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  • The Grotesque Miss’s End Story v2c61

    Chapter 61: Crimson Moonlight 

    It was midday, yet the sky was filled with an ink-like darkness, even the warm sun losing its brilliance.

    A shocking crimson flowed across the ground, almost forming a river. The girl’s expression was frozen in a moment of astonishment, the blood staining the ground making her skin appear deathly pale.

    Unexpectedly, the Company had made its move. The impending storm in Victoria was gently stirred by a blood-red rose, shattering the last vestiges of calm before the tempest.

    This tragic scene marked the beginning, the sound of shattering deafening.

    …To target Luo Ling’s team, the Company didn’t need to expend much effort or lay elaborate traps.

    They didn’t need a conveniently timed Incubation Barrier, a lucrative B-rank commission, or meticulous preparations that delayed execution for days.

    The reason was simple.

    Because… they were simply too weak.

    Compared to the Hunt team, the entire Twintails team had only one High-Order Awakened One, and she had only recently been promoted, still adapting to her new abilities and power. Her combat strength was considerably weaker than the average Seventh-Order Awakened One.

    The Hunt team, on the other hand, openly boasted six experienced Eighth-Order Awakened Ones, all battle-hardened elites.

    Even excluding the traitor, Frick, their strength still far surpassed the Twintails team. They also had Linna, who wielded secret techniques and could, under specific circumstances, confront Ninth-Order Awakened Ones or even higher. They were truly an elite team at the pinnacle of human strength.

    Even the directors themselves would struggle to silently eliminate all members of the Hunt team.

    That’s why the Company and the Torchbearers had to meticulously set a death trap, luring the Hunt team step by step into the abyss of sacrifice.

    But what did the Twintails team have?

    Only a few fragile lives. There were countless teams like them in Victoria. For the Company, crushing these delicate flowers was merely a flick of the wrist, a trivial matter.

    Their deaths and withering were but insignificant specks of dust beneath the wheels of history.

    However, Luo Ling hadn’t expected Eve to be the first victim, not herself or Elsa.

    Besides killing her, the enemy seemed to have other objectives.

    “Captain!”

    “Sister Eve!”

    The sudden incident caused a brief panic within the team, but they remained relatively calm, not rushing towards Eve’s body.

    The recent Incubation Barrier training had transformed the Twintails team. Even facing this sudden crisis, they didn’t lose their composure.

    Cen Xiangyun and Elsa quickly took their positions, their nerves taut, wary of another attack from any direction.

    At the same time, Lu Manqing quickly approached Eve, attempting to heal her.

    Everyone present trembled slightly with tension, but they suppressed their emotions, avoiding looking at Eve’s gruesome state, preventing sorrow from dictating their actions.

    The unknown enemy still lurked in the shadows. Even if Eve was truly dead, they didn’t have time to grieve, for the slightest carelessness could make them the next victim.

    Lu Manqing even forgot about her beloved camera. Her usually cherished Polaroid lay on the ground, its casing cracked.

    A half-ejected photo stuck halfway out of the camera captured the smiles of the five as they were about to leave.

    And the owner of the camera, her hands trembling, carefully peeled back the girl’s torn clothes, attempting to heal and save her.

    However, even Lu Manqing, as a doctor, found the gruesome state of Eve’s chest wound difficult to bear. Flesh and internal organs were mangled together, churned into a viscous mess like mud. An ordinary person witnessing this scene would likely be scarred for life.

    How could anyone survive this?

    Even using…

    Before Lu Manqing could finish her thought, she heard Elsa’s anxious voice,

    “Sister Manqing—”

    Faster than Elsa’s voice was another swift sword glint, instantly robbing Lu Manqing of consciousness.

    She only felt a sharp pain in her chest before her mind blurred, her vision darkening, the sounds around her becoming distant and drawn out.

    The doctor’s body slowly slumped to the ground, joining the maid in the pool of blood.

    Fortunately, her injury seemed to have deliberately avoided a fatal spot. She had merely lost consciousness from excessive blood loss and still had a faint pulse.

    Under the dark sky, the seemingly omnipresent sword glint hung over them like the Sword of Damocles, poised to execute anyone present at any moment.

    However, even in this situation, terror didn’t spread across everyone’s faces.

    The moment Lu Manqing was attacked, Elsa had already pinpointed the source of the sword glint. She opened her mouth slightly, uttering a soft “Proverb,” targeting the presence hidden in the shadows.

    At the same time, Cen Xiangyun’s Elemental ability was finally ready. She raised her ice staff, summoning a dense blizzard that swirled and surged around them.

    However, the blizzard didn’t attack the target Elsa had pointed out, but instead spread out, enveloping the entire battlefield.

    The swirling snow instantly obscured everyone’s vision, adding another layer of concealment under the pitch-black sky. Those caught within it would struggle to distinguish even the cardinal directions.

    Cen Xiangyun sadly realized that the enemy hidden in the shadows possessed a strength they had never encountered before, at least equivalent to a Ninth-Order Awakened One or even stronger.

    In just a single exchange, their strongest member, Captain Eve, had been killed, and in another moment of carelessness, even their field medic, Lu Manqing, had fallen.

    And they didn’t even know where the enemy was, who they were, which Grotesquery they were, or… if they were even human.

    This was beyond the Twintails team’s ability to handle. Continuing to fight would only result in more casualties. The priority was to immediately escape the Incubation Barrier and seek help from the Company.

    While Elsa’s “Proverb” was in effect, Cen Xiangyun wanted to use the blizzard as cover to carry away Eve and Lu Manqing, who were lying in pools of blood.

    She endured her grief and fear, maintaining her most energy-consuming blizzard ability to buy time for her teammates’ retreat.

    However, how could the presence in the shadows not know Cen Xiangyun’s intentions? The enemy seemed determined to thwart her plan.

    Even the shadow-filled blizzard couldn’t obstruct the enemy’s vision or sword glint.

    Not long after Cen Xiangyun raised her ice staff, before the blizzard had fully formed, the incoming sword glint directly severed it. At the same time, a powerful mental force accompanied the sword glint, backfiring on Cen Xiangyun, who was already pushing her limits.

    The broken ice staff fell to the ground, the scattered snowflakes forming only a thin layer that quickly melted away, leaving no trace.

    Another failure.

    The third member of the Twintails team fell. Cen Xiangyun coughed up a mouthful of blood, her eyes filled with bloodshot veins.

    She tried to struggle, but to no avail. She finally closed her eyes and lost consciousness.

    All of this happened in a flash. From the appearance of the first sword glint to Cen Xiangyun’s incapacitation, only a few breaths had passed.

    Under the shroud of the dark sky, the Twintails team members fell one after another, until only two remained standing.

    —Elsa and Luo Ling.

    “Sisters…”

    Elsa bit her lip, tears welling up in her beautiful emerald eyes, staring fixedly in a certain direction. She had locked onto the enemy’s position.

    No matter what, now… she had to expose this villain!

    When the enemy first attacked Eve, Elsa had already sensed the slight fluctuations and ripples of inspiration caused by the Incubation Barrier. When Lu Manqing fell, Elsa had pinpointed the general direction.

    Now, a lean and wiry figure, concealed within the darkness of the Incubation Barrier by some artifact, had formed in Elsa’s mind.

    Her eyes flickered with a strange crimson light, piercing the surrounding darkness.

    A few more “Proverbs” rang out. The wiry figure, clearly having suffered from the “Proverbs” before, dodged with a wider berth, partially revealing their form from within the artifact.

    “Now!” Elsa shouted, throwing a crystal vial. “Bella, go!”

    The vial opened, and a tiny, sprite-like figure appeared, surrounded by a hallucinatory mist, a light, alluring laughter seemingly flashing within.

    “Illusion, activate!”

    Bella, who could only briefly manifest in the outside world, exerted all her power, using the “Beautiful Illusion” ability of the Nightmare Grotesquery to influence the slightly disheveled figure, luring them into a terrifyingly gentle dream.

    Unfortunately, the illusion only lasted for a brief moment before the enemy forcibly broke free with their will. The gentle dream couldn’t trap them, only delaying them for half a breath.

    However, half a breath in battle… was an eternity.

    While Elsa was casting, Luo Ling had already moved.

    When the figure in the shadows was forced to reveal themselves, the chilling glint of a blade was already upon them. As they struggled to break free from the dream, a deathly Sacred Tool struck their chest.

    The Sacred Tool, “Absolute Blade,” possessed the power to kill any being.

    Even the High-Risk Grotesquery, Puppet Ballad, couldn’t escape the death it delivered.

    “…….”

    The extreme danger finally forced the man hidden in the shadows to fully reveal himself. He held a three-foot long sword in his hand, blocking the Absolute Blade.

    The always unstoppable Absolute Blade, capable of cleaving even non-living matter, was stopped for the first time by another weapon, halting before a grey short coat.

    The handsome young man’s face was calm, only now showing a hint of regret. “I didn’t want to reveal my identity, but I really didn’t expect…”

    To be forced to emerge from “Time” was truly embarrassing.

    Moreover, it was at the hands of two juniors who weren’t even High-Order Awakened Ones… No, wait, the red-haired foreign girl beside him should be more than a Mid-Order Awakened One. There seemed to be an error in the Company’s files.

    …But it didn’t matter. It wouldn’t make much difference, just a bit more effort.

    He would just kill them all.

    “It’s been a while, Mr. Cheng Jianming,” Luo Ling said slowly, her voice cold. “Or should I call you… Justice?”

    “Either is fine,” Cheng Jianming nodded slightly, saying indifferently, “Believe me, I have no intention of crossing blades with you, but you are already marked for death. Even if I don’t do it, someone else will.

    “Just because… you returned from that place.”

    From the moment Luo Ling returned from the Realm of Nothingness with valuable information, Cheng Jianming had marked this pitiful black-haired girl for death in his heart.

    Even after Luo Ling received the directors’ invitation and gained free access to the board, he hadn’t changed his mind. He knew the three shadows standing by the fireplace too well.

    Compared to Cheng Jianming himself, the Company directors were truly unscrupulous, disregarding sacrifices, solely focused on achieving their ultimate goal.

    In their words, sacrifices were unavoidable, all for the sake of saving a future that might already be beyond salvation.

    Such people were the most terrifying.

    The reason Cheng Jianming had later given Luo Ling the high-grade elixir, besides the part he had told her, was mainly to express the Torchbearers’, and his own, stance to the Company.

    That’s why Cheng Jianming had personally visited the Company’s office, leaving the letter even when Luo Ling wasn’t there.

    “At such a young and beautiful age, you shouldn’t be involved in these matters. These are the consequences of your own mistakes.” Cheng Jianming sighed inwardly. The next moment, his sword moved again.

    But it wasn’t aimed at the black-haired girl in front of him, but at the red-haired girl further away.

    His orders were to preserve Luo Ling’s soul, ensuring no damage.

    To achieve this, killing her would be more troublesome and time-consuming. The only potential threat present was this Dream Path Awakened One named “Elsa.”

    A Seventh-Order Awakened One could injure him if he wasn’t careful.

    Therefore, Cheng Jianming’s plan was simple.

    First, eliminate the troublesome Elsa, then slowly deal with the Company’s primary objective.

    As Justice of the Torchbearers, making decisions for the organization was Cheng Jianming’s responsibility. Some called him cold-blooded, others cruel.

    Cheng Jianming felt they were both right and wrong.

    He was a sword.

    Wielded by the Torchbearers or the Company, a sword to eliminate all unclean existences.

    This was just a routine mission. Cheng Jianming had completed many before, and today would be no different. He would continue to do so in the future. This was the fate of a sword.

    And as a pure sword, the only thing Cheng Jianming possessed… was unparalleled combat strength.

    He had previously limited his power because he needed to conceal his identity within “Time,” unwilling to expose himself, which was why Elsa’s surprise attacks had succeeded.

    But now… facing a fully drawn sword, Elsa, a mere Seventh-Order Awakened One, had no chance of resistance.

    Soon, this sword would easily tear apart this lovely red-haired girl, adding another source to the pool of blood on the ground, insignificantly adding another speck of dust to the annals of time.

    But at the moment the blade was drawn, its path was blocked.

    “Drip, drop…”

    The sound of water droplets falling on the surface.

    The sound of blood dripping into the pool of blood.

    Under the silent, dark sky, it was piercingly loud.

    “Ugh…”

    Cen Xiangyun slowly awoke from the backlash, her delicate but pale face etched with pain and tear stains. She heard the terrifying dripping sound and slowly raised her head, her face turning even paler.

    Lu Manqing also awoke beside her, her lips bloodless, her eyes wide with shock and grief.

    “No…”

    Another blood-red rose slowly bloomed.

    The gloomy black-haired girl, at the instant the blade was drawn, blocked its edge.

    Her fragile body was torn apart by the terrifyingly close sword glint, as easily as tearing paper. The residual force of the blade pulverized her flesh and blood.

    Cen Xiangyun and Lu Manqing, witnessing this scene, couldn’t utter a word. Their throats were choked with grief and rage, but they couldn’t even move a finger.

    They could do nothing.

    “……”

    Looking at the mangled body on the ground, Cheng Jianming was silent for a moment, then sighed. “Why bother? You could have at least kept a whole body. Besides, in this situation… it’s difficult for me to report back.”

    He looked at the stunned red-haired girl beside him and the two pairs of hate-filled eyes, knowing that after this battle, he would likely have to change his identity.

    It didn’t matter. It wasn’t like he hadn’t done it before.

    As long as the Torchbearers and the Company still needed a relatively sharp sword, he would never lose his value.

    Whether his name was Cheng Jianming or Wu Jianming, the essence of a sword remained the same.

    It was to kill.

    “My condolences.”

    Cheng Jianming bowed slightly to the two women who had unwillingly closed their eyes on the ground and the red-haired girl beside him, offering an apology of sorts.

    Then, he took out a crystal ball, preparing to complete his other task for the day.

    “The Grotesquery in the Boundary Collapse Incubation Barrier needs nurturing. An ordinary point requires at least one High-Order Awakened One… This is enough.”

    Cheng Jianming spoke to himself, ignoring Elsa, as his objective had been achieved. Killing another would be a waste of effort.

    Next, he just needed to wait for the phenomenon-type Grotesquery within the crystal ball to feast on the nutrients within the Incubation Barrier.

    However…

    Cheng Jianming waited for a while, but the crystal ball remained inactive.

    “What’s… going on?”

    Cheng Jianming frowned slightly, his gaze falling upon the mangled remains of the Iron Fist maid.

