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  • I’m Surrounded by My Own Pets! 203p2

    Chapter 203: Shining Rabbit, Monarch Evolution!!! p2

    All the Beast Tamers began strategizing.

    Following White Abode’s instructions, Heavenly Maiden separated White Abode and her Shining Species.

    White Abode was placed in the Defense slot.

    Her Shining fox would fight alone in the final Duel, as the trump card.

    Silver Dragon placed Huang Li in Attack, North Wind Marquis in Mobility, Monarch-Tier Wind Caller in Support, and Silver Wing Dimension in Defense, completely avoiding the Duel category.

    After all, this double-point category would be a bloodbath; competing for points there was too risky…

    Thunder Fly and Tear Heavenly Maiden also placed their Pet Beasts.

    Rain Water in Support.

    Curfew also in Support.

    Ephemeral, undoubtedly, in Mobility.

    And the Yellow Springs Beckon entered the Duel category.

    Tears Maiden, was dissatisfied with the experts of the new world and sought a direct confrontation with the Heavenly Maiden and the others.

    She would make a grand entrance onto the new world’s stage with her level one hundred Ancient Species!

    Meanwhile, Jade Maiden forfeited without even participating.

    Damn it! Lover’s shared Pet Beast ability was banned!

    The most disheartened was Lover’s First in Line, the Grand Concubine, her youthful beauty fading.

    This battle mode completely nullified her strength.

    Screw this, I’m out…

    To avoid humiliation, the Grand Concubine didn’t even bother checking the rules, simply sitting down in a corner, hugging her knees in silence.

    After half an hour, those who hadn’t confirmed their participation were automatically disqualified.

    Then, under everyone’s watchful gaze, the first category, [Attack], began!

    “BOOM!!!”

    Just a second later, the simulation ended.

    A massive ranking list appeared.

    [Attack Test Rankings]

    [1. Anonymous]

    [2. Tian Xueyi]

    [3. Anonymous]

    [4. Moonwalker’s Dog]

    [5. Anonymous]

    [6. …]

    [58. Lian Xing’s Wife]

    A thousand names appeared on the list.

    But only a thousand. Millions of others didn’t make the list, receiving only a system notification of their ranking.

    The entire space froze.

    Seeing that she hadn’t even made the top 50, Huang Li was shocked.

    She was one of the seventy-two Legends, a near Myriad-Level Emperor! How could she not even be in the top 50? These Moon Soul World Beast Tamers were ridiculously strong!

    Tears Maiden merely twitched slightly, not saying a word after seeing her ranking.

    However, most people were staring at Heavenly Maiden.

    Heavenly Maiden, only second?

    This meant she hadn’t used her main force…?

    Then who was first?

    Many looked at the Ancient Species holder, Wu Qie, her expression unreadable.

    Wu Qie’s mind was in turmoil.

    She was the third anonymous participant. The fourth was clearly Cloud Princess. So who was the first, the one who had surpassed Heavenly Maiden?

    Though known for her Shining Species and White Abode, Heavenly Maiden’s other Pet Beasts were also incredibly strong, even possessing a Myriad-Level Emperor. How could she lose first place to some unknown nobody?

    Soon, the second test, Defense, began.

    And just as quickly, it ended.

    “BOOM!!!”

    A deafening cacophony of noise erupted.

    The ranking list was updated.

    [Defense Test Rankings]

    [1. Anonymous]

    [2. Tian Xueyi]

    [3. Moonwalker’s Dog]

    [4. Anonymous]

    Seeing this ranking, White Abode within Heavenly Maiden went ballistic.

    “Something’s fishy! Definitely fishy!!!”

    “Replay doesn’t want a master!!!”

    “How could anyone have stronger defenses than me!?”

    “I can’t lose in defense!!!”

    As White Abode raged, the other participants also sensed something was wrong.

    Heavenly Maiden would definitely place White Abode in the Defense test.

    Wu Qie, the Ancient Species Beast Tamer, would also avoid this category.

    So what was Replay doing…?

    As everyone wondered, hidden at the edge of the enclosed arena, a golden-haired girl with twin buns and a playful smile placed her third card, the Mobility card.

    Lian Xing had expected her Monarch-Tier Snow Flower, Ice Attendant Snow Youluo, to lose to Heavenly Maiden’s White Abode in Defense.

    She hadn’t expected to win…

    It seemed White Abode was a support-type enhancer. In terms of pure defense, she couldn’t compare to Snow Flower.

    After all, Snow Flower’s Seven Snow Souls ability was no joke…

    In the first round, Lian Xing had used the Ancient Rabbit, naturally dominating all other participants. If anyone could surpass the Back-Tailed Moon-Chasing Demon Rabbit in attack power, she would stand on her head and let them have their way with her!

    As for why she didn’t use the Ancient Rabbit in the final round, the Duel category generated battle recordings, and Lian Xing wasn’t that exhibitionistic.

    Of course, there was another, more important reason…

    The Shining Rabbit had revived!

    To be precise, the Shining Rabbit’s cooldown hadn’t ended yet; Lian Xing couldn’t summon her in reality.

    However…

    Replay’s simulated battles allowed her to use the deceased Shining Rabbit as a card.

    Lian Xing wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

    She was eager to see if the Shining Rabbit had achieved her perfect Monarch-Tier evolution after defeating the small Fallen Species, Heartless Purgatory Life.

    So, naturally, Lian Xing placed Mist Colt in Mobility, Star Sand in Support, and the Shining Rabbit and Calamity Sun in the final Duel category as her trump cards.

    Mist Colt easily took first place in Mobility.

    When Cloud and Dream’s Promise sprinted at full speed with Awakening activated, even ordinary Myriad-Level Emperors couldn’t see her, let alone catch her.

    The suspicions about Replay intensified.

    Almost everyone believed Replay didn’t want a master. How else could Heavenly Maiden fail to secure first place in three categories?

    Heavenly Maiden’s fans were furious.

    The fourth category, Support.

    This category’s rules were more complex, simulating a battle between two Emperors and having each player’s support Pet Beast enhance the weaker Emperor, assessing the increase in combat power and whether it could turn the tide of the battle.

    Unfortunately, Star Sand only placed fourth in this round. Tears Maiden’s Monarch-Tier Rain Water, however, jumped to third, pushing Cloud Princess down to fifth.

    Lian Xing wasn’t discouraged. Star Sand hadn’t evolved in a while, currently only the Commander-Tier Celestial Bride’s Starry Sea, and couldn’t significantly influence Emperor-Tier Pet Beasts, though sealing them for a few seconds was still possible.

    Heavenly Maiden finally secured first place.

    But her beautiful eyebrows remained furrowed, a sense of unease growing within her.

    If that anonymous participant had consistently suppressed her, she might have suspected Replay was rigging the game.

    But now, having suddenly won the Support category, while the anonymous participant had fallen behind, made her wonder if the opponent was truly weak in support.

    Was it a real person…?

    Regardless, the truth would be revealed in the final Duel, which would be recorded.

    Heavenly Maiden, White Abode, Wu Qie, Cloud Princess, the Grand Concubine, Silver Dragon—all the Beast Tamers eagerly awaited the final round.

    This would be a massive free-for-all between over a billion Pet Beasts!

    Heavenly Maiden’s Shining Species and Wu Qie’s Ancient Species would clash once more!

    Even if they had no hope of winning, it would be a spectacle to behold~~~

    Coming to Cold Moon Palace had been worth it!

    A simulated battle recording appeared before them.

    Finally, Replay’s trial reached the final Duel.

    During the ten-second countdown, billions of participants located their Pet Beasts and saw the starting positions of Heavenly Maiden and Wu Qie’s Pet Beasts.

    They were dazzling!

    Even without Awakening activated, Heavenly Maiden’s graceful, dreamlike white fox instantly captivated everyone.

    Wu Qie’s Ancient Species also exuded a powerful aura that shook the hearts of all participants.

    It was a massive, sky-obscuring, black bird.

    Clearly, this Ancient Species’ original form was the Low-Tier Black Umbrella Chick—

    As the Ancient Species and the Shining Species faced each other, many noticed a sulfur-colored water elemental.

    Huh!?

    There was another Ancient Species present!?

    Was this a Water Elemental Ancient Species?

    They had never seen one before.

    Could this be the mysterious anonymous participant?

    As many wondered, Tears Maiden felt a surge of excitement.

    Though her Yellow Springs Beckon was only level one hundred, unable to even defeat a Myriad-Level Emperor…

    She still wanted to see how it would fare against a Thousand-Level Ancient Species!

    Under everyone’s gaze, time ticked down.

    Three seconds left.

    Heavenly Maiden’s Shining Species activated its Awakening.

    One second left. All Pet Beasts assumed combat stances.

    But in the final half-second—

    Silver Dragon’s pupils constricted sharply as she noticed something, casually observing since she wasn’t participating in this round.

    In a corner at the edge of the map, unnoticed by anyone, a beautiful, humanoid Moonlight Rabbit leaned against the wall, looking bored.

    Her body radiated a golden, shimmering light, her soft, fluffy ears drooping like two long pillows, emitting a faint, sunset-like glow.

    Golden, star-shaped bubbles floated around her aura, like a cheap video game effect.

    And most strikingly, a golden, hollow, satellite-like cube spun above her head.

    The cube’s texture and material seemed incredibly refined, golden sand spraying from its seams and forming rivers of gold around the Moonlight Rabbit.

    It looked…

    Too similar…

    This Moonlight Rabbit looked too much like Lian Xing’s!

    But Silver Dragon knew this was just her imagination. This was an ordinary Monarch-Tier Biological species, not Lian Xing’s Royal-Tier Shining Species…

    Lian Xing still hadn’t arrived.

    Finally, the long half-second passed.

    The countdown ended.

    Under the bated breath of all participants—

    The final Duel began!

    “BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

    However, at that very moment, without warning, a blinding light flashed across the screen, blinding almost every Beast Tamer.

    Then, a massive, golden shockwave erupted from somewhere, instantly engulfing the billions of Pet Beasts present.

    Heavenly Maiden and Wu Qie’s expressions froze.

    As the entire arena watched in stunned silence, seconds later, as the dazzling golden light subsided, Pet Beasts collapsed one after another, foaming at the mouth and unconscious.

    Everyone initially thought Heavenly Maiden’s Shining Species had become even stronger.

    But then they saw the Shining white fox also struggling under the terrifying shockwave, one of her hind legs nearly touching the ground.

    Wu Qie’s Ancient Species, in its Black Umbrella Chick form, was in even worse shape, unable to even spread its wings, its body sprawled on the ground, drenched in sweat.

    “…”

    “…”

    What was going on…?

    As the participants stared in disbelief, at the epicenter of the shining shockwave…

    A Moonlight Rabbit, radiating explosive golden flames, slowly stood up.

    If Lian Xing were in control, she would have made this creature put on a show, teasing the others before revealing her true power~~~

    Unfortunately, this was Replay’s simulated battle, based purely on stats.

    Therefore, she would dominate from the very beginning.

    This was inevitable.

    For ordinary Shining Species, Awakening required a three-second charge, giving others time to react.

    But she was clearly different.

    She had activated her Awakening the instant the battle began, without any preparation.

    Because she was in her full-power Shining form.

    Lowering her Pet Essence output suppressed her Shining aura.

    Increasing it transformed her into her Shining form.

    And this wasn’t even Triple Awakening, just the first stage of Shining Awakening.

    As a Monarch-Tier Shining Species, her strength was clearly abnormal.

    Even Lian Xing, her master, knew this.

    You’re right.

    But…

    This was a Shining Species that had defeated a Fallen Species!

    In that moment, the Moonlight Rabbit’s evolution had been completely rewritten—

    [Monarch-Tier · Shining Species]

    [?????Starlight Never Diminishes, Moon Eternal?????]

  • Reincarnated as a Holy Nun, I Refuse to Lose! 82

    Chapter 82: Absolute Suppression

    [Dorolo]

    Occupation: Witch
    Affiliation: Witch Kingdom
    Skills: ???
    Title: Gluttony Witch, One of the Seven Deadly Sins, The Merciless Devourer
    Affection: 0%
    Order Level: 2nd Order

    Luo Yuxi, seeing the panel, remembered who the little girl was: the only witch who had no romantic interest in the protagonist. Her only criteria for judging the world were “delicious” and “not delicious.” Luo Yuxi realized she was in grave danger. She tried to call for help, but no sound came out.

    “Such a fragrant scent, the smell of magic, divine power, and the unique honey scent of fairies…”

    “Hungry!!! Eat!!! Eat everything!!!”

    Dorolo’s witch hat opened its giant mouth, revealing rows of sharp teeth. Luo Yuxi remembered the game’s plot. As long as she gave Dorolo something to eat, she would be safe.

