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  • Second Time Around, the Villainous Daughter Decides to Indulge First 54

    Chapter 54: Living For Whom?

    Caramy arrived late, returning with the setting sun.

    He carried the heaviest load of the three, so it had taken him longer.

    “A pile of rotten bones, that’s all you brought?”

    Alice inwardly compared their offerings, feeling that hers was more likely to please their master, a sense of superiority rising within her.

    “Don’t tell me the note actually said ‘bones’…”

    “It did,” Emma chimed in, nodding along with Alice like a loyal follower.

    After leaving Catherine, they had reverted to their familiar routine…

    Flattering their master, attending to her every whim, echoing her every sentiment, doing her bidding…

    “It seems Senior Lena doesn’t favor you that much.”

    Alice sneered, practically spitting in Caramy’s face, her innate villainy shocking even Lena.

    See, this was professionalism!

    Truly worthy of a future prominent figure, the mastermind behind the Crimson Nunnery incident.

    That look of disdain, mixed with a hint of flattery towards their master… Lena was impressed.

    “Ahem, I asked Caramy to bring the dragon remains, not some rotten bones,” Lena interjected before the atmosphere turned too cold.

    Alice immediately changed her tune. “Ah! You’re right, Senior Lena! I was being presumptuous…”

    She lowered her eyes, her long bangs hiding her anxiety and fear.

    They weren’t inherently malicious, but simply following the prevailing trend.

    Belittling others to elevate themselves, a common tactic to gain favor with their master.

    However, their usual tricks didn’t work on Lena.

    They needed a new strategy…

    Lena was different from the masters they had followed before. Perhaps the strong had peculiar personalities, but Alice believed she would adapt, especially with Emma by her side.

    Meanwhile, Lena had finished examining the dragon bones, clapping the dust from her hands and beckoning the anxious Mines.

    “Try placing your hand on it.”

    Lena held Mines’s slender wrist, the prominent radial bone beneath her thin skin clearly visible, the delicate veins a pale purple-green.

    Mines allowed Lena to press her hand against a large dragon leg bone.

    “Can you feel the magic flowing through it…? You can conjure a hidden blade, which means you must possess magic power, but you said you don’t know your profession, and I didn’t see any professional mark…”

    Lena muttered, a sudden realization striking her. “Could it be… Rapid Casting?!”

    “What’s Rapid Casting…? I don’t know…”

    Mines winced, instinctively trying to pull away, but Lena’s grip tightened, the slender girl unable to escape. “Tell me the truth, how did you learn a skill even I can’t master?”

    Mines didn’t cry; she had forgotten how to cry. She simply repeated weakly, “I learned it by watching, Master. I can’t breathe… Master…”

    She seemed to be suffering from a lung disease. Lena relented, releasing Mines, allowing her to gasp for air, her breaths coming in ragged gasps, the red spider lily in her hair trembling with her coughs.

    In reality, Lena hadn’t threatened her, only embraced her, her soft breasts pressing against Mines’s face.

    But Mines’s unusual reaction conveyed a message to Lena: aversion and distress.

    Seriously, she couldn’t even be touched?

    This wasn’t a lung disease, it was an allergy to people.

    Lena thought she couldn’t continue with any intimate activities, while Mines thought… Master was going to send her away.

    “Master…”

    Mines stumbled to her feet, losing her balance and falling towards Lena.

    The frail girl evoked pity no matter what she did. Lena caught her, using magic.

    “How are you going to protect me, with that body of yours that no one can touch?”

    Teasing Mines, Lena gently set her down, wanting to stroke her short, slightly coarse black hair, but ultimately refraining.

    Ah… her hand itched… she wanted to touch…

    Like an addict experiencing withdrawal symptoms, Lena grabbed one of the nuns, venting her frustration.

    “It’s not like that, Master.”

    Mines, clad in her black suit jacket, looked incredibly small, her already meek voice even softer before Lena. “I…”

    She hesitated.

    Always faltering at crucial moments. She had already made up her mind to sacrifice everything for her family, but she still couldn’t bring herself to do it.

    Was she being too selfish?

    It seemed so.

    But shouldn’t such selfishness be allowed?

    Her friend’s words flashed through her mind.

    “Who are you living for? Yourself, or your family…? You’re asking for my answer? Hah, my answer is… spend money, dress up, be pampered by a rich Master, and live a life others can only dream of! It’s shallow, right? But it’s the best answer I can come up with… It’s all about perspective. If you haven’t seen the vastness of the sky, how can you understand the vastness of the world?”

    “Don’t think about the consequences, just do it. Don’t worry about the process, it will only cloud your judgment. Don’t worry about what if it’s the wrong path. Living is already tiring enough, why burden yourself with so many thoughts? Mines, your talent is far greater than you imagine. You shouldn’t be in Cabaliga, but in a prestigious magic academy, under a bluer sky…”

    “If I were you, I would abandon those burdens. But I’m not you. You should understand what I mean…”

    Remembering her friend’s envious yet relieved expression, Mines felt a pang of pain.

    She knew her friend didn’t have any magic talent, but what she should have known was that her friend had sacrificed far more for her than she could imagine…

    …

    “Did you return the bones?”

    “Yes.”

    “And the girl?”

    “She went back. She left a message.”

    Listening to Caramy’s report, Lena’s expression remained calm. With a glance from Lena, Caramy continued, “She said she’ll have an answer before tomorrow morning.”

    “…As if I’m desperate for her, the little greedy ghost.”

    Lena was amused.

    Forget it, Mines’s story sounded pitiful, almost comparable to her own.

    Lena didn’t judge this resilient girl; she was more interested in how to extract more value from her.

    For example, the Rapid Casting technique, and Mines’s profession.

    Hmm…

    Time to go home.

    Lena habitually touched the King of Narcissus, a daily habit, a subconscious protective mechanism.

    But today, her fingers met empty air.

    “Hmm?” Lena blinked in confusion.

    Meanwhile, back at her home, Mines stared at the King of Narcissus in her hand, lost in thought.

    “Master’s?”

  • Captivating Beauty 62p1

    Chapter 62 p1

    The pantry, like the rest of the office building, was spacious and brightly lit, with large windows and a sleek, modern design in black and white. It was equipped with a refrigerator, water dispenser, coffee machine, toaster oven, and everything else one could possibly need.

    It was large enough to accommodate twenty people, yet at this moment, it was occupied by only two.

    “Xu Jinnan, what are you doing?” Shen Shu asked, her voice softer than usual, perhaps due to their close proximity.

    Xu Jinnan looked down at her, a smile playing on her lips. “What are you doing? It’s your wife’s company, and you’re waiting in line for water?”

    Your wife’s company…

    Shen Shu repeated the words silently.

    “The two pantries are separate,” she said, pulling her hand away from Xu Jinnan’s and placing her container of lemon slices on the counter.

    Xu Jinnan stood beside her. “You could have come to my office,” she said, taking out a small container of grapes.

    Shen Shu watched silently as Xu Jinnan opened the container, peeled a grape, and offered it to her.

    “I had Viola buy these this morning. I washed them earlier. Want to try one?”

    Shen Shu took a small clip from her lemon slice container. “Just put it there for now,” she said.

    Xu Jinnan paused, then lifted her hand, holding the grape to Shen Shu’s lips.

    Shen Shu looked at her, then opened her mouth slightly.

    The translucent grape disappeared between her pale pink lips.

    Their eyes met, the simple act somehow amplified, the air between them charged with a subtle tension, the temperature in the pantry rising.

    Xu Jinnan’s gaze lingered on Shen Shu’s lips, stained with grape juice, then she swallowed, as if she had tasted the sweetness herself.

    She leaned closer—

    Just then, they heard voices approaching.

    Shen Shu, flustered by the thought of being seen like this, quickly popped the grape into her mouth.

    As the door opened, two employees, seeing their boss and her wife, one washing her hands, the other adding lemon slices to her water, froze.

    While it was a perfectly normal scene, their presence felt intrusive, and they quickly greeted them, filled their water bottles, and left.

    “Was it good?” Xu Jinnan asked.

    “Yes,” Shen Shu replied, filling her water bottle. “Very sweet.”

    “Want another one?” Xu Jinnan asked, peeling another grape.

    Shen Shu bit her lip, her gaze fixed on the water dispenser as she pressed the button for warm water. “You’re acting… strange today,” she said softly.

    “Strange how?” Xu Jinnan asked, smiling faintly, offering her the peeled grape.

    Shen Shu glanced at her, then took the grape without touching Xu Jinnan’s fingers.

    After swallowing it, she said, “I should go back now.”

    “Okay,” Xu Jinnan replied, handing her the container of grapes.

    As Shen Shu reached the door, Xu Jinnan called out, “What do you want for dinner?”

    Shen Shu turned around. “Porridge.”

    “Shrimp porridge?”

    “Sure.”

    —

    Back in her resting area, Tong Jia, seeing Shen Shu return, put down her phone. “What took you so long? And where did you get those grapes?”

    Shen Shu opened the container and offered some to Tong Jia. “Xu Jinnan brought them.”

    Tong Jia’s eyes widened. “No wonder you were gone so long. Kissing and cuddling, huh? I knew it! Some people pretend not to care, but they’re secretly seething with jealousy.”

    “Xu Jinnan?” Shen Shu asked.

    “Who else?” Tong Jia recounted the afternoon’s events. “When you and Xia Chun hugged, I could practically see the green monster on CEO Xu’s face.”

    The sweet and sour taste of the grapes still lingered in Shen Shu’s mouth, and her lips curved into a faint smile.

    “Seriously, though, your relationship with Xia Chun is a sensitive topic. Be careful not to upset your wife. Remember how concerned she was about that super topic? She was the one who warned me,” Tong Jia said.

    The smile faded from Shen Shu’s eyes, and she nodded. “I know.”

    “Speaking of which, I just told her we managed to suppress the Sheng Xia CP rumors, but the super topic is trending again. With those huge cash giveaways, people don’t even care about the actual CP; they’re just in it for the money. Now people are accusing us of using Xia Chun for clout, of clinging to her fame,” Tong Jia said, her voice laced with frustration. “We need to do something. I’ll talk to Xia Chun’s agent later and see what she thinks.”

    She wasn’t very hopeful. Xia Chun’s agency should be the most concerned, considering Shen Shu was married, and they wouldn’t want any scandals.

    But so far, they hadn’t done anything.

    Tong Jia popped a grape into her mouth. “These CP fans are… intense. Shipping a married woman with a single woman? It’s like those obsessive solo stans. And we can’t interfere as a studio. They’re saying it’s their right to ship whoever they want. It’s frustrating.”

    Shen Shu opened Weibo and checked the “Sheng Xia” super topic. The follower count and activity level were indeed high.

    After a moment of thought, she said, “The studio can’t interfere, but I can.”

    “What are you going to do?” Tong Jia asked.

    Shen Shu found the “NanShu” super topic and reposted the pinned giveaway post.

    “Nice! Shipping your own CP? That’s brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that?”

    “No matter what they say, I just need to make my stance clear,” Shen Shu explained.

    “If Xia Chun’s agency is willing to cooperate, it would be best if she liked or reposted the post as well.”

    “Mm.”

    —

    Within half an hour of Shen Shu’s repost, hundreds of comments appeared.

    Even the real couple is here! Those delusional CP fans should back off now.

    Ahhh, I’m dying! Is Shu Shu shipping herself with Xu Jinnan?! NanShu forever!!!

    Did you all see that? This is the real deal! Stop accusing them of using Xia Chun for clout! They don’t need her!

    Two hours later, Shen Shu scrolled through the comments. Tong Jia, glancing over, said, “It’s working! I just checked the Sheng Xia super topic. Someone even posted a farewell message. Hilarious.”

    Shen Shu, staring at the second most popular comment, said, “The name is awful.”

    Tong Jia: “Huh?”

    Shen Shu closed Weibo. “It’s nothing. I’m going to take a nap,” she said.

