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  • My Girlfriend is a Cold and Aloof Sickly Beauty 48

    Chapter 48: A Paper Tiger

    In the past few days, Jiang Xue had repeatedly wondered if the Crown Prince was secretly plotting something. Although Xiao Luohan had learned that he was preoccupied with military affairs, she had also been more vigilant.

    Seeing the Crown Prince arrive tonight, his body reeking of blood, as if he had just returned from the battlefield, she wasn’t flustered. She simply got out of bed, stood barefoot on the cold floor, and bowed. “I apologize for not being aware of Your Highness’s late-night visit. I have been remiss.”

    Despite her anger, she was currently unarmed, and having glimpsed the disarray on the bookshelf, she wasn’t sure if the stun gun had been found. She had to appease the Crown Prince for now.

    The room was as bright as day under the sea of lamps, and she could see the scattered books all over the floor with a single glance.

    Even the English-Chinese Dictionary hidden inside Lessons for Women was lying open on the ground.

    …Those were all books Jiang Xue had sent her.

    Xiao Luohan’s heart pounded. When the Crown Prince called her name, she suppressed her anger, lest the killing intent in her eyes be noticed when she looked up at him.

    “I’m out there fighting enemies, and you’re here enjoying the blessings of ghosts and spirits in your warm nest!” The Crown Prince snorted coldly, closing the novel in his hand and throwing it behind him.

    The vase of plum blossoms, buds about to bloom, shattered on the floor, the crisp sound breaking the silence.

    Xiao Luohan didn’t show any emotion, her hands clenching her clothes tightly inside her sleeves.

    “I’ve been watching you since the moment you arrived in Daying.”

    The Crown Prince slowly walked around the desk and towards her, his armor indeed stained with blood, his face also covered in bloodstains, looking even more menacing. “After all, you’re my future concubine. I can’t be completely ignorant about my bed partner.”

    “But now, I’ve seen through you completely.”

    “You’re nothing but a useless parasite!”

    He kicked Xiao Luohan in the stomach, sending her sprawling to the floor!

    “Sucking Beiliao’s blood in Beiliao! And now sucking Daying’s blood in Daying! Shameless!”

    “You can communicate with ghosts and spirits, but you only know how to enjoy the blessings of another world! Even when I’m determined to kill you, you only dare to send ghosts and spirits to cause havoc in my father’s palace! Pathetic! Laughable! Typical woman’s tricks!”

    Having prepared beforehand, Xiao Luohan had been wary of him hurting her, even wearing the protective gear Jiang Xue sent every day. Before being kicked, she had also used her skills to deflect some of the force.

    But when she fell to the ground, she still groaned in pain, gasping for air.

    Although his boots didn’t have metal studs, there must have been metal plates inside.

    “Beiliao is about to fall, and you’re no longer of any use! You can neither contribute to the peace between our two countries, nor bear children for me—ha, having your first period at seventeen, truly an eye-opener!”

    The Crown Prince’s voice grew louder with each sentence. However, precisely because he mentioned Beiliao and was so enraged, his words were incoherent, and Xiao Luohan sensed a hint of bluster.

    —Beiliao probably wasn’t about to fall, but had experienced an unexpected turn of events.

    Otherwise, why would the Crown Prince, who should be on the battlefield, come to find fault with her in the middle of the night?

    She had read many novels and watched many TV series with ancient settings and knew very well—when a man’s career wasn’t going well, and he had a violent temper, he would take out his anger on his helpless wives, children, or even animals when he returned home.

    A classic case of “domestic violence.”

    “However, for the sake of the ghosts and spirits, I’ll give you one more chance. Someone!”

    A eunuch immediately presented a tray with a wine cup, a length of white silk, a piece of silver silk charcoal, and a red candle.

    “Choose,” the Crown Prince said, his gaze sharp as a knife.

    Xiao Luohan wasn’t afraid at all, but found it amusing.

    Having resolved to kill the Crown Prince, she now saw him as nothing more than a clown.

    However, she needed to buy more time for herself and Jiang Xue, preferably using this opportunity to lull the Crown Prince into a false sense of security, to make him… more careless.

    With a single glance, she understood what each item represented. Without hesitation, she picked up the red candle.

    She knew that no matter what she chose, the road ahead was a dead end, so she simply played along, pretending to be terrified and choosing the red candle, the only option that could buy her time, the one the Crown Prince wanted to see most.

    Transforming her boundless rage into fear, she put on a terrified and weak facade, her voice trembling as she held the candle. “Spare me, Your Highness! I-I just want to live one more day…”

    The next moment, a bloody hand grabbed her chin.

    “Ha! Where are the ghosts and spirits you’re so proud of?” The Crown Prince’s eyes were inches from hers. “They showed you all those rebellious books, but in the face of danger, you still have to rely on my mercy!”

    Xiao Luohan didn’t struggle—this contempt was exactly what she wanted!

    Let him see her as a weak and sickly person, completely defenseless, at his mercy!

    She could even hear the almost manic glee in the Crown Prince’s voice.

    A grown man, resorting to finding a sense of superiority from her, further convinced her that something good had happened in Beiliao.

    The late Empress’s death couldn’t be hidden forever, and her powerful maternal family would never let it go.

    “Since you’re so eager to marry me and beg for your life, then come to the Eastern Palace in three days and broaden your horizons!”

    The Crown Prince finally let go of her. He stood up and stepped back, then said, “Someone, take all these books to the courtyard and burn them! They say Wangmei Pavilion is haunted by ghosts and spirits. Tonight, I will exorcise them!”

    Having maintained her composure until now, hearing these words, Xiao Luohan finally couldn’t suppress her anger and blurted out, “There’s no need for Your Highness to be tainted by bad luck! Since these books were gifts from the ghosts and spirits, they should be returned to them!”

    “I will deal with them myself tonight. Your Highness can come and check tomorrow morning. There won’t be a single book left in Wangmei Pavilion!”

    The servants holding lamps had already started picking up the books, preparing to take them outside and burn them. The light in the room dimmed slightly, and the Crown Prince suddenly felt a sharp glare, immediately fixing his gaze on the young woman before him.

    But after saying those words, she remained kneeling on the floor, her head lowered, looking as if a gust of wind could knock her over.

    The Crown Prince laughed and waved to the servants. “Burn them.”

    “If the ghosts and spirits are truly angered, my head is here in the Eastern Palace. Let them come and take it if they dare!”

    Jiang Xue was changing clothes in the dance studio when everything suddenly went dark.

    She fell into that familiar darkness, but fortunately, she soon saw the familiar bright red rushing towards her from afar.

    “You’ve come to pick me up, Elder Sister Red Fox!” She quickly floated over. “During the performance, I was wondering if Xiao Luo woke up because she was excited, or…”

    Or if something had happened, forcing her to wake up.

    The red fox, as always, didn’t speak, but this time, instead of leading the way, it transformed into a large fox, as tall as a person, and crouched beside her.

    Jiang Xue immediately climbed onto its back and let it carry her through the dark passage.

    After an unknown amount of time, she saw a window open in the distance.

    She looked closely. Wasn’t that a corner of the room in the mindscape?!

    The red fox ran quickly, soon leaping through the window. After running a few more steps, Jiang Xue saw flickering flames.

    There was a fire in the courtyard! Something was burning!

    She watched in horror, and when she saw a familiar figure in plain clothes, she couldn’t sit still any longer and jumped off the fox’s back.

    “Xiao Luohan!!”

    She had thought Xiao Luohan was being burned along with the other things, but as she flew closer, she saw that Xiao Luohan was throwing snow onto the fire, trying to salvage the books from the flames.

    “That dog of a Crown Prince!!”

    Roaring hysterically, Jiang Xue grabbed Xiao Luohan’s arm and pulled her towards the house. “Go back inside!”

    “Those are the books you gave me!” Xiao Luohan refused to leave.

    Her hair was disheveled, her eyes dark, her lips bloodless. She looked nothing like the energetic girl from this morning!

    “Your life is more important!” Jiang Xue raised her voice. “Listen to me! Go back inside! I’ll put out the fire! Shizhu isn’t here, and if you get sick again from the cold, it’ll be troublesome!”

    Afraid that Xiao Luohan would refuse, she transformed into the large white cat again, carried her back inside, placed her on the bed, closed the door, and rushed back to the courtyard.

    It was snowing heavily in the courtyard, and there were piles of snow. The place where the books were being burned had been specially cleared.

    Jiang Xue cursed the Crown Prince, imitated the red fox, and transformed into a giant white cat as tall as a person, scooping up snow with her paws and throwing it onto the fire!

    Believing it was a ghostly act, the servants didn’t dare approach. Even the eunuch who had been left behind to supervise the burning was terrified.

    He was just about to relight the books when Jiang Xue swatted at the torch with her paw, setting half his hair and clothes on fire. He was so scared that he scrambled out of Wangmei Pavilion, probably to report to the Crown Prince.

    The courtyard was in chaos. Jiang Xue put out the fire, then carried the books back to Wangmei Pavilion one by one, her heart filled with rage.

    She was still too late. Judging by the ashes in the courtyard, many books had already been burned.

    Although they weren’t important books, and could be replaced, she knew how much they meant to Xiao Luohan.

    She repeatedly wanted to rush to the Eastern Palace and teach the Crown Prince a lesson, but every time, she was stopped at the courtyard gate by the suddenly appearing red fox.

    Jiang Xue understood that the red fox Elder Sister was stopping her because what she could do now wouldn’t truly deter the Crown Prince and would only cause more trouble for Xiao Luohan.

    Even if she smashed all the vases and lamps in the Eastern Palace, or even went to the dog emperor’s bedchamber and caused havoc again, what good would it do?

    If the Crown Prince was truly afraid of ghosts and spirits, her previous actions should have been enough to make him stop, and tonight’s incident wouldn’t have happened!

    To solve the problem, they had to get rid of the Crown Prince completely!

    “I will… I will definitely not let him go!” She looked at the red fox, her eyes burning with determination. “Elder Sister Red Fox, Shizhu isn’t here. If anything happens again, please bring me here as soon as possible, please!”

    She couldn’t imagine how the Crown Prince had mistreated Xiao Luohan while she wasn’t there!

    After checking the fire, Jiang Xue nodded to the red fox, returned to her human form, and floated towards the house.

    Perhaps because of her instructions, when she entered the room, Xiao Luohan had already changed into her fluffy pajamas and wrapped herself in the quilt, trying to stay warm.

    Seeing Jiang Xue arrive, she held up the electric hot water bottle and pointed to the bowl and spoon on the bedside table. “I’ve taken my medicine as a precaution.”

    But the room was a mess. The broken door bolt lay by the door, and the surviving books and drawings were either scattered on the floor or torn to shreds.

    Even the plum blossom branch on the windowsill lay among the shards of the broken vase in a pool of cold water.

    Only the plastic Scream bottle was relatively intact, but it was also dented in the middle, as if stepped on.

    Jiang Xue took a deep breath, pushed the table and chairs against the door to block the wind, and then went to check on Xiao Luohan.

    She dried Xiao Luohan’s hair, found a heat patch, and applied it to her undergarments.

    She even wrapped Xiao Luohan’s cold feet in a small blanket and a fluffy scarf.

    After doing all this, Jiang Xue was still worried, so she transformed into the giant white cat and jumped onto the bed.

    “I’m warm, hug me.”

    Her giant cat body almost occupied the entire bed, surrounding Xiao Luohan.

    Seeing her lean against her soft fur and hug her tightly, Jiang Xue finally felt a little at ease.

    “Tomorrow… tomorrow afternoon, around one or two o’clock, I should be at Uncle Seuss’s house,” she whispered into Xiao Luohan’s ear, making a promise.

  • The Delicate Female Lead Only Wants to be Loved by the Villainous Young Ladies 308

    Chapter 308: A Lover’s Way

    Adele finally got what she had been hoping for.

    When she woke up, a small cat was by her side, mewing softly and licking her.

    At this moment, Adele felt neither moved nor inclined to scold First Snow.

    Her true feeling was simply heartache.

    Clearly, in this misunderstanding, there were no real winners.

    But thankfully, there were no real losers either.

    First Snow finally confessed everything to her and came to her side.

    And because of that sudden “feeling,” Adele understood First Snow’s feelings at the time.

    Punish First Snow for her mischief? Adele couldn’t bear it.

