t understand the little princess’s thoughts.

    Although she always acted innocent and carefree, her occasional thoughtful expressions were terrifyingly mature, as if she had experienced countless lifetimes.

    This deep and unreadable person of high status, just interacting with her gave Vivienne a headache. She could only attend to her carefully.

    Nangong Mian’s personality was much better… as long as you flattered her, you were good sisters.

    Only after Luo Xue and Nangong Mian waved goodbye and left the Tianlie Auction House did Vivienne truly relax and head towards her office.

    But as soon as she opened the door, she found a dim figure inside.

    “Who!”

    Vivienne’s heart tightened, but the dim figure bowed slightly to her, holding a bloody head.

    “Miss Vivienne, don’t worry, he won’t bother you anymore.”

    It was… Linnard’s head.

    Vivienne’s pupils constricted, and her stomach churned, almost making her vomit.

    His face was frozen in terror, his bulging eyes as if he had seen something horrifying, blood and tears staining his cheeks, the entire head covered in filth.

    When Vivienne recovered, the dim figure was gone, only a faint smell of blood remained, proof that he had been here.

    “The legendary Imperial Shadow Guard…”

    Vivienne was still shaken. She had heard of this secret guard force that only served the Immortal Emperor, assassinating everyone from Sea Crossing Realm cultivators to those at the Innate Realm.

    Almost no one could see them and live. Vivienne knew she was one of the few lucky ones.

    Linnard was a direct descendant of the General Who Guards the South… yet he was killed so casually, even beheaded, like an ant.

    And deliberately delivering his head to Vivienne was firstly to inform her that this troublesome matter had been resolved, perhaps as a reward for taking care of the little princess.

    Secondly…

    If her actions before the little princess were inappropriate, or if she deliberately revealed the princess’s identity, or if she had any malicious intentions, then there would be another head in the hands of the Imperial Shadow Guard.

    Vivienne slowly sat down, was silent for a moment, then immediately wrote a leave request, intending to abandon her work for now and return to the Nangong Sacred Land to rest.

    This Imperial Capital was truly not a place for humans…

    “Vivienne seemed very afraid of me,” Luo Xue recalled Vivienne’s behavior and frowned slightly. “Am I that scary?”

    “You’re very cute.” Nangong Mian really wanted to ruffle Luo Xue’s hair and see if this always serious girl would look even cuter with messy hair. “But… it’s normal for her to be afraid, ahahaha…”

    Nangong Mian chuckled, trying to gloss over it.

    After all, it had been many years since any princes or princesses had appeared in the Imperial Capital, especially in disguise. Anyone would be terrified.

    Even the name of the Nangong clan could scare away the onlookers, let alone the little princess of the imperial family venturing out privately…

    Among the princes and princesses before Princess Xue, the youngest was Princess Xing, about six thousand years older than Luo Xue, currently fighting against the barbarians at the border, a Soul Transformation cultivator.

    And the other, older princes and princesses were either governing their fiefs or leading armies stationed outside the territory. It had been thousands of years since any prince or princess had appeared in the Imperial Capital.

    Nangong Mian secretly glanced at Luo Xue, who was intently reading the Compendium of Talismans, and sighed inwardly. The little princess truly didn’t realize how terrifying her current identity was.

    “Those who mocked us earlier must have been dealt with by the Shadow Guard…”

    “What’s wrong?” Luo Xue looked up and asked with confusion. “Is there something on my face?”

    “No, no…”

    Nangong Mian coughed lightly and looked away.

    “Xue, where else do you want to go?”

    “Nowhere, let’s go back to the palace.” Luo Xue closed the ancient text, carefully putting it away in her small pouch. “If we play for too long, Madam won’t let me out next time.”

    Nangong Mian was stunned. Her Highness was truly good at planning, even thinking about the next time.

    If it were her, finally having the chance to come out, she would definitely play for a while before returning.

    “Then… I’ll just send you back directly?” Nangong Mian asked hesitantly, just to confirm.

    “Yes.”

    Luo Xue nodded.

    Returning to the imperial palace didn’t require going to a specific location. Nangong Mian found a secluded spot, took out the token given to her by the etiquette official, and injected spiritual power to activate it.

    The reason she didn’t give the token directly to Luo Xue was that she was worried Luo Xue would hide it and sneak out of the palace next time.

    The etiquette official couldn’t bear the responsibility of losing Princess Xue, so she entrusted the return token to Nangong Mian.

    A faint light emanated from the token, gently enveloping Luo Xue and Nangong Mian, bringing a warm feeling.

    A moment later, the light dissipated, leaving nothing behind.

    At the same time, the faint gazes around them also disappeared with the light.

    …

    When the two returned to the palace, Luo Xue found the etiquette official waiting for her at the door, her expression somewhat complicated.

    “Madam, what’s wrong?” Luo Xue, sensing something amiss, asked, “I came back on time, there’s no need to worry so much.”

    “…This old servant knows.”

    The etiquette official averted her gaze slightly and said softly.

    Yes… this was the feeling, this was the Princess Xue she had always interacted with.

    But the other one…

    Although their appearances were almost identical, with only minor differences, they felt completely different.

    Although she knew that she had to treat both of them as the real Princess Xue, when actually facing them, she still felt an inexplicable awkwardness.

    “Your Highness must be tired after playing all day. Please rest early.” The etiquette official opened the palace door for Luo Xue, then looked at Nangong Mian. “Xiao Mian, you should go back now.”

    “Mmm…”

    Nangong Mian looked reluctant and said hesitantly,

    “Your Highness, when… when can we meet again? I’m going back to the Sacred Land soon…”

    “Perhaps very soon.”

    Luo Xue smiled sweetly at Nangong Mian, her dimples showing.

    “It’s a promise, Your Highness must come to the Nangong Sacred Land to find me next time!” Nangong Mian extended her thumb. “Let’s make a pinky swear!”

    Luo Xue couldn’t help but laugh. She had done this childish thing several times already.

    However…

    She did intend to go to the Nangong Sacred Land.

    After all, the Nangong clan carried the bloodline of the Phoenix.

    “Okay.”

    Luo Xue also extended her thumb and pressed it against Nangong Mian’s.

    The etiquette official’s expression turned strange as she watched this scene.

    She looked at the slightly distracted Luo Xue, then at the excited Nangong Mian, and suddenly felt like she had missed something.

    Wait… wasn’t it Her Highness who was infatuated with Nangong Mian?

    Why had the situation reversed?

    Just as the etiquette official’s thoughts were running wild again, Luo Xue waved her hand in front of her and asked curiously,

    “Madam? What’s wrong with you today?”

    “No-, nothing.” The etiquette official quickly lowered her head. “This old servant is getting old, it’s hard to focus…”

    Nangong Mian had already left, and Luo Xue walked into her palace.

    The etiquette official quickly followed and found Luo Xue holding an ancient book, engrossed in reading.

    Her earlier distraction seemed to be because of this book.

    “A storybook? Well, Her Highness is at that age now, but I hope she won’t be misled by the love stories inside…”

    She recalled that Her Highness had an older sister who, after reading a storybook, went to the neighboring Huiyang Empire on a flying dragon, saying that only the most handsome and powerful prince could save her…

    This ridiculous incident almost caused a war between the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty and the Huiyang Empire, and since then, storybooks were rare in the palace.

    Of course, that had been many years ago. It was fine for Her Highness to read a few for entertainment.

    “What book is Your Highness reading?”

    Just in case, the etiquette official still asked.

    “Hundred Solutions to Formations.”

    Luo Xue held up the book.

    “Oh… ah?”

    The etiquette official was stunned for a moment, then said,

    “Your Highness, are you… interested in formations?”

    She had thought Her Highness was so engrossed in reading… such an unorthodox book.

    “Just curious.” Luo Xue replied casually, then as if remembering something, asked, “Madam, do you know about formations? When you sent me to the Cold Palace before, you seemed to use a teleportation formation.”

    “What do you mean ‘sent you to the Cold Palace’? You can’t say such things…”

    The etiquette official broke out in a cold sweat, wiping her forehead as she spoke.

    “This old servant doesn’t know anything about formations. It’s said that only ancient humans could master them… It’s just that I happen to know a little about the Law of Space and can use some insignificant techniques.”

    “Ancient humans…”

    Luo Xue’s expression turned serious.

    The people in the nine provinces and four domains were all ancient humans…

    It was rather ironic. The nine provinces and four domains called the outside world the Ancient Demon Lands, while the Ancient Demon Lands called the people of the caged world ancient humans.

    It seemed the separation between the two had to be traced back to the legendary ancient era.

    “The ‘Dao inscriptions’ we use now are derived from formations.”

    The etiquette official took out the return token and held it up to Luo Xue.

    “Look, this is it. But compared to the legendary formations that anyone could construct and use, the inscription and usage conditions of Dao inscriptions are much stricter, and their variations are much smaller.”

    Luo Xue wanted to take the token and examine it closely, but the etiquette official put it away, not letting Luo Xue touch it.

    This token was very important, it could be used to both return to and leave the palace.

    However, Luo Xue had already seen the Dao inscription patterns on the token and, after a moment of thought, came to a rough conclusion.

    Dao inscriptions essentially just imitated the form of formations during use. Besides this, there were no other similarities between the two; they were completely different systems.

    Rather than saying they were derived from formations, it was more accurate to say that they were two different interpretations of the same phenomenon.

