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  • Miss Luo Yan’s Feet Are Buried With Corpses v3c29

    Witch’s Night: Chapter 29 Whispers of the Oracle

    A mere fall from a high altitude wasn’t a dangerous act for a “Destruction” level ability user, even if that altitude was near the starry sky.

    And Luo Yan, even more so. For a spatial ability user to die from falling from a high altitude was an inconceivable event.

    Soon, both of them returned to the ground, although in different ways.

    Chris and Cecilia watched in disbelief as Hamid fell from the sky, crashing straight through the residential building, while Luo Yan leisurely climbed down a spatial rift next to them.

    …Although she had seen it many times, Chris’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably every time she saw Miss Luo Yan perform the death-defying act of Void Traversal as if she were just climbing over a wall.

    “Miss Luo Yan, how did it go?”

    Chris nervously approached, but Luo Yan looked contemplative, as if pondering something important.

    Could it be… that the talks didn’t go well? Or…

    Chris craned her neck slightly, looking at the hole that went straight through the building. Did this cultist named Hamid convince Miss Luo Yan?

    Just then, Luo Yan suddenly nodded and said seriously,

    “So that’s how it is. I definitely won’t get lost next time!”

    “…Ah? What do you mean?”

    “Miss Chris, I’ve completely mastered the rules of the Void nodes,” Luo Yan looked at the bewildered Chris and said, “This time the location was correct, just the altitude was a bit off.”

    “Altitude?”

    Chris suddenly had a bad feeling.

    “Yes, I accidentally went to an altitude of about three thousand meters,” Luo Yan nodded. “Don’t worry, we’ll definitely succeed next time!”

    Three thousand meters!

    Chris was shocked. This wasn’t something to be repeated. Getting the location wrong just meant taking a detour, but you actually had an altitude deviation as well?

    For a “Destruction” level ability user, high altitude wasn’t a problem, but for a “Ruin” level ability user to go to an altitude of three thousand meters was simply courting death. Neither the environment nor the risk of falling could be handled.

    Moreover, since the New Era began, very few humans had been able to reach such heights.

    “I think it’s better to walk…”

    Chris said awkwardly.

    “Sometimes we need to travel quickly.” Luo Yan raised an eyebrow. “Don’t worry, if you feel uncomfortable in the Void, I can knock you unconscious before taking you in.”

    That sounded even more dangerous. Chris thought for a moment and decided it was best to quickly divert Miss Luo Yan’s attention from this suicidal topic.

    At this time, Cecilia was already lying on her stomach by the large hole Hamid had created, carefully looking down, calling out weakly with a hint of crying,

    “Um… Grandpa Bishop…”

    “He’s fine.” Luo Yan walked to the hole and put her hand on Cecilia’s shoulder. “Besides, I still need to talk to him about your situation.”

    “Ah?” Cecilia looked up blankly. “My… situation?”

    “About your illness, Cecilia,” Luo Yan whispered. “To be honest, I, like you, also have… the same illness.”

    Not long ago, Luo Yan was still troubled by the symptoms caused by demonic power. Although she wasn’t a God’s Chosen, she faced the same problems as them, namely the irreversible erosion of living beings’ constitutions by demonic power.

    “Oh? Have you also suffered from this?”

    Hamid’s voice came slowly from the hole, and then his figure reappeared before them.

    “Grandpa Bishop!”

    Cecilia’s eyes lit up, and she was about to rush over, but was stopped by Luo Yan.

    “I can see your solution to this, Hamid.” Luo Yan said in a low voice. “I have reason to suspect you have ulterior motives. Cecilia is now practically no different from an ‘Ice Coffin Weapon’.”

    “‘Ice Coffin Weapon’? No, Cecilia’s situation is more dangerous.” Hamid didn’t greet Cecilia as usual. “As for my ulterior motives? Heh, perhaps… I don’t even know myself.”

    “You know what will happen if this continues.” Luo Yan’s eyes turned cold. She had experienced a similar situation to Cecilia’s in the past, so she empathized even more with this poor little girl.

    “But I have no other way. At the end of Cecilia’s life, I will respect her wishes, whether it’s self-destruction or self-exile.”

    Hamid glanced at Cecilia, a flicker of pity and emotion in his eyes, and sighed inwardly.

    He hadn’t wanted to tell Cecilia all this at this time, but now… he had to.

    Not only because of this transaction, which he didn’t want to call a transaction, but also because Hamid had no solution to Cecilia’s illness. In his hands, Cecilia could only become an “Ice Coffin Weapon.”

    For this girl whom he had rescued and raised, it would be an absolute lie if Hamid said he hadn’t invested any emotion.

    He was still human, and humans had emotions and feelings, even the Church of the End Gods was the same, and Hamid had never denied his own feelings.

    “Grandpa Bishop…”

    Cecilia timidly looked at Hamid. In her perception, Grandpa Bishop seemed different from usual.

    Grandpa Bishop’s emotions suddenly became so complicated that Cecilia’s little head couldn’t understand.

    She could only tilt her head in confusion, not daring to approach.

    “Although I don’t know why you value a God’s Chosen so much, you also said that this is a transaction.” Hamid said softly. “Here are all my records about Cecilia from these years, my research on her illness… and on God’s Chosen. I’m giving them all to you, Miss Luo Yan.”

    After he finished speaking, Hamid took out a notebook and tossed it to Luo Yan.

    After conducting all the research within his power, Hamid discovered that he knew nothing about the power of the Gods. The more he researched, the more lost and confused he felt.

    It was common knowledge that the power of the Gods was the pinnacle of all power, but using the word “pinnacle” to describe it was too general and misleading.

    Because a pinnacle could be reached, but the height of demonic power, mere mortals couldn’t even glimpse a trace of it.

    The conclusion was that the situation of a God’s Chosen was hopeless. No God’s Chosen could live to adulthood. It could even be said that all God’s Chosen who survived birth were miracles, even if they died young.

    As for the situation of the Misters of Dawn, perhaps only they themselves knew.

    And now, the incomprehensible Miss Luo Yan had appeared before him. Hamid knew that if Cecilia had any intention of living according to her own will, Miss Luo Yan would be her only chance.

    “Are you saying…”

    Luo Yan took the notebook and froze. She remembered that the terms of the transaction were just to understand Cecilia’s situation.

    She could see that Cecilia and her Grandpa Bishop had a very deep bond, and she hadn’t intended to separate them.

    Whether it was right or wrong, it was their business. Luo Yan only decided to help this little girl out of sympathy and empathy.

    “If you don’t mind her being a burden, let her follow you.”

    Hamid said indifferently. Although he inevitably felt some reluctance, he still made this decision.

    This was human weakness. Seeking warmth in a world destined for destruction seemed to be a mistake as well, but Hamid didn’t intend to change.

    “Grandpa Bishop… are you abandoning Cecilia?” Cecilia said weakly, her expression looking somewhat aggrieved.

    Why did Grandpa Bishop… become like this after going out for a while?

    “Don’t worry, Cecilia,” Hamid’s expression softened a little. “Follow this big sister, and when you’re completely healed, Grandpa will come back to find you.”

    “Big sister…”

    Cecilia looked up, her hand involuntarily grabbing the corner of Luo Yan’s skirt.

    “The previous transaction didn’t mention this.”

    Luo Yan frowned slightly. She didn’t dislike Cecilia being a burden, but she herself… had problems.

    The reason she was so normal now was because of One and Nine. Once the life force they gave her was exhausted, her situation wouldn’t be much different from Cecilia’s.

    “I said, putting everything about the Gods on the negotiating table is an insult to us and the Gods.” Hamid lowered his head slightly. “I’m willing to entrust Cecilia to you. This isn’t a transaction. As for the oracle, whether you are willing to tell us… is up to you.”

    “Oracle?” Hearing this, Chris’s eyes widened. “Miss Luo Yan, have you received some kind of oracle?”

    The so-called Gods were the Malice of All Worlds, the Primordial Demons, and the oracle… could be some kind of doomsday prophecy.

    Chris was quite nervous about this. Another important reason she had been following Luo Yan was to stop her dangerous actions at critical moments.

    Now was the most critical moment, and Luo Yan had actually made a deal with the cultists to tell them the oracle of the Gods!

    “Don’t look at me like that, Miss Chris, the oracle or whatever is just their wishful thinking.” Luo Yan seemed quite helpless at Chris’s almost murderous gaze. “And I’ve mentioned it to you many times, right? About the Witch of Envy…”

    Chris thought back. She seemed to have said something… but those were just your casual complaints! How could those be considered an oracle!

    Wait, could those… actually be considered an oracle?

    Chris looked like she had seen a ghost.

    “Church of the End Gods… I’ve heard about your beliefs and learned some things from the Witch of Envy.” Luo Yan looked at Hamid seriously.

    “But… to be precise, I’ve only been in this world for a few months. The so-called civilization and world are very unfamiliar to me.

    “I don’t know what’s right and what’s wrong. I’m just experiencing the… rhythm of this world in my own way, yes, that’s right, rhythm.”

    Although many things had happened, the time Luo Yan had experienced the most was still her days in Ghost Town.

    If that had continued, perhaps one day, the Witch of Envy would awaken, discover her in Ghost Town, and the whispers of divinity might have succeeded.

    Unfortunately, there were no ifs. After personally experiencing the rhythm of the world, Luo Yan had her own thoughts, walking her own path, no longer ignorant, no longer lost.

    “She said,” Luo Yan whispered, “‘I will disappear, but ‘Hope’ (true name) will live forever.’

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

    Luo Yan spoke these words using the divine language, the language of True Names. To Chris, it was just a few strange syllables, and then nothing.

    “You… what did you say?”

    Chris asked, completely bewildered.

    But on the other side, Hamid’s expression was like he had been struck by lightning, his whole body trembling,

    “Th-this… how is this possible…”

    “The God of Hope… has truly fallen…”

    And it was Her own decision.

    It turned out that Miss Luo Yan hadn’t lied to him. One of the Gods had truly fallen. She hadn’t successfully revived from Her long slumber, but chose to self-destruct.

    The fall of a God was a severe blow to the Church of the End Gods. It meant that the world’s destruction, foretold in the truth, was one step closer.

    Hamid didn’t want to believe it, but the oracle had been given, the facts were right in front of him, and he couldn’t deny it.

    For a moment, Hamid was distraught.

    “I didn’t lie to you, did I?” Luo Yan spread her hands.

    Cecilia, hiding behind her, looked up at Luo Yan in confusion. Wasn’t this big sister the God of Hope? She was clearly alive and well…

    Why didn’t Grandpa Bishop recognize her? Could it be because she wasn’t wearing that beautiful and scary dress?

    The only person on the scene who was completely clueless was Chris, her face full of question marks.

    What, what, what was all this! What were they talking about!

    She knew the God of Hope, it was the Witch of Envy, so why had She suddenly fallen?

    Wasn’t She still endangering Sister Qingling’s hometown, Yan City, before? How did She disappear in such a short time?

    And why did Hamid believe Miss Luo Yan as soon as she said it?

    Many questions swirled in Chris’s mind, but she held back. Because everyone present seemed to understand, and if only she didn’t… it would be embarrassing to say it out loud.

    “I didn’t expect that after hundreds of years, we would receive such an oracle.” A bitter smile appeared on Hamid’s lips. “If that’s the case… who was the destruction of Lannister, which we were supposed to offer, for?”

    “I don’t know.”

    Luo Yan chimed in.

    “….”

    Chris broke out in a cold sweat. So these cultists really did intend to destroy Lannister… She didn’t know where they got the confidence.

    If Chris knew that hundreds of cultists were lurking in Lannister’s administration, and that more than a dozen hereditary nobles had become members of the Church of the End Gods, and that even an Elder was secretly assisting the Church, she wouldn’t have such doubts.

    Lannister had only superficially controlled the situation. Once these moles acted, coupled with the resurgent wave of Calamities, Lannister would truly be in danger of destruction.

    “It was only for yourself, Hamid.”

    Just then, a lazy voice sounded behind Hamid,

    “Long time no see, you’re still as foolish as ever.”

  • After Failing to Find Immortality 234

    Chapter 234: A Woman’s Plot, Retribution Served Cold

    “Y-You, how did you get here!”

    Pei Yan cried out in alarm, assuming a defensive stance. “You clearly said you would come find me in a few days, why—”

    “As a prince, you’re still too naive.”

    Lin Tianlu blew on the hot tea in his cup and chuckled softly. “Just because I said I would come find you in a few days, you believed it without a doubt? Or do you really think I’m some rigid scholar who adheres to every rule and observes all formalities and etiquette?”

    He raised his indifferent eyes and said calmly, “From the moment I met you, I knew you were a treacherous enemy. And when dealing with enemies, there’s no need for righteous methods. Such petty tricks are child’s play. It’s a pity that Your Highness seems unable to comprehend even such simple jokes, believing them to be true. Truly pathetic.”

    “You—”

    Pei Yan’s face twisted even more at these nonchalant taunts.

    “Lin Tianlu, do you know who you’re talking to!”

    Li Jinghe, standing beside him, roared angrily. “You, a mere commoner, not only didn’t kneel and pay respects when meeting His Highness, but you dare to utter such disrespectful nonsense!”

    “A prince who uses despicable methods to abduct women, even secretly plotting rebellion. If this news were to spread, I’m afraid you would become the laughingstock of the world.”