    All she could think about was how to revitalize First Snow’s spirits and bring back her smile.

    Perhaps words could achieve this.

    But that was too troublesome.

    Too much waiting.

    So Adele chose a kiss.

    A welcoming kiss.

    Simple, direct, gentle, and effective.

    The girl’s lips first met First Snow’s little tongue.

    It was a truly unfair experience.

    Adele could feel the soft barbs on First Snow’s tongue.

    Scraping against her, whether it was her skin, lips, or tongue.

    It wasn’t painful.

    Instead, it became a playful tease.

    The moment Adele kissed her, First Snow started to whimper and cry.

    Not because of Adele’s current actions—the sudden forceful kiss, pushing her down and pinning her beneath her.

    It looked like a forceful act driven by primal instinct.

    But simply because First Snow was too happy.

    Tears of joy, perhaps, described the situation best.

    “Ade…wu…Adele…Sister~”

    “I…li…like you so much, meow!”

    And First Snow seemed to have become more proficient, or perhaps she had been looking forward to this for a long time.

    She wrapped her arms around the girl’s neck.

    Using the pauses between kisses to breathe, she intermittently expressed her feelings for Adele.

    So many days of longing were concentrated in this kiss, this embrace.

    It made her tremble with excitement.

    Soon, both Adele and First Snow were no longer satisfied with just this.

    They began to demand more from each other, and offer more to each other.

    This was undoubtedly a night to remember.

    Not only was it the first day since Adele’s return to campus from distant Twilight City.

    But also because the love between Adele and First Snow…

    Finally, it was no longer like a big sister’s preference and pampering, enticement and guidance for a little sister.

    But the release and possession of lovers.

    Adele was fortunate enough to be the one to open the door to First Snow’s adolescence.

    And tonight, she undoubtedly led her to a more important juncture, a brand new milestone in adolescence.

    She let her thoroughly and deeply understand love.

    No longer just dependence and attachment to a big sister.

    Or a pet’s care and loyalty to its owner.

    What followed was a long period of emotional release.

    Adele had just rested and was at her peak both mentally and physically.

    As for First Snow…

    The little thing had been lonely for a long time.

    Wouldn’t she take this opportunity to vent and enjoy herself?

    Their outward behavior completely contradicted their inner feelings.

    But First Snow didn’t care at all.

    Even being called a “little lewd kitty” didn’t matter.

    The important thing… was always only Sister Adele.

    “Wu! Tail…tail…”

    “If you keep touching there… First Snow will… will become strange, meow!”

    “Ha…ha… Is First Snow not strange now~?”

    “But it’s okay, the stranger First Snow is, the more I like it.”

    “Really…really, meow?”

    Adele answered this question with her fingertips.

    The delicate kitty beneath her immediately let out only comfortable whimpers, as if unable to speak.

    The girl and the cat-girl continued until around eight or nine in the evening.

    First Snow finally couldn’t take it anymore, the little thing softly and sweetly nestled in Adele’s arms.

    Her mouth murmuring, “Already full…full, meow…”

    Adele finally let her go.

    Of course, hunger also played a part.

    So afterward, the two briefly cleaned up in the bathroom, changed into their usual clothes, and unashamedly left the school hand-in-hand, heading off-campus.

    Even during the holidays, there were still students on campus, or girls like Adele who had just returned to their dormitories.

    So when they noticed the intimate relationship between Adele and First Snow, they all showed expressions of surprise and envy.

    This was the first time First Snow experienced the so-called way lovers interacted.

    Before this, she was just a cute kitty.

    Staying at Adele’s house all day, like a younger sister or a pet.

    Occasionally like a lover, but only for a fleeting moment.

    Only now did First Snow truly feel that the relationship between her and Sister Adele…

    Had undergone a substantial change and evolution.

    The silver-haired cat-girl unconsciously tightened her grip on Adele’s hand.

    Adele gently responded, feeling the slight dampness in her palm.

    The kitten seemed nervous.

    But her shy appearance was very cute.

    Appetizing in every sense of the word.

    “I-If Xiao Wei finds out, Sister Adele, what will we do?”

    First Snow suddenly asked.

    Adele responded confidently.

    “Finds out?”

    “Hmph, so what if she finds out? I’ll not only hold your hand, I’ll kiss you in front of her!”

    “It’s vacation now, she can’t control our impure same-sex…relationship!”

    “Meow! S-So embarrassing, meow…”

    Despite her words, First Snow felt Sister Adele’s courage as she imagined that scene.

    This caused her, despite being much stronger than Adele, to admire Sister Adele from the bottom of her heart.

    In reality, many women are briefly blinded by love, seeing their partner as omnipotent and worshipping them.

    Some people, for this reason, become disappointed when they later discover that their partner is not as amazing as they imagined, causing their feelings to fade.

    But First Snow wouldn’t.

    And Adele certainly wouldn’t.

    Because she believed that her future would be very, very strong.

    At least, she had to become a woman worthy of her wings~

    Soon, the two hand-in-hand arrived at a bustling commercial street outside the school.

    First Snow had hidden her cat ears and tail.

    So she looked like a stunningly beautiful foreign exchange student.

    As for Adele, despite having a Western name, she still had the appearance of an Easterner.

    People saw them as the typical example of “Eastern girl easily snags foreign girl.”

    Truly enviable.

    “What do you want to eat? This meal is on me!”

    Adele said magnanimously.

    She was rich, although much of it came from the contributions of other girls.

    But even without that, Adele could still use her vampire student subsidy to treat First Snow to a good meal.

    First Snow had a typical cat’s stomach, eating small portions frequently, and loved snacks and small desserts.

    And so, she quickly spotted a small stall selling teppanyaki squid.

    “This, this, give me five skewers of each, boss!”

    Adele ordered squid tentacles and squid meat.

    To save room for other delicious treats, she didn’t order much.

    First Snow had a stomach that could handle raw food, so just looking at the live squid in the tank, meant to show the freshness of the goods, made her mouth water.

    But Adele certainly wouldn’t dare let her eat it raw.

    So she quickly diverted First Snow’s attention with some small yellow croaker fish.

    Soon, after strolling around, they were laden with all sorts of snacks and two cups of inexpensive but delicious drinks.

    Night had also deepened.

    As expected, it was First Snow’s curfew time.

    Restricted by Headmistress Winona, she had to return to the home she shared with Xiao Wei by eleven o’clock at the latest every night.

    Otherwise, she was a bad kitty, meow.

    But First Snow’s expression seemed to have a hint of feigned innocence.

    Clearly, she didn’t want to part with Adele so soon.

    Adele had just boasted in front of First Snow, saying that even if she ran into Headmistress Winona, she would dare to kiss First Snow in front of her.

    So the girl definitely couldn’t back down.

    Otherwise, she would lose face in front of First Snow!

    So Adele gritted her teeth.

    Thinking that it would only be a matter of writing a self-criticism later, she suddenly wrapped her arms around First Snow’s waist.

    “First Snow… It’s a bit late today.”

    “Why don’t you just stay in my dorm tonight?”

    First Snow’s cheeks flushed slightly as she sipped the drink in her small hand, her gaze drifting to the neon lights, reflecting bright and colorful hues.

    She murmured in response.

    “…Okay.”

  • Transformed into a Female Villain, But Captured by My Beautiful Girl Disciples v2c10

    Chapter 10: This Counts Too???

    “Ugh…”

    A headache. That was Gong Yiling’s first sensation upon waking up.

    She slowly sat up, rubbing her forehead, trying to recall what happened before she blacked out.

    She remembered drinking in the palace, but the wine tasted like orange soda, not alcoholic at all.

    But afterwards…

    Damn it.

    She couldn’t remember anything.

    Fortunately, she vaguely remembered being conscious before leaving the palace. Her mind only became fuzzy near the manor. And after that…

    The last person she saw…

    “Qiu Shui?”

    As she spoke the name, she felt the blanket shift slightly.

    She saw Qiu Shui, dressed in her traveling clothes, sitting on a chair beside the bed, half her body leaning on the bed, fast asleep.

    It seemed she had taken care of her all night after she got drunk.

    A warm feeling spread through Gong Yiling’s chest, and she gently stroked Qiu Shui’s hair.

    “Thanks, Little Qiu Shui.”

    She got out of bed, carefully lifted Qiu Shui, and placed her on the bed, covering her with a blanket.

    After that, she put on her veil and left the room.

    It was early morning.

    Gong Yiling stepped outside and stretched, a slight headache lingering.

    As she sighed, rubbing her forehead, a voice suddenly called out,

    “You don’t have a cross-dressing fetish, do you, Senior?”

    “Huh?”

    Gong Yiling turned around and saw a young woman standing before her.

    Although the woman looked ordinary, her eyes were unique, and Gong Yiling immediately recognized her.

    “Miss Yan?” she blurted out. “What are you doing here?”

    Yan Chuyue’s lips twitched. “Didn’t you bring me here, Senior?”

    “Did I?”

    Still slightly dazed, Gong Yiling thought for a moment, then suddenly remembered.

    Right.

    She did do that.

    “Oh, right! It was me.” She scratched her head, smiling. “I need your help to treat the Grand Elder.”

    Yan Chuyue didn’t respond to that, instead saying with a hint of displeasure, “Why did you leave without saying goodbye?”

    “That…”

    “Even if you didn’t want to reveal your identity, you could have at least told me.” A complex emotion welled up within Yan Chuyue. “Aren’t we friends?”

    This complex emotion stemmed from the realization that the man she had been attracted to was actually a woman.

    And there was something she had seen but hadn’t mentioned to Shangguan Lingyue.

    The day before yesterday, when Gong Yiling removed her veil…

    Although Shangguan Lingyue didn’t see her face, Yan Chuyue had a clear view.

    And although she only caught a glimpse, she felt the face was familiar, and…

    —It looked far too young.

    She wouldn’t say anything in front of Shangguan Lingyue, but it was different now.

    This “non-existent” person, completely outside her original plot, was acting even more like the protagonist than the actual protagonist.

    Just who was she?

    “Um…” Gong Yiling scratched her head awkwardly.

    She hadn’t intended to interact much with the female protagonist. After all, their confrontations in the original story were intense. She could die at the hands of this “ruthless killer” any day.

    She only used her as a tool when she needed a favor or when they had a common enemy.

    But…

    Come to think of it, she hadn’t done anything to offend Yan Chuyue.

    Their relationship was even… quite good.

    “Something urgent came up last night. I thought you could handle the rest yourself, so I left.”

    “I’m sorry—”

    “No need for apologies,” Yan Chuyue said with a sigh. “I just don’t like being treated like a tool, summoned and dismissed at will.”

    “Unless you don’t consider me a friend.”

    “Uh… don’t you think I’m that Immortal Master from the Great One Engineering Sect?”

    What was the Great One Engineering Sect?

    Yan Chuyue had wanted to complain about this name for a while now.

    As the author, she had never created such a ridiculous name. It sounded like something she would come up with using a random name generator.

    “Immortal Master?” Yan Chuyue rolled her eyes. “An Immortal Master who’s only at Foundation Establishment after having her meridians repaired? An Immortal Master who scams people at a stone gambling shop?”

    “What kind of Immortal are you? A snack food?” (Referring to a popular brand of seaweed snacks)

    Well…

    Miss Gong was speechless.

    Come to think of it, although Yan Chuyue didn’t know she was Gong Yiling, they knew quite a bit about each other. Deception wouldn’t be easy.

    “But…”

    Yan Chuyue stepped closer, a mischievous smile appearing on her face. “Although I don’t know how you managed to fool those people, I’m on the same boat as you now.”

    “Same boat?”

    Gong Yiling was puzzled.

    “Yes, I’ve been looking for someone to be my master, and I’ve decided to use your name. You don’t mind, do you?”

    Gong Yiling’s eyes widened, her jaw dropping beneath the veil.

    Could it be… what she thought it was…? No way?

    Stunned, Gong Yiling opened her master-disciple interface.

    And there, shining brightly…

    Was a new name.

    Yan Chuyue.

    What the fuck!?

    This counted too?

    Qiu Shui learned her technique from her, Chun Lian entered the world of talismans because of her, and Shangguan Ziyuan received the pill from her.

    But Yan Chuyue’s skills and medical knowledge came from her Divine Physician’s space, a top-grade Immortal Artifact called the *Taichu Treasure Manual*.