    When Luo Xue learned about formations from Li Guijiao, the first thing she had to know was—

    The original formations originated from imitating the innate Dao patterns of ancient divine beasts.

    It seemed that Dao inscriptions also originated from the innate Dao patterns of ancient divine beasts, just a different path…

    In a sense, Dao inscriptions were even more similar to innate Dao patterns.

    “If Your Highness is interested in formations, you can try inscribing Dao inscriptions.” The etiquette official said. “Just dabble in formations, don’t delve too deeply.”

    She was worried that Luo Xue would go astray. Since the ancient era, few people had achieved much in the Dao of formations. Research in this area was futile.

    “I know.”

    Luo Xue replied casually. She planned to try it sometime.

    To see if it was because of the environment of the Ancient Demon Lands, or if the people here simply weren’t suited for formations.

    Luo Xue reached the door of her room and slowly pushed it open, but the next moment, an unusual scent reached her nose, and her pupils constricted instantly.

    “Someone… has been here?”

  • The Grotesque Miss’s End Story v2c65p1

    Chapter 65: Nightingale of the Red Cross, A Blood-Soaked Gift p1

    Even with Luo Ling’s crafting skills, the Eve puppet wasn’t perfect. She couldn’t replicate the wounds with absolute precision and lifelike detail, but it didn’t seem to matter.

    While it was unlikely Company headquarters would dispatch top-tier medical resources for a low-level team like the Twintails, Lu Fangling, as branch director, had considerable connections. Combined with Cen Xiangyun’s background, they managed to invite another branch director for treatment.

    “You’re awake?”

    A gentle and friendly voice sounded beside her ear. Luo Ling slowly opened her eyes.

    The first thing she saw was vibrant emerald green hair, followed by the faint fragrance of flowers and herbs. A graceful woman sat by the bedside, looking at Luo Ling with concern.

    —Ms. Nightingale, director of the Red Cross branch.

    She shared the same name as the famous nurse from history books, but whether they were the same person… was unclear. She had never revealed any information about this.

    However, it was certain that among all the Company branches, the Red Cross branch, led by Ms. Nightingale, was the most peaceful, its members mostly Myriad Path Awakened Ones.

    This wasn’t because the Red Cross branch only recruited Myriad Path Awakened Ones. Unlike the Speakers, they had no restrictions on Path abilities.

    It was simply because the Red Cross branch was so peaceful, their commissions mostly involving healing the injured. Moreover, their director, Ms. Nightingale, was the most renowned Myriad Path ability user.

    There was a saying within the Company: “Under the light of Ms. Nightingale’s lamp, there is no injury, pain, or death.”

    Although this was an exaggeration, it illustrated Nightingale’s powerful healing abilities, far surpassing Luo Ling’s unorthodox methods.

    It was said that Nightingale’s Authority-level Sacred Tool, “The Lamp,” contained a trace of Guixu’s true Sacred Relic. Even in direct combat, her strength wasn’t far below other beings of the same level.

    During the treatment, Luo Ling’s consciousness remained within the Eve puppet, not returning to the Kingdom or descending onto Alyssa.

    Before a top-tier Myriad Path Awakened One, letting her consciousness wander freely would be easily detected, especially while receiving treatment.

    Luo Ling could only forcibly seal her consciousness, remaining unconscious for several days, not receiving any outside information until Ms. Nightingale finally healed the puppet and she could awaken.

    “Mmm…”

    Luo Ling tried to sit up, but a slender hand gently pressed her back down. Ms. Nightingale, a gentle smile on her lips, said softly, “Be careful, little Eve. You’ve just recovered. Don’t push yourself.”

    “Little… Eve?”

    Luo Ling was startled by the address, but she quickly calmed down, searching through Eve’s memories.

    Out of respect for her teammates, even though Luo Ling could access their memories at any time, she hadn’t done so. Even while impersonating Eve, she had avoided touching Eve’s private thoughts as much as possible.

    But now, Ms. Nightingale clearly knew Eve, so Luo Ling silently apologized to Eve in her heart and began to browse her memories without hesitation.

    After reviewing them, Luo Ling fell silent.

    Eve… had been delivered by Ms. Nightingale.

    Although lacking an Awakened world background, Eve came from a prominent family in Victoria, the daughter of a duke, deserving of the title “Lady.”

    When she was born, her father, Duke Ste, naturally hired the best doctors and nursing team in Victoria. Ms. Nightingale was one of them.

    Moreover, Eve’s mother was frail and sickly. After giving birth to Eve, she was ill for a long time and was cared for by Ms. Nightingale’s nursing team.

    As a result, Eve had many childhood memories of this “Auntie,” and Ms. Nightingale’s influence was partly why she joined the Company.

    Of course, Eve rarely saw Ms. Nightingale after that. Few people knew about their connection in the ordinary world.

    So, in this reunion after so many years, Ms. Nightingale’s gaze towards Eve was filled with tenderness and heartache.

    These feelings should have been directed at the real Eve, but now they were directed at Luo Ling.

    “Sorry, Eve, I really didn’t mean for this to happen…”

    Luo Ling had apologized to her teammates countless times in her heart. Impersonating them felt… strange.

    Perhaps she should implant this memory into Eve’s mind later, conveying Ms. Nightingale’s concern.

    Just as Luo Ling was thinking this, Ms. Nightingale spoke again,

    “Little Eve, someone must have been secretly protecting you. With your injuries, anyone else… even me, would have died.”

    Luo Ling’s crafting skills were crude compared to a top-tier Myriad Path Awakened One, but with the Puppet Ballad’s superb camouflage, she had still managed to deceive Ms. Nightingale.

    Ms. Nightingale couldn’t understand how such severe injuries could be survived, ultimately concluding that some unknown method must have been used.

    “I…”

    Luo Ling didn’t know how to answer, only feigning a confused expression.

    However, Ms. Nightingale didn’t press further. She had only casually mentioned it. Seeing “Eve’s” expression, she smiled gently and continued,

    “Alright, if you can’t remember, don’t think about it. You’ve just recovered from serious injuries. You need to rest.”

    Luo Ling breathed a sigh of relief, nodding slightly. After a pause, she asked, “By the way, Sister Nurse, how are Xiangyun and Manqing… doing?”

    Sister Nurse was what Eve called Ms. Nightingale as a child, and Luo Ling continued to use it.

    Hearing the familiar address, a smile appeared on Ms. Nightingale’s lips. “They’re fine, just minor injuries. They were discharged the next day. They should be… at your apartment now.”

    Then, she seemed to remember something, hesitating before saying,

    “Little Eve, I know some inside information, but… for your own good, I can’t tell you. In short, don’t dwell on the attack for now. You won’t be in this kind of danger again, I can guarantee that.”

    Because it was over.

    Luo Ling’s expression darkened slightly.

    Cheng Jianming’s primary target was her. Her teammates were merely collateral damage, especially Eve, the most innocent victim.

    In any case, Cheng Jianming needed a suitable sacrifice to activate the Incubation Barrier. Whether it was Eve or someone else made no difference.

    Now that the Incubation Barrier hadn’t been activated, the Purgatory larva was missing, and even Cheng Jianming, who was in charge of the plan, was dead, the directors’ scheme had hit a dead end.

    “I… understand,” Luo Ling said, lowering her head to hide her emotions.

    Ms. Nightingale had already said more than she needed to to “Eve,” even though she had delivered Eve and cared for her for a while.

    But… Ms. Nightingale had delivered countless children in Victoria. Offering kind advice was in her nature, but that was all.

    “Mmm, go home and rest well.”

    Ms. Nightingale stood up, gently adjusting Luo Ling’s blanket.

    “Your friends will be here to pick you up later. Remember to rest when you get back. There are no Myriad Path Awakened Ones in your team. If your injuries flare up, you can come to the Red Cross branch for help.”

    “I understand, Sister Nurse,” Luo Ling replied.

    Ms. Nightingale smiled gently and left the ward. As both a nurse and the director of the Red Cross branch, she had many other things to attend to.

    Not long after, Cen Xiangyun and Lu Manqing, having received the notification, hurried into the ward.

    Seeing that “Eve” had awakened, their anxiety eased somewhat. Cen Xiangyun even rushed to the bedside, tears involuntarily streaming down her face.

    Sometimes, Luo Ling wondered if Cen Xiangyun was made of water. She cried the most in the team, even more than Elsa.

    But considering the things poor Miss Cen had experienced in just a few months… and how she was almost always the last to know, it was understandable.

    “Thank goodness, Eve, you’re alright… but Miss Luo Ling and little Elsa are…”

    Cen Xiangyun’s voice choked with grief. Even Lu Manqing, usually playful, turned her face away, tears welling up in her eyes.

    Luo Ling also wanted to cry, but the thought of crying for herself made it difficult. She could only lower her head, hiding her expression.

    In reality, she even wanted to laugh… but laughing at this moment would be too cruel, so she had to hold back.

    Gazes seemed to linger outside the ward from time to time. Cen Xiangyun and Lu Manqing knew this wasn’t the place to talk, so they quickly composed themselves.

    Ms. Nightingale’s healing abilities were truly remarkable. She had completely healed the wounds created by Luo Ling’s crude crafting skills.

    The Eve puppet was only slightly weak, due to not having eaten for so long. Eating something would restore her strength.

    Thanks to the replicated Judgment Path physique, Luo Ling could move normally, although she couldn’t use Eve’s abilities.