    Within the “Purgatory” Incubation Barrier, shouldn’t anyone who died become its nourishment?

    Just as Cheng Jianming was puzzled, a calm yet somewhat childish voice sounded from above, “Strange, isn’t it? Two people have died in the Incubation Barrier, but Purgatory hasn’t reacted at all.”

    “Who!”

    Cheng Jianming was startled, abruptly raising his head and looking towards the source of the voice.

    He hadn’t expected another presence here that could evade his perception.

    Atop the three-story apartment, a small, silver-white figure sat on the sloping roof, her bare feet dangling in the air.

    The beautiful yet cold silver-haired girl looked down at him calmly, her faintly glowing grey eyes particularly striking under the dark sky.

    A blood moon rose behind her, its terrifying crimson staining half of the dark sky.

    Silver and crimson intertwined, the ghostly girl sitting beneath the blood moon.

    “You are…”

    Cheng Jianming recognized the silver-haired girl at first glance. The calmness he had maintained vanished, replaced by unconcealed panic.

    “The answer is simple,” the girl said, looking down at him. “Because this is my Kingdom.

    “In my Kingdom, I decide whether something falls into Silent Demise.”

    The maid lying in the pool of blood below, her mangled flesh and organs began to churn. The bloody mess parted, revealing delicate, youthful skin.

    Puppet Ballad’s first ability, Proliferation.

    An ability born from the Silent Demise Path, it had saved countless lives on the verge of falling into Silent Demise.

    “White Witch…”

    Before Cheng Jianming could process his shock, he saw the previously stunned little girl suddenly become excited, waving her small hands at the figure on the roof, saying happily,

    “Sister White, I knew you weren’t dead! Sister Eve isn’t dead either! Everyone will be alright!”

    At this moment, Cheng Jianming finally realized something, his expression changing drastically. “Your team… actually colluded with a High-Risk Grotesquery, the infamous White Witch!”

    “So what if we did? What are you going to do about it?”

    Elsa stuck her tongue out at Cheng Jianming and hid behind Luo Ling, who had stepped off the roof.

    Luo Ling, transformed into the White Witch, looked at the regenerating flesh with satisfaction and nodded. “It seems the clone I spent all night creating has achieved a level of realism.”

    Not only could Elsa and her teammates not see through it, even Cheng Jianming, a Ninth-Order Awakened One who possessed the ability to use Authority-level Sacred Tools, had been fooled.

    Luo Ling hadn’t stayed up all night doing nothing. She knew that she and her team likely couldn’t escape this tribulation. Even if they avoided this B-rank commission, there would be another.

    And if they avoided that one, there would be yet another.

    It seemed like a dead end.

    Unless… she let the Company have their way.

    …Then let them have their way.

    Therefore, Luo Ling set her own trap. She hadn’t actually detected the hidden danger around the apartment. Cheng Jianming had done an excellent job preparing, avoiding virtually all detection.

    This was his job.

    Every one of Cheng Jianming’s jobs required him to evade the eyes of everyone in Victoria, including the Company and the Harbingers, creating one seemingly accidental tragedy after another.

    And this time, the sudden Grotesquery Incubation Barrier and the unprepared low-level team would be the beginning of this tragedy.

    However… the actors in this tragedy didn’t seem to be very obedient. The play had only reached its halfway point when they completely deviated from his carefully prepared script.

    Even the seemingly perfect first half… had gone wrong.

    Cen Xiangyun and Lu Manqing had indeed lost consciousness, but Eve hadn’t. Before Cheng Jianming could voice his intention to kill her, Luo Ling had already noticed.

    Luo Ling’s preparations last night weren’t limited to a clone ready to die. She had also placed a safeguard on all her teammates.

    Hidden within each of their hair were several strands of carefully prepared fungal threads.

    Even so, Cheng Jianming’s hidden sword was indeed swift. The fungal threads on Eve alone couldn’t completely block the wound.

    Fortunately, Luo Ling, whose main body was already outside, instantly transformed into the White Witch, using the power of her Authority, Kingdom, to save Eve’s life.

    Moreover, Luo Ling thoughtfully used the fungal threads to sever all of Eve’s sensations, including pain. She hadn’t even felt the agony of being eviscerated.

    With a snap, she had simply fallen asleep, all five senses shut down, her expression frozen in that instant.

    In reality, when Lu Manqing tried to examine Eve’s wound, the flesh had already regenerated thanks to Proliferation, leaving only a pile of literal rotten meat for Lu Manqing to see.

    Luo Ling’s subsequent “death” was even simpler. This was to leave a memory for Cheng Jianming.

    As someone skilled in manipulating memories, Luo Ling knew that fabricated memories weren’t as impactful as real ones. The Company was so eager to kill her; they must be able to obtain what they wanted from her dead body.

    Similarly, using the directors’ methods, Luo Ling could also let them obtain what she wanted them to know.

    For example… that Luo Ling was dead.

    It was enough for their memory tracing to stop here. No further performance was necessary. Puppet Ballad’s second ability, Read, would clean up any unnecessary traces.

    “All your actions are within my calculations, Mr. Cheng Jianming,” Luo Ling said calmly, picking up the short sword, Absolute Blade. “Justice of the Torchbearers, your opponent is Sequence 49 of the Grotesqueries, the White Witch of Silent Demise.”

  • Malicious Female Lead’s Guide to Causing Trouble [Quick Transmigration] 58p3

    Chapter Fifty-Eight p3

    After nagging and caring about Yu Zhao for a while, the director, whose body couldn’t hold on after the surgery, had to return the phone to Bo Chi and fell asleep again.

    Bo Chi tucked her in and left the room quietly.

    The call hadn’t ended yet. Yu Zhao waited for her to go far away before frowning and saying: “Did something happen to Director? Even if you went to visit her, you wouldn’t casually reveal our relationship. Did she learn about us from someone else?“

    “No.” Bo Chi knew that Yu Zhao was sharp, and had already thought of an excuse. She said frankly: “This matter has to be revealed sooner or later, there’s no difference between saying it early and saying it late. By the way, when are you coming back?“

    Her tone was too calm, so Yu Zhao didn’t think much, and followed her words with a chuckle: “Do you miss me?“

    Bo Chi pursed her lips, her face slightly red, but she said honestly: “Yes, I miss you.“

    Yu Zhao was just teasing her out of habit, but when she really admitted it, Yu Zhao’s breath hitched, her heart suddenly softened and ached, and she felt that the longing of these past few days suddenly erupted, and she wanted to buy a ticket and return to Bo Chi’s side immediately.

    She endured it with difficulty, her voice as gentle as water: “Soon, when all my scenes are finished, I can go back early.“

    Bo Chi hummed, and then talked privately with her for a while, and finally hung up the phone with a red face.

    Actors usually filmed according to scenes. If a scene was used at the beginning and end of the drama, they would skip the middle part and directly film the beginning and end, and only film the middle part and some other parts when they moved to the next scene.

    But as the saying goes, money makes the world go round. As long as the funds are in place, the production team can also prioritize filming one actor’s part, and then film the others’.

    Bo Chi happened to be a big spender.

    She worked hard to earn money, wasn’t it just to take care of her wife?

    Problems that could be solved with money were not problems!

    Under her simple and crude method, Yu Zhao’s progress was rapid, and in less than two months, she had successfully finished filming all her scenes.

    This was partly due to Bo Chi’s paving the way, but also due to Yu Zhao’s excellence. She rarely made NGs, shortening the time again and again. Afterwards, she even bought a plane ticket overnight and came back in the early morning.

    It was past midnight. Naturally, Yu Zhao wouldn’t go to Bo Chi at this time, but came home and opened the door.

    As soon as she stepped in, Yu Zhao noticed something unusual about the house.

    Even though she hadn’t been back for two months, the lilies on the dining table were still delicate and fragrant, the water in the fish tank was clear, obviously having been changed recently, the floor was clean, there was no dust on the table, everything hinted to her – In the days she was away, a “mythical helpful maiden” had been waiting for her.

    Yu Zhao’s movements were light, she didn’t turn on the lights, walked into the bedroom, and saw the girl sleeping soundly on her bed.

    After a long time of not seeing her, the girl was still as beautiful as ever, making her heart flutter.

    Yu Zhao couldn’t help but lower her head and carefully kissed her forehead.

    This kiss was full of love, without any lust, a touch and go.

    Considering Bo Chi’s sleep, Yu Zhao didn’t make too much noise, wiped her face, and lay down on the sofa.

    She had been working very hard all this time, and soon fell into a deep sleep.

    It wasn’t until almost noon that she woke up from the kiss of the person in her arms, closed her eyes and hugged the girl’s waist, rested her head on the other party’s shoulder, and said lazily: “I haven’t washed my face yet.“

    Bo Chi didn’t care, and kissed her all over.

    Yu Zhao was aroused, sighed helplessly, then turned her over with one hand, pressed her under her body, and responded to the girl’s passion.

    Sunlight streamed in from the window, casting golden light on the floor.

    Bo Chi and Yu Zhao squeezed on the sofa, their necks intertwined as they kissed passionately.

    After the breathless kiss ended, Yu Zhao patted the girl’s perky buttocks: “I’m going to take a bath, and I’ll come back to accompany you after I’m done.“

    Bo Chi hugged her and wouldn’t let go, reluctant to separate for even a second.

    Yu Zhao could only pick her up, and said with a smile: “It’s okay if you don’t want to come down, let’s wash together.“

    Bo Chi glared at her with a red face, pushed her away and jumped down, and hummed: “Thinking about this as soon as you come back, you pervert.“

    Yu Zhao looked innocent.

    Bo Chi had really wronged her this time, she really just wanted to take a bath.

    After taking a bath and coming out, Yu Zhao found that Bo Chi was cooking.

    She put down the towel she was using to dry her hair, stepped forward and saw that the girl, who had never done any manual labor, was holding a spatula, staring at the hot oil in the pot with a look of apprehension, her other hand holding the washed vegetables, hesitant to put them in.

    Yu Zhao couldn’t help but laugh, walked to her side, held her trembling hand, and poured the vegetables into the pot. A harsh sizzling sound suddenly rang out. Yu Zhao held Bo Chi’s hand, stir-fried a few times with the spatula, and easily suppressed the frightening momentum.

    Bo Chi swallowed, suppressed her scream, and pretended to be calm: “Go, go, go, don’t make trouble here.“

    These were the words Yu Zhao often said when teasing her, and now they were returned to her.

    Yu Zhao was amused, loosened her hand and said: “Then I’m leaving?“

    “Wait!” Bo Chi immediately became anxious, and said angrily: “You want to leave me as soon as you come back, do you have another dog outside!“

    Yu Zhao immediately denied: “No.“

    She hugged Bo Chi’s slender waist tightly, and said with a smile: “From beginning to end, there’s only you, this little kitty.“

    Bo Chi hummed, but her almond eyes curved.

    They made a lot of dishes for this meal, and Bo Chi called it a welcome back dinner.

    Yu Zhao ate until she was full. Seeing Bo Chi still putting food in her bowl with a distressed look, she hurriedly changed the subject: “‘Rise of the Phoenix’ is still filming the supporting roles’ scenes, and with the post-production editing, it will probably be two or three months before it officially airs. I don’t plan to take on any new dramas during this period, and want to spend time with you and Director.“

    Hearing the director’s name, Bo Chi held her chopsticks, hesitated for a while, and told her about Tao Su.

    As she expected, Yu Zhao’s expression immediately changed, her face darkened, she abruptly stood up, and her eyes were sinister: “Where is Tao Su now?“

    Bo Chi quickly hugged her, patted her back, and soothed her: “I’m keeping an eye on her for you, she’s still at home and can’t go out. I’ve already asked my assistant to find a few lawyers, as long as you nod, I guarantee that Tao Su will go to jail and reform herself properly.“

    Yu Zhao sneered: “She clearly knew that the money was the orphanage’s lifeline, and still stole it all. She clearly knew that Director was sick and hospitalized, and still went to tell her about us, adding fuel to the fire. Every action of hers was full of malice, how can I let her go to jail so easily?“

    “Huh?” Bo Chi was a little confused: “But her career has been ruined, and she doesn’t have a boyfriend, what else can we do to deal with her besides sending her to jail?“

    Yu Zhao took a deep breath, and said word by word: “At the very least, we have to beat her up!“

    **

    Tao Su had been having a bit of bad luck recently.

    Strictly speaking, it wasn’t just recently.

    Ever since she went to audition for a small production team under the company’s orders, and saw Yu Zhao there, she hadn’t had a peaceful day.

    And after she went to find the former director out of revenge some time ago, she had been trapped at home, listening to the endless online abuse.

    The words of fans who had unfollowed her made her extremely painful. Thinking that the money she had spent on cultivating and abusing fans for so many years was now wasted, her heart ached so much that she almost bled.

    However, she didn’t dare to go out. She knew that Yu Zhao had a rich girlfriend, and also knew that this must be the rich woman venting her anger for Yu Zhao.

    But she wasn’t panicking either. She was sure that the rich woman was just playing with Yu Zhao. After a while, even a celestial being would get tired of playing, let alone someone from the lower class like Yu Zhao?

    On this day, she woke up from a scream and found that the usual scolding outside was gone, and she was immediately overjoyed.

    See, she had guessed correctly, the rich woman would eventually get tired of playing!

    Since no one was targeting her, she should go out and find her previous connections, and try her best to make a comeback!

    Tao Su had beautiful thoughts, and even put on beautiful makeup.

    But just as she went out and reached downstairs, she was covered with a sack and dragged into an alley.

    Not long after, muffled sounds of punches and screams came from the alley, scaring Bo Chi, who was standing outside looking around sneakily, afraid of being discovered that they were doing something bad.

    After beating her up for a while, Yu Zhao, who had vented her anger, walked out, wiped her hands slowly, and smiled slightly at Bo Chi: “Are you scared?“

    Bo Chi chuckled: “I, I’m okay.“

    Anyway, Yu Zhao wouldn’t hit her…

    Yu Zhao threw the tissue into the trash can, the sharpness in her cold and beautiful eyes gradually subsided, and she lowered her eyes and said: “Don’t tell Director about suing Tao Su, she’s a kind-hearted person, a living Bodhisattva. Even if she knows that Tao Su is wrong, she won’t blame her, she will only blame herself for causing her to go to jail.“

    Bo Chi nodded obediently. Seeing that Yu Zhao was not in a good mood, she took the initiative to hold her hand and comforted her: “Don’t worry, Director won’t know.“

    Yu Zhao’s eyebrows relaxed, smiled at Bo Chi, and held her hand tightly in return.

