《Deviant: No Longer Human》


 Chapter 1: Lin Xue: The Perfect Ripeness

    On the evening of December 25th, 2023, at 9 o''clock, the enchanting atmosphere of Velvet Shadows in Pudong, Shanghai, China, came alive.


    Nestled within the modern cityscape, this hidden two-story establishment exuded a traditional charm like no other.


    Upstairs, a remarkable scene unfolded within the walls of a room. A twelve-year-old boy, measuring about 5 feet 5 inches in height,id naked in the warm embrace of a woman in herte twenties. Their bodies bore traces ofborious activity, a testament to the intensity of their shared experience.


    Wang Xiao, with his bare skin against the woman''s thigh and bosom, tilted his head and gazed out of the window


    "It''s already snowing..."


    As he exhaled a deep sigh, his breath mingled with the snow-filled air outside.


    The night, gracefully illuminated by the subtle glow of streetlights, had embraced a mesmerizing transformation.


    Delicate kes of snow began to dance, descending on the pristinendscape with a breathtaking allure, adding an ethereal charm to the captivating city of Shanghai.


    Yet, amidst this tableau, Wang Xiao stood out with his most distinguishing feature ¡ª his eyes, a striking shade of red, shimmered like fiery embers.


    This unique trait, a result of a rare gic mutation, often earned him the infamous name ''Demon'' within the confines of Green Oasis Academy - a school that resembled more of a prison than a nurturing environment.


    It sought to suppress the budding creativity of its young inhabitants, intent on forcefully moulding them into society''s predetermined mold in the years toe.


    Resting on the woman''sp, Wang Xiao found sce in the embrace of Lin Xue''sforting presence.


    With the finesse of a seasoned chef, she skillfully peeled away the vibrant skin of a sulent mango, its fragrance wafting through the air, capturing his attention.


    The rhythmic strokes of her knife transformed the fruit into bite-sized pieces, each one a mosaic of vibrant colors.


    There was an elegance to her every movement as she delicately plucked a morsel, delicately skewered it with a toothpick, and extended her slender finger towards Wang Xiao''s awaiting mouth.


    Enthralled by the intoxicating winter spectacle just beyond the frost-kissed window, Wang Xiao, oblivious to the world around him, epted the morsel without diverting his gaze.


    The pristine snowkes danced in the ethereal glow, captivating his imagination.


    Amused by his dazed reverie, Lin Xue''s eyes twinkled with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue, and a glimmer of mischief danced in her gaze. "Do you like snow? You have been staring outside for a long time... What are you really thinking, little boy?" she inquired, her voiceced with a yful melody.


    To Lin Xue, Wang Xiao became a rare and endearing creature, constantly surprising her with the depths of his musings that surpassed his tender age.


    He possessed a wisdom that surpassed his years, an enigma she couldn''t help but be drawn to.


    Lin Xue''s enchanting presencemanded attention and admiration.


    Her silhouette boasted the timeless allure of an hourss, her curves exquisitely entuated. Raven strands of hair cascaded in a seamless disy of silk along her shoulders, akin to a majestic waterfall in perpetual motion. Her bosom, proud and unyielding,manded admiration rather than surrender. Intriguing eyes, brimming with mystery and allure, mesmerized anyone who dared meet her gaze.


    The pulsating warmth of her captivating lips held the promise of secrets whispered in smokey nights.


    Velvet Shadows, the opulent brothel she presided over, bowed to her maic charm, transforming into her kingdom of seduction and enchantment.


    One day, out of nowhere, a vibrant young boy burst into the establishment, causing a sudden uproar. His presence was like a lightning bolt in a calm sky, igniting chaos in its wake.


    It''s worth mentioning that in the modern world, simr ces exist, but usually they mind their own business without disturbing the civilians or attracting the attention of the authorities.


    A few months prior, this audacious character named Wang Xiao approached the counter, demanding thepany of a woman. His bizarre request caught everyone off guard, prompting mockery and bursts ofughter.


    But then, as if possessed by a secret power, Wang Xiao began to reach into his pockets, revealing bundles of hundred yuan bills, leaving the receptionist dumbfounded and amazed.


    In the end, it was money that prevailed. After all, there were no stringentws against a minor boy''s bizarre demands. If it were a girl making such an audacious request, no one would dare to entertain it.


    However, at that particr moment, all the women were preupied with other matters. With a fleeting moment of hesitation, the receptionist decided to confide in Lin Xue, the proprietor.


    Intrigued by the unfolding spectacle, Lin Xue decided to y the role of a gracious hostess and personally apanied Wang Xiao to her private quarters. Little did she know, what awaited her there was a revtion.


    The age of the boy, once disclosed, left Lin Xue awestruck. Nevertheless, from that day forward, he would often grace the establishment with his presence whenever he felt the urge, carelessly splurging money without a second thought.


    When Lin Xue finally mustered the courage to inquire about the source of his seemingly endless wealth, Wang Xiao nonchntly admitted to stealing it, showing no concern for her reaction or the consequences his actions might bring.


    His actions never failed to surprise Lin Xue, as though he were some kind of otherworldly being, distinct from them and not entirely human like them.


    His eyes, blood red and piercing, only served to further confirm her suspicions.


    When questioned, Wang Xiao hummed thoughtfully, his gaze shifting from the windows to her face. He slightly lifted his head, a flicker of intrigue in his eyes. "You know... In this world, every speciespetes for survival."


    "The limited avability of resources has not only led topetition among humans, but among each and every species. Energy cannot be created nor destroyed, so how do you believe we humans function?"


    Lin Xue''s brows twitched, an impatient edge to her voice. "Little boy, if I possessed such knowledge of science, I wouldn''t be toiling away in this ce."


    A smile tugged at Wang Xiao''s lips, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Indeed, after all, you are just a whore working here..." Lin Xue''s frown deepened, but she found herself unable to retort.


    Wang Xiao continued, his words mingling with a self-assured air. "We humans survive by consuming. We exchange one thing for another, fueling ourselves through this perpetual exchange. Most times, it entails taking from other species in existence. Scientists believe that humans are the sole species capable of evolution, but every creature has adapted in its own way to ensure survival."


    "Take trees, for example¡ªthey produce an abundance of fruit, hoping that a few will blossom into new trees. Yet humans, inparison, give birth to only a few babies at a time, a mere fraction. We humans feed on other forms of life to sustain our own; we inhale oxygen, nourish ourselves with matter and atoms that teem with life.


    In essence, each small atom around us is alive, even the smallest of the particles.


    "And we, as a species, consume them or more precisely exchange them for energy to persist. We have no other choice; creation of new matter is already out of the question, reserved for the realm of deities, and we are left only to utilize what already exists."


    "In this grand tapestry of survival, only the powerful prevail."


    In a sudden motion, Wang Xiao extended his hand, plucking a piece of mango from the te and devouring it before her eyes. "The weak, like this small fruit, are consumed by us while they search for ways to evolve and endure. Why, then, do you suppose someone would create a world such as this? A world where survival hinges on the merciless consumption of others. Is it merely a game?


    If it is, then it is a game already rigged. Life must have wearied God above, prompting the creation of this game-like existence..."


    Lin Xue found herself tuning out halfway, her mind drifting elsewhere.


    She offered a sound of acknowledgement and sought to redirect the conversation. "Don''t you want to go home today?"


    Wang Xiao blinked his eyes, his gaze filled with seriousness. "Today is Christmas, and those people must be wasting their time celebrating for useless reasons. I have no desire to partake in such festivities. Why should we celebrate certain days as if they''re better than others? True happiness should be found in the freedom to choose when to be happy. No one should dictate that for us."


    "Okay, that''s enough," Lin Xue interrupted with a note of resentment in her voice. "Don''t tell me you even have a philosophy about eating the same mango every single time. And by the way, this particr mango is not only expensive but also incredibly rare to find!"


    It was true. Wang Xiao was no ordinary mango connoisseur.


    He didn''t settle for eating ordinary, ripe mangoes. Instead, he had a peculiar taste for a specific type of mango¡ªone that was neither fully ripe norpletely unripe but somewhere in between.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but smile faintly, fully aware of what was running through Lin Xue''s mind.


    Suddenly, he turned to her, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Do you know that there exists an uncanny resemnce between women and mangoes?" he asked, catching herpletely off guard.


    Lin Xue was momentarily stunned, but eventually, a charmingughter escaped her lips. "Eehehe, I must confess I don''t know. So, can Master Wang enlighten me?"


    With a nod, Wang Xiao proceeded to exin, "Women and mangoes share something inmon - they both have a specific window of time when they are best savored. If a mango is too old, it spoils the taste. And if it''s too young, it simply can''t be enjoyed. I always seek that sweet spot, that perfect ripeness.


    Remember, proprietress, once you be old, I would discard you ¡ª just like I toss overly ripe mangoes into the Dustbin."


    "Y-You!" Lin Xue''s eyes widened in astonishment, her shock evident on her face.


    How could such a fragile-looking child speak such words with such gravity and determination?


    Noticing her reaction, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction.


    He had an uncanny ability to spot things others often overlooked.


    He couldn''t say for sure if he had already identified her true identity, but it seemed from her reaction that he was spot on.


    However, Lin Xue wasn''t bothered; she had a faint suspicion that he had been aware of her identity for a long time.


    Gritting her teeth in seething anger, she abruptly rose to her feet and snatched up her brownish red robe.


    "Your time is already over," she dered, her voiceced with determination as she prepared to escape the presence of this insolent child.


    However, a sinister smirk suddenly crept across Wang Xiao''s face, and he forcefully tugged at her hand, causing Lin Xue to stumble backward and copse onto the bed.


    With a wicked gleam in his eyes, he hovered over her, his grin widening.


    "Slut, do you truly believe Ick money?" he sneered, callously discarding her robe and swiftly positioning her on all fours.


    Although Lin Xue possessed the strength to resist, she chose not to, knowing all too well that this was not the first depraved encounter she had endured.


    Adjacent to them, Wang Xiao extended his hand to retrieve his pants, extracting a thick wad of banknotes, which he then carelessly tossed it in front of her face.


    Her face obscured by a curtain of hair, impeding her vision, Lin Xue''s exposed body glimmered enticingly in the pale moonlight. The reflection of her voluptuous, enticing derriere captivated Wang Xiao''s gaze, enchanting him.


    Lin Xue was momentarily stunned, her mind reeling from the onught of this debased act. However, deep down, she could not deny the forbidden allure that stirred within her.

 Chapter 2: *Size doesnt matter?*

    Lin Xue''s face obscured by a curtain of hair, impeding her vision, Lin Xue''s exposed body glimmered enticingly in the pale moonlight.


    The reflection of her voluptuous, enticing derriere captivated Wang Xiao''s gaze, enchanting him.


    "Damn, I have to agree ¡ª you have a good body," Wang Xiao couldn''t help but admit, his voice filled with desire.


    His hands greedily explored the curves of her buttocks and hips, savoring every inch.


    A mischievous smile danced upon Lin Xue''s lips as she basked in the attention. "Should I take that as apliment, Master Wang?" she yfully inquired, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.


    "No," Wang Xiao shook his head, his desire intensifying.


    He positioned himself near the entrance of her trembling, moist vagina, consumed by a burning hunger in his eyes.


    Though it appeared dry from the outside, the moment he delicately eased his way inside, a rush of wetness enveloped him, stirring their primal instincts.


    "Ahn~" Lin Xue couldn''t contain the sweet pleasure that escaped her lips, an exquisite symphony of ecstasy echoing in the air.


    *Pak*


    Suddenly, with a resounding p, Wang Xiao''s hand connected with her supple buttocks. "Don''t women enjoy it bigger?" he taunted, his voice filled with a mix of amusement and desire.


    As he slowly pushed his member deeper inside her, he could feel the alluring suction pulling him in.


    The sight of this audacious young boy dominating a grown woman was truly mesmerizing, capturing a raw and primal charm.


    Lin Xue subtly shifted her diforted ass, unable to resist a soft moan escaping her lips.


    "Master Wang, that''s far from the truth. There''s only 7-10 cm of space inside, technique is everything," she managed to utter amidstughter, hiding her secret satisfaction at being the one who had taught him how to properly please a woman, only to find herself sumbing to her own lessons.


    "Hahaha," Wang Xiao chuckled, his hips rocking forward as he forcefully surged his waist against her enticing buttocks, intensifying their connection with each resounding collision.


    *Pak*


    "Ahnnn~" Lin Xue''s voluptuous breasts jiggled forcefully upon impact as she positioned herself on all fours, causing the entire room to tremble.


    *Pak*


    *Pak*


    The resounding ps echoed throughout the room as Wang Xiao forcefully gripped Lin Xue''s hair, pulling it back just enough to tilt her head.


    With each thrust, he delved deeper inside her, punctuated by asional smacks on her supple buttocks.


    "Ahhnn~ Master Wanggg~"


    "You are fillinggg me upp~"


    Lin Xue shamelessly moaned, her voice dripping with seduction as she called out his name.


    All Wang Xiao could do was shake his head in disbelief, a mix of surprise and admiration.


    ''Women are good actresses,'' he thought to himself as he turned her around, positioning her back on the plush mattress.


    He lowered himself towards her, his lips descending upon her plump and inviting mouth.


    A indescribable sweetness and intoxicating aroma exploded in his brain, sending waves of pleasure coursing through his senses.


    Wang Xiao''s tongue danced and twirled above her lips, savoring every delectable vor until he was utterly satisfied.


    In a daring move, he pinched her nipples, causing her lips to part with a gasp.


    Seizing the opportunity, he darted his tongue inside her mouth, exploring the depths and relishing the cherry-like taste that tantalized his taste buds.


    Lin Xue responded eagerly, her hands wrapped tightly around his neck, their height difference forgotten as they discovered a seamless synchronicity that propelled them forward without breaking the momentum.


    "Mngnngg~"


    With a hunger that couldn''t be contained, Wang Xiao took her nipple into his mouth, his teeth gently grazing the sensitive flesh as hevished it with attention.


    As his hands sought to cover her colossal breasts, even one of which dwarfed his own head in size, the weight and bounty of them fascinated him.


    Lin Xue''s hands found their ce above his head, her back arching slightly with anticipation.


    With a daring, trembling hand, she guided his fully erect member towards the gateway of her womanhood.


    The pulsating heat in her palm fueled her anticipation.


    ''This boy possesses a monstrous arousal now, what will happen when he matures?'' she wondered, a mixture of excitement and curiosity stirring within her.


    With a teasing pressure, she eased him inside, feeling the delicious intrusion of his thick shaft prating her depths.


    Seeing that Wang Xiao wasn''t cooperating and had bepletely engrossed in ying with her breasts, Lin Xue took matters into her own hands.


    With a seductive sway of her hips, she shook herself slightly, intensifying their connection.


    As Wang Xiao opened one eye and let out a yful chuckle, he couldn''t resist the temptation.


    With a subtle movement of his waist, he increased the intensity of their passionate encounter.


    "Mmmhnn~" A tidal wave of satisfaction surged through Lin Xue''s mind, consuming every thought and sensation.


    In the missionary position, Wang Xiao relentlessly pounded her, driving her to moan and gasp for breath.


    Her entire face flushed with abination of pleasure and excitement, a visual testament to the ecstasy she was experiencing.


    Wang Xiao''s sense of triumph couldn''t be contained as he reveled in the ability to dominate this mature woman, reveling in her surrender.


    The intense y continued for another thirty exhrating minutes, reaching its climax as he released his final surge of pleasure inside her.


    With a satisfied groan, he slowly put on his jacket, a tangible symbol of the encounter''s end.


    "Already leaving?" Lin Xue muttered, clutching the quilt tightly around her naked body. She didn''t feel shame; rather, the winter cold sent shivers down her spine.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, his eyes meeting her gaze filled with desire. "Would you like me to extend my stay?"


    Lin Xue bit her lip, nodding hesitantly.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Then lower your price, you''re too expensive." With a shocking deration, he left her room, mming the door behind him.


    Lin Xue sat there, stunned, a mix of emotions coursing through her. But then, a captivating smile danced upon her lips. "If I were to lower my price, would it mean you desire me less? Am I not worth as much?" she pondered, finding a sense of amusement in the thought.


    She realized that understanding Wang Xiao''s mind was an impossible feat, but her curiosity about him burned hotter than ever, urging her to delve deeper into his mysterious nature.


    "What exactly are you?" she muttered in curious fascination, her eyes fixated on the mysterious figure as he disappeared into the shadows.


    The image yed over and over in her mind, but she forcefully suppressed it, releasing a heavy sigh.


    It was crucial for her to contain her interest now, rather than never at all.


    After all, she couldn''t forget the ring difference in age and status between them.


    Her gaze shifted downwards, her legs slightly slippery with oozing white liquid.


    A wave of resignation washed over her as she quietly murmured, "Why is he so careless? Doesn''t he fear that I might bear his child and use it against him?... Perhaps, deep down, he''s still just a child," she contemted, the absurdity of the thought causing a subtle flush to creep across her face, knowing full well Wang Xiao''s age.


    With a slight stiffness in her legs, she moved towards a drawer and retrieved a contraceptive pill, taking a decisive step to ensure the consequences of their entanglement were controlled.


    However, Wang Xiao was not actually careless; on the contrary, he was acutely conscious and aware of his own identity.


    He knew that if Lin Xue were to attempt such a move, it would bring about more harm than good.


    After all, she would be the one facing the severe consequences of messing around with a minor.


    Wang Xiao didn''t believe she had the guts or the motivation to make such a risky move.


    As he gracefully glided past the reception area, the receptionist''s eyes blinked at him, filled with a seductive invitation, urging him to spend a alluring night with her.


    With utmost politeness, he declined her offer, denying himself the thrill she had promised.


    It wasn''t as if he hadn''t indulged in such encounters before; however, he was repelled by the rough texture of her cheap body, which left him craving the delicate, smooth touch he yearned for.


    In his search for satisfaction, he had explored numerous women within the walls of the Velvet Shadows, but only Lin Xue met his stringent requirements.


    Her skin, still blessed with the velvety softness of youth, captivated him in ways no other could.


    Contrary to the conventional expectations, the bustling brothel was alive with a vibrant energy.


    It echoed with the frivolousughter and muffled moans of those who had nowhere else to go, seeking sce in the forbidden embrace of momentary joy during the Christmas season.


    Wang Xiao pulled his hoodie tightly over his face, shielding himself from the biting wind as he trudged through the snow-covered streets.


    He hadyered on another jacket in a desperate attempt to ward off the chilling cold.


    Yet, despite his efforts, he could already feel the warmth slowly seeping out of his body, leaving him on the edge of numbness.


    It was a stark reminder of how feeble and fragile humans truly were.


    The slightest drop in temperature or rise in heat could be enough to freeze them to death or burn them alive.


    The illusion of invincibility shattered with each shivering step.


    Finally, as Wang Xiao climbed into the waiting taxi, a surge of relief washed over him.


    The cozy interior embraced him like a long-lost friend as the heater worked its magic, thawing his frozen bones.


    With a sigh of relief, he directed the driver, "S-11, Green Oasis Garden," cing his notebook carefully on the seat beside him.


    But why, of all things, he had carried a notebook to a brothel...?


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    A/n: Taking into the consideration from feedbacks ¡ª The excessive description probelm is fixed from Volume 2 and onwards!


    Thank you for reading!

 Chapter 3: Family or group of strangers? (1)

    The taxi rolled to a stop outside S-11, an elegant vi nestled in the verdant embrace of the Green Oasis Garden.


    This residential district, a tranquil retreat just a whisper away from the vibrant heartbeat of Pudong''s financial center, exuded an air of exclusivity.


    As the driver opened the door, Wang Xiao stepped out, his gaze drawn to the imposing sight of S-11. This four-story architectural masterpiece dominated thendscape, its facade adorned with cascades of vibrant foliage that seemed to dance in the gentle breeze.


    A discreet yet vignt security guard, stationed at the entrance, recognized Wang Xiao instantly, extending a weing nod and granting him passage into this haven of luxury.


    Wang Xiao''s father, Wang Jiahao, a masterful yer in the realm of real estate, had effortlessly carved a niche by providing essential infrastructure to thepanies popting the thriving financial district nearby.


    An above-average life had be his norm, leaving no doubt that the recent acquisition of this magnificent vi was merely a testament to his ongoing sess.


    With quiet anticipation, Wang Xiao crossed the threshold into the living space, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of life. And then he spotted him¡ªthe figure sprawledzily on the couch, his countenance reflecting a peculiar mix of indifference and irritation.


    A loathsome creature, a slightly overweight man engrossed in the flickering glow of the television screen.


    The momentary silence hung heavy in the air as this man, unmistakably Wang Jiahao, locked eyes with his son''s arrival, a fleeting frown marring his face.


    "Why are youing home sote?" he inquired, his voice tinged with supressed anger, yetced with an unspokenyer of disappointment.


    His son was anything, but what he wanted him to be.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze fixated on the man in front of him, a perfect embodiment of apathetic behaviors and cowardice.


    Through the flickering glow of the television screen, the man sought sce from the fragments of his crumbling reality.


    Perched at the edge of the room, a tantalizing vision in green, a young girl pouted with irresistible allure. "Brother, you missed Christmas!" Wang Xueying''s voice danced in the air, infused with a subtle symphony of cuteness, as she leaned in, her eyes aze with a beguiling innocence.


    Wang Xueying possessed an ethereal beauty, her fair visage akin to a porcin doll, her delicate features lending her an air of evesting youth.


    A petite figure draped in a gown that seemed to exude the very essence of emerald enchantment, she defied her true age of fifteen, often mistaken as Wang Xiao''s younger sister.


    Framed by a cascade of ebony curls, her thin, kissable lips beckoned to be adored, a tantalizing invitation to partake in their sweetness. Her wless, baster skin glowed with an otherworldly radiance, devoid of any imperfection. And her eyes, capturing the beholder''s attention, possessed a rare beauty that transcended ordinary sight.


    Whether embellished by her spectacles or unveiled in all their natural magnificence, they enhanced her charm, rendering her irresistible to the eye.


    But beyond her captivating appearance dwelled a fascinating contradiction¡ªan introverted soul harboring an outgoing spirit.


    While her vivacity and vibrancy were reserved for a select few, those fortunate enough to be allowed within the warm embrace of her inner circle, the world atrge caught only glimpses of her mysterious nature.


    "Mei is angry with you, brother. You better hurry and go coax her, or she won''t talk to you anymore!" Wang Xueying yfully taunted, but Wang Xiao understood the weight behind her words.


    It wasn''t Wang Mei who was seething with anger, but rather Wang Xueying herself, using Mei as a vessel to express her discontent.


    Wang Mei, his younger sister, came into the world just one year after him.


    Compared to the other two older sisters, she possessed a serene demeanor and an irresistible charm, which had earned her a special ce in Wang Xiao''s mind.


    And then there was Wang Jiarong, their eldest sister, an enchanting beauty like the other two.


    While Wang Jiarong projected an upright persona, she had a tender and kind soul hidden beneath her gentle facade.


    Wang Xiao stood there in silence, a shadow taking shape of a human before his eyes, whispering seductively, ''Why hesitate? She won''t resist. Just take her forcefully!''


    Wang Xiao''s gaze flickered for a moment as he shifted his gaze at Wang Xueying, a faint smile creeping onto his lips.


    Sensing his lingering gaze, she returned the smile, a silent understanding passing between them.


    Wang Xueying had developed an undeniable attachment to him after a certain incident.


    It was evident in the way her eyes sparkled when she looked at him and the way her words seemed to dance with excitement and admiration.


    Unbeknownst to her, she mistook this connection as kinship, nothing more.


    However, Wang Xiao knew deep down that this bond had the potential to blossom into something forbidden.


    ''Don''t choose foolishness. You''ll risk losing everything if you do. Don''t let your lust control your life,'' another shadow materialized right next to the first one, its voice filled with caution and concern.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but smile bitterly as he absorbed their arguments.


    The predicament was clear in his mind - any action he took towards Wang Xueying could lead down a treacherous path with unpredictable consequences, for he didn''t truly know how she would react.


    Just then, the blissful silence was interrupted by the gentle voice of a woman. "Why are you all bullying him?" Xinyue Zhn emerged from the kitchen, her hands dripping with soapy water as she had been diligently washing dishes.


    The familiar sound of her voice signaled that Wang Xiao had returned.


    Being her only son, Xinyue Zhn adored him tremendously, her love an unyielding force.


    At her arrival, Wang Xueying pouted, shifting her attention again towards the television. "Herees the savior," she muttered, her disappointment evident in her tone as she fixated her gaze on the flickering images on the screen.


    Xinyue Zhn paid no mind to Wang Xueying''s ramblings, and with a small towel in hand, she gingerly wiped her fingers clean as she walked closer to Wang Xiao.


    A faint smile danced upon her lips, entuating her motherly aura that radiated from her very being.

 Chapter 4: Family or group of strangers? (2)

    Xinyue Zhn paid no mind to Wang Xueying''s ramblings, and with a small towel in hand, she gingerly wiped her fingers clean as she walked closer to Wang Xiao.


    A faint smile danced upon her lips, entuating her motherly aura that radiated from her very being.


    It was inconceivable to imagine that she was once awyer in her previous life.


    After the birth of her first child, Xinyue Zhn bid farewell to her legal career and embraced the role of a devoted full-time housewife.


    As she walked, her hips effortlessly swayed to an enchanting rhythm, harmonizing with the fluttering of her loose dress that teased her supple bosom. If Wang Xueying''s lips were temptingly kissable, then Xinyue Zhn¡ªshe was the epitome of allure.


    Her very presence seemed capable of submerging one''s senses in a whirlpool of desire, akin to savoring the intoxicating essence of a fine, velvety red wine.


    With her goddess-like figure and captivating face, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but wonder if she was the catalyst behind their family''s exceptional appearances.


    His father paled inparison, leaving no room to question that the genes responsible for their magnificence came solely from their mesmerizing mother.


    Upon finally drawing near to Wang Xiao, she gracefully lowered herself, tenderly caressing his cheeks with her fingertips. "Have you eaten yet?" she inquired, her voice melodic.


    However, Wang Xiao found himself momentarily entranced by the alluring aroma that exuded from her, momentarily forgetting to respond.


    Only when she gently repeated her question did he manage a nod, his mind still swimming in the intoxicating fragrance that enveloped him.


    Xinyue Zhn''s heart sank with slight disappointment as she had eagerly saved some special dishes for him.


    Yet, she swiftly concealed her dismay, her mask of disappointment transforming into a caring expression as she fixed his already wless attire. "Why did it take you so long?" she asked, concern evident in her voice. "You were out the entire evening. Don''t you realize how unsafe the city can be at night?"


    Wang Jiahao shook his head, frustrated at the apparent unfairness of the situation. Just moments ago, Xinyue Zhn had scolded him for querying Wang Xiao about the same matter. in


    Now, she herself was repeating the question.


    How could this be right?


    To address her query, Wang Xiao raised his hand, revealing the notebook he held tightly. "Tomorrow, we have an important assignment at school. I was with Chen Li," he exined.


    Understanding dawned on Xinyue Zhn as she nodded, her palm gently patting him on the shoulder.


    Wang Xiao, however, seemed unresponsive to her actions, his face disying indifference.


    "Good, but don''t stay up toote tonight. You have to be at school tomorrow, and you can''t afford to ck off," she advised, a warm smile gracing her lips.


    Assured by her words, Wang Xiao nodded in agreement. After a brief pause, he turned and made his way towards the staircase, ascending to the third floor.


    As his figure disappeared into the distance, the two apanying shadows seemed to dissolve into thin air, vanishingpletely as if they had never existed at all.


    Once his figure disappeared from sight, Xinyue Zhn let out a sigh, her expression filled with a mix of emotions.


    One of the reasons she adored Wang Xiao so much was his indifference towards her. Deep down, she longed for the day when he would reciprocate her care and affection.


    Wang Xiao was well aware that his indifference towards her was the reason she was so relentless in pursuing him. However, he remained unaffected by it.


    To him, the people surrounding him were nothing more than a group of strangers who conveniently favored his presence.


    Well, except for Wang Jiahao, who had fallen from this position of favourable stranger and be nothing more than an unknown face.


    Wang Xiao didn''t spare him a second thought.


    Regarding the notebook he held in his hand, it was nothing more than an excuse. He had borrowed it from his school friend, Chen Li, months ago. The truth was, he used studying as a pretext to loiter outside.


    He had a deep understanding of the game, knowing that whenever the topic of study or school arose, his parents would be remarkably lenient.


    With this knowledge, he had sessfully employed simr excuses countless times before, and they never failed to work like a charm.


    When it came to his cking off from school, neither the institution nor his family seemed to bother much.


    As long as he managed to achieve good marks, they were satisfied, and that was the extent of their concern.


    In his eyes, the concept of family held no powerful bond; it was merely a collection of individuals who proimed to have an unconditional rtionship, yet secretly attached conditions to it.


    And heaven forbid if anyone dared to contradict their belief, even in the slightest manner, as it would send them spiraling into a state of crisis.


    At the very core of their being, every human acted out of pure selfishness and solely for their own self-interest.


    With these cynical thoughts swirling in his mind, Wang Xiao slowly approached the door to his room, his hand trembling as he made contact with the icy doorknob.


    ________________


    "Zhn, did you possibly take money from my wallet yesterday?" Wang Jiahao stormed into the kitchen, his tone dripping with suspicion.


    Xinyue Zhn paused her work and met his gaze, her eyes filled with confusion.


    "Why would I take something from your wallet? Did you get pickpocketed?" she responded, her voice tinged with disbelief.


    The dynamics between Zhn and Wang Jiahao could only be described as ordinary.


    Their marriage had been arranged by their parents, and once they had children, Xinyue Zhn directed all her attention towards them, unintentionally neglecting her rtionship with Wang Jiahao.


    Wang Jiahao''s face contorted into a frown as he recounted his discovery. "Yesterday, I ced 14,000 yuan in my wallet for theborers'' payment, but now 4,000 yuan is missing."


    A weary sigh escaped Xinyue Zhn''s lips as she offered a suggestion. "You should be more vignt at work. Perhaps someone stole it while you weren''t paying attention."


    Wang Jiahao nodded bitterly, a mix of frustration and disappointment etched across his face.


    Earlier, he had earlier assumed Xinyue Zhn to take out some money from his wallet for a task, but she had carelessly forgotten to inform him.


    His heart sank further as he considered the current situation. Engrossed in a demanding project, he had been hoarding a considerable amount of cashtely.


    Usually, he wouldn''t pay much attention to minor thefts like this, but yesterday was different.


    He meticulously counted every bill before stashing it away and, to his dismay, when he repeated the processter, he discovered a disheartening discrepancy.


    Determinedly, Wang Jiahao clenched his fists. He reluctantly epted the reality that he must exercise more caution, just as Xinyue Zhn had wisely suggested.

 Chapter 5: Wang Mei — The Unspoken Bond (1)

    The door of the room swung open with a sonorous creak, and Wang Xiao''s eyes beheld a sight that stirred his soul, as he sighed in admiration.


    "Sigh..."


    There, atop his bed, sat a young girl, barely eleven years old, an embodiment of celestial beauty.


    With delicate grace, she sketched upon a nk sheet of paper, while melodies from her headphones danced around her like ethereal spirits.


    Upon sensing Wang Xiao''s presence, the girl turned her gaze towards the door, her lips parting to reveal a faint yet gentle smile.


    Then, with an air of poise, she returned her focus to the task at hand, as if the world around her faded to insignificance.


    This was Wang Mei, Wang Xiao''s younger sister, born but a year apart. Yet, her appearance was unlike any Wang Xueying had described before. Like a vision sprung from the realms of mythology, she possessed an otherworldly charm, like a celestial being gracing the mortal realm. Her hair, a silken cascade of gray, shimmered under the soft light, a celestial thread linking her to the heavens above.


    But it was her eyes that held a mesmerizing allure, for they were of a unique silver hue, seemingly capturing the radiance of a silver moon.


    The faint translucence of her gaze hinted at mysteries untold, evoking the mystique of ancient tales.


    Unlike Wang Xiao''s own eye color, hers bore no defect; it was an enchanting gift from nature herself, a mark of divine distinction.


    Dressed in a gentle nightdress, she appeared like a celestial maiden, a graceful spirit descending from celestial realms.


    Wang Mei''s presence bestowed an aura of purity and elegance upon the room, like the gentle touch of a zephyr brushing against a lotus pond.


    Her porcin-like visage exuded innocence, akin to a porcin dolle to life, her youthful spirit illuminating the space around her.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but feel a slight sense of adoration for his precious younger sister, as though the celestial spirits had bestowed upon him a treasure beyondpare.


    In the tranquility of that moment, Wang Xiao marveled at the celestial grace that embodied his sister, Wang Mei, an exquisite manifestation of divine artistry in the tapestry of mortal life.


    ''Bastard! What the hell are you zoning out for? It''s just a damn girl,'' the shadows, which had vanished earlier, reappeared before Wang Xiao''s eyes, lecturing him with a harsh tone.


    However, just like in the past, no one but Wang Xiao could perceive or hear them.


    He didn''t bother much about it anyway.


    Instead, he shed a faint smile and neatly tucked away his jacket, changing his clothes nonchntly in the presence of Wang Mei.


    Contrary to Wang Xueying''s depiction, Wang Mei proved to be exceptionally patient, disying no concern over his disappearance on Christmas Eve.


    ording to her, he must have been upied with some other important task.


    Her tranquility always left Wang Xiao in a state of bewilderment, fueling his suspicion of what secretsy hidden under that calm facade.


    Was there an end to it?


    Or was it all just an borate facade?


    Despite Wang Xiao''s superior intellect and profound ability to ponder over intricate matters, he found it impossible to grasp how Wang Mei, especially being a young girl, couldprehend theplexities of human emotions and subtlety.


    In his eyes, she was still just an innocent young girl.


    As Wang Xiao climbed into bed alongside Wang Mei, she delicately removed her headphones and spoke with a soft voice, "Brother, could you please draw this for me?" she requested.


    Before hery a scattered collection of books and a in sheet of paper, upon which she was diligently working on a small school assignment.


    Wang Mei held no doubt regarding her artistic capabilities, yet she admired Wang Xiao''s superior talent, albeit one he rarely showcased.


    It was reminiscent of his habit of seldom striving for high test scores.


    For Wang Xiao, it was all about managing expectations. If expectations were set too high, there was the risk of future disappointment.


    Consequently, he chose not to aim for anything above ny, rather than chasing a wless hundred.


    Surprisingly, achieving this feat merely demanded a single night of studying at his current age.


    As Wang Mei''s gaze locked onto Wang Xiao''s, a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes. With a faint smile, he gently shook his head, his voiceced with a hint of scolding. "You should learn to do your own homework, but instead of simply drawing it for you, I can offer my assistance," he offered, settling himself beside her.


    To Wang Mei''s astonishment, his warm hand enveloped hers, guiding it across the paper with gentle precision.


    A surge of surprise rushed through her, momentarily catching her off guard.


    But determined to keep up, she took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand, finding it more challenging than anticipated.


    A faint blush adorned her delicate cheeks as she maintained a smile, pretending to be ignorant of Wang Xiao, who constantly took advantage of her.


    Her back rubbed against Wang Xiao''s chest, and she could feel the heat rising between them.


    With his fingers asionally caressing and teasing her hands, he guided her through the drawing. His eyes were focused on the sheet of paper, but the same couldn''t be said for his left hand. It was wrapped around her small waist, while his chin rested above her shoulder.


    Wang Mei could hear his breathing, which made her slightly restless.


    Soon, his hands decided that feeling the touch of fabric wasn''t enough.


    He rolled up her dress slightly, exposing the smooth skin of her abdomen. He wrapped his hand directly around her, feeling the hot temperature of her skin.


    At the same time, his face constantly rubbed against her pristine face and neck, with his lips constantly brushing against them.


    An extremely distinct and soothing fragrance assailed his senses, unlike anything he had ever experienced from Lin Xue.


    It was etheral and pure, captivating him and drawing him to inhale it deeply.


    The irresistible allure of her scentpelled him to bury his nose in the tangle of her hair and the warmth of her neck, greedily inhaling her fragance.


    Time seemed toe to a halt as Wang Xiao persisted in his actions.


    Wang Mei, although her body remained rigid in his embrace, made no objection nor uttered a single word.


    And yet, something in her shifted¡ªher once-stiff form melted into his arms, her breath quickened to a rapid pace, and a delicate blush adorned her cheeks and the graceful curve of her neck

 Chapter 6: Wang Mei — The Unspoken Bond (2)

    It is said that behavior is learned, and if allowed once, that person would surely repeat it.


    This principle held true in the case of Wang Xiao and Wang Mei, as both of them seemed to have developed an unspoken behavior of intimacy.


    It all started a few months ago, when an incident unfolded between them.


    At the beginning of this year, Wang Xiao experienced an idental encounter that resulted in him losing his virginity.


    From that point on, he shed the restraints that once held him back.


    It was this newfound liberation that drove him to seek out Lin Xue, a woman he considered a whore, to satisfy his desires and educate himself in the realm of rtionships between men and women.


    In his mind, if he could satisfy someone as Lin Xue, he believed that a normal woman wouldn''t stand a chance against his provocation.


    For him, this was the necessary first step before pursuing any formal rtionship.


    Comparing his approach to conquering a challenging video game, Wang Xiao adopted a mentality of ying it at the highest difficulty and sessfully clearing it once. He then believed that when ying on easier modes, it would require minimal effort or attention.


    With this mindset, he entered into a give-and-take rtionship with Lin Xue.


    However, as with any daring act, it didn''t take long for Wang Xiao to venture even further into an forbidden territory.


    His other two sisters, ording to Xinyue Zhn, were too old to sleep with him, but the same can''t be said for Wang Mei, who still preferred to sleep in the same bed as her older brother.


    She had a habit of clinging to him in her sleep.


    With such a fairy clinging to him, how long can his endurancest?


    All of this posed no problem before until Wang Xiao turned daring and tried to test her sleep once, touching her body and kissing her while she was asleep.


    He thought she was deep asleep and didn''t notice his behavior.


    However, unbeknownst to him, his sister was not as oblivious as he presumed. She remained fully awake, unsure how to respond to his brazen vition of her trust.


    Wang Mei hasn''t had her first period yet, but it doesn''t mean she isn''t educated on the subject.


    She knows what was happening but chooses to be silent.


    With this, every day Wang Xiao''s behavior at night bes more and more obvious, with him even trying to enter her once during the night. Fortunately, he stopped himself in time and instantly reminded himself of Lin Xue''s words.


    If he pierced her at this age, she would definitely scream in pain, and the consequences could be dire.


    For a moment lost in lust, he would have topensate with his entire life.


    However, that single moment shattered the fragile illusion of silence enveloping them. It was the first time Wang Mei seized the courage to halt him, her voice barely a whisper, "Brother." In that fleeting word, a mix of concern, anxiety, or perhaps even a hint of fear lingered.


    Whatever her reasons, it caused Wang Xiao to instantly freeze, his lust dissipating into thin air. That night, he kept his distance, refraining from any advances towards her.


    To his surprise, next day ¡ª she returned to his room, undeterred by the earlier incident.


    In the following days, Wang Xiao resisted the urge to act upon his desires.


    But then, something within him shifted.


    A resolute decision emerged from the depths of his being, a defiant deration of "Fuck it!" Ignoring any restraints, he resumed his daring actions, though now with heightened caution.


    He knew Wang Mei was awake, her senses were responding to his every move.


    With each passing day, the intensity between them deepened, a palpable tension growing like an unstoppable storm.


    This be more and more obvious, until it reach the current point of an unhealthy attachment between them.


    Both of them, choose to embrace an unspoken silence, not knowing where this journey would carry them.


    It was an unspoken bond that existed solely between them, so strong that they even shared the intimacy of bathing together, stripped of any inhibitions.


    Xinyue Zhn knew about their revealing rituals, but chose not to dwell on the fact that they were siblings, dismissing it due to their young age.


    Whenever an incident like this urred, Wang Mei opted for silence, as did Wang Xiao. They seemed to ignore the harsh reality of his hands sneaking inside her clothing, creeping slowly and deliberately towards her chest.


    The sensation of his touch intensified as he gently caressed the two small mounds, causing Wang Mei''s breathing to quicken with each passing second.


    Finally, her flushed face betrayed her inner turmoil as she weakly mumbled, "I-It''s done," her trembling fingers involuntarily releasing the pencil from their grip.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curved into a faint smile as he slowly removed his hands from her body.


    With weak hands, Wang Mei hurriedly fixed her dress, and an awkward silence enveloped both of them.


    This was the silent agreement between them.


    They engaged in passive acts while doing other activities but never actively confronted each other.


    Such a rtionship was considered taboo.


    Wang Mei didn''t know much about it and its consequences.


    All she knew was ¡ª a brother and sister weren''t supposed to do this, and it was wrong.


    But she couldn''t stop Wang Xiao that fateful night when it all started.


    And from there onwards, it became a perpetual cycle with seemingly no end.


    Wang Xiao, however, understood the consequences of this rtionship and was always more careful with her.


    After all, he had neither the strength nor the money to support himself, let alone her.


    For now, he decided to let things take their course of action. To him, the current Wang Mei was quite attractive.


    Her quiet yet wise personality attracted him a bit.


    Soon, an ufortable sensation washed over Wang Mei, causing her to subtly shift her weight, and twist her buttocks.


    She could feel the heat radiating from his undeniable arousal, creating an almost tangible tension that threatened to rip through their garments at any moment.


    Sensing the escting desire, Wang Mei spoke softly, her voice trembling, "L-Let''s just sleep. It''s already midnight."


    Recognizing the potential consequences of their growing desire, she made the decision to call it a night, unwilling to risk the unexpected again.


    Wang Xiao, fully aware of the situation, reached out and gently ced his hand on her small shoulders, his touch asforting as a warm embrace.


    Running his fingers through her soft, silky hair, he tenderly reassured her, "Go to your room for tonight. I still have work to finish."


    "...."


    After a brief silence, Wang Mei nodded, a soft "Mhm" escaping her lips.


    She hastily gathered her belongings, her fingers trembling slightly, and quietly walked out of his room, her gaze fixed straight ahead, refusing to look back.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao remained oblivious to the turmoil brewing in her mind.


    Then, a thought of Wang Xueying invaded his consciousness.


    Ever since a recent incident, she had unknowingly formed a subtle attachment to him, her heart tinged with a hint of jealousy towards Wang Mei.


    Unlike Wang Mei, their rtionship had never evolved beyond mere sibling rivalry.


    Unaware of her own feelings, Wang Xueying engaged in constant battles with their mother, pleading her case as to why Wang Mei was allowed to sleep with him while she was denied the same privilege.


    Deep down, Wang Xueying knew the answer, yet her frustration manifested as minor tantrums driven purely by envy.


    But what if she were to discover what truly transpired behind these closed doors?


    The hidden secrets, the unspoken desires...


    The mere thought sent a shiver down Wang Xiao''s spine, a mix of anticipation and strange excitement.


    As the lingering fragrance in the room slowly dissipated, Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a wry smile.


    He cautiously locked the door from the inside, sealing away the forbidden world they shared.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    A/N: About the Pedo content, I would keep the story in an natural flow, while cing artificial restrictions, so don''t expect an Pedo direct action between them! If I deem as any scene to be too much, I would remove that scene directly.


    When I say Pedo, I mean the female characters only, and not the male character. Yes, the author is being a sexist, curse him all you want.


    This story would follow a realistic harem approach, contrary to theedy based anime harem approach which ismon on webnovel.


    So be in for a taste of a new ride!

 Chapter 7: Shadows or Illusions? (1)

    After carefully closing the door of his dimly lit room, Wang Xiao returned to hisputer, the glow from the monitor casting an ethereal light on his determined face.


    He began aimlessly browsing through a plethora of random websites, aimlessly seeking distractions until he stumbled upon an intriguing topic - ''The omniscient paradox''.


    With deep breath, he immersed himself in the realm of technological and psychologicalplexities.


    Meanwhile, within the confines of a virtual machine, one of his meticulously crafted Metasploit scripts executed wlessly.


    Operating on a parallel system, it silently ran its course, seamlessly navigating through digital barriers.


    Whilst engrossed in his intellectual expedition, time appeared topse into an abyss.


    Eventually, Wang Xiao reluctantly brought his virtual activities to a halt, apanied by a heavy sigh. "Why is this storage full again?.... Is it time for a upgrade?" he murmured, his voice tinged with frustration. He furrowed his brow, gently rubbing his temples in contemtion.


    A mere few days prior, he had triumphantly upgraded his RAM, anticipating unparalleled performance. Yet, now he found himself confounded by the mysteriously overflowing storage.


    Fortunately, he had managed to stash away some money, salvaged from the ill-gotten gains he had stolen.


    Unfazed, he set his sights on conquering the neglected book that had been eating dust on his desk for far too long.


    As the clock struck 3:00 am, a jolt of realization coursed through him: tomorrow, there was a crucial test at school, and he hadn''t even bothered to acquaint himself with the chapter titles.


    "Fuck," Wang Xiao muttered, the weight of his weariness settling upon his drooping eyelids.


    The continuosly ticking of the clock cascaded over him, flooding his senses, as he let out a defeated sigh and sought sce beneath his cozy quilt.


    Skipping the test might have been his default n under normal circumstances, but the burden of today''s lie to his mother forced him into an inescapable trap, leaving him feeling utterly helpless.


    The prospect of the consequences that awaited him¡ªstripped of his privileges, should he earn subpar marks¡ªdid not register in his fatigued mind.


    As the quilt cocooned his weary body, the room enveloped itself in a shroud of silence. Yet, from the depths of that silence, a dissonant symphony of voices emerged, as if conjured from the ether.


    ''If you sleep, who will face the test?'' The first voice, subtle yet assertive, slithered into his thoughts.


    ''Are you truly willing to surrender to slumber?'' A second voice, draped in doubt, whispered like a breeze through the darkness.


    ''Gone will be your privileges,'' chimed a third, its words dripping with consequence.


    ''And your plummeting scores, can you live with that?'' A fourth voice interjected, casting doubt on his intentions.


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed in annoyance, a silent plea for their intrusion to cease. ''Shut up, all of you! Let me sleep!'' he muttered inwardly, his body twisting in a futile attempt to find sce in slumber.


    The voices remained persistent, a relentless chorus echoing through the chambers of his mind. "Hey, don''t turn a blind eye to us!"


    "Will you truly let this happen?"


    "Are you already slipping into sleep, Wang Xiao?"


    "Is that truly your desire?"


    "Is this really what you want?"


    "Will you mirror the failures of others?"


    "Where''s the distinction between them and you?"


    "Is this how you shoulder ountability?"


    "You are capable of so much more."


    "Rouse yourself!"


    "Hey, awaken already!"


    "Open your eyes!"


    "Get up!"


    "Awake!"


    "Awake!"


    "Awake!"


    The cacophony continued to swell, a tempest within his thoughts that grew overwhelming. He sought refuge, hands covering his ears in a desperate attempt to quell the insistent voices, but their persistence rendered his efforts futile.


    "Fuck off, all of you! I''m awake already!" In a surge of frustration, Wang Xiao kicked the quilt aside and jolted upright, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead.


    His disheveled hair bore witness to his tumultuous internal struggle, as if he had traversed the depths of a nightmare.


    The room, once a sanctuary, now felt tainted by the lingering remnants of the surreal mental exchange.


    The echoes of those phantom voices lingered, fading into the recesses of his consciousness, leaving him breathless and disoriented.


    After remaining seated in a frustrated daze for half a minute, Wang Xiao''s agitation finally drove him to his feet.


    He marched to the room''s light switch, flooding the space with illumination, and his bleary eyes fell upon the clock, its illuminated digits dering the time as 3:15 am.


    A weary sigh escaped his lips as hepelled his fatigued body towards the bathroom. With a twist of the doorknob, he was met by the ring brilliance of the bathroom''s fluorescent lights, a stark contrast to the dimly lit room he had just left behind.


    As the tap''s handle yielded to his touch, water surged forth with a gentle "swoosh," cascading into the basin below.


    Droplets erupted in all directions, some yfully rebounding off the slick tiles to strike his foot, leaving behind a scattering of dampness.


    Summoning a reserve of resolve, he sucked in a deep breath and boldly submerged his head beneath the running stream of cold water.


    The shock of the cold caused his breath to hitch, and he remained steadfast, water enveloping his face and hair, an icy grip on his senses.


    His breath halted, time seeming to stretch as the seconds ticked by.


    One by one, they passed.


    Ten.


    Fifteen.


    Thirty.


    His body, reacting to the chill, began to tremble, the shivers dancing across his skin like a symphony of difort.


    With sheer willpower, he managed to suppress the most intense tremors, determined to persevere.


    And then, like a sudden release, he emerged from the watery embrace, gasping for air, the moisture dripping from his hair and running down his skin.


    Deep, deliberate breaths filled his lungs as he fought to regain his equilibrium, a battle between the biting cold and the warmth of his own body.


    The water, havingpleted its refreshing dance upon his brow, now embarked on a slow descent, trickling down his forehead, along his hairline, and meandering through his damp locks. His clothes clung slightly, having absorbed the errant droplets that had ventured beyond the basin.


    The bathroom''s harsh light, the chill of the water, and the feeling of dampness on his skin wove together an unique experience.


    Disregarding the dampness that clung to his clothes, Wang Xiao shrugged off the wet garments and cast them aside with a casual, dismissive toss.


    With the bathroom door securely shut behind him, he positioned himself in front of a sprawling mirror that dominated one wall.


    The mirror''s surface reflected back at him his current state - wet hair stered to his face, his eyes reddened and shimmering, water tracing a path down his exposed chest.


    As his gaze wandered over his reflection, he took note of his well-maintained physique, a testament to his twelve years of existence.


    However, his attention was soon drawn to something far more astonishing.


    In the mirror''s depths, not just one pair of eyes met his gaze, but a multitude.


    A cascade of eyes, too numerous to count, stared back at him.


    There were simply too many!


    So many, that he can''t count!


    And it wasn''t just eyes!


    It were figures!


    Figures of a person!


    Not shadows, but real persons.


    All of them, exactly resembling the current Wang Xiao, in appearance.


    They weren''t real, but Wang Xiao could see them!


    He didn''t know how to exin it in words.


    But each of them was different; some mocked him, some scolded him, while others praised him for his achievements on rare asions.


    They were all different, with the same red eyes as him.


    He knew it was his mind that was creating all of this.


    They weren''t real, but his mind had created these images.


    Initially, Wang Xiao engaged in the same self-motivating inner dialogue as anyone else. The whispers of encouragement were like a gentle breeze, nudging him forward.


    However, curiosity got the better of him one day.


    He dared to imagine a version of himself¡ªone that would taunt and mock him.


    The notion was unconventional, but it held an appeal, an unorthodox wellspring of motivation.


    And to his astonishment, it worked.


    This unexpected discovery marked the genesis of a unique technique.


    Wang Xiao began to employ it more frequently, delving into this mental realm where reflections of himself took on various personas.


    What had once begun as a simple motivational tool quickly expanded its scope.


    It wasn''t merely about motivation anymore.


    Each reflection brought with it an alternate viewpoint, offering fresh perspectives and novel solutions to his challenges.


    These apparitions evolved into tangible embodiments of the myriad voices that resided within his mind.


    Initially, Wang Xiao retained conscious control over this process.


    He orchestrated when these reflections emerged and the roles they yed.


    But as time unfolded its wings, he let go of the reins of his conscious mind, allowing his subconscious to control this mysterious creation.


    Years passed, and gradually, he arrived at a juncture where these entities danced under themand of his subconscious alone.


    In this intricate dance of thoughts and imagination, Wang Xiao had be a master conductor.


    He was, in essence, a pioneer¡ªthe first individual to traverse the uncharted territory of the mind in such a profound manner.


    In doing so, he may well have carved a path that no one had trodden before in the realm of human psychology and mind.

 Chapter 8: Shadows or Illusions? (2)

    Thanks to his extraordinary ability, Wang Xiao found that he didn''t rely on external validation.


    He could offer himself praise when he aplished something noteworthy, a self-apuse that resonated deeper than any de from others.


    The concept of needing care from someone else became foreign to him.


    Why seek assistance when these mental reflections consistently outperformed any human caregiver?


    Motivation, too, took on a novel dimension.


    He no longer needed sugar-coated words; his mental projections provided motivation in the form of ruthless and unfiltered critique.


    These internal conversations were a wellspring of brutal honesty, pushing him beyond perceived limits.


    Friendship and conversation, once staples of human interaction, lost their relevance.


    The multiple personas within him sufficed forpany, for guidance, for camaraderie.


    In many ways, he had evolved into an independent entity, shedding the societal aspects of being ''social'' human.


    Aware of his uniqueness, he understood that conventional psychologists mightbel his condition a disorder.


    But he questioned their authority to define normalcy when it was based on their limited perspectives.


    To him, his mentalndscape was superior, more refined.


    The idea of a universal standard for all humanity struck him as wed.


    How could one yardstick measure the infinite diversity of human experience?


    As these thoughts swirled in his mind, he wrestled with the fine line between genius and madness.


    Suppressing an impulse tough aloud, he reassured himself that he wasn''t mad; he was merely operating on a higher ne of cognition, a realm of existence where the ordinary rules no longer applied!


    His lips curled upward, an involuntary response to the absurdity of it all, until theughter burst forth from his mouth, unrestrained.


    "Hahahaha!"


    "Hahahahahahahahahaa...."


    The sound of a child''s eerieughter reverberated within the solitary room, amplifying the uncanny atmosphere of the night.


    Heughed with abandon, eyes locked onto the reflection that bore the endless parade of his mental projections.


    Hisughter grew louder, more manic, his grin stretching impossibly wide as he surrendered to the absurdity of the situation.


    But as abruptly as theughter had started, it ceased.


    His expression underwent a chilling transformation in an instant, a swift shift from unrestrained hrity to an ice-cold demeanor. "Enough," hemanded, voice slicing through the lingering echoes.


    The shadows, the myriad reflections of himself, began to dissipate from the mirror, vanishing one by one until only his own image remained.


    In the aftermath, a faint smile danced upon his lips, his features the epitome of satisfaction.


    He was proud, not only of his unconventional skill but also of the mastery he had achieved over it.


    In a world where the boundaries of normalcy often constrained people, he had dared to traverse uncharted territories of the mind and emerge victorious.


    The shadows that adorned the mirror had evolved beyond mere reflections; they had be individual entities, a unique family of his own design.


    Unlike the fleeting loyalties of the external world, these entities were unwaveringly aligned with his desires.


    A shared sense of self-interest united them, recognizing that every human being is inherently selfish.


    Their presence wasn''t a betrayal veiled by smiles and false camaraderie. Instead, they stood as a testament to loyalty, aligned with his goals and values.


    While their voices might beced with mockery or scolding, it was all in service of propelling him toward his aspirations.


    In contrast to the fickle nature of external interactions, these entities remained steadfast and loyal,mitted solely to him and his ambitions.


    Their words might cut like a de, but they were unadulterated truth, devoid of ulterior motives.


    Their honesty didn''t always manifest as harshness; they also offered praise, albeit measured and proportional to the significance of his achievements.


    While others might deem his feats and knowledge at his age a mark of genius, Wang Xiao didn''t share that sentiment.


    He recognized the vast room for improvement thaty ahead, fueled by his insatiable hunger for progress.


    These shadowypanions were guardians against the pitfalls of excessive praise and unwarranted excitement.


    They ensured he wasn''t swallowed by the shallow adoration of those around him, sparing him from bing entrapped by the lure of insignificant aplishments.


    For many, a loyalpany that cared only about one''s well-being, goals, and path would be a cherished dream.


    In these shadows, Wang Xiao had found a sanctuary of loyalty, a haven where he was the sole focus, where he could thrive without the distortions of external influences.


    In the present moment, his shadowypanions gently nudged Wang Xiao''s focus toward his current priority.


    With newfound energy coursing through him, he moved purposefully to his study table, taking a seat without even sparing a nce at the time.


    The book before him held the key to his immediate objective: understanding the chapter names.


    Time, though significant, was no longer a constraining force.


    What mattered more was making the most of the hours at hand. Even if he couldn''t cover every inch, he would give his absolute best.


    Guided by the unseen presence of those who resonated with his every aspiration, Wang Xiao felt a weight of responsibility that transcended the tangible.


    These were no mere shadows; they were extensions of his very self, bolstering his determination.


    Forcing himself to rise above self-doubt, he couldn''t bear the thought of disappointing these entities that he trusted beyond measure.


    Their presence was a mirror reflecting his essence back at him, an unwavering reminder of his potential.


    Yet, he recognized the sacrifices he had made for this extraordinary ability.


    The relentless strain on his mind, the price he paid, was evident.


    He no longer have ''Dreams''.


    Sleep, that escape into dreams, had be a rarity for him.


    And when he did experience a dream, it was with a lucidity that bordered on surreal. Even their timing was calcted ¡ª an interjection into his oversleeping to remind him of his purpose.


    Over the years, the number of dreams he could recall had dwindled to a mere handful.


    The human mind, he understood, held vast potential, capable of conjuring up any reality.


    So, he wondered, why didn''t more people harness their imagination, as he had done?

 Chapter 9: A ordinary day in prison

    The moon possesses a captivating beauty from a distance, its imperfections masked by the enchanting glow.


    Yet, as you draw closer, the cracks that mar its surface be increasingly apparent.


    Simrly, humans bear a fa?ade that hides their ws, but the closer you get, the more their imperfectionse to light.


    *Buzzz!*


    The insistent buzz of the timer disrupted the contemtive atmosphere, and an aloof jailer entered with an air of indifference, collecting the tools of their trade.


    This jailer, a teacher by upation, gathered the test papers, each harboring a symphony of thoughts and emotions.


    Amid the collected murmurs, Wang Xiao''s gaze drooped, his exhaustion evident as he stared nkly ahead.


    The chorus of voices reverberated incessantly in his mind, a cacophony that began to lull him into a drowsy state.


    "Ugh! The test was very difficult..."


    "It was intentionally designed for our failure!"


    "I barely managed toplete half of it!"


    "My grades are bound to plummet..."


    "Can''t believe this..."


    "I''m confident about scoring perfectly!"


    "Predictable, here goes the overweight kid''s boasting again."


    Amidst this chatter, Wang Xiao seemed to blend into the background, barely noticed by those around him.


    Suddenly, he rested his hands on the desk''s surface, his intention clear as he settled into a brief nap.


    The cacophony persisted, the voices of his peers echoing relentlessly within his consciousness.


    Having endured an entire sleepless night, fatigue gripped him mercilessly, his body and mind weary from the relentless battle against the clock and the challenge before him.


    The name of this institution, the prison of rigid conformity, was the Green Oasis Academy¡ªan elite school nestled within China, renowned for not only imparting Mandarin but also foreignnguages like English.


    Operating as a Junior High School, it was part of a broaderwork of institutions, each with distinct names catering to different educational levels, from preschool to Senior High.


    The unique age distribution among the siblings ced Wang Mei in a different school, while Wang Jiarong and Wang Xueying found themselves within the realm of Senior High, sharing the same institution.


    None of them were in same school, as Wang Xiao.


    In China, education unfolded in distinct stages, a linear progression from one level to the next. However, the question rarely arose¡ªwhy move on to the next stage?


    What were the consequences if one did not follow this predefined path?


    The answer resided within the life of Wang Xiao''s father, who, despite not having graduated from a university, garnered a significantly higher ie than the paltry sry offered to most corporate managers, those fortunate enough to be deemed elite graduates willing to dedicate themselves to a cause they often knew little about.


    ording to Wang Xiao''s perspective, the school was akin to a prison, molding individuals into obedient ves, endowing them with skills that, in many cases, bore little relevance to real-world applications but perfectly aligned with the needs ofrge corporations.


    The curric, seemingly tailored to nourish a holistic education, was, in his eyes, a means of conditioning these future citizens to better serve the corporate agenda.


    It was a chilling revtion. Even when a specific skill like AI or SAP became a hot demand forpanies, universities swiftly adapted, inserting these subjects as side courses, reflecting the ring reality of the education sector¡ªa training ground ultimately tailored to feed the insatiable appetite of ves for corporations.


    _____


    "Hey!"


    "Wang Xiao!"


    "Wang Xiao!"


    A chorus of voices prated Wang Xiao''s drowsiness, causing him to furrow his brows as he blinked his eyes open slightly.


    "Huh?"


    He turned in the direction of the sound, where an unremarkable-looking boy with neatlybed ck hair repeatedly signaled him to pay attention. This was Chen Li, the son of a stationery wholesaler from Puxi, Shanghai.


    While Wang Xiao was somewhat of a well-known figure in his ss, he reserved his interactions primarily for Chen Li, recognizing their shared habits. Both of them stole money from their respective households, only to squander it awayter.


    With Chen Li''s constant nudging, Wang Xiao reluctantly shifted his focus to the front. There, he spotted a slightly attractive woman with long ck hair, her voice raised in admonishment.


    "Wang Xiao, who granted you permission to take a nap during my ss!?" Her name was Lei Xia, the English teacher, apparently the object of admiration for the entire ss. She reprimanded this audacious young boy, who had the audacity to doze off during her lectures.


    "Whoshfiendnziw#++¡ê8#2"


    As she continued her reprimand, the exact words became a garbled mess, lost on Wang Xiao.


    All he perceived was a furious woman directing her ire towards him, and truth be told, he couldn''t care less about her.


    His eyelids, which had briefly fluttered open, drooped once more, the lure of sleep proving irresistible.


    *Thud*


    Once again, he sumbed to sleep, much to the astonishment of those around him, paying no heed to the contorted expression on Lei Xia''s face.


    "What!?" Lei Xia''s face flushed, her anger reaching its crescendo.


    "Wow!"


    "Wang Xiao''s really pushing it!"


    "Daring to defy the teacher!"


    "Hahaha..."


    A ripple ofughter swept through the ssroom as Lei Xia, frustrated, yelled, "Quiet, everyone!"


    In an instant, the entire ss hushed, their attention no longer fixated on Wang Xiao as the lessons continued.


    Aside from Lei Xia''s asional outbursts, no one dared to disrupt Wang Xiao''s slumber; it was, after all, a regr urrence. He diligently studied at home, rendering school a mere formality.


    He had mastered the art of nocturnal productivity, sacrificing sleep at night to reim it during school hours.


    The school, in essence, had be his second home, a ce designed for him to doze off during sses.


    Most of the teachers, much like Lei Xia initially, were frustated by his behavior.


    However, over time, they had adjusted to Wang Xiao''s routine,rgely because his grades remainedmendable, rendering his in-ss siestas permissible.


    Lei Xia, a rtively recent addition to the teaching staff, had joined the school only a few days before, following the departure of the previous English teacher. Thus, she bore the brunt of Wang Xiao''s behavior, which only further frustrated her.

 Chapter 10: A ordinary day in prison (2)

    *Ring!*


    The familiar sound of the school bell echoed through the corridors, signaling the end of another day. Wang Xiao, who had been asleep for the entirety of the period, was roused by Chen Li.


    "Brother Wang, it''s time already!"


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao jolted awake, rubbing his eyes, as he observed fellow students gathering their belongings and leaving one by one.


    "It''s over?" Wang Xiao sighed, beginning to pack his things as well.


    Chen Li offered a wry smile. "Brother, sometimes I wish I had your luck, sleeping through the lectures like you do."


    Wang Xiao rified, "It''s not luck, it''s guts."


    Chen Li didn''t disagree, butpared to Wang Xiao, his own grades were quite poor. If a teacher decided to exact revenge by deducting internal marks, he''d likely fail.


    Wang Xiao, on the other hand, consistently earned good scores on his tests. Even if a teacher were to arbitrarily deduct his internal marks, he could lodge aint with the school principal.


    It had actually happened once during preschool, and the teacher in question was subsequently dismissed.


    As long as a student consistently performed well in all tests, even the principal was opposed to docking their marks without just cause. Chen Li and Wang Xiao had been friends since their preschool days, sharing a bond that had remained constant throughout their educational journey.


    A suddenmotion disrupted the ssroom''s tranquility as a towering second-year senior entered, his build slightly stocky, making him appearrger than his age, standing at a towering 5 feet 10 inches tall.


    His name was Zhao Yang, a notorious school bully and a quintessential backbencher, nked by two others, slightly less imposing in stature.


    With a noticeableyer of fat andpared to Wang Xiao, Zhao Yang was a giant. Both Wang Xiao and Chen Li shifted their gaze as Zhao Yang halted right in front of Wang Xiao, an aura of tension enveloping the room.


    "Are you Wang Xiao?" inquired Zhao Yang, his voice hoarse, giving off the impression of someone who smoked and drank.


    Wang Xiao responded calmly, undisturbed as he locked eyes with Zhao Yang, "Do you need something?"


    As Wang Xiao''s red eyes met his gaze, Zhao Yang''s eyebrows lifted, "Aren''t you the red demon of the school?" he chuckled, the echo of his voice reverberating throughout the ssroom.


    Chen Li furrowed his brows, while Wang Xiao remained unperturbed, continuing to pack his bag.


    "Hey,e here everyone."


    "It''s Zhao Yang!"


    "He''s picking a fight from our ss."


    "Who? From our ss?"


    "I-It''s Wang Xiao!"


    "Wang Xiao!?"


    "Wang Xiao!?"


    "How did the red demon end up in trouble with Zhao Yang?"


    The ssroom transformed into a makeshift arena, as students poured in from outside, eager to witness the unfolding confrontation.


    Zhao Yang, a hint of surprise on his face, grinned menacingly. "You''re quite famous, brat."


    Wang Xiao simply nodded, cing his bag aside, ready to leave. But Zhao Yang halted him, cing his massive hand firmly on Wang Xiao''s shoulder.


    "Wait here, punk!" he barked.


    "Damn!"


    "Heavens, it''s going to be a showdown between them!"


    "Who do you think will win?"


    "Isn''t it obvious? The giant''s got the upper hand!"


    Zhao Yang''s actions elicited a resigned sigh from Wang Xiao, with Chen Li standing steadfastly behind him.


    Chen Li retorted, "Zhao Yang, are you here to cause trouble for us?"


    Zhao Yang chuckled, "It''s not me. It''s this punk who started it, daring to humiliate Teacher Lei during the ss."


    "Go and apologize to her, and we''ll consider it even!"


    Chen Li''s expression shifted upon hearing these words. It became evident that they were indeed gearing up for a confrontation.


    This new revtion elevated the tension in the room, charging the atmosphere with a palpable intensity.


    "Hey, brat, can''t you hear me!?"


    Frustrated, Zhao Yang gave Wang Xiao a slight push, causing him to stagger back, his back connecting with a nearby desk.


    "Bam!"


    The bench beside him toppled over with a swift motion, causing Wang Xiao to frown, his gaze steady as he looked up at the towering figure before him.


    "This idiot, doesn''t he know not to spout nonsense when he''s about to fight and act with resolve?" Wang Xiao muttered under his breath, a hint of disappointment coloring his words.


    "What are you whispering, brat!?" Zhao Yang retorted, clearly irritated.


    "Face me already¡ª"


    Before Zhao Yang could finish his sentence, Wang Xiao sprang into action.


    Whoosh!


    With unwavering determination in his eyes, Wang Xiao''s hands shot out unexpectedly, grabbing Zhao Yang''s head with a firm grip, and then forcefully mming it against the nearby wall.


    *Boom!*


    A resounding crash reverberated through the room, leaving everyone frozen in shock.


    The brutality of the act was staggering.


    The swiftness and intensity of Wang Xiao''s response caught everyone off guard.


    No one had expected such a ruthless, instantaneous reaction from him.


    The imposing figure that was Zhao Yang lost all his bravado the moment his head mmed against the wall. *Thud!* He staggered, then crumbled to the ground.


    "Argh!"


    Groaning in pain, he held his head, the blood from his injury causing him considerable difort.


    "Y-You bastard!"


    Zhao Yang yelled, his hand now stained with blood from the wound on his head. His voice trembled slightly, revealing his weakness in the face of this unexpected turn of events.


    Even his twockeys were frozen, unsure of how to react. When the situation escted into a real fight, these kidscked the courage to intervene.


    *Boom!*


    "Ugh!"


    In a swift motion, Wang Xiao extended his foot and pressed his shoe firmly against Zhao Yang''s abdomen, exerting pressure that left Zhao Yang writhing in pain.


    Wang Xiao''s icy gaze bore into Zhao Yang. "Knowing they call me the Red Demon, why would you still choose to pick a fight with me?"


    "Do you think the name ''demon'' is just a joke?" Wang Xiao sneered, intensifying the pressure from his foot, eliciting a pained cry from Zhao Yang.


    "Ugh!!"


    The chilling spectacle left everyone in the room holding their breath, fear palpable in the air.


    Before any teacher could intervene, Wang Xiao delivered a swift punch to Zhao Yang''s face, *Boom*, and then stormed out of the ssroom, Chen Li trailing behind him. The crowd instinctively made way for them.


    Though he was rtively quiet in ss, everyone knew Wang Xiao''s reputation, and few dared to provoke him.


    "This Wang Xiao is truly a demon," one student whispered.


    "Haha," another chuckled awkwardly, "Did you forget the start of the year? He brought those guys to deal with Dong Kai. Did you honestly think Zhao Yang stood a chance?"


    A reminder of that earlier incident prompted the people who might have expected Zhao Yang to seek revenge to shake their heads, feeling pity for him, and slightly shivering at the thought.


    This wasn''t the first time something like this had urred.


    Back when they were in the first year of junior high, there was a bully named Dong Kai who had attempted to provoke Wang Xiao outside the school gates just after the final bell rang.


    In a twist of fate, some university students had appeared on the scene at that very moment, and they beat Dong Kai mercilessly until he was unrecognizable.


    Dong Kai was also present in the ssroom now, his face carrying a hint of ugliness as he recalled that humiliating day.


    But to the junior high students, it remained a mystery how Wang Xiao had managed to befriend those university seniors.


    This was precisely why, despite his reserved nature, no one in the ss ever dared to trouble Wang Xiao. Even though Zhao Yang had heard rumors about the "Red Demon," he had dismissed them as exaggerations.


    The tales circting were indeed sensationalized, with some even suggesting that a group of mysterious men in ck suits had been the ones to beat Dong Kai.

 Chapter 11: Wang Xueying

    "Haha, that brat''s face looked like a poached pig!"


    "You should''ve given him a couple more punches."


    "Why not wipe out his entire family!?"


    "Ah, you''re still not strong enough for that."


    "Ah, right, how can we forget, he is still weak!"


    "Haha.."


    With his inner monologues echoing, Wang Xiao said his farewells to Chen Li as they parted ways. Chen Li headed for the school bus, while Wang Xiao preferred to take the regr public bus, alongside Wang Xueying and Wang Jiarong.


    Wang Mei, their younger sibling, was always dropped off directly by their father in his car.


    As Wang Xiao stood at themon station, his attention was drawn to Wang Xueying approaching him. Her initial expression carried a hint of gravity, but as she spotted him, it swiftly transformed into a faint, warm smile. Wang Xueying had a certain elegance about her, with her slightly wavy,  chestnut hair gently catching the sunlight.


    Her almond-shaped eyes were a deep, rich brown, full of both determination and charm.


    "Where''s Jiarong?" Wang Xiao inquired, raising an eyebrow, his skepticism evident, as they both stepped onto the bus.


    "Sis is at the library, you know her, always the bookworm, always hardworking," Wang Xueyingined, pouting yfully. Her lips, a shade of natural pink, curved into a sweet smile, a striking contrast to her earlier expression.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but chuckle softly, familiar with the dynamic between them.


    Wang Xueying''s yfulint was, in part, a reflection of her own asional tendencies towardsziness.


    As they nestled into the corner seat of the nearly empty bus, Wang Xueying''s voice gradually dwindled into silence. She fixed her gaze on the passing scenery outside the window, lost in her thoughts.


    Wang Xiao, on the other hand, found her quiet contemtion incredibly captivating. An unspoken desire tofort her and share an intimate moment swelled within him.


    "Then just do it, why keep hesitating?"


    "He''s being a coward, ignore him."


    A frustrated sigh escaped Wang Xiao''s lips as he wrestled with the conflicting voices of his inner shadows.


    Undeterred, he maintained a determined expression and, with a surge of courage, extended his right hand to tenderly sp Wang Xueying''s delicate fingers.


    The same shadows that had taunted him earlier now seemed to cheer him on, while a few whispered caution about potential repercussions.


    "Brother?" Wang Xueying turned toward him, her eyes blinking in slight surprise.


    Wang Xiao swiftly concocted a reasonable exnation, "You don''t need to wear those sses when you''re with me." With a daring flourish, he gently removed her spectacles and set them aside. As he delicately rearranged her hair, her exquisite eyes locked onto him, a blend of mild embarrassment and astonishment at the sudden intimacy of the gesture.


    Unlike Wang Mei, Wang Xueying didn''t interpret his actions as something more, but she did find it as a caring and considerate gesture. However, she couldn''t help but notice that her heart was slightly racing as she stared at his face.


    "Now, would you tell me what happened at school, or do I have to check it myself?" Wang Xiao spoke with a bit more assertiveness, his hand gently wrapping around her shoulder in aforting manner.


    Wang Xueying was slightly taken aback, "You saw it?" she asked in response, realizing that her attempt to hide the incident wasn''t as sessful as she thought. Wang Xiao nodded, even letting out a small chuckle at her feeble attempt to deceive him.


    Among his two sisters, apart from Wang Jiarong, Wang Xiao tended to be more assertive. Wang Mei, being younger, naturally looked up to him, and Wang Xueying, with her petite stature, often called him "brother," making it easier for him to influence her thoughts.


    Wang Xueying''s expression darkened slightly, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability as she whispered, "It''s Hao Zemin again. He''s trying to make things difficult for me in ss," she confessed.


    Wang Xiao nodded knowingly, his thoughts echoing with the sentiment, ''Some people just don''t learn their lesson the first time.''


    He had already warned that troublemaker, but it seemed his caution had fallen on deaf ears.


    "What about Jiarong? Is someone bullying her as well?" he inquired, concerned about his other sister''s well-being.


    Wang Xueying shook her head lightly, her disappointment evident. She had hoped to blend in and avoid being targeted, but it seemed that her efforts hadn''t been entirely sessful.


    Wearing sses and altering her hairstyle had been an attempt to make herself less noticeable, even though she didn''t actually need the sses.


    For Wang Xiao, keeping a vignt eye on his sisters'' lives was both a responsibility and a challenge. Having beautiful sisters came with its own set of problems and concerns.


    Among his sisters, Wang Mei had caused him little to no trouble so far, but given her age, he knew he couldn''t predict what challenges the future might hold for her.


    Among the sisters, it was Wang Xueying''s gentle demeanor that seemed to attract conflict like a ma, while Wang Jiarong appeared to glide through school life with ease.


    As they arrived at their stop, they strolled along the familiar path, finally reaching home, where the warm presence of their mother, Xinyue Zhn, awaited them.


    Wang Xueying headed to her room, while Wang Xiao paused for a moment, his thoughts lingering on the scene behind her closed door. After a deep breath, he continued on, stopping at Wang Mei''s room.


    Without bothering to knock, he pushed open the door and stepped inside, the door gently closing behind him. The room greeted him with that familiar andforting fragrance.


    "Hm?" Just then, Wang Mei emerged from the bathroom, her petite form draped in a pristine white towel.


    Her damp hair clung to her skin, and the chill in the room made her shiver slightly as she caught sight of Wang Xiao.


    A brief moment of surprise shed across her eyes, and then, as if anticipating the situation, she lowered her head, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.


    Unconsciously, the towel slipped from her fingers, cascading to the floor in a soft whisper.

 Chapter 12: Century park

    Unconsciously, the towel slipped from Wang Mei''s fingers, cascading to the floor in a soft whisper.


    !!


    The intense gaze that bore into her sent a shiver down Wang Mei''s spine. Hastily, Wang Xiao tossed his backpack onto her bed, along with his clothes. Without hesitation, he pulled her close and guided her back into the washroom, determined to give her a thorough cleansing.


    Her skin, smooth and wless like a delicate porcin doll, demanded meticulous attention. Wang Xiao ensured that every inch of her body was scrubbed clean, leaving no trace of dirt or blemishes behind.


    *Boom*


    The bathroom door mmed shut, sealing their encounter within its confines. Unspoken acts of debachuary unfolded, indulging in a secret game inside the confined walls.


    When they emerged from the steam-filled room, Wang Mei stood before him, her nakedness entuated by the glistening water cascading down her skin and hair.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao, wrapped in a white towel, struggled to conceal the undeniable bulge beneath it.


    His arousal unabashedly on disy.


    Then, in an audacious move that stunned Wang Xiao''s senses, Wang Mei turned around.


    Her wet tresses veiled her face as her small hand boldly snatched the towel above the evident bulge between his legs. With a gentle smile, she innocently inquired, "What''s this, brother?" Her innocent eyes blinked, radiating a mischievous spark.


    ''What?!''


    Not only Wang Xiao, but even his infinite personalities were left dumbfounded.


    The audacity of her action was beyond anything he had ever anticipated.


    Despite wearing a serious expression, Wang Xiao deftly caught her hand and guided it beneath the towel, leaving her utterly surprised. Her small fingers wrapped around his shaft, and a rush of heat coursed through her hand.


    "Eek!"


    Startled by the scorching sensation, Wang Mei yanked her hand away and jumped back in astonishment. Her heart pounded loudly as she stared at the smirking Wang Xiao, disbelief etched across her face.


    Laughing, Wang Xiao taunted inwardly, ''If you dare cross the line, do you think I won''t?''


    Seizing the towel that had slipped off her body earlier, he took a seat beside her on the bed. With deliberate motions, he used the dry towel to gently dry her off, all the while maintaining an air of calcted intentions.


    Every action was a subtle maneuver to take advantage of Wang Mei.


    However, being dried off by him seemed tame inparison to their usual escapades.


    She sat there, a satisfied expression adorning her face, until he eventually bid her room goodbye.


    Don''t even bother asking how he managed to end up taking a shower in her room. Wang Xiao had concocted a flimsy excuse that revolved around his supposed dislike for the showerhead in his own bathroom. It may have sounded quite ridiculous, but Xinyue Zhn, despite considering it childish, couldn''t deny that Wang Xiao was still just a child at heart.


    Consequently, the exnation slipped past her with rtive ease, without triggering any rms.


    Recalling their time in the previous cramped apartment, where the fast pace of life often left them with little time for privacy, both Wang Xiao and Wang Mei had shared baths before, sometimes even joined by Xinyue Zhn. In that setting, such things seemed rather mundane.


    As for swapping out the showerhead to suit his preferences, it was certainly an option, but Wang Xiao casually brushed it off, asserting that he could make do with Wang Mei''s bathroom setup. This little matter seemed to be resolved with no one raising any eyebrows.


    Their respective ages yed a significant role, coupled with their history of these simr acts, which exined why no one made much of a fuss.


    Wang Xiao, however, was fully aware not to let this sort of arrangement be a regr urrence in front of others. As time went on, he realized he''d need a more convincing excuse, lest suspicion arise.


    He had even caught wind of an incident where Wang Jiarong apparently gave Wang Mei some sisterly advice: she needed to be cautious about her body around Wang Xiao, given that he was a growing male.


    In essence, Wang Jiarong was educating Wang Mei in the ways ofmon modesty. She was, in a sense, fulfilling the role of a second mother to her younger siblings.


    The only oversight here was that Wang Jiarong had failed to notice that Wang Mei''s innocence might not be as genuine as it appeared. Wang Mei merely nodded to her elder sister''s words, ying along with the notion while keeping her own secrets intact.


    Afterpleting a few minor tasks, Wang Xiao and Wang Xueying headed towards their neighborhood, making their way to Chen Yongzheng''s house for their daily tutoring session.


    Chen Yongzheng, a math teacher at Green Oasis Academy, ran unofficial tutoring sses.


    The patriarchal norms in Chinese familiespelled Wang Xiao, against his will, to attend these extra lessons for the sake of maintaining consistently high grades, a burden his sisters didn''t have to endure, except for Wang Xueying, whose grades were struggling.


    "How can you achieve good grades without even studying?" Wang Xueying was genuinely curious, their destination getting closer.


    Wang Xiao had no straightforward answer. He chuckled, brushing off the question as they approached the gate, where Chen Yongzheng, apanied by his slightly elderly wife, greeted them.


    Wang Xiao didn''t stay long, leaving his backpack and exchanging greetings with Chen Yongzheng before heading off to another destination.


    Wang Xueying smiled wryly, and a few other students inside the house did the same, observing the scene.


    Chen Yongzheng pretended not to notice, focusing on teaching the remaining students. He seemed to be getting free money since Wang Xiao maintained good grades despite asionally skipping the tutoring sessions, allowing him to im credit for the results while still receiving the fees from Wang Xiao''s parents.


    He might have been a bit of a schemer, but that was precisely what earned Wang Xiao''s respect.


    Dealing with bastards was always more straightforward.


    ___________


    Wang Xiao made his way to Century Park, near the Huangpu River. Despite the cold weather in Shanghai during this period, it didn''t deter the school students from enjoying the outdoors.


    In a secluded corner of the park, there was a slightly shadowed spot where three individuals sat on a bench.


    One had slightly darker skin, another sported a gold chain, and was the typical Chinese appearance, while the third was a bit overweight, puffing on a cigarette.


    The first one was Mo Xiang, the individual with the darker skin. The second one was Fu Chao, recognized by his gold chain. The third, the slightly overweight figure, went by the name Tan Weimin.

 Chapter 13: Nanjing Road, Puxi: Shuangxue (1)

    In the heart of Shanghai, nestled amidst the urban hustle,y Century Park ¨C an oasis of tranquility. The chilly air of winter hadn''t deterred the school students from gathering there, seeking a breath of fresh air and a momentary escape from their academic routines.


    Wang Xiao, unfazed by the cold, made his way through the park toward a slightly dimly lit corner where three figures sat on a bench.


    Fu Chao, the first among them, stood up and greeted Wang Xiao with a warm smile. "Brother Wang, you''re a bitte today!"


    While it might have seemed odd for someone older to address him as "brother," Wang Xiao took it in stride, not dwelling on the semantics.


    The quartet soon left the park, heading for the nearest metro station that would take them to Nanjing East Road.


    As they traveled, a thought urred to Wang Xiao, prompting him to turn to Mo Xiang. "Mo Xiang, you still have the money I gave you a few days ago, right?" he inquired, his tone casual yet pointed.


    Mo Xiang, with his darkerplexion, sheepishly scratched his head. "Brother, I''ve already used up that money," he admitted, avoiding eye contact.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze narrowed slightly, but he chose not to react in the moment. He had entrusted Mo Xiang with around 3000 yuan, a significant amount that was now unounted for.


    Mo Xiang had once lived in Wang Xiao''s previous neighborhood before he transferred to Green Oasis Garden.


    In those days, Wang Xiao,cking a personal space, used to entrust surplus money to Mo Xiang for safekeeping.


    This practice had endured through the years.


    Fu Chao and Tan Weimin were neers in Wang Xiao''s life. While Tan Weimin could easily bebeled as Fu Chao''s follower, thetter didn''t give Mo Xiang much consideration.


    Instead, Fu Chao was drawn to Wang Xiao, seeing him as a potential friend due to their simr well-off backgrounds.


    However, their paths diverged significantly in university life ¨C Fu Chao was deeply immersed in various activities, including smoking, drinking, and more.


    Fu Chao had even met Wang Xiao''s parents on a few asions back in their old neighborhood. However, they remained blissfully unaware of his habits and lifestyle choices.


    Little did Fu Chao know that Wang Xiao was fully aware of his motive in approaching him first. The reason was none other than Wang Jiarong, Wang Xiao''s elder sister.


    Wang Xiao had seen through Fu Chao''s intention, which was to establish a connection with Wang Jiarong''s younger brother in order to gain further opportunities.


    As their journey continued on the metro towards Nanjing East Road, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but be aware of theplex dynamics and rtionships that surrounded him.


    Wang Xiao was a skilled pretender, adept at keeping his enemies close.


    As time passed, Fu Chao and Wang Xiao''s rtionship evolved into something resembling friendship.


    However, Fu Chao''s initial intentions of pursuing Wang Jiarong were dashed when Wang Xiao orchestrated a n that led to Fu Chao''s confrontation and subsequent beating by Wang Jiarong.


    This entire scenario had been carefully orchestrated by Wang Xiao himself.


    He had discreetly shared information about Fu Chao''s existing habits and behavior with his sister, and had gone so far as to exaggerate some of Fu Chao''s actions, falsely iming that he was involved in drugs and other illicit activities.


    While Fu Chao did not engage in drug use or smuggling, Wang Xiao''s maniption had painted him in a negative light.


    This strategic move was meant to ensure that Wang Jiarong would react strongly against Fu Chao''s advances, ultimately leading to his defeat.


    Wang Xiao''s ability to carefully engineer situations and use information to his advantage showcased his cunning and calcted nature.


    He knew how to exploit weaknesses and create scenarios that yed to his favor, all while maintaining his facade as a friendly acquaintance to those around him.


    When Fu Chao finally mustered the courage to confess his feelings to Wang Jiarong, the oue was both unexpected and entertaining.


    Wang Xiao watched from a short distance as his typically gentle sister, in a surprising twist, *pped* Fu Chao across the face with her slipper.


    The scene was a spectacle to behold, and even Wang Xiao was taken aback by his sister''s ruthless reaction.


    This unexpected side of her made him silently decide not to provoke her in such matters again.


    The p must have stung Fu Chao both physically and emotionally.


    As he walked away, disappointment etched across his face, a red mark from the slipper''s impact was visible on his cheek.


    Wang Xiao, with his intricate understanding of people, stepped in to console Fu Chao.