    However, this wasn’t a problem. Luo Ling had connected the puppet to the sleeping Eve in the Kingdom using the Puppet Ballad’s abilities. She could borrow Eve’s abilities from the Kingdom when needed.

    Soon, they completed the discharge procedures and returned to the apartment.

    On the way, Cen Xiangyun recounted what had happened, from Eve’s attack to the recent events.

    These were things “Eve” didn’t know. As they reached the apartment, the scene of the incident, the three embraced and cried.

    —Except for Luo Ling.

    Luo Ling wanted to laugh, thinking about her two friends mourning her, but she could only cry along with them. The combination of wanting to laugh and cry made her expression somewhat distorted.

    Of course, Luo Ling understood the reason for Cen Xiangyun and Lu Manqing’s grief, but… for whatever reason, she could only apologize silently and conceal the truth from them.

    Back in the apartment, everything looked the same, but without two people, the large apartment seemed much emptier.

    Cen Xiangyun and Lu Manqing had decided to move out, as the apartment was filled with memories of Luo Ling and Elsa. Everything they saw reminded them of their lost friends.

    To them, this was a place of sorrow.

    Their friends were gone, but life had to go on.

    “We’ve packed Luo Ling and Elsa’s belongings. After we move out… let’s build a cenotaph for them.”

    Cen Xiangyun’s voice was tinged with bitterness. “Although we’ve experienced something similar recently, this time… there will be no miracle.”

    The last time, they had mistakenly believed Luo Ling was dead because she was missing. This time… Miss Luo Ling had died right before their eyes, her death so brutal that it was difficult to even collect her remains.

    “Even now, it still feels unreal.”

  • As a villain, I just want them to behave 250

    Chapter 250: Trapped Like a Turtle in a Jar

    “Since the Pope has sent out expendable cannon fodder, let’s not hold back. Let those little bishops who joined us lead the charge, Charles.”

    As the leader of the rebel army, Paul was stationed in a small building opposite the Papal Palace with a group of high-ranking officials.

    They sipped tea and observed the situation, their leisurely attitude not befitting an impending decisive battle.

    Even now, Paul hoped to return home after this was over.

    The position of Holy Son was tempting, but the longer he held it, the more uneasy he felt, as if he had overlooked something important.

    A voice whispered in his heart, telling him that he was being watched.

    “As you command.” Charles didn’t refute Paul’s words in front of everyone. After all, Paul was the leader of the rebel army.

    Charles felt there was no need to argue with a dying man.

    He and Huallomen had received a magic letter from the Pope. Once the battle between the two leaders began, they would “switch sides” and help the Pope capture Paul.

    Paul would then face the judgment of the entire Temple and be purged as the mastermind behind the rebellion.

    ‘Tsk, how tragic.’

    Charles sighed silently and left the building.

    “Why is there pity in his eyes?” Paul felt even more uneasy after exchanging glances with Charles.

    After much thought, he decided to contact Harry via magic letter and inquire about the situation with the Pope.

    However, he sent three consecutive letters but received no reply.

    “Excuse me, everyone. I have some personal matters to attend to. I’ll be back in ten minutes.”

    Paul, unable to figure it out, had the urge to flee. He stood up and walked towards the door.

    Cardinal Huallomen, also a ninth-rank mage, blocked his way. “Paul, you’re the leader. Don’t run away now. Everyone has placed their hopes on you. We don’t want any accidents.”

    Paul quickly explained, “I’m not running away. I just have some personal matters to deal with. You saw it just now. I can’t contact Harry, so I need to take care of it.”

    Another Cardinal spoke up, “Don’t worry, Leader Paul. I have an inside man in the Papal Palace. I’ll help you find out what’s going on.”

    Paul shook his head. “No, I just…”

    “You just what?” Cardinal Huallomen asked.

    Paul: “…”

    He felt trapped, unable to speak. If it weren’t for the contract restrictions, he would have already broken free and escaped this place.

    The contract, Harry, Charles and the others… Kailun had set too many traps for him. No matter what he chose, it wouldn’t end well.

    Huallomen pointed to the battle in front of the Papal Palace and said in a voice only Paul could hear, “Look, those Cardinals are already fighting each other. It won’t be long before we make our entrance. Just pretend to be defeated and lose to the Pope. That will complete your mission. As for clearing your name afterward, we have professionals to handle that.”

    “That’s not what I meant. Forget it, I won’t leave.” Paul replied with a troubled expression. “But waiting any longer is too agonizing. I’ll challenge the Pope now. But I’ll only act for ten minutes. Leave the rest to you.”

    Huallomen thought for a moment. “Alright, but we’ll have to go with you.”

    He winked at the other Cardinal, signaling him to follow them and keep an eye on Paul.

    Currently, Paul’s strength far surpassed that of an average ninth-rank mage. Huallomen alone couldn’t restrict his actions.

    “Hmph!”

    Paul snorted and pushed Huallomen aside, walking out. This time, he wasn’t running away but going out to issue a challenge.

    He wanted to end this as soon as possible.

    As he took a step forward, Huallomen and the other Cardinal followed closely behind.

    Initially, Paul thought it was just the Pope’s distrust of him.

    But when he summoned the Pope with his challenge, Huallomen and the others were still right behind him.

    “Holy Son Paul, if you bind your own hands and kneel before the gates of the Papal Palace, I will be merciful and leave your corpse intact. Your actions have crossed the Temple’s bottom line: betraying the Temple, slaughtering your comrades, deliberately dividing the Temple, and raising the banner of rebellion… Your crimes are countless. Your very existence is a mistake.”

    The Pope stood in mid-air, looking down at Paul with a stern and solemn voice, like a cold judgment.

    The white light surrounding her gave her a holy aura, making people subconsciously believe her words.

    If it were an uninformed bystander, they might be swayed by her words.

    The more Paul listened, the more he felt something was wrong. He had indeed committed some of the crimes, but others were completely fabricated.

    “Don’t panic, it’s all an act. Just issue your challenge boldly, Leader Paul. We’ll handle the ‘whitewashing’ afterward.”

    Huallomen patted Paul’s shoulder encouragingly.

    “No, this is slander!” Paul retorted.

    “It’s okay, I’ll explain it for you.”

    Huallomen smiled at Paul and then shouted at Pope Meggie Liran, “You say Leader Paul has committed so many crimes, then where’s the evidence? Show us the evidence, don’t hide it!”

    “!!!” Paul’s eyes widened. “Hey, Huallomen, what are you doing?!”

    Hearing his question, Meggie Liran immediately replied, “You want evidence? I’ll give you evidence. Everyone, watch carefully. Today, I’ll show you the true face of this traitor, Paul!”

    She gestured for Helena to bring a recording stone and then used magic to create a giant screen in the sky.

    On the giant screen, Paul, as the leader of the rebel army, was absorbing the mana of his comrades.

    The person on the screen was the ninth-rank Cardinal who had been killed recently. Everything Paul had done was exposed to the world.

    Paul shivered and stumbled backward. “!!!”

    It was over, truly over.

    The Pope had betrayed him, betrayed him without any warning.

    He realized that she wanted him dead!

    This kind of scheming reminded him of someone he knew, no, a demon.

    “Slander! This is all slander! This is all a setup by the Pope! She’s the one who led those people to me and made me kill them! It’s all her plan! You can investigate. I’m innocent! I was forced! By the way, there’s a secret you might not know. The Pope you all worship is actually a woman!”

    Paul threw out a bombshell, hoping to distract Huallomen and the others. He planned to use this opportunity to escape.

    He could rescue Harry later. If he was captured here, it would be truly over.

    “You’re courting death.” Pope Meggie Liran responded coldly.

    The loyal Charles shouted, “I didn’t expect Leader Paul to be this kind of person! You’re not worthy of being the leader of the rebel army! Disgusting!”

    Charles, Huallomen, and the others blocked Paul’s escape route. The magic to restrict teleportation and short-range teleportation was already in place.

  • The Villainous Older Sister Who Loves Her Younger Sister Aims for the Guillotine 66

    66: Vanderwaals Territory, Vandergant

    Our carriage traveled across the land of Eustasia, along a well-trodden road, though not paved with cobblestones, compacted by carriages, horses, and human feet.

    We spent two nights at roadside inns along the way. The six guards and coachmen split into three pairs, each sharing a double room, while Leticia, Ciel, and I shared a triple room.

    Since there were separate beds, sharing a room wasn’t a problem. The inns were used by nobles, so the rooms were reasonably spacious.

    While I wanted to cut costs, there were some expenses you couldn’t skimp on.

    Thick walls and doors were essential in emergencies, and proper locks on the doors and windows, along with hired guards on the premises, allowed for a peaceful night’s sleep.

    While not yet in my own territory, this was a regular inn, contracted with and supervised by the Vanderwaals.

    Its reputation for service and safety made it popular with nobles and wealthy merchants, and it was one of our family’s sources of income.

    Even so, perhaps because we were traveling, I couldn’t sleep soundly.

    I felt like a small animal, constantly on edge, wary of something lurking in the shadows.

    The family name I had inherited was the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals.”

    We weren’t a beloved family.

    A family needed, tolerated… resented, and even hated.

    While my sister was a sound sleeper, I, her older sister, wasn’t.

    Long ago, when I was a child, unaware of human malice, sleeping with my mother and Ciel, I hadn’t worried about my light sleep.

    But after growing up, I couldn’t allow myself to be so dependent on Ciel.