    It had nothing to do with her. Why did Yan Chuyue become her disciple?

    “Name: Yan Chuyue

    Gender: Female

    Identity: Eldest daughter of the Yan family, descendant of the ancient Luo clan, protagonist of this book.

    Physical Talent: A

    Spiritual Talent: S

    Cultivation Technique Potential: SS+

    Potential Adaptability: Water-type techniques (S), Ancient Saintly Secret Arts (?)

    Current Cultivation Technique: Taichu Dao Saint Technique (EX)

    Estimated Cultivation Limit: Unable to determine

    Note: Also skilled in Taichu Medicine and Nine Palaces Heavenly Return Acupuncture. Can manipulate life and death, a supreme healing art.”

  • After Failing to Find Immortality 211

    Chapter 211: Beneath the Moonlit Pavilion

    In the moonlit courtyard…

    Yun Yue sipped her tea, the soothing warmth spreading through her, her mind gradually calming.

    They had changed out of their wedding robes after returning to the private chamber.

    Although the robes were beautiful, they were also… a bit awkward.

    It would be difficult to explain to Ruoyu and the others if they saw them.

    But…

    She looked at Lin Tianlu, who was lost in thought, his fingers tracing the rim of his teacup, seemingly uninterested in the beverage.

    She couldn’t help but smile. “You seem troubled, Tianlu.”

    “…I just didn’t expect marriage to happen so quickly.”

    Lin Tianlu sighed softly. “I never even considered it six months ago.”

    Yun Yue’s voice was gentle and reassuring. “Although you’re mature and responsible, you’re still young, Tianlu. It’s normal to feel apprehensive.”

    Everyone felt some anxiety about marriage.

    Even immortals and gods experienced emotions and were affected by matters of the heart. To be completely calm and indifferent about such a significant event would be strange, a sign of insincerity.

    “Perhaps I’m not mature enough.”

    Lin Tianlu chuckled self-deprecatingly.

    Yun Yue stood up and walked over to the long chair on the veranda, sitting down gracefully. “Your thoughtfulness is a good thing, Tianlu. It shows that you care about Ruoyu and the others. Overcoming challenges together, supporting each other through thick and thin… that’s what strengthens a relationship.”

    “You seem to have a deep understanding of relationships, Miss Yun Yue.”

    “I had plenty of time to think while trapped in the Netherworld.”

    Yun Yue smiled softly.

    But then she yawned, her eyes drooping slightly.

    Lin Tianlu noticed her fatigue and walked over to her, his voice low. “It seems you haven’t fully recovered from your injuries, Miss Yun Yue.”

    “I’m just a bit sleepy.” Yun Yue blinked her beautiful eyes, her smile serene. “It’s no different from usual.”

    “There’s a difference.”

    He paused, then gently placed his hand on her bare shoulder, channeling his spiritual energy.

    “Hmm?”

    Yun Yue’s eyes widened slightly as she felt a surge of warmth spreading through her body, soothing and comforting.

    After a moment, the lingering discomfort in her mind vanished.

    “How do you feel now?”

    “Your power is truly remarkable, Tianlu.”

    Yun Yue murmured in awe.

    Seeing her improved complexion, Lin Tianlu was about to withdraw his hand.

    But Yun Yue caught his hand, her eyes sparkling with a playful light.

    “The weather is so lovely. Why don’t I pamper you a bit, Tianlu?”

    She patted her thigh invitingly. “Let me give you a massage and clean your ears, as a token of my gratitude.”

    Seeing the fluffy ear pick that had suddenly appeared in her hand, Lin Tianlu’s lips curled into a smile. “I’m afraid I can’t accept your offer, Miss Yun Yue.”

    Before she could react, he sat down beside her, his arm around her shoulders, pulling her towards him.

    “Eh? Wait—”

    Yun Yue blinked in confusion as she found herself lying in his lap.

    This wasn’t what she had expected…

    “You’ve helped us so much, Miss Yun Yue. It’s my turn to take care of you.” Lin Tianlu chuckled and took the ear pick from her hand, examining it curiously.

    “Let me pamper you a bit.”

    “This…”

    Yun Yue’s face flushed slightly, surprised to be on the receiving end of his care.

    After a moment of hesitation, she nodded shyly, adjusting her position so they were both comfortable.

    But her fluffy tails couldn’t resist wrapping around him, like a soft and warm blanket, their scent intoxicating.

    “Th-then please be gentle, Tianlu.”

    “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”

    Lin Tianlu looked at the ear pick, his voice thoughtful. “To be honest, this is my first time cleaning someone’s ears. I’m just improvising.”

    “You’ve never—”

    “No one has ever been this close to me before, nor have I had anyone to pamper me like this.”

    “…”

    Yun Yue looked at him, her eyes filled with a gentle concern.

    Lin Tianlu chuckled. “I don’t dwell on the past, Miss Yun Yue. Don’t worry. Have you ever seen me melancholic or depressed?”

    “You always seem so carefree and relaxed, Tianlu.”

    Yun Yue gently took his hand, her voice a soft murmur. “I never knew about your past until recently. It makes my heart ache… but—”

    Her eyes met his, a warm smile on her face. “To learn more about you, to understand your past… it brings me joy, because it means we’re growing closer.”

    She didn’t pry or ask for details.

    She simply acknowledged his pain and focused on the present, their shared warmth and intimacy.

    “…Thank you.”

    Lin Tianlu chuckled softly.

    This fox demon was as thoughtful and charming as ever, her every word and gesture drawing him closer.

    It was no wonder that Ruoyu had fallen for her so quickly, calling her “sister” with such affection.

    “Alright, Tianlu, let’s begin.”

    Yun Yue smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing her delicate, jade-like ear. “Although I don’t mind resting in your lap for a while longer, Ruoyu and the others will be out of the hot spring soon. We should cherish this moment.”

    “You’re right.”

    Lin Tianlu gently touched her ear, its skin smooth and cool, its shape delicate, its lobe soft and pink.

    “But… I’m curious, Miss Yun Yue. You’re a demon, with fox tails, but your ears are just like a human’s.”

    “Mmm…”

    Yun Yue shivered slightly at his touch, then she glared at him playfully. “I have to blend in with the mortals, don’t I? If they saw my fox ears, it would cause unnecessary chaos.”

    “So you do have fox ears?”

    “I do, but…”

    Yun Yue bit her lip shyly, then dispelled the illusion she had been maintaining.

    “Ooh!”

    A pair of long, fluffy fox ears appeared on her head, twitching and trembling slightly, their fur shimmering with a moonlight glow, just like her tails. They were incredibly cute.

    She bit her lip, her voice filled with embarrassment. “If you don’t like them, Tianlu, I can hide them again. They’re a bit childish—”

    “They’re beautiful!”

    Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. “Just like I imagined… no, even more beautiful and elegant. They suit you perfectly, Miss Yun Yue!”

    Yun Yue moaned softly, her ears twitching shyly. “Don’t say such embarrassing things, Tianlu.”

    Seeing her blush, her body trembling slightly, Lin Tianlu chuckled and reassured her. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop. But what should I do now? Can I touch them?”

    “I-if you like, Tianlu, you can touch them gently.”

    Yun Yue took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

    She couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. Tianlu had truly flustered her today, her reactions so unlike her usual composed and mature self. She had even lost her “elder sister” aura.

    “I’ll pamper you later—Mmm?!”

    Yun Yue suddenly moaned, her body trembling as her face flushed crimson.

    Lin Tianlu withdrew the ear pick, a mischievous smile on his face. “You’re quite sensitive.”

    “It-it was just a bit sudden.”

    Yun Yue covered her mouth with her hand, trying to regain her composure. “I won’t make any more noise.”

    “You’re quite adorable like this, Miss Yun Yue, like a shy young girl.”

    Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious as he carefully inserted the ear pick into her ear.

    Although it was meant for cleaning, Yun Yue, with her extraordinary cultivation, was naturally clean and pure, her ear canal spotless.

    But the ear pick could also be used for a deep massage… He had experienced it himself, nestled in Mao Ruoyu’s arms, the tingling sensation incredibly relaxing, lulling him to sleep.

    As he gently twirled the ear pick, Yun Yue’s body trembled, and she let out a soft moan, her eyes half-closed.

    “Mmm… Ah… Haa…”

    This feeling…

    Yun Yue clenched her fists, her face burning with embarrassment, trying to suppress her moans.

    It was as if countless feathers were gently caressing her mind, a wave of pleasure washing over her, so intense and overwhelming that her entire body trembled.

    She had never experienced anything like this before!

    “Ah… Mmm!”

    She bit her lip, stifling a cry, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of pleasure and embarrassment. Her legs, curled up beneath her, rubbed together, her body flushed with warmth.

    Each gentle twist and turn of the ear pick sent shivers down her spine, like a jolt of electricity, a wave of ecstasy washing over her, her mind drifting, the world around her dissolving into a kaleidoscope of shimmering lights.

    She couldn’t even speak, only soft moans escaping her lips.

    She didn’t know whether she wanted him to continue or to stop, to escape from this intoxicating pleasure.

    Until…

    A blinding white light engulfed her mind.

    …

    “Ah—”

    Yun Yue stumbled, her eyes blinking as she looked around in confusion.

    She was no longer in the pavilion, but standing on a misty mountaintop. She turned to see a breathtaking view, a gentle breeze carrying a shower of crimson flower petals.

    “Where am I…?”

    She gathered her hair, then froze, turning around instinctively.

    A graceful azure fox leaped past her, its movements swift and agile, landing beside a white lotus flower and curling up.

    Yun Yue stared at the fox, her eyes wide with shock.

    “Is that… me?!”

    The fox possessed a portion of her demonic power and Yin energy.

    It was undoubtedly the fragment of her soul that Lin Tianlu had extracted.

    “Is this the… immortal mountain he created?”

    A gentle breeze blew past, and Yun Yue raised her hand to shield her eyes.

    But the scenery around her shifted again, as if time was flowing backward, everything renewing and reborn, until it transformed into a dreamlike paradise.

    Peach blossoms danced in the wind, a hazy mist clinging to the air. A white-haired man, dressed in ancient robes, sat in the distance, his figure blending seamlessly with the landscape, his aura calm and serene.

    Yun Yue stared at his familiar back, speechless.

    He raised his hand, his finger gently tapping the air, and a ripple of energy spread outwards, washing over her.

    She tensed, then felt a wave of warmth and comfort, a strange sense of familiarity.

    “Tian… lu?”

    Yun Yue murmured, her legs giving way as she collapsed to the ground, as if she was dreaming.

    She looked up to see the white-haired man waving his hand, and a shower of starlight and moonlight, like a gentle rain, descended from the sky, bathing her in its warmth.

    “—’Rest well’”

    Yun Yue murmured, half-asleep, reaching out for him, but her eyes closed, and she drifted off to sleep.

    …

    Hum

    A faint, silvery light emanated from Yun Yue’s body, and Lin Tianlu paused, withdrawing the ear pick.

    “What’s… happening?”

    The fox demon, who had been sleeping peacefully, was suddenly enveloped in a soft light, transforming back into her true form, a large fox licking its lips contentedly, as if lost in a pleasant dream.

    Lin Tianlu was stunned.

    What was going on?

    He had just been cleaning her ears, how had she transformed back into her original form?!

  • Friend(GL) 105

    Chapter 105: Tacit Approval

    You Ruxu’s hand tightened around the phone, her heart skipping a beat hearing that name from someone else. She was silent for two seconds. Chen Xiang, on the other end, called out, “Teacher You?”

    She came back to her senses: “What’s wrong?”

    “We received a complaint, saying our report was inaccurate. The boss just had a huge argument with the station director. Dr. Zhou’s father, was his name Zhou Qiming?” Chen Xiang said, “They also said, Zhou Qiming…”

    She couldn’t bring herself to repeat the rest.

    You Ruxu said, “Does anyone else know about this?”

    “Many people at the station know now.” Chen Xiang said, “Zhou Qiming used to work at our station too.”

    You Ruxu pursed her lips.

    She hung up and went online, seeing a few malicious comments appearing beneath the posts praising Zhou Tianzui.

    [Zhou Tianzui? The one whose father was a rapist?]

    [????? What rapist?]

    [Is this real?!]