    “Don’t! Don’t eat me! I’ll find you something delicious!!”

    Luo Yuxi couldn’t discern Dorolo’s emotions from her expressionless face. In the game, there was no way to capture her. Sometimes, just a few lollipops were enough to lure her into bed. The after-CG was of Dorolo sucking on a lollipop while being “studied” by Luo Yuxi.

    “It felt exciting back then, but now I feel guilty. And the current situation isn’t looking good!”

    Dorolo lifted her skirt, revealing a gaping maw beneath, countless tentacles writhing within. Luo Yuxi was reminded of the “breeding ground” scenes from doujinshi.

    [Unique Magic: Mother’s Embrace]

    “Become one with me. Then you won’t be hungry anymore. I’ll bear your hunger too…”

    “Hungry!!! So hungry! Eat her!!!”

    Dorolo approached, the lace on her skirt transforming into teeth-like structures, her tentacles like nimble tongues. In an instant, Luo Yuxi’s limbs were bound, and she was pulled towards the gaping maw beneath the skirt.

    “Let go of me! Let go!!”

    “You won’t feel hungry soon…”

    Luo Yuxi struggled, her legs being pulled into the darkness beneath the skirt, the fleshy tentacles enveloping her. The last thing she saw was the darkness consuming her.

    “This way… I won’t be hungry anymore, right…?”

    “Hungry… not enough, not enough, I want to eat! Keep eating!!”

    The witch hat continued to gnash its teeth. Suddenly, Pride’s voice echoed in Dorolo’s ear.

    “The Church is nothing much. But there’s no need to destroy it now. Bring back that nun you swallowed~”

    “But I’m not full…”

    Before Dorolo could protest, the communication was cut off. She looked at the ongoing battle in the sky, then melted into the shadows.

    “I’ll find more food…”

    Doris, her eyes glowing with madness, fought against four bishops and a 2nd Order witch, not giving an inch. Her movements were too fast for even Lin Jian, the Seat of Judgment, to track.

    “She’s too fast, my divine arts can’t hit her…”

    “What kind of monster is she?!”

    “Is this the true power of a high-Order witch?”

    …

    [Divine Art: Victorious Goddess’ Praise]

    Seeing the exhausted bishops, Lika clasped her hands and raised a golden banner. The bishops felt their strength and spirits renewed.

    “Support magic? Witches can use that too…?”

    Yun Keke felt the golden light empowering her. Doris looked at Lika, who, despite being blind, held the banner with a divine aura.

    “So close to 2nd Order, yet unable to break through~”

    Doris looked at the bishops surrounding her again, undaunted.

    “Round two?”

    [Unique Magic: Frenzy – Full Enhancement]

    Doris’s eyes glowed brighter, her silver hair tinged with red, her hands becoming more claw-like, a red aura engulfing the area.

    “This is the true power of a 2nd Order…”

    Yuehua Fengyun, empowered by Lika’s magic, was still shocked by the red domain. Yun Keke closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, they were filled with starlight.

    [Unique Magic: Submersion – Indulgence]

    A pale blue domain, also filled with starlight, expanded from Yun Keke, pushing back against the red like dye in water.

    “So you do have some skills~”

    Doris cracked her knuckles. Yun Keke, although she had created a domain, wasn’t as relaxed as Doris, her hands clenched, sweat dripping down her forehead. Yu Keke, noticing this, called out worriedly,

    “Little Yun!”

    “It’s not a good time to be distracted~”

    “!!!”

    [Unique Magic: Absorption]
    [Unique Magic: Bestowal]

    Yu Keke’s attack was absorbed by Herolise and then redirected back at her, tearing her clothes. A healing light mended her wounds.

    [Divine Art: Goddess’ Tolerance]

    “Miss Yu Keke, please don’t falter, I’ll help you…”

    Duo Mama, the Seat of Tolerance, continuously healed Yu Keke, preventing any serious injuries. However, Yu Keke’s attacks were useless against Herolise’s absorption ability.

    “Does her absorption have no limit…?”

    Yu Keke stood up. Duo Mama wanted to seal Herolise, but she always kept a portion of the absorbed damage to break free from the seals.

    “Want to try again…?”

    Herolise looked at Yu Keke with empty eyes. Suddenly, as Yu Keke prepared another attack, a girl shrouded in black mist appeared.

    “They’re here, let’s go…”

    “Hmm? But I haven’t found—”

    Herolise turned, but the girl had vanished. She sensed a powerful, oppressive aura.

    “A third 2nd Order witch…”

    Doris was finally getting serious. The black-robed girl appeared between the two sides. Yun Keke looked at her warily, surprised she hadn’t sensed her arrival.

    “Greed has been rescued, the others are coming back soon, there’s no need to fight anymore…”

    “But I’m just getting started!”

    “Suit yourself…”

    The girl vanished. Doris, after a moment of thought, deactivated her battle mode and looked at the surrounding bishops.

    “What a disappointing fight. I hope we can have a proper exchange next time~”

    Yun Keke watched as Doris melted into the shadows, realizing she was retreating. She tried to stop her, but a black mist swept past, and Doris was gone.

  • Reincarnated as a Holy Nun, I Refuse to Lose! 81

    Chapter 81: This is What a Witch Is?

    Doris stood in midair, radiating absolute confidence in her power, while Herolise remained enigmatic as always. Yun Keke and Doris clashed, two white blurs flashing across the battlefield.

    [Unique Magic: Submersion]

    “I don’t care what your intentions are, but if you lay a finger on my big sister, I won’t forgive you, not even the Goddess!”

    Yun Keke’s eyes were cold. Doris felt her senses being blocked, but she continued to dodge instinctively.

    “Sensory deprivation? A troublesome ability…”

    [Unique Magic: Infatuation]

    “Little Yun, I’ll help you!”

    Yu Keke’s eyes glowed purple. Doris felt the air thicken, her movements slowing down. One attacked her senses, the other her body. A troublesome combination.

    “Damn it!”

    [High-Level Magic: Witch’s Sorrow]

    “Because of you, big sister turned into a loli! I’m very angry! So please just die!”

    Yun Keke’s magic flew relentlessly. Luo Yuxi watched the battle, thinking, If I were caught in that, even resurrection wouldn’t be enough. Doris was struggling. The attacks from two newly ascended 2nd Order witches, which she could normally dodge easily, were now incredibly slow.

    “Greed, if you keep watching, I’ll seal you again!!”

    As Doris spoke, a black shadow flashed into the battlefield, absorbing all the magic like a vacuum. Doris, finally able to move freely, quickly hid behind Herolise.

    “What were you doing just now…?”

    “Nothing, just looking for someone.”

    Herolise continued to scan her surroundings. Luo Yuxi realized she was looking for her, but thankfully, she was in her loli form now. Unless Herolise looked closely, she wouldn’t be recognized.

    “Just defeat these two, then you can search for the nuns in the city. We’ve been causing such a ruckus, and no one from the Church has stopped us. Their main force must be elsewhere…”

    [Unique Divine Art: Judgment Cross]

    Dong~!

    A solemn bell tolled. Doris, who had been in midair, suddenly found herself bound to a cross, the scene shifting to a courtroom.

    “You are a sinner, do you repent…?”

    Lin Jian, holding a bible, walked towards the cross, her voice echoing with divine authority. Doris sneered.

    “You have fallen into witchhood, this is your first sin. You do not know repentance, this is your second sin. You defy the divine, this is your third sin…”

    Lin Jian closed the book, and three thick silver spikes pierced the cross. Luo Yuxi hadn’t expected such a direct attack, not even giving Doris a chance to speak. That’s the Seat of Judgment for you.

    “Very well, you’ve angered me…”

    As the smoke cleared, Luo Yuxi saw a figure emerge. No smoke without fire, as they say. Doris stepped out of the smoke, her clenched fists slowly opening, her appearance changing. Two furry ears appeared on her head.

    “You made me use this form. You can all go to hell…”

    Doris hunched over, resembling a silver wolf, her teeth sharp, her hands turning into clawed paws, as if they could tear through steel. A predatory aura emanated from her.

    “So the ‘Beastkin’ in her profile was actually true…”

    Luo Yuxi looked at Doris’s transformation in surprise. Even after being captured in the game, she had never taken this form, always appearing human. Luo Yuxi had thought the “Beastkin” race in her profile was a mistake.

    “What an unexpected development…”

    “Don’t just stand there! Come with me, the magic density is getting strange!”

    Lika grabbed Luo Yuxi’s wrist and flew away. Blindness had heightened her other senses. Luo Yuxi noticed her clothes were torn in several places, the surrounding magic becoming sharp. She worried about Yun Keke and Yu Keke.

    “We should be safe here. Stay here and protect yourself, Yuxi. I’ll help them deal with those two witches…”

    Lika turned and flew towards the battlefield. More bishops joined the fight, but Doris and Herolise showed no signs of weakening, using each other as tools.

    [Divine Art: Goddess’ Embrace]

    A giant image of the Goddess appeared, her hands restraining Herolise. Just when it seemed the fight was over, Doris redirected her magic attacks towards the trapped Herolise, using the amplified energy against the other bishops. And whenever she couldn’t dodge an attack, she used Herolise as a shield.

    “This is so different from the turn-based battles in the game. It’s like watching a blockbuster movie. But the Church should win, right…?”

    Luo Yuxi sat down on a bench, tired from standing. Although she had brought Doris here, she wasn’t about to sacrifice herself. If a single Deadly Sin Witch could defeat the Church, that would be too easy. After all, they had been rivals for centuries.

    “But the Saintess from the game hasn’t appeared. And I haven’t found the protagonist in the Church either. The plot has really changed…”

    “I’m hungry…”

    “Hmm?”

    A little girl, about Luo Yuxi’s height, suddenly appeared beside her. Looking at her light yellow hair with green tips and her ridiculously tall witch’s hat, Luo Yuxi felt a sense of familiarity.

    “There’s a huge battle going on, and there’s a child here? Why does she look so familiar…?”

    “I’m hungry, big sister. Can I eat you?”

    [Ding]

    Author:

    Luo Yuxi’s loli form inspiration:

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  • The Villainous Older Sister Who Loves Her Younger Sister Aims for the Guillotine 59

    59: [The Horse Riding Event]

    The day of the [Horse Riding Event] had arrived.

    Wearing my riding outfit, matching Leticia’s but in a different color, I felt a sense of resolve.

    Mine was blue, Leticia’s red. We both wore white breeches, and our vests were light blue and peach, respectively. The riding outfits, courtesy of “Tailor,” didn’t restrict movement at all—perfect for a day like today.

    We had changed in a room at the inn, which we were using mainly as a changing room.

    After exchanging brief greetings with the innkeeper, pretending my visit yesterday had never happened, Leticia and I headed to the riding grounds.

    “Perfect weather for riding!”

    Felix, who had arrived the day before and been admiring the horses until we arrived, exclaimed. I understood how he felt.

    I paused and looked up at the sky, the early summer sun so bright I had to squint.

    However, this was Eustasia, a northern country. The deep blue sky was dotted with clouds, and a cool breeze made the long-sleeved riding outfits just right.

    I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the scent of grass—and perhaps a faint hint of horse and cow manure, but it was a ranch.

    “Yes, the weather’s wonderful. …Isn’t it, Elder Sister?”

    “Yes, it is.”

    The weather was so perfect that I was worried it might ruin my ‘preparations’ from the day before.

    “Lady Leticia, please be careful in the sun. You brought a water bottle, right? Stay hydrated.”

    “Yes, Dr. Louis.”

    Including Louis, concerned for her well-being like a good Chief Physician, everyone except Felix had arrived today.

    They had come to the ranch by carriage and would now be riding… it felt a bit strange, but perhaps that was how nobles amused themselves.

    I, too, had ridden at full speed to the ranch and back on my beloved Lillie.

    “I’m so glad to be riding with Lady Leticia.”

    “The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness. I’m happy to be riding with Elder Sister and everyone.”

    Leticia smiled at Konrad. Her response was… passable.

    …Perhaps she shouldn’t have mentioned my name first.

    As the horses were led out of the stables, Felix was the first to rush over, patting his horse’s neck and stroking its mane before leaping onto its back. The large black horse, proportionate to his size, was his favorite, its name often mentioned among those discussing fine steeds.

    Though our white mare, Lillie, was arguably the finest horse of our time.

    …I wouldn’t brag about it. There was no objective standard, and many people likely felt the same way about their own horses, so it was a pointless argument.

    Konrad rode a white horse like mine, and Louis rode a brown one.

    Only Chief Physician Louis was on a rented horse, and that chestnut mare was a gentle, well-trained horse.