    Lin Tianlu calmly finished his tea. “If His Majesty and the others were to hear this, in order to maintain the royal family’s reputation, what do you think would happen to you, Prince Pei? After all, I’ve heard that Prince Pei has eight sons. Although they have different temperaments, many of them are impulsive and easily angered, but at least they can control their lower bodies.”

    He slowly put down his teacup and smiled meaningfully. “What kind of future do you think this Prince Pei… still has?”

    Li Jinghe’s eyes widened, his fists clenching in anger and shock, but he couldn’t find any words to refute.

    The struggle for power among Prince Pei’s sons…

    As Pei Yan’s confidant, he naturally knew it well.

    “You’re trying to use this as blackmail…”

    “No.”

    Lin Tianlu’s face was extremely calm. “I’m just here to eliminate potential dangers.”

    “Please wait!”

    After his initial panic, Pei Yan quickly cupped his hands. “Mr. Lin, my words just now… although they might have sounded harsh, I truly wanted to befriend you and had no intention of harming you. As for Miss Cheng, I guarantee I will not go near her again and will never have any improper thoughts about her.”

    Lin Tianlu chuckled, stood up, and waved his sleeve. “Your Highness, do you really think a few flattering words can make me willingly forgive and forget?”

    Pei Yan’s eyes twitched, and he took two deep breaths. “Although I did speak carelessly, I haven’t done anything inappropriate to Miss Cheng. She hasn’t suffered any grievances these past few days. I haven’t even touched her. I only hope that Mr. Lin can be magnanimous and not make a big deal out of this. If you have any requests, I will order my servants to fulfill them. Let’s put this dispute behind us… If Mr. Lin is still angry, you can punish me however you see fit. I won’t utter a single word of complaint.”

    “Did you hear His Highness?”

    Li Jinghe said in a low voice, “Miss Cheng is clearly unharmed. At worst, this is just a matter of a few careless words. Even if Mr. Lin were to report this to the authorities, we wouldn’t be punished. Or is Mr. Lin so petty that he would resort to threats and violence over a few rumors? You’ve already injured His Highness, and he hasn’t blamed you, even forgiving your disrespect. Those were just a few angry words spoken to his retainers after returning home. Why take it so seriously?”

    “Please reconsider, Mr. Lin!”

    Pei Yan bowed deeply again.

    “…”

    Lin Tianlu silently looked at the two of them.

    After a moment of silence, he smiled faintly.

    “Your double act is quite entertaining.”

    Li Jinghe’s face darkened. “Lin Tianlu, are you determined to be our enemy? So arrogant and unreasonable, you don’t deserve to be called ‘Master.’ You’re just an ignorant brute who acts on impulse! Relying on your strength to vent your anger, what’s the difference between you and those bandits outside the city!”

    Lin Tianlu’s smile didn’t change at all upon hearing these words.

    “You’re right. If you had just made a few lewd remarks, a few punches would have sufficed. When I was on my way to Ascension Immortal Restaurant, I indeed didn’t have any killing intent, only thinking of teaching you a lesson. However, do you think I came here empty-handed?”

    As he spoke, he clapped his hands.

    “Thank you for your trouble, Miss Yang.”

    As soon as he finished speaking, a graceful figure materialized behind him like a phantom, her face cold and indifferent. She took a large scroll of documents from her wide sleeve.

    “You—”

    Pei Yan and the others were startled, a sense of unease washing over them.

    Yang Chanzhen’s eyes were calm as she casually opened the first scroll and slowly said, “Regarding matters with traceable evidence, thirteen years ago, Prince Pei secretly took a life, killing three commoners on a whim and leaving their bodies exposed in the wilderness. Nine years ago, in order to obtain a woman surnamed Wang, Prince Pei plotted the downfall of a county official’s son, ruining his reputation. He then used sweet words to take the young man’s fiancée, who is now his personal slave. Eight years ago, Prince Pei made an enemy of someone of the same generation and secretly sent assassins after him. Not content with that, he had the young man’s entire family, thirty-seven people in total, executed. All because the young man had offended His Highness, causing him to lose face in public. Six years ago, Prince Pei had matured and learned to control his temper. However, his actions became even more sinister and ruthless. He established his own private army and underground organization. Although he appeared to be keeping a low profile these past six years, cheerfully interacting with everyone and making friends, he has committed countless heinous acts in secret.”

    Yang Chanzhen emotionlessly shook the remaining stack of documents. “This contains records of over two hundred cases of injustice committed by Prince Pei. The number of people he has killed is difficult to count, and even more are still living in pain. Do you need me to detail each crime, each incident, from beginning to end?”

    “T-This is impossible—”

    Pei Yan’s face was pale, his expression incredulous.

    Li Jinghe’s face was twisted as he roared, “These are fabricated lies!”

    “Whether it’s true or false, your expressions speak for themselves.”

    Lin Tianlu smiled, taking the documents from Yang Chanzhen. “Or do you need the victims and their families to confront you before you admit your guilt?”

    Pei Yan’s expression changed several times before he waved his hand abruptly. “Impossible! You’ve only just met me. How could you have collected all this information! I’ve always been active in other provinces and counties. Even traveling back and forth takes half a month. How could you know what I’ve done in the past!”

    “That’s why I said, Your Highness, you’re too naive.”

    Lin Tianlu shook his head and chuckled.

    “From the very beginning, you never took Miss Cheng seriously, treating her as nothing more than a ‘trophy.’”

    “What are you—”

    “These past ten days or so were enough for her to secretly gather intelligence and investigate. And some of your less intelligent guards and servants don’t seem to be very tight-lipped.” Lin Tianlu gestured towards Yang Chanzhen beside him and continued, “This young lady has been working in the shadows, helping to collect all the secrets you tried to hide. On the one hand, she kept her distance from you while attracting your attention. On the other hand, she grasped the overall situation, gathering intelligence and compiling a list of all the crimes you’ve committed… In the end, you were the ones being played by two women, and you haven’t even noticed anything amiss.”

    “N-No way!”

    Pei Yan’s face was filled with shock and disbelief, his eyes wide. “Cheng Yishi… when did she…”

    “You genuinely saw Miss Cheng as a helpless burden, never thinking she could cause any trouble.”

    The smile on Lin Tianlu’s face gradually disappeared. “But in reality, you, a so-called learned prince, are inflexible and pretentious, nothing more than an arrogant fool. You truly believe that you control all the rules and principles of the world, and everyone will act according to your will.”

    Yang Chanzhen blinked her beautiful eyes and said indifferently,

    “Pathetic.”

    “…I don’t believe it!”

    Pei Yan’s eyes turned bloodshot, veins bulging on his forehead. “We’ve already erased all traces of those past events. No one in this world besides me knows about them. What can two women possibly do!”

    “Your Highness can’t even be bothered to pretend anymore…”

    Lin Tianlu sneered. “Unfortunately, in terms of martial prowess, you’re clearly no match for the young lady beside me. So why continue your arrogant bluster?”

    Bang!

    Just then, Li Jinghe’s figure flashed, shattering the ground as he charged towards them like a streak of light!

    “Die, you wretch!”

    Li Jinghe’s roar shook the hall, and the force emanating from his body stirred up a gale. His fist shot out like a coiling dragon!

    Yang Chanzhen’s eyes narrowed slightly, her slender fingers forming hand seals within her sleeves, preparing to counterattack.

    However, a shadow flickered in front of her, and Li Jinghe, who had been charging forward with overwhelming momentum, suddenly vanished as if he had evaporated into thin air.

    “Eh?”

    The hall fell silent.

    The gust of wind caused by his fist also disappeared, returning to calmness.

    Yang Chanzhen blinked twice, then looked up as if sensing something.

    Li Jinghe was swaying back and forth from the ceiling at a leisurely pace, only his head poking through the roof like a hanging corpse, his limbs dangling limply.

    “…”

    Pei Yan looked up blankly at this scene, his mind frozen.

    What just happened?

    Although his Uncle Li wasn’t unparalleled in the world, his cultivation was considered among the best in the Crimson Demon Realm. He could deal with ordinary mortals without even lifting a finger, and even against other ghost practitioners, he was overwhelmingly powerful.

    But now…

    Had he… lost?

    “This man’s hands are stained with blood.”

    Lin Tianlu brushed the dust off his sleeves and walked forward with an indifferent expression. “Aiding a tyrant, unable to distinguish right from wrong, he has committed countless cruel sins under the guise of being the prince’s confidant. The number of people he has killed is unknown. His crimes are truly deserving of death!”

    “Hiss—”

    Pei Yan gasped, taking two steps back instinctively.

    In his panic, he couldn’t help but look at Bi Junheng not far away.

    Bi Junheng’s face was also unsightly, but after a moment of thought, he still stepped forward, forcing himself to speak. “Mr. Lin, please calm down. You’ve already dealt with that Li Jinghe. Your anger should be—”

    “Do you think I didn’t hear your conversation just now?”

    Looking at Bi Junheng standing between them, Lin Tianlu smiled kindly. “Raping, looting, committing all sorts of evil. You have a handsome appearance, but your heart is extremely vicious. I wonder how many innocent women you have harmed and ruined.”

    “!”

    Bi Junheng’s heart trembled, and he instantly broke out in a cold sweat, his pupils shrinking to pinpricks.

    Only then did he truly feel… true terror!

    This person’s cultivation was definitely far beyond his imagination!

    It felt as if a single thought from him could reduce him to ashes!

    His mind raced as he forced an awkward smile, trembling as he retreated. “I-I won’t say another word. Please continue, Mr. Lin.”

    Pei Yan, who had been about to catch his breath, cried out in alarm, “Bi Junheng! How dare you—”

    Bi Junheng simply closed his eyes, his face pale as he retreated step by step, clearly unwilling to be involved any further.

    “Y-You, wait!”

    Pei Yan’s expression grew increasingly ugly as he waved his hands and shouted, “I was wrong! I committed many sins in the past! Please spare my life, Mr. Lin, and hand me over to the authorities. Even if you don’t trust the authorities, let His Majesty—”

    Lin Tianlu slowly closed his eyes.

    “Do you hear them?”

    “What… what are you talking about?”

    Pei Yan was stunned.

    Lin Tianlu sighed sadly. “The cries of those you’ve killed are still ringing in my ears.”

    “How could I possibly—” Pei Yan opened his mouth, then turned around blankly.

    In the previously empty corner of the hall, a multitude of figures now crowded together.

    Some were headless, some had decaying bodies, and some had faces streaked with blood and tears…

    With just a glance, countless vengeful spirits surged forward and pounced on him.

    In the end, he didn’t even have time to let out a single cry for mercy.

    He was completely devoured by the countless resentful ghosts.

  • On How to Conquer System Fairies and Make Them Your Wives 218

    Chapter 218: A Lingerie Show

    At midday, Chen Yin woke up and sat up in bed.

    A pair of smooth arms wrapped around him from behind.

    “…Wandering off again?” Luo Qiaoqiao’s voice was filled with playful reproach.

    “I still have some unfinished business,” Chen Yin said, a hint of exasperation in his voice.

    “I have to take care of things at the Wu Xuan Cave.”

    Luo Qiaoqiao shook her head. “I don’t believe you. You’re probably going to see your other women.”

    …Although that wasn’t entirely wrong.

    He did have to deal with the situation at the Wu Xuan Cave.

    “Be a good girl.” He ruffled her hair. “After we cure Ye Huang’s daughter, I’ll stay on Mount Yu and won’t go anywhere. You can visit me anytime.”

    “And aren’t you worried about your parents? You’ve been gone for a while.”

    Luo Qiaoqiao’s head drooped at the mention of her parents.

    She had been selfish, running off without a care.

    She had been neglecting her filial duties.

    “Go home and see your parents. Spend some time with them.”

    Chen Yin’s voice turned serious. “The Triennial Day is approaching. Your parents must be busy preparing for it.”

    Luo Qiaoqiao nodded obediently.

    Before leaving, she clung to his robe, her voice a mixture of petulance and threat.

    “If I can’t find you again, I’ll cause trouble at Mount Yu!”

    “You can live on Mount Yu if you want,” Chen Yin said seriously. “My bed is big enough.”

    “No way.”

    Back at the Wu Xuan Cave, it was afternoon.

    The village was quiet and peaceful, even more so than before.

    The stench of blood had almost completely dissipated.

    Chen Yin went straight to Lian’er’s room beside the main hall.

    As he was about to knock, he heard hushed whispers coming from inside.

    Curious, he leaned closer to the door and listened.

    “…Really? Big Brother likes that kind of thing?”

    “Definitely. Young Master always asks me to wear this.”

    “But… it looks so strange.”

    “Are you shy because it’s so revealing? I felt the same way the first time I wore it.”

    “Not really. We don’t wear much in the Ten Thousand Mountains. Our skirts are even shorter than this. It just feels… weird.”

    “Wow, you look so cute in it, Lian’er!”

    “Mmm… it feels a little tight here…”

    “M-maybe your size is bigger than mine… But is Luo Luo really that small…?”

    “Ouch! It’s too tight! It’s going to break…”

    Ahem.

    As a seasoned connoisseur of such matters,

    Chen Yin knew it was time to intervene.

    He pushed the door open and saw the two girls sitting on the bed, their eyes wide with surprise.

    The bed was covered in a pile of clothes, and both Luo Luo and Lian’er were wearing only their undergarments, Lian’er struggling with a dress.

    The air was thick with the sweet scent of young maidens, a strangely erotic atmosphere filling the room.