    He offered words of encouragement and inspiration, aiming to guide him towards making better choices in life, as the world as no shortage of woman.


    Wang Xiao''s cunning nature wasn''t lost on Fu Chao. While Fu Chao never considered Wang Xiao to bepletely innocent, he couldn''t have fathomed the depth of Wang Xiao''s strategic mind.


    Wang Xiao''s ability to engineer situations, manipte perceptions, and turn adversaries into allies was beyond Fu Chao''s expectations.


    Wang Xiao''s actions not only allowed him to evade direct confrontations that could lead to his defeat due to his age disadvantage, but they also showcased his skill in transforming potential enemies into useful allies¡ªall while carefully monitoring their actions.


    His approach was a testament to his intelligence, foresight, and ability to navigateplex situations, all beyond his age.


    Wang Xiao''s circle of friends fell into two distinct categories, each group unaware of the other''s existence.


    Chen Li, his school friend, remained blissfully ignorant of Wang Xiao''s involvement with a different group of university friends.


    Chen Li knew that Wang Xiao had friends, but he was unaware of the extent of their activities¡ªsmoking, drinking, and more.


    Their friendship revolved around school-rted activities, such as visiting malls and game parlors. Whenever Wang Xiao wanted to maintain a facade of goodness, he would hang out with Chen Li.


    On the other hand, there was Fu Chao, Mo Xiang, and Tan Weimin¡ªthe universitypanions with whom Wang Xiao freely engaged in more adult activities.


    It was Fu Chao who introduced Wang Xiao to the world of the Velvet Shadows, and this group was like Wang Xiao''s key to various experiences.


    They were hispanions for visits to bars and other adult-oriented ces.


    The dynamics within these two groups were interesting. Wang Xiao tolerated Mo Xiang''s tendency to use his money without permission because Mo Xiang''s loyalty outweighed Fu Chao''s.


    Losing Mo Xiang over such matters was not something Wang Xiao wanted, as Mo Xiang was the kind of loyal friend who wouldn''t switch sides easily.


    He might have been a bit reckless, but his loyalty was unwavering.

 Chapter 14: Nanjing Road, Puxi: Shuangxue (2)

    Though Fu Chao never truly considered Wang Xiao an enemy, Wang Xiao was cautious about cing trust in anyone.


    He implemented an internal system of checks and bnces within the group to ensure his safety. These three friends¡ªFu Chao, Mo Xiang, and Tan Weimin¡ªprovided Wang Xiao with additional connections within the university circle.


    However, their rtionships were more acquaintanceships than deep friendships.


    Expanding hiswork and knowing more people never seemed like a bad idea to Wang Xiao.


    That fact was made clear when Dong Kai attempted to pick a fight with Wang Xiao outside the schoolst year.


    Some of Wang Xiao''s acquaintances happened to witness the scene unfolding on the road and immediately stepped in to intervene.


    Swiftly, they subdued Dong Kai, preventing the situation from escting further.


    One of the observations Wang Xiao had made was that those friends who were considered on the wrong side of society, indulging in activities such as drinking and smoking, were often the ones who wouldn''t hesitate to offer help when needed.


    Upon arriving at Nanjing East Road in Puxi, their first destination was "Shuangxue," a bar owned by a local politician in the area.


    Upon entering the dimly lit "Shuangxue" bar, a cacophony of sights and sounds assaulted their senses.


    "????????~"


    The shing neon lights painted the room in a surreal, ever-changing palette of colors, casting vibrant hues across the patrons'' faces.


    The air was thick with a mixture of cigarette smoke, alcohol fumes, and a sense of recklessness that seemed to hang in the atmosphere.


    The bar was divided into different sections, each catering to various tastes.


    At the center, a makeshift dance floor pulsated with energetic music, its bass thumping through the floor and reverberating in the chests of those present.


    Young men and women gyrated to the rhythm, their movements synchronized with the hypnotic beats.


    Groups of patrons huddled around tables, engaged in conversations that fluctuated betweenughter and heated debates.


    Cigarette butts piled up in overflowing ashtrays, the smoke spiraling upwards to create a hazy cloud that seemed to obscure both time and judgment.


    Along the bar counter, people leaned against it, their expressions a mix of exuberance and escapism.


    Bartenders bustled behind the counter, expertly mixing drinks, pouring shots, and keeping up with the constant demands of the patrons.


    In the darker corners of the establishment, where the dim lighting offered a semnce of privacy, individuals gathered in close circles.


    These were the scenes of more illicit activities. Furtive nces exchanged, suspicious packages changing hands, and the distinct aroma of substances not legally consumed wafting through the air.


    Among the chaos and intensity, the bar was a microcosm of a world where inhibitions were shed, and societal norms took a backseat.


    Wang Xiao and hispanions navigated through the sea of faces, seamlessly blending in with the crowd, while the vibrant chaos of "Shuangxue" carried on around them.


    "Wanna drink?" Fu Chao extended a ss filled with alcohol toward Wang Xiao, but he shook his head in refusal.


    The others didn''t pay much attention and continued with their drinks, followed by lighting up cigarettes.


    "Brother, why don''t you give smoking a try at least?" Fu Chao suggested, offering him a cigarette.


    However, Wang Xiao declined once again, saying, "I still have a long life ahead, brother. I''d rather meet my end in the warm embrace of ten women than under the weight of an ashtray." His words drew a mixture of surprised and amused looks from the others.


    Wang Xiao''s readiness to engage in various forms of mischief and trouble didn''t extend to activities that could potentially shorten his lifespan.


    He had a certain moral flexibility, being open to misdeeds like stealing and robbery, but when it came to things that could harm his health, he was staunchly against it.


    This paradoxical behavior perplexed Fu Chao and the others.


    However, despite these differences, Wang Xiao managed to blend into their circle quite seamlessly, even without sharing their vices.


    It was a contradiction that should have raised suspicion, as friendships typically formed around shared interests.


    But they missed this red g, too focused on the surface-level camaraderie they were enjoying with Wang Xiao.


    For Wang Xiao, these acquaintances were just that¡ªacquaintances, a convenient connection for various purposes.


    Their apparent inability to pick up on these details reinforced Wang Xiao''s growing belief that wisdom doesn''t necessarily apany age.


    He saw a world filled with fools, individuals trapped in adult bodies but carrying the naivety of children.


    To him, most adults were merely depressed individuals, all broken mentally, struggling to persist through their obligatory existence.


    They navigated life by conforming to societal norms and routines, employing activities like binge-watching, marriage, drinking, and smoking as a form of escape from the mundane reality they faced.


    It was a perspective that further distanced him from the world around him.


    "I''ll take a stroll outside," Wang Xiao announced before making his way out.


    Fu Chao gave a casual wave, his state clearly influenced by the alcohol. Mo Xiang, slightly less intoxicated, piped up, "I can join you if you want."


    Wang Xiao declined with a shake of his head, "It''s alright."


    "Come on, why be so shy? I could use some fresh air too! Let''s go together!" Mo Xiang insisted, catching up to him and patting his shoulder.


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed briefly before he offered a smile, "Sure, let''s walk around here."


    The two began to stroll down Nanjing Road, before Wang Xiao decided to head towards Jing''an Temple.


    "Temple? Brother, since when did you be so cultural?" Mo Xiang inquired, clearly intrigued by Wang Xiao''s unexpected choice. Temples weren''t exactly on his list of interests.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, "Mo Xiang, that''s probably why you''re single. Temples are excellent ces to meet women who aren''t already tangled up in a messy lifestyle."


    Mo Xiang''s eyes widened with realization, "Brother, I''ve underestimated you!" he eximed, bursting intoughter.


    When it came to women, Wang Xiao definitely had a refined taste.


    However, there was another reason behind his decision to visit Jing''an Temple...

 Chapter 15: Jianan Temple: Hao Zemin

    Jing''an Temple stood as a tranquil oasis amidst the bustling cityscape. Its golden rooftops gleamed under the sunlight, and the melodious sound of bells resonated in the air, creating an atmosphere of serenity.


    As Wang Xiao and Mo Xiang entered the temple premises, they were greeted by the fragrance of incense and the soothing hum of prayers.


    The courtyard was adorned with vibrant rednterns, and intricate carvings adorned the walls, telling tales of centuries past.


    Walking further into the temple, they found a gathering of people paying their respects at the main hall.


    Among the worshippers, Wang Xiao''s eyes couldn''t help but notice the diverse array of women present.


    Some wore traditional attire, while others sported modern dresses, each adding a unique charm to the setting.


    Women of all ages, from young to old, stood in front of the altar, their eyes closed in deep reverence as they offered their prayers.


    The soft rustling of their clothing, the subtle sway of their graceful movements, created a mesmerizing sight that captured Wang Xiao''s attention.


    Mo Xiang nudged him with an amused grin, "Brother, you were right. Temples are definitely the ce to find quality women."


    Wang Xiao nodded, his gaze firmly fixed on the scene unfolding before him. His purpose for being here extended beyond a simple appreciation of beauty; there was something more that drew him to this ce.


    Leaving Mo Xiang within the temple''s confines, he decided to explore the area outside.


    The pathways behind the temple were skillfully designed, winding among the tall trees and illuminated by soft, dim lighting. As he walked through this tranquil space, a sense of calmness and peace enveloped him.


    Wooden benches were thoughtfully scattered throughout, providing spots for contemtion and rest.


    In a quiet corner of this serene setting, a young boy sat on one of the benches.


    His hair was neatly trimmed, his face illuminated by the glow of his phone screen as he focused on whatever held his attention.


    This boy was Hao Zemin, a frequent visitor to the temple. He would often apany his mother here, watching over her as she engaged in her prayers.


    For this particr visit, Wang Xiao had intentionally left behind Mo Xiang and the others.


    He wanted to keep their involvement separate from his sisters, being cautious about potentialplications that could arise among their malepanions.


    After all, matters of human emotions were never entirely predictable, and Wang Xiao wanted to shield his sisters from any unnecessaryplications.


    Wang Xiao had previously delved into Hao Zemin''s background, especially after the warning he had given him about staying away from Wang Xueying.


    Yet, as Wang Xiao gazed upon Hao Zemin''s face, he could sense the disregard this young man held for his cautionary words.


    Despite the initial fear triggered by the warning, Hao Zemin seemed to have let his guard down upon discovering that Wang Xiao was actually his junior.


    Age oftenes with an inherent sense of superiority that can sometimes cloud one''s judgment.


    Hao Zemin was engrossed in his phone, his focus momentarily interrupted by the approaching shadow of Wang Xiao.


    The casual greeting "Oye!" brought Hao Zemin''s attention back to reality.


    Swoosh!


    In a swift movement, he instinctively reached for a sharp object and held it close to Wang Xiao''s neck. Amid the tension, a somewhaticalughter broke the silence, as Hao Zemin''s taunting voice filled the air, "Haha! Are you here to y the protective brother role again, kid?"


    "!?"


    As the screwdriver pointed menacingly at his neck, Wang Xiao felt a sense of freezing realization wash over him.


    Observing the preparedness of Hao Zemin, he inwardly noted, ''It seems he was ready for this.'' He let out a resigned sigh, realizing the precariousness of his situation.


    However, his momentarypse in response didn''t go unnoticed by Hao Zemin. With a hint of impatience in his voice, he taunted, "What, got no words!?"


    "Huh?"


    "Now,e on, empty your pockets, and I might let you go!" Hao Zemin''s tone oozed with a malicious threat, his eyes gleaming with cruelty.


    Inner voices echoed in Wang Xiao''s mind, each with their own advice:


    ''Break this bastard''s face!''


    ''You should havee with more people!''


    ''I don''t like his smirk!''


    Amidst the internal chaos, Wang Xiao heard the impatient voice of Hao Zemin again. Thetter''s smirk widened as he jeered, "Come on, what are you waiting for!?" He prodded the screwdriver slightly against Wang Xiao''s neck.


    In response, Wang Xiao put on a show of resignation, his tone carrying a sigh, "I have some money in my front pocket," he stated calmly, slightly bending to retrieve the money.


    Hao Zemin''s smirk grew even wider, victorious glee taking over him.


    Not only he got his revenge but also extorted him!


    His happiness was over the roof now!


    At the moment when Hao Zemin''s attention wavered, a swift impact struck his abdomen with a forceful *Bam*.


    "Ugh!"


    Hao Zemin''s eyes widened in both surprise and pain, a guttural sound escaping his lips.


    However, before he could react or retaliate, Wang Xiao was already in motion, racing away from the scene.


    Perplexed and infuriated, Hao Zemin clenched his teeth, his face contorted with a mixture of anger and frustration.


    "BASTARD!"


    He wasted no time in chasing after Wang Xiao, his strides determined and swift.


    While Wang Xiao was smaller and slighter inparison, it was evident that a direct physical confrontation wouldn''t end well for him.


    However, Wang Xiao had no intention of testing his physical strength against Hao Zemin. He was in no mood for a brawl, especially one where he''d likely end up on the losing side.


    His feet pounded against the ground as he sprinted, propelled by a fervent desire to escape unscathed.


    He continued running until he spotted Mo Xiang stepping out of the temple gates as well. Their eyes met, and in that instant, Mo Xiang''s expression shifted from confusion toprehension.


    He quickly grasped the situation unfolding before him.


    As he raced away, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but chuckle inwardly, a sense of luck and relief flooding over him. ''Today is my lucky day,'' he thought, grateful for the unexpected turn of events that seemed to be working in his favor.


    Wang Xiao finally came to a halt, seeking refuge near the trunk of a robust saponaria tree.


    He turned his gaze back, assessing the situation as Hao Zemin also paused, believing that Wang Xiao had given up.


    The faint hint of a triumphant smile yed on Hao Zemin''s lips as he prepared to gloat in his apparent victory.


    However, his victorious expression swiftly turned to one of shock and confusion. Suddenly, a strong grip closed around his neck from behind, lifting him off the ground with surprising force.


    His eyes widened in rm, a strangled sound escaping his lips as he found himself suspended in the air.


    "Huh?"

 Chapter 16: The Dream Goddess turned out to be a what!?

    Hao Zemin''s eyes widened in rm, a strangled sound escaping his lips as he found himself suspended in the air.


    "Huh?"


    The grip on his neck didn''t loosen, and then, with a sudden release, he was dropped unceremoniously to the ground with a resounding *Thud!* He winced in pain, his body absorbing the impact of the fall with a grunt.


    "Argh!"


    Wincing from the pain in his back, he managed to turn himself around, his voice trembling slightly, "Bast¡ªI-I mean Big b-brother!?" His initial words of anger and defiance quickly morphed into a stammer as he caught sight of a tall, slightly dark-skinned figure standing before him, radiating an aura of controlled fury.


    His petrified smile faded as he gulped nervously, realizing that he was now facing someone who clearly held authority over him.


    The towering figure''s re was unwavering, and Hao Zemin''s bravado evaporated in an instant.


    He could only manage a nervous stammer as he tried to rephrase his words, a sweat forming on his forehead.


    Before he could react further, a barrage of powerful punchesnded on him in rapid session.


    The repeated sound of impacts echoed through the air like rapid drumbeats.


    *Boom!*


    "A-argh!"


    *Boom!*


    "Ahhhh!"


    Hao Zemin''s pained cries resonated as each punchnded on its mark, his body contorting with each hit.


    The blows were forceful and unrelenting, turning his once-arrogant expression into a mask of pain and desperation.


    His attempts to defend himself proved futile as the strikes continued to rain down upon him.


    As Hao Zemin struggled to find his footing amidst the relentless assault, Wang Xiao''s voice broke through the chaos. "Don''t let him shout!" he reminded Mo Xiang, his tone firm andmanding.


    Mo Xiang, fully understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded determinedly.


    Without hesitation, he seized Hao Zemin''s head and forcefully *mmed* his face into the ground, effectively muffling his cries.


    Blood smeared across the surface, and Hao Zemin''s lips were left bloodied and swollen as a result of the harsh impact.


    The beating continued, with Mo Xiang''s blows targeting Hao Zemin''s backside and torso.


    Each strike was fueled by a mixture of anger and justice, serving as retribution for the pain and fear Hao Zemin had caused others.


    As Mo Xiang finally released his grip, Hao Zemin''s face was swollen and disfigured¡ªa stark contrast to his earlier arrogance.


    "Haha!" Meanwhile, Wang Xiao watched the entire show, his satisfaction evident in his chuckles andughter. Before long, the scene caught the attention of nearby adults, who quickly rushed over to intervene.


    Instantly, both Wang Xiao and Mo Xiang ran away from the scene.


    _________


    "Hey, bro, you think we''re gonna end up in some kind of mess?" Mo Xiang asked, his voice cautious as they made their way back to the bar.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, his expression determined. "Nah, that guy used to be a schoolyard bully. If he spills the beans about us, it''s gonna blow up, and all his dirtyundry wille tumbling out."


    A flicker of relief crossed Mo Xiang''s face as he nodded. Memories of the brutal beating they''d given Hao Zemin yed in his mind, and now the fear of a potential run-in with thew was gnawing at him.


    Little did Mo Xiang know, Wang Xiao was holding back a secret. In the unlikely event that things went south, Mo Xiang would bear the brunt of the punishment, while Wang Xiao would emerge from the chaos unscathed. His age andck of direct involvement would see to that.


    As the duo returned to the dimly lit confines of Shuangxue bar, their attention was drawn to Fu Chao, who sat there with a dreamy, drunken look in his eyes.


    "What''s up with him?" Wang Xiao asked Tan Weimin, a hint of skepticism in his tone.


    Tan Weimin grinned wryly, tilting his head subtly. "Check that out."


    Wang Xiao''s gaze followed the unspoken cue, leading him to a corner where a mesmerizing sight unfolded.


    A woman, perched on the upper deck, had an air of elegance that rivaled the sultry ambiance of the bar.


    Her red dress teased a hint of bare skin, while her eyes, as radiant as ripe peaches, held a mysterious allure.


    Strands of hair, glossy like moonlight on water, cascaded down her shoulders. She couldn''t have been more than 22, and yet she exuded a mature charm that intoxicated the very air around her. With a ss of wine as her onlypanion, she seemed lost in her own world.


    As Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, he felt a jolt of recognition. He squinted at her face, racking his memory. And then, like a lightning bolt of realization, it hit him ¨C he knew who she was.


    "Brother Fu Chao, you''re not trying to tell me you''ve fallen head over heels for that woman, are you?" Wang Xiao chuckled, plopping down right next to Fu Chao.


    The other two exchanged knowing nces, their heads shaking almost in unison.


    This wasn''t the first time they''d witnessed Fu Chao''s heart take a tumble at the sight of a beautiful woman.


    How could one man im to be in love with every attractive face that crossed his path?


    Little did they know, this time, Fu Chao was in for a surprise!


    Fu Chao scratched his head, a touch of awkwardness in his demeanor. "No, no, listen... this time it''s different!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes lit up with curiosity. "Oh really? And how exactly is it different from thest time?"


    Fu Chao took a deep breath, as though mustering the courage to express his feelings. "You see, this woman... she''s like a pure goddess in human form! My heart is practically screaming at me to pursue her, no matter what!"


    Wang Xiao''sposure wavered, his self-control just barely keeping him from spewing out the sip of drink he''d just taken.


    Embodiment of goddess!?


    Huh?


    Oye, this is bar! Not a temple!


    Wang Xiao let out a resigned sigh and gave Fu Chao''s shoulder an understanding pat. "Let''s find out the cost of your dream goddess, then," he muttered, the sigh carrying the weight of his skepticism.


    To their surprise, he strode confidently toward the enchanting woman.


    "Huh!?"


    The unfolding scene left them utterly dumbfounded. Amidst the raucous atmosphere of the bar, Wang Xiao engaged in a conversation with her. And then, shockingly, he took her hand and guided her back towards their group.


    "Damn!" Fu Chao''s expletive escaped his lips, his nervousness palpable. Tan Weimin and Mo Xiang''s expressions shifted to serious concern, sensing that something was awry.


    "Hi," the woman greeted them with an endearing wave, her sweet gesture tugging at the strings of their hearts. But what happened next took everyone by surprise.


    Wang Xiao settled onto a barstool and invited her to perch on the stool above him. And then, in a bizarre twist that defied all logic, he pinched her breasts over her clothing!


    "What the hell!?"


    Fu Chao''s eyes nearly popped out of his head, his shock mirrored by Tan Weimin and Mo Xiang. Meanwhile, Wang Xiao burst intoughter and deftly extracted several hundred-yuan bills from Fu Chao''s pockets, boldly tucking them into the woman''s bra.


    With a charming smile and a blown kiss directed at Wang Xiao, the woman gracefully retreated back to her spot on the deck.


    Amid their stunned expressions, Wang Xiao couldn''t contain hisughter. "Guys, she''s an worker at Velvet Shadows! ... Fu Chao, your goddess is a prostitute! Hahaha!"


    "...."


    "Damn it!"


    "Hahaha!"


    Fu Chao''s face flushed a deep shade of red, his embarrassment palpable.


    Mo Xiang and Tan Weimin erupted into uproariousughter, pounding the table in amusement.


    They exchanged knowing nces, a mixture of mirth and sympathy directed at Fu Chao.

 Chapter 17: Wang Zhihao: Family Dinner?

    Green Oasis garden, Wang Family vi.


    As the grand doors swung open, Wang Xiao stepped into an all-too-familiar domestic battlefield.


    The aura of the Green Oasis Garden''s Wang Family vi seemed to wane against the emotional tempest brewing within.


    The scene inside was one ofplete chaos, yet so familiar at the same time.


    "The dinner iste again!? What were you doing the whole day!? Humph!" Wang Zhihao''s thunderous voice cut through the dining table''s mor.


    Wang Xiao''s mother, Xinyue Zhn, looked like a woman who had grown ustomed to these turbulent waters.


    Her eyes were tightly shut, as if attempting to shield herself from the tempest around her.


    The rhythmic tter of cutlery against her te provided a repetitive distraction, an attempt to drown out the emotional turmoil surrounding her.


    Seated next to her, Wang Mei appeared almost robotic in her response to the chaos. Her fork moved across her te with mechanical precision, as though the food were nothing more than a mundane necessity.


    Her gaze flitted between her parents, a silent observer of their familiar dance.


    Wang Xueying had long sought refuge from the tumult, choosing to take her food directly to her room. She left the battleground of the dining room to its own devices.


    On the opposite side of the table, Wang Xiao''s eldest sister, the seventeen-year-old Wang Jiarong, emerged as a confident beacon amidst the tumultuous sea of emotions. Her calm presence was a stark contrast to the chaotic scene unfolding around her. Her long, glossy ck hair cascaded in sleek waves down her back, creating a mesmerizing contrast against her wless porcinplexion.


    d in a refined ck dress that seemed to mold to her every curve, she moved with an effortless grace that seemed to soothe the very air around her.


    Sitting upright with her back straight, Wang Jiarong exuded an undeniable elegance. Her ample bosom, delicately supported by the bodice of her dress, added a subtle allure to her demeanor. Her thin hips entuated her graceful posture and gave her an ethereal aura.


    Though her eyes were fixed on her te, the enigmatic depths of her obsidian gaze held countless untold stories.


    They glimmered with a quiet strength, offering a glimpse into the resolute woman beneath the serene surface. Delicate silver jewelry adorned her, delicately glinting against her muted elegance.


    Despite her age, Wang Jiarong''s aura ofposure remained unwavering.


    With her expression carefully draped in a mask of practiced indifference, she coolly replied, "It was a mere misunderstanding, Dad. There''s truly no need to blow it out of proportion."


    But amidst this sea of tension, a new yer entered the stage. Wang Xiao, feeling like an intruder in his own home, found himself at the center of their attention.


    "Wang Xiao, you''rete again! Can''t you respect the sanctity of family time?" Wang Zhihao''s voice reverberated with pent-up frustration, a convenient outlet for the irritations of the day.


    Wang Jiarong''s eyes narrowed at the constant yelling echoing in her mind, her jaw clenching as she held her voice.


    The room seemed to hold its breath, each word a weight upon the air.


    Struggling to manage the tempest of emotions within him, Wang Xiao''s voice ran with indifference. "Tutoring rante, you know how demanding these subjects can be."


    Wang Zhihao''s nostrils red, his narrowed eyes searching for weakness in his son''s defense. "Late again, just like your mother. Don''t let me catch you making this a habit."


    Amid the charged atmosphere, Xinyue Zhn''s grip on her fork tightened, her eyes remaining firmly closed as though trying to shield herself from the world around her.


    Wang Xiao nodded and washed his hands before taking his seat at the table.


    Just then, Xinyue Zhn was serving food to Wang Xiao''s ce when she identally spilled some onto the table.


    Looking at her carelessness, Wang Zhihao''s face contorted in anger. "I can''t believe this ipetence!" he roared, his voice a tempest that swept through the room. "A simple task, and you managed to mess it up!"


    Wang Jiarong closed her eyes, her fingers tracing the rim of her ss. "Can we please not do this at the dinner table?" she said wearily, her voiceced with resignation.


    Wang Mei''s fork scraped against her te as she muttered, "... Can we just eat in peace, for once?"


    The atmosphere crackled with tension as Wang Xiao''s father continued his tirade. "Peace? This is a reflection of your attitude towards everything!"


    Xinyue Zhn sighed softly, almost inaudibly, as if the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. "Can we just have a quiet meal?" she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.


    Wang Xiao clenched his fists, his frustration simmering beneath the calm surface. "Dad, yelling won''t solve anything," he said evenly, his voice a calm contrast to his father''s booming rage.


    Wang Zhihao''s eyes narrowed as he turned his ire towards Wang Xiao. "I don''t want to hear it from someone who is alwayste!"


    Despite the urge tosh out, Wang Xiao maintained hisposure. "I have my reasons, Dad," he said, his tone steady, refusing to let someone else''s anger define the conversation.


    ____


    The dinner eventually drew to a close, and Wang Jiarong and Wang Mei quickly made their way toward the stairs. Wang Xiao followed closely behind, the air still heavy with the aftermath of tension and unspoken frustrations.


    "This family used to be so close," Wang Mei mumbled, her voice carrying a hint of wistfulness.


    Wang Jiarong nodded, her gaze lingering on the living room. "Those days seem like a distant memory now."


    Meanwhile, Wang Zhihao, who had managed to dissipate his earlier anger, sat before the TV with an unusual cheerfulness. He seemed like apletely different person, the weight of his earlier outburst seemingly lifted.


    In stark contrast to his indifference, Wang Zhihao seemed apathetic towards addressing the issues guing his business. Instead, he opted for the easy refuge of yelling and watching TV, a stark reminder of his priorities.


    Seated on the other side of the room, Xinyue Zhn kept a slight distance from him. Her presence was a quiet one, apanionable yet fragile coexistence that had settled between them.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze narrowed as he contemted the multitude of times he had restrained the urge to kill this pitiable man.


    The reasons for holding back were painfully evident, the knowledge that any drastic actions would only worsen their already precarious situation.

 Chapter 18: Wang Xiao busted (1)

    Wang Xiao''s gaze narrowed as he contemted the multitude of times he had restrained the urge to kill this pitiable man.


    The reasons for holding back were painfully evident, the knowledge that any drastic actions would only worsen their already precarious situation.


    ''Pathetic,'' one of Wang Xiao''s shadows spoke, their gazes lingering simrly on Wang Zhihao''s figure.


    ''A grown-up adult who can''t even control his anger.''


    ''Just grown physically.''


    ''Destroying everyone''s mood, because his was bad?''


    ''You better deal with him soon,''


    Wang Xiao shook his head and walked towards his room nheless. Wang Zhihao''s apathetic attitudebined with hisck of emotional stability was the only thing in the world that could ever make him lose hisposure.


    Everything had been manageable when they had substantial savings and a steady cash flow. However, after purchasing the new house, their savings had dwindled, and the cash flow was now dwindling daily.


    The same was true for Wang Zhihao. He was losing himself more and more with each passing day, allowing his frustrations to find an outlet at home.


    As if that wasn''t enough, Wang Zhihao''s response to counter his failing business was practically nonexistent. Much like a child throwing a tantrum, he woulde home early and seek sce in watching TV. This apathetic attitude left Wang Xiao thoroughly disgusted.


    However, amidst the turmoil, Wang Xiao had managed to glean valuable lessons from Wang Zhihao''s actions.


    As Wang Zhihao''s ability to provide dwindled, a noticeable shift urred within the dynamics of the family. The change was not confined to their interactions alone; it rippled through their attitudes and perceptions towards him.


    Xinyue Zhn''s kindness towards him had faded into a distant memory, reced by a relentless focus on raising their children. The warmth that once existed between them had withered, leaving behind an unspoken chasm.


    As days passed, an unspoken avoidance began to seep into the family dynamics. The once-frequent interactions now grew sparse, and Wang Xiao found himself bing an ind within his own home.


    Among the family members, Wang Xueying was perhaps the most deliberate in her avoidance, her steps taking her in the opposite direction whenever their paths crossed.


    Wang Xiao gleaned a poignant lesson from this experience¡ªan uplicated truth that etched itself deeply into his understanding. He realized that every rtionship, no matter how close, was fundamentally built on a delicate bnce of dependency.


    The moment that bnce tipped, when a man ceased to fulfill his role of providing, the very foundation of his rtionships began to crumble.


    Bit by bit, he found himself losing those connections, irrespective of how close they once were.


    Yet, Wang Xiao held no sympathy for individuals like Wang Zhihao. To him, they were nothing more than apathetic, internally broken children masquerading as adults. The veneer of maturity they wore was nothing but a facade to hide their own inadequacies.


    The more Wang Xiao matured, the more he recognized the inherent truth: adults were merely grown up children, navigating their existences devoid of any purpose, as best they could. And in this realization, he found a lens through which to view the world, a perspective that shaped his responses and choices.


    _______


    As Wang Xiao walked down the hallway, he paused before Wang Xueying''s door. With a soft knock, he waited for her response before quietly entering the room.


    The scene that greeted him was one of familiarity, yet also a stark representation of the distancing within the family. Wang Xueyingy on her bed, her back turned to the world as she immersed herself in a drama or movie ying on her phone.


    The glow from the screen cast a gentle illumination across her profile, capturing the delicate curve of her features.


    A lone te sat in a corner, evidence of her solitary meal. Wang Xiao knew that once the living area cleared out, she would dutifully return the te to its designated spot, her actions like clockwork within the intricate dance of theirplicated family life.


    Wang Xueying had deftly carved a path of avoidance, keeping her distance from Wang Zhihao. An invisible barrier seemed to shield her from the storm that brewed elsewhere in the house.


    This choice, however, only served to stoke Wang Zhihao''s smoldering frustration. Each interaction with her became a trigger, a source of me he readily cast upon her.


    If only he possessed a touch more insight, he might have realized that his own actions had sewn the seeds of this distance.


    "Brother, do you need something?" Wang Xueying''s voice emerged as she turned off her phone, directing her attention towards him. Her eyes blinked, a blend of curiosity and familiarity in her gaze.


    Without her sses, Wang Xueying''s appearance held a new light, a detail that didn''t go unnoticed.


    ''She would look even better without clothes.''


    Wang Xiao scrunched his face up in frustration, muttering inwardly, ''Can''t you guys be quiet for once?''


    "Why do you assume I onlye when I need something from you?" Wang Xiao brushed aside the intrusive thoughts of his shadow and nonchntly climbed onto Wang Xueying''s bed, recliningzily behind her.


    Wang Xueying''s expression shifted, a mixture of surprise and mild annoyance. "If you don''t need anything, then why are you here? Shoo! I''m in the middle of watching a drama," she spoke, her words slightly hurried.


    Ignoring her dismissive tone, Wang Xiao yfully reached for her phone. "Oh, what''s more important than me that you''re watching?" he asked, an intrigued lilt in his voice.


    "No!"


    "Give me my phone back!" Wang Xueying''s voice took on a determined edge as she lunged forward, her urgency evident in her attempt to retrieve her phone from his grasp.


    Refusing to yield, Wang Xiao gently pushed her aside, managing to catch a glimpse of the drama''s title on the screen. "The Gem of Hearts?" he mused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he realized it must be a new series.


    Wang Xueying''s cheeks flushed crimson as she snatched her phone back, her breath slightly ragged from the brief scuffle. "Why were you looking at my phone? Brother, do you not understand the concept of privacy?" she chided, her embarrassment palpable in her voice.


    Raising an eyebrow, Wang Xiao responded, "Why are you so embarrassed? It''s just a drama."


    Yet, his casual observation only seemed to intensify Wang Xueying''s mortification. At her age, being caught engrossed in a love drama felt embarrassingly juvenile.


    While Wang Xiao understood her perspective, he also thought she might be overthinking it.


    Wang Xiao''s attention was momentarily diverted as his gaze fell upon the way Wang Xueying was positioned before him, seemingly unaware of the effect it might have on him.


    Wang Xueyingy sprawled on the mattress, her limbs arranged in a casual disy offort. Her chin cradled in her hands, she looked at him with a mix of curiosity and intent, her focus unwavering.


    Unbeknownst to her, her loose attire draped her figure in a way that offered tantalizing glimpses of her milky skin beneath. A fleeting, unintentional glimpse took him by surprise, a sight that was meant to be concealed but had momentarily been unveiled.


    Wang Xiao''s voice broke the silence, his words abrupt as he shifted the topic. "Anyways, I''ve dealt with that Hao Zemin. If he troubles you again, tell me directly." With that, he began to make his way out of the room, a sense of urgency propelling his movements.


    Just as he was about to leave, he noticed Wang Xueying''s eyes flicker with a fleeting emotion, a hint of something left unspoken lingering in the air.

 Chapter 19: Wang Xiao busted (2)

    Wang Xiao, "....Anyways, I''ve dealt with that Hao Zemin. If he troubles you again, tell me directly." With that, he began to make his way out of the room, a sense of urgency propelling his movements.


    "Wait! How did you deal with him? Evenst time you didn''t tell me. Are you up to something suspicious, brother?" Wang Xueying''s eyes narrowed, suspicion coloring her gaze as she observed him closely.


    "Nothing as suspicious as you, watching a drama alone," he retorted with a teasing grin, his responseden with yful retort.


    With that, he turned to leave, his exit leaving a stunned Wang Xueying behind.


    Gritting her teeth in frustration, she refocused on the drama, determined to regain herposure and continue watching anyways.


    Wang Xiao understood his own impulses all too well.


    If he lingered any longer in her presence, he was well aware he might be driven to cross a line he shouldn''t.


    It wasn''t that he cared about the consequences¡ªit was just that his current circumstances couldn''t afford such indiscretions.


    With no stable footing to maintain his own life, suppressing his darker instincts was a challenge he grappled with daily, knowing that any misstep could potentially blow up in his face.


    _______


    As he stepped back into his room, a distinct and captivating fragrance immediately enveloped him, assaulting his senses the moment he swung the door open.


    Without needing to see it with his own eyes, Wang Xiao instinctively recognized that it could only be Wang Mei who had filled the room with such an alluring scent.


    A small, faint smile slowly curved his lips as his gaze fell upon her graceful figure, patiently waiting.


    Stretched out on the bed, Wang Meiy with an air of effortless elegance, wearing the scantiest of clothes.


    A delicate quilt partially cloaked her form, adding an aura of mystery to her presence. Lost within the pages of a book, she seemed both a part of her surroundings and a world entirely of her own.


    At the creak of the door, her eyes lifted, and she turned her head to lock eyes with Wang Xiao. In that suspended moment, her tranquil demeanor softened into a gentle, almost ethereal smile that danced in her eyes and yed upon her lips.


    Caught in the intensity of the moment, Wang Xiao found himself involuntarily pausing, his gaze capturing every nuance of her being.


    In these fleeting instances, he became acutely aware of the delicate bnce of his emotions, realizing the depth of his superior emotional control.


    This was a reminder that he wasn''t devoid of feelings but rather possessed the ability to master them¡ªlest he question a potential defect within himself.


    The early onset of puberty was already taking its toll on him. Just moments ago, he had held himself back in front of Wang Xueying, but now, that restraint was beginning to loosen.


    While he maintained an appearance of calmness, a hint of his true feelings started to show. With deliberateposure, he entered the room and softly closed the door behind him.


    Casting the room into a soft, dim light that illuminated their faces, he left most of the lights off.


    "Huh?"


    Wang Mei was taken aback as he gently removed the book from her hands, setting it aside.


    Though no words were spoken, she understood that another round of molestation was about to begin.


    And so, Wang Xiao initiated his customary routine, slipping his hand beneath her head and drawing her closer against his chest.


    His actions seemed innocent enough, but beneath the surface, wicked intentions simmered.


    All the while, he seamlessly blended his teasing activities with casual questions about her day, maintaining a facade of innocent curiosity.


    To be honest, he found immense satisfaction in this bullying her like this.


    There was an undeniable thrill in drawing out her reactions through such subtle means, and he couldn''t help but wonder if the direct approach would be half as entertaining.


    Wang Meicked the developed figure of someone like Lin Xue, yet her faint, sweet aroma always managed to entice Wang Xiao, driving him to the brink ofmiting a crime.


    In this moment, he found himselfpletely engrossed in exploring her body, his actions guided by an almost instinctual desire, deaf to any rational voices that might have lingered in his mind.


    His exploration grew bolder, venturing further and further as his curiosity overtook him.


    Wang Mei''s responses grew faint, her words trailing off until only her parted lips remained, exhaling warm breaths as her gaze remained locked on him, a mixture of anticipation and vulnerability in her eyes.


    Within the room, the surrounding sounds had long faded into a distant murmur, leaving only the syncopated rhythm of their breathing to fill the cozy space beneath the quilt.


    The thrill of indulging in this illicit intimacy surged within them both, fanning the mes of their desires. The allure of the forbidden was undeniable, exemplified by the almost imperceptible, swallowed sound that escaped from one of their lips.


    Lost in their private world, Wang Xiao shifted slightly, repositioning her body to rest upon his chest. Their eyes remained locked in a gaze thatmunicated unspoken understanding.


    One of his hands wandered across her smooth back, a tender caress that left a trail of warmth in its wake.


    Their history was marked by numerous instances of nudity and exploratory touches, a dance of intimacy that had always remained unspoken, a subtle ambiguity that fueled their interactions.


    In this particr moment, as Wang Mei''s face drew closer to his, an unfamiliar fear gripped her.


    It was as if some irreversible threshold beckoned, a point of no return that hovered in the air, unspoken yet palpable.


    The customary unspoken understandings that had paved their way through these encounters suddenly felt fragile, their usual implicit excuses threatened to lose their power.


    Normally, Wang Xiao would never have let things escte to this juncture.


    He had always been adept at maintaining a sense of control, ensuring that even in their most uninhibited moments, boundaries were respected.


    Yet today, his hands seemed to possess a mind of their own, teasing above the fabric of her buttocks, introducing an unexpected tension into the atmosphere¡ªa tension that left the choice to her, hanging in the bnce.


    Was he growing weary of the game they had yed for so long?


    Had he be too lost in the sensations to consider the consequences?


    Or perhaps, there was an entirely different motivation guiding his actions...

 Chapter 20: Wang Xiao busted (3)

    Or perhaps, there was an entirely different motivation guiding his actions...


    Wang Mei''s mental fortitude paled inparison to his, and a sense of inevitability drew her tender lips closer to his, inch by inch, until the realization struck her like a bolt of lightning.


    !!


    Her eyes flew open in shock as she found herself enveloped by him. His hands rested on her back, and he leaned in, capturing her lips with his own in a kiss that seemed to taste the very essence of her, a vor both new and intoxicating.


    A contented sigh escaped from his closed eyes, a reflection of his satisfaction and desire. In stark contrast, Wang Mei grappled with a strange mixture of fear and weakness, her body overridden by the voice of her desires, a force she felt powerless to resist.


    Her heart raced like a constant drumbeat, a stark contrast to the apparent calmness that emanated from Wang Xiao. The sensations coursing through her seemed to both electrify and paralyze her.


    Yet, Wang Xiao''s hunger was far from sated. As he drew back slightly from her lips, a demand for more was evident in his gaze. After all, she had initiated this, and he was merely following her lead.


    His lips found new terrain, grazing against her shoulders and neck, sending surges of electric currents through her body with every touch.


    !!


    In a desperate attempt to regain some control, Wang Mei pressed her hands against the mattress, intending to lift herself up and squirm away from him.


    But fate seemed to conspire against her; her hands sank into the soft mattress, their weakness failing to lift her weight.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao''s grip on her waist was firm, offering just enough freedom for movement but effectively preventing her escape.


    A sense of entrapment began to envelop her, her toes fidgeting anxiously as she grappled with the uncertainty of whaty ahead.


    *Gasp!*


    The piercing sound of a gasp suddenly shattered the charged atmosphere, instantly capturing both of their attention.


    "Hmm?"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes fluttered open, a trace of confusion clouding his features as he shifted his gaze to Wang Mei, whose expression had frozen in response to the unexpected intrusion.


    Her eyes were locked on the door, her face slightly pale, as if seen a ghost.


    !!


    A surge of realization swept through him, mirroring the wide-eyed astonishment that now graced his features. His gaze swiftly turned toward the half-opened door, through which a sliver of hallway light filtered in.


    Busted!


    That single word resonated in Wang Xiao''s mind as the full weight of the situation dawned on him¡ªhe had been caught red-handed.


    _________


    A few minutes prior...


    Inside Wang Xueying''s room, her attention remained on the unfolding drama on the screen, but her thoughts were elsewhere, preupied by something more personal.


    ''I didn''t even show him my gratitude,'' she mused, her expression turning slightly pensive as the images continued to flicker before her eyes.


    Wang Xiao hade to her rescue for the second time now, yet she hadn''t even expressed her thanks.


    Such details might have normally slipped her mind, but for some reason, this time it had taken root, the mental image of Wang Xiao leaving her room in frustration ying on a loop in her mind.


    Finally, with a resigned sigh, she closed her phone, sensing a need to step outside herfort zone. Determinedly, she made her way down the quiet hallway, her steps carrying her closer to his room.


    She contemted knocking on his door, but as she approached, she realized it was already slightly open. With a casual shrug, she pushed it open gently, revealing the soft illumination within.


    ''Why is the lighting so dim? Is he already asleep?'' Her thoughts were tinged with confusion as she stepped forward, her hand maintaining contact with the door until it was half-open, offering her a glimpse of the interior.


    !!


    In an instant, her body seemed to freeze, and a gasp involuntarily escaped her lips, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she drew a deep breath.


    ''Wh-What are they doing!?'' Her mind raced, the scene before her bing clearer by the second. The state of the room, the positioning¡ªit all became painfully obvious, and a faint blush crept onto her skin.


    Simultaneously, Wang Mei seemed to turn her head in a helpless motion, and as Wang Xiao began kissing her neck, their eyes met by pure chance.


    Wang Xueying''s widened gaze locked onto Wang Mei''s, and a shock of recognition pulsed between them.


    !!


    Wang Xueying''s heart leapt in her chest, shock rippling through her like an electric current.


    Meanwhile, Wang Mei''s face drained of color, leaving both girls staring in stunned silence.


    They remained locked in a trance-like gaze, utterly bewildered, until Wang Xiao''s resigned p to his forehead drew their attention.


    The sense of intrusion snapped both of them back to reality, and Wang Xueying''s instinct to flee kicked in.


    *Boom!*


    The door swung shut abruptly, cutting off the scene from view. Wang Xueying''s feet pounded against the cool tiles as she raced away, her thoughts and emotions in disarray.


    Back in her room, she flung herself onto the bed, burying her face in a pillow, her mind reeling.


    ''Mei and brother!''


    ''They were... making out!?''


    ''B-But...''


    Her thoughts were a jumble of confusion, embarrassment, and a hint of realization that she had identally witnessed something she wasn''t meant to see.


    Despite Wang Xueying''s attempts to process the situation, everything remained a jumble of iprehensible thoughts.


    She twisted and turned on her bed, her body echoing the tumult within her mind.


    Meanwhile, Wang Jiarong pushed open the door to her own room, her gaze quickly scanning the surroundings for any signs ofmotion. "Strange?" she mumbled to herself, a puzzled expression on her face.


    "Are they fighting?" she concluded, her mind jumping to the simplest exnation. With a resigned sigh, she closed her door, oblivious to the pandemonium unfolding elsewhere in the house.


    _____


    "S-She saw us!" Wang Mei blurted out in panic as soon as the door was closed, hastily sitting up and adjusting her disheveled clothing.


    Wang Xiao managed a wry smile. "Indeed she did."


    Wang Mei''s wide-eyed gaze fixed on him, a mix of anxiety and uncertainty in her expression.


    Observing her reaction, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but suppress augh, the irony of the situation not lost on him. It was a rare sight to witness Wang Mei in a state of panic.


    ''Bastard, haha! Forget to lock the door in lust!''


    ''You deserve it!''


    ''It''s time to serve in child prison now!''


    Wang Xiao''s face twitched at the internalmentary. ''Can''t you guys suggest something constructive instead of making fun of me? If you can''t, just be quiet already!'' he mentally retorted.


    "..."


    ''See him, that guy!''


    ''He messes things up, and then mes us!''


    ''Indeed!''


    Wang Xiao felt a pang of frustration as the shadows in his mind continued adding insult to his injury.


    Why couldn''t they provide any useful advice when he needed it most?


    "Wh-what do we do now...?" Wang Mei''s voice quivered as she sat over his chest, her eyes searching his face for answers.


    Wang Xiao managed a bittersweet smile. "I would go and talk to her," he replied with a reluctant sigh, standing up to face the impending conversation.


    Just as he was about to leave, his fingers were anxiously clutched by a trembling Wang Mei. Her voice quivered, "What if she tells¡ª"


    "Shh, she won''t tell anyone," Wang Xiao reassured her, drawing her closer to his chest, providing a smallfort amidst her emotional turmoil.


    Wang Mei nodded weakly, her teary eyes meeting his before he took a deep breath and left the room.


    Fortunate for him, his rtionship with Wang Xueying wasn''t strained, allowing him to believe that a direct conversation might resolve the situation.


    Otherwise, he might have been left scrambling for solutions if Wang Jiarong had been the one to walk in on them.

 Chapter 21: Wang Xueyings warning! (1)

    Wang Xiao stood before the closed door of Wang Xueying''s room, a sigh escaping his lips as he contemted the situation that awaited him on the other side.


    Should he knock? The thought crossed his mind, but then he remembered the flinch he had observed from Wang Xueying through the door, her anxious eyes focused on the entrance.


    Despite his hesitation, he decided to push the door open gently. "Hm?" he mumbled to himself as he entered, finding Wang Xueying with her back turned to him, lying on the bed. She appeared to be either asleep or pretending to be, although thetter seemed more likely.


    She looked more like she was pretending to be dead.


    Wang Xiao quietly closed the door behind him, the sound causing Wang Xueying to suck in a sharp breath in surprise, her heart racing with nervous anticipation.


    ''Is he gone?'' Wang Xueying wondered, still too frightened to move.


    With no more soundsing from the room, she sighed in relief. "Finally..." she muttered, kicking the quilt aside as she prepared to sit up. However, her moment of respite was shattered when she was met with a pair of red eyes staring at her. Wang Xiao leaned against the wall, his gaze locked on her.


    !!


    Wang Xueying froze, her voice stuttering as she stammered, "B-Brother!" She hastily turned on thempshade beside her bed, casting light across the room.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow in surprise as he observed her sudden transformation.


    "I didn''t see anything!"


    "I swear, I am blind!"


    She clutched the quilt and hugged her knees, her wordsing out in a panicked rush, leaving Wang Xiao momentarily speechless.


    "...What are you trying to do?" he finally asked, bewildered by her reaction.


    Wang Xueying stopped shivering, slowly raising her head. "You aren''t here to kill me?" she inquired with a hint of suspicion in her voice.


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Wang Xiao stared at Wang Xueying, initially taken aback by her exnation.


    Wang Xueying, feigning confusion, brought a finger to her face, saying, "Isn''t this how it usually goes in those dramas? You see something you shouldn''t, and then you get killed?"


    Her words prompted a mechanical nod from Wang Xiao. "I was indeed here to kill you," his expression deadpanned.


    !!


    "What!?"


    Wang Xueying stared at him in sheer disbelief, her heart pounding.


    "No, D-don''te close!"


    She raised her hands in a futile attempt to stop him from approaching, but he easily leaped over her, and the next sounds that filled the room were her terrified screams.


    In the end, Wang Xiao managed to quell her dramatic tendencies and her penchant for over-the-top drama plots. Wang Xueyingy there, breathless and helpless, finally admitting defeat. "B-Brother, it''s enough!"


    "I admit defeat!"


    Wang Xiao released his grip on her hands, his figure falling onto the mattress next to her, enveloping the room in a heavy silence.


    "...."


    After a prolonged silence, Wang Xueying''s breaths faded into near silence, her gaze fixated on the ceiling as if she were staring into a distant abyss.


    Gradually, her expression shifted, bing marked by a deep seriousness.


    She hesitated for a moment before finally parting her lips and inquiring, "... Brother, was what I witnessed in there truly real?"


    "..."


    Her words hung in the air, met by silence, until Wang Xiao responded with a subtle smile, "If you saw it, then it must have been real."


    *gasp!*


    Wang Xueying''s breath quickened, but she couldn''t muster the courage to ask him directly.


    Thankfully, she wasn''t facing him, her gaze locked on the ceiling, providing her with a newfound sense of confidence.


    "So, there is indeed something between you and Wang Mei?"


    Her words ceased being a mere question; they transformed into a statement of disbelief.


    In this peculiar moment, Wang Xiao found himself eerilyposed, wondering why he didn''t feel the usual tension, while Wang Xueying attempted to make sense of the whole situation.


    "It''s all wrong..." she muttered, her voice heavy with a deep sigh.


    "You both can''t do this. If Dad finds out, you guys would be..." Suddenly, she lost the thread of her words.


    Wang Xiao remained silent.


    Wang Xueying, growing increasingly frustrated at hisck of response, pushed him slightly with her hand. She couldn''tprehend why he would engage in such risky behavior.


    "Hey, I''m talking to you!"


    "Are you even listening to me!?"


    "I am," Wang Xiao calmly replied, a faint smile ying on his lips. This unexpected response left Wang Xueying nearly furious. She sat up to scrutinize his face, only to find him smiling with his eyes closed.


    What!?


    In disbelief, Wang Xueying pressed her lips together and, without warning, delivered a sharp fist to his chest.


    "Agh!" Wang Xiao''s eyes shot wide open as he sat up abruptly, his attention now focused on Wang Xueying, who was sporting a satisfied grin.


    Wang Xueying smiled triumphantly. "Serves you right!"


    Wang Xiao red at her in frustration, his chest still stinging from the unexpected punch. "You''re insane!" He spoke, rubbing his chest in efforts to soothe the pain.


    "Huh?"


    Wang Xueying retorted, "I''m insane!?"


    "It''s you guys who are insane!"


    "Both of you are brother and sister, but still¡ª"


    "Ugh! Never mind that. Just how long have you guys been doing this!?" Wang Xueying was at a loss for words to express the level of surprise she was experiencing.


    In the charged atmosphere, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but notice that Wang Xueying was rarely this concerned, if not for rare moments like this he almost forget that she was his elder in age.


    With a casual air, he finally admitted, "It''s been a few months," and watched as Wang Xueying''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    Wang Xueying, "So, this is why Mei was sleeping in your room!?"


    Realization hit her like a sudden storm, and Wang Xiao lightly tapped her head. "Why are you getting so worked up?" he asked.


    "Brother, did you hit your head and lose your intelligence?" Wang Xueying''s hand gently rested on his forehead, a furrow forming on her brow as she worried that he might be sick, his brain malfunctioning. "Do you really have no idea what you''re doing!?"


    "It''s one thing to care for your sister, but you absolutely can''t cross those boundaries!" Her voice carried a tone of stern admonishment as she stressed the importance of their familial bond.

 Chapter 22: Wang Xueyings warning (2)

    "It''s one thing to care for your sister, but you absolutely can''t cross those boundaries!" Wang Xueying''s voice carried a tone of stern admonishment as she stressed the importance of their familial bond.


    Wang Xiao abruptly pped her hands away, his frustration evident. "Why should I even care?"


    "...."


    Wang Xueying fell silent, growing increasingly concerned about her brother''s behavior.


    Thankfully, Wang Xiao''s rational side resurfaced. "Nobody knows about this. Mom and Dad are clueless, and Jiarong is in the dark as well. As for you¡ª?" His gaze suddenly locked onto her, causing Wang Xueying to instinctively gulp. "I-I didn''t see anything," she dramatically confessed, but it only darkened Wang Xiao''s expression as he caught her hands and gripped them tightly.


    "I don''t want to hear jokes, Xueying," he emphasized, his eyes sharpening.


    Wang Xueying''s expression changed.


    *p*


    She swatted his hands away, letting out an exasperated sigh as she flopped onto the mattress. "Geez, why are you taking this so seriously?"


    "Do you really think that if I told anyone, they''d believe me?" She pouted, not pleased with his earlier re.


    Wang Xiao nodded, satisfied with her response. "I''ll get you that subscription you wanted," he proposed, recalling her desire for a subscription to a specific app that Wang Zhihao had refused to allow due to her grades.


    "Hm?" Wang Xueying was pleasantly surprised, and she burst intoughter, the melodic sound filling the room with a surreal atmosphere.


    "...Are you trying to bribe me?" she asked, her suspicion evident.


    "Indeed, I am," Wang Xiao admitted.


    Wang Xueying paused for a moment before countering, "I need another subscription as well," not willing to be bought off too easily.


    Wang Xiao nodded. "Deal then?" He extended his fist toward her, and after a brief hesitation, she fist-bumped him.


    "Deal!"


    Once again, an awkward silence settled over the room, both of them lying on their backs and staring at the ceiling, their hearts beating calmly in the newfound understanding between them.


    "...Do you really like Mei?" Wang Xueying asked, her curiosity getting the best of her, even though she felt she shouldn''t have asked.


    "Is there a problem?" Wang Xiao inquired.


    "That, in itself, is a problem..." Wang Xueying smiled wryly. If it weren''t for the intensity he had shown earlier, she might have believed he didn''t fully grasp the gravity of the situation and was still just a child.


    "I don''t really like her," Wang Xueying suddenly confessed.


    Wang Xiao wasn''t surprised. "You don''t like anyone in the family," he said, based on his understanding of her.


    Wang Xueying nodded. "...You''re right! But I think, I still like you."


    "Huh?"


    !!


    "No!" Wang Xueying suddenly stood up with wide eyes. "That sounds so wrong!"


    "I-I mean, I don''t feel repulsed by you like I do with others!"


    "Damn, what am I saying!?"


    No matter how she tried to exin herself, Wang Xueying only seemed to dig herself deeper into an embarrassing hole.


    Blushing and mortified, she covered her face with her hands, then peeked at Wang Xiao, only to find him grinning widely.


    Suddenly, Wang Xiao yfully leaped over her, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug.


    He took advantage of the moment to inhale her fragrance, teasing her, "I never knew my sister loved me this much, huh?"


    Wang Xiao pretended to overpower her, and Wang Xueying''s initial awkwardness faded as she retorted, "Y-You beast, stay away from me!"


    "Haha," Wang Xiao chuckled.


    Wang Xueying clenched her jaw in frustration at hisughter. "I''ll break your teeth if you touch me inappropriately."


    "Don''t think I''m Mei and I''ll tolerate it!"


    She yelled, but Wang Xiao continued to hug her, gently caressing her forehead. "I never knew my sister was this shy. Come on, let your brother give you a kiss..."


    In a daring move, he nted a kiss on her forehead, causing her face to turn as red as a tomato. Finally, she pushed him away.


    "Haa... Now I know how you tricked Mei! You''re a despicable scoundrel, brother!" Wang Xueying eximed, rubbing her forehead while secretly trying to calm her trembling heart and racing breath.


    Wang Xiao, on the other hand, ced both hands behind his head and calmly stated, "I didn''t trick anyone. In fact, she was the one who approached me first."


    "What!?" Wang Xueying was taken aback once again. "S-She approached you first!?" She asked, startled, unable to reconcile this information with her image of Wang Mei.


    However, Wang Xiao nodded seriously, saying, "Hmm."


    This confirmation left a bitter taste in Wang Xueying''s mouth. Little did she know that Wang Xiao was, in fact, lying to her.


    He didn''t want to admit that he had initiated inappropriate contact with Wang Mei while she was sleeping, as it would tarnish his image in her eyes.


    There was another hidden desire, one that hoped this revtion might somehow prompt Wang Xueying to confess her true feelings to him someday, although the chances of that happening were slim.


    Wang Xiao found himself in an odd emotional dilemma. On one hand, he harbored desires for Wang Xueying, but on the other, he was apprehensive about it because he had no idea how he would handle both Wang Mei and Wang Xueying at the same time.


    He didn''t want to bite off more than he could chew. Already, he was taking a significant risk by engaging in a rtionship with Wang Mei, and adding another with Wang Xueying seemed daunting.


    As Wang Xiao contemted this,plex emotions yed across Wang Xueying''s face. Contrary to what he had expected, his words triggered a connection in her mind to an entirely different incident.


    "I think Mei is trying to trick you," she suddenly spoke, taking him by surprise.


    "Trick? What on earth are you talking about?" Wang Xiao asked, his confusion evident in his furrowed brows.


    Wang Xueying could see that he waspletely lost and feltpelled to shed light on her concerns. She leaned in closer and whispered, "Brother, you have no idea how cunning these girls can be. Don''t be deceived by their innocent look and cute smiles; beneath that facade, they can be wicked."


    Wang Xiao, though not exactly thrilled to be on the receiving end of her lecture, found her seriousness amusing and encouraged her to continue.


    In a hushed tone, Wang Xueying continued her warning, "...You know, there was a girl in our ss who used a boy for a month, pretending to be all sweet and then falsely used him of various things to the homeroom teacher. To this day, she''s still extorting him."


    "You need to be careful."


    As Wang Xueying recounted the story with a serious expression and tone, Wang Xiao was left momentarily speechless.


    There was a moment when he could have taken her warning to heart and be guarded against Wang Mei, if not for the fact that he was ultimately the one taking advantage of her.


    "Huh?"


    Suddenly, Wang Xueying let out a startled exmation as Wang Xiao patted her head sympathetically, making a mental note to protect her innocence.


    However, another voice broke through, as Wang Xueying visibly got angry at being treated like a child and lunged at him for it.

 Chapter 23: The blooming Youth...

    The chaos in Wang Xueying''s room finally subsided, leaving a faint blush on her dry cheeks. Shey there, breathing heavily from the earlier scuffle with Wang Xiao, which she had inevitably lost due to her smaller size.


    Wang Xiao, on the other hand, closed his eyes, enjoying thefortable silence that enveloped them. However, the same couldn''t be said for Wang Xueying, whose mind was in disarray.


    The human mind, is truly unique.


    It constantly seeks social connections, and when that need isn''t met, the void in the heart eagerlytches onto even the smallest gesture of connection.


    Wang Xueying''s eyes subtly nced over his face, which was now bathed in the dim orange light of themp. The more she looked at him, the more chaotic her thoughts became.


    Wang Xueying couldn''t help but think that Wang Xiao was right. Despite being surrounded by her family in her own home, she felt like a stranger living between these dark walls. Every day, she went to great lengths to avoid drawing attention to herself at school.


    It had all started when she entered senior high. The constant gazes of her peers threatened to suffocate her, and she became the target of jealousy-driven bullying from other girls.


    To shield herself from the torment, she resorted to wearing sses that hid her appearance, along with a different hairstyle that covered most of her face.


    A traumatic family experiencebined with the relentless bullying at school had taken a toll on her mental health. The dramas she watched became one of her coping mechanisms.


    So, whenever she was near Wang Xiao, these were the rare moments when she found joy. He didn''t seem to judge her for anything or force her to do anything. These times with him were the best moments of her life, she could confidently say that.


    In Wang Xueying''s world, her rtionship with Wang Xiao had always been purely sibling-like, a connection of trust andfort.


    But that certainty started to waver as the relentless image of Wang Mei''s lips pressing against his reyed in her mind within the quiet confines of their home.


    Today, an unexpected seed had been nted, and it was sprouting, slowly but surely.


    Now, whenever she stole a nce at his face, an inexplicable sensation began to wash over her. The mental rey of the scene yed again, except this time, she was the one standing in for Wang Mei.


    In her daydream, she slowly leaned closer, feeling a rush of warmth as her tender lips brushed against his¡ª


    !!


    Her fantasy was abruptly shattered, as she pped herself back to the harsh reality of her own room.


    She was suddenly aware of how rapidly her heart was pounding, and this realization made her gulp nervously, her mind now filled with fear and uncertainty about the unknown territory her thoughts had started to wander into.


    "Hm? Are you alright?" Wang Xiao turned his head around and asked, concern in his eyes.


    Wang Xueying''s heart raced once more as she was caught off guard by his question. She smiled wryly, "I-its alright. Just a mosquito was disturbing me, much like how you keep disturbing me all the time!" She ended her sentence with a yful pout, masking her inner turmoil with a convincing act.


    Women, she thought, are truly born actresses.


    ''She''s lying; I didn''t hear any mosquitoes!'' A sudden shadow of doubt materialized in front of Wang Xiao, but he simply nodded in response.


    He hadn''t heard any mosquitoes either, but he was utterly clueless as to why else she would have pped herself.


    For now, he decided, it was best not to dwell on it.


    The reason why Wang Xiao hadn''t left her room was quite simple; he entertained the thought of spending the night there with her.


    Perhaps, hidden desires simr to those that had motivated his actions with Wang Mei yed a role in his decision.


    "Brother..." Suddenly, a whisper-like voice echoed in the room.


    "I wanted to thank you for helping me twice," Wang Xueying confessed, her voice quivering. "I-I went into your room earlier for that. I certainly didn''t intend to spy on you."


    "Really?" Wang Xiao turned to her, his face tinged with suspicion. "Are you sure you didn''t want to catch me naked and then extort money from me?"


    "What!?" Wang Xueying''s mouth fell open in surprise, just as Wang Xiao flicked her head and burst intoughter. "Why are you so surprised? Obviously, you had no reason to spy on me, so why so serious? Just remember to knock next time," he reminded her.


    Wang Xueying sighed inwardly. She wanted to point out that the door had been left open, and it was his mistake. However, that would inevitably lead to a discussion of the taboo topic she was trying her best to avoid.


    As Wang Xueying gazed into his ever-charming eyes, she couldn''t help but speak her mind. "I always thought you were the perfect brother, but it seems like you have ws too," she said, her smile faint but genuine.


    The w she referred to wasn''t his mistake of leaving the door open; it was the fact that he had entered into a rtionship with his own sister. This act, in no way, aligned with the societal norms upheld by the majority.


    Wang Xiao simply nodded in response. "That''s natural," he admitted. He had never deluded himself into thinking that his actions were universally seen as virtuous. As long as he could look at himself in the mirror and say that he did what needed to be done without cowering due to societal expectations, he considered it a sess.


    Wang Xueying was momentarily taken aback by his remarkably casual reply. She smiled bitterly and continued, "How can you be so unbothered? Don''t you fear people hating you, brother?


    You do know that you''re going to receive a lot of hate in the future if you continue living like this." Her words weren''t just out of concern for him but also a reflection of her own struggles with the overwhelming hate she had been enduring.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, appearing somewhat surprised by the ignorance of human nature. "Do you know when people hate you?" he asked.


    Wang Xueying shook her head, confessing, "No idea. Maybe they just don''t like you?"


    Wang Xiao smiled faintly and sighed. His eyes gleamed like orbs in the dimly lit room as he exined, "Not really. People don''t hate you; they hate difference."


    "When you deviate from their norms, they dislike you. If you differ from what they themselves consider noble, they dislike you. They dislike anything that doesn''t mirror their own beliefs and values."


    "People are drawn to those who resemble them, who share their beliefs. Every time you stand out from the crowd, you invite hate, not because you are wrong, but because you are unique."


    "Unique people should be prepared to receive the disdain of those around them; it''s the cost of being different."


    Wang Xiao ruffled Wang Xueying''s hair, his words directed more at her. "People at school may hate you because you stand out, because you look better than them. Now, it''s up to you how you respond. Will you suppress yourself and let their views win, or will you assert yourself with confidence and push back? It''s a game of who wille out on top."


    !!


    Wang Xueying''s face suddenly bore the expression of realization. Her eyes became slightly misty as she unconsciously extended her arms, wrapping them around Wang Xiao''s body in a tight hug.


    She cried silently, her emotions welling up without a single tear, yet her expression spoke volumes about her feelings.


    In this moment, Wang Xiao found himself ying the role of the protective elder brother. He stayed there with her until she released him, eventually walking out of her room.


    His n had been too risky today. If he had tried to take things further during the night, he might have needed time to recuperate.


    However, witnessing how easily people could break down often surprised him. Even Wang Zhihao, who had always yelled at his family, was no exception.


    Wang Xiao was convinced that he, too, was just another person who was mentally exhausted, struggling to survive.


    He couldn''t help but think that Xinyue Zhn and many others weren''t any different.


    Most people are born into this world and simply fall into the pattern of society, taking from it and eventually giving back.


    The monotonous repetition of this pattern often wears people down, and many never stop to ponder why they were brought into this world in the first ce.


    Theyck their own goals, thoughts, or unique ideas. Instead, they merely embrace the ideas handed down by those who came before them.


    With these heavy thoughts clouding his mind, Wang Xiao re-entered the room. However, the sudden burst of bright light startled him, causing him to reflexively shut his eyes for a moment.

 Chapter 24: Suspended!

    The soft, ambient light pouring from the room startled Wang Xiao as he entered. In the dimness, he found Wang Mei perched on the edge of the bed, her legs nervously entwined, her gaze locked onto the floor.


    There she was, Wang Mei, perched delicately on the edge of the bed. Her legs moved restlessly, entwining and untwining in a dance of anxiety.


    Her gaze was fixated on the floor, as if searching for answers in the grain of the wood.


    A devious thought crossed Wang Xiao''s mind as he observed her distress, an urge to heighten her unease. He moved silently, like a phantom, closing the door with a soft click, ensuring that it was securely locked.


    Wang Mei''s eyes,rge and doe-like, darted towards him in an instant. "W-what did she say?" she stammered, her voice quivering with uncertainty.


    Wang Xiao chose not to respond directly. Instead, he maintained his silence, adding to the tension that hung in the air. Wang Mei''s anxiety escted with every passing moment, oblivious to his true intentions.


    Little did she know that today, Wang Xiao was in the mood for a little game.


    Finally, he faced her with a grave expression, his breath held as a solemn demeanor settled upon him. "Xueying," he began, "she mentioned that she ns to confess everything to Mother tomorrow."


    *Sigh..*


    A deep, resigned sigh escaped Wang Xiao''s lips, leaving Wang Mei utterly astonished.


    A shiver coursed through her body as she grappled with the implications of his previous words.


    Watching herplexion grow paler with each passing moment, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but chuckle softly, shaking his head.


    He abandoned his mischievous game, opting for reassurance instead. "It''s alright," he soothingly assured her, "Xueying won''t reveal anything. I''ve already had a chat with her."


    He reached over to switch off the main lights, leaving only the soft, gentle glow of themps. Then, he settled onto the bed.


    Wang Mei''s little brain was still rebooting from the shock of his previous revtions, her childlike mind struggling to process the onught of emotions.


    As her mental reboot concluded, she suddenly realized that Wang Xiao was now holding her from behind, his arms enveloping her like a protective cocoon.


    The feeling was bothforting and unexpected, leaving her momentarily stunned.


    "B-Brother, please... don''t do it," she pleaded, her voice filled with a troubled tone as a small shadow crept into her mind after being caught by Wang Xueying.


    Her body contorted, desperately twisting and turning to break free from his tight grasp.


    But her struggles only seemed to fuel Wang Xiao''s attack, his actions growing more aggressive. He nibbled at her delicate ears, leaving a trail of passionate kisses along the nape of her neck, and continued his tormenting assault until both of them sumbed to sleep.


    In that moment, with the taste of his sadistic tendencies lingering, Wang Mei was forced to confront a dark reality about her brother''s sadistic side.


    Thankfully, Wang Xiao possessed a shard of restraint, preventing him from inflicting even more emotional wounds upon her fragile state today.


    ___________


    Date: 27th December


    Location: Green Oasis Academy


    As the morning sun peeked through the windows, illuminating the corridors of Green Oasis Academy, Wang Xiao found himself halted in his tracks by Lei Xia.


    The urgency in her voice was palpable as shemanded, "Wang Xiao,e with me to the dean''s office!"


    A furrow formed between Wang Xiao''s brows, betraying his confusion as he contemted his next move.


    With a resigned sigh, he reluctantlyplied, following behind Lei Xia.


    However, his gaze couldn''t help but wander to her figure, entranced by the mesmerizing sway of her hips.


    Yet, within the depths of his mind, a sinister chorus of voices began to taunt him, an ominous symphony that only he could hear.


    Echoing whispers invaded his thoughts, as shadowy apparitions of himself materialized and walked alongside him.


    ''That woman surely gets pumped by that dean!'' used one voice, dripping with disdain.


    ''Indeed, what could she possibly want with the dean?'' asked another, his tone tinged with suspicion.


    ''Has she informed the dean about your previous disrespect in her ss?'' questioned a third voice, insinuating a possible motive.


    The darkness within Wang Xiao''s thoughts grew more alluring as suggestions tainted his conscience. ''Why don''t you just give that tantalizing booty a firm p?'' taunted one of the sinister voices, robbing him of hisposure.


    Struggling to keep hisposure, Wang Xiao took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he sought sce from the invading thoughts.


    He questioned whether what he experienced was a mere manifestation of his own wicked desires or whether these temptations were projected upon him by those surrounding him, and his shadows were now independently thinking?


    Reality, once so clear and tangible, began to blur with the illusions that consumed his mind.


    Slowly, the line between what was real and what was imagined grew thin, leaving him adrift in a disorienting haze.


    As Wang Xiao entered the hallowed office of the Dean, an oppressive sense of foreboding hung heavy in the air, transforming the mundane space into a chamber of judgment.


    Every step he took seemed to echo with the weight of impending consequences, causing his entire being to coil with tension.


    Inside the room, a tableau of conflict unfolded. Seated with an air of defiance, Zhao Yang bore the visible evidence of their recent sh¡ªa bandage adorning his head.


    His parents nked him, their expressions dripping with disdain, and their gazes were like daggers, aimed squarely at Wang Xiao, a silent usation.


    In the charged silence, no words were exchanged; none were necessary.


    Wang Xiao understood everything and knew the next clich¨¦ court proceedings in advance. He stood still as the trial progressed slowly.


    It was the Dean''s authoritative voice that shattered the stillness, a pronouncement that resounded like a gavel strike in a courtroom. "Wang Xiao, you are suspended for the next seven days. Return with your parents if you seek reinstatement to this institution."


    With the court drama''s final verdict delivered, Wang Xiao found himself standing alone outside the Dean''s office.


    Life around him resumed its normal cadence, with students and staff bustling about their duties.


    As Zhao Yang brushed past him, emitting a derisive snort, Wang Xiao''s countenance underwent a chilling transformation. His smile, once warm, now revealed an icy, calcted edge.


    The notion that Wang Xiao had acted recklessly and impulsively, without regard for the consequences, certainly danced through the minds of onlookers.


    His sh with Zhao Yang had been explosive, the culmination of a simmering rivalry that had spiraled out of control.


    Some questioned whether he had truly thought through the repercussions of his actions, while others whispered in hushed tones about the sheer audacity of his confrontation.


    However, Wang Xiao knew that the winter holidays had descended upon the school, casting a temporary hush over its halls.


    Despite the festive season, the academic grind continued unabated, with extra sses persisting to amodate the ongoing exams for various sections of the student body.


    He consoled himself with the knowledge that the exams would soon conclude, and the seven-day suspension notice would fade into insignificance, as the winter vacations kicks in.


    All he had to do was endure these few days.


    His daily routine would remain unchanged; he would leave home as always.


    However, instead ofing to school, he had other ns¡ªventuring elsewhere, biding his time until it was safe to return home.


    Curiously, his parents had been spared a direct summons.


    Credit for this fortunate turn of events could be attributed to none other than Chen Yongzheng, his mathematics and homeroom teacher, also his tutor, who had also be his unwitting aplice in their shared deeds.


    Chen Yongzheng had valiantly defended Wang Xiao during the trial, skillfully navigating the treacherous waters of school bureaucracy to shield his young charge.


    With a meticulously crafted n in mind, Wang Xiao prepared to venture beyond the confines of the school grounds.


    His resolve was unwavering until a sudden sound pierced the air, a voice calling out to him in the most unexpected of moments.


    "Wang Xiao, wait!"

 Chapter 25: Fu Yuxin: Blood for Blood, Sister for a Sister!

    "Wang Xiao, wait!"


    The unexpected voice brought Wang Xiao to an abrupt halt, his curiosity piqued.


    He turned to find Chen Li, a short-haired boy from his ss, looking at him urgently. "Wait for me, near the left entrance," Chen Li suggested before dashing back towards their ssroom.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed as he watched Chen Li''s retreating figure.


    Without a word, he shouldered his school bag and made his way towards the left entrance, keeping a discreet distance from the school''s boundaries.


    As he walked along the perimeter, he noticed a particr section of the school''s boundaries where the walls were slightly shorter, just enough for someone to jump over.


    This infamous exit point was a well-known spot among students seeking to skip school.


    Whoosh!


    And then, with a sudden rush of air, a school bag soared over the wall,nding neatly on his side.


    Following closely behind, Chen Li made his daring leap, jumping over the wall with a touch of uncertainty, nearly stumbling uponnding.


    "Hahaha," Chen Liughed, brushing off imaginary dust from his clothes. "I just heard that old bastard suspended you for one week!"


    "Why did youe?" Wang Xiao handed Chen Li''s school bag to him as they walked towards the nearest metro.


    "Haha! Brother Wang, you didn''t want me to stay there alone and face that witch, did you?" Chen Li grinned. "That Zhao Yang is a real piece of work. He actually reported you to the teacher, and that witch actually listened to him! Tsk!"


    Wang Xiao sighed and gave a faint smile. "That ''witch'' (Lei Xia) can''t betray her master, after all."


    "Brother, are you serious!?" Chen Li was taken aback, looking at Wang Xiao in astonishment.


    Wang Xiao chuckled. "She has something going on with Zhao Yang''s father."


    "!!" Chen Li cursed under his breath, clearly disturbed by the revtion. But Wang Xiao wasn''t done. "Not just that, Zhao Yang wants to give green hat to his own father, and Lei Xia is well aware of Zhao Yang''s intentions towards her."


    "Damn!" Chen Li''s anger red. "Tsk, that ''witch'' turns out to be quite the yer, huh? Brother, those father and son won''t be sharing women, will they?"


    "No idea," Wang Xiao replied, his gaze fixed on the path ahead.


    Observing the dynamics between Lei Xia and Zhao Yang''s father, he couldn''t help but notice something amiss.


    At the conclusion of their conversation, Lei Xia, instead of a simple handshake, had embraced Zhao Yang''s father, pointedly ignoring his wife.


    Throughout the exchange, Zhao Yang wore an expression that was a mix of ugliness and jealousy. The situation hadplexities that ran deeper than Wang Xiao could fathom.


    Wang Xiao toyed with the idea of revenge, imagining catching Zhao Yang and Lei Xia in apromising situation and anonymously sending the evidence to Zhao Yang''s father.


    It was a tempting n, but also an endeavor that demanded considerable effort. For the time being, he decided to shelve it.


    As long as Zhao Yang didn''t seek him out for further trouble, Wang Xiao was content with his days flowing smoothly.


    His life had settled into a pleasant rhythm, and he had no desire to be entangled in petty rivalries or potentially involve his parents.


    Chen Li, despite being viewed as intrusive by others, had a long history with Wang Xiao, dating back to their preschool days.


    They had often skipped school together, and Wang Xiao had even taught Chen Li how to pilfer money from his father''s stationery business, subsequently squandering it with him.


    In times of financial need, Wang Xiao would turn to Chen Li, who had a steady stream of funds from his father''s wholesale stationary business.


    Although Chen Li was somewhat naive in Wang Xiao''s eyes, he didn''t mind as long as it benefited him.


    The dynamic between them was one of opportunism, and Wang Xiao took advantage of it without a second thought.


    Both Chen Li and Wang Xiao boarded the metro heading to Nanjing Road. Lujiazui Financial District was also an option, but Wang Xiao knew it would be risky with his father working there.


    He couldn''t afford to be spotted by him.


    Once they arrived at Nanjing District, they whiled away the remaining hours ying games at the game parlour and indulging in their favorite eats.


    As the time to return neared, a reminder of impending school closure rang in their minds.


    Saying their goodbyes, Chen Li left for his home in Puxi, conveniently situated for his school-skipping escapades.


    The school bus driver was a friend, ensuring Chen Li''s absences remained under the radar at home.


    With their homeroom teacher on their side, the school posed no issues either.


    Just as Wang Xiao was heading back to board the metro, he noticed a familiar figure outside the disy of a jewelry shop.


    Normally, Wang Xiao would have simply walked past and ignored the scene, but today he found himself unexpectedly pausing and observing from a distance.


    The figure outside the jewelry shop was that of a young girl, apanied by three of her school girlfriends, all donned in their school uniforms¡ªclearly ying hooky.


    Wang Xiao could distinctly recognize the fair-skinned girl at the forefront: Fu Yuxin.


    She wore a small smile as she gazed at a piece of jewelry on disy behind the ss.


    One of her friends nudged Fu Yuxin yfully, saying, "Xinxin, stop daydreaming and take a look at the price tag."


    "Yeah..." Fu Yuxin smiled in aplicated manner, staring at the 10,000 yuan price tag. Her friends pulled her away, and they all began heading back to their respective homes in Puxi.


    Fu Yuxin was Fu Chao''s younger sister, and though Wang Xiao had never directly interacted with her, they had crossed paths on multiple asions, allowing for recognition.


    ''The two simultaneous imaginary voices pulled Wang Xiao out of his thoughts, sparking a twisted contemtion within him. ''Hey, kid, how about seeking revenge on Fu Chao?'' one voice whispered. ''Yeah, didn''t Fu Chao try to hook up with Jiarong? Are you going to let it slide?'' the other chimed in.


    As he mulled over the idea, Wang Xiao continued his walk towards the subway, muttering to himself with a thoughtful look. ''The problem is how to lure her...''


    Wang Xiao had never let Fu Chao off the hook, not merely because of Fu Chao''s rejection by Wang Jiarong. He was still seeking an opportunity for revenge, one that wouldn''t incur coteral damage.


    ''Hey, stop being stupid. Didn''t you see her eyes when looking at that piece of jewelry? You can use that to lure her out,'' one of his shadows suggested.


    ''It''s a good idea, but if you do that, she''ll recognize you and won''t fall for it,'' the second shadow cautioned.


    ''How about getting another ID and using that? You''re suspended from school anyways. Go and have some fun with the girl!''


    ''Indeed, you must take revenge!''


    For the first time, the shadows were in unanimous agreement, urging Wang Xiao towards revenge.


    Wang Xiao nodded, acknowledging the good idea presented by his shadows. However, the challenge of potentially being recognized by Fu Yuxin remained.


    Ultimately, he pulled out his phone and called Mo Xiang, requesting him to use his identity to procure an additional disposable SIM card that Wang Xiao could use to deceive Fu Yuxin.


    If caught, it would be Mo Xiang losing respect, not him.


    Now, with the means to establish a false identity in ce, he tackled the issue of funding. "Hey, Wang Xiao, what do you need?" Fu Chao''s voice unexpectedly rang from the other end, suggesting that he was out enjoying somewhere, surrounded by other voices.


    Wang Xiao grinned wickedly, deciding to use Fu Chao''s own money to deceive his sister.


    He asked Fu Chao for some funds, promising to return the amountter.


    In a simr vein, he also requested Chen Li to bring additional funds the next day.


    The stage was set for his revenge n.


    With nothing to lose and revenge on his mind, Wang Xiao embarked on the next task: gathering information about Fu Yuxin''s personal life.


    He made his way back home, ready to scramble his brain for a strategy to carry out this n.


    The new phone number, even if investigated, was registered under Mo Xiang''s name, leaving Wang Xiao rtively safe from any potentialplications.


    If Fu Yuxin didn''t fall for his bait, at most, his n would fail.


    At the end, with nothing to lose and ample time on his hands, Wang Xiao started nning for his revenge.

 Chapter 26: Luring Fu Yuxin (1)

    Wang Xiao received the new SIM card from Mo Xiang in the evening, swiftly configuring it as he began to formte his next move.


    Lacking a concrete n, he decided to send Fu Yuxin a friend request on WeChat, waiting for her to ept it.


    To his surprise, the request was epted within a matter of minutes.


    Fu Yuxin: Hi, who is this?


    Seeing her response, Wang Xiao''s eyes lit up instantly as heposed a carefully crafted message.


    Chuan Hao: Hi


    Fu Yuxin: ??


    Fu Yuxin: Do I know you?


    Wang Xiao tapped away at his phone''s screen, ensuring his words carried an air of mystery.


    Chuan Hao: Maybe not, but I''ve seen you around.


    Fu Yuxin: Where have you seen me?


    Wang Xiao''s fingers danced over the virtual keyboard, weaving a narrative that would intrigue Fu Yuxin further.


    Chuan Hao: I won''t reveal that just yet. Let''s keep it a secret for now.


    Fu Yuxin: Secret? Who are you? Why all this secrecy?


    Chuan Hao: It''s a secret as well.


    Fu Yuxin: "...."


    Fu Yuxin: You are weird.


    In the heart of the Fu family residence, a young woman lounged on her mattress, resting on her front.


    The position made her acutely aware of the difort, herughter momentarily drowned by the sensation of pressure on her chest.


    She yfully shifted her legs as she continued typing on her phone, an amused expression gracing her features.


    Adorned in loose, casual attire that hinted at glimpses of her milky white skin, her face remained untouched by blemishes. A pair of charming lipspleted her look, entuating her inherent beauty.


    Despite her alluring appearance, the specter of Fu Chao''s influence often deterred potential suitors from approaching her.


    Yet, in this moment, she found unexpected amusement in a message from an unfamiliar ID, ''Chuan Hao.'' Intrigued, she engaged in a conversation that made her genuinelyugh.


    However, herughter, filling the confines of her room, caught the attention of Fu Chao as he passed by. His brows rose in curiosity, and he paused, then decided to knock on her door.


    *Knock! Knock!*


    !!


    The sudden rap on the door sent a shiver racing down Fu Yuxin''s spine. Startled, she fumbled with her phone, and it slipped from her grasp, ttering to the floor.


    She quickly locked the device and hastened to the door, her heart pounding.


    With a mixture of surprise and curiosity etched on her face, she turned the knob, revealing her older brother, Fu Chao.


    "Brother, you''re here?" she eximed, caught off guard by his unexpected visit.


    "Why wouldn''t I be here?" Fu Chao observed his sister''s unusual behavior, his sharp eyes narrowing as he stepped into her room, conducting a silent survey of his surroundings.


    "Hey, brother! You can''t just barge in like that," Fu Yuxin protested, her voice tinged with a hint of sulkiness.


    Despite her attempt to appear nonchnt, her anxious eyes tracked his every move, darting asionally towards her phone abandoned on the rumpled bed.


    After a moment, Fu Chao, apparently satisfied that there was no intruder, nodded thoughtfully. "Yuxin, don''t let any of those boys at school fool you. At this age, they all pretend to care, but their true intentions might be far from noble."


    "Shut up! Just go away," Fu Yuxin retorted, her irritation apparent. She resented his constant attempts to restrict her, which only fueled her frustration.


    A wry smile curved Fu Chao''s lips as he acquiesced, allowing himself to be gently pushed out of her room.


    What could he do?


    He was merely trying to protect her from potential threats, unaware that the true danger had already infiltrated her life, and it wasn''t an external enemy at all.


    Chuan Hao: Hey, are you there? What''s going on?


    Wang Xiao squinted at his phone screen, perplexed as Fu Yuxin abruptly ceased responding to his messages.


    Exhaling in mild frustration, he locked his phone, only for a notification to chime momentster.


    Fu Yuxin: Hey, I''m here! It was just my brother, always disturbing me. *Sulking face*


    Wang Xiao''s eyes sparkled at her response, a wicked amusement ying in his mind.


    Chuan Hao: Oh really, I don''t believe you.


    "What!?" Fu Yuxin was taken aback by the unexpected reply from the stranger she had met online. She bit her lip, recounting all the infuriating actions of Fu Chao.


    Wang Xiao carefully read the extensive text she sent, and a wry smile curled his lips.


    These girls are like grown-up babies, still swayed by their emotions.


    Chuan Hao: Damn, he''s truly ruthless. How can he trap you like a bird?


    Fu Yuxin''s face lit up as she typed: Now you understand?


    Chuan Hao: Understand, understand.


    Fu Yuxin and her newfound friend charged forward together, their initial strangeness melting away like morning mist, revealing the burgeoning bonds of friendship.


    As time passed, she began to share her innermost thoughts and secrets, regarding him as her trusted confidant, a chat buddy who held her trust.


    Their conversations became increasingly engrossing, consuming Wang Xiao''s attention.


    This time, he left his door wide open, purposefully inviting the world inside.


    With no suspicious activity going on inside, he found himself carefree, not fearing any unexpected intrusions into his sanctuary.


    His fingers, which had been working diligently, came to a sudden halt. A warm breath caressed his cheek, sending shivers down his spine.


    Instinctively, he locked his phone, and his eyes darted towards the source of the presence.


    "Hehe," greeted him the sight of Wang Xueying, herughter ringing out mischievously. She had caught her brother yet again, this time involved in some other ndestine activity.