    [Search for ‘Reporter Zhou Qiming,’ that’s her father.]

    The news fermented overnight, Zhou Tianzui now pushed into the spotlight, from being praised for her bravery to having her past exposed, even “revelations” from former elementary and high school classmates, adding a layer of “credibility” to the story.

    You Ruxu’s hands turned cold.

    Zhou Tianzui, seeing her engrossed in her phone, chuckled, “Your phone’s that interesting?”

    Looking closely.

    You Ruxu’s face was pale.

    Zhou Tianzui asked, “What’s wrong?”

    You Ruxu said, “Nothing.”

    Zhou Tianzui didn’t believe her, reaching for the phone. You Ruxu instinctively tried to grab it, forgetting about her injured leg, her body lurching forward, almost falling. Zhou Tianzui tried to help her up, but her own wound prevented her from moving quickly, and she fell back onto the bed. You Ruxu awkwardly knelt on one knee by the bed. Yu Qiao, entering the ward just then, froze, seeing the scene.

    She frowned, “What’s going on here?”

    She reached out to help You Ruxu up. You Ruxu flinched at her touch, as if needles were piercing her skin, a sharp, invisible pain.

    Her hand trembled.

    The phone slipped from her grasp and fell to the floor.

    Yu Qiao bent down to pick it up. You Ruxu’s heart skipped a beat watching her. The phone screen went dark. Yu Qiao picked up the phone and handed it to You Ruxu, who said, “Thank you, Auntie.”

    Yu Qiao didn’t reply.

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, are you tired? Sit down and rest for a bit.”

    Yu Qiao said, “You should rest, I’ll call you when your IV drip is finished.”

    Zhou Tianzui couldn’t sleep. She looked at You Ruxu, as if wanting to say something. Yu Qiao, seeing this, scoffed and sat on the other bed. The atmosphere in the ward was tense. Zhou Tianzui reached for her phone. Yu Qiao said, “Why are you looking at your phone while lying in bed? Do you want to go blind?”

    She took the phone and placed it on the bedside table.

    You Ruxu said, “Auntie, I’ll be going then.”

    Yu Qiao said, “I’ll walk you out.”

    You Ruxu said, “I’m fine, you stay with her.”

    Yu Qiao didn’t insist. You Ruxu wheeled herself out of the ward. The cold air in the corridor made her shiver, her hands trembling as she wheeled herself towards the elevator, her grip weakening. Waiting for the elevator, she checked her phone again, several news stories about Zhou Qiming, Zhou Tianzui’s father, on the homepage.

    She pressed the screen and called Wu Xiulian.

    Wu Xiulian was preparing dinner. Hearing her phone ring, she glanced at the screen and answered cheerfully, “Xu Xu? What’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

    You Ruxu’s voice was low, “Aunt, can you come to the hospital?”

    Wu Xiulian’s heart sank. She put down what she was doing and said, “Okay.”

    After hanging up, she saw several new messages on her phone. Unlocking the screen, she saw the messages, her expression darkening.

    In just two hours, news about Zhou Qiming had spread everywhere. Although they tried to suppress it, the information was still spreading rapidly, like bamboo shoots after the rain, any crack or opening allowing it to proliferate.

    Wu Xiulian sat on the edge of You Ruxu’s bed, “Xu Xu, I know what you’re thinking, but think about it, Dr. Zhou’s mother just started to accept your relationship, if you tell her now, won’t it hurt her even more?”

    You Ruxu pursed her lips.

    Wu Xiulian continued, “This whole thing started because Dr. Zhou did a good deed and was then targeted by someone manipulating public opinion. People will understand eventually.”

    She asked You Ruxu, “Does Dr. Zhou know about this?”

    You Ruxu opened her mouth, then closed it without speaking.

    She said, “Not yet.”

    At least, not before she left.

    The new ward wasn’t as lively as before, but there were still flowers and fruit baskets. Nurses would often knock on the door with a smile, “Dr. Zhou, more flowers for you.”

    It had been two hours since the last knock.

    Although Zhou Tianzui didn’t care about those things, didn’t think it was necessary to send her flowers and fruit, the nurses’ sudden silence made her suspicious. Yu Qiao didn’t allow her to look at her phone, telling her to rest, even confiscating her phone when she tried to reach for it. Thinking of You Ruxu’s pale face before she left, Zhou Tianzui felt increasingly uneasy.

    She said, “Mom, I’m thirsty.”

    Yu Qiao poured her a glass of warm water.

    Zhou Tianzui paused, “I want some fruit.”

    Yu Qiao asked, “Which one?”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “An apple.”

    Yu Qiao took an apple and was about to peel it when Zhou Tianzui said, “I want to eat it with the skin on.”

    Yu Qiao glared at her.

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Just wash it, it’s fine.”

    Yu Qiao went to the bathroom.

    Hearing the running water, Zhou Tianzui reached for the drawer, pulled it open, took out her phone, glancing towards the bathroom, suddenly feeling like a child sneaking a peek at her phone, afraid of being caught.

    It was ridiculous.

    Zhou Tianzui smiled slightly, holding her phone, not even turning it on, but the news notifications displayed on the lock screen made her frown. She struggled to sit up, a sharp pain shooting through her wound, making her drop the phone onto the pillow.

    Yu Qiao, returning from the bathroom, noticed the redness around Zhou Tianzui’s eyes.

    She asked, “What’s wrong with your eyes?”

    Zhou Tianzui touched her eyes, “They hurt a little, are they red?”

    “Hurt?” Yu Qiao said, “Anything else? Should we call the doctor?”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, I am a doctor.”

    Yu Qiao said, “You can’t cure everything.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s nothing, sit down.”

    Yu Qiao sat on the chair beside the bed. Zhou Tianzui patted the edge of the bed, “Sit here.”

    Her gaze unwavering.

    Yu Qiao, uncomfortable under her scrutiny, sat on the edge of the bed and handed her the apple, “If you’re about to talk about you and You Ruxu again, don’t bother.”

    “Okay, then I won’t.” Zhou Tianzui was surprisingly obedient. Yu Qiao looked at her, surprised. Ever since her confession, she had been trying to convince Yu Qiao, her every word implying she couldn’t live without You Ruxu, and now she was suddenly so compliant.

    Yu Qiao couldn’t help but ask, “What did you want to talk about?”

    “Mom, do you remember why I wanted to be a doctor?” Zhou Tianzui asked. Yu Qiao had never asked her before. Zhou Tianzui had always been driven, her goal clear since she was young, her determination unwavering, she had said she wanted to be a doctor, countless times.

    Yu Qiao said, “Because of your father?”

    Zhou Tianzui shook her head, “I remember after we moved, you were always sick, you would always try to endure it, only going to the hospital when you couldn’t anymore. Back then, I thought, if only I were a doctor, I would know immediately if you were unwell.”

    Yu Qiao’s eyes teared up.

    She looked at Zhou Tianzui.

    Still stubbornly holding onto her last line of defense: “Don’t think I’ll agree to you and You Ruxu just because you said that.”

    But her resolve was weakening, her resistance crumbling, about to collapse without even a push. Zhou Tianzui said, “What sweet words did I even say? Don’t you always say I’m talking nonsense?”

    Yu Qiao was speechless.

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, I’m tired, after all these years, I know you’re also tired, let’s forget about the past, let’s be happy, okay?”

    Yu Qiao looked down at Zhou Tianzui’s hand holding hers and didn’t speak.

    Zhou Tianzui continued, “After I recover, I want to, take you on a trip, with her.”

    Yu Qiao paused slightly, “A trip?”

    “Yes, I haven’t taken you anywhere all these years. I want to take you on a trip after I recover. I heard seafood is cheap in the south, don’t you like seafood? We can go together, she and I can drive, and you can just enjoy the scenery.”

    Yu Qiao pictured the scene Zhou Tianzui described, it didn’t seem so bad.

    She didn’t speak.

    Several friends had invited her on trips these past few years, but she had always been worried about Zhou Tianzui, and she was old now, what was the point of traveling, wasting money, she wanted to save the money for Zhou Tianzui’s wedding.

    Now it seemed, there wouldn’t be a wedding.

    She was silent.

    Zhou Tianzui pressed on, “We can even go abroad.”

    Yu Qiao looked down, muttering, “Abroad?”

    “Yes.” Zhou Tianzui said, “Travel abroad, broaden our horizons.”

    “I don’t want to go abroad, I don’t know anyone there.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “It doesn’t matter if we don’t know anyone, we’ll handle the communication, you can just eat, sleep, and play, okay, Mom?”

    Yu Qiao, under her gaze.

    Remembered hearing someone say before coming to the hospital, “A doctor was murdered.”

    “Stabbed multiple times.”

    “Last name Zhou, from the obstetrics department.”

    She had panicked, her hands and feet numb, her mind blank, unable to even stand, her only thought, what if it was Zhou Tianzui.

    She couldn’t bear the thought, every second was agony.

    She had rushed to the hospital, heard that Zhou Tianzui was in surgery, then that she was okay, the weight finally lifting from her heart. Now, listening to her casual chatter, she felt a profound sense of relief.

    Relieved that Zhou Tianzui was alive.

    Relieved that she was okay.

    Thank God.

    Her stubborn resistance crumbled in the face of near-death. So, seeing You Ruxu again, it wasn’t as difficult to accept as before. Yu Qiao’s voice softened, “Xiao Tian, you know what I’m most afraid of, I don’t want you to go through that again.”

    “You don’t have to worry, Mom.” Zhou Tianzui said, “I told her, if you don’t agree, we won’t go public.”

    Yu Qiao looked at her, “You Ruxu, she agreed to this?”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “She did.”

    Yu Qiao nodded and heard Zhou Tianzui continue, “Then I’ll book the tickets after I recover, we’ll go on a trip abroad, okay?”

    Yu Qiao wanted to laugh, “Easy for you to say, what about your work?”

    Zhou Tianzui said casually, “I’m planning to resign.”

  • As a villain, I just want them to behave 240

    Chapter 240: Kailun Is Actually Me

    Considering the current circumstances, Pope Meggie Liran realized what Kailun was planning.

    She shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t understand. What do you gain from this? Why are you doing this to the Temple?”

    Kailun’s actions were harming the Temple’s interests, but he had bypassed the restrictions of their contract by not personally taking action.

    What she couldn’t understand the most was his motive.

    Could it be that he wanted to remain as the Pope indefinitely?

    That was absurd.

    Kailun chuckled but didn’t answer. He knew the Pope was anxious, so he let her stew in it.

    Illusion walked to the railing. “This place is quite nice. Can we come here often in the future?”

    “Of course, but we have to deal with the current situation first.” Kailun pulled out a magic book from somewhere and casually flipped through it.

    Helena leaned on the table. “I find this rather boring. It’s not as fun as interrogating the Pope. She still has a lot of secrets to reveal.”

    As long as she didn’t have to face Carol alone, she was fine.

    Meggie Liran: “…”

    Only she was completely ignored, forced to watch helplessly as Kailun turned the Temple upside down. The occasional explosions made her despair.

    If Kailun had just stayed there and read, it would have been fine. But not only was he reading, he was also constantly replying to magic letters.

    Every letter he sent corresponded to a new explosion, each one echoing in her heart.

    She wanted to sneak a peek, but Kailun glared at her, and she quickly retreated.

    After strolling around the Hanging Gardens, Illusion sat on Kailun’s lap. Looking at the content of the magic letter, she gave Meggie Liran a pitying look.

    The poor Pope was being toyed with by Kailun. With her insufficient strength, there was no way for her to turn the tables. In the future, she might even be inferior to Ottovia.

    If everything went according to plan, Kailun could completely replace the Pope using this opportunity.

    The purpose of this operation was to eliminate the “tumors” within the Temple while increasing his influence and control.

    After the hunt was over, he would also restrict those Cardinals who had signed loyalty contracts with the Pope. He had already prepared the list.

    After today, no one would dare to question the Pope’s identity, regardless of whether it was true or not. By then, Kailun’s power would be consolidated, and even Meggie Liran wouldn’t be able to reverse the situation.

    It was a coincidence, in a way, that Meggie Liran’s management style had given Kailun this opportunity.

    As the hunt progressed, Alaye fell into an unprecedented silence. The residents closed their doors and windows, afraid of being affected. Occasionally, some zealous followers tried to help with the “plundering,” but they gained nothing.