    “Okay, you have about fifteen minutes. I’ll wake you up.”

    “Okay.”

    Shen Shu closed her eyes, not expecting to actually fall asleep.

    In her brief ten-minute nap, she dreamed of a bustling street, paved with gray stone…

    A child led her through the crowded street, the air thick with the aroma of food, then stopped at an intersection.

    The child let go of her hand.

    “Go. Run. Don’t look back,” the child said.

    “Aren’t you coming?”

    “If I leave, Mommy will be sad. Go! They’ll see us if you don’t leave!”

    “Come with me.”

    “We’re not the same. I’m a bad person.”

    —

    Shen Shu woke up with a start, Tong Jia gently shaking her arm. “Bad dream? Five minutes until your next scene.”

    She sat up, her heart still racing, and took a large gulp of water, trying to calm down.

    This was the third time she had dreamed of this place.

    She had never had such dreams before.

    Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and she exhaled, taking it out and seeing a message from someone she hadn’t spoken to in a while – Chen Xiaxia.

    Chen Xiaxia: [Cousin, can’t you help me?]

    Chen Xiaxia: [Just ask Jinnan-jie to talk to the director. I really want that role.]

    Shen Shu: [She can’t help you.]

    Chen Xiaxia had contacted her a few days ago, asking for help with a role in another production.

    While Shen Shu had refused, she had looked into it and learned that Chen Xiaxia had already auditioned and been rejected, due to both her tardiness and her poor acting.

    Chen Xiaxia: [You just don’t want to help me, do you?!]

    Chen Xiaxia: [And the Emperor Hotel incident… I almost… because of you! Why can’t you just help me? You didn’t even ask Xu Jinnan, did you?]

    Shen Shu took a deep breath. While Chen Xiaxia had been deceived at the Emperor Hotel, Shen Shu still felt partially responsible.

    If it was just an audition, she could help, but she wouldn’t do anything more.

    But she knew Chen Xiaxia, if she didn’t get what she wanted, would try other methods.

    —

    As expected, during a break in filming, Tong Jia handed her her vibrating phone.

    “It’s your mother. That’s the second call.”

    Shen Shu nodded, taking the phone and stepping aside to answer it.

    It was probably about Chen Xiaxia. Her mother had always been like this, always trying to fulfill Chen Xiaxia’s every whim, even at Shen Shu’s expense.

    After all, Shen Shu wasn’t her real daughter.

    “Shu Shu,” Wei Wuqing’s voice said, “it’s been a while. How are you?”

    “I’m fine,” Shen Shu replied calmly, waiting.

    Wei Wuqing paused. “Your cousin hasn’t been well lately. Your aunt is worried sick. I asked around, and it’s about her acting career. I don’t know much about that industry, so I thought I’d ask you. Do you have any connections that could help her?” Perhaps because of Xu Jinnan’s earlier warning, her tone was much more conciliatory, but Shen Shu’s heart remained cold.

    “I asked around. Chen Xiaxia failed her audition. I can’t help her,” she replied.

    Wei Wuqing’s voice hardened slightly. “If you can’t help her, there’s always Nannan.”

    “Xu Jinnan can’t help her either,” Shen Shu said firmly. “Instead of relying on connections, she should focus on improving her acting.”

    Wei Wuqing was silent for a moment, then said, her voice softening again, “Alright, I won’t pressure you. Shu Shu, I found something while cleaning out the attic today – a sweater your grandmother knitted for you. Wasn’t it a birthday gift?”

    Shen Shu remembered. It had been her fifth birthday, the first one her grandmother had celebrated with her, the first birthday she could remember.

    Her memories before the age of five were hazy, but she vaguely remembered living in an orphanage… or perhaps she had just imagined it.

    She wasn’t sure. But lately, the memory had been fading.

    She wasn’t even sure if she had actually lived in an orphanage.

    Another set of memories, clearer and more vivid, seemed to be surfacing.

    She couldn’t explain it.

    As for the birthday gift, she had been at school when her grandmother passed away, and by the time she returned home, Wei Wuqing had burned everything, leaving her with nothing to remember her by.

    “How could I have burned everything? I know how much it meant to you. I kept it for you. I told you I burned it because I didn’t want you to be sad. When are you coming to pick it up? Bring Nannan with you. After all those misunderstandings, it’s time for our family to reconcile.”

    Shen Shu understood. This phone call had two purposes – to ask for help with Chen Xiaxia’s career, and to mend their relationship with Xu Jinnan.

    She had also heard that the Shen Corporation was struggling financially. She wasn’t feeling sentimental, but if it was truly something her grandmother had made, she would go back and get it.

    “I’ll come over sometime. Please keep it safe for me,” she said.

    “Shu Shu, I’m your mother. It’s no trouble at all,” Wei Wuqing replied.

    Shen Shu didn’t say anything more and hung up.

    Tong Jia, who had been watching her, noticed her somber expression. “What’s wrong?” she asked softly.

    “Family matters,” Shen Shu replied.

    “Don’t worry, let CEO Xu pamper you when you get home!” Tong Jia said, leaning closer. “How did the foot-washing go?”

    Shen Shu looked at her. “…You’re my agent. Can you be more professional?” She knew Tong Jia was trying to distract her.

    It worked.

    Her earlier gloom lifted slightly.

    And Tong Jia’s words had reminded her of Xu Jinnan, her gaze drifting towards the box of grapes.

    The darkness in her heart seemed to dissipate, like sand trickling through a funnel in the sunlight and the wind.

     

  • My Evil God Girlfriend (gl) 95

    Chapter 95: The Wish

    Autumn rain was very different from the torrential downpours of summer. Summer rain was violent and forceful, beating against the earth like a rock and roll drumbeat, relentless and unrestrained; autumn rain, however, was melancholic and lingering, a lament for lost love, its droplets shattering like fragile tears, scattering across the ground.

    The autumn rain fell on the balcony, on the camphor tree, into the room.

    Xiang Er opened all the windows and stood there, letting the rain soak her hair, her face, her eyes, her entire body.

    She felt parched, despite the rain, her heart a desert, her tears dry and brittle, unlike the soft, gentle rain.

    The doctor used to visit three times a day, then, after being kicked by Xiang Er, had reduced his visits to once a day. Recently, he hadn’t dared to come at all, Xiang Er’s condition worsening, her refusal to see anyone intensifying.

    The state had arranged for the best therapists, but it was no use, Xiang Er would become violent, throwing them out, refusing to listen to a word they said.

    But autumn still arrived, and Xiang Er, who hadn’t seen Akhe return in late summer, continued to wait.

    If Akhe didn’t return today, she would wait tomorrow.

    Damn it, telling her not to wait, how dare she interfere, she would wait, for as long as it took.

    Xiang Er stood in the rain, her face turned towards the sky, the grey clouds heavy, the rain like needles, piercing her eyes.

    She stared, her eyes stinging, but she didn’t blink. She wanted to see through the sky, beyond it, to the furthest reaches… she wanted to see Akhe.

    But she couldn’t see, she couldn’t see anything.

    She screamed in frustration, her throat raw, the rain pouring down her throat, a salty, metallic taste.

    She turned and spat out a mouthful of blood, watching it mix with the rain.

    At first, An Yue and the others, worried about Xiang Er’s suicidal tendencies, had installed security cameras in the apartment, but Xiang Er had quickly destroyed them.

    Xiang Er found it ridiculous, suicide? How could she commit suicide, she hadn’t seen Akhe return, how could she possibly…

    She had to take care of herself, live her life, wait for Akhe’s triumphant return… she had tried, in the beginning, she had really tried.

    She would wake up every morning at the same time, wash up, go to the kitchen and attempt to make breakfast, the results always a disaster, inedible, yet she would force herself to eat it, then wash the dishes. After breakfast, she would take the small eyeball for a walk, holding its black tentacle, strolling through the compound, looking at the flowers, the trees, buying some groceries and fresh flowers. Back in the apartment, she would have lunch, then read or practice calligraphy, and when it was time, she would go to bed.

    She never closed her bedroom door.

    But every night, the investigators stationed nearby would hear her screams, her cries, her hysterical laughter.

    They all knew she was losing her mind.

    But the next morning, she would wake up at the same time, and repeat the same routine.

    After a while, the nightly madness intensified, the daytime walks with the small eyeball growing shorter and shorter.

    The small eyeball had stopped speaking, its slit-like mouth opening and closing, only incoherent babbling sounds escaping, its face contorted in pain, its tentacles limp and listless.

    Xiang Er would hold it and say:

    “Say ‘Mommy,’ say ‘Mommy!’”

    The small eyeball would open its mouth, but no words came out, its tentacles weak and limp.

    It spent more and more time sleeping.

    Soon, Xiang Er could no longer maintain her routine, she couldn’t take the small eyeball for walks anymore, and her carefully constructed schedule crumbled.

    Xiang Er stopped getting out of bed, stopped eating, stopped sleeping, wandering through the apartment like a ghost, wrapped in layers of blankets.

    Blankets knitted by Akhe.

    She wandered, holding the small eyeball, crying and screaming in the dark, empty rooms, until her eyes were red and swollen, then collapsing onto the floor, falling asleep.

    Every night, she went to bed with a sliver of hope, praying that when she woke up, Akhe would be there.

    But after so many disappointments, she didn’t even want to sleep anymore.

    Anything remotely dangerous had been removed from the apartment, and An Yue would come every day with a doctor, to check on Xiang Er, to forcibly administer tranquilizers and nutritional supplements.

    Everyone knew this couldn’t continue, but… there was nothing else they could do.

    No one knew if, or when, Akhe would return, or how long Xiang Er’s current state would last.

    An Yue even tried to heal the small eyeball, but human understanding of such entities was limited, and the small eyeball just continued to weaken, with no other obvious symptoms.

    An Yue considered taking the small eyeball, as instructed in the letter, to provide it with better care.

    But as soon as she said:

    “Maybe we should take the small eyeball to the hospital…”

    Xiang Er stared at her, her gaze intense, her body huddled on the sofa, her arms wrapped around herself, like a protective mother.

    There wasn’t much sanity left in Xiang Er’s eyes.

    Her amber eyes, dilated from the darkness, stared blankly, unblinking, their gaze cold and distant.

    An Yue chuckled awkwardly:

    “Forget I said anything.”

    Xiang Er looked away, cradling the sleeping small eyeball, gently kissing its head.

    The small eyeball, with a tentacle, nuzzled against the warmth of Xiang Er’s neck, its eye closed, and continued to sleep.

    Every day now was a torment for Xiang Er, a slow descent into madness, and An Yue, watching, felt a growing sense of helplessness.

    By October, Xiang Er had developed a tolerance to the medication, the sleeping pills and tranquilizers no longer effective, requiring stronger, more experimental drugs, with potentially harmful side effects.

    Another sleepless night, Xiang Er sat by the window, her body thin and frail, her skin pale as paper, as if it might crumble at the slightest touch.

    She liked watching the sunrise from the window, the warmth of the sun a reminder that she was still alive.

    But it had been raining constantly lately, no sunrises, and she felt herself decaying, a growing suspicion that she was already dead, only a lingering attachment keeping her tethered to this world.

    The small eyeball had been asleep for three days now, and for three days, she hadn’t slept, hadn’t eaten or drunk anything, just holding the small eyeball close.

    The room was as silent as a cave in the heart of a snowy mountain.

    A faint touch on her finger made Xiang Er’s body stiffen, and she looked down.

    A thin, black tentacle was clinging to her finger.

    A flicker of hope, a long-forgotten emotion, and she thought the small eyeball had woken up, and she followed the tentacle with her gaze…

    An egg.

    The small eyeball… had become an egg.

    A translucent egg, the size of her fist, thin, black tentacles, like veins, pulsing faintly on its surface.

    Xiang Er lifted her hand, holding the egg up to the light, a dark mass visible within the translucent shell.

    And the black tentacle on her finger, slowly, withered.

    It became a thin, black thread, and fell away.

    Gone.