    Wang Xiao maintained a stoic expression, his voiceced with curiosity as he inquired, "What are you doing here?"


    Wang Xiao''s sister, Wang Xueying, found herself truly perplexed by the unfolding situation.


    In this quiet corner of the world, few ventured into Wang Xiao''s room. Even if someone did, they wouldn''t be bothered by him conversing with a girl on WeChat.


    However, a revtion from the previous day had set Wang Xueying''s imagination aze.


    It was as though a hidden world had been revealed to her, one where her brother, whom she thought she knew so well, might be treading treacherous paths.

 Chapter 27: Luring Fu Yuxin (2)

    "Brother," Wang Xueying dared to ask, her eyes dancing with a mischievous glint, "are you cheating on Mei?"


    This bold inquiry wasden with a deeper revtion.


    Despite her limited perspective, she had managed to glimpse the contours of an intimate conversation, one that hinted at an unspoken connection between Wang Xiao and another girl.


    Wang Xiao''s countenance shifted, his face registering both exasperation and resignation.


    With a sigh, he stood and discreetly closed the door, creating a barrier between their conversation and the outside world.


    He turned to face her, his voice now hushed but tinged with curiosity. "Why do you have to speak so loudly? Do you want the entiremunity to hear your words?"


    Undeterred, Wang Xueying shook her head, her gaze sweeping across her brother''s room, her curiosity insatiable. "Do not attempt to change the subject, brother," she dered firmly, refusing to be swayed or dismissed this time.


    There was something unspoken, an invisible current of intrigue that had pulled her into this ndestine realm.


    She couldn''t quite fathom why she was so invested in her brother''s affairs now, but her actions spoke louder than words.


    She wouldn''t have ventured into his room like this unless she harbored apelling purpose, one that had yet to reveal itself fully.


    Wang Xiao halted her adventurous intrusion into his room by gently catching her hand, his gaze piercing and full of curiosity. "Why are you here today?" he asked directly, his expression a mix of concern and scrutiny as he carefully observed her face.


    Realizing the game was up, Wang Xueying pouted and relented, "Mother is calling you down for dinner," she replied.


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao furrowed his brow. It was unusual for anyone other than Wang Mei or Xinyue Zhn toe calling him.


    He wondered why she was even at the dinner table.


    Sensing his confusion, Wang Xueying smiled faintly and rified, "I decided to eat with everyone today."


    A collective puzzlement lingered in the air, shared by the entire family.


    They were equally baffled by her sudden change in routine.


    Wang Xiao deliberately feigned ignorance of certain matters, hoping to stave offplications and imagining that his predictions wouldn''te true, especially at this critical juncture when he felt nearly helpless.


    "I won''t go down to eat today. Send my share up to my room," he dered firmly, preupied with his ongoing task of entrapping Fu Yuxin.


    Wang Xueying''s expression changed, but before she could utter any further objections, Wang Xiao politely threw her out of the room. The door closed, leaving him to his own devices, as he resumed his conversation with Fu Yuxin.


    _______


    Fu Yuxin''s eyes flicked anxiously across her phone screen, her heart racing as she awaited Chuan Hao''s response.


    Chuan Hao: Hey, you still there? I had some small work to attend to, it''s all fine now.


    A small, relieved smile tugged at the corners of Fu Yuxin''s lips. Swiftly, she typed her reply: Were you nning to exact revenge on me for ghosting you earlier? Didn''t I exin? It was my brother.


    Chuan Hao: No revenge, my sister came unexpectedly.


    Intrigued, Fu Yuxin asked: You have a sister?


    Chuan Hao: Yeah, any problem?


    Fu Yuxin hesitated, then typed with a touch of concern: ... Is she also like my brother?


    Chuan Hao: No, she is theplete opposite.


    A tinge of frustration crept into Fu Yuxin''s expression as she sent an *angry face*: Can''t you at least console me?


    Chuan Hao: Why should I console you?


    "..."


    Fu Yuxin fell into contemtive silence, her thoughts drifting to Chuan Hao''s response.


    Why indeed should he console her?


    Aplicated expression crossed her face as she gazed at her mobile phone, puzzling over the mysterious Chuan Hao.


    He didn''t seem to y cards ording to the routine at all.


    Here was a beautiful girl simply asking for a fewforting words, yet he had declined her request.


    Unbeknownst to her, the reason she continued chatting with Wang Xiao was precisely because he didn''t follow the expected norms of their interactions.


    Otherwise, he might have found himself on her blocklist long ago.


    In the end, she couldn''t help herself but continue the conversation. An hour passed, and Fu Yuxin was summoned downstairs to partake in the family dinner, her mind still lingering on the mysterious figure on the other side of the screen.


    _______


    Wang Xueying gracefully descended the stairs, her steps light and determined as she reached the ground floor. She moved with a sense of purpose, arranging the two dinner tes with practiced ease before her gaze fixed on the seldom-used, abandoned elevator.


    A collective murmur of confusion and surprise rippled through the family gathered around the dinner table.


    They were all left wondering the same thing: What hade over this unpredictable girl?


    Had she already changed her mind?


    "Xiao Ying, what''s going on?" Xinyue Zhn called out to her, concerncing her voice.


    Wang Xueying continued her path without turning, her voice carrying an unusual resolve, "Brother asked to have his meal sent directly to his room!"


    Curiosity piqued, Xinyue Zhn couldn''t help but inquire further, noting the two tes Wang Xueying held in her hands, "And what about you?"


    Wang Xueying spoke softly, her decision made as she gently ced the tes on the elevator floor just as the doors began to close. "I''ll be dining in my room as well," she replied, her words trailing away as the elevator swallowed her departure, leaving the family with a lingering sense of bewilderment.


    "???" Xinyue Zhn massaged her temples, clearly distressed. "What''s going on with her?" Worry creased her brow as she tried to make sense of Wang Xueying''s sudden actions.


    Wang Xiao''s decision to dine separately was understandable, perhaps due to work or personal reasons, but Wang Xueying''s behavior left her puzzled.


    Why had she chosen to join them for dinner, only to retreat to her room again?


    Unbeknownst to the family, Wang Xueying''s decision had been motivated by her desire to share a meal with Wang Xiao.


    If he wasn''t going to be present at the dinner table, she saw no reason to linger either.


    As the day came to a close, Wang Xiao strengthened his friendship with Fu Yuxin, gradually building a stronger bond.


    He then retired for the night, joining Wang Mei, engaging in another molesation session, that carried out throughout the night.

 Chapter 28: Luring Fu Yuxin (3)

    28th December, Thursday, 2023.


    A ripple of excitement swept through the ssroom during the free hour, conversations andughter filling the air like a lively orchestra. Thetest piece of news, fresh and electrifying, had be the topic du jour.


    "Hey, have you heard about the news?"


    "What news?"


    The question hung like a suspended note, waiting to be harmonized by the impending revtion.


    "They are closing the schools all over Shanghai!"


    "What!? No more tests then?"


    "Apparently, it seems as such. The Shanghai government has issued an advisory to close all the running schools immediately due to the increasing cold."


    The crescendo peaked, a collective gasp sweeping through the ssroom, the anticipation and excitement building to a grand finale.


    Amidst this orchestratedmotion, one figure sat still, her gaze locked downward, her fingers engaged in a quiet, thoughtful rhythm on her phone. In this cacophony of reactions, she seemed topose her own internal melody, each tap of her fingers weaving a story of contemtion and reflection.


    "Hey, Xinxin!"


    "Huh?"


    The sharp call of her friend pierced through Fu Yuxin''s engrossing digital conversation, dragging her back from the captivating realm she had found online.


    "Xinxin, didn''t you hear the teacher? School''s out!"


    "Finally!"


    "Yay!"


    Excitement bubbled around her as her friends rallied, the news spreading like wildfire through the ssroom, carried by an eager homeroom teacher.


    A faint smile graced Fu Yuxin''s lips as she shared in the collective jubtion, momentarily partaking in the joyous atmosphere before her thoughts drifted back to her phone.


    As the night veiled the city, she found herself engrossed in conversation, the virtual connection seemingly transcending the confines of time and space.


    Wang Xiao, too, was taken aback by the girl''s ungging enthusiasm. It sparked a flicker of intrigue, making him contemte if she might be easier to lure than he had anticipated.


    "Take off your clothes," he suddenlymanded, his voice cutting through the room like a sudden gust of wind.


    "Huh?"


    Wang Mei, who had been peacefully dozing off, curled up next to him, was jolted awake by his startling request.


    She blinked in confusion and regarded him with a mixture of surprise and bewilderment.


    Why on earth was he asking her to disrobe?


    Her mind raced with questions and doubts, a hint of nervousness creeping in.


    Could he be nning to record this moment?


    "What are you waiting for? Take off your clothes. It''s too cold like this," before she could voice her concerns, Wang Xiao repeated his demand, his own actions already setting the course.


    He swiftly shed the garments that covered his torso, casting them aside with a nonchnt gesture, leaving no room for ambiguity.


    However, when he noticed the blush creeping across Wang Mei''s face, he couldn''t help but seize the opportunity to y a mischievous trick.


    He swiftly shed the remainder of his clothes, tossing them aside with a devilish grin, all while slyly starting to undress Wang Mei.


    Her embarrassment and confusion were palpable as she struggled toprehend his sudden actions. Did she misunderstand him? Was it simply aboutbating the cold?


    In the end, Wang Xiao chuckled, realizing her innocent misinterpretation.


    He extended his arms, enveloping the now unclothed Wang Mei, drawing her close and keeping her face nestled against his chest to spare her any more embarrassment.


    As he continued typing and chatting with Fu Yuxin, he made a decision to expedite their conversation, intending to bring it to a close the following day.


    Chuan Hao: Hey, do you like jewelry?


    Fu Yuxin yfully shot back: Who doesn''t like jewelry? nning to get me some?


    Chuan Hao: Not really. I just happened to notice you gazing at them yesterday.


    Fu Yuxin''s intrigue deepened: ... You saw me yesterday?


    Chuan Hao: Yes, outside the jewelry shop.


    Fu Yuxin fell into a stunned silence.


    Chuan Hao: What''s the matter? Surprised?


    Fu Yuxin finally managed to respond, her words carrying a hint of caution: Who are you?


    Chuan Hao: A secret. Meet me outside the Disney resort tomorrow if you want to find out.


    In an abrupt turn, Fu Yuxin''s status flickered to offline.


    Wang Xiao furrowed his brow, his eyes glued to the phone for a few moments, contemting the abrupt turn of events.


    With a decisive motion, he locked the device and tossed it nearby.


    He might have rushed things.


    Sighing deeply, Wang Xiao realized he needed to reevaluate his approach from the very start.


    His attention then shifted to Wang Mei, who still struggled to find sleep, her breathing slightlybored.


    The chill of the night was evident, prompting them to huddle beneath a nket for warmth.


    Without much thought, Wang Xiao gently turned Wang Mei over, embracing her closely and cing tender kisses on her lips, seeking the sce of her warmth.


    At first, Wang Mei resisted, grappling with the sudden turn of events.


    But the biting cold outside made her relent, allowing Wang Xiao to utilize her body''s warmth as a natural heater for the night.


    As the night progressed, Wang Mei gradually grew ustomed to the cozy embrace, and fatigue eventually took over.


    She drifted off to sleep, despite a persistent difort that kept pricking between her her legs.


    ________


    29th December, Saturday, 2023.


    The morning unfurled, its arrival marked by a mysterious mist enveloping the windows of the vi. Wang Xiao awoke, stretching his hand beside him to find an empty space. A gentle smile curved his lips, evolving into a soft chuckle of amusement.


    It seemed Wang Mei had risen early and vanished like a wisp of morning fog.


    Shaking his head in good-humored bewilderment, he braved the cold air, pulling away from the warm embrace of the nket.


    His gaze then fell upon his phone, resting atop the mattress. Intrigued, he reached for it and unlocked the screen to read thetest notification.


    Fu Yuxin: Alright, 11:00 am, don''t bete!


    The long-awaited reply from Fu Yuxin finally shed on his screen, causing Wang Xiao''s eyes to narrow in intrigue before bursting into spontaneousughter.


    So, it appeared that Fu Yuxin had been merely too bashful to respond promptly to his unexpected date invitation. How could he have overlooked such a simple exnation?


    Perhaps theck of sleep had momentarily dulled his usually sharp mind.


    Buoyed by a newfound sense of enthusiasm, Wang Xiao began the meticulous process of selecting the ideal outfit for the day.


    He also pondered the best way to handle Fu Yuxin''s inevitable surprise when she realized it was him, not Chuan Hao, waiting for her today.

 Chapter 29: Fu Yuxin lured (1)

    29th December, 10:55 am.


    In the heart of the enchanting Shanghai Disney Park, where the air was electrified with the joyousughter of children and the palpable excitement of visitors, Fu Yuxin stood as a beacon of elegance and curiosity.


    She graced the vibrant surroundings with her presence, adorned in a resplendent one-piece white outfit that flowed gracefully to her ankles.


    Her attire was entuated by delicatece patterns that embellished the dress, creating an aura of timeless sophistication.


    A petite handbag hung effortlessly from her shoulder, adding a touch of practicality to her ensemble.


    Fu Yuxin''s makeup was an artful blend of subtlety and enhancement. A light touch of foundation illuminated herplexion, while her lips bore a shade that hinted at understated allure.


    Her eyes, framed by meticulously groomedshes, sparkled with anticipation, mirroring the park''s infectious energy.


    As she stood in the midst of the bustling crowd, she couldn''t help but marvel at the kaleidoscope of colors and the whimsical architecture of the park.


    Gaily painted facades adorned with intricate details gave rise to a fairytale ambiance.


    The park''s walkways wound through meticulously manicured gardens, and the sound of whimsical melodies drifted from unseen speakers, adding to the magical atmosphere.


    Yet amidst this enchanting tableau, Fu Yuxin''s heart was gripped by a flicker of doubt.


    Meeting a stranger in such an enchanting yet unpredictable setting felt like taking a leap of faith.


    She couldn''t help but question herself, ''Did I fall for a trick?''


    Time continued its relentless march forward, and despite the park''s enchantment, there was still no sign of Chuan Hao.


    The apprehension weighed heavily upon her, the minutes ticking away like grains of sand in an hourss.


    When the clock finally struck 11:10 am, Fu Yuxin''s patience wore thin. Meanwhile, Wang Xiao arrived at the scene, immediately noticing her standing in the rtively deste area.


    He couldn''t help but be slightly surprised by her choice of dress¡ªwouldn''t she feel the chill in such attire?


    ''Should I give him a call?'' Fu Yuxin pondered, biting her lower lip in contemtion, her hand hovering over her phone. Eventually, she decided on a message, quickly typing her thoughts.


    Just as she was about to send the message, a tap on her shoulder from behind sent a jolt of surprise through her.


    "Fu Yuxin?"


    "!?"


    The sudden tap on her shoulder followed by the inquiry left Fu Yuxin momentarily stunned.


    She turned to face the person who had approached her, and to her utter surprise, it was not Chuan Hao.


    It was someone else entirely.


    "No... you''re not Chuan Hao," she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of confusion and disappointment.


    The neer was none other than Wang Xiao, who hade to the meeting spot expecting to meet Fu Yuxin under the guise of Chuan Hao.


    He looked at her, noticing the perplexed expression on her face andughed inwadly.


    "I''m not," Wang Xiao confirmed, carefully watching her reaction. "But you are Fu Yuxin, Fu Chao''s sister, right?"


    Fu Yuxin nodded, feeling a bit flustered by the unexpected revtion. "Yes, that''s me. I was expecting to meet Chuan Hao. H-he is¡ª"


    Her words trailed off, panic seizing her as she considered the implications of her situation.


    Wang Xiao was a friend of her brother, and if Fu Chao found out she was here to meet a stranger, he would undoubtedly be furious.


    Seeing the distress in her expression, Wang Xiao let out a chuckle. "Ah, I see. You were waiting for your boyfriend. So, were you on a date or something?"


    "N-No, it''s just a friend!" Fu Yuxin stammered, staring at Wang Xiao''s knowing smile, she felt the heat rising to her cheeks.


    The misunderstanding only added to theplexity of the situation, and she desperately hoped she could clear it up without causing any trouble.


    Wang Xiao abandoned the mischievous fa?ade and gently patted Fu Yuxin''s shoulder, offering her an earnest, reassuring smile. "Don''t worry, I won''t breathe a word of this to your brother."


    "You won''t?" Fu Yuxin gazed at him, a blend of astonishment and gratitude reflected in her eyes.


    Wang Xiao maintained his warm smile. "...So, you were indeed on a date, and your family is in the dark about it?"


    "I-I..." Fu Yuxin stumbled over her words, feeling caught in a whirlwind of admission.


    Hadn''t she just confessed to lying earlier?


    Her face paled as fear gripped her.


    Observing her unease, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but chuckle softly, savoring how easily he can toy with her. "Look at your face. Why so frightened? Didn''t I assure you I won''t reveal anything to your brother?"


    "You really won''t?" Fu Yuxin squinted at him, a mix of suspicion and surprise in her eyes.


    "I have nothing to gain from it," Wang Xiao casually mentioned, brushing off her concern with a light-heartedugh. "By the way, why are you so worried about it? Shouldn''t it be your personal life and decision?"


    "...." Fu Yuxin let out a sigh, her anxiety lessening as she realized Wang Xiao''s genuine intent.


    However, she chose not to delve into the intricacies of her situation.


    Some things were best left unspoken.


    "You don''t know anything about it," she murmured, grateful for his understanding.


    For her personal life and decision, she chose not to delve into theplexities of her situation with Wang Xiao.


    The realities of financial dependence and societal expectations were burdens she carried silently.


    While she aspired for personal freedom, she was pragmatic about her circumstances.


    She still had to attend university, and until she secured a well-paying job, she relied on her family for support.


    Disobeying them could lead to dire consequences, even the risk of being left to fend for herself.


    Living alone was an option, but it meant juggling part-time work to survive, and she was all too aware that these jobs often paid just enough to scrape by.


    Fu Yuxin knew better than to jeopardize her stability by indulging in reckless actions.


    Wang Xiao noticed the anxiety etched across Fu Yuxin''s face and fought to suppress his smile, adopting a serious demeanor as he stood close to her.


    Fu Yuxin stole a nce at him before averting her eyes and opening her WeChat.


    Though she stood two inches taller than him in her current ensemble, the crowd in the park began to notice them.


    However, their attention quickly shifted away after a brief nce.

 Chapter 30: Fu Yuxin lured (2)

    "He still hasn''te?" Wang Xiao suddenly asked, breaking the silence.


    "No...." Fu Yuxin whispered, a tinge of difficulty in her voice. She was now convinced that she had indeed been deceived.


    Her excitement began to sour, and disappointment settled in.


    "What time did you agree to meet?" Wang Xiao''s eyes scanned the surroundings.


    "It was set for 11:00 am," Fu Yuxin replied, her tone resigned. With the situation as it was, she weed the conversation with Wang Xiao, which helped ease her anxiety.


    Though she stood two inches taller than him in her current ensemble, the crowd in the park began to notice them. Their difference in height didn''t go unseen, but after a cursory nce, they lost interest and moved on.


    "Have you tried calling him?" Wang Xiao inquired.


    "I-I did," Fu Yuxin admitted, her voice tinged with frustration.


    She had attempted to reach Chuan Hao only moments ago, but her calls had gone unanswered.


    Wang Xiao responded with a reassuring smile beforepsing into silence.


    When the clock ticked over to 11:30, he let out a sigh. "He''s noting."


    Fu Yuxin turned to him, her surprise evident. "Huh?"


    Wang Xiao rified, "He might have been caught up with something else, but I doubt he''ll make it today. So, what''s your n now?"


    "I don''t know," Fu Yuxin sighed, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "Maybe I should just head home," she pondered aloud.


    Her thoughts were a whirlwind as she began to suspect her friends might have pulled a prank on her.


    With a determined expression, she swiftly pulled out her phone and blocked ''Chuan Hao'' from further contact.


    Then, she turned her attention to Wang Xiao.


    Though her face masked her emotions, Wang Xiao, catching a glimpse of her blocking Chuan Hao on her phone, had no doubt that Fu Yuxin was feeling quite frustrated in that moment.


    Interrupting the tense silence, Fu Yuxin finally broke the ice. "What were you doing here?" Her voice carried an edge of curiosity.


    Up until that point, she hadn''t paid much attention to Wang Xiao, but now she noticed that he was dressed up as well.


    Could he be here for some event?


    Uncertainty lingered in her mind about whether the man before her was truly Wang Xiao.


    They seldom crossed paths, but the vivid crimson hue of his eyes was a dead giveaway, a unique feature that made him unmistakable even in the dim lighting of the surroundings.


    Wang Xiao held up two tickets, a gesture of shared circumstance. "Same as you, came for a date, but she hasn''t arrived yet."


    Fu Yuxin was momentarily at a loss for words. She chuckled softly, her hand covering her face, a mix of disbelief and amusement. "Did we both get stood up?"


    Wang Xiao shrugged nonchntly. "Maybe."


    An awkward silence settled between them as they grappled with the unexpected twist of fate. Finally, Wang Xiao broke the ice. "Did you also buy tickets?"


    "Yeah..." Fu Yuxin nodded, revealing the pair of tickets she had purchased.


    In a surprising move, Wang Xiao snatched one ticket from her hand and produced another from his pocket.


    "Hm?" Fu Yuxin looked puzzled, awaiting an exnation. Wang Xiao spoke with a half-smile, "Come with me."


    Confused by his sudden actions, Fu Yuxin found herself being led by Wang Xiao towards the ticket counter, their pace hurried but light-hearted.


    Wang Xiao generously handed the extra tickets to a couple patiently waiting in line.


    "Now that''s settled," he remarked, a satisfied grin on his face.


    Fu Yuxin held up the remaining ticket, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. "What about this one?"


    Realization dawned on her - Wang Xiao must have an extra ticket as well. What should they do with these extra passes?


    Wang Xiao offered a reassuring smile. "We can use these to explore for ourselves. You wouldn''t want to go back home without fully experiencing this ce, would you?" His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, hoping to ease any concerns Fu Yuxin might have had about this unexpected proposal.


    "I...", Fu Yuxin hesitated for a moment, her thoughts still lingering on her original ns.


    Wang Xiao added, shing a friendly smile to alleviate the awkwardness of the situation. "Shall we explore the park and make the most of our time? In case your partner arrives, you can go and apany him."


    Fu Yuxin pondered her options, the initial difort slowly giving way to a sense of adventure.


    After all, she had embarked on this day with the intention of enjoying Disney to the fullest, and having apanion could potentially make it an even more memorable experience.


    With a hesitant yet genuine smile, she finally agreed, "Sure, let''s make the most of it."


    A mix of emotions danced across Fu Yuxin''s face¡ªsurprise, confusion, and a hint of relief¡ªas both of them stepped into the amusement park.


    As they stepped into the bustling park, the vibrant atmosphere enveloped them, a symphony ofughter and joy.


    ''It''s so beautiful,'' Fu Yuxin felt a surge of excitement and wonder, momentarily forgetting the earlier awkwardness.


    Wang Xiao, noticing her change in demeanor, pointed toward a lively parade in the distance. "Shall we catch the parade first?"


    Her eyes lit up at the suggestion, and she nodded eagerly. "Absolutely! It''s one of the highlights."


    They weaved through the lively crowd, finding a perfect spot to witness the parade.


    The colorful floats, lively music, and enchanting characters brought an infectious enthusiasm to the air. Fu Yuxin found herselfughing and pping along, caught in the magic of the moment.


    As the parade concluded, they continued their adventure, exploring various attractions and enjoying thrilling rides.


    Wang Xiao''s sense of humor and Fu Yuxin''sughter blended seamlessly, making the experience all the more enjoyable.


    With each passing moment, the initial awkwardness faded into the background, reced by a growing sense of camaraderie.


    They shared stories, swapped childhood memories of visiting theme parks, and discovered mutual interests.


    As the day unfolded, Fu Yuxin realized that sometimes unexpected twists could lead to beautiful experiences.


    And in that moment, amidst the enchantment of Disney and the newfound friendship, she embraced the spontaneity of the day, cherishing the memories being created.

 Chapter 31: Fu Yuxin lured (3)

    "How was it?" Wang Xiao asked, his eyes alight with curiosity, as both Fu Yuxin and he emerged from the thrillingbyrinth of the amusement park.


    Fu Yuxin couldn''t help but beam with delight. "Perfect! Even better than I imagined!" She eximed, her excitement evident as she walked closely beside him, the world around them a whirlwind of vibrant colors andughter.


    In that moment, she found herself pondering why she had never ventured here before.


    And then, like a light bulb flicking on, it hit her ¨C she had never had a partner for such adventures, and her overprotective brother had unwittingly kept her from this joyous experience.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes sparkled with spontaneity as he suggested, "Let''s head to Yu Garden then; we''ve still got plenty of time."


    After a brief contemtion, Fu Yuxin nodded. "Okay."


    Earlier that day, she had taken the precaution of informing her parents about her ns for the long-awaited winter break. She''d even coordinated with her friends, instructing them to cover for her in case she waste.


    Today was her day of absolute freedom, and she wholeheartedly epted Wang Xiao''s offer, ready for more adventures and discoveries with him.


    However, beneath Wang Xiao''s seemingly genuine smile, there were hidden motives. After their visit to Yu Garden, he deviated from the usual path, steering away from the bustling Nanjing Road under the guise of grabbing a meal.


    Conveniently, there was a renowned skewer shop nearby. Wang Xiao left Fu Yuxin momentarily, excusing himself.


    "??"


    Confused, Fu Yuxin watched him walk away, a question mark figuratively hovering over her head. She shrugged and decided to savor the treat.


    The friend of her brother seemed really kind and courteous.


    Wang Xiao''s kindness was vast like the sea, but the waters weren''t always tranquil; they could engulf you if you weren''t cautious enough.


    With a hint of excitement, Wang Xiao made his way to Shuangxue Bar, his posture slightly hunched and head angled downwards.


    Like a sly fox, he slipped behind the deck where the DJ, Xia Bao, eagerly awaited his arrival.


    "Wang Xiao!" Xia Bao''s eyes sparkled as he greeted him with enthusiasm.


    Xia Bao, mainly a friend of Fu Chao, had received a prior call from Wang Xiao, requesting specific materials for the night.


    However, Xia Bao was no stranger to Wang Xiao and his crew. Their frequent visits with Fu Chao had etched their presence in his memory.


    Today was no ordinary day; Wang Xiao was not just a familiar face but also a valued customer¡ªa mantra upheld in the service industry: "A customer is god."


    Wang Xiao had done some discreet research, uncovering information about drugs that could induce a mild calming effect.


    Mixing them with alcohol could potentially impair cognitive abilities significantly.


    Knowing that alcohol alone wouldn''t deceive Fu Yuxin, he took a step further and requested Fu Chao to acquire potent benzodiazepines or simr homemade drugs.


    Fu Chao directed him to Xia Bao, the man with connections.


    Fu Chao found himself increasingly curious about Wang Xiao''s motives; it seemed like Wang Xiao was ying a game on a level beyond his usual habits.


    Skipping the usual vices of smoking and alcohol and jumping straight into narcotics was a surprising esction.


    Unbeknownst to Fu Chao, he was unwittingly setting up his own sister for a fall, and Wang Xiao had deliberately involved Fu Chao to amplify the sinister pleasure he derived from this n.


    After obtaining the narcotics from Xia Bao and secreting them in his pocket, Wang Xiao swiftly exited the establishment.


    Being well-known in the area, he knew it was wise not to linger close to Fu Yuxin; too much time together could potentially let slip his intentions, and thest thing he needed was for Fu Chao to catch wind of his devious machinations.


    As Wang Xiao returned, he scanned the surroundings, his eyes squinting in an attempt to find Fu Yuxin amidst the bustling crowd.


    Fortunately, her unique winter attire made her stand out, and he soon spotted her engrossed in examining the jewelry at a nearby store.


    "You like jewelry?"


    "Huh?"


    A sudden voice interrupted Fu Yuxin, and she turned to see Wang Xiao, smiling slightly. "Only this one," she said, pointing to a specific ne made of white pearls, its radiance setting it apart from the rest.


    Wang Xiao nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. Thankfully, the ne she had chosen was priced at 20,000 yuan,fortably within his budget.


    "Let''s go inside," he dered suddenly, taking her hand and guiding her into the shop.


    "Eh?" Fu Yuxin was caught off guard, helplessly pulled inside, now ustomed to his tendency to whisk her away to try new experiences. However, what followed took her by surprise, and she felt a hint of nervousness creeping in.


    "Wang Xiao, what''s going on?" Fu Yuxin''s voice quivered with panic as Wang Xiao summoned the staff to present the pearl ne.


    Wang Xiao, with a nonchnt demeanor, replied, "Don''t worry, my mom''s birthday is just around the corner. My sisters and I have pooled some money to get her a special gift, and I think this ne might be the perfect choice."


    Fu Yuxin nodded, still somewhat skeptical but reassured by his exnation. "Oh," she replied, her anxiety momentarily subdued.


    A keen-eyed staff member, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, interjected, "Sir, we actually have theplete set avable. Would you like me to bring it out?" Wang Xiao, inquired about the set''s price and, after confirming, nodded in agreement.


    Thankfully, the entire set was priced at 24,999 yuan,fortably within Wang Xiao''s 30,000 yuan budget.


    Fu Yuxin felt a rush of astonishment at the cost, her heart fluttering nervously.


    But when her gaze fell upon the stunning pearl ne, apanied by two pairs of matching earrings, all her doubts dissolved, reced by a profound sense of wonder and admiration.


    "Try it on," Wang Xiao encouraged.


    "Me?" Fu Yuxin pointed at herself, a mixture of surprise and eagerness coloring her tone. "But I thought it was for your mother?" she asked, her longing to wear the beautiful jewelry evident.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, "I just want to see how it looks."


    "Oh..." Fu Yuxin hesitated, then eagerly agreed. She tried to maintain a calm exterior, but her hands trembled slightly with excitement as she delicately picked up the ne and draped it around her neck.


    Before the staff handed her the matching earrings, Fu Yuxin caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror and was momentarily awestruck.


    "Beautiful..." she breathed, her eyes widening as she marveled at how the ne perfectlyplemented her outfit.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but smile, nodding in agreement; indeed, it looked good on her.


    He smiled, satisfied that his n had unfolded just as he envisioned.


    A person unacquainted with vanity might not easily be swayed, but once introduced to the taste of luxury, they could be captivated.


    This was precisely what he aimed for - to create an emotional connection between Fu Yuxin and this ne.


    And his goal was achieved.


    "Pack it up," he suddenly ordered.


    "You''re really buying it?" Fu Yuxin asked, taken aback.


    "Yes," Wang Xiao affirmed.


    "..."


    Fu Yuxin bit her lip, surprised, but refrained from voicing her thoughts. She believed Wang Xiao, though young, should consult his sisters before making such decisions.


    Yet, considering they entrusted him with the money, she restrained from interfering and silently watched as the transaction concluded.


    A bitter pang of envy crept into her heart, realizing that the ne she adored and had been saving up for was now in the possession of Wang Xiao.

 Chapter 32: Fu Yuxin Lured (4)

    Wang Xiao, keen-eyed, observed Fu Yuxin sulking in a corner. Sensing her mood, he swiftly retrieved a delicately wrapped package containing a pair of elegant earrings and extended it towards her.


    "??," Fu Yuxin eximed, perplexed by his unexpected gesture.


    With a gentle smile, Wang Xiao reassured her, "I only need the ne; you can keep the earrings."


    "What!?" Fu Yuxin was taken aback, her astonishment palpable. "No! Keep it back," she insisted, attempting to push the package back into his hands.


    It was evident that she couldn''t fathom epting something of such value.


    "I don''t want something this expensive," she uttered, sincerity in her voice.


    Firm in his decision, Wang Xiao declined, saying, "Nope, consider it a souvenir or something," and maintained his hold on the package despite her persistent attempts, leaving her flustered.


    "Ugh! Why don''t you give it to your sister then?" Fu Yuxin suddenly proposed, trying to find an alternative.


    After a brief pause, Wang Xiao contemted her suggestion before nodding in agreement. "That''s okay. Just treat me to something in return, and we can call it even."


    "Huh?" Fu Yuxin''s eyes widened in disbelief at Wang Xiao''s words. She nced at her handbag, then burst intoughter. "I don''t have 5000 yuan."


    Wang Xiao maintained his calm demeanor. "A regr treat would suffice."


    Fu Yuxin was momentarily lost for words.


    In the end, she reluctantly surrendered, agreeing to treat him to dinnerter that evening.


    As she clutched the delicate earrings, a yful idea crossed her mind. She shed a mischievous grin and teased, "What am I going to do with just earrings? How about you give me the entire set?" She extended the earring toward Wang Xiao, attempting to hand it back.


    To her astonishment, Wang Xiao seized the opportunity, nodding politely and presenting her with therger package, which held both the ne and the earrings.


    "No way!" Fu Yuxin leaped back, startled like a rabbit, putting some distance between them.


    "Are you serious!?" She asked in disbelief, utterly stunned by his unexpected generosity.


    Wang Xiao''s smile broadened as he shook his head yfully, retracting the package that held the ne.


    Fu Yuxin let out a relieved sigh. "Where would you like to go eat?" she asked.


    Wang Xiao pondered for a moment before suggesting a charming dining spot nestled near the Huangpu River, right at the crossroads of Pudong and Puxi.


    [Lost Heaven]


    Upon their arrival at the restaurant, Fu Yuxin''s eyes widened in awe at the ambiance. She had heard the name before but had never experienced it until this moment.


    After securing a cozy private table for the two of them, they began exploring the menu, deliberating over their choices.


    Wang Xiao''s appetite for the food before him was negligiblepared to the real feast in his eyes¡ªFu Yuxin.


    "Hm?"


    As the waiter approached their table with a bottle of wine, a puzzled expression crossed Fu Yuxin''s face.


    "We didn''t order this, did we?" she inquired, her brow furrowing in confusion.


    Wang Xiao, with a hint of mischief in his eyes, replied, "I ordered that."


    Fu Yuxin waited for the waiter to retreat before broaching the subject cautiously. "...You drink?"


    Wang Xiao, who was still underage, quickly shook his head, eager to clear any misconceptions. Beside the wine, there was also a ss of fresh orange juice. He rified, "This one is for me, that one is for you."


    Relieved, Fu Yuxin pushed the winess aside. "I don''t drink either," she asserted.


    Unbeknownst to her, Wang Xiao discreetly slipped a pill into her ss, watching it dissolve slowly. "That''s alright," he reassured her, "you''re here to try new things today. One ss won''t hurt."


    Fu Yuxin hesitated for a moment. "That''s not the issue... I still have to go home."


    Wang Xiao leaned in with a reassuring smile, saying, "It''s not a problem at all. Just tell your parents you''re staying at a friend''s house tonight, and by tomorrow, there won''t be any traces of drinking left."


    *Gasp*


    Fu Yuxin found herself tempted, her eyes fixed on the ss filled with wine. Wang Xiao had struck the right chord with his words, and she finally made a decision. After all, today was the day she had resolved to try new things!


    As she sent messages to her parents and friends, notifying them of the change in ns, the pills had fully dissolved in her ss. Wang Xiao couldn''t help but smile with satisfaction.


    He marveled at how easily it seemed to be to guide someone when you offered them the illusion of freedom, making them more inclined to follow your lead.


    "Cough! ...cough!" Fu Yuxin coughed, taking her first sip from the ss. "It tastes so weird."


    Wang Xiao casually shrugged, maintaining aposed facade. "You''ll get used to it," he reassured, as if discussing the weather.


    Rolling her eyes, Fu Yuxin shot back, "You say that as if you''ve tried it yourself." She took another sip of the wine, the taste already bing an acquired oddity.


    After a ss, she decided toy off the wine and instead focused on the food, her expression slowly transforming. Unbeknownst to her, Wang Xiao cunningly dissolved a few more pills into the ss of juice she had ordered.


    The meal progressed, and Fu Yuxin felt an unexpected shift within her. Her senses began to blur, a subtle chaos descending upon her mind. She rubbed her eyes in confusion, attempting to shake off the strange sensation.


    Gradually, her demeanor soured. "Wang Xiao," she stammered, struggling to form words. "You''ll... have to drop me off... at my friend''s house."


    Wang Xiao nodded casually, seemingly unaffected, and continued to savor his meal. "Don''t worry. Just send me the address." He disyed an eerie calmness amidst the unfolding situation.


    Fu Yuxin let out a sigh, hoping that a single ss of wine wouldn''t muddle her senses too much. She found sce in the fact that she had Wang Xiao to send her back, easing the worry of being in a more troubling situation.


    ''It was not a good idea,'' she realized, taking a deep breath as she nced at the still-filled bottle of wine, imagining she shouldn''t have consumed it, given its evident strength.


    Little did she know, it wasn''t the wine that was affecting her, but the substances slipped into her drinks, cleverly concealed by Wang Xiao.


    ____________

 Chapter 33: Fu Yuxin Lured (5)

    "Boy, are you absolutely certain you and your sister live around here?" The taxi driver''s skeptical gaze swept over the notorious area of Pudong, questioning Wang Xiao, who was now holding Fu Yuxin to keep her from copsing. Wang Xiao affirmed with a weary nod.


    The taxi driver''s eyes narrowed in suspicion, ready to press the issue further.


    But Wang Xiao swiftly silenced any doubts by slipping some extra money into the driver''s hand.


    In a sh, he guided Fu Yuxin out of the cab, her unsteady weight leaning heavily on him.


    ''Damn, she''s heavier than I thought,'' Wang Xiao cursed under his breath, grappling to maintain his bnce while clutching the package containing the precious ne and earrings. The unforeseen challenges of the night were proving to be quite the ordeal.


    As they stumbled along the dimly lit street, Fu Yuxin''s words started to slur, and she giggled uncontrobly. "You know, Wang Xiao," she huped, "I think... I think penguins would make great... great chefs."


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but chuckle at her drunken state, speaking seriously. "Penguins as chefs, huh? That''s quite the culinary innovation."


    "Absolutely!" Fu Yuxin eximed, momentarily regaining some rity. "Imagine them in their cute little hats and aprons, waddling around the kitchen!"


    Wang Xiao shook his head smiling wryly, he had to admit, drunken Fu Yuxin was a sight to behold.


    He continued to support her, navigating the streets while trying to keep up with her ramblings.


    As they turned into a narrow street, Fu Yuxin, still in her slightly intoxicated state, murmured, "You know, Wang Xiao, I''ve always wanted to ride a dragon... A dragon with rainbow wings... like a mystical rainbow dragon!"


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, a faint smile on his lips. "Don''t worry, you''ll ride it soon."


    "Really?" Fu Yuxin asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.


    Wang Xiao reassured her, "Definitely."


    Under the dim yellow lights outside the establishment, two women stood, their eyes squinting as they observed Wang Xiao''s approach.


    Lin Xue, with her long dark hair cascading over her shoulders, wore a look of resignation.


    Chen Meili, petite with a cascade of auburn hair, stood beside her, her face etched with concern.


    Lin Xue sighed, her sharp features reflecting a mix of annoyance and worry, recognizing the situation unfolding before her.


    Chen Meili, with her doe-like eyes and an air of innocence, seemed troubled by the unexpected turn of events.


    Both women knew Wang Xiao had ns for the evening, but they never could have anticipated that he would bring in a girl who appeared to be in such apromised state.


    Velvet Shadows had stringent policies against clients bringing in outsiders, especially those who seemed unable to give their consent.


    If not for Lin Xue''s intervention, Wang Xiao might not have been permitted entry with the clearly drugged Fu Yuxin.


    The situation presented an unexpected challenge, and they needed to handle it with utmost discretion to ensure it didn''t breach the establishment''s strict rules.


    "Get her inside, quick," Lin Xue urged, her voice tinged with worry, as Wang Xiao approached, swiftly allowing them entry.


    "Huh? Wang Xiao, is she your mother?" Fu Yuxin eximed, turning to Lin Xue with wide-eyed surprise and a tipsy giggle. "Auntie, your son is something else! If he were a bit older, I might have considered marrying him!" she blurted out, still under the influence.


    Wang Xiao facepalmed.


    He cursed Xia Bao under his breath, for he had asked for a drug to render Fu Yuxin unconscious and disoriented, not heavily drunk!


    Lin Xue''s face twitched with a hint of frustration, muttering under her breath, "... He''s not my son," feeling the weight of the memories and their implications.


    If they were indeed mistaken for mother and daughter, wouldn''t it implicate her as a criminal?


    "Madam Lin, this is a problem," Chen Meili anxiously blurted, "The girl is clearly unconscious. We couldnd in serious trouble."


    Lin Xue''s expression shifted, a mix of surprise and frustration washing over her. ''This boy is an utter fool!'' she sighed inwardly, grappling with the unfolding chaos.


    Cursing him inwardly, she turned to Chen Meili. "You don''t need to meddle in this; forget whatever you saw," she said in a firm tone.


    Then, with surprising grace, Lin Xue walked inside, her hips swaying in an alluring rhythm.


    Chen Meili was left speechless. "Why is she so keen on shielding him?"


    Despite knowing the reason behind Lin Xue''s protectiveness toward Wang Xiao, she held her tongue, sighing deeply.


    Inside, as Wang Xiao gently ced Fu Yuxin on the bed, the door closed behind them. Lin Xue entered, exhaling a deep sigh.


    "Are you trying to harm her?" She shot back, her voiceced with bitterness and seriousness.


    Wang Xiao shook his head. "Just a small act of revenge. You don''t need to concern yourself. Of course, you can join if you want."


    Lin Xue''s lips twitched in disbelief. "..." she remained silent for a moment. "I could kick you out of here and report to the authorities right now. We don''t tolerate such behavior."


    Wang Xiao nodded, his face showing seriousness.


    He was indeed aware.


    Lin Xue sighed, her tone softening. "At least you understand."


    She faced Wang Xiao, her voiceced with caution. "Don''t you ever pull something like this again. I won''t shield you a second time. It could sully our establishment''s reputation andnd you in hot water too."


    Wang Xiao''s gaze narrowed, a chuckle escaping his lips. "Reputation? Seriously?" He locked eyes with Lin Xue, a challenging glint in his stare.


    Since when did a ce like this care about reputation?


    Lin Xue squinted at him for a moment, her frustration evident.


    Then, she decisively shut the door behind her and made her exit. "I''m not ountable for her," she stated onest time before sealing the door shut.


    As Lin Xue stormed away, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but marvel at this mature woman, wondering if she was throwing a temper?


    He watched her retreating figure with narrowed eyes before releasing a heavy sigh.


    Fortunately, he had Lin Xue to secure a safe location for today''s operation. Without her help, he''d have had to arrange far riskier alternatives.


    As Lin Xue emerged from the building, her shoulders slumped with the weight of frustration, she hastily reached out her hands and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.


    This was a habit Wang Xiao was entirely unaware of, a secret indulgence she reserved for moments of overwhelming stress.


    She ced the cigarette between her lips, flicked the lighter, and inhaled deeply, feeling the warm embrace of the nicotine soothe her frayed nerves.


    The smoke spiraled upward, mingling with the night air as she exhaled.


    It was a brief respite from the chaos inside.


    Her thoughts swirled like the tendrils of smoke around her.


    She wondered how she had be entangled in this situation, trying to protect Wang Xiao from his own recklessness.


    The irony was not lost on her, for she, too, was no stranger to a life filled with secrets and risks.


    As she took another drag, Lin Xue gazed at the moon above, its pale light filtering through the night''s haze.


    The moon, like her, held secrets in its tranquil glow.


    But for now, the cool, quiet night provided her with a temporary escape from the turmoil of the brothel and the reckless boy she had just scolded.

 Chapter 34: *The forbidden Moonlight* (1)

    Within the dimly lit room, an atmosphere of solitude enveloped Fu Yuxin and Wang Xiao.


    Fu Yuxin reclined on the bed, her body ensnared by the intoxicating embrace of the room''s shadows.


    Her long, dark eyshes fluttered like delicate wings as the insistent pull of drowsiness tugged at her consciousness.


    Her form wriggled and contorted upon the sheets, the fabric caressing her in alluring whispers.


    "Wang Xiao~ I feel so weird..."


    "Are you ying tricks on me?" she inquired, her voice a soft, melodious chime.


    Laughter danced upon her lips as she wrestled with an unseen weight, as if trying to dispel an illusion that clung to her like a phantom.


    Wang Xiao stood frozen, his gaze fixed upon her. His mind swirled with a myriad of thoughts, emotions, and doubts.


    Slowly, he shed his clothes, each garment falling to the ground with a hushed sigh.


    He turned his attention to the window, where a faint, silvery moonlight caressed Fu Yuxin''s features, revealing her delicate vulnerability.


    In this moment, he found himself standing at a precipice, torn between the depths of his own desires and the uncertainty of whaty ahead.


    What would her countenance reveal when the sun painted the world with the colors of dawn?


    How far into the depths of trouble could he descend?


    The moon, once a wless orb in the night sky, now unveiled its rugged edges, casting an eerie, ethereal glow.


    His gaze drifted back to Fu Yuxin, her presence in the room beckoning him like a siren''s call.


    But, as he nced at the door, a pang of hesitation gripped him.


    He realized that this day might haunt his future, a relentless echo of what he could have dared but didn''t, amentation of lost courage.


    The weight of this realization settled upon him, steeling his determination.


    He chose the path of action over the burden of inaction, for he understood that living with the choices made was preferable to the regret of opportunities forsaken.


    Besides, given the borate stage they had set, he doubted Fu Yuxin would resort to extreme measures.


    More likely, there would be tears, perhaps a few hours of despair, and then the episode would fade like a fleeting dream.


    "Wang Xiao!? Are you here?" Fu Yuxin''s eyes extended, still entangled in the bed''s embrace, her half-slumbering state causing her to reach out for his imagined presence in the room''s enigmatic ambiance.


    "Yes, I am here," Wang Xiao suddenly smiled, a faint glimmer in his eyes, as he made the decision, unafraid of the consequences that awaited him.


    With a swift motion, he leaped over the bed, gracefullynding above Fu Fuxin.


    Slowly and tenderly, he began to undress her, each article of clothing peeling away to reveal her milky white skin in all its purity.


    As Fu Yuxin''s half-closed eyes battled against her fading consciousness, a flicker of awareness returned.


    She squinted, struggling toprehend the hazy figure undressing her.


    Confusion clouded her mind, rendering her unable to react as Wang Xiao deftly removed her bra.


    His gaze locked onto her figure, his eyes dancing with curiosity and desire.


    His sight followed a sensual path, tracing from the curve of her neck to the delicate lines of her corbone.


    It lingered on her slender fingers before returning to her neck, then ventured forward, exploring the territory of her chest.


    Intently, he stared at her exposed, round breasts, firm and enticing, adorned with two untouched cherries, delicate and inviting.


    "Mmmm...Why is it so cold~" Fu Yuxin murmured, her body shivering involuntarily as she tried to shield herself from the chill that permeated the room. Her delicate eyes fluttered shut, seeking sce in the darkness.


    "It won''t be for long," Wang Xiao''s voice dripped with confidence as he smirked, his focus fixated on her moist, inviting lips. With a hint of anticipation, he darted forward, immersing himself in the taste and texture that awaited him.


    The moment their lips collided sent a surge of intense pleasure coursing through Wang Xiao''s veins.


    The sweetness that enveloped his senses was like a forbidden nectar, clouding his mind with an intoxicating frisson. For a fleeting moment, Fu Yuxin was taken aback, her senses jolted awake.


    But, the primal instincts within her quickly overtook any hesitation as she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer, her craving undeniable.


    "Mmmm~"


    Fu Yuxin''s lips parted, a deep and contented moan escaping as she reveled in the drunken haze that enveloped her. She responded clumsily yet eagerly, her body surrendering to the electricity that crackled between them.


    Wang Xiao''s senses would have been overwhelmed if it weren''t for the countless nights he had spent with Lin Xue. And now, the pulsating excitement of being with Fu Chao''s sister fueled his desires.


    He started by nting soft kisses on her neck and corbone, igniting a trail of fiery sensations that led him to her perfectly shaped breasts, where her nipples stood slightly erect, perhaps due to a mix of chill and his tantalizing touch.


    With a surge of anticipation, Wang Xiao extended his hand, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as he caught hold of her breast between his hands, giving it a gentle squeeze.


    The texture felt like molding a soft, pliable dough¡ªthe perfectbination of suppleness and firmness.


    A muffled sound escaped Fu Yuxin''s lips, a breathy "Mngh~," serving as the soundtrack to their escting passion.


    Undeterred, Wang Xiao continued to knead her breast, expertly manipting it as though shaping a masterpiece.


    Lin Xue''s ample bosom was toorge to grasp, and Wang Mei barely had any to speak of.


    But Fu Yuxin''s breasts, with their near-perfect size, sent an inexplicable surge of stimtion coursing through him.


    Unable to resist any longer, he leaned in and, with a hint of urgency, lightly opened his mouth, seizing her cherries and enveloping them within.


    His mouth became a vessel of desire, as he fervently sucked on her engorged breasts, fully absorbed in the experience.


    "Mmmnnn~" Fu Yuxin writhed beneath him, her hands weakly resting above his head, adding a delicate touch to the passionate encounter.


    Her lips glistened, coated in a thin veneer of saliva that mirrored the intensity of the moment.


    As Wang Xiao continued to feast on Fu Yuxin''s breasts, a symphony of moans filled the air.


    Each flick of his tongue, each suckle of his lips, sent shivers of ecstasy racing through her body.


    Her squirming intensified, her delicate hands instinctively clutching at his tousled hair, as if desperately seeking an anchor in the sea of pleasure.


    The room seemed to fade away, and all that existed in that moment was the intoxicating union of their primal desires.

 Chapter 35: *The Forbidden Moonlight* (2)

    The moonlight continued to shine, casting a silvery glow on the scene as the two bodies entwined in a passionate dance.


    Wang Xiao was now engrossed, his lips tightly sealed against Fu Yuxin''s breasts, sucking relentlessly, his gaze intoxicated and slightly hazy as he stared into her eyes. The intensity of the moment caused his manhood to harden even more, aching with desire.


    With her hands stretched out on either side of the bed, Fu Yuxin moaned in a state of delightful intoxication, her voice filled with pleasure.


    Unable to bear the intensity any longer, Wang Xiao covered her rosy lips once more, his kiss passionate and consuming. He licked her lips teasingly before reluctantly tearing himself away, his eyes admiring every inch of her body.


    "Tsk, brother Fu Chao, your family certainly possesses impressive assets," he chuckled wickedly, his gaze drifting downwards to her bare and perfectly smooth pelvic region.


    He traced the delicate folds with his thumb, eliciting a shiver of electric sensation that coursed through Fu Yuxin''s body.


    The area was both soft and mildly rough to the touch, a contradictory sensation that heightened the desire within him.


    Without further dy, Wang Xiao positioned his throbbing manhood at the entrance to her wet and eager vagina.


    He rubbed it against her slick folds, each touch sending waves of pleasurable tremors through Fu Yuxin''s body, causing her to quiver in anticipation.


    His throbbing tip slid into her, causing Fu Yuxin to part her lips in pleasure, a soft moan escaping her.


    With a swift motion, he entered her fully, their bodies now one.


    "Ugh!"


    Fu Yuxin''s eyes snapped open, her hands reaching out and gripping Wang Xiao tightly, momentarily stunning him.


    Her face twisted in a mix of pleasure and pain, her expression contorted.


    "It hurts~!" She cried out, the sound making Wang Xiao flinch. He knew he had to take action to prevent her from spewing nonsense.


    Driven by a desperate need to please her, he leaned forward and covered her mouth, his hands sliding sensually behind her back.


    He guided her to sit straddled above him, her legs wrapping sensuously around his waist.


    Their lips met in passionate kisses as he maintained his intimate connection with her.


    In the same position, Wang Xiao made a deliberate movement, causing Fu Yuxin to flinch.


    She was on the verge of freeing herself and running away, but he wasn''t ready to let her go.


    With a forceful push, he brought her back down into the missionary position, his hips thrusting vigorously against hers.


    *Pak!*


    *Pak!*


    *Pak!*


    The sound of flesh colliding filled the room, apanied by the melody of Fu Yuxin''s moans.


    "Ahhhhnnn~"


    "Mmmnnnggg~ It feels so gooodddd...."


    She muttered to herself, her senses overwhelmed by pleasure, as Wang Xiao quickened his pace and released his climax inside her, followed by a contented sigh.


    He gazed at her flushed face, enjoying the moment.


    Both of their faces glistened with perspiration, evidence of their intense exertion.


    Driven by desire, he firmly gripped her breasts, giving them a few firm squeezes, before expertly maneuvering her onto all fours and resuming his forceful thrusts inside her eager vagina.


    "Mmmmnn~"


    Her delicate walls stretched and expanded, embracing his throbbing manhood, creating sensations of unimaginable intensity.


    The intoxicating allure of the forbidden act with his friend''s sister,bined with the novel sensations of her intimately tightness, sent Wang Xiao spiraling into a state of euphoric intoxication.


    He ardently pounded away at her, oblivious to her feeble protests, until she sumbed to exhaustion and drifted off into a deep slumber.


    Wang Xiao, depleted of energy, found sce in sleep beside her, only to be abruptly awakened hourster by Lin Xue.


    As Lin Xue swung open the unlocked door, her eyes widened in shock at the sight of the naked, intertwined duo.


    The room was in utter disarray, a pungent and tangy aroma hung heavily in the air.


    Lin Xue''s eyes narrowed in a mix of exasperation and concern as she took in the scene.


    She couldn''t help but shake her head. "This guy..." she muttered under her breath, realizing that Wang Xiao had disregarded all her advice about protection, despite her numerous attempts to emphasize the importance of using condoms.


    She couldn''t deny that she had inadvertently spoiled his habits by relying on birth control pills.


    With a sigh, she decided to wake Wang Xiao from his slumber.


    She gently shook his shoulder until his eyes flickered open, and for a few moments, he looked around in confusion.


    Then, the realization of the night''s events settled in, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Oh... So it actually happened," he muttered to himself.


    Lin Xue, still concerned, couldn''t help but scold him. "Stop being proud. Clean up and leave. I''ll handle things with her."


    Wang Xiao froze slightly, suspicion clouding his features. "You''ll handle it?" he asked cautiously.


    Lin Xue, feeling the weight of exhaustion and frustration, retorted, "I won''t harm her or anything! I''m not a criminal! Just go home already; it''s 2:00 am!" Theck of sleep was evident in her words, and her patience was wearing thin.


    After a moment of consideration, Wang Xiao nodded.


    He carefully ced a package containing a ne and earrings beside Fu Yuxin''s head, apanied by a note.


    It was a symbolic gesture, marking this encounter as a transaction and a closure, signaling not to seek him out in the future.


    Lin Xue sighed in relief as he finally left.


    She nced at Fu Yuxin''s exhausted form and immediately called someone in to attend to her.


    She didn''t want Fu Yuxin to wake up in distress in the morning, fully aware of her naked state.


    Lin Xue wanted to spare her any unnecessary shock and anxiety.


    The room, now quieter butden with the echoes of the night, seemed to sigh in relief as Wang Xiao departed into the shadows.


    Left alone with the aftermath, Lin Xue couldn''t help but feel a mixture of emotions.


    She watched as Wang Xiao''s figure faded into the darkness outside, her thoughts a whirlwind of contemtion and concern.


    Once he was gone, she turned her attention back to Fu Yuxin, whoy in a state of deep slumber, oblivious to the world around her.


    Lin Xue approached the bed with a mix of sympathy and frustration, her mind racing with thoughts of how to handle the situation.


    Leaning in closer, Lin Xue whispered softly to her, "You''re going to be okay, girl. I''ll take care of everything." She reached out to gently brush a strand of hair from Fu Yuxin''s forehead, a moment of tenderness amidst the chaos.


    After ensuring that Fu Yuxin wasfortable, Lin Xue picked up the note that Wang Xiao had left behind.


    Lin Xue''s brows furrowed in disbelief and irritation as she read the contents of Wang Xiao''s note.


    The words seemed to mock her efforts and the delicate bnce she had tried to maintain. "What nonsense has he written!?" she eximed softly to herself, her voice a mix of frustration and disappointment.


    She reread the note, each word fueling her growing annoyance.


    It was clear he intended to mark this encounter as a mere transaction, but his dismissive tone struck a nerve.

 Chapter 36: Mistaken sister for a sister? (1)

    "Sigh..."


    A heavy sigh escaped Wang Xiao''s lips, visible in the chilly night air as a misty plume. The biting cold of the night seeped through his padded jacket, an unwee guest that the jacket failed to repel.


    The clock disyed the unforgiving hour of 2:45 am as he finally stepped foot into his abode.


    He could already anticipate the morning - a storm of reprimands awaited him.


    Despite the frigid night, an odd mix of difort and familiarity settled within him, anchoring him to the spot.


    It felt like peace... An enduring, tranquil peace...


    ''This could be the end; your body is already freezing, you fool.''


    The internal warning jolted him, rescuing him from the sudden suicidal thoughts. He shook his head and discreetly moved past the inattentive guard.


    The guard, neglecting his duty, didn''t warrant anyments from Wang Xiao.


    Clutching the spare key to the main door, Wang Xiao made a quiet entry. He navigated his way inside, carefully ascending the stairs, each step a cautious effort to avoid stirring anyone from their slumber.


    Only when he stood outside his third-floor apartment did he allow himself to breathe a sigh of relief, reflecting on the surreal events of the day.


    Wang Xiao felt strangely detached from the whirlwind of events that had unfolded, as if it were all just a passing breeze. There was no sense of achievement left, no lingering regret¡ªalmost as if he were on the verge of forgetting it all, rendering it inconsequential.


    Upon unlocking the door and stepping inside, he was greeted by an unusual darkness. Typically, Wang Mei slept withmps on, so the absence of light surprised him. Nevertheless, his senses quickly confirmed her presence.


    There was a body sprawled across his bed, facing away from him, the rhythmic breathing a clear giveaway.


    Despite his fatigue, Wang Xiao couldn''t shake the stickiness of his skin. He shed his clothes and made his way to the shower, and as he stripped downpletely, he took a bewildered look at himself in the mirror.


    His frown deepened as he observed his own reflection, his back marred by a series of long scratch marks, some of them still bleeding.


    There were also reddish marks, unmistakable faint hickeys, adorning his neck¡ªan unexpected revtion.


    He couldn''t even recall when or how he had acquired them.


    Such marks had never appeared during his time with Lin Xue, and some of these scratches were worryingly deep.


    His gaze returned to the cold water streaming from the showerhead, and a sense of foreboding washed over him.


    He knew all too well that the contact of water with those injuries would bring a painful sting, one that he couldn''t ignore.


    Taking a deep breath, Wang Xiao stepped into the cold shower, his body flinching as the icy water cascaded down his skin.


    Despite the stinging sensation on his back, an inexplicable urge held him in ce. The pain had an oddly addictive quality to it, drawing him in.


    As the frigid water continued to flow, his head gradually started to feel numb, the freezing sensation seeping into his thoughts.


    Eventually, he stepped away from the shower, emerging with fresh, thin clothes that only seemed to amplify the biting cold.


    Despite the heater''s persistent hum, the chill still managed to creep its way into the room.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes fell upon the figure cocooned beneath the nket on his bed, a mischievous smile dancing on his lips. He had found a way to keep himself warm.


    Without a word of warning, he slipped under the covers and wrapped his arms around Wang Mei from behind.


    !!


    Suddenly, Wang Mei''s eyes shot open, startled by the sensation of someone catching her from behind.


    Shey there frozen, unable to respond, a rush of emotions and confusion swirling within her.


    Her hands, unexpectedly swift, shot up to intercept Wang Xiao''s advance.


    However, his hands persisted, defying her resistance and slipping beneath her clothes, finding a resting ce near her abdomen, where they caressed with a slow, deliberate touch.


    A sudden chill ran through Wang Mei as his cold fingers danced on her skin, causing her to shiver involuntarily.


    In the blink of an eye, Wang Xiao''s actions became brazen, as he pressed his face against the nape of her neck, nting kisses with audacity.


    Wang Mei''s head jerked in surprise, a reaction to halt his unwee advances. But Wang Xiao, catching her awareness in his gaze, realized she was already awake, and thus, he felt no need to restrain himself.


    His hands moved deftly, venturing higher towards her supple breasts, their touch tender yet invasive, shaping the softness with a touch both possessive and unsettling, lightly flicking a sensitive nipple.


    A sharp gasp of surprise escaped Wang Mei''s lips, and she instinctively closed them, her astonishment immeasurable.


    Wang Xiao, now aware that something was amiss, halted his actions, the sudden change in atmosphere undeniable.


    The object within his hand felt farrger than anticipated.


    It wasn''t exceedinglyrge, but whenpared to Wang Mei, the difference was undeniably significant.


    He decided to test its size with a gentle squeeze.


    !!


    Wang Xueying''s body trembled, her eyes welling up with tears from his touch.


    Her breathing became shallow, her mind thrown into disarray, as his sudden advances caught her off guard.


    Wang Xiao''s expression shifted, his voiceced with suspicion, "Mei...?"


    ________


    Wang Xueying''s breathing hitched as she slowly turned around.


    In the dimly lit room, her face was visible, her eyes shimmering with a delicate sheen, tears threatening to spill, a stark contrast to the darkness around them.


    The sight of her face, the soft glow in her eyes, caught Wang Xiao off guard, changing his expression. "Xueying?" he murmured, stunned. There was no mistaking those eyes.


    They were stunning even without sses.


    Wang Xueying''s emotions erupted in a sudden, frustrated outburst. With a burst of energy, sheunched a feeble punch toward her brother''s chest. "Stupid brother!" Her face turned crimson with embarrassment.


    Wang Xiao, clearly taken aback, posed the question that had baffled him since his abrupt entrance. "What are you doing here? Isn''t this my room?"


    His fingers flicked the room''smpshades to life, casting revealing light across the space as he scanned for any indication he might have mistakenly intruded into the wrong room.


    With growing confusion, he confirmed that, indeed, he stood in his own room. His gaze returned to Wang Xueying, his expression a portrait of bewilderment.


    In the uneasy silence that followed, Wang Xueying struggled to find her words. "W-we were waiting for you," she finally managed, adjusting her disheveled clothing.


    "We?" Wang Xiao mumbled, his eyes scanning the room but finding no sign of anyone else''s presence.


    "Wang Mei was here as well... she must have left," Wang Xueying exined, her eyes sweeping the room for any trace of her sister, but she came up empty.


    Both of them had sumbed to slumber while waiting for him in his room, and it appeared Wang Mei had roused earlier and made her exit.


    Curiosity brimming, Wang Xiao pressed further. "What were you two waiting for?"


    The shadows in Wang Xueying''s expression deepened as she answered. "Dad was absolutely furious when you didn''t return home all night. We kept the spare keys, just in case," she rified, recalling the tension that had gripped them both.


    In anticipation of Wang Xiao potentially finding himself locked out, they had both kept their phones ready to respond and open the door once he reached out to them.


    Wang Xiao nodded in sudden understanding.

 Chapter 37: Mistaken sister for a sister? (2)

    Wang Xiao nodded in sudden understanding.


    However, Wang Xueying wasn''t done yet.


    Her eyes, aplex mix of emotions, scrutinized every detail of Wang Xiao''s form. "D-Do you guys do this every day?" she ventured, her voice trembling with curiosity and a hint of fear.


    Wang Xiao, momentarily puzzled, sought rification, "Do what?" But then, realization dawned on him, and heprehended the nature of her inquiry.


    Wang Xueying, her entire body concealed beneath a nket except for her face, turned to face him with a lingering unease in her eyes.


    Seeing her like this, a different facet of Wang Xiao emerged. "Do you mean this?" he whispered, his lips brushing against her neck once again, causing her to jump in surprise.


    She quickly pulled back, paniced. "What are you doing!?" she eximed, her confusion evident.


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly. "I already knew it was you."


    Wang Xueying''s eyes widened in astonishment. "What?... Y-You knew it was me all along?" Her mouth hung agape with surprise.


    The realization struck her like a lightning bolt, causing her heart to race and her breath to catch.


    Wang Xiao pressed on with the performance, his conviction clear in his words, "I knew it was you, not Mei," he said, the certainty causing Wang Xueying''s eyes to widen in surprise, her lips parting in disbelief, yet she couldn''t voice her astonishment.


    Her face turned ghostly pale, a wave of panic washing over her features.


    Reading her fear, Wang Xiao understood she was far from prepared for this revtion. He continued, "There was no way Mei would have breasts this big," he coughed, emphasizing the point and watching as Wang Xueying''s face flushed crimson.


    "You are crazy!" she muttered, turning away from him, her face concealed, realizing he was toying with her.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t contain hisughter as he gently pulled her close, feeling her resistance. "Come on, my dear sister, let me touch just once," he teased.


    Wang Xueying''s face flushed even more as she immediately protested, "No!"


    Amidstughter, Wang Xiao persisted, attempting to hug her closely. "Don''t be so petty, just once!... Yours is truly bigger and softer than Mei''s."


    "Crazy!" Wang Xueying eximed, her eyes widening as she shook her head vigorously.


    His persistence caught her off guard.


    In that moment, she knew he was joking, but a exciting question danced in the back of her mind: ''What would he do if I said yes?'' Her memory still held the sensation of his hands tracing over her breasts, sending shivers down her spine and igniting an electric charge within her.


    She bit her lip to stifle any sound that might escape her.


    Surprisingly, as the night wore on, Wang Xiao and Wang Xueying found themselves drifting into slumber in an intimate embrace.


    He held her from behind, his fingers slipping beneath her nightdress to rest gently on her t abdomen.


    Wang Xueying felt a mix of helplessness and curiosity.


    As long as he didn''t cross any boundaries, she decided not to voice her protest, sumbing to the drowsiness that washed over her, still aware of the warmth of his touch.


    _________


    As the morning sun pierced through the darkness, Wang Xueying exerted a force to escape from Wang Xiao''s tight grasp, her chest heaving as she gasped for breath.


    Her eyes, a swirling sea of emotions, flicked over to him, and she realized how vastly different Wang Xiao appeared at nightpared to the daytime.


    ''I need to be more cautious...'' she admonished herself, her gaze inadvertently drawn to the faint scratches on his back.


    "What are these...?" she whispered, lifting his clothing slightly. A gasp escaped her lips, her eyes widening in astonishment as she took in the sight of his back, marred with fresh injuries.


    Wang Xiao stirred from his slumber, eyelids fluttering as he registered Wang Xueying''s surprised expression. "What happened to you?" he inquired, sitting up with a casual nonchnce.


    "Why is your back so red?" Wang Xueying questioned, concerncing her voice. "There are so many injuries. What did you dost night? Did you fight someone, brother!?"


    Wang Xiao blinked, catching up to her line of questioning and nodded. "It was a minor scuffle, with your brother winning, of course," he added.


    Wang Xueying''s eyes widened. "Are you absolutely insane? How can this be considered a victory, ending up with so many marks?" she retorted, her anger evident.


    Wang Xiao offered a faint smile. "It was indeed a triumph," he repeated, recalling his victory over Fu Yuxin in bed, but he chose not to disclose this to Wang Xueying, aware it would likely baffle her.


    "Enough, undress and lie down," Wang Xueying instructed.


    "..." Wang Xiao wanted toment on how her words could be interpreted differently, but she had already left to retrieve the first aid kit.


    He sighed, disrobing and positioning himself, shirtless, as he waited for Wang Xueying''s return with the first-aid kit. She gently cleaned his back with antiseptic, applying the soothing cream meticulously.


    Wang Xiaoy still, feeling her tender hands graze his skin, pondering if he could handle this alone. Humans, it seemed, were deliberately designed to rely on each other socially.


    "It''s done," Wang Xueying announced, her smile bringing a sense of relief.


    Wang Xiao nodded, sitting up and meeting her gaze. Unable to put on a shirt due to the antiseptic cream, he maintained a vulnerable exposure of his upper body.


    Wang Xueying''s eyes flickered, a subtle tension enveloping the room, as their gazes locked.


    "Thank you for your assistance," Wang Xiao expressed, breaking the silence.


    "O-Of course, just don''t go fighting people needlessly. I won''t always be here to patch you up!" Wang Xueying replied, her voice slightly stammering, her cheeks tinged with a subtle blush.


    In that moment, they sat in the charged atmosphere, unspoken sentiments lingering between them, painting the room with a newyer ofplexity.


    The unspoken words swirled like a tempest, hinting at feelings yet to be acknowledged, their hearts beating in a rhythm only they couldprehend.


    A sudden knock by now awake Wang Mei disturbed the atmosphere, jolting them from their contemtive moment.


    Wang Xiao remembered that he had toter head downstairs to confront his father''s impending tantrum.


    The serenity that had briefly settled between him and Wang Xueying dissipated, reced by the impending family discord he was about to face.


    ________

 Chapter 38: Fu Yuxin woke up!

    On the cold morning of December 30, 2023, the world slowly awakened, but for Fu Yuxin, it was a bewildering start to the day.


    Her eyes flickered open, and as consciousness returned, she groaned softly, "My head..." Her hands instinctively reached for her throbbing temples, clutching them as a wave of pain surged through her.


    With great effort, she managed to sit up, her surroundings an enigma.


    The room seemed unfamiliar, casting shadows of confusion over her groggy mind. "Where am I...?" Her voice trembled as she muttered, staring wide-eyed at the unfamiliar setting.


    Gradually, her vision began to clear. She gazed out of the window, revealing an unknown neighborhood that added to the puzzle.


    Her memories from the previous day trickled back, like a slow-moving stream.


    "Right... I was with Wang Xiao..." She whispered to herself. But in the next instant, her eyes widened in shock.


    !!


    With a swift kick of the quilt, her heart raced as she nced down, her breath held in anxious anticipation.


    A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she realized she was still clothed.


    Yet, a lingering unease persisted, and she furrowed her brow. "Who changed my clothes?" The question hung in the air, unanswered and unsettling.


    Her face contorted with bewilderment, unable to grasp the mysterious turn of events.


    Determined to unravel the situation, she gingerly attempted to swing her legs out of the bed.


    Suddenly, a searing pain coursed through her legs, freezing her in ce.


    "What!?" Her cry of rm echoed through the room, and she found herself once again reclining on the bed.


    Her face grew paler by the second, a mounting dread wing at her senses.


    Trembling, she lifted her pajama, revealing the absence of undergarments.


    "I...!?" Her voice trailed off, a mixture of disbelief and fear gripping her.


    Tentatively, she tried to put her legs on the floor once more, only to be met with an even more excruciating pain, this time emanating from between her legs.


    "Ugh!"


    The room seemed to hold its breath as she grappled with this unsettling revtion, her world spinning into an unknown abyss.


    Her breaths came in shallow, panicked gasps, each inhale tinged with the bitter taste of fear.


    Her heart drummed a frenzied beat, matching the chaotic cadence of her thoughts as she grappled with the horror of the situation.


    A suffocating weight of confusion bore down on her, mingling with an insidious sense of vition that left her trembling.


    How had she, Fu Yuxin, ended up in this disoriented state, stripped of her dignity and memories?


    The questions reverberated in her mind, but the answers remained elusive, shrouded in a haze of distress.


    "No-no-no..." she whispered desperately, her head shaking in disbelief. Cold beads of sweat formed on her brows, a chilling realization seeping into her consciousness.


    Dread clutched at the edges of her thoughts, urging her to confront the source of her torment.


    Summoning every ounce of courage, she steeled herself to probe the searing pain that emanated from between her legs, tracing it to its origin.


    Her fingers trembled as they moved tentatively, confirming her worst fears.


    Tears welled up in her eyes, a tempest of emotions crashing within her¡ªshame, anger, despair¡ªall fighting for dominance.


    "Wang Xiao... Why!?" The words escaped her lips in a broken whisper, the betrayal cutting deep, leaving an indelible mark on her soul.


    A newfound sense of vition gnawed at her core, leaving scars that were more than just physical.


    Amidst this torment, fragments of memories began to piece themselves together, a cruel jigsaw puzzle that revealed glimpses of the night before.


    shes of blurred images and muffled sounds taunted her, faces and voices dancing in her mind''s eye, but remaining frustratingly out of reach.


    With each passing moment, the brutal reality of her situation became more undeniable.


    She had been vited, and a sense of helplessness washed over her like a suffocating tide, leaving her grappling with the shattering aftermath.


    "Drink the ss of water kept on the left," a sudden voice sliced through the dense air, jolting her from her whirlwind of emotions.


    Startled, she turned towards the door, hastily swiping at her tears, and asked, her voice trembling, "W-Who are you!?"


    Her gaze locked with that of a mature woman, and despite her distress, a flush of embarrassment colored her cheeks at the awkwardness of being seen in such a state.


    Lin Xue, with a touch of sympathy in her eyes, approached calmly.


    She took the ss of water, cing it gently in front of Fu Yuxin. "If you want to avoid an unwanted pregnancy, it''s crucial to drink it now. I''ve mixed the medicine in it," she rified.


    !!


    Lin Xue''s words pierced through the fragile facade that Fu Yuxin had struggled to maintain.


    Overwhelmed by the sheer weight of her situation, she suddenly broke down, her sobs echoing through the room.


    Tears streamed down her face as she reached for the ss of water, her hands trembling.


    She took a shaky sip, the liquid catching in her throat, making her choke. "Wh-why is this happening..." she gasped between sobs, the bitterness of the medicine mirroring the bitterness of her reality.


    Lin Xue watched with a mixture of sympathy and concern, understanding the turmoil that had enveloped Fu Yuxin''s world.


    She offered aforting hand on her shoulder, a silent gesture of support in this darkest hour.


    As the ss emptied, Fu Yuxin''s sobs began to subside, leaving behind a profound sense of despair.


    She looked up at Lin Xue with eyes that had witnessed the depths of despair, silently pleading for answers in the midst of her shattered reality.


    Lin Xue took a deep breath, gathering herposure before giving Fu Yuxin a concise overview of the situation.


    The reality of it hit Fu Yuxin hard, and she choked on tears, her chest tightening with a mixture of pain, anger, and a sense of vition that she could hardly put into words.


    As Lin Xue exined, Fu Yuxin''s gaze fell upon a small, familiar package nearby.


    After a moment of hesitation, she mustered the strength to reach for it, her eyes red from crying and the exhaustion of the previous night weighing heavily on her.


    She opened the package, revealing the ne and earrings, along with a small slip of paper.


    Her hands trembled as she picked it up.


    Lin Xue, contemting the situation, snatched the note from her grasp, advising, "You don''t need to read it."

 Chapter 39: Wang Xiao again?

    Lin Xue, contemting the situation, snatched the note from her grasp, advising, "You don''t need to read it."


    However, Fu Yuxin''s eyes, filled with despair, pleaded, "Let me, please..."


    Reluctantly, Lin Xue handed her the piece of paper. Fu Yuxin caught it with trembling hands, and as she read its contents, her face turned ghostly pale.


    In a surge of anger and disbelief, she picked up the package and hurled it at the wall.


    *Bam!*


    Fu Yuxin''s face contorted with a mix of disbelief and fury, struggling toprehend the heartlessness that had beenid out before her.


    Lin Xue sighed and shook her head, already knowing the gravity of the situation.


    She had warned against reading the note.


    The contents were callous and beyond what anyone should endure. It simply read, ''You can keep the ne as well,plete set is yours now; consider it as payment for the Night.''


    The cruelty of those words and the audacity to deliver them after such a heinous act left Lin Xue unable to fathom how a child of 12 years old could possess such sinister mind.


    The weight of the horror they both had experienced settled heavily in the room, leaving them grappling with the aftermath of an unspeakable vition.


    ________


    "Just to remind you, You shouldn''t need to think about pursuing this matter; it would only make things worse for you, since you walked in at your own discretion here, and the cameras might have a recording of you walking inside as well..."


    "Even if you try anything against him, he would be protected byw due to his ag¡ª"


    Fu Yuxin whispered in defeat, "I know..." Her voice trailed off, the weight of injustice settling on her shoulders, suffocating her.


    She mustered the strength to stagger towards the waiting taxi that had been arranged for her.


    The world seemed a hazy blur, her thoughts consumed by the brutality of reality.


    Lin Xue sighed, torn between wanting to protect Fu Yuxin and the precariousness of her own circumstances.


    She only wished for Fu Yuxin to avoid involvingw enforcement agencies, understanding the potential repercussions not just for Wang Xiao but for the entire velvet shadows.


    In the cold eyes of the CCTV footage, it was irrefutably recorded that Fu Yuxin had arrived with Wang Xiao, and she had even received payment afterward.


    Fu Yuxin would face a daunting challenge trying to prove that she was drugged and vited, especially when she remained unaware of the drugs in her drink, attributing her condition to a falsely assumed low alcohol tolerance that Wang Xiao had taken advantage of carelessness.


    The truth was an elusive shadow, slipping further away as the minutes ticked by.


    ________


    Upon her return home, Fu Yuxin faced a gauntlet of suspicious stares from her mother, Mei Lian, who intercepted her on the staircase.


    "Yuxin, where were you the entire night? I called Ni Jing''s home, and you were clearly not there!" Mei Lian''s voice carried a mix of concern and frustration.


    A shadow crossed Fu Yuxin''s face, casting a somber tone over her reply, "I was outside," she uttered, her words tinged with weariness, and she ascended the stairs with a heavy heart.


    "Huh?" Mei Lian stood there momentarily stunned, trying to process her daughter''s unusually indifferent response.


    However, keen eyes caught the irregrity in Fu Yuxin''s gait, and a sudden realization dawned upon her.


    She shook her head in disbelief and helplessness, grappling with the changing dynamics and behaviors of the younger generation.


    In her own youth, the mere thought of revealing her naked body to any man before marrying Fu Yuxin''s father would have been inconceivable.


    The rapid shifts in societal norms bewildered her, leaving her adrift in a sea of evolving values.


    Unbeknownst to Mei Lian, a vast chasm of misunderstanding separated her perception from her daughter''s reality.


    Inside her room, Fu Yuxin let the fa?ade crumble, the weight of the night''s horrors crashing down upon her. She slumped against the door, her sobs echoing the torment she had endured.


    The darkness of that night seemed to seep into her very soul, leaving her shattered and adrift in a world that felt callous and unforgiving.


    ______


    As time trickled by since Fu Yuxin''s departure, Lin Xue found it increasingly challenging to focus on the mundane tasks that usually demanded her attention.


    Seated at her desk, she massaged her temples, her thoughts ensnared by the haunting echoes of the night''s events.


    Ordinarily aloof to the daily operations of the establishment, Fu Yuxin''s harrowing experience had stirred a restlessness within Lin Xue, as if rubbing salt against her own wounds.


    With a heavy sigh, she made the decision to step away from her desk, seeking sce in trying to calm her troubled mind.


    But just as she rose, preparing to make her escape from the confines of her office, Chen Meili burst into her quarters with a sense of urgency.


    The abrupt entrance jolted Lin Xue, and her earlier frustrations found an immediate target as she furrowed her brow and scolded, "How many times must I remind you to knock before entering?"


    Chen Meili, however, seemed agitated and rmed. She blurted out in a rush, "It''s Wang Xiao, Madam! You need toe with me right now!" Her words hung in the air for a fleeting moment before she turned and hurried back out, leaving Lin Xue perplexed.


    "??"


    With a resigned sigh, Lin Xue shook her head, muttering, "Again?" She pondered what new cmity the infamous Wang Xiao had brought upon them this time.


    Her thoughts drifted to the young troublemaker, and a mixture of exasperation and concern creased her features. "What a troublesome kid..."


    Lin Xue seldom ventured beyond her room''s threshold, except for matters of great importance.


    Whatever had transpired must have been quite significant to prompt Chen Meili to personally summon her.


    The urgency of the situation weighed on her as she reluctantly readied herself to leave her quarters, bracing for the challenge that awaited her beyond those walls.

 Chapter 40: Dirt Bikes: Rubbing it to Fu Chaos face!?

    "Haha! Wang Xiao, perfect timing, my man!" Fu Chao greeted Wang Xiao with unrestrained excitement, striding towards him. Wang Xiao, usually cautious around Fu Chao, decided to y along, sharing the embrace.


    "Brother Fu Chao, you seem to be in high spirits. What''s got you so fired up?" Wang Xiao asked, a faint, mocking smile tugging at the corners of his lips, unnoticed by Fu Chao.


    Fu Chao''s enthusiasm was infectious as he nodded vigorously, unable to contain his glee. "Xiao Ling brought a motorbike for us to test! Can you believe it? I''m pumped!" he eximed, blissfully unaware that his sister was also experiencing a different kind of excitement, thanks to Wang Xiao.


    ''Sigh, who would dare tell him about his sister getting pumped as well?'' Wang Xiao''s inner voices chuckled wickedly, hidden beneath his outwardposure.


    ''Look at that excitement on the chubby face, haha!'' another voice chimed in, reveling in the amusement of the situation.


    ''Why not spill the beans about his sister, then watch the shock on his face? Haha!'' yet another voice suggested, each personality contributing its own mischievousmentary.


    Unbeknownst to everyone around, Wang Xiao''s mind was a cacophony of different personalities and voices, each taking turns to add their ownmentary to the unfolding scene.


    The voices blended seamlessly into the background, concealed by the boisterous atmosphere around them.


    Wang Xiao pretended to be deeply interested, hanging on to Fu Chao''s every word about the day''s ns. But beneath the fa?ade, his mind was upied with the events that had led him to this moment.


    Their current location was just outside the entrance of Shanghai Global University, where Fu Chao and numerous other students pursued their studies. With the university closed, the outside gate had be a vibrant hub for gatherings, buzzing with youthful energy and anticipation.


    In the early hours of the morning, Wang Xiao had made a hasty escape from his home, leaving exnations and awkward conversations to be handled by Wang Xueying. He had no intention of being subjected to the inquisitive probing of his family so early in the day.


    The very first thought that had sprung to his mind after fleeing was to seek out Fu Chao, for reasons that amused him deeply.


    The tingling satisfaction of the forbidden coursed through Wang Xiao, intensifying the excitement that surged within him as he followed Fu Chao to the backside of the university walls. There, they found Tan Weimin waiting with another person, Ling Chen, who had arranged the dirtbikes.


    Two brand new dirtbikes stood proudly, their blue and silver colors shimmering in the sunlight.


    "Whistle..."


    "These babies are brand new, haha!" Tan Weimin eximed, clearly thrilled at the sight.


    Walking towards Ling Chen, Fu Chao chimed in, "Where did you get these, Xiao Ling?"


    "Brother, it was a calcted risk to liberate them from the showroom. You''ve got a mere 2-hour window to revel in their glory before I have to discreetly return them, or my old man will be onto us," Ling Chen divulged, a cigarette dangling from his fingers.


    As the conversation unfolded, Wang Xiao observed the bikes, his curiosity piqued by their exchange.


    Ling Chen''s father owned a 4S shop, dealing not only with cars but also motorcycles. Ling Chen had orchestrated this escapade with the help of Tan Weimin, discreetly borrowing these two bikes for a short period to savor the day.


    The dirtbikes stood like untamed stallions, their engines purring in readiness, a promise of untold adventures.


    Fu Chao''s eyes gleamed with the promise of adventure as he circled the bikes, running his fingers over the sleek designs. The vibrant blue and silver colors seemed toe alive under the sunlight, hinting at the thrill that awaited them.


    He pped Ling Chen on the shoulder with a hearty grin. "Xiao Ling, you''re a legend for pulling this off! Let''s make the most of these two hours!"


    Ling Chen chuckled, ncing at the bikes affectionately. "You know it, brother. Now, let''s gear up and hit the road before we have to sneak these babies back into hiding."


    Tan Weimin handed out helmets, and the group quickly suited up, the anticipation building with each click of the buckles and adjustment of straps.


    Wang Xiao, though still intrigued by the thrill of the moment, remained somewhat detached, his thoughts drifting to theplex web of secrets and forbidden experiences he had recently be entangled in.


    With engines revving, the quartet mounted the dirtbikes, ready to carve through the winding roads and bask in the exhration of their small adventure.


    Arriving near Century Park, the group of four, excluding Wang Xiao, took turns enjoying the exhrating ride on the bikes.


    Ling Chen, not particrly interested in riding, entrusted his bike to Tan Weimin, who reveled in the chance to take the machine for a spin.


    Ling Chen, on the other hand, retreated to a quiet corner, engrossed in animated conversations with some girls over his phone.


    Fu Chao observed the scene, shaking his head in amusement. Amongst them all, Ling Chen had a reputation as the biggest yer when it came to women. He then turned his attention to Wang Xiao, an idea forming in his mind.


    "Wang Xiao! How about taking a turn at the wheel?" Fu Chao proposed with an grin.


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao was caught off-guard by the sudden proposal. His gaze shifted between the bike and Fu Chao, a hint of curiosity in his eyes as he contemted the offer.


    "I''m not of driving age yet," Wang Xiao replied, stating the fact inly.


    Fu Chao, however, wasn''t dissuaded. He suddenly produced the keys, handing them to Wang Xiao. "Don''t pull that crap on me. You don''t have the legal age to go to Velvet Shadows either!"


    Wang Xiao nced at the keys, then at the bike, a sequence of confusion crossing his face. ''How do I drive this?'' he wondered, feeling slightly overwhelmed as he had no prior knowledge of operating a motorcycle.


    Fu Chao noticed his uncertainty and took a step back, exining.


    Over the next few minutes, he patiently exined the basics of motorcycle operation to Wang Xiao.


    Gradually, it began to make sense, and Wang Xiao gained some confidence.


    He mounted the bike, started the engine, and with a mix of excitement and curosity.