    While he had acquired riding skills during his time with the nomadic people, it was a suitable mount for the Chief Physician, who didn’t usually ride.

    I, of course, rode Lillie. Since I was on official fate-serving duty today, this white mare was my only source of comfort.

    On a day like this, with its mean-spirited event, my sister’s cuteness was more of a stressor.

    I reached out and stroked Lillie’s neck, and she happily flicked her ears.

    Lillie’s large eyes gazed at me, and when I obliged her silent request for more petting, she swished her tail.

    Horses were good. They didn’t betray you.

    Humans—humans did betray you.

    A stable hand led the last horse, my sister’s mount, out of the stables.

    “Um… Elder Sister…?”

    At my sister’s bewildered tone, the men, who had been preparing their horses, turned to look at her.

    “What is it, Leticia?”

    I responded with a neutral expression to my sister’s confused face.

    My sister was cute even when confused.

    “We’re… going horseback riding… today, right…?”

    “Yes. What’s wrong? Do you have some complaint about the horse I prepared for you?”

    My sister had every right to be angry.

    The horse I had prepared for her was a pony.

    While my sister was petite and could ride it… it was still quite small.

    Completely different from the elegant riding horses we were on.

    “…No. Thank you, Elder Sister. You prepared a smaller horse for me so it would be easier to ride.”

    My sister was incredibly sweet.

    “Adelheid, even for you, this childish prank is…”

    Knight Commander Felix chimed in.

    While he had a point, it wasn’t necessary.

    What was necessary was to follow the scenario while ensuring a safe outcome.

    …The problem was that I didn’t know which of these three my sister would choose.

    I didn’t know how she had been spending her free time with them.

    “Now, now, Knight Commander, there’s no need for such comments. This is simply an older sister’s consideration for her younger sister… that’s all. —Isn’t it?”

    I added a sarcastic lilt to my voice.

    And, actually, there was no lie in my words.

    Falling from a large horse was dangerous. Absolutely not.

    “But…”

    “――This is a Vanderwaals family matter. Refrain from interfering.”

    I dismissed him sharply, took the reins, and offered them to my sister.

    “Well, Leticia? You can ride by yourself, can’t you?”

    “…Y-yes, Elder Sister.”

    Prince Konrad glared at me.

    “Lady Adelheid! …Even as the head of the Vanderwaals family, this behavior is…!”

    “It’s alright, Your Highness. This is… Elder Sister’s… consideration…”

    My sister’s shoulders trembled as she looked down.

    A sharp pain, like being torn apart, shot through my chest.

    I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…!

    I suppressed the words I couldn’t utter, hiding them behind an impassive mask.

    When I was finally beheaded, would that appease her resentment…?

    Chief Physician Louis stared at me intently, his expression grim.

    “…Lady Adelheid, considering your own beliefs, do you… find nothing shameful in your actions?”

    “No. Nothing at all.”

    I answered immediately and definitively.

    I wish I could say, Direct your complaints to whoever wrote this script.

    Well, I didn’t expect them to understand.

    “Now, get on. —Oh, it suits you quite well, doesn’t it?”

    I smiled faintly at my sister, now atop—well, on—the pony, trying to appear as mean-spirited as possible.

    It did suit her. While small and perhaps lacking in elegance, a pony was still a horse.

    And its small size actually emphasized Leticia’s petite frame, her delicate features, her adorableness.

    Felix, perhaps wanting to show off, had arranged for one of the Knights’ horses, but it was too large.

    And it was a stallion, which seemed to have a rather spirited temperament.

    For her first riding lesson, I had made sure to provide a small, gentle mare.

    Surely he didn’t think bigger was better, did he?

    While the stallion part was debatable, the large size and spirited temperament were desirable traits for a knight’s warhorse… and, needless to say, unsuitable for a young, inexperienced noble lady.

    Besides, Felix loved horses too much and was too skilled a rider; I suspected he was blind to a horse’s flaws.

    “Well then, let’s begin, everyone.”

    I declared the start of the [Horse Riding Event] with a bright smile.

  • Transformed into a Female Villain, But Captured by My Beautiful Girl Disciples v2c7

    7. Slaughter, Just Slaughter

    This was no longer a novel experience.

    These people constantly tried to test her, but she couldn’t sense it, or rather, she couldn’t react in time. By the time she realized what was happening, their probing was already over, and they had returned to their seats.

    This was a fully automated testing process, requiring no effort from her. Convenient, but also terrifying.

    “Forgive my offense.”

    The Grand Elder was surprised by her composure.

    His palm strike, just an inch further, would have unleashed its full force upon her.

    But she showed no reaction. This could only mean one of two things: either she was incredibly weak, or incredibly confident.

    The former was unlikely, so he concluded that this woman was almost certainly not involved with the poisoning. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so calm.

    “If there’s a next time,”

    Gong Yiling took a deep breath, “find someone else to treat your illnesses.”

    That close call had startled her, her heart pounding, almost causing her to hyperventilate.

    “So, Immortal Master, do you know how to cure this poison?”

    Seeing the Grand Elder’s silence, the Emperor, although surprised by the poisoning, was more overjoyed than worried. The woman’s identity as a member of the old sect was practically confirmed.

    Gong Yiling said bluntly,

    “It’s a secret poison from the Myriad Demons Palace. The antidote is also a secret. Ask them for it.”

    “The Myriad Demons Palace…”

    The Emperor and the Grand Elder exchanged glances.

    The Myriad Demons Palace wasn’t highly ranked among the Five Demonic Abysses, and their Palace Master wasn’t much stronger than the Grand Elder at his peak. They usually kept a low profile.

    But when they acted, they were ruthless and persistent.

    “But why the Myriad Demons Palace?” The Emperor frowned. “The Heartflame Empire has no dealings with them, except for that one time their Young Palace Master came to trade for a treasure and stayed in the capital for a few days.”

    “Those demonic bastards have no logic in their actions,” the Grand Elder said.

    Hearing this, Gong Yiling pursed her lips.

    Old man, there’s a demonic cultivator standing right in front of you…

    “Especially that Palace Master of the Pear Blossom Blood Orchid Palace, Gong Muzhi. Eccentric, ruthless, promiscuous, and cruel…”

    “Cough…”

    Gong Yiling coughed loudly, interrupting his clearly biased words.

    —What did my mother ever do to you, old man? She’s just a quirky woman. In the novel, Gong Muzhi was simply unrestrained, following the principle of “kill anyone who gets in my way.” A ruthless person who showed no mercy.

    But she wasn’t some heinous villain.

    “Speaking ill of a Palace Master behind their back isn’t very gentlemanly.”

    She had initially intended to cure the Emperor for free as a demonstration of her skills, but now she had changed her mind.

    She had to make them pay, to avenge her mother.

    “Back to Your Majesty. Although I can’t cure the poison, I can suppress its effects and ensure it doesn’t worsen, even if you consume more of it.”

    The Emperor was overjoyed. “How do you intend to do that, Immortal Master?”

    “Just take this pill.”

    Gong Yiling held out a bottle of pills.

    An anxious guard instinctively reached for it, but Gong Yiling quickly withdrew her hand, clenching it into a fist.

    “What are you doing? Trying to rob me?”

    “Don’t be impudent!” The Emperor understood her meaning.

    “What compensation do you require, Immortal Master?”

    “Three hundred high-grade spirit crystals,” Gong Yiling said, making an exorbitant demand. “And three sets of Flame King Soft Hedgehog Armor, crafted with the Heartflame Empire’s unique forging technique.”

    “What did you say!?”

    The others almost cursed.

    What a joke!

    These items might not sound like much, but that was three hundred *high-grade* spirit crystals, not spirit stones.

    That alone was worth almost a hundred million taels of silver. And the Flame King Soft Hedgehog Armor wasn’t ordinary armor; it was a quasi-immortal artifact that could be worn by anyone, regardless of cultivation level.

    The old blacksmith who crafted it had passed away. His disciple, although possessing the blueprints and having assisted in its creation, wasn’t skilled enough to replicate it.

    So, the imperial palace only had ten sets, a national treasure.

    Each set was worth over thirty million taels. She hadn’t even been willing to sell one to the Young Palace Master from the Myriad Demons Palace for fifty million.

    So…

    This Immortal Master was demanding compensation worth over two hundred million taels!?

    “Immortal Master, isn’t this a bit…”

    The Emperor frowned hesitantly.

    “Five hundred crystals, four sets of armor.” Gong Yiling raised the price without hesitation.

    But before they could protest, she added, “Your Majesty’s poison only requires a hundred high-grade spirit crystals. But the Grand Elder’s injuries are more complicated, requiring rare ingredients from my sect’s ancestral collection, such as the Heavenly Treasure Kirin Fruit, the Seven-Colored Nine Radiance Flower, the Other Shore Twin Flowers, and the Dragon Heart Grass.”

    She listed several rare and precious ingredients from the book. Any mention of them would send alchemists into a frenzy.

    And none of them were actually needed.

    This was just a way to inflate the price. The more impressive it sounded, the more they would think it was worth it.

    Spending a hundred million taels on these herbs… might not even be enough to acquire them. That was the truth.

    “So, the four sets of Flame King Soft Hedgehog Armor are for curing the Grand Elder’s injuries.” She casually tossed the bottle of pills to a nearby guard and stood with her hands behind her back. “The other four hundred high-grade spirit crystals are for my inconvenience. Pay up or not, it’s your choice.”

    But after she said that, unless the Emperor was an idiot, how could he refuse?

    Completely fooled by Miss Gong’s expert-level deception, the Emperor and the Grand Elder actually thought…

    The price wasn’t that unreasonable.

    After all, treasures from the old sect were at least a thousand years old, not to mention the quantity required. The actual cost would be astronomical.

    Was this Immortal Master, despite her harsh words, actually giving them a discount?

    If Gong Yiling could hear their thoughts, she would say,

    “Yes, it’s a discount. For daring to insult my mother, I’ll break your legs and take your pants!”

  • My Girlfriend is a Cold and Aloof Sickly Beauty 45

    Chapter 45: Spiritual Sustenance

    The matter of assassinating the Crown Prince was too important. The next day, at breakfast, Jiang Xue told her older sister about it.

    Her sister was still on vacation, and Jiang Xue had been keeping this to herself. Since they had also decided to provide Xiao Luohan with three meals a day after Shizhu left, she was staying at home as well.

    After hearing the whole story, Jiang Mei took a sip of her hot Americano to calm her nerves.

    These two little ones… one dared to say it, and the other dared to listen!

    They had actually agreed on this, just waiting for the wedding day!

    Although she knew she should try to persuade Xiao Luohan to let go of her desire for revenge as soon as possible, so that she could come to this world safely, Jiang Mei knew how stubborn such obsessions could be.

    The unresolved resentment over the death of someone important would always linger in the heart, never forgotten.

    Moreover, the power that connected the two worlds was still a mystery. They could only guess that it was related to Xiao Luohan’s will. Even if Xiao Luohan agreed to “let go,” as long as her subconscious still dwelled on it, the possibility of her crossing over was still uncertain.

    “So, you’re putting all your hopes on the stun gun?” she asked.

    If that was the case, then they could only formulate a more foolproof assassination plan.

    Jiang Xue didn’t understand what she meant, her cheeks puffed out in a puzzled expression.

    “The stun gun can indeed be fatal, but that dog of a Crown Prince is a battle-hardened general, resilient and experienced. Using only a stun gun is too risky.” Jiang Mei took a bite of her sandwich. “I’ll contact your Uncle Seuss. You take leave before the Third Princess’s wedding, and we’ll go abroad and borrow a gun from him.”

    Jiang Xue: !!!

    Wei Mommy was mixed-race, and their family had relatives abroad.

    And Uncle Seuss had been a “sister complex” since he was young. It was said that when Jiang Mommy and Wei Mommy got married, he had glared at Jiang Mommy, afraid that she would mistreat his beloved younger sister!

    However, even abroad, gun control was strict, and such weapons couldn’t be brought back to their gun-free country, so they had to go abroad to find someone.

    “Th-Then let’s go during the New Year’s holiday!” she said excitedly, then quickly added, “I have to learn the skills first and teach them to Xiao Luo!”

    Actually, she remembered the play that had been performed before them during the preliminary auditions.

    The deceased female general appeared in her younger sister’s dreams every night, teaching her military strategy, which eventually led to the younger sister’s victory.

    She felt that she could do the same, plotting the Crown Prince’s death with Xiao Luohan night after night, maximizing their chances of success and minimizing the risks.

    “…” Jiang Mei glanced at her and slowly took out her phone. “You focus on your studies.”

    “Okay!!”

    With reliable help, Jiang Xue happily ate half a sandwich more than usual for breakfast.