    The two came to the company intimately, and under the gazes of the employees who were fed dog food, they entered the office. Just as they sat down, the assistant knocked on the door and came in, and said without looking sideways: “CEO Bo, Miss Ming Songrui from the Ming Group sent you flowers and an invitation again. Are you going to refuse as usual, and then take the flowers home?“

    Bo Chi nodded without raising her head.

    The assistant agreed and left. Yu Zhao, however, heard something wrong, and said suspiciously: “Take the flowers home?“

    “Yes.” The stingy CEO said as a matter of course: “Free flowers, it’s a waste to throw them away, it’s better to take them home to admire. Didn’t you praise the flowers for being beautiful when you saw the lilies this morning?“

    Yu Zhao: “???”

    That was because she didn’t know that the flowers were sent by her love rival!

    If she knew, she would directly twist the flowers’ heads off, okay!

    Yu Zhao was a little unhappy: “If you want to arrange flowers, you can only use the ones I buy. Flowers sent by others are not allowed in our house!”

    Bo Chi was surprised: “Have you ever bought flowers?”

    Yu Zhao: “…”

    Their eyes met, and Yu Zhao’s eyes widened in belated realization, shocked by herself: “I haven’t even sent you roses yet!”

    Bo Chi paused, and said casually: “Why send these impractical things? I don’t really like them either.”

    Yu Zhao frowned: “Not only that, I haven’t even said ‘I love you’ to you, haven’t gone on a date with you, and haven’t given you a formal confession ceremony and surprise.”

    Bo Chi blinked, blinked again, and comforted her: “We’re already an old married couple, we don’t need these…”

    Yu Zhao didn’t listen to her, but suddenly stood up straight, walked to the door in a few steps, and said with burning eyes: “I’ll go back first, and come pick you up tonight. You’re not allowed to leave with anyone else, and you’re not allowed to go back by yourself, you can only wait for me to pick you up!”

    Bo Chi tilted her head, vaguely guessing that she wanted to give her a surprise, and couldn’t help but smile, a sweet joy rising in her heart, and she cooperated and said with a smile: “Okay, I’ll just sit here obediently, and I won’t leave with anyone… I’ll only wait for you.”

    The author has something to say:

    This is probably what they call getting on the bus first and then buying the ticket, pressing the sponsor down first and then confessing and dating…

  • A Girl Dies Every Day in Her Dream Life 157

    Chapter 157: You and Nangong Mian Are Impossible, Another Little Princess 

    Nangong Mian didn’t emerge from behind the curtain until the end of the banquet, seemingly having a pleasant conversation with the little princess.

    As for the Empress, she remained hidden within the purple mist throughout the entire time. No one dared to disturb her.

    When the etiquette official approached the curtain and reminded Nangong Mian that the banquet was almost over, Nangong Mian reluctantly emerged.

    Before leaving, she waved goodbye to Princess Xue.

    “Xue… Your Highness, goodbye. Come visit the Nangong Sacred Land sometime~”

    “Okay, Sister Mian, goodbye.”

    Luo Xue smiled sweetly, her face hidden behind the veil.

    The etiquette official’s face darkened as she watched this. She pulled the giggling Nangong Mian aside and whispered,

    “Xiao Mian, what did you and Her Highness talk about?”

    “Nothing much,” Nangong Mian, surprised at being pulled aside, looked at the etiquette official. “Don’t worry, Madam, I definitely won’t be a bad influence on her.”

    “That’s not the issue,” the etiquette official frowned, then after a moment of thought, asked, “I mean… do you like Her Highness?”

    “Yes, it’s rare to find someone I can talk to.” Nangong Mian nodded matter-of-factly. “And Her Highness isn’t afraid of me, hahaha… and she’s also quite cute.”

    “…”

    The etiquette official looked deeply at Nangong Mian. She knew that the “like” Nangong Mian was talking about and the “like” Her Highness felt were two different things.

    Sigh, who would have thought things would turn out like this…

    She had originally intended to use Nangong Mian to warn the lords and nobles, but it had backfired, and Her Highness had developed feelings for Nangong Mian.

    “You should go back now and don’t come to the Imperial Sacred Land for a while.” The etiquette official said slowly. “And tell Ling’er to come and teach the little princess.”

    “Sister Ling?” Nangong Mian was slightly surprised. “She’s already at the Tribulation Immortal Realm, and the little princess is still a mortal… Isn’t that a bit of an overkill?”

    “It’s the Empress’s order.”

    The etiquette official said in a deep voice.

    What she didn’t say was that she had originally planned to have Nangong Mian teach Princess Xue.

    If that were the case, Nangong Mian wouldn’t be able to return to the Nangong Sacred Land for a while, and things there could settle down.

    Now it seemed… not so appropriate.

    The Foundation Establishment juniors of the Nangong Sacred Land would have to suffer for a bit longer.

    “Fine,” Nangong Mian shrank back slightly. Since it was the old hag’s order, she couldn’t object. “But with Sister Ling’s personality… Her Highness will probably suffer quite a bit.”

    “You don’t have to worry about that, the Empress has her own arrangements.”

    The etiquette official rolled her eyes at Nangong Mian. She was troubled and had to explain these things to Princess Xue later.

    Fortunately, Her Highness seemed more alert today. There was a period before where she was always dazed and confused.

    Forget it, this was a secret between the Empress and the Immortal Emperor. As a servant of the Empress, she wasn’t qualified to know the truth.

    After some more complicated court rituals, the lords and nobles and their juniors left.

    Although today was the little princess’s birthday banquet, it was also a rare opportunity for the lords and nobles from all over to gather.

    They also knew that Nangong Mian’s appearance was definitely approved by the Empress, a warning to them not to play any tricks.

    It was well known that the Immortal Emperor doted on Princess Xue. Although he was absent today, the past rumors couldn’t be fake.

    This was a rare opportunity. If Princess Xue took a fancy to any of their juniors, the Immortal Emperor wouldn’t be able to object, and they could gain some benefits.

    Unfortunately… the Empress wasn’t playing along. They didn’t know if the rumors about their discord were true…

    Luo Xue still sat behind the gauze curtain. She was the protagonist of this banquet, at least nominally, and had to stay until the end.

    She turned slightly and looked towards the Empress’s throne.

    The faint purple mist had already dissipated, and the Empress had quietly left.

    “Strange…”

    Luo Xue frowned slightly.

    Based on her experiences in the previous worlds, by now, her memories of this life should have merged with her own.

    It would be as if she had truly experienced these days, etched in her mind, as if she had been reborn into this world.

    But the problem was…

    Even now, Luo Xue still couldn’t recall much of her past memories.

    They were just fragmented pieces.

    However, her cultivation hadn’t disappeared, still at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

    Of course, the etiquette official and the others didn’t realize that Luo Xue wasn’t a mortal, because this part of her cultivation was hidden within her avatar from the Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting Art.

    Her previous cultivation was tied to the Eternal Withering Body, so now, as long as Luo Xue didn’t switch to her avatar, she was completely a mortal.

    And another thing, although it sounded a bit harsh, but suddenly having parents felt strange…

    There were many suspicious points in this life, but Luo Xue could only bury these doubts in her heart for now. After all, the cultivators around her seemed quite powerful…

    Even the maids were at the Spirit Condensation Realm, and the etiquette official was probably at Nascent Soul or above, right?

    Anyway, she was much stronger than Luo Xue, so strong that Luo Xue couldn’t even sense her realm.

    And during her conversation with Nangong Mian, Luo Xue had subtly asked many questions and had a rough understanding of this world.

    There was a reason why the nine provinces and four domains called this place the Ancient Demon Lands. There were almost no pure humans here… As Nangong Mian had inadvertently revealed, the Nangong clan had some Phoenix bloodline, and the imperial clan were descendants of the True Dragon.

    The other lords and nobles were descendants of various ancient divine beasts, which made Luo Xue apprehensive.

    In addition, besides the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty, there were two other immortal dynasties, but Nangong Mian didn’t mention much about them, her tone dismissive.

    The territory of the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty was already vast. Based on the information Nangong Mian revealed, it was at least a hundred times larger than the nine provinces and four domains…

    It seemed she had truly come to an extraordinary place…

    Nangong Mian was easy to fool. After calling her “Sister” a few times and flattering her a bit, she told Luo Xue everything, even about the time she secretly peeked at the Empress bathing.

    She was… a simple and naive girl.

    After so many lifetimes, Luo Xue finally had the confidence to call Nangong Mian, who was only about twenty years old, a “little girl.”

    Just as Luo Xue was lost in thought, the etiquette official finally approached, her expression worried.

    “Madam, what’s wrong?” Luo Xue looked up and asked.

    The etiquette official looked deeply at Luo Xue, her gaze so profound and complicated that Luo Xue thought she had been exposed.

    But her next words surprised Luo Xue.

    “Your Highness, there are some things… that this old servant has to say plainly. You and Nangong Mian… it’s impossible…”

    The etiquette official thought it over and decided to be direct.

    “Im-, impossible…”

    Luo Xue was stunned.

    Impossible what?

    Wait, could the madam have misunderstood something?

    “Not to mention that you’re both girls, this old servant knows that there are indeed relationships between women,” the etiquette official rambled, “but you and Xiao Mian are practically relatives…”

    Even if Princess Xue’s biological mother was Imperial Concubine Min, she still had to address the Empress as Mother.

    And Nangong Mian’s relationship with the Empress was quite close, calling her Auntie.

    “Madam, don’t worry, there’s nothing between Sister Mian and me… we just had a pleasant chat.” Luo Xue smiled wryly and quickly interrupted the etiquette official. “You don’t think I have any other feelings for Sister Mian, do you?”

    “Really?”

    The etiquette official asked suspiciously.

    “Of course not,” Luo Xue shook her head. “Sister Mian and I are like sisters.”

    “…”

    The etiquette official was silent for a moment, carefully observing Luo Xue’s expression, not seeing any signs of lying.

    It seemed Her Highness didn’t have any romantic feelings for Nangong Mian…

    Could it be… that she had misunderstood?

    If so… it seemed like it wouldn’t be bad to have Nangong Mian teach Her Highness…

    Forget it, the Empress had already changed her mind and decided on Nangong Ling as Her Highness’s master. She couldn’t interfere.

    However… the etiquette official had initially thought that the Empress changed her mind because of Nangong Mian. Now it seemed that wasn’t the case.

    “Your Highness, please return to your palace and rest.” The etiquette official sighed inwardly, her expression calming down slightly. “By the way, Your Highness, what are your thoughts on cultivation?”

    “…I’m fine with anything.”

    Luo Xue touched her nose. She was already at the peak of Foundation Establishment, what other thoughts could she have?

    But she was also interested in the cultivation system of this world, whether the methods used by those with divine beast bloodlines were similar to those of the nine provinces and four domains.

    In addition, Luo Xue also had to find time to learn about the caged world, after all, Xiao Yao was still there.

    She didn’t ask directly, worried that the matter of the caged world was too sensitive and would cause trouble.

    “It’s a pity that Your Highness’s bloodline is so thin… oh, I’m sorry, this old servant shouldn’t mention this.”

    The etiquette official quickly lowered her head. “Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

    “It’s fine, it’s fine…”

    Luo Xue waved her hand dismissively.

    She knew why. The few fragmented memories she had mentioned that her biological mother, Imperial Concubine Min, was one of the few descendants without a divine beast bloodline.

    Not a regular human, but her bloodline was so thin that it could be ignored.

    Therefore, the fact that Princess Xue’s bloodline was almost the same as a mortal’s was already well-known.

    Luo Xue didn’t care. After all, she had always been an ordinary human…

    After a long day, Luo Xue returned to her palace.

    The etiquette official didn’t stay long and left hurriedly after escorting Luo Xue back, seemingly having other important matters to attend to.

    Luo Xue was undressed, bathed, and dressed again by the maids, her face expressionless.

    Honestly, this was Luo Xue’s first time being served so thoroughly… and it was very uncomfortable.

    Fortunately, the maids were professionally trained, acting like robots, which prevented Luo Xue from feeling too awkward.

    Finally, under the watchful eyes of a dozen maids, Luo Xue gave up on the idea of leaving the palace and went to bed.

    As she drifted off to sleep, Luo Xue, for some reason, seemed to hear sharp, shrill curses again.

    “Who do you think you are? You disgusting thing! The sight of you makes me sick!”

    “Beat her, beat this bitch to death! If not for your luck… do you think you’re worthy?!”

    “…”

    “Have they all been dealt with?”

    “From now on, you are above all others, the most noble princess of the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty, Princess Xue.”

    …

    Long, white hair spread across the bed. The young girl sat before the dressing table, looking at her pale, bloodless reflection in the mirror, and smiled faintly.

    Behind her stood a middle-aged man with a dignified expression, a look of heartache on his face.

    “Xue’er…”

    “Father, you’re here?”

    The girl, called “Xue’er,” turned around, a surprised expression on her face.

    “Today is your coming-of-age ceremony, how could I not come?”

    The Immortal Emperor reached out and stroked Xue’er’s pale hair, his heart aching.

    “Xue’er, it’s Father’s fault…”

    “No, Father, you’ve done nothing wrong.” A genuine smile appeared on Xue’er’s pale face. “This… is already enough.”

    “I can’t bear to see you like this.” The Immortal Emperor sighed. “The banquet outside… it should have been yours.”

    “Xue’er has always disliked crowds, Father, you know that.” Xue’er combed her snow-white hair as she spoke slowly. “And since it’s Mother’s arrangement, Xue’er… should obey.”

    “…”

    The Immortal Emperor was silent. He knew that the Empress’s arrangement wasn’t wrong.

    Everyone knew that Princess Xue was born amidst the auspicious snow of the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty, a manifestation of the dynasty’s fortune, and she should live a happy and fulfilling life.

    But…

    Only the Immortal Emperor and the Empress knew that Princess Xue was born with a terminal illness, destined to not live past half a jiazi.

    How ridiculous!

    For cultivators, half a jiazi was but a blink of an eye. Did this mean the Immortal Dynasty’s fortune would only last for half a jiazi?

    The Immortal Emperor had tried everything, searching for renowned doctors throughout the land, even inviting the Clan Leader of the Shennong clan, trying to cure Princess Xue’s illness, but to no avail.

    “I… can’t call her Xue’er either.”

    The Immortal Emperor thought of another “Princess Xue,” his eyes flickering.

    The Empress had somehow found a girl who looked similar to Xue’er, also with white hair, and also without a divine beast bloodline, to replace Xue’er and become Princess Xue.