    After all, the kind Kailun had not only arranged a team to hunt down “Kailun” but also a team to maintain order. His main goal was a smooth transition.

    The explosions in Alaye were all carefully planned and wouldn’t cause unnecessary casualties.

    The so-called “scraping the bone” referred to removing the tumors.

    This wasn’t a small number. It was alarming.

    But all of this was caused by “Kailun” and Paul’s team. Naturally, they would be the ones to take the blame.

    “Kailun” could still escape, but the others wouldn’t be so lucky.

    At this point, the arrangements within the Temple were almost complete. The next step was to consider the Empire and Fate.

    Last night, Kailun had gathered more information from Illusion and made some adjustments to his subsequent plans.

    He would accept the Empress’s invitation. Only by meeting her could he figure out what she was planning.

    As for the Pope, he would “max out” her goodwill in the next two days. No mercy.

    ……

    “Boom!”

    With every explosion, a figure in a black robe would dart through the city.

    Afra had become Kailun’s stand-in, leaving her pursuers far behind.

    They were always a step too late, allowing Afra to escape after completing her mission.

    She now possessed not only the power Kailun had originally bestowed upon her but also a temporary attribute boost.

    With such exaggerated attributes, she could not only toy with her pursuers but also turn around and kill them with a high chance of success.

    Afra vaguely felt that she had touched upon a blurry line, as if she was just a step away from breaking through to the ninth rank.

    But this opportunity was like a mirage, always just out of reach.

    “Is the next location in the south of the city? That’s quite close.”

    While leisurely escaping, Afra checked the magic letter from Kailun, confirming the next target. She deliberately waited for a while before setting off.

    She suppressed the strange feeling she had just experienced, planning to discuss it with Kailun later.

    “Whoosh!”

    With a whooshing sound, Afra disappeared.

    She was trying her best to act. She was afraid that if she ran too fast, her pursuers would lose hope.

    “Damn it! How can Kailun be so fast?!”

    Charles, arriving a step too late, punched the wall in frustration.

    Looking at the rubble left by the explosion, he felt a pang of pain. Another loyal follower had been killed by the demon Kailun.

    He recalled that although this follower wasn’t a Cardinal, he held a high position in the Temple, managing the tributes collected from various kingdoms. He was very popular.

    His death would have a significant impact on the Temple. More importantly, this was the third high-ranking official who had died since the operation began.

    He couldn’t understand Kailun’s motive. Was he trying to incite internal conflict within the Temple?

    The possibility was low. As long as the Pope handled things properly, she could easily blame everything on Kailun.

    If they captured him, they could force him to confess. If they didn’t, they could still manipulate public opinion. After all, such heavy losses needed a scapegoat.

    He glanced around. Many residents were peeking through their windows, the disappointment in their eyes deepening.

    “Don’t worry, Kailun can’t escape. The Pope has made ample preparations. He can’t fly out of our grasp. His current actions are just pointless struggles.”

    The confident Paul walked forward and said.

    Alaye was completely sealed off. There was no way for Kailun to escape.

    Moreover, the Temple’s losses had nothing to do with Paul. He didn’t feel any heartache, even if half of the Temple was destroyed.

    Paul only cared about capturing Kailun and killing him with his own hands. Once he achieved his goal, he would immediately leave this place with Harry.

    “Don’t you think there’s something strange about all this?”

    Charles’s voice was heavy. “From Kailun’s surprise attack to Helena’s betrayal, and then Kailun’s rampage… It all seems too deliberate.”

    Paul asked, “Are you saying there’s something wrong with the Pope?”

    Charles quickly denied it. “No, that’s not what I mean. I just think this might be one of Kailun’s schemes. No one is more cunning than him. He’s incredibly sly.”

    “You’d better believe that, Charles.”

    Another Cardinal who overheard their conversation warned Charles.

    It wasn’t because of his loyalty to the Pope that he gave the warning. He was simply dissatisfied with Charles’s higher position and authority.

    Commanding several Cardinals was no small feat.

    “I said I didn’t mean that. By the way, the Pope has sent another message.” As he was speaking, Charles received a message from the Pope.

    He quickly took out his communication device and relayed the content. “The Pope wants us to split into two teams to surround Kailun. One team will be led by me, and the other by Holy Son Paul.”

    After relaying the message, Charles looked at Paul in surprise. Why was the Pope suddenly so supportive of Paul?

    Paul asked, “Wouldn’t it be insufficient to split into two teams?”

    The fewer people there were, the more uneasy Paul felt. He was terrified of Kailun deep down.

    Charles put away his communication device. “Don’t worry. The Pope said “he” will take action at the critical moment.”

    “Then… okay.”

    Paul reluctantly agreed. He pointed to a few elderly Cardinals. “You guys come with me. And seven more eighth-rank mages for support.”

    The old men exchanged glances and went behind Paul.

    Charles sighed helplessly. “Since that’s the case, let’s set off immediately. The Pope has just sent me Kailun’s location. The destination is the south of the city. We’ll split into two teams, flanking him from both sides. There’s no way he can escape.”

    Paul: “Okay.”

    After reorganizing, the group set off to hunt down Kailun. But strangely, another “Kailun” in a black robe appeared.

    They were equally strong, equally fast, and caused equally extensive damage.

    Two “Kailuns” were wreaking havoc in Alaye, eliminating one “tumor” after another, sending plumes of black smoke into the air, which drifted into Pope Meggie Liran’s view.

    [Meggie Liran’s goodwill -1, Total Goodwill -98]

    She watched this tragic scene from morning till afternoon, even witnessing Kailun and his group enjoying a feast, a feast she wasn’t invited to.

    “Demon!”

    She clenched her fists, her face pale, and cursed Kailun. The Temple… the Temple had been ruined by him.

    Kailun, however, pointed at the half-eaten piece of hard bread on the table with a grin. “Does Your Holiness know why I left this here?”

    Meggie Liran: “?”

    “Because it has a great use. It can shut someone’s mouth.”

    Kailun forcefully stuffed the hard bread into the Pope’s mouth.

    “Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!”

    Meggie Liran struggled frantically, but Kailun tied her up in a strange position, accentuating her curves.

    He admired his handiwork and then put a black robe on her, concealing her perfect figure.

    “Write a letter to Charles and tell him that I’ve captured Kailun. I’ll personally interrogate him later. They don’t have to worry about the rest.”

    Kailun pointed at the communication device on the table and instructed Illusion.

    Meggie Liran: “!!!”

    Kailun was actually me!

    [Meggie Liran’s goodwill -1, Total Goodwill -99]

  • The Saintess Has A Showdown 157-158

    Chapter 157: Encountering a Legendary

    The Soul Prison Trial, in the current era, was like a myth, its origins and purpose shrouded in mystery, as if it had appeared out of thin air.

    Initially, some speculated it was a secret realm created by a mythical spirit beast.

    But this theory was quickly debunked when a mythical spirit beast emerged from the Soul Prison Trial…

    This earth-shattering event triggered a contracting frenzy. Countless legendary Realm Overlords and even titled legendary beings rushed to form contracts with promising human Spirit Masters, preparing for the next Soul Prison Trial.

    However, it was all for naught. The Soul Prison Trial didn’t accept legendary spirit beasts. They were all rejected.

    Some legendary spirit beasts, enraged, even killed their Spirit Masters, suffering severe injuries as a result. Others waited patiently for their contractors to die of old age, their existence never revealed. There was even a legendary spirit beast that experienced a dramatic, star-crossed love affair with a human, their story immortalized in a classic novel.

    After the initial frenzy, most spirit beasts gave up on the Soul Prison Trial, leaving only a small number still secretly researching it.

    To this day, the secrets of the Soul Prison Trial remained unsolved.

    Soul Prison Trial, Fourth Level, Tower of Heaven, 21st Floor.

    This level consisted of four sessions, each 25 floors representing a round of battles, with a week-long break in between for recovery.

    Only four more floors remained in this round, and at this critical juncture, the Frost Snow Woman and her team encountered another group.

    A scorching heat, like an inferno, filled the area, burning steam billowing outwards, as five crimson spirit beasts emerged from the flames.

    The most formidable force in this Soul Prison Trial, the fire-type team led by the Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa, had encountered the Frost Snow Woman’s team.

    The Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa, a Saint-rank biological offensive type.

    The Hellfire Princess, a Saint-rank elemental support type.

    The Thousand Star Blazing Flame, a high-rank weapon-type possession type.

    The Nether Fire Shroud, a high-rank weapon-type armor type.

    The Fire Spirit, a low-rank elemental all-purpose type.

    The two teams, water and fire, faced each other, a strange, awkward tension in the air.

    The most out-of-place among them were the Ice Spirit and the Fire Spirit, dwarfed by the other, more powerful spirit beasts.

    Water and fire were inherently opposing elements. A clash was inevitable.

    The opposing team had also noticed the number of Saint-ranks on their side. The Hellfire Princess, a beautiful woman with fiery red hair, frowned, seemingly wary.

    However, if it came to a fight, she wasn’t afraid.

    Because…

    “They have five Saint-ranks,” the Fire Spirit suddenly said, looking at the Ice Spirit.

    Hearing this, the eyes of both the Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa and the Hellfire Princess widened in disbelief.

    “Where’s the rabbit?” the Fire Spirit asked, glancing around.

    “It got lost,” the Frost Snow Woman replied coldly.

    The opposing team had clearly recognized them as the Sorrowful Saintess Gong Lianyue’s spirit beasts.

    This meant they knew the Ice Spirit was actually the Ice Soul Cold Star, and the little Snow Fox was the legendary Blood Garden Phoenix Stage.

    Conversely, knowing the current situation in the Wind Realm, and with such a powerful fire-type team, they must be from the nearby Sun-Seizing Divine Metropolis.

    The Sun-Seizing Divine Metropolis, the Infernal Saintess…

    And it seemed the Fire Spirit was the leader, which was unusual for a low-rank spirit beast to be giving orders to Saint-ranks.

    “There’s something… unusual… in this group. Although you have many Saint-ranks, be careful.”

    “I suggest you split up soon. You don’t want to be wiped out all at once.”

    After saying this, the Fire Spirit, its crystalline body floating, drifted past the Frost Snow Woman and her team, without looking back.

    The other fire-type spirit beasts, albeit hesitantly, also passed through the area where the little fox and its two… admirers… were engaged in their… activities, both sides surprisingly avoiding conflict.

    “Eh?”

    Seeing them leave, the pink flower and the green vine swayed in confusion, seemingly unable to comprehend their decision to avoid a fight.

    The Frost Snow Woman watched them disappear, her expression still wary, not moving.

    A few minutes later, with no sign of pursuit, the Frost Snow Woman finally relaxed and signaled for her team to move on.

    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

    Suddenly, a massive explosion of fire engulfed the maze for several kilometers.

    The scorching flames almost incinerated the entire level, the terrifying heat boiling and burning, clearly the Fire Spirit and its team engaged in battle.

    However, in less than half a second, the flames died down.

    Swish—

    A battered Fire Spirit, its body half-destroyed, its appearance disheveled, came flying towards them.

    The Saint-rank auras of the Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa and the Hellfire Princess were gone, as if they had vanished into thin air.

    [Run.]

    The Fire Spirit fled without looking back, its panicked message echoing in the Frost Snow Woman’s mind.

    The Frost Snow Woman’s cold expression flickered. How could anyone defeat a Saint-rank team so quickly?

    Even ten Saint-ranks couldn’t have defeated them so effortlessly…

    Whoosh—

    Without warning, the Frost Snow Woman’s shroud-like robe dissolved into a white, viscous liquid, her snow-white skin exposed, bathed in a faint purple light, a sight that stunned the three plant-type spirit beasts.

    This humanoid spirit beast, so shameless, stripping naked in public!

    Covered in the shimmering purple light, the Frost Snow Woman glanced gratefully at the Ice Spirit, then turned towards the shadows ahead, her expression serious.

    She hadn’t deliberately removed her clothes. They had been melted away by something. And just as her own body was about to melt, the Ice Soul Cold Star had shielded her.

    [Death Tribulation]

    The purple starlight clashed with the white water, the starlight fading, being consumed and assimilated by the water.

    A beautiful, white-haired woman with antlers emerged from the shadows. She was clearly the one who had annihilated the Fire Spirit’s team.