    Xiang Er stared at the egg, her vision blurred by the misty morning light.

    She slowly climbed down from the windowsill, cradling the egg, her movements slow and deliberate.

    Her legs, thin as matchsticks, no longer moved with their usual grace, she shuffled forward, like a cave dweller, wrapped in a faded, worn blanket.

    Through the bedroom door, through the living room, through the dining room.

    She reached the refrigerator.

    Her hand, trembling, like a withered branch, opened the refrigerator door. It was empty, but spotlessly clean.

    Xiang Er no longer felt the cold, and she wondered if it was plugged in, but the light was on. But it wasn’t cold.

    She held the egg, examining it one last time. A dark mass within the pale grey shell, the veins on its surface no longer pulsing.

    Utterly still.

    The hum of the refrigerator was clearly audible.

    It wasn’t cold, the coldness was in her heart.

    Xiang Er’s lips moved, and she kissed the eggshell, a silent farewell.

    A faint red glow emanated from the eggshell, a fleeting flicker, like a hallucination.

    Xiang Er placed the egg in the refrigerator.

    She closed the door.

    And for a moment, she was transported back to that evening, a naive, unsuspecting girl, returning home from work, opening the refrigerator, seeing an egg inside, and screaming in fright.

    Xiang Er opened her mouth, a silent scream. But her voice, hoarse and raspy, like an old woman’s, couldn’t form a proper sound, just a broken, guttural cry:

    “Ah… ah… guh… ah…”

    She screamed, just like she had that evening, the first time she had seen the egg, she screamed.

    It wouldn’t die, it would be okay.

    Xiang Er opened the refrigerator door again, looking inside. The egg lay motionless on the shelf, no red glow, no pulsing veins, no shimmering light, nothing.

    Xiang Er closed the refrigerator door.

    She shuffled forward, her movements slow and uncertain, unsure where she was going.

    There was nothing… no life left in this room. She herself was barely alive.

    She sat down heavily on the floor, her thin body hitting the hard surface, a sharp pain in her hip, and she smiled, a bitter, broken smile.

    Tears, thick and cloudy, streamed down her face.

    Her voice, for once, clear and steady, said:

    “Akhe, my wish is… for you to come back.”

    The words echoed through the quiet, empty apartment, the dim morning light filtering through the balcony window.

    Xiang Er suddenly saw a red glow, a brilliant red light filling the room.

    Her heart leaped, a sudden, sharp pang, and she stood up, clutching her chest, and ran to her bedroom, opening her bedside table drawer.

    There, the translucent, heart-shaped gem.

    The gem… was glowing!

    A brilliant red light, illuminating the entire room! A clear, beautiful, dazzling red light!

    Xiang Er stared, her eyes wide with disbelief, her breath catching in her throat, her eyes stinging, she wanted to laugh and cry at the same time!

    It was Akhe’s heart! Akhe had answered her wish, no matter when, no matter where… Akhe always answered her wishes!

    Xiang Er reached out, her hand trembling as she carefully touched the heart-shaped gem, lifting it from the drawer, holding it up to the light…

    Then… a soft “crack.”

    A very soft, almost inaudible sound.

    At the peak of its brilliance…

    The heart shattered.

    Crumbling into dust in her hand, fine grains of sand slipping through her fingers, falling to the floor.

  • Female Lead Was Coaxed Away by the Villain Again [Quick Transmigration] 117

    Chapter 117: My Guardian Spirit is Dead (3)

    “When exactly could you see me?” Jiang Zhiyan asked. “Could you see me long ago?”

    Xie Yunzhi held her phone to her ear: “Not that long ago, a while back.”

    “Aren’t you afraid?”

    “Not really, at least your facial features are normal, you’re not missing any eyeballs or anything,” Xie Yunzhi said calmly. “The world is so vast, it’s normal for there to be unknown creatures, but you seem to have been following me for a long time.”

    “What do you mean ‘facial features are normal’?” Jiang Zhiyan moved in front of Xie Yunzhi. “Take a good look.”

    “Is there something abnormal?” Xie Yunzhi asked, puzzled.

    Jiang Zhiyan was dissatisfied with Xie Yunzhi’s description, but she didn’t know if this person was feigning ignorance or if she was truly oblivious.

    “Forget it,” Jiang Zhiyan said, too lazy to argue with her.

    “Do you have anything else to say? If not, I’m hanging up.”

    “I’m speechless.”

    Xie Yunzhi thought for a few seconds: “Do… centuries-old beings like you also tell corny jokes?”

    “Because I keep up with the times,” Jiang Zhiyan said, exasperated. “Oh, right.”

    Xie Yunzhi was about to put down her phone, but hearing Jiang Zhiyan’s words, she held it to her ear again.

    “When are we getting married?”

    Xie Yunzhi froze for two seconds, then realized what Jiang Zhiyan was talking about: “Whenever.”

    “You just agreed like that?”

    “I can’t beat you anyway, what’s the point of resisting?” Xie Yunzhi looked at a tall building in the distance. “Do you know how to become a god?”

    Jiang Zhiyan’s heart skipped a beat: “Why do you want to become a god?”

    Xie Yunzhi looked at Jiang Zhiyan: “I thought you would laugh at my wishful thinking.”

    “I respect everyone’s dreams,” Jiang Zhiyan looked at Xie Yunzhi. “So, why?”

    “I don’t know either, it’s just a task in my mind, a very important one,” Xie Yunzhi said. “I used to think it was impossible for this world to have ghosts and gods, but now that I’ve seen you, becoming a god doesn’t seem impossible.”

    “But I haven’t heard of any precedents of humans becoming gods in this world,” Jiang Zhiyan said. “If you do more good deeds and accumulate more merits during your lifetime, you can get a good position in the underworld after you die, but that’s not a god.”

    Xie Yunzhi’s expression remained calm, her emotions stable: “Mm, after all, gods aren’t cabbages, if everyone could become a god, then gods wouldn’t be gods.”

    “Let’s go eat first,” Jiang Zhiyan paused. “Buy me a grilled sausage tonight.”

    “How are you going to eat it?”

    “I’ll teach you, there are special methods that allow me to eat.”

    Xie Yunzhi’s expression changed slightly: “How do ghosts digest food?”

    “I eat the essence of the food,” Jiang Zhiyan patiently explained.

    “Oh,” Xie Yunzhi nodded thoughtfully. “But why are you following me?”

    “I like you,” Jiang Zhiyan blurted out without thinking.

    Xie Yunzhi was a little surprised, she had heard similar words from Jiang Zhiyan before, but she hadn’t taken them seriously: “Humans and ghosts are different.”

    “Different paths, same destination,” Jiang Zhiyan retorted.

    “Indeed, I’ll also become a ghost after I die, so it’s the same destination,” Xie Yunzhi said, twitching the corner of her mouth, putting away her phone, and jogging towards the cafeteria.

    “You won’t die if you become a god, so don’t think about that.”

    Xie Yunzhi felt that Jiang Zhiyan’s expression had changed slightly, as if she had thought of something unpleasant.

    Jiang Zhiyan’s mood was generally good, although Xie Yunzhi seemed difficult to deal with, she wasn’t rejecting her, so it wasn’t a big problem, and she even wanted to “become a god,” which basically meant she was thinking about her!

    There was a faint spiritual energy in this world, and Jiang Zhiyan decided to use it to nourish Xie Yunzhi’s soul, then teach her some methods to minimize the negative effects of the vengeful spirit on her.

    However, Xie Yunzhi didn’t seem to be afraid of vengeful spirits. After following her for so long, she ate and slept well, and was in good health. If it were an ordinary person, they would be dead even if she didn’t do anything.

    But after attending classes with Xie Yunzhi for a while, some of her classmates started getting sick, even though she had deliberately restrained herself, but it wasn’t a big problem, the male lead would handle it.

    “Do you want to eat?” Xie Yunzhi typed on her phone.

    “Not for now, you go ahead and eat.”

    “Oh.” Xie Yunzhi ordered her usual rice bowl at her usual spot and sat down at an empty table.

    Jiang Zhiyan sat opposite her. Xie Yunzhi’s eating movements were elegant but efficient, methodical, each bite making one’s appetite increase.

    She noticed Song Zhili not far away and frowned: “How did he get in?”

    “He begged eight hundred classmates to bring him in.”

    Jiang Zhiyan was a bit annoyed, Song Zhili had already seen her, his expression also unpleasant, he walked over with his crutches, and Xie Yunzhi, noticing Jiang Zhiyan’s gaze, was about to turn around.

    “Pretend you can’t see me.”

    “Oh.” Xie Yunzhi stopped herself and continued eating calmly, even reaching through Jiang Zhiyan’s arm to grab a napkin.

    Song Zhili walked over and looked at Xie Yunzhi intently, after confirming that she wasn’t interacting with Jiang Zhiyan, he was slightly relieved.

    “Classmate, I have something important to tell you.”

    “What is it?” Xie Yunzhi looked up, glancing at his leg, her eyes wary.

    She suddenly recalled what Jiang Zhiyan had said earlier and her sudden disappearance yesterday, it was very likely related to this person.

    Song Zhili glanced at Jiang Zhiyan, in case she did something, but Jiang Zhiyan just stared at him coldly. He lowered his voice, trying to sound trustworthy: “There’s a vengeful spirit following you.”

    “Really?” Xie Yunzhi sneered, looking at Song Zhili suspiciously. “Do I look like a fool who’s easily tricked?”

    “It’s true, I can prove it,” Song Zhili said, controlling his voice, he knew most people wouldn’t believe him at first.

    Xie Yunzhi discreetly turned on the recording function on her phone under the table, then placed it back on the table.

    “How can you prove it? If there’s a vengeful spirit following me, why am I so healthy? I’ve seen on TV that people followed by vengeful spirits are very miserable.”

    “Your health is just temporary, vengeful spirits follow people to absorb their life force… can you give me your birth date and time? I think you might have a special fate,” Song Zhili said.

    “Why?” Xie Yunzhi was a bit annoyed. “Can you stop disturbing me while I’m eating? I have classes this afternoon, I want to rest for a bit.”

    “Then let’s exchange contact information, I’ll come find you when you’re free, but it has to be soon, the vengeful spirit following you is very unstable.”

    “I don’t want to, just say it directly, what are you selling? Are you going to read my fortune and sell me talismans? Or do you also want to perform a ritual at my place?” Xie Yunzhi wiped her mouth. “How much is it?”

    Song Zhili opened his mouth: “I don’t want your money, I’m currently on a training journey, my family didn’t give me much money… but my fees aren’t high.”

    “Why are scammers like you allowed on campus? You’ve been observing me for a long time, haven’t you? You know I’m rich, I heard scammers like you always do background checks in advance.”

    Song Zhili, who considered himself a gentleman and never peeked at other people’s phones, took a deep breath: “I’m really not a scammer, I can prove it.”

    Xie Yunzhi ignored him, sent the recording and her location to her counselor, and ten minutes later, security arrived and forcibly escorted Song Zhili out of the school.

    “I’m really not lying to you!” Song Zhili shouted, he felt like he couldn’t explain himself even with ten mouths.

    Xie Yunzhi left with her bag, and Jiang Zhiyan waved at Song Zhili.

    Song Zhili broke free from his restraints, took out three talismans, and in full view of everyone, threw them at a seemingly empty space. Everyone looked over, their gazes filled with amusement. Jiang Zhiyan originally wanted to dodge, but then realized there was no need, she raised her hand, and the talismans fell to the ground, not even touching a corner of her clothes.

    “Tsk, a scammer after all.”

    “How did he even get into the school?”

    Song Zhili stared at Jiang Zhiyan in disbelief.

    Jiang Zhiyan finally understood. In the plot, when Song Zhili came looking for her, he had already been training for a while, as the male lead, his progress was naturally rapid, but now he was still a newbie.

    “Classmate, classmate!”

    Xie Yunzhi ignored him and quickly left the cafeteria. Jiang Zhiyan followed.