    *Vroom!*


    The bike roared to life, surging forward and sending a rush of adrenaline through Wang Xiao.


    He was momentarily startled by the sudden eleration, but quickly gained control, struggling to maintain his bnce as the wind whipped past.


    "Don''t head towards the main streets!" Fu Chao''s urgent yell reached him, a reminder to avoid the bustling main roads where traffic police could easily spot them.


    Wang Xiao nodded in acknowledgement, steering the bike towards the less crowded, unmonitored streets of Pudong.

 Chapter 41: Accident?

    "It''s not so bad..." Wang Xiao mumbled to himself as the throttle of the bike continued to be open wide.


    The sensation of speed coursed through him, especially on the empty, unregted streets of Pudong.


    The wind became a living thing, tearing at his clothes and tugging at his hair as he elerated, the exhration intensifying with every passing second.


    The world blurred around him, and for those precious moments, he felt truly free.


    But in the blink of an eye, his tion turned to stark fear as he noticed an approaching car on the narrow singlene street.


    "!!"


    His reflexes took over as he instinctively mmed on the brakes and swerved to the left, narrowly avoiding a disastrous collision with the car.


    He let out a breath of relief, his heart pounding in his chest.


    But before he could fully process what had just urred, an unseen force crashed into him.


    *Boom!*


    The front tire of the bike struck a pole with a jarring impact, bringing the bike to an abrupt and violent stop.


    Wang Xiao was sent catapulting from the bike, his head making sickening contact with the unyielding pole.


    !!


    For several agonizing seconds, hey there, unconscious and sprawled in an awkward position.


    Blood oozed from a gash on his forehead, a crimson trickle that hinted at the severity of the injury.


    "...mm..." Slowly, he began to stir, his body feeling alien and disconnected, like pieces of a puzzle not quite fitting together.


    "Blood...?" His eyes widened in rm as they fell upon the dark, spreading stain from the wound.


    He hesitated for a moment, then slowly reached up to touch it, the warmth under his fingers making his skin crawl, a numb sensation coursing through his body.


    Summoning all the strength he could muster, he managed to rise, a throbbing numbness in his head and a disorienting fog clouding his thoughts.


    Clutching his bleeding forehead with one hand, he approached the fallen bike.


    With a determined grimace, he mounted it, his fingers gripping the handles tightly.


    The damaged machine felt heavier than before, the numbenes in his head intensifying with each jolt.


    Yet, driven by the need to find help, he steered it shakily toward the nearest point where he hoped to find assistance.


    ______


    Draped in a coat to stave off the unexpected chill that had swept in with the afternoon, Chen Meili, the receptionist of Velvet Shadows, let out a sigh of bewilderment.


    The weather in Shanghai seemed to have taken an unpredictable turn, leaving her to ponder this sudden cold snap.


    As she stood by the window, her eyes were drawn to a bike parked outside.


    It captured her attention, and upon closer inspection, she recognized Wang Xiao as the rider.


    Surprise shed through her eyes momentarily, but she soon shook her head, a wry smile tugging at her lips.


    The day was proving to be far more eventful than she had initially anticipated.


    "How can this little boy have so much strength?" Chen Meili muttered to herself, her surprise evident. There was only one reason he could havee here for, and she couldn''t help but feel a sense of warning for Lin Xue.


    But hadn''t he been with another girl whom he had brought just yesterday? It hadn''t even been a day, and yet here he was again.


    Regardless of his antics, Chen Meili had be adept at brushing aside Wang Xiao''s absurd behavior, shifting the responsibility to his baby sister, Lin Xue, to handle. She knew that if either Wang Xiao or Lin Xue discovered her true thoughts about them, she''d likely get an earful.


    However, to her surprise, Wang Xiao didn''t make his way inside. Instead, he picked up a ss of water, and with deliberate slowness, began pouring it over his own head.


    ??


    Chen Meili watched in bewilderment as the dried blood on his forehead slowly turned liquid, tinting the water a shocking shade of red. The sight left her and the others nearby startled and perplexed, a new wave of curiosity and concern washing over her.


    !!


    "What on earth are you doing!?" Chen Meili eximed, leaving her counter in a hurry and snatching the water from Wang Xiao''s hand.


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao turned to face her, furrowing his brow. "Just a small wound, cleaning it up," he exined matter-of-factly.


    "What!?" Chen Meili felt an even greater shock. ''Cleaning it!?'' Was he out of his mind?


    Without wasting another moment, she took charge, pulling him inside and instructing him to stay put. "You wait here! Don''t go anywhere, and for goodness'' sake, don''t try to clean it again!" she ordered, rushing into the establishment and causing a stir.


    Wang Xiao was still somewhat perplexed. The injury had left his body feeling numb, and he couldn''t sense any pain in his head. He assumed it was a minor scratch that he could easily wash off, maybe apply some medicine, and head home.


    However, to the onlookers, his actions seemed almost like a reckless action of suicide.


    Chen Meili swiftly returned, and behind her came another woman, Lin Xue, who naturally drew attention with her curvaceous figure.


    As Lin Xueid eyes on Wang Xiao sitting in the chai nonchnt like a thug while his head stained with drying blood, her eyes widened in a mix of shock and concern.


    Simultaneously, another motorcycle was parked outside.


    Wang Xiao had been absent for quite some time, prompting Fu Chao and Tan Weimin to set out to find him.


    They finally arrived and pulled up, halting outside.


    Lin Xue, rushing toward Wang Xiao, came to an abrupt sto, almost freezing in her tracks as she spotted the two additional males making their way inside.


    She recognized them vaguely, but that was all.


    "??"


    Wang Xiao nced at her pale face, taken aback, squinting his eyes.


    Following her gaze, he noticed Fu Chao and Tan Weimin closing in on him, equally surprised by Lin Xue''s sudden presence.


    For Tan Weimin, this was his first time seeing her. He had only heard whispers of the beautiful proprietress of this ce.


    As for Fu Chao, he had caught fleeting glimpses of her shadow, but this was the first time he saw her clearly.


    The captivating figure beckoned to both of them, stirring temptations within.


    Lin Xue, regaining herposure, slowly walked up to Wang Xiao. "How on earth did you manage to injure yourself like this?" she asked, brows furrowed, trying to assess the extent of the injury beneath the blood covering his head.


    The injury didn''t seem overly serious, but the earlier water Wang Xiao had poured over the dried blood had given it a gruesome appearance.


    "Come inside with me," she said, taking his hand and leading him indoors, leaving Tan Weimin and Fu Chao in a state of surprise.


    "Take the bike back; I''ll catch up with you allter," Wang Xiao instructed, tossing the bike keys toward Fu Chao, who caught them, still in a daze.


    "Damn! What''s going on with that guy!?" Fu Chao eximed, his mind racing.


    He sighed deeply, attempting to calm his thoughts.


    Tan Weimin was utterly bewildered. "Brother, how did Wang Xiao get so lucky? The proprietress seemed to treat him with great favor. I can''t recall her even acknowledging our presence."


    Fu Chao wore a bitter expression, shaking his head slowly. "I have no clue," he admitted, his gaze fixed on the trio as they disappeared into the shadows.

 Chapter 42: Weakness?!

    In the intimate confines of the room, Lin Xue ushered Wang Xiao towards theforting embrace of the familiar bed.


    The room''s scent instantly transported them back in time, triggering a wave of nostalgia and d¨¦j¨¤ vu.


    "What were you thinking, trying to wash it off with water!?" Lin Xue''s reprimand erupted suddenly, catching him off guard. His face contorted into a frown as he pondered her question.


    "Ugh! Whatever, give me your mother''s phone number," Lin Xue sighed, her voice carrying a resigned tone as she studied his bewildered expression.


    Wang Xiao hesitated, uncertainty creeping into his voice. "Is calling her really necessary?"


    Lin Xue crouched down, locking her intense gaze with his. "Boy, tell me what''s going on in that head of yours. First, you tried to wash the injury, and now you''re hesitating to call home? Do you want to just sit here, bleeding and die?"


    "..."


    The weight of her words bore down on Wang Xiao, forcing him to relent.


    The reality of the situation set in ¨C the injury was too severe to keep concealed.


    Even if he bandaged it up, he would still have to face the consequences when he got home.


    "Her number is six seven...." he began, acknowledging the gravity of the moment and epting his fate.


    __________


    "Thank you so much for looking after him," Xinyue Zhn expressed her gratitude to Lin Xue, the relief evident in her eyes. Meanwhile, Wang Xiao sat patiently in the car, anticipating Xinyue Zhn''s return to drive them to the hospital.


    "It''s alright," Lin Xue murmured, an awkward smile ying on her lips as she attempted to hasten their departure.


    Never could she have imagined meeting the mother of the boy she had been sleeping with. The unexpected disy of politeness caught her off-guard; she had braced herself for a potential confrontation from Xinyue Zhn.


    "Sigh..." As the car drove away, Lin Xue finally released a sigh of relief, leaving the details for Wang Xiao to handle.


    It wasn''t her responsibility to grapple with how he''d exin the situation to his mother or justify how he managed to get the injury.


    ________


    "We don''t need to go to the hospital; a clinic would do," Wang Xiao suggested, gripping the co-pilot seat in the car. However, his words seemed to dissolve into the rushing wind, unnoticed by Xinyue Zhn.


    She shot him a piercing look, squinting her eyes. "Children shouldn''t speak too much. We''re heading to the city hospital, whether you agree or not," she dered sternly, revealing her protective instincts.


    Feeling the weight of her resolve, Wang Xiao settled into his seat, understanding her fierce determination. Momentster, she softened her gaze and asked, genuinely concerned, "Is it hurting?"


    Wang Xiao responded, "No," though he couldn''t discern any pain¡ªperhaps his body had numbed from shock.


    Xinyue Zhn pressed further, inquiring, "...How did you get yourself hit?"


    Wang Xiao recounted, "It was a car driving on the wrong side."


    "A car hit you?" Xinyue Zhn rified, her worry palpable.


    Wang Xiao added, "I tried to save myself and crashed into a pole."


    Silence lingered, heavy with concern and relief.


    "Do you remember the license number of the car?" she finally asked.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, his eyes fixed on the road, evading her prying gaze.


    Assuming him to be nervous, Xinyue Zhn refrained from pushing further.


    In less than an hour, the treatment was done. It wasn''t a grave injury; with some bandages, it would heal in 4-5 days. After reluctantly epting an unattractive bandage on his forehead, Wang Xiao was driven back home.


    As he walked past the stairs, he faced more curious stares, which he dodged skillfully, retreating to the solitude of his room.


    ______


    In the confines of his room, Wang Xiao pushed open the bathroom door, its hinges creaking slightly, and stepped inside.


    His gaze was immediately drawn to the mirror, where his reflection stared back, framed by the stark reality of the ugly bandage on his forehead.


    Despite the unsightly wound, his eyes were fixated on the mirror''s surface, where his thoughts churned like a tempest within.


    It was as though he had possessed a certain understanding beforehand, but the actual experience had wrought aplete transformation in his perception.


    For years, he had held the knowledge that the human body was a fragile vessel, susceptible to shattering.


    However, that understanding had remained a dormant ember, never ignited into full awareness.


    Today''s injury had turned that ember into a zing me, and he peered at his own form, bewildered.


    "Is it truly this easy to die...?" he muttered, the questionced with perplexity.


    *Boom!*


    In a sudden surge of emotion, he unleashed a punch at the unyielding walls.


    His hand withdrew mechanically, and he observed the aftermath¡ªthe skin already reddened, a testament to the force exerted, and the pain, a sharp reminder of his weakness.


    "So frail..." Wang Xiao mumbled, clenching his fist and unleashing a second blow.


    *Boom!*


    *Boom!*


    *Boom!*


    The relentless barrage persisted, each punch inflicting both physical and emotional bruises.


    The pain grew in intensity, seeping into his bones, a relentless reminder of his body''s limits.


    Wang Xiao now yearned to vent his frustration by banging his head against the wall.


    He had never fathomed the extent of his fragility, and the realization gnawed at him.


    Yet, he resisted the impulse, fully aware of the peril it could unleash.


    Instead, he nced at the mirror again, forcing a strained smile to conceal his lingering frustration.


    The reflections of weakness and resilience danced within the confines of the mirror, encapsting the turmoil raging within his soul.


    ________


    *Click.*


    The sound marked Wang Xiao''s exit from the bathroom, his exhtion a testament to the turmoil he''d left behind.


    As he crossed the threshold, he couldn''t help but notice the door to his room gently swinging open.


    There stood Wang Mei, having just entered, a trayden with carefully prepared items cradled in her hands.


    "Mom sent this for you," she specified softly, her bare feet padding gently against the floor as she moved towards the table.


    With a delicate touch, she set the tray down, avoiding his gaze and making a subtle attempt to leave.


    Wang Xiao, however, had other ns.


    He halted her with a gentle but firm question, "Where are you going?"


    Confusion flickered across Wang Mei''s face as she paused mid-stride, her eyes widening in response to his unexpected query.


    "Get better soon," she blurted out, her voice barely more than a whisper, before making a second escape attempt.


    This time, however, he reached out and caught her, leading her back into the room.


    It was bing increasingly evident to Wang Xiao that this girl  was growing more evasive with each passing day, especially during the day time.

 Chapter 43: Chen Meili: Not for Sale?

    Wang Mei couldn''t hide her initial reluctance as she was gently ushered back into the room.


    Her lips formed a silent protest, but she obediently took her seat in the chair, her toes fidgeting in nervous anticipation.


    She couldn''t help but wonder what Wang Xiao had in mind this time.


    Her gaze remained locked on him as he picked up the bowl of soup and handed it to her.


    With a faint smile ying at the corners of his lips, he instructed her, "Drink it."


    Wang Mei hesitated for a moment, her surprise evident in her bewildered expression. "But it''s for you¡ª"


    Wang Xiao interrupted her with a yful tone, raising an eyebrow, "What if you''ve mixed in poison? Now taste it first."


    Her lips pressed together in reluctantpliance, and she cautiously sipped from the spoon, all the while keeping her eyes fixed on Wang Xiao''s gaze.


    His scrutiny, however, shifted momentarily to her attire, and he squinted in slight surprise. "Where did you get this shirt?"


    Wang Mei blinked in response, her eyes narrowing slightly as she recalled the source. "... You gave me," she replied, her voice soft but unwavering.


    "Ah, right," Wang Xiao nodded, a flicker of remembrance crossing his features.


    Indeed, there had been an incident when he noticed Wang Mei''s lingering gaze on a few shirts he had lying in wardrobe. Those garments had be old and no longer fit him, so he had shared them with both her and Wang Xueying.


    "What are you waiting for? Your brother is injured. Isn''t it time you help and feed him?" Wang Xiao''s voice took on a slightly dramatic ir, teasing and yful.


    In the ebb and flow of his emotions, there was a pattern: frustration was followed by moments of cheerfulness. It was as if the storm inside him found a peaceful shore after raging within, allowing him to step into a lighter, more yful demeanor.


    The contrast between his earlier frustration and his current desire to engage with Wang Mei was stark.


    Despite the weight of the revtions about human fragility and mortality, there was a resilience in him that allowed for a shift into a more joyful state.


    The desire to amuse himself and share light-hearted moments with her was a evidence to it.


    Wang Mei''s face remained a portrait of speechlessness, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and speechlessness.


    She hesitated for a moment, then picked up the spoon using her hand, extending it towards Wang Xiao''s mouth, her fingers trembling ever so slightly.


    In a moment of quiet satisfaction, Wang Xiao epted the gesture and drank from the spoon. He gestured for another spoonful, and she obliged.


    Spoon after spoon, the initial tremor in her fingers began to subside, reced by a growing sense of confidence. The bowl was emptied, and a peculiar calm settled in the room.


    Yet, beyond this ordinary act of kindness and care, Wang Xiao didn''t knew that the storm in his life was far from subsiding.


    ____________


    On a brisk Sunday evening, thest day of December 2023, Wang Xiao found himself drawn back to a familiar haunt.


    The worn paths seemed to guide his steps as he approached the establishment, despite the fog clouding his vision.


    He could feel the freezing cold air brushing against his body, knowing he was about to stick his nose somewhere it doesn''t belong.


    As he neared the entrance, the door creaked open, revealing Chen Meili. She emerged, startled by his return. "Back again?!" she eximed, her surprise evident in her widened eyes and slightly agape mouth.


    A resignation flickered across her face as she continued, "She''s inside her room; go and find her for yourself."


    Wang Xiao remained unmoved, standing rooted to the same spot, a faint smile gracing his features. "I didn''te for Lin Xue today... But for you!"


    Chen Meili raised a skeptical eyebrow, narrowing her gaze at him. "I am not for sale," she promptly asserted.


    An orphan working there for extra money, she held steadfast to her principles and wanted no part in the sordid affairs that asionally tainted the establishment.


    Undeterred, Wang Xiao persisted, "I can increase the price."


    She sighed, "Look at your head. How can you even think of this while already injured!? Have a sense of measure already."


    She was oblivious to Wang Xiao''s motives, but she knew she was not interested, regardless of the circumstances.


    From the outset, Chen Meili had been but an unassuming beauty with her brte locks. Rarely did anyone choose to involve her in their pursuits, especially when the establishment filled with alluring and bewitching women.


    In this modern era, patrons sought sce there to release their inner turmoil. They yearned for someone mature and understanding, not a juvenile distraction. They were not in search of a mistress or lover, but rather a release for their pent-up desires.


    Wang Xiao rified, "You''re misunderstanding me. I don''t want to sleep with you; I''m merely seeking information. Of course, if you wish to engage in such endeavors, the offer remains open. However, I won''t pay extra for that¡ª"


    "Enough, what do you want to know?" Chen Meili interrupted, catching his words before they could escte into further absurdity, mindful of the prying eyes around them.


    She then firmly gripped his arm, leading him into the dimly lit room tucked away in the back.


    Onlookers were taken aback, their expressions a mixture of surprise and curiosity, as if they had just witnessed an unexpected twist in a suspenseful y.


    Could this be the moment Chen Meili had been waiting for, her first client finally stepping into the shadows?


    Even the whores working here, ustomed to the rhythm of the establishment, were taken by surprise.


    They had assumed Chen Meili had never been sought after, never having the chance to entertain a client.


    In the midst of their silent judgments, Chen Meili swiftly closed the creaking door, fixing a piercing gaze on Wang Xiao. "Now I know why Lin Xue always vents her frustrations after everytime you leave."


    "Sheins every time I go?" Wang Xiao, caught off guard, chuckled in disbelief.


    Chen Meili narrowed her eyes, realizing she had inadvertently disclosed something personal. However, the revtion had already been made. "Yes, she does. Always going on about how you manage to irritate her," she admitted, her voice tinged with annoyance.


    If he had wanted information, he could have been straightforward from the start. But Wang Xiao seemed to take pleasure in dancing around ambiguity, deliberately toying with her.


    Chen Meili couldn''t suppress the urge to reprimand him; today was the day he needed a lesson in discipline.

 Chapter 44: Tempting Chen Meili!

    "In any case, what did you bash your head against yesterday? Lin Xue always sings your praises for your intellect. Did you lose your wits after that blow? What possessed you to rinse your head with water? If the injury was deep and water seeped in, it could have meant instant death," Chen Meili blurted out her concern, unable to hold it back any longer.


    She had witnessed Wang Xiao''s frequent visits to this ce and had formed a certain bond with him. The thought of him meeting an untimely end was unnerving, especially for Lin Xue.


    "!!"


    Wang Xiao was momentarily rendered speechless by the abrupt questioning, pondering why he had made such a choice.


    On one hand, he self-incriminated; it was merely an attempt to conceal the injury...


    Yet, a whisper lingered in his mind, hinting that he might have intentionally sought an escape...


    But why?


    Wang Xiao found his own mentalndscape a chaotic like an intricate maze.


    Amidst the cacophony of voices echoing in his mind, it was a Herculean task to decipher the true motive.


    Regardless of the internal struggle, observing his silence, Chen Meili facepalmed in resignation. "Fine, what do you need from me? Spit it out quickly. I have to get back and oversee the counter."


    Wang Xiao took a deep breath, his expression hardening into a mask of seriousness. "Chen Meili, tell me about Lin Xue."


    Chen Meili was taken aback by the sudden shift in Wang Xiao''s demeanor, and she struggled to find the right words. "Why are you asking me? Don''t you know her better than anyone, considering the time you spend locked up in her..." Her voice trailed off, her mind conjuring absurd scenarios.


    Wang Xiao''s face contorted in frustration. "I''m not inquiring about that! Tell me about her past."


    Chen Meili mumbled, for a moment caught off guard, "Past? What past are you talking about?"


    Wang Xiao let out a heavy sigh, fully aware that there were hiddenyers to Lin Xue''s story. "Tell me why she doesn''t leave her room... I noticed her yesterday, avoiding Fu Chao and others. Why is that? Does she have an illness or something?"


    "..."


    Chen Meili remained silent, torn between her loyalty to Lin Xue and Wang Xiao''s investigation.


    "I don''t know anything, go and ask her yourself," she finally said, her voice trembling with the internal conflict she was facing.


    Wang Xiao''s expression twisted in frustration. If Lin Xue were the type to readily share her secrets, he wouldn''t have turned to Chen Meili in the first ce.


    But then, a desperate idea struck him. "Wait, I''ll offer you money," he said, catching her hands and making a proposition.


    Chen Meili''s lips quivered, but she restrained herself. "I don''t care, I don''t know anything about her, even if you give me money," she dered, determined not to betray Lin Xue for a quick financial gain. The hands that had been feeding her so far were far more important.


    Wang Xiao sighed in relief, seeing that the mention of money had at least made her pause. This presented an opportunity for him. "Then how about a better job?" he suggested.


    "What!?" Chen Meili''s eyes flew open in surprise at the sudden proposition, her pupils dting with a mix of astonishment and curiosity as she took in Wang Xiao''s determined expression. "What kind of job?" she asked, her heart starting to beat faster with intrigue.


    Wang Xiao grinned, ready to lure her in. "A much better job¡ªone that will bring you both wealth and respect."


    Chen Meili nervously bit her lip, a sense of hope blooming within her at the enticing prospect. "But why would anyone hire me? I haven''t even had a proper education," she countered, her insecurities resurfacing.


    Wang Xiao''s smile remained gentle, trying to reassure her. "Because I vouch for you. My friend owns a flourishing wholesale business. You could be the customer rtionship executive there, with a sry that matches or even surpasses what you earn here. He''s unaware of your background, so as long as you keep it to yourself, your past will stay right here.


    You can embark on a new and improved life, maybe even pursue your education!" he exined, painting a vivid picture of a promising future.


    "Mmm... b-but..." Chen Meili hesitated, her breath catching in her throat as she grappled with the weight of the decision, her lips tightly pressed together in contemtion.


    Wang Xiao sensed her inner turmoil, the air heavy with anticipation. He knew he had to offer onest persuasive nudge. "Consider it thoroughly. You''re aware this business won''t stay afloat for long. With thews tightening down the road, you''ll be left stranded. I''m extending to you a chance for a brighter tomorrow."


    Chen Meili found herself immersed in thought, the room around her seemingly fading as she wrestled with the pros and cons, the weight of the crossroads bearing down on her.


    Wang Xiao''spelling arguments echoed in her mind, each word vying for her attention, pulling her in conflicting directions.


    Finally, she managed a smile, though tinged with determination, having reached her verdict. "You won''t breathe a word of this to Lin Xue!"


    Wang Xiao''s smile mirrored her determination, a silent pledge forming in the depths of his eyes. "Definitely not."


    Little did he know, that his prediction about Velvet Shadows would one daye to truth, and Chen Meili would be profoundly grateful to him for offering her the chance of a brighter and more secure future.


    "Let''s get out of here; this ce is not good," Chen Meili blurted out suddenly, an abrupt sense of difort settling in.


    Wang Xiao quickly picked up on her unease and agreed, nodding. "Sure, let''s find another spot," he said, promptly gging down a taxi to whisk them away to the nearest restaurant. Simultaneously, he filled in Chen Li about the recent developments.


    Chen Li''s voice crackled through the phone, "Brother, consider it done. We''ve been needing someone to handle client rtions. By the way, is she good-looking?"


    ncing at Chen Meili, seated somewhat awkwardly beside him in the taxi, the unexpected question made her fidget nervously.


    She didn''t want to serve clients under the guise of maintaining rtionships; those roles were abundant in the market.


    Wang Xiao sensed her difort and offered aforting gesture, cing his hand over hers. "Yes, she''s beautiful," he calmly affirmed.


    Chen Li responded enthusiastically, "Perfect! I''ll speak to my big man and get back to you."


    Wang Xiao smiled, ending the call.


    Chen Meili, her nerves still on edge, stammered, "Wang Xiao, I... I..."


    Wang Xiao swiftly reassured her, "It''s not what you''re thinking. They just want someone with a good appearance. A pleasing presence makes a difference."


    "Oh," Chen Meili realized, a wave of relief washing over her as she nodded, understanding his exnation.

 Chapter 45: 15 years before... (1)

    As they settled into a quiet corner of the restaurant, Chen Meili took a deep breath, steeling herself for the revtions she was about to make. "Whatever I''m about to share is based on what the previous receptionist at Velvet Shadows once confided in me.


    I can''t vouch for itsplete uracy, but it''s all I have," she cautioned, wanting to ensure that Wang Xiao wouldn''t hold her to any potential discrepanciester.


    Wang Xiao leaned forward, his eyes fixed on her, a silent agreement to proceed.


    Chen Meili let out a sigh, unsure about the veracity of the information she was about to divulge.


    She began, her words punctuated by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.


    Velvet Shadows, as it stood today, had a rich history, its origins steeped in the annals of time.


    It was originally a well-established and renowned establishment, which Lin Xue''s mother, Qian Li, had once managed. Lin Xue had inherited it, but under her leadership, the business had deteriorated rather than thrived.


    There was little information about Qian Li, but rumors suggested that she had served a variety of clients and guests.


    The ce used to function as a full-fledged brothel in the past. Notably, even Qian Li herself had been in the dark about Lin Xue''s true father.


    Qian Li had always wanted the brothel to continue, and she had hoped that her daughter would carry it forward.


    The intricacies of the minds of those in the profession wereplex and couldn''t be fully understood unless one had experienced that world up close.


    For Qian Li, Velvet Shadows was more than just a business¡ªit was her religion, her way of life, a path she had known and embraced since her early years.


    Rumors swirled through the hushed whispers of the past, hinting that she, too, had been amodity traded within those crimson-draped walls during the tumultuous Sino-Soviet border conflicts.


    Stories painted a vivid picture of a woman who wielded her beauty as a weapon, rising to dominance through the ruthless use of her own body.


    Qian Li''s cunning and unmatched cruelty were the tales whispered in the shadows, stories of how she could effortlessly seize control of the entire establishment merely by utilizing her physical allure.


    Fifteen years prior to the present day, Qian Li''s health began its inevitable decline.


    A heavy smoker and drinker throughout her life, the consequences caught up with her as cancer ravaged her body.


    Despite her deteriorating health, the fire within her to maintain the legacy burned strong.


    In those trying times, Qian Li made a decision that would alter the course of Lin Xue''s life forever.


    Lin Xue, then only twelve years old, had lived in a different world, one bathed in innocence and brightness, believing that her mother cherished her and wished for a normal life.


    But the day of reckoning arrived. Qian Li, facing her own mortality, chose to pass the torch, leaving the burden of Velvet Shadows on young Lin Xue''s shoulders.


    The transition was abrupt and brutal, shattering the illusion of a normal life.


    Forced into a dark reality, Lin Xue was caught off guard by the sudden proposal, a forceful battle that the young girl inevitably lost.


    That night, amidst cries and screams, she was thrust into a world she had never chosen, a cruel initiation into the shadows of Velvet Shadows.


    In that moment, Qian Li remained detached, her perspective aligned with the beliefs she had held for years.


    It was a perspective that would soon unravel when she entered that room and found Lin Xue curled up in the corner.


    The stark reality struck her with an unrelenting force, yet by then, it was far toote.


    Still, Qian Li steeled her heart and, a weekter, attempted to introduce Lin Xue to her second client, as though she wanted to elerate her daughter''s adjustment to her new life.


    But the second encounter was even more harrowing than the first. Lin Xue''s reaction was visceral and uncontroble; she was paralyzed by fear as soon as a man entered the room.


    She began to scream and cry, causing the man to flee in revulsion.


    It marked the inception of a persistent pattern.


    Regardless of the man who entered her life thereafter, not a single one could approach her.


    Lin Xue''s experience at the age of twelve had left her with an enduring trauma, a deep-seated fear that never left her.


    Lin Xue''s existence became a perpetual istion from men, her fear of them indelibly etched into her psyche.


    She rarely had any close contact with the opposite sex, save for that one traumatic encounter.


    As the years passed, Qian Li''s depression deepened.


    Her health continued its decline, and the once close bond between mother and daughter turned into one marked by resentment and fear.


    Lin Xue couldn''t hide her hatred and terror.


    In the end, the relentless cancer that had gued Qian Li took her life.


    She left the establishment to her trusted aide, who had also been Lin Xue''s caretaker and who had vehemently opposed the decision to drag the young girl into the same dark abyss as her mother.


    After Qian Li''s demise, it was the trusted aide who took the reins of the brothel, assuming the responsibility of not only running the establishment but also overseeing the care and guidance of Lin Xue.


    The aide had been the past receptionist who had shared the haunting stories with Chen Meili.


    However, much like Qian Li, she, too, eventually retired due to the relentless march of time.


    And when she left, she vanished into the unknown, leaving Lin Xue in a state of frustration. It was another disappearance that left her feeling abandoned.


    At that moment, Chen Meili was met with the brunt of Lin Xue''s anger and resentment.


    The first year proved to be incredibly difficult for Chen Meili, who had known the old woman had prepared her for this challenging task.


    The aide had forewarned her about Lin Xue''s asional childlike tantrums and urged her to be patient.


    One year passed, and Lin Xue finally came to terms with her own behavior, realizing the weight of her actions.


    She mustered the courage to apologize to Chen Meili, who awkwardly epted the apology, knowing that, from that point onward, Lin Xue would be her employer.


    Over the years, Chen Meili rarely saw Lin Xue venture outside, confirming what the old aide had mentioned.


    Out of pity and a growing fondness for Lin Xue, she became more involved in the brothel''s management, a role that would have been long abandoned if left solely to Lin Xue''s interests.

 Chapter 46: 15 years before... (2)

    Out of pity and a growing fondness for Lin Xue, Chen Meili became more involved in the brothel''s management, a role that would have been long abandoned if left solely to Lin Xue''s interests.


    Lin Xue''s disinterest extended far beyond the management of the brothel; she appeared disengaged from life itself.


    Secluded in the back of her room, she consumed sustenance and drink like a person devoid of any desire to live.


    It was a numbing existence, and the long shadows of her mother''s habits loomedrge, including the bad habit of smoking, which she had picked up following Qian Li''s death.


    But the arrival of a certain naive young man in the early months of the present year disrupted the destion.


    The news was unexpected and bewildering, and Chen Meili entered Lin Xue''s room with a helpless expression, delivering this astonishing update.


    In a surprising turn of events, Lin Xue decided to confront this situation herself, a choice that startled Chen Meili, who was well aware of Lin Xue''s aversion to men.


    To this, Lin Xue replied, "It''s just a child," dismissing the notion of any potential threat from a boy.


    As Lin Xue encountered Wang Xiao, Chen Meili couldn''t help but feel a mix of shock and incredulity.


    The boy, despite being a male, didn''t evoke the same apprehension as grown men did. He was still very much a child.


    To test her theory, Lin Xue even brought him into her room and allowed him to share her bed, a move that left Chen Meili astonished.


    This marked the extent of what Chen Meili knew about the evolving rtionship between Lin Xue and Wang Xiao.


    However, what transpired after remained concealed, locked within Lin Xue''s conscience.


    After that fateful night, Lin Xue was burdened by guilt in the morning. She feared she might have unconsciously taken advantage of Wang Xiao and desperately wished for him not to return.


    However, the reality was different.


    Wang Xiao, in her eyes, seemed to be a literal ''thug,'' treating her as an object, causing her guilt to deepen.


    Caught in this dilemma, Lin Xue felt a sense of helplessness.


    Perhaps fueled by her guilt and her own childhood experiences of being forced, she developed an unexpected protectiveness over Wang Xiao.


    He had be a beacon of light in the encroaching darkness of her life.


    This unforeseen connection shattered her preconceived notions.


    But this burgeoning connection also intensified her internal struggle.


    Lin Xue grappled with haunting questions.


    How would she react when Wang Xiao grew older?


    Would the old fears resurface, and what did this make her in the eyes of thew?


    Theplexities of her situation weighed heavily on her conscience.


    With Wang Xiao, Lin Xue felt a sense of helplessness.


    Every attempt she made to distance herself from him inadvertently seemed to strengthen their connection.


    The more she tried to reduce the contact, the more fate seemed to pull them closer together.


    Deep down, she knew a romantic rtionship between her and Wang Xiao was impossible given their significant age gap and the perception he seemed to have of her as an object.


    The mystery deepened, but the story was only just beginning.


    Wang Xiao was stunned as he listened to Lin Xue''s past, a tale that seemed ripped from the pages of a movie script.


    However, what he didn''t know was that this astonishment was just the start.


    Seven years in the future, Wang Xiao will be surprised again, but for different reason... an unexpected one, to say the least!


    _____________


    "Do you want to know anything else?" Chen Meili inquired, leaning in slightly.


    Wang Xiao sat back, deep in thought, absorbing the weight of the revtions. He shook his head slowly. "That should suffice."


    Curiosity danced in Chen Meili''s eyes as she studied his contemtive expression. "How are you feeling about all this?" she asked cautiously.


    "Mm?" Wang Xiao turned his gaze towards her, momentarily confused.


    Chen Meili cleared her throat, feeling the need to rify. "I mean, how has this revtion affected you?"


    Wang Xiao blinked, processing the question. After a pause, he responded, "It''s... alright."


    "Alright? Just ''alright''?" Chen Meili probed, puzzled by his seemingly subdued reaction.


    Wang Xiao let out a thoughtful sigh, trying to articte his feelings. "What strong emotions should I harbor? Pity for Lin Xue, or perhaps hatred for her mother?"


    Chen Meili raised an eyebrow, challenging his response. "Why not both?"


    A gentleughter escaped Wang Xiao''s lips. "For what? Qian Li, her mother, led a different life and had her own set of experiences that shaped her actions. All humans are like nk sheets of paper, imprinted by ancestral DNA, which is essentially a collection of the past''s umted experiences.


    Her outlook on life was colored by her unique experiences, and she did what she believed to be the right thing. Ultimately, she was navigating life for the first time, just like each one of us."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao, lost in his contemtions, seemed to be echoing his thoughts more than directly responding to Chen Meili''s queries, seeking validation in his own analysis.


    Chen Meili felt a twitch in her face, her frustration growing. "What about Lin Xue, then? She has done so much for you. Can''t you be grateful for once?"


    "Grateful?" Wang Xiao seemed to be more musing aloud. "She acted ording to her own will. Even parents, when they do things for their children, derive a sense of emotional and mental satisfaction. It''s a form of payment beyond money. It''s her choice to do as she pleases."


    Chen Meili clenched her teeth, her patience wearing thin. "Whatever! She''s foolish to believe in someone like you anyways!"


    Somewhere along the way, the conversation had turned into a heated argument.


    Chen Meili''s own beliefs had been challenged, and it had shaken her to her core, causing her to activate her defense mechanism.


    As an orphan, she had held a noble image of people who selflessly helped others, and Wang Xiao''s words had shattered the very foundation of her beliefs.


    Wang Xiao wisely chose not to escte the situation further, and Chen Meili''s outburst had already drawn attention to their table.


    "W-We are extremely sorry!" Chen Meili quickly addressed the other customers in the restaurant, feeling a flush of embarrassment.


    In the end, Wang Xiao provided her with Chen Li''s contact information to handle matters going forward. Chen Meili was left in a state of daze; parting ways with Lin Xue was a difficult decision to make.


    On one hand, she could stay in the same ce, potentially allowing her own life to wither. On the other hand, there was the chance of a decent future, a life with more prospects.


    The choice was inherently selfish, but Chen Meili didn''t pack up and leave the very next day. She decided to spend the uing new year with Lin Xue as well.


    At this point, Chen Meili considered Lin Xue to be part of her family, a person she deeply cared for and wanted the best for, even if it meant making difficult choices.


    Maybe, it was high time for Lin Xue to break free from the confines of Velvet Shadows and embrace the possibilities beyond her boundaries.


    Perhaps her departure would serve as the catalyst, nudging Lin Xue to step out of herfort zone and explore the wider world that awaited her.


    Little did Chen Meili know that life rarely follows the path we imagine.


    In the series of sessive incidents that unfolded in the future, Lin Xue would indeed find herself stepping out of the abyss, but these events would also push her to sink even deeper into its depths.

 Chapter 47: The day of misfortune starts...

    On a chilly winter morning, the 6th of January, 2024,


    Wang Xiao''s world had transformed into a cocoon of monotony over thest five days. Inside the confines of his home, henguished, reading books, browsing the inte, and whiled away the hours.


    The winter had tightened its grip, but Wang Xiao''s spirits had soared as his injury had fully healed the day before.


    As he drifted into slumberst night, a contented smile crossed his face, knowing he could once again venture outside without the threat of Xinyue Zhn''s rebukes.


    However, today was different.


    He slept alone, puzzled by Wang Mei''s unexined absence the previous day.


    Still, his slumber was serene, for he knew that the days of confinement were behind him.


    But the hands of fate had something else in store.


    Downstairs, Wang Jiarong toiled alongside Xinyue Zhn, their animated chatter and the tter of cleaning echoing through the house, signaling the approaching Chinese New Year.


    Wang Jiarong, now dressed in a in top and a short, casual skirt, hurriedly made her way up the stairs to collect everyone''s school bags and take them to theundry.


    Each of her siblingsy in slumber, oblivious to her early morning activities.


    The weight of her self-imposed responsibilities once again rested upon the eldest sibling.


    Rushing through the house, she stopped at Wang Xueying''s room to retrieve her school bag. Her final destination was Wang Xiao''s room, where hey undisturbed, without a care for the cold.


    With a slight shake of her head, she entered his room, picked up his school bag, and then shivered from the sudden chill in the room. ncing at the open window, she saw Wang Xiao cocooned in his nket.


    "Doesn''t he understand the concept of cold?" she muttered to herself. She walked over to the window, shutting it firmly before moving quietly towards the room''s entrance.


    She gently closed the door behind her as she headed back to help Xinyue Zhn.


    ________


    "Did you check the insides?" Xinyue Zhn inquired, ncing at Wang Jiarong who came back.


    "They should be empty, it''s too lightweight," Wang Jiarong.


    Xinyue Zhn shook her head, and reprimanding"Check it properly,"


    Wang Jiarong pressed her lips together in protest, the disparity in treatment was evident, only she gets scolded from her, regardless of it, one by one she started to check the bags of her siblings to confirm it was empty, as it had to washed, and holiday was the best period for it.


    While Xinyue Zhn was organising theundry, Wang Jiarong was checking the bags one by one, until it was finally the chance of Wang Xiao''s.


    "??"


    With a puzzled expression, Wang Jiarong opened Wang Xiao''s school bag, expecting to find it empty like the others.


    However, to her astonishment, her fingers brushed against something unusual.


    She pulled out a bundle of notes, and her eyes widened in disbelief.


    There, in Wang Xiao''s bag, was a stash of 4500 yuan worth of currency notes.


    Her voice quivered as she called out, "M-Mom, you won''t believe this! There''s so much money in Wang Xiao''s bag!"


    Xinyue Zhn quickly rushed over, her expression shifting from concern to surprise as she saw the money. "Are you sure, Jiarong?"


    Wang Jiarong nodded, her mind racing to understand how her younger brother hade into possession of such a sum. "Yes, it''s real money. I can''t believe it."


    The two of them exchanged bewildered nces, their curiosity piqued and a growing sense of intrigue about the unexpected discovery in Wang Xiao''s bag.


    Xinyue Zhn''s face transformed, now wearing a grave expression, as she ordered, "Count it."


    Wang Jiarong hesitated for a moment but then started counting the bills meticulously, her fingers trembling with a mixture of curiosity and anxiety. With each bill she counted, the shock on her face grew. Finally, with an exhausted sigh, she confirmed, "It''s 4,500 yuan."


    "4,500!?" Xinyue Zhn''s face darkened with concern and confusion.


    Wang Jiarong couldn''t help but ask, her voice filled with worry, "Mom, what''s going on?"


    Xinyue Zhn hesitated before she spoke with unease, "... Your father told me just a few days ago that he''s missing 4,500 yuan from his collections. I don''t know if this is the same money."


    A look of realization passed between Wang Jiarong and Xinyue Zhn. They knew they needed to get to the bottom of this.


    Xinyue Zhn swiftly decided, "Give it to me; I will go and ask Xiao Wang about this." She took the money from Wang Jiarong''s hands and turned to go upstairs.


    Wang Jiarong couldn''t just stay behind, her curiosity and concern driving her forward. She followed her mother as they made their way upstairs, the impending confrontation casting a shadow over their home.


    ______


    Upstairs, in Wang Xiao''s room, an undisturbed tranquility enveloped him as hey in deep slumber. His room was bathed in the soft morning light seeping through the curtains, creating a serene ambiance.


    However, that serenity was about to be shattered. The sound of footsteps on the cold staircase grew louder, drawing nearer to his room.


    Xinyue Zhn and Wang Jiarong entered his room cautiously, both wearing expressions of concern. They approached Wang Xiao''s bed with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.


    Xinyue Zhn gently shook her son awake, his eyelids fluttering open. Confusion and sleepiness clouded his gaze as he looked at his mother and sister.


    "Xiao Wang, do you have something to tell me?" Xinyue Zhn''s voice was measured but tinged with an undertone of seriousness.


    Wang Xiao, still groggy from sleep, blinked a few times and struggled toprehend the situation.


    The presence of his mother and sister standing over him,bined with their serious expressions, was disconcerting.


    "What''s going on, Mom?" he mumbled, his voiceced with confusion.


    With a deep breath, Xinyue Zhn raised the bundle of cash and asked, "Do you know anything about this money, 4,500 yuan, to be exact?"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened as he saw the money. His thoughts raced, trying toe up with an exnation for why he had that amount in his possession.


    As Wang Xiao''s eyes locked onto the money, he quickly attempted to exin, "Mom, that money isn''t mine. It''s Chen Li''s. He asked me to keep it safe for him for a while."


    His mother and sister exchanged skeptical nces, clearly not convinced by his exnation.


    "...."


    "...."


    Before he could say more, a sudden, crisp p resounded through the room, leaving Wang Xiao''s senses reeling.


    He gasped in shock, his cheek stinging from the impact.


    Xinyue Zhn''s voice was stern as she spoke, "Don''t lie to me, Xiao Wang. Your father is missing the exact same amount of money¡ª4,500 yuan. How do you exin this coincidence?"

 Chapter 48: The misfortune continues...

    Wang Xiao remained unwavering in his stance, vehemently refusing to ept any ownership of the money. He insisted that it was Chen Li''s, unwavering in his determination to prove his innocence.


    In a surprising twist, Xinyue Zhn took Wang Xiao to Chen Li''s house to resolve the matter. This decision ignited a fresh storm of drama between the two families.


    Chen Li found himself on the receiving end of a barrage of scoldings, and it became evident that unlike Wang Xiao, Chen Li had a long history of such incidents, though Wang Xiao wasn''t spared either, both dragged into the scene as the source of money still remained a mystery.


    As evening descended, the dinner table became the arena for yet another round of ndering. Wang Xiao sat quietly, his eyes downcast, and his voice unheard amid his father, Wang Zhihao''s relentless ramblings.


    ________


    *Boom!*


    With a heavy heart, Wang Xiao shut the door to his room. His shoulders slumped, and he let out an exhausted sigh. Copsing onto his bed, he couldn''t help but gaze at the clock on the wall.


    "It''s already 10...?" he murmured, the weight of the long and trying day pressing down on him.


    His thoughts were in disarray, and fatigue gripped him, making the passage of time feel almost surreal.


    However, even in his weariness, his mind kept circling back to Wang Mei.


    Two days had passed, and there was still no sign of her.


    During dinner, she had conspicuously avoided him, deepening the mystery surrounding her absence.


    In the self isted room, Wang Xiao felt the pull of sleep. His eyelids grew heavy, and the allure of slumber was undeniable. With lingering questions and a heavy heart, he surrendered to the embrace of darkness, seeking sce in the unconscious world of dreams.


    _________


    On the 7th of January, 2024, Wang Xiao found himself once again lounging on the living room couch, as if he were a lifeless sack of potatoes.


    He had settled into a seemingly lethargic routine, indulging in his newfound "fish-like" existence, fixated on the television.


    However, the nagging voices of his inner thoughts couldn''t be silenced.


    One of his inner critics finally spoke up, unable to endure the idleness any longer. ''Why don''t you get up and do something?'' it implored.


    Wang Xiao sighed inwardly. ''Go? But where...?''


    Another voice within him chimed in with a suggestion. ''How about going to Shuangxue?''


    Wang Xiao considered the idea, but before he could embrace it, another internal voice interjected, its tone mocking. ''What would you do there without money? Remember, you can''t steal anymore...''


    A cynical chuckle echoed within his mind as another voice added, ''Oh, right! Haha! We forgot the bastard is already poor!''


    In this internal debate, Wang Xiao grappled with his own motivations and limitations, as he contemted what actions to take in his seemingly dire circumstances.


    But today, the voices seemed to far from over, suddenly increasing in number, and more and more shadows started to appear one by one in front of his vision.


    ''Why don''t you do something productive, for a change?''


    ''Shuangxue is just a stone''s throw away, you know. You could at least take a walk there,'' another voice suggested, more reasonable in its approach.


    But, the most mocking voice was relentless, ''What good would it do? You''re broke, remember? Not even a scavenger would envy your situation.''


    One voice, dripping with sarcasm, seemed to have taken center stage. ''Look at you, the great thief turned couch potato,'' it jeered. ''A life of crime was your purpose, and now what? Reduced to this.''


    Wang Xiao''s patience began to wear thin as another voice chimed in, ''You know, even without stealing, there are other ways to make money. You just need to get creative.''


    But just as he started to consider this, the mocking voice returned, ''Creative? You? The only creativity you had was in pilfering pockets. Face it, you''re a one-trick pony.''


    Wang Xiao clenched his fists, frustration building. ''Enough!'' he shouted mentally. ''Shut up, all of you!''


    Rlizing that he overreacted, with a heavy sigh, he stood up from the couch, determined to escape the voices for a moment.


    He walked to the kitchen to pour himself a ss of water, hoping the cool liquid could wash away the internal turmoil that seemed to haunt him like an unshakable specter.


    As he was passing through the ce, he spotted Wang Mei sititng onp of Xinyue Zhn, using thetter phone to watch something, as she doesn''t have a person cellphone yet.


    However, their conversations were the one that actually caught Wang Xiao''s attention.


    Wang Mei sat on Xinyue Zhn''sp, engrossed in thetter''s phone, but the conversation between the two began to shift, and Wang Xiao''s curiosity grew stronger.


    Xinyue Zhn, with a gentle smile, inquired, "Mei Mei, do you need help getting cleaned up?" She was concerned about the little girl''s hygiene.


    Wang Mei, who had her own ideas, simply hummed in response. "No need, brother will wash me up."


    Xinyue Zhn sighed softly, concern in her voice. "But, sweetheart, your brother can''t wash you every time."


    Unblinking, Wang Mei met her mother''s gaze with unwavering determination. "He can."


    Wang Xiao, who had been eavesdropping discreetly, couldn''t help but halt in his tracks, his attention firmly fixed on their conversation.


    Xinyue Zhn, unaware that Wang Xiao was still eavesdropping, spoke gently to Wang Mei, "Meimei, there are ces that your brother can''t clean."


    However, Wang Mei, with a surprising boldness, turned to Xinyue Zhn, her gaze determined. "Mom, my big brother even washes those parts during bath," she dered matter-of-factly, her innocence eyes blinking.


    !!


    Xinyue Zhn''s expression flickered for a fraction of a second, shifting from a gentle look to one of grim concern.


    She patted Wang Mei''s head with an affectionate touch, subtly changing the subject of their conversation.


    As their eyes met, they noticed Wang Xiao walking past them with a stoic expression, hiding the turmoil that churned within him.


    Although his exterior remained unflinching, internally Wang Xiao''s emotions were a tempest. He felt like screaming, seething with a word that rang loudly in his mind, ''Bitch!'' It was a chilling realization that innocence could be used as a veil to deceive.


    What puzzled him most was why Wang Mei would risk everything by making such a statement. The motives behind her actions remained a mystery.


    As Xinyue Zhn appeared to either not understand the implications of Wang Mei''s words or chose to ignore them for her own reasons, Wang Xiao couldn''t shake the feeling that another storm was brewing on the horizon, one that could furtherplicate his life.


    Wang Xiao downed two entire sses of water in an attempt to quell the pounding in his chest. He returned to his activities with a stoic expression, hoping for some kind of exnation or conversation with Xinyue Zhn.


    As the day wore on, he anticipated that someone would approach him to seek rification, but hours passed in silence.


    Not a single soul came to talk to him, and it left him in a state of quiet contemtion.


    The reason behind Xinyue Zhn''s ignorance of Wang Mei''s words remained a mystery.


    _____

 Chapter 49: Had enough of it (1)

    As Wang Xiao grappled with the turbulent thoughts that swirled inside his head, he found himself overwhelmed by anger and confusion. His mind tirelessly tried to piece everything together, and his conclusion left him bewildered - Wang Mei seemed to want to harm him. But why? He couldn''t find a logical reason.


    Amidst this internal turmoil, one voice whispered, ''What about you molesting her every day?''


    Wang Xiao quickly dismissed the usation. ''If she had a problem, she could have spoken up. She clearly enjoyed it! That bitch wNted to frame me!'' he cursed inwadly.


    Lost in this chaotic mental maelstrom, Wang Xiaoy t on his bed, his gaze fixed upon the ceiling like an abyss of unknown depth.


    He was deeply engrossed in his thoughts until a sudden knock on his door broke the silence, and he frowned in response.


    The knocking continued persistently, and Wang Xiao chose to ignore it at first.


    However, it persisted, growing more insistent, until he could no longer resist.


    He rose from his bed and approached the door, cautiously opening it just a crack to take a peek.


    What met his gaze was the sight of Wang Mei''s room door closing, indicating that she had been the one knocking, and she had just left his doorstep.


    !!


    As Wang Xiao closed his door, a profound sense of frustration and anger washed over him.


    He let out a deep breath before copsing onto his bed, determined to simply get through the day and its bewildering events.


    His mind remained in chaos, struggling toprehend Wang Mei''s actions.


    Why had shee to his door after all this?


    Didn''t she just want to pretend innoncent in front of their mother and expose him at the same time!?


    Was Wang Mei here to mock him, to reveal some hidden truth, or for some more sinister purpose?


    Questions swirled like a tempest, and Wang Xiao struggled to find answers.


    He knew too well that appearances could be deceiving, and that trust was a fragile concept.


    He was convinced that he had nailed himself in the foot, but today''s encounter had made him acutely aware of the potential danger.


    If Wang Mei chose to turn against him, she held many secrets and potential leverage that could be used to his detriment.


    Every time he saw her smile today, he couldn''t shake the feeling that it concealed a sinister undercurrent, like wickedughter beneath a fac?ade.


    The unease gnawed at him, as he grappled with the fear of the unknown and the potential consequences of his past actions.


    For two grueling hours, Wang Xiao wrestled with his restless thoughts, each breath rasping audibly, each exhtion a heavy sigh, attempting to find sce in sleep, but every endeavor proved futile.


    In the oppressive darkness of his room, his eyelids snapped open with a sudden, heavy gasp. His eyes, like shimmering gems in the void, were wide with an intensity as he stared unblinkingly at the ceiling.


    Wang Xiao sat up mechanically on the bed, turning his head around and ncing at the door.


    Wang Xiao sat up mechanically on the bed, his movements deliberate, and he turned his head to nce at the door. His eyes narrowed, and he focused on the doorknob. With a sense of purpose, he smoothly left the bed and walked toward the door, his expression deadly serious.


    In the corridor, the lone shadow of Wang Xiao moved mechanically, as if he were a specter passing through the doors. His footsteps were measured and silent as he made his way toward his destination.


    Outside the door of one of the rooms, Wang Xiao came to a halt, his gaze fixated on the doorknob. His mind seemed to be in shutdown mode, dominated by an overwhelming need forpany to quell his insomnia.


    With a resolute hand, he grasped the doorknob and pushed the door slightly with his other hand.


    *Creak...*


    The door opened just a crack, and his eyes widened slightly. He stealthily slipped inside and closed the door behind him.


    _________


    A gentle beam of pale moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, silvery glow that bathed everything in a tranquil aura. The room was neat and well-kept, a sanctuary of calm amidst the cold night.


    Wang Xueying, in her peaceful slumber,y defenseless on her bed.


    Her disheveled hair sprawled across the pillow, and her delicate features were entuated by the soft moonlight, beside her, her spectacles rested on the nightstand.


    Wang Xiao, his steps purposeful and his gaze fixated on his sister, entered the room.


    In the stillness of the night, the sound of his breathing was the only disruption.


    The room, cloaked in an air of quiet intimacy, held secrets and unspoken emotions.


    Wang Xiao approached the bedside with a conflicted expression, the weight of his thoughts and the mystery of the night''s events pressing upon him.


    The scene was one of serentiy and solitude, as Wang Xiao faced the sleeping figure of his sister, his intentions and emotions shrouded in the shadows of the room.


    !!


    Wang Xueying''s eyes snapped open, and the room was plunged into an eerie silence.


    *Rustle...*


    The nkets were ripped away from her, and in the blink of an eye, she found herself pinned down against the mattress. An unrecognizable figure loomed over her, casting a shadow of uncertainty and fear over the sudden intrusion into her sanctuary.


    As the figure pinned Wang Xueying to the mattress, she struggled and gasped for breath.


    "Haaa....haaaa!"


    Panic coursed through her as she tried to make sense of the intruder in the dimly lit room.


    "W-Who are you!? What do you want?" she managed to stammer, her voice quivering.


    The figure remained silent for a moment, and Wang Xueying''s heart raced with uncertainty. Then, a familiar voice whispered in the darkness, "It''s me, Xiao."


    A flicker of recognition crossed her face, and she squinted to make out the features of the person above her. Wang Xiao''s face came into focus, and her initial terror began to subside.


    "What are you doing here, scaring me like this?" she scolded, her voice a mix of relief and irritation.


    Wang Xiao let out a breath he hadn''t realized he was holding. "I couldn''t sleep," he confessed. "I needed someone to be with."


    Wang Xueying''s irritation softened, and she sighed. "You could have just asked, you know."


    With a sense of embarrassment, Wang Xiao nodded, realizing that his impulsive decision had caused undue distress to her.


    As he rxed his grip on her, the room returned to a more familiar state of calmness...

 Chapter 50: Had enough of it (2)

    As Wang Xiao released his grip on Wang Xueying, the room seemed to return to a semnce of calmness...


    However, this was merely the calm before the storm.


    Suddenly, Wang Xiao''s expression froze, his gaze locked on the empty wall.


    To others, it appeared as just an empty wall, but for him, it seemed to be harboring an unseen presence, someone who was once again mocking him.


    The hallucinations and paranoia that had gued him for so long seemed to be resurfacing.


    Unable to bear the weight of his delusions any longer, Wang Xiao shifted his gaze down, his breathing uneasy.


    "Hey, get away from above me, you''re too heavy!" Wang Xueying protested while hidding her embarrassment, her eyes locked onto his face, her breath mingling with his.


    Wang Xiao''s narrowed eyes showed a sudden change in demeanor as he tilted his head slightly, his gaze intense as he observed his sister''s face.


    The struggle between his internal demons and the reality before him continued to wage within him, the boundary between the two realms growing increasingly thin.


    In the persistant grip of his internal demons, Wang Xiao''s self-control crumbled.


    His gaze remained fixated on Wang Xueying''s glossy pink lips, and his thoughts were momentarily overrun by the temptation thaty before him.


    Wang Xueying sensed that something was amiss. She felt a shiver race down her spine and her heart began to race, but it was toote to react.


    !!


    Before her astonished gaze, Wang Xiao''s lips pressed against her soft, unsuspecting ones.


    Time seemed to freeze as their lips met, an unexpected and unexinable connection forming between them.


    In that instant, their shared history, the bond of siblings, and the turmoil that had surrounded them merged into aplex and confusing moment.


    Wang Xueying''s eyes widened with disbelief and confusion, her body momentarily paralyzed.


    Wang Xiao, on the other hand, was equally shocked by his own actions.


    The shock of his initial actions hadn''t fully subsided for Wang Xiao, and he was as surprised by his follow-up as Wang Xueying.


    The sweet taste of her lips lingered on his own, and it seemed to fuel a newfound, intense desire within him. His lips returned to hers in a more passionate kiss, and he began to suck gently on her lips.


    !!


    Wang Xueying was snapped out of her initial shock as she woke to the more aggressive advances from her brother.


    She tried to push him away, but her protests were silenced by the relentless kiss.


    Her body squirmed below him, a mixture of confusion, fear, and embarrassment coursing through her as she attempted to escape from the unexpected and bewildering situation.


    "Ugh!"


    "N-No!"


    "Brother!!!"


    Wang Xueying''s desperate cries echoed in the room as Wang Xiao continued his advances, not stopping at her lips. He began to kiss deeply along her neck, forcing her down and pulling at her dress with his hands.


    Her shoulders were left exposed, the milky white skin reflecting the dim light of the room.


    Wang Xueying struggled to get away from beneath him, her efforts to escape proving futile against his overwhelming strength.


    The situation had taken a terrifying turn, leaving her in a state of panic and distress.


    Amidst the chaos of emotions, Wang Xueying''s voice remained a desperate plea, echoing in the room, yet it seemed to fall on deaf ears. Wang Xiao, lost in the turmoil of his own desires and delusions, continued to press his unwanted advances.


    Wang Xiao''s voice wasced with a twisted seduction as he muttered, "C''mon, sister, I know you like me as well," all while continuing to kiss her neck, causing Wang Xueying to startle in disbelief.


    "Why are you resisting? No one will see us here," he whispered, attempting to coax her.


    "No!" Wang Xueying shook her head vigorously, waking from the spell he seemed to have cast on her. Her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and confusion.


    "You want me, don''t you? Why are you lying?" Wang Xiao persisted, his words like a sinister chant.


    "I don''t!"


    "Wang Xiao, stop this immediately, or I''ll scream!"


    "Wang Xiao!!!"


    Unfazed by her pleas, Wang Xiao chuckled, disregarding her wordspletely. Defiantly, he continued to forcefully pull down her dress, locking in a fierce struggle against her hands, while his lips greedily nipped at her ear.


    "N-No...more..."


    His brazen audacity caused Wang Xueying''s eyes to widen in shock, the emotions swelling within them, threatening to spill into tears.


    As Wang Xiao exposed her modest breasts withplete disregard, a wave of anguish washed over Wang Xueying.


    Tears freely cascaded down her cheeks, her sobs escaping her lips in broken gasps.


    The sudden sobbing noise startled Wang Xiao, freezing him in ce.


    He stared at her, the twisted desire in his eyes reced by a mix of confusion and realization.


    "H-How could you do this? *Sob* We are siblings... this is so wrong!" she managed to utter through her tears, her words a desperate plea for reason.


    "Xueying...?" Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed as he observed her, now overwhelmed with guilt and realization.


    He rolled himself towards her side, his hands gently encircling her shoulder as he pulled her close.


    Wang Xueying continued to cry, the room still filled with an unsettling atmosphere.


    "W-Why..*sob...* Are you like this..."


    As Wang Xueying''s sobs began to subside, her voice became clearer, and her gaze met Wang Xiao''s as he gently adjusted her clothing.


    She stared at him with tear-filled eyes, a mixture of emotions still aze within her.


    "It''s alright, Xueying. Listen to me," Wang Xiao continued to speak in a soothing tone, but his words seemed to serve as a catalyst, causing her to burst into tears once more. Wang Xiao let out a sigh of resignation, understanding that the wounds were too fresh.


    He understood that it would take time for her toe out of the shock and process the events that had just unfolded in their lives.


    So he remained by her side, waiting for the moment when she would be ready to open up and listen to his words.

 Chapter 51: A lucky bastard!

    With a deep breath, Wang Xiao waited for Wang Xueying''s tears to subside. Her emotions were raw, and the wounds were still too fresh for any immediate resolution.


    Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Wang Xueying''s sobs began to wane. Her tear-stained face looked up at Wang Xiao, and she whispered, "Why, brother? Why did you do that?"


    "..." Wang Xiao was at loss of words, contemting the best words he can think of to turn around the situation.


    Wang Xueying, however, seemed to misinterpret his look as one of guilt and remorse. Her own expression began to soften slightly, and she continued, "Wang Xiao, just promise me that you''ll never do it again."


    "Huh?"


    Wang Xiao stared into Wang Xueying''s serious eyes, taken aback by her sincerity. After a moment, his lips curved into a smile as he replied, "Why not should I do it again?"


    !!


    Wang Xueying''s eyes widened at his ridiculous im, but Wang Xiao who had retained his peach sized brain, realized that if being agreesive doesn''t work, go for a gentler approach, if that doesn''t work either, go for a even slower approach, and if that doesn''t work as well, time to lock her in a basement.


    His hands brushed against her soft cheeks, and he posed a question, his voice carrying a tone of genuine concern. "Xueying, do you really dislike me touching you?" He hoped that this softer approach might work.


    Wang Xueying''s surprised expression remained as she processed his question. She hesitated before responding, her voice uncertain. "I don''t dislike you touching me, but... what happened earlier was just... Not right..."


    Wang Xiao nodded in understanding, his expression turning somber. "You''re right," he began, "but..." His smile returned, though it was slightly mischievous, "You didn''t say anything when you saw me with Mei. How is that not wrong?"


    "That is also wrong..." Wang Xueying muttered, her tone reflecting her inner turmoil.


    Wang Xiao, ever the opportunist, seized the moment and pulled her close, attempting to hug her despite her struggling body. "See," he said, "there is nothing wrong with any of it. Isn''t that what you want?" His words held a tempting undertone, trying to make her see things from a different perspective.


    "I..." Wang Xueying hesitated, surprised when Wang Xiao unexpectedly proposed something even more ridiculous. "How about trying it again, and see for yourself?"


    Wang Xueying froze slightly, her heart skipping a beat as she felt Wang Xiao''s lips against hers. Their eyes locked, curiosity and uncertainty blending in their shared moment.


    "Mmm..."


    Wang Xiao gently loosened the hug and deepened the kiss. It initially startled Wang Xueying, her breath quickening, but she soon became more familiar with the sensation. When they finally separated, her chest heaved, and her face was flushed a deep shade of red, her lips still tingling from their shared moment even though Wang Xiao had kept their exchange respectful and not overly sexual.


    "How was it this time?" Wang Xiao inquired, a teasing glint in his eyes. Wang Xueying, her gaze avoiding his, replied, "I don''t know..."


    With determination, Wang Xiao nodded and said, "Then let''s try again."


    Wang Xueying''s astonishment lingered in her eyes as she caught her breath, weakly holding onto Wang Xiao while her chest rose and fell rhythmically.


    "Want to do it again?" Wang Xiao asked, his voiceced with a hint of curiosity.


    "Um-hm," Wang Xueying nodded in response, then took a deep breath to calm her racing heart and gather her thoughts.


    Few minutester, she remained nestled in Wang Xiao''s embrace, her initial resistance giving way to a sense of resignation.


    "What about Mei?" she suddenly inquired, her chin resting on his shoulder.


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao''s eyes opened slightly, and he briefly paused before responding, "Forget about her. I want you."


    "Huh?" Wang Xueying was taken aback by his tone and question, "Did something happen between you two?" The confusion in her voice was evident as she sought to understand the situation between Wang Xiao and Mei.


    Wang Xiao ced a hand over Wang Xueying''s face, reminding her, "You shouldn''t talk about another girl in front of your boyfriend."


    "Huh?" Wang Xueying was caught off-guard before she retorted, "When did you be my boyfriend?"


    Wang Xiao replied confidently, "I can be one."


    Wang Xueying quickly replied, "No need."


    Wang Xiao persisted, "Oh, why not? Does my sister have someone else in her heart?"


    Wang Xueying fell silent for a moment before conceding, "You are clingy."


    Wang Xiao dered, "That''s alright; it''s my right to be like that."


    As the previous tension-filled atmosphere evaporated, the room was filled with the serenity of their synchronized breathing. Both seemed to be drifting off to slumber, or so Wang Xueying thought, until several minutes passed, and she started to squirm within Wang Xiao''s grasp.


    "Brother... Can you keep your hands to yourself?"


    Wang Xiao responded, "My hands are exactly where they should be."


    Suddenly, Wang Xueying turned on thempshade, illuminating the room, and Wang Xiao furrowed his brows in the unexpected light.


    "Is this the right ce for your hands?" Wang Xueying''s voice held a hint of frustration as she noticed Wang Xiao''s hands positioned just above her breast. She responded by cing her hand over his, challenging his position.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but chuckle at her annoyance. He turned off themp and retorted, "Don''t make a fuss."


    "Huh, what!?" Wang Xueying was momentarily left speechless. But her bewilderment was short-lived as Wang Xiao turned her around and embraced her from behind. His hands, guided by a sudden determination, slipped beneath her clothing, against her bare skin.


    A peculiar andforting warmth emanated from his touch, leaving Wang Xueying in a state of bliss that was on the precipice of sleep. Her breathing slowed and returned to normal as she gradually gave in to theforting sensations.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curved into a contented smile as he held her close. In the quiet of the room, he silently cursed himself, ''Lucky bastard,'' for momentarily forgetting the unfortunate events of the past two days.

 Chapter 52: Qian Ruixin!

    Wang Xiao''s eyshes fluttered gently as he awoke, feeling the soft body in his arms had been reced by a pillow. A sense of bewilderment washed over him, and he mumbled, "...Was I dreaming?"


    Silence greeted his question, and the reality of the situation began to settle in. He quickly pieced together that his earlier intimacy with Wang Xueying had been nothing more than a dream.


    However, the lingering scent in the room and the rearranged sheets were vivid reminders of what his subconscious mind had created. Wang Xiao''s expression turned stoic as he faced this truth.


    Gradually, his senses returned to him, and a familiar fragrance filled his nostrils. He took a deep breath and let out a sigh. It was then that he realized he was in Wang Xueying''s room. A faint smile crossed his lips as he muttered, "So she ran away," shaking his head in wry amusement.


    The room remained shrouded in darkness, but it was evident that Wang Xueying had chosen to leave before morning. The calendar on the wall indicated it was now the 8th of January, and the time was...


    "3:00?" Wang Xiao muttered in stunned disbelief as he rubbed his eyes. He stumbled out of bed, feeling disoriented by how long he had slept. It seemed that he had missed the entire morning. He made his way to his own room, intending to change his clothes and take a much-needed shower.


    _______


    Half an hourter, Wang Xiao was navigating the hallway when he suddenly caught the sound of voices emanating from Wang Jiarong''s room. He halted in his tracks, a frown forming on his face.


    "Someone is inside?..." he muttered to himself, uncertainty clouding his thoughts. As he observed the room, he noticed that the door was already slightly open, and an idea began to form in his mind.


    ''Just barge in, you might catch her off guard, maybe even see her naked after a bath!''


    ''A golden opportunity indeed!''


    Wang Xiao''s mind was filled with corrupt thoughts inspired by anime moments, and he couldn''t help but be influenced by them.


    With a determined smirk, he pushed the door open, though not with the intention of seeing his sister undressed but to identify who was present in her room.


    Wang Xiao carefully pushed the door open, ensuring that it didn''t creak or make any noticeable noise. As the door revealed the interior of Wang Jiarong''s room, his curiosity grew.


    Inside, he found Wang Jiarong engaged in conversation with someone he couldn''t immediately identify. Their hushed voices indicated they were discussing something private.


    Wang Jiarong, sitting on her study table, spoke in a hushed tone, "I can''t believe he actually did that, Ruyi."


    Another girl, sitting on Wang Jiarong''s bed in a casual red dress, responded, "It''s quite unexpected, isn''t it? What do you n to do about it?"


    Wang Jiarong, her expression serious, replied, "I''m not sure yet, but I have to talk to him. This situation can''t be ignored."


    "Hm?"


    Just as they continued their conversation, the room''s atmosphere changed as they sensed an intruder.


    "Wang Xiao... Is that you?"


    Both of them turned their attention towards the doorway.


    Wang Xiao stood in the doorway, a mixture of curiosity and confusion on his face. He couldn''t help but mutter, "Ruyi?"


    The girl on the bed had an resemnce to his cousin, Qian Ruixin, who he hadn''t seen in a while. Qian Ruixin, aged eighteen and one year older than Wang Jiarong. Her striking presencemanded attention. She had long, lustrous dark hair that cascaded gracefully down her back, and her bright, expressive eyes sparkled with intelligence.


    Her red dress entuated her elegant figure, and her radiant smile lit up the room.


    Wang Xiao continued to stand there, feeling slightly out of ce, as his sister and cousin exchanged looks. The conversation in the room was anything but ordinary, and he was eager to find out who was ''he'' they were talking about.


    Wang Jiarong muttered, her gaze fixed on her brother, and then she shifted it toward Qian Ruixin. Her tone wasced with a touch of sarcasm as she remarked, "So, you finally decided to wake up, huh."


    Qian Ruixin, one year older than Wang Jiarong, offered a subtle nod as her eyes appraised Wang Xiao. "It''s been a while, Wang Xiao. You''ve grown quite a bit."


    Wang Xiao nodded, still struggling toprehend the situation. "Indeed, it has been a while," he replied politely before turning to Wang Jiarong, his expression reflecting his confusion. He needed answers.


    Wang Jiarong leaned forward, offering a partial exnation, "Aunt Fang''s family arrived this morning. Everyone left for a trip to the mountains while you were sound asleep. Your food is in the fridge; go and help yourself."


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened as he posed another question. "When will theye back?"


    "Tommor¡ª"


    Before Wang Jiarong could answer, Qian Ruixin interjected with a mischievous smile. "Why, are you still scared to sleep alone, Wang Xiao?"


    "Scared?" Wang Xiao, caught off guard by herment, knitted his brows even further. The odd conversation and the unfamiliar presence of Aunt Fang''s family were beginning to make sense in his still groggy mind.


    Wang Jiarong interjected, "Ruyi, you don''t need to say that."


    Qian Ruixin responded with a gentle smile, "It''s okay, he''s just a kid. It''s all right if he''s a little scared to sleep alone at night."


    Wang Xiao blinked his eyes, gradually realizing that this "scared to sleep alone" story must have been concocted by his sister, Wang Xueying.


    She probably used it as an excuse to justify him sleeping in her room, but Wang Xiao wasn''t pleased about it at all.


    "Mm?"


    "Look at your angry face..." Witnessing his obvious irritation, Qian Ruixin''s eyes gleamed with interest.


    She couldn''t resist the temptation and decided to stand, sauntering over to Wang Xiao.


    She then yfully pinched his cheeks, causing Wang Xiao to nkly stare at her cleavage while secretly wondering, ''Why is it eptable for her to y with my cheeks, but not the other way around?''


    However, he decided to restrain himself, as Wang Jiarong observed their interaction helplessly.


    Eventually, Wang Xiao''s irritation took over, and he reached out to pinch Qian Ruixin''s cheeks in return.


    "Ah!?" Qian Ruixin was caught off-guard and took a step back in surprise.


    Wang Xiao spoke with a stoic face, "How does it feel now to be on the receiving end?" He then turned and left.


    "Haha..." Wang Jiarong couldn''t help butugh, while Qian Ruixin stood there, scratching her cheek where Wang Xiao had yfully pinched her.


    "That''s what you get for ying with him," Wang Jiarong remarked with an amused shake of her head.


    Qian Ruixin was left speechless, pressing her lips together in a mixture of surprise and amusement. She couldn''t quite fathom how the person who hadn''t spoken back a while ago was now yfully teasing her. Their  earlier conversation revolved around recent events, particrly those involving Wang Xiao about him stealing money and getting caught.


    Qian Ruixin was the daughter of Xin Meifang and Qian Weijun. Unlike Wang Xiao''s father, Qian Weijun was a schoolteacher, and their family''s ie only covered the basics. Qian Ruixin was their only daughter, along with an elder son, Qian Yifen.


    Xin Meifang was Xinyue Zhn''s elder sister, and both families were quite close, oftening together once a year for gatherings.

 Chapter 53: *Lust: The Night of restraint...?* (1)

    [A/N: Reminder, Qian Ruixin is an adult character, and not a minor.


    Explicit content ahead!]


    .


    .


    .


    .


    "gued by an overwhelming sense of loneliness, Wang Xiao found himself trapped in the deste kitchen. The silence engulfed him as he reluctantly consumed a lonely omelette. What an achievement... Wang Xiao..."


    He sighed heavily, his body leaning against the cold kitchen counter while mechanically chewing the omelette he had heated up in the microwave.


    His once vibrant days had abruptly transformed into a barren existence, devoid of joy or purpose.


    And to deepen the sting, of all people, it was Qian Ruixin who had chosen to stay over.


    "What''s with her weird smile?" he wondered, the food in his mouth serving as temporary distraction from his swirling thoughts.


    No matter how hard he tried to make sense of it, Qian Ruixin seemed suspicious to him. The ever-present small smile on her face appeared almost surreal, raising his suspicions even further.


    Unable to escape the fierce grip of his wild imagination, his thoughts ventured into the realm of dark desires.


    The tormenting thoughts about his entire family did not spare Qian Ruixin.


    The only obstacle, however, was the overwhelming distance between them. Wang Xiao couldn''t deny the allure of her evergreen beauty, longing to uncover the expressions she would disy when he pounds her, would the smile sustain? Or would it fade in the perils of time?


    "... Why am I so frustrated?" Wang Xiao muttered under his breath, realizing that his mind was treading dangerously into sadistic territories.


    Quickly finishing the breakfast, he went back to his room, to y some video games and read some pending articles.


    Wang Xiao wrapped up his breakfast and retreated to his room to indulge in some video games and catch up on pending articles. Curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to unblock Fu Yuxin to see if she had left any messages for his fake identity.


    A sly grin appeared on his lips as he discovered a series of curses she had hurled his way before promptly blocking him again.


    Shaking his head in amusement, he attempted to focus on the content on hisputer screen. The day whizzed by, and as the clock neared 9:00 PM, Wang Xiao decided it was time to doze off to sleep. That''s when an unexpected knock on the door disrupted his ns.


    _________


    "Is this really necessary?" Wang Xiao mumbled, sprawled out in the middle of the bed.


    A soft reply came from Qian Ruixin, "Weren''t you scared to sleep alone?"


    Wang Jiarong, silent until then, interjected, "Come on, let''s just try to sleep." She turned quiet, her intention evidently focused on trying to sleep as well.


    As for how he ended up in this situation, Wang Xiao felt like he''d been thrown into heaven prematurely. To his right, Qian Ruixin''s fragrant bodyy, while to his left was Wang Jiarong. This peculiar arrangement was based on rumors of his fear of sleeping alone, orchestrated by a phone call from Xinyue Zhn instructing Wang Jiarong to ensure he wasn''t alone.


    In ordinary circumstances, Wang Xiao would be thrilled to be sandwiched between two youngdies, living the dream of every young man.


    But there was a problem ¨C he couldn''t move.


    A unspoken tension lurked in the room, making him hesitate to make any movements.


    Any attempt to hug Wang Jiarong would feel like a suicide mission, and Qian Ruixin seemed off-limits and too dangerous to approach.


    "..."


    "..."


    In the dead of night, the minutes slipped away as Wang Xiao stared into the void, his thoughts drifting into the realms of sleep once more.


    ____


    Suddenly, at around 2:00 a.m., Wang Xiao''s eyes flickered open. It was the third time that he had been jolted awake, and it left him in a state of insomnia-induced irritation.


    ''Not again... This is bing unbearable,'' Wang Xiao sighed inwardly. The only sound apanying his frustration was the steady, rhythmic breathing of Wang Jiarong and Qian Ruixin.


    As he contemted leaving his bed to head downstairs, Wang Xiao noticed his right hand felt slightly weighed down. He turned his gaze toward the source of this unexpected sensation, blinking as he tried to make sense of the dim moonlit scene before him.


    In the pale light, he discovered that Qian Ruixin''s head was now resting gently on his right hand, and his left hand rested on her waist. Their skin was separated by only a thin piece of fabric, which had been slightly lifted. The warmth emanating from her skin left him feeling slightly ufortable.


    Wang Xiao studied the situation, a mix of confusion and curiosity filling his mind. He nced toward Qian Ruixin, whoy next to him, her face serene and oblivious to the ambiguous position they shared in the dark of the night.


    Wang Xiao''s initial surprise slowly waned as he allowed his left hand to venture further. He gently slid it inside her clothing, making direct contact with her skin, and felt the warmth radiating from her body. The sensation felt unusually warm, and it made him slightly ufortable.


    In an attempt to improve their position, he lifted his right hand and tried to gently guide her to turn and face him, hoping for a better view.


    "Mmmm..."


    However, Qian Ruixin''s response wasn''t what he had anticipated. Hershes fluttered, and instead of turning to face him, she shifted to her other side, drawing herself closer to him. Wang Xiao found himself pressed against her back, his left hand inadvertently brushing against the bra she was wearing.


    Wang Xiao''s body froze, every muscle tense as he abruptly halted his movements. With a quick-thinking reflex, he transformed himself into the stillness of slumber.


    Silence enveloped the room.


    Only after he confirmed her continued slumber, a heavy sigh of relief escaped Wang Xiao''s lips. Determination etched on his face, he ventured further, his left hand inching closer to explore the contours of her breasts. But what he discovered left him unexpectedly taken aback.


    ''No bra...?'' he whispered to himself, his fingers brushing against a protrusion.

 Chapter 54: *Lust: The Night of restraint...?* (2)

    ''No bra...?'' he whispered to himself, his fingers brushing against a protrusion that sent a shiver down his spine. His curiosity propelled him to circle his fingers around, confirming that it was indeed her hardened nipple.


    A surge of desire mingled with confusion surged through Wang Xiao''s mind. Though he was conflicted, the temptation grew overpowering, and soon he found himself gently cupping and caressing her breasts, skillfully toying with her nipple. The sensation was electric, igniting a fire within him.


    Whenever Qian Ruixin stirred, a flicker of wakefulness in her eyes, Wang Xiao would freeze instantaneously, his movements vanishing into an expertly crafted facade of deep slumber. And as soon as the threat of discovery subsided, he resumed his exploration.


    The pleasure was nothing short of heavenly, intoxicating Wang Xiao with its intensity. He found himself unconsciously pressing himself closer to her back, his breath mingling with hers. With a gaze filled with contemtion, he inched himself upwards, propping himself on his elbow to study her serene sleeping face.


    Under the protective cover of arge nket, Wang Xiao careful not to awaken Wang Jiarong from her sleep, his secret desires concealed from prying eyes.


    After thoughtful consideration, Wang Xiao cautiously retracted his hands from beneath her top. With a delicate touch, he brushed his thumb lightly against her lips, tracing a slow path in the middle.


    Yet, he quickly banished thoughts of pressing his own lips against hers. The movement required would disrupt the nket too much, drawing unwanted attention. Instead, he leaned forward ever so gently, nting a tender kiss upon her cheek. Satisfied, he settled back into the bed, his breathing deep and measured.


    The fragile vulnerability of her body, defenseless against his touch, sent a surge of erratic energy through Wang Xiao. Sumbing to his desires, he moved his hands to her waist once again, this time tugging up her top slightly. With a stealthy determination, he sneakily slid his hands beneath the fabric of her pajamas.


    His breath hitched as his fingertips made contact with her skin.


    But amid the turmoil of his stolen exploration, he discovered a small sce¡ªshe at least wore a proper undergarment. However, restraint forgotten, he couldn''t resist the urge to slide his hand inside her undergarments as well, the scorching heat of her body entering his senses.


    !!


    An electrifying jolt coursed through Wang Xiao''s body the moment his fingers made contact with the smooth interior of her vagina. Tracing the delicate folds, he felt his own breath hitch, careful not to disturb her slumber.


    With each gentle stroke, his fingers danced, igniting a throbbing erection that pulsed, matching the rapid tempo of his racing heart.


    As his hand reluctantly withdrew, he stole a glimpse at Qian Ruixin, a faint flicker of concern washing over him.


    Moments passed, teetering on the edge of anxiety, but relief washed over him when it became clear that her stirring was nothing more than a deceptive whisper of wakefulness, while she was still sound asleep.


    Wang Xiao sensually eased her pajamas down, revealing the smooth expanse of her thighs. Simultaneously, his own pants descended, freeing a throbbing erection that eagerly pressed against her exposed buttocks.


    With deliberate precision, Wang Xiao softly guided his erect shaft between the plump cheeks of her buttocks, gently teasing and rubbing against the supple skin.


    The sensation sent tremors of anticipation through his mind. Slowly, he trailed his pulsating member up her thigh until it reached its apex. With a deliberate touch, his tip caressed the moist entrance of her vagina, sending waves of pleasure coursing through his body.


    At this very moment, Wang Xiao could hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears, as if his mind were a ticking time bomb about to explode.


    Ever so delicately, he traced the folds of her delicate vagina with his finger, feeling the intense heat as his finger slipped inside her moist cave, venturing ever so slightly into her depths.


    He had barely prated one or two inches when he abruptly halted, pulling his finger out. With a ponderous expression, he brought that same finger to her lips, gently grazing against them, teasing and provoking, while his desperate member throbbed with an insatiable longing for more.


    Finally, Wang Xiao positioned his throbbing shaft against her entrance, caressing it against the slickness, feeling the anticipation building within.


    Every nerve in his body screamed for the eruption of pleasure that awaited him.


    But in his passionate haze, he forgot that she would awaken from this encounter.


    He forgot the possibility that if she still possessed her hymen, she might wake up with an agonizing pain.


    In that moment, no rational thoughts upied his mind... For the first time in his life, he experienced the rawest form of lust... And he understood why it was so dangerous...


    It stripped aways the ability to think...


    It stripped away all other thoughts, overpowering them with a fierce and consuming desire.


    "Hmmnnmm~"


    But just as Wang Xiao was about to take a confident step forward, Qian Ruixin abruptly turned around. Her handsnded firmly on his chest, and she nestled herself against him, filling the airspace with her intoxicating fragrance. Her hair cascaded over his face, creating a soft curtain.


    Wang Xiao''s body went rigid, and his mind exploded!


    !!


    He knew he was doomed!


    Cursing himself was futile; even pretending to be asleep felt like a worthless effort as he remained frozen in ce.


    However, after what seemed like an eternity, he realized that she was still blissfully unaware, peacefully asleep. An overwhelming sense of relief washed over him, allowing his tense muscles to rx.


    Taking a deep breath, he carefully adjusted her pajamas and straightened both of their disheveled clothing. Resolving to not make such a risky move anymore, he allowed her to continue hugging him, and he drifted back into a restless sleep.


    Wang Xiao was right about one thing: if he had actually proceeded forward, regardless of the circumstances, Qian Ruixin would have surely woken up.


    However, this incident remained buried in history forever. Wang Xiao never cared to ask Qian Ruixin in the future whether she was actually awake that day or not...


    The experience of lust had opened his eyes to the dangers it held, as well as the primal, raw joy and fulfillment that came with it...

 Chapter 55: Swimming Pool Temptation

    9th January, 2024.


    In the stillness of the room, a tension lingered as two cunning women took advantage of an innocent child''s vulnerability, creating an atmosphere of unspoken tension. It was as though the authorities were silently observing this unjust scene unfold.


    Qian Ruixin blinked her eyes, her lips curling into a sly smile as she yfully poked Wang Xiao''s cheek. "He looks cute while asleep..."


    Wang Jiarong nodded andmented, "Only if he remains like that."


    A wry smile appeared on Qian Ruixin''s face, and she couldn''t help but respond, "You''re too hard on him."


    Wang Jiarong rolled her eyes at thement and retorted, "I don''t even say anything to him."


    Leaving Wang Xiao behind, the two girls exited the room, leaving him to finally open his eyes. He muttered in frustration, "Cute is your ass!" He was growing increasingly displeased with how they were treating him.


    Deep within his young mind, a fiery determination began to burn. He yearned to grow up quickly and prove that he was the one who would be in charge of the house, eager to assert his dominance. As he contemted this, he couldn''t help but burst intoughter at the audacity of his own thoughts.


    "Man of the house... Haha!"


    Wang Xiao, let out a heartyugh that echoed through the solitude, his voice carrying a mix of mirth and mncholy.


    To any casual observer, Wang Xiao might have seemed like a troubled, young soul. But in truth, these emotional outbursts were a routine part of his existence.


    Every so often, the whirlwind of his genuine feelings would sweep him away, granting him moments of unbridled self-expression.


    After a full minute of unrestrainedughter, Wang Xiao''s tumultuous emotions finally settled, leaving him in a contemtive silence. "At least Xueying will be returning today," he murmured, his thoughts drifting.


    He pondered the prospect of another day spent sharing a bed with Qian Ruixin.


    Could he maintain control over his desires?


    His gaze fell upon the mattress behind him, and an irresistible urgepelled him to bury his face in it for a brief moment.


    As he inhaled deeply, a profound sense of digust coursed through him.


    The scent that lingered there bore no resemnce to that of Qian Ruixin.