    The Frost Snow Woman froze.

    Sensing a familiar aura, she recalled a memory from her youth.

    The Snow Monarch had once taken her to this woman’s birthday celebration…

    A legendary-rank spirit beast… in the Soul Prison Trial…!!!

    Chapter 158: The Most Ferocious Clan

    Logically, legendary-rank spirit beasts shouldn’t be able to enter the Soul Prison Trial.

    However, at this moment, the Frost Snow Woman was certain she wasn’t mistaken. She had seen this woman from afar once before!!

    Her features as delicate as snow, her white hair shimmering like fireflies, her grayish-white eyes devoid of emotion.

    Branches and leaves sprouted from her head, her icy antlers like a crown, a regal, winter queen.

    [Legendary-rank – White Flower Moon-Treading Deer]

    No, not her. It must have been one of her kin…

    Even with the Frost Snow Woman’s limited intelligence, she understood. Although the same species, they weren’t the same individual.

    The White Flower Moon-Treading Deer, a biological type with dual water and moon attributes, one of the top three most ferocious legendary spirit beasts, an unstoppable force.

    Ten thousand years ago, two titled White Flower Moon-Treading Deer had existed simultaneously: the Cold Deer King and the Illusion Sea Concubine.

    The Cold Deer King, having devoured the moons of countless realms, causing them to vanish from the sky, was hunted down and killed by enraged Spirit Masters and spirit beasts.

    The Illusion Sea Concubine, however, was still alive. It was her birthday celebration that the Frost Snow Woman had attended with the Snow Monarch!

    And the one before them now… was a newly born White Flower Moon-Treading Deer!

    After all, the Illusion Sea Concubine’s power was beyond human comprehension, while this White Flower Moon-Treading Deer was only at the Dawn and Dusk Stage.

    Why could a legendary-rank spirit beast enter the Soul Prison Trial…?

    There was no time to ponder. A legendary being stood right before them.

    For Gong Lianyue’s sake, they couldn’t be defeated here!

    Whoosh, whoosh—

    Waves of white water surged, the Ice Soul Cold Star’s purple star rapidly eroding, about to shatter.

    Just then, the Iron Jade Ice Scorpion lashed out, its massive, scale-covered pincer striking the white-haired, antlered woman.

    [Jade Shatter]
    [Nether Stone]

    Boom!

    A violent explosion, a deafening roar, the shockwave clearing a path through the white water, reaching the antlered woman.

    However, the blast passed right through her, as if she were a ghost.

    Half of the antlered woman’s body dissolved into water, then reformed, her expression unchanged as she continued walking.

    Whoosh~~~~

    As she approached, a suffocating pressure descended, the white water surging even more violently.

    She wasn’t even attacking, but these weaker beings couldn’t withstand her presence, their bodies dissolving upon contact.

    Her grayish-white eyes reflected nothing, as if she didn’t even register the presence of these lesser beings.

    So this… was a legendary being…?

    And she was only at the Dawn and Dusk Stage!!!

    Any spirit beast witnessing this would surely despair, convinced that a legendary being was an insurmountable foe.

    Just then, the antlered woman bumped into something hard and collapsed to the ground, clutching her forehead in confusion.

    A purple, star-shaped barrier, its watery surface rippling, had stopped her.

    The white water’s corrosive power hadn’t been faster than her walking speed, so she had collided with the barrier, caught off guard.

    Her grayish-white eyes finally focused, reflecting the forms of the spirit beasts before her, their species and appearances now clear.

    Boom!!!!

    As if in response to her gaze, the white water surged, threatening to engulf everything.

    The Ice Soul Cold Star calmly created ten more Death Tribulations within its existing Death Tribulation. Although it couldn’t completely stop the white water, it prevented their immediate annihilation.

    “Hmph…”

    Seeing this, the antlered woman frowned, displeased.

    She extended a slender finger and drew an illusory full moon in the air.

    As a pure, unblemished moonlight enveloped the area, silence fell, no shockwave, no tremors, no sound, an eerie stillness.

    The next second, like a splash of water, like the blooming of moonlight, the surrounding maze vanished.

    The walls and floor within a radius of several dozen kilometers evaporated, a terrifying wave of spirit energy, like a nuclear blast, spreading outwards, the lingering water continuing to spread, dissolving everything in its path.

    Within half a minute, nothing remained within sight, the entire maze destroyed.

    The Iron Jade Ice Scorpion and the three plant-type spirit beasts on its back were effortlessly dissolved by the water, their auras vanishing.

    Even the Ice Soul Cold Star’s Death Tribulation couldn’t protect them, instantly vaporized.

    Gong Lianyue and Luo Kuxin’s team had been completely annihilated!

    A few seconds later, the white-haired, antlered woman stood up, shaking her beautiful, icy antlers.

    Just as the White Flower Moon-Treading Deer was about to leave, it paused, a puzzled expression on its face.

    A strange ice coffin, radiating a chilling aura, lay nearby.

    Made of some unknown material, it was completely undamaged by her devastating attack.

    She approached the coffin and examined it for a long time, then shook her head.

    “The Snow Monarch’s coffin?”

    “I can’t do anything about this right now…”

    Recognizing the coffin’s origin, the antlered woman didn’t even bother trying to open it, turning to leave.

    The Snow Monarch’s ice was beyond the comprehension of ordinary beings, unbreakable even by fellow legendary-rank spirit beasts.

    As the antlered woman’s terrifying aura faded, the Frost Snow Woman remained hidden within the coffin, determined to stay there until the 100th level.

    She was the only spirit beast left. Another death would result in a complete wipeout, delaying Gong Lianyue’s progress.

    Just then, a small, ice-blue flower, bouncing on its stem, hurried over from the shadows.

    It frantically tapped and nudged the coffin lid with its petals, until it became dizzy and almost fell over.

    Sensing the ice-blue flower’s presence, the Frost Snow Woman inside the Ice Coffin paused, a strange expression on her face.

    She silently opened the coffin lid a crack, allowing the grateful flower to slip inside, then closed it tightly, her aura disappearing once more.

  • The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated 497

    Chapter 497: “My Fiancée Is More Beautiful Than Any of Them.”

    “…”

    “…”

    A tense atmosphere filled the air between Shien and Carol.

    After their confrontation, the two clearly didn’t like each other.

    Seeing this, Melika looked worried, while the others exchanged glances, remaining silent.

    The members of the Elven Corps, however, kept glancing at Shien, as if observing or confirming something, whispering among themselves.

    This group walked through the magical forest, followed by a giant black dragon, and with fairies flitting around them in the distance, it was quite a peculiar sight.

    Gradually, Shien’s group, ignoring the Elven Corps, was captivated by the surrounding environment.

    As they went deeper, the Elven Homeland finally came into view.

    It was a beautiful village.

    There were no towering buildings or luxurious mansions, only tree houses.

    Giant, ancient trees had been transformed into tree houses, scattered all around, their canopies transparent like the glowing trees, emitting a gentle light, a pleasing sight.

    Elves with pointed ears, wearing ethnic-style robes, walked along the paths that resembled mountain trails, surrounded by the fragrance of flowers and the chirping of birds, the lush vegetation creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

    Here, little fairies danced, elven children played while riding unicorns, and some elves even used water magic to wash clothes or earth magic to cultivate crops and trees. It was like a scene from a fairy tale, vastly different from the outside world.

    The arrival of Shien’s group naturally attracted the attention of the elves here.

    “Look over there!”

    “Humans?”

    “Are they guests invited by one of us to the Peace Festival?”

    “That human girl is so beautiful!”

    “And those two adorable little girls!”

    “Even the maid is beautiful…”

    “B-but why is there a dragon?”

    “Is that an adult dragon?”

    “A dragon came to the Elven Homeland as a guest?”

    “There’s… there’s even a man…!?”

    “No way?”

    Instantly, all the elves in the Elven Homeland started chattering, the atmosphere lively.

    They were curious, nervous, surprised, and apprehensive, showing various reactions.

    Shien and his group exchanged glances, unsure how to react.

    It couldn’t be helped.

    Before, because of the tense atmosphere, they hadn’t paid much attention, but now, having truly entered the Elven Homeland, they discovered that not only was the environment beautiful, like a dreamland or an enchanted forest, but the elves living here were also beautiful and diverse, each with their own unique charm.

    “This isn’t the Elven Homeland, it’s a land of women!”

    Shien couldn’t help but mutter.

    The elves before them were all fair-skinned and beautiful, each more charming than the last. At a glance, there wasn’t a single one whose appearance scored below ninety.

    Shien had originally thought that the maids and servants in his mansion were beautiful enough.

    After all, those maids and servants were carefully selected by Lasha, each with outstanding looks, scoring at least eighty-five. Although not breathtakingly beautiful, they were definitely attractive.

    But compared to the elves, known for their beauty, even his own maids and servants were a level below.

    Seeing these beauties appearing one after another, without a single man in sight, Shien’s heart couldn’t help but race.

    Lucy and the others felt the same, amazed by the sight of so many beautiful elves gathered together.

    Only Melika excitedly stepped forward.

    “Everyone! I’m back!”

    Melika said with excitement.

    The elves in the Elven Homeland, who had been chattering, were first stunned, then their faces lit up with joy.

    “It’s Melika!”

    “Melika is back!”

    “Melika!”

    The elves immediately surrounded Melika.

    With a happy smile she never showed in the outside world, Melika hugged the surrounding elves, tears welling up in her eyes.

    This warm and harmonious scene made Shien and the others smile as well.

    Carol’s expression also relaxed, a smile appearing on her lips for a moment.

    The members of the Elven Corps, however, started laughing.

    “How exaggerated.”

    “Melika was only gone for less than two years, not two hundred years. Why are they so excited?”

    “That’s right.”

    “When I left the village for my journey, I was gone for eighty years, and they weren’t this excited when I returned.”

    “I was even worse. I was gone for a hundred and twenty years, and some even forgot me when I came back.”

    “I was gone for one hundred and eighty-eight years, and I almost couldn’t find my way back. In the end, it was the Queen who sensed my magic power and sent someone to pick me up, making me too afraid to go out again.”

    “Ah, then you’re the most unfortunate one.”

    The members of the Elven Corps joked amongst themselves, their laughter like silver bells, their mood clearly improved.

    Listening to their pleasant laughter and banter, Shien admitted that he was a bit charmed.

    The elven girls here were each more beautiful than the last, their voices melodious, all gathered together, making Shien feel like he was dreaming.

    “No wonder those men outside are so eager to come in.”

    Shien patted his chest.

    He originally wanted to pat his waist.

    Because he felt that his two kidneys wouldn’t be enough here.

    This place wasn’t very friendly to men.

    It could affect one’s health.

    At this moment, Shien was actually afraid that he wouldn’t want to leave if he stayed here too long.

    Therefore, Shien quickly hugged Lucy and kissed her forcefully on the cheek.

    “What… what are you doing…!?”

    Lucy was stunned, then her face turned bright red.

    But looking at this lovely princess, Shien’s emotions calmed down.

    “Your man almost didn’t make it back just now.” Shien said dramatically, “Fortunately, my fiancée is more beautiful than any of them.”

    “Y-you flatterer!” Lucy was pleased with Shien’s words, but still shyly pushed him away.

    Airi seemed dissatisfied by this, while Lasha seemed unfazed (?), and only Lilith blinked her big eyes, then ran to Shien, looking up at him expectantly.

    Shien understood and, charmed by her cuteness, picked up the little girl and kissed her delicate cheek.

    “My Lilith is also beautiful, no less than those elven women.”

    Shien praised her lavishly, looking proud and smug, as if having a loli in his arms made him the king of the world.

    “Hee hee.”

    Lilith giggled happily, her eyes crinkling into crescents, seemingly happy with Shien’s affection.

    “Hmph!”

    Airi finally couldn’t help but snort, her dissatisfaction seemingly reaching its limit.

    “What?” Shien raised an eyebrow. “Do you also want a kiss?”

    These words earned Shien Airi’s death glare.

    “…Alright, I was just kidding.”

    Seemingly sensing the killing intent, Shien shrunk his head back and shut up.

    He didn’t notice that Airi’s gaze was a bit strange.

    Because Shien’s words reminded her of a dream she had once had, a dream that was either too wonderful or too embarrassing…

    This made Airi feel both shy and angry, glaring at Shien with killing intent.