    They stared at him, speechless.

    Then, Luo Luo’s face turned crimson, and she quickly buried herself under the pile of clothes, only her eyes peeking out shyly.

    Lian’er, however, blinked at him innocently and continued struggling with the dress.

    “Big Brother, you’re finally back!”

    “Lian’er is stuck! Help me!”

    Chen Yin looked at Lian’er’s developing figure and coughed awkwardly.

    “What… are you doing?”

    “Sister Luo Luo said—”

    Lian’er pointed at the pile of clothes. “She said Young Master had given her many pretty clothes and told me to try them on and see if I liked any.”

    “They’re pretty, but some are too tight… they don’t fit…”

    She tugged at the straps of a lacy camisole. “Look at this.”

    “I can’t even get it on! It hurts…”

    Chen Yin just glanced at her and knew where it hurt.

    …It seemed Luo Luo really was on the smaller side.

    They were about the same age, and Luo Luo was still developing.

    Or perhaps Lian’er’s genetics were just superior?

    But Luo Luo’s mother was also quite… well-endowed. Chen Yin still remembered Qingmei Niang’s impressive figure.

    Luo Luo’s ears drooped slightly, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

    “Ahem… everyone develops at their own pace.”

    Chen Yin tried to comfort her. “Luo Luo is a fox demon. Your lifespan is much longer than a human’s, so naturally, you’ll develop slower.”

    “If you like any of these styles, I can find you a size that fits.”

    Lian’er nodded and continued struggling with the camisole.

    Chen Yin, seeing her efforts, chuckled and approached her.

    “Here, raise your arms.”

    Lian’er obediently raised her arms above her head, and Chen Yin gently untangled the straps and helped her remove the dress.

    Although it was just a fleeting glimpse, Chen Yin couldn’t help but swallow nervously at the sight of Lian’er in her undergarments.

    …She usually looks like a child, but her figure is… surprisingly well-developed.

    Of course, admiring a beautiful girl in her underwear was just a bonus.

    He took the opportunity to examine her injuries.

    …They had completely healed.

    Not even a scar remained.

    But it had only been a day.

    Even with his spiritual energy and the medicinal pills, this speed of recovery was astonishing.

    Even his “Forgotten Everlasting Heart Sutra” wasn’t this effective at the early stages of cultivation.

    “Big Brother, what’s wrong?” Lian’er’s voice brought him back to reality.

    She blinked her large, innocent eyes and asked seriously, “Is Lian’er’s body too beautiful?”

    Chen Yin was speechless. This girl had no filter.

    Luo Luo, seeing this, quickly jumped up and hugged Lian’er, covering her with her own body, her face crimson.

    “D-don’t look, Young Master!”

    “I’m looking, I’m looking. Looking at both of you.”

    Chen Yin grinned and looked at them with an appreciative gaze.

    Luo Luo hadn’t had time to get dressed either, her shoulders bare, her face flushed as she looked at him shyly.

    “Y-Young Master… stop looking…”

    The two young girls, huddled together on the bed, the blankets and clothes tangled around them, their faces flushed, were a sight to behold.

    Chen Yin could have stared at them all day.

    But a cold voice suddenly came from the doorway:

    “Are you enjoying yourself, bullying these little girls?”

    Chen Yin coughed awkwardly and put on a righteous expression.

    “I’m just checking on Lian’er’s injuries.”

    The Grand Witch, Bi Luo, her dark green hair cascading down her back, stood at the doorway, her eyes narrowed, a disdainful look on her face.

    “You’re truly indiscriminate, Young Master Chen, even little girls aren’t safe from your lechery.”

    “You misunderstand, Grand Witch. I prefer mature beauties like yourself.”

    The Grand Witch snorted and crossed her arms. “Did you take care of Shen Li?”

    Chen Yin nodded. “It’s done. They’re all dead. Shen Li no longer exists.”

    The Grand Witch’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, then she smiled faintly.

    “Good riddance.”

    “Thank you.”

    Chen Yin looked at her, surprised. He hadn’t expected her to thank him.

    “We’re even now,” she said, her voice still cold, but a hint of warmth in her eyes. “You’re a benefactor of the Wu Xuan Cave. I won’t forget this.”

    “But we’ll talk later. I have some personal matters to attend to.”

    “What matters?” Chen Yin asked curiously.

    “…I’m going to destroy those three sects.”

    Her voice was calm, devoid of emotion, but her eyes held a chilling glint.

    Chen Yin shook his head. “I advise against it. The ordinary disciples in those sects are probably unaware of their masters’ crimes. Even if they knew, what could they do? Killing innocent people won’t bring back the dead. It’s just pointless revenge.”

    The Grand Witch’s lips were pressed together tightly, her reluctance evident.

    Chen Yin sighed and patted her shoulder gently.

    “You have more important things to do.”

    Her gaze lingered on his face for a moment, then she turned away.

    “…In two days,”

    “I’ll go with you to save that little girl.”

    With that, she left.

    Chen Yin watched her go, then rubbed his head tiredly.

    …This Grand Witch, Bi Luo, was a strange and interesting woman.

    Her most striking quality was her fiery temper.

    She was straightforward and blunt, her words and actions direct and unrestrained.

    But beneath that fiery exterior was a surprisingly delicate and thoughtful mind.

    Like just now, she hadn’t truly intended to slaughter those three sects.

    She just needed someone to stop her.

    Chen Yin found her little act both amusing and endearing.

    But ultimately,

    No one could dislike a girl like that.

  • Friend(GL) 127

    Chapter 127: The Phone Call

    You Ruxu stared at her phone, unable to reply. She didn’t know how to respond to such a suggestive message, especially knowing Yu Qiao would be furious if she found out they were still in contact.

    Zhou Tianzui wouldn’t have said those things, told her not to wait, if there was any other way.

    So, You Ruxu didn’t know how to respond, a flicker of hope, which she desperately suppressed, threatening to ignite into a flame she couldn’t control, a flame that would hurt them both.

    You Ruxu put down her phone. Wu Xiulian peeked in, “Xu Xu, are you ready to go?”

    You Ruxu looked at the time, “So early?”

    “You’re starting work on Monday, shouldn’t we buy you some new clothes?” Wu Xiulian said, “Let’s go shopping.”

    You Ruxu thought for a moment, then agreed, “Okay.”

    Wu Xiulian closed the door. You Ruxu went to change, opening her closet, which was almost empty. She chose a blue turtleneck sweater and black pants. Her recent weight loss made her look taller, her legs slender. After changing, she glanced at the teddy bear on the bed, then after a moment of hesitation, put it away in the closet, out of sight.

    She and Wu Xiulian left the apartment. Wu Xiulian’s mother was waiting for You Shu to come home from work, so they went ahead. It had been years since You Ruxu last properly explored Yuhai. She had walked around the area near Zhou Tianzui’s hotel with her once, and now, looking at the familiar streets, she felt a strange mix of nostalgia and unfamiliarity.

    Wu Xiulian said, “They turned this street into a main road, lots of traffic, it gets congested during rush hour, avoid this route after work.”

    You Ruxu nodded, her voice soft, “I will.”

    Wu Xiulian pointed out the changes along the way, “Are you still using the family car?”

    You Ruxu said, “I sold the one in Jindu, I’ll buy a new one next week.” The family car was occasionally used by You Shu, and she wanted her own car. Wu Xiulian said, “Then I’ll drive you to work for now, it’s on my way. You can use my car, just pick me up after work.”

    After all, a reporter spent more time on the road than she did.

    “Okay.” You Ruxu nodded, walking beside Wu Xiulian. They entered a clothing store.

    They spent the afternoon shopping, buying two sets of work clothes for You Ruxu, shoes for her parents, and thermal underwear for Wu Xiulian. She suddenly thought of Zhou Tianzui.

    Wu Xiulian’s mother had bought Zhou Tianzui some clothes when she came to Yuhai, but she hadn’t accepted them. And after that, every interaction had been strained and unpleasant. She looked at a blue scarf in the display and said, “Could you wrap that one up as well, please?”

    Wu Xiulian looked at the scarf, “It’s cold outside, want me to wrap it around your neck?”

    You Ruxu said, “It’s not for me.”

    Not for her, and the color and style weren’t suitable for Wu Xiulian or her mother either. You Ruxu had just returned, she didn’t have any other friends here, so it was most likely for Zhou Tianzui. Wu Xiulian didn’t pry, just commented, “The color suits you.”

    Suits people with fair skin.

    You Ruxu touched the scarf, imagining Zhou Tianzui wearing it.

    Zhou Tianzui, lying in bed, waiting for You Ruxu’s reply, drifted off. She seemed to see You Ruxu in her dream, walking in, opening the window, complaining, “It’s so dusty in here.”

    And Zhou Tianzui explaining, “No one’s been here for days.”

    You Ruxu saying, “I was only gone for a few days, weren’t you staying here?”

    Zhou Tianzui, puzzled, looked at You Ruxu, dressed in her professional attire, her hair and makeup impeccable, ready for a broadcast, she was captivated, lost in thought, and You Ruxu leaned closer, “What’s wrong?”

    She stood up, wanting to hug You Ruxu,

    But embraced only cold air.

    Zhou Tianzui woke up shivering, the window open, the cold wind blowing in. She was lying in bed, uncovered, having only dozed off for a bit before being woken by the chill. She sat up, still slightly disoriented, the scent of You Ruxu fading from the air. She checked her phone.

    No reply.

    Zhou Tianzui’s heart ached with a desperate longing, a need to know what You Ruxu was doing, what she was doing right now, at this moment, why she hadn’t replied.

    Her finger hovered over the call button, then she remembered, she had told You Ruxu they were breaking up.

    She had promised to try again with You Ruxu, then told her not to wait.

    She was the one who broke her promises, pushed You Ruxu away, and now, just because Yu Qiao’s condition had improved slightly, she was acting as if nothing had happened, contacting You Ruxu, wanting to rekindle their relationship, wanting to continue being together.

    What if Yu Qiao’s condition worsened again?

    Would she push You Ruxu away again?

    Zhou Tianzui’s heart clenched, a sudden, sharp pain.

    Habitual thinking.

    She had never considered that You Ruxu might be angry, what she must have felt, receiving her message after being so cruelly rejected.

    Zhou Tianzui hesitated, unable to bring herself to press the call button. She covered her forehead with her hand, a wave of regret and self-loathing washing over her, threatening to tear her apart. She lay in bed for a long time, until the sky gradually darkened, and she received a call from Yu Qiao, asking where she was, Zhou Tianzui sat up and looked out the window.

    The sunset painted the sky in vibrant hues, another spring, another new year.

    She said, “I’m…” hesitating slightly, then, “I’m out, I’ll be home later.”

    Yu Qiao said, “Okay, then come home early, didn’t you say your colleagues are coming for dinner the day after tomorrow? I bought some extra groceries today, I can start preparing tonight.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Okay, I will.”

    She got up, left the apartment, and drove home. It was the twelfth day of the new year, the day of Zhou Tianzui’s dinner gathering. Since the start of the New Year, they had been having celebratory dinners almost every day. Usually, Zhou Tianzui wouldn’t participate, but this year, Yu Qiao insisted on treating everyone, as a thank you for their support and care, especially after the recent incident, it was also a way of expressing her gratitude. So, Zhou Tianzui arranged it for the twelfth.

    She also invited one other person, Chen Xiang.

    Chen Xiang had been surprised by the invitation, thinking You Ruxu, after hearing what she said, had contacted Zhou Tianzui, who, grateful, decided to treat her to dinner. She was quite happy about it, she was also familiar with He Wei and the others, no shortage of conversation topics. After You Ruxu left, she was the one who visited Zhou Tianzui most often at the hospital, building a good relationship with her colleagues was always a good idea, so she readily accepted the invitation.

    Zhou Tianzui had ulterior motives, she mainly invited Chen Xiang to hear about You Ruxu.

    Since that day, she hadn’t contacted You Ruxu, she hadn’t sent a single message, and neither had You Ruxu contacted her. Many nights, unable to sleep, she wanted to call You Ruxu, staring at her number, every digit etched in her memory, she knew it by heart, yet she couldn’t bring herself to press the call button.

    Yu Qiao’s condition had been improving, yesterday, she even accompanied her to visit Zhou Qiming’s grave. Yu Qiao had stood there, talking to him, her emotions stable and calm, but she still hadn’t mentioned You Ruxu.

    It was like a thorn.

    Zhou Tianzui didn’t know if that thorn had been removed.

    She didn’t dare to test it, afraid of pushing it deeper, she could only subtly probe.

    Chen Xiang, was her way of probing.

    “Dr. Zhou, your home is so cozy,” Chen Xiang, who lived alone in a rented apartment, eating instant noodles with cold water, always busy with work, her own apartment sparsely furnished, commented. Seeing Zhou Tianzui’s home, her eyes lit up, it felt like home, comfortable and warm.

    Yu Qiao brought them warm water: “It’s cold outside, isn’t it? Have some water, I’ll cut some fruit for you.”

    “Auntie, don’t bother,” Chen Xiang said, “Water is fine, am I too early? I had something to do nearby and smelled the delicious food, so I came over.”

    Chen Xiang grinned, “My mom always said I have a dog’s nose for good food.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “You’re not early, they should be here soon.”

    Just as she finished speaking, there was a knock on the door. Zhou Tianzui went to open it, and He Wei, holding a fruit basket, stood there, instinctively straightening her posture at seeing Zhou Tianzui, “Dr. Zhou.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Come in.”