    Song Zhili was taken out of the school and sent to the police station, coincidentally, it was the same officers who had questioned him earlier.

    “No wonder he didn’t want to explain, he was probably tied to a tree because he’s a scammer.”

    “I’m really not a scammer,” Song Zhili said, holding his head, and called his family.

    …

    “He’s so bad,” Xie Yunzhi said.

    “Indeed,” Jiang Zhiyan said, floating under Xie Yunzhi’s umbrella.

    “Did you go looking for him yesterday?”

    “Mm, I thought he was a formidable character,” Jiang Zhiyan sighed softly. “Unexpectedly, he’s so weak, and his brain isn’t working very well.”

    Xie Yunzhi nodded in agreement, she had also thought he was a formidable character, after all, he looked the part, but who knew… From the moment he spoke, she had already judged him to be a fool.

    “If he could definitely capture me, would you still help me?” Jiang Zhiyan asked.

    “Yes.”

    “Really?”

    “Really, because you don’t seem to have any intention of harming me, and I don’t want to spend money,” Xie Yunzhi paused, then continued, “Saving money is the second most important thing in my life.”

    “Why?” Jiang Zhiyan was puzzled.

    Xie Yunzhi narrowed her eyes: “It’s a strange feeling, I always feel like someone will suddenly appear and spend all my money, so I have to save more, it might be a while before I can earn money in society.”

    Jiang Zhiyan: ???

    She was really curious about what kind of image she had in Xie Liaoyi’s mind, a spendthrift?

    The System was already laughing.

    “But I still feel like I’ve forgotten something very important, I don’t know when I’ll remember it,” Xie Yunzhi tilted her umbrella slightly, blocking the sunlight.

  • The Vicious Female Lead Doesn’t Want to Do It Anymore 79

    Chapter 79: More Please – I’m Dead from the Sweetness

    The news of Wen Han’s awakening caused a stir in Beihai.

    The Wen family was already quite wealthy, and the news of his sudden illness more than a year ago caused his company, which was on the rise, to decline. Although Wen’s father stepped in, his business philosophy was different from Wen Han’s, and he couldn’t manage the company effectively, so the once thriving company was now just lukewarm, not losing money, but not making much either.

    Wen Han had shown outstanding business talent since he was young, so this change was a pity to many. Now that he was awake, the Wen family’s doorstep was practically worn down by visitors.

    Coincidentally, November 7th was Wen Han’s birthday, hosted by the Wen family, and Dong Ling was naturally among the invited guests.

    The coldness of late autumn seemed to numb one’s senses, but upon entering the Wen residence, a wave of warmth washed over her.

    Dong Ling and Wen Han were too familiar to engage in superficial greetings, those who knew about Wen Han’s situation naturally also knew about his physical condition.

    Wen Han focused on rehabilitation immediately after waking up, exercising his leg muscles, and with the system’s compensation, he was now even healthier than before his coma.

    Dong Ling took off her coat, sat on a small sofa, and ate some pastries. Only after Wen Han finished greeting the other guests and came over did she hand him her gift.

    “Happy birthday, another year older, may all your birthday wishes come true.”

    Dong Ling didn’t say anything fancy, just a simple blessing.

    Wen Han said with a blank expression: “I want to go back and ascend the throne.”

    It was impossible for him to let go of something like that so easily, Wen Han didn’t actually have a strong desire to be an emperor, after all, he knew where his true home was, but at least let him finish the job before bringing him back, what was the difference between that and dying with regrets?

    “Brother, the past is in the past.” Dong Ling rarely called Wen Han “brother,” usually only when she felt he was incredibly impressive, or incredibly pitiful, she said with a hesitant expression, “How about I invest in your next movie and let you play an emperor to satisfy your craving?”

    Wen Han said with a dry smile: “Are you looking for a beating?”

    Dong Ling mumbled: “I’m just trying to comfort you.”

    “Well, thank you very much, where is that person? Didn’t she come with you?”

    Wen Han looked around, but didn’t see Song Mingzhi.

    “She’s back in Jingzhou for work, and she’s a celebrity, it wouldn’t be good if she was photographed.”

    “Aren’t there plenty of celebrities here? Your precious girlfriend is so valuable, why are you still keeping your relationship a secret?”

    Wen Han was a bit critical of Song Mingzhi, not out of dislike, but his first impression was that Song Mingzhi wasn’t simple, someone who could manipulate Dong Ling so easily, he couldn’t help but worry that Dong Ling would be hurt.

    He didn’t believe that characters in novels were real people, he was also a character, and he wasn’t exactly a purely good person.

    Dong Ling replied cheerfully: “We’re not in a hurry to go public, it’s not a big deal, and a secret relationship, it sounds kind of exciting.”

    Wen Han: …………

    Idiot.

    Dong Ling truly didn’t mind a secret relationship, after all, it was their own life, there was no need for everyone to know, besides, she and Song Mingzhi already had quite a few CP fans, she could imagine how many more there would be after the new movie was released.

    A month later, Yu Shuangwei submitted the film for review, and after the review process, “The Legend of Liang Jin’an” was scheduled for release during the Spring Festival, and they began the related promotional activities.

    This type of film usually didn’t do well during the Spring Festival, or rather, non-commercial films rarely did well during such a period, but Yu Shuangwei wasn’t aiming for box office success, but for something more long-term.

    During this time, Song Mingzhi didn’t participate in any entertainment industry activities. Her loyal fans kept urging the company, hoping for her to make an appearance, and because of her long absence, she lost quite a few fans.

    Zuo Zhen was a little anxious seeing this, but both Song Mingzhi and Dong Ling, her boss, didn’t seem to care.

    Song Mingzhi wasn’t aiming for popularity, and she didn’t need the support of fans to get resources, setting aside her acting skills, she had strong financial backing.

    “Director Yu said the roadshow is about to start, she wants us to cooperate with the promotion, I’ll go pack later?”

    Dong Ling, lying on the bed, swinging her legs, looked at Song Mingzhi, who had just entered the room, and relayed the news.

    “Director Yu also messaged me, I’ll pack later, you just stay put, I’ll get you some fruit, sit up and eat.”

    Song Mingzhi placed the fruit on the table beside her and took out the suitcase from the corner.

    Dong Ling reached out coquettishly: “Pull me up.”

    Song Mingzhi extended her hand, letting Dong Ling use it to sit up.

    After feeding her little girlfriend the first piece of fruit, Song Mingzhi started packing with a gentle smile.

    The suitcase was filled with Dong Ling’s clothes, with a dedicated space for her skincare products.

    Dong Ling had sensitive skin, prone to dryness even in spring, so she paid attention to moisturizing, and Song Mingzhi remembered this.

    “Let’s bring some anti-allergy medicine as well, just in case.”

    Song Mingzhi muttered, taking the medicine from the drawer and putting it in the suitcase, she looked through it for a while, then added some of Dong Ling’s small items.

    When it was her turn to pack, her things were much simpler, just three sets of clothes and a set of toiletries, very concise.

    Dong Ling looked at her suitcase and Song Mingzhi’s, hugged Song Mingzhi from behind, and snuggled against her.

    “Aren’t you bringing anything else?”

    “I’ve already brought my most precious treasure, that’s enough.”

    Song Mingzhi felt the soft arms around her waist and turned her head, smelling Dong Ling’s fragrance.

    “Mingzhi, I’ll be spoiled rotten by you if this continues.”

    Dong Ling feigned distress, she was already pampered by her family, and her older lover’s care was even more tender.

    Jiejie was the best!

    “Really? Then let me check.”

    As for how to check… the damp bedsheets would tell.

    Slender, fair fingers clutched Song Mingzhi’s short hair weakly, a warm, moist spring rain creating a hazy, peach-colored blush.

    Delicate as a willow, unable to withstand the gentle breeze.

    At the appointed time, Dong Ling and Song Mingzhi set off together.

    Faced with Song Mingzhi’s long-awaited return to public view and their CP appearing together, the long-silent CP fans were in a frenzy again.

    @PleaseSendMeOffToMyGrave: I almost thought they were going to BE, one hasn’t appeared in public for so long, the other is nowhere to be found, we had to rely on a business magazine to see them together, so sad,wuwuwu, I can only relive old memories to survive.

    @SweetSongZhong: Domineering CEO x Canary will never BE!

    @DongLing’sCivilianGirlfriend: Sisters, have you seen the interview clip from the roadshow? Hahahaha, I’m dying of laughter! The reporter asked Song Jie, “What’s your relationship with CEO Dong in the movie?”

    Because the reporter’s camera flash blinded CEO Dong, Song Jie replied coldly, “Anyone who studied history would know,” such a burn!

    Then the reporter asked Song Jie how she would summarize Liang Jin’an’s life, Song Jie thought for a moment and said: “Power and Su Changying.”

    Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I’m dead from the sweetness! I suggest everyone rewatch this clip! The way Song Jie looked at Dong Ling when she said that, it really makes you feel like Dong Ling is her true love, so charming!

    @MyCPIsTheBestInTheWorld: I saw it too, truly worth savoring repeatedly, I’m not just dead, I’ve ascended! And sister upstairs, your name is very bold! No different from Cao Cao!

    @AlwaysSleepy: CEO Dong even seemed to blush, truly a perfect combination of elegance and cuteness! She looks so aloof and mature usually, but so sweet and innocent in front of Song Jie, Song Zhong SZD! (SZD – Shi Zhen De – It’s real)

    A GIF from the roadshow even went viral, and after the movie’s trailer was released, there were even more screams online.

    @AnZhiTingLan: Aaaaaaaaaa, Tyrant Jiejie, slay! That fierce and flirtatious aura is such a contrast to Song Jie’s usual cold and aloof demeanor, who wouldn’t say Song Mingzhi is awesome?!

    @StickingWithBeauties: CEO Dong’s visuals, drools, please live in the entertainment industry, even just as a pretty face, so beautiful!

    @ShiningWithSunAndMoon: The scene where Su Changying and Liang Jin’an meet is so captivating, the sexual tension is amazing, Liang Jin’an didn’t even do anything indecent, but her gaze already stripped the girl bare, alluring but not greasy, so powerful, although she’s a newcomer, she has a mature aura, those who take the flower path (sponsored/protected by a wealthy benefactor) are truly different!

    @SweetToDeath: Lock this CP up, doesn’t everyone love a powerful canary and a whimpering domineering CEO?

    There were countless such comments online, and Dong Ling couldn’t stop smiling.

    She immediately logged into her Weibo account, liked several comments praising Song Mingzhi’s acting, and then started a lottery to promote the movie.

    This was a common practice among fans, but those following her were confused because Dong Ling not only reposted these comments, but also a picture of her and Song Mingzhi drawn by a famous Song Zhong CP fan.

    @ALittleZhi: Logged out and logged back in, double-checked, this is Jieshi’s Weibo account, right?

    @SongZhongSistersEatWhat: Even CP fans are shocked, is this anti-fan switching sides?

    @RuoTaoBuYu: Has Jieshi Jiejie been softened by her girlfriend? All her recent posts are about her sweet daily life with her girlfriend, is this why she gained so many followers, and realized her previous mistake? Perhaps even Jieshi Jiejie thinks Song Jie and CEO Dong are sweet?

    Dong Ling didn’t reply to these speculations, just expressed her love for her girlfriend as usual, and then left Weibo.

    At the premiere of “The Legend of Liang Jin’an,” the task system calculated the reward.

    [Current main storyline progress: 80%, congratulations.]

    [New task issued: Participate in the same variety show with the female lead and engage in some sweet interactions, prepare for a public announcement, completing this task will reward 6% main storyline progress.]

    036 appeared at this time and said: [Don’t worry about the time limit, after the intelligent optimization and adjustment, the tasks are now issued based on data algorithms, there’s no fixed deadline.]

    [It’s just dating, why be in such a hurry?]

    As expected of an anti-CP system, so carefree.

    Dong Ling: [Okay, I understand, thank you.]