    Only when I was utterly exhausted could I sleep soundly.

    …Ah, come to think of it, I had slept well at the ranch inn, holding Leticia close.

    Would I ever experience such peaceful sleep again?

    While I had been the cause of eternal sleep for others, I hadn’t experienced it myself. I didn’t know if I would find peace after my beheading, or if some eternal torment awaited me.

    We were almost at our destination.

    I turned to Leticia, sitting next to me as always.

    “—Leticia, you’ve done your research, haven’t you? Tell me about the Vanderwaals’ largest territory, the one we’re heading to.”

    “Yes, Elder Sister.”

    My sister nodded, her expression serious.

    “—Vandergant, a Vanderwaals territory. Centered around the capital city of the same name, it is the largest of the Vanderwaals territories, both in area and revenue, including the areas surrounding the royal capital and some smaller, scattered exclaves.”

    Leticia spoke slowly, as if recalling the information, but her words flowed smoothly.

    “Located in the northern part of the Kingdom of Eustasia, it comprises about one-tenth of the kingdom’s total land area. It includes mountainous and forested regions and borders several other countries. However, due to the steep terrain of the Berghorn mountain range, which also extends into other territories, there is no interaction with neighboring territories, except for the former Principality of Ruins.”

    Geographical factors determined almost everything about a territory.

    While advantageous for defense, it was a land with little incentive for invasion.

    The Vanderwaals, originating from this land, needed weapons that didn’t rely on fertile soil. One such weapon was the poisonous—medicinal—herbs that thrived in the barren lands.

    “The climate is cold. The main industries are dairy farming, livestock farming, and lumber. Agriculture is also relatively prosperous.”

    Good.

    My sister had done her homework.

    Thanks to advancements in agricultural technology, the land wasn’t as barren as it once was.

    “I hear the meat, especially lamb and pork, is delicious, and they also have an abundance of game, like deer and boar. Dairy products are cheaper than in the areas around the royal capital, and the cheese, in particular, is a popular local specialty, even in other territories and countries. I’d love to try it.”

    …Hmm?

    It seemed my sister’s research had… a certain… culinary bias.

    While she wasn’t wrong…

    What exactly had she been researching?

    “…What kind of books did you read?”

    “I mostly asked the servants at the mansion and the Royal Castle.”

    …Firsthand information.

    I had told her to do her research, so I assumed she had used the library at the mansion.

    Her ability to gather information from a wide range of sources, her approachable nature… as expected of the [Protagonist] of [Moonlight Liberium].

    “I didn’t know our kitchen used ingredients from Vandergant.”

    Well, since it was our own territory, we had some ingredients ‘directly delivered’ along with the regular shipments to the capital.

    “I hear they’ve been focusing on berries recently. They’re made into jam for transport, but the flavor changes slightly when they’re barreled. Bottled berries maintain their quality, but they require more care during transport, so they’re more expensive.”

    Indeed, berries were a new product for Vandergant, and we were focusing on both gathering and cultivating them.

    Since it was a recent development, it wouldn’t be in any books.

    And the information she had gathered was surprisingly detailed.

    “They eat them fresh locally, and even the jam is cheaper there!”

    She seemed to have a personal interest as well.

    “…That’s… sufficient. You pass.”

    While her enthusiasm seemed to be focused on food, well, food was important.

    With starvation no longer a major concern, people were starting to pursue flavor and added value.

    Before the founding of Eustasia, when the continent was ravaged by war, cooking was considered a nobleman’s hobby.

    While it wasn’t haute cuisine, cooking, along with ingredients, had evolved even among commoners.

    Our territory wasn’t rich in mineral resources.

    Perhaps there were deposits hidden within the steep, cold Berghorn mountains, but currently, no country had the technology to locate mineral veins beneath the snow-covered ground and mine them profitably in such harsh conditions.

    We had no access to the sea, no ports… in the words of some, it was a ‘remote, rural backwater.’

    Even so, our territory was one of Eustasia’s breadbaskets and the Vanderwaals’ largest source of income.

    The tireless efforts of our predecessors, and, above all, peace, had allowed the region to prosper.

    The guarantee that settlements wouldn’t be burned to the ground. Compensation for—and the thorough eradication of—banditry.

    Demonstrating both profit and force, the fundamental principle of aristocratic rule.

    Considering the many unstable regions on the continent, the stability of our territory was a blessing.

    Leticia would inherit all of this.

    The previous lords, including my father. And me, the current lord. My sister carried the Vanderwaals blood.

    She had been officially recognized as the heir by the royal family, and she would succeed me upon my death.

    The prosperity of the territory had been my duty.

    But knowing that I had something to leave to my sister made all the duties I had fulfilled, all the loyalty I had sworn, feel meaningful.

    “Come to think of it, I used to pick berries in the ‘back alley.’”

    Leticia said casually, as if the thought had just occurred to her.

    “There was a shop that bought them, so we’d go into the forest and pick them. We’d sell the good ones and eat the damaged ones ourselves… When we were hungry, we were very picky.”

    Ciel and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

    However…

    “…In the areas around the royal capital, you need a permit to enter the forest and pick berries.”

    Leticia froze, her smile unwavering.

    “…Forget about that!”

    She said cheerfully, still smiling.

    So, it was unauthorized.

    It seemed my sister had a minor criminal record, but I would ignore it.

    Besides, the shops that knowingly bought those berries at low prices were also at fault.

    ――Small injustices, preying on the vulnerable, that wouldn’t even be discussed in the royal court.

    Those small injustices, accumulating over time, created places like the “back alley”… and continued to plague its residents.

    “Oh! A Vanderwaals flag!”

    Leticia abruptly changed the subject.

    I followed her gaze out the window and saw rectangular flags hanging at regular intervals along the road.

    A yellow gecko emblem on a blue background.

    Similar flags hung at the checkpoints on the borders of our territory.

    Here, it meant—we were approaching the capital city of Vandergant.

    “We’ll be arriving at the capital soon. You remember the main inspection sites, don’t you?”

    “Yes! The city, the herb garden, and the Vandergant territorial army training grounds!”

    Leticia counted them off on her fingers.

    “—Good.”

    All of them were [Event Trigger Locations] in [Moonlight Liberium].

    Which event would be triggered depended on which location she chose.

    However, since it wasn’t clear which of the three Capture Targets Leticia favored, I decided to visit all of them.

    I would leave it to fate—and Leticia—to decide how the [Events] would unfold.

  • My Girlfriend is a Cold and Aloof Sickly Beauty 57

    Chapter 57: If I Marry Jiang Xue in the Future…

    When Jiang Xue asked Uncle Seuss for a blanket, she was met with a knowing look.

    Her uncle, a staunch bachelor, enjoyed watching other people’s romantic entanglements unfold like a drama, especially the “push and pull” phase.

    He saw through her but didn’t say anything, quickly finding a blanket.

    “I’m not sure about the situation in your country, but the young ladies from wealthy families here love to sleep with life-sized body pillows,” Uncle Seuss said with a straight face, making things up. “The more particular ones even commission artists to draw their favorite person in three views and have it made into a life-sized body pillow.”

    Jiang Xue: …?

    She was a little confused, not understanding the deeper meaning behind her uncle’s words, but still politely replied, “I’ll ask Xiao Luo later. I’ll buy her whatever she likes.”

    As for her uncle’s words, she would just treat them as an interesting anecdote.

    Watching her walk away with the blanket, Uncle Seuss sighed deeply.

    He had hinted so obviously, but this young person truly didn’t get it!

    The fleece blanket, rolled into a makeshift body pillow, was placed in Xiao Luohan’s arms.

    “By the way, there are plushies and pillows in my room. You should have seen them this morning, right?” Jiang Xue took the opportunity to ask. “Do you have anything else in mind? If so, there’s still time to order them now. They can be delivered tomorrow, and Sister Cheng can wash them. Then you can hug them when we get back.”

    “…Not for now, thank you,” Xiao Luohan said softly, curling up slightly, hugging the “blanket pillow” and closing her eyes with a hint of disappointment.

    Actually, she did have something in mind, but that incredibly well-behaved large cat could probably only be hugged in a dream.

    Perhaps due to the side effects of the cold medicine, she didn’t dream this time. When she woke up, she found that the sky outside the window had darkened. It was time for dinner.

    The medicine Dr. Qi prescribed was very effective. The sore throat and body aches from the cold had subsided significantly, and Xiao Luohan wanted to get out of bed and walk around.

    The night before the “wedding day,” she had returned Jiang Xue’s clothes. Now, Jiang Xue had taken them all out again, laying them out beside Xiao Luohan, one by one.

    “Sister Cheng bought a complete set of clothes, inside and out, top to bottom. They’ve already been washed, dried, and put away in the bedroom. Just make do with these for now.” Jiang Xue placed a pair of freshly washed socks at the foot of the bed. “You can get dressed yourself. Call me if you need help.”

    After saying this, she carried a chair to the window, sat down with her back to Xiao Luohan, and took out her phone.

    She seemed to be cramming for her liberal arts subjects, but her mind was elsewhere.

    Since they were going to live together, they would definitely be changing clothes in the bedroom.

    Did she need to buy a screen for Xiao Luo? When they were changing into their costumes in the dance studio earlier, Xiao Luo had kept staring at the floor and even blushed.

    Ancient women were generally reserved, and even though they were transtemporal pen pals with a life-or-death bond, Jiang Xue felt that she should still be mindful of this.