    He Wei walked in and, seeing Chen Xiang, exclaimed, “Reporter Chen!”

    Chen Xiang had become a reporter after the New Year, something He Wei and the others knew. Chen Xiang stood up, smiling, “Dr. He, come sit down.”

    He Wei, seeing a familiar face, relaxed, the tension from Zhou Tianzui’s earlier gaze dissipating, “Aren’t you cold, dressed so lightly?”

    Chen Xiang said, “No, I’m used to it.”

    “You reporters are amazing.” He Wei said, “Standing out in the freezing cold in just a suit, reporting live, Teacher You used to do the same.”

    She didn’t know about You Ruxu and the Zhou family. Her seemingly casual words were like opening a floodgate, everyone present froze, Zhou Tianzui instinctively looking at Yu Qiao.

    Yu Qiao, hearing the name, her expression faltering, then she calmly poured He Wei a glass of water, “Have something warm.”

    He Wei quickly said, “Thank you, Auntie.”

    Yu Qiao said, “You’re welcome. You two chat, I’ll go prepare dinner.”

    She looked at Zhou Tianzui, “Xiao Tian, keep them company.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll help you cook.”

    Yu Qiao said, “It’s no trouble, and they rarely visit, spend some time with them.”

    Zhou Tianzui nodded.

    He Wei and Chen Xiang continued talking about You Ruxu.

    “She joined Yuhai TV.” Chen Xiang said, “But not as a field reporter, we probably won’t see her on TV as often anymore.”

    “That’s a pity.” He Wei said, “How am I supposed to sleep without hearing Teacher You’s voice?”

    Chen Xiang, seeing her dejected expression, chuckled, “You can call her, you can chat with her.”

    He Wei hesitated, “I don’t dare to.”

    Chen Xiang said, “What’s there to be afraid of?” Then, remembering how she herself had felt the same way, only daring to contact You Ruxu for non-work-related matters after two or three years of knowing her, she said reassuringly, “Teacher You is very approachable.” She looked at Zhou Tianzui, “Right, Dr. Zhou?”

    Zhou Tianzui looked up at Chen Xiang, startled by the sudden question, especially one related to You Ruxu. She opened her mouth, Yu Qiao, in the kitchen, could hear their conversation, she looked over and saw Zhou Tianzui’s expression.

    The same as always, her composure crumbling at the mere mention of that name.

    Yu Qiao looked down.

    Zhou Tianzui paused, then said, “Yes, she’s very approachable.”

    He Wei, hearing this, felt a surge of courage, she took a deep breath and said, “Then can I call Teacher You now?”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “No.”

    Chen Xiang and He Wei looked at her, Zhou Tianzui’s expression calm and indifferent, but her throat tightened, “She should be at work now, let’s not disturb her.”

    He Wei said, “I forgot, I’ll call her tonight then.”

    Tonight?

    To talk about what?

    Zhou Tianzui’s face darkened slightly. She stared at her cup, and after a few seconds, said to He Wei, “Just call her now, she might not be working during the holidays.”

    He Wei: …

    He Wei: So, should I call or not?
    Zhou Tianzui: Guess.

  • As a villain, I just want them to behave 262

    Chapter 262: Not Fighting Anymore?

    Analyzing the fate lines wasn’t going smoothly. Even the powerful Carol encountered some difficulties.

    While waiting, Kailun had Fox and the others come to the valley. Along the way, they witnessed many unusual phenomena.

    However, no spectacle compared to the shock they felt upon arriving at their destination. Seeing the naked Fate, Fox and Illusion exchanged mischievous glances with Kailun.

    Ottovia and Isabella, on the other hand, looked at him as if he were a pervert.

    Their worldviews were constantly being shattered. Kailun always managed to surprise them.

    But for Ottovia, this shock was quickly replaced by an even greater one. She recognized Fate’s face.

    Even if Fate had tried to hide her face, it wouldn’t have worked. After all, a naked Fate was too conspicuous.

    “Ahahaha, you’ve been reduced to this state!!!”

    Ottovia clutched her stomach and burst into laughter, her voice echoing through the valley.

    “Are you trying to laugh yourself to death? Say something!” Ottovia’s expression was incredibly smug, her delight at seeing Fate’s downfall evident.

    So-called Fate, nothing more than this.

    She was slightly weaker than Fate, which meant she was roughly equal to Kailun.

    Fate’s crushing defeat implied that she was far weaker than Kailun.

    And since she was roughly equal to Kailun, her strength was far greater than Fate’s.

    She felt satisfied, content, and more confident.

    For a moment, Ottovia felt like her life was complete. Thank you, Kailun.

    [Ottovia’s wish has been greatly fulfilled. Goodwill +88, Total Goodwill 25]

    The changes in a girl’s goodwill were always unpredictable. Sensing Ottovia’s shift in mentality, Kailun mischievously left her alone with Fate.

    He took Fox and Isabella to help Carol. These two were also knowledgeable about the path of Fate. The only regret was that Fox had lost her talent.

    “Tsk.”

    Fate clicked her tongue in annoyance. She hadn’t expected Kailun to actually call Ottovia over.

    Falling from grace, the stark contrast made her heart race and her skin flush.

    It was somewhat embarrassing, but not as unbearable as she had imagined.

    “Poor Fate, I never thought you’d end up like this. If you beg me, I’ll find you some clothes.”

    Ottovia knelt in front of Fate, her arms crossed, a smug smile on her lips.

    “Foolish Ottovia, do you really think I’ve lost?”

    Fate shook her body, letting her golden hair fall forward to cover her sensitive parts.

    Ottovia, unmoved, stuck out her tongue. “What else? With your strength completely suppressed by Carol, you’re just an ordinary person. I can’t imagine any possibility of you turning the tables.”

    Fate glanced at Kailun and said, “That’s why you’ve always been toyed with by me. A true winner doesn’t focus on temporary victories.”

    “Keep bragging. No matter how much you brag, your clothes won’t magically reappear.” Ottovia rested her chin on her hands. “Give up. You can’t outsmart Kailun. That guy’s heart is even darker than yours, completely blackened. But I have to thank him. Seeing you worse off than me makes me happy.”

    “How petty. Look how smug you are.”

    Fate teased her, but she wasn’t angry. They chatted like old friends who hadn’t seen each other for a long time.

    The only difference was that it was now Fate, not Ottovia, who was on the losing end.

    Time passed slowly. After an unknown amount of time, one of the fate lines in Carol’s hand suddenly snapped.

    She abruptly turned to look at Fate and saw her smiling.

    ‘You fell for it~’

    Carol read her lips.

    It happened so quickly that by the time Ottovia reacted and tried to restrain Fate, it was too late.

    Fate transformed into a stream of light and surged towards Bella. However, Kailun, standing beside Bella, reacted instantly. He pushed Bella away, letting the golden torrent engulf him.

    The scene changed, and they appeared in a completely empty world.

    Everything was pure white. Except for Fate, who stood before him in all her naked glory, Kailun couldn’t see any other colors.

    Fate, back in her human form, stood naked in front of Kailun. She clenched her fists, wanting to punch him in the face.

    Fate: “…”

    [Fate’s goodwill -5]

    This guy always ruined her plans. She had finally accumulated enough power and found an opportunity, but Kailun had destroyed it all. This time, she was truly angry.

    Kailun looked down at himself, also naked, and felt his empty attributes. It was a strange feeling.

    Fortunately, it wasn’t just him. Fate was also stripped of her powers, without any mana.

    He took a step closer and grabbed her wrist. “So you were trying to kidnap Bella?”

    He had underestimated Fate after all. He had relaxed for a moment at the last second, and now, thinking back, he felt a chill run down his spine.

    If Bella had been captured, it would have been the worst possible outcome.

    Fate’s performance had fooled everyone. After all, a normal person wouldn’t be so calm after being stripped naked.

    Kailun had learned about Fate through Ottovia. According to the information, Fate viewed all humans as ants. No one had ever seen her shadow, let alone her body.

    “Yes.” Fate met his gaze without fear. “If I had captured her, I would have won. It’s all your fault. How are you going to compensate me?”

    She had been so close to success. She had acted faster than Carol but a step slower than Kailun.

    She was in a bad mood. Now, all she could do was sacrifice herself to correct the fate lines.

    As the embodiment of Fate, she wouldn’t truly die. She just had to wait for a certain number of years to be reborn. The biggest loss would be letting Ottovia take the lead.

    As for Kailun, he would either lose all his power or die directly due to the corrected fate lines. The only variable, Carol, would also be restricted to a certain extent.

    “Reward? Oh, right, I should reward you generously.”

    Kailun grabbed Fate’s hand, spun her around, and then raised his hand, bringing it down hard on her perky bottom.

    “Slap!”

    A resounding sound echoed through the pure white space.

    “Bastard!” Fate cried out.

    Before she could struggle, Kailun’s hand struck again.

    “Slap!”

    Fate: “Let go of me!”

    [Fate’s goodwill -1]

    Kailun ignored her pleas and continued slapping her.

    “Slap!”

    [Fate’s goodwill -1]

    “Slap!”

    [Fate’s goodwill -1]

    ……

    “Slap!”

    [Fate’s goodwill +1]

    [Fate’s goodwill +2]

    Ten minutes later, Kailun, his hand red, paused.

    Fate, now lying on his lap in a different position, looked up at him with teary eyes and asked, her voice filled with a strange anticipation, “Not fighting anymore?”

  • Back to Three Years Old: Crushing Scumbags on a Parenting Reality Show 146

    Chapter 146

    Help, when asked for, was given swiftly, faster than a tornado.

    Although he didn’t know what Wei Chengli wanted help with, Shi Dingshan instinctively raised his hand to stop him from speaking.

    “Xiao Zeng, you go to the car first.” Shi Dingshan said, turning to Zeng Huanian.

    Zeng Huanian was stunned, his lips trembled slightly, but he didn’t say anything, he dejectedly walked towards the cars waiting for them in the distance. Director Shi no longer trusted him… He was just a tool, still useful for a few more days. Zeng Huanian clearly sensed the difference in Shi Dingshan’s attitude. The ground beneath his feet was uneven, each step accompanied by the crunching sound of gravel, it grated on his soles, and pierced his heart.

    Compared to Zeng Huanian’s dejection, Liu Ming was much more perceptive.

    “Then Director Shi, Director Qin, we’ll also go to the car first.” Liu Ming said, pulling at Shi Hongxiao next to her.

    Look at the remaining people, the big shots, Director Shi and Director Qin, the victims who were about to reveal some secret, was there a place for small fries like them to listen? This blockhead next to her truly had no intention of leaving.

    For the sake of their shared battle earlier, Liu Ming kindly took him along.

    Shi Hongxiao, being pulled, looked at Shi Dingshan.

    “Okay, you guys go to the car first.” Shi Dingshan nodded in agreement.

    Outside the air-raid shelter, people left in groups, now only three adults and two children remained at the entrance.

    Shi Dingshan glanced at Wei Chengli, then at Qin Sichao.

    “Me, good guy!” Qin Sichao said, covering Shi Dingshan’s eyes, as if to prevent him from hinting at something, he looked at Wei Chengli. “Let me stay, I’m the best at keeping secrets. Look at Lao Shan’s current state, weak and frail, it would be good to have one more person to help, right? And besides, you know, I also want what’s best for Yan Yan, right?”

    “Yan Yan, what do you think…” Wei Chengli said, he knew about Qin Sichao’s intention to cast Cheng Tingyan in his film, he also felt that the Cheng family’s situation was becoming alarming, having a heavyweight like Qin Sichao involved would definitely be more beneficial than harmful. But it was Cheng Tingyan’s own matter, he couldn’t make the decision for her.

    “Okay.” Cheng Tingyan nodded in agreement without much hesitation. She was no longer the timid six-year-old, no matter how trustworthy Qin Sichao was, it wouldn’t affect her plan.

    Compared to Qin Sichao’s trustworthiness, Cheng Tingyan was more concerned about his words, “You know, I also want what’s best for Yan Yan, right?”

    Did they… know each other? In her previous life, her only interaction with this internationally renowned director was him inviting her half-sister to be in his film, they hadn’t even met. In this life, they had only met twice, once when Maomao fell in the bathroom and he came with Shi Dingshan to check on her, and now. Why would he say such a thing?

    Cheng Tingyan still felt that there must be another reborn person before her, that’s why this variety show and everyone involved had become like this.

    Then, who…

    Cheng Tingyan quietly looked around.

    Liu Ming and the cameraman named Xiao Shi, who were getting into the car in the distance, they didn’t appear in her previous life.

    Shi Dingshan, who was listening attentively with a pale face, he was already gone at this time in her previous life… Qin Sichao, he didn’t participate in this variety show in her previous life…

    And…

    Cheng Tingyan looked up at Wei Chengli, who was explaining her plan to leave the Cheng family to Shi Dingshan and Qin Sichao in detail.

    As expected, the little chubby bunny’s dad was still the most suspicious.

    This matter, which had been brewing in Wei Chengli’s mind for two days, he got straight to the point, every word shocking Shi Dingshan and Qin Sichao.

    Good heavens, truly good heavens… They thought they were filming a parent-child variety show, but this person’s daily efforts weren’t about strengthening family bonds, but about severing them…

    Thankfully, Shi Dingshan himself had already suffered an emotional blow before the filming started, he wasn’t focused on portraying harmonious parent-child relationships, but on the scrutiny and conflicts within these relationships. Otherwise, this sudden blow near the end of the show would be a huge shock.