    Wang Xiao steeled himself for yet another day of solitude,pletely unaware that fate was poised to deliver an encounter, both heaven-like and hellish, for the second time in his life.


    ____


    Around the polished dinner table, bathed in the soft afternoon light, Qian Ruixin unexpectedly threw out a tempting proposition, breaking the silence. "Hey Jiarong, how about a refreshing swim?"


    Wang Xiao, who had been purposefully avoiding any interaction with Qian Ruixin, couldn''t help but raise his head, curiosity piqued as he looked from one to the other.


    Wang Jiarong pondered the idea, her eyes shimmering with a hint of intrigue. "That sounds intriguing, but do you happen to have a swimsuit?"


    Qian Ruixin shrugged with a carefree smile. "The pool is in the backyard, isn''t it? It should be just fine."


    Wang Jiarong nodded, not missing a beat, as she scooped up a spoonful of food. But then her gaze shifted to Wang Xiao, their eyes locking in an almost conspiratorial manner. "What about you, Wang Xiao? Would you like toe as well?"


    Silence hung in the air for a moment, as Wang Xiao grappled with a conflicting desire to decline. Eventually, though, he found himself nodding in reluctant agreement.


    Unbeknownst to him, this nod marked the beginning of a fateful descent into a realm that promised both heaven''s pleasures and hell''s torment ¨C a journey without wings.


    ______


    In the tranquil sanctuary of the vi''s backyard, the air was alive with the carefree symphony ofughter and lively conversation. Two enchanting young women, their beauty a marvel to behold, reveled in the refreshing pool waters.


    The delicate, jade-like feet and slender fingers dipped and danced in the water, casting bewitching reflections in the shimmering pool.


    Their joyous cries hung in the air like a spellbinding melody, theirughter tantalizing Wang Xiao''s senses, causing an undeniable hunger to surge through him as he swallowed hard.


    As he watched the captivating spectacle before him, an illicit thought crept into his mind: "Was she always this beautiful...?" He couldn''t tear his gaze away from Wang Jiarong, now adorned in a set of matching azure undergarments that entuated the curves of her body in a way he had never noticed before.


    It left him bewildered, a question lingering in the back of his mind ¨C had she concealed her allure so expertly, or had he simply been blind to it?


    His eyes then wandered to Qian Ruixin, who, in her vibrant red lingerie, was an irresistible vision.


    It was her bra that drew his surprised attention, visibly embracing her assets with a certain prominence that, while not overly extravagant, was striking against her slender frame.


    The sight puzzled him further, as he marveled at how these enchanting qualities had eluded his notice until now.


    Wang Jiarong''s voice interrupted his contemtion. "Xiao Wang, why don''t you join us? The water feels amazing."


    Qian Ruixin chimed in with a mischievous grin, "Yeah,e on, Xiao. Don''t be shy!"


    Caught between desire and apprehension, Wang Xiao hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "Alright... I''ll join you."


    Wang Xiao''s presence in the pool area was brief, as he tried to distance himself from the captivating allure of the two women, while hiding his libido.


    Their voices echoed from the pool, and he found a quiet spot in the corner, desperately attempting to conceal his unbidden desires.


    His inner turmoil tormented him, and he couldn''t help but question hisck of resolve.


    Why couldn''t he summon the strength to act upon his desires, to seize the moment and give in to the temptation that beckoned him?


    The word "weak" reverberated in his mind like a relentless, taunting mantra.


    It seemed to mock his inability to take control, to break free from the confines of his own insecurities.


    Weak!


    Weak!


    Weak


    Weak


    "Weak!..." he silently chanted to himself, drowning in the suffocating self-doubt.


    The relentless echo of his inner demons seemed to continue unabated until, finally, his eyes fluttered open, breaking the trance that had consumed him.


    "Are you alright?" Wang Jiarong asked with concern, noticing Wang Xiao clutching his head as she and Qian Ruixin emerged from the pool.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, attempting to brush off the difort. "It''s nothing."


    Wang Jiarong nodded, still puzzled by his odd behavior.


    Nevertheless, both she and Qian Ruixin retrieved their towels.


    Today marked thest day of their stay, as per Qian Ruixin''s mother''s ns.


    Once her family returned from their trip, she would be departing for her city, as this brief visit had onlysted two days.


    Wang Jiarong had much to discuss with her friend, and she ushered Qian Ruixin inside the vi.


    Wang Xiao watched the mesmerizing sway of their supple figures as they disappeared into the house, a final teasing image etched in his mind.


    As Wang Xiao grappled with his inner turmoil, he couldn''t help but ponder, "What does it take to be strong? Money...?" The thought of financial power briefly crossed his mind, but he quickly shook his head, a bitter reminder that he was now dead broke.


    Yet, he realized that even with money, there were still limitations. He contemted the idea that perhaps power was the key. Money alone might provide the strength he sought, as long as he stayed out of the media and avoided public crime. It was a tempting prospect.


    In the depths of his frustration, he couldn''t help but wonder if he was the only one harboring such desires.


    In the end, Wang Xiao heaved a heavy sigh and decided to put his inner turmoil aside.


    He couldn''t help but wonder whether he was fundamentally different from everyone else in this world, or if others harbored simr thoughts and desires beneath the surface.


    It was a perplexing question that had haunted him for years.


    He couldn''t recall feeling a hint of disgust when he had first begun having these thoughts about his own mother and sisters, back when puberty had struck him at the tender age of ten.


    It was an unsettling realization that had only grown moreplex with time.


    A particr incident, involving the ckmail of a cousin from his paternal side, had shed light on his stark differences.


    He was left to contemte whether these things hecked, and that society considered "normal," were truly possessed by others or if they were just adept at pretending.


    Just as he was restricted by his ownck of power, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but wonder if others were equally confined by the limitations of their own.


    What would happen if these restraints were to be lifted?


    Were the rules and morals upheld by society merely a facade, designed to conceal their inner helplessness and dearth of strength?


    Even themon adage that one wife is enough had been contradicted throughout history, with many powerful and influential men engaging in multiple rtionships, even in the modern era.


    Did this suggest that it was not all men who advocated monogamy, but perhaps only those deemed "weak" only?


    The questions persisted, lurking in the recesses of his mind, casting an shadow over his thoughts.

 Chapter 56: Being Framed? Family Drama?

    "Bye-bye..."


    The car finally departed, carrying Qian Ruixin''s entire family away, and Wang Xiao released a sigh of relief. He watched as they drove off, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders, before making his way back to his room.


    He couldn''t help but be grateful that Qian Ruixin''s family''s visit had been limited to just two days. It had been a close call, and Wang Xiao knew he had narrowly escaped potential junivele prison.


    ''Bold of you to think your existing actions aren''t enough to send you to juvenile prison,'' his inner voice chimed in, casting a shadow of doubt.


    Wang Xiao frowned, bewildered. ''What have I done?'' He had always considered himself a good citizen,w-abiding and responsible. Why were his own inner demons now using him?


    ''Fu Yuxin, do we need to remind you of that?'' the voice persisted.


    Wang Xiao fell into silence, epting that perhaps he hadn''t been asw-abiding as he had liked to believe, but in his eyes, he was still a good citizen.


    The night proved to be rather pleasant as he held Wang Xueying close, molesti¡ªspending time with his sister and temporarily pushing aside the nagging doubts. Wang Jiarong had even suggested that he could sleep with her if he was scared, but he ignored her words just as he ignored his own crimes.


    As for Wang Mei, a cold war seemed to be brewing between her and Wang Xiao, both deliberately avoiding contact.


    On the whole, it had been a rtively uneventful day for Wang Xiao. Little did he know that this calm was merely the prelude to an impending storm.


    _______


    January 10, 2024.


    Tap...


    Tap...


    The monotonous sound of tapping feet echoed through the quiet morning as Wang Xiao, half-asleep, descended the stairs. Yawning, he noticed the clock on the wall; it was already 10 o''clock, and he had no ns for the day. His sole intention was to grab a bite to eat and then return to theforting embrace of sleep.


    However, in an instant, his drowsy existence was violently disrupted as a firm hand seized his own, shaking him awake, his vision momentarily blurred.


    "+_+_(2(;"!*)¡ê))"


    Wang Xiao was greeted by a string of iprehensible curses. He tried to hear what was being said, but his ears refused to cooperate. As his gaze sharpened, he realized it was his father, Wang Zhihao, who was the source of this disturbance.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, his confusion growing. ''What the hell is going on?''


    He watched as Wang Zhihao''s mouth moved, but the words remained inaudible.


    "What are you doing, Zhihao!?" Xinyue Zhn and Wang Jiarong, who were in the living area, noticed themotion and quickly approached.


    Wang Zhihao fumed, "This bastard stole the money again!" His using eyes remained fixed on Wang Xiao.


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao finally heard the words and couldn''t help but sneer inwardly, ''Steal again? Really?''


    Did they consider him an idiot?


    He was not cut from the same cloth as his father. Besides, stealing again would make him the prime suspect, given his past history.


    However, the next turn of events surprised him. Xinyue Zhn stepped forward, her voice firm and authoritative. "Leave him be. I will talk to him." Her decisive tone silenced Wang Zhihao, who grumbled angrily, "You''ve spoiled him too much!"


    "Shut up for now," Xinyue Zhn snapped back.


    "Bitch..." Wang Zhihao muttered, unable to contain his frustration.


    !!


    "What did you say?" Xinyue Zhn turned back, her expression a mix of astonishment and bewilderment.


    Wang Jiarong quietly retreated to the couch, pretending to be engrossed in her phone.


    Wang Zhihao, slightly embarrassed, frowned but ultimately backed down. He returned to the dining table, taking a seat, eager to see how Xinyue Zhn would extract the truth from their stubborn son.


    Wang Xiao yawned, growing increasingly weary of the drama unfolding around him.


    He couldn''t help but wonder, ''Is someone intentionally framing me? Is this all a deliberate setup?'' His suspicious gaze fixated on Wang Zhihao, searching for answers amid the chaos.


    Xinyue Zhn, her expression softening, put her hands over his shoulder, making him focus on her.


    She spoke in a calm and gentle tone, "Xiao, sweetheart, your father and I are worried about these usations. Can you please tell us the truth? Did you take the money?"


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Wang Xiao''s silence spoke volumes, and Xinyue Zhn continued, "It''s alright if you did, but you could have just asked...how about¡ªhuh?"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao had stopped listening midway. He extricated himself from her grasp, walking nonchntly toward the couch where Wang Jiarong sat. He settled down as if the situation didn''t concern him in the least.


    It wasn''t that he hadn''t heard her; rather, he had heard her all too well. What she had assumed about him had left him feeling frustrated and alienated. At this point, he had grown weary of the entire situation.


    If Wang Zhihao''s usations had been frustrating, now even Xinyue Zhn''s judgment was starting to wear on him. He felt a deep sense of disappointment in her.


    However, his actions were perceived quite differently by those observing him. They saw it as not only an admission of guilt but also as an act of arrogance and stubbornness, furtherplicating the already tangled web of family dynamics.


    Wang Zhihao, his patience exhausted, approached Wang Xiao with an usatory tone. "Where do you think you are going, huh? you need to tell us the truth right now!"


    Xinyue Zhn stepped in, her voice tinged with resignation. "Let''s not jump to conclusions, Zhihao. We should talk calmly and figure out what happened."


    Their voices shed, escting into a heated argument. Wang Zhihao''s frustration boiled over as he used Wang Xiao, "You''ve been nothing but troubletely!"


    Xinyue Zhn retorted, her voice strained but determined. "Yelling at him won''t solve anything, Zhihao! We need to get to the bottom of this calmly."


    Wang Jiarong, sitting on the couch, observed the escting dispute between her parents with growing difort. She nervously chewed her lower lip, her gaze darting between her mother and father, unsure of how to bring an end to this.


    Amid the chaotic scene, Wang Xiao, now thoroughly fed up with the situation, remained seated on the couch.


    His expression conveyed not only his frustration but also his deep disillusionment with his parents'' inability to handle the issue effectively.


    He felt like a spectator in his own family''s breakdown, silently disheartened by their inability to understand their childish brain.


    The argument between Wang Zhihao and Xinyue Zhn continued to escte, their voices raised in a bitter exchange of words.


    Wang Zhihao, his frustration reaching its peak, shouted, "We can''t just ignore this anymore! It''s clear that he''s the one responsible!"


    Wang Zhihao, "Xiao, if you won''t confess, I don''t know what I''ll do!"


    Xinyue Zhn, equally infuriated, shot back, "You''re making hasty judgments, Zhihao! We need to think this through rationally."


    Amid the chaos, Wang Jiarong, unable to bear the intensity of the argument any longer, stood up abruptly. She closed her eyes tightly, taking a deep breath, and then confessed in a trembling voice, "I''m the one who took the money."


    "What!?"


    "Huh?"


    "..."


    The new revtion hung in the air, silencing the room.


    The abrupt turn of events left Wang Xiao, Xinyue Zhn and Wang Zhihao in a momentary state of shock, their emotions swinging from anger to disbelief.


    Xinyue Zhn was the first to react, her eyes wide with astonishment. She turned to Wang Jiarong, her voice shaky as she asked, "What? Jiarong, are you serious?"


    Wang Zhihao, still seething with anger, struggled to process this new revtion. He looked at Jiarong with a mix of confusion and bewilderment. "Why would you do that, Jiarong?"


    Wang Xiao, equally stunned by the turn of events, found himself at a loss for words. He observed the unfolding scene, pondering how Wang Jiarong had managed to pull off this deception.


    He restrained his urge to whistle on the spot, and regardless of the method, he couldn''t help but sneer at Wang Zhihao''s hypocrisy; even an outsider could see his partiality toward Wang Jiarong, his dear daughter, despite the fact that she hadmitted the crime.


    He wondered what Wang Zhihao''s next move would be. The family drama had piqued his interest, and he awaited the oue with a mix of curiosity and cynicism.


    However, the suspense didn''tst long. Wang Jiarong nodded with a trembling body, and Wang Zhihao''s face darkened as he chastised her, "I didn''t expect this from you." He then turned and left.


    Before his exit, he couldn''t resist onest barb, saying to Xinyue Zhn, "All of your kids are like this; it''s your fault." Xinyue Zhn, inwardly furious, seethed with anger, muttering curses at him under her breath.


    Now, her attention was focused on Wang Jiarong, who was on the verge of tears, and she rushed to console her daughter.


    Xinyue Zhn reached out to Wang Jiarong, enveloping her in aforting embrace. "It''s okay, Jiarong," she murmured, her voice filled with both reassurance and concern. "We''ll sort this out."


    Wang Jiarong, still trembling and on the verge of tears, clung to her mother, her guilt and distress overwhelming her. "I''m sorry, Mom. I-I didn''t know what else to do."

 Chapter 57: Being Framed? Family Drama? (2)

    "I''m sorry, Mom. I-I didn''t know what else to do," Wang Jiarong choked out, her guilt weighing heavily on her.


    As Wang Xiao observed the situation, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of detached amusement.


    For the moment, none of the family members were paying him any attention.


    He sat back, savouring the temporary respite from the chaos and drama that had unfolded before his eyes.


    Xinyue Zhn led Wang Jiarong to the couch, her arm gently wrapped around her daughter''s shoulders. The afternoon sun streamed in through the window, casting a warm andforting glow over the living room. It was a quiet and serene moment, in stark contrast to the turmoil that had just unfolded.


    "Please, have a seat, Jiarong," Xinyue Zhn said, her voice filled with a mixture of tenderness and determination. She guided her daughter to sit, the soft cushions of the couch providing a sense of security.


    Wang Jiarong, her eyes still watery from the emotional rollercoaster she had experienced, hesitated for a moment before finally settling onto the couch.


    Xinyue Zhn, her voice soft but determined, gently coaxed her daughter. "Darling, we can talk this through. But first, we need to understand why you did this."


    Wang Jiarong took a deep breath, steadying herself, and began to open up about the painful secret she had been harboring.


    With a shaky breath, she began to reveal the painful truth that had driven her tomit the theft. "It''s because of a girl at school, Mom... She took pictures of me in the washroom, and now she''s ckmailing me. She said she''d show them to everyone if I didn''t give her money."


    "!!"


    Xinyue Zhn''s initial concern transformed into a mix of anger and protectiveness as she absorbed her daughter''s words.


    She pulled Wang Jiarong closer, her arms wrapped around her, offering a secure andforting embrace. "I can''t believe someone would do this to you, Jiarong. You did the right thing by sharing this with us."


    Wang Jiarong, still teary-eyed and shaken, nodded in gratitude for her mother''s understanding and support. Her distress had been eased by the weight she had just shared with her family.


    The room, which had been filled with tension and uncertainty, now carried a sense of vulnerability and emotional release.


    Wang Xiao, who had been a quiet observer throughout the ordeal, couldn''t help but be attentive slightly.


    His eyes narrowed, as he realized it wasn''t just about his sister stealing money to buy jewelleries or something.


    As the silence stretched on, Xinyue Zhn broke free from the embrace with Wang Jiarong, her eyes filled with determination. "We''ll deal with this together, sweetheart. First, we need to talk to the school authorities and put an end to this."


    Wang Jiarong nodded, her tears slowly subsiding. "Thank you, Mom. I didn''t know what else to do."


    Xinyue Zhn, her protective instincts in full force, embraced her daughter once more. "You did the right thing by sharing this, Jiarong. We''re here for you, and we''ll face this challenge as a family."


    Wang Jiarong finally managed a small smile through her lingering tears.


    The weight of her secret had been lifted, and she felt a sense of relief in knowing that she had her family''s support.


    Xinyue Zhn hesitated for a moment before gently inquiring, "Can you show your phone to us?" She was aware that her daughter''s phone might contain private and personal information that Wang Jiarong might be reluctant to share.


    Contrary to Xinyue Zhn''s expectations, Wang Jiarong immediately pulled out her phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she opened the chat with the girl who had been ckmailing her. She held it out for her mother to see.


    "Feng Xiyi..."


    Wang Xiao, who had been observing quietly, couldn''t help but stand up and move closer. He took a quick, discreet peek at the phone screen. The name "Feng Xiyi" caught his attention.


    With the information in mind, Wang Xiao decided to head back to his room. He felt that he could potentially use this name to conduct some research of his own.


    He had always been resourceful, and this situation was no different.


    Meanwhile, Xinyue Zhn and Wang Jiarong contemted their options.


    They couldn''t reach the school authorities immediately since it was the holiday season.


    The most viable course of action seemed to be confronting the girl''s family directly and threatening them with potential legal actions.


    Xinyue Zhn''s background as awyer gave her insights into how this could unfold.


    She knew that once the girl''s family was made aware of the legal implications of their daughter''s actions, they would likely take disciplinary action.


    The prospect of legal consequences could be a powerful motivator for them to correct their child''s behavior.


    All this was nned for tommorow, but Wang Xiao wasted no time in his pursuit of gathering information.


    As he entered his room, he immediately began reaching out to his contacts, including Tan Weimin and others, to get more details about this mysterious Feng Xiyi. He was determined to understand who she was and what her motivations were.


    An undercurrent of anger simmered within him, driven by the unsettling thought that the scene he had witnessed at the pool might be stored on someone''s phone gallery.


    Wang Xiao''s research led to a breakthrough when Liang Chen, the individual who had arranged the dirt bikes for them earlier, got in touch with him.


    Liang Chen''s girlfriend had connections in Wang Jiarong''s ss and had gained knowledge about the situation.


    The information was dramatic, to say the least, but it also brought a sense of relief. It appeared that Feng Xiyi might not have malicious intentions to spread thepromising photos.


    This information lessened Wang Xiao''s concern about the images going public.


    Now, with a clearer understanding of the situation, he was determined to find a way to meet Feng Xiyi and address the matter, hoping to teach her a lesson about humility and the consequences of her actions.


    His anger had transformed into a strategic resolve, and he was ready to take action.


    Wang Xiao''s anger had reached a boiling point, and it was driving him to consider actions that were normally outside his character. The situation with Feng Xiyi had provided him with a valid reason to retaliate and release some of the pent-up frustration he had been harboring.


    Mo Xiang had noticed Wang Xiao''s withdrawal from their usual fun activities over the past week and couldn''t help but ask him why. Wang Xiao, instead of answering, diverted the conversation and asked Mo Xiang to apany him to Century Park today.


    Simultaneously, he reached out to Liang Chen and requested that his girlfriend try to convince Feng Xiyi toe to the park at the same time. Wang Xiao had a n in motion, and he was determined to confront the source of his anger and take the situation into his own hands.


    Finally after settling everything, he have in chilling smile.


    ____


    In the heart of Century Park, a girl with tousled, brown, curly hair sat on a bench, her face adorned with an infectious, cheerful smile. Despite the biting cold of winter, she was wrapped in a thick, vibrant red furry jacket, a shield against the frigid air.


    As she observed the passing couples, the trees nearby responded to the season''s gentle yet unrelenting wind. Their leaves rustled in unison, creating a symphony of soothing whispers.


    With a deep sigh of contentment, the girl allowed herself a slight, faint smile. Her gaze shifted, and she couldn''t help but notice a group of people approaching. The figures of Wang Xiao and Mo Xiang became clearer as they made their way closer.


    "Hi," she greeted them, her voiceced with warmth.


    Her presence drew Wang Xiao and Mo Xiang''s attention. They continued their approach and, as they closed the distance, Chen Meili was the first to speak, her smile growing even more radiant.


    "What are you doing in the park?" Wang Xiao inquired, his curiosity evident.


    Chen Meili, momentarily taken aback, replied with a yful, yet somewhat sly retort, "Can''t I have a boyfriend I''ve been waiting for?" Herughter filled the air as she embraced Wang Xiao, enveloping him in the plush warmth of her jacket.


    It was a joyful and unexpected reunion, one that momentarily diverted Wang Xiao''s focus from the tension of his nned confrontation with Feng Xiyi.


    Chen Meili disclosed that she had already discussed her decision to leave with Lin Xue, and there had been no objections from thetter.


    Wang Xiao absorbed this information, his gaze sweeping the park in search of any signs of Feng Xiyi and Liang Chen''s girlfriend.


    Then, Chen Meili brought up a topic that left Wang Xiao momentarily taken aback. "Wang Xiao, you haven''t been visiting Lin Xuetely. She was asking if everything is fine with you."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, and he contemted his response.


    The true reason for his absence from Velvet Shadows was evident to him: he no longer had the funds to partake in such activities, and he didn''t want to face the potential embarrassment.


    "I''ll visit when I want. Who is she to dictate my schedule?" he retorted, catching Chen Meili off guard.


    She ced a hand on his shoulder, restraining a chuckle as she regarded him with amusement. "That''s why she calls you a thug. Such a rude man," shemented, shaking her head.


    Unbeknownst to her, Wang Xiao''s lips twitched, but he was not in the mood for small talk at the moment.

 Chapter 58: Shoved Directly into the... what?

    In the heart of the park, Feng Xiyi, a young woman of elegance and grace, stood with an air ofposure that belied her inner excitement.


    Her brown, curly hair tumbled in loose waves, partially shrouded by a vivid red scarf that created a striking contrast with the wintry surroundings.


    Despite the biting cold, she had chosen an outfit that spoke of her refined taste and unwavering determination.


    By her side, Fei Yun, a figure of hidden allure, exuded an air of quiet confidence.


    Her long, obsidian-ck hair cascaded gracefully in the chilly breeze, and her eyes held a depth of secrets that only she could fully grasp.


    Her actions hinted at a profoundplexity, tinged with a trace of guilt, revealing abyrinthine web of motivations.


    As they waited in anticipation of Wu Shenji''s arrival, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation.


    Feng Xiyi, her anticipation carefully concealed behind aposed exterior, addressed Fei Yun, "Sister Yun, are you sure Shenji will being here today?" Her words held a hint of excitement, and she wore an elegant ensemble despite the bitter cold. A vibrant red scarf was wrapped snugly around her neck, a vivid contrast to the winterndscape.


    Fei Yun nodded, confirming, "I''ve spoken with Wu Shenji and arranged for him to meet you here. He should be arriving shortly."


    Feng Xiyi couldn''t help but squeeze her hands together, her anxiety showing as she scanned the surroundings in search of his presence.


    Fei Yun, though she smiled wryly, felt a tinge of guilt for deceiving Feng Xiyi. She had her own motivations and had to follow through with her big brother''s ns, or her monthly allowances would cease.


    For Feng Xiyi, the situation was rtively straightforward. She had developed a crush on her senior at school, Wu Shenji. However, Wu Shenji had been actively pursuing Wang Jiarong from her ss, and Wang Jiarong had always maintained a distant and chilly demeanor towards him.


    This unrequited love had ignited a fierce rivalry within Feng Xiyi. Determined to make Wang Jiarong pay for her perceived interference, she had concocted a n, which would unknowingly backfire to her.


    ______


    "Wang Xiao, she is there," Mo Xiang alerted, holding up his phone with a photo of the two girls in the corner. He quickly messaged Fei Yun, sharing their location for her to notice.


    Fei Yun''s phone rang, and her attention was instantly drawn to the message. She directed her gaze in the specified direction.


    "Tell her to lure Feng Xiyi near the public washroom," Wang Xiao instructed, rising from the bench. He and Chen Meili had been engaged in casual conversation.


    Confusion flickered in Chen Meili''s eyes, and she caught wind of the situation. However, having been involved in certain business dealings, she knew better than to pry into matters that didn''t concern her. Nheless, she couldn''t help but offer a warning to Wang Xiao, "Wang Xiao, don''t repeat what you didst time. You won''t always be so fortunate."


    She hoped that the intentions of these people weren''t veering into indecent territory. Wang Xiao simply acknowledged her advice with a nod, leaving Chen Meili with a furrowed brow as she pondered their intentions.


    Mo Xiang and Wang Xiao continued to discreetly exchange messages, and they watched as the two girls conversed in the corner. Soon, the message reached Fei Yun, who discreetly scanned the area and recognized the designated location.


    With a sense of urgency, Fei Yun subtly approached Feng Xiyi and engaged her in conversation. "Feng Xiyi, let''s move closer to the public washroom, I think I dropped my hairpin there." Her voice carried a touch of urgency, a hidden agenda ying out behind herposed exterior.


    Feng Xiyi, trusting Fei Yun, agreed, and they began to make their way toward the public washroom.


    Little did Feng Xiyi know that her actions were aligning with a n set in motion by Wang Xiao and his associates.


    As they approached the washrooms, Fei Yun scanned her surroundings carefully. She pretended to search for her missing hairpin and said, "I think I left it inside," guiding Feng Xiyi into the women''s restroom.


    Wang Xiao conveyed his instructions to Mo Xiang. "Ask her how many people are inside."


    Mo Xiang promptly checked and reported back, "There''s no one inside. It''s clear."


    Wang Xiao nodded and took a deep breath. "Stay outside and make sure no one enters." With that, he ventured into the women''s restroom, prepared for what was about to unfold.


    ____


    Inside the women''s restroom, Fei Yun and Feng Xiyi stood together, a quiet tension filling the air. The coldness of the restroom was in stark contrast to the fiery anticipation that coursed through Feng Xiyi.


    Fei Yun maintained herposed facade, all while her heart raced with guilt for the borate deception that had been set in motion. She was about to reveal the truth to Feng Xiyi, who remained unaware of the intricate n unfolding around her.


    Feng Xiyi, inside the restroom, finally broke the silence.


    Her voice trembled with anxious curiosity as she turned to Fei Yun. "Sister Yun, why did you bring me here?"


    Fei Yun took a deep breath, her own unease carefully concealed. "There''s something you need to know, Feng Xiyi. Something that will change everything." The words hung heavy in the restroom as they waited for the moment of revtion.


    "W-What is it, Sister Yun? Don''t scare me like this," Feng Xiyi replied, her anxiety growing as she sensed that something was amiss.


    Fei Yun smiled, her expression masking the turmoil within. "You shouldn''t be blind in love, Feng Xiyi." As she spoke, Wang Xiao suddenly appeared, quietly closing the restroom door.


    "What!?"


    Feng Xiyi''s eyes widened in rm, and she instinctively took a step back.


    "Who are you!? What are you doing in the women''s bathroom!?" Feng Xiyi''s voice trembled with confusion and fear as she confronted the stranger who had intruded upon the sanctity of the women''s bathroom.


    Her initial fluster was quickly overshadowed by a growing sense of unease as the intruder, Wang Xiao, approached her with an unsettling smile.


    Though Feng Xiyi was slightly taller than him, his demeanor and piercing red eyes sent a shiver down her spine. The atmosphere in the narrow restroom had be charged with tension, and it was clear that something ominous was afoot.


    Wang Xiao''s response, "You shouldn''t have done it," only deepened the mystery for Feng Xiyi. She turned to herpanion, Fei Yun, her demand for answers bing more urgent. "Sister Yun, what''s happening? Tell me!"


    Fei Yun wore a bitter smile, hinting at her own hidden knowledge. "Do you know who he is?"


    Feng Xiyi''s confusion mounted as she nced at Wang Xiao''s face, unable to identify the stranger.


    Fei Yun nodded with an air of secrecy, "That''s good. You shouldn''t have known it either."


    As Feng Xiyi grappled with the puzzle before her, Wang Xiao made his move, swiftly seizing her by the hair.


    Whoosh!


    Feng Xiyi gasped, "Y-!? Leave me¡ª"


    Wang Xiao swiftly redirected her, forcefully pulling her towards the toilet.


    ______


    The women''s restroom presented a stark contrast to the wintry park outside. It was a narrow space,prising only two or three small doors, each leading to a cramped, individual toilet stall.


    Years of use had left their mark on the restroom doors, which were painted a faded, pale blue and bore the scars of countless visitors.


    Inside the stalls, the environment was anything but weing. They were justrge enough to amodate a single person, the walls marred by peeling paint, and the floor adorned with aged, discolored tiles.


    Overhead, fluorescent lights buzzed and flickered intermittently, casting an uneven, eerie illumination.


    To add to the difort, the constant hum of the venttion system provided a white noise, attempting to mask any sounds originating from the stalls within this eerie and confined space.


    Amidst the harsh, flickering lights, the atmosphere grew increasingly suffocating. The faint buzzing of the fluorescent tubes overhead added an unsettling soundtrack to the unfolding drama.


    *Buzz... Buzz...*


    As Feng Xiyi''s voice trembled with fear, she could hear the subtle, eerie echoes of her own breath, apanied by the asional drip of water in one of the stalls, a haunting reminder of the reality she now faced.


    *Drip... Drip...*


    Desperation in her voice, she pleaded, "Please, I didn''t mean to do anything wrong. Just tell me what you want."


    Wang Xiao, his grip unwavering, didn''t respond immediately. The silence grew heavy, punctuated only by their uneven breaths.


    "You would know your sin soon, don''t worry."


    Wang Xiao''s voice carried a chilling promise as he maintained his cold smile, leaving Feng Xiyi in a state of dread.


    He raised her head slightly above the toilet seat, her resistance futile, her trembling body a stark testament to her fear.


    Tears streamed down her face as she choked on her sobs. "Please, please don''t do this," she pleaded with desperation, her voice quivering.


    "Haha!" A cold, heartlessugh pierced her ears, serving as a cruel prelude to the impending act. In an instant, her head was brutally shoved into the toilet.


    *Ssh!*

 Chapter 59: Chen Meilis invitation!

    *Ssh!*


    The shock and disgust in Feng Xiyi''s voice were palpable as she gurgled, "Stop... please, stop."


    But her pleas fell on deaf ears, and Wang Xiao continued to press her head against the toilet, the muffled sounds of her choking and struggling filling the cramped restroom.


    *Gasp... Gasp...*


    Desperation and panic gripped Feng Xiyi as she fought for every breath, her cries for mercy growing increasingly frantic.


    "Let me go... I''m sorry... Please!" She struggled to speak between gasps, her voice filled with remorse and desperation.


    As Feng Xiyi''s head remained submerged in the murky toilet water, her muffled cries and struggles became increasingly desperate. Her body convulsed, trying to break free from Wang Xiao''s relentless grip, but her efforts were in vain.


    Inside the cramped restroom, the violent gurgling and sputtering of water mixed with her frantic choking and gasping created a cacophony of terror.


    The unpleasant stench of the restroom''s cleaning agents mingled with the acrid smell of the water, intensifying the nightmarish atmosphere.


    Wang Xiao''s red eyes bore into the chaos before him, an eerie calm in his demeanor. He had achieved what he came for¡ªthe crushing sense of retribution he had sought.


    After what felt like an eternity, he finally released his grip, allowing Feng Xiyi to gasp for air as she resurfaced, her face bearing the evidence of her ordeal.


    "Haaahh....haaahh..."


    The restroom was now filled with her ragged, desperate breaths, each one a stark reminder of the ordeal she had just endured.


    Wang Xiao''s voice, cold and unyielding, cut through the lingering tension. "Now, you''ll remember what happens when you cross someone like me."


    Feng Xiyi''s voice trembled as she muttered, "I... I... don''t understand anything." Her eyes held raw fear, a mixture of confusion and terror, as she struggled toprehend the torment she had just endured.


    *Gulp...*


    Fei Yun, who stood behind them, gulped in fear, her gaze fixed on the drenched and traumatized figure of Feng Xiyi.


    Her thoughts were a whirlwind of doubt and concern, but she didn''t dare voice her thoughts in front of the menacing Wang Xiao.


    Wang Xiao''s voice cut through the tension once more as he demanded, "Where is her phone?"


    Fei Yun, anxious toply, hastily passed the phone that Feng Xiyi had dropped earlier to Wang Xiao.


    With the phone in his possession, Wang Xiao ordered Feng Xiyi, "Open it." She hesitated for a moment, her eyes filled with uncertainty, before cautiously entering the passcode.


    Wang Xiao then proceeded to browse through the phone''s gallery, swiftly locating the explicit images he had been searching for.


    The images he discovered left him momentarily frozen, his mind grappling with what he had just found.


    They were explicit andpromising, revealing a side of his own sister that he had been unaware of.


    It became evident that he needed to focus his attention on Wang Jiarong as well.


    He showed the images to Feng Xiyi and asked, "Have you sent them to someone else?" Her eyes widened in realization, and she stammered, "H-How do you know this?" She hadn''t shared with anyone the fact that she possessed explicit andpromising pictures of Wang Jiarong, leaving her deeply puzzled about how this person had uncovered her secret.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes bore into Feng Xiyi, his voice ice-cold. "It doesn''t matter how I know. Have you sent them or not?"


    Feng Xiyi''s trembling hands reached for her phone as she answered in a shaky voice, "I... I didn''t send them to anyone, I swear!"


    "Good, I would be taking the phone, consider it a price for ckmailing my sister," spoke Wang Xiao, snatching the phone from her hand.


    "Y-Your sister?" Feng Xiyi stammered, her confusion evident.


    Wang Xiao''s cold demeanor didn''t waver as he replied, "Yes, Wang Jiarong is my sister. And trust me, you don''t want to mess with my family."


    Feng Xiyi''s eyes widened in realization, and she began to piece together the puzzle. The shock of her actions and the consequences were now in full view. She had no idea she was targeting the sister of the person standing before her, and the gravity of her actions was sinking in.


    Wang Xiao made a final warning, "This is your chance to turn your life around. Forget about this and never harm my sister or anyone else again."


    Feng Xiyi nodded frantically, her voice trembling as she replied, "I promise. I''ll never do something like this again."


    With that, Wang Xiao left the restroom, leaving Feng Xiyi to contemte the events that had unfolded and the choices she had made.


    _______


    ''Wow, you could be an actor in a body!''


    ''Right, those dialogues even made me cringe!''


    ''Wang Xiao! Don''t harm his great family. Who will protect your own family from his monstrous grasp?''


    ''Hey-Hey, Wang Xiao, quickly, send those nudes to your own phone!''


    As Wang Xiao stepped outside, he was bombarded by his own shadows, all speaking at the same time. Their simultaneous voices weighed on him, darkening his expression. Yet, thest suggestion intrigued him, and he swiftly transferred the pictures to his own phone, securing them in a hidden folder.


    With the images safely tucked away, he rejoined Chen Meili and Mo Xiang outside the restroom. They were now even more curious about the ordeal that had unfolded inside.


    Chen Meili, her curiosity piqued by the earlier events, couldn''t help but ask, "Is everything sorted out?"


    Wang Xiao, his face nowposed, nodded in response. "Yes, it''s all under control. Let''s hope she learns from this experience."


    Mo Xiang, attempting to break the tension, couldn''t resist a cheeky remark. "Wang Xiao, you certainly know how to tame  these bitches!"


    "..."


    "..."


    An awkward silence hung in the air.


    "Um..." Mo Xiang, sensing the unease, looked around with a slightly perplexed expression. "Did I say something wrong?"


    Wang Xiao chose to remain silent, and his eyes shifted toward Chen Meili, who responded with an eye roll, a signal that thement had indeed been off the mark.


    Unexpectedly, it was Chen Meili who proposed the next move. "How about going for lunch?" She smiled at Wang Xiao, catching him off guard with the unexpected invitation.


    Wang Xiao''s response was swift. "Sure, a meal sounds good right now. Let''s go."


    Mo Xiang picked up on the cues and decided it was time to exit the scene, giving a quick thumbs-up as he made his departure.


    As they distanced themselves from the restroom scene, Chen Meili couldn''t help but shake her head, a faint smile ying on her lips. "Your friend is quite... direct, isn''t he?"


    Wang Xiao nonchntly acknowledged, "Yeah, he has his moments. But let''s not dwell on that. I''m just relieved this mess is behind us. Thanks for your help today; it made things much smoother."


    Chen Meili''s smile carried warmth as she offered another suggestion. "Do you want me to call Lin Xue as well?"


    Wang Xiao gently declined the offer, his eyes thoughtful. "She doesn''t like crowded ces."


    Chen Meili nodded in understanding. "I see..."


    "Mhm," Wang Xiao responded, his gaze unwaveringly focused ahead.


    Chen Meili took a step closer to him, and as they walked side by side, a sense of awkwardness crept over her. She was a decade older than him, yet she couldn''t help but feel somewhat conscious of the determined face beside her.


    Chen Meili felt the need to rify her intentions, the faintest hint of blush on her cheeks. "I... I wanted to thank you for lunch because you arranged a job for me. It''s not about anything else."


    Wang Xiao, however, turned toward her with a faint smile. "You know... You''re just making it more awkward for yourself."


    Mo Xiang had unwittingly created an air of teasing around Wang Xiao, one that was hard to shake off, and Chen Meili seemed to have fallen right into it.


    With a hint of defiance, Chen Meili pouted, her own way of coping. "Awkward? Do you honestly think I''d be fazed by you?"


    Wang Xiao shook his head, his eyes holding a hint of mischief. "No, but there are better ways to express thanks, you know. I''ll leave it up to you."


    Unbeknownst to Chen Meili, Wang Xiao was, in his own way, in need of some personal release. His suggestion was veiled, but it was a hint to her that he might appreciate herpany in a different context.


    Chen Meili was not blind to his implications but chose to y coy, her face blushing slightly as she heard his direct words. "That would be far too inappropriate."


    Wang Xiao only chuckled softly in response, discreetly slipping Feng Xiyi''s phone into his pocket. "It indeed is, but you never said you weren''t interested, nor did you directly deny it."


    Chen Meili bit her lip, caught in an ufortable silence. She finally broke it, her voice barely above a whisper. "You won''t tell anyone, right?"


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow but gave a simple nod. "I won''t."


    Chen Meili hesitated for a moment, then decided to push on. "Okay, then... Let''s go to my ce. You do have some time, right?"


    Wang Xiao agreed, "That''s a good idea."

 Chapter 60: *Lift your legs!*

    Wang Xiao agreed, "That''s a good idea."


    They hailed a taxi and settled inside, but Chen Meili''s heart was pounding loudly in her chest. ''What the hell am I doing? Did I seriously ept such a ridiculous idea?'' She cursed herself for getting caught up in this situation.


    As Wang Xiao sat calmly beside her, it seemed as if it were an everyday urrence to him, adding to her confusion and apprehension.


    Outside an old, weathered two-story building, Chen Meili and Wang Xiao disembarked from the taxi.


    They ascended the exterior staircase that led to her rented unit on the second floor. As they reached her door, she paused, feeling the need to rify her intentions.


    "Just so you know... I am not selling myself," she said with determination, making it clear that she wanted to be distinguished from the other women in the brothel.


    Wang Xiao nodded to show that he understood.


    Once Chen Meili unlocked the door, she weed him inside with a warm smile, leading the way.


    The situation had developed quickly, and she couldn''t help but wonder where it might lead.


    With a sense of anticipation, she decided to let nature take its course.


    !!


    Upon entering the apartment, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but let out a low whistle, taken aback by the sight that met his eyes. The one-bedroom apartment had a living room, and the entire living room was strewn with women''s undergarments, seemingly left out to dry. The unexpected scene left him somewhat stunned.


    Chen Meili''s face turned crimson as she rushed to gather the undergarments and stuff them into aundry basket. "I''m so sorry, Ipletely forgot I left these out to dry," she stammered, flustered and embarrassed by the awkward situation.


    Wang Xiao, despite his earlier surprise, couldn''t help but chuckle at the sight. "Seems like this apartment has seen quite a bit of action, huh?"


    Chen Meili couldn''t hide her own nervousughter. "It''s not what it looks like, I promise."


    Amused, Wang Xiao simply leaned against a wall, folding his arms as he watched her with a teasing grin. "I''m sure it''s not."


    Chen Meili''s face turned beet red, muttering apologies under her breath. "Just give me a moment to clear it up."


    Wang Xiao, though slightly amused by the situation, helped her pick up the undergarments, his calm demeanor never wavering. "It''s alright. I''ve seen worse."


    Chen Meili rolled her eyes. "If this is the worst thing you''ve seen, you''re quite sheltered."


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help butugh at her retort. "Well, I don''t make a habit of visiting people''s homes.


    Just then, Wang Xiao picked up a lingerie from the ground, his eyes inspecting thevender-colored lingerie thoughtfully, holding it in his hands as if analyzing its design and fabric. Chen Meili, watching his every move, couldn''t help but inquire, "Umm... Is there something wrong with it?"


    He nodded, then nonchntly tossed it back toward her. "Wear it for today; it would look good," he suggested, his face still wearing that same serious expression.


    Chen Meili caught the lingerie with bulging eyes, disbelief written across her face. "Dream on," she responded, her voice filled with restrained frustration. "You should be grateful that I''m allowing you into the house. Don''t make more demands."


    "Hmm?" Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin ying on his lips. "Who was it that wanted to thank me by repaying using her body?" he teased, catching her off guard.


    Chen Meili''s face turned beet red, and she hurriedly tried to cover his mouth to silence him. "Wang Xiao, you''re impossible!" she eximed, her voice filled with a mix of embarrassment and amusement.


    Before things got more awkward, they both burst intoughter, breaking the tension. With a newfound camaraderie, they continued to collect her clothes and ced them neatly into aundry basket.


    They finished collecting the undergarments and quickly put them away. She then gestured towards the only chair in the room, a slightly worn wooden seat with a tattered cushion. "Please, have a seat. I''ll make some tea. Just give me a moment."


    Wang Xiao obliged, taking a seat on the chair, the aged wood creaking slightly as he settled in.


    He couldn''t help but be amused by the situation, his eyes dancing with a sense of mischief, while Chen Meili hurried into the kitchen area, her heart still racing from their previous conversation, and her face still flushed with embarrassment.


    As Chen Meili worked in the kitchen to prepare some tea, Wang Xiao sat in the living room, the undergarments neatly stowed away, surrounded by the faint scent ofundry detergent and a unique sense of nostalgia that only thepany of an old acquaintance could bring.


    Chen Meili, busy in the kitchen, retrieved a tea kettle, carefully selecting a fragrant blend of jasmine tea leaves. She filled the kettle with water and ced it on the stove, her movements precise and efficient. It was clear she was used to taking care of herself.


    As the kettle heated up, she found a couple of clean cups and saucers and set them on a tray. The rhythmic sounds of the boiling water were a soothing background to their interaction.


    Soon enough, she carried the tray with the cups and saucers to the living room and set it on the small coffee table in front of Wang Xiao. "It won''t take long for the tea to be ready," she said with a warm smile as she took a seat opposite him.


    Wang Xiao nodded, before ncing at the clock and recognizing the need to head home before evening. He couldn''t afford to let his mother and sister take matters into their own hands, and he wasn''t certain they would wait until tomorrow to act.


    He stood up abruptly, drawing Chen Meili''s attention. Her questioning eyes followed him as he entered the kitchen and turned off the stove. Confused, she inquired, "Umm...Why did you turn it off?"


    His response was swift, as he threw himself over her, pinning her to the ground, and leaving her in shock.


    Her heart raced as she stuttered, "W-What are you doing!?"


    Wang Xiao simply replied, "We don''t have much time."


    Chen Meili desperately yearned to voice her refusal, as she had never agreed to this intimate encounter when she was invited to his house.


    However, her words became entangled in her throat, a prisoner of Wang Xiao''s actions. With a forceful kiss, he left no room for ambiguity, his lips exploring hers.


    In an instant, Chen Meili''s mind exploded, losing all semnce of control over her body. Wang Xiao, seizing the opportune moment, skillfully slipped his tongue past her lips, sending shockwaves of surprise through her entire being.


    Without wasting another moment, his hands deftly descended, gripping her clothes and pulling them up, subtly determined to undress her.


    Chen Meili''s eyes flickered with a whirlwind of conflicted emotions as she instinctively ced her hands on his, halting his movements.


    But when she locked gazes with his ardent and passionate eyes, her resistance waned and her hands surrendered, allowing him to proceed with removing her clothes.


    "Gulp..."


    As her bare upper body was revealed, she turned her face sideways, seeking a momentary respite.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed with desire as he appraised her enticing figure, finding himself unexpectedly captivated by the sight before him.


    "You look better than I imagined," he remarked, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and praise.


    "What!?" Chen Meili''s head snapped towards him in an instant, her eyes narrowing with confusion and disbelief.


    Wang Xiao''s lips twitched, a sudden realization that he had said something inappropriate slipping into his consciousness.


    However, instead of offering any exnation, he shamelessly maintained a sly smile and reached out to touch her round and firm breasts, his fingers grazing them softly, before leaning forward and sensually tracing his tongue over them.


    "Mmmnn!"


    A soft moan escaped Chen Meili''s lips, her eyes fluttering closed as a wave of pleasure washed over her. Her body instinctively twisted slightly, responding to the electric sensations coursing through her.


    "Wang Xiao..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    "What... mmm?" Wang Xiao spoke, his lips engulfing her nipples in gentle, teasing nibbles.


    "I... I... still think it''s not right... can we stop here?" She muttered, her gaze avoiding his intense stare.


    Wang Xiao froze, but instead of halting, he leaned over and nted gentle kisses on her abdomen. Her eyes squinted with pleasure, and a gasp escaped her lips as her breath quickened.


    "How does it feel?" He asked, his voice filled with anticipation.


    "It... Feels weird...." She muttered, the words barely finding their way past her quivering lips.


    Wang Xiao nodded, his movements deliberate and unhurried. With a slow and enticing motion, he eased off her leggings, unveiling more of her silky skin.


    Chen Meili''s senses were heightened as his fingers delicately traced along her most intimate area. Her eyshes fluttered nervously, betraying her anticipation, while she gulped a mouthful of saliva to quench her thirst.


    "Life your legs," he instructed, his voice a seductivemand.


    !!


    Chen Meili was taken aback by the sudden sternness in his demeanor. She couldn''t help but bite her lip in anticipation as he firmly grasped her legs, seamlessly sliding off her leggings. In that moment, she revealedcy ck panties that left him taken aback.

 Chapter 61: *Sister and mothers Suprise!*

    "I... was just feeling good today... and wanted to try something different," Chen Meili stammered, her face flushed with embarrassment.


    Wang Xiao nodded, his eyes now noticing the expensive-looking furry red jacket she was wearing.


    "Then let''s make your day even better," Wang Xiao dered, rising to his feet and swiftly shedding his clothes.


    His words caught herpletely off guard, her weak nod betraying her uncertainty of what to do next.


    Wang Xiao deftly struggled to untie her panties, determined to remove them. Despite the challenge, he persisted until he triumphantly overcame the obstacle, tossing them away with a flourish.


    The sudden wave of cold washed over Chen Meili, causing her breath to hitch and her skin to tingle. In the midst of this sudden chill, she felt something scorching hot press against her skin, instantly realizing that his erection was rigid and pressing against her thighs like an unyielding rod.


    Her eyes zed over slightly, a mixture of anticipation and racing heartbeats, as she let her thoughts wander to the next scene.


    With deliberate precision, Wang Xiao parted her legs, positioning his throbbing member against her moist entrance.


    As he expertly rubbed himself against her folds, she couldn''t ignore the contrasting sensations¡ªher exterior dryness contrasting with the lingering dampness inside, a subtle sign of her growing arousal.


    And then, he slipped inside, effortlessly breaching her entrance.


    "Ahn...," a strain of pain and nervousness etched across Chen Meili''s face.


    "Is this your first time?" Wang Xiao inquired, his surprise barely detectable.


    "Yes...," Chen Meili nodded, biting down on her lower lip, a mix of nervousness and desire coursing through her veins.


    She had never found the time for such activities in the past, and yet, here she was...


    Wang Xiao''s expression solidified, his eyes sparkling with a mix of anticipation and excitement. The thought of being the first to experience this intimate moment with a virgin sent a surge of energy through his body.


    Chen Meili clenched her fingers, her nails digging into the palms of her hands as she felt her body being slowly filled.


    Suddenly, her eyes shot open, wide with a mixture of fear and surprise.


    "Ugh! It hurts!"


    With one swift movement, Wang Xiao pierced through her hymen, causing a sharp intake of breath from Chen Meili. Without skipping a beat, he leaned in, his lips gently pressing against her neck, leaving a trail of heated kisses.


    As the initial pain subsided, Chen Meili''s strained face transformed into a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.


    "Are you okay now?" Wang Xiao asked.


    "It... tingles a bit.." Chen Meili let out a weak nod, her eyes brimming with tears as she realized that today, she would lose her virginity.


    A soft chuckle escaped her lips, apanied by a slight tingling sensation that made her whole face flush crimson.


    Wang Xiao acknowledged her response with a nod of his own. A sharp glint danced in his eyes as he spoke, "That''s good, because now it''s going to hurt."


    !!


    His innocent smile sent shivers down Chen Meili''s spine, her shock turning into a mix of anticipation and nerves.


    With a slight withdrawal, he repositioned himself and began to move his hips, a controlled rhythm that sent waves of pleasure cascading through both of their bodies.


    His hands firmly held onto her waist as he leaned closer, his warm breath intermingling with the soft moans escaping her lips.


    And as he softly nibbled on her nipples, Chen Meili''s senses became heightened, awash with a vivid intensity she had never experienced before.


    "Mnghh... Wang Xiao, wait!" she gasped. But true to his words, Wang Xiao only gave her a subtle smile that sent an electrifying shiver down her spine.


    As if possessed by a hunger for more, he tightened his grip on her legs, preventing them from closing, and began to pound with an unmatched intensity.


    *Pakh!*


    *Pakh!*


    *Pakh!*


    The room became a symphony of her passionate moans, each one echoing through the air. Chen Meili''s entire body burned with a strange sensation, a blend of pleasure and pain that spun her senses out of control.


    With every swift motion, his rigid member plunged deeper into her pulsating core, eliciting an intoxicating mixture of cries and gasps from her lips, lost in the pleasure that consumed her.


    "Are you going to do it inside?" Chen Meili suddenly jolted awake from her trance-like state, her eyes slightly hazy as if drugged with alcohol.


    As Wang Xiao continued his thrusts, a chuckle escaped his lips. "It doesn''t matter... You''ll have to take a pill anyway," he replied, his rhythm unbroken.


    "O-Okay then..." Chen Meili reluctantly agreed, a hint of hesitation hidden beneath the surface of her thoughts.


    Deep down, she knew the risk of going without contraceptives, but she chose to remain silent.


    The room became filled once more with the sounds of her moans, each moment stretching into eternity as the minutes ticked by. Chen Meili''s inexperience allowed her to endure, even as her doubts lingered.


    Finally, with a heavy breath, Wang Xiao withdrew from her, a sense of pride evident on his face. A mixture of white and red liquid seeped out from her vagina, serving as undeniable proof of her virginity.


    _________


    In the Wang family vi, a heavy, mncholic atmosphere hung in the air. The dining table remained eerily empty, save for Wang Jiarong and Xinyue Zhn, who sat in silence.


    Wang Xueying, as was her usual habit, opted to stay away, while the unexpected absence of Wang Mei added an extrayer of tension.


    Meanwhile, Wang Zhihao toiled away on a project outside, his presence forgotten by everyone inside the vi.


    "Are you still dwelling on that?" Xinyue Zhn probed, her patience wearing thin.


    Wang Jiarong slowly lifted her gaze, fixing a deep, searching look on Xinyue Zhn before eventually shaking her head.


    "Sigh..." A profound sigh escaped from Xinyue Zhn''s lips, her realization that Wang Jiarong was likely concealing her true feelings.


    She knew her daughter well enough to sense that something was bothering her, even if Wang Jiarong chose not to admit it. She looked at her with a mixture of concern and motherly love, wishing her daughter would open up.


    "Jiarong, you can talk to me. I''m here for you," Xinyue Zhn encouraged.


    Wang Jiarong hesitated for a moment, her expression a mix of emotions. Then, she finally spoke, "Mom, there''s something I need to confess. I can''t keep it inside anymore."


    Wang Jiarong had been wrestling with the idea ofing clean about the recent school drama. Initially, the thought had felt like an unwee guest, but as the minutes ticked by, it grew more insistent. She realized that time was running out, and the truth would inevitablye to light, even if her involvement had been indirect.


    *Creak...*


    Just as she was mustering the courage to speak, the heavy wooden door swung open. Wang Xiao entered, his figure looking fatigued and disheveled. Both Wang Jiarong and Xinyue Zhn turned their attention to him.


    "Why are you not wearing your jacket? Do you want to catch a cold?" Xinyue Zhn scolded, her gaze fixed on Wang Xiao, who was carrying his jacket rather than wearing it.


    Wang Xiao, unfazed by the question, reached into his pocket and produced Feng Xiyi''s phone. He slid it across the table toward Wang Jiarong, his tired eyes speaking volumes.


    "Take it, do whatever you want with the photos," he said wearily, then turned and made his way towards the staircase. His steps were heavy, and his weariness was at extreme.


    He longed for some rest, and the prospect of a shower.


    For safety''s sake, he kept a cautious distance from the others. He didn''t want them to catch a whiff of the telltale scent of their previous activities.


    "Mm? What is this?" Wang Jiarong wondered aloud as she picked up the phone. It held a mysterious allure, its screen revealing only a series of numbers.


    With a hint of curiosity, she attempted the numbers as a passcode, and to her surprise, the phone unlocked.


    As she delved into its contents, a startling realization dawned upon her. She recognized the owner of the phone and was shocked to find it contained her own pictures. Her eyes widened as she nced at the fading figure of Wang Xiao.


    "H-How did he?" she muttered in disbelief, her voice trembling with the weight of unanswered questions.


    "What is it, Jiarong? What did he give to you?" Xinyue Zhn, seated on the other side of the table, couldn''t contain her curiosity.


    Wang Jiarong, still in a state of shock, didn''t respond with words. Instead, she silently pushed the phone toward Xinyue Zhn, urging her to see for herself.


    Xinyue Zhn''s expression mirrored the same mixture of astonishment and confusion. "How...?" she began, equally perplexed.


    Neither of them had any answers, and Wang Xiao had departed without offering any exnations.


    "I... I should go and ask him," Wang Jiarong suggested, standing up.


    Xinyue Zhn, however, halted her with a raised hand. "Don''t go; he might still be upset about this morning''s incident."


    "But...?" Wang Jiarong looked torn, her uncertainty evident.


    Xinyue Zhn reassured her, "I''ll go talk to himter tonight."


    "Okay," Wang Jiarong agreed, for now, cing her trust in Xinyue Zhn''s decision.

 Chapter 62: Wang Xiaos dream

    10th January, 8:00 pm.


    Wang Xiao found sce within the cocoon of a thick nket, the room shrouded in darkness.


    The soft glow of his phone illuminated his face as he idly scrolled through its contents.


    In this intimate moment of quiet, an unexpected intrusion shattered the tranquility¡ªa knock echoed against his closed door, prompting a furrowed brow.


    "Xiao Wang, are you awake?" questioned a voice from beyond.


    The query lingered in the air, leaving Wang Xiao to ponder the visitor''s intent. ''What is she doing here? To make amends?'' he wondered, his eyes momentarily fixated on the unlocked door.


    With a decisive action, he powered off his phone and feigned slumber.


    "Knock... Knock.. Xiao Wang?"


    The persistent knocks reverberated through the silence, a rhythmic insistence that tested his resolve.


    Outside, Xinyue Zhn sighed audibly, the sound carrying a mix of frustration and determination.


    Eventually, she pushed through the barrier of Wang Xiao''s closed door.


    "Hm? Xiao?" she murmured upon entering.


    The room plunged into darkness as the lights extinguished the moment she stepped inside.


    "Is he asleep already?" she pondered aloud, debating whether to illuminate the room to confirm.


    Eventually, she opted against it. As her eyes adjusted to the dim surroundings, they settled on him, peacefully slumbering in the center of the room.


    Her eyes betrayed aplex expression, a blend of guilt and contemtion.


    Ordinarily, he wouldn''t retire this early, but she was certain his premature slumber was a manifestation of his anger towards them.


    In a moment of resignation, she sighed and lifted the nket, settling herself on the bed beside him, slipping off her slippers.


    *Rustle...*


    Wang Xiao''s eyshes flickered as he sensed another presence beneath the nket, yet he maintained the pretense of deep slumber.


    Her gaze lingered on his peaceful facade, the guilt in her eyes deepening. In the moment, she wrestled with her internal turmoil, contemting the words left unspoken between them.


    As the minutes passed, she let out another soft sigh, a sigh that carried the weight of unresolved emotions.


    With a hesitant hand, she reached out to gently touch his shoulder. "Xiao," she whispered, the vulnerability in her voice belying the strength she usually exuded.


    Wang Xiao''s eyelids fluttered, a subtle acknowledgment of her presence. Yet, he maintained the act, not wanting to deal with any type of drama.


    "Sigh...."


    In the cocoon of darkness, Xinyue Zhn''s attempts to rouse Wang Xiao proved futile.


    However, instead of conceding defeat and leaving, she chose a different path.


    Drawing from a recent revtion about his fear of the dark, she decided to stay by his side.


    Her hands extended forward, gently pulling his body close, creating an embrace that spoke offort rather than confrontation.


    The room, once charged with tension, now held a tender connection between them.


    Wang Xiao, still feigning sleep, experienced a shift in the atmosphere.


    A mature and soothing scent enveloped him, overpowering the earlier rhythm of his own heartbeat.


    His senses focused on this new presence, and he became attuned to something beyond the realms of anger and guilt.


    In a subtle turn, Xinyue Zhn adjusted her position, and inadvertently, her breasts brushed against his face.


    Although both were clothed, Wang Xiao could discern the softness beneath the fabric.


    He twisted his face slightly, a confirmation of the unexpected contact, before maintaining the pretense of drowsiness.


    Seizing the moment, he extended his arms, drawing her into a soft embrace.


    "Hm?"


    Xinyue Zhn furrowed her brow, her guilt intensifying as she realized he was still sound asleep.


    She tentatively reached out, her fingertips softly caressing his sleeping face before eventually sumbing to her own weariness and drifting off to sleep, lost in her thoughts.


    The minutes ticked away, but Wang Xiao remained wide awake, acutely aware of how close her body was to his.


    It was as if a whispering temptation lingered just within his grasp... an awareness that he could act without resistance.


    Long-buried thoughts stirred, awakening desires that had remained dormant until this unexpected night.


    They hadid dormant, patiently waiting for a catalyst to ignite them into action.


    Wang Xiao''s hand found itself resting gently over her own breast, separated only by a thinyer of fabric.


    She remained blissfully defenseless, entirely unguarded against his desires. And in that moment, she didn''t seem to mind.


    *Gulp...*


    Wang Xiao''s breath caught as he gazed at her lips, a tempting shade of red in the darkness.


    The allure of the moment was tempting, yet he grappled with conflicting desires.


    The primal urge to surrender to the beast within, to indulge in the forbidden, tugged at him.


    However, a powerful restraint held him back.


    He knew that despite the darkness surrounding them, everything would be alright.


    A cascade of thoughts flooded his mind.


    What if there were consequences?


    Perhaps a few ps, an emotional breakdown?


    Yet, in his twisted logic,pared to assaulting Qian Ruixin in her sleep, Xinyue Zhn seemed like a more eptable candidate, or maybe the best one.


    After all, she was his own mother.


    He believed that by ying the part of an obsessed maniac, he could manipte the situation, confident that she would easily let it slide.


    His heartbeat quickened as he considered these options, a subtle anxiety gnawing at him.


    Yet, amidst this internal turmoil, he couldn''t pinpoint the invisible force that restrained him.


    He searched for the shadows of his conscience for advice, but they remained out of the reach...


    Was he meant to make this decision alone?


    Overwhelmed by the choices that swirled in his mind, Wang Xiao ultimately dispelled such thoughts.


    The pretext for his restrainty in the acknowledgment that his mother was currently physically stronger than him.


    As the night progressed, he indulged in a subtle act, consuming a bit of her "tofu."


    Intentionally brushing his hands against her skin, he tested the boundaries.


    With a final calcted move, he let his eyelids fall, sumbing to the allure of sleep, leaving the room cloaked in a veil of secrets.


    ______


    "What!?"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes burst open, and he found himself engulfed in a surreal realm.


    " ? ? ? ~"


    "? ? ? ? ?~"


    Echoes ofughter and chatter surrounded him, creating a disorienting symphony. As he took in his surroundings, it dawned on him: Heaven!


    Peering down, a pool shimmered below, alive with the movement of women in an array of costumes¡ªsome provocatively dressed, others boldly revealing their nudity.


    Their gestures were an invitation, urging him to descend. Wang Xiao, realizing he stood on a diving tform, couldn''t suppress a grin.


    With a surge of exhration, he leaped into the pool, immediately embraced by alluring figures on every side.


    His fingers dipped into the cool water, leaving ripples in their path.


    Yet, the enchantment proved fleeting. As quickly as it had unfolded, the dreamlike scene began to unravel.


    His eyes scanned the surreal tableau, the ambient chatter of the women persisting, but time itself seemed to decelerate. "Am I dreaming...?" Wang Xiao mused aloud, his voice cutting through the suspended animation that enveloped him.


    It wasn''t the first time; rarely does Wang Xiao experience dreams. But when he does, they often turn out to be vivid lucid dreams.


    He had extensively researched this phenomenon, but no answers ever came his way.


    As the realization dawned on him, the scenery around him shifted and transformed. His face twisted into an awkward expression as he suppressed augh, unable to believe what he was witnessing.


    "Was I really like that?" he wondered, his eyes fixed on the image of his 10-year-old self in his old rented home. In the scene, his younger self was caught in forbidden act, fondling bras, using them to masturbate, that may have belonged to either Xinyue Zhn or Wang Jiarong.


    The memory of that day flooded back, vivid and clear. He was left alone in the house, seizing the opportunity and exploring his curiosity without any inhibitions.


    An awkward chuckle escaped Wang Xiao''s lips as he watched his younger self, the scene abruptly transforming once again. Now, he found himself transported to the early months of this year, where new suprise awaited.


    "Huh?"


    The dream shifted again, this time to a familiar setting¡ªthe top floor of the vi.


    Two figures now upied the space: Wang Ling and Wang Sheng!


    Wang Xiao recognized both of them, causing him to squint as he observed the scene.


    Both were cousins from his paternal side, orphaned due to a tragic ident.


    Currently, Wang Xiao''s grandparents in the vige were taking care of them.


    Wang Sheng, aged around 16, and Wang Ling, 18, stood before him in the dream, their presence adding anotheryer ofplexity to the unfolding narrative.


    Wang Xiao already had a sinking feeling in his gut as he anticipated what was about to unfold. Little did he know, there was an unexpected surprise waiting for his younger self!


    On the top floor, the scene before him was nothing short of shocking. Both of them stood there,pletely naked.


    "What are they doing...?"


    The question lingered.

 Chapter 63: Wang Xiaos dream (2)

    On the top floor, the scene before him was nothing short of shocking. Both of them stood there,pletely naked.


    Wang Ling was shamelessly crouching on all fours, her panting breaths filling the ce.


    And there, behind her, was Wang Sheng, their own bloodline connecting them, shamelessly thrusting into her.


    Wang Xiao held no regard for his paternal siblings, but this revtion took him aback.


    How could Wang Ling have sunk so low?


    As he looked at her, he couldn''t help but admit to himself how unattractive she appeared.


    It disgusted him to think that he had once considered them people.


    No, he wasn''t exaggerating.


    His eyes had been ustomed to the enchanting beauty of fairy-like sisters, and Wang Ling was nowhere near.


    Her face was below average, her bodycking the alluring curves he was ustomed to.


    With a bitter taste in his mouth, Wang Xiao expressed his disdain, dering that these two, Wang Ling and Wang Sheng, were better off dead.


    He had no use for such repulsive creatures.


    Qian Ruixin, on the other hand, was a far superior choice in his eyes.


    However, he couldn''t help but smile bitterly, acknowledging the mistakes he had made as Wang Xiao at that time.


    As he reminisced, a wave of shock washed over him when both of them suddenly turned around and discovered his younger self standing there, they visibly frightened and froze.


    The younger Wang Xiao smirked menacingly, and what followed was a horrifying sequence of ckmail and cruelty.


    Wang Xiao ruthlessly vited Wang Ling, while taunting and tormenting Wang Sheng in front of him, before callously leaving them to their own devices.


    That fateful encounter marked thestmunication Wang Xiao had with them.


    As the dream concluded, his eyes were filled with disgust for the person he used to be.


    He yearned to erase any trace of that incident, knowing that it could never be revealed to the public.


    The mere thought of having any record of engaging in physical rtions with such below average looking woman, tarnished his image and reputation.


    The only solution that upied his mind was the elimination of those two, ensuring that the dark secrets remained buried forever.


    ... In the next uing decade, a tragic fate awaited Wang Ling and Wang Sheng. One fateful day, while driving along a mountain road, their lives took a sudden and unexpected turn.


    *Boom!*


    Their car was mercilessly struck by a truck, propelling them into a deep valley where their lifeless bodies were eventually discovered.


    The future had been sealed, just as Wang Xiao had nned when he intended to rid himself of their existence forever.


    No one ever came to know the truth behind the tragic ident. Their grandparents had already passed away, along with their parents, leaving no one to question the circumstances.


    Everything was carefully orchestrated by Wang Xiao, ensuring that his dark secret remained buried.


    As the dream continued, Wang Xiao reveled in his ownughter and smiles.


    His focus shifted from the past to the present, as he boldly barged inside the world of the Velvet Shadows, where he would encounter Lin Xue for the first time.


    With the pleasure of sex bestowed upon him for the first time by Wang Ling, Wang Xiao''s hunger only grew.


    He sought out the brothels, where destiny led him to Lin Xue.


    Time continued to pass, and Wang Xiao found himself reliving his own life through the recollection of memories, as his story unfolded before him once again.


    However, the dream soon ended, and instead of waking up, Wang Xiao found himself standing in the midst of darkness.


    "Hm? Not ended yet?" he wondered aloud. Typically, by this point, he should have awakened, gradually forgetting the vivid scenes of the dream. Why, then, did the dream persist, refusing to release its grip on him?


    The oppressive silence stretched on until he detected the faint sound of footsteps.


    "..."


    "..."


    Each passing second heightened the unnerving quiet until, unexpectedly, a hauntingughter echoed through the void.


    "Haha...."


    ??


    Wang Xiao frowned, the eerieughter echoing in the darkness. The footsteps grew louder with each passing moment. As his narrowed eyes focused on the source, a sudden chill ran down his spine, enveloping his body in an unexinable coldness.


    "What is that...?"


    In the oppressive shroud of darkness, a ghostly figure, d in an otherworldly white, gradually approached Wang Xiao.


    The obscurity obscured the entity''s features, leaving an unsettling ambiguity.


    As the apparition drew closer, a skeletal form materialized, holding an ominous scythe in its bony grasp.


    The air grew thick with an intangible dread, and Wang Xiao''s senses braced for an impending confrontation with the unknown.


    !!


    In a sudden and chilling sequence, the spectral scythe seamlessly sliced through the void, meeting Wang Xiao''s defenseless neck with a cruel precision.


    *Thud...*


    His head, severed from its corporeal vessel, descended through his own ethereal form, leaving a gruesome tableau in its path.


    Crimson tendrils of blood erupted, casting an unsettling contrast against the spectral pallor of the scene.


    The ghostly entity, now revealed as a figure with a shaking scythe, seemed to resembleughing at his demise, and Wang Xiao''s final gaze bore witness to his own lifeless white eyes reflecting an unimaginable horror.


    "Ahhhhhhhh!"


    In the tangible realm of wakefulness, Wang Xiao''s features twisted in agony, his face adorned with the evidence of exertion¡ªa sheen of sweat clinging to his skin.


    With a primal cry, his lips parted, releasing a scream echoing the horror that had unfolded in the dream, synchronized with the moment the spectral scythe cleaved through his neck.


    "!!"


    The piercing scream reverberated through the room, jolting Xinyue Zhn from her peaceful slumber. "Xiao!?" In an instant, she pivoted, her hand reaching out to offer sce to his distressed countenance.


    "Xiao? What happened?" The tendrils of sleep swiftly dissipated from her features, reced by genuine concern etched across her face.


    "..."


    A haunting silence enveloped the room, Wang Xiao''s eyes mped shut, entwined in the grip of an unseen dream.


    "... Is he dreaming?" she pondered, her expression darkening with an uneasy worry.


    What kind of dream could elicit such a loud scream?


    Acting on instinct, she pulled him close, enveloping his form in the protective cocoon of the nket. His face found sanctuary between herforting breasts, a tangible shield against the intangible terrors that lingered.


    "..."


    *Thump!*


    *Thump!*


    Wang Xiao was wide awake, a stark alertness coursing through him. Concealing the extent of his consciousness from Xinyue Zhn, he grappled with the challenge of exining or understanding the turmoil within.


    The fact that his face was nestled between her breasts became irrelevant as the rhythmic thumping of his heart drowned out all other sensations.


    ''F-Fear?''


    The emotion registered in his mind, a psychologicalndscape now dominated by an overwhelming sense of ¡ª fear.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes opened, fixating on the proximity of her breasts, yet his gaze seemed vacant¡ªlost in a mentalbyrinth.


    His heart echoed the turmoil within, a pulsating drumbeat of anxiety as he grappled with the aftermath of his haunting dream.


    ''But why?''


    Amidst the disarray of his thoughts, Wang Xiao struggled to decipher the meaning of the dream.


    Everything appeared ordinary, save for the fragment that had left him in disarray. Questions crowded his mind¡ªwhat did it all mean?


    Why envision his own demise?


    And why, of all things, by the hands of a reaper?


    Wang Xiao''s eyes bore a seriousness that betrayed the inner turmoil.


    Unable to untangle the mystery, he sumbed to the lure of sleep once more, the questions lingering as silentpanions in the recesses of his subconscious.


    ________


    11th January, 10 am.


    The morning sunlight streamed through the windows as Wang Xiao descended the stairs, a routine breakfast awaiting him.


    Just as he began to indulge in his morning meal, Xinyue Zhn couldn''t suppress her concern any longer.


    "Wang Xiao, did you have a bad dream yesterday?"


    The toast in Wang Xiao''s hand seemed to stick in his throat momentarily, but he managed to calmly shake his head. Swallowing the morsel, he replied, "No, why are you asking that, Mom?"


    Xinyue Zhn scrutinized his face, a mother''s intuition probing for unspoken truths.


    After a brief moment, she revealed, "In the night, you yelled very loudly. I thought you were having a nightmare."


    "Did I?" Wang Xiao feigned innocence, concealing the turmoil within.


    A nod from Xinyue Zhn followed, and she nonchntly moved on, offering a solution, "If you have problems sleeping alone, you can eithere and sleep with me, or your sisters... No need to force yourself." With those words, she left the ce.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes glinted with the realization of newfound flexibility.


    Could this mean he could openly invite Xueying to share his room?


    As his gaze shifted toward her, Wang Xueying, seated nearby, shot him a warning look.


    Her squinted eyesmunicated a clear message¡ªdiscourage any inappropriate thoughts.


    _______


    "Hey, isn''t it too much?"


    Wang Xueying spoke, shooting him a questioning look as she entered his room, and he closed the door behind them.

 Chapter 64: Nightmare and School Trip!

    "Hey, isn''t it too much?"


    Wang Xueying''s voice cut through the air,den with skepticism, as she entered his room. The door closed with a decisive click, and Wang Xiao, responding to an unspoken instinct, locked it behind them.


    "That''s alright, didn''t you hear what Mom said today?" Wang Xiao''s reply carried a hint of innocence, masking the true motives behind his seemingly casual invitation.


    Wang Xueying rolled her eyes, her gaze a mix of suspicion and amusement, as if deciphering the unspokenyers beneath his words.


    "Okay, enough of the talk."


    Wang Xiao''s deration lingered briefly before he effortlessly pulled her onto the bed. Wang Xueying''s eyes widened in a momentary surprise before she surrendered to his advances, the room echoing with theirughter.


    As the voices subsided, they gradually sumbed to the embrace of sleep. However, the respite was short-lived. After a mere few minutes, Wang Xiao''s eyes snapped open, a narrowed gaze sweeping the room. Wang Xueying, peacefully nestled beside him, remained undisturbed by the internal turmoil.


    "§¥§Ù§â§Õ§Ø§Ø...."


    A whisper, faint and elusive, brushed against his ears, prompting Wang Xiao to awaken once more. The room, bathed in the dim glow of moonlight, offered no visible source for the mysterious utterance.


    ''What is that?''


    Attempting to dismiss the unsettling presence, he endeavored to embrace sleep once more, only to be thwarted by persistent whispers. Each time, they jolted him back to wakefulness. Even Wang Xueying stirred, her senses momentarily attuned to the mysterious murmurings.


    "Don''t move..." she whispered, her hands gently resting on his chest.


    "Did you hear that as well?" Wang Xiao questioned, the perplexity evident in his voice.


    "Hear... What...?" Wang Xueying''s eyes blinked, her response trailing off as she surrendered to the drowsiness, leaving Wang Xiao to grapple with the lingering mystery that haunted the edges of his consciousness.


    _______


    "Why do you have dark circles?" Wang Xueying''s inquiry pierced the early morning quiet, her body stretching as she cast a nce at Wang Xiao, who bore noticeable dark patches beneath his eyes.


    Wang Xiao met her gaze and offered an awkward chuckle. How could he possibly exin that he had spent the night tormented by paranoid voices, leaving him in a sleepless haze?


    Wang Xueying, slightly unnerved by hisck of response, stood up and left the room soon after, leaving Wang Xiao to gaze at the ceiling in a silent sigh. The lingering echoes of the night''s mysterious whispers still resonated within him, concealed behind the guise of dark circles beneath his eyes.


    _____


    12th January 2024...


    "Again?" Wang Xiao''s frustration echoed through the room as he kicked the nket away, desperate to escape the persistent, chilling voices that seemed to gue his nights.


    Determination etched across his face, he took a deep breath and flicked on the lights, opting to spend the night alone to unravel the cause of these haunting whispers.


    Yet, once more, his efforts proved fruitless. The room remained void of any tangible presence, leaving Wang Xiao grappling with the mystery that disturbed his peace.


    13th January 2024...


    Wang Xiao''s eyes, wide open, betrayed the weariness etched on his face. Dark circles clung to him like a shadow as he stared at the ceiling, the middle of the night offering no respite from the elusive voices.


    Frustration reached a crescendo, pushing him to consider confronting the spectral presence. "Alright, bastard, let''s see what you''re made of," he mumbled, brainstorming ways to scare away the unseen intruder.


    In the quiet of the night, he spoke aloud, as if challenging the mysterious entity that tormented him.


    The room remained silent, and he continued, "I''ll fuck you away myself if I have to!"


    "Haha..." Laughter, tinged with a hint of madness, escaped him before a fit of coughing interrupted.


    Undeterred, he continued his contemtion, the day slipping away once more in the relentless cycle of sleepless nights.


    "If you won''te to me, I''ll find a way to you." The words hung in the air, a testament to his growing insomonia.


    14th January 2024.


    The day of torment continued, but Wang Xiao was determined to face it head-on. Armed with earplugs, he inserted them into his ears, hoping for a night of undisturbed sleep.


    For the first few hours, he found sce in the silence, the earplugs proving effective. Until...


    *!!*


    A sudden sensation of air near his ear jolted him awake. This time, he could no longer dismiss the eerie urrences. Determined to uncover the source, he hastily switched on every light in the room, scanning every nook and cranny in a desperate attempt to find the cause.


    Wang Xiao''sughter,ced with frustration and a hint of madness, echoed through the room. "Who''s ying tricks on me? What do you want from me?"


    Silence hung in the air, intensifying the unsettling atmosphere. Wang Xiao''s bloodshot, sleep-deprived eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of an intruder or an exnation.


    "This can''t be real," he muttered to himself, his voice wavering. "I need to put an end to this madness. Who''s hiding in the shadows?"


    As he stood in the middle of the room, the emptiness seemed to close in on him, and Wang Xiao, teetering on the edge of sanity, whispered, "Enough of this... I need to figure this out before it drives mepletely mad."


    *Thump...*


    *Thump...*


    The heavy, wearied footsteps echoed in the dimly lit hallway as Wang Xiao dragged himself toward the lift. Pressing the button, he entered inside, staring nkly ahead as it descended. The metallic doors opened with a soft ding on the second floor, revealing a corridor of closed doors.


    He approached a specific door, one he rarely visited. It belonged to Xinyue Zhn and Wang Zhihao.


    The rhythmic *knock, knock* echoed in the silent corridor as Wang Xiao, with an almost mechanical precision, sought answers from the upants behind the door.


    Knock... Knock...


    The sound reverberated through the hallway as Wang Xiao stood outside the door, his weary eyes staring at it as if expecting answers to materialize. A momentter, the door opened, revealing Xinyue Zhn, his mother, who looked at him with a mixture of concern and confusion.


    "Xiao? What''s the matter?" she inquired, her voice tinged with worry.


    Wang Xiao, seemingly lost in his own thoughts, mumbled, "The voices, the whispers... I want to sleep...."


    Xinyue Zhn, her brows furrowing, stepped back, allowing him to enter. Wang Zhihao woken up as well, stared from behind, curiosity etched on his face.


    "I can''t sleep. I hear things, strange sounds, and it''s driving me mad," Wang Xiao admitted, his words carrying a sense of desperation.


    "??"


    Xinyue Zhn and Wang Zhihao exchanged nces, a shared realization passing between them.


    Wang Zhihao let out a weary sigh, "I''ll go sleep in another room," he announced, grabbing his nket and pillow as he walked with an exhausted shuffle toward an unupied room on the second floor.


    Most of the rooms were vacant anyway.


    Xinyue Zhn nodded in agreement, silently acknowledging the necessity of the arrangement. She ushered Wang Xiao inside, closing the door behind them.


    Wang Xiao, at this point,cked the vitality to fullyprehend the situation.


    Three days without sleep had taken its toll, and as his head touched the soft mattress, he sumbed to a deep, overdue slumber.


    The room, now enveloped in a temporary peace, offered a respite from the haunting whispers that had tormented him for far too long.


    _______


    14th January, 3:00 pm.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes blinked open, finally roused from a prolonged slumber. As he surveyed his surroundings, the realization dawned on him¡ªhe was inside his parents'' room. Everything started to fall into ce, and he rose, shuffling toward the bathroom.


    Staring nkly into the mirror, he saw a disheveled version of himself staring back. Slowly, he raised his fingers, poking at the swollen skin beneath his eyes. The consequences of excessive rubbing were now evident.


    His hair was in disarray, and his eyes, while no longer bloodshot, still carried traces of weariness. With lingering thoughts, he turned on the tap, sshing water over his face in an attempt to fully awaken¡ªor perhaps to wash away the remnants of the unsettling experiences that had gued his restless nights.


    Going downstairs, Wang Xiao found Wang Mei and inquired about the whereabouts of everyone, noticing the emptiness of the house again.


    "??"


    Wang Mei''s eyes blinked awkwardly; it seemed like weeks since they had a conversation. Nevertheless, she answered, "...They have gone to buy things for the school trip."


    "Oh," Wang Xiao nodded nonchntly, turning around and walking back upstairs. A new realization flickered in his eyes.


    "That''s it?" Wang Mei wondered, left speechless by his abrupt departure.


    He just turned around and left?


    Unbeknownst to her, Wang Xiao had little luxury to spare for her at the moment.


    He was preupied with his own problems, and now, another one had emerged¡ªthe uing school trip.


    Winter vacation extended due to the Chinese New Year, and most affluent schools organized a joint week-long trip for students instead of regr sses.


    Tomorrow marked the beginning of this excursion, scheduled from the 15th to the 20th of January, just before the Chinese New Year starting on the 22nd.


    Little did Wang Xiao know, this school trip held the potential to reshape everything for him, turning his life upside down in ways he couldn''t anticipate.

 Chapter 65: School Trip! (1)

    [A/N: Shifting the novel''s theme, I''ll avoid real country names except for China. The country will differ significantly from reality, maintaining only simrities in province and major city names for reader familiarity.


    Peace! Battling censorship is tough, but a noble mission!]


    .


    .


    .


    15th January, 9:00 am.


    "Haha, brother, are you all set for the uing trip?" Chen Li''s exuberant voice echoed through the air, his backpack slung over one shoulder, surrounded by the ordered rows of school buses awaiting departure.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flicked toward him, a genuine surprise etched on his face. ''Is he intentionally avoiding any mention of the recent incident?''


    Chen Li, however, chose an unexpected topic, diverting from the unspoken tension. "Brother Wang, your mother is quite the intimidating figure. How do you manage living alone with her? Isn''t she fearsome, like a dragon ready to devour you?"


    The unexpectedness of the remark left Wang Xiao momentarily stunned. He had braced himself for a potential confrontation about the recent money matter, but Chen Li''s nonchnce caught him off guard. Unsure of Chen Li''s intentions, Wang Xiao decided to y along with the conversational detour. "She isn''t that scary," he responded.


    Chen Li raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk ying on his lips. "Oh, really?"


    Wang Xiao began to exin, "Yeah, she is jus¡ª"


    The English teacher, Lei Xia, stationed at the entrance, interrupted them with a frown. "Get inside the bus quickly, we arete!" Her voice carried an impatient urgency.


    Wang Xiao and Chen Li exchanged annoyed nces beforeplying, heading inside the bus. As Wang Xiao ascended the stairs, Lei Xia shot him a lingering re, still nursing a grudge.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, reflecting on yet another instance of an adult trapped in a child''s body.


    The bus had two supervisors for the trip: Chen Yongzheng, their homeroom teacher, and Lei Xia, the English teacher. Wang Xiao and Chen Li made their way to seats at the back, finding themselves directly behind Dong Kai and his buddies.


    Their eyes shed briefly, but a semnce of peace prevailed until Chen Yongzheng approached to brief everyone about the uing school trip.


    The school trip was scheduled to conclude on the 18th, with an additional day reserved by the school¡ªJanuary 19th. If all went smoothly, they would be back by the 19th or, at thetest, the 20th of January.


    The destination was the Shanxi vige, nestled near Hongzhou city in the Zhejiang province. More precisely, the school had secured amodations at a resort near ''The Arctic Mountain,'' situated in the vicinity of Shanxi Vige. The lofty mountain range in that region boasted varying climates, and specific areas near Shanxi Vige experienced rainfall during the coldest winter months.


    This made it a popr tourist attraction, particrly for skiing enthusiasts.


    Excitement rippled through the bus as the destination for their trip was announced. Fortunately, the students had alle prepared with winter clothes, given that Shanghai''s weather this year had been colder than usual.


    The atmosphere on the bus crackled with excitement when Chen Yongzheng dropped a bombshell: the school trip wasn''t an exclusive affair. Instead, it involved a joint venture with multiple schools¡ªGreen Oasis Academy''s various branches and associated institutions.


    The impact of this revtion struck Wang Xiao as he realized he would encounter all three of his sisters in the same location.


    The news caught him slightly off guard, but he remained seated, absorbing the implications. However, he overlooked a crucial problem¡ªhis recent umtion of enemies, including Dong Kai, with whom he had a confrontationst year. The potential shes that might unfold during this joint trip eluded Wang Xiao''s estimation.


    "The Arctic Mountain! I heard it''s an amazing spot for skiing. Can''t wait to hit the slopes!" Chen Li''s enthusiasm resonated through the bus, infecting nearby ssmates with a shared excitement.


    Wang Xiao nodded in agreement, "Yeah, it''s better than going to a museum." Little did he realize that beyond the thrill of skiing adventures, the trip held the promise of unexpected encounters and potential conflicts.


    As the bus rumbled toward the impending adventure, the lively chatter among students reached a crescendo. Amidst the excitement, Dong Kai leaned over to Wang Xiao, a smirk ying on his face. "Hope you''ve got your skiing skills polished, Wang. You might need them."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, responding with calm assurance, "I can handle myself just fine. Has your bruise fromst time already healed?"


    Dong Kai''s forehead bulged with veins, an imminent outburst halted only by the ssmate next to him restraining him.


    "Wang Xiao, why are you creating a disturbance on the bus?!" Lei Xia seized the opportunity to intervene, her voice cutting through the rising tension.