    At this moment…

    “Let Melika stay here and spend some time with her people.”

    Carol turned to Shien and said,

    “Please follow me. I’ll arrange your accommodations.”

    Saying so, Carol walked forward.

    Shien and the others subconsciously glanced at Melika, seeing that she was still happily mingling with the elves, even hugging an elven girl excitedly. They decided not to disturb her.

    Therefore, they quietly followed Carol, leaving Melika surrounded by the elves, the air filled with laughter and joy.

    …

    Carol arranged the best accommodations in the Elven Homeland for Shien and his group.

    “Best” here didn’t refer to luxury.

    All accommodations in the Elven Homeland were tree houses, with no distinction between luxurious or not, only differences in size and environment.

    The only luxurious place in the Elven Homeland was the palace in the center.

    It was a palace built atop a giant tree, resembling a heavenly palace.

    That palace was the residence of the Elven Queen.

    Regarding that palace, Airi had mentioned something to Shien.

    “That’s not an ordinary palace. It’s actually a very precious magic tool, created by the God of Forging at the request of the Goddess of Nature. Not only can it freely change its size and fly in the air, but it can also connect with the magic power of nature, allowing the owner to perceive the magic power and aura within a radius of several thousand kilometers.”

    “I suspect the center of the barrier around the Elven Homeland is that palace.”

    “In the final battle a thousand years ago, the Elven Queen rode that palace, leading the Elven Corps across the battlefield.”

    Just imagining that scene was a nightmare.

    Lucy sighed and said,

    “I’ve also heard that in that battle, the Elven Corps first used the [Pure Flower Curtain], their strongest defensive magic, to envelop the entire Queen’s Palace, blocking all attacks, then, with the palace flying freely above the battlefield, they unleashed powerful, large-scale magic, killing countless demons.”

    No wonder Airi specifically mentioned this palace.

    The [Queen’s Palace] and the [Pure Flower Curtain] were both treasures of the Elven Race, renowned in Omnipotence.

    Shien and his group’s accommodations in the Elven Homeland were right next to the giant tree where the Queen’s Palace was located.

    There were also many towering trees there, with numerous large tree houses built on them.

    These tree houses were considered mansions in the Elven Homeland.

    Shien and his group were staying in the largest and highest tree house, located in the canopy.

    When they arrived, vines descended from the tree, intertwining and forming bridges.

    They only needed to sit on these vine bridges, and the bridges would automatically lift them up to the tree house.

    Inside the tree house, some treants were tidying up and arranging the rooms, a magical sight.

    Through the wooden windows, they could clearly see the scenery outside, even reaching out and touching the passing clouds. Staying here was truly enjoyable.

    “It’s so nice here!”

    Lucy, unable to contain herself, revealed her true nature and cheered, stunning Airi, Lilith, and even Lasha.

    “Vivian and Lumia will definitely regret not coming.”

    Shien also felt refreshed and poked a passing treant who was serving tea, startling it.

    These treants didn’t seem to be monsters, but the fantasy creatures created with magic that Melika mentioned earlier.

    “Please stay here during the Peace Festival.”

    Among the Elven Corps, only Carol came up with them and spoke formally.

    “The Peace Festival officially begins in seven days. During these seven days, you can freely move around the Elven Homeland. I believe you won’t be disappointed.”

    Carol looked at Shien.

    “However, please don’t do anything suspicious. Every plant and tree here is our sentry. If you do anything suspicious, they will react instinctively and relay the information to the Queen’s Palace through magic power.”

    This was a subtle warning.

    Shien wanted to retort,

    “Will your plants and trees peek at people using the toilet or changing clothes?”

    Unfortunately, before he could say this, Carol excused herself.

    “I still have official duties to attend to, so I won’t keep you company. I hope you enjoy your stay in the Elven Homeland.”

    Leaving these words behind, Carol turned and left.

    Shien didn’t try to stop her, smiled at the others, who were looking around curiously, and said,

    “Alright, the annoying person is gone. Let’s go choose our rooms.”

    Everyone immediately agreed.

    Thus began Shien and his group’s fun in the Elven Homeland.

  • Reincarnated as a Holy Nun, I Refuse to Lose! v2c9

    Volume 2: Witch Kingdom Arc

    Chapter 9: That’s the Expression I Wanted to See~

    Luo Yuxi struggled against her two opponents: a 4th Order witch and her puppet. Although challenging, it seemed Qing was toying with her, not using her full power. Still, fighting two-on-one was taking its toll.

    “I should try that move…”

    [Divine Art: Holy Armament]

    Luo Yuxi clasped her hands, and magic power coalesced into a glowing sword. She swung it at Qiu, the puppet, but Qing twitched her fingers, and the silver strings controlling Qiu pulled it out of the way at an impossible angle.

    “This thing consumes so much energy…”

    Luo Yuxi’s hand trembled, feeling her power drain rapidly. Just creating a small sword and swinging it once had depleted her so much.

    “How… how do those bishops wield these things against witches…?”

    Luo Yuxi panted, looking at Qing. Although there was only one witch, the puppet’s unpredictable attacks were relentless, always finding openings. It seemed Qing wasn’t trying to end the fight quickly, always holding back at the last moment.

    “Little sister, could you please stop resisting? I really don’t want to damage your beautiful, fair skin~”

    Qing’s face was slightly flushed, her eyes empty as she pleaded. But Luo Yuxi wasn’t going to give up. Seeing the puppet attacking from behind, she made up her mind.

    “If I’m going to die, I’m taking this puppet with me!”

    [Divine Art: Holy Armament]

    Luo Yuxi summoned the sword again, aiming for the puppet’s head, ready to trade blows. She couldn’t win, but she could at least make Qing suffer.

    “I wonder where I’ll resurrect…”

    “Stop!!”

    [Unique Magic: Puppet Manipulation]

    Just as the sword was about to shatter the puppet, Qing, who had been controlling Qiu from a distance, panicked. Her 4th Order power surged, the doll-filled room shattering, the scene shifting back to the town. Luo Yuxi’s sword stopped inches from the puppet’s face.

    “I can’t move! What’s going on…?”

    Luo Yuxi struggled, but she couldn’t move a muscle. Even the sword dissipated from her grasp. Qing rushed over to Qiu, checking her meticulously, especially her lifeless face.

    “Thank goodness, you’re okay… you’re okay…”

    As Qing examined Qiu, Luo Yuxi realized she was bound by silver strings, even her waist was entangled. She looked around. The bustling town was gone, replaced by a vast forest and scattered wooden puppets.

    “So the town was an illusion? She can control so many puppets…?”

    Qing pulled on the strings, dragging Luo Yuxi towards her. Luo Yuxi was trapped, unable to move. If this were the game, she could try talking her way out, but facing a witch and her puppet, she was helpless.

    “Really, how can you hurt your family…?”

    “Who’s family with you?!”

    “Aren’t we family now? Well, we will be soon…”

    [Unique Magic: Puppet Creation]

    Qing conjured a black nail. Luo Yuxi instinctively knew she couldn’t let it touch her. Qing, her face flushed with excitement, approached with the nail, while Qiu held Luo Yuxi from behind.

    “Let go of me! I won’t become a puppet!”

    “Don’t worry, this way, you’ll stay beautiful forever, and we’ll be family. I won’t abandon you~”

    Qing aimed the nail at Luo Yuxi’s forehead. Luo Yuxi struggled desperately. Being killed was one thing, but becoming a puppet? What if the resurrection magic didn’t work?

    “Get away from me!!”

    [Divine Art: Judgment Cross]

    “Eh?!”

    The strings binding Luo Yuxi vanished. She found herself in a white space, the nail falling to the ground and dissolving into black smoke.

    “This, this is…?”

    “Wonderful, wonderful~ So beautiful. I can’t wait to make you my family~~~”

    Luo Yuxi looked up and saw Qing, who had been about to turn her into a puppet, now bound to a giant cross, a crazed look on her face. Luo Yuxi, recognizing the scene and the silver cross, realized what had happened.

    “This is the Seat of Judgment’s skill! But that’s Lin Jian’s skill! How can I use it…?”

    She recalled Lin Jian reciting sins while binding her enemy, a skill that bypassed defenses. She had only seen it twice, yet she could use it now.

    “Could this be the true protagonist template?! An ability to copy any skill? I’m overpowered~!”

    Luo Yuxi, feeling a surge of confidence, looked at the bound Qing, who struggled uselessly and sighed, which Luo Yuxi noticed.

    “Sigh…”

    “Oh~ That’s the expression! That’s the look I wanted to see! Wanting to turn me into a puppet, but unable to do it~~”

    “…”

    Luo Yuxi leaned against the cross, looking at Qing provocatively. Qiu remained silent, her eyes empty. Luo Yuxi, seeing her eyes, stepped back, recognizing that look of hopelessness.

    “Tsk, even with that look, I won’t pity you. Weren’t you so arrogant just now? Trying to turn me into a puppet? I, Luo Yuxi, am not that easily defeated~”

    [Unique Magic: Puppet Manipulation]

    As Qing chanted the spell, Luo Yuxi looked warily at Qiu, who was lying on the ground. But nothing happened. Luo Yuxi laughed.

    “You can’t even move your fingers, how can you control your puppet? 4th Order, Domination Witch, I’m so scared~”

    Luo Yuxi picked up the map, looking at the location of the Witch Capital, then at Qing, and waved dismissively.

    “I can’t kill you now, and I don’t know how to activate the second half of this divine art, so just stay there. I don’t have time to chat…”

    Luo Yuxi searched for her luggage, which contained her magic stones. Suddenly, she heard a cracking sound and turned to see Qing, free from the cross, standing on the ground, Qiu behind her.

    “I never said I control my puppets with strings…”

    “Ugh… that’s not fair…”

    —–

    —–

    Author:

    I’m a bit burnt out lately with so much going on. :(´`」 ∠):_ …

    (And here’s the Domination Witch’s inspiration)

    Qing’s inspiration

    And Qiu’s inspiration

    Both images are stunning, I couldn’t choose just one (›´ω`‹ ).

  • Reborn to Stew Soup (GL) 113

    Chapter 113: Parting Ways p1

    “Can I sleep with you tonight?”

    Ji Junxin’s voice was calm and soft, yet firm in the quiet room.

    Absolutely not! A twin bed is too small for two people, and if Ji Junxin sleeps next to me, how can I possibly sleep! I wouldn’t even know where to put my hands and feet! Mi Hongdou’s first reaction, after confirming she hadn’t misheard, was to refuse.

    However, before she could utter the words, she met Ji Junxin’s clear, calm gaze. Mi Hongdou suddenly remembered Ji Junxin’s earlier indifference, her lack of any sadness at their impending separation. Her own hopes of continuing their close friendship after the film seemed like a mere fantasy.

    Perhaps… there won’t be another opportunity to be this close to her…

    The resolute refusal softened as she spoke, her voice hesitant. “But… the bed is too narrow…”

    Her intended rejection sounded more like an invitation. Mi Hongdou, hearing her own weak response, was about to say more when Ji Junxin interrupted smoothly, “It’s okay, we’re both slim, there’s enough space. But if you don’t want to sleep with me, I’ll find another solution.”

    Ji Junxin’s tone was casual, as if she didn’t mind either way. As she spoke, she glanced at the alarm clock by the bed, as if calculating the time, as if she would really find another solution if Mi Hongdou refused.

    Mi Hongdou followed her gaze and saw that it was almost eleven o’clock.

    Even if it were eleven in the morning, she couldn’t reject Ji Junxin and make her sleep on the floor!

    Seeing Mi Hongdou’s hesitation, Ji Junxin smiled sadly. “It was inconsiderate of me to ask, you sleep.” She slowly stood up.

    “No, no, no…” Mi Hongdou knew that if she didn’t say anything, she would be blamed for rejecting Ji Junxin.

    Choosing the lesser of two evils. She couldn’t worry about how awkward and uncomfortable sharing a bed would be, she wouldn’t take the blame!

    “Let’s sleep together, together…” Seeing Ji Junxin stand up, Mi Hongdou quickly pressed her back down onto the bed.

    The contact, the warmth of Ji Junxin’s body against her palm, her racing heart, made Mi Hongdou instantly regret her decision… should she… just let Ji Junxin sleep on the floor?