    “I-I’m delivering a letter home for Your Highness?!”

    In Wangmei Pavilion, after hearing Xiao Luohan’s request, Shizhu was at a loss. “I do know the way to Beiliao, but… but I’m just a servant…”

    She was completely stunned by being entrusted with such an important task, not even considering whether there was a hidden motive behind it.

    “It’s alright. I didn’t bring any servants with me when I got married. When I meet someone kind to me in a foreign land, I trust them completely. Even a heartless emperor would understand my suffering and intentions.”

    Xiao Luohan was writing the last sentence. She soon put down her brush and gathered the letters she had written earlier. “It doesn’t matter if you take your time on the road. Just be careful, and try to avoid His Highness the Crown Prince. I’m afraid he’ll find an excuse to make trouble again.”

    Shizhu understood this too. Last time, the Crown Prince had come over and punished her for no reason, making her kneel in the snow, and even had the servants watch as the princess fainted from the cold. He was clearly a volatile and ruthless person!

    But precisely because she understood, she couldn’t help but cry. “But I’ll be gone for half a month. There will be no one to attend to Your Highness’s daily needs, no one to taste your food. What should we do?”

    “I grew up in the cold palace. My mother taught me many things. I just don’t have the strength to do them, but things are different now. Don’t worry.” Xiao Luohan reached out and wiped her tears. “As for meals and snacks and drinks, the ghost or spirit will prepare them for me. There’s no need to worry about the food from that world being poisoned.”

    She knew better than anyone that Jiang Xue wouldn’t harm her.

    Shizhu didn’t have much luggage, but since she was going to Beiliao with a letter from the princess, she still made thorough preparations.

    During this time, Xiao Luohan found a way to meet the Emperor of Daying.

    Perhaps because they were afraid of the ghost or spirit, everything related to her was easily approved. It seemed no one wanted to provoke the wrath of a ghost or spirit.

    Even in the heavily regulated palace, she quickly met the Emperor and requested a pass for Shizhu to leave the city.

    “The postal service can also deliver letters to Beiliao. Why send a servant specifically?” The Emperor of Daying couldn’t help but ask curiously as he handed over the pass.

    Xiao Luohan embellished the excuse she had fabricated with Shizhu and told him.

    She knew that the dog emperor was just curious. Shizhu was only delivering a letter, nothing else, and she had only written about her well-being in the letter. Even if someone intercepted and read it, they wouldn’t find anything suspicious.

    As she was leaving, Xiao Luohan looked up and saw a smile in the dog emperor’s eyes.

    …Disgusting.

    She didn’t show it on her face, maintaining proper etiquette as she left under his slimy gaze. As soon as she returned to Wangmei Pavilion, she and Jiang Xue cursed the dog emperor.

    A father who could raise a son like the Crown Prince couldn’t be a good person.

    They weren’t satisfied with just cursing in the diary, so they continued cursing loudly in the dream that night.

    They cursed both the dog emperor and the dog of a Crown Prince.

    After their cursing subsided, Jiang Xue started worrying about Shizhu. “Is it really going so smoothly?”

    “It seems so for now,” Xiao Luohan said, warming her hands on the teacup. “Shizhu doesn’t suspect anything, her mind is entirely on delivering the letter.”

    “It’s good that she doesn’t suspect anything,” Jiang Xue breathed a sigh of relief. “No knowledge, no leverage.”

    She also knew a little about tea ceremony and helped Xiao Luohan clean the remaining teacups, then accompanied her for tea before continuing, “I told my sister about our plan, and she’s thinking of ways to improve it.”

    “Your sister… doesn’t object?” Xiao Luohan was surprised.

    “She probably thinks that even if she objects, if your obsession doesn’t dissipate, the crossing over won’t happen anyway.” Jiang Xue played with the empty teacup, speculating. “So she went abroad to find a trustworthy helper… I’ll introduce him to you later.”

    Due to her busy studies, she hadn’t seen Uncle Seuss for many years and her memories of him had faded. She had originally planned to visit him after the college entrance exam, but this had brought their reunion forward.

    “Anyway, just take care of yourself!” she said with a smile, putting down the teacup. “Remember to leave the diary open on the nightstand before going to bed. Don’t hug it while you sleep, or the hot soup or hot milk will spill in your bed!”

    After receiving the pass, Shizhu, still worried about Xiao Luohan’s period, took care of her for three more days before finally leaving with her luggage, carrying the letter.

    Before leaving, she knelt before Xiao Luohan and cried, “Please be careful, Your Highness! I-I swear I’ll deliver the letter to Beiliao! Your Highness…”

    She had wanted to say more, but was afraid of jinxing it. In the end, she let out a long sigh, planning to pray to the ghosts and spirits along the way, asking them to protect Princess Zhuìyù from harm while she was gone.

    She didn’t know if she would be back in time to escort Princess Zhuìyù to the ghost or spirit’s world.

    Xiao Luohan walked her to the door, waving goodbye with a mixture of solemnity and reluctance.

    She didn’t want Shizhu’s last memory of her to be a tearful farewell, so she forced her brightest smile, reassuring her for her journey.

    If all went well, this would be their last goodbye, wouldn’t it?

    She had specifically emphasized Shizhu’s care for her in the letter. If her mother could receive this letter, she would probably protect Shizhu, who knew nothing about the assassination.

    After the sound of the carriage wheels faded away, Xiao Luohan returned to her room, bolted the door, and then covered her face, silently weeping.

    After Shizhu left, Wangmei Pavilion returned to its initial silence.

    Xiao Luohan hadn’t been afraid of loneliness before, but perhaps because she had recently experienced so much kindness from strangers, she had unconsciously become reliant on it.

    When it was almost time for dinner, she even subconsciously called out to Shizhu, asking her what she was going to make. After calling out a few times and receiving no response, she came back to her senses.

    When loneliness became unbearable, she would listen to music, read the books Jiang Xue sent, memorizing the knowledge, fighting against the loneliness.

    She had only mentioned Shizhu’s departure to Jiang Xue in the diary, not showing any signs of it when they met in the dream.

    She didn’t know how Jiang Xue had figured it out. They had only met once in a dream, and the next day, when she opened the booklet, a phone had appeared.

    【This is my spare phone, but I’ve never used it. It’s brand new. You can click on any app. If you have any problems, just ask me.】

    【I’ve downloaded dozens of highly-rated TV series, movies, and anime, and also bought all sorts of novels—classic literature from China and abroad, ancient and modern, and popular web novels from recent years, all in those reading apps.】

    As if afraid that she would be crushed by loneliness, everything Jiang Xue sent this time was “spiritual sustenance.”

    So during her breaks from reading, Xiao Luohan would randomly open a “treasure trove” to relax her mind.

    After entering the dream at night, Jiang Xue found that the scenery outside the window of the “mindscape” was a spring scene again, and her worried heart finally settled down.

    “Do you want to go for a walk?” she asked proactively.

    Xiao Luohan shook her head, picked up the Scream bottle from the windowsill, and sprayed the plum blossoms with water. “I want to ‘decorate’ this place.”

    She had seen some appealing decorations in the anime and TV series and had thought about trying to place them in the blank areas after entering the dream.

    Since this was her mindscape, it couldn’t always be blank. Jiang Xue would worry.

    Under Jiang Xue’s curious and expectant gaze, she walked towards a blank area, holding the Scream bottle, and squeezed it hard.

    …A small European-style indoor fountain appeared, with water lilies planted in the pool.

    Jiang Xue was intrigued and jumped off the table. “Can I also add some furniture? If you like anything, you can use it.”

    She could recreate the beautiful furniture she had seen in games here!

    “Feel free, I don’t have any specific ideas for now,” Xiao Luohan said, continuing to place decorations in the blank areas based on her memory.

    Seeing her having so much fun with the Scream bottle, Jiang Xue also took out her favorite blue Scream bottle.

    Partition walls, wall hangings, colorful lights, potted plants, sofas, coffee tables, fruit platters, and snacks for guests…

    When Xiao Luohan turned around, she had already decorated the other side of the blank space into a cozy modern living room!

  • The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 67

    Chapter 67: Disciple and Wife

    The courtyard, crushed under the weight of the dead spider demon, was no longer habitable. The group found another room within the same estate, however.

    The spider demon’s lingering aura, permeating its former territory, served as a deterrent against the Thousand-Thread Gu, making it safer than venturing outside.

    After settling their injured companion, Pang Xueting approached Tao Ning. “Savior, what brings you to Shadow City?”

    Tao Ning offered her usual explanation. “A training mission from my master. Slaying demons and exorcising ghosts.”

    520, having heard this countless times, cringed internally.

    Pang Xueting, however, looked at her with admiration. “As expected of my savior! I’ve always aspired to follow in your footsteps. I intended to thank you properly after reaching Golden Core, but fate has brought us together again.”

    Tu Shimei, one of Pang Xueting’s junior sisters, muttered, …A fate I’d rather avoid.

    Pang Xueting, still basking in the unexpected reunion, oblivious to her junior sister’s comment, continued, eager to share her accomplishments. “After you encouraged me to seek refuge in a sect, I joined the Heavenly Heart Sect. I’m now a Talisman Cultivator, studying under True Person Chang Xiang.”

    Tao Ning: “True Person Chang Xiang? I encountered a Heavenly Heart Sect disciple claiming to be her student earlier.”

    Pang Xueting’s eyes widened. “Where is he?”

    Another junior sister spoke up. “Senior Brother Qiu? But wasn’t he… consumed by the white bugs…?”

    Tao Ning, sitting on a three-legged stool with a broken leg, shook her head regretfully. They already knew the answer, but hearing it confirmed still brought a pang of sadness.

    Pang Xueting, composing herself, said, “Thank you for telling us, Savior.”

    Tao Ning shook her head. “No need to call me Savior. My name is Tao Ning. I don’t have a title yet.”

    Pang Xueting, adapting quickly, addressed her as “Senior Tao.”

    Calling her “fellow cultivator” would be disrespectful. “Senior” was more appropriate.

    They were all Heavenly Heart Sect disciples, mostly inner sect judging by their robes and swords, their cultivation levels ranging from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, Pang Xueting, at peak Foundation Establishment, the highest among them.

    It seemed the entire next generation of the Heavenly Heart Sect was here, along with a few pampered children laden with protective artifacts.

    Curious about the mysterious cultivator who had appeared so suddenly, they whispered among themselves, pulling Pang Xueting aside for a private conversation.

    Moments later, Tao Ning was surrounded by a group of wide-eyed youngsters, their gazes filled with the same admiration as Pang Xueting’s.

    Tao Ning: “…”

    To avoid further small talk, she spoke before they could bombard her with questions. “This place is difficult to find. How did you all get in?”

    The youngsters, still buzzing with Pang Xueting’s story, exchanged uneasy glances.

    A boy covered in protective talismans said, “We were chasing a spirit beast. It wasn’t like this before. Everything changed after nightfall.”

    Several others, their clothes more elaborate, nodded in agreement.

    A disciple in standard uniform spoke up. “We were hired to find a missing young lady, kidnapped from her family. We followed the kidnappers.”

    A female cultivator added, “Then, just like they said, the living became the dead, the food turned into white bugs, and Senior Brother Qiu… he ran out of Fasting Pills, so…”

    “Those weren’t ordinary bugs. Those were Thousand-Thread Gu,” Tao Ning corrected. “You’re all from the Heavenly Heart Sect, but you didn’t arrive together?”

    They nodded in unison. “Yes, we’re all from the Heavenly Heart Sect.”

    Tao Ning: “How long have you been here?”

    Pang Xueting, the most senior among them, was about to explain when a roar echoed from outside, the sound neither human nor beast, sending shivers down their spines.

    Tu Shimei exclaimed, “They’re back! Put out the fire!”

    They scrambled to their feet, their voices filled with urgency. “Hurry! Put out the fire! Don’t let them in!”

    “Is it night already?” one wailed. “Will I ever see my parents again?”

    “My master is in seclusion. She won’t notice I’m gone. I should have listened to her and stayed put.”

    Tao Ning, recognizing the sentiment, chuckled softly. “My master won’t notice I’m gone either.”

    Pang Xueting, confused, tilted her head. “Senior Tao?”

    Tao Ning gestured towards the others frantically extinguishing the fire. “Why are you putting out the fire?”

    Pang Xueting explained, “The Thousand-Thread Gu are afraid of fire. We light fires during the day to keep them away. But at night, the walking corpses emerge. They can’t see, but they can sense our breath and body heat. Fire attracts them. And there are too many to kill.”

    The entire city’s population had been turned into walking corpses. They outnumbered the living, filling the streets at night.

    They were, after all, still young and inexperienced, easily frightened by nightly visits from the undead and the constant threat of corpse poison.