    “We have to get used to it, Father.” Xue’er smiled faintly. “And I also want to meet her, but it’s a pity…”

  • As a villain, I just want them to behave 244

    Chapter 244: The Rebel Army

    “Have we failed?”

    After nearly an hour of unconsciousness, Meggie Liran woke up on a bed in the same room.

    “Yes, Kailun found us. Now, not only you, but I’ll be punished too.”

    Chrissy replied as she peeled an apple with a fruit knife. “Do you want an apple? They taste pretty good. I’ll ask Kailun to send more over later.”

    She felt incredibly relaxed. The so-called punishment was just a vacation, no different from her usual days.

    “Oh, I see…”

    Meggie Liran sighed. The failure was within her expectations.

    She touched her neck, feeling a new collar. Her powers were once again restricted.

    Despite the regret, at least the worst hadn’t happened.

    The busy Kailun didn’t have time to deal with them for now, giving Meggie Liran a chance to breathe.

    She asked, “Chrissy, how do you think Kailun will punish you?”

    Chrissy took a bite of the apple. “I don’t know. He’ll probably make me cry, in every sense of the word. Are you asking because you want to share the burden?”

    Logically, Meggie Liran knew that the “burden” Chrissy spoke of wasn’t simple, but she couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, knowing it was her fault that Chrissy would be punished.

    Meggie Liran got out of bed and put on her shoes. “What kind of ‘burden’ are you talking about?”

    Chrissy licked her juice-stained fingers. “To put it bluntly, it’s the pressure of Kailun on top of me, accompanied by many indescribable sensations. You understand, right?”

    “…” Meggie Liran was silent for a moment. “Kailun is truly a bastard. As for helping… I’ve never experienced that kind of thing.”

    She took two steps back and sat down on the bed.

    It wasn’t a question of whether it was difficult or not, but it was simply impossible. If she offered herself, it would only make Kailun more satisfied, and they would face even more “punishment.”

    Thinking about Chrissy being punished by Kailun every day made her heart ache.

    Meggie Liran asked, “Is there any way to resist him? Like poisoning his food.”

    Chrissy peeled a banana and took a bite. “Don’t even think about it. Kailun’s physique is far beyond normal. Poisons in this world have no effect on him. Even if he drinks a large dose of poison, he might just get diarrhea. If you want to try, I can create an opportunity for you.”

    Chrissy had dropped the honorifics when addressing Meggie Liran, seemingly returning to her previous state.

    “Forget it, let’s think of another way. By the way, didn’t Kailun accept the Empress’s invitation? When is he leaving?”

    Meggie Liran still refused to give up.

    “Probably in the next few days. He’ll be ready after dealing with the Temple’s affairs.” Chrissy raised an eyebrow. “But I still advise you to give up. He enjoys the struggle of his prey the most. Just like you now. He’s just too busy to deal with you right now. Otherwise, you’d be in danger.”

    Meggie Liran shook her head and didn’t reply. Her persistence was like a rope connecting her to the outside world.

    If she ever let go, she would fall completely.

    They continued chatting idly, with Helena occasionally delivering tea and food.

    At night, Meggie Liran finally saw the person she least wanted to see.

    “Long time no see, Your Holiness. Did you miss me?”

    Kailun opened the door and walked in, sitting down on the chair beside Meggie Liran.

    Her face darkened, her expression stiff. She remained silent.

    “It seems Your Holiness isn’t very welcoming. Is it because of what happened before?”

    Kailun stroked his chin. “Alright, I’ll give you another chance. I’ll let you run fifty meters this time. How about that?”

    A black line appeared on Meggie Liran’s forehead. “No, thank you.”

    “Not bad, you even know how to say thank you. It seems Your Holiness has matured.” Kailun reached out to pat her head, but she swatted his hand away coldly.

    Kailun didn’t mind her coldness. He turned to Chrissy. “Come with me. Someone is going to be severely punished tonight.”

    Hearing this, Chrissy was secretly delighted, but she still put on a dejected expression. She mouthed to Meggie Liran, “Help me.”

    Seeing Chrissy being taken away by Kailun, Meggie Liran’s heart tightened. She quickly stood up and shouted, “Wait!”

    Kailun: “Oh? Is Your Holiness trying to share Chrissy’s punishment?”

    “Ah! No, I mean… nothing. You can go.”

    Meggie Liran, unable to take that step, shook her head repeatedly.

    Chrissy: “Stare~”

    Chrissy imitated Carol and gave Meggie Liran a disappointed look.

    Seeing this, Kailun didn’t say anything more. He simply took the “heartbroken” Chrissy away in front of Meggie Liran.

    “Click!”

    As the door closed, Chrissy immediately threw herself into Kailun’s arms. “How was it? How was it? My performance was good, right? It won’t be long before the Pope breaks down from guilt and takes the initiative.”

    Kailun chuckled. “Good job. I’ll reward you generously later.”

    He wasn’t in a hurry to maximize Meggie Liran’s goodwill now. He would just let things take their course.

    Speaking of which, Chrissy, with her maxed-out goodwill, also provided a significant attribute boost, further enhancing his strength.

    After talking to Afra, they had both entered a strange state, as if they were close to a breakthrough but couldn’t quite reach it.

    Later, they asked Illusion, who told them that their path was being blocked by someone.

    Chrissy wrapped her arms around Kailun’s neck. “Yes, reward me generously.”

    The so-called reward was just a more “intense” version of their usual “activities.” Afra was always the first to fall, even if she had reached a new realm, she couldn’t overcome her sensitivity.

    Illusion followed closely behind. Only Chrissy could keep up with Kailun for several hours.

    A few hours later, Kailun, satisfied, sat by the window and looked at the dim moon in the sky, the thick clouds layered one upon another.

    Afra, who had fallen asleep first and woken up first, got dressed and walked over to Kailun. She leaned on his shoulder. “You seem distracted today. Is something on your mind?”

    Kailun rested his chin on her forehead. “It just feels like time is passing by so quickly. Before I could even savor it, we’ve already come this far. As for other thoughts, I’m not sure. Maybe I’m a bit apprehensive.”

    Afra: “It’s okay. I’ll always be by your side.”

    “Sister Afra is so nice. The night is still young. Let’s not waste it.” Kailun wrapped his arm around Afra’s shoulder, preventing her from escaping.

    “You idiot.” Afra gave him a playful glare.

    Kailun: “Hmph, you’re calling me an idiot now. I don’t even dare to imagine what you’ll call me later.”

    ……

    The next morning, Kailun woke up later than usual, so late that he didn’t even attend the morning meeting.

    It was drizzling, and the sky was overcast.

    Several major events occurred in Alaye that day. A few high-ranking bishops mysteriously disappeared, including a ninth-rank Cardinal.

    Not only that, but the Temple also issued many strange orders, making the people of Alaye miserable.

    The most outrageous thing was the tax increase, from the original thirty percent to fifty percent.

    Everyone felt an impending sense of doom. Many wanted to flee, but the closed city gates dashed their hopes.

    Some tried to seek an audience with the Pope to report the situation, but they were all blocked by Helena, who used the excuse that “the Pope is in seclusion, please do not disturb.”

    Hearing this, some of the smarter bishops had more ideas.

    Alaye was shrouded in a tense atmosphere all day long. Finally, when Paul assassinated an eighth-rank bishop and raised the banner of rebellion, the accumulated contradictions within the Temple erupted completely.

    Charles, following the Pope’s instructions, immediately joined the rebellion. Five or six more Cardinals joined them.

    Only one eighth-rank bishop among them was unaware. The others were all Kailun’s pawns.

    The rebel army was entirely composed of Kailun’s people. This was a self-directed and self-acted play.

    Kailun’s approach was simple and direct: ignite conflict, solve the problem, and then deal with the “criminals.”

    Paul, the leader of the rebellion, would be the first to be dealt with. This was the fate Kailun had written for him.

    The rebels swiftly occupied the south of the city, facing the Papal Palace across a few blocks.

    While the “Pope” sent Minister Vanni to negotiate, he also recalled the Cardinals who were outside Alaye.

    He had dealt with most of the “tumors” within Alaye. The remaining ones were outside the city.

    To control the Temple, Kailun had put in a lot of effort.

    Once those Cardinals arrived, Kailun would have Paul extend an olive branch to them. Those who willingly joined the rebellion would be purged alongside the true rebels.

    Those who helped save the Temple from this crisis could have their punishments reduced.

    After purging the high-ranking officials, he could slowly deal with the lower ranks.

    Paul, sitting on the leader’s seat of the rebel army, felt a surge of ambition. Why not overthrow the Temple and become the Pope himself?

    But then he looked at the seats below him: Charles, Huallomen… all the Pope’s people. If he had any rebellious thoughts, he would be torn to shreds by these people instantly.

    As a puppet, he could only follow the Pope’s orders and then be blamed for everything.

    But thinking about returning to Harry’s hometown after completing the task, Paul calmed down.

    His biggest regret was that he hadn’t captured Kailun, who had escaped. Otherwise, with such a powerful force at his disposal, it wouldn’t be a problem to eliminate Kailun, who had a grudge against the Temple.

    It was a pity.

    “Everyone, I believe you all have your own goals, but now we are rebels. We must strike at the Pope and reclaim our power. The Pope just sent Vanni to negotiate with me, but unfortunately, she refused to compromise.”

    Paul said as he took out a list that Vanni had given him. “Next, we will raid the people on this list. All their wealth will be used to fund our future operations.”

    He distributed the list for everyone to see. Charles and Huallomen exchanged glances, confirming its accuracy.

    In fact, they had also received the same list. If Paul tried to use the rebel army for any nefarious purposes, they could stop him immediately. This was Kailun’s insurance.

    Charles stood up and said, “The Pope’s actions are outrageous. A fifty percent tax rate is simply absurd. After deducting our daily expenses, we won’t have much left to buy resources.”

    These words established the purpose of the rebellion. After this, the “Pope” only needed to lower the tax rate to clear his name.

    They were all playing according to Kailun’s script. This tactic felt familiar to Paul, but he couldn’t quite place it.

    “You’re right. I think the tax rate should be lowered.” Paul agreed symbolically. After all, Charles was his nominal superior.

    Huallomen yawned. “Let’s act tonight. I still have to write a report later.”

    Paul: “…”

    His acting was even more clumsy, leaving the eighth-rank bishop dumbfounded.

  • The Saintess Has A Showdown 165-166

    Chapter 165: The Malice of a Legendary Being

    –Waterfall Lake Wonderland

    [Mission 99: Investigate the anomaly at the Sea Region’s Pool of Hidden Secrets. Reward: 100 exchange points.]
    [Mission automatically completed and submitted. 100 exchange points awarded.]
    [Total exchange points: 100]

    “Huh?”

    Within the vast, empty, white space, Gong Lianyue blinked in confusion.

    She had just opened the mission list, and it had automatically been completed. Could this mission system track her experiences?

    There wasn’t just an anomaly at the Pool of Hidden Secrets. The entire Pool of Hidden Secrets had emerged from its millennial ice prison, a faction and its people from a thousand years ago returning to the Sea Region!!

    This would have a massive impact on the current state of the Sea Region, resources and territories redistributed, inevitably leading to a conflict between the Pool of Hidden Secrets and the Winter Floating Sky.

    The Sea Concubine Palace hadn’t been affected yet, but if the Winter Floating Sky chose to retreat, the conflict would quickly spread to the other factions.

    What puzzled Gong Lianyue was that the mission had been completed without her doing anything.

    The Waterfall Lake Wonderland couldn’t possibly track her experiences. It must have already known about the situation with the Pool of Hidden Secrets, and since she was the only combat trial participant from the Sea Region at the moment, it had simply awarded her the points.

    Having received 100 exchange points, Gong Lianyue checked the other Sea Region-related missions, but none were within her grasp.

    [Mission 1: Obtain the legendary Shadowlurking Blade, Night’s Executioner. Reward: 500 million exchange points.]
    [Mission 2: Uncover the true identity of the mysterious Water Element. Reward: 100 million exchange points.]
    [Mission 3: Investigate the reason for the legendary being’s presence in the Cangsheng Palace. Reward: 40 million exchange points.]

    The top three missions were all related to legendary beings, their rewards incredibly high, a stark contrast to the others.

    Anything involving legendary beings, even something trivial, offered a significant increase in exchange points.

    Flipping back and forth between the mission and exchange lists, Gong Lianyue pondered for a moment, then a chilling realization washed over her.

    She sensed a certain malice from these missions. At first glance, there seemed to be no hidden agenda, but…

    Uncovering the Water Element’s true identity was worth 100 million points, and hiring the Jade Concubine to act once also cost 100 million points.

    This was designed to lure people into deadly situations for the reward, then have them spend it all just to survive!

    Taking it a step further, perhaps the moment the Water Element’s true identity was revealed, if the Jade Concubine was confident enough, she would immediately seize the demonic blade, regardless of whether she had been hired or not.

    This was a trap laid in plain sight, specifically for those arrogant enough to think they could meet the Water Element and escape with their lives!

    She couldn’t completely trust the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, nor could she completely trust the Jade Concubine…

    A sense of caution filled Gong Lianyue. She closed the mission list and turned towards the star-filled trial space, where the Tyrant Demon Seed was engaged in close combat with the Black Devouring Rabbit.

    [Trial – Level 10]
    [Opponent – Mid-rank Black Devouring Rabbit, Combat Talent: Ordinary]

    A dreamlike battlefield, a beautiful sea of stars, surrounded by a hazy mist.

    Having been defeated once, the rabbit was now more cautious, relying on its superior physical abilities to relentlessly pummel the black rabbit, which offered no resistance.

    Its opponent possessed some unknown skill. A single mistake, and it could be defeated.

    “Huff~~~”

    The Black Devouring Rabbit’s face was covered in blood, its eyes bloodshot, a dense, bloody aura emanating from its mouth.

    At the same time, the silver rabbit woman’s white foot, raised high above her head, slammed down like an axe, a silver crescent moon slash striking the black rabbit’s head.

    Boom!!!

    The terrifying impact cracked the surrounding space, but the Tyrant Demon Seed’s eyes widened in shock.

    The Black Devouring Rabbit, which it had been effortlessly dominating just moments ago, was completely unharmed, its body enveloped in a black aura, its muscles swelling as if entering a demonic state.

    “Wait, aren’t battle techniques forbidden…?” Gong Lianyue couldn’t help but exclaim.

    Bang!

    The next second, the Tyrant Demon Seed was sent flying by the enraged black rabbit’s punch, its body shattering into pieces.