    But before she could change her mind, Ji Junxin kicked off her slippers and got into Mi Hongdou’s bed.

    “Come on, let’s sleep early, we have an early call time tomorrow,” Ji Junxin said, peeking out from under the covers, her tone casual and inviting, without a hint of embarrassment, as if she was the one who had spilled cola on her bed and needed a place to sleep.

    Mi Hongdou felt incredibly awkward.

    She hesitated, then walked towards Ji Junxin’s bed. The spilled cola… the sheets, the blanket, the pillow… all ruined. Her hope of separating the beds was dashed by the large cola stain on Ji Junxin’s bed. She silently bundled up Ji Junxin’s bedding, then turned to her own bed.

    Just as she lifted the covers, before she could even get in, Ji Junxin rolled over.

    “I drank too much water tonight, you take the inside,” Ji Junxin said casually, patting the side of the bed near the wall.

    Mi Hongdou’s bed was next to the wardrobe. Although they could get in from either side, the side near the wardrobe was a bit narrow, they usually got in from the other side, between the two beds. The spot Ji Junxin patted was the narrow side.

    You drank too much water, and you also drank cola! Mi Hongdou thought, putting down the covers and preparing to get in from the other side.

    “Hey, it’s too narrow there, you might bump into the wardrobe, come over here,” Ji Junxin said, sitting up cross-legged, making space for Mi Hongdou.

    Her bare legs exposed under her nightgown… Mi Hongdou, thinking that the usually food-obsessed Ji Junxin was being strangely considerate today, climbed into bed, slightly dazed. As she passed Ji Junxin, she caught her scent, and her face flushed. I’m definitely not sleeping tonight.

    Before Ji Junxin turned off the lights, Mi Hongdou lay stiffly on her side, facing the wardrobe, her body a straight line, minimizing her contact area.

    As Ji Junxin turned off the lights, got into bed, and pulled up the covers, Mi Hongdou tensed even more.

    Ji Junxin’s movements were light, and she seemed to be lying on the edge of the bed. Mi Hongdou could feel the weight of the blanket on her back, warm and comforting. There was a gap between them… she was relieved. She was afraid of touching Ji Junxin and having… those feelings again… and then Ji Junxin would notice, and their friendship would be over.

    In the darkness, Mi Hongdou listened intently, but there was no sound from the other bed.

    She waited, her anxiety gradually giving way to exhaustion. After a long day of filming, and all the emotional turmoil, she was tired. The side of her body that had been pressed against the bed was numb. Ji Junxin should be asleep by now… Mi Hongdou carefully turned onto her back.

    Lying flat on her back took up more space. She could almost feel Ji Junxin’s warmth beside her. She hoped it was just her imagination.

    She carefully moved her numb limbs, then didn’t dare to move again, afraid of waking Ji Junxin.

    Thinking that Ji Junxin was asleep, Mi Hongdou relaxed, her tense muscles loosening, and sleepiness washed over her.

    At first, she resisted, but eventually, she surrendered.

    So, their last night together passed. No heartfelt conversations, no awkwardness from sharing a bed. It was a peaceful night, even more so than their previous nights together.

    Was it a pity? Yes. Was she relieved? Also yes. And a lingering sense of… regret.

    Why so sleepy? Why couldn’t I stay awake longer, to savor this last night?

    Mi Hongdou thought, her breathing even, drifting off to sleep.

    Just then, Ji Junxin suddenly turned over, and Mi Hongdou’s eyes snapped open!

    Although she didn’t know which way Ji Junxin had been facing earlier, she was now facing her, Mi Hongdou was certain. She could feel Ji Junxin’s breath on her neck.

    So, how close was Ji Junxin!

    Mi Hongdou’s sleepiness vanished. She held her breath and carefully tensed her muscles, preparing to move away, to create some distance between them. At least… at least to escape that warm breath on her neck, tickling her, making her ear burn!

    But before she could move, Ji Junxin turned over again.

    So, what was Ji Junxin’s sleeping position now?

    Mi Hongdou knew the answer. Ji Junxin was now practically lying on top of her, half her body pressing against hers.

    If Ji Junxin’s breath earlier had made her nervous, then now, with Ji Junxin’s forehead against her cheek, her warm breath on her neck, half her body pressed against hers, Mi Hongdou felt like she was about to explode!

    Do you have to toss and turn so much in your sleep?!

    Ji Junxin’s warm forehead against her cheek, her hot breath on her neck, her left arm trapped between their bodies, Mi Hongdou didn’t even dare to think about what it was trapped against!

    And what about the arm across her chest, lying on top of her! Well, it was Ji Junxin’s arm, and she was asleep, it was okay, the real problem was her own trapped arm!

    Ji Junxin’s weight on her was like a thunderbolt, all her sleepiness gone, replaced by a burning sensation. Her heart pounded, her body stiff, her head buzzing, she felt like her nose was about to bleed.

    But she didn’t panic, she focused on controlling her breathing.

    If I breathe evenly, she’ll stay asleep and won’t notice anything, Mi Hongdou thought, trying to ignore the sensations from her left arm.

    What left arm? I don’t have a left arm!

    The mental suggestion worked, or perhaps it was the darkness that offered cover. Mi Hongdou lay perfectly still, her breathing even, her heart gradually calming down.

    She lay there like a plank, not daring to move, but the position was unbearable. After a while, seeing that Ji Junxin was still sound asleep, she carefully lifted Ji Junxin’s arm, put it back in its place, and then slowly, inch by inch, moved towards the edge of the bed, until there was no longer any contact between them, half her body hanging off the bed.

    She was now a straight line again, lying on her side.

    The heat in her body was still there, but exhaustion finally won, and Mi Hongdou, yawning softly, fell asleep, stiff as a board.

    After a long while, in the darkness, Ji Junxin, lying on her stomach, slowly opened her eyes.

    If the lights were on, and Mi Hongdou were awake, she would have been surprised by Ji Junxin’s clear, alert gaze.

    Ji Junxin wasn’t asleep, she wasn’t even sleepy.

    Unlike Mi Hongdou, whose mind was filled with thoughts of don’t touch her, don’t let her suspect anything, staying by her side is the priority, Ji Junxin tonight was like a patient hunter.

    Waiting in the darkness for her prey to fall asleep, and then…

    When Mi Hongdou woke up, the room was still dark. She fumbled for her phone, checked the time, and it was 9:30 AM.

    She was momentarily confused, then remembered, “Imperial Secrets” had wrapped yesterday, no filming today.

    So dark at 9:30, these blackout curtains are amazing, she thought, snuggling in bed and yawning. Ji Junxin must be tired, still sleeping at this hour? Then she suddenly realized something.

    She had shared her bed with Ji Junxin last night! Why was she alone now! Had she kicked Ji Junxin off the bed in her sleep?

    Mi Hongdou quickly sat up, turned on the bedside lamp, her eyes stinging from the sudden brightness, and looked down at the floor between the two beds.

    No one.

    She checked the floor by the wardrobe.

    No one…

    She rubbed her eyes, then looked at Ji Junxin’s neatly made bed. Had she slept in too late, and Ji Junxin had already left?

    She felt a pang of anxiety, a sense of foreboding.

    After a quick search of the suite, not finding Ji Junxin, only a small envelope on the coffee table, her anxiety turned into dread.

    Why a note, she has a phone… Mi Hongdou thought, trying to mask her panic. But her trembling hands, as she clumsily tore open the envelope, betrayed her.

    Inside, a single line: [I have some urgent work at the company, I’ve gone back to Jiang City. Ji Junxin] Mi Hongdou read it, checked the empty envelope, even turning it inside out to make sure there was no other message, then reread the note several times.

    When you liked someone, you tended to overanalyze their every word. But Ji Junxin’s note was so simple, there was nothing more to decipher.

    Mi Hongdou, who had woken up to a shock, stood there for a long time, then sank onto the sofa, defeated.

    Waking up to find Ji Junxin gone, and then a note, she had initially thought it was a goodbye letter, ending their friendship.

    The note’s content, however, was better than her initial fear.

    But after the relief came a deep sense of loss…

    She… just left.

    In the empty room, Mi Hongdou clutched the note, feeling lost and helpless.

    Meanwhile, Ji Junxin, holding a rice cooker pot, sat in the chauffeured car heading back to Jiang City, staring out the window.

    Zhong Yin, sitting next to her, also looked out the window, then asked softly, “Miss Ji, it’s past nine, the shops are open, should we stop at a supermarket later, and…” she glanced at the rice cooker pot in Ji Junxin’s arms, “…I can buy some plastic wrap?”

    Ji Junxin nodded silently.

    Zhong Yin told the driver to look for a supermarket.

    Zhong Yin was also a little confused. Ji Junxin had told her last night that they might be returning to Jiang City early today, to be prepared, yes.

    But when she was woken up by a knock before seven, and opened the door to find Ji Junxin standing there with a small travel bag and a rice cooker pot, she was shocked.

    Zhong Yin let Ji Junxin in and, unable to contain her curiosity, peeked inside the pot. Seeing the white porridge, she thought she must be dreaming…

    A famous actress, returning home after filming, not with local specialties, but with a pot of porridge, in a rice cooker pot… Those who knew her would understand she was going home, those who didn’t would think she was fleeing a disaster! Zhong Yin began to understand why President Qiao had repeatedly emphasized the importance of taking care of Ji Junxin… she was… a bit strange… adorably clueless?

    As Zhong Yin efficiently called the driver and got herself ready in five minutes, Ji Junxin said she wanted to wrap the porridge and take it with her.

    Why take a pot of porridge? A seemingly simple question with probably a complex answer. The professional Zhong Yin didn’t ask. But… she didn’t have any plastic wrap.

    Ji Junxin thought of the plastic wrap in the suite, but having left a note and snuck out, she didn’t dare to go back.

    So, they would have to buy some on the way.

    Zhong Yin had just graduated from university with a degree in Human Resources. Perhaps because of her plump figure, her job search had been difficult. Months after graduation, countless interviews, all ending with “we’ll let you know,” and then nothing. She knew that appearances mattered, especially in HR, a people-facing role. She understood, had even tried to lose weight, but couldn’t stick to it… unable to find a job in HR, she had been considering settling for a clerical or administrative position. Then Qiao Rubai had contacted her, offering a generous salary to be an assistant to a famous actress. It was a godsend!

    But the entertainment industry was even more superficial than the corporate world. Zhong Yin, although grateful for the opportunity, had doubted herself. I’m too round for this industry. But Qiao Rubai had reassured her, saying that she wasn’t an actress, her weight didn’t matter, even praising her. So, Zhong Yin, determined to repay Qiao Rubai’s kindness, became Ji Junxin’s assistant, vowing to be excellent and not disappoint her!

    A good assistant had to be discreet.

    So, although she really wanted to ask why Ji Junxin was carrying a rice cooker pot without the rice cooker itself, she held back. A good assistant didn’t ask too many questions! Zhong Yin reminded herself, but she felt that working with Ji Junxin, she would eventually lose her professionalism. No, no, no! She had to maintain her professionalism! She had to be a good assistant!

    Ji Junxin, lost in her own thoughts, was oblivious to her assistant’s internal struggles.

    It wasn’t just today, she had been struggling with immersion for a while now. Yesterday’s filming had only made it worse.

    She had gradually become affected by the character of Miao Qianye. The influence was subtle at first, and she hadn’t paid much attention. But during the pregnancy scenes, knowing that she was prone to deep immersion, she had still indulged in it, enjoying the feeling of being cared for by Mi Hongdou, even resenting the harsh reality of filming. Her state of mind then had been quite bad, but then Mi Hongdou had agreed to support her “pregnancy” act in real life, making reality less unpleasant, and her immersion less intense. Ji Junxin had thought she had overcome it.

    But detaching from a role was always difficult for her. Even though the worst of it had passed thanks to Mi Hongdou’s support, the influence lingered.

    The bond between Miao Qianye and the young Empress in the drama, and the friendship between Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou in real life, their development and emotional nuances so similar, Ji Junxin had unconsciously become… Miao Qianye.

    Until Mi Hongdou’s suicide scene the day before.

    Mi Hongdou was talented, a skilled actress who could easily immerse herself and detach, Ji Junxin knew this after months of working with her. But she hadn’t realized that Mi Hongdou’s acting could also pull her into the scene.