    Besides… she was feeling a little guilty now.

    But as she opened the shopping app and started searching for screens, she felt she was being too presumptuous.

    Since they had such a close bond, adding anything to their room shouldn’t be a unilateral decision.

    She hadn’t even asked what Xiao Luo thought or if she minded, but was still subconsciously making arrangements based on stereotypes.

    Then she remembered: Xiao Luo hadn’t written down “screen” on the shopping list.

    So she asked, “Xiao Luo, do you want to buy a screen for our bedroom?”

    Xiao Luohan’s hand paused slightly as she was putting on the sweater, but she quickly continued, pulling her head through the turtleneck.

    If they didn’t buy a screen, when she changed clothes, Jiang Xue would turn around, and she would also have to turn around.

    Unless she clarified that they were both girls of similar age and there was no need to be so reserved.

    But if they didn’t turn around, she felt that she might really blush when watching Jiang Xue change, which would lead to concern and questions, and she didn’t want to bring this up so early—Jiang Xue still had her studies, and her energy should be focused on that.

    Then what if they bought a screen?

    After a moment of consideration, she nodded. “Okay.”

    Jiang Xue immediately switched back to the screen browsing page and handed her the phone after she finished getting dressed, letting her choose.

    Xiao Luohan scrolled for a long time, finally choosing a Japanese-style screen.

    Most of it was white cloth lattice, with only a solid dark brown wooden panel at the bottom.

    It was antique and elegant, and most importantly, through the white cloth, as long as there was light, she could vaguely see the figure behind the screen.

    Jiang Xue, completely unaware of her complicated thoughts, simply thought “as expected” when she saw the screen Xiao Luohan chose.

    This was indeed the style Xiao Luo would like.

    She happily placed the order, and Xiao Luohan got out of bed, sat at the makeshift dressing table, and slowly brushed her long hair.

    People in this world didn’t have the concept of “hair and skin being gifts from parents.” Regardless of gender, even men with long hair were rare now—even Uncle Seuss, with his shoulder-length hair, was jokingly called an “artist.”

    Xiao Luohan had always respected her mother, but her mother hadn’t taught her about this. Even when she saw related content in books and asked about it, her mother had only said, “Since everyone is like this, if you don’t want to be bullied, don’t be different.”

    Based on her understanding of her mother, she probably didn’t care much about this.

    “Elder Sister… Mei-jiejie asked me how I wanted to style my hair,” she said to Jiang Xue while skillfully tying up her hair. “I hadn’t decided back then, but now I think it would be good to have it trimmed.”

    She had many things to do here, and she wanted to visit many places in this world. Whether it was exercising, studying, or traveling, if her hair was too long, it would be time-consuming to manage.

    But she also cherished her long hair. It wouldn’t be good if it was too short. Fortunately, there were many women in this world specializing in hair styling, so she could discuss her ideas with them later.

    “Dr. Qi has a… uh, long-time friend who’s very good at styling ancient-style hairstyles, and also does manicures!” Jiang Xue said. “After we get back, I’ll ask her to introduce you?”

    She almost blurted out “old flame,” afraid that Dr. Qi would glare at her if she found out.

    The matter was settled. After Xiao Luohan finished styling her hair, they went downstairs, where Uncle Seuss had already prepared a table full of dishes.

    Considering that Xiao Luohan wasn’t used to using knives and forks, he had thoughtfully prepared a table of dishes from her country, with both mild and spicy flavors—Jiang Xue liked spicy food, and she would try anything spicy, even the chili peppers from small snack shops.

    Jiang Xue silently took a picture for Xie Xitong, who was already on the plane, figuring that she would send her a bunch of screaming emojis after landing.

    Xiao Luohan, remembering Shizhu’s “spicy food method,” first filled her stomach with mild dishes, then took a small amount of mapo tofu and ate it with rice.

    But after just one bite, she realized her spice tolerance was very low.

    She had taken the food too quickly, and Jiang Xue, not expecting her to try the mapo tofu, was unprepared and continued eating from her own bowl. It was Jiang Mei who noticed something was wrong.

    “Uncle’s mapo tofu is very authentic. Your throat is still inflamed, don’t touch it for now!” she hurriedly stopped her. “Rinse your mouth. I’ll get you some milk.”

    Milk and soy milk were both good for neutralizing spiciness. After drinking some, Xiao Luohan felt much better.

    But she still looked at the fragrant mapo tofu with a mixture of regret and longing.

    “It’s okay! After your health improves, you can gradually learn to eat spicy food!” Jiang Xue said, seeing her expression, and quickly comforted her. “My sister used to prefer mild flavors, but once she went on a business trip to Sichuan for half a month, and when she came back, she couldn’t enjoy food without something spicy!”

    As soon as she finished speaking, she was glared at by Jiang Mei.

    Uncle Seuss put down his juice and smiled. “I hope that next time Xiao Luo comes, she can also enjoy my specialty dishes.”

    “Next time.”

    Xiao Luohan knew that he had already accepted her as a true relative.

    As they were finishing dinner, Jiang Mei said, “Dr. Qi has taken care of Xiao Luo’s identification. But for now, she’ll be registered under your name, without any academic qualifications, only a medical history recommending ‘home recuperation.’”

    There were similar cases both domestically and internationally. Some children, due to congenital conditions or disabilities, couldn’t attend regular schools, so they would apply to the government for a different educational path.

    But Xiao Luohan was from another world. Although registering her after explaining everything wasn’t impossible, explaining the seventeen-year gap would be too troublesome and might even alert some government departments. It was more convenient to give her the identity of an “overseas relative.”

    They all hoped that Xiao Luo could live a peaceful life here first. As for the future, they would let Xiao Luo, who would be familiar with the new world by then, decide for herself.

    Xiao Luohan had already finished eating. While Jiang Mei and the others were talking, she listened quietly, nodding occasionally.

    They were all sincerely thinking about her well-being, she could feel it.

    After dinner, Jiang Xue wrapped a scarf around Xiao Luohan, put a woolen hat on her, and took her for a walk nearby.

    They hadn’t walked far when they heard the sound of approaching hooves.

    Uncle Seuss was taking his beloved “horse son” for a walk. As they passed by, the horse neighed, as if greeting them.

    “Actually, we all call Uncle ‘Hermes’ in private,” Jiang Xue explained to Xiao Luohan after her uncle and the horse were gone. “But he truly loves this horse, which he raised since it was a foal, like his own son.”

    “I remember some vloggers raising cats and dogs like their daughters and sons,” Xiao Luohan said.

    “Yes, it’s similar for Uncle,” Jiang Xue nodded with a smile.

    Xiao Luohan didn’t reply, her thoughts drifting.

    She thought, this was good. If she married Jiang Xue in the future, they wouldn’t need children, just a cat for company would be nice.

    Fortunately, the sky darkened quickly and deeply here. When she noticed her face burning, Jiang Xue was oblivious, looking up at the stars.

    “I also have a telescope,” she said. “It’s in the attic on the roof of our house. When the sky is clear, I’ll take it out to look at the stars.”

    Xiao Luohan thought for a few seconds. “For astrology and divination?”

    She remembered that the Beiliao Imperial Palace had an Office of Astronomy, observing celestial phenomena to predict major events.

    “Maybe A-Xi would do that, but I just look,” Jiang Xue said. “Perhaps… like appreciating flowers?”

    At the mention of appreciating flowers, Xiao Luohan understood, then thought of the old plum tree in Wangmei Pavilion.

    “I used to enjoy appreciating plum blossoms. Now I’ll also try ‘stargazing’,” she said.

    Jiang Xue thought of Elder Sister Red Fox’s last words and couldn’t help but say, “I’m looking forward to the plum blossoms blooming.”

    If the plum blossoms bloomed and never withered, it would fulfill Elder Sister Red Fox’s words, wouldn’t it?

    —”I have already attached my soul to the plum branches. Even after decades, the blossoms will not wither.”

  • The Saintess Has A Showdown 177-178

    Chapter 177: The Sorrowful Saintess One-Shots the Nether Empress

    –Sea Region, Pool of Hidden Secrets

    High within the inky black palace, five cold and elegant women stood in silence, their gazes locked, as if waiting for something.

    The renowned Nether Empress, reappearing after a thousand years, radiated a terrifying aura, her power seemingly undiminished.

    This black-haired woman’s presence alone could dominate the entire Sea Region. The difference in power between her and the other Sun and Moon Realm Spirit Masters was… fundamental.

    As rulers of the Sun and Moon Realm themselves, the four women could clearly sense this insurmountable gap.

    Even if they joined forces, they wouldn’t last a single round against the Nether Empress…

    They could only wait.

    Finally, after more than ten hours of silence, a shadowy figure appeared, breaking the tense atmosphere.

    “Nether Empress, the invasion of the Sea Region’s nine major powers is complete.”

    “Besides the Azure Stream Palace and the Winter Floating Sky, which are engaged in fierce battles, the other factions have easily repelled the Nine Nethers. However, the situation at the Snow Fairy Mansion is… unusual. It seems they were defeated by the current Saintess of the Sea Concubine Palace.”

    “The Eighth Lineage Master, despite illegally using a second spirit beast, was defeated and captured.”

    “…”
    “…”

    Hearing the report, the four Sea Region Emperors breathed a collective sigh of relief.