    [Failure]
    [Battle Evaluation: How can a combat-type spirit beast have no martial arts techniques?]

    Back in the main space, the Tyrant Demon Seed stared blankly ahead, its defeat baffling even Gong Lianyue.

    The Tyrant Demon Seed had lost again, a strange and unexpected outcome, like encountering a bug in the game.

    “Battle techniques are forbidden. What are these ‘martial arts techniques’?”

    Before she could even finish speaking, the exchange list automatically opened, searching for the keyword [Martial Arts Techniques].

    A long list of books appeared.

    [Waterfall Lake Immortal Fist, ultimate martial arts technique, created by the Jade Concubine. Cost: 1 million exchange points.]
    [Jade Peak Fist, advanced technique. Cost: 50,000 exchange points.]
    [Mist Dust Fist, advanced technique. Cost: 30,000 exchange points.]
    [Autumn Shattering Fist, advanced technique. Cost: 25,000 exchange points.]
    [Flowing Light Fist, intermediate technique. Cost: 2000 exchange points.]
    [Sword Crane Fist, intermediate technique. Cost: 1600 exchange points.]
    [Ice Prayer Fist, intermediate technique. Cost: 1000 exchange points.]
    [Torrential Rain Seventeen Fists, basic technique. Cost: 100 exchange points.]
    [Tyrant God Fist, basic technique. Cost: 100 exchange points.]
    [Water Killing Fist, basic technique. Cost: 100 exchange points.]

    “…”
    “…”

    Utterly speechless, Gong Lianyue finally understood the Waterfall Lake Wonderland’s… malicious intent.

    She remembered what martial arts techniques were. They were specialized combat skills for combat-type spirit beasts, unlike battle techniques, which were innate and instinctual. Martial arts techniques had to be learned, and there was no guarantee of success.

    Combat-type spirit beasts were rare. Neither the Sea Region nor the Wind Realm had dedicated martial arts techniques for them. There simply wasn’t any demand. Besides exchanging for them in the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, there were practically no other ways to obtain them!

    And now, with battle techniques and cultivation levels suppressed within the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, preventing Saint-ranks from crushing lower-ranked opponents, martial arts techniques had become crucial.

    To challenge stronger opponents, spirit beasts in the trial had to constantly learn and improve their martial arts skills. At this rate, the final opponent on the 100th floor would probably require mastery of the Jade Concubine’s Waterfall Lake Immortal Fist!

    One million exchange points… This was forcing combat-type trial participants to spend all their hard-earned points!

    Learning martial arts techniques might make them stronger, but the Waterfall Lake Wonderland also gained valuable information and resources. A win-win for the Jade Concubine.

    Legendary rank… truly deserving of the title…

    Chapter 166: The Snow Monarch’s XP (2)

    Even the cheapest basic martial arts technique manuals cost 100 exchange points!!

    100 exchange points were equivalent to almost 200,000 spirit crystals. Gong Lianyue wasn’t about to spend that much without further investigation.

    She needed to research the actual value of martial arts technique manuals, to see if the Waterfall Lake Wonderland’s prices were inflated.

    Although the Sea Concubine Palace didn’t have any, perhaps other factions did.

    And even if they didn’t, she wouldn’t necessarily buy from the Waterfall Lake Wonderland. She could simply forgo the trial rewards and earn points through missions.

    After all, even if the Tyrant Demon Seed cleared the tenth level, the reward might not cover the cost of the manual. And even if it cleared the tenth level, it might not be able to clear the eleventh. And even if she bought a manual, the Tyrant Demon Seed might not be able to learn it.

    Considering all these factors, Gong Lianyue decided to postpone her purchase and returned to reality.

    Her consciousness left the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, returning to the Saintess Tower in the Sea Concubine Palace.

    Sea Concubine Palace, Saintess Tower

    The blue-haired girl sat before her vanity mirror, her beautiful, teardrop-stained face gazing out the window at the azure sky, like a caged bird.

    Her journey to the Wind Realm was finally over. Gong Lianyue had returned the Swallow God and safely arrived back at the Sea Concubine Palace, her fame and reputation greatly enhanced.

    However, the Storm Realm was now in chaos.

    All their forces were mobilized to either subdue or negotiate with the Water Element, a do-or-die situation.

    The Sea Region wasn’t peaceful either. The revival of the Pool of Hidden Secrets had caused a massive upheaval.

    The various factions had sent representatives to investigate, but the situation remained unclear.

    As her status and power increased, Gong Lianyue felt a growing sense of… insignificance.

    She knew that as a mere Dead Sea Stage Spirit Master, she couldn’t offer much help to the Sea Concubine Palace.

    “I can’t wait any longer…”

    A sense of urgency filled Gong Lianyue as she pulled out a worn roll of parchment from her storage bracelet.

    The characters on the parchment were complex and jumbled, a language no living being should be able to comprehend. This was the most difficult language in the spirit world, the language of humanoid spirit beasts!

    She had obtained this ancient record, [The Mystery of Legends], from the third level of the Soul Prison Trial, the Dark Ages.

    Gong Lianyue suspected the revived Pool of Hidden Secrets, filled with resentment, would definitely target the Snow Monarch again, potentially endangering the entire Sea Region. And the first legendary being mentioned in this scroll happened to be the Snow Monarch. Even if she couldn’t uncover its preferences, she needed to at least know how to avoid or deal with it.

    She had refrained from reading it before the Wind Realm Overlord’s birthday celebration, afraid of injuring herself, but now, with ample resources for recovery, she had nothing to fear.

    [Switch]

    The next second, the water in the blue-haired girl’s eyes swirled like ripples.

    Not a full rotation of her eyeballs, but her pupils spinning independently, the water droplets scattering and reforming into small whirlpools.

    Her unfocused gaze gave her a slightly vacant, foolish appearance.

    This was the Sorrowful Saintess’s third form, Natural Form!!

    [See cover image for reference]

    Because this form made her look foolish, Gong Lianyue never used it in public. It was her secret.

    In this state, she could increase her affinity with spirit beasts and understand their languages!

    The only drawback was a slight decrease in intelligence…

    With her eyes in their Natural Form, the secrets and preferences of the Snow Monarch were revealed.

    [First: The Snow Monarch]
    [Titled Legendary Spirit Beast – Snow Monarch, the icy ruler walking the river of time, her true name lost, her existence unique, her frost eternal.]
    [She walks in a pure white wedding dress, leaving behind a trail of shattered realms.]

    Bang!

    Just as she reached a crucial part, Gong Lianyue’s eyes exploded, shattering into water droplets.

    The secrets of a legendary being were too much for her mortal eyes to bear. Just a few lines, and her eyes ached as if she hadn’t blinked in years.

    After consuming a few Life Fruits, the girl lay on her bed, waiting for her eyes to regenerate.

    Just as hair and nails regrew, her eyes quickly healed.

    Fully recovered, Gong Lianyue switched back to Natural Form and continued reading.

    [The Snow Monarch was a legendary being born before the fall of the mythical era, her lifespan estimated to be over 50,000 years, one of the oldest legendary beings in existence.]
    [No one has ever seen the Snow Monarch’s true face beneath her mysterious wedding veil.]
    [Snow Monarch is her title, but her true name is unknown. No similar being has ever appeared. The truth might lie with the Frost Snow Women.]

    Bang!

    “Again!!!”

    [The Snow Monarch loves all things pure white. Her presence allows for no imperfection. All blemishes are frozen.]
    [The most important things to the Snow Monarch are the Frost Snow Women, whom she considers her daughters or lovers. She will not tolerate any interference.]
    [A legendary-rank spirit beast was once erased from history for injuring a Frost Snow Woman.]

    Bang!

    “Switch!!!”

    [The Snow Monarch, always clad in a pure white wedding dress, travels the world with her Frost Snow Women.]
    [The Illusion Sea Concubine, the Snow Monarch’s only friend, received a Frost Snow Woman as a wife.]
    [The Snow Monarch once destroyed ten realms in anger after losing a Frost Snow Woman, then destroyed another ten realms in joy after finding her.]
    [Warning: Never provoke a Frost Snow Woman/the Snow Monarch.]

    Bang!

    Repeating this process of forcing comprehension and recovery for more than an hour, the blue-haired girl, drenched in sweat, collapsed onto her bed, exhausted.

    Having read the information about the Snow Monarch, a chilling dread filled Gong Lianyue, her already anxious heart even heavier.

    She had contracted with a Frost Snow Woman without the Snow Monarch’s consent. What would happen to her…?

    She herself, bound to the Frost Snow Woman, might not die, but the surrounding realms… They might be utterly destroyed!

    Even legendary beings perished. What chance did a weak human Spirit Master like her have?

    Gong Lianyue resolved that even if she encountered the Snow Monarch, she wouldn’t summon the Frost Snow Woman to plead for mercy, lest she anger the legendary being.

    The information in this “Mystery of Legends” was truly terrifying…

    By now, the meeting between the Pool of Hidden Secrets and the Sea Region factions should have begun, right?

  • Captivating Beauty 62p2

    Chapter 62 p2

    —

    Xu Jinnan leaned back in her chair, her eyes closed, a massage device on her neck and another on her lower back. She was thinking of installing a massage chair in her office, and perhaps one at home as well.

    After a brief rest, she picked up her phone, intending to ask Shen Shu when she would be done and if she wanted anything to eat, when her gaze stopped on Shen Shu’s profile picture.

    A black “X” on a white background.

    She suddenly lost her appetite, turning off the massage devices and sitting up straight, resting her elbows on the desk.

    Could it be Xia Chun?

    If so, what kind of relationship had it been, for Shen Shu to carry this symbol with her, to use it as her profile picture?

    Then, her rational mind took over. Based on Shen Shu’s reactions, she clearly didn’t have feelings for Xia Chun anymore. She wouldn’t use her initial as her profile picture.

    Then, what did the “X” mean?

    Lost in thought, she considered asking Shen Shu directly. Perhaps it wasn’t what she thought at all.

    But the more she tried to suppress it, the more it bothered her.

    She realized that seeing Shen Shu and Xia Chun’s names together bothered her more than she had anticipated.

    Like that afternoon, when she had impulsively pulled Shen Shu into the empty pantry. She wouldn’t normally do that, especially with other people around.

    But she hadn’t been able to resist, the action almost deliberate…

    She had felt like a wolf marking its territory, pulling its mate into a secluded corner.

    If they hadn’t been interrupted—

    She wasn’t sure what she would have done.

    She unconsciously rubbed her thumb against her forefinger, as if she could still feel the warmth and softness of Shen Shu’s lips.

    She had tasted their sweetness, a taste as intoxicating and addictive as the deep ocean…

    She couldn’t deny the desire she had felt, the undeniable arousal.

    She closed WeChat, then, after a moment of silence, checked Weibo.

    She hadn’t had time to open it today, and as soon as she did, she saw a message from ShuShu’sNumberOneFan.

    ShuShu’sNumberOneFan: [Boss Lady, our Shu Shu is amazing!]

    ShuShu’sNumberOneFan: [The Sheng Xia super topic lost over a thousand followers in a few hours, but that giveaway is still up.]

    Xu Jinnan didn’t understand at first, so she checked Shen Shu’s Weibo.

    She had reposted the pinned giveaway post from the “NanShu” super topic, a silent yet powerful statement.

    Xu Jinnan smiled, liking the post.

    She closed Weibo, then her phone lit up again.

    Shen Shu: [Will be an hour late tonight.]

    Xu Jinnan: [Are you hungry?]

    Shen Shu: [No.]

    Xu Jinnan: [Want to eat at home then? A little later?]

    Shen Shu closed her eyes, letting the makeup artist continue her work, and sent a message: [Okay.]

    Tong Jia, standing beside her, yawned.

    “Not sure if we’ll be done in an hour,” she said. “Shu Shu, want to have dinner together? There’s a new restaurant I want to try.”

    “Not tonight,” Shen Shu replied.

    “Then I’ll ask Little Cai,” Tong Jia said.

    “She… might not be free either,” Shen Shu said.

    Cai Ying had mentioned going to the movies with Han Ling.

    –

    Han Wenling took the popcorn from the attendant and handed it to Cai Ying.

    Cai Ying was wearing a pink and white hoodie and tight jeans, her slender legs accentuated by a pair of white sneakers.

    She held the popcorn, popping a couple of pieces into her mouth, her small, pale hands adorable.

    Han Wenling, holding two cups of orange juice, glanced at her hands. “Let’s go. They’re checking tickets,” she said.

    Cai Ying nodded, taking another handful of popcorn. As they were waiting in line, she almost bumped into someone.

    Han Wenling grabbed her wrist, taking the popcorn from her. “Watch where you’re going,” she said with a smile, meeting Cai Ying’s puzzled gaze. “I’ll hold this for you. You can eat it inside.”

    “Okay,” Cai Ying mumbled, letting Han Wenling lead her into the theater.

    They found seats in the back row, and Han Wenling placed the drinks on the cupholders, then handed Cai Ying the popcorn.

    “Aren’t you going to have any?”

    “I don’t like sweet things.”

    “It’s good,” Cai Ying said, taking a handful. “Teacher Han, you’re such a picky eater.”

    Han Wenling raised an eyebrow. “Am I?”

    “Yes! You don’t eat this, you don’t eat that, no sweets, no spicy food, no onions, ginger, or garlic, not even kiwi. You’re so difficult to please! Children like you are a nightmare to raise,” Cai Ying said casually.

    Han Wenling’s expression flickered, then she smiled. “Is that so?”

    “What?”

    “My younger sister eats everything. Are you saying my parents prefer her because of that?” she asked, her voice light and teasing, but her eyes unreadable.

    Cai Ying’s heart sank, a sudden nervousness gripping her. She had said the wrong thing.

    “No, that’s not what I meant…”

    Han Wenling, seeing her guilt, leaned closer, a playful glint in her eyes. “Then what did you mean?”

    The scent of cedarwood, Han Wenling’s pheromones, enveloped Cai Ying, a subtle yet intoxicating fragrance.

    Cai Ying’s face flushed. “You’re so wonderful. They must love you very much,” she stammered.

    Han Wenling paused, then, her lips curving into a smile, whispered, “Wonderful? That’s a first.”

    Cai Ying turned to her, their faces inches apart, their breaths mingling. Han Wenling’s eyes darkened, and she didn’t move away.

    Cai Ying leaned back slightly. “You’re a good person. A truly good person,” she said, her voice firm.

    Just then, the theater lights dimmed.

    They had wanted to watch a romance movie they had missed earlier, but it was no longer showing, so they settled for a recently released comedy.