    [By the way, how is 021’s recovery going?]

    Dong Ling was still concerned about the greasy system that had been accompanying her.

    036: [He’s currently undergoing rehabilitation and further training, he’s fine.]

    Dong Ling: [Training?]

    036: [Everyone thinks his way of speaking is outdated, even palace intrigue systems don’t say ‘This servant is unable to do it’ anymore, he needs to keep up with the times.]

    Dong Ling thought, indeed, she didn’t want to be called “girl” anymore.

    What kind of variety show should she and Song Mingzhi participate in?

    Dong Ling discussed this with Song Mingzhi, and the two of them, along with Zuo Zhen, started researching current and upcoming variety shows, but couldn’t find anything they were interested in.

    “Why don’t we invest and create our own?”

    That’s what a domineering CEO would say.

    The wealthy canary beside her nodded, fully approving of this proposal.

  • I’m Surrounded by My Own Pets! 207

    Chapter 207: Shining and Ancient, The Two Apex Moonlight Rabbits Appear!

    “BOOM!!!!!”

    Seconds later, a massive, black dragon tail, millions of kilometers long, like a galaxy, slammed onto Drought’s back.

    A deafening roar echoed, and the Pet Essence and space above Cold Moon Palace froze.

    Then, with another roar, the sky above Cold Moon Palace was torn apart by a terrifying black snow explosion, countless beings sent flying, towns and nations obliterated.

    And under the golden-haired girl’s disbelieving gaze…

    Drought, one of the Four Great Calamities…

    Fell…

    And on Lian Xing’s Pet Beast panel, Golden Leaf’s information had completely changed.

    Seeing Drought fall, Lian Xing understood.

    She immediately checked her Pet Beast panel.

    As expected…

    Golden Leaf had finally reached the pinnacle of the Pet Beast World!

    [Emperor-Tier]

    [Fallen Species]

    [??????Nether Leaf Dark King’s Court??????]

    From this moment on, Lian Xing was officially an Emperor-Tier Beast Tamer!

    (The Ancient Rabbit’s bugged status didn’t count.)

    And she was the first Beast Tamer in history to artificially evolve a Fallen Species!

    Moreover, according to Moonwalker, as an Emperor-Tier Beast Tamer, she could now safely give birth, no longer hindered by her physical weakness~~~

    Married Pet Beasts!?

    She wasn’t afraid!

    Four? Fine, bring it on~~~

    Lian Xing straightened her back, her phantom pains and weak legs gone.

    Meanwhile…

    Above Cold Moon Palace…

    The Fallen Golden Leaf, with a single flick of its tail, had sent Drought’s massive body plummeting, the countless parasites clinging to it facing annihilation, billions turning to dust.

    A bloody, white skeleton was exposed on Drought’s mangled back.

    “Roar!!!!!”

    Drought roared in fury, its black aura exploding outwards.

    This wasn’t just a matter of being disturbed; this was being defecated and urinated upon!

    “Swish, swish, swish—”

    Countless black scorpion tails, like a torrent of steel, lashed out at the black dragon tail.

    But the Fallen Golden Leaf remained unfazed, the scorpion tails leaving only shallow scratches.

    After all, Snow Flower was still in her One Snow Soul state, the added defense boost making Golden Leaf practically invincible.

    Standing on Drought’s back, watching its futile rage, Snow Flower’s expression turned strange.

    She felt… powerful.

    She felt like she could defeat Drought.

    What would happen if she counterattacked now?

    Snow Flower tentatively flicked her tail.

    [One Snow Soul · Nether Severance]

    “Crack—”

    In an instant, Drought’s massive body, hundreds of millions of kilometers long, was cleaved in two.

    Under the disbelieving gazes of all beings in Cold Moon Palace, the massive black dragon tail, with world-shattering force, had cut through one of the Four Great Calamities!

    But then, unable to resist the force of Golden Leaf’s swing, Snow Flower was dragged along, spinning uncontrollably in the air like a passenger on a rollercoaster.

    No, she couldn’t fully control Golden Leaf yet…

    Their relationship had gone from human walking dog to dog walking human. Snow Flower couldn’t restrain Golden Leaf’s wild movements.

    The Fallen Golden Leaf, Nether Leaf Dark King’s Court, while pummeling Drought, also flattened half of Cold Moon Palace with its massive tail, sending mountains and rivers flying.

    “Master, please retrieve Golden Leaf. I can’t control its destructive impulses. The damage might be… excessive…”

    “…”

    “…”

    “Why retrieve it? Isn’t this great?”

    “Let it continue its destruction~~~”

    The next second, as the golden-haired girl spoke cheerfully, silence fell over her Pet Beast space.

    The two Moonlight Rabbits, Calamity Sun, Star Sand, Mist Colt, and Heaven’s Ring all froze, speechless.

    A single thought echoed in their minds:

    This is what a Beast Tamer capable of evolving a Fallen Species is like…

    Of course…

    Cold Moon and Moonwalker still had some semblance of a relationship.

    For Moonwalker’s sake, Lian Xing would protect Cold Moon Palace, at least partially.

    So, go wreak havoc elsewhere—

    With this in mind, she snapped her fingers at Snow Flower and Golden Leaf in the sky.

    “Snap!”

    The two figures vanished, teleported to some unknown corner of the world.

    …

    …

    Meanwhile—

    Earth, Beast Taming Evolution Duel.

    In a major city hosting millions of participants, the fourth annual league tournament was underway.

    Millions of players were competing, billions watching the live broadcast.

    However, at that very moment—

    “BOOM!!!!!”

    A deafening roar.

    A terrifying black dragon tail descended like a destructive galaxy, crushing the entire city and millions of players.

    Even the champion seeds in the VIP spectator seats were instantly annihilated, their Pet Beast lineups offering no resistance.

    Under everyone’s gaze, the snow woman with the dragon horns and massive tail stood up, looking around in confusion.

    Where had her master sent her…?

    What were these virtual UI interfaces?

    Was she inside a Mechanical species?

    The next second, as Earth’s Beast Taming players watched in shock and bewilderment, the snow woman in the shroud simply glanced at the live broadcast, and the stream was cut off by the chaotic Fallen aura.

    A chilling silence descended.

    The Divine Machine’s furious shriek echoed from the server.

    “Who!? Who did this!? Whose Fallen Species is this!!!!”

    “Whoever you are, I won’t let you get away with this!!!”

    “…”

    “…”

    Past life, Beast Taming Evolution Duel(Pet Beast Evolution Battle)

    The first chapter of this book.

    Lian Xing, upon evolving her Ancient Species, had been mysteriously rewarded with transmigration by the Divine Machine.

    Therefore, upon Golden Leaf’s Fallen evolution, she had sent it back to repay the Divine Machine’s “gift.”

    For nearly ten thousand years, Sharp Edge Seven King Mother had been searching for the Divine Machine’s main body, to no avail.

    But Lian Xing, the victim, knew the truth.

    The Divine Machine had been hiding within Beast Taming Evolution Duel all along~~~

    Beast Taming Evolution Duel—

    After two years…

    Was once again invaded by a Fallen Species!!!

    ***

    Moon Soul World, Cold Moon Palace.

    After being struck by the Fallen Golden Leaf’s tail, Drought’s black, fragmented flesh rained down, covering the sky above Cold Moon Palace.

    Even its massive, bisected skeleton plummeted towards the ground like a collapsing sky.

    However, the golden-haired girl below remained unfazed, watching Drought’s descent with a satisfied smile, as if admiring her own masterpiece.

    Finally…

    With only ten thousand meters remaining, under the horrified gazes of countless beings, the massive white skeleton, practically in their faces, suddenly froze.

    Seconds later, Drought’s scattered flesh began to contract, coalescing into a single mass.

    Then, a new humanoid form emerged!

    Just like Storm, Drought was molting.

    “Bang!!!”

    Seconds later, the black flesh burst open like an eggshell.

    A graceful, black-haired woman emerged, radiating a despair-inducing aura.

    Her height was similar to a human’s, but a small scorpion tail swirled around her like intestines.

    Her eyes resembled black halberds.

    And most strikingly, massive black scorpion pincers, like steel gauntlets, covered her fists, the same ones she had once used to throw Calamity Sun.

    This was…

    Drought, one of the Four Great Calamities, in her molted form!

    The humanoid Drought floated in the air, looking down at Cold Moon Palace like a god.

    Then—

    A golden-haired girl with twin buns caught her eye.

    Fallen Species were synonymous with destruction and terror.

    They were demonic incarnations that instilled despair in all beings.

    But for some reason, the golden-haired girl was smiling brightly, staring intently at the black-haired scorpion woman.

    Drought fell silent.

    She had come here for Lian Xing.

    But she couldn’t remember how she had been forced to molt…

    Where was that Ancient Species?

    Had someone else damaged her outer shell?

    It didn’t matter.

    She would die here—

    …

    …

    As one of Star Goddess’s former Pet Beasts, Drought had been forced to become a Fallen Species, something she had once abhorred, to defeat the Eleventh Zodiac.

    But now, she was nearly consumed by her own destructive impulses.

    If this continued, she would soon become a mindless agent of destruction like Storm and Volcano.

    She didn’t want Star Goddess to see her in this ugly state…

    And she didn’t want her Fallen nature to taint the Eleventh Zodiac’s residual aura within Star Goddess, hindering Sharp Edge Seven King Mother’s further growth.

    Yes, in these past few months, Star Goddess’s dormant aura had been reviving…

    Sharp Edge Seven King Mother knew.

    Inverse Time knew.

    And Drought couldn’t possibly be unaware…

    Star Goddess, who had been dead for a million years, seemed about to emerge from the coffin created by the Eleventh Zodiac.

    Though absurd, there were signs.

    Not only Star Goddess’s three Pet Beasts, but also other Pet Beasts of former top Beast Tamers had sensed the coming storm.

    For example, the legendary Beast Tamer who had once possessed Cold Moon, White Abode, and Snow Flower, three high-ranking Legends.

    Ice Queen…

    Cold Moon couldn’t understand why her former master, who had been dead for ten million years, completely forgotten by the world, sealed within her ice coffin, was showing signs of revival.

    And not only her…

    Six million years ago, Flood and Qianqiu’s master, the renowned Nether Concubine…

    Her grave had recently collapsed, the entire area buried.

    The dead couldn’t be resurrected. This was a fundamental rule of the world.

    Replay and Inverse Time could only manipulate Pet Essence to alter the present.

    And only if the deceased’s Pet Essence wasn’t too strong, not exceeding their own.

    But…

    How could top experts, dead for millions of years, suddenly show signs of life!?

    Was a higher-dimensional being interfering?

    Regardless, all signs pointed to the collapse of order in the Moon Soul World.

    Especially for Drought, who had witnessed it firsthand and heard the Eleventh Zodiac’s words: “It’s not time yet.”

    Now, it knew, the time had come.

    Soon…

    Star Goddess would awaken!

    That was why it sought death so desperately.

    Drought had sought death for a million years, but Sharp Edge Seven King Mother wouldn’t kill it, nor allow others to.

    The other Shining Bipole was pursuing Sharp Edge Seven King Mother, so she wouldn’t disobey this command and fight Drought.

    Tens of thousands of years ago, Inverse Time had nearly killed Drought, but ultimately couldn’t bring herself to do it.

    Only the First Emperor could kill Drought.

    But it didn’t want to give the First Emperor a free kill.

    Because Sharp Edge Seven King Mother’s target was the First Emperor!

    The First Emperor, Lotus Concubine Tai Sui, the Moon Soul World’s only Myriad-Level Ancient Species, the ultimate world boss who had personally killed three Ancient Species.

    Long ago, Lotus Concubine Tai Sui had been infamous for hunting Ancient Species, even challenging Star Goddess, only to be repelled by her full lineup.

    After Star Goddess’s death, she had finally targeted her Ancient Species.

    This had ruined Lotus Concubine Tai Sui’s reputation in the Moon Soul World.