    "It''s Wang Xiao again!"


    "Wang Xiao!"


    "Wang Xiao!"


    The passengers didn''t spare a single opportunity to further escte, cheering and yelling, much to Lei Xia''s annoyance. "Shut up, everyone!" shemanded, trying to restore order amid the chaos.


    The chaotic atmosphere inside the bus caught the attention of Chen Yongzheng, prompting him to make his way through themotion. "Hey, hey, why are you guys shouting?" he inquired, scanning the chaotic scene unfolding.


    Lei Xia seized the opportunity to voice herint, pointing fingers at Wang Xiao. "Mr. Chen, it''s your student Wang Xiao again. He''s creating trouble!"


    Chen Yongzheng arched an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping across the now silent crowd. Confronted with usatory stares, he couldn''t dismiss the situation. "Wang Xiao,e and sit in the front."


    Wang Xiao sighed, an air of resignation settling in. ''Here goes the promising start to a dull journey...''


    The impending hours on the bus seemed poised to transform into a nightmare, with those in the front oblivious to anything but their enjoyment.


    Chen Li shot a fiery re at Dong Kai, who smirked smugly while strategically using the teachers as a shield.


    Observing their interaction, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but shake his head in amusement. ''Ignorance is bliss,'' he mused to himself.


    Chen Li, seemingly still on his side despite the recent event, appeared to be attributed to his naive and underdeveloped understanding of how society functions at a deeper level.


    In another person''s shoes, rm bells might have been ringing in the presence of Wang Xiao, who was known to use anyone to gain an advantage¡ªselfish to the core.


    Was it something to be proud of? Certainly. But only if one could master the art of hiding it well.


    At the root, every person is inherently selfish, driven by the pursuit of personal satisfaction. However, this intrinsic nature often goes unnoticed, shrouded in ignorance, leading individuals into a web of delusions. As a result, they find themselves entangled in contrasting situations where core values and personal beliefs collide.


    Wang Xiao moved to the front with Chen Yongzheng, surveying the limited avable seats. Most were upied, except for one¡ªupied by a lone girl. Zhang Sisi sat there, quietly observing the unfolding events.


    Her eyes blinked in response to Chen Yongzheng''s gaze as he addressed her, "Student Zhang Sisi, can you share the seat with Wang Xiao, please?"


    Zhang Sisi offered a nod of acknowledgment, retrieving her bag from the vacant seat and stowing it in the overheadpartment. Chen Yongzheng directed Wang Xiao, "You can go and sit there. Don''t make any more ruckus."


    Wang Xiao raised his brows in response, nodding inpliance. His gaze lingered on Zhang Sisi, who remained fixated on the scenery outside.


    ''Bastard!''


    A chorus of muttered curses echoed through the bus, directed at Wang Xiao. Zhang Sisi held the esteemed position of ss leader, and while interactions between her and Wang Xiao were scarce, she purposefully kept her distance. Wang Xiao harbored a curiosity about this dynamic but hadn''t ventured to inquire further.


    Taking his seat beside her, Wang Xiao initiated a polite introduction.


    "Zhang Sisi, right?" Wang Xiao initiated the conversation, eyeing her profile.


    Zhang Sisi turned her head slightly, acknowledging him with a curt nod. "Yes, that''s me. Wang Xiao, I presume?"


    Wang Xiao leaned back, his tone nonchnt. "That''s correct. The illustrious ss leader. Any specific reason you''ve been avoiding me?"


    Zhang Sisi maintained herposure. "Avoiding implies intention. I''m merely focused on my responsibilities."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, a smirk ying on his lips. "Responsibilities or a convenient excuse? You seem quite proficient at navigating around certain individuals."


    Zhang Sisi''s gaze intensified, revealing a hint of intrigue. "Efficiency is a valuable trait, Wang Xiao. I suggest you focus on your own journey."


    Wang Xiao chuckled, realizing this bus trip might not be as dull as he initially anticipated.


    As the wheels of the bus rolled on, Wang Xiao''s curiosity grew into a persistent itch. The deliberate avoidance by Zhang Sisi fueled his determination to unravel the mystery, like an unsolved puzzle challenging him.


    Curiosity, that elusive whisper, seduced him into action. The journey to Hongzhou would consume several hours, and Wang Xiao found himself unwilling to sumb to boredom. Instead, he saw an opportunity to put his maniptive skills to the test.


    A live human subject in the form of Zhang Sisi presented a challenge he couldn''t resist. His agenda became clear¡ªby the end of this journey, he would unearth the true reason behind Zhang Sisi''s intentional avoidance.

 Chapter 66: School Trip (2)

    Wang Xiao saw an opportunity to put his maniptive skills to the test.


    A live human subject in the form of Zhang Sisi presented a challenge he couldn''t resist. His agenda became clear¡ªby the end of this journey, he would unearth the true reason behind Zhang Sisi''s intentional avoidance.


    Wang Xiao leaned back in his seat, contemting the best approach. Engaging in casual banter might not yield the desired results, so he decided to employ a more subtle strategy.


    "So, Zhang Sisi, besides shouldering the burdens of a ss leader, what other mysteries hide behind those focused eyes?" Wang Xiao inquired, his tone light but carrying a hint of intrigue.


    Zhang Sisi nced at him with a measured expression, "I''m not fond of mysteries. Transparency is key in leadership."


    Wang Xiao smirked, "Transparency, indeed! Maybe pretended transparency would be better word, given your unequal treatment towards me... But don''t you think some mysteries add a touch of excitement to life? A little unpredictability?"


    Zhang Sisi raised an eyebrow, "Predictability ensures efficiency. Unnecessary excitement can lead to chaos."


    Wang Xiao chuckled, "Fair point."


    Zhang Sisi''s eyes narrowed at him, "Is there something else you want to discuss?"


    Wang Xiao smiled bitterly, shaking his head. ''No, but I''d love to shove my rod up your throat,'' he thought, irritated by her guarded demeanor.


    Zhang Sisi gave a brief nod before retrieving her book, immersing herself in the text. asionally, she nced outside as if the scenery held more appeal than conversing with Wang Xiao.


    ''Wang Xiao, make her face the window; she''s eager to escape!''


    ''Send her on a one-way trip!''


    ''Straight out of the window!''


    ''Hm? Shadow crew, you''re back?'' Wang Xiao mused, feeling the presence of the sarcastic voices resurfacing in his mind.


    Disregarding the mental turmoil, he leaned against his seat, pulled out his phone, and began using it. Soon, he noticed a peculiar change ¨C Zhang Sisi wore a troubled expression, her eyes repeatedly shifting between him and his phone.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow at Zhang Sisi''s abrupt reaction. "You want something?" he asked, puzzled by her uneasiness.


    "Uh-huh!" Zhang Sisi nodded quickly, her response a mix of surprise and panic. Her internal monologue betrayed her apprehension.


    ''Why is he sitting near me?''


    ''Why not anyone else?''


    Contrary to Wang Xiao''s perception, Zhang Sisi was experiencing an internal breakdown merely from his proximity. If there was anything she feared in the world, it was undoubtedly Wang Xiao.


    The rumors circting around him, ranging from involvement in child trafficking to drug dealing, had instilled such fear that she dared not meet his gaze. This fear was the reason behind her persistent avoidance and her reluctance to assert her status over him in ss.


    As the internal conflict raged within Zhang Sisi, she tried to regain herposure, appearing nonchnt as she opened her book once again. However, her mind was far from the words on the page.


    ''What if he finds out I''ve been purposefully avoiding him?''


    ''Will he confront me?''


    ''What if those rumors are true?''


    ''Can I trust any of my ssmates?''


    The questions swirled in her thoughts, creating a chaotic mentalndscape. Wang Xiao, sensing her difort, couldn''t resist a faint smile. Unbeknownst to Zhang Sisi, her attempts to act unaffected only fueled his curiosity.


    Wang Xiao decided to y along, realizing he had found a weak link. He casually put away his phone, looking at her with an innocent expression. "Anything interesting in that book?"


    Zhang Sisi, caught off guard, stammered, "I-It''s just a novel. Nothing special."


    "Oh," nodded, Wang Xiao.


    As he observed Zhang Sisi''s anxious demeanor, he couldn''t help but delve into his own thoughts.


    ''What''s her deal?''


    ''Is she afraid of me?''


    ''Why the sudden panic?''


    On the other hand, Zhang Sisi was grappling with her own internal turmoil.


    ''I can''t let him see how scared I am.''


    ''Just act normal.''


    ''But why did he have to sit next to me?''


    Her mind raced with conflicting thoughts as she tried to maintainposure. The barrage of rumors about Wang Xiao had taken root, and the fear they instilled paralyzed her, making every interaction with him a daunting experience.


    In the confined space of the bus, Zhang Sisi grappled with a mix of emotions, her eyes shifting from Wang Xiao''s phone to her own empty hands. Stabilizing herself, she cast a nce in his direction, a subtle hint of envy reflecting in her eyes.


    Her voice, restrained yet curious, broke the momentary silence, "Do you have your own personal phone?"


    Wang Xiao, engrossed in his device, turned to her, "You don''t have a phone?"


    Zhang Sisi, suppressing nervousness, bit her lips and nodded.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes glimmered with mischief as he observed her difort. "Really? No phone? How do you survive without one?"


    Hesitation lingered in Zhang Sisi''s response, "I never felt the need for it. Besides, my parents think it''s a distraction from studies."


    Wang Xiao chuckled, "Well, you''re missing out on a lot. It''s not just a distraction; it''s a whole world in your palm." He waved his phone yfully.


    Zhang Sisi''s gaze darted between his glowing device and his face, caught in the throes of an unexpected conversation that stirred uncertainty within her.


    Finally, she mustered the courage to speak, her words wavering in the air like fragile petals in the wind. "Y-You beat my brother."


    Despite her best efforts to cloak it in confrontation, an involuntary tremor in her voice betrayed an undercurrent of fear.


    "Huh?"


    Wang Xiao''s movements froze, his intense gaze locking onto her. "Your brother?"


    Zhang Sisi nodded slowly, her admissionden with aplex mix of emotions. "Zhao Yang, the second-year senior; he is my brother."


    Wang Xiao''s chuckle morphed into a muted murmur, "Now that''s aplication..."


    Seated mere inches away, he btedly grasped the unsettling truth¡ªhe had been casually chatting with the sister of a person he had once ruthlessly defeated.


    As the awkwardness thickened, Zhang Sisi, sensing the tension, attempted to diffuse it, "Forget it, he was behaving like a thug as well."


    Intrigued yet cautious, Wang Xiao pressed, "But is he truly your brother? Don''t you both bear different family names?"


    Zhang Sisi''s eyes revealed a storm of conflicting emotions as she reluctantly admitted, "I-I am adopted."


    Wang Xiao''s gaze sharpened with intrigue as she whispered, "Keep it quiet; others would mock me."


    Nodding solemnly, he replied, "Your secret''s safe. But, in return, reveal to me why you were avoiding me earlier."


    Zhang Sisi''s voice, a delicate whisper, cut through the air, "Is it genuinely important?"


    Wang Xiao''s nod was measured,den with an unspoken weight that hung in the space between them.


    A evident tension gripped the scene as Zhang Sisi, wrestling with anxiety, bit down on her lip. Eventually, she surrendered to the truth, "I... I was scared of you."


    "..."


    "..."


    A profound silence descended, an exchange of unspoken emotions echoing in the quiet.


    Their eyes locked, Wang Xiao''s expression an nk canvas, while Zhang Sisi, caught in the confession, blushed and turned her gaze towards the world beyond the window.


    A charged pause lingered, the atmosphere thickening.


    Frustration etched Wang Xiao''s features, the silence bing a catalyst for unspoken frustrations, waiting to be unveiled. "..."


    For the remainder of the journey, a conspicuous silence settled between Wang Xiao and Zhang Sisi.


    Wang Xiao, however, found himself entangled in contemtion about Zhang Sisi''s origins, recalling the presumed affair between Zhao Yang''s father and Lei Xie. The intrigue of the situation gripped him, yet Wang Xiao resisted the urge to delve into drama, opting instead to file away his musings in the recesses of his mind.


    As the hours unfolded, they finally reached Hangzhou, the bus navigating through vibrant streets that left the students in awe.


    "The city is beautiful..." Zhang Sisi murmured, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, subtly noting her limited perspective, likely having never experienced the night beauty of Shanghai.


    Amidst increasing gasps of admiration, the bus approached the entrance of Shanxi vige. Halting momentarily, the school crew sought permission before delving into the heart of the vige.


    The influx of vehicles stirred amotion, but they navigated through the vige unscathed. Soon, they found themselves at the foothills, nearing the mountainous region housing the resort where they would spend the next few days. The anticipation of the journey''s end hung in the air as they approached the picturesque retreat.


    The bus rolled to a stop at the entrance of the mountainous resort, surrounded by lush greenery and a serene ambiance. Excitement buzzed among the students as they disembarked, stretching their legs after the long journey.


    Wang Xiao observed the surroundings with a mild interest, his earlier ponderings about Zhang Sisi''s family ties momentarily shelved. The air carried a crisp freshness, a stark contrast to the urban hustle they left behind.


    Zhang Sisi, now more at ease outside the confined space of the bus, looked around with wide-eyed wonder. "It''s so peaceful here," she remarked.

 Chapter 67: School Trip (3)

    Zhang Sisi, now more at ease outside the confined space of the bus, looked around with wide-eyed wonder. "It''s so peaceful here," she remarked.


    The bus rolled to a stop at the entrance of the mountainous resort, surrounded by lush greenery and a serene ambiance. Excitement buzzed among the students as they disembarked, stretching their legs after the long journey.


    Wang Xiao observed the surroundings with a mild interest, his earlier ponderings about Zhang Sisi''s family ties momentarily shelved. The air carried a crisp freshness, a stark contrast to the urban hustle they left behind.


    Zhang Sisi, now more at ease outside the confined space of the bus, looked around with wide-eyed wonder. "It''s so peaceful here," she remarked.


    Wang Xiao smirked, "Wait until you hear the howlings at night. The tranquility takes on a whole new dimension."


    As the students filed into the resort, the staff efficiently distributed room keys, and the chatter of excited students filled the air. Wang Xiao and Zhang Sisi found themselves in close proximity again, navigating the check-in process.


    "Roommates, I assume?" Wang Xiao quipped, breaking the silence between them.


    Zhang Sisi nodded with a small smile, "Seems like it."


    The winding path led them to their assigned room, a cozy space with a view that showcased the natural beauty of the surroundings.


    "Quite the change from the city, huh?" Wang Xiao remarked inly.


    Zhang Sisi chuckled, "Definitely. It''s like stepping into another world."


    Zhang Sisi''sughter, moments ago filled with wonder, abruptly waned as the room door swung open to admit a few more upants.


    "No way!"


    Dong Kai''s expletive sliced through the air, a deration of his discontent. Zhang Sisi''s expression soured, suspicion etching her features, "Have you been assigned this room as well?"


    Dong Kai''s snort carried an air of indifference, "Unfortunately," he muttered, flinging his belongings onto a separate bunk bed.


    The room, designed to amodate two people per bunk bed, now housed an unnned trio, and tension hung thick in the air.


    Chen Li, entering with a carefree demeanor, added a touch of humor, "Brother Wang, it seems that old Chen deliberately arranged this!" Hisughter echoed, but Wang Xiao''s face contorted with frustration, realizing that Chen Li had unwittingly unveiled a delicate secret.


    "Deliberately arranged?"


    "Old Chen?"


    Wang Xiao facepalmed, realizing Chen Li''s inadvertent revtion could unravel the delicate bnce of perceived favoritism by Chen Yongzheng.


    Caught in the crossfire of scrutiny, Wang Xiao sighed inwardly, his mind scrambling to defuse the situation. He shot a disapproving look at Chen Li, silently urging him to cease the revtions.


    Dong Kai''s eyes narrowed, suspicion etched on his face. "Deliberately arranged? What''s going on, Wang Xiao?"


    Zhang Sisi, equally puzzled, sought an exnation. "Teacher Chen? Why would he arrange this?"


    Chen Li, quick to catch onto the urgency, seamlessly joined the improvisation, "It''s just a joke, guys. Let''s not ruin the trip with conspiracy theories."


    He nonchntly ced his belongings on the upper section of the bunk bed, leaving the lower section for Dong Kai, a strategic move to avert any potential shes.


    Dong Kai, adamant in his stance, showed no inclination to share a bed with either Wang Xiao or Zhang Sisi. The animosity ran deep ¨C Zhang Sisi''s role as the ss leader had oftennded him in trouble, and Wang Xiao, for reasons untold, had earned a special ce on Dong Kai''s list of grievances.


    As they settled into the room, the unspoken tension cast a shadow over the atmosphere. Chen Li, attempting to diffuse the growing animosity, feigned enthusiasm, "Come on, guys, let''s make the best of this. We''re here to enjoy the trip, right?"


    Zhang Sisi, ever the diplomat, tried to ease the situation, "Exactly. Let''s not let any past issues ruin our time here."


    Dong Kai, however, remained stoic, shooting a pointed look at Wang Xiao. "Enjoying the trip is easier said than done when certain people are involved."


    Wang Xiao, opting for diplomacy over confrontation, cast a nonchnt shrug, "Well, we''re stuck together with a bug for a few days. Nothing new; we have those at home anyway."


    Dong Kai''s reaction was immediate, a growl escaping his lips as he closed the distance, ready for a confrontation. "You called me a bug?"


    In response, Wang Xiao stood there with a devil-may-care smile, poised for whatever mighte. "Did you just assume yourself to be a bug?"


    Dong Kai, a frown etched on his face, seemed on the brink of a heated exchange. However, the distant murmur of teacherly voices in the hallway prompted a reconsideration. With a dismissive snort, he dered, "Whatever, don''t disturb me, you guys." He arrogantly pocketed his hands, swung the door open, and made his exit.


    Zhang Sisi, an amused yet slightly concerned look in her eyes, turned to Wang Xiao, "You are quite something. Why did you deliberately provoke him? Is peace your eternal enemy?"


    "I didn''t provoke anyone; I''m just going to take a look outside." Wang Xiao shrugged, stepping out of the room.


    Zhang Sisi, taken aback, couldn''t help but turn to Chen Li, "Is he always like this?"


    Chen Li coughed awkwardly, offering a weak smile, "Sometimes only." The tension within the room seemed to dissipate with Wang Xiao''s exit, leaving behind an air of uncertainty about what other unexpected twists this trip might unfold.


    ________


    As Wang Xiao emerged from the resort building, he plunged into a world swathed in an ethereal chill. Despite the cold, students lingered outdoors, the evening casting a soft glow on the surroundings.


    A shroud of thick fog descended, prompting the cautionary words of teachers, advising everyone to stay within the haven of the resort. Undeterred, Wang Xiao skillfully gathered bits of information about the other sses.


    Four distinct resort buildings stood at measured intervals. The strategicyout tempted Wang Xiao with thoughts of orchestrating some kind of borate game, but he quickly dismissed the notion, remembering that reality was not a fantasy war scenario.


    With the locations in hand, he turned to head back when his eyes were drawn to a particr window in the teachers'' room. Curiosity, like an insistent whisper, urged him forward, the allure of the unknown beckoning him into the mist-veiled mysteries of the evening.


    Wang Xiao mused aloud, "The old Chen''s room was in the front, so this should be... Lei Xia''s?" The window was positioned higher, likely belonging to a bathroom, its ss veiled by steam from within.


    Surveying the surroundings, he warily checked for any concealed cameras. Though his naked eyes detected none, the realm of caution persisted; hidden surveince could still be in y to monitor the upants of the resort.


    Amidst his observations, Wang Xiao''s gaze caught Dong Kai, who seemed to be heading back into the resort. Hands buried in his pockets, d in an orange sweater, Dong Kai exuded an air of indifference.


    "Hey, Dong Kai!" Wang Xiao called out.


    ??


    Dong Kai, initially unbothered, froze in his tracks upon hearing his name. He nced toward Wang Xiao, a hint of irritation on his face. "Whatever," he snorted, resuming his stride back inside.


    Undeterred, Wang Xiao called out once more. This time, Dong Kai halted and looked around, his voice slightly elevated, "What do you need?"


    Wang Xiao gestured for him to approach, signaling for a low-toned conversation.


    "..."


    The pause lingered, Dong Kai weighing the situation, "Is it a trap...?" he wondered aloud. Eventually, with a deep sigh, he followed Wang Xiao inside, venturing into the narrow passage.


    The narrow passage offered a modicum of privacy as Wang Xiao began to speak, his voice pitched low to avoid unwanted ears. "Look, I don''t know what happened between us back there, but it''s clear we''re not getting along."


    Dong Kai, arms crossed defensively, shot back, "Understatement of the century."


    Wang Xiao rolled his eyes, "Fine, we don''t have to be friends, but we''re stuck in this resort together, and it''s in our best interest to avoid unnecessary conflicts."


    Dong Kai grunted in agreement, a reluctant acknowledgment of the pragmatic truth.


    Wang Xiao continued, "So, how about we set some ground rules? No provoking each other, no escting tensions. Let''s coexist peacefully for the sake of our sanity during this trip."


    Dong Kai, though visibly skeptical, gave a curt nod. "Fine, but don''t think this changes anything... So what are you doing here?" he asked, suspicion etched across his face.


    Wang Xiao grinned slyly, "You see that window." He pointed out, revealing his real purpose.


    The dim light of the narrow passage cast shadows on Dong Kai''s face as he squinted, "Yeah?"


    Leaning in, Wang Xiao lowered his voice conspiratorially, "That is directly linked to Teacher Lei''s bathroom, and she is probably taking a bath right now."


    Dong Kai''s eyes widened in surprise, a mixture of shock and curiosity taking over. "What are you thinking, Wang Xiao?"


    Wang Xiao maintained his sly smile, the flicker of mischief dancing in his eyes. "You know very well already... Isn''t it time Teacher Lei paid for her Karma?"


    Dong Kai''s eyes flickered, the shared disdain for their English teacher, Lei Xia, bridging any divides that might otherwise separate them.

 Chapter 68: School Trip (4)

    Dong Kai''s eyes gleamed with a mixture of anticipation and rebellion as he leaned in, voice hushed, "So, what''s the n?" The prospect of exacting retribution on Lei Xia seemed to incite him.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a sly smile, revealing a hint of mischief. "We''ll capture her naked¡ªrecord her during a bath."


    Dong Kai, though hesitant, nodded in agreement. "And then?"


    Wang Xiao, with an air of calcted determination, unveiled his next move. "After the Chinese New Year, we''ll release the footage online."


    Dong Kai''s forehead creased with concern. "Isn''t that too risky? What if we get caught? This could trigger a serious investigation."


    Wang Xiao, undeterred, leaned in to share his contingency n, "We''ll expertly remove any trace of background, and then, we''ll sow the rumor that Lei Xia orchestrated the whole thing for attention, but it spectacrly backfired on her."


    Dong Kai''s eyes widened in shock as he regarded Wang Xiao, a mix of disbelief and uncertainty etched across his face.


    How could Wang Xiao speak of such ruthless actions with a seemingly casual smile?


    Noticing Dong Kai''s hesitation, Wang Xiao pressed, "Are you in for it, or not?"


    Dong Kai paused, deep in contemtion, before finally nodding, "Let''s do it! But how do we get up there?" His gaze fixated on the distant window, perched high above.


    A sudden chill ran down Dong Kai''s spine. Sensing Wang Xiao''s scrutinizing gaze, he looked around and found his eyes locked onto him. A sixth sense tingled within Dong Kai, casting a shadow of unease over their dubious n.


    A few minutester...


    "Argh! Bastard, take off your shoes!" Dong Kai''s voice echoed as Wang Xiao leaped over,nding on his shoulder and skillfully bncing himself.


    Perched on Dong Kai''s shoulder, Wang Xiao''s mischievous grin widened. "You worry too much, my friend," he chuckled,plying with Dong Kai''s demand by carefully removing his shoes.


    "Who is your friend, Bastard? Keep your stinky feet away from my face!" Dong Kai growled, a hint of frustration in his voice.


    Wang Xiao, undeterred, chuckled, "Don''t make too much noise. I''m going to open the window slightly and ce my phone there for recording."


    Dong Kai, though still irritated, reluctantly nodded in agreement.


    Wang Xiao''s face took on a subtle seriousness as he contemted the possibility of being spotted by Lei Xia. With a measured caution, he slid the window open, his movements deliberate, and ced the phone in the corner, initiating the video recording.


    "Is... It done?" Dong Kai inquired, feeling the strain on his shoulders from being Wang Xiao''s impromptu perch.


    Wang Xiao remained silent, his eyes fixed on the unfolding scene inside. ''Damn... That is some good body...''


    "Hey, Wang Xiao!" Dong Kai''s voice rose slightly in volume.


    Wang Xiao, with a frown, nced down, "Be silent! Just two minutes, let me get some good angles."


    ''Good angles?'' Dong Kai felt frustration bubbling within; he, too, wanted to enjoy the spectacle of Lei Xia''s jade feets.


    "Okay, it''s done!" Wang Xiao finally spoke, leaping down and swiftly closing the window.


    "Finally..." Dong Kai breathed a sigh of relief, the weight on his shoulders lessening as the covert mission reached its conclusion.


    ______


    "Hm?"


    Lei Xia, now reclining in a bathtub filled with hot water, cast a curious nce around. The steam enveloped her, obscuring her vision. ''Am I hearing voices?'' she contemted, a peculiar chill coursing over her naked body.


    Unbeknownst to her, the window at her blind spot remained concealed and out of reach, preventing Lei Xia from noticing Wang Xiao''s surreptitious recording from outside.


    _____


    "C''mon, Wang Xiao, show me that quick!" Dong Kai gasped, his anticipation evident in the way he recovered his breath.


    Wang Xiao nonchntly shrugged, "It''s just some saggy breasts. Do you really want to spoil your mood by seeing it?"


    "Saggy breasts?" Dong Kai, caught off guard, mumbled, ''Teacher Lei isn''t that old...'' But before he could process it fully, Wang Xiao had strolled away, deftly tucking his phone into his pocket.


    "You bastard! Wait for me!" Realization struck Dong Kai, and he hurriedly pursued Wang Xiao.


    "Hey hey, why so loud? Want everyone to hear!?"


    "What loud!? Don''t try to ignore me, Xiao!"


    Wang Xiao, unfazed, shrugged, "I''m not ignoring you. In fact, I don''t even care about males."


    Dong Kai persistent, spoke in a hushed fashion, "Come on, show me your phone quick! I want to experience heaven too!"


    As they approached the entrance, another figure emerged, a boy with a snug scarf around his neck, nked by two curious onlookers. The echoes of Dong Kai and Wang Xiao''s banter reached them, prompting an abrupt halt.


    "Heaven?" Zhao Yang wondered aloud, his curiosity piqued.


    ''Where are these twoing from?'' Zhao Yang mused as Wang Xiao and Dong Kai, realizing they were not alone, came to an abrupt stop.


    Wang Xiao''s expression morphed into a mischievous smirk. "Look who it is. Did your head finally heal?"


    !!


    Zhao Yang felt his forehead bulging with irritation.


    Wang Xiao persisted, "So where are you going, Fatty?"


    *Pft...*


    Dong Kai suppressed augh. ''This Wang Xiao is insane!'' he thought, wearing a wry smile, while the people behind Zhao Yang shot them disapproving res.


    Zhao Yang, towering over Wang Zhao, seemed an unlikely target for thetter''s scolding, creating a surreal scene in the courtyard.


    Zhao Yang''s snort sliced through the air, "Count your days, Wang Xiao!" With an unexpected veneer of restraint, he and his entourage swaggered away through the imposing main gate.


    "Count my days... huh..." Wang Xiao, momentarily caught off guard by Zhao Yang''s audacity, muttered, "Where are they off to? Isn''t going outside against the rules?"


    Dong Kai rified, "Students can visit other sses..."


    Wang Xiao nodded, recalling that Wang Xueying likely resided in the adjacent building.


    On the left side of the road, two buildings stood tall, separated by a solid wall¡ªone bustling with junior high students, and the other housing senior high first and second-year students.


    The right side mirrored this arrangement, hosting two buildings, distinct and divided¡ªone teeming with primary school students, the other with the more seasoned third-year senior high students.


    Following this intricateyout, Wang Xueying and Wang Jiarong should be right next door, while Wang Mei''s residence should be directly ahead. This realization abruptly shattered Wang Xiao''s ns with Wang Xueying.


    ________


    In the adjacent building, tranquility surrendered to a vibrant chaos. A colossal campfire, its mes dancing with unrestrained vigor, beckoned third-year senior high students from all directions. The luminous glow cast a warm hue on the lively gathering, where even teachers joined in the revelry.


    Chen Yongzheng, a guiding figure among the faculty, stood amid the energetic crowd as well. The sizzle of a BBQ fire added a touch of western festivity to the already charged atmosphere.


    Around the long table, a diverse range of characters mingled, theirughter and chatter weaving a symphony of celebration. In a secluded nook, Hao Zemin sat, his head bearing visible marks¡ªa testament to the recent sh with Mo Xiang and Wang Xiao.


    "Zemin, wouldn''t Wang Xueying''s brother be present as well?" Zhao Chen, his keen-eyed best friend, surveyed the scene, absorbing the pulsating energy.


    Hao Zemin''s eyes sparkled with anticipation as he directed his gaze toward the lodge on the right, the flickering light revealing a glint of excitement. "He should be."


    Zhao Chen leaned in, his voice a conspiratorial whisper, "That''s good. If you''re seeking revenge, there shouldn''t be any interference or anyone to protect him here."


    Hao Zemin hesitated, a subtle wariness clouding his expression. Seizing the moment, Zhao Chen provided a final push, "My brother is also in odds  with a student in the first year of junior high. What if we address both issues together, along with my brother''s matter?"


    Intrigued, Hao Zemin queried, "Your brother?"


    Zhao Chen gestured ahead, "Right there."


    At that precise moment, Hao Zemin''s eyes swept the lively scene, catching sight of three figures entering. Stepping into focus was an imposing figure, leading the group. A spark of determination ignited in Hao Zemin''s gaze. "Let''s do it!"


    Zhao Chen reassured Hao Zemin with aforting pat on the shoulders and a warm smile, "Don''t worry, we''ve got this! My brother may seem intimidating, but hecks the wits. With our addition, handling two kids won''t be hard."


    Hao Zemin nodded in approval, recalling the confidence he had in himself. Even on that day, if not for Mo Xiang''s interference, he believed he could have handled Wang Xiao alone.


    A few momentster, an unexpected revtion unfolded. Both Hao Zemin and Zhao Chen exchanged stunned nces as Zhao Yang disclosed the identity of his nemesis.


    Coincidentally, it turned out that both Hao Zemin and Zhao Yang shared the same adversary!


    The revtion added anyer of suprise to thier ns, and Zhao Chen couldn''t contain hisughter, bing the sudden center of attention.


    On the opposite side of the table, a short-haired blonde guy sat, engrossed in conversation with his friends while discreetly casting nces toward the center of the gathering. He was none other than Wu Shenji, a third-year senior high student, harboring a silent crush on Wang Jiarong.


    The night was brimming with unexpected connections and simmering tensions.

 Chapter 69: School Trip (5)

    "Shenji, are you finally going to confess today?" Jun, the guy beside him, threw an arm around Wu Shenji''s shoulder, his eyes dancing with mischief.


    "Haha, don''t joke, Jun. Shenji doesn''t have the guts for that!"


    Wu Shenji, a blush dusting his cheeks, chuckled nervously. "You guys..."


    Meanwhile, in the midst of the animated gathering, Wang Jiarong and Wang Xueying shared a seat in the central area. Wang Xueying''s eyes flicked towards the blonde guy. "Sis, they''re definitely looking at us," she remarked.


    With a carefree attitude, Wang Jiarong casually stuffed a tender chicken into her mouth before advising, "Don''t let them bother you."


    Wang Jiarong, with a nonchnt air, was well aware of the unfolding dynamics, but she couldn''t muster the energy to pay it much attention. The recent incident involving Leng Xiyi still lingered in her mind, and her indifference served as a protective shield.


    As for Leng Xiyi, she sat in seclusion, her eyes smoldering with unspoken fury. Surrounded by concerned friends eager to know what transpired, Leng Xiyi adamantly kept the details to herself, the tension palpable.


    Fei Yun, seated near the third-year girls'' group close to Wu Shenji, appeared to join in theughter, yet her mind wandered into her own contemtions.


    The table was set, but amidst theughter and camaraderie, a quiet conspiracy brewed in the minds of each individual.


    Themon thread weaving through their thoughts was bound to be Wang Xiao, a central figure in the unspoken tensions simmering beneath the surface.


    Blissfully unaware of the brewing conspiracies behind his back, Wang Xiao made his way back to his room, with Dong Kai closely trailing behind.


    *Creak...*


    As the door swung open, Zhang Sisi and Chen Li nced toward the entrance, their eyes twitching as they observed both of them entering without any signs of a confrontation.


    Had the earlier exchange been nothing more than a staged performance?


    The two onlookers couldn''t help but feel a mix of disbelief and frustration. They exchanged nces, resisting the urge to metaphorically bash their heads against the wall, before eventually sighing and retiring for the night after a shared dinner.


    The allure of the BBQ failed to attract many from the junior high and lower sses, wary of standing out in the crowd. The dense mist outside hinted at the possibility of rainfall, casting a chill over the night''s atmosphere.


    ______


    January 16, 2024


    Wang Xiao awoke to a bitter gust of cold wind against his face, and he wasn''t alone in this rude awakening. Dong Kai and Chen Li''s eyes flickered open simultaneously, each registering the unwee chill seeping into their bodies.


    "Why is it so cold?" Wang Xiao grimaced, feeling his legs almost frozen.


    "Are we in a cier?" Chen Li questioned, her breath forming frosty clouds in the frigid air.


    Dong Kai, with a furrowed brow, scanned the room. His eyes widened as he noticed the door ajar. "Who the hell left the door open!?" he bellowed. Wang Xiao and Chen Li followed suit, leaping from their beds with furrowed brows. Their collective gazended on Zhang Sisi''s now-empty bed. "It''s her!"


    The realization struck them simultaneously, and they exchanged nces. Dong Kai snorted, "This is why I don''t like her!"


    Chen Li nodded, "Where is she anyway?"


    Dong Kai muttered dismissively, "She can die for all I care..." The frosty air inside the room seemed to mirror the frostiness settling over their rtions.


    As frustration filled the room with their verbal sparring, Wang Xiao''s gaze drifted to the window. "Snow...?" he muttered, rubbing his eyes to confirm the unexpected sight. It wasn''t a mere dusting; it was a thickyer of snow, an anomaly in a region unustomed to such heavy snowfall.


    Amidst this peculiar scene, the other kids had already donned their ski gear, trekking off in a specific direction. ncing at the clock, Wang Xiao realized, "10 am... We''rete by 2 hours." It became apparent that Zhang Sisi, the punctual one, had likely risen at the designated time of 8:00 and, in the process, left the door ajar as the others continued to slumber.


    An hourter, Wang Xiao asked Chen Yongzheng to get them some ski equipment, as the resort, prepared for skiing equipments.


    Unexpectedly, it wasn''t Chen Yongzheng who arrived with their ski equipment, but Lei Xia herself, nked by two staff members. "It''s you three again?" she remarked, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the notorious trio standing together.


    Undeterred, Lei Xia resolved not to let their presence ruin her mood. She handed over the ski equipment with a directive, "Wear these and follow me outside." With that, she turned on her heel, leaving Wang Xiao and Dong Kai exchanging nces for reasons unknown.


    _____


    Lei Xia led them to an open area, where other students were already engaged in various winter activities. The snow-covered expanse held the promise of a day filled with adventure. Despite the chill in the air, there was an underlying excitement among the students.


    Lei Xia, with a stern expression, gestured toward a line of ski slopes. "Get yourselves acquainted with the basics. We don''t have the luxury of time." Her tone carried a mix of authority and impatience.


    Wang Xiao left Chen Li and Dong Kai behind, forging a few solitary steps forward. As he did, thendscape unfolded in a breathtaking panorama. Perched on a mountainous region, gonds descended gracefully from below, transporting students to the snowy slopes. The entire expanse transformed into a winter wondend, with the snow-decked slopes inviting adventure.


    The usual snowfall had been modest, but an unexpected rainfall yesterday deepened the snow, nketing not only the slopes but also extending into the nearby forests. The air carried a pristine stillness, promising a day filled with snowy delights.


    Carrying his skis, Wang Xiao meandered through the snowy canvas, spotting multiple familiar faces. Laughter and cheers echoed as students embraced the winter magic.


    In his exploration, Wang Xiao stumbled upon Zhang Sisi, who made a dramatic entrance, skillfully skiing toward him. Her hair was lightly adorned with snow, and she sported goggles, exuding an air of proficiency on the slopes. With a yful tone, she quipped, "So, you guys finally decided to wake up?"


    Wang Xiao chuckled, "Fashionablyte, as always. What''s the rush?"


    Zhang Sisi smirked, "Well, some of us actually appreciate the beauty of the morning. You should try it sometime."


    Wang Xiao grinned, "Maybe when the morning decides to sleep in."


    "Whatever..." Zhang Sisi spoke, ying with her hair slightly, normally Wang Xiao would take it as a invitation, but considering her age he didn''t even put that as a possibility.


    "You know how to Skii?" She asked.


    Wang Xiao nodded confidently, a smirk ying on his lips. "Of course, I''m practically a snow whisperer." With a flourish, he took his skis and expertly clicked them into ce. The mountainous terrain awaited his prowess, and he gestured yfully. "Care to witness some real skiing magic?"


    Zhang Sisi raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in her expression. "Prove it."


    Wang Xiaounched himself down the slope, weaving effortlessly between others with the grace of a seasoned skier. The wind tousled his hair as he executed quick turns and daring maneuvers, leaving a trail of snow in his wake. He gracefully coasted to a stop, looking back at Zhang Sisi with a self-satisfied grin.


    "So, what do you think?" he asked, the glint of mischief still in his eyes.


    Zhang Sisi observed with a raised eyebrow, an amused smile ying on her lips. "Impressive," she conceded, though a teasing undertone lingered in her voice. "But can you handle a real challenge?"


    "What Challenge?" Wang Xiao narrowed his eyes at her, he along with his whole family have visited skii resorts in the northern china, for quite a lot of times, he doesn''t believe she can beat him in any kind of challenge rted to it.


    "What challenge?" Wang Xiao narrowed his eyes, his confidence rooted in the numerous visits his family had made to ski resorts in northern China. He doubted she could best him in any skiing challenge.


    Zhang Sisi grinned mischievously, "How about a race down the slope? Winner gets bragging rights for the rest of the trip. Unless, of course, you''re scared to lose." Her challenge was punctuated by a yful wink.


    Wang Xiao was slightly taken aback by Zhang Sisi''s casual attitude today, but he nodded nheless, increasing the stakes. "I don''t want such bragging, how about¡ª"


    His words were abruptly cut off by a sudden eruption of chaos in the vicinity.


    "Woah...!"


    "Who is she!"


    "A snow fairy!?"


    The unexpectedmotion drew their attention, diverting the conversation to the unfolding spectacle nearby.


    Amid the flurry of surprised exmations, Wang Xiao and Zhang Sisi turned their gaze toward the source of themotion. A figure d in a vibrant snowsuit gracefully descended a steeper slope, executing intricate turns and jumps with apparent ease.


    .


    .


    .


    [A/N: Leave reviews already eveyrone, the volume 1 is ending soon! The next volume would be even more interesting!]

 Chapter 70: School Trip (6)

    As the mysterious skier approached, the surrounding students watched in awe, their whispers creating a buzz of excitement. The snow-d figure skillfully maneuvered through the slopes, leaving behind a trail of admiration.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but be intrigued, hispetitive spirit reignited by the unexpected appearance of this skilled skier. He exchanged a nce with Zhang Sisi, both recognizing the challenge that presented itself.


    "Looks like we''ve got some realpetition," Zhang Sisi remarked, a yful glint returning to her eyes.


    Wang Xiao shook his head with a wry smile in response, recognizing the figure gracefully descending downwards. A thought shed through his mind, "She would regret it..."


    "Let''s go after her!" Wang Xiao suddenly proposed, a spark of excitement in his eyes as he leaned forward.


    "What!? Wait for me..." Zhang Sisi eximed, quick to follow suit. The duo surged forward, the anticipation of the impromptupetition propelling them into action, as a series of noises erupted before them.


    "Wait up! We need to know who this mysterious skier is!" Zhang Sisi called out, herpetitive spirit matching Wang Xiao''s enthusiasm.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, "Whoever it is, they''ve just stepped into our territory. Let''s show them how it''s done!"


    ??


    Zhang Sisi didn''t understood the sudden enthusiasm in Wang Xiao and nodded.


    As Wang Xueying gracefully descended the slopes, the cold mountain air biting at her cheeks, she suddenly felt the distinct presence of two skiers behind her. Surprised, she swiveled around, and the snowyndscape revealed the familiar figure, "Xiao?" She called out.


    ??


    The wind cutting through the snowy air made it challenging for Zhang Sisi''s voice to carry, but she couldn''t contain her curiosity. "Do you know her!?" she yelled, attempting to be heard over the rushing wind.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, noting his sister''s astonished expression. "Being all shy, huh? Are you sure you can live peacefully after making such a show?"


    The mysterious skier was none other than Wang Xueying, his sister.


    "...", Wang Xueying knitted her brows in bewilderment, the eyes behind her goggles reflecting a hint of surprise. Taking a quick nce behind, she muttered, "No way!"


    Meanwhile, the cliffside echoed with the voices of their ssmates who had witnessed the unexpected twist.


    "Look at that!"


    "Wang Xueying is killing it!"


    "Who knew she had such skills!"


    The voices of their ssmates created a lively soundtrack to the skiing spectacle.


    "Wang Xueying is like a snow goddess!"


    "I had no idea she could ski so well!"


    "Is that Wang Xiao chasing her? This is epic!"


    Zhang Sisi, catching bits of thements, couldn''t resist but inject her voice into the lively atmosphere, "Looks like the Wang siblings are stealing the show today!"


    The announcement seemed to cast a spell over Wang Xueying''s expression, transforming it frompetence to a mix of surprise and self-questioning. "...What have I done?" she whispered to herself, caught off guard by the unexpected attention.


    Wang Xiao, sensing the shift in his sister''s mood, couldn''t help butugh in her difort. "Enjoying your sudden poprity already?" he teased with a heartyugh.


    Wang Xueying, her response tinted with both embarrassment and frustration, replied half-heartedly, "...No."


    She wanted to be anything but popr, and Wang Xiao knew it. Thus, he teased her for what seemed like self-sabotaging actions on the snowy slopes.


    "Come on, Wang Xueying! Show us more moves!"


    "Yeah, give us a jump or something!"


    The enthusiastic voices of their ssmates continued, encouraging Wang Xueying to disy more of her skiing prowess. The snowyndscape had turned into a arena of cheers and requests, and the pressure weighed on her.


    Wang Xiao, still enjoying the spectacle, nudged her yfully. "Looks like they want a show. What are you waiting for, the Oscars?"


    Wang Xueying, torn between amusement and reluctance, retorted, "I didn''t sign up for this!"


    Zhang Sisi, not entirely understanding the dynamics, grumbled in frustration, "Come on, why did you guys suddenly be so slow?!"


    She couldn''t fathom why someone wouldn''t enjoy being in the spotlight?


    Wang Xiao struggled to contain hisughter, "It''s her who is slow," he pointed out, swiftly gliding past them.


    Swish!


    "Wait for me!" Zhang Sisi dered, effortlessly overtaking Wang Xueying like a breeze. Left alone, Wang Xueying found herself in the wake of her enthusiastic friends, grappling with what felt like an early midlife crisis on the snowy slopes.


    The skiing adventure had taken an unexpected turn, leaving Wang Xueying both amused and bewildered.


    "Come on, Wang Xueying, pick up the pace!"


    "We want to see more of your moves!"


    The voices of their ssmates continued to echo, urging Wang Xueying to embrace her unintended poprity. The snowy slopes had transformed into a stage, and the spotlight was firmly on her.


    Wang Xiao, now enjoying the situation thoroughly, teased, "Looks like you''ve be the star of the mountain, sis."


    Wang Xueying, torn between the desire to enjoy the thrill of skiing and the reluctance of being the center of attention, responded, "I just wanted a peaceful ski trip!"


    Zhang Sisi, catching up to Wang Xiao, added, "Well, peaceful trips are overrated. Embrace the fame!"


    It wasn''t that people didn''t notice Wang Xiao and Zhang Sisi; both were already famous for quite different reasons. However, the unexpected spotlight now shifted to Wang Xueying, catching everyone off guard. None of them had anticipated her bing the center of attention on this skiing trip.


    Slightly away from the junior high students, the mixed crowd of senior high students, tasked with looking after the primary students, began grumbling and expressing their frustration. They found themselves unintentionally thrust into babysitting duties for their younger peers.


    "Look at those three...." Wu Shenji couldn''t help but whistle at the unexpected scene, catching him off guard.


    "Are they filming a movie or something?"


    "I wish our ski trips were this entertaining!"


    The voices of the senior high students resonated with frustration and surprise.


    Wu Shenji, still processing the unfolding scene, remarked to his friends, "Looks like we''ve got our entertainment for the day. Who would''ve thought Juniors would steal spotlight from us? Haha..."


    His friends chuckled, and one of them teased, "Maybe we should join the junior high area and see the show up close.".


    "Hey, Jiarong, you want toe and look around there?" Wu Shenji nodded eagerly, craving a break from their current scene.


    Wang Jiarong, currently assisting Wang Mei, furrowed her brow. "Come where?" Her gaze narrowed towards the cliff, and then her eyes widened in sudden realization. "It''s them..." she whispered.


    Wang Mei''s eyes betrayed a fleeting mix of emotions, but the thought of catching up with them didn''t cross her mind; the slopes weren''t her forte.


    "You know them?" Wu Shenji couldn''t help but notice and inquire.


    Wang Jiarong hesitated for a moment before nodding. "The one on the left is my sister, and the one on the right is my brother. I don''t know about the girl on the right; she must be their ssmate..." she specified.


    "Your siblings are skiing like pros!"


    "Is that a race or something?"


    The exmations and questions from their ssmates surrounded Wang Jiarong as she observed the scene unfolding on the slopes. Wu Shenji, eager for more information, couldn''t resist probing further.


    "Your family is full of skilled skiers, huh?"


    Wang Jiarong chuckled, "Seems like it. They''ve been skiing since we were kids."


    Wang Mei, listening to their conversation, chimed in, "Jiji, don''t you want to join them?"


    Wang Jiarong shook her head, "I''ll pass. I prefer a more leisurely descent."


    Wu Shenji, still intrigued, decided to tease, "Afraid you can''t keep up?"


    Wang Jiarong chuckled, "I''m afraid I''ll leave them in the dust. No fun in that, right?"


    Wu Shenji nodded in realization, his mind churning with curiosity. "The middle one is your brother, right?..." He began contemting before suddenly announcing, "I would go and have a chat with him."


    "??"


    Wang Jiarong and Wang Mei turned towards him, their expressions reflecting a mix of surprise and suspicion. Wang Jiarong, not thrilled with the idea, frowned in displeasure, "Chat with him? What are you nning, Shenji?"


    Wu Shenji shed a casual smile, "Just a casual chat, can''t I?"


    Wang Jiarong warned, her tone carrying a note of caution, "You better not have any ill intentions..."


    Wu Shenji chuckled, "Hey hey, why would I do that? Anyways,ter..." he spoke, setting off after Wang Xiao, determined to match their pace on the slope. However, the trio was still quite a distance away, prompting him to mutter a frustrated, "Damn, these kids are fast!" beneath his breath.


    _____


    On another part of the snowy expanse, Hao Zemin couldn''t help but snort angrily as he moved towards Zhao Yang. "Brother Yang, do you see that?"


    Zhao Yang nodded, a sinister smirk forming on his face. "Yes, don''t worry. We''ll teach him a lesson today," he dered.


    Hao Zemin, eager for details, inquired, "What''s the n, though? Why haven''t we discussed it yet?"


    Zhao Yang''s eyes flickered with a cunning light as he nced towards his younger brother, Zhao Chen, who was awkwardly navigating the slopes. "We need a bait!" he announced ruthlessly, his mind already concocting a scheme for their revenge.

 Chapter 71: Human Cannon

    "We need bait!" Zhao Chen eximed, his gaze piercing as he narrowed his eyes at his brother, Zhao Yang.


    A shiver ran down Zhang Yang''s spine, unaware that Zhao Chen''s ruthlessness exceeded his imagination.


    Even Hao Zemin couldn''t hide a hint of fear as he asked, "What are we going to do?"


    Zhao Chen gestured forward, his n unfolding, "First, we''ll find an empty clif, with secluded spot nearby. We''ll lure Wang Xiao there, corner him, and apply pressure until he''s on his knees, begging for mercy. We won''t let him leave."


    Hao Zemin pressed further, "That''s it? We aren''t going to beat him?"


    Zhao Chen shook his head, a sly smile ying on his lips, "The teachers would catch on if he leaves with visible bruises."


    Hao Zemin nonchntly nodded, a disinterest in Zhao Yang''s impending sacrifice evident on his face. A few beatster, a symphony ofughter erupted as the unfolding spectacle captured everyone''s attention.


    "Hey, what in the world is that? A pig on skates!"


    "The mountain''s going to crumble!"


    "It''s an avnche! Run for your lives, haha!"


    Amidst the uproariousughter, Zhao Yang''s countenance soured, morphing into an unsightly expression as he shot an usatory look at Zhao Chen. "Chen, seriously? Is this necessary?"


    Zhao Chen, with an air of reassurance, replied, "Trust me, it''s all part of the n."


    An intrigued Zhao Yang pressed, "What n?"


    With a mysterious glint in his eye, Zhao Chen grinned, "You''ll understand when the timees."


    An uneasy Zhao Yang questioned, "Do I really need to learn skiing for this n?" Anxiety painted his face as he nced down the slope, a shiver coursing through him.


    Zhao Chen chuckled, "Rx, you can handle it! We''ve got time until theye back."


    "..." Zhao Yang fell into a contemtive silence.


    ''Time until theye back? How much time do we have? 10 minutes or 20 minutes?'' He couldn''t fathom mastering skiing in such a brief window.


    Of course, he couldn''t, and that''s precisely why Zhao Chen had chosen him.


    Meanwhile, Wu Shenji hovered near the junior high students'' section, anticipating the return of Wang Xiao and the others. They had vanished before he could intercept them, and now he found himself already toote!


    ________


    "Would you fit in this?" Zhang Sisi asked, her concern evident.


    "Don''t worry, he would," reassured Wang Xueying.


    Wang Xiao spoke confidently, "I''ll find a way to fit in."


    Zhang Sisi persisted, "But it''s too small, and you''re too big!"


    Wang Xiao chuckled, "Big things often fit in small ces!"


    Zhang Sisi, still uncertain, questioned, "But what if it breaks?"


    Wang Xiao''s response was unwavering, "Then it might as well be broken."


    Zhang Sisi raised an eyebrow, seeking rification, "Are we still talking about the same thing?"


    Wang Xueying smirked, "Of course, fitting in is all about perspective."


    Wang Xiao added sagely, "Sometimes you just need to adjust a bit to make things work."


    "No, it absolutely won''t fit! How many times do I have to repeat myself?" Zhang Sisi''s frustration rang through her words, a hint of exasperation coloring her tone.


    On the sidelines, Wang Xueying''s face flushed with realization, catching the subtle nuances of the conversation and the mischievous smirk ying on Wang Xiao''s lips beneath the surface. "Enough of you two r!" she dered, abruptly putting an end to Wang Xiao''s ambiguousnguage.


    "What''s gotten into you now?" Zhang Sisi inquired, genuinely perplexed by the sudden flustered demeanor of Wang Xueying.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Even she''s annoyed now. Come on, let''s all just take a seat."


    Wang Xueying''s embarrassment deepened as she faced Wang Xiao''s teasing gaze. "I-I''ll step down; you guys can go first," she stammered, swiftly making her exit from the ski lift.


    The lift, designed for two adults, presented the challenge of amodating three, and while it seemed physically possible, Zhang Sisi hesitated, her concerns for safety prevailing.


    Just as she contemted stepping away, Wang Xiao, donning a mischievous smirk, seized the moment and pulled her up.


    "Ah!?"


    Wang Xueying staggered, her features frozen in a mix of surprise and fear, perfectly timed with the lift''s sudden upward motion.


    "Wang Xiao!? What in the world are you doing!"


    Panic etched across Zhang Sisi''s face, while Wang Xiao stifled a chuckle between them. Now, with Wang Xueying perched above him, the lift continued its ascent.


    "It''s done; she slipped, and there''s no turning back. Right, sister?" Wang Xiao''s eyes, filled with amusement, locked onto Wang Xueying, making her shiver involuntarily, despite not meeting his gaze directly.


    "..."


    She nodded, her voice shaky yet determined, "Y-Yes... He, uh, protected me from falling. Thank you..." Her embarrassment was growing, but beneath it simmered a resolve to settle the score with Wang Xiaoter, teeth gritted.


    Wang Xiao pivoted toward Zhang Sisi, a hint of displeasure etching his features, "See, I''m not the viin every time..."


    Despite Zhang Sisi reluctantly acknowledging his point, suspicion lingered in her eyes regarding Wang Xiao''s role in this.


    As the ski lift whisked them upward, Wang Xueying turned around, her eyes shooting daggers at Wang Xiao before she twisted ufortably in her seat.


    Observing her evident difort, Zhang Sisi attempted to be amodating, suggesting, "How about you sit in the middle?" She began to shift, unknowingly setting off a chain reaction that caused the entire ski lift to sway.


    !!


    Instantly, she halted her movements, exhaling a sigh of relief, "...That was scary..."


    Wang Xueying managed an awkward smile, "It''s alright. Just a few more minutes, and we''ll be at the top." In secret, she attempted to discreetly swat away Wang Xiao''s hand, which had been yfully pinching her.


    Unable to contain herself, Wang Xueying leaned forward and whispered, "...My dear brother, is your mind always filled with such wicked thoughts?" The irritation in her tone was evident, and she couldn''t resist the urge to imagine sinking her teeth into him.


    Wang Xiao responded with a seemingly innocent smile, "Not really, only when I''m with you..."


    Caught off guard, Wang Xueying blinked, momentarily wondering if someone had reced her brother with a smoother version.


    "What''s going on with you two whispering in hushed tones?" Zhang Sisi couldn''t contain her curiosity.


    Wang Xueying tensed momentarily, but Wang Xiao, wearing a stoic expression, replied, "We were strategizing on what to do if the lifts break down in the middle due to excessive weight."


    An indignant thought shed through Wang Xueying''s mind, ''Does he really consider me excessively heavy?''


    Zhang Sisi, unimpressed by his exnation, scowled, "Wang Xiao, cut out the nonsense!"


    Wang Xiao couldn''t resist a chuckle, teasing, "Are you afraid of taking a plunge?"


    Zhang Sisi''s eyes widened, a nervous gulp escaping her, "I-It''s so high!"


    Wang Xiao continued to chuckle, and Wang Xueying seized the moment to scold him discreetly, silently vowing to address the matter with himter in private.


    "Later? .... How?" Wang Xiao couldn''t conceal his curiosity.


    Wang Xueying hesitated, nibbling on her lip before finally confessing, "M-My room is empty. I managed to secure one in the teacher''s allotted area since all the student rooms were taken."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes sparked with delight, "Seriously?"


    Wang Xueying nodded cautiously, "...B-But you won''t cross any boundaries, right? You promised!"


    Wang Xiao, putting on an innocent facade, insisted, "Definitely not..." However, a suppressedughter hinted at his inner mischief. He had meticulously prepared for this day; the contraceptives neatly arranged, ready for the opportune moment.


    Now, with the chance right in front of him, how could he not take it?


    Only an ennuch would miss such open invitation!


    Wang Xueying couldn''t shake the feeling that she shouldn''t have divulged this information. The arrow had already left the bow, and now she could only hope Wang Xiao would keep his promise, even though deep down, she doubted it.


    As Wang Xiao basked in the glory of his day''s victory, Wu Shenji and the others spotted theming down. The trio appeared geared up for another round, apetitive spirit and a touch of betting adding excitement to the air.


    However, before the festivities could kick off, a collective sulk enveloped the onlookers.


    "Did our goddess got swept away?" A curious voice questioned, eyes narrowing at thepromising position in which Wang Xiao was seated.


    Even Dong Kai, with a raised brow, couldn''t hide a trace of envy. "What is he? The main character or something?"


    "Boom!"


    !!


    Simultaneously, a resounding punchnded over Dong Kai''s head. "Idiots, she''s his sister! Stop talking inappropriately about them unless you want to get beaten!" Chen Li intervened fiercely on Wang Xiao''s behalf, quashing any potential rumors from spreading. The warning echoed through the crowd, ensuring that respect reced gossip in the aftermath.


    "Sister!?"


    "Sister??"


    Dong Kai, his eyes lighting up with hope, couldn''t resist asking, "Does it mean we still have a chance...?"


    "Sister or not, your chances are still zero, Dong Kai. And you better not utter those words in front of him," Chen Li sternly warned.


    Dong Kai nodded, swallowing the bitter truth of his slim chances to rival someone senior.

 Chapter 72: The End: The Rolling Cannonball! (1)

    Wu Shenji shook his head, finding the conversations of these kids too advanced for his understanding. At their age, he hadn''t even grasped the concept of girlfriends or boyfriends. Yet, these youngsters, seemingly ahead of their time, were surprisingly daring.


    Swish!


    With a swift movement, he left instantly, determined not to lose sight of them this time.


    "Chen, they''re leaving already?" Zhao Yang questioned.


    Zhao Chen responded, "So are we..."


    "B-But I haven''t learned how to ski yet," Zhao Yang protested.


    "Don''t worry, Zemin and I will guide you through it," Zhao Chen reassured him.


    "What!?"


    Before Zhao Yang could voice his objection, Zhao Chen and Hao Zemin each seized one of his hands, forcefully propelling him forward.


    In Zhao Yang''s eyes, a fleeting hint of terror was quickly reced by a look of amazement as the wind sliced against his body. He closed his eyes, embracing the exhrating rush with sheer delight.


    In perfect sync, Hao Zemin and Zhao Chenughed inwardly, while Zhao Yang blissfully unware of the impending misfortune.


    "Is that Zhao Yang!?"


    "No, it''s a human cannon!"


    "Haha!"


    Zhao Yang''s descent down the slope became an instant spectacle, drawing the attention of onlookers. Even the teachers couldn''t help but shake their heads in helpless amusement at the unexpected turn of events.


    Unbeknownst to everyone, Zhao Chen had indeed orchestrated this, intending to use Zhao Yang as a human cannon!


    ______


    "Yo, Wang Xiao!"


    The call echoed through the crisp mountain air, prompting Wang Xiao to pivot, eyes narrowing as he identified the source¡ªa figure trailing behind them.


    A thoughtful frown crept onto his face, "Hey, you guys go on; I''ll check something out," he called out to Wang Xueying and Zhang Sisi, slowing his pace.


    Zhang Sisi and Wang Xueying exchanged a quick nce, the unspoken understanding passing between them as they continued their exhrating descent down the slope, leaving Wang Xiao to investigate.


    With a hint of exertion, Wu Shenji managed to catch up, breathing slightly heavier. "Man, you guys are like speed demons!"


    Wang Xiao''s smirk yed on his lips, "Or maybe you''re just slow... By the way, do I know you?" His gaze scanned Wu Shenji, searching for a familiar thread, but the blonde neer seemed out of ce, not a face from their school.


    Wu Shenji''s lips twitched, an internal monologue running, ''Why are these siblings so direct?'' Suppressing his inner turmoil, he conjured a friendly smile.


    After all, the first step to winning over the girl was to navigate the brother.


    Perseverance was the key.


    "Haha... Not really, but I''m from 3rd senior high. I''m Wu Shenji." The introduction came with a friendly handshake, Wu Shenji aiming to make asting impression.


    Wang Xiao reciprocated the handshake with a firm grip, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Wu Shenji. The mountain breeze carried the scent of pine, and the distantughter of skiers echoed around them.


    "Wu Shenji, huh?" Wang Xiao mused, the corners of his lips twitching into a smirk. "What brings you chasing after us?"


    Wu Shenji chuckled nervously, his eyes flickering between Wang Xiao''s scrutinizing gaze and the descending slopes. "Well, I heard the buzz about the fastest siblings on the mountain, and I thought, why not try to keep up?"


    Wang Xiao''s smirk widened, sensing an underlying motive. "Fastest siblings, huh? You got a thing for speed or just trying to impress someone?"


    Wu Shenji''s cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "Maybe a bit of both," he admitted, scratching his head. "Anyway, mind if I join you guys?"


    Wang Xiao nced back at the disappearing figures of Wang Xueying and Zhang Sisi, then turned his attention back to Wu Shenji. "Sure, why not? Just try not to slow us down too much."


    "By the way, how''s my sister doing, Shenji?" Wang Xiao suddenly interjected, the snowyndscape around them blurring as they picked up the pace.


    "Your sister? Oh, she''s wel¡ª" Wu Shenji began to reply about Wang Jiarong when realization struck, and he couldn''t help but interrupt, "You know about me?"


    Wang Xiao nodded, a yful spark in his eyes. "I know a lot about you, like¡ª"


    Before Wang Xiao could finish, his senses heightened, and he spotted an object hurtling towards him with astonishing speed. Adrenaline surged through him, and he swiftly steered left, venturing into the snow areas not meant for skiing.


    "What the hell are you doing!?" he questioned, urgency in his voice as he tried to gracefully navigate the unfamiliar terrain and evade the oing danger.


    _____


    In the midst of their downhill descent, Hao Zemin and Zhao Chen nked Zhao Yang, their eyes exchanging a silent understanding as they approached Wang Xiao.


    The air crackled with anticipation as Zhao Chen uttered a directive, "Do it."


    Without a word, a choreographed sequence unfolded. Hao Zemin smoothly disengaged from Zhao Yang''s side, swiftly converging with Zhao Chen. In a synchronized move, they propelled Zhao Yang forward,unching him towards Wang Xiao.


    !?


    "Waaaa!?"


    Zhao Yang''s initial confusion morphed into pure terror as he found himself hurtling uncontrobly across the snowy terrain.


    "What are you doing!?" Wang Xiao''s exmation carried a mix of frustration and surprise as he skillfully navigated to avoid the oing Zhao Yang.


    "I-I can''t control it!" Zhao Yang''s desperate yell echoed, tears streaming down his face.


    His colossal figure surged downhill, hurtling towards Wang Xiao with a collision imminent just a few heart-stopping steps away.


    "H-Help me!" Zhao Yang''s plea echoed through the crisp mountain air as he desperately tried to follow in Wang Xiao''s path.


    Wang Xiao''s mind raced, scanning thendscape for a solution. His eyes lit up as he spotted an area with thinning snow near the edge of the extending forest. In an instant, he changed course, navigating towards the less treacherous terrain. Slowly but steadily, Zhao Yang''s uncontroble speed began to wane.


    Finally, they came to an abrupt stop near the precipice of a cliff. Wang Xiao couldn''t suppress the inward curse, "This idiot would kill me along with himself!"


    After losing control and relentlessly chasing Wang Xiao in a desperate attempt for help, Zhao Yang finally came to a halt. He dropped to his knees, his body trembling, and tears welled in his eyes.


    Wang Xiao nced at him with a mixture of disdain, "What a crybaby."


    However, his expression shifted to a frown as he surveyed their surroundings. Deep inside the forest, near an abandoned cliff, they seemed disoriented. Fortunately, Wang Xiao could still trace the path they had taken.


    Deciding to abandon Zhao Yang in his shaken state, Wang Xiao turned to leave when he suddenly heard more people approaching.


    "It''s you!" He instantly recognized the first one as Hao Zemin, but the second person was unfamiliar to him.


    Hao Zemin gasped, catching his breath, "Wang Xiao, we didn''t mean for this to happen! Zhao Chen got a bit carried away with the n."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, "n? What n?"


    Amidst the dense forest, the unknown figure with Hao Zemin stepped forward, a casual smile ying on his lips. "I''m Zhao Chen, Zhao Yang''s brother. We were just trying to have some fun, didn''t mean for it to go this far."


    Wang Xiao''s countenance darkened, a storm brewing in his eyes. "Fun? You call it fun when it nearly killed both of us?"


    A hidden smirk danced on Zhao Chen''s lips, "Oh,e on, you didn''t die, did you?"


    Wang Xiao''s instincts kicked in, and he took a step back, subtly positioning himself nearer to the cliff. "So what?" The realization dawned on him that this might be a meticulously nned scenario.


    Hao Zemin nudged Zhao Chen, "Brother Chen, isn''t this enough?"


    Zhao Chen chuckled, "What are you talking about? Don''t you want to teach him a lesson? Wang Xiao! Beg on your knees, and we''ll let you go."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, ''So it''s about that...'' he nced towards Zhao Yang and Hao Zemin in session, but his mind wasn''t wavered.


    "Beg on my knees? You must be out of your mind," he retorted, a defiant edge to his voice.


    Zhao Chen''s smile didn''t waver, "Well, it''s your choice. But refusing won''t make things easier for you."


    Wang Xiao''s gaze darted between Zhao Chen and Hao Zemin, gauging their intentions, he infered Hao Zemin as harmless, but Zhao Chen seemed slightly insane to him.


    The distant sound of wind rustling through the trees and the muted rush of a nearby stream added an eerie backdrop to the confrontation.


    Hao Zemin, seemingly uneasy with the escting tension, attempted to diffuse the situation, "Brother Chen, let''s not take it too far. We made our point."


    Zhao Chen, however, remained resolute, "No, Zemin, he needs to learn a lesson about respect."


    As Wang Xiao''s mind raced, conflicting voices echoed within him.


    ''Don''t beg, it''s better to die than do it!''


    ''What nonsense, if you can live another day, all is worth it!''


    Two distinct perspectives waged war in Wang Xiao''s thoughts. With a deep breath, he cast a backward nce, his mind momentarily turning nk. Below him, a straight cliff awaited, but ayer of snow offered a potential shield from the impending impact.


    In that split second, a choice hung in the bnce ¨C honour or survival?

 Chapter 73: The End: Just a brother and sister, sharing a room? Nothing can go wrong... Right? (2)

    In that split second, a choice hung in the bnce ¨C honour or survival?


    "W-What is happening!?" The words escaped Zhao Yang''s lips as he struggled toprehend the surreal chaos unfolding around him. The aftermath of their ill-fated n was now a disorienting spectacle.


    *Gulp...*


    Zhao Yang''s eyes fixated on the snowy cliff where Wang Xiao had been standing moments ago. A surge of fear propelled him to his feet, and he sprinted in the opposite direction, an instinctive response to the unfolding cmity.


    !?


    Zhao Chen and Hao Zemin stood frozen, their initial surprise evolving into wide-eyed astonishment as Zhao Yang''s hurried footsteps intensified the ground''s trembling beneath them.


    *Boom!*


    *Boom!*


    Each powerful step from Zhao Yang resonated through the earth, creating an ominous rhythm. Panicking, he sprinted faster, his desperate attempt to escape the impending disaster echoing in the forest.


    *Crack...*


    A chilling cracking noise pierced the air, freezing Zhao Yang and everyone else in their tracks.


    "Fuck!" Wang Xiao''s curse reverberated through the tense air. In a split second, he propelled himself forward, attempting to escape the crumbling cliff. However, the structure shook violently, and... Boom!


    The once-solid cliff disintegrated, crumbling into a cascade of snow and debris.


    "Xiao!" Zhao Yang''s desperate cry echoed, a poignant note in the chaos, as Wang Xiao clung desperately to fragments of the copsing cliff.


    !!


    Adrenaline surged through Wang Xiao as he clutched at anything within reach. The crumbling cliff became a treacherous ride, and he fought to maintain his precarious hold.


    *Rumble...*


    "W-What is happening!?" Hao Zemin''s voice quivered with uncertainty. Even as Zhao Yang reached their side, the ground beneath them continued its violent tremors.


    "I-It''s an avnche, run!" Zhao Chen''s urgentmand sliced through the chaos, the pallor of fear evident on their faces. The trio sprinted back toward the forest, their frantic footsteps marking a desperate escape from the relentless forces of nature.


    *Gasp!* Wu Shenji, an unwilling spectator, watched the dramatic scene unfold from his hidden vantage point. Gasping in fear, he instinctively retreated, the once serene forest now a battleground between the elements and the fleeing figures caught in the dance of survival.


    "Argh..." Wang Xiao, thrown down the cliff, felt an agonizing pain as he instinctively clutched his head before reluctantly ncing upwards.


    The stark reality greeted him ¨C an endless onught of snow hurtling towards him, a force of nature he couldn''t escape. In that desperate moment, he screamed, "Fuck the ***!"


    *Boooom!*


    The words, drowned by the roar of the avnche, lingered in the air as the snow engulfed him, overwhelming his senses.


    The world around him turned into a chaotic whirlwind of white, his body numb to the bone, and darkness consumed his vision.


    Above the cliff, the spectators, including Wu Shenji, watched in both awe and horror as the avnche unfolded.


    The thunderous cascade of snow painted a picture of nature''s unforgiving might.


    After the avnche subsided, an uneasy silence settled over the onlookers.


    Zhao Chen, swallowing hard, broke the stillness, his voiceden with fear, "W-Where is Wang Xiao...?"


    Hao Zemin''s face darkened with concern, "Did he get caught in the avnche?"


    Zhao Yang, still reeling from the shock, protested, "No way! The teachers would crucify us if that happened! Even wor¡ª"


    "Shut up!" Zhang Chen''s yell cut through the anxious air, a mixture of guilt and fear evident in his eyes. "It''s alright; he''lle back within a few hours!"


    Hao Zemin and Zhao Yang exchanged skeptical nces. The assurance felt hollow, but the thought of facing the consequences with the teachers loomedrger.


    In the end, the group, weighed down by guilt and uncertainty, hastily retreated toward the resort, hoping to escape any potential repercussions.


    Wu Shenji overheard their conversation and shivered, contemting the gravity of the situation. "W-What should I do?"


    He stood there, paralyzed by indecision, as the reality of the mountain''s wrath sank in. "Let''s wait a few hours..." He whispered to himself, trying to find sce in the words, before silently slipping away.


    Little did he know, the darkness of that snowy afternoon would cast a long shadow over the night toe.


    _______


    As the clock struck 8:00 pm on the 15th of January, 2024, a growing sense of unease settled in the air.


    "Wang Xiao isn''t back yet?" Zhang Sisi''s question hung in the room, the impending dinner hour heightening the concern for his absence.


    Chen Li and Dong Kai exchanged perplexed nces, trying to make sense of the situation.


    Chen Li inquired with a furrowed brow, "Wasn''t he with you?"


    Zhang Sisi nodded, her worry evident, "He was... But then he separated from us. We thought he found his friend and started catching up with him."


    A symphony of question marks echoed in the room as both Chen Li and Dong Kai expressed their confusion.


    "Can you go and ask his sister?" Dong Kai suggested, a hint of urgency in his voice.


    Zhang Sisi, with a pensive expression, nodded, "I''ll check out the senior high section."


    With determination, she grabbed her jacket, the fabric rustling as she made her way out to unravel the mystery of Wang Xiao''s current whereabouts.


    _____


    In the cocoon of her room, Wang Xueying found herself perched on the edge of her bed, caught in a whirlwind of anticipation and nervous energy.


    ''H-He won''t really do it? Right...'' A rosy blush tinted her cheeks as her mind danced with both curiosity and hesitation. Seeking distraction, she reached for her phone, plunging into the vast expanse of online advice.


    [How to keep your boyfriend happy!]


    The tantalizing title alone sparked a cascade of vivid scenarios in her imagination. Scrolling through a plethora of articles, each promising insights into the intricacies of rtionships, she delved into the digital realm for guidance.


    *Knock...*


    The abrupt rap on her door jolted her, and in a hurried flurry, she stashed her phone away. "He''s here!"


    *Gasp!*


    Summoning courage, she took a deep breath, preparing to greet her brother with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The thought yed in her mind, ''Just a brother and sister, sharing a room? Nothing can go wrong... Right?''


    A suppressedugh bubbled within her as she swung the door open, only to be met with a twist of surprise ¨C not Wang Xiao but Zhang Sisi stood on the side.


    In the intimate sanctuary of her room, Wang Xueying''s excitement had reached its peak, only to plummet when a knock echoed through the stillness.


    "Oh, hi..." Wang Xueying greeted, her initial excitement deting like a balloon.


    Zhang Sisi peeked inside, confusion evident on her face. "Wang Xiao is not here...?" Her inquiry hung in the air like an unexpected storm cloud.


    ??


    Wang Xueying''s eyes blinked, a sudden chill sweeping through her. "What do you mean?" An uneasy tension gripped her voice.


    Slightly taken aback by the shift in atmosphere, Zhang Sisi managed to speak, "H-He didn''te back to the resort... We thought he should be here."


    "He didn''te back? What are you saying?" Wang Xueying''s disbelief and concern intertwined in her words.


    Zhang Sisi nodded, "He didn''t."


    "..."


    Wang Xueying''s expression tightened, and urgency reced the earlier anticipation. "Come with me." Without waiting for a response, she took Zhang Sisi''s hand, leading her towards Wang Jiarong to seek more information.


    The night, once brimming with the promise of something intense, now hung in the bnce of uncertainty.


    ____


    "He didn''te back?" Wang Jiarong''s voice echoed with a mix of concern and disbelief. Her face, once adorned with anticipation, now turned pale as urgency took over. Without a moment''s hesitation, she led them towards another building, a reserved enve for the third-year students.


    "Shenji, Xiao was with you, right?" Her direct inquiry cut through the air as she pushed open the door, entering the space designated for the older students.


    Inside, the scene unfolded with an unexpected tableau. Three boys, d in less-than-proper attire, greeted them. Despite the unconventional sight, Wang Jiarong''s focus honed in on Wu Shenji.


    !!


    Wu Shenji felt a tight clench in his chest at the sound of her voice. He flinched, a subtle reaction not lost on his roommate or the attentive duo of Wang Xueying and Zhang Sisi standing behind.


    "You know about it, right?" Wang Jiarong''s eyes narrowed, her tone demanding an immediate exnation.


    Wu Shenji''s stammered response echoed through the tense room as he evaded eye contact. "I-I."


    His hesitant words only served to stoke the mes of Wang Jiarong''s anger. With a surge of intensity, she closed the distance between them, seizing the cor of his attire in a twisting grip. "I told you not to do anything funny with him! Where is he, Shenji!"


    !!


    The sudden eruption of emotion left everyone in the room in a state of shock. Even Wang Xueying, unustomed to witnessing such scenes involving Wang Jiarong, found herself taken aback.


    Internally, Zhang Sisi congratted the man who would be Wang Jiarong''s future husband, recognizing the formidable challenge thaty ahead.


    Despite the varied reactions, Wang Jiarong''s infuriated eyes bore into Wu Shenji, demanding answers. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily upon her; she was the guardian of her siblings here. If anything happened to any of them, how could she face her family?


    Wu Shenji sighed, conceding to the pressure. "I will tell everything..."


    "You better do," Wang Jiarong nodded, though an undercurrent of unease lingered in her gaze.


    With a bitter look, Wu Shenji nodded, fully aware that this words would likely strain his rtionship with her even further.

 Chapter 74: The End: Wang Xiaos Death (3)

    As Wu Shenji disclosed the details of Wang Xiao''s fall from the cliff, Wang Jiarong couldn''t contain her frustration. "Why didn''t you tell me this before!" she yelled, her voice resonating with a mix of worry and anger.


    "F-Fell from the cliff...?" Wang Xueying muttered in shock, her eyes reflecting a nk disbelief.


    Realizing Wang Xueying was still present, Wang Jiarong turned to Zhang Sisi, urgently requesting, "Can you please take her back to the dorms?" Zhang Sisi, also shaken by the news, nodded and gently guided Wang Xueying away from the unsettling scene.


    Left alone with Wu Shenji, Wang Jiarong''s face darkened as she confronted him. "Did you tell anyone about this?" she questioned.


    Wu Shenji shook his head, and Wang Jiarong frowned, wondering why he hadn''t taken prompt action.


    Shouldn''t rescue operations have alreadymenced?


    In a swift response, she called the teachers, urgently conveying the distressing situation and prompting them to initiate immediate search and rescue efforts.


    Zhao Chen, Zhao Yang, and Hao Zemin were summoned, standing before the stern gaze of the teachers, each facing reprimands for their actions.


    Teacher Chen''s stern gaze bore into Zhao Chen, disappointment etched on his face. "Do you realize the gravity of your actions, Zhao Chen? Endangering a fellow student''s life for a mere revenge is beyond uneptable."


    Zhao Chen lowered his gaze, unable to meet the teacher''s eyes, a knot of guilt forming in his stomach.


    Teacher Li addressed Zhang Yang with a firm tone, "And you, Zhang Yang, you were part of this recklessness. Your irresponsibility could have resulted in a tragic oue."


    Zhang Yang gulped, his expression reflecting the weight of his actions.


    Hao Zemin faced Teacher Chen''s scrutiny, who spoke with a mix of sternness and concern, "You should have known better, Hao Zemin. This is not the behavior we expect from students in our care."


    Just as Teacher Chen was prepared to escte the disciplinary measures, Lei Xie intervened, her voice cutting through the tense air. "Teacher Chen, we should focus on rescuing Wang Xiao rather than reprimanding them right now."


    Her words cast a sudden chill over Zhao Chen, Zhang Yang, and Hao Zemin.


    The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on them, emotions of guilt, anger, and frustration swirling within as they realized the severity of the consequences stemming from their reckless actions.


    The entire atmosphere shifted as rescue teams were mobilized, helicopters hovering over the area in search of any signs of Wang Xiao. The urgency of the situation echoed through the night.


    *Thump-thump*


    The disconcerting sound reverberated, jolting everyone awake. Despite the teachers'' attempts to control the unfolding incident, it seemed to spiral out of control. The night was now a canvas of chaos.


    By this time, the truth of what had happened had spread among the students.


    "Wait until morning before calling your parents..."


    The teachers advised Wang Jiarong, who hesitated but reluctantly nodded. She sat outside on a stool, wrapped in a nket against the shivering cold. Her eyes were slightly moist, a whirlwind of emotions taking over, self-me gnawing at her conscience.


    "What if something terrible happens to him? How will I face our parents?"


    "I should have known he''d get into trouble. I''m supposed to protect him, not let him fall off cliffs."


    The self-me echoed in her mind, each usation a piercing reminder of her perceived failure.


    "I hope he''s okay. I hope we find him soon."


    As the night unfolded, Wang Jiarong''s internal turmoil intensified, the minutes dragging by like hours, each passing second amplifying her anxiety and guilt.


    _______


    8:00 am, 16th January 2024.


    As the continuous rescue operation unfolded, a sense of despair settled over the site of the avnche.


    Despite their efforts, nothing was found after scouring the area affected by the avnche.


    The traces of Wang Xiao disappeared beneath the thick snow, eroded by the elements.


    Now, the worst-case scenario loomed ¨C the possibility that he had be prey for some wild animal in the unforgiving wilderness.


    On the other hand, the best-case scenario offered a glimmer of hope ¨C that he had avoided serious injuries and was able to walk away from the site.


    Yet, the lingering question haunted everyone: If he could walk, why hadn''t he returned?


    The search persisted, but the discussions about canceling the trip had already started. Concerned parents reached out to the teachers, demanding answers as news of the incident began to leak.


    The once-promising trip had turned into a nightmare, overshadowed by uncertainty and fear.


    _____


    Back in Shanghai, the opulent Wang family residence was adorned with elegance. Xinyue Zhn, adorned in a traditional qipao, gracefully brought in a tray of meticulously prepared food for Wang Zhihao.


    She wore earbuds, engaged in what she expected to be a routine hour-long call with Wang Jiarong, eagerly anticipating details of the journey.


    As she entered the room, the aroma of the carefully crafted meal wafted through the air.


    Little did she know that the news she was about to receive would shatter the tranquility of the moment.


    The ear-piercing *boom* of a dropped tray resonated as the contents scattered on the floor, gravy sttering in all directions, even making its way towards the impably dressed Wang Zhihao.


    The sudden disturbance startled Wang Zhihao, who swiftly stood up, his well-tailored suit now bearing the unintended marks of the chaotic scene. "What are you doing!?" he demanded, his voice echoing in thevish surroundings.


    However, Xinyue Zhn stood frozen, her eyes reflecting an unsettling panic.


    Wang Zhihao, sensing the abnormality, furrowed his brows, seeking an exnation.


    "X-Xiao...h-he..." Xinyue Zhn, lips quivering, struggled to find words, her gaze shifting between the mess on the floor and Wang Zhihao.


    The lump in her throat hindered her ability to convey the distressing news about Wang Xiao.


    Wang Zhihao''s frown deepened, an unsettling feeling settling over him.


    Despite his sometimes overbearing nature, deep down, he cared intensely for his only son, Wang Xiao.


    The deviation from his expectations only added to the anxiety that now gripped him.


    "What happened to Xiao Wang?" he questioned urgently, the worry evident in his tone.


    The day took a dark turn, both of them hastily flying to Hongzhou.


    Restlessness permeated the air, not just for Wang Zhihao, but also for the dean of the academy whose peaceful night''s sleep was abruptly disrupted.


    The consequences of this incident could potentially have a severe impact on the school''s reputation, with the looming threat of government intervention that could lead to the school''s shutdown.


    The stakes were high, and time seemed to stretch endlessly for those anxiously awaiting news about Wang Xiao.


    ____


    Wang Zhihao''s face contorted with rage as he seized the Old Dean''s cor, his fingers digging into the fabric.


    Wang Zhihao, "I entrusted my son to your care! Now tell me, where is he? What have you done?"


    Old Dean, gasping for words,"We''re doing everything we can to find him. It''s a challenging situation."


    Wang Zhihao''s eyes burned with a mixture of fury and desperation.


    Wang Zhihao, "Challenging? My son is out there, and you call it challenging?!"


    Meanwhile, a paramedic approached Xinyue Zhn, holding out the recovered skiing equipment.


    Paramedic, "These were buried in the snow. They belong to your son. We''re continuing the search."


    Xinyue Zhn''s hands trembled as she took the items, her eyes filled with anguish.


    Xinyue Zhn, "He''s alive, I know it. He''s strong. Please, you have to find him!"


    Paramedic, "We''re exploring all possibilities, ma''am. He might be walking in the forest, but we need to consider other scenarios."


    Xinyue Zhn, tears streaming down her face, "No, he''s alive! He walked into the forest. He''sing back to us."


    In the background, Wang Xueying and Wang Jiarong, along with Wang Mei, watched the heated confrontation between Wang Zhihao and the Old Dean.


    Wang Zhihao, "You were supposed to ensure their safety! Where is my son?"


    Old Dean, stuttering, "We''re mobilizing all resources to find him. It''s a vast area, and the search is ongoing."


    Wang Zhihao''s eyes red with anger.


    Wang Zhihao, "Ongoing? While my son is out there, God knows where?!"


    Wang Jiarong, her voice tinged with urgency approahced them, "Dad, we need to focus on finding Xiao. Getting angry won''t help."


    Wang Zhihao, still seething, turned towards his daughters.


    Wang Zhihao, "Finding Xiao is the priority, but this ipetent fool..."


    Wang Jiarong, interrupting, "We''ll deal with itter. Right now, let''s help in the search."


    While this was happening, Xinyue Zhn clutched Wang Xiao''s skiing equipment, her eyes pleading with the paramedic.


    Xinyue Zhn, "Please, you have to find him. He''s resilient. He''ll find a way back to us."


    Paramedic, empathetically: "We''re doing our best, ma''am. Let''s hope for the best."


    As the scene unfolded, Wang Mei, the youngest of the siblings, couldn''t hold back her tears, feeling a mix of fear and helplessness.


    The night weighed heavily on their shoulders as Xinyue Zhn and Wang Zhihao sat in the dimly lit room, the air filled with tension and despair. The paramedic, a bearer of grim news, approached them cautiously.


    "As we temporarily pause the search, the helicopters will continue scouring the area. However, I must inform you that, since we haven''t found any bodies, there''s a chance that... your son... might have be prey to some wild animal..."

 Chapter 75: Into the Desolate Ocean!

    "As we temporarily pause the search, the helicopters will continue scouring the area. However, I must inform you that, since we haven''t found any bodies, there''s a chance that... your son... might have be prey to some wild¡ª"


    "No, he isn''t!" Xinyue Zhn''s voice cut through the somber atmosphere, a desperate plea.


    Wang Zhihao''s expression darkened, a mix of grief and frustration etched on his face.


    The paramedic took a deep breath, "I hope for the best, but he should have returned to the base camp by now."


    "He must have run away!" Xinyue Zhn''s usation hung in the air.


    "Run away? Ma''am, can you exin?" The paramedic couldn''t help but question, his curiosity tinged with skepticism, leaving Wang Zhihao bewildered.


    Xinyue Zhn turned around, pointing usingly at Wang Zhihao. "It''s you; you were always scolding him! He ran away because of you!"


    The paramedic, speaking cautiously, "Ma''am, it''s a challenging situation, and emotions are high. Let''s not jump to conclusions."


    Wang Zhihao, adopting a defensive stance, countered, "He wouldn''t run away. We might have our disagreements, but he''s not that impulsive."


    Xinyue Zhn, her eyes filled with tears, responded, "You never understand him! Always pushing him, scolding him. He might have wanted to escape it all."