    At first, Cai Ying’s attention was on Han Wenling, but then she was drawn into the movie, laughing along with the audience, munching on popcorn.

    Every time she laughed, Han Wenling glanced at her.

    She wasn’t usually interested in movies; in fact, there were very few things that truly captivated her.

    “Hahaha, that was hilarious!” Cai Ying exclaimed, turning to Han Wenling, wanting to share the moment.

    Their eyes met in the darkness.

    Han Wenling, her gaze fixed on Cai Ying’s sparkling eyes, reached out and gently cupped her flushed cheek, turning her face towards her.

    Then, she kissed her.

    Cai Ying’s eyes widened. They were in a public place… but the thrill of the moment, the unexpected intimacy, was intoxicating, and she couldn’t resist.

    After a few seconds, Han Wenling pulled away.

    Cai Ying’s heart pounded as she looked at her, her lips parting slightly, about to speak, but her words were drowned out by the laughter of the audience.

    Han Wenling licked her lips, tasting the sweetness of popcorn.

    Looking at Cai Ying’s flushed face, a mixture of shyness and boldness, she leaned in close and whispered, “So sweet.”

    Cai Ying blushed even deeper.

    —

    It was past 9 p.m., and Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu were sitting on the sofa.

    Just then, Cai Ying sent a message in their group chat. Xu Jinnan, who was checking her phone, glanced at it, then leaned closer to Shen Shu.

    As Shen Shu looked down, Xu Jinnan caught the scent of her shower gel, a sweet, milky fragrance.

    Cai Ying: [Han Ling kissed me!]

    Then, she retracted the message.

    Xu Jinnan sent a question mark.

    Cai Ying: [Speechless emoji]

    Cai Ying: [Choking emoji]

    Cai Ying: [Screaming emoji]

    Cai Ying: […I sent that to the wrong chat.]

    Cai Ying: [You didn’t see that, right?]

    Xu Jinnan: [Han Ling kissed me!]

    Cai Ying: […………………… Goodbye.]

    The string of ellipses made Xu Jinnan chuckle.

    “Why are you teasing her?” Shen Shu asked, picking up her vibrating phone.

    Cai Ying: [Help!!! Major social death!!!]

    Cai Ying: [Whatever. I’m done… ]

    Cai Ying: [Shu Shu, Han Ling kissed me!]

    As Shen Shu replied to Cai Ying, the kettle clicked off, and Xu Jinnan went to pour some water.

    “They haven’t known each other for very long, have they?” she asked.

    “No,” Shen Shu replied.

    They had only met a few times.

    Xu Jinnan placed the glasses of warm water on the table, remembering Cai Ying’s mortified reaction to sending the message to the wrong chat, and chuckled. “Things are progressing quickly.”

    Shen Shu looked up. “Yes, they are,” she said, her tone slightly odd.

    Xu Jinnan, meeting her gaze, paused. Was there something else behind her words…?

    “You have a day off tomorrow, right? Want to go horseback riding?” she asked, changing the subject.

    “Why?” Shen Shu asked, turning to her after sending her message.

    “Cai Ying gave me a VIP card,” Xu Jinnan explained, showing her the card. “We’ve both been busy lately. It would be a nice way to relax.”

    Shen Shu glanced at her lower back. “Can your back handle it?”

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    She suspected that look was deliberate.

    “It’s not always sore. I’ve just been sitting too much lately,” she clarified.

    “Oh, sitting too much,” Shen Shu repeated, her tone slightly suggestive.

    Xu Jinnan, realizing the double entendre, said, “Sitting in a chair too much.”

    Shen Shu’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I didn’t say anything else, Teacher Xu. What are you thinking about?”

    Xu Jinnan chuckled, turning the tables. “And what is Teacher Shen thinking about?”

    Shen Shu stood up. “Teacher Xu is pure and virtuous. What could she possibly be thinking about?”

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    And she says she’s not good with words?

    —

    At 11 p.m., Xu Jinnan took the suitcase from the guest room and placed the contents of the red handbag inside a separate bag, planning to discard everything.

    As she was leaving, Shen Shu emerged from the bedroom, dressed in a white T-shirt, jeans, and a trench coat. “I can’t sleep. Going for a walk,” she said.

    Xu Jinnan was happy to have company.

    She drove to a deserted area a few kilometers away, a place where people often dumped trash.

    As she got out of the car, about to toss the bag into a dumpster, a voice called out, “Hey!”

    She turned to see a security guard approaching. “Dumping trash this late? What is it?”

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    The guard placed his hand on his walkie-talkie. “Which building are you from? Open the bag and let me see.”

    Xu Jinnan sighed. “…Just some personal belongings.”

    “Open it! Now!” the guard said. “Such a big, heavy bag, and you call it ‘personal belongings’? If you don’t open it, I’m calling the police.”

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    Shen Shu couldn’t help but laugh, a soft chuckle escaping her lips as she leaned back in the passenger seat.

    It was the first time Xu Jinnan had seen her laugh so freely, and she thought, Perhaps that embarrassing encounter wasn’t a complete waste after all.

    But remembering the security guard’s reaction after she reluctantly opened the bag, she still found the whole thing absurd.

    “Exercise equipment, huh?” he had asked, peering at the chains visible through the plastic bag.

    Xu Jinnan, her face burning, had mumbled, “Yes.”

    The guard, relaxing slightly, had said, “You’re throwing this away? What a waste! Give it to me.”

    Xu Jinnan: “…”

    As she walked back to the car, still holding the bag, he had called out after her, “Hey, why aren’t you throwing it away anymore?”

    The memory made her cringe.

    Shen Shu’s laughter, clear and bright, was like a spring trickling over smooth stones.

    Xu Jinnan looked at her.

    Shen Shu was still laughing, her cheeks flushed, her lips curved into a beautiful crescent moon shape.

    She was breathtakingly beautiful.

    Xu Jinnan, her own lips curving into a smile, asked, “Is it that funny?”

    “Yes,” Shen Shu replied, still chuckling.

    Xu Jinnan raised an eyebrow, feigning annoyance. “Stop laughing.”

    “You can’t tell me what to do,” Shen Shu retorted, her voice light and playful.

    “What if I do?”

    “What will you do?” Shen Shu asked, turning to her, her eyes sparkling with amusement in the dim light of the car.

    “Tell me, what will you do?” she repeated, tilting her head slightly, challenging Xu Jinnan’s “authority.”

    Perhaps because Xu Jinnan didn’t reply, Shen Shu, assuming she was actually annoyed, her smile fading slightly, said, “It’s getting late. Let’s go ho— mmmph.”

    A shadow fell over her face as Xu Jinnan leaned in, her lips warm and soft against Shen Shu’s.

    Shen Shu’s mind went blank, as if a tightly wound spring had suddenly snapped.

    She instinctively kissed her back.

    After a brief moment, Xu Jinnan pulled away, their lips still close, a hair’s breadth apart.

    She looked down at Shen Shu, her voice husky. “Want to go horseback riding the day after tomorrow?”

    Shen Shu’s breathing was uneven. “Mm…”

    Her eyelashes fluttered, a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

    “Xu Jinnan.”

    “Yes?”

    She felt Shen Shu’s fingers gently tugging at the fabric of her dress, as if encouraging her to continue…

  • Second Time Around, the Villainous Daughter Decides to Indulge First 55

    Chapter 55: Urgent! About to Combust!

    Losing an artifact was a serious matter.

    Lena mentally retraced her steps, but in the chaotic Fran Black Market, skilled pickpockets were common. Searching for the ring was like searching for a needle in a haystack, impossible.

    “Don’t worry, Senior Lena, you’ll find it.”

    “Yes, Alice and I will help you look.”

    Look for what?!

    In the black market, a stolen item would change hands a dozen times in the blink of an eye. There wasn’t even a fixed location to search…

    Lena wanted to slap herself, looking up at the sky in frustration.

    Without the King of Narcissus, her strength was greatly reduced. The difference between rank five and six was significant, and the strength of her undead creations was also vastly different.

    She had wanted to create a Bone Dragon, the materials already prepared, but her rank had regressed with the loss of the ring.

    “Sigh…”

    The magic carriage drove away, leaving behind a trail of dust and regret.

    Back at the mansion, Lena first cursed the thief’s ancestors, then took out a glass bird for communication, setting the location to the academy’s Student Affairs Office.

    “Hello?”

    A pleasant female voice came from the glass bird, but Lena wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries.

    Not even God could help her now!

    “Tell Agnes to come pick me up.” Lena spoke quickly.

    She suppressed the urge to curse, taking a deep breath to calm herself.

    Soon, a gentle voice came from the bird’s beak. “What’s wrong, Lena? What do you need from your older sister?”

    Agnes was about to leave work when a colleague hurriedly handed her an emerald glass bird. She hadn’t thought much of it, simply asking the reason before accepting it.

    Who knew the caller would be so rude about asking for a leave of absence! How terrible!

    “Missing a day of class isn’t a big deal. As long as you catch up and pass the final exam, the Student Affairs Office won’t pursue it.”

    “Are you going to approve my leave or not?!”

    “…Lena, is this how you speak to a teacher?” Agnes frowned, her good mood ruined by a foolish student.

    She disliked arguing, always speaking calmly and gently. Even when faced with disruptive students, she always chose persuasion over force.

    But Lena clearly didn’t care about her teaching ethics; she only cared about herself.

    “Fake!”

    “Watch your language, Lena. You’re Ling Ling’s role model. She always tells me how good you are to her, how exceptional you are among your peers. Is this how you want to set an example?”

    Hearing silence from the other end, Agnes sighed and continued, “Although I don’t know why you asked me to look after Ling Ling, your position in her heart is irreplaceable. If anything happens, you must tell your teacher, don’t try to solve it alone… Lena, are you listening?”

    Agnes’s gentle voice was filled with concern, but unfortunately, she couldn’t see Lena’s expression through the glass bird.

    After a long while, Lena replied in a low voice, “You wouldn’t understand…”

    ” shouldering everything alone isn’t a good habit, Lena. Is there anything you can’t tell me directly? Why keep it bottled up inside?”

    Lena: “…”

    “Not speaking, are you? Then come to the Student Affairs Office tomorrow and see me, with your leave application form!”

    Agnes’s expression hardened; she was actually angry.

    She lectured the glass bird for half an hour, Lena listening silently, without any intention of retorting.

    Lena was venting her anger, that was true. She wasn’t perfect; she had darker desires than anyone, fueled by a mad desire for revenge.

    Trying to coax her out of her distress over losing the ring with a lecture was a fool’s errand.

    Such people were rarely persuaded. If you wanted to conquer her, it would be more effective to strip naked and bend over.

    Crack.

    The disposable glass bird lost its luster, like an oil lamp running out of fuel.

    Agnes put away her teaching materials, looking out the window at the gray sky, dark clouds gathering, rain starting to fall.

    It was going to pour.

    Hopefully, the drains wouldn’t overflow tomorrow morning, soaking her socks. That would be troublesome…

    The thought of tomorrow’s weather gave her a headache. Agnes hated water; rain always brought back unpleasant memories.

    Terrible.

    …

    In the steamy bathroom, Lena brushed her long, gray-white hair, her movements slow and deliberate, seemingly unaffected by the day’s events.

    Splash—

    A basin of warm water cascaded down her slender neck, over her ample bosom, and finally between her closed legs, converging like rivers flowing into a pristine, untouched land.

    “I wonder which lucky bastard got my ring, what a windfall for him.”

    Lena murmured to the mirror, stepping out of the bathroom, hanging her bathrobe on the rack, and slipping into a translucent white nightgown, staring out at the dark night.

    The rain intensified.

    A steady drumming sound.

    On a stormy night like this, the Fran Black Market must be in chaos.

    With the Falmouth family’s bounty, the lost ring would eventually return to its rightful owner, it was just a matter of time and price…

    “Boring.”

    With such heavy rain, there was no fun to be had. Should she really call those two little nuns over?

    She had only been joking; she wasn’t planning on devouring them so soon.

    Hmm…

    The thought, once it arose, spread like a sweet poison…

    She swallowed, a burning sensation in her lower abdomen.

    Lena, Lena, you can’t fall like this, what’s the difference between you and those kings obsessed with beauty?!

    To clear her mind of these lewd thoughts, Lena decided to go to bed early.

    Once asleep, there would be no problems. Could lustful thoughts invade her dreams and ravage her?

    She acted immediately.

    Her dry hair flowed like a silken waterfall as she lay down on the soft silk sheets, her eyes wide open.

    She couldn’t sleep!

    It was like forcing a night owl college student to sleep in a room with no electricity or phone, with only the sound of rain and thunder outside, the suffocating silence and darkness overwhelming her mind.

    Urgent!

    She desperately needed a soft, fragrant “pillow” to comfort her body!

    She was burning up, truly suffering!

    The loss of her precious ring tormented her, the frustration building within her, likely to persist for several nights until she found it…

    Would it really continue like this?!

    Lena suddenly noticed the brocade box on her nightstand, the supposedly priceless fruits Emma had brought.

    Should she try them? Maybe they could suppress the fire within her.

    Actually, Lena was desperate to try them, hence her restlessness…

    But she would never admit it.

  • My Evil God Girlfriend (gl) 96

    Chapter 96: Protection

    The sky churned, the planet roared, people across the globe witnessed a multitude of strange and terrifying phenomena, a wave of madness sweeping across the earth, the universe seemingly peeling back a layer of protection, exposing its fragile inhabitants to the harsh realities of existence.

    But at the epicenter of this chaos…

    In the old residential building, the focus of all those in the know…

    There was only silence, a deathly silence, a silence that could turn a person to dust.

    Xiang Er stood frozen by her bed.

    A few grains of sand remained in her palm, pale and translucent, almost invisible.

    She was like a statue, a fragile glass figurine, about to shatter in the slightest breeze.

    She looked at the grains of sand, the remnants of Akhe’s heart, the heart she had given her so readily.

    The heart that represented Akhe’s life…

    So…

    The possibility hung heavy in the air, but Xiang Er couldn’t bring herself to think it, to even form the words in her mind.

    She seemed to be standing there, but her soul was already running, lost in a boundless fog, a soul shattered, crushed, burned… twisted into something grotesque and unfamiliar.

    She turned her hand over.

    The remaining grains of sand fell to the floor, a small pile of dust.

    A tiny grave.

    Xiang Er climbed into bed, exhausted, too tired to do anything, to even think.

    She lay there quietly, then reached under her pillow and pulled out a rusty piece of metal.