    Tao Ning nodded, then tilted her head, a thoughtful expression on her face. “So they’re all out now? Because it’s night?”

    Pang Xueting: “Yes. They emerge at night. And the Thousand-Thread Gu use the darkness as cover.”

    The two threats coexisted, sometimes even cooperating.

    Like now.

    A loud crash, and a swarm of Thousand-Thread Gu poured through the broken windows, revealing the terrified faces of those inside.

    The walking corpses, drawn by the scent of living flesh, converged on the house, their distorted shadows flickering on the walls.

    “They’re here again!”

    With the spider demon gone, its lingering aura no longer a deterrent, the city’s amplified resentment fueled the Gu, driving them towards the living.

    Tao Ning: “Do you know if they’re acting on their own, or are they being controlled?”

    Pang Xueting stared at her, confused.

    A young man spoke up, his voice filled with suspicion. “What do you mean? Is someone deliberately targeting us?”

    The boy covered in talismans, surnamed Zhuang, was the Grand Elder’s son, a pampered and protected child.

    Tao Ning waved a hand dismissively. “It doesn’t matter. The outcome is the same. Stay here. Don’t wander off.”

    She jumped through the broken window.

    Pang Xueting called after her, “Senior Tao…!”

    A flash of light, a surge of spiritual energy, then several thuds. Something rolled across the floor. The clawing hands at the door paused, then moved towards the sound.

    The disciples inside exchanged glances, then rushed to the window, peering out cautiously, afraid to venture beyond the relative safety of the house.

    Under the pale moonlight, a figure soared across the rooftops, their movements graceful and swift, like a celestial being.

    She looked down, her hair swirling around her, her eyes, reflecting the chaos below, calm and unwavering.

    Mindless corpses didn’t require her full attention. Standing on the roof, she controlled Poheng, slicing through the grasping hands reaching for her.

    From her vantage point, the highest roof in the estate, she could see most of Shadow City, noticing dark shapes moving in the distance.

    With Cen Dianshuang’s token, the Thousand-Thread Gu couldn’t touch her, but their sheer number obscured her vision.

    She summoned the Flame Dragon Furnace.

    “Someone throw me a stick!” she called down.

    Pang Xueting, kicking a piece of dry wood, tossed it upwards. “Catch!”

    Tao Ning caught it, extending it towards the furnace.

    The Flame Dragon Furnace, anticipating a culinary adventure, flickered its flames in confusion, then, hearing Tao Ning’s words, puffed up with pride.

    “Your flames are the last embers of the Flame Dragons, a bane of all evil. I need your fire.”

    The flattered furnace released a burst of flame, igniting the wood, then, before it could bask in further praise, was recalled.

    The disciples below watched, bewildered, then gasped as the sky above them turned a fiery red.

    The flames devoured the grey mist, spreading rapidly, their intensity illuminating the entire city.

    The heat washed over them, but they resisted the urge to shield their faces, not wanting to miss the spectacle.

    Tao Ning amplified the flames with her spiritual energy. Unlike ordinary fire, Flame Dragon fire was difficult to extinguish, yet it didn’t harm inanimate objects. Her initial attempts at cooking with it had required a combination of flattery and deception.

    The burning Gu insects recoiled, their swarm scattering, the flames spreading from one to another, illuminating the entire city.

    The sky above Shadow City resembled an inverted sea of fire, its crimson waves rolling and crashing.

    Countless insects burned, their ashes falling like a fine grey rain.

    The disciples below, scrambling for cover, eventually resorted to dismantling a nearby pavilion, carrying its roof like a giant shield.

    A front-row seat to a cultivator duel. Can’t miss this!

    Tao Ning, watching the giant, moving shield below, tossed them the burning branch.

    “Thank you, Senior!” Pang Xueting caught it, using it to incinerate the remaining insects.

    The Senior’s fire was far more effective than their own, actually burning the Gu instead of simply repelling them.

    These creatures, having festered in Shadow City for so long, had grown resistant to ordinary fire, requiring spiritual fire for their destruction.

    With the insects dealt with, Tao Ning turned her attention to the growing horde of walking corpses, glancing at the disciples huddled beneath their makeshift shield. She sheathed Poheng and summoned Jianshu.

    Under the moonlight, the zither’s strings vibrated, a deep, resonant melody echoing through the city.

    The guttural moans of the walking corpses ceased, an unnerving silence falling over the city.

    The disciples, their hearts pounding as they listened to the music, noticed the sudden agitation of the corpses around them.

    Like a pack of wolves responding to a call, a louder moan echoed from the distance, and the corpses, initially advancing towards the house, stopped, their own moans rising in response.

    The disciples realized that their previous nightly encounters had been mere… appetizers.

    Tao Ning, her hands moving gracefully over the strings, the zither hovering in mid-air, supported by her spiritual energy, reached the midpoint of the melody, then, with a graceful leap, took flight.

    The walking corpses, their attention now fixed on the figure above them, turned and followed, abandoning their previous targets.

    One disciple whispered, “I didn’t see enough.”

    Another: “Should we follow?”

    With the corpses distracted, they emerged from the house, their torches held high, no longer afraid, their swords flashing as they dispatched the few remaining stragglers.

    Stepping over the scattered corpses, they reached the main street, then stopped, their jaws dropping.

    Bodies. Everywhere. A mountain of corpses, each one neatly decapitated with a single, precise sword strike.

    The estate faced the main street, a wide thoroughfare, now filled with a dense crowd of walking corpses.

    The mindless horde retreated, stumbling over their fallen comrades.

    At the center of their retreat was a single sword. Or rather, the corpses were retreating from the sword.

    Standing on a rooftop, Tao Ning controlled Poheng, its form multiplying into a thousand shimmering blades, their edges glowing with a faint purple light.

    Her voice echoed through the night. “Fall.”

    The swords descended like a storm of steel, each strike severing a head.

    The street cleared, the corpses falling in droves.

    Pang Xueting watched, mesmerized. She had known Senior Tao was powerful, but back then, drugged and disoriented, she hadn’t been able to fully appreciate the spectacle.

    Tonight, however, all her regrets were erased.

    A dark shape flickered in the distance, and Pang Xueting shouted, “Behind you, Senior!”

    The music stopped. Tao Ning turned, swinging the zither, sending the dark shape flying.

    It crashed into a nearby building, the impact demolishing the structure, sending dust and debris flying.

    A young man, rubbing the back of his head, winced. “That would have hurt.”

    But it wasn’t over. Something was moving beneath the rubble.

    Moments later, a figure emerged, its clothes tattered, its body covered in white fur, its face obscured.

    The terrified disciples stared at the grotesque creature. “What… what is that?”

    “It has… claws…”

    “Poheng.” Tao Ning, putting away the zither, summoned her sword.

    A clang of metal against metal as the creature lunged, its dark claws scraping against Poheng’s blade.

    Tao Ning stepped back, absorbing the impact.

    She finally saw its face. Unfamiliar features, covered in dark runes, its eyes glowing red, its pupils thin and sharp, its gaze fixed on her with an unnerving intensity.

    Unlike the other corpses, this one could see. And the tattered remnants of its clothing suggested it had once been a cultivator.

    Transforming a living cultivator into a Gu-controlled puppet, merging flesh and insect, was a dark and forbidden art.

    The once-living cultivator had been slowly consumed, its body transforming, becoming impervious to blades, its skin covered in fur, its mind lost, becoming the king of the city’s undead.

    Thankfully, Tao Ning had muted 520. Otherwise, the sight of this… creature… would have shattered her eardrums with its shrieks.

    520, oblivious to its silenced state: 【Ahhhhhhhh！A Zombie King! Ahhhhhhhh！！】

    After a brief exchange, Tao Ning severed one of the creature’s arms. Raising her sword for the killing blow, she paused as the creature looked down at its severed limb, seemingly surprised, then turned towards the sound of a distant flute.

    “It’s running away!” Tu Shimei exclaimed.

    Tao Ning gave chase, her attacks relentless.

    The Zombie King, who could have easily defeated all of them combined, was now fleeing for its life, pursued by a single cultivator. The sight was exhilarating. The disciples, cheering internally, followed.

    Stay close to the Senior! Safety in numbers!

    The Zombie King finally stopped at the edge of the city, at the foot of the mountain, disappearing into a dark cave.

    Tao Ning stopped at the entrance, peering into the darkness, then scoffed. “This place looks creepy. I’m not going in. I’ll let the elders handle it.”

    She turned to leave.

    A cold voice, laced with demonic energy, echoed from the cave. “Insolent child! You dare disrespect me?”

    Tao Ning, her hand resting on her sword, chuckled. “If you’re too scared to come out, just say so. I won’t judge. No need for theatrics.”

    A moment of silence, then a surge of demonic energy, and a hunched figure in black, surrounded by walking corpses, emerged from the cave.

    “I was going to give you a quick death, but now… I’ll flay you alive and feed you to my Gu.”

    Tao Ning, unfazed by the threat, having heard far worse during her travels, smiled. “So you’re the one controlling the corpses. You look the part. A true connoisseur of insects and the undead.”

    She glanced at him, raising Poheng, its blade shimmering. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re the rogue cultivator who escaped all those years ago. The one who turned Shadow City into a ghost city. You somehow managed to cheat death and become a… cave-dwelling hermit.”

    The figure stared at her, its expression strange, unsettling.

    Tao Ning’s smile faded, sensing something amiss.

    “Your… your face…” The cultivator’s eyes widened. “Identical… Are you… my Lord…? No, that’s impossible. My Lord is at Mahayana. You’re only at peak Golden Core. You’re not her.”

    Only one person was addressed as “Lord” by a cultivator from the Demonic Realm.

    The current Demon Lord… few acknowledged his authority. He had simply taken over Demon Lord Qingji’s palace, his cultivation far from supreme.

    Tao Ning studied him. She didn’t recognize him.

    But Demon Lord Qingji had countless followers. Preoccupied with her own cultivation and her pursuit of ascension, she wouldn’t have remembered every single one.

    Someone like this… wouldn’t even have been allowed to enter her presence, more likely to be tossed into a furnace as refining material.

    Tao Ning’s voice hardened. “You’ve been hiding here for centuries, creating an army of the undead. What are you planning?”

    The cultivator, initially dismissing the possibility of her being his Lord, now hesitated, her tone… familiar.

    But her cultivation was only at peak Golden Core. However, with her Lord’s abilities, concealing one’s true cultivation was trivial. What if she had… regressed…?

    Tao Ning unleashed her Mahayana spiritual pressure, and the cultivator, his mind reeling, his spiritual consciousness feeling like it was being sliced by a thousand blades, collapsed to his knees, clutching his head.

    He didn’t dare cry out, his voice filled with respect. “My Lord! I… I discovered the Wanhun Cauldron sealed beneath Shadow City. I remained here, guarding your treasure, awaiting your return.”

    Tao Ning’s voice was ice. “Discovered it?”

    The cultivator, his face slick with sweat, insisted, “Yes… I discovered it.”

    He wouldn’t admit his negligence, his theft, even if his life depended on it.

    So, the missing Wanhun Cauldron was here, in the Radiant Realm. Soon, the protagonist would stumble upon it, forming a contract and becoming its master.

    But the cauldron was temperamental, loyal to a single master. This cultivator had failed to claim it after centuries, his cultivation insufficient, his actions defying Heaven’s will.

    The cauldron had waited, dormant for centuries, for its destined master, chosen by Heaven. If Tao Ning were the original host, she would also want to kill the protagonist.

    Three thousand years of arduous cultivation, ending in death by tribulation lightning, only to pave the way for this… child… How could she accept that?

    The cultivator, seeing Tao Ning’s silence, his unease growing, stood up hesitantly. “To celebrate your return, my Lord, I have prepared nine pairs of children with suitable spiritual roots to offer as a sacrifice to the Wanhun Cauldron. I pledge my loyalty and my service in reclaiming your rightful place.”

    Tao Ning’s face contorted in disgust. “Who told you sacrificing children would awaken the cauldron?”

    The cultivator, confused, stammered, “Then… how…?” He had tried countless methods, all failing to break Qingji’s seal. He had been planning to try a forbidden ritual during the next full moon, when the seal’s power was at its weakest.

    A faint, ethereal melody, like the sound of a cold mountain spring under the moonlight, echoed through the night.

    Tao Ning turned sharply, her eyes widening in surprise.

    It was a melody only Cen Dianshuang could play, a private communication they had developed.

    It was a question: Where are you?

    The cultivator’s expression hardened. “More cultivators! They’re seeking death! And there are more of them!”

    He summoned the Zombie King and the remaining corpses.

    The Zombie King, seeing Tao Ning standing at the cave entrance, hesitated, then turned and fled.