    It seemed that although the Nether Empress was tyrannical, she still had some sense of fairness, restricting the Nine Nethers Lineage Masters to a single spirit beast and ordering a retreat upon defeat.

    They weren’t surprised that the Winter Floating Sky was struggling. The strongest of the nine girls had clearly been on the verge of reaching the Sun and Moon Realm.

    “Is that so…”

    Hearing the report, a flicker of emotion, a hint of loneliness, appeared on the Nether Empress’s cold face.

    Times had changed.

    The Pool of Hidden Secrets was no longer the unrivaled powerhouse it once was.

    The battle with the Snow Monarch had almost destroyed them, plunging them into the abyss.

    After a few minutes of silent contemplation, the Nether Empress looked up, her eyes dull and lifeless.

    “At this time of year, the Saintess selections should be over. The Sea Region Ranking Battle is about to begin, isn’t it?”

    “Yes, one month remains until the Ranking Battle,” the green-haired woman from the Ice Shield Palace nodded.

    “According to tradition, only Dead Sea Stage Spirit Masters of the new generation can participate in the Ranking Battle, while the subsequent Resource Allocation Battle is for the Water Heart Ranking experts.”

    “All Sea Region factions can participate. Your Pool of Hidden Secrets can also use the Ranking Battle to reclaim your former glory.”

    As the Ice Empress finished speaking, the black-haired woman, without a word, descended into the Pool of Hidden Secrets palace.

    After a moment, a faint voice echoed,

    [I look forward to it.]

    “…”
    “…”

    “Still acting like she’s in charge!?” the icy beauty from the Cold Court said, her tone laced with displeasure.

    “Relax, the Pool of Hidden Secrets has been weakened considerably. They’re nothing to worry about without the Nether Empress herself. Even the combined Nine Nethers can’t cause much trouble now~~~” the leader of the Winter Floating Sky said, dismissing the Nine Nethers as insignificant.

    She was confident that this generation’s Sea Region Saintesses could easily defeat the descendants of the Nine Nethers.

    And the experts on the Water Heart Ranking would crush the Lineage Masters.

    “Then, see you at the Ranking Battle in a month!!”

    Before she even finished speaking, the Ice Empress vanished, streaking across the sky like a falling meteor, seemingly in a hurry.

    As the Emperors from the Cold Court and the Winter Floating Sky also departed, Shui Yingge remained, frowning slightly.

    She felt like they, including the Nether Empress, had overlooked something. A nagging feeling of unease lingered.

    She replayed the conversation in her mind. The key information was: the Azure Stream Palace and the Winter Floating Sky were struggling against the Nine Nethers, and Gong Lianyue had defeated the Eighth Lineage Master at the Snow Fairy Mansion.

    Shui Yingge instinctively felt something was wrong with this, but she couldn’t pinpoint it. It seemed… strange, yet also perfectly normal.

    The Sorrowful Saintess Gong Lianyue had simply defeated a Samsara Stage expert. What was so surprising about that?

    And so, Shui Yingge dismissed the crucial detail, unable to understand what she was missing.

    The reappearance of the Pool of Hidden Secrets shocked the entire Sea Region.

    Overnight, this news stunned all the factions, its impact no less than the Wind Realm learning about the loss of the Shadowlurking Blade.

    If the Storm Realm factions had heard this news, they would have immediately convened an emergency meeting. However, they were currently preoccupied with preparations for the war against the Water Element, unable to pay attention to the Sea Region.

    After its brief appearance, the Pool of Hidden Secrets had once again retreated into the depths of the ocean, its location unknown.

    However, the Winter Floating Sky’s announcement of the upcoming Ranking Battle, mentioning the Pool of Hidden Secrets’ participation, ignited a frenzy of speculation within the Sea Region.

    The descendants of the Nine Nethers, facing the Saintesses of the nine major powers… what an exciting matchup!

    This highly anticipated confrontation sparked everyone’s interest.

    The most popular and widely supported was naturally the Sorrowful Saintess of the Sea Concubine Palace.

    It was said that this woman was practically a divine being, her six teardrop beauty marks and compassionate face a sign of her destiny to bear the burden of sorrow.

    Especially after the news of the legendary Water Element’s rampage in the Wind Realm, the Sorrowful Saintess’s fame had reached unprecedented heights, her name echoing even within the other Sea Region factions.

    Although the details were still unconfirmed, the report had come from the Ice Shield Palace, lending it some credibility.

    The rumors grew more and more exaggerated, even reaching the secluded Pool of Hidden Secrets, where they began to wonder about this Sorrowful Saintess.

    Just a Dead Sea Stage Spirit Master… what could she possibly do?

    A curious Spirit Master from the Pool of Hidden Secrets snuck out to investigate and happened to encounter a group of the Sorrowful Saintess’s devoted fans.

    This Spirit Master returned with an unbelievable piece of information.

    An undeniable truth, acknowledged by all Spirit Masters in the Sea Region: the Sorrowful Saintess could defeat the Nether Empress with a single move!!!

    How utterly absurd…

    Chapter 178: Shui Qinghou’s Resentment

    –Sea Concubine Palace, Saintess Tower

    The massive spire within the Sea Concubine Palace, a towering spiral staircase covered in icy cloud patterns, its swirling patterns like flowing water.

    The Saintess Tower, a palace built specifically for the Sorrowful Saintess!

    At the top of the icy tower, on the rooftop, a dense water spirit energy, like a heavy ocean, radiated outwards, a chilling, oppressive presence.

    Boundless, endless, like sinking into the depths of a despairing sea, a dark and heavy aura.

    The blue-haired, teardrop-eyed girl sat in meditation, her body enveloped in a swirling vortex of spirit energy, like a miniature waterspout.

    Gong Lianyue, the Sorrowful Saintess of the Sea Concubine Palace. Half a month had passed since her return from the Wind Realm, and the turmoil caused by the revival of the Pool of Hidden Secrets continued to escalate.

    The Ranking Battle was fast approaching, and the water aura radiating from her was growing increasingly terrifying, unfathomable.

    [Ultimate Spirit Technique – Azure Heart of Water]

    “Honestly, I finally come to visit, and she’s just… cultivating…”

    A blue-haired woman with two large buns, her tone laced with resentment, stood nearby, kneading a small, white rabbit with floppy ears, practically turning it into a pancake.

    Shui Qinghou had brought Gong Lianyue the Azure Heart of Water, a secret technique passed down through the water lineage.

    Although far less mysterious than the Lost Scroll, it had finally allowed Gong Lianyue to experience the true power of a spirit technique, sending her into a cultivation frenzy.

    The Azure Heart of Water allowed one to store excess water spirit energy. There were seven stages, the highest allowing one to store up to 700% of their total spirit energy capacity, a significant advantage in battle.

    “Phew~~~”

    Having depleted her spirit energy, Gong Lianyue opened her teardrop eyes, exhaling a frosty mist, her face flushed.

    The Azure Heart of Water was now at its first stage limit, 100%. If she channeled this extra spirit energy into her spirit beasts, she could even sustain their needs outside the Sea Region.

    Essentially, it was a portable charger.

    “Teacher, why haven’t you left? Is there something else?” Sensing a presence behind her, Gong Lianyue turned around, puzzled.

    “…Something else?”

    Shui Qinghou repeated the words blankly, her eyes suddenly welling up.

    Her child had grown up, now coldly dismissing her, likely engaging in some indecent activities in secret.

    Seeing Shui Qinghou’s pitiful, aggrieved expression, Gong Lianyue was confused. Who was the Sorrowful Saintess here?

    “What’s wrong, Teacher? Did someone bully you?”

    “You!!”

    “Huh?”

    “Yue’er, have you forgotten? Every time you bathed in the sacred spring, you would come to Sea Moon Peak and bathe with me. But you’ve become so distant lately, always dismissing me after a few words. Do you know how lonely I am?!”

    “Ah, this…”

    Shui Qinghou’s melodramatic sobbing and tearful accusations left Gong Lianyue speechless.

    That was because, back then, before she had awakened her companion spirit beast, after bathing in the sacred spring, a ritual performed by every Saintess, she had felt… unclean and would go to Shui Qinghou’s place, ostensibly to bathe together, but actually to absorb her water spirit energy for cleansing.

    But after obtaining the Water Element, she could cleanse herself easily, no longer needing to visit Sea Moon Peak.

    However, she had to admit, she had been neglecting her teacher lately…

    “You’re right. I shouldn’t have been so cold.”

    “Alright, alright, don’t cry. You’re not some abandoned wife. Look, your makeup is all smudged. Let me help you wash up.”

    Gong Lianyue pulled the blue-haired woman towards the bathroom, hoping to end this quickly.

    Her two comical buns bouncing, Shui Qinghou, her face flushed, followed obediently, like a shy young girl.

    Yue’er had become so domineering after returning from the Wind Realm…

    Beep, beep—

    Beep, beep—

    Suddenly, an alarm startled them both.

    The wave-shaped calendar in the corner of the room beeped, a message appearing on its surface.

    [Two new members of the Sea Concubine Palace, Shui Puxing and Shui Yue’er, have disappeared in the deep regions of the Ice Plains, a hundred kilometers from the palace. All Sea Concubine Palace members who receive this message must immediately report to the area and assist in the search—Shui Yingge, the Water Emperor.]

    “Blue text. This is a mandatory mission!” Shui Qinghou’s face turned serious, her desire to bathe gone.