    The familiar piece of metal, stained with dark, dried blood, and Xiang Er stared at it, a bitter, ironic smile touching her lips.

    She had hated that creature, once.

    But now… she didn’t even know, without it…

    How could she even live?

    Humans… were truly ridiculous creatures.

    But Xiang Er understood now, the most intense hatred was often born from the deepest love. Even now, remembering the times she had hated Akhe, she could still sense the underlying affection.

    She had loved Akhe, and that’s why she had hated her lies, her manipulations, her imprisonment, her well-intentioned, sincere confessions, her lavish gifts, her sudden departure.

    And most of all, she hated that Akhe’s heart had shattered!

    She hated her so much… and yet, she also loved her.

    But perhaps… there was still hope… perhaps there was an afterlife, reincarnation, those comforting human inventions, she hoped they were real.

    She wanted to see Akhe again, that so-called Evil God, and tell her: I hate you.

    I will always hate you for what you did to me.

    I will always hate you…

    Xiang Er smiled, lifted the rusty piece of metal, and with a swift, determined motion, plunged it towards her neck!

    But the metal stopped, millimeters from her skin, a layer of black slime appearing, its darkness spreading across her neck.

    Xiang Er pressed harder, the metal sinking into something soft and viscous. She couldn’t see her neck, she thought she had pierced her skin, and she twisted the metal, wanting to sever the flesh, the blood vessels beneath.

    But the metal, after a moment, lost its sharpness.

    It vanished, absorbed by the black slime.

    Xiang Er frowned, and her fingers, the metal gone, touched her neck.

    A sticky, viscous substance, like a swamp, clinging to her skin… she lifted her fingers, their tips coated in black slime.

    She knew this substance too well.

    She had seen this black slime countless times, on this very bed, she hated it more than the tentacles, and after their reconciliation, Akhe had been careful to keep it away from her.

    But now…

    Xiang Er stared at her fingers, her eyes widening, a sudden rush of emotions, and tears streamed down her face.

    This was a part of Akhe!

    Akhe had left a part of herself behind!

    Akhe was still here… with her!

    Xiang Er quickly wiped away her tears, grabbed her blanket, climbed out of bed, and, stumbling slightly, ran to the bathroom, to look at her neck in the mirror.

    The woman in the mirror was a stranger. She couldn’t remember the last time she had looked at herself, and she stared at her reflection for a long time, before realizing it was her.

    Her face was gaunt, her cheekbones and jawline sharp, almost piercing her skin, her features harsh, her amber eyes unusually large, dark circles beneath them.

    Her lips were pale, almost blue, and yet, the lips Akhe had loved so much, Xiang Er touched them, her fingers tracing their dry, chapped surface.

    When… had she become like this?

    Xiang Er looked down again, the black slime on her fingertips gone, no trace of it on her neck either.

    But she knew it was there.

    She knew… she looked at her reflection, its eyes strangely bright in its gaunt, haggard face, and she started to cry again.

    Tears traced paths down her dry, cracked skin, along the deep lines of her dark circles, across her cheekbones and hollow cheeks, a shimmering, wet sheen, like a fragile shell.

    A tear fell to the floor, and Xiang Er wiped her eyes, turned, and walked towards the door.

    After forty-two days, she finally left the apartment, leaving the empty, silent rooms behind, without looking back.

    She carried Akhe’s gift, a protective shell.

    Ready to conquer the universe.

    That morning, a rare, global catastrophe struck, a simultaneous occurrence of countless, inexplicable natural disasters and anomalies, humans and animals mutating, rampaging through cities, chaos and destruction everywhere.

    All anomaly detection devices, at the same moment, registered a massive energy surge, overloading their systems, rendering them useless.

    Humanity, in the face of such power, was helpless.

    The Western world’s order crumbled, other regions, already unstable, descending further into chaos. Only Hua Guo maintained a semblance of order, its military and police forces organizing evacuations, the Special Investigations Bureau abandoning all secrecy protocols, its investigators openly using their abilities to fight the mutated monsters.

    But even among the investigators, many had succumbed to the mutations, turning into monsters themselves! The remaining investigators, outnumbered and overwhelmed, fought on, on the verge of collapse.

    But they all knew, deep down, that the planet’s destruction… was only a matter of time.

    And judging by the current situation, the deity who had gone to fight for the planet… was most likely dead.

    The investigators were filled with sorrow, especially those in Hua Guo who had fought alongside her, they had considered her a comrade, a friend.

    But no matter the chaos, no matter how overwhelmed they were, the moment Xiang Er opened her apartment door…

    An Yue appeared, racing up the stairs, meeting Xiang Er on the fifth floor.

    An Yue’s eyes were filled with a suppressed grief, and seeing Xiang Er, she quickly prepared some comforting words, but…

    Xiang Er, her gaze intense, suddenly lashed out!

    An Yue, caught off guard, felt the steel dagger at her waist being snatched away!

    “What are you doing?!”

    An Yue shouted, reaching for the dagger, but Xiang Er just smiled, her eyes, in the dim light of the stairwell, like blood-red azaleas, a dangerous glint, a hint of… madness.

    Xiang Er lifted the dagger and plunged it towards her own neck!

    An Yue, unable to bear the sight, closed her eyes, her heart sinking: It’s over, it’s all over, the planet is doomed, humanity is doomed!

    She waited for the blood to splatter, but after a moment, she heard Xiang Er’s laughter, a broken, halting sound.

    “Hehe… hehehe…”

    The eerie laughter echoed through the dim stairwell.

    An Yue opened her eyes and saw…

    A layer of black substance, swirling and coiling, covering Xiang Er’s slender neck, a familiar sight… like…

    Xiang Er laughed, a wild, unrestrained laugh, and she lifted the dagger again, aiming for other vital points, her neck, her wrists, her heart, her stomach… black slime appearing wherever the blade touched.

    An Yue, stunned, whispered:

    “Is that…”

    Xiang Er smiled, a sweet, almost girlish smile, her arms wrapped around herself:

    “It’s her.”

    An Yue’s eyes lit up. She didn’t know what it meant yet, but she felt… a flicker of hope for humanity.

    As expected… the fate of humanity, the fate of the planet, rested on Xiang Er’s shoulders!

    She was the Evil God’s lover, and humanity’s last hope!

    Soon.

    At the site of a Class S+ monster attack, the investigators, exhausted and on the verge of collapse, suddenly saw a helicopter approaching, its doors opening.

    Inside the helicopter, a small, slender girl in a white dress calmly extended her hand.

    The Class S+ monster, about to swat the helicopter away, its massive claw reaching out, suddenly vanished, as if absorbed by the girl’s touch!

    In the blink of an eye, the monster, which had been impervious to the attacks of dozens of investigators, was completely devoured, gone!

    Inside the helicopter, more black slime appeared on the girl’s arm, and she gently caressed the writhing mass, her gaze filled with a tender affection.

    The scene was so powerful, so surreal, that the investigators on the ground could only stare, a sudden urge to kneel, to worship, overcoming them.

    The girl, of course, was Xiang Er.

    An Yue, beside her, breathed a sigh of relief and asked Xiang Er:

    “Do you need to rest?”

    Xiang Er, her gaze fixed on the slime on her arm, whispered:

    “Continue, it needs more, I can feel it…”

    The helicopter immediately flew towards another monster attack site, and Xiang Er sat down, gently stroking the slime on her arm, the wind whipping through her hair.

    She didn’t know what would happen, but she had a feeling, a strange premonition.

    A smile played on her lips, her eyes filled with hope and love.

    That love, a beacon in the chaotic universe, the brightest light in the darkest sea.

    She loved her, and so…

    She would return!

  • Female Lead Was Coaxed Away by the Villain Again [Quick Transmigration] 118

    Chapter 118: My Guardian Spirit is Dead (4)

    “I also want to know when you’ll remember,” Jiang Zhiyan sighed softly.

    Xie Yunzhi looked at Jiang Zhiyan, puzzled: “What does it have to do with you?”

    “The most important thing you’ve forgotten is me.”

    Xie Yunzhi stared at Jiang Zhiyan for a moment, then remarked: “Times are changing, even vengeful spirits are using cheesy pickup lines now.”

    Jiang Zhiyan: ?

    “It’s a bit… greasy,” Xie Yunzhi commented, rubbing her arms.

    Jiang Zhiyan: …

    “I’m stating a fact.”

    “Mm-hmm.”

    Jiang Zhiyan looked at Xie Yunzhi; she realized Xie Liaoyi had a unique way of being infuriating in every world.

    She stopped talking and followed Xie Yunzhi.

    Xie Yunzhi didn’t want to talk either, thinking about her full class schedule made her irritable.

    When class ended at 9:30, she yawned several times. Not far from the school gate, she saw Song Zhili blocking her path, holding a peachwood sword. She yawned again and walked past him.

    “Miss Xie, do you know that your main family once provoked a vengeful spirit? If the vengeful spirit isn’t exorcised, you won’t live past thirty!” Song Zhili said, seeing Xie Yunzhi ignoring him, he immediately followed.

    “I haven’t heard of it, and if I don’t live past thirty, then I don’t,” Xie Yunzhi said.

    Song Zhili: …

    “I have a license, I’m really not a scammer!” Song Zhili said, agitated.

    “Then what are you telling me for? Why don’t you just exorcise the vengeful spirit?” Xie Yunzhi looked at Song Zhili, puzzled. “Do you need my permission to do it? If I don’t agree, can you not harm the vengeful spirit? So you just want money, right?”

    Jiang Zhiyan chuckled and shook her head at Song Zhili, who looked like he was about to faint from anger.

    “Anyway, I don’t have any money, not a single cent,” Xie Yunzhi said, folding her arms.

    Song Zhili took out his compass: “Because I need your cooperation, look at the needle.”

    Xie Yunzhi looked at Song Zhili with a deadpan expression: “The anti-fraud guide has already covered scams like yours in numerous special reports.”

    “The fact that I was released means I’m not a scammer.”

    “That’s not the same, maybe you were just given a warning the first time you were caught, it’s normal to be released on the first day, isn’t it?”

    “Then let’s exchange contact information, contact me if there are any problems,” Song Zhili said, drawing his sword and striking at Jiang Zhiyan, who instantly dispersed and reappeared in another location.

    Jiang Zhiyan looked at Song Zhili and shook her head: “So you can’t attack me now? Why? Because you’re too weak?”

    Xie Yunzhi, looking at Song Zhili with disgust, quickly ran away. Because of his strange actions, many people were already looking at them.

    “Stalking young girls is very perverted,” Jiang Zhiyan said. “I’m starting to question your Song family’s upbringing.”

    Song Zhili’s chest heaved, staring at Jiang Zhiyan intently.

    “Heh.” Jiang Zhiyan raised her hand and struck Song Zhili’s head. “Just stay in the hospital for a while.”

    Song Zhili coughed violently and spat out blood.

    “Who fights a boss at level one?” Jiang Zhiyan shook her head at Song Zhili. “And I can’t even kill you directly.”

    Song Zhili glared at Jiang Zhiyan coldly.

    “You should be grateful I didn’t kill you,” Jiang Zhiyan said with a smile. “I thought you were someone capable, you wasted a whole day of my time.”

    Song Zhili finally fainted from anger. Passersby, after watching for a while, called for an ambulance.

    Jiang Zhiyan caught up with Xie Yunzhi: “Walking so slowly today, were you waiting for me?”

    “Heh,” Xie Yunzhi chuckled and looked Jiang Zhiyan up and down.

    “I’m not injured, I just knocked him unconscious.”

    Xie Yunzhi twitched the corner of her mouth: “Will he keep following me?”

    “He’ll probably be hospitalized this time, you’ll have some peace and quiet for a while,” Jiang Zhiyan said.

    Xie Yunzhi: …

    “Then won’t more people come looking for trouble with you?” Xie Yunzhi asked, puzzled. Although she kept calling Song Zhili a scammer, judging by his appearance and actions, he seemed to have a background.

    “They will, but they can’t kill me,” Jiang Zhiyan chuckled. “If I were that easy to deal with, I would have been gone long ago.”

    Xie Yunzhi looked at Jiang Zhiyan, thinking about what Song Zhili had said: “You’ve followed many people before? Do you talk to everyone like this?”

    “No, only you, and I’m not the same vengeful spirit as the last one, we take turns,” Jiang Zhiyan immediately said. “This is my first shift.”

    Xie Yunzhi: ?

    “I have a strong feeling you’re messing with me,” Xie Yunzhi stared at Jiang Zhiyan.

    “No, I’m really not the same vengeful spirit as the last one,” Jiang Zhiyan said, looking into Xie Yunzhi’s eyes and blinking rapidly. “Trust me.”

    Xie Yunzhi looked away and rubbed her temples: “Why don’t you change your appearance? It’s scary at night.”

    The System helpfully projected what Xie Yunzhi was currently seeing.

    Jiang Zhiyan was standing under a streetlight, the dim yellow light passing through her translucent form, combined with her pale face and red lips, it looked exceptionally terrifying. Her expression, usually playful, was now just eerie, someone with weaker nerves would probably faint on the spot.

    This appearance truly fit the stereotypical image of a vengeful spirit.

    Jiang Zhiyan moved out of the streetlight and entered the complex with Xie Yunzhi.

    “What did he mean by ‘not living past thirty’?” Xie Yunzhi asked, opening the door.

    Jiang Zhiyan floated inside: “Literally.”

    Xie Yunzhi turned to Jiang Zhiyan: “So you’re here to take my life?”

    “Of course not, the person followed by the previous vengeful spirit didn’t live past thirty, not the person I’m following,” Jiang Zhiyan refused to take the blame. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you die before thirty.”

    Xie Yunzhi’s gaze followed Jiang Zhiyan as she floated onto the sofa.

    “I forgot to buy a grilled sausage,” Xie Yunzhi suddenly remembered and frowned. “It’s all because of that person, I forgot to go to the snack street.”

    “Then let’s order some barbecue,” Jiang Zhiyan said, finding paper and pen. “Come and watch.”

    Xie Yunzhi watched as Jiang Zhiyan drew talismans on the paper, only commenting after she finished: “Vengeful spirits can draw talismans too?”

    “Yeah, why can a vengeful spirit draw talismans?” Jiang Zhiyan looked at the talismans on the paper, puzzled, normally, she shouldn’t be able to draw them, but she did, and not only that, they seemed usable. “Is this a bug?”

    Jiang Zhiyan wondered, or was she not really a ghost anymore?

    “What bug?” Xie Yunzhi asked.

    Jiang Zhiyan didn’t answer, handing her the pen: “You try.”