    Tao Ning, her gaze following him, frowned in thought.

    He wouldn’t pose much of a challenge to Cen Dianshuang. She would catch him easily. There was no stopping her.

    At the city gates, Cen Dianshuang, receiving no response, frowned, playing the melody again.

    This time, the notes were longer, more urgent.

    The sound of heavy footsteps approaching, followed by lighter, faster steps, and panicked shouts.

    “Where did all these corpses come from?!”

    “Didn’t Senior Tao eliminate them all?”

    “There are so many! Master, save us!”

    “It’s all because this city is too big! We lost the Senior!”

    Cen Dianshuang instantly recognized that these weren’t her disciple’s voices.

    Her disciple was far too composed to scream and run.

    Putting away Yaoguang, summoning Xuan Ying, she flew towards the source of the commotion.

    She was, however, intrigued by their mention of “Senior Tao.”

    According to the jade token, Tao Ning was within the city. She hadn’t responded to her summons, but the token hadn’t issued any warnings, suggesting she wasn’t in immediate danger.

    Her ethereal figure soared through the night sky. Xiao Haoran, hiding under the eaves of a building, looked up, their gazes meeting briefly.

    She paid him no attention, continuing her flight towards the city center.

    Xiao Haoran, however, emerged from his hiding spot, his gaze following her, mesmerized. “A true immortal…” he murmured.

    Beside him, Er Lan frowned, her heart pounding. Cen Dianshuang? What’s she doing here?

    The surrounded disciples, seeing a figure descending from the heavens, landing gracefully amidst them, scattering the corpses with a wave of spiritual energy, their eyes widened in hope.

    A sword, glowing with a pale moonlight aura, flew through the air, decapitating the corpses with swift, precise strikes.

    They assumed it was Senior Tao, but then they saw her face: cold and beautiful, a red mark on her forehead.

    Who is this? Another powerful cultivator?

    Then, the woman in white swung something long and rectangular, sending a dark shape flying, followed by the sound of collapsing debris.

    Another ruined building. Slaying demons and demolishing houses.

    The Heavenly Heart Sect disciples: “…”

    They wiped the dust from their faces, their expressions mirroring each other: stunned disbelief.

    That attack… looked familiar.

  • After Failing to Find Immortality 208

    Chapter 208: Within the Jade Luo Courtyard

    Tinkling

    A faint light flickered, and Hua Shuya blinked, realizing that she was back in control of her body.

    But as she regained her senses, she saw her hand cupping the Ninth Elder’s breast. She looked up, her eyes meeting the Ninth Elder’s.

    “…”

    Hua Shuya’s lips moved silently, her face flushed, not knowing what to say.

    Mao Ruoyu leaned forward, her expression surprised. “Why did you suddenly change back…? Are you Shuya?”

    “Y-yes.”

    Hua Shuya nodded stiffly, quickly withdrawing her hand.

    Seeing her embarrassment, the Ninth Elder smiled gently and gathered Hua Shuya’s long hair. “It seems that little spirit girl hasn’t fully mastered her new form yet.”

    “Th-that’s probably it. If Miss Yu gets too emotional, she transforms back.”

    Hua Shuya lowered her head, her voice filled with shame. “I apologize for my rudeness, Martial Aunt.”

    “I’m too old to care about such trivial matters.”

    The Ninth Elder’s smile was warm and reassuring as she helped Hua Shuya tie her hair up. “That little spirit girl seems quite innocent and playful. Don’t take it to heart.

    Now that you’re back, why don’t you join us in the hot spring? I’ve added some nourishing herbs to the water. It will be good for your health.”

    “Thank you, Martial Aunt.”

    The Ninth Elder pulled her closer, her voice soft. “You’re sharing a body with that spirit girl. Is it uncomfortable?”

    Hua Shuya was startled, then she quickly shook her head. “Miss Yu is very considerate. She doesn’t force her way into my body. I’m grateful to her.”

    “You girls have such a pure and innocent friendship.”

    The Ninth Elder couldn’t help but smile.

    Most women, faced with their husband’s other lovers, would be filled with jealousy and resentment, engaging in constant power struggles.

    But these girls were different. They were kind and understanding towards each other, like true sisters. It was truly heartwarming.

    “So you’ve escaped a great tribulation?”

    The Ninth Elder turned to Mao Ruoyu, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “If you had encountered some jealous and vindictive women vying for Tianlu’s affection, you would probably be crying your eyes out every day.”

    Although she had never experienced romantic love herself, she knew that matters of the heart could be complicated and often led to conflict.

    With Ruoyu’s gentle nature, she would have been easily bullied.

    Her seductive constitution might even have caused her more harm than good.

    Mao Ruoyu chuckled softly, understanding her master’s concerns.

    That was why she cherished these kind and gentle women. They were all good people.

    “But I heard from Tianlu… that there’s another woman in Changling County, a Miss Cheng?” The Ninth Elder asked curiously. “What’s your relationship with her?”

    “Miss Yishi…”

    Mao Ruoyu’s expression turned slightly awkward. “She’s very independent and strong-willed, quite stubborn. We had some disagreements at first.”

    The Ninth Elder frowned. “Was she cruel to you?”

    “No, no, our relationship is actually quite… good?”

    Mao Ruoyu quickly explained, waving her hands. “Although she can be sharp-tongued, she’s never been rude to me. And sometimes, she even shows concern for me.”

    “Madam Mao and Miss Cheng seem to have a special connection,” Hua Shuya chimed in, blinking her eyes. “They often share secrets. It’s quite enviable.”

    “W-we’re not that close!”

    Mao Ruoyu blushed, embarrassed.

    After all, the topics they discussed were rather… private.

    The Ninth Elder nodded thoughtfully. “It seems I was worried for nothing. It’s good that you can understand and support each other. But…”

    Her expression turned serious. “The wedding is scheduled for after the Jia month, which is just around the corner. You should talk to Miss Cheng, Ruoyu, and make sure there are no misunderstandings or jealousy. Don’t let this ruin your friendship.”

    Mao Ruoyu bit her lip and nodded. “I’ll talk to Yishi.”

    The Ninth Elder smiled gently and caressed her cheek. “You’re all grown up now, Ruoyu. I’m sure you’ll handle everything perfectly. I hope I can attend your wedding next month.”

    “Master…”

    Mao Ruoyu blushed, not knowing what to say.

    She quickly swam over to Hua Shuya and placed her hand on her shoulder. “Master, you’ll be attending Shuya’s wedding too, won’t you?”

    “Eh?!” Hua Shuya was stunned.

    “W-wait! Madam, I haven’t—”

    The Ninth Elder chuckled, watching the two women playfully splashing each other. She looked up at the moon, her heart filled with warmth and peace.

    “Tianlu, that boy, he’s truly a magnet for women. His love life is certainly… eventful.”

    …

    The Jade Luo Courtyard.

    This was the residence of Fifth Elder, Ye Yujun.

    Perhaps because it was late at night, the courtyard was quiet and serene.

    “…”

    Lin Tianlu and Yun Yue sat in the main hall, sipping their tea, waiting patiently.

    Although they were here by invitation, they were still impressed by the surroundings.

    Unlike the Ninth Elder’s simple and austere private chamber, this courtyard was luxurious and grand. Rows of ancient trees swayed in the night breeze, their leaves and colorful flowers falling gently, like a vibrant tapestry. Jade-colored screens and intricate murals adorned the walls, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

    “This Fifth Elder must enjoy the finer things in life.”

    Yun Yue couldn’t help but sigh.

    Lin Tianlu nodded in agreement.

    The vases on the table were filled with fresh flowers, their colors vibrant, their fragrance intoxicating. And in several corners of the hall, he saw exquisite paintings and calligraphy, showcasing the Fifth Elder’s refined taste.

    “Hmm?”

    Lin Tianlu’s eyes narrowed. “Is this Martial Aunt’s work?”

    It seemed that the two elders had a good relationship.

    At that moment, a graceful figure appeared, her robe flowing, her skin faintly visible, carrying a shower of flower petals as she entered the hall, bowing respectfully. “I apologize for making you wait, Master Lin and Miss Yun Yue. It was rude of me.”

    She waved her hand, and a bouquet of colorful flowers appeared in her arms, which she offered to them with a smile. “Please accept this small token of apology.”

    “There’s no need for apologies, Fifth Elder. We understand that you’re busy with important matters.”

    Lin Tianlu quickly stood up and accepted the bouquet. “And the tea is delicious. Thank you for your hospitality.”

    “This moon tea is usually cultivated by Eighth Elder in the Purple Fragrance Courtyard. The taste is similar, but I prefer it a bit sweeter, so I’ve made some adjustments. I hope you enjoy it.”

    Fifth Elder chuckled softly, her voice warm and welcoming.

    She glanced at Yun Yue, who had also stood up and bowed respectfully, her eyes widening in surprise. “I heard that you’re… the legendary Azure Fox, Yun Yue?”

    “It’s just an old nickname.”

    Yun Yue smiled faintly. “And I’ve left my past behind. I’m just an ordinary fox woman now.”

    “Then congratulations, Miss Yun Yue, on finding peace after so many years.”

    Yun Yue chuckled softly.

    Fifth Elder’s expression turned serious, and she curtsied deeply. “We are eternally grateful for your help, Master Lin. Without you, the Lunar Valley would have suffered a terrible fate.”

    “It was just a small effort.”

    Lin Tianlu helped her up. “I heard that you didn’t agree with the plan to re-enter the world…”

    “Indeed.”

    Fifth Elder’s smile was gentle and warm. “I was orphaned as a child, brought to the Lunar Valley as a baby. I’ve never experienced war or conflict. I was raised by the previous generation of elders.

    Although I’ve heard stories about the Moon Soul Sacred Sect, I can’t truly understand their desire for revenge. For our generation, peace and security are all that matter.”

    “So I’m incredibly grateful that you stopped the First Elder, Master Lin.”

  • Friend(GL) 102

    Chapter 102: Something Happened

    You Ruxu woke to good news. Zhou Heng had confessed. He had met with his lawyer the previous day, and shortly after, turned himself in, ranting about being framed, even accusing his lawyer, but his shrewd mind knew the lawyer was just trying to protect him, to make him take the fall. He had been foolish throughout the whole affair, but at the last minute, he had a moment of clarity, realizing he was being used, and hoping to redeem himself, confessed to orchestrating Xu Jinwan’s kidnapping, though he insisted he never ordered her death.

    With the informant and the construction site manager apprehended, and the kidnapper already in custody, the truth began to emerge. You Ruxu’s report had been a lucky coincidence. What started as a simple brake disc issue alerted Zhou Yun, who was abroad. He saw an opportunity to return and take over. The stalking, the threats, even You Ruxu’s car accident, were all arranged by him, but he hadn’t intended for You Ruxu to die.

    You Ruxu, a mere reporter, wasn’t worth the trouble.

    He wanted maximum chaos, to ensure Zhou Heng’s downfall. He bribed Xu Jinwan’s informant, feeding her the information about the “big news,” prompting her to return from her studies. It was he who leaked Zhou Heng’s plan to Xu Jinwan through the informant.

    A perfect plan.

    Lacking only ruthlessness.

    He made the decision for Zhou Heng.

    Reasoning was one thing, evidence another. Zhou Yun was summoned as a suspect. Online discussions reached fever pitch. You Ruxu, browsing the news, was silent, reading the comments below.

    [So Xu Jinwan was a victim of these two brothers’ power struggle?]

    [If that’s true, I recommend the death penalty!]

    [The death penalty is appropriate, this wasn’t just murder, but an attempt to incite social unrest! Zhou Heng lived abroad for several years, someone should investigate his background!]

    “Do you want to go blind?” Wu Xiulian walked into the ward with a fruit basket. As the details of the case emerged, You Ruxu, as the victim, had also given her statement. News of her injuries couldn’t be contained. Her phone hadn’t stopped ringing, she was constantly switching phones to keep up with the news. Wu Xiulian and You Shu, learning about her injuries, wanted to come to Jindu. Wu Xiulian said, “No need, I’m here, Xu Xu is doing well, we’ll go home together after she’s discharged.”

    Wu Xiulian’s mother was reassured. You Shu told You Ruxu to rest well, and before hanging up, said, “Ruxu, well done.”

    You Ruxu’s eyes teared up, “Thank you, Dad.”

    Wu Xiulian nudged Wu Xiulian’s mother, “You’re such a strange father…”

    You Ruxu hung up, feeling relieved. Wu Xiulian’s nagging replaced her mother’s, although Wu Xiulian preferred to talk about amusing things, “We had a conference in a neighboring city recently, their dialect is so interesting,” mimicking a phrase, making You Ruxu want to laugh, but she suppressed it. Wu Xiulian said, “Just laugh, there’s no need to hold back.”