    “Then should I call her mom now? The live broadcast is still paused, I was planning to resume it during lunch, Yan Yan can talk to her mom directly now.” Shi Dingshan said, he was quite receptive to Wei Chengli’s words after his own emotional turmoil, he immediately grasped what they needed him to do.

    Wei Chengli thought it was a great idea. Having the program team relay the message might make Yan Yan’s mom less trusting, it would be best if Yan Yan could talk to her directly.

    Everything was going smoothly, if Cheng Tingyan was still the clueless six-year-old.

    “I… don’t want to call…” Cheng Tingyan said, her eyes lowered, as Wei Chengli stared at her in shock and Shi Dingshan’s hand, reaching for his phone, froze. “Uncle Wei is right, my mom is already struggling to take care of herself, it would be too hard for her if she also has to take care of me.”

    “Yan Yan!”

    The first to react and interrupt wasn’t one of the three dumbfounded adults, but a little chubby child, her whole body expressing her anxiety, she started jumping around.

    “Yan Yan, you’re in danger! You can’t go back to your dad’s house! It won’t be hard for your mom to take care of you! I have money, we can find someone to take care of her and you! Uncle Shi, tell Yan Yan, I have money for this, right! Shen Zilin said we also have advertising revenue!” Wei Maomao said, she didn’t know why Cheng Tingyan was backing down at the last minute, but look at what happened today! Rolling down that slope, it would be so easy to break an ankle! Wei Maomao strongly suspected that this was how those people did it in her previous life. Whether it was or not, they did it in this life! What did the six-year-old Yan Yan do to deserve this, again and again, whether it was the Cheng family’s doing or not, it was definitely right to not go back.

    “Ah… Yes, you do.” Shi Dingshan, suddenly being grabbed by the leg by the little chubby baby, nodded instinctively.

    “Maomao, Maomao…” Cheng Tingyan said, looking at Director Shi’s pants, which had been pulled down by the little chubby bunny, she was amused and touched, she pulled the bunny into her arms. “I’m not going back to Dad’s house, I’m saying it would be hard for Mom to take care of me, so I want to find… Mom’s mom.”

    Everyone present: “???”

    Mom’s mom? Grandma?

    Wei Maomao, stunned, let go of Shi Dingshan’s pants, she couldn’t keep up with the plot.

    In her previous life, she never heard Cheng Tingyan mention her grandma… Was it the limitation of being online friends? Because she couldn’t participate in her real life, she could only get relevant information when they happened to talk about it.

    Clearly, she wasn’t the only one who couldn’t keep up with the plot.

    And Cheng Tingyan’s next words made Wei Chengli’s earlier words seem like a mere appetizer.

    A girl who had a falling out with her family when she was young, left her hometown, got married, had a child, then got divorced, had an accident, became partially paralyzed, and never contacted her mother again. But in her dreams, when she woke up from anesthesia, when she was in unbearable pain, she still couldn’t help but call for her mom.

    Now, this girl’s child wanted to find her mom, for her.

    The whole thing sounded reasonable, even a bit touching.

    From a practical perspective, although the grandma couldn’t get custody, having a healthy person in the family was still better than a half-paralyzed person taking care of a six-year-old child.

    The logic was sound, but…

    “Yan Yan, your mom truly hasn’t returned to her hometown since she left, hasn’t seen your grandma, and only occasionally calls her a few times a year?” Shi Dingshan asked, rubbing his forehead, seeking confirmation.

    “I think so…” Cheng Tingyan said, her answer vague, then she changed the subject. “That’s what Mom said in her dream. She said, ‘Sorry, Mom, I only dared to call you, you still don’t know that you once had a son-in-law, and you have a granddaughter.’”

    Qin Sichao, who had already imagined a ninety-nine-episode melodrama, sniffed and rubbed his eyes. “Then your mom clearly misses her mom a lot, why doesn’t she go back and visit? She already called, why didn’t she tell her mom that she got married and had a child?”

    Cheng Tingyan shook her head. “Mom didn’t say in her dream. When she was awake, I asked her, she said Grandma was very angry when she left home, they had a fight, and they haven’t contacted each other since.”

    “Although… but… It’s true that your mom needs her mom. But you also need your mom. Shouldn’t we still confirm your mom’s thoughts on the custody issue?” Wei Chengli asked, using his last bit of brainpower to bring the topic back on track.

    “Mom said that my grandma loved her very much before, and she’ll also love me very much. As long as we find Grandma, whether Mom can raise me or not, Grandma will raise me.” Cheng Tingyan said, glancing at Wei Chengli, as expected, someone with double the brainpower wasn’t easy to fool.

    “Yan Yan… Are you saying, your mom might not raise you?” Wei Maomao asked, sensing something alarming from Cheng Tingyan’s words. But… how could this be? When they chatted about Mom in her previous life, Cheng Tingyan only mentioned good things… She even agreed with her that maybe it would be better if she had lived with her mom since she was young.

    Ah, she forgot about this clever one here. Cheng Tingyan smiled wryly and touched the little chubby bunny’s face.

    “Right, Yan Yan, weren’t you very sure your mom would be willing before?” Wei Chengli asked, confused.

    Sigh… It was time to clean up the mess from her six-year-old self’s naivete.

    “I wasn’t sure…” Cheng Tingyan said, ruthlessly denying her past innocence.

    Cheng Tingyan also knew that her current thoughts were vastly different from their previous plan. But there was no other way, if they followed their previous plan, it would be a dead end…

    The six-year-old her naively thought that as long as she could get enough money for medical expenses and living expenses, she could leave that suffocating family and live with her mom.

    The twenty-four-year-old her knew very well that what separated her and Liu Qiongfang wasn’t just money.

    Her words inevitably contradicted her previous statements, it might reduce her credibility. But there was no other way, it was better than stubbornly clinging to a doomed plan.

    Everyone had a mom.

    Everyone should listen to their mom.

    In her previous life, no matter how hard it was, she persevered.

    This life, it was Liu Qiongfang’s turn.

  • The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated 519

    Chapter 519: A Confrontation at First Sight

    “Hold it right there!”

    Just as Shien and Melika were gazing at each other, seemingly oblivious to everything around them, a sharp voice suddenly rang out.

    This voice instantly broke the slightly ambiguous atmosphere between Shien and Melika, bringing them back to reality.

    “~~~~~”

    Melika, realizing what she had just done, blushed furiously.

    Seeing Melika like this, both Shien and Lucy had the same thought.

    This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was gone.

    Shien and Lucy’s faces fell.

    Everyone turned their heads and looked towards the source of the sound.

    In a secluded corner, an elven girl was standing there.

    She was a beautiful elf with a heroic appearance, seemingly around Melika’s age, holding a short staff, and sporting shoulder-length hair.

    The girl looked valiant, her eyes sharp, her limbs slender, like a kind older sister who would take care of the neighborhood children, giving off a sense of security.

    However, this elven girl was now staring at them with a furious expression.

    No, more accurately, she was staring at Shien.

    “Jenom…!?”

    Melika also saw this heroic girl, surprise appearing on her flushed face.

    Shien and his group also heard Melika’s words, stunned at first, then surprised.

    Jenom?

    Melika’s childhood friend?

    “Is that her?”

    Lucy seemed to realize.

    This elven girl who had suddenly appeared and spoken was Melika’s childhood friend—Jenom.

    “Why are you here?”

    Melika was truly surprised.

    Yesterday, after they reunited, they spent the whole day together happily, even sleeping together at night, as if they had returned to their inseparable childhood days.

    But this morning, when Melika offered to bring Jenom over and introduce her to Shien and his group, Jenom refused without hesitation.

    Now, this childhood friend had actually appeared here, naturally surprising Melika.

    However…

    “I’ve been following you, wanting to see what kind of people you’ve befriended outside.”

    Jenom walked over, looking at Melika with a hint of anger, as if she had been deceived.

    “When I asked you yesterday, you told me that you and the man from another race you invited were just ordinary adventurer teammates, right?”

    Jenom looked furious.

    This was only natural.

    Yesterday, when she learned that Melika was returning, Jenom was overjoyed.

    Her childhood friend, who had suddenly decided to travel two years ago and was no longer with her, Jenom naturally missed her very much.

    Therefore, with the approaching Peace Festival, Jenom deliberately wrote a letter to remind Melika, who was away from home, to come back.

    She simply missed Melika.

    Under such circumstances, Jenom was ecstatic when she learned that Melika was returning for the Peace Festival.

    Yesterday, Jenom had been waiting for news from Melika, wanting to welcome her back as soon as possible.

    Then, Melika returned.

    But after the initial joy, Jenom couldn’t be happy anymore.

    Because Melika had actually invited a man from another race back to the Elven Homeland to participate in the Peace Festival.

    “Why did you bring a man from another race back, Melika!?”

    Jenom asked Melika in shock.

    And Jenom still remembered the expression Melika showed after that.

    “…Because he’s someone very important to me.”

    At that time, Melika blushed, and with a soft voice, a hint of shyness and an indescribable happiness, said these words to Jenom.

    Seeing her childhood friend, Melika couldn’t help but reveal her biggest secret, a secret she couldn’t share with anyone else.

    Unfortunately, Melika didn’t know how much of an impact her words and expression had on Jenom.

    She had never seen Melika like this before.

    She had never seen Melika with such an expression.

    This made Jenom realize that in two years, Melika had changed, becoming a stranger to her.

    Of course, that wasn’t the most important thing.

    The most important thing was that Melika, her most important childhood friend, seemed to have developed a feeling that elves shouldn’t have.

    That was—”love.”

    Melika had fallen in love with a man from another race.

    When she realized this, the shock in Jenom’s heart was beyond words.

    She had never thought that her childhood friend would one day fall in love with a man from another race.

    She also hadn’t thought that after waiting for Melika with anticipation and anxiety, she was no longer the most important person in Melika’s heart.

    Then, Jenom thought of those elves who had fallen in love with men from other races.

    She recalled their sadness.

    She recalled their pained expressions.

    “…I have to stop this.”

    Jenom immediately had this thought.

    Therefore, Jenom spent the entire day yesterday trying to get information about Melika’s beloved from her.

    And under Jenom’s questioning, Melika personally said that she and that man from another race were just ordinary adventurer teammates.

    Therefore, Jenom decided to secretly observe Shien and Melika while things could still be salvaged, wanting to see how far their relationship had progressed.

    And today, Jenom saw the scene of Shien and Melika gazing at each other.

    She didn’t know what they had talked about that made them suddenly gaze at each other like that, a strange atmosphere between them.

    But a voice in Jenom’s heart told her that she couldn’t let this continue.

    Therefore, Jenom couldn’t help but step forward.

    “What was that just now?”

    Jenom asked Melika.

    “This…”

    Melika recalled what had just happened, and her face flushed red again, as if she was about to faint from embarrassment.

    She didn’t even dare to look at Shien, wanting to run away.

    But Melika’s reaction made Jenom even angrier.

    “Really, after just a year or two outside, you’ve become so strange. If I had known, I wouldn’t have let you leave.” Jenom grabbed Melika’s hand and said in a tone that brooked no argument, “Come on, let’s go back.”

    Jenom was about to take Melika away.

    “W-wait! Jenom!” Melika reacted and said quickly, “I still have to entertain Mr. Shien and the others!”

    “Entertain them?” Jenom said immediately, “The others from the Elven Corps can do that. You don’t have to.”

    “But…” Melika said, stunned, “I invited them. They’re my friends. I should be the one to entertain them.”

    “I said no, so no!” Jenom said forcefully, “Just come back with me!”

    Jenom pulled Melika’s hand, trying to drag her away.

    “Ah!”

    Melika let out a small cry of surprise as her body tilted towards Jenom, being pulled along.

    Just as Melika was about to be dragged away by Jenom, a hand reached out.

    “Slap!”

    With a crisp sound, Melika’s other hand was grabbed.

    “Huh?”

    Jenom froze.

    “Mr. Shien…?”

    Melika exclaimed.

    Lucy, Lasha, Lilith, and Millu all turned their gazes to the side.

    There, Shien had reached out and grabbed Melika’s hand, a playful smile on his face.

    “Miss Jenom, is it?” Shien said casually. “Nice to meet you.”

    His relaxed greeting almost made Melika and the others unable to react, and Jenom’s face darkened.

    “I’m not nice!” Jenom glared at Shien and said in a low voice, “Let go!”

    Jenom glanced at Shien’s hand holding Melika’s, a feeling of something being taken from her rising in her heart, fueling her anger.

    Shien, however, was unfazed.

    “I should be the one saying that, shouldn’t I?” Shien narrowed his eyes, the playful smile still on his face. “You suddenly came here to cause trouble, and without saying a word, you’re trying to take away our person. That’s not right, is it?”

    Jenom immediately retorted without thinking,

    “Who’s ‘your person’!? ” Jenom stared at Shien as if he was a criminal. “Melika isn’t yours!”

    Jenom’s tone was filled with possessiveness.

    It was as if she was desperately trying to protect something.

    “Really?” Shien raised an eyebrow. “If she’s not ours, then is she yours?”

    “Of course!” Jenom puffed out her chest and said firmly, “We’ve been childhood friends for over a hundred years, never separated!”

    The implication was that with their bond and feelings, they were already inseparable.

    Therefore, Melika naturally belonged to her.