    Xie Yunzhi glanced at Jiang Zhiyan: “What kind of talisman is this?”

    “A talisman that allows me to eat,” Jiang Zhiyan said, looking at Xie Yunzhi with dissatisfaction. “I just explained it earlier.”

    “Can’t you draw it yourself? Why do you need me to?” Xie Yunzhi asked, folding her arms.

    “Don’t you want to become a god? I’ll teach you how to draw talismans and cultivate,” Jiang Zhiyan said. “Of course, we have to start with the basics.”

    Xie Yunzhi stared at Jiang Zhiyan for a while: “Okay, we’ll talk about that later, first, find a way to remove your makeup.”

    Jiang Zhiyan: …

    Xie Yunzhi put down her bag. She did have strong nerves, but she could still be scared, she just didn’t show it outwardly: “Should I burn some makeup remover for you? But I can’t burn makeup remover, you can eat, but you can’t touch these things, why can you touch things sometimes?”

    “Are you disgusted by me?” Jiang Zhiyan snorted. “I’m floating on the sofa, it just looks like I’m touching it, sometimes I use my ghostly energy to manipulate things.”

    Xie Yunzhi nodded: “Oh, mm, I am disgusted.”

    Jiang Zhiyan’s gaze became even more displeased. She took a deep breath, forget it, she wouldn’t argue with Xie Yunzhi.

    “Isn’t there any basic knowledge I need? Are we just jumping straight into this?” Xie Yunzhi asked.

    Jiang Zhiyan asked the System to generate a book list and copied it down. It was a long list, covering several pages: “Many of these books are at the Xie family estate, you can contact them.”

    “If I do that, won’t that person know I was lying to him?” Xie Yunzhi wasn’t familiar with the Xie family, she had no impression of them, she had only heard her family mention them a few times.

    “It’s not a big problem, the two families have a bad relationship, the Xie family will think Song Zhili is meddling,” Jiang Zhiyan said. “Powerful families are proud, the Xie family hasn’t been able to solve this problem for generations, and now some young punk is claiming he can.”

    “So face is more important than a life?” Xie Yunzhi retorted.

    Jiang Zhiyan nodded: “That’s how they see it.”

    “Will they give me the books?” Xie Yunzhi asked.

    “They will, you’re talented, why wouldn’t they? Talented people are rare everywhere, but don’t listen to what they teach you, they haven’t accomplished much themselves, they can’t teach you anything good, I’m better than them.”

    “Then what about you?” Xie Yunzhi continued to ask, feeling like nothing was reliable.

    “I’ll go with you, I told you, the Xie family can’t do anything to me,” Jiang Zhiyan said, twitching the corner of her mouth. “With me there, they won’t make things too difficult for you, of course, we shouldn’t talk too much then.”

    “What about this book list? What if they ask about it?” Xie Yunzhi held up the list.

    “Just say you’re staying there and you want to read, use your brain, it’s not like you’re handing them the list and asking for the books directly, they won’t let you take many of these books out of the Xie family estate,” Jiang Zhiyan said, poking Xie Yunzhi’s head.

    Xie Yunzhi felt like she was being looked down upon.

    Jiang Zhiyan went outside to remove her makeup, it was more like changing her skin than removing makeup, consuming quite a bit of her ghostly energy. She floated back, and Xie Yunzhi had already drawn two talismans. Although she used a regular pen and paper, their power wasn’t weakened much.

    Xie Yunzhi looked at the talismans, resting her chin on her hand, she could sense their power, although she couldn’t explain it: “One question, aren’t you afraid I’ll use them against you after I learn how to draw them?”

    “That’s why you should remember quickly, I’m risking my life teaching you this,” Jiang Zhiyan looked at Xie Yunzhi.

    Xie Yunzhi stared at Jiang Zhiyan’s face: “Actually, looking at you like this, you do look familiar.”

    “A bit familiar, tsk,” Jiang Zhiyan said, slumping in the air. “Did you order barbecue?”

    “I did.”

    “That’s good,” Jiang Zhiyan said, satisfied.

    Xie Yunzhi looked at Jiang Zhiyan’s legs floating past her and sighed: “Go float somewhere else.”

    “You’re even disgusted by this?” Jiang Zhiyan said with a frustrated sigh.

    “I’m going to call my mom and ask about the Xie family.”

    “Oh,” Jiang Zhiyan responded. “No need to go anywhere else, I can hear you no matter where you are in this small apartment.”

    “Can’t you not listen?”

    “No.”

  • The Vicious Female Lead Doesn’t Want to Do It Anymore 80

    Chapter 80: More Please – A Sweet Trip

    Dong Ling considered the type of variety show for a while.

    Since it was mainly for her and her girlfriend, no competitive shows, no adventure shows, no drama or intrigue, after thinking it over, Dong Ling decided on a slow-paced travel variety show, it didn’t need to be hugely popular, this type of show had a stable audience, it wouldn’t be completely unnoticed.

    And with a slow-paced travel variety show, they could travel on the company’s dime, which sounded quite nice.

    To increase the fun and interaction, the travel destination would be decided by netizens.

    Dong Ling told Song Mingzhi about this plan and received her approval.

    “Let’s release a pilot episode first, and as for the other guests, let the netizens vote, we’ll consider their suggestions, and then make the final decision.”

    Song Mingzhi didn’t really want anyone to disturb their alone time, but a variety show couldn’t just be her and Dong Ling, they could choose some popular choices among the audience.

    “Okay, it’s decided, I’ll have them start the project.”

    In the world of capital, there was nothing that couldn’t be solved with money and connections, so the project quickly got underway.

    So, on a beautiful day, netizens browsing online found that Canghai Entertainment had posted a new update and even bought a trending topic.

    @CanghaiEntertainment: Our boss wants to go on a trip, but doesn’t have a destination in mind. How long has it been since you traveled? Where do you want to go most? Our boss is interested in any destination.

    The slow-paced travel variety show “Cloud Travels” is officially launched, with regular guests @CanghaiEntertainmentDongLing and rising actress @SongMingzhi, who else do you want to see on the show? Leave your suggestions in the comments, we’ll seriously consider them.

    [Click the link to watch the pilot episode of “Cloud Travels”]

    The announcement was concise and clear, the purpose was clear, but the destination and guests were unknown. Besides knowing that Dong Ling and Song Mingzhi would be participating, netizens also saw the long list of tagged investors.

    @ForeverAlone: Damn, is this what it means to be rich and carefree? The investors include real estate, media, food, education… and what are gaming and animal husbandry doing here?! Are they going to raise pigs on this show???

    @IgnoranceIsBliss: Hahahahahahaha, I’m dying of laughter, CEO Dong is power, is this what it means to be a domineering CEO? I’m simping for my wife!

    @PleaseSendMeOffToMyGrave: If this isn’t a marriage proposal disguised as a variety show, then what is it? I officially declare them locked together! My beautiful women are one!

    @MayAllThingsGoWell: I’m suddenly interested in this variety show, I watched the pilot episode, netizens can send their suggested destinations to an email address, and the program team will randomly choose a destination, if this is true, it might even boost the local economy of certain places.

    @ItIsSpring: Wow, it’s been so long since I traveled, I want to go to so many places, but because of time and financial constraints, I can only watch other people’s vlogs, I’ll go send an email now, please choose mine!

    @WhoPlaysBigQiao: CEO Dong, please notice me! I highly recommend my Jiejie, her personality is both steady and playful, gentle and easygoing, please take her!

    Dong Ling was also helpless about the investors.

    Hearing that she was creating her own variety show, they all insisted on supporting her, saying they didn’t take care of her when she first started her business, and had to do it this time.

    Dong was a common surname in Beihai, covering a wide range of industries, which was why even the animal husbandry industry was involved, because her second uncle was in the feed business.

    As for gaming, Wen Han insisted on investing, Dong Ling considered it compensation for her taking over the male lead’s script and happily accepted.

    Song Mingzhi also wanted to invest, but was strongly opposed by her girlfriend.

    “I have money, and you’ve seen my support, there’s no need for you to contribute.”

    Dong Ling still thought Song Mingzhi was just moderately well-off, that Song Mingzhi’s company was small to medium-sized, otherwise, why wasn’t Song Mingzhi involved in any business activities? She felt sorry for her wife’s hard-earned money and didn’t want her to spend it.

    Song Mingzhi could only comply. She didn’t know that Dong Ling was underestimating her wealth, she just assumed Dong Ling felt it was unnecessary, and besides, her family matters hadn’t been completely resolved yet, it wouldn’t be too late to discuss it after everything was settled, Dong Ling wouldn’t care whether she had money or not, her attitude had always been the same.

    Song Mingzhi’s lips curved upwards, and she kissed her girlfriend’s pink cheek.

    Dong Ling kissed her back, it was originally just a quick peck, but then it escalated.

    Fortunately, she had been successfully desensitized, and her various indicators had significantly improved, she didn’t even need to drink two glasses of water during breaks anymore, just one was enough, this was a sign of progress.

    As for the variety show guests, Dong Ling asked the planning team and director to carefully select, prioritizing artists under her company who were suitable for this type of show, her own show naturally had to take care of her own children, and then choose others.

    Dong Ling didn’t want too many people, so besides her and Song Mingzhi, there would only be two regular guests and two to four rotating guest stars per episode, depending on the situation.

    In the end, the two regular guests they chose were Yun Jie, a variety show regular with a background in journalism, known for her high EQ and gentle personality, and Long Ji, a singer-songwriter known for her quiet and calm demeanor.

    But Long Ji was difficult to invite, not because she was arrogant, but because she was reclusive, sometimes even her agent couldn’t reach her.

    “It seems we’ll have to find someone else.”

    Dong Ling said with some regret after hanging up the phone, she quite liked Long Ji’s songs and her outlook on life.

    “Find someone else for what?”

    Song Mingzhi came out of the bathroom, drying her hair, and asked.

    Dong Ling explained the situation, and seeing Song Mingzhi’s expression, she said: “It’s fine, she’ll come.”

    Dong Ling was quite surprised: “Mingzhi, do you know her?”

    “I helped her once, she’s very grateful.”

    Song Mingzhi had supported Long Ji when she was struggling, funding the production of her album, which was the album that made Long Ji famous.

    Song Mingzhi had long forgotten about this, after all, she didn’t help out of compassion, but because she saw Long Ji’s talent and potential, she was a businesswoman with a keen sense for such things, Long Ji brought her profit, it was a win-win situation.

    But just like Song Mingzhi said, Long Ji was very grateful, sending her holiday greetings and handmade gifts every year, a kind and grateful person. Song Mingzhi always reciprocated, so she remembered when Dong Ling mentioned her.

    “Yay, that shouldn’t be a problem.” Dong Ling cheered slightly, took the towel from Song Mingzhi, and helped her dry her hair, “Mingzhi, you’re so amazing.”

    “Let’s try something different tonight.”

    “…Jiejie, you’re so amazing?”

    Dong Ling said hesitantly, no longer as shy as before.

    “Not that, Ling Ling, you know.”

    Song Mingzhi rested her head on Dong Ling’s shoulder, the dampness from her hair spreading to Dong Ling.

    Her fox-like eyes were gentle and affectionate, like a deep spring, wanting to drown her in them.

    There weren’t many terms of endearment more captivating than “Jiejie,” and the one Dong Ling cried out last night was one of them, but Dong Ling was easily embarrassed, the more she teased her, the more she retreated, closing her shell tightly, not letting her touch the soft interior.

    “Know what? I don’t know anything.”

    Dong Ling deliberately avoided Song Mingzhi’s gaze, playing dumb, she could call her that in her mind, but couldn’t say it out loud when Song Mingzhi used it so intimately, it was too embarrassing.

    Song Mingzhi cupped Dong Ling’s face, looked at her wandering eyes, and asked with suppressed laughter: “Really?”

    Dong Ling’s voice was as soft as a mosquito: “Maybe a little.”

    Song Mingzhi laughed heartily, burying her face in Dong Ling’s soft embrace, and only stopped laughing after a while.

    She rested her head on Dong Ling’s shoulder and said with a smile: “Wife, you’re so cute.”

    Dong Ling’s mind screamed, this is cheating, she felt dizzy and lay down.

    Damn it, why did someone like Song Mingzhi, beautiful, elegant, even exist? Born just to captivate her soul!

    When the official Weibo account released the list of guests, netizens once again marveled at the efficiency and power of capital.

    @RuWoYiYi: It’s actually Long Ji, she’s never been on any variety show before, super excited!

    @LingXiIsSoCool: Looking forward to “Cloud Travels,” looking forward to CEO Dong and Mingzhi!

    @BaiYiShanJin: My Jiejie is one of the guest stars! I was so surprised when the official account replied to me, because my comment was way down there, not many likes, after all, she’s just the visual of a small, unpopular group, but they actually considered it! I almost cried when they replied, and I wasn’t even expecting much, because they only said they would consider it, but it actually happened!

    Because of this last comment, “Cloud Travels” became popular before it even aired, even trending on Weibo, jokingly referred to as “Where is CEO Dong Going?” and “Boss, Please Look at My Baby.”

    After all, who wouldn’t want their idol to have more exposure and resources, to be seen and loved by more people? The strong financial backing of “Cloud Travels” was enough to make people talk, not to mention the highly anticipated destination and guest selection process.

    For the first episode, the program team specifically held a live stream to ensure transparency in the destination selection process.

    Dong Ling wore light makeup, sat in front of the computer, the process was very simple, randomly selecting a number, then locating the corresponding email.

    Dong Ling said “start” and pressed the button, after the number stopped, she located and opened the email, showed the destination, and ended the live stream immediately, the entire process less than three minutes.

    The screen went black, the chat filled with question marks and confusion.

    @BeautiesStickTogether: Beautiful lady, can you please not be so arrogant? Just announcing the destination and leaving, no two-minute chat?

    @TheReason: Don’t you want views? Why so decisive?! No introduction to the program’s content or purpose or anything?

    The official account replied to this comment: Watch the show and find out yourself.

    Okay, quite unique, it immediately attracted netizens’ attention, and a new topic trended on Weibo.

    Where is Yunxi Village?

    Dong Ling was also searching for this place, the destination randomly selected during her live stream just now. The netizen who suggested it said it was her hometown, a place she couldn’t return to due to time and work constraints, the road there wasn’t easy, but it was very beautiful.

    Dong Ling found some pictures, the village was very small, located in the mountains, the terrain steep, some houses built on cliffs, but it was indeed very beautiful, a good place for a romantic getaway with her girlfriend.