    You Ruxu chuckled softly.

    Her lips curved into a smile.

    Zhou Tianzui stood at the door, looking in, her expression gentle.

    She didn’t enter. She received a call from He Wei, “Dr. Zhou, the patient in bed sixty-one is having abdominal pain.”

    Zhou Tianzui turned to leave.

    The corridor was empty, she walked quickly towards the elevators.

    Patient sixty-three, scheduled for a C-section, had already given birth. Patient sixty-two, after three days of oxytocin, had a daughter. Patient sixty-one had been complaining of pain for days, but there was still no sign of labor. Zhou Tianzui entered the ward, glancing at the other two patients.

    The patient in the furthest bed was lying down, the curtains drawn, her husband absent, the baby beside her, some distance from the bed. The patient in bed sixty-two had placed her baby on the bed and was resting, the curtains between the beds drawn. Zhou Tianzui examined her, then said, “Take her to the delivery room.”

    He Wei responded with an “okay.”

    She wheeled the patient out. Zhou Tianzui removed her gloves and ran into the husband of patient sixty-three at the doorway. He was carrying two boxes of fried rice and some barbequed skewers, the strong smell of cumin filling the air. Zhou Tianzui frowned, “It’s best not to give the patient this kind of food.”

    “Okay.” The man’s voice was low as he walked past her, “It’s for me.”

    Zhou Tianzui frowned slightly, but didn’t say anything.

    Back in the delivery room, she heard the patient in bed sixty-one say between contractions, “Her husband is so strange, he even made her drink cold water last night, didn’t even bother warming it up.”

    He Wei said, “I’ve never seen anything like that.”

    “Seriously.” The patient said, “He doesn’t care at all, as if she’s not even his wife.”

    Zhou Tianzui’s writing paused. She glanced at the patient, then continued filling out the form. She asked He Wei, “Was patient sixty-three’s prenatal checkup done at our hospital?”

    The patient said, “No, in Changcun.”

    Changcun was a remote, less developed village in Jindu. The residents usually only came to the hospital to give birth, only undergoing the necessary checkups. Zhou Tianzui nodded and heard He Wei say, “You seem to be in good spirits.”

    “I’m fine, it’s just the pain… Here it comes again.” She took a deep breath and was wheeled into the delivery room. Zhou Tianzui handed the form to He Wei, asking her to get the family’s signature, then prepare for the surgery.

    People came and went in the ward. The husband of patient sixty-three was eating fried rice and drinking soda, offering some to his wife, “Want some?”

    His wife shook her head, not looking at him. He didn’t seem to care, continuing to eat and drink. The patient in the next bed said, “Why is your husband like this?”

    Hearing this, he looked up, his gaze menacing, silencing the patient instantly. She nervously swallowed, looking down at her baby, only relaxing after her husband returned and drew the curtains, blocking his intimidating stare.

    He was terrifying.

    She didn’t dare tell her husband.

    Zhou Tianzui spent the entire afternoon in the delivery room. When she returned to the office, it was almost the end of her shift, most of her colleagues had already left. She sat at her computer, and Lin Luo asked, “Dr. Zhou, aren’t you leaving?”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “I’m on duty.”

    She had switched shifts with Zhao Mingqi, who had a blind date and had been bragging about it in the office earlier. Zhou Tianzui, seeing Fu Shushu get up to leave, called out, “Dr. Fu.”

    Fu Shushu turned around.

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Could you please send me patient sixty-three’s information?”

    Fu Shushu was puzzled, “Patient sixty-three? Is there a problem?”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “I just wanted to take a look.”

    Fu Shushu paused, then nodded, “Okay, I’ll send it to you later.”

    The others, busy getting off work, didn’t pay much attention to their exchange. After most people had left, Zhou Tianzui took her thermos and said, “I’m going down to get some dinner.”

    The other doctor on duty nodded, “Go ahead, I’m not going today, I can’t stomach the cafeteria food.”

    Zhou Tianzui smiled faintly.

    She was indeed going downstairs for dinner, but not to the cafeteria, but to You Ruxu’s apartment, to freeload. Wu Xiulian had been making all sorts of delicious food for You Ruxu, soups, braised pork ribs, chicken stew. Zhou Tianzui’s diet had improved significantly, “I’ve even gained weight,” she commented.

    Wu Xiulian said, “You haven’t gained any weight! Don’t follow Xu Xu’s example, you need to eat more!”

    Zhou Tianzui chuckled, “Okay, I will.”

    Wu Xiulian, seeing her good mood, asked, “How’s your mom doing? I mean, her attitude.”

    You Ruxu also paused her eating, looking at Zhou Tianzui, who smiled at her and said, “My mom’s much better now.” Not like before, when mentioning You Ruxu was forbidden. She still got angry whenever they talked about it, but it wasn’t as bad as at first. Yesterday, when she talked to You Ruxu on the phone, sitting right beside her mother, Yu Qiao had only scoffed and hadn’t left.

    Things were slowly getting better.

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Give her some time, she’ll come around.”

    You Ruxu said, “I’ll go see her after I’m discharged.”

    Wu Xiulian said, “I’ll go with you.”

    Zhou Tianzui, looking at them, nodded.

    After dinner, Wu Xiulian gave them some space. Zhou Tianzui called Yu Qiao and asked if she had eaten. Yu Qiao’s voice was indifferent, “I have.”

    She looked around the apartment.

    Zhou Tianzui had been staying with her, sometimes saying, “Mom, I should move back in, shouldn’t I? We can live together, I won’t even have to cook, it’ll be great.”

    Yu Qiao hadn’t replied.

    Zhou Tianzui would then say, “Let’s go on a road trip this weekend. Haven’t you been complaining that I haven’t taken you anywhere these past few years?”

    “We?”

    Did that “we” include You Ruxu?

    Yu Qiao didn’t ask, but she knew, Zhou Tianzui was painting a picture of their future, a future that included You Ruxu. Thinking of that name, she could now maintain a semblance of composure. That night, when You Ruxu came to her apartment, frantic and worried, her usual elegant composure gone, it had dissipated much of Yu Qiao’s anger.

    Zhou Tianzui said, “I just finished eating as well.”

    Yu Qiao asked, “Is something the matter?”

    Zhou Tianzui, glancing at You Ruxu, said, “Her aunt is here.”

    Yu Qiao’s face tensed, her grip on the phone tightening.

    Zhou Tianzui said, “She wanted to invite you to a casual dinner.”

    This time, Yu Qiao didn’t refuse outright, just a noncommittal, “We’ll see.”

    Zhou Tianzui nodded, her eyes slightly watery, “Okay, I understand.”

    After hanging up, she looked at You Ruxu, who wiped her mouth and asked, “What’s wrong?”

    “I just asked my mom about dinner.”

    You Ruxu’s heart leaped into her throat. She looked at Zhou Tianzui, her expression a little dazed, “What did she say?”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “She said ‘we’ll see.’”

    You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui.

    Zhou Tianzui smiled and nodded at her.

    You Ruxu’s eyes reddened.

    Zhou Tianzui cupped her face and leaned in as if to kiss her. You Ruxu said, “But we just ate…”

    She was kissed on the forehead, her eyelids, the tip of her nose. Zhou Tianzui’s finger traced her lips. A noise came from the doorway, and Wu Xiulian said, “It’s a little cold outside.”

    You Ruxu smiled, pursing her lips.

    After Wu Xiulian entered, the three of them discussed where to have dinner, deciding to book a private room in advance. Zhou Tianzui received a message, it was from Fu Shushu, asking if there was something wrong with patient sixty-three. You Ruxu asked, “Do you have to go back to work?”

    “Yes, I’ll go upstairs later. No surgeries tonight. I’ll come over after my shift…”

    You Ruxu said, “No need to come over.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Then I’ll call you.”

    You Ruxu watched her leave, Wu Xiulian saying, “Xu Xu, do you know any good dentists here?”

    “Dentists?” You Ruxu asked, “Aunt, do you have a toothache?”

    “Yes.” Wu Xiulian chuckled, “From all the sweetness between you two.”

    You Ruxu blushed, her lips pressed together. Wu Xiulian said, “It’s good that her mother is starting to accept it, that’s great.”

    “But your job is still worrying, if you…”

    You Ruxu said, “Aunt, I’m planning to resign.”

    Wu Xiulian’s voice trailed off, “What?”

    You Ruxu said, “I’m not going to be a reporter anymore.”

    Wu Xiulian paused, “R-really?”

    You Ruxu nodded.

    Wu Xiulian was speechless, “Your mother will be so happy, and your father too.” She looked at You Ruxu, “Have you really decided?”

    You Ruxu said, “Yes, I have.”

    Wu Xiulian said, “Because of Dr. Zhou?”

    You Ruxu said, “I don’t want them to worry.”

    Wu Xiulian said, “What about you?”

    You Ruxu looked at her.

    Wu Xiulian said, “Are you happy?”

    Changing careers, Wu Xiulian’s mother would be happy, Zhou Tianzui would be happy, everyone who worried about her would be happy, but You Ruxu, was she happy? You Ruxu said, “I…” then, “I am happy.”

    Wu Xiulian gently stroked her hair and smiled.

    Before going to bed, You Ruxu even tried walking around, hopping on one leg. Wu Xiulian said, “Stop it, be careful, don’t blame me if you fall!”

    You Ruxu didn’t think it was a big deal and only sat down after a few more steps. She said to Wu Xiulian, “Aunt, you should go home early tonight.”

    “You don’t need me to stay?”

    You Ruxu said, “No, I can get out of bed now, and you’ve been so tired these past few days, you should go home and rest.”

    “I should, indeed.” Wu Xiulian, assuming Zhou Tianzui would be coming over later, didn’t press the issue, “Okay then, take care tonight, call me or Dr. Zhou if anything happens.”

    You Ruxu nodded.

    After Wu Xiulian left, You Ruxu sat on the bed, looking out the window at the dark, gloomy sky. She reached for her phone. It was still early, she didn’t know what Zhou Tianzui was doing.

    Zhou Tianzui was looking at patient files.

    The information was no different from other patients, C-section due to large fetal size, good postoperative recovery. She rubbed her temples and heard the doctor opposite her ask, “What are you looking at?”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Nothing.”

    She looked up, “Keep a close eye on patient sixty-three.”

    The other doctor asked, “Is there a problem?”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “I have a bad feeling about her husband.”

    The other doctor chuckled, “Dr. Zhou, when did you start trusting your intuition?”

    When did she? Probably after You Ruxu’s accident. She smiled faintly, shaking her head, thinking of You Ruxu looking down at her phone, and sent her a message: [Are you asleep yet?]

    You Ruxu’s phone vibrated. She looked down, a message from Chen Xiang.

    [Waaah, Teacher You, I was going to visit you today, but the boss sent me to the hospital.]

    [Team 2 is so lonely without you, Teacher You.]

    [Can I visit you tomorrow?]

    You Ruxu, touching Chen Xiang’s profile picture, replied: [Focus on your work.]

    Chen Xiang: [I am! Always! Teacher You, have you seen today’s news? Fengyuan is imploding!]

    Not literally imploding, but figuratively, the company in chaos, the news also exploding online. You Ruxu knew, she had seen the news, including the report about the missing baby from the maternity hospital.

    Chen Xiang: [They’re still investigating, no solid leads yet.]

    You Ruxu typed: [Have they checked the parents’ backgrounds? And the other parents in the same ward? Also…]

    Her fingers paused, and she thought for a few seconds, then deleted the message.

    Her phone vibrated. She looked down, a message from Zhou Tianzui, asking if she was resting. You Ruxu smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners, and replied: [Just lying down.]

    Zhou Tianzui: [Not sleeping yet?]

    You Ruxu: [About to.]

    Zhou Tianzui: [Where’s your aunt?]

    You Ruxu: [I asked her to go home and rest. Aren’t you busy?]

    Zhou Tianzui: [Not busy right now.]

    They chatted for a few minutes, then Zhou Tianzui stopped replying. You Ruxu figured she was busy, placed her phone on the pillow beside her, lay down, and closed her eyes.

    She dreamt of Zhou Tianzui, and Yu Qiao, Wu Xiulian, Wu Xiulian’s mother, You Shu, all having dinner together, sitting around a round hotpot, steam and mist rising from the bubbling broth. Zhou Tianzui said, “I want some meatballs.”

    “Here you go.” Yu Qiao said with a smile, “You never gain any weight.”

    Zhou Tianzui pinched her own cheek, “Beautiful Yu, do I look fat?”

    Yu Qiao said, “Fat? You’re as thin as Xiao Xu.”