    But she didn’t care, remaining aloof and solitary.

    Naturally, Star Goddess’s former Pet Beasts were hostile towards Lotus Concubine Tai Sui.

    Sharp Edge Seven King Mother was also accumulating strength, waiting for their final battle.

    This had left Drought trapped in its agonizing existence, unable to die.

    But finally…

    With the arrival of a certain being, Drought saw hope of death!

    The Myriad-Level Ancient Species, Moon Calamity!

    Though it didn’t understand how Moon Calamity had reached Myriad-Level under Lotus Concubine Tai Sui’s nose in the Moon Soul World…

    Moon Calamity’s existence was a direct challenge to Lotus Concubine Tai Sui’s rule!

    Soon, Lotus Concubine Tai Sui would definitely target Moon Calamity.

    Therefore…

    Either be defeated by me—

    Or kill me, and grow strong enough to defeat the First Emperor!!!

    Moon Calamity, which would you choose?

    “…”

    “…”

    “Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!!!!”

    As the massive black scorpion tail descended, Lian Xing felt the terrifying pressure of the Fallen Species’ true form threatening to rip her apart.

    Drought had specifically asked Inverse Time to negotiate with Cold Moon to seal Cold Moon Palace, preventing Seven King Mother from detecting its presence.

    It had come here for one reason.

    To fight the Ancient Species, Moon Calamity!

    However—

    Even with Drought’s imminent attack, the golden-haired girl remained calm, as if she didn’t even consider the Fallen Species a threat!

    The stars in her eyes grew brighter.

    Just as Drought’s black scorpion tail was about to strike—

    The space within Cold Moon Palace froze.

    Then—

    “BOOM!!!!!”

    Ancient pressure and golden flames erupted simultaneously.

    Two awe-inspiring auras, radiating from the golden-haired girl with twin buns, shook Cold Moon Palace with destructive force, overturning nations and factions, even shifting the terrain itself.

    Drought, one of the Four Great Calamities, one of the Moon Soul World’s strongest…

    Was now forced to defend with both pincers to avoid being blown away, her body sliding backwards as she stared ahead with a grim expression.

    Finally, after dozens of seconds, the dust settled.

    Both Drought within Cold Moon Palace and the Guardians outside fell silent.

    Suddenly, Silver Dragon within Cold Moon’s warship remembered something, her scalp tingling.

    “I just remembered something…”

    “What?” Tears Maiden asked, turning her head.

    “Lian Xing…”

    “Her ID…”

    “From the very beginning, it was—”

    “…”

    “…”

    “Strongest Moonlight Rabbit!!!!”

    ***

    Under everyone’s gaze, as the dust and shockwaves subsided, two breathtaking figures appeared on either side of the golden-haired girl.

    On her left, the white Moonlight Rabbit slowly opened her eyes, her pink ears erect like stalks of straw, her long, white fur flowing wildly.

    Every inch of her flesh and Pet Essence seemed like a refined star, flawless and perfect, her indifferent gaze making it difficult to breathe.

    On her right was a dazzling, golden Moonlight Rabbit, golden, star-like bubbles floating around her, her long, golden hair like shimmering sand swirling through the galaxy.

    A dreamlike full moon satellite, a golden cube, and Neverending Tower orbited her head.

    It was as if the entire world revolved around her.

    The Ancient Moonlight Rabbit, the Back-Tailed Moon-Chasing Demon Rabbit!!!

    The Shining Moonlight Rabbit, Starlight Never Diminishes, Moon Eternal!!!

    These were…

    The two apex Moonlight Rabbits!

  • Shion’s Notes 129

    Chapter 129: The New Talent Awards

    After returning home, Yu Linna sat at her computer desk, lost in thought, then opened a new document. Since Nangong Ying claimed she didn’t understand, she would… show her.

    Learning about her past and encountering Nangong Ying had left her emotionally drained. But she had to keep living, to live well. She had to prove herself, to earn respect.

    The only person she could rely on was herself; waiting for others was unrealistic. Yu Linna finally understood this.

    She began typing, immersing herself in her imagination. Writing allowed her to escape reality, to find solace. She discovered the joy of creation.

    Yu Linna started a new story, titled Zixuan and the Paper Airplane, a title that lacked immediate appeal but held a special meaning for her.

    The protagonist, Tang Yu, was a despondent man in his thirties. Laid off from his job, he drowned his sorrows in alcohol, watching his friends achieve success while he wallowed in self-pity. Then, his ex-wife passed away, leaving him with their seven-year-old son, Tang Zixuan. With Zixuan’s mother gone, Tang Yu, a father who had been largely absent from his son’s life, had no choice but to take responsibility. And so, his life began to change…

    She wrote this story seeking the familial connection she had always craved, portraying the ideal family she had always longed for. She had no parents, no home, so she created one in her story.

    It was a story about family, about a father and son, about love and connection. The overall tone was heartwarming, focusing solely on the father-son relationship, without a female protagonist. It was her most heartfelt work.

    No parents? She could write. No home? She could write. No family? She could write. Since she had none of these, she would find them in her stories.

    Her previous novel, Ballad of the Enchantress, had followed commercial conventions, but this one was different, more of an emotional outpouring than a calculated commercial piece.

    But it didn’t matter; she simply wanted to write this story.

    Soon, it was time for Wenqing’s annual New Talent Awards. The finalists would be ranked, and the winners would receive publishing contracts. While everyone anticipated the results, most were curious about who would win first place. Historically, the winner had always been an established author using a pen name, except for last year, when Zhao Yuyan, with her exceptional talent, had taken the top spot, becoming the youngest winner ever.

    She had been only nineteen.

    What would happen this year? It was exciting.

    “You’re saying what?”

    Ye Zhiyun’s expression was a mixture of surprise and amusement after receiving Yu Linna’s call. She listened patiently as Yu Linna explained.

    “Shion… That pen name… is yours, right?”

    “Yes, I understand. Okay.”

    “Okay, you can use it. I’ll be back later.”

    Hanging up, Ye Zhiyun sighed. While she was away, Nana had started writing, and her work had even been shortlisted for the New Talent Awards. It was completely unexpected.

    She hadn’t thought Yu Linna would recover so quickly. The Chenghe incident had been devastating, but somehow, she had found a new direction, a new passion. Ye Zhiyun had read Ballad of the Enchantress after Yu Linna shared the file with her.

    She had to admit, it was a good novel. While not a masterpiece, it was undoubtedly a well-written piece.

    And knowing it was Yu Linna’s work made it even more special. Hearing that Yu Linna was writing another novel was even more surprising. Yu Linna had been moving forward without her even knowing.

    As an invited guest, Ye Zhiyun dressed formally, wearing an elegant dress, her hair styled in an updo, a necklace adorning her neck.

    At the awards ceremony venue, banners were hung, cameras pointed at the stage, staff bustling about, making final preparations. The doors opened, and people began to arrive. Within an hour, the hall was filled. The curtains were drawn on stage, several senior editors were present, and the chief editor, Tang He, stood on stage, eager to witness this year’s event.

    The invited authors began to arrive, the finalists looking nervous, standing stiffly, their anticipation palpable. Zhao Yuyan, dressed formally for the occasion, entered with a look of resignation. Instead of an elegant dress like Ye Zhiyun, she wore a white shirt, a black skirt, and small leather shoes, her long hair tied in a single braid hanging over her left shoulder. She looked more like a corporate employee attending a business meeting than a renowned author.

    She had worn the same outfit last year when she won, and the video of her acceptance speech had circulated online. Female authors were a rarity, and Zhao Yuyan’s beauty had earned her a considerable fanbase.

    “Hello, Air.”

    “Hello.”

    “Hello, Air.”

    “Hello.”

    “Hello, Air.”

    “Hello.”

    Ugh, this is why I hate these events, Zhao Yuyan thought, plastering a smile on her face.

    Since becoming famous, she was constantly greeted at formal events. Though well-intentioned, she disliked the attention. She just wanted to go home and play games.

    “Has Shion arrived?”

    With the ceremony about to begin, Chen Xi inquired with the security guards at the entrance. They hadn’t seen anyone named Shion with an invitation. Chen Xi had specifically instructed them to look out for Shion, but they were nowhere to be found.

    This was frustrating.

    Did Shion think they wouldn’t win and decide not to come?

    It was possible.

    After all, their novel was controversial. But to have emerged from so many submissions meant they had talent. And this year, there weren’t many outstanding works.

    Chen Xi was anxious. She didn’t want to lose Shion, a potential star author.

    “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, everyone in attendance! I’m Qian Jiaxuan, also known as Rabbit Princess, a new editor at Wenqing, and your host for tonight’s awards ceremony. Another year has passed, and tonight, we’ll reveal who will be the chosen ones. Now, I declare the annual Wenqing New Talent Awards officially open!”

    Music filled the air, followed by applause. The lights dimmed, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement.

    The New Talent Awards had begun.

    But Shion wasn’t there.

    Though Chen Xi didn’t know who Shion was or what they looked like, they were absent. The author she had such high hopes for hadn’t shown up.

    The ceremony had started; it was too late to enter now.

    Though disappointed, there was nothing she could do. She would have to find someone else to accept the award.

    “Miss Chen Xi.”

    A voice called from behind. Chen Xi turned.

    Ye Zhiyun, elegant in her formal attire, stood there, a faint smile on her face, but her eyes held a predatory glint, a natural aura of dominance.

    Having returned from her trip to England with her family, she was eager to get back to work. This event was an opportunity. Since she had been invited, she might as well make her presence felt.

    “Miss Ye, is there something I can help you with?”

    Ye Zhiyun was an invited guest, expected only to observe the ceremony and attend the dinner afterward. Nothing more.

    But Ye Zhiyun had other plans.

    “Shion asked me to inform you that they couldn’t make it.”

    “What? You know Shion?”

    “Yes. They’re working on a new novel and didn’t want to interrupt their flow, so they couldn’t come tonight.”

    Chen Xi almost choked.

    What could be more important than the New Talent Awards?!

    It was a major event, livestreamed to the public, where the most promising newcomer was crowned, earning Wenqing’s full support for the following year. Though not as influential as Qidian, Wenqing still held considerable power, using the New Talent Awards to showcase their strength.

    And Shion… simply decided not to come? How casual!

    Just like Air!

    “Achoo!”

    Zhao Yuyan sneezed. Was it cold in here, or was she underdressed?

    Chen Xi, though surprised, accepted Shion’s absence. She wondered about the relationship between Miss Ye and Shion. She knew nothing about Shion, their appearance, their gender, nothing. Yet, Miss Ye had relayed their message, suggesting a close connection.

    But it didn’t matter; everything would be revealed during the contract signing. Only the author themselves could sign a contract; what was unknown now would eventually come to light.

    More importantly, she had gained a new perspective on Ye Zhiyun. Her decision to befriend Miss Ye seemed to be the right one. She was more than just a businesswoman; she was a woman of considerable influence.

    To be close to Shion… she wasn’t a simple person either.

    “After intense competition, thirty novels have emerged from tens of thousands of submissions. Tonight, these thirty works will compete for three coveted awards.”

    The host’s voice filled the hall, the excitement building.

  • Reincarnated as a Holy Nun, I Refuse to Lose! v2c19

    Volume 2: Witch Kingdom Arc

    Chapter 19

    Lislia had just turned around when she sensed danger behind her. Without hesitation, she punched backwards, only to see Doris, whom she had just annihilated, standing there, eyes glowing red.

    “A mere flesh wound! You think that can kill me? I’ll kill you first, traitor!!”

    Doris’s eyes blazed with madness. Luo Yuxi, watching the resurrected witch from afar, felt a mix of relief and confusion.

    “Am I a saint? She just wanted to use me as a toy. No, wait, why ‘just’? It’s good that she’s alive!”

    Luo Yuxi was startled by her own conflicting emotions. She didn’t want Doris, who had treated her like a plaything, to die. Was she a saint?