    “It’s been years since the Sea Concubine Palace issued a mandatory mission. What’s so special about these two?” Gong Lianyue asked, her tone puzzled.

    A mandatory mission required the presence of all Six Concubines and instructors. Was it really worth mobilizing the entire palace for two missing newcomers?

    “Shui Puxing is a descendant of the water lineage. Her background isn’t particularly prestigious, but her talent is exceptional.”

    “As for Shui Yue’er, she…”

    Shui Qinghou leaned closer and whispered in the blue-haired girl’s ear.

    Gong Lianyue’s face flushed slightly as she listened, then she coughed, trying to appear nonchalant.

    The Snow Fox Princess’s daughter, yet she had the surname Shui?

    Another case of a spirit beast becoming a… wife…

    No wonder Shui Yingge was so concerned, even issuing a mandatory mission, mobilizing the entire Sea Concubine Palace.

    “Then I’ll go ahead. Shui Puxing is practically my niece. It wouldn’t look good if something happened to her.”

    “You should also hurry. As the Saintess, you can’t ignore a mandatory mission.”

    As Shui Qinghou spoke, a powerful spirit energy, like a blue mist, surged from her body.

    However, just as she was about to leave, a transparent, purple sphere enveloped Gong Lianyue.

    The blue-haired girl, encased in the shimmering purple star, two pink, heart-shaped butterfly wings sprouting from its sides—

    Swish!

    The next second, with a flap of its wings, the girl vanished, leaving a swirling cloud of dust.

    Shui Qinghou stared at the empty room, her mouth agape, speechless.

  • Second Time Around, the Villainous Daughter Decides to Indulge First 61

    Chapter 61: Playing the Game

    A night of revelry.

    Angel woke up with a sore back and aching waist, her beautiful eyes seemingly losing their color as she stared blankly at the other side of the bed.

    The gray-haired beauty, like a devil incarnate, was sleeping soundly, the thin blanket outlining her exquisite figure.

    Lying on her side, Angel had a clear view of the sight that made her blood boil.

    Although she was reluctant to admit it…

    They were simply too big.

    And last night, their weight had broken through her last line of defense, drowning her in waves of pleasure.

    She wouldn’t elaborate further; it was too embarrassing.

    “So big, yet only used for this, hmph~”

    Angel only dared to act tough when Lena was asleep.

    After all, it was just talk.

    She was competitive and wouldn’t admit defeat to Lena’s skills.

    Who… who lost?!

    She hadn’t lost!

    Surrendering was only half a loss, so it didn’t count as a complete defeat!

    And who was it crying and shouting for her sister to take revenge, only to be quickly disarmed, bound by three strands of Lena’s gray hair, like a kite dancing in the wind?

    City people sure knew how to play.

    Angel, from a declining noble family, had never experienced such things before. Recalling it now, her face flushed, her waist aching as if she had been beaten.

    “Ugh… of course, you’re more skilled than my sister. You’re two ranks higher than her, how could she be your match…”

    Angel also lay on her side, facing Lena, her beautiful face bare, yet still radiating a captivating charm. “But, my sister isn’t easy to provoke. If you mess with her, you’ll lose badly, I guarantee it.”

    Vanessa had displayed exceptional intellect since childhood, possessing a photographic memory and a high IQ, earning her the title of “Human Library.”

    She was a quiet and introverted literary girl, eloquent and refined.

    Angel wondered what kind of sparks would fly if the unreasonable Lena and the eloquent Vanessa clashed.

    Ugh, no, forget it…

    She didn’t want her sister to be with this weirdo; it would shorten her lifespan!

    The thought of her sister lying beside Lena made Angel’s skin crawl.

    After all, a lustful devil wouldn’t care if you were an acquaintance, she would just pounce…

    Miss Mines must have been tricked into bed by Lena using similar methods.

    Poor thing…

    The more Angel thought about it, the more depressed she became. She had finally found a potential talent, only to have Lena snatch her away. Lena, Lena, Lena, everyone was Lena’s, she seemed to be trapped in the “Lena vortex.”

    “I wonder if there’s anyone in this world who can control you.”

    Angel murmured, her consciousness fading…

    When she woke up again, Lena was already out of bed, the empty space beside her still slightly indented, a faint fragrance lingering in the air.

    “Where is she?” Angel sat up, combing her tangled pink hair in front of the bathroom mirror, strand by strand, grumbling, “She didn’t even wake me up, after I made her so comfortable!”

    “Thinking about me so early in the morning, it seems Miss Angel hasn’t had enough fun yet.”

    “Of course not.”

    Angel pouted at her reflection in the mirror, as if disdaining Lena’s company.

    Lena’s hair was also a mess.

    It seemed they had gone at it too late last night, collapsing from exhaustion after venting their energies. Both of them looked terrible, with dark circles under their eyes.

    “Is your waist still sore?”

    Lena embraced Angel from behind, gently massaging her slender waist. “If you’re not feeling well, just take a leave of absence. Tell Professor Agnes, she’ll understand…”

    “We both took leave yesterday, and now we’re taking leave again today. Are you trying to ruin my reputation?”

    Angel had finally salvaged her image, she didn’t want her fans to think she was spending her days and nights with Lena.

    Although it was true, she still didn’t want them to know!

    “Hurry up and wash. I’ll wait for you downstairs. Are we going to the academy together or separately?” Lena asked softly.

    “Separately, of course. My sister has transferred here, what if she sees us?” Angel didn’t want to reveal her relationship with Lena to Vanessa yet, for many reasons she couldn’t explain.

    But Lena didn’t seem to care; she never cared about what others thought. “Just admit it if she sees us. It’s not like it’s the first time.”

    “Ha… listen…” Angel sighed, turning to face Lena, pulling at the loose collar of her shirt.

    The buttons popped open, revealing a large expanse of Lena’s fair skin, but neither of them cared.

    Lip to lip, face to face, a seemingly domineering kiss, but just a centimeter apart.

    Angel looked into Lena’s eyes, her expression unprecedentedly serious. “I’m an idol, and idols aren’t allowed to date. Don’t challenge my professionalism with your hobbies, understand?”

    Lena paused, then nodded stiffly.

    Angel released her, relieved by her sudden burst of courage.

    Fortunately, nothing happened.

    Lena wasn’t angry and didn’t order her to bend over the vanity, a stroke of luck.

    Oh god, how did she dare talk back to Lena?!

    She must be crazy!!

    …

    The 9:30 assembly bell rang.

    The Crown Bell, hidden among the lush ivy, was once again bathed in the sound of new students.

    Almost every year, young boys and girls gathered beneath the ancient bell, their faces filled with youthful energy.

    Today was the official start of the academic year, and the day the new students sang the school anthem together.

    Wonderful.

    Lena walked past the new students, glancing back. Most of them were captivated by her beauty, their voices off-key.

    Such a beautiful senior!

    Which department is she from?

    Love at first sight, let’s get married!

    A few looked at the black-haired girl following behind Lena, her unusual hair color unheard of in the empire.

    “Are you nervous?”

    “A little, Master.”

    Mines was still wearing the red feather dress from yesterday, like a dove with folded wings, her eyes scanning their surroundings vigilantly.

    The stiff black suit jacket covered the unsightly scars on her back, the red spider lily in her hair as vibrant as blood, wild and captivating.

    Matching her eye color and her independent, serious demeanor.

    “Thanks to Master, I’ve seen you again, and I can even attend this dream academy.”

    “So, shouldn’t you repay my kindness?” Lena joked.

    Mines thought for a moment, then gently cupped Lena’s face with her gloved right hand. Before all the new students, she kissed Lena’s lips, gently biting, leaving a faint mark, incredibly seductive.

    “…”

    “Master’s lips… are very fragrant…” Mines’s blood-red eyes flickered, her hand touching her cheek, a blush spreading across her face.

    What the hell!

    She had been kissed!

    Lena stared blankly.

    Huh?

    Kissed?!

    The new students were stunned.

    They hadn’t expected to witness such a sensational scene on their first day… This elegant, gray-haired senior was actually the submissive one?!

    This…

    This ship has sailed…

  • My Evil God Girlfriend (gl) 102

    102: Side Story 2

    The wedding of the Earth’s guardian deity and her chosen human took place on a simple, spring meadow.

    The setting wasn’t extravagant, the guest list small, no security, just a quiet, intimate gathering.

    An Yue, leading a team of the nation’s top investigators, sat among the guests, their gazes sharp and watchful, discreetly guarding the ceremony.

    A few loyal employees and executives from the company were also present, their expressions reverent, waiting patiently.

    Xiang Er’s former teachers from the orphanage had also come, Director Zhang, now elderly, in a wheelchair, being pushed around the meadow, enjoying the sunshine and the scenery. Seeing the other guests, their dignified appearance, unaware of their true identities, they marveled at how successful Xiang Er, a former orphan, had become.

    Zhu Minmin, chosen as the maid of honor, was practically giddy with excitement, having spent the past two weeks dieting, perfecting her skincare routine, and studying wedding etiquette. She had even brought emergency heart medication, just in case.

    Now, her face flushed, she stood guard outside the bridal suite, preventing anyone from entering.

    Inside, Akhe and Xiang Er were helping each other into their wedding dresses.

    Although tradition dictated that the bride and groom shouldn’t see each other before the ceremony, Xiang Er couldn’t imagine anyone more qualified to help her with her dress than the multi-tentacled Akhe.