    Zhou Tianzui, sitting next to You Ruxu, said, “Mom said we’re too thin, we need to eat more.”

    “It’s Auntie,” You Ruxu corrected her, blushing. Zhou Tianzui said, “No, it’s Mom, call her Mom.”

    You Ruxu didn’t speak.

    Zhou Tianzui called out, “Beautiful Yu!”

    Yu Qiao looked up.

    Zhou Tianzui said, “Ruxu’s calling you.”

    Yu Qiao, casually, “Calling me what?”

    Zhou Tianzui asked You Ruxu, “Call her what?”

    Everyone looked at her, Wu Xiulian’s mother, You Shu, and Wu Xiulian, amusement in her eyes. You Ruxu pinched Zhou Tianzui hard under the table and softly called out, “Mom.”

    Yu Qiao smiled, “Hey.”

    Wu Xiulian beamed and said, “Xu Xu, shouldn’t Dr. Zhou also change what she calls us?”

    Without any of You Ruxu’s awkwardness, Zhou Tianzui readily called out, “Dad, Mom, Aunt.”

    You Ruxu turned. In the sunlight, Zhou Tianzui was laughing with everyone, a warm and comforting scene. You Ruxu woke up, slightly dazed, how could she have such a dream?

    Was it because Zhou Tianzui said Yu Qiao had agreed?

    Or because they were having dinner together?

    It was a beautiful dream.

    A beautiful dream. You Ruxu checked her phone and saw Zhou Tianzui’s reply, sent ten minutes ago: [Just had a patient with a threatened miscarriage.]

    Another message, five minutes ago: [Are you asleep?]

    You Ruxu looked at the time, it was 1:30 am. She replied: [Awake.]

    Zhou Tianzui immediately called. You Ruxu said, “Aren’t you on duty?”

    “Yes, but Dr. Liu took over, I’m taking a break.” Zhou Tianzui said, “Why are you awake? Couldn’t sleep?”

    She wanted to go see You Ruxu, holding her phone as she walked, when she saw a man in the corridor, holding a baby. She recognized him as the husband of patient sixty-three and walked over, “What are you doing here with the baby?”

    The man, seeing her, wasn’t surprised. His tone was casual, “He was crying, I’m trying to soothe him.”

    Zhou Tianzui nodded, “It’s drafty out here, you should go back inside.”

    The man said, “Okay.”

    Zhou Tianzui, holding her phone, glanced at the baby in his arms. Every baby wore a wristband with their information, if they didn’t have a name yet, the mother’s name would be used, followed by the bed number.

    She glanced at the baby’s wristband and turned to leave.

    After a few steps, she turned back and said to You Ruxu on the phone, “Wait for me.”

    You Ruxu heard her ask the man, “Can I see the baby?”

    The man said, “He’s sleeping.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “That’s okay, I just want to take a quick look.”

    The baby was bundled up in his arms. He gave her a cold look, “What do you mean?”

    The hospital corridor was quiet late at night, their voices low. Zhou Tianzui, ignoring him, reached out and gently pulled back the baby’s sleeve to check the wristband. The man scowled.

    Zhou Tianzui checked the wristband.

    It displayed the information for the patient in bed sixty-three, everything matched. She took a step back, as if realizing her mistake, about to apologize. The man relaxed, one hand holding the baby, the other in his pocket, something bulging inside. Zhou Tianzui said, “I apologize, you should take the baby back inside.”

    The man didn’t reply.

    Zhou Tianzui nodded slightly and turned to leave, her hand reaching into her pocket for her phone, when the man called out, “Dr. Zhou.”

    She turned around.

    A fruit knife plunged into her side.

  • As a villain, I just want them to behave 237

    Chapter 237: Missing Kailun – Day 1

    The town of Portland, nestled deep within the White Jade Alliance’s territory, welcomed many new residents. Most of these newcomers were at least seventh-rank, with a considerable number of eighth-rank mages among them.

    Upon closer inspection, one could even spot a few ninth-rank figures.

    To secure control of the town, the Empress had dispatched a third of her elite forces.

    Upon arrival, they immediately expelled the original inhabitants and sealed off the entire town, making it impenetrable.

    Perhaps out of caution, they set up numerous magic formations to prevent spying.

    Since the day of the handover, no one knew what was happening inside the town.

    Wilson, the leader of the White Jade Alliance, grew suspicious. He had tried to visit the town with several ninth-rank mages, but they were all blocked by the Empire’s forces.

    From beyond the barriers, he could only sense vast magic fluctuations, and a sense of unease grew in his heart.

    Logically, he should be happy about exchanging a worthless town for a massive amount of resources, but his intuition told him that he had made a mistake.

    Thinking back, Kailun had used schemes to acquire another town. Was there a connection between these two events?

    Standing atop a watchtower thirty miles away from Portland, Wilson looked at the distant town.

    It was now enveloped in a giant blue sphere, making it impossible to see what was happening inside.

    “What do you think that Empress is planning?”

    Wilson turned to his friend, also a ninth-rank mage. “Before selling this town, I had people thoroughly investigate it, but the results showed that it was an incredibly ordinary town. The population was barely two thousand, and the strongest person was only a fifth-rank warrior. Nothing significant has happened here for thousands of years. I even had people dig three feet underground, but there was no hidden treasure.”

    Wilson’s friend was a scruffy, middle-aged man with an unkempt appearance, but his eyes gleamed with intelligence.

    They had met a few years ago and hit it off immediately. However, they were both busy, and their usual contact was mainly through magic letters.

    This time, Wilson felt short-handed, so he called his friend over and appointed him as a vice leader.

    The middle-aged man leaned against the wall of the watchtower. “Perhaps it’s because of its special geographical location. Portland and the other town are situated at a critical distance from the Xiya Kingdom. The latter can be used to launch a direct assault on the Xiya Kingdom, while the former is slightly farther and requires some travel time, but it’s still much closer than traveling from the Empire to the Xiya Kingdom. If we’re being bold, with Portland as a base, we can even influence the Abyss.”

    He took out a candy from somewhere, tossed it into his mouth, and chewed slowly, looking strangely relaxed.

    “Vincent, do you know something?” Wilson asked, his eyes serious.

    The scruffy man, Vincent, scratched his butt. “Huh? How can you suspect me? If I were younger, I would polish my boots and kick your ass. Impudent fellows deserve to be roasted over a fire for a hundred years.”

    Wilson turned his face away, speechless. “Aren’t you worried after seeing this? Although I don’t want to admit it, we’ve been left behind. We can’t keep up with the changes in the world. They’re playing games we don’t understand. We might miss a crucial turning point.”

    Vincent said proudly, “I don’t care. I’ll just run away.”

    Wilson: “…”

    Perhaps realizing that his attitude was too dismissive, he hesitated for a moment and said seriously, “I’m telling the truth. As a friend, I suggest you run away now. You’re too foolish. You can’t outsmart Kailun and the Empress. But it’s not just you. Even that Pope is no match for Kailun. So don’t be sad.”

    He walked over and patted Wilson’s shoulder comfortingly. “Don’t be sad. Sometimes, you have to acknowledge your limitations to survive. At least, I don’t think you need to get involved. You’re not on the same level as them.”

    Wilson kicked Vincent’s butt. “Stop talking nonsense. You’re the foolish one. There’s no turning back now. Do you want to become a dog for the Pope and the Empress?”

    Vincent hesitated slightly. “It’s not impossible, but I still don’t want to lose you as a friend. What are you going to do if the Empress wins in the end?”

    It wasn’t that he was being disloyal as a friend, but he was originally from the Empire.

    The plan to deploy troops to Portland was led by Vincent. Everything, big or small, had to go through him.

    The Empire’s primary goal was to transform Portland into a fortress and then build crucial magic formations on it.

    No one, except for the Empress herself, knew the effects of these magic formations. She had only told them that once the formations were complete, the Empire would have a two-thirds chance of victory.

    It seemed that the key to victory lay in these magic formations.

    Part of what he had just said was true. Once the magic formations were complete, Portland would become a crucial foothold for their next move.

    It would be convenient for them to attack either the Xiya Kingdom or the Abyss, but Vincent didn’t know the specific plan because the Empress hadn’t told him.

    Besides setting up the magic formations, he was also tasked with misleading Wilson.

    He actually wanted to persuade Wilson to switch sides, but unfortunately, this guy was too stubborn.

    He couldn’t understand. Were material possessions more important than life?

    “It won’t be that easy. Kailun isn’t a pushover. The Temple of the Celestial God hasn’t been able to defeat him in two months. Instead, he’s become even stronger. I think that day is still far away. We still have time to grow.”

    Wilson’s voice lacked confidence as he looked away from Vincent.

    Hearing his answer, Vincent sighed deeply. Based on the progress of the magic formations’ construction, it would all be over soon.

    Perhaps even sooner than he could react.

    ……

    Early the next morning, Chrissy and Illusion stood on the super teleportation magic circle in the Xiya Kingdom.

    Kailun had insisted on bringing Illusion along because, without the boost to her sense of existence from him, she might disappear from this world.

    Although Illusion herself believed that her disappearance would be beneficial to the world, Kailun didn’t think so.

    Princess Vivian was very envious of Illusion’s treatment. They looked exactly alike, yet she didn’t receive such special treatment.

    She was just a step too late. What a loss.

    Princess Hilna looked at Illusion and Chrissy in the teleportation magic circle with mixed emotions. As time passed, the resentment in her heart had faded considerably.

    Moreover, with more and more people in the manor, Kailun had neglected her “care” somewhat.

    Hilna, not having been teased by Kailun for a while, felt a bit unaccustomed.

    Of course, she still hated him. She believed this would never change.

    She still remembered the bet she had made with Kailun, about her and Shirley.

    Hilna glanced at Shirley beside her and shook her head. Her personal knight might soon bear Kailun’s “mark.”

    Anna, Ella, and Winnie were chatting together. They were from roughly the same era and were closer to each other.

    They could not only discuss work-related issues but also chat about everyday trivialities.

    Compared to the turbulent past few months, this period was a rare moment of peace.

    However, Anna wasn’t happy about this tranquility. Kailun was too busy, and she rarely had a chance to talk to him.

    Winnie and Ella shared similar feelings, but they were less intense than Anna’s.

    Fox, Bella, and Carol were in charge of controlling the teleportation magic circle, while Isabella and Ottovia were the laborers.

    The three little knights, freed from their training, were now working as maids alongside the elf sisters. Without Afra’s brutal training, they felt incredibly free, as if they could fly.

    Couldn’t see Phils?

    That was because she was still busy dealing with the kingdom’s political affairs. Without anyone to help her, it was difficult for her to leave her work.

    Except for Queen Rose, who had been forgotten in the dungeon, everyone had gathered around the teleportation magic circle.

    “It’s almost time. Are you ready?”

    Carol took out her pocket watch and checked the time.

    Chrissy’s face was full of excitement. “No problem! I can’t wait to see Mother Pope!”

    “Are you sure you want to see the Pope? I can’t bear to expose you.” Illusion lightly punched Chrissy. “When you see Kailun, are you going to call him ‘Father Pope’?”

    “Maybe!” Chrissy’s eyes gleamed.

    She was naturally thrilled by this prospect.

    “You pervert.”

    Illusion waved her hand dismissively and turned to Carol. “We’re ready. Please activate the magic circle. This pervert beside me can’t wait any longer.”

    Carol: “Okay.”

    She knew that Chrissy wasn’t the only one who couldn’t wait.

    After confirming the location of the other anchor point, Carol activated the teleportation magic circle. With a flash of white light, Chrissy and Illusion were transported to Kailun’s side.

    After that, Carol looked around. “It’s getting late. Everyone, go back to your work. I believe the next time we activate the teleportation magic circle will be to welcome them back.”

    Everyone nodded at Carol and left in an orderly manner. As she had said, they still had work to do. They had come here just in case Kailun needed more help.

    Even if Kailun didn’t need it, Afra probably did.

    Most people in the manor knew about Afra’s “weakness.” The seemingly powerful knight was actually quite vulnerable.

    “Ottovia, where are you going?” Carol grabbed Ottovia, who was trying to sneak away.

    As soon as she met Carol’s wine-red eyes, Ottovia immediately lowered her head. “Don’t misunderstand. I wasn’t trying to run away. I’m just going to deliver food to Rose. You forgot to deliver her meal last night. That idiot has been starving all night. I couldn’t bear it, so I wanted to get her something to eat from the kitchen. Really, believe me!”

    Suddenly, Ottovia also envied Illusion. Compared to Carol, Kailun seemed much gentler.

    Missing Kailun – Day 1.

    [Ottovia’s Goodwill +6]

    Kailun, far away in Alaye: “???”