    “No, I’m not a saint, I just don’t want her to die so easily. Why should I try to capture her like the protagonist? If I have a chance to defeat her, I should take it…”

    As Luo Yuxi wrestled with her thoughts, Lislia was struggling. She had tried to kill Doris quickly because of this very reason: Doris, the Wrath Witch, not only mastered all body enhancement magic, but also grew stronger the more she was injured.

    “A sneak attack? Is that all you’ve got, traitor?!”

    “Traitor? I’ve always been on the Church’s side…”

    [Unique Magic: Sea of Annihilation]

    Black waves spread outwards, consuming the forest, turning everything into dust. Doris, with incredible speed, jumped out of the range of the attack.

    “None of you can escape! I’ll kill you all!!”

    Doris’s red eyes glowed brighter, her killing intent unrestrained. Yu Keke whispered to Luo Yuxi,

    “Big sister, what should we do? Should we run?”

    “That witch in black mist is fighting her, but she seems to be on our side, big sister, should we—?”

    Yun Keke made a throat-slitting gesture. Luo Yuxi, after a moment of internal struggle, finally made up her mind.

    “Screw being a saint. Anyone who wants to use me should be prepared to be used back~”

    Luo Yuxi looked at the two lolis, a predatory glint in her eyes. Although she had been relying on them, they were already “hers,” their necks metaphorically bound by collars with her name on them. She smiled slyly.

    “Capture, not kill~”

    Luo Yuxi clenched her fist. Yun Keke, understanding her intent, smirked.

    “So weakling big sister isn’t completely useless~”

    “Don’t worry, I’ll help you capture her!”

    With Doris’s superior mobility, Lislia was losing ground. Yun Keke and Yu Keke joined the battle, their golden chains binding the frenzied Doris.

    [Unique Magic: Submersion]
    [Unique Magic: Infatuation]
    [Twin Magic: Sensory Confinement]

    Doris, caught off guard, was completely immobilized.

    “Got you~”

    “I’m Wrath, one of the Seven Deadly Sins! How can a 2nd Order like me be captured by two newbies?!”

    [Unique Magic: Domination Blood Rage]

    Doris’s eyes blazed, her silver hair fluttering, the chains rattling. Lislia raised her hand.

    [Unique Magic: Annihi—]

    “Just one more time…”

    As Lislia’s black mist enveloped Doris, the chains suddenly bound Lislia as well. Yun Keke had switched targets.

    “Wait, wrong target!”

    “Big sister wants her alive, so please rest for a while~”

    Doris struggled uselessly. Lislia tried to escape as a mist, but the chains were imbued with divine power, preventing her from using magic.

    “Mother-in-law, don’t bother struggling, your daughters are listening to me now…”

    Lislia looked at Luo Yuxi, who was holding the chains, her gaze scrutinizing. Luo Yuxi nervously channeled divine power into the chains, afraid Lislia would escape.

    “Sigh, so my other identity has been revealed. These youngsters, not listening to me. Oh well…”

    Lislia didn’t resist, simply sitting down and watching Yun Keke and Yu Keke fight Doris, as if watching her daughters grow.

    “My daughters are quite cute, aren’t they~?”

    “Uh… yes…”

    “And I’m a bad mother who couldn’t even take care of them…”

    “Why did you abandon them…?”

    Luo Yuxi asked softly. Even if Lislia was a witch, which was unexpected, there was no reason to abandon her own daughters, who were also witches.

    “I was a bishop in the Church, undercover in the Witch Kingdom. But my identity was exposed…”

    Lislia leaned against a tree, her expression filled with genuine sadness. Luo Yuxi imagined a tragic story of a spy being captured and tortured, eventually becoming pregnant.

    “I’m sorry for bringing up painful memories…”

    “It wasn’t that painful. That loli witch was quite cute~”

    “???”

    Lislia’s sad expression was replaced by a playful smile as she crossed her stocking-clad legs, her mature charm captivating even Luo Yuxi, despite her extensive experience with women.

    “I was transmitting information to the Saintess when that loli witch discovered me. I had no choice but to take her back to the inn and teach her a lesson. I forgot about the Elven Seed inside me~”

    “Hmm?!”

    Luo Yuxi dropped the chains in shock, then quickly picked them up, her mind reeling from the information overload. She looked at Lislia in disbelief.

    “What?! So, Mother-in-law… you…!”

    “See~ Yun Keke has the same hair color as her witch mother, even their sizes are similar~”

    Luo Yuxi was speechless, wanting to scold Lislia, but the words caught in her throat. Isn’t that just being a lolicon? But then again, she had been with four lolis at once, she had no right to judge, she had done even worse things.

    “You seem to have something to say…”

    “Not anymore…”

    Luo Yuxi sat beside Lislia, watching the fight. Doris, the Wrath Witch, was incredibly resilient, even in her weakened state, lasting a long time against two 2nd Order witches before finally being pinned to a cross by Luo Yuxi’s sneak attack.

    [Divine Art: Judgment Cross]

    “I can actually use it. I’m a genius! I wonder if I can use other bishops’ divine arts too…?”

    Luo Yuxi looked at her hands, realizing her ability wasn’t just limited to copying techniques in bed. Yun Keke, panting, her sweat-soaked clothes clinging to her body, the gap between her clothes and her chest incredibly alluring, stood beside her.

    “Ugh… I’m exhausted. I thought with Little Yu, we could defeat anyone, but are all the Deadly Sins this strong…?”

    “You and Little Yu were amazing. The Wrath Witch is the strongest below First Order, defeating her even while injured is impressive~”

    Luo Yuxi patted Yun Keke’s head, and Yun Keke closed her eyes, enjoying the touch. Yu Keke, dragging the chained Lislia, approached.

    “What should we do with this Envy Witch? Kill her too, big sister?”

    “Uh… just let Mother-in-law go…”

    “Hmm? Mother-in-law?”

    Yu Keke tilted her head in confusion as Luo Yuxi rushed over and released Lislia from the chains. Lislia, freed, hugged Yu Keke, who was still in a daze.

    “She’s actually your mother. There’s no information about her in the Church because she’s undercover here…”

    Yu Keke’s face crumpled, tears streaming down her cheeks. Yun Keke stood frozen, like a statue.

    “I’m sorry, I’m so late…”

    “Mo… Mommy…”

    “It’s alright now, we’ll always be together…”

    Author:

    You have captured:

    Wrath Witch [Doris]

    What will you do with her?

    1. A 2nd Order time bomb is too dangerous, just kill her…

    2. Fair skin, beautiful face, long legs in stockings, such a beauty should be thoroughly enjoyed in bed, listening to her moans all night, wouldn’t that be wonderful?

    3. Make her do advanced math.

  • Reincarnated as a Holy Nun, I Refuse to Lose! v2c18

    Volume 2: Witch Kingdom Arc

    Chapter 18: Mother-in-Law

    Doris stared in disbelief at the hand protruding from her chest, slowly turning to look at the masked figure. Luo Yuxi was also confused by this sudden betrayal. Yun Keke and Yu Keke, although puzzled, quickly retreated, shielding Luo Yuxi.

    “You bastard! So you were the traitor among us!”

    “Isn’t the heart on the left…?”

    The figure revealed a feminine form. Doris, gathering her strength, punched backwards with tremendous force, the impact creating a sonic boom, dispelling the black mist surrounding the figure.

    “It’s a shame I couldn’t finish you with one blow…”

    Doris, weakened by the injury, knelt on the ground. The figure, now revealed as the Envy Witch, instantly appeared beside Luo Yuxi. Yun Keke looked at her warily, sensing her power, yet also feeling a strange sense of familiarity.

    “You two are so reckless, confronting her head-on is foolish…”

    Yun Keke looked at the unfamiliar woman, sensing a hint of concern in her eyes. She felt strangely drawn to her. Luo Yuxi, hiding behind the lolis, stared at the woman who had attacked Doris, speechless.

    “Why are you helping us? Aren’t you one of the Seven Deadly Sins?”

    The woman, as if she hadn’t heard, dispelled the black mist, revealing her long, light purple hair and a figure as alluring as Luo Yuxi’s, her features sharp and heroic. The surrounding bishops gasped.

    “I almost forgot to introduce myself. I am Lislia, the previous Seat of Tolerance, currently the Envy Witch…”

    Lislia gently patted Yu Keke’s head. Yun Keke was about to intervene, but she couldn’t sense any hostility from Lislia. Yu Keke felt a comforting warmth from Lislia’s touch, a feeling she had only experienced from Luo Yuxi’s embrace.

    “Wait… the previous Seat of Tolerance…?”

    Luo Yuxi stared at Lislia’s familiar features, the spitting image of a grown-up Yu Keke, her every movement radiating a captivating gentleness. Her light purple hair was identical to Yu Keke’s.

    “You… you couldn’t be…?”

    Luo Yuxi couldn’t believe her own thoughts. Yun Keke, seeing her shocked expression, was confused. Why would a Church spy within the Witch Kingdom elicit such a reaction from Luo Yuxi?

    “You say you’re on our side? Just because you say so? This must be a witch’s trick to lower our guard!…”

    “Stop, stop!”

    Luo Yuxi quickly pulled Yun Keke into a hug, covering her mouth. Yun Keke struggled briefly, then relaxed, her head resting against Luo Yuxi’s soft bosom.

    “Lady Lislia, please forgive her, she’s just very cautious…!!!”

    Luo Yuxi held Yun Keke tightly. Yu Keke, still confused, felt a strange familiarity with Lislia, not even resisting when she patted her head.

    “These two children cherish you deeply…”

    Lislia looked at Luo Yuxi. Luo Yuxi had imagined countless scenarios of meeting Yun Keke and Yu Keke’s mother, but she hadn’t expected this. Although Lislia hadn’t confirmed it yet, it was almost certain that this beautiful and mature woman was their mother.

    “Mother-in-law— No, Lady Lislia, why are you undercover among the Seven Deadly Sins…?”

    “I know you have many questions, but now is not the time for a chat. I’ll explain everything after this is over…”

    Lislia turned and removed her black cloak, revealing her true appearance. Her light purple hair swayed, a seductive tear mole beneath her lively eyes. A black mist swirled around her, her aura powerful and mature.

    “Since the Wrath Witch, Doris, has revealed her identity, we can’t let her return to the castle…”

    Doris, with a gaping wound in her chest, could no longer maintain her white-haired, red-eyed battle form. She gritted her teeth, glaring at the traitor.

    “You leaked our plans to attack the Church…”

    “Yes.”

    “You set up the previous Greed Witch…”

    “I just lured her out…”

    “And you helped my canary escape from the castle several times…”

    “I provided the map and equipment, but she failed to escape, so I had to bring her out myself…”

    Lislia looked at the dying Doris, her face cold and emotionless. Doris finally understood and chuckled self-deprecatingly.

    “I always thought the Church had a divine art of precognition…”

    “That’s why you were my first target. I was planning to stay undercover longer, but there’s no need now…”

    Lislia raised her hand, a large magic sphere enveloping Doris, who looked at Luo Yuxi one last time.

    “To die like this… how frustrating…”

    [Unique Magic: Annihilation]

    Doris’s body disintegrated into particles of light. Lislia stopped the spell.

    “Now there are only six of us. Saintess, does this count as completing part of the mission…?”

    Lislia walked towards Luo Yuxi, who was still in shock. A powerful witch from the game had vanished just like that. She had only thought of capturing Doris, never eliminating her.

    “This isn’t what I wanted…“

  • Miss Luo Yan’s Feet Are Buried With Corpses v3c9

    Witch’s Night: Chapter 9 People Can Be Down-to-Earth, But Not…Down-to-Earth

    Simply put, Yan City treated Luo Yan as “a person possessing dangerous power,” and all their measures stemmed from this understanding.

    Lannister, however, regarded Luo Yan as the dangerous power itself, constantly trying its best to avoid contact, lest the “bomb” explode uncontrollably within the city.

    In this accidental encounter… even Norian was constantly breaking out in a cold sweat.

    He was afraid.