    Shien had something to say to this.

    “So, you’re just childhood friends, right?” Shien looked at Jenom and shrugged. “Since you’re just Melika’s childhood friend, not her mother, then your actions of trying to take her away without saying a word, frankly speaking, I don’t quite agree with.”

    “You…!” Jenom was furious.

    At this moment, Melika finally realized what was happening.

    “Why… why are you arguing?” Melika hurriedly tried to stop them. “Calm down, Mr. Shien, Jenom.”

    Neither Shien nor Jenom listened to Melika.

    They glared at each other, their gazes clashing like sparks, their animosity clear.

    Undoubtedly, Shien and Jenom’s relationship, upon their first meeting, had dropped below zero.

    Jenom saw Shien as a threat to Melika, an enemy.

    Shien was also very unhappy with this elven girl’s rude interruption and her attempt to take Melika away without any regard for him or the others.

    This put them at odds with each other, irreconcilably.

    “Let go!”

    Jenom warned.

    “No.”

    Shien naturally wouldn’t back down.

    “Are you going to let go?”

    Magic power surged around Jenom.

    “No.”

    Shien grinned, calm and unhurried.

    “…”

    Jenom fell silent.

    “…”

    Shien also didn’t speak.

    But as if they had agreed beforehand, both of them tightened their grips on Melika’s hand.

    “Ah!”

    Melika cried out in surprise.

    Shien and Jenom pulled on Melika’s hands simultaneously, trying to drag her to their respective sides.

    “W-wait! Mr. Shien! Jenom!”

    Melika, being pulled from both sides, froze in mid-air like a doll.

    It didn’t hurt, just a little uncomfortable.

    Shien and Jenom were still somewhat restrained, not using enough force to hurt Melika.

    But within the allowed range of force, neither of them would compromise, silently pulling Melika towards themselves.

    This made Melika confused and at a loss, not knowing what to do.

    Lucy and the others, watching this scene, were speechless.

    “?”

    “Are they playing tug-of-war?”

    Lilith and Millu tilted their heads simultaneously, confused.

    “This guy is competing with a little girl again.”

    Lucy sighed.

    “This is Mr. Shien.”

    Lasha said calmly.

    Everyone could only watch from the side, not knowing whether to intervene or not, the atmosphere awkward.

    Jenom, while pulling on Melika, suddenly noticed something.

    (Melika isn’t resisting being touched by a man from another race…?)

    Jenom stared at Shien’s hand holding Melika’s, then at Melika, who, although looking confused, wasn’t resisting at all, a sense of crisis rising in her heart.

    With an elf’s purity and emphasis on it, they would feel uncomfortable even just being near someone of the opposite sex, let alone being touched.

    But Melika not only wasn’t resisting, but also seemed used to it.

    What did this mean?

    Before she could figure it out, Jenom was furious.

  • Reborn to Stew Soup (GL) 131

    Chapter 131: Grinding Tasks

    Riding on the popularity of the still-in-theaters Imperial Secrets and Promise in Troubled Times, Reality Online had a much higher starting point than other variety shows. And the initially controversial 24/7 live stream format, with its real-time updates and unedited footage, quickly gained a large audience.

    In less than two days, the viewership of Reality Online skyrocketed. Short videos, GIFs, and memes spread across the internet.

    Those staying home for the National Day holiday found the perfect way to spend their time, and those traveling found the perfect distraction during traffic jams and long queues.

    Unlike other shows that relied on pre-release hype and celebrity guest appearances, the pre-publicity for Reality Online had been low-key and factual. Most people, both inside and outside the industry, were taking a wait-and-see approach.

    But even before the first day ended, the show’s potential for success was evident.

    The skyrocketing sales of certain brands of bedding, toiletries, cleaning supplies, seasoning packets, and tool kits… were a clear indication.

    And the next morning, thanks to Mi Hongdou’s cooking and Ji Junxin’s praise, the previously unpopular pickled cucumbers were almost sold out. The show’s commercial potential was undeniable.

    Qiong Yu, the production company, was flooded with calls from advertisers.

    Just as businesses were scrambling to get their products featured on the show, Staff Member #2’s revelation about the paid actors playing villagers sparked another wave of interest, and those with money and a desire for fame started making calls.

    This was within Qiao Rubai’s expectations. However, the number of inquiries exceeded her predictions.

    “Sorry, President Qiao is in a meeting, you can leave a message with me.” Yang Lianyi scribbled down a note, hung up the phone, and looked at Qiao Rubai, who was on the sofa, looking at her computer. “Why am I answering these calls for you?”

    “We’ve been receiving too many calls about collaborations, my secretary is busy with the advertisers. You can switch with her if you want,” Qiao Rubai said, her gaze flitting between several computer screens.

    “…” Yang Lianyi smoothed her hair, crossed her legs, and leaned forward. “But I’m here to poach you, not to be poached.” Her words, spoken with a subtle suggestive tone, were undeniably charming.

    Qiao Rubai’s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained a neutral expression. “You don’t look like you’re here to poach, more like you’re here for… babysitting services.” She hugged Yang Miemie, who was sleeping in her lap. “She’s getting heavier and heavier, soon I won’t be able to hold her.”

    “Whose fault is that? One minute you’re telling her to eat less, the next you’re sneaking her cake! And who spoiled her into needing to be held and rocked to sleep! I spent the entire night coaxing her, my arms are sore!” Yang Lianyi’s complaints were endless. The usually charming and seductive CEO was now just… a tired aunt.

    Qiao Rubai gently patted the little girl, who was snuggled in a brown bear sleeping bag, squirming slightly in her sleep, and shushed Yang Lianyi. “Don’t wake her up.”

    The sleeping “Miemie Bear” smacked her lips.

    You two are really… something.

    This child, such a handful before bed, but once she’s asleep, even thunder wouldn’t wake her! Yang Lianyi thought, exasperated, and then, as the phone rang, reluctantly answered, “Hello, I’m sorry, President Qiao is in a meeting…”

    Yang Lianyi, absentmindedly answering calls, wondered how she had become Qiao Rubai’s temporary secretary… She had initially found Qiao Rubai endearing and had wanted to poach her for Mengguan, to add to her collection of “cute things.”

    Although she knew that Qiao Rubai, as the head of Qiong Yu, wouldn’t agree, Qiao Rubai’s attitude, her generous offers of collaboration, her willingness to accommodate, had given Yang Lianyi a sliver of hope.

    And Qiao Rubai never explicitly rejected her offers to join Mengguan, just gently changing the subject, which only fueled Yang Lianyi’s determination.

    After several attempts, the poaching hadn’t progressed, but the partnership between Mengguan and Qiong Yu, thanks to Qiao Rubai, had become stronger. And… Qiao Rubai and Yang Miemie had also become closer. By the time Yang Lianyi realized it, Yang Miemie was constantly talking about Qiao Rubai, even throwing tantrums when she didn’t see her.

    Although Yang Miemie wasn’t her biological child, and she wasn’t very good with children, Yang Lianyi still cared about her and didn’t want her, already from a broken family, to be constantly disappointed. And with Qiao Rubai’s welcoming attitude, they had gradually become friends, exchanging house keys, even occasionally staying over…

    Yang Lianyi had thought it was just about satisfying Yang Miemie’s desire to see Qiao Rubai every few days.

    But she had been too naive!

    Taking notes while answering calls, she glanced at Qiao Rubai, holding Yang Miemie. I’m becoming more and more reliant on her for babysitting! I was the one who was supposed to poach her! Something’s not right…

    It was… right.

    Even if they couldn’t be together, being close was good.

    Qiao Rubai touched Yang Miemie’s face. Good girl, you’re my secret weapon against your aunt!

    But being together would be even better, right? She looked at the screen, where Mi Hongdou was feeding Ji Junxin fried pig skin, their interaction so sweet, they must be together by now, right?

    Ignorance is bliss.

    Qiao Rubai looked at Yang Lianyi, who was busy writing. This was the closest she could get, for now, until the truth about their past lives was revealed.

    Not knowing was indeed a blessing.

    Although the 24/7 live streaming format of “Reality Online” made Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin’s confession hurried and clumsy, limiting their opportunities for physical intimacy or even sweet nothings, at least there was the bathroom at night…

    And precisely because of the show’s rules, their isolation from the outside world, shielded from online comments and external influences, their suppressed feelings intensified, their gazes, expressions, and interactions betraying their unspoken love, every glance, every touch, a spark of joy, a strange and wonderful experience.

    While Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin were enjoying their fried pig skin, Jiang Lingling, on her task hunt, was fuming.

    “There was no fifty-log limit yesterday, why the limit now!” Jiang Lingling, holding the axe, her foot on the chopping block, was clearly unhappy about the new rule.

    Uncle Zhang, the NPC who needed firewood, seeing Jiang Lingling’s aggressive posture and remembering her two-hour wood-chopping frenzy the day before, took a few steps back. “Ahem… it’s a… reasonable adjustment, a reasonable adjustment.”

    It was, indeed. Jiang Lingling had looked like she could chop wood forever, as long as there were logs and time. Her speed and endurance had surprised everyone, even Pan Xiang. If there were no limit, she wouldn’t need to do any other tasks, she could carry her team single-handedly with wood-chopping alone.

    Two hours a day, almost a hundred coins easily earned, she would dominate the game.

    When something threatened to break the game’s balance, they naturally had to… fix it.

    Jiang Lingling understood this, but she still wanted to argue. Just fifty logs? Only five coins? She had planned to carry her team with wood-chopping!

    “It’s okay, even fifty logs is a lot of work,” Bao Yueqiao said, trying to comfort her.

    Jiang Lingling felt a little better.

    Seeing that it worked, Bao Yueqiao continued, “And chopping down too many trees is bad for the environment.”

    Jiang Lingling: “…”

    Uncle Zhang mentally gave Bao Yueqiao a thumbs-up and retreated further, adding, “Yes, if there’s no limit, I’m afraid the mountain will be bald by the time we finish filming.” He quickly distanced himself from the increasingly annoyed Jiang Lingling.

    Whether Jiang Lingling liked it or not, the rule was there.

    Less than ten minutes later, Jiang Lingling, having earned five coins, and Bao Yueqiao, still stunned by her wood-chopping skills, left.

    She had never seen a beautiful girl chop wood with such speed, precision, and efficiency, like a wood-chopping machine…

    Not just Bao Yueqiao, Lu Changhuai and Yu Naihao had also watched, mesmerized, for two hours the night before…

    Leaving Uncle Zhang’s courtyard, after a few steps, Bao Yueqiao, still dazed, suddenly said, “Wait, there was also a laundry task there. You chopped wood, I can do the laundry now.”

    “What laundry? Ji Junxin’s six radishes are enough to make a pot of soup, you want to add more?” Jiang Lingling stopped. “Lead the way, let’s go to that corn kernel place you and Mi Hongdou went to.”

    That task was difficult, but… Bao Yueqiao glanced back at the courtyard, for Jiang Lingling, it probably wasn’t that difficult.

    Indeed… it wasn’t.

    Jiang Lingling, after hearing the old man’s explanation of the task, snorted.

    The task was as Bao Yueqiao described, with one addition: “Each team can take fifty corn cobs per day.”

    So, they had also limited the corn kernel task. She had hoped to take advantage before they realized, hmph!

    The day before, it had taken Mi Hongdou and Bao Yueqiao an hour to finish ten cobs, completely exhausted afterward.

    Today, after witnessing Jiang Lingling’s wood-chopping skills, Bao Yueqiao thought that together, they could probably finish fifty cobs in three hours, well, if they had the energy…

    But just as she was about to start, Jiang Lingling stopped her.

    “I’ll do it, you wait for me in the shade, it will be quick.” She took out a small stone from her pocket and showed it to the old man. “I came prepared, it’s just a pity you only have fifty.”

    The old man, a paid actor, looked confused.

    But he soon understood.

    The stone was about the length of two knuckles, a finger wide, and one end seemed to have been sharpened.

    The cameraman zoomed in on the stone.

    The viewers on Jiang Lingling’s live stream recognized it. Wasn’t that the stone she had picked up in the courtyard while making fish soup? She had been rubbing it against the stove, so it wasn’t just… playing with it?

    Of course not.

    Jiang Lingling held the stone and, like cutting tofu, effortlessly sliced off a row of kernels.

    Silence, both on and off screen.

    The cameraman’s hand trembled slightly. Was that really a stone, not a blade? …

    Just as they were expecting a demonstration of her corn-kernel-removing technique, she sliced off another row from the other side and stopped.

    And then… in the next three seconds, the viewers witnessed a magic trick called “corn shucking.”

    She twisted the cob with both hands, and all the kernels fell off, leaving a clean cob. What sorcery is this?!

    How can Mi Hongdou and Bao Yueqiao, who struggled for ten minutes per cob, even compete!

    Jiang Lingling, discarding the cob, looked up at Bao Yueqiao. “It takes about six or seven seconds per cob, faster than chopping wood, right?”

    Bao Yueqiao, who had thought it would take them three hours, could only nod dumbly.

    “Good, then we can move on to the next task soon. We’ll earn enough coins to buy you some meat,” Jiang Lingling said quickly, picking up the stone and starting on the next cob.

    I feel… a strange sense of security? Bao Yueqiao thought, looking at Jiang Lingling’s effortless movements, a complicated expression on her face.

    Although the quantity-based tasks were now limited, Jiang Lingling still worked quickly and efficiently.