    The weight of her words hit Wang Zhihao, and he softened, realizing the impact of his actions.


    Wang Zhihao reassured, "Xinyue, we''ll find him. He''s our son, and he wouldn''t abandon us like this."


    Xinyue Zhn, overwhelmed with emotions, admitted, "I just... I just can''t bear the thought of something happening to him."


    The paramedic, trying to console them, said, "We''ll continue the search at first light. There''s hope."


    ________


    It was a somber eve on January 21st, 2024, for the Wang Family, standing in stark contrast to the festive atmosphere enveloping the nation.


    Amidst the crackling of firecrackers, the Wang household wore a cloak of sorrow.


    The air thickened as mechanically consumed meals barely bridged the gap between family members, each retreating to the solitude of their rooms.


    A week psed, marked by the cessation of search operations. Wang Xiao, once full of life, now lingered in the realm of presumption of demise, casting a shadow over the once vibrant celebrations.


    The atmosphere within the Wang Family remained heavy with uncertainty and grief.


    In the obscure depths of another dwelling, an unsettling disturbance echoed. The metallic resonance of fallen utensils pierced the air.


    *nk...*


    A pair of trembling, white hands, unmistakably feminine, tried to steady themselves.


    Her voice quivered, "I-Impossible..."


    Yet, her body betrayed her, sumbing to an unseen force. Knees gave way, meeting the cold floor, as herplexion drained of color.


    "W-Why..."


    The weight of the unknown bore down on her, tears streaming down a face unustomed to such vulnerability.


    Two decades of stoic resilience shattered in that moment, as the anguish she had long suppressed welled up, finding its release in silent sobs.


    As the room remained cloaked in uncertainty, the woman clutched at the hem of her dress, her voice barely audible amidst the tumult of emotions.


    "No... this can''t be happening."


    The resonance of her words hung in the air, a desperate plea for an exnation that eluded her.


    "Please, not now."


    Her trembling hands cradled a secret she couldn''t fathom, and with each passing moment, the weight of the revtion pressed harder on her fragileposure.


    "I never thought it woulde to this... Why now..."


    The words wavered between resignation and disbelief, a silent conversation with the unforeseen turns life had taken.


    "I can''t let anyone see me like this..."


    As the tears flowed freely, she struggled to regain control, aware that the shadows that lurked in her life were not meant for public unveiling.


    The mystery deepened, veiled in her silent sobs, leaving the true nature of her anguish concealed in the shadows.


    ______


    As the New Year unfolded, surprises emerged not only for others but also for Wang Xiao himself.


    Beneath the expansive canvas of the South China Sea''s moonlit night, a behemoth of maritime engineering sliced through the waves. The ship, a titanic silhouette in the darkness,manded the ocean''s respect with its imposing masts and fortified hull, navigating the unknown with a mysterious purpose.


    Within the bowels of one of its sealed containers, an oppressive darkness shrouded a gathering of innocent souls. The air, dense and pregnant with uncertainty, carried the subdued symphony of stifled whispers and quiet, trembling sobs. Amid this suffocating abyss, Wang Xiao stirred, consciousness slowly reiming its grip.


    A solitary bulb cast feeble beams of light, illuminating the faces of children huddled together, their eyes mirrors of profound fear. Fragile frames shivered in the cold, a poignant tableau of vulnerability within the confines of steel walls.


    As Wang Xiao awoke, disorientation etched across his face, the surroundings offered no sce, only a haunting void where memories once resided.


    Wang Xiao whispered, "Where... where am I?"


    In the dim-lit container, the feeble light trembled, casting wavering shadows that danced like specters on the walls.


    Wang Xiao looking around the ce, furrowed his brows in confusion, "What''s happening? Where are we going?"


    An equally perplexed voice emerged from the obscure recesses, shrouded in the darkness.


    Unknown Voice resonated with uncertainty. "I don''t know. They took us from our homes, and now we''re here."


    A chorus of muted whispers joined the discourse, each voice a thread in the grand maze of uncertainty that wrapped around them.


    The Child''s Voice, a delicate whisper, expressed a longing. "I want to go home."


    Another voice,ced with fear, cut through the darkness.


    Fearful Voice inquired anxiously. "What do they want with us?"


    As the ship sailed its odyssey through the secretive waves of the South China Sea, the steel container cradled its cargo of unanswered questions and palpable disquiet.


    The air within bore the oppressive weight of the unknown.


    Wang Xiao, trapped in abyrinth of confusion, clung to the flickering hope that beyond the steel confines, answers awaited, possibly lifting of the veil from this mystery.


    After what felt like an eternity, the steel doors groaned open, a figure draped in an unidentifiable military uniform stepped into the dim-lit enclosure, cradling a box.


    The unfamiliar insignia on the uniform heightened Wang Xiao''s unease.


    "We''re running low on food. Eat this!" Themand echoed sternly, the gaze sweeping past the huddled children, casting an involuntary shiver through the container''s confined air.


    With purposeful precision, the uniformed figure set the box down, a silent offering steeped in an aura of authority, and retreated with a disdainful flicker in his eyes.


    *Boom!*


    The reverberation of the closing door triggered a collective response. Like hungry wolves sensing prey, the children descended upon the box, their urgency palpable.


    A voice, small but determined, cut through the hungry rustling.


    Young Voice: "Finally, something to eat!"


    Another, a bit older, eyed the contents skeptically.


    Skeptical Voice: "What is this stuff, anyway?"


    Amid the scavenging, a child with a voiceced with curiosity addressed Wang Xiao.


    Curious Voice: "Do you think there''s more where this came from?"


    Wang Xiao, peering into the box, contemted the assortment of white bread and sausages. His concern deepened as he surveyed the room.


    Wang Xiao: "Are there only kids here?" The pallor on every face confirmed his observation; there was not a single soul that could be deemed an adult.


    Grumble...


    A low grumble echoed through the confined space, and suddenly, Wang Xiao''s own stomach protested audibly. He nced down at his own form, astonishment etched across his face.


    "W-What?" he uttered, his voice a mixture of surprise and disbelief. His clothes hung on him like rags, a tattered testament to neglect, and his body mirrored the state of deprivation.


    "H-How many days has it been?" Wang Xiao wondered aloud, his mind beginning to whirl.


    "Argh!" A sudden surge of pain gripped his head, prompting him to clutch it in agony.


    ''Hey, stupid! First get that food!''


    A voice, seemingly from within his own mind, jolted him back to the present. Wang Xiao lifted his head, hunger-inflicted eyes casting a desperate nce toward the cardboard box. He staggered weakly toward it.


    "E-Empty?"


    By the time he reached the box, the supplies had vanished, leaving nothing for him but the bitter reality of an empty container.


    Seeing him standing alone near the emptied box, a girl of about eight couldn''t resist approaching him tentatively. "Y-You want it...?"


    !!


    Wang Xiao pivoted instinctively, swiftly snatching the bread from her outstretched hand and devouring it like a starving ghost.


    "Cough! Cough!"


    Choking on the dryness, his eyes scanned the corner and discovered, fortunately, a water cooler. He lunged toward it, turning the tap and guzzling down the water.


    *Gulp... Gulp...*


    The girl who had generously offered her food stood there, astonished. Her eyes welled up with near-tears as Wang Xiao, driven by his gnawing hunger, unwittingly seized all of her provisions.


    ''Why is the waster so delicious today!?'' Wang Xiao couldn''t help but think, while continuing to gulp down more of it.


    .


    .


    .


    [A/N: Please don''tpare the actual chinese new year dates with the one refrenced in the novel]

 Chapter 76: Demon!

    "Here, take this." A ray of kindness cut through the desperation as another child stepped forward, offering half of his meager portion to Wang Xiao.


    The neer, a bit more vocal, scolded Wang Xiao sharply. "Hey, you can''t just snatch someone''s food like this! We''re all stuck in this together. If we want any chance of surviving, we must work together. Learn the rules."


    "Exactly!"


    "You can''t just take!"


    "Learn how we do things!"


    As the chants swirled behind him, Wang Xiao''s expression tightened. Without uttering a word, he turned around, his silence bing a canvas for the unspoken tension.


    *Boom!*


    "Shut the **** up!" The retaliation was swift and brutal, a clenched fist finding its mark on the short-haired boy, their self-proimed leader, who had been vocally enforcing the so-called rules.


    *Argh!"


    The boy''s cry resonated through the confined space as he clutched his bleeding nose. "What the hell are you doing!?" His usatory yell reverberated, the scene plunged into confusion and chaos.


    Wang Xiao, indifferent to the escting tension, pressed on, his voice a potent force in the charged atmosphere. "Are there only kids here!?"


    !!


    His inquiry reverberated, a sudden thunderp in the hushed container, sending a collective shiver down everyone''s spine. Bewilderment painted the faces of those present until one keen observer noticed his peculiar eyes, whispering in terror, "D-Demon..."


    "What!?" Wang Xiao''s own incredulity reverberated, echoing through the confined space. The revtion rippled through the group, a sudden realization that cast an eerie shadow over him.


    A child, wide-eyed and trembling, dared to voice the fear lingering in the air. "He''s a demon! I heard stories about those eyes!"


    The word ''demon'' hung like a heavy cloud, and Wang Xiao, caught in the undertow of their fear, felt the weight of their collective gaze. The container seemed to constrict, and he sensed the growing distance as people edged away.


    Wang Xiao, his mind racing, mumbled to himself, "No, it''s not good...."


    Before he could grasp the unfolding chaos, echoes of screams reverberated, blending into a collective cry that transformed the once-muted atmosphere into a cacophony. The confined space became a whirlwind of confusion, with Wang Xiao unwittingly thrust into the center of attention.


    Panicked voices intertwined, each contributing to the chaotic symphony. Someone yelled, "Demon among us!" while another cried, "He''s cursed!" Fearful voices rose in a dissonant chorus, each note a tremor of terror.


    A child''s voice, choked with tears, wailed, "I want to go home!" Another, ovee with fear, added, "Make it stop!" The cries of the children merged with the panicked shouts, creating a discordant melody of distress.


    Caught in the tumult, Wang Xiao struggled toprehend the sudden turn of events. The eyes that once questioned now faced scrutiny, and the istion he felt moments ago amplified into a deafening storm of chaos.


    "What....?"


    A gasp of disbelief escaped his lips, freezing him in a momentary stupor. He instinctively took a step back, only to be abruptly halted by the creaking reopening of the steel gates.


    !!


    "Why are you brats creating so much noise!?"


    The figure in military uniform returned, his authoritative voice slicing through the chaos. As the stern gaze swept across the bewildered faces, Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed in surprise. "An eagle...?"


    His mind raced through a mental as of countries, flipping through memories beforending on a piece of memory.


    Country M!


    The realization hit him with a jolt of uncertainty. Why were they here? And why did their Chinese flow so effortlessly?


    A flicker of suspicion crossed Wang Xiao''s face as he contemted the possibilities. Smuggling?


    The mere notion ignited a surge of urgency within him. Escape became an imperative thought, fueled not just by fear but by the visceral instinct to avoid bing a pawn in a sinister game yed by shadowy figures.


    The Armyman, Joseph, surveyed the chaotic scene, his stern eyes taking in the disarray. ''These brats were so silent for thest week, what happened now?... Oh... So here it is...'' His gaze homed in on Wang Xiao, noticing the uneasy tension surrounding him and another boy with a bleeding nose.


    "Hey Kid, what''s your name!"


    "What are you doing in this container!"


    He furrowed his brow, realizing that the height of the children they required didn''t align with Wang Xiao; he was taller than their specifications!


    Suddenly, a hand rested on Joseph''s back, a figure even taller and bulkier than him. A voice in English cut through the confusion, "What happened?"


    "General!" Joseph straightened instantly.


    Cain, eyes narrowed, focused on the unfolding scene, finally fixing his gaze on Wang Xiao. "So you finally woke up... Huh..."


    "You know me?" Wang Xiao asked, confusion etched across his face.


    Cain''s eyes flickered with recognition, memories of discovering this guy buried in the snow during their passage through the dense forests of China surfacing.


    "General, you know him?" Joseph inquired.


    Cain''s countenance abruptly shifted, his expression hardening. "He is taller than needed for going into the tunnel, lock him together with that weird girl!"


    !!


    Joseph briskly nodded, responding with a crisp, "Yes, general!"


    ''Together with that weird girl?'' Wang Xiao furrowed his brow as Joseph guided him outside. ''What tunnel are they talking about?''


    He stole onest glimpse at the stern visage of Cain, etching it into his memory, before the door nged shut, casting him into the stark, blinding light outside.


    The abrupt transition left Wang Xiao standing in the harsh glow, engulfed by a myriad of unanswered questions.


    !?


    "What¡ª"


    Wang Xiao instinctively shielded his eyes from the harsh light before his pupils gradually adjusted, revealing the vast expanse of the horizon.


    "Sea...?"


    His initial reaction morphed into bewilderment as he took in the panorama. They were adrift on the open sea inside a ship? The salty breeze and the rhythmic lull of the waves beneath them intensified the surreal atmosphere.


    "Is it the South China Sea? Where are we going?" He couldn''t help but voice his perplexity.


    "Shut your mouth, and walk forward!" Joseph''smand was curt, apanied by a firm push that propelled Wang Xiao a step forward.


    Wang Xiao staggered, inhaling deeply as he navigated the twists and turns under Joseph''s guidance. The surroundings revealed a tableau of military personnel, each armed with semi-automatic rifles. The ship exuded an air of imprable security, far beyond the realm of a mere pirate vessel.


    A chilling realization crept over him ¨C he had stumbled upon something significant, something monumental.


    Whatever it was, Wang Xiao knew he was entrenched in deep trouble.


    The need for children, especially those of shorter stature, unveiled a sinister purpose.

 Chapter 77: First Supernatural Encounter: Unknown Girl

    Trapped on the ship, Wang Xiao realized jumping off would only worsen matters, risking not only the treacherous waters but also the peril of gunfire.


    It soon became ringly apparent that the ship was a floating prison of children, the numbers reaching into the hundreds, if not thousands.


    ''What is happening here...?''


    The gravity of the situation, initially serious and dangerous, metamorphosed into something surreal, leaving Wang Xiao grappling with a reality he couldn''t fathom.


    The ship, once a vessel navigating the seas, had transformed into an enigma, its cargo of captive children evoking a sense of incredulity that even Wang Xiao couldn''t wrap his head around.


    The mystery deepened, and the surreal nature of the unfolding events left him suspended in a state of disbelief and uncertainty.


    As if the bewilderment wasn''t enough, Wang Xiao found himself unceremoniously thrown into a makeshift jail cell.


    The bars, like twisted fingers, offered glimpses of the outside world, a cruel reminder of freedom just out of reach.


    *Click*


    The jarring sound marked Joseph locking the cell before striding away, leaving Wang Xiao alone in the echoing silence.


    "Didn''t he say there was someone else here as well?"


    Wang Xiao, standing within the almost empty cell, furrowed his brow in confusion.


    !!


    A sudden shift in temperature sent a shiver down his spine, freezing him momentarily. His body moved on autopilot as he turned around, pupils dting in anticipation. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he recognized the unexpectedpanion within the confines of the cell.


    "Fuuu... You scared me..."


    He dropped to the ground, his gaze fixed on the person who shared this unexpected and surreal captivity.


    "Who are you?" Wang Xiao asked, his curiosity piqued.


    The girl before him, with eyes akin to glistening pearls, blinked in response. Standing at his height, her worn and tattered clothes failed to obscure the wlessness of her skin, which appeared as smooth as jade. Strands of hair, reminiscent of a mesmerizing rainbow, fell around her like silken threads. The surreal beauty of her appearance left Wang Xiao questioning the limits of his perception.


    "Are you from here?"


    "Can you speak English?... ÖÐÎÄ...? Deutsch, §²§å§ã§ã§Ü§Ú§Û? Anything???" Wang Xiao attempted tomunicate, throwing out basic words from variousnguages he had encountered.


    However, the girl remained unresponsive, as if locked in a silent world of her own, leaving Wang Xiao puzzled and increasingly uncertain of the reality surrounding them.


    With a slight, hesitant look, she raised her small hand toward him. Intrigued, Wang Xiao watched as her delicate fingers traced over his face.


    Her touch revealed skin unusually soft, devoid of the signs of malnutrition that marked his own.


    Her lips, tempting him to unravel the mysteries of her presence, stirred conflicting thoughts within Wang Xiao.


    Though mentally tempted, his physical strength allowed him only the lifting of small rocks, not the lifting of girls in his current state.


    Woosh!


    In the midst of his internal conflict, the girl''s crystal-like eyes emitted a blinding light,pelling him to shut his eyes tightly.


    "Wh-what!?"


    Upon hastily reopening his eyes, she was nowhere to be seen, as if she had evaporated into thin air.


    "W-Where did she go?"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened in shock, his gaze nervously darting around the now-empty cell. The girl had vanished as if she had never existed.


    "Was it an illusion?"


    "No!"


    "It certainly wasn''t an illusion!"


    "Hey, you guys saw her as well, right?" Wang Xiao, desperately seeking confirmation, addressed the invisible audience that seemed to elude him. However, only an eerie silence responded to his hopeful inquiry.


    "..."


    "... Am I going mad?" Wang Xiao questioned, a tinge of terror coloring his words.


    Yet, soon, he heaved a deep sigh of relief, finding a corner to sit, adopting a monk-like posture as if to force his racing thoughts into submission.


    In the midst of Wang Xiao''s internal struggle, Joseph reported to Cain, "General, I have locked both of them together, but why not just kill them? They aren''t needed!"


    Cain''s face contorted into a frown, his brows furrowing in profound contemtion. "We can''t kill them here; wait until we arrive at the Antic Sea. We''ll dispose of them there."


    Joseph, with a visible unease, voiced his concern. "But General, wouldn''t it be better to eliminate them now and avoid any risks during transportation?"


    Cain''s gaze held steady, reflecting a resolute determination. "No, Joseph. We must ensure a seamless operation. Their fate awaits them at the Antic Sea. Any deviation from the n could jeopardize everything."


    The gravity of the decision lingered, palpable in the tense silence. Joseph, with a reluctant nod, disyed his understanding. "Understood, General. I''ll ensure they remain secure until we reach our destination."


    Cain, his expression unwavering, delivered the final directive. "Time is of the essence. We cannot afford any mistakes. Proceed with caution, and we''ll deal with them once we arrive. Remember, Joseph, we yet don''t know whether these children are being sent on a journey to hell or heaven! Make sure they are fed well."


    Joseph''s eyes flickered with uncertainty. "We don''t know? Wasn''t it the way to heaven?"


    Cain''s bitter smile carried a note of irony. "We yet don''t know what happens inside. The kids that go in nevere back, and even those who do return with supernatural abilities and a bloodlust we have never seen. What do you think would turn them like that? Do you still think there is heaven inside? Don''t let your eyes deceive you!"


    Joseph''s face took on a slight grimness as he nodded inwardly.


    Inwardly, he was shaken. Did this mean they were sending thousands of children every day into the pit of hell?


    The thought sent shivers down his spine, prompting him to retreat, avoiding this unsettling topic as everyone else did.


    The haunting reality of their actions lingered in the air, a collective silence shielding them from the implications of the dark truth they dared not confront.


    The journey to the Antic Sea persisted for the next five weeks. Everything unfolded with an eerie sense of normalcy; no one came to inspect Wang Xiao''s cell, food was slid in without interaction, and it seemed as though he had been forgotten.


    In the confines of his cell, Wang Xiao received only two meager portions of food during thesest five weeks. The conditions were deplorable¡ªan old, broken toilet seat entuated the squalor surrounding him.


    Yet, the additional rations served a dual purpose. While they sustained him physically, they also contributed to the restoration of his energy and rity of mind. Most importantly, they solidified the undeniable truth: whatever he had witnessed wasn''t a mere illusion.


    That girl was here!


    She was real!


    And she had vanished right before his eyes.

 Chapter 78: Lost in the ocean! Reached Paradise! (1)

    29th February, 2024


    "The Paradise...


    The deration ¡ª an unspoken promise that sent shivers through the assembled crew.


    "It''s here...."


    A collective gasp, like a symphony of disbelief, echoed across the deck. Eyes widened, hearts quickened, as the revtion unfolded.


    Shocked murmurs echoed as each sailor turned their gaze toward the canvas of the nightscape, a masterpiece painted on the canvas of the nowhere Antic sea. The ethereal glow of the northern lights projected into the sky, casting a spell of sheer brilliance. It was a celestial dance, a prelude to the spectacle awaiting them.


    The ship sailed through the tranquil waters, an intrepid explorer navigating the uncharted expanse. Each soldier, a protagonist in this maritime odyssey, gazed upon the horizon where their destiny unfolded in the shimmering darkness.


    The northern lights wove tales of magic, illuminating the path to a promised paradise. A covenant etched in the silent pact between the crew and the cosmos, binding them to the allure of the unknown.


    "General, we will dock at Frostholm within the next 30 minutes, with no casualties reported throughout the entire journey," Joseph finished his report, Cain, the warhardened general, fixated his gaze like daggers upon the uing territory.


    Thend, visible from afar, painted an illusion of paradise, a mirage enticing the weary travelers. But in the heart of this Edeny the veiled dangers, known only to those who dared to venture into the unknown abyss.


    "What about those two kids in the cell?" Cain inquired solemnly, the memory of unwanted passengers lingering in the ship''s confines.


    Joseph hesitated, then replied, "Those two are alive as well, General." He tactfully avoided mentioning the oversight in checking on them, banking on the assumption that the emptiness of their tes each day masked any potential issues.


    Cain''s eyes narrowed, fixating on Joseph. "Good. You know what to do with them, right?" The weight of the general''s stare bore down on Joseph, who shivered before nodding affirmatively. "Yes, General."


    An inward sigh escaped Joseph as he processed the unspoken directive. Finally tasked with the unsavory duty, he couldn''t escape the realization that the general preferred to keep his hands clean.


    _________


    Within the confines of the cell, Wang Xiaoy in a corner, cocooned in slumber. His eyshes fluttered before he gingerly ced a hand above his face, shielding himself from the intrusive light. "Umhmm? It''s already day...."


    As he roused, the surroundings remained an ethereal white, a surreal dreamscape. The mystery deepened, and he strained to see beyond the luminosity. Delicate strands of rainbow-colored hair, captured in the brilliance, drew his attention, and he murmured in realization, "It''s you...!"


    The girl, a spectral presence, stood with closed eyes, her gaze directed at him. Slowly, she raised her hands, gesturing towards the cell''s exit, which had been securely locked until now.


    Wang Xiao followed her gaze, and to his bewilderment, the once-locked door now stood slightly open. "... It was open the whole time!?" he wondered, his astonishment echoing through the cell.


    Was it nothing more than a self-imposed illusion, a mental shackle he had unwittingly ced upon himself while the door, in truth, was never locked?


    In that moment of reflection, Wang Xiao acknowledged that he had never truly tested the door.


    Whoosh!


    An unexpected sound shattered the stillness, causing Wang Xiao to pivot in cautious response. The once-blinding light had vanished, leaving only the echoes of its brilliance and the absence of the enigmatic girl. "Again?"


    Stunned, he shook his head, determined to grasp the truth. Approaching the door, he reached for the handle.


    *Creak...*


    The door groaned in reluctant surrender, sending an involuntary shiver down Wang Xiao''s spine. Relief flooded his senses as he stepped into an unguarded realm at the rear of the ship.


    A triumphant smile adorned his face, the realization of freedom sinking in.


    _______


    Amidst the lost time of the ocean, in the deepest cracks, another surreal world unfurled its existence...


    In those crays,ys a whole together another world, filled with the dormant life assumed to have long disappered from the face of the.


    Near those cracks, the current was so high that no surveince ever managed to get past it without getting destroyed, but the collosal beasts that lived within, had a skin that can''t even be pierced by bullets, the currents unaffecting then, as some lived in the boiling water.


    It was as if, a ocean hosted another earth under it, something ancient and majestic.


    Beneath the unfathomable depths, where the ocean whispers its ancient secrets, a dormant behemoth stirred. The very fabric of the sea seemed to quiver as the colossal creature, a whale of majestic proportions, began to rouse from a slumber that transcended the annals of time.


    A deep resonance echoed through the water, settling like a seismic murmur across the hidden expanse. The creature, not a mere twenty or thirty meters, but a leviathan surpassing a hundred, unfolded its colossal form. Its eyes, once veiled in the darkness of the abyss, now gleamed with an unearthly intelligence, catching the ambient light filtering from above.


    Boom!


    As the behemoth ascended, the ocean shook in awe and horror.


    The colossal whale breached the surface with a surge that sent cascading waves in every direction. The sheer power of its emergence was a spectacle, the sea trembling beneath the weight of this ancient leviathan.


    In that moment, the creature''s eyes, sharper than harpoons, fixated on the world above. They mirrored the shadow of a cargo ship that floated unsuspecting on the surface.


    The whale''s ascent carried with it an aura of primordial majesty, as if the ocean itself had birthed a guardian from the depths, a sentinel of times long forgotten.


    Above the surface, the currents were felt, and Cian''s eyes narrowed as he walked towards the edge instantly. "What is that? Focus the lights over there!" he yelled, his voice cutting through the night air.


    The crew aboard the cargo ship scrambled, responding to Cian''s urgency. Floodlights swung into action, their beams converging on the disturbance in the water. The restless sea, stirred by the awakening leviathan, seemed to shimmer with an eerie glow.


    Whoosh!


    Amidst the mesmerizing disy, the colossal whale breached the surface, its massive body soaring over the sea.


    Gasps of awe escaped the crew, enchanted by the creature''s ethereal dance with the Northern lights.


    Amidst the mesmerized crew, a weathered sailor named Jake erupted, "Captain, it''s a whale! But it''s like none we''ve ever seen before!"


    The colossal creature arched in the air, casting a spell of hushed awe over the ship. Yet, as reality dawned, an undercurrent of panic surged. "Hold on tight! Brace for impact!" Cian''s urgentmand sliced through the tension.


    "It''s descending!"


    "Oh my god! It''sing down on us!"


    "Is this doomsday?"


    "Hold on, everyone!"

 Chapter 79: Lost in the ocean! Reached Paradise! (2)

    "Oh my god! It''sing down on us!"


    "Is this doomsday?"


    "Hold on, everyone!"


    In the midst of the frantic cries, Wang Xiao, in the throes of his escape, caught sight of the colossal shadow. His steps halted, and he muttered in stunned disbelief, "What the hell is that...?"


    Crew members clung desperately to railings, eyes wide with terror, as the once-majestic whale, now a looming threat, descended ominously toward them.


    Booooom!


    The ship shook in the wake of the colossal impact, the creature crashing into the sea, unleashing waves that surged in all directions.


    Panic seized the crew as the vessel rocked violently, teetering on the precipice of disaster. The Captain''s urgent voice pierced through the chaos, "Mayday! Mayday! We''re going down!"


    The once-tranquil night morphed into a tumultuous nightmare as the cargo ship confronted the unpredictable fury of the awakened giant beneath the waves.


    In the unfolding chaos,


    Wang Xiao felt the ship tilt, the creature looming directly over it, transforming everyone at the front into a bloody mess. He slid, narrowly escaping the carnage as he struck the edge of the ship, shielded by his position at the rear.


    Sirens red, casting an eerie crimson glow across the ship as the whale''s colossal body convulsed once more.


    It leaped back into the water, leaving a monstrous wave in its wake, propelling the ship forward like an unstoppable tsunami.


    The vessel now became a pawn in the merciless dance between the sea and the awakened ancient monster.


    !?


    Thest vision that imprinted on Wang Xiao''s consciousness was a colossal tsunami wave, a watery giant ready to engulf him, before darkness descended once more.


    On the coast of the Frostholm nation, guards eagerly anticipating the ship''s arrival found themselves paralyzed with shock. All they witnessed was an ominous shadow shrouding the vessel, and then it began to sink.


    "W-What happened all of a sudden?" They sat in the watchtowers, exposed to the biting cold, disbelief evident in their wide eyes. Goggles were hastily removed, as if hoping to confirm the harsh reality.


    "The ship!"


    "The ship is sinking!"


    "Dispatch the coastguards, quickly!"


    As the rm spread, the urgency echoed through the watchtower. One guard, squinting against the bitter wind, eximed, "I''ve never seen anything like this. It''s like a nightmaree to life!"


    Another, gripping the edge of the tower, added, "Look at that wave! It''s as if the sea itself is angry."


    Meanwhile, within the militarymand center, amander barked orders, "Close the perimeter! We need to contain the situation. Deploy every avable unit to assist the coastguards."


    On the small boats racing towards the disaster site, the chatter was a mix of concern and determination.


    "Ready the lifeboats! We need to rescue as many as we can!"


    "I hope there are survivors. This is going to be a challenging rescue mission."


    Back at the watchtowers, a guard muttered to himself, "This doesn''t make sense. What could cause a ship to sink like that?"


    As the coastguards approached the sinking vessel, the urgency magnified.


    "Prepare for rescue operations! Keep an eye out for any survivors in the water!"


    "It''s a tragedy, but we have a duty to save lives. Let''s do everything we can."


    The once-anticipated arrival of the ship had transformed into a scene of urgency and uncertainty, prompting a coordinated effort to understand the aftermath of the mysterious encounter at sea.


    As the military perimeter tightened, a high-ranking official, observing the unfolding chaos from amand center, ordered, "Close off the area. We can''t let the news leak to the civillians!"


    Amidst the ban on approaching the coast, a small protest unfolded against the foreign military that had allegedly upied their home country under the guise of providing security.


    The situation appeared suspicious, and the natives of Frostholm took to the streets, voicing their discontent.


    However, their efforts were overshadowed by the stark reality that their country, with its small poption, stood little chance against the might of the world''s strongest military.


    Witnesses to the scene, unable to challenge the upying force, turned to prayer as a sense of impending doom settled over thend.


    The headlines echoed the unrest, and rumors of a colossal creature, resurrected from ancient legends, began to circte.


    The murmurs of this creature being the harbinger of civilization''s end spread like wildfire, instilling unease even in the bravest souls.


    The rescue operations, upon reaching the wreckage, were met with a horrifying sight¡ªthe water above the sunken ship stained red.


    Almost everyone on board had perished, and among the lifeless, Joseph''s torn body floated, a haunting scenery that left the cause of death shrouded in mystery.


    It seemed as though some unknown entity had ruthlessly torn him apart, leaving no chance of survival.


    But the whale was too big to be a culprit?


    So what was the real cause?


    "Idiots, get away from here!!!"


    As Cain''s eyes shot open, he found himself with severed legs, bloodshot eyes instantly zing with urgency.


    The doctors on the smaller vessels were bewildered, small shadows beginning to float on the surface.


    "!?"


    "Towards the coast, quick!!!!" Cain yelled once more, desperation overriding the pain from his severed legs.


    "Sir, what happened? Can you exin?" a soldier attempted reason, but Cain extended his hands, catching the soldier''s cor. "Get us away from here! Right now!" His eyes bore into the soldier with a ruthless glint, beneath which lurked the fear consuming him.


    Whatever Cain had witnessed in those moments would undoubtedly haunt him for ages toe. The soldier, still trembling in fear, nodded, conveying the urgency of the situation to the captain, who immediately set the course towards the coast.


    As they retreated, eerie squealing noises emanated from the oceans, and crimson-painted beasts emerged, their voices echoing like cruelughter, sending shivers through everyone present.


    "Is ... Is that a dolphin!?" Someone questioned, recognizing the group of creatures.


    "It''s not! A dolphin doesn''t eat live humans!" Cain yelled, urgency in his voice, urging them to sail faster.


    "Eat live humans!?"


    A collective gasp of fear echoed as the grim reality sank in. The sea was teeming with monstrous entities, a discovery too nightmarish to fullyprehend. The unison gasp was followed by a unanimous decision¡ªthey had to escape this hellish nightmare, abandoning all rescue operations, as the general was already secured.

 Chapter 80: The lost Island (1)

    The waves thundered relentlessly against the deste shore, a cacophony of nature''s fury echoing in Wang Xiao''s ears. The coastline, strewn with the remnants of shattered wood and sporadic vegetation, stretched out before him.


    A dense forest loomed beyond, its secrets concealed within the haunting shadows.


    *Cough... Cough....*


    Wang Xiao awoke with a jolt, disoriented and gasping for breath.


    Violent coughs wracked his body as he expelled sea water, the taste lingering bitter on his tongue. Numbness gripped him, a stark reminder of the cold embrace of the ocean.


    "What... where am I?" he muttered, his voice barely audible against the roaring waves.


    As he struggled to collect his thoughts, the surroundings came into focus. Birch trees, their branches weighed down by moisture, stood sentinel beside him. The air was heavy with the aftermath of rain, the forest dripping with a spectral serenity. Yet, an unsettling calm pervaded the atmosphere.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze darted around, searching for answers in the silent wilderness. "Did I wash ashore? How did I end up here?" he pondered aloud, the questions hanging in the air like mist.


    A chilling breeze rustled through the drenched leaves, whispering secrets only the forest knew.


    The water clinging to the birch branches seemed to freeze, creating an ethereal tableau of suspended time.


    In the midst of this mysteriousndscape, Wang Xiao''s journey into the unknown had just begun, and the mysterious forest held its secrets close, waiting to unveil the tales written in thenguage of wind and waves.


    *Shiver...*


    A cold gust swept through Wang Xiao''s thin clothes, an unwee reminder of the harsh chill that clung to this deste ce, already enough to numb his legs.


    ''Hey, kid, you survived...''


    ''Haha, I knew you wouldn''t kick the bucket so easily! A cockroach...''


    Wang Xiao scowled at the two shadows that materialized before him. "Do you have any clue how I made it out alive?" he inquired.


    Both shadows shook their heads, their silhouettes steeped in mystery. With a resigned sigh, Wang Xiao pressed deeper into the forest, the damp earth beneath his feet yielding softly.


    ''Why are you going in?''


    ''Yeah, why? Do you have a death wish?''


    Wang Xiao nonchntly shrugged, the ragged remnants of his pants clinging damply to his legs. "Without the right tools, I''m as good as fish food. The humidity here is insane. Once the rain hits, this beach bes my graveyard."


    ''So you''ve got a brain!''


    ''Haha, Wang Xiao, you sly dog!''


    A wry smile yed on Wang Xiao''s lips. He nodded, acknowledging the unexpected camaraderie, before sighing and pushing deeper into the heart of the mysterious forest.


    *Tip...*


    *Tip...*


    True to his estimation, the sun remained a distant memory. The sky transformed, a canvas of brooding clouds that cast thendscape into an eerie darkness. Then, the heavens unleashed their fury¡ªa torrential downpour that drenched everything in its path. Each raindrop felt like a miniature assault, with Wang Xiao marching forward, a lone figure battling against the relentless forces of nature.


    _______


    The rain beat down mercilessly, its rhythmic drumming creating a symphony of nature''s wrath. Wang Xiao sought refuge against the gnarled trunk of a tree, his half-torn pants clinging ufortably to his legs.


    A heavy sigh escaped him, the weight of uncertainty pressing on his shoulders.


    Was this unfamiliar realm to be his final chapter?


    ''How about ast tribute?''


    Wang Xiao''sughter echoed in the rain-soaked silence. "You bastards can take your tribute and shove it!"


    His chuckle carried a mix of defiance and resignation, a bizarre humor in the face of impending truth.


    The concept of a tribute in this deste ce felt like a cruel joke yed by an unseen force.


    Amidst the downpour, Wang Xiao couldn''t escape the gravity of his own thoughts. He sighed, his eyes fixated on the relentless rain.


    Droplets descended, dancing over his face and eyshes, each one a reminder of the dance between survival and giving up in this unforgiving ind wilderness.


    *Rustle...*


    A sudden disturbance in the air seized Wang Xiao''s attention, the rhythmic pattering of rain momentarily overshadowed by an ominous rustling within the forest.


    Since his arrival, an uneasy undercurrent had coursed through him. The never-ending expanse, despite its lush vegetation, held an eerie absence ¨C a conspicuous void where wildlife should thrive.


    ''But how? There''s an entire ecosystem here...''


    The chilling realization gripped him ¨C an apex predator lurked, a force so formidable that it had silenced the usual symphony of the wild.


    Gulping against the knot tightening in his throat, Wang Xiao''s keen eyes scanned the surroundings like a vignt predator. His breath quickened, harmonizing with the escting tempo of his heartbeat.


    *Crackling leaves...*


    The forest symphony hushed into an ominous silence as Wang Xiao''s eyes fixated on the rustling bushes. A pair of predatory eyes gleamed, piercing through the camouge.


    !!


    The undergrowth trembled, revealing the looming presence of a colossal grizzly. Bloodshot eyes locked onto Wang Xiao, and the massive beast emerged, each step deliberate, each movement an assertion of dominance.


    *Thud...*


    Wang Xiao copsed to the ground, feigning lifelessness, his heartbeat betraying the fa?ade.


    It was a curious contradiction ¨C a man who scoffed at the notion of deities now found himself silently praying.


    Was it an instinctive plea for mercy, an inherent survival instinct, or perhaps a subconscious yearning for a se hope in the face of crisis?


    Is that''s how the concept of God survived the wear and tear of time?


    The se sense of looping hope in face of adversity...?


    The grizzly''s approach echoed like thunder, a reminder of the raw power that governed this untamed realm.


    Roar!!!


    The grizzly''s thunderous roar reverberated through thendscape, shaking the very core of Wang Xiao''s being. He swallowed nervously, suppressing his breath, desperately hoping the colossal beast would pass him by, or at least, that hunger didn''t drive its intentions.


    Little did he know, the very fabric of this ind''s ecosystem seemed to defy logic.


    This was no ordinary bear.. bears weren''t native to this ind nation, so where had this grizzly emerged from?


    A closer look revealed the abnormality. Between its eyes, on its forehead, a third eye blinked open just as Wang Xiao feigned unconsciousness.


    Razor-sharp ws pressed against the ground, each step deliberate and purposeful.


    All three eyes fixated on the prone figure, an apex predator with an otherworldly presence that defied the known boundaries of the natural world.

 Chapter 81: The lost Island (2)

    *Sniff... sniff...*


    The bear, a monstrous beast, approached Wang Xiao with a methodical curiosity, its massive snout exploring his scent. A gentle nudge, a silent push, as the creature tested the vulnerability of the prone figure.


    The forest held its breath, an uneasy stillness echoing the impending unknown.


    ''Is it gone?'' Wang Xiao pondered, cautiously reopening his eyes. However, the sight that met him wasn''t relief but a descent into a chilling abyss of horror.


    Three malevolent eyes fixated on his, their gaze prating his very soul.


    The bear, a ugly face of nature, revealed unnaturallyrge teeth, and a sinister grin widened its monstrous maw.


    Hahaha...


    The illusion of the bearughing echoed through Wang Xiao''s mind, a cruel jest before it aimed to im its gruesome prize ¡ª aiming to bite off Wang Xiao''s groin!


    "Ah, Wang Xiao," the bear''s imaginary voice echoed, not in growls but in humannguage, deepening the hallucination, "Pathetic being, aren''t you? Lost, helpless, at the mercy of a creature you can''tprehend."


    Wang Xiao''s pulse quickened, an unnerving chill settling in his bones.


    "You thought you could conquer the unknown? Stare into the eyes of Absyss? But here you are, a mere ything. The forest knows your fears, and I embody them ¡ª pay the price for your sins!"


    The illusion deepened, the bear''s eyes gleaming with a sadistic intelligence as it prepared to unleash its terrifying grin.


    "Fuck!"


    Wang Xiao''s expletive hung in the air, a raw expression of terror as he instinctively pulled himself backward. The monstrous bear, momentarily stunned by the outburst, soon regained its predatory instincts.


    Without a second thought, Wang Xiao sprinted, his heart pounding in his chest, each step fueled by sheer desperation.


    "Fuck! Fuck! No!"


    "Fuckkk the gods, I am not dying like that!!"


    His own body betrayed him ¨C a chilling numbness spreading, leaving him uncertain of what remained after the grizzly''s approach. Legs heavy, he ran through the rain-soaked forest, a symphony of fear and raindrops drowning his senses.


    ''Don''t yell, the animals can hear you!''


    ''Stop yelling!''


    Wang Xiao, teetering on the brink of terror, couldn''t suppress a nervous chuckle. "Look behind me!"


    Roar!!!


    The grizzly, unleashed and enraged, thundered after Wang Xiao, its roars echoing through the mountains, a symphony of primal fury.


    ''What use is suppressing your own voice when the bear''s roar would have shaken the whole mountain and scared away everything already!?'' Wang Xiao questioned within the chaos of his mind.


    Running at full throttle, adrenaline coursing through his veins, Wang Xiao''s legs were pierced by rocks, blood leaving a trail behind.


    Yet, the pain was a distant echo in the rush of survival. "What the hell is it?" he yelled, ncing back but still unable toprehend the creature''s type.


    Bear? Three eyes?


    And what''s with the cracks in its skin and those orange eyes?


    "Roarrr!"


    Wang Xiao continued to run, closing his ears against the deafening sound. In a desperate sprint, he moved in a straight line, only stopping when the terrifying roars gradually faded behind him. He slowed down, exhausted.


    "Haaa... Ha.... Haaaaa...."


    Breath heavy, he turned around, whispering to himself, "Did I outrun him? Hahah..." A chuckle filled with relief escaped Wang Xiao''s lips, momentarily oblivious to the dangers still lurking in the shadows.


    ''No, you didn''t.''


    Wang Xiao shook his head in disbelief, "What do you mean!?"


    ''Look around you.''


    The shadows seemed to guide his gaze, though his eyes were fixed on the front, struggling to process the information during this refractory period. His own shadows materialized, bing tangible representations of his brain''s intricate workings.


    "What... is this... now!?"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes squinted as he found himself in an even more bizarre ce. Surrounded by glowing flowers emitting ethereal blue and pink light, everything around him seemed abnormally huge, like a scene from a surreal fairy tale.


    Wang Xiao paused, a realization dawning, "Was that monster scared of following me here... But why...?"


    Wang Xiao winced, feeling the stinging pain in his legs with each step. "Argh!"


    "Damn! Again!?" Frustration echoed in his curses, yet a glimmer of hope ignited within as his eyes caught sight of a mountain peak shining beyond the forest.


    His heart raced in ecstasy ¡ª the peak signaled he was nearing the edge!


    A surge of determination propelled him forward. A few more steps, and he would break free from this damned forest!


    The distant peak, adorned with glistening snow, beckoned like a beacon of freedom. Unbeknownst to Wang Xiao, the vibrant flowers acted as a magical barrier, separating two entirely different worlds.


    Oblivious to this mystical divide, he walked with a hopeful smile, his consciousness fading, consumed by the singr desire to escape the enigmatic confines of the forest and embrace the promise of the snow-capped summit.


    The towering flowers, as tall as Wang Xiao, caressed various parts of his skin, leaving a delicate trail of golden substance. With his leg bleeding, he dared not divert attention to inspect the state of his own body.


    !!!


    Abruptly, he halted, an unsettling sensation creeping in as he lost feeling in his hands.


    "Hmm!?" Wang Xiao strained to move his hands, but they remained stuck, unresponsive. A chilling paralysis gripped him, rendering control over his own body parts impossible.


    "What!?"


    His gaze fell downward, revealing a surreal transformation. He was bathed in a golden glow, coated by the ethereal dust from the flowers.


    With each passing second, his skin turned paler, as if a silent poison was coursing through his veins, the once inviting forest now revealing its treacherous side.


    "The flowers were poisonous!?" The harsh realization struck Wang Xiao, an empty void filling him. He shook his head, battling the sinking feeling, and pressed on determinedly along the path.


    "Ugh!"


    His stomach churned violently as Wang Xiao felt a strange metallic taste wing at his throat. Despite his resolve, his body betrayed him. Just as the exit loomed close, his strength waned, and he crumpled to the ground.


    Thud!


    Dust settled around him, coating his coughing form. Each raspy cough echoed through the now ominous forest. "Cough, cough, cough.... Cough..."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes resembled those of an overdrunk man¡ªbloodshot red, fixated on the exit from this damned ce filled with poisonous flowers.


    He could see it¡ªthe ice, the path¡ªit was right in front of him. The once treacherous flowers had vanished.


    Screech...


    With a desperate effort, Wang Xiao extended his hands forward, attempting to drag himself toward the freedom he glimpsed. However, a cruel realization seized him; his body was paralyzed.

 Chapter 82: The Lost Island? (3)

    Screech...


    With a desperate effort, Wang Xiao extended his hands forward, attempting to drag himself toward the freedom he glimpsed. However, a cruel realization seized him; his body was paralyzed.


    _____


    As Wang Xiaoy paralyzed, his consciousness teetering on the edge of the abyss, a surreal sensation enveloped him. His surroundings blurred, melting into a dreamscape of ethereal hues. Multiple versions of himself materialized, each embodying a facet of his quirky personality.


    One Wang Xiao, draped in a cosmic robe, floated above, wearing a party hat and juggling invisible objects, piped up, "Hey, remember that dream for hugging left and right? You really want to miss out on that wild ride? Death''s too boring, mate!"


    Another manifestation, sporting a mischievous grin, chimed in, "And what about your threesome goal, huh? You can''t cross that off the list if you''re stuck in this damned ce. Come on, mate, there are adventures to be had!"


    A third version, more solemn, emerged, "Remember that time you said you wanted to punch God in the face? Cuck him with his daughters and wives? Well, you won''t get that chance if you check out now."


    A fourth voice joined in, "Don''t forget your n to eat a whole pizza in one sitting!"¡ªa seemingly trivial yet amusing aspiration that added to the mix.


    These voices, snippets of Wang Xiao''s dreams and desires, wove together into a symphony of motivation.


    The vision of the icy path, the escape route, became a symbolic representation of life''s possibilities.


    Each silly,ughable goal echoed like a beacon, urging Wang Xiao to resist the encroaching darkness.


    His inner selves, amalgamated echoes of his spirit, became his guiding lights in this liminal space between life and whatevery beyond.


    In the face of paralysis and the poison coursing through his veins, the voices carried him, eachughter-infused motivation resonating with the stubborn will to survive.


    "Haha... Cough...cough..."


    "Quit embarrassing me, you bunch of bastards... Cough..."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes snapped open abruptly as he rose from the ground, the taste of grit and dust leaving a cranky sensation in his mouth. His body trembled, yet he mustered a grittyugh, pushing through the difort to take a few unsteady steps forward.


    Wang Xiao bravely nted his first foot on the snowy pathway, leaving the haunting forest behind. A mixture of relief and exhaustion painted a small, grateful smile on his face. However, the ground beneath him quickly turned red as his foot left a trail of blood in the pristine snow.


    Momentster, he copsed with a resounding *thud*.


    As he descended into unconsciousness, he found himself surrounded by versions of himself, each wearing a genuine smile.


    They congratted him, not with mockery but with genuine pride. In this surreal moment, Wang Xiao felt an unexpected alliance with his own shadows, grateful for pulling himself out of the dire situation.


    The vivid tableau of blood-stained snow, copsing body, and supportive shadows created a surrealst scene before his concisoness cked out.


    _______


    Beyond the snow-capped mountainsy a secluded country of its own, cradling a small river racing towards a hidden civilization. Despite the wintryndscape, farmers toiled in the fields, infusing the air with a serene countryside ambiance.


    In these fields, peculiar-looking grains thrived, resilient to all weathers, including the biting cold of the snow. This was thend of Xianthera.


    At the heart of this enigmatic realm stood its capital, Silvertide City.


    Nestled within the ancient medieval edifice of Silvertide City, a woman of profound mystique sat in a regal pose, her legs gracefully folded in the dignified dogza position. Bathed in the soft glow of ambient candlelight, she devoted herself to a parchment, her brush dancing elegantly with ink, etching the secrets of Xianthera onto the page.


    Her snow-white hair cascaded like a silken waterfall, seamlessly blending with the wintryndscape outside. It imparted an ethereal quality to her presence, as if she were an integral part of the snow-kissed surroundings.


    Eyes that had witnessed centuries of wisdom sparkled with an otherworldly brilliance, reflecting the depths of her knowledge and experience. Her baster skin, smooth as porcin, gave her an ethereal glow, entuating the striking contrast of her raven-ck attire.


    With an hourss figure thatmanded attention, her ample bosom entuated by the low cut of her garments invited desire and admiration. Her ivory skin, gleaming under the candlelight, further enhanced her allure, creating an intoxicating blend of elegance and sensuality.


    In the midst of her contemtive creation, an abrupt pause seized her, momentarily breaking the enchanting spell she cast upon the room.


    "Someone dared to breach the sacred barrier?"


    "... A Karmic Demon, perhaps?"


    "No, it can''t be."


    Eleanor''s face twisted with a mixture of concern and determination. With a grim resolve, she approached the window, threw it open, and took a daring step into the cool night air.


    Whoosh...


    As if plucked from the pages of a fantastical tale, Eleanor soared out of the window with a breathtaking disy of ethereal prowess, her feet untouched by the constraints of gravity.


    Soon, she arrived near the sacred barrier, her senses heightened and anxious eyes scouring for any ominous signs of impending devastation.


    The recollection of thest encounter with a Karmic Demon yed into her mind like a haunting melody¨C it had ruthlessly razed their once-thriving civilization, leaving indelible scars etched into the very soul of Xianthera.


    "What is that...? A student from the school?"


    Eleanor''s face tightened with stern concern, suspecting yet another student had breached the perimeter and recklessly ventured beyond.


    The prospect of having to erase memories loomed again.


    However, as her feet elegantly touched down near the mysterious figure, her expression shifted to one of surprise.


    Her hands hesitated momentarily before she gently maneuvered Wang Xiao, unveiling his face. "Who is he? I have never seen him in the vige..."


    Eleanor''s eyes blinked in astonishment, tracing the bloody marks that adorned him. A hushed whisper escaped her lips, "Did hee from outside?" A grim realization settled on her features, "His whole body is poisoned, how is he still alive?"


    Eleanor''s countenance darkened, for she knew the odds of Wang Xiao surviving the potent poison were minuscule at best.


    "Would he make it out alive...?" Eleanor''s genuine perplexity painted aplex expression on her face, caught between the cold logic of self-preservation and a lingering sense ofpassion.


    Initially battling with the idea of leaving Wang Xiao to his fate, she stood amidst the snowyndscape like a statue, the air heavy with uncertainty.


    A deep sigh escaped her lips, and, as if guided by a silent resolution, she raised her hands slightly. A gentle gust of wind swirled around Wang Xiao''s body, lifting it into the air.


    Whoosh!


    Eleanor, with Wang Xiao suspended in the ethereal breeze, soared back towards Silvertide Town. Their journey concluded at the circr building nestled at the heart of the town. A window, wide open in anticipation, beckoned them.


    Eleanor, with Wang Xiao''s body gracefully hovering behind her, entered the room directly.


    "Amelia," Eleanor addressed the woman seated at the desk in front.


    Amelia, with an air of surprise, raised her eyes. "Senior Eleanor!?" She stood up, her blue jade eyes reflecting curiosity, as Eleanor nodded with a faint smile, presenting Wang Xiao''s body. "Take a look at him."


    "W¡ªwho is he!?" Amelia took cautious steps forward, her gaze fixated on the golden glowing form of Wang Xiao. His clothes, torn apart during the flight, left his body exposed in all its magnificence.


    His regal disy extended to every detail, including his family jewels, which were now on full exhibition.


    Amelia, with a slight couch, knelt down to gently touch his skin. Her own face wore a grim expression, framed by dark raven hair cascading down her back. d in a simple white dress, her sizable breasts, though slightly smaller than Eleanor''s, stillmanded attention.


    Amelia''s stern countenance, led by precisely sculpted features and painted lips, added ayer of authority to her demeanor as she examined Wang Xiao with a critical eye.


    "So much poison has seeped into his body, Senior. Who is he...?" Amelia''s voice carried a tone of genuine concern, her eyes fixed on Wang Xiao, a mysterious figure thrust into their world.


    Eleanor, maintaining herposure, replied, "He is not from the vige but came from outside."


    Amelia''s eyes sparked with hostility, "Outside the barrier!?"


    Eleanor nodded in confirmation, "Right."


    Panic washed over Amelia''s face. "No, we should not keep him here. The people here can never know of the existence of the world outside."


    With measured steps, Eleanor approached, cing a gentle hand over Amelia''s shoulder to steady her. "Amelia," she called out softly, her voice a soothing balm.


    Amelia, still visibly rattled, stammered, "Y-Yes!?"


    Eleanor''s gaze bore into hers with intensity. "Who is the current head of the Ethics Committee?"


    Taken aback, a brief silence lingered as Amelia pressed her lips together. She hesitated before cautiously ncing around, ensuring no prying eyes were witnessing this revtion.


    Eleanor''s true identity remained a closely guarded secret, a powerful knowledge that carried weight within the intricate dynamics of their concealed world.


    "It''s you," Amelia finally admitted, nodding with a mixture of realization and respect.

 Chapter 83: The Village of Secrets!

    "It''s you," Amelia finally admitted, nodding with a mixture of realization and respect.


    The acknowledgment like a carefully guarded secret, shared only within the confines of this unexpected encounter.


    Eleanor, maintaining herposure, nodded in confirmation. "That''s right. I''ll decide what to do with him, and I have already decided. You are going to use all the resources to help him heal, and keep him within the school premises until then."


    The gravity of Eleanor''smand hit Amelia like a sudden gust of wind, leaving her momentarily stunned. "Keep him with me!?But why?" she eximed, her eyes blinking in disbelief.


    Eleanor, known for her calcted and sometimes harsh decisions, wasn''t exactly renowned for acts of mercy.


    This unexpected directive felt like a deviation from the norm, and Amelia couldn''t help but question the underlying motives.


    Eleanor, however, offered no immediate exnation.


    With an air of mystery surrounding her, she withdrew her hands from Amelia''s shoulder and departed, leaving behind a sense of ambiguity, "Take good care of him," she uttered cryptically, and left.


    "..."


    Amelia stood there in stunned silence, grappling with the unexpected directive from Eleanor. Her mind raced, contemting the mystery surrounding Wang Xiao and the unusual decision to extend a lifeline to a stranger.


    Collecting herself, she first took action to preserve the boy''s modesty. A scarf, swiftly procured, discreetly covered Wang Xiao''s private parts, preventing any potential scandal from arising.


    Shaking her head to dispel the lingering confusion, Amelia decided on the next course of action. She reached for the telephone, fingers dialing the number of her trusted helpers.


    The urgency in her voice conveyed the gravity of the situation as she directed them toe inside, the treatment of Wang Xiao requiring immediate attention.


    ______


    "Is he the right choice...?" Eleanor mused, her steps weaving through the silent pathways as she made her way back to her house.


    The weight of centuries pressed upon her thoughts, an ancient dilemma resurfacing. For years, the search for a fitting sessor to lead the Ethics Committee had been a futile quest.


    As the cold wind whispered through the snowyndscape, Eleanor''s mind echoed with the ghosts of the past. Wang Xiao, an unexpected candidate, carried the burden of her hopes.


    The decision to save him wasn''t merely an act of mercy; it bore the weight of countless heartless choices she had made to preserve the vige''s secrets. Innocent lives sacrificed in the name of secrecy.


    In this seemingly vast world, the truth unraveled ¨C the country and cities were but a fa?ade. In reality, the whole ce resembled a small vige, with few scattered settlements beyond, the pulse of life concentrated within the heart of Silvertide City.


    Amidst the shadows of her actions and the looming secrecy, Eleanor walked, grappling with the profound implications of her choice.


    The winding paths carried the weight of her contemtion, each step echoing with the uncertainty of whether Wang Xiao could truly be the one to bear the responsibility and maintain the delicate equilibrium of their hidden existence.


    ________


    "Any movements yet?" Eleanor''s voice echoed in the dimly lit undergroundboratory as she entered, her gaze fixed on Wang Xiao, his body enveloped in an eerie green liquid, sprawled on a stretcher surrounded by an alchemist''s array of chemicals and herbs.


    Amelia looked up from her inspection, weariness etched across her face. "It''s been five years, Eleanor. He isn''ting out of paralysis; his mind has been paralyzed. It''s better to cremate his body." Her suggestion carried a bitter undertone, a confrontation of the harsh reality they faced.


    Eleanor''s eyes bore into Wang Xiao''s motionless form, a silent contemtion swirling within her. "Five years," she murmured, the weight of time burdening her words. "I''ve seen civilizations rise and fall in less time than this."


    Amelia, her frustration evident, responded, "We can''t wait forever. Unlike you, we can''t heal our own cells..."


    Eleanor, pacing around theboratory, spoke with a mix of determination and uncertainty. "I sensed potential in him. There''s something more to his paralysis. We can''t abandon hope just yet."


    Amelia sighed, ncing back at Wang Xiao. "Hope is a luxury we can''t afford. He''s been a burden on resources, and the vigers are starting to question it."


    Eleanor''s gaze lingered on Wang Xiao, a profound sadness in her eyes. "I''ve carried this burden for centuries, seeking a sessor. If there''s even a glimmer of a chance, we owe it to ourselves to explore it."


    "Ugh!" Amelia, unable to contain her frustration any longer, eximed, "Say, Eleanor, even if he woke up? What good would it bring? Hees from outside, then he must be incapable of learning PK. His brain would burst even if you try to teach him.


    Did you never think of that?" Her words carried a mix of resignation and concern, challenging the potential consequences of their persistent efforts with Wang Xiao.


    Eleanor, her expression remaining stoic, met Amelia''s outburst with a measured response. "I have considered the risks, Amelia. But in the centuries I''ve lived, I''ve learned not to underestimate the potential for change, even from unexpected sources."


    Amelia sighed, frustration still lingering in her features. "But if he can''t learn PK, then what use is he to us? The vige needs someone with the power to maintain the barrier and protect our secrets."


    Eleanor, pacing theboratory, contemted the weight of their choices. "PK isn''t the only measure of value. There are other qualities that can contribute to the well-being of ourmunity. Perhaps he holds a key we haven''t yet discerned."


    Amelia shook her head in disbelief. "You''re willing to risk everything on a ''perhaps''? We can''t afford such uncertainties."


    Eleanor''s gaze shifted back to Wang Xiao, a mix of determination and uncertainty in her eyes. "Sometimes, Amelia, uncertainties pave the way for unexpected fortunes. I''m not ready to give up on that possibility."


    Amelia''s exasperated sigh echoed in the undergroundboratory. "Why don''t you train another person from the vige to be the next head of the Ethics Committee? I can''t understand you!"


    Eleanor halted, her movements pausing as she considered Amelia''s plea. The dim light cast shadows across her contemtive expression. "We can''t afford that. They have lived forever inside the vige, trapped in a monotonous existence thatcks the broader perspective needed for the survival of our species. It''s my own fault," she admitted, the weight of regret and responsibility coloring her words.


    "We have forever hypnotized and erased their memories, keeping them enved to this small reality." The confession, a stark acknowledgment of the consequences that had shaped the vige''s existence.


    Amelia crossed her arms, frustration etched across her face. "So, what''s the n then? Keep banking on an outsider who might never wake up and, even if he does, might not have the abilities we need?"


    Eleanor''s gaze remained fixed on Wang Xiao''s still form. "I believe he has something unique to offer. The outsider''s perspective might be the key to our survival. We''ve stagnated for too long within the confines of our own creation."


    Amelia''s skepticism lingered, "But what if you''re wrong? What if this is just wishful thinking, and we''re risking everything for nothing?"


    Eleanor turned to face Amelia, determination in her eyes. "Sometimes, Amelia, we must embrace uncertainty to break free from the chains of our own making. I won''t abandon the possibility of a better future, even if ites from an outsider."

 Chapter 84: First Encounter: The Hell Spirit (1)

    Silence...


    In the cavernous chamber, the still drop of water descended from the top, dancing gracefully beforending in a small pool below...


    One drop...


    A second drop...


    The haunting sound continued its eternal echo, a rhythmic cadence that defied the bounds of time.


    Within the heart of the pool, Wang Xiaoy in a profound slumber, his stillness undisturbed by breath or movement.


    Each droplet of water cascaded directly onto his forehead, a gentle descent in the midst of the ageless symphony, as if nature itself was weaving a luby for the enigmatic sleeper.


    In this surreal amalgamation of sound and stillness, the mysteries of the underground realm unfolded, obscured by the perpetual darkness and the quiet presence of Wang Xiao at its center.


    Amidst the echoing droplets and the profound silence, Wang Xiao stirred.


    His eyes slowly opened to a world shrouded in darkness. Disoriented, he attempted to sit up, feeling the cold surface beneath him.


    Panic flickered in his chest as he realized he couldn''t discern any shapes or forms in the obsidian void that enveloped him.


    A sense of istion settled in, and he called out, "Hello? Is anyone there?"


    No response. Only the sound of his own voice echoed back at him, dissipating into the darkness.


    As Wang Xiao strained to make sense of his surroundings, a distant glimmer caught his attention. A faint red ball of gas, like a distant star, floated towards him from afar. It emanated an otherworldly glow, casting an eerie crimson hue across the void.


    Wang Xiao, still adjusting to the darkness, continued to scan his surroundings. "What is this ce?" he muttered to himself, the echo of his own voice bouncing off unseen walls.


    The distant red orb continued its slow approach, casting an otherworldly glow that barely illuminated the emptiness around him.


    As the crimson light intensified, Wang Xiao''s eyes began to discern shapes and contours.


    The darkness seemed to morph into a surrealndscape, vast and indefinite. "Is this a dream?" he wondered aloud, his voice carrying a mix of awe and confusion.


    The red orb drew nearer, revealing abyrinth of ethereal pathways and floating structures, suspended in the void.


    Wang Xiao, both intrigued and apprehensive, couldn''t shake the feeling that this ce held profound significance.


    With each step toward the mysterious sphere, he found fragments of memories beginning to surface.


    A sense of purpose and destiny whispered in the recesses of his mind. "Why am I here?" he questioned, his inner monologue colliding with the mysteries of the cosmic realm unfolding before him.


    In the midst of his uncertainty, a voice echoed through the void, distant yet distinct. "Wee, Wang Xiao."


    Startled, Wang Xiao turned in the direction of the voice. The obsidian expanse seemed to absorb his every movement. "Who''s there? Where am I?"


    The voice, soothing and mysterious, resonated through the emptiness. "You are in the space between realms, Wang Xiao. A ce where possibilities converge."


    Wang Xiao''s mind raced with questions, and he hesitated before asking, "What do you want from me?"


    The voice subtly shifted, now directly emanating from the luminous orb that hovered before him. "I don''t want anything, but you have badly damaged your brain and are about to die if not for me."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, the crimson glow from the orb casting shadows on his puzzled expression. "You want me to be grateful for you to save me?"


    The orb shook, its luminous glow flickering in an otherworldly dance that seemed to echo with spectralughter. "No... But we both are trapped here, and it''s all thanks to you."


    "Me?" Wang Xiao uttered, his voice a perplexed echo in the cosmic void.


    The orb''s radiance intensified, revealing intricate patterns of light that swirled and danced around its spherical form. "The shadows you saw were woven by the delicate threads of your own mind, pushing the boundaries until it overwhelmed itself. By the time I found your body, your brain was already weakened.


    Even if you hadn''t experienced that ident, a slow descent into madness awaited you, with the mental hospital as your final sanctuary."


    "You found me? Who the hell are you?" Wang Xiao squinted his eyes, the brilliance of the orb casting an enigmatic glow across his features.


    The cosmic space seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the revtion of the entity that held the key to Wang Xiao''s fate.


    The radiant glow from the orb dimmed, casting an eerie shadow over its once-vibrant luminosity. "Ie from a ce of eternal damnation, which you humans refer to as ¡ª hell. There was a small crack in dimensions, around one year ago, that allowed many of us spirits to escape."


    Wang Xiao, suspended in the cosmic void, stood in stunned silence, his eyes fixated on the now-muted orb.


    The hell spirit continued, its voice resonating with an otherworldly quality. "You have been told lies about heaven and hell, and the truth of it, but I know you don''t care about it. So, let''s start with you. I infiltrated your brain, deeming it an easy target for control and possession. Yet, in my attempts, I''ve made a mess of it.


    Your relentless struggle against me has only further burdened your consciousness."


    Wang Xiao, his voice cutting through the cosmic stillness, questioned, "So you didn''te from that weird forest."


    The orb shook with a spectralughter, its glow pulsating with ethereal amusement, casting a shifting pattern of shadows across Wang Xiao''s bewildered expression. "No, in fact, I was inside you for quite a long time. But I could never make any contact due to your fragmented consciousness. Now, in your weakened state, I can finally have a talk with you."


    Wang Xiao, his skepticism etched in the furrow of his brow, asked, "So... Now you can control me."


    The orb fell silent briefly, the dimming glow creating an eerie pause before it responded, "I hoped that was the case, but apparently, it isn''t possible anymore. However, I can fix your consciousness, but it would bind us together, and we both can survive."


    Wang Xiao, cautiously examining the luminous entity before him, questioned, "And what''s in it for you?"

 Chapter 85: First Encounter: The Hell Spirit (2)

    Wang Xiao, cautiously examining the luminous entity before him, questioned, "And what''s in it for you?"


    The hell spirit''s voice resonated through the cosmic void, each word carrying a weight that seemed to reverberate in the emptiness. "I don''t want to die, just like you. But remember, that it would cause many problems in the future."


    Wang Xiao, surrounded by the surreal dance of shadows and light, leaned forward, his eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and concern. "What type of problems?"


    The hell spirit''s glow flickered as it spoke, "I wasn''t the only spirit that escaped; there are more. Once our consciousnesses are linked, they would easily mistake you for a hell spirit as well. The other hell spirits must have possessed more humans in this realm. The moment you encounter them, they would recognize you and might try to kill you."


    Wang Xiao, grappling with the gravity of the revtion, asked, "That''s it?"


    The hell spirit''s response hung in the cosmic expanse, the dim glow intensifying briefly. "Is it not bad enough?"


    Wang Xiao''s head shook in a mix of resignation and determination. "I would die either way..."


    The Hell Spirit lingered in a momentary silence before erupting intoughter, the echoes of amusement resonating through the cosmic void. "Very well, you have to cooperate with me during the process, as I can''t overpower you like this."


    Wang Xiao, his expression tinged with wariness but recognizing theck of alternatives, reluctantly agreed, "Make it quick." In an instant, the orb, radiant and ethereal, swiftly shot toward him, finding its ce at the center of his forehead between his eyebrows.


    The sudden intrusion sent a shiver down Wang Xiao''s spine, marking the initiation of a transformative connection between mortal and otherworldly forces.


    ______


    The weight on Wang Xiao''s head felt unbearable as he slowly opened his eyes to a world blurred by haze. The heaviness pressed upon him, as if the very air carried the burden of a thousand kilograms.


    "Ugh!"


    His hands instinctively reached for his head, fingers gripping tightly as needles that had prated his skin during some mysterious process now loosened and fell away. The struggle to regain control intensified, his body twisting ufortably on the stretcher.


    Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, a gasp escaped his lips, and the fog lifted. Breathing heavily, his bloodshot eyes darted around the unfamiliar surroundings. The haze dissipated, reced by a strange rity that settled over his vision.


    "Why is my head so heavy!?" he muttered, grappling with the lingering disorientation.


    His fingers, still clutching at his forehead, encountered smooth skin where there had once been an intrusion. Thoughts raced through his mind, questions multiplying like wildfire.


    "Where am I? What just happened?"


    A soft echo seemed to resonate through the room, a subtle response to his inner turmoil. ''You''ve been reborn,'' a voice, familiar yet distant, whispered in the recesses of his consciousness.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze focused on the source of the voice, a flickering light that danced in the corner of the room. "Reborn? What does that mean?"


    The room, shrouded in an otherworldly glow, remained silent. Wang Xiao took a deep breath, his mind searching for rity amid the lingering confusion.


    "Reborn..." he repeated, testing the word as if it held the key to unraveling the mysteries surrounding him.


    However hard he tried, Wang Xiao couldn''t fully grasp the memories of his encounter with the hell spirit. The recollections were shrouded in a fog that resisted his attempts at rity, slowly clearing up like a mist lifting with time.


    *Click*


    At that very moment, the door swung open abruptly. "You woke up!?" A stunned Amelia stood at the entrance, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of Wang Xiao conscious on the stretcher.


    Wang Xiao, still processing the haziness in his mind, managed a weak smile. "Yeah, it seems like it."


    Amelia, with her ck hair cascading around her shoulders and piercing blue eyes, rushed to his side. "You gave us quite a scare. We didn''t know if you were going to make it."


    Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed in confusion. "Make it? What happened to me?"


    Amelia hesitated, ncing at the unfamiliar glow lingering in the room. "It''s a long story. You''ve been through something extraordinary."


    Wang Xiao attempted to sit up, feeling the remnants of the strange connection with the hell spirit. "Extraordinary, indeed. But why can''t I remember everything clearly?"


    Amelia bit her lip, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. "The mind works in mysterious ways. Sometimes, it takes time for memories to settle."


    Wang Xiao nodded, absorbing the information. "Well, I''m here now. Thanks for taking care of me."


    Amelia''s concern softened into a warm smile. "You''re wee. Just take it easy, and if you need anything, we''re here for you."


    !?


    Wang Xiao suddenly flinched, a flicker of consciousness ringing. "We are here for you?" he muttered to himself, observing Amelia''s face as he saw her for the first time. Her appearance, with ck hair and blue eyes, seemed to carry a blend of Chinese and English features. A sense of confusion washed over him as he questioned, "Do I know you...? Wait, how did I even get here?"


    Amelia, noticing his perplexity, offered a reassuring smile. "You can call me Amelia, you were found near the sacred barrier, unconscious. We brought you here for treatment."


    Wang Xiao rubbed his temples, attempting to make sense of the fragmented memories. "The barrier... and what happened before that? I can''t recall it clearly."


    Amelia''s gaze held a mixture of concern and understanding. "It might take some time for your memories to fully return. Whatever you went through seems to have left its mark on you."


    Wang Xiao nodded, still grappling with the disorienting fragments of his recollections. "I appreciate your help. But there''s something about you... Why do you look different and weird?"


    Wang Xiao nodded, still grappling with the disorienting fragments of his recollections. "I appreciate your help. But there''s something about you... Why do you look different and weird?"


    Amelia''s expression softened, and she nced away briefly before meeting his eyes again. "You''re perceptive. Why don''t you take a look at yourself."


    "Hmm?" Wang Xiao, confused, started to inspect his body. Initially, he found nothing wrong, but as he continued, realization dawned on him. His body had grown significantly¡ªhis limbs, torso, everything had expanded. "What!?"


    Amelia revealed, "It''s been 5 years since you were in aa."

 Chapter 86: Yin Yue: The Hell Spirit (3)

    Soon, Amelia gently ced Wang Xiao into a chair, his wide-eyed astonishment mirrored by the changes he discovered in his own body.


    Closing the door behind her, she took a deep breath before discreetly contacting Eleanor.


    The urgency in her message conveyed the need for immediate guidance on how to handle the situation.


    "Senior Eleanor," Amelia murmured into hermunication device, "He has awakened, but there''s a lot he doesn''t remember. He''s physically changed, and I''m not sure how to proceed. Should I inform him about everything, or do we need to take a different approach and also alter his memories?"


    Eleanor, "..."


    Amelia awaited Eleanor''s response, her eyes briefly flicking back to the room where Wang Xiao sat, a mix of curiosity and concern etched on his face.


    A deep sigh emanated from the other end of the telephone line. "Don''t erase his memories; I would be there soon."


    Amelia, relieved by the guidance, nodded to herself. "Understood, Senior Eleanor. I''ll await your arrival."


    ________


    [Hey, boy! Can you hear me!?]


    As Wang Xiao observed the room, the aged equipment whispered tales of a bygone era, relics from the 2000s. In the midst of his contemtion, a sudden voice reverberated in his mind, prompting him to squint and scan the room in confusion.


    [It''s me! The Hell Spirit, remember!]


    ''What hell spirit!? ....wait...'' Wang Xiao felt a flood of memories returning, the chaotic mosaic of his thoughts gradually giving way to rity. ''Oh, I remember now... The little hell spirit...''


    [Good, now it''s time for you to escape.]


    ''Escape, but why? I don''t even know where am I?'' Wang Xiao thought, his confusion palpable. ''And what''s your name anyway?''


    [Hell spirits don''t have a name; we have numbers assigned to us for identification.]


    ''So I would call you Yin Yue; anyways, why are you suggesting me to escape?'' Wang Xiao inquired, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.


    [The people you are dealing with are ancient and powerful; you won''t stand a chance if they harbor bad intentions.]


    Wang Xiao''s eyes blinked in realization. ''How can I even escape? There are no windows, and the only door is the one where that woman, Amelia, must be standing.''


    [Yes, that''s the problem!]


    Wang Xiao sighed in frustration. ''So, no chances to escape. By the way, why did your voice suddenly change?'' he inquired, detecting the shift from a neutral metallic tone to a more feminine one.


    Yin Yue''s response echoed, [The name you gave was quite feminine; I adapted to it.]


    Wang Xiao, with a skeptical look, muttered, ''Is that even possible...?''


    Yin Yue unraveled the peculiar nature of her existence, ''I didn''t have any material body like humans, and my speciescks gender identifications. We multiply after gathering enough energy to increase our poption. In hell, our kind is used to inhabiting the minds of deceased organisms, to toil eternally, enved.''


    Wang Xiao, grappling with the unearthly revtion, questioned, ''Hell... is it real?''


    Yin Yue teased with a mischievous tone, [Hehe, are you scared?]


    Wang Xiao nonchntly shrugged, ''Who cares.''


    Yin Yue chuckled yfully, [You seem like you do. Anyway, don''t speak too much in front of them until you gather their intentions.]


    Wang Xiao retorted with a wry smile, ''I know that much.''


    Yin Yue added with a hint of humor, [Of course, you know. You''re used to tricking girls, but those are not little girls; they''re grown-up women. They would eat you alive.]


    "..."


    Wang Xiao fell silent, absorbing the weight of his newfound awareness, amidst the new environment he found himself in.


    _________


    *Click*


    The door swung open again, disrupting Wang Xiao''s telepathic exchange with Yin Yue. As the door revealed Amelia and herpanion, Wang Xiao found himself momentarily taken aback.


    The neer possessed an ethereal beauty with hair resembling freshly fallen snow, skin as wless as jade, and curves that seemed to defy earthly standards.


    Wang Xiao, usually unaffected by such appearances, couldn''t deny the allure these women held. As his eyes wandered, he found himself caught in a silent battle of maintainingposure.


    Amelia, aware of the brief pause, introduced herpanion, "This is Eleanor, our Senior."


    Eleanor, with a faint smile, spoke, "Nice to meet you, young man. I''m Eleanor, the head of the ethicsmittee and in charge of this vige."


    Wang Xiao, collecting himself, managed a nod. "Likewise, Senior Eleanor."


    Eleanor''s gaze lingered on him, a hint of intrigue in her eyes. "It seems you''ve been through quite an ordeal. How are you feeling now?"


    Wang Xiao, still processing the surreal encounter, replied, "I''ve been better, but I guess I''m alive."


    Eleanor''s lips curled into a subtle smile. "Survival is a good starting point. Now, let''s talk about what happens next."


    She turned to Amelia, who had been quietly observing, and said, "Amelia, can you give us some space?"


    Amelia, feeling a bit awkward and undoubtedly curious, replied, "Yeah..." She turned around and left with a sigh. Eleanor could sense the young woman''s curiosity, but some things were not meant for her ears.


    At 31 years old, Amelia was considered young in a vige where people generally lived around 150 years.


    This was her first encounter with someone from the outside, and Eleanor chose not to reveal everything in front of her.


    Once Amelia had left, Eleanor turned to the door and suggested, "Let''s move to a more open ce." With a mysterious energy, Wang Xiao felt his feet being effortlessly guided behind her.


    In a breathtaking move, as they reached the hallway, both of them ascended into the air, defying thews of gravity.


    The world below transformed into a panorama of hidden wonders as they floated, leaving behind the confines of the building.


    !!


    Wang Xiao, feeling the brisk caress of air against his body, closed his eyes, his heartbeat resonating with the pulsating energy of the descent.


    As theynded near a secluded river, the surroundings transformed¡ªa picturesque scene unfolded below a cliff crowned by a majestic waterfall, the very source of the river.


    Bncing himself, Wang Xiao stumbled slightly, his body still limating to its altered form.


    Eleanor, observing his adjustment, smiled and gracefully reached out, catching his hands. "You''ve grown quite a lot in thest few years, even surpassed me," she remarked, her gaze acknowledging the change in his stature.


    "Yeah, good gics," Wang Xiao replied, a tinge of difort in his tone, his independence momentarilypromised. The breathtaking scenery, however, served as a captivating backdrop, momentarily eclipsing any unease.

 Chapter 87: Test of Abilities: Psychokenesis!

    "You must have a myriad of questions, but how about you freshen up first?" Eleanor suggested, and Wang Xiao, still in awe that she spoke Mandarin, stared at her with wide eyes. "You know Mandarin?"


    Eleanor nodded with a serene smile, "Yes, I also have a Chinese name, Bing Xueli."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes blinked in surprise, "You''ve been outside?"


    Bing Xueli replied nonchntly, "I asionally go outside," conveniently omitting that herst venture beyond the vige was around the early 2000s in the Earth calendar, exining the outdated technology in their vige.


    Wang Xiao nodded, finding a newfoundfort in her presence. He made his way towards the river, eager to immerse himself, only to halt suddenly, realizing he needed to remove the hospital gown first.


    He nced back, finding Bing Xueli still observing him with curiosity.


    *Rustle...*


    Without hesitation, he swiftly disrobed and immersed himself in the water. Eleanor''s lips twitched, a hint of a suppressed smile ying on her face. ''Quite bold,'' she mused, her cheeks disying a faint rosy tint.


    As Wang Xiao emerged, Eleanor handed him fresh clothes, meticulously prepared beforehand.


    "So, your name is Wang Xiao?" She nodded to herself as Wang Xiao confirmed his identity.


    While slipping into the shirt, Wang Xiao nodded, "Yes, but how do you know Ie from China?"


    Bing Xueli replied, "You looked like them."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, catching the subtle nuance. This revtion hinted at her extensive travels to various countries outside, deepening the mystery surrounding her.


    Bing Xueli gracefully settled on the grass, inviting him to join her with a subtle gesture. "No need to be so guarded. If we had ill intentions, erasing your memories and manipting you like a puppet would be child''s y."


    A shiver traveled down Wang Xiao''s spine, the prospect of losing control instilling a deeper fear than the specter of death itself. Taking a measured breath, he cautiously took a seat beside her, observing Bing Xueli''s contented smile.


    "Now, are you curious about how much time has passed?" she asked.


    Wang Xiao replied, "It''s been five years... Amelia already filled me in on that."


    Bing Xueli shook her head, her hair cascading like snowkes in the gentle breeze. "No, it''s not... It''s merely been a year for you."


    "What do you mean?" Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed in confusion.


    Bing Xueli delicately elucidated, "Our vige is ensconced in a mythical energy that acts as a barrier, creating a temporal disparity. For every five years spent inside, only approximately one year pses in the external world."


    Wang Xiao absorbed this revtion, the weight of time manifesting in his contemtive expression.


    Bing Xueli continued, "While it''s a disadvantage for you, elerating aging and curtailing your lifespan, normal PK users can live up to approximately 150 years. Nevertheless, it equates to only 30 years of life outside."


    Wang Xiao let out a sigh, "An average PK user, not me... I''d sumb before reaching 80."


    Bing Xueli''s words lingered in the air like a weighty decision. "You''re right. But I can''t allow you to go outside. Otherwise, I would have to erase your memories before you leave."


    Wang Xiao furrowed his brows, countering, "Both are equally dismal options. Don''t you have something better?"


    Bing Xueli nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "Yes! Rece me, and then you are free toe and go whenever you want. No restrictions."


    Confusion etched Wang Xiao''s face, creating a puzzle of uncertainty.


    What''s this topic all of a sudden?


    Bing Xueli sighed, a mix of weariness and resolve in her eyes, as she embarked on a detailed exnation. As Wang Xiao absorbed the information, a growing dilemma brewed within him. The more time he spent inside, the less time he would have with his family outside, and vice versa.


    Bing Xueli''s eyes glinted with a spark of determination as she leaned forward. "You can spend another five years in our schools, which teach students PK. By then, only total of two years would have passed outside. Although you would have aged significantly, learning PK can slow down your aging process."


    Wang Xiao, intrigued, asked, "What''s this PK?"


    Bing Xueli exined, "PK stands for Psychokinesis. It''s using the power of the mind to control things around you."


    "Telekinesis?" Wang Xiao questioned.


    Bing Xueli rified, "Wrong. With PK, you can control anything, even your own body. But be careful, as you might burst like a balloon if you don''t proceed with caution."


    Wang Xiao, a mix of curiosity and caution in his eyes, remarked, "Sounds dangerous. So, what do I need to do?"


    Bing Xueli''s slender finger, like a conductor''s baton, pointed gracefully at the cluster of small pebbles scattered on the ground. "Fixate on any one of them," she instructed, her voice a gentlemand, "and let the currents of yourtent power breathe life into it. The very stone will reveal the depths of your abilities."


    Wang Xiao acknowledged with a subtle nod, his eyes transforming into focused slits.


    The ambient light seemed to bend around his gaze as he honed in on the chosen pebble, determination etched into the lines of his face.


    In that charged moment, it was as if the air held its breath, anticipating a mystical dance between man and matter.


    "..."


    The brief pause that followed was charged with unspoken disappointment. Bing Xueli''s countenance, initially a canvas of patience, now wore the brushstrokes of letdown as the pebble remained steadfastly earthbound.


    Wang Xiao''s efforts, though earnest, yielded no manifestation of the elusive psychokic prowess.


    The revtion hung in the air¡ªthe denizens from realms beyond had long relinquished the mystic prowess of PK.


    Yet, Bing Xueli chose silence over disclosure, shielding Wang Xiao from the weight of a reality that threatened to clip the wings of his aspirations.


    Wang Xiao, fully engrossed, embraced Yin Yue''s suggestion. [Imagine the air particles near that pebble, harness their essence, and set the stone in motion],  she directed.


    "Hmmm?" Wang Xiao''s brows arched, a moment of uncertainty before he delved into the task at hand.


    Whoosh!!


    A sudden surge of unseen force propelled the stone skyward, akin to a celestial dancer taking flight. Wang Xiao''s expression flickered between amazement and self-amusement. "I messed up," he mumbled, a grin surfacing as he marveled at the unexpected achievement.

 Chapter 88: Repairing Glass?

    Wang Xiao''s expression flickered between amazement and self-amusement. "I messed up," he mumbled, a grin surfacing as he marveled at the unexpected achievement.


    He turned to Bing Xueli, only to find her gaping in astonishment.


    Bing Xueli, "..."


    Her eyes tracked the stone''s graceful descent, and she regarded Wang Xiao with a mix of incredulity and fascination. It was as if he had unraveled a secret of the cosmos. "Are you truly from outside?" she questioned, her voice carrying the weight of awe and a hint of disbelief.


    Wang Xiao, "??"


    "... Did I do something wrong?" He inquired, supressing aughter.


    Bing Xueli shook her head, a subtle tremor betraying her inner disquiet.


    Typically, students struggled to lift a stone by a mere centimeter, and it took weeks to reach that modest achievement.


    Yet, Wang Xiao had effortlessly surpassed all expectations, leaving her unsettled.


    "So, you still wish to remain here and learn, don''t you? Otherwise, you won''t be able to control your abilities and might meet an untimely end," she inquired, her tone carrying an undercurrent of urgency.


    Witnessing his unprecedented talent, she was determined to employ persuasive tactics, even verging on coercion, if he dared to refuse.


    Wang Xiao rose alongside her, a resolute gleam in his eyes. "Yes!"


    Outside, he had felt feeble, a near-death experience haunting his past.


    Now, presented with the prospect of mastering powers beyond imagination, he couldn''t afford to let this opportunity slip through his fingers.


    Moreover, if Bing Xueli harbored hidden motives, he, too, nursed his own ambitions.


    This vige held the promise of possibilities, a realm where he could wield authority.


    As he envisioned the potential for dominion, a silent determination settled in his gaze ¡ª the resolve of a man aiming to ascend as the top of this circus of life!


    ________


    *Crack...*


    The hollow piece of a ss bottle shattered once again, fragments cascading in a controlled chaos. Wang Xiao drew a deep breath, his focus unwavering as he manipted the shards before attempting to piece them back together.


    The count had be a blur¡ªa frustrating loop he found himself trapped in. He came here with a purpose¡ªto unravel the mastery of histent abilities, not to engage in the mundane task of mending broken ss.


    In his current sojourn, Wang Xiao had secured a temporary residence with Bing Xueli. She was an elusive presence, often disappearing without a trace. The secrets she held seemed to extend beyond her powers.


    She had emphasized the importance of keeping her identity concealed, revealing a penchant for secrecy that intrigued and perplexed Wang Xiao. On this, his ninth day in this peculiar abode, there loomed more than three weeks before he could extricate himself from the confines of this house.


    The ticking clock echoed the impatience that brewed within him, a sentiment at odds with the very purpose that brought him here.


    Bing Xueli''s stiption demanded Wang Xiao''s presence and immersion in the vige working style for a full month before he could venture beyond the boundaries of her house, unguarded, all in the guise of a native resident.


    Amidst the picturesque facade of the perfect vige, Wang Xiao unearthed a sinister reality, a revtion that stained the idyllic scene with shadows.


    Those born without the gift of PK were marked for a chilling fate.


    Before even stepping foot into the school, they were silently ted for eradication.


    Their existence became an ephemeral whisper, swiftly erased from the collective consciousness of the vige.