    Standing before the large mirror, Xiang Er watched as the dress was carefully fitted, a thoughtful expression on her face.

    She turned her head slightly, addressing the tentacle that was fussing with her shoulder:

    “Are you sure about this? Marriage… it doesn’t really… mean anything to you, does it?”

    The tentacle’s tip swayed slightly, as if disagreeing, and Akhe’s magnetic voice echoed from behind her:

    “It does have meaning. Your human marriage ceremonies are a way of expressing… a commitment, a unique and exclusive love, and I want to express the same love to you, so… I want to marry you. Unless…”

    A tentacle gently wrapped around her collarbone, then slowly encircled her neck, as if about to snap it.

    Despite the seemingly dangerous gesture, Xiang Er tilted her head back slightly, a look of almost languid pleasure on her face, her body relaxing.

    She leaned back into Akhe’s embrace, seeing their reflection in the mirror.

    Akhe’s beautiful, feminine form held her close, her lips gently kissing Xiang Er’s neck, a stunning mermaid-style wedding dress, designed by the world’s top designer, clinging to her body.

    Beneath the shimmering silver tail of the dress, dozens of crimson tentacles extended, reaching upwards, caressing Xiang Er’s back, her shoulders, her neck, her head, the air thick with their sweet fragrance.

    Akhe’s voice, echoing slightly, ethereal and commanding, like a deity’s, said:

    “Unless… you don’t want to get married. Now is your last chance…”

    Xiang Er smiled, turning her head slightly to kiss one of the crimson tentacles:

    “I wouldn’t miss this… for the world.”

    Akhe held her close, the tentacles deepening in color, the air growing warmer…

    They ended up having to redo their hair and makeup, their dresses slightly rumpled, everything a delightful mess.

    Opening the door, Zhu Minmin, hit by a wave of sweet fragrance, stumbled slightly, her mind momentarily dazed, before focusing on the two figures before her.

    Ah… her OTP(one true pair/pairing)… both in wedding dresses, their affectionate embrace… the impact…

    “Aaaaaaaaaaah!!!”

    Zhu Minmin frantically fumbled for her heart medication.

    Xiang Er and Akhe exchanged amused glances, and Akhe, with a wave of her hand, summoned the makeup artist, who quickly touched up their makeup.

    A small, black sphere bounced down the hallway, and spotting Xiang Er, immediately rolled towards her, its thin tentacles wrapping around her ankle.

    Zhu Minmin, having just taken her medication, looked down and saw the small eyeball, and she screamed again:

    “Aaaaaah, a monster!”

    Everyone had seen monsters by now, so it wasn’t exactly terrifying, just… startling, a potential disruption to the ceremony. Zhu Minmin rushed forward, about to shoo it away, when Xiang Er, smiling, squatted down, picked up the small eyeball, and held it close, gently stroking its black, spherical body.

    Zhu Minmin:

    “Huh? You… you know this monster?”

    Akhe leaned closer, a smile on her lips:

    “It’s not a monster, it’s our child.”

    Zhu Minmin:

    “!!!”

    She stared at Xiang Er, who, although blushing slightly, didn’t deny it. It was true! Zhu Minmin was stunned, her OTP already had a child, even her wildest fan fiction hadn’t dared to progress this quickly!

    After the initial shock, she looked at the small eyeball more closely, a sudden realization dawning on her:

    “So… if this child looks like this, then one of you must be a heterogeneous entity… which one? The human or the eyeball…”

    Her eyes widened as she looked at Shen Yuhe, the beautiful CEO in her mermaid-style wedding dress, then at the slender, pale Xiang Er, and after a moment of contemplation, she tugged at Xiang Er’s arm, her voice trembling:

    “I knew there was something strange about you… back when we were working together… so… you’re the… the big eyeball?”

    Xiang Er, amused and slightly exasperated, what was this, was she some kind of monster?

    Akhe, struggling to contain her laughter, her shoulders shaking, managed to maintain a serious expression.

    Zhu Minmin’s question remained unanswered until the start of the ceremony.

    The solemn wedding march began, the guests smiling as they watched the beautiful couple.

    They had dispensed with the traditional giving away of the bride, just the two of them, walking hand in hand from the far end of the meadow, their steps slow and measured.

    Their gaze, throughout the ceremony, was fixed on each other, they needed only each other, it was enough.

    The memories of their journey together flashed through their minds, the struggles, the pain, but also the moments of sweetness and happiness, more intense, more profound than any ordinary love, and now, they knew, with a quiet certainty – it had all been worth it.

    The officiant, at the end of the aisle, was the director of the National Special Investigations Bureau, a woman with silver hair and a kind smile, the scars on her exposed wrists a testament to her battles. She turned to Akhe and, raising her voice, asked:

    “Ms. Akhe, do you take Miss Xiang Er to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until the end of your long existence, will you cherish her, respect her, protect her, through the turning of planets and the collapse of universes, through the rise and fall of human civilizations?”

    The question, so profound, so unconventional, caused a ripple of murmurs among the guests. The investigators, who knew the truth, remained calm, but the others, puzzled, exchanged glances, the words seemed strange, out of place.

    Ordinary people only made promises for a lifetime, for their own lives, why mention the collapse of universes, the end of humanity, in wedding vows?

    Only Zhu Minmin, her eyes wide with shock, frantically fumbled for her heart medication again. She had been wrong, the real heterogeneous entity… it was her!

    This was… too much, this ship, it was the most exciting, the most unforgettable, she had ever encountered!

    Akhe, her gaze fixed on Xiang Er, deep and unwavering, hadn’t even glanced at the other guests.

    Her voice firm and resolute, she answered:

    “I do.”

    The director turned to Xiang Er and asked:

    “Ms. Xiang Er, do you take Ms. Akhe to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, to respect and to accept, to be faithful, until the end of your life?”

    Xiang Er’s hand trembled, her gaze locked onto Akhe’s, those eyes she would always love, a flood of emotions and memories washing over her.

    The words were simple. But those two small words, carrying the weight of her love, her journey, her voice trembling, escaped her lips:

    “I do.”

    A cheer erupted from the guests, their applause echoing, but Xiang Er couldn’t look away, her gaze fixed on Akhe’s face, her eyes.

    Akhe was crying, tears streaming down her beautiful face, her hands gripping Xiang Er’s, her grip so tight it almost hurt.

    Xiang Er was surprised, then her own eyes welled up, tears blurring her vision.

    In that joyous moment, their gazes locked, sharing their tears, their love, a silent communion, a thousand unspoken words reflected in each other’s eyes.

    Their souls, in this moment, intertwined.

    The officiant’s voice, clear and strong, announced:

    “You may now exchange rings.”

    Akhe, composing herself, produced an exquisite ruby ring, and taking Xiang Er’s hand, slipped it onto her finger, her movements swift, as if afraid Xiang Er might change her mind.

    Xiang Er also took out the ring she had bought with her own money, a diamond ring shaped like a tentacle. She fumbled with it, trying to put it on Akhe’s finger, then turned and saw that the ruby on her own finger was glowing… it was…

    She whispered:

    “Is this…”

    Akhe smiled, her eyes soft and tearful:

    “Yes, it’s… my new heart.”

    The new, red heart, on Xiang Er’s finger, radiated an unnatural, beautiful light.

    No matter how many times it shattered, as long as she could, she would give it to Xiang Er, again and again.

    Only in her hand, would it truly live, would it truly shine.

    The newlyweds, with the small eyeball in tow, went to the beach for their honeymoon.

    On the romantic island, Xiang Er, in her swimsuit, basking in the sun, the small eyeball nestled in her arms, suddenly sneezed.

    She rubbed her nose, and the small eyeball immediately extended a tentacle, gently patting her head, its voice childish and sweet:

    “Mommy, are you okay?”

    Xiang Er smiled:

    “Someone must be thinking about me.”

    The small eyeball pointed with another tentacle:

    “Then it must be Mother.”

    The small eyeball’s intelligence was now close to a three or four-year-old child’s, its speech clear and articulate, and it even differentiated between Xiang Er and Akhe, always vying for Xiang Er’s attention.

    Like now, because Xiang Er was holding the small eyeball, Akhe had to lie on a separate lounge chair, unable to cuddle with Xiang Er, which made her rather unhappy, and she discreetly extended a tentacle from beneath her chair, wrapping it around Xiang Er’s leg, then her waist, its tip tracing circles on her stomach, a silent protest.

    Xiang Er turned to Akhe:

    “Are you thinking about me?”

    Akhe nodded immediately:

    “Yes. Who else could it be?”

    Xiang Er, smiling, patted Akhe’s thick tentacle, her voice teasing:

    “I’m right here, why would you be thinking about me?”

    Akhe:

    “I’m thinking about… more intimate things… shall we try… on the beach?”

    Xiang Er’s eyes widened in alarm, and she quickly covered the small eyeball’s eye:

    “Don’t say such things in front of the child!”

    Akhe smiled mischievously, a tentacle, hidden in the shadows, stealthily reaching towards Xiang Er’s chest, sliding beneath her swimsuit…

    Meanwhile…

    A few days after returning from the wedding, Zhu Minmin started updating her new novel:

    “The Domineering Evil God Fell in Love with Me, and I’m Pregnant with Her Eyeball Baby, Can’t Escape, Have to Get Married.”

    She had a feeling this novel was going to be a global hit, after all, monsters and humans, eyeballs and girls, tentacles and… well, such a ship, no one could resist!