    Pan Xiang, watching the live stream, also looked at Jiang Lingling with a complicated expression. She’s so efficient, good thing I adjusted the tasks, and she’s not obsessed with them, or it would be a problem.

    As the chief planner of Reality Online, after filming started, she had finally realized the difference between writing and producing a reality show, especially a live-streamed one.

    The characters and worlds she created in her stories, although they seemed to develop a life of their own after a while, were still under her control. She could even use this sense of autonomy to make the characters more vivid and relatable.

    And before Reality Online, she had carefully considered the participants’ autonomy, designing various scenarios for the games and tasks. But after filming started, she realized she should have considered more, like… Jiang Lingling, who she thought would just take advantage of the tasks, was actually… a bug!

    She was glad she was on site, monitoring the live stream 24/7, so she could make adjustments in real time.

    So far, the show’s development was still within her expectations. But she hadn’t expected that while she was focused on the show, her daily updates on Jinjiang would cause a problem.

    More accurately, it was her new novel that was the problem.

    Her new story was a xianxia novel. Unlike her previous clear-cut characters, this protagonist was more complex.

    Someone who, to protect the person they loved, had killed many people.

    And while she was busy with “Reality Online,” a particular plot point in her latest chapter sparked a heated debate in the comments section.

    She recognized the IDs defending her. She also recognized the IDs attacking her…

    For an author, the most disheartening thing was seeing your readers turn against you.

    The comments were a battlefield. Pan Xiang, in Dengjia Village, wondered, did I really make a mistake?

    Among the familiar IDs, she didn’t see the one who always got the first comment, who always left long, thoughtful reviews, who had gradually become a regular commenter, even a friend.

    Perhaps, for an author, the most disheartening thing was a loyal reader suddenly disappearing.

    That ID had left a comment mentioning a business trip and not being able to keep up with the updates, but with the heated debate in the comments, she hadn’t reappeared… she must have… silently abandoned the story.

    Pan Xiang felt a pang of sadness.

    And she didn’t know that the owner of that ID was currently exerting superhuman strength, removing the kernels from the last corn cob.

    Still less than ten minutes, five coins earned.

    After completing the two familiar tasks, Jiang Lingling and Bao Yueqiao went to meet Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin, reporting their progress, pretending not to notice the aroma of fried meat or the seemingly delicious food in the small bowl.

    I don’t even want to know what it is! I have to maintain my image on the live stream! Wipe that drool!

    The four, reunited, under Jiang Lingling’s urging, left the fragrant courtyard and started exploring the village for new tasks.

    A few hours later, they had found all the available tasks.

    Besides the chicken-feeding, wood-chopping, laundry, and corn kernel tasks they had already done, there were six more.

    One: solving a twenty-piece jigsaw puzzle within one minute for one coin, five attempts per team per day, one player per attempt.

    Two: playing Gomoku, five attempts per day, one coin wager per game, winner gets two coins, loser loses one.

    Three: sewing buttons, two garments for one coin, twenty garments available per team per day. This seemed like the most manageable task for normal people, simple and with a decent payout.

    Four: carrying water, five buckets from a well 200 meters away for five coins, no partial credit, one attempt per team per day. This one wasn’t very friendly to those with average physical strength.

    Five: feeding pigs, once a day, two coins, but you had to scoop the pig feed from a pot and pour it into the trough without spilling. The smell… once a day was enough.

    After two rounds of exploring the village, they thought they had found all nine tasks, but then Jiang Lingling suggested checking the small river in front of the village for wild fish. They didn’t find any fish, but they did find the tenth task: catching crayfish, five crayfish for one coin, no tools provided.

    Ji Junxin, after learning that the crayfish were only for coins, not for eating, was disappointed.

    They concluded that, excluding Jiang Lingling, who was like a max-level player in a newbie village, even if they didn’t win the team challenge, by diligently completing daily tasks, they could still earn about twenty coins, enough for some fresh vegetables to supplement the free rice and pickled cucumbers.

    This reassured Mi Hongdou, who could easily make a delicious meal with limited ingredients for Ji Junxin.

    Having found all the tasks, the four split into two groups, each choosing the most suitable tasks.

    Jiang Lingling and Bao Yueqiao went straight for the water-carrying task.

    And Mi Hongdou, seeing that it was almost evening, decided to collect the vegetables from the chicken-feeding task first.

    She hadn’t expected to find the eleventh task at the old woman’s house…

  • Malicious Female Lead’s Guide to Causing Trouble [Quick Transmigration] 64p3

    Chapter Sixty-Four p3

    After a round of reminiscing, Bo Chi and Yu Zhao sat together, listening to them talk about what had happened in these past few years.

    “I’ve already graduated from the academy.” Jin Xi’s tone was relaxed: “My parents know that I’ve always been at the top of the academy’s rankings, and they finally relented and didn’t force me to get married. My next step is to become an official. The current emperor is not very competent, and relies entirely on loyal officials to maintain the world, but they are all a bunch of old-fashioned people, afraid of this and that. I know I definitely can’t argue with them, so I decided to join them and change this world from within!“

    Two years had passed, and Jin Xi had matured a bit, her ambition becoming even greater.

    Probably influenced by Bo Chi, she had a filter for ghosts and monsters, and wanted to let kind ghosts and humans live together peacefully. Her plan was simple, first, she would try her best to make the inheritance of exorcists widespread, and secondly, she would mass-produce spirit-seeking compasses, so that everyone could have one, to distinguish between evil ghosts and good ghosts.

    The following measures were too far away, and Jin Xi didn’t think about them anymore. For her, being able to implement these two things would probably require her to fight wits and courage with the old fogies in the court for the rest of her life.

    “But it’s okay.” She said optimistically: “When those old fogies die, I’ll see if they continue to oppose or support it!“

    The others chuckled, and Bo Chi asked curiously: “Wait, are you still dressed as a man? Then how did you hide your voice recovery from others?“

    Jin Xi looked at her faintly: “Thanks to big sister, I’ve already mastered the skill of instantly changing my voice into a rough man’s voice. Big sister, listen, is my voice heroic now?“

    Bo Chi suppressed a smile, and nodded seriously: “Big brother, you win.“

    Jin Xi chuckled, and turned to look at Fu Shuang. Fu Shuang showed a shy look, and said gently: “I’m not as capable as Big Sister Jin Xi. In these two years, Qing’er and I have been learning embroidery. Now we have a little reputation, and even opened a shop in the capital. We can at least feed ourselves now.“

    Bo Chi didn’t look down on her, but praised: “Being able to achieve something is enough to show your excellence. Earning money with your own hands, nothing is cheap.“

    Fu Shuang looked at Bo Chi fixedly, then lowered her eyes and chuckled: “Chi Niang really hasn’t changed at all.” Still so gentle…

    After understanding Fu Shuang and Liu Qinger, it was the little girl Hua Ci’s turn.

    Hua Ci had grown a bit compared to two years ago, but she was still a minor. As soon as Bo Chi came back, she clutched Bo Chi’s sleeve tightly, her eyes fixed on Bo Chi.

    Jin Xi looked at her like this, and seeing Bo Chi’s love for her, she suddenly had a flash of inspiration: “Hua Ci has always been close to you. After you were taken away, she cried and wanted to go find you. We locked her up for more than half a month, and she only calmed down after having a serious illness. Usually, she would quietly do her homework, and sit on a stool at the door every night waiting for you. It’s because you came back early today, otherwise, the first person to see you wouldn’t be Qing’er, but this little girl.“

    “I see that you two care about each other, and you and Master Yu don’t have any children, why don’t you take Hua Ci in?” Jin Xi suggested: “Let her be your daughter.“

    Her voice fell, and before Bo Chi could respond, Hua Ci’s eyes suddenly lit up, staring at Bo Chi unblinkingly, even her breathing becoming lighter.

    Bo Chi was stunned for two seconds, and first turned to look at Yu Zhao: “You… what do you think?“

    Yu Zhao frowned, her gaze sweeping over Hua Ci, then landing on Bo Chi’s face, and she said faintly: “I’ll listen to you.“

    Bo Chi couldn’t help but smile, raised her hand and rubbed Hua Ci’s head, and said readily: “Okay, then from now on, you are our little daughter!“

    Hua Ci was stunned for a while, as if she hadn’t reacted. After a while, she silently threw herself into Bo Chi’s arms, tugged at Bo Chi’s clothes, omitted the word ‘Chi’, and called out as she wished: “Mom…“

    Jin Xi muttered on the side: “I said this little girl is scheming, she refused to call me big sister, and insisted on calling us Chi Niang with us, I think she probably had this thought long ago, just using the name as a cover.“

    The others covered their mouths and smiled.

    In the following years, Bo Chi and Yu Zhao stayed in the capital.

    They didn’t reveal their identities, and taught Hua Ci like an ordinary couple, chatting and laughing with their friends.

    Time flew by, and Yu Zhao, who had fought among evil spirits in her youth, was the first to die.

    A few old ladies surrounded her, and one of them said suspiciously: “Did she deliberately seek death?“

    The one beside her, whose teeth had fallen out, asked vaguely: “What do you mean?“

    Jin Xi pouted: “A few days ago, she and Bo Chi went out, and Bo Chi rarely wanted to return to her youthful and beautiful appearance. As a result, when passersby saw their intimacy, they asked her – is this girl your granddaughter? Hahahahaha!“

    The old ladies burst into laughter, and Yu Zhao, who still had her last breath, couldn’t stand it, and was angered to death.

    Jin Xi said cheerfully: “She’s dead, dead. Hey, I’m leaving first, otherwise, when she becomes a ghost, she will definitely come to me to settle the score.“

    Bo Chi held Yu Zhao’s gradually cooling hand, and smiled: “Don’t run, you’re old, just rest. Ah Zhao’s soul has gone to the ghost realm, I have to go pick her up, and then help her stabilize her soul. If you can’t find us after you die, don’t worry, just know that we’re still living well in other places, that’s enough.“

    Jin Xi and the others didn’t understand the hidden meaning in her words, smiled and waved to her, watched her smile slightly, and left this world.

    **

    Another seamless transmigration. Bo Chi shook her head, thinking that she was used to the system’s perfunctory attitude, but when she raised her head and saw herself in the mirror, she immediately bristled, and said in shock: “Meow, meow, meow!!“

    Help, where were her small waist and long legs?

    How did she become a short-legged, long-haired cat?!

    Bo Chi stared at herself in the mirror, her long white fur bristling like a fluffy ball.

    In the eyes of Yu Zhao, who passed by, it was like she was frightened by another self, stupid, cute, and adorable.

    Yu Zhao, who didn’t like cats and even hated cat fur, looked at this little white cat with blue eyes for the first time, and asked her colleague beside her with her limited knowledge of cats: “Is that a Ragdoll cat?“

    The colleague didn’t look up: “You mean the one brought by Manager Zhao? Yes, it’s a Ragdoll, isn’t it beautiful? Do you want to raise one? Heh, let me tell you something scary, that cat cost Manager Zhao fifteen thousand, just one, fifteen thousand!“

    The colleague raised her head, her face full of envy and jealousy, and finally stared at the little cat clumsily wagging its tail not far away, and said obsessively: “Ah, it’s so beautiful, wuwuwu, I also want to raise one!“

    The expensive price dispelled Yu Zhao’s impulse. She looked away from the cat, and started to deal with the work at hand, and said faintly: “Wake up, we’re all interns who just graduated, we can barely pay the rent, how can we have the spare money to raise a cat?“

    The colleague smiled bitterly: “You’re right, we can barely support ourselves, let alone a cat or dog.“

    The two social animals felt the same, gave up their unnecessary fantasies, and focused on their work.

    Bo Chi barely adapted to the cat’s perspective and body, shook her pointed ears, and began to explore the surroundings.

    She seemed to be in an office on the first floor. Seven or eight desks and chairs were neatly arranged, and the employees were sitting in front of their computers, concentrating on their work. From time to time, someone would walk to other colleagues with documents and ask something.

    And the place where she was now was in the corner. Not only were there water and cat food around her, but also toys like yellow ducklings and pink piglets, and there was even a salted fish with a strange glint in its eyes.

    Bo Chi lowered her head and sniffed the salted fish, then slapped it away with her paw in disgust, walked to an empty chair with a proper cat walk, and pounced on it. She easily jumped onto the chair, and then jumped onto the table with the same move. Only then could she finally see the employees’ faces clearly without looking up at the ‘giants’.

    Among the crowd, she saw Yu Zhao at a glance, meowed happily, and jumped over countless obstacles towards the other party’s desk.

    Yu Zhao was frowning and thinking about something. When she heard the surprised voices around her, she didn’t realize anything was wrong. It wasn’t until a fluffy thing bumped into her chest that her hand trembled, and she snapped out of her concentration, lowered her head, and looked at the cat in her arms at close range.

    It was a Ragdoll cat with snow-white fur, its pointed ears and the area around its eyes grayish, its fluffy tail wagging, the tip of its tail also a bit black, its eyes big and round, and even more rare, its pupils were blue, like the clear blue sky, and watery like the deep sea.

    It snuggled into Yu Zhao’s arms, raised its little head and looked at Yu Zhao, as if there was only Yu Zhao in its eyes.

    Yu Zhao’s heart suddenly throbbed, and she couldn’t help but feel a strong sense of love, feeling that all the cats and dogs she had seen before were not as good as the one in her arms.

    It was a pity that this cat wasn’t hers, and she didn’t have enough money to raise a pet.