    But he wasn’t afraid of his own death; he was afraid of the consequences that Luo Yan’s contact with Lannister might bring.

    This caution wasn’t a problem, because Norian was responsible for the entire city.

    But for Luo Yan herself… it was a little uncomfortable.

    “Actually, there’s no need to worry too much. I know my own situation.” Luo Yan smiled gently, her gaze distant.

    “I was far more dangerous in Yan City… At that time, I was on the verge of losing control. If it weren’t for Nine and One saving me with their lives, I’m afraid I would have had no choice but to go to the depths of the Endless Wasteland.”

    The destination for every demonically infected person, every God’s Chosen, was the depths of the Endless Wasteland.

    From beginning to end, the only thing that could seal the out-of-control body of a demonically infected person was One’s Ice Coffin; there was nothing else.

    If it could be replicated, the other Misters of Dawn wouldn’t have met such tragic ends, one after another.

    Norian was silent for a moment. His views wouldn’t be so easily changed by Luo Yan’s few words.

    For Lannister, he wasn’t willing to take the slightest risk. This was the city he loved, the work of his life.

    So he could only remain silent, even though Luo Yan’s words made sense.

    “Of course, since I am a guest, I will abide by Lannister’s rules,” Luo Yan naturally saw Norian’s attitude. “I’ll return to the apartment shortly. I’ll trouble Magistrate Norian to send someone to take me back.”

    “It’s best that you can understand our difficulties.” Norian secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and then his expression became slightly serious again. “As for the person who illegally entered the restricted zone and secretly spied on you, Lannister will do its utmost to find them.”

    “Thank you.”

    Luo Yan nodded.

    After the serious matters were discussed, Norian finally couldn’t help but ask the question he had been curious about since Luo Yan revealed her identity,

    “By the way… aren’t you a girl? Why are you now…”

    “It’s a Life Hack.”

    Luo Yan said seriously, her expression solemn, not at all like she was joking.

    But just like everyone who heard Luo Yan say this for the first time, Norian’s expression was one of “Are you kidding me?”

    “It’s just the application of a mental ability.” Luo Yan slightly loosened the influence on Norian’s perception, and the familiar silver-haired girl reappeared in his vision. “Look, it’s very convenient to use.”

    Norian inconspicuously looked away, avoiding eye contact with Luo Yan, and said,

    “However, Miss Luo Yan, since you don’t intend to hide your identity, why did you appear at the banquet in this appearance?”

    If Luo Yan hadn’t told Norian her name, he would never have imagined that this handsome black-haired young man and the mysterious girl he picked up from the forest outside the city were actually the same person.

    If she really wanted to hide her identity, she just needed to not reveal her name.

    “It was my request.” Hua Qingling, who had been quiet all this time, spoke up. “With Miss Luo Yan’s appearance, it would be easy to cause a sensation at the banquet… So, I asked her to change her appearance.”

    “It doesn’t really matter.”

    Luo Yan shrugged. Anyway, she had Life Hacks, and at most, she could just increase the distortion a little.

    Indeed, Hua Qingling wasn’t eye-catching, but that didn’t mean Luo Yan was the same. In terms of appearance, Hua Qingling was far inferior to Luo Yan.

    Regarding Luo Yan’s appearance, back in Yan City, Hua Qingling’s sister, Hua Qiling, and Anna had both given the assessment that “even Miss Chris pales in comparison.”

    In fact, this was still the result of Luo Yan deliberately suppressing her abilities. Back in Ghost Town, when she hadn’t suppressed her abilities, it had directly resulted in all those who looked at her suffering mental damage.

    For such a stunningly beautiful girl with no background to appear at a high-profile banquet, it was hard to imagine the consequences.

    Needless to say, there would definitely be no shortage of noble young men trying to strike up conversations, and there might even be some nobles with dirty minds who would have malicious intentions. Norian didn’t doubt their lack of morals.

    Therefore, Norian was quite frightened after hearing this and secretly marveled at Hua Qingling’s thoughtfulness, raising his opinion of her even higher.

    This young lady was very sensible!

    …However, it would be even better if she were a little more sensible and hadn’t brought Luo Yan out of the restricted zone.

    Of course, this was impossible. Norian knew after a little thought that Luo Yan’s decision to leave the apartment must have something to do with the discovery of being monitored.

    Since things had come to this, he could only leave it at that.

    “Granny Zoya has already set off to investigate this matter at your residence. So, Miss Luo Yan, please rest here for a while, and Granny Zoya will take you back when she returns.”

    Norian quickly made arrangements. He agreed with Luo Yan’s words, but he absolutely couldn’t relax his caution.

    If possible, Norian didn’t want Luo Yan to leave the area under Lannister’s control, not even an inch.

    He really regretted not strongly rejecting the Saint at that time… although the result might not have been any different.

    Norian had lamented this in his heart more than once, but now this feeling was even stronger.

    “Mm, I’ll stay here obediently.”

    Luo Yan nodded, looking quite docile.

    Just then, the grand banquet was about to begin, and all the nobles had arrived.

    Among them were some excessively young faces filled with excitement and nervousness. They were basically the outstanding young talents personally invited by Granny Zoya, subtly forming two separate circles with the nobles.

    Count Spencer gave a speech on stage, melodious music drifting through the hall, played live by a classical orchestra from Noah.

    The long and tedious opening speech was coming to an end, and it was time for Norian to appear.

    Even though Norian hated this cumbersome etiquette, this was, after all, the nobles’ home ground, and since he didn’t intend to fall out with them, he could only comply.

    “Ladies, I must take my leave. May you two… oh, no, Miss Hua Qingling, may you have a pleasant time at this banquet.”

    Then Norian looked at Luo Yan, giving her a meaningful glance,

    “—As for Miss Luo Yan, I can only say that I hope when you visit Lannister again in the future… it will be as an ordinary guest.”

    “…Perhaps.”

    After this brief conversation ended, Norian hurriedly left the bar counter.

    At the same time, many enthusiastic gazes were still lingering on Hua Qingling… Luo Yan, rather unkindly, increased the distortion. Even if someone consciously looked at her, their gaze would shift away.

    But this situation didn’t last long. Soon, these restless Lannister nobles were attracted by another figure who suddenly appeared.

    “It’s Miss Chris! Miss Chris has really come…”

    “It’s rare for Magistrate Norian to attend, and there’s also Miss Chris’s appearance… This banquet is worth it!”

    “Wuwuwu, Miss Chris… take me away… I want to be your dog…”

    There seemed to be some strange words mixed in.

    However, Luo Yan now understood why Chris had been dressed like that when she saw her outside the venue earlier.

    Compared to Hua Qingling, who might only have aroused Magistrate Norian’s slight interest, Miss Chris’s status was obviously more important.

    “Miss Chris seems to be really popular.”

    Luo Yan craned her neck, but still couldn’t see Chris among the moving heads.

    “Not seems, Miss Chris is a top star in the Free Federation, and she’s very rich.” Hua Qingling said with emotion,

    “The place where she treated me to a meal wasn’t particularly delicious, but the prices were so expensive that I wanted to dig a hole and escape. But she ordered everything without batting an eye, without even asking what I wanted to eat. I was so scared I thought it was a scam.”

    Sis, I know you have no image anymore, but please pay attention to your language as a lady…

    As soon as there were no outsiders present, Hua Qingling immediately let loose, making Luo Yan even more certain that this person was indeed Hua Qiling’s older sister.

    Luo Yan touched her chin. She suddenly thought of Chris’s inexplicable hostility towards her earlier, and Hua Qingling’s descriptions,

    “Why… the more I listen, the more I feel like you two are having an affair. Even if it was for buying clothes, there was no need to treat you to a meal, right?”

    “What are you thinking? She just admired my work, I could tell.” Hua Qingling said proudly, hands on her hips. “When I put on the sample for her to see, her eyes were glued to it.

    “Besides, that was the first time I met Miss Chris; we had no interaction before that.”

    “Really?” Luo Yan asked suspiciously. “Could you have remembered wrong?”

    “Heh, Miss Luo Yan, I can see you don’t understand at all,” Hua Qingling tsked. “If Miss Chris were just a popular idol, that would be one thing, but she has another identity.

    “The second daughter of the Lequista family, one of the candidates for the next head of the family… Although it’s highly likely she’s just a backup, it’s enough to show her noble status, even Norian has to take her seriously.”

    Seeing that Luo Yan still looked puzzled, Hua Qingling continued to explain,

    “The Lequista family is one of the ten families that founded Noah with the Saint, and also one of the only three Noah families that have survived to this day.

    “Her ancestors built the city with the Saint. What qualifications do I have to know her? We wouldn’t even use the same toilet!”

    “Sister Qingling, I know you’re trying to illustrate the difference in status, but please change your analogy… Let me keep my last bit of impression of you.”

    Forget about a knowledgeable older sister or something, she was at least a prodigy with the potential to reach “Destruction” level, why did she talk like this in private?

    But it was also understandable. Compared to being a young lady from a prominent family, Hua Qingling had been traveling outside all these years, and the people she interacted with were mostly adventurers and the like.

    Being down-to-earth didn’t seem so incomprehensible anymore…

    “You’ve already seen everything about me, so whatever.” Hua Qingling waved her hand, looking like she had given up.

    “I only know Miss Chris because I make good clothes. She even offered to hire me full-time to make clothes for her, and the salary she offered almost made me kneel.”

    “You didn’t agree?”

    Luo Yan blinked. After Hua Qingling’s persona collapsed, she also learned about this older sister’s extreme lack of money.

    “No, I left Yan City… because I have more important things to do,” Hua Qingling’s expression suddenly became a little serious. “For the future of Yan City, I must keep moving forward… But thinking about all that salary gone, it still hurts.”

    …Originally, in Luo Yan’s mind, Hua Qingling was a strong person traveling everywhere. Now she had gradually become the image of a poor worker wandering around looking for jobs.

    Of course, this was just Hua Qingling’s way of recounting these experiences in a more lighthearted manner. She was indeed imitating the Saint who established the title system, traveling around and growing.

    Not just in combat, Hua Qingling was using her own eyes to observe everything in the New Era of humanity, the achievements of the major mega-cities, thinking about where Yan City’s future should lie.

    Looking at Hua Qingling’s tearful expression, an almost imperceptible smile appeared on the corner of Luo Yan’s mouth.

    “Sister Qingling, since you’re here to attend this banquet, you shouldn’t stay here with me all the time.” Luo Yan said softly. “This is a precious opportunity; the entire upper class of Lannister is gathered here.”

    Hua Qingling shouldered a lot; she shouldn’t stop moving forward for her sake.

    “But you…”

    Hua Qingling hesitated.

    “Do you think I’m a child who can’t leave her parents, Sister Qingling?” Luo Yan raised her glass and smiled. “Or is it that, like Magistrate Norian, you think I’m dangerous and can’t leave your sight?”

    “Of course not. Although Magistrate Norian’s words are not unreasonable, I’m more inclined to believe what happened in Yan City.”

    Hua Qingling shook her head and stood up. “Since Miss Luo Yan doesn’t mind, I’ll leave for a while.”

    If she wanted to see the higher-level landscape of Lannister, if she wanted to know how Lannister had developed to its present state… more detailed than any written materials, the answers were hidden within certain individuals at this banquet.

    For example, Magistrate Norian.

    Hua Qingling’s words earlier weren’t just polite; she greatly admired the “Norian Reform.”

    “Remember not to say anything like digging holes in toilets or kneeling again…”

    Luo Yan kindly reminded.

    “…I won’t!”

    ……

    Meanwhile, in an inconspicuous corner of Lannister.

    Dozens of silent figures were crammed into a small, exquisitely decorated suite.

    Most of them were dressed as commoners: porters, cooks, all kinds of professions.

    But what was even more chilling was that some of them… were wearing Lannister official uniforms.

    These people of different identities gathered together, but their eyes all flickered with a similar light.

    Because they were…

    The Church of the End Gods.