    Yu Zhao calmed down, carefully held the cat, and put it on the table from her arms.

    Just as she was about to stand up and go talk to Manager Zhao, the owner of the cat, the Ragdoll seemed to have misunderstood something, and lay down on the table, its paws raised obediently, revealing its long and soft white belly without any defense, and meowed coquettishly at her: “Meow~“

    The author has something to say:

    Bo Chi: Come and pet me~

    Yu Zhao (losing her mind): I’ll fuck you until you meow!

  • A Girl Dies Every Day in Her Dream Life 175

    Chapter 175: News of the Peerless Summit Sect, Luo Xue’s First Disciple 

    Furthermore, after interacting with Dugu Xue, Luo Xue discovered that she wasn’t lacking in cultivation aptitude.

    On the contrary, Dugu Xue possessed a cultivation aptitude that amazed even Luo Xue, at least not much inferior to her own.

    Even before embarking on the path of cultivation, Dugu Xue’s meridians were already quite smooth, her affinity for spiritual power was high, and she could even sense spiritual energy.

    “I… can’t cultivate.”

    Dugu Xue’s expression turned melancholic.

    “When I was ten, Father also gave me some cultivation techniques, but I couldn’t cultivate them.”

    She raised her hand and said softly, “Every time I was about to cultivate my first strand of spiritual power, it would be completely eroded by some kind of power, making it impossible to continue.”

    “Hmm?” Luo Xue frowned slightly. “What kind of power?”

    Dugu Xue thought for a moment, then transmitted the image in her mind to Xue Ling.

    Xue Ling projected the image.

    After carefully watching it, Luo Xue understood what was going on.

    It was… the will of withering.

    Basically, all spiritual power couldn’t resist the erosion of the will of withering, let alone the weak spiritual power of someone just starting to cultivate, like Dugu Xue.

    Under this restriction, Dugu Xue’s path of cultivation was effectively severed.

    However…

    There was a solution to this.

    Perhaps this was where Luo Xue differed from the Immortal Emperor.

    Since Dugu Xue’s weak spiritual power couldn’t resist withering, she could choose another path—to accommodate it.

    Coincidentally, Luo Xue possessed the modified Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture, also known as the Fengyin True Scripture, which could integrate the will of withering. The requirements for cultivating it weren’t high, only a pure Yin body was needed.

    Dugu Xue was a descendant of the Snow Maiden bloodline. In terms of Yin constitution, there was probably nothing colder than the Snow Maiden bloodline in this world.

    “I have a cultivation technique, you can try it,” Luo Xue looked at Dugu Xue, “but whether it will work… I’m not sure.”

    “If you can embark on the path of cultivation, finding a way to save your life… might not be impossible.”

    What the Immortal Emperor couldn’t do was because Dugu Xue was just a mortal.

    In this situation, many techniques and methods couldn’t be used. Even if he wanted to strengthen her Snow Maiden bloodline to save her life, he would need another descendant of the Snow Maiden.

    “Ah, Big Sister Luo, are you… taking me as your disciple?”

    Dugu Xue covered her mouth, her face filled with surprise.

    “It’s just a cultivation technique, not taking you as a disciple.” Luo Xue waved her hand.

    Actually, neither True Person Fengyin nor Phoenix Venerable valued this modified inheritance much. After all, the true True Phoenix Inheritance wasn’t so simple…

    Without the True Phoenix bloodline, even with the technique, it was useless.

    Hearing this, Dugu Xue’s eyes teared up, and she looked at Luo Xue and said softly,

    “Big Sister Luo, do you think Xue’er is not worthy of being your disciple…”

    “No, you misunderstood. I’m only at the peak of Foundation Establishment, I can’t teach anyone.” Luo Xue smiled wryly. “Besides, it’s just a cultivation technique. Compared to the things I took from the imperial palace, it’s not that valuable.”

    “It’s precisely because Big Sister Luo is only at the peak of Foundation Establishment that it’s even more amazing. You can freely enter and leave the imperial palace… Even Soul Transformation or Ascension cultivators might not be able to do that.”

    Dugu Xue blinked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “So, Big Sister Luo, will you take me as your disciple?”

    Seeing Dugu Xue’s hopeful gaze, Luo Xue realized something.

    So this little girl’s tears were just an act, she just wanted to be her disciple.

    “Since you insist, then… fine.” Luo Xue sighed. “Let me think, which lineage should you join…”

    Come to think of it, Luo Xue herself didn’t have a master.

    She should have had two: her convenient mother, Luo Huaxin, in her previous life, and Phoenix Venerable, whose attitude was quite strange.

    However, although they were close to Luo Xue, neither was willing to acknowledge her as a disciple.

    It seemed Luo Xue only had one sect inheritance.

    Falling Flower Peak of the Peerless Summit Sect…

    A strange expression appeared on Luo Xue’s face.

    “What’s wrong, Big Sister Luo?”

    Dugu Xue stared at Luo Xue, a hint of anxiety in her eyes.

    She really wanted to become Luo Xue’s disciple, even though Luo Xue’s current strength was only slightly higher than the maids’.

    “Nothing, just thinking about something.” Luo Xue exhaled. “I don’t have my own inheritance. If you want to be my disciple, you can only join my sect.”

    “Okay, no problem,” Dugu Xue nodded, then asked, “Which sect is Big Sister Luo from?”

    Dugu Xue was curious. She knew Luo Xue was probably a reincarnated cultivator.

    But even after reading almost all the books in the imperial study, she couldn’t find any information about Luo Xue’s sect.

    “Falling Flower Peak of the Peerless Summit Sect,” Luo Xue scratched the back of her head. “Well… you probably haven’t heard of it. It’s…”

    “Ah!” Before Luo Xue could finish, Dugu Xue exclaimed, “Big Sister Luo, you’re from the Peerless Summit Sect? Really?”

    “…Huh?”

    Luo Xue was stunned.

    Could there be a sect with the same name here?

    “An ancient sword cultivation sect, completely destroyed after the end of the ancient era. It’s said that their disciples used ‘severing a celestial river with a single sword’ as their entrance examination…”

    Dugu Xue recited, then added,

    “I read about it in ancient texts. The stories inside are like fairy tales, so I remember quite a bit.”

    Luo Xue was silent for a moment. She realized that this Peerless Summit Sect and the one she knew seemed to be connected.

    The ancient era…

    Luo Xue had heard this term more than once recently, and it had a deep connection with the caged world.

    It seemed that everything in the caged world was related to the ancient era.

    What exactly happened in the ancient era, to create the nine provinces and four domains?

    “Could it be that Big Sister Luo, you are…”

    Dugu Xue covered her mouth, a terrifying possibility occurring to her.

    Could Big Sister Luo be an old monster from the ancient era…

    But even if she was, Big Sister Luo looked very young now.

    “That might be another misunderstanding.”

    Luo Xue said, seeing what Dugu Xue was thinking.

    She rubbed her temples, thinking about how to explain, when Dugu Xue sat up from her lap.

    Xue Ling helped Dugu Xue stand up, and she walked to Luo Xue with some difficulty.

    “Please accept me as your disciple, Master.”

    Dugu Xue knelt down, and Luo Xue was about to help her up.

    Dugu Xue, having just recovered from the torment of the will of withering, couldn’t withstand such exertion.

    But Dugu Xue raised her hand and stopped Luo Xue.

    “Big Sister Luo, oh no… Master, I want to join your sect. This is the proper etiquette, isn’t it?”

    “…Yes.”

    Luo Xue’s eyes flickered, and she retracted her hand.

    Dugu Xue smiled faintly, then performed the formal three bows and nine kowtows, and finally said again,

    “Please, Master… accept me as your disciple!”

    The white-haired girl’s expression was filled with determination. This was the first time Luo Xue had seen such a resolute look in Dugu Xue’s eyes.

    “I accept,” Luo Xue said softly, “From now on, Dugu Xue belongs to the Falling Flower Peak lineage of the Peerless Summit Sect, under my tutelage.”

    “Master.” Dugu Xue blinked and asked with a smile, “Am I… your first disciple?”

    “I suppose… so…”

    Luo Xue said hesitantly.

    This “first disciple” title wasn’t very impressive.

    Now, it was time to verify her earlier guess.

    Luo Xue transmitted the modified Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture, also known as the Fengyin True Scripture, to Xue Ling, who then relayed it to Dugu Xue.

    Since Luo Xue didn’t have a jade slip for the inheritance, she could only use this cumbersome method.

    After receiving the inheritance, Dugu Xue, urged by Luo Xue, immediately started cultivating without hesitation.

    Since Dugu Xue had tried cultivating before, condensing her first strand of spiritual power was easy.

    And this time, the will of withering within her body didn’t erode this spiritual power, nor did it merge with it, but coexisted with it.

    If the will of withering was a monster, and spiritual power was a little rabbit, this time… the monster didn’t notice the rabbit hopping at its feet.

    It worked.

    Dugu Xue opened her eyes in surprise. She hadn’t had much hope. Even her father, the Immortal Emperor, couldn’t find a suitable cultivation technique for her, but Master had succeeded on her first try.

    “Master, I… am I… a cultivator now?”

    Dugu Xue was so excited that she was almost speechless. She sensed the spiritual power flowing within her body, a feeling she had never experienced before.

    Wherever the spiritual power flowed, the parts of her body previously ravaged by the will of withering began to heal, and her seemingly frozen body gradually thawed under this warm current.

    And what Luo Xue saw was another scene. Dugu Xue, having just embarked on the path of immortality, instantly crossed three levels, reaching the mid-stage of the Post-Heaven Realm.

    She would probably be ready to break through to the Innate Realm by tomorrow…

    Thinking of how much effort she had put into reaching the Innate Realm, Luo Xue couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.

    “Cultivate diligently, it’s good for your body.”

    Luo Xue rubbed Dugu Xue’s hair. This little princess, who looked so similar to her, although technically her disciple, seemed more like a younger sister.

    Dugu Xue nodded vigorously and sat down again, intending to continue cultivating.

    “By the way, Little Dugu, I have to go out for a bit. I probably won’t be back for a while.”

    Luo Xue slapped her forehead, almost forgetting the important matter. She still had to go to the Nangong Sacred Land.

    “You can continue cultivating the Fengyin True Scripture. Xue Ling will protect you. If there are any problems, just send me a message.”

    Xue Ling was a Soul Transformation expert. As long as Luo Xue wasn’t in the imperial palace or a similar restricted area, she could receive messages.

    “Master, are you going to the Nangong family?” Dugu Xue asked.

    Dugu Xue also knew their current location, marked by Xue Ling, and she had seen the nearby Nangong Sacred Land.

    “Yes, I want to go there. There should be a Core Formation secret realm there, I want to try it.” Luo Xue nodded, her face flushing slightly.

    As a master, she was only at the peak of Foundation Establishment. With Dugu Xue’s talent, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to catch up.

    If her disciple’s cultivation surpassed hers, it would be embarrassing…

    Dugu Xue thought for a moment and signaled Xue Ling to take out something.

    Xue Ling immediately took out a token and handed it to Luo Xue.

    “This is…”

    Luo Xue took the token, saw the Dao inscriptions carved on it, and felt a burning sensation upon touching it.

    “A clan token of the Nangong Sacred Land, it might be useful to you, Master.” Dugu Xue smiled. “It was given to me by the Empress. She said every prince and princess receives one.”

    “Does it have any identification?”

    Luo Xue frowned slightly and asked.

    What if it was used to prove her identity as the little princess…

    “Don’t worry, Master, it’s just a blank token,” Dugu Xue shook her head. “Because I haven’t embarked on the path of cultivation yet, I can’t leave my soul imprint on it.”

    “If Master is going to the Nangong Sacred Land, this token will be very convenient.”

    “Wouldn’t it be suspicious for an unknown Nangong clan member to suddenly appear with a token?” Luo Xue, always cautious, asked a few more questions.

    “No, there are more than a hundred thousand Nangong clan members, they can’t possibly remember everyone. As long as the token has the owner’s soul imprint, even if they don’t recognize the person, they can only assume it’s some unknown branch family member.” Dugu Xue replied.

    “If that’s the case, it does seem quite useful.” Luo Xue accepted the token. “Thank you, Little Dugu.”

    Hearing this, Dugu Xue’s expression turned serious.

    “Master, you should have the demeanor of a master. You should say, ‘Disciple, you’ve done well.’ Saying ‘thank you’ is too casual!”

    “Ah…”

    Luo Xue opened her mouth, wanting to say something.

    This was her first time being a master, and Dugu Xue’s words stunned her.

    Seeing Dugu Xue cover her mouth and giggle, Luo Xue instantly realized that she had been teased.

    “You little girl…”

    Luo Xue sighed and reached out to knock on Dugu Xue’s head.

    Dugu Xue stuck out her tongue playfully, then immediately started cultivating seriously, making it impossible for Luo Xue to do anything.

    After leaving the oppressive imperial palace, Dugu Xue seemed much more lively.

    This… was good.

    Luo Xue’s gaze towards Dugu Xue softened, and she glanced at Xue Ling before turning and flying towards the Nangong Sacred Land.

    Only after Luo Xue left did Dugu Xue secretly open her eyes, looking in the direction she had gone.

    Dugu Xue rested her chin on her hand, her eyes half-closed, a happy smile on her lips.

    The morning light shone down, casting a sacred glow on the earth.

    “Xue Ling, do you think… living like this… isn’t so bad?”