    The ticking clock of Wang Xiao''s limited time here became a heartbeat, a rhythm resonating with the cruel orchestration of the Ethics Committee.


    The window for a child to showcase PK prowess was a chilling countdown.


    Failure didn''t just mean disappearance; it meant a vanishing act scripted by the hands of the supposedly noblemittee.


    Every thread of their existence was meticulously unwoven, memories altered as if they were never there.


    In this dance of power, the Ethics Committee revealed its true face, a puppet master pulling the strings to ensure the survival of a gene pool adorned with superpowers.


    The vige, seemingly serene, held within its folds, woven with threads of darkness and maniption.


    The revtions he gathered, coupled with Yin Yue''s insights, painted a staggering panorama. Bing Xueli and herpatriots weren''t just inhabitants of the vige; they were remnants of a bygone era when humanity wielded the world with their psychic powers. As time marched forward, those potent techniques slipped through the fingers of subsequent generations, fading like whispers in the wind.


    The dwindling usage of these powers resulted in a shrinking poption capable of harnessing PK. Eventually, the once-mighty practitioners became enshrined in myth, their extraordinary abilities relegated to the realms of legend.


    Bing Xueli''smunity stood as a resilient pocket isted from the eroding sands of time. Their gene pool, a reservoir of evolved brains, preserved the legacy of psychic powers. Meanwhile, the world beyond the enve saw a stark contrast. Attempts to teach PK to those outside proved futile; their brains, weakened over time, had lost the innate capacity to grasp and wield such abilities.


    It was the innate ability of adaptation woven into the fabric of the human body¡ªa tale of evolution, resilience, and the fading echoes of a once-majestic era.


    Wang Xiao''s contemtion delved into the mysteries of human strength and adaptation. The conventional understanding dictated that a human bone could shatter under the force of a few thousand newtons. However, the centuries had whispered a different narrative ¨C one of continual training pushing the limits far beyond the prescribed boundaries of science.


    It begged the question: were these limits merely averages, failing to ount for the dynamic growth and adaptation of the human body?


    Wang Xiao''s mind, a whirlwind of doubt, cast shadows over the fairy tales of yore.


    If, in the past, people possessed the strength to break stones with their bare hands, did the rise of machines and the diminishing reliance on physical prowess lead to a weakening of the human form?


    The unsettling notion loomedrge ¨C a suspicion that perhaps, in the pursuit of technological advancement, humanity had unwittingly set the stage for its own physical regression, an inadvertent journey backward in the tales of evolution.


    In the grip of his mounting frustration, Wang Xiao remained oblivious to Bing Xueli''s return, engrossed in the seemingly futile task of mending ss bottles.


    *Crack...*


    The shards shattered once more, echoing his exasperation. Unbeknownst to him, Bing Xueli stood silently behind him, her hand gently settling on his back. Startled, Wang Xiao turned, his eyes narrowing before rxing. "Why are you scaring me like this?" he questioned, a hint of irritation in his voice.


    Bing Xueli, her gaze fixed on the broken ss, posed a thought-provoking query. "Do you know the simrity between this piece of ss and the cells in your body?"


    Wang Xiao, caught off guard, responded with a perplexed expression, "??"

 Chapter 89: Five years later!

    Bing Xueli, "Do you know the simrity between this piece of ss and the cells in your body?"


    Wang Xiao, caught off guard, responded with a perplexed expression, "??"


    Before Wang Xiao could gather his thoughts to respond, Bing Xueli had vanished, leaving him in a state of bewilderment. A sudden realization struck him, and he sprinted towards her room, only to find the door firmly closed.


    "Hey, Senior Xueli!"


    Knocking on the door, he received a calm yet enigmatic response from within, "Don''t attempt it recklessly, unless you want to puncture your body and die..."


    "Wait, what do you mean by that?" Wang Xiao eximed, his voice echoing with a mix of confusion and concern.


    Silence lingered for a moment before Bing Xueli''s voice cut through. "The ss and your body''s cells share a fragility that belies theirplexity. Just as mishandling the ss can result in injury, attempting to force your powers beyond their current limits can have consequences."


    Wang Xiao, now more intrigued than ever, persisted, "But what''s the connection between the ss and my cells?"


    The response was cryptic yet loaded with meaning, "Both can break, but how they break matters. Understanding this is key to mastering your abilities."


    As the dialogue unfolded, Wang Xiao''s determination flickered with uncertainty. ''What is she trying to tell me?'' he pondered, contemting the enigma that was Bing Xueli.


    Frustration and curiosity wrestled within him, and with a resigned sigh, he mumbled to himself, "This woman... always leaving me with more questions than answers."


    A grin crept across his face as a rebellious idea formed in his mind. ''Let me surpass her in power, and then we''ll see who''s the boss.'' The prospect of defying her body and authority fueled a newfound motivation within him.


    _________


    In the blink of an eye, five years evaporated within the walls of Xianthera, where Wang Xiao found himself immersed in the schools of this mysterious ce, discovering and learning new knowledge with each passing day.


    His connection with Amelia, now known as Mei Lieyan, deepened gradually. He discovered her role in the Board of Education, a discovery that addedyers ofplexity to their interactions.


    Weekly presentations before her became a normal routine, leaving her puzzled about the mysterious incidents that seemed to unfold around Wang Xiao.


    identally breaking someone''s head was definitely not his doing, or so he believed.


    While the vige felt like a haven for Wang Xiao, it was a  prison for his fellow ssmates.


    Their memories were systematically erased and altered, transforming them into mere pawns manipted by the Ethics Committee to perpetuate their lineage.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but question if they were anything more than puppets, existing solely to serve themittee''s agenda.


    Naturally, suspicion crept into Wang Xiao''s mind, suspecting that his memories, too, had been tampered with on multiple asions. However, Yin Yue acted as the beacon of truth, helping him discern that, at least for now, they hadn''t delved into thebyrinth of his mind.


    As time unfurled, Wang Xiao forged more connections, seamlessly integrating into the intricate tapestry of this insr world. The allure of the outside world waned, reced by a contentment found in the myriad experiences within the vige.


    "Again!?"


    Wang Xiao soared through the air, his attire in tatters, defeated once again by Bing Xueli. She shook her head, a wry smile ying on her lips.


    "It''s only been five years," she dered, her words resonating with the wisdom of ages. "Even with your innate abnormal talent, it would take quite a while if you want to defeat me."


    Wang Xiao descended with a grace that belied the sting of defeat, his gaze lingering on Bing Xueli''s form. There was a subtle undercurrent of amusement in his eyes, a private amusement colored by thoughts he kept to himself.


    He harbored his own justified reasons¡ªa waist that could double as a surfboard and long, flowing white hair that could serve as reins.


    "Tomorrow is the graduation ceremony," he announced, nonchntly dusting off imaginary blemishes from his clothes.


    Bing Xueli raised an eyebrow, her gaze probing. "Not excited?"


    Wang Xiao offered a nomittal shrug, his demeanor betraying a measured detachment. "My ssmates had their memories altered so many times; they look like robots."


    "Robots, I see..." Bing Xueli muttered, her own detachment from the vige''s inner workings evident. She shifted gears, revealing a piece of information that cut through the monotony. "By the way, you are free to go outside the barrier after graduation."


    !?


    Caught off guard, Wang Xiao shot a nce at her. "And what about those poisonous flowers?"


    His attempts to escape with his ssmates had ended in failure each time, leading to erased memories for them and a scolding for Wang Xiao from Mei Leiyan.


    Bing Xueli''s smile held a secret charm. "I know a secret passage, essible only to me."


    Wang Xiao, deep in thought, nodded. Bing Xueli, her curiosity piqued, probed further. "Why do you insist on dueling me every time? You''re aware we, the people of Xianthera, can''t inflict harm on each other?"


    "But why is that?" Wang Xiao countered. Through his time in the vige, he had discovered the abnormality that, despite possessing extraordinary powers, the inhabitants here couldn''t truly harm one another.


    If they wielded their powers to attack another human, the curse of guilt would swiftly manifest. A throbbing pain would assult their heads, escting to the point of unconsciousness, and in extreme cases, proving fatal.


    Even the murky tasks assigned to the Ethics Committee were carried out by bred and tamed demon cats, a beastly extension of their will.


    Bing Xuelipsed into a heavy silence in response to Wang Xiao''s sudden inquiry. "I''ll tell you once you rece me..." she finally spoke.


    Wang Xiao''s curiosity sparked. "Rece you? But what''s the need? Aren''t you immortal?"


    Bing Xueli shook her head, her gaze carrying the weight of unspoken truths. "You don''t understand. Everyone has limitations. Unlike the rest of the people in the viges, I can heal my tissues and hence not age as a result. However, the seat of the head of the Ethics Committee can''t remain monopolized indefinitely. Plus, you possess an ability that Ick..."

 Chapter 90: Cant even Pee in silence?

    Bing Xueli, "...Plus, you possess an ability that Ick..."


    The ability that shecks? What is it?


    "... Kill people?" Wang Xiao asked suspiciously. "Is that the reason you wanted an outsider to seed you?"


    Bing Xueli remained silent. "There is more to it. You have seen the state of this ce for yourself. I want it to be a haven where we don''t need to manipte minds anymore and, possibly, surpass the outside world in terms of innovation."


    "Ambitious..." Wang Xiao muttered, his tone reflecting a mix of skepticism and admiration.


    Bing Xueli, smiling wryly, replied, "Unlike you, I am responsible for everyone here."


    Wang Xiao sharply retorted, "You are not, at least not you, in the very least." In his time within the vige, he hade to realize that this woman orchestrated myriad schemes from the shadows, holding a puppeteer''s control over every aspect.


    The realization left him with an uneasy sensation, even when engaging in the most mundane activities, like going to pee.


    He sauntered towards the riverbank, the yful sshes of water refreshing against his face. With a flick of his PK, he effortlessly banished the droplets, a disy of the heightened mastery over his abilities acquired in recent years.


    In the river''s mirrored surface emerged Wang Xiao''s transformed figure¡ªamanding presence at 6 feet and 2 inches. Surpassing Bing Xueli in height, he radiated the vibrancy of a 22-year-old, his eyes gleaming like orbs of crimson fire, and his long, smooth hair cascading with an almost ethereal grace.


    ''I have grown quite a lot...'' he reflected, a touch of self-appreciation coloring his thoughts as he admired the sculpted edges of his physique, a evidence to the demanding training under Yu Yutong (A/N: To be revealedter).


    A sigh escaped him,den with the weight of time''s passage. While he stood at 22 within Xianthera, the world beyond remained frozen in time, casting a shadow over the age gap separating him from his sisters. Did they even retain memories of him at this point? Wang Xiao deliberately avoided delving into the unsettling contemtion.


    Yet, the persistent thought lingered¡ªa specter whispering of growing old and fading away before the echoes of his existence reached the ones he left behind.


    Yin Yue chimed in, [You won''t die from aging, at the very least.]


    Wang Xiao pondered, ''You''ve said that so many times. Why not just reveal the trick to me?''


    Yin Yue responded, [That white-haired woman has already given you the clue. It''s up to you to solve the mystery.]


    ncing back at Bing Xueli, her visage illuminated with a serene smile, Wang Xiao faced her inquiry. "Ready to go back?"


    He nodded, and in unison, their bodies soared a few meters above the ground before taking off.


    Whoosh!


    Naturally, reaching such heights with PK wasn''t a feat for everyone. Only the most proficient wielders could achieve it, while others could only float a few meters above the ground. The wind whispered through the floating figures, a manifestation of the unity between ability and mastery.


    As they soared through the open sky, Bing Xueli shattered the stillness, her words weaving with the currents. "You might depart for the outside after the graduation ceremony," her voice echoed through the air, reaching Wang Xiao''s ears with a rity that defied the wind.


    He nodded, a silent acknowledgment. "I would, and I know the rules. You don''t need to remind me. I don''t want to be dissected by scientists or bombed by the military outside. I won''t reveal anything to them."


    Bing Xueli''s response wafted with a subtle mncholy. "I know, but time in the vige moves faster..." The reminder held a delicate weight.


    Wang Xiao squinted, his gaze probing. "What do you mean?"


    She continued, her words carrying the weight of foresight. "By the time youe back, I would still be here, but Mei Leiyan and Yu Yutong might be gone. Even with their increased lifespan, if you stay outside for more than two decades, you might never see them again. Shouldn''t you think about them as well?"


    The echoes of her plea lingered in the vast expanse, urging him to consider the profound impact of time on his bonds within the vige.


    Bing Xueli''s eyes failed to discern the distinctions between Mei Leiyan, Yu Yutong, and Wang Xiao ¨C all seemingly fresh out of the womb,cking the weight of considerable life experiences.


    Wang Xiao''s expression soured. "I know, but what can I do? Can I even do anything to them? One looks like her eyes would kill me, and another threatens me to pierce me with a spear."


    Bing Xueli, amused, questioned, "Since when did you start showing signs of fear?"


    Wang Xiao hesitated for a moment before admitting, "It''s not them."


    Bing Xueli probed further, "Then what is it?"


    Wang Xiao sighed, deciding to confront the issue head-on. "It''s you." Since the conversation had taken this turn, he might as well address the source of his difort.


    Bing Xueli, stunned, blinked in surprise. "Me?"


    Wang Xiao affirmed, "Yes, you. You keep spying on me every time, even while I am going to pee. How am I supposed to do anything with them or even think of it? What if you came from behind attacking me like some madwoman?"


    He refrained from adding that, in such a scenario,ying his ws over her might be his primary goal before considering the others.


    "..."


    Bing Xueli fell into a contemtive silence, absorbing Wang Xiao''s candid words. Most would shy away frombeling her as a "madwoman," a term that could have consequences, yet Wang Xiao, her unofficially adopted son, seemed to possess a certaintitude in his interactions with her.


    He enjoyed privileges like unfettered ess to her house, living rent-free ¨C a level of familiarity that even surpassed his rtionship with Xinyue Zhn.


    At times, he found himself entertaining the thought that she might be his long-lost mother. His interactions with Xinyue Zhn paled inparison to the dynamic he shared with Bing Xueli.


    As he nced at her, he couldn''t help but gulp, his gaze lingering on her red lips. ''Mother or not, she is only for me...'' he reassured himself, relegating sentimental considerations to the backseat.


    Wang Xiao had previously probed her rtionship status and past romantic interests, but Bing Xueli deftly sidestepped the question.


    Given her intelligence, she couldn''t possibly be unaware of his interest in her, leaving the nature of their connection shrouded in mystery.

 Chapter 91: Wang Xiao found his Long Lost Mother?

    Despite Wang Xiao''s attempts to engage, Bing Xueli continued to ignore him. Both Wang Xiao and Yin Yue independently reached the conclusion not to tread upon that delicate line until he surpassed her in power.


    The unspoken understanding between them hung in the air, a mutual decision to avoid crossing boundaries.


    Unaware of the true reason behind Bing Xueli''s demeanor, Wang Xiao remained in the dark.


    He pondered whether the curse of guilt applied to her or not?


    If it doesn''t, wouldn''t he be treading over a living mine?


    The rift in theirmunication persisted, with Wang Xiao sensing that his reference to her as a "madwoman" had deeply unsettled her. Wisely choosing not to further provoke her, he maintained a respectful distance.


    As they touched down in her courtyard, the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the evening.


    Bing Xueli walked inside and settled on the couch. With Wang Xiao having little else to do, he gracefully moved to the same couch, extending his legs and cing his head directly over her thighs.


    The softness of her skin yielded under the weight of his head as he used the couch to take a casual nap.


    Opening his eyes slightly, his view obstructed by her breasts, he found her engrossed in misceneous tasks, careful not to disturb his repose.


    It was a privilege that Wang Xiao took pride in, a dynamic he might boast about to Mei Leiyan (Amelia) given the chance.


    The fragrance emanating from her skin carried a sense of cleanliness, a evidence to Bing Xueli''s meticulous personal care.


    She always smelled pleasant, a detail not lost on Wang Xiao as he luxuriated in the rare tranquility of the moment.


    Wang Xiao''s sudden move surprised Bing Xueli as his hands delicately brushed against her hair. "Your hair''s quite something, Eleanor, they are well maintained," heplimented, unable to resist bringing a few strands to his face, inhaling deeply.


    "Mm?" Bing Xueli halted her task, casting a downward nce. "They are," she replied casually before returning to her work.


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Yin Yue''s voice echoed, [Pftt... Ignored again. Wang Xiao, give up on her. She''s purposefully ignoring you and might as well just see you as a child.]


    Wang Xiao shrugged it off, ''Let her be. This "child" will one day explore her depths to teach her the pleasures of men.''


    Yin Yue remarked, [Quite confident, huh?]


    Wang Xiao remained silent, a mysterious smile ying on his lips.


    As Wang Xiao leisurely ran his fingers through Bing Xueli''s hair, he harbored no concerns about her. It was merely a waiting game, and at the very least, he didn''t need to guard her, given herplete disinterest in men.


    While engrossed in this activity, Bing Xueli seemed to be contemting something. Eventually, she spoke, "You can go after Mei Leiyan and Yu Yutong. No need to worry about being stopped by me."


    "?" Wang Xiao raised his brows, genuinely puzzled. "I can?"


    Bing Xueli responded, "Have I ever restricted you?"


    Wang Xiao, deep in contemtion, shook his head. Bing Xueli nodded in satisfaction, resuming her nning, scribbling ideas for the uing year on paper.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t suppress his curiosity. "... Does the methods matter?"


    Bing Xueli''s pen halted mid-air, the room momentarily still. "What kind of methods are you considering?" she inquired, her gaze fixed on the paper sprawled before her.


    Wang Xiao nonchntly shrugged. "Nothing specific. But does it really matter? If it''s... a bit... I mean..." He hesitated, a subtle hesistation creeping onto his voice as he found himself reluctant to articte his thoughts so explicitly to a woman.


    Bing Xueli shifted her attention from the paper to his face, her eyes locking onto his. "You mean what?"


    Wang Xiao let out a sigh. "Does it matter whether I employ force or not?" he asked bluntly.


    Bing Xueli blinked, a moment of contemtion passing before she responded with indifference, "It doesn''t concern me. Anything else?"


    Wang Xiao was left in stunned silence.


    ''Is she brain-dead or incapable of understanding?'' he mused, deciding to dismiss the thought for now. Perhaps, he could use her seemingly indifferent stance to his advantage in the future.


    Then, in the midst of his contemtions, Wang Xiao arrived at what he considered a groundbreaking discovery.


    He stood up in surprise. "Do you want me to have kids with them, to produce mutants? Is that your secret n?" he asked, astonishment evident in his voice.


    Bing Xueli, typicallyposed, couldn''t entirely conceal a subtle twitch in her eyes at his proposal. She nodded calmly, stating, "It''s a good idea."


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Bing Xueli reached out, grabbing his face and guiding his head to rest on her thighs. "Why do you always think I want to harm or extort you in some way?" she inquired, her soft hand delicately ced on his face, a glint of curiosity in her eyes.


    Her light blue eyes, cold as ice, fixated on his face as she tilted her head slightly.


    Wang Xiao deliberated. "... Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"


    Bing Xueli''s response was firm. "Truth."


    Wang Xiao let out a sigh. "Then hear the lie. I respect you quite a lot, which includes your desire to continue the vige. You might consider any means necessary to achieve that."


    Bing Xueli nodded, absorbing his words, before offering her own interpretation. "You mean to say, this ''Mad Woman'' can go insane to protect her species and would go to any lengths for it? Is that right, Xiao?"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao closed his eyes, feigning sleep. ''She''s still pissed off about it...''


    Bing Xueli fell into silence.


    Left speechless by his feigned slumber to evade her, dealing with rebellious individuals like him posed a significant challenge for her.


    In normal circumstances, erasing memories and sending them to the temple altar for hypnosis would be the solution.


    Yet, with Wang Xiao, she had to adapt... and learn to coexist.


    Since harming him or losing his trust wasn''t an option, given the potential dangers posed by his powers, she found herself in a delicate position.


    Unlike them, who could only alter his memories, he had the capability to end their lives ¡ª considering he wasn''t bound by the curse of guilt.


    Over time, she had learned to tolerate his actions and words, growing ustomed to them.


    Yet, every now and then, he would manage to stun her anew, reminding everyone why he was Wang Xiao.


    Hisck of politeness and blunt words could cut through others like knives, and she had to be cautious of the impact his tongue could have.


    __________

 Chapter 92: Victoria Stone

    "Xiao..."


    The soft moonlight streamed through the open doors, casting a gentle glow on Wang Xiao, whoy nestled in Bing Xueli''sp. Azy murmur escaped his lips as he twisted, seeking morefort in the cocoon of drowsiness.


    "It''s already 4," Bing Xueli''s voice, cool andposed, attempted to break through theyers of sleep that enveloped him.


    "Just 4?" Wang Xiao responded with a groggy voice. His eyshes strained as he peeked at her face, the world still a haze around him. "Why not join me in a bit more shut-eye?"


    Bing Xueli, her tone serene as the moonlight, answered back, "If I go to sleep, you won''t wake up early and miss your training."


    Wang Xiao chuckled, a hint of mischief in his tone, "You worry too much, Eleanor. My internal clock is on point, you know?"


    A sigh escaped Bing Xueli, "Internal clock or not, you''re still toozy."


    Wang Xiao shed a charming smile, "Lazy? I prefer to call it energy conservation. Gotta keep some in reserve for when I really need it."


    Bing Xueli''s voice remained steady, "Energy conservation, huh? Just get up, Xiao."


    Wang Xiao groaned, his movements intentional, identally hitting her breasts a few times,  "Fine, fine. Allow me a few more minutes ofziness."


    Shaking her head, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips, Bing Xueli remarked, "You''rezy, Wang Xiao."


    He grinned, "That''s what makes me charming, isn''t it?"


    Bing Xueli, momentarily breaking herposed fa?ade, responded seriously, "Charming or not, you still need to get up. The world won''t wait for you."


    Finally relenting, Wang Xiao sat up. As he did, Bing Xueli couldn''t help but think, her expression remaining cold, ''Tranquility with him around? That''s a rare urrence indeed.''


    At the brisk hour of 4:30, Wang Xiao, with a body still yearning for rest, reluctantly pulled himself away from the living room. His flight towards a secluded spot within the expansive Xianthera was marked by a slight instability, as if his body resisted the early morning endeavors.


    His trajectory led him to a castle perched atop a hill, nestled within the embrace of the surrounding forest near Silvertide city.


    In the midst of the vast expanse of Xianthera, where the poption was sparse and creatures of the wild outnumbered humans, Wang Xiao touched down on the top balcony of the castle.


    A yawn escaped him, only to be interrupted as his eyes twitched, catching sight of a spear hurtling towards him with astonishing speed.


    ''Again?''


    Wang Xiao let out a resigned sigh, gracefully adjusting his position just in time.


    Whoosh!


    The spear whizzed past him, missing his face by a mere inch, leaving a fleeting gust of wind pping against his face.


    Boom!


    With force, the projectile embedded itself in the wall behind him, cracking the structure. Observing the damage, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but address the unseen assant.


    "Victoria, can you cease these childish antics and perhaps adopt a more humane approach for weing me?"


    *Tap...*


    *Tap...*


    In the empty hallway, the rhythmic echo of footsteps resonated, signaling the imminent arrival of Victoria. The atmosphere seemed to stir as a woman with abnormally long pink hair, reminiscent of a cascade of cherry blossoms, emerged. Each strand swayed gracefully with her every movement, adding an ethereal touch to her appearance.


    Her hourss figure, with a slender waist that entuated curves, hinted at both elegance and strength. As she walked, the gentle sway of her hips showcased a natural confidence, the kind thatmanded attention. The fabric of her attire clung subtly to her form, emphasizing the shape of her body, including a well-defined silhouette and a graceful posture.


    Sapphire eyes radiated a captivating glow, reflecting a yful demeanor that mirrored her mischievous reputation. A subtle smile graced her lips in response to the echoing footsteps, hinting at the anticipation of the encounter about to unfold.


    The soft tap of her shoes against the floor harmonized with the ambient echoes. As Wang Xiao''s eyes trailed her, he couldn''t help but notice the subtle bounce of her two baby rabbits, with each step she took.


    His eyes twitched, and in his mind, he cursed, ''Exhibitionist.''


    "Oh, where''s the fun in being humane?" Victoria spoke with an air of mischief, twirling another spear in her hands.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, his expression one of mild irritation. "Fun? Victoria, you nearly impaled me again. I''m here for training, not to dodge your spears every morning."


    Victoria chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But dodging spears sharpens your reflexes, doesn''t it? Besides, it''s amusing to watch you squirm."


    Wang Xiao shook his head in exasperation. "I have better things to do than y dodgeball with your spears. Can we focus on actual training?"


    She smirked, tossing the spear aside. "Fine, let''s see how fast you can react today."


    _________


    The training reached its conclusion in the expansive garden before the castle, leaving both Wang Xiao and Victoria sprawled in exhaustion at their respective spots, beads of sweat glistening on their skin.


    Yin Yue suggested, "[Wang Xiao, now that you have a license to spar with her, how about imparting a lesson in humility?]"


    Wang Xiao frowned as he sat up, silently questioning Yin Yue''s sudden aggression.


    Even though he voiced reluctance, his eyes couldn''t help but be drawn to Victoria. Lying on the grass, her chest rose and fell with each breath, creating a captivating rhythm that subtly influenced his thoughts.


    While he might not have surpassed Bing Xueli in power yet, facing Victoria wouldn''t pose a significant challenge. Officially known as Victoria Stone, she held the title of the most powerful woman in the vige, unbeknownst to the vigers who remained unaware of Bing Xueli.


    Yet, there was another man in the vige, a mysterious figure Wang Xiao had glimpsed on asion. Holding the title of the most powerful, his true strength remained untested by Wang Xiao.


    As for what Victoria does here?


    She exhibits this quirky habit of wearing minimalistic attire, standing out even in the wilderness. Living in town posed issues, for it was more about narcissism than exhibitionism. Hence, she sought refuge in this untamed expanse.


    Whenever she reenters society, her wardrobe undergoes aplete 360¡ã transformation. Wang Xiao can''t help but question if she morphs into an entirely different persona, exuding the aura of a nobledy.


    As Wang Xiao approached, Victoria noticed him and narrowed her eyes sharply. "Huh, do you want to take advantage of me and attack me in this helpless position?" she grumbled, feigning pain.


    Wang Xiao was well aware that despite her seemingly approachable demeanor, the moment he made a move, she would adopt an indifferent persona, bing cold and distant.


    Unlike Mei Leiyan, Victoria showed no interest in him, or even in the concept of men.


    Yet, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but ponder¡ªdid her choices truly matter to him?

 Chapter 93: The Curse of Guilt

    Did her choice even matter to him?


    The answer was a straight ¡ª  no!


    His hands itched to finally teach her a lesson¡ªshe couldn''t dress so provocatively in front of a man and expect not to face consequences.


    As Victoria noticed Wang Xiao approaching, her face briefly froze.


    However, instead of stopping, he continued to get closer, his intent clear. With a sudden movement, she stood up, the soft grass crunching beneath her feet as she jumped backward, creating some distance between them. "Nice try," she chuckled, only to find Wang Xiao had vanished from her view.


    ''Where did he disappear to?'' she thought, an uneasy feeling gripping her. The surrounding wilderness seemed to close in, casting shadows that danced in the corners of her vision.


    Suddenly, a hand wrapped around her neck from behind, the grip firm and cold, sending a chill down her spine.


    !!


    Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a sinister smirk as he taunted, "Victoria, isn''t it high time you started dressing more modestly? Your future husband wouldn''t appreciate a woman parading around half-naked."


    Victoria''s brows furrowed in defiance as she retorted, "Why should I care?"


    But in a sudden and swift motion, Wang Xiao wrapped his legs around hers, entangling her in a tight grip. In an instant, both of them toppled backwards, crashing down onto the ground.


    The impact resounded with a thunderous boom!


    As the dust settled, Wang Xiao''s back met the hard surface, but it was Victoria who winced in pain, trapped by him.


    With a hold that felt like ws, Wang Xiao locked her in an unyielding position. "Well, since you seem to enjoy this so much, perhaps I should remove even these," he sneered.


    His fingers grazed over the delicate fabric of her bra, straining under the weight of her breasts, threatening to tear it apart.


    !!


    "You dare!?"


    Victoria''s eyes red with anger, a searing intensity as she felt a level of disrespect she hadn''t encountered from Wang Xiao before.


    Swish!


    The spear shot towards her hand from the ground with astonishing speed. Wang Xiao blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her sudden eruption of anger, causing his cheek to graze slightly against the de of the spear.


    *Splurt...*


    Blood spurted out, leaving a faint, crimson trail over his face.


    !?


    Victoria, realizing his weakening grip, swiftly freed herself and turned around, only to discover a small cut on his cheek, now bleeding.


    "Pfttt... Who told you to be brave?" she admonished with a wide, mocking smile before her own eyes snapped open, widening in anticipation.


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao found her retreating a few steps, her eyes a mix of horror and confusion, before Victoria suddenly crumpled to the ground, hands clutching her head in agony.


    "Arghhhh!"


    Her jaw clenched tightly, body convulsing, tears streaming down her face as bone-shattering pain overwhelmed her senses.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flickered with emotion, slightly curious, he whispered. "So, this is the curse of guilt...?"


    He had witnessed simr instances before, but this was an unprecedented intensity.


    It seemed that the malicious intent behind the attack yed a pivotal role.


    Wang Xiao observed Victoria''s struggle, but rather than feeling concerned, he had hard time supressing hisughter, "I guess attacking with the intention to strip someone naked triggers this curse more than just attacking for real."


    Victoria, gritting her teeth, shot him an annoyed look through her pain. "You... think this is funny?"


    Wang Xiao, a mischievous grin forming, replied, "Well, considering you''re the one who threw the spear at me, I''d say it''s a bit ironic, don''t you think?"


    Victoria, still writhing in difort, retorted, "This is not funny at all. Make it stop!"


    Wang Xiao, leaning on his elbow, looked down at her with an almost non-existent concern. "I don''t think I have the power to stop it. It''s your own conscience punishing you."


    Victoria red at him, "Conscience? I don''t feel guilty about anything!"


    Wang Xiao chuckled, "Well, your subconscious seems to disagree."


    As Victoria continued to endure the torment of the curse, Wang Xiao leaned back, his expression more thoughtful. "Interesting... I need to be careful with this power. It''s not just about what I do, but how you do it."


    Victoria, still in pain, mumbled, "Lesson learned. Now, make it stop, please."


    Wang Xiao nonchntly shrugged, "Honestly, I''m clueless. Doesn''t it usually just fade away on its own, though?"


    Victoria''s eyes shot open, her head ringing, "Ugh!" She flew towards the balcony, crashing into it, while Wang Xiao observed her impact on the walls, a twisted amusement in his expression. "Haha... This is surprisingly entertaining."


    In the midst of hisughter, the hell spirit, Yin Yue, issued a caution, [It doesn''t trigger based on her conscience. As long as she imagines herself harming a human, it would trigger. Not to mention, even if someone else is harming someone else, then even the sight of it might trigger the curse. It''s quite vicious.]


    Wang Xiao''s brows arched in curiosity, ''But how?''


    Yin Yue elucidated, [It''s not a curse. All the ancestors of the humans in this vige were gically modified in the lost realms of time, perhaps to shield thismunity from wars or internal conflicts. Whatever the reason, someone altered their genes, shaping them into what they are today. There is no curse or myth, it''s just a prevention mechanism ced upon them, to stop the misuse of power.]


    Wang Xiao, intrigued, leaned over the tree. "Gically modified? So, all this power and curse business is not some mystical force, but a result of human intervention in thier genes?"


    Yin Yue confirmed, [Exactly. It seems like an ancient experiment to ensure peace within themunity. But as time passed, the purpose got lost, and now, it''s just a set of strange rules they all have to live by.]


    ''Ancient... How ancient...?'' Wang Xiao''s skepticism couldn''t be contained.


    The thought dawned on him that even Bing Xueli wasn''t exempt from the sands of time; inheriting the seat of the ethicsmittee head hinted at the existence of this small world long before her.


    Wang Xiao, consumed by curiosity, couldn''t resist asking. His eyes roamed across the hill, taking in the entirety of the vast expanse, as he inquired, ''What truly happened in this ce?''

 Chapter 94: Graduation Ceremony!

    The Temple Altar!


    In the heart of Xianthera, a solitary temple graced the outskirts of Silvertide city, a sanctum atop a majestic hill.


    Monks, d in robes that draped elegantly over their heads like mystical hoodies, stood sentinel at its entrance.


    The air was imbued with a serene anticipation as a patient multitude awaited their turn.


    "Group A, forge ahead!" dered the fifth monk, his voice cutting through the hushed murmurs of the crowd.


    Like a well-choreographed dance, five individuals swiftly emerged, their steps guided by an unspoken rhythm.


    As the massive wooden doors creaked open, revealing the temple''s sacred interior, a aura of reverence enveloped those who passed through.


    The architecture whispered tales of centuries, and the fragrance of incense hung in the air like a timeless hymn.


    Observing from his vantage point, the crowd conductor monk spoke again,"Patience, for within these hallowed halls, tranquility awaits. Group B, prepare yourselves for the sacred journey."


    __________


    "So, he is Shin?"


    Wang Xiao ventured into the sacred space, met at the threshold by a figure whose silver tresses cascaded like a cascade of moonlight.


    Positioned before the gate, the enigmatic man halted their advance. "Proceed one by one," he directed, his voice weaving through the air with a subtle, almost ethereal femininity that sent an involuntary shiver down Wang Xiao''s spine.


    Shin, the acimed pinnacle of strength in Xianthera, his renown unchallenged save for the unknown Bing Xueli.


    Whispers spoke of his might, tales woven with the belief that his very strength could cleave the earth itself.


    Yet, veiled behind a mask, Shin presented as an unremarkable figure, a ciphercking any distinct features.


    Despite the mundane appearance, Wang Xiao understood the wisdom of caution, refraining from any reckless engagement. Before challenging the unassuming visage, one had to stare beneath theyers that concealed the true essence of Shin.


    Emma, the vanguard of their group, gracefully entered the sanctum, marking the initiation of the graduation ceremony. Following in her wake, Chris found himself detained by Shin. The guardian''s gaze, sharp and discerning, bore into Chris, an exchange of unspokennguage transpiring before permission was granted for him to proceed.


    As Wang Xiao observed this peculiar interaction, a furrow creased his brow, and a singr thought echoed in his mind: ''Telepathy?'' The realization struck him, for despite knowing Chris as the prodigious talent destined to assume Shin''s mantle, the revtion of telepathic prowess was a revtion beyond expectation.


    In this mystical realm where even Bing Xueli''s capabilities hadn''t unveiled such depths, the concept of telepathy seemed like an arcane secret, hidden from Wang Xiao until this moment.


    Following Chris, Seth and Ray traversed the sacred threshold, leaving Wang Xiao standing at thest spot.


    In the ssroom, students divided into groups of five, their collective dynamic forming a unique diversity.


    Among them stood a groupposed of four boys and a lone girl, Emma.


    The quartet of boysprised Chris, Seth, Ray, and the enigmatic Wang Xiao.


    However, Wang Xiao, despite harboring remarkable talents, had been subtly advised by Bing Xueli to conceal his prowess, assuming the guise of averageness.


    Consequently, he operated in the periphery, drawing limited attention¡ªexcept from Emma and Ray, each drawn for distinct reasons.


    Emma, the ever-friendly presence, seamlessly connected with everyone in the group, fostering a camaraderie that transcended boundaries.


    On the other hand, Ray, an outlier, held an air of istion.


    His disdain for Chris and Seth cast shadows over their interactions, prompting him to linger on the fringes.


    In this social ecosystem, Ray and Wang Xiao asionally foundmon ground, their connection on themon ground of hate against the world.


    "You''re Wang Xiao?" Shin halted Wang Xiao, an unexpected pause that sent a jolt through him; after all, no one else had been stopped by Shin except for Chris.


    "Yes, I am Wang Xiao," Wang Xiao replied, attempting to lock eyes with Shin. However, Shin''s eyes remained shut, shrouded in perpetual darkness.


    Shin''s voice, though calm, carried a subtle sternness. "It''s your graduation ceremony today. Why are you wearing dirty clothes?"


    Wang Xiao furrowed his brows. Having arrived directly from training with Victoria, he considered his attire presentable. The notion of being questioned by someone unfamiliar with his training routine sparked a subtle inward amusement.


    "Were clean clothes a requirement for the graduation ceremony...? We didn''t receive any instructions," Wang Xiao advocated.


    "..."


    A momentary silence filled the air, the four monks ahead casting disapproving frowns at Wang Xiao''s perceived audacity.


    Shin, however, took a moment to contemte before nodding, "It indeed isn''t a requirement. You can go ahead."


    A sigh of relief escaped Wang Xiao as he moved forward, though this particr ce was not high on his list of preferences.


    As he entered, his four ssmates seemed to have vanished, reced by a congregation of monks.


    The temple priest, a figure draped in ceremonial robes, motioned for Wang Xiao to take a seat in front of the radiant altar.


    "Take a seat!"


    Wang Xiaoplied, settling before the zing altar as directed by the temple priest.


    As he settled, the warm glow of the flickering mes danced on the temple walls, casting ethereal patterns that seemed to intertwine with the sanctity of the moment.


    The air was charged with a mysterious energy, and the temple priest began a chant, the rhythmic cadence filling the sacred space.


    Wang Xiao, though curious, maintained aposed demeanor, his gaze shifting between the dancing mes and the temple priest, who seemed to channel ancient wisdom with every uttered syble.


    In a moment of profound solemnity, the temple priest ceremoniously tossed a small doll fashioned from earth-toned cloth into the air, suspending it with an otherworldly grace directly above the altar.


    "Henceforth, all your powers shall be yours and yours alone! Any misuse shall strip you of the sacred arts, and the ancestral spirits shall arbitrate your destiny!"


    A spectral energy enveloped the scene as five ethereal needles materialized, piercing the cloth doll in a dance of sacred precision before it disintegrated into ephemeral embers.


    As the needlespleted their celestial choreography, the temple priest continued, "Remember, this ceremony marks the beginning of a journey that transcends the physical realm. Your powers, though yours to wield, must align with the sacred purpose of this temple."


    Wang Xiao felt a fleeting, tingling sensation coursing through him, a symbolic resonance of the hypnotic ritual.


    He remained stoic, cognizant that this ceremonial act was a hypnosis ritual, and nothing else.

 Chapter 95: Demon cats (1)

    "Hey, guys, what''s our next move?"


    Emma''s questioned as she settled atop a moss-covered rock. Her long, straight, dark hair cascaded down her back, a stark contrast to the winterndscape that surrounded them. Despite the biting cold, she exuded a vibrant energy, her youthful face adorned with a trace of vigor.


    Dressed inyers of thick winter clothes, she sat with legs yfully dangling, posing the question to Wang Xiao and the others, who shared a collective sense of bewilderment.


    Although she should have been well into her twenties, there was a timeless quality about Emma. Like others in the vige, she seemed untouched by the passage of years, a mystery woven into the fabric of their existence.


    Seth, catching a glimpse of the enchanting mist-coveredndscape around them, contemted their next steps. "Perhaps we seek guidance from the elders or explore the surrounding areas. This temple holds mysteries, and understanding them may unveil our purpose," he suggested, the weight of the ceremony lingering in his thoughts.


    A collective groan echoed through the crisp air as Emma, fueled by instant denial, dramatically leaped down from the rocky perch. "Nooooo! Are you dense, Seth? Can''t we do something else, something more... interesting?"


    Against the backdrop of the wintryndscape, Chris, nonchntly leaning against a gnarled tree, caught Emma''s eyes momentarily.


    She shifted her attention, a spark of curiosity evident in her expression. "Hey, Chris, what are your ns?" she probed, her tone holding a hint of anticipation.


    "Tch... It''s that Chris again," Ray snorted, a palpable disdain coloring his features as he distanced himself slightly.


    The subtle undercurrent of rivalry surfaced, fueled by an unspokenpetition for Emma''s attention, a dynamic that grated on Ray''s nerves.


    Wang Xiao, an observer to this drama, couldn''t help but blink, his mind momentarily envisioning the intricate web of futures these interwoven rtionships might spin.


    In the midst of this, Chris, after a measured pause, decided to unveil a piece of his own future. "I''ve received an offer from the security council to join them," he disclosed.


    Seth''sughter echoed through the wintry air. "Of course, you would. Let''s not forget who''s at the helm of the security council ¨C Senior Shin, after all!"


    Emma nodded, revealing, "I''ve got an offer from the foreign rtions department."


    Seth''s eyes widened in genuine surprise. "What? Seriously? That''s not something you hear every day."


    His disbelief lingered, underscoring the rarity of such an opportunity.


    Emma, her cheeks tinted with a hint of embarrassment, admitted, "Well, they were in a bind, and the rtions between different Ratwalkersmunities are worsening."


    Ray, leaning against a nearby tree, raised an eyebrow casually. "Why not just take them out?"


    The suggestion lingered in the crisp air, a stark reminder of the stark difference in perspective.


    After all, Ratwalkers were ssified as a beast species, not human, opening a moral abyss where questions of coexistence and conflict blurred into shades of gray.


    Emma''s brow furrowed in thought. "We can''t really do it. It would cause mass panic, and they might revolt. And we all know how that would end. Besides, with our poption being so low, those Ratwalkers are the ones helping us run those factories."


    Ray, with a mockingugh, interjected, "You mean the Ratwalkers who are forced into very by us?"


    Emma''s expression darkened, a retort on the tip of her tongue, but even Chris raised an eyebrow in contemtion. The weight of the truth lingered in the chilly air.


    In a surprising turn, Seth stepped in, cing a reassuring hand on Emma''s shoulder, d in a thick jacket. "It''s alright. No one is enving anyone. We provide protection to theirmunity as well."


    Emma, taken aback by the unexpected support, let out a small, appreciative smile, the tension momentarily diffusing.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but release a silentugh, shaking his head, ''Haha... These fools,'' he mused inwardly, a wry smile lingering on his lips. ''What a weird group.''


    As Emma''s eyes expressed gratitude towards Seth, Wang Xiao found himself momentarily at a loss for words.


    The girl who believed she harbored feelings for Chris appeared to share an undeniable synergy with Seth, an emotion that she had conveniently tucked into the realms of friendship.


    Theplexity of their rtionships left Wang Xiao bewildered.


    Yet ¡ª Why all of this?


    The roots traced back to their school days, where individuals werepelled to choose future partners. Although such decisions typically waned post-graduation, Emma and Chris had been designated partners.


    Emma, holding onto the connection more earnestly, seemed to still cling to that designation, while Chris, by contrast, appeared to view it with a more casual indifference.


    The tradition of pairing, initially established to ensure each male had a female counterpart for reproduction and vige prosperity, had undergone significant changes.


    In the past, it was mandatory even post-graduation, but a pivotal moment during Amelia, Shin, and Victoria''s school years brought about a drastic shift.


    Shin and Victoria were paired together, but Victoria, refusing to adhere to tradition, initiated a series of unconventional actions.


    This rebellion prompted the introduction of new rules¡ªpairs formed in school were no longer binding for a lifetime, and it became the students'' choice to continue such rtionships after graduation.


    Wang Xiao, Seth, and Ray had their respective female partners, but they chose to disregard the traditional expectations, charting their own course.


    However, beyond theplexities of Seth, Emma, and Chris''s rtionships, what made this group even weirder?


    Wang Xiao''s gaze shifted to the short-haired Ray, noticing the faint mark on his neck¡ªa lingering wound from a forgotten conflict with Chris.


    The memory of the fight had been erased from their minds, leaving them blissfully unaware of the past conflict.


    However, the incident had unwittingly exposed Ray''s concealed feelings for Emma, shedding light on his evident disdain for both Chris and Seth, who shared varying degrees of closeness with Emma.


    In the aftermath, with wiped memories, everyone believed their secrets were safely guarded.


    But Wang Xiao, unaffected by the memory wipe, recalled every detail and found amusement in their behaviour.


    Hisughter, punctuating the quietude, caught the attention of the group.


    Emma, sensing there might be more beneath the surface, questioned, "Wang Xiao, what about you? What are you going to do now?"

 Chapter 96: Demon Cats? (2)

    Emma, sensing there might be more beneath the surface, questioned, "Wang Xiao, what about you? What are you going to do now?"


    Wang Xiao met Emma''s gaze with a small smile before delivering his response, "Me? It shouldn''t concern you." His words, delivered with calm assurance, left a ripple of confusion and curiosity in the air.


    Leaning against the tree, he closed his eyes, seemingly indifferent to the puzzled expressions around him.


    Ray, however, caught the subtle meaning and nodded in silent acknowledgment.


    "Wang Xiao is right," Ray continued. "We''re beyond our school days, and now, we''re adults. No need to cling to the groups of the past; we''ve moved beyond those school traditions."


    Emma couldn''t conceal her surprise. "What? Ray, are you serious?" Her questioning gaze flitted between Ray and Chris, seeking confirmation.


    Chris, aligning with Ray''s perspective, nodded in agreement. "Ray''s not wrong," he added subtly, acknowledging the natural evolution of their rtionships.


    Emma pursed her lips, a silent protest against the shifting days. "You guys! I thought we were friends," she voiced, a tinge of disappointment in her words.


    A shared nce between Ray and Wang Xiao betrayed their silent consensus: ''This woman''s screw is loose.'' Their eyesmunicated a mutual understanding of Emma''s immature perspective.


    Time change, and so does people, why cling to it eternally?


    Seth nonchntly shrugged, "I don''t know about them, but I have an offer to join the upational council."


    Chris interjected, redirecting the conversation, "Can we leave this discussion forter and decide what to do for today?" The question captivated everyone''s attention, including Wang Xiao''s.


    The true purpose of their gathering had been to embark on their first adventure post-graduation, and Chris''s suggestion brought a renewed focus to the possibilities thaty ahead.


    Seth suggested, "How about we pay a visit to the Ratwalkers colony?"


    "Nah, too boring."


    "Then, how about heading to the edge of theke? I heard there''s a haunted house there!"


    "It would consume the entire day; we should go somewhere closer."


    "Somewhere close...?"


    Unexpectedly, Chris  added, "What if we explore the graveyard in the school?"


    Emma and Seth shared a look of surprise, while Ray strolled toward them, joining the conversation.


    "But isn''t that just a myth?" Sethughed, a faint unease lingering at the mention of a graveyard.


    Chris maintained hisposure, "I''ve heard some students im they spotted people taking bodies there."


    Ray added, "I''ve heard the rumors as well..."


    Emma''s face lit up with excitement, her eyes sparkling, "Then it''s decided; we''re sneaking into the graveyard!"


    Wang Xiao shook his head, a wry smile ying on his lips, ''They never learn, do they?''


    Yin Yue agreed, [They have visited there so many times.]


    Wang Xiao nodded inwardly, ''Indeed they have, but their altered memories keep them in the dark.''


    Emma called out, her voice echoing with enthusiasm, "Wang Xiao, what are you doing in the corner? Come and join us! We''re nning to infiltrate the graveyard inside the school!"


    "Yeah, yeah, sure..." Wang Xiao replied, a hint of amusement in his tone, agreeing to the n. Deep down, he couldn''t suppress the anticipation, knowing well the peculiar turn their adventure was likely to take.


    _________


    Silvertide Academy!


    "Ugh! It''s so hard to open," Seth, with furrowed brows, exerted himself against the imposing steel gates. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, testament to the considerable effort required to breach the formidable entrance.


    With a reluctant groan, the gates yielded, unveiling their true challenge¡ªthe massive half-meter thickness of steel.


    The physical manifestation of their difficulty in breaking in became evident, leaving the group in awe of the academy''s security measures.


    Stepping beyond the imposing gates, memories of a past incident flooded Wang Xiao''s mind.


    Three years ago...


    "Hey, this ce looks so silent," a younger Emma observed, her voice echoing in the stillness of the academy grounds.


    Seth, his frown deepening, warned, "We shouldn''t havee here."


    Chris, ncing at peculiarly arranged boxes, added, "What''s with those boxes?"


    Ray urgently warned, "Don''t touch the¡ª"


    But it was toote. In synchronized movements, Chris and Emma unveiled the hidden contents beneath the cloths.


    A collective gasp escaped the group as their eyes locked onto the creature within.


    Hissss!


    Scratch!


    The creature awoke violently, scratching against the grille. Seth''s horrified voice shattered the silence, "I-Is this real!?"


    "Demon cats..." Chris whispered, his words hanging in the tense air.


    Emma remained frozen, her wide eyes reflecting the shock of the discovery.


    The colossal cats, standing at an imposing one and a half meters,manded attention with their predatory eyes, exuding an aura of both majesty and evil presence.


    Suddenly, a forgotten scene from Emma''s past yed out in her mind, the weight of memories surfacing and causing her eyes to well up with emotion.


    "Emma?" Ray noticed the sudden shift in her demeanor, gently shaking her to snap her back to the present.


    "Y-Yeah..." she stammered, collecting herself. Yet, at that very moment, the faint sounds of approaching footsteps reached their ears. Instantly, the group exchanged rmed nce, urgently speaking.


    "Someone ising!"


    "Fix everything, quick!"


    With a flurry of hurried movements, they meticulously restored the scene to its original state, the room returning to its seemingly undisturbed condition.


    In a matter of seconds, they retreated to the corner, concealing themselves behind one of the boxes.


    As the neers entered, recognition dawned on the group, their faces reflecting a mix of astonishment and disbelief.


    They Just can''t believe thier own eyes!


    One of the neers was none other than Amelia, the head of the board of education, and apanying her was Bing Xueli, along with other familiar faces from the teaching staff.


    Hisss!


    Boom!


    With a swift, coordinated effort, they opened one of the cages, prompting the beast within to lunge towards them.


    Yet, even before it could reach its target, its body violently collided with an unseen force, expertly wielded by Amelia.


    The beast struggled momentarily, attempting to break free, but ultimately sumbed to its restraints.


    With a defeated air, it was carefully ced back inside the cage, the encounter leaving the group in a stunned silence, the unexpected disy of power from Amelia casting a shadow of awe and fear over the group.


    "These are the batch of untamed beasts," Amelia briefed.


    Bing Xueli nodded, "I can see that muc¡ª"


    *Gasp!*


    The violent spectacle shattered Emma''sposure, plunging her into tears. Memories of her sister and parents flooded back, each recollection tearing at her emotions.


    "Who is there!"


    "Come out!"


    Amelia instantly spotted them, and her voice reverberated, making their hearts skip a beat in unison.

 Chapter 97: Most Efficient Way!

    And just like that, everyone was busted¡ªright at the moment they discovered the myth of demon cats was real!


    They had often heard stories warning that if they didn''t awaken PK before going to school, their fate would be fatal.


    However, many dismissed it as a joke, believing it to be just a folklore tale.


    There were also rumors of wild cats supposedly killing those who couldn''t awaken PK, but given the absence of any reported deaths, most treated it as mere superstition.


    Now, in the face of the untamed beasts and the discovery of the truth, the once-dismissed tales became a stark reality.


    The weight of the supernatural and the consequences of their ignorance pressed down on everyone as they confronted the actuality of the long-disregarded warnings.


    ________


    In the present day!


    "Why on earth did you encourage them to go there again?"


    Mei Leiyan''s frustration was boiling as she sat in her chair, hands over her head. Wang Xiao, in a rxed posture, upied the chair in front of her desk.


    He casually shrugged, "They''re not my responsibility, and had I stopped them, would we be having this conversation now?"


    Mei Leiyan''s frown deepened, "What do you mean?"


    Wang Xiao leaned back, a smile ying on his lips, "I mean... It was, without a doubt, the most efficient way to meet you."


    Mei Leiyan''s eyes narrowed, a mixture of irritation and curiosity evident in her expression. "You did all of that just to meet me?"


    Wang Xiao leaned forward, his casual demeanor unchanged. "Well, it was a rather effective icebreaker, don''t you think?"


    She sighed, shaking her head, "You''re insufferable."


    "But here we are, having this delightful conversation," he remarked, unfazed by her exasperation.


    Mei Leiyan couldn''t suppress a smile as she retorted, "Delightful might be a stretch."


    Wang Xiao chuckled, the audacity evident in his expression, "Fair enough. Now, let''s return to the more pressing matter. Those demon cats you were concealing. Why are the numbers increasing?"


    She arched an eyebrow, a hint of defiance in her tone, "Concealing? They are integral to our research on the PK awakening process, as you''re well aware. And what''s with that usatory ''you were hiding'' tone?"


    Leaning back, Wang Xiao''s smirk widened, "I merely wanted an excuse to meet the dignified Mei Leiyan in person. Looks like it worked."


    A sigh escaped her, a blend of irritation and amusement, "You are truly unbelievable."


    Wang Xiao countered, his tone usatory, "Had you not ced a sign outside and instructed every subordinate to bar my entry, we could have avoided this situation. It would have spared me some handiwork as well."


    Mei Leiyan knitted her brows, her expression turned dignified, and she crossed her legs as if ready to assert her point. "Do I need to remind you why I had to do that?"


    Wang Xiao, maintaining a nonchnt facade, responded with feigned innocence, "I can''t remember a single instance. Do remind me, please."


    A subtle twitch in Mei Leiyan''s eyes betrayed the simmering irritation she felt.


    She took a deep breath before sighing, standing up to address the audacious intruder.


    "Listen, Wang Xiao. First, you can''t call me Yanyan in front of everyone!"


    "It''s either Amelia or Teacher Melly."


    "Second, you can''t just barge into my office and upy my seat as if you own the ce."


    "And the most important one... The third! You can''t mix strange things into my drink and expect me to be polite." Mei Leiyan''s voice carried a blend of frustration and exasperation, each word emphasizing the absurdity of Wang Xiao''s behavior.


    "Here, drink some water." Wang Xiao handed her a ss, the condensation forming a sheen on its surface.


    She gulped it down in a single determined stretch.


    "Are you done now? Or do you want to listen to more?" Mei Leiyan asked, catching her breath, her eyes piercing as they red at him.


    Wang Xiao, feigning thoughtful consideration, eventually nodded. "It''s fine, but I can''t remember mixing anything in your drinks."


    "You don''t!?" Mei Leiyan felt a sense of exasperation, as if the walls of her patience were closing in.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, his expression genuinely perplexed, casting a shadow of doubt on Mei Leiyan''s recollection.


    "I don''t," he asserted.


    "Did... Eleanor do something to you afterward?" Mei Leiyan questioned, settling back into her seat.


    Wang Xiao, nonchnt, shrugged, "No idea. She might have yed with my memories as well. We can''t trust that witch. So, would you care to tell me what I did?"


    "..."


    Mei Leiyan nced at the closed ss windows, where a small sparrow perched, seemingly observing everything. The soft rustle of its feathers against the pane, seemingly ordinary scene, yet held a extraordinary significance, for those who knew.


    "She can hear us," Mei Leiyan cautioned, her voice carrying a gentle reminder.


    Wang Xiao, indifferent to the avian spectator, retorted, "As if I care. Any ''Bitch'' who ys with my memories can die. Now, would you care to tell me what I did?"


    "..."


    Somewhere in an unknown ce, Bing Xueli''s eyes twitched as she heard him insult her to her face. She sighed, relieved at least she hadn''t tampered with his memories, escaping the curse.


    Mei Leiyan hesitated, a fleeting shadow of uncertainty crossing her eyes. "You... Nevermind. Since you don''t remember, forget it."


    Wang Xiao shook his head, determination etched on his features. "Until you tell me, I am not going anywhere."


    Mei Leiyan, "..."


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Mei Leiyan, her gaze locked in a silent standoff with Wang Xiao, eventually relented, "On the night of the 27thst month, you strolled in with some wine bottles, suggesting we share a drink. Everything seemed ordinary until you handed me the ss, discreetly mixing something inside it."


    "Oh, that''s it?" Wang Xiao''s nonchnt response cut through the tense silence.


    Mei Leiyan hesitated, a subtle blush revealing her embarrassment as she continued, "You mixed aphrodisiac into my drink, Wang Xiao..." She spoke, the lingering frustration evident in her tone.


    Wang Xiao casually nodded, "So we ended up having quite the memorable night. No harm done, I don''t see any issues."


    Mei Leiyan''s eyes twitched. Despite the blush still coloring her face, she concealed it and shook her head, "I realized it early on. In the guise of needing the bathroom, I made a swift escape directly to Eleanor''s home, where I stayed overnight until I was sober. You probably didn''te back the entire night during that day."

 Chapter 98: You can fight, resist, or submit—it matters little!

    Mei Leiyan, "... I realized it early on.... You probably didn''te back the entire night during that day."


    Wang Xiao, seemingly unaffected,mented, "Too bad."


    Mei Leiyan''s face suddenly darkened upon hearing his nonchnt response. "Wang Xiao, it''s not a joke. You can''t y such cruel pranks on me. Yesterday it was aphrodisiac; what if someday it is poison?"


    Wang Xiao shook his head dismissively, "I didn''t mean it for that."


    Mei Leiyan, suspicious, halted in her tracks and asked, "Then what did you mean it for?"


    "That," Wang Xiao pointed to the ss of water he had handed over to her, "It appears I just mixed in the aphrodisiac again."


    "...", Mei Leiyan, her disbelief transforming into frustration, stood in a stunned silence.


    Wang Xiao, stillposed, queried, "So what now?"


    Mei Leiyan, "I am leaving..."


    In resignation, she stood up, the rhythmic tapping of her legs against the wooden floor echoing her disappointment as she headed for the door.


    As Mei Leiyan gracefully moved towards the door, her exposed skin and the open-back dress adding to the allure , Wang Xiao couldn''t resist the urge to turn his chair around, breaking into a mockingughter, "You sure about that?"


    *Bam!*


    *Bam!*


    *Bam!*


    Each exit was forcefully closed, the echoes resonating in the room. Wang Xiao, with red eyes focused on Mei Leiyan, nonchntly shrugged, a sinister smile curling on his lips, "It appears there''s no escape for you today."


    !?


    Mei Leiyan, her frustration turning into realization, stood there in silent contemtion.


    ncing left, she noticed the little sparrow still perched outside the window. However, before she could react, the window curtains glided seamlessly, concealing the outside world and sealing off herst chance for freedom.


    !?


    The tension in the room grew thick, and Mei Leiyan, realizing she was cornered, turned around to face Wang Xiao.


    Mei Leiyan, with a forced calmness, spoke, "Wang Xiao, what do you want?"


    Wang Xiao, still wearing that sinister smile, leaned back in his chair, "Oh, nothing much. Just a little chat. About our past, present, and maybe a hint of the future."


    Mei Leiyan, growing more uneasy, demanded, "Why are you doing this?"


    Wang Xiao''sughter echoed, "Why not? It''s amusing. Besides, it''s not every day I get the chance to have a private conversation with you."


    Mei Leiyan''s fists clenched, a slight tremor coursing through her body. "We have had this conversation so many times in the past, Wang Xiao, and I don''t want to keep repeating myself."


    Wang Xiao continued to smile, seemingly unfazed by her frustration.


    Mei Leiyan, her patience wearing thin, stated, "There are other ways to pursue a woman, Wang Xiao. Do you want to spend zero effort and just sleep with me? Don''t you think for a moment before words spill out of your mouth?"


    Wang Xiao, maintaining his nonchnt demeanor, responded, "And I have said so many times, sleeping directly is the most efficient way."


    "You!?" Mei Leiyan''s eyes bulged open as she stormed closer to him in a surge of anger.


    As Mei Leiyan closed the distance, her frustration transformed into a potent re directed at Wang Xiao.


    She stopped just inches away, and her words came out through gritted teeth, "You find this amusing, don''t you? ying with people''s feelings, treating everything like a game."


    Wang Xiao''s smile wavered slightly, but he maintained hisposure. "Life is a game, Mei Leiyan. Some people just refuse to acknowledge it."


    Mei Leiyan''s expression twisted with a mixture of anger and disappointment. "You''re not even taking this seriously, are you? Do you think everything is a joke?"


    Wang Xiao leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that revealed a subtle undercurrent of seriousness. "I take life very seriously, Mei Leiyan. It''s just that I have my own way of navigating through it. Time is a luxury one can''t afford; I prefer to choose the most efficient course of action."


    Mei Leiyan, growing more frustrated by his cryptic responses, snapped, "What do you want from me, then? What''s your most efficient course of action for me?"


    Leiyan suddenly felt a force against her back, her eyes widening as she found herself seated on hisp.


    Wang Xiao took a deep breath, his face positioned just behind her hair, which he skillfully pulled aside, cing his chin over her shoulder.


    "My n for you?" he mocked, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine. "Yanyan, you''re too naive if you think I need some borate scheme for you. I am stronger, bigger, and better than you. What n could I possibly need?"


    His hand wrapped around her waist, holding her in ce as she began to struggle. "Wang Xiao, I dare you..."


    Wang Xiao chuckled, his voice a low murmur against her ear, "Dare me what? I can push you down right here and ravage you like beasts. What can you do? Cry? Is that all you can do?"


    Leiyan''s heart raced, a mix of fear and uncertainty coursing through her.


    She squirmed in his grasp, attempting to break free. "Let go of me, Wang Xiao. This is crossing a line."


    !!


    Wang Xiao''s grip tightened slightly, his fingers tracing a teasing path along her shoulder. His tone, gentle yet terrifying to those who heard, "Crossing a line, that''s it?"


    Mei Leiyan suddenly flinched, a shiver running down her spine as he took a deliberate step closer.


    His lips brushed against the sensitive skin of her neck, sending an unexpected chill through her body.


    Her eyes, clouded with impending tears, and mist.


    "I should have never saved you..." she whispered, closing her eyelids, a trace of regret in her voice, as his hands skillfully slid down her shoulders, pulling her dress slightly.


    "You shouldn''t, but you did... Now stop being a crybaby," Wang Xiao responded, his words a taunt wrapped in indifference.


    *Thud...*


    Mei Leiyan was pushed down onto the cold wooden floor, her back meeting its unforgiving surface as Wang Xiao loomed over her. Their eyes locked briefly before his thumb traced her lips, a mocking gesture.


    "See, it was this easy, and you''ve been dragging it all along."


    Mei Leiyan''s eyes, though teary, held a determined anger as her lips remained sealed, a fierce re fixed on him.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, an unsettling mix of amusement and arrogance coloring his tone. "Your stubborn silence won''t change anything, Yanyan. Let me enlighten you with the simplicity of life."


    His fingers moved deliberately, undoing the buttons of her dress with practiced ease.


    Mei Leiyan''s struggle intensified, a silent plea in her eyes, but Wang Xiao continued his actions with an air of detached determination.


    "You can fight, resist, or submit¡ªit matters little. In the end, the oue is inevitable," he remarked coldly. As the dress loosened enough, he pulled it down to her abdomen, exposing her milky white skin.

 Chapter 99: *Amelia*

    "You can fight, resist, or submit¡ªit matters little. In the end, the oue is inevitable," Wang Xiao, remarked coldly.


    The final words caught Mei Leiyanpletely off guard, sending a shockwave through her.


    Tears instantly welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision.


    Her heart pounded painfully in her chest as the weight of those words settled heavily upon her. "This is what I hate about you...." Unable to bear the anguish any longer, she turned her head to the side, silently crying.


    Over the course of five long years, Mei Leiyan and Wang Xiao had countless interactions.


    Yet, Mei Leiyan always preferred a slow and cautious approach, while Wang Xiao sought to seize every opportunity to bed her.


    However, he had never overpowered her like this before.


    The sh of their immense egos fueled a never-ending power struggle that had persisted until this very moment.


    And now, as Mei Leiyany beneath him, defeated, it was impossible to deny that Wang Xiao reveled in his triumph.


    A smug satisfaction washed over him, making his heart swell with tion.


    He leaned forward, unable to resist, and forcefully pressed his lips against hers. Mei Leiyan closed her eyes, her expression filled with resignation, as if surrendering to a fate she had long feared.


    A sweet intoxication enveloped the air as Wang Xiao tasted the alluring fragrance emanating from her body.


    With a bold move, he forcefully parted her lips, encountering the resistance of her closed mouth, his tongue gently grazing against her teeth.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, a piercing re causing Mei Leiyan to flinch. Seizing the advantage, he pressed on, his tongue finding its way inside, delving into the exploration of her fragrant mouth.


    The relentless exchange of kisses continued, each one more intense than thest, until he sensed herplete suffocation.


    Her legs struggled in a desperate attempt to find air, and her eyes began to upturn in the intensity of the moment.


    *Gasp!*


    Wang Xiao slowly withdrew, leaving Mei Leiyan catching her breath as his hand instantly found its ce on her neck, sending a shiver through her body.


    With a deep, shuddering breath, she looked at his face, a slight fear written all over her.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao''s gaze lingered on her chest, adorned in a white bra.


    With deliberate effort, he skillfully removed it and tossed it away.


    His eyes remained fixated on her well-toned skin, the ample breastsmanding attention, toorge for his hands to fully cover


    His fingers sank into the softness, tracing the shape, while her nipples plump and rossy like cherries.


    !!


    He flicked out his tongue, yfully toying with her nipple, while his other hand slowly glided down to caress her abdomen, sending shivers down her spine.


    As her dress gradually descended, leaving herpletely exposed, her senses heightened, and she felt a mixture of fear and nervousness.


    If there was one thing Mei Leiyan had relinquished, it was the courage to meet his eyes.


    She felt a tremor of fear, knowing that he was right about one thing: she was utterly powerless.


    And she wasn''t alone in this...


    Every person in this ce was reduced to the same state of submission when facing him.


    The mere thought of disagreeing with him even in the slightest sent chills down her spine, for she knew he could unleash a violent storm of blood mist at any given moment.


    The only time she had glimpsed a semnce of control from him was in the presence of Bing Xueli.


    Otherwise, she lived in constant dread, forever apprehensive of his unpredictable rage.


    "!!"


    Suddenly, her eyes darted downwards, and she gasped in pain as a sharp sting shot through her body.


    She froze, realizing that he had left his teeth marks all over her perfectly round breasts. As her heart raced, his left hand ventured downward, his touch sending shivers down her spine.


    The remaining shreds of her clothing slipped away, exposing her nakedness to the cool air that brushed against her skin.


    "Mmmnn~"


    "W-Wang Xiao, you can still stop..." she whimpered, her voice filled with desperation. But her plea only seemed to amuse him, and he paused, his eerie smile piercing her soul.


    "Can I?" Wang Xiao''s voice broke the silence, his clothes tearing instantly from the front and flowing backward into the air.


    The mastery he possessed over the PK unleashed a spectacle that surpassed the bounds of belief, leaving even Mei Leiyan, who had never witnessed such extraordinary power, in awe.


    "Uuu¡ª"


    As her mouth hung open in a mixture of surprise, he leaned in, capturing her lips with his own.


    With a deliberate and confident touch, he simultaneously guided her legs apart, their bodies pressed together.


    Her breasts molded against his bare chest, creating an electrifying connection, but just as the intensity peaked, Wang Xiao abruptly halted.


    "Not here," he whispered, shaking his head, leaving her bewildered and relieved.


    With a purposeful stride, he carried her over to a nearby table,manding her to tighten her grip for support.


    !!


    In an instant, a surge of sensations overcame her.


    Her hair was delicately tugged backward, causing her neck to arch slightly. With a breathy voice, he whispered into her ear, "Hold on tight."


    "Ugh!"


    Before Mei Leiyan could even begin to process the sheer speed of the events unfolding, something long and hot slipped between her quivering legs.


    Without warning, his manhood ruthlessly pierced her fragile hymen.


    *Pak!*


    A sharp pnded upon her trembling buttcheeks, leaving a hint of blood as he withdrew his manhood.


    Disregarding the sight, he firmly grasped her neck from behind and mercilessly thrust into her with unbridled force.


    *Pak!*


    *Pak!*


    *Pak!*


    Mei Leiyan''s knuckles turned ghostly pale as she propped her elbows onto the sturdy table. Each sturdy thrust caused the table to groan in harmony with her trembling body.


    Her lips bore the subtle marks of her agonized biting, while intermittent moans of anguish and pleasure escaped from the depths of her throat.


    Her vagina was an exquisite treasure, unlike any Wang Xiao had ever ventured into. Its intoxicating depths made him regret not exploring the other vigers who boasted superior skin.


    Every time he plunged into her, the walls seemed to grip and suffocate his dick, fueling his desire further.


    "Amelia, is everything alright in there?" Someone asked, from outside the door,  the voice breaking the cold silence in the room.


    !!


    "Mngghhhh," a sudden voice shattered the stillness, causing Mei Leiyan to part her lips. A moan escaped her, tears welling in her eyes as Wang Xiao, undeterred, firmly grasped her neck and waist, the pulsating waves of pleasurepelling him to relentlessly thrust deeper inside her.


    Wang Xiao''s voicemanded, firm and authoritative, "Answer her."


    Mei Leiyan bit her trembling lips, her voice shaky and teary, but loud enough to be heard, "Y-Yes, I-I am good..." Her eyes squeezed shut, tears slipping down her cheeks, as she resigned herself to the situation.


    Wang Xiao, relentless and uncaring, made her ce one leg above the table, plunging into her again and again, filling her once more.

 Chapter 100: The Bitter Soup

    Throughout the day, Wang Xiao forced her into the most physically demanding positions, pushing her to the brink of exhaustion.


    Her own legs trembled and shook with strain, eventually causing her to copse.


    It would be a lie to say Wang Xiao hadn''t been frustrated over the past five years, and now all of that frustration was unleashed upon Mei Leiyan in the form of torment.


    Finally, he led her to the couch, pulling a nket over both of them before sumbing to sleep.


    ________


    The symphony of birdsong pierced the tranquil veil of the crisp morning, gently coaxing Wang Xiao from his slumber. As his consciousness stirred, he luxuriously stretched, his eyes opening to reveal a breathtaking panorama.


    "Mhm..."


    In that moment, his gaze was arrested by the sight of Mei Leiyan standing unabashedly before him, a natural masterpiece unveiled.


    Despite their previous night together, he found himself captivated anew, regretful that his focus had been solely on passion rather than appreciation.


    A delicate flush graced Mei Leiyan''s face before it surrendered to an icyposure. Without uttering a word, she turned away, unveiling the closet to retrieve a fresh set of garments.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes lingered on the graceful curve of her back as she adorned herself. There was a distinct satisfaction in witnessing the artistry of a beautiful woman clothing herself.


    Regaining hisposure, Wang Xiao sat upright, beckoning, "Come here."


    A subtle furrow creased Mei Leiyan''s brow, but Wang Xiao, unyielding, asserted, "I prefer not to repeat myself."


    Closing her eyes in resignation, she took hesitant steps towards him. He swiftly caught her waist, twirled her around, and settled her onto hisp, nting a series of soft kisses on her cheeks, rubbing his own face against her soft cheeks.


    Even in her anger, Mei Leiyan exuded an undeniable adorableness.


    As if frozen, Mei Leiyan stood motionless, her mind seemingly nk before she snapped, "... Keep your disgusting hands off me."


    Wang Xiao, caught off guard, chuckled, "I''ll let this one slide. However, say another insult, and I''ll be forced to teach you how to behave around me."


    Mei Leiyan''s body trembled, and she bit her lip, closing her mouth and refusing to speak. Her eyes, once sharp, now held a hint of mistiness.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but be troubled; she was quite strong outwardly, but a few scolding words always seemed to bring her to tears.


    "Have you eaten?" he asked, attempting to shift the atmosphere.


    "...", Mei Leiyan remained silent, trapped in an awkward stillness.


    Wang Xiao broke the tension, "I would take it as a no... Diana!" His voice echoed through the office, and the door swung open abruptly.


    Mei Leiyan''s eyes widened in panic, but she remained frozen, crossing her arms and closing her eyes, prepared for the impending embarrassment.


    Diana entered, her eyes freezing in disbelief at the startling scene before her. "Y-Yes?" she stammered.


    Wang Xiao maintained a polite smile, "Bring a vegetable soup for Yanyan; she could use it."


    "O-Oh, okay! I''ll get it prepared right now!" Diana dashed out, closing the door swiftly, undoubtedly ready to share the juicy details with the other staff.


    The office was no stranger to the rumors swirling around, sensing that something was amiss, but their hopes had dwindled when Amelia dered a strict no-entry policy for Wang Xiao.


    Little did they know, everything was about to change overnight.


    "Are you satisfied now?" Mei Leiyan''s suddenly spoke, her words sharp and direct.


    Wang Xiao responded, "Satisfied, very satisfied. Just an obedient wife is missing in my life; the current one is quite rebellious and might need a taming session."


    A twitch yed on Mei Leiyan''s lips, a smile threatening to break through before she shook her head, recalling the ruthless events of the previous day.


    Wang Xiao continued to hold her in silence until Diana returned with a tray.


    The room, previously devoid of any sound, saw the entrance of the hot soup-bearing Diana.


    She ced the tray in front of them after pulling a table from the side.


    Wang Xiao took the spoon and, with amanding tone, moved it near Mei Leiyan''s lips. "Open your mouth," he ordered, leaving no room for negotiation.


    A subtle shiver raced down Mei Leiyan''s spine each time Wang Xiao spoke in thatmanding tone, an unexined fear weaving through her very being.


    Reluctantly parting her lips, she yielded as Wang Xiao decisively thrust the spoonful of soup into her mouth, a forced submission to his will. The act seemed to symbolize more than a simple meal¡ªit was a silent acknowledgment of the power dynamics at y.


    Wang Xiao, a faint smirk ying on his lips,mented, "Taking out your anger on food every time would only make you thinner; it''s not beneficial for either of us."


    Mei Leiyan, nodding in reluctant agreement, finally mustered the courage to voice her concern, "... How many times would you subject me to this kind of treatment?"


    Her inquiry held a deeper meaning, a silent question about the frequency of nights like the one before.


    Wang Xiao, perceptive to her unspoken plea, rified with an air of nonchnce, "Depends on you. I have little patience for rebellious or excessively childish behavior from women. If you tailor your actions around me, everything should be smooth. Feel free to maintain a tough exterior with others, but not with me."


    "..."


    Mei Leiyanpsed into a contemtive silence, sipping a few more spoonfuls of soup before dering, "I don''t want it anymore." She yed her jade hands over his, a subtle signal that her appetite had been satiated.


    Wang Xiao frowned, observing, "The whole bowl is still full; do you always eat so little?"


    Genuine concern etched across his face as he pondered how she maintained her figure with such minimal intake, particrly considering her ample proportions.


    Mei Leiyan remained silent for a moment before expressing, "I don''t like it," her gaze flickering towards the soup with a hint of disgust.


    It was quite bitter.


    If not for his fear, she wouldn''t even touch it.


    Wang Xiao''s nod carried a trace of understanding. "You should have told me earlier. Let''s step outside; we can find some shops open and get something truly appetizing."


    Mei Leiyan''s eyes blinked in surprise as he gracefully stood, sping her hands and gently pulling her up.


    She moved with him, her face betraying a hint of pain that she adeptly veiled with a smile.


    As they ambled through abyrinth of corridors, every set of eyes they encountered lingered on them, and whispers rippled through the air like wildfire.


    Mei Leiyan''s cheeks tinted with embarrassment, and she couldn''t help but voice her unease, "Wang Xiao, this isn''t good." The hallway had be a stage, intensifying the scrutiny and judgment they faced.

 Chapter 101: Spotted!

    Unfazed, Wang Xiao guided her out of the school building and into the bustling streets. "It''s alright. I''m not a student anymore¡ªjust a normal citizen. What''s the problem with me having a rtionship with you? If anyone has an issue, tell them toe to me directly."


    "Mhmm.." Mei Leiyan nodded in response, though she could never fathom directing people directly to him.


    The uncertainties lingered in her mind¡ªwhat would he do to them?


    A beating might be the best-case scenario, and the worst... she couldn''t even bear to imagine.


    Wang Xiao had undergone a transformation, a change she could discern gradually.


    It was as if he had be an entirely different person in just one day.


    Little did she realize, Wang Xiao had always possessed this side, and it was precisely why even Bing Xueli was scared of him.


    Bing Xueli concealed her fear well, but beneath theposed exterior, an unmistakable sense of dread lingered.


    Wang Xiao was different now¡ªtransformed into something beyond her understanding.


    He existed outside the boundaries of either world¡ªa realm of his own.


    Not a typical human like those beyond themunity walls, nor one of their own with a ability for unrestrained killing.


    This made him an anomaly, a deviation from the norms Bing Xueli had grown ustomed to.


    She harbored a belief¡ªa superstition, perhaps¡ªthiermunity''s prosperity rested upon the guilt-driven cohesion of its inhabitants.


    The curse of guilt, might not be a curse, but a blessing!


    Wang Xiao, though existing as a stranger to both worlds, posed an unpredictable threat¡ªa deviant, capable of disrupting the delicate bnce.


    Bing Xueli couldn''t foresee his intentions. If he chose to unleash destruction, it had the potential to obliterate both worlds¡ªan oue she dreaded above all else.


    Bing Xueli have forever faught with the realization that any attempt to restrain or control Wang Xiao would be perceived as maniption.


    Aware of the delicate tightrope she tread, she chose a different path¡ªtrying her best to amodate him, praying fervently that their interactions wouldn''t one day escte into a hostile confrontation.


    Despite Wang Xiao''s outward appearance, Bing Xueli had witnessed the brutal reality he was capable of.


    His nonchnce towards the act of butchering and killing unsettled her. To him, it was merely a return to the natural order¡ªa process of sending people back to the ce from which they originated.


    His skewed logic, treating life and death as a mere restoration to an inherent bnce, struck terror into Bing Xueli''s heart.


    The eptance of such brutal acts as a form of equilibrium was a concept she struggled to reconcile with, and it intensified the unease that surrounded Wang Xiao''s presence.


    _____


    "Wang Xiao, it''s too open..." Mei Leiyan hesitated, attempting to withdraw her hand as he led her to the most renowned shop in the area.


    Wang Xiao, seemingly indifferent to the potential attention, countered, "No need to worry. Let them talk. We''re just having a meal."


    Despite his reassurance, Mei Leiyan couldn''t shake the difort of the scrutinizing eyes around them. The whispers grew more audible, weaving a narrative that echoed through the empty morning streets.


    The restaurant, though still setting up for the day, had already arranged tables outside, reminiscent of an Italian theme. The menu, a thoughtful fusion of vors, aimed to resonate with the local pte.


    As the waitress approached to take their order, her eyes lingered on Wang Xiao and Mei Leiyan. A peculiar expression crossed her face, a mix of curiosity and judgment. Mei Leiyan, acutely aware of the scrutiny, shifted ufortably in her seat, stealing nces at the waitress who seemed caught in a silent contemtion.


    "May I take your order?" the waitress finally inquired, attempting to mask her curiosity with a professional demeanor.


    Wang Xiao, undeterred by the atmosphere, ced their order with ease.


    The waitress, casting another subtle nce at Wang Xiao and Mei Leiyan, nodded professionally as she scribbled down their order. "Your food will be out shortly."


    Wang Xiao, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents, leaned back in his chair, his gaze scanning the surroundings. "Rx, Yanyan. We''re just having a meal."


    Mei Leiyan, though attempting to ease into the situation, couldn''t shake the weight of the gazes fixed upon them. "It''s not that simple, Wang Xiao. People talk, and rumors spread like wildfire."


    Wang Xiao chuckled, a glint of nonchnce in his eyes. "They can die in the same fire."


    "Sigh..." Mei Leiyan fell silent, her hands resting on her thighs, fingers fidgeting nervously.


    Suddenly, her eyes widened as the worst-case scenario unfolded. Panic gripped her as she internally murmered, ''...what are they doing here...'' Unable to contain her curiosity, she discreetly nced around, only to realize that both Wang Xiao and she had already been spotted


    _____


    The morning air hung thick with surprise as familiar faces emerged from the bustling crowd¡ªEmma, Ray, Seth, and Chris. Mei Leiyan''s eyes widened with disbelief, and Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, his expression a blend of nonchnce and amusement.


    "Teacher Melly?" Emma eximed, her voice carrying a mix of shock and disbelief.


    Ray, still processing the scene, inquired, "And Wang Xiao? What''s going on here?"


    Seth, always one for a touch of humor, couldn''t help butugh awkwardly. "Well, haha... This is unexpected."


    Chris, silent but observant, analyzed the situation with a subtle intensity that hinted at a deeper understanding.


    As Seth moved towards the restaurant, Emma couldn''t resist reprimanding him. "Hey, where are you going?"


    Seth turned around, a mischievous grin on his face. "Going to say hi? Wang Xiao seems to have hit the jackpot, after all."


    *Boom!*


    A sudden knock echoed over Seth''s head, prompting Ray to shoot him a pitiful look.


    Emma intervened, her tone firm, "You can''t just disturb them like this. We''re still not sure what they''re doing there."


    Chris added, his words measured, "Emma is right. Let''s observe before jumping to conclusions."


    Seth, finding their caution unnecessary, retorted, "But they are at a couple table."


    ______


    Wang Xiao spotted them but didn''t give them much heed. "Erase their memories again if you are so ufortable," he suggested to Mei Leiyan, who looked back at him with a speechless expression.


    "We aren''t tyrants who y with people''s memories as we deem fit," Mei Leiyan responded firmly.


    Wang Xiao smiled faintly, "Well, you unexpectedly ended up summing this ce quite well."


    Mei Leiyan fell silent before tentatively speaking, "... We don''t really wan¡ª"


    Wang Xiao cut her off, his voice calm, "No need to stress over it. I know humans here are no different than humans outside. They are just fewer in number here, but if left uncontrolled, it would be chaos."


    Mei Leiyan nodded, acknowledging the truth in his words, before their food arrived.


    At this point, neither of them cared about the curious nces or the whispers behind their backs.


    More precisely, Mei Leiyan didn''t have the luxury to concern herself with such matters.


    Seated intimately close, her buttocks pressed against his groin, Mei Leiyan found herself in an unexpected position.


    She couldn''t fathom how it hade to this¡ªbeing fed by him in a public ce, an embarrassing scene considering she was far older than him, and he was supposed to be her student.


    Regardless, Wang Xiao seemed to purposefully announce his achievement to the whole town, showcasing this unexpected scenario that left Mei Leiyan in apromising position.

 Chapter 102: Choosing a Side!

    People who were initially interested soon grew bored and left, their curiosity satisfied. Mei Leiyan whispered in surprise, "They left... huh," noticing that the many onlookers who had been spying on them from afar had dispersed.


    Wang Xiao smiled faintly, "It''s normal behavior. Once their curiosity is satisfied, there''s nothing interesting left for them. However, you may still face many taunts from your friends, be ready for it."


    Mei Leiyan, contemting the implications, remained silent.


    "That''s not reassuring..." she finally added.


    Wang Xiao shrugged, "It is what it is." The transient nature of public interest didn''t bother him, and he seemed unfazed by the prospect of lingering judgments.


    As they continued their meal, the atmosphere between them shifted. Wang Xiao, now more rxed, spoke, "You''ll get used to it. "Remember, what matters is how you perceive it, not how others do. People will always have something to say; you can''t control that. What you can control is how much it affects you."


    Mei Leiyan, absorbing his words, nodded in acknowledgment.


    _____


    As the day waned, Wang Xiao found himself immersed in Mei Leiyan''spany, the passage of time slipping away unnoticed in the time of their shared moments.


    The evening sun painted the sky with hues of amber as they eventually made their way back to the residence.


    Upon entering, Wang Xiao was met by the arresting presence of Bing Xueli.


    She upied the couch with an ethereal grace, her snow-like hair cascading around her like a delicate veil.


    The room itself seemed to hold its breath as the two locked eyes ¨C Wang Xiao momentarily pausing in his steps, caught in the pull of Bing Xueli''s gaze.


    The air between them crackled with an unspoken tension, the cool and pristine ambiance of the residence contrasting with theplexities brewing beneath the surface.


    Wang Xiao resumed his stride, moving with a deliberate nonchnce as he took a seat beside Bing Xueli.


    "How was your day?" Bing Xueli''s asked softly, a delicate inquiry echoing in the pristine ambiance of the residence.


    Wang Xiao, in a seemingly casual disy, crossed his legs and reclined horizontally on the couch. His head rested on herp, legs casually dangling over the edge. "Didn''t you see everything for yourself? Why are you still asking?" he retorted with a nonchnt tone.


    Bing Xueli''s eyes blinked, an almost imperceptible hesitation marring her normallyposed demeanor.


    "Not everything..." She muttered.


    !?


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but wonder if the biting cold had momentarily affected her, causing apse in her typically sharp senses.


    The only time she might have been unable to observe was when he was with Mei Leiyanst night.


    Why did she want to see that anyways?


    Wang Xiao, maintaining an air of tranquility, kept his eyes closed and breathed evenly as he continued, "Don''t you find it rude, constantly spying on people''s privacy?"


    Bing Xueli fell silent briefly before breaking the ice, her words carrying an indifferent tone, "You are quite rude yourself," she muttered while running her hand through his hair with an almost absent-minded gesture.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes opened, suspicion coloring his expression. "I am rude?" he asked, seeking rification.


    Bing Xueli raised her hands, gesturing towards his legs and then his head. "You just came andy over me, without even asking. That is quite rude as well, I think." Her words were devoid of emotion, as if merely stating objective facts.


    There was neither anger nor joy, just a straightforward acknowledgment of the situation.


    Wang Xiao frowned, "So I need permission for that now?"


    Bing Xueli didn''t reply to his question. Instead, after a brief silence, she posed another inquiry, "When are you going outside?"


    Wang Xiao responded with a touch of nonchnce, "Is that even important?"


    Bing Xueli, unfazed by his casual demeanor, pressed on, "You already have Amelia, so what are your ns now ¡ª for Victoria?"


    Closing his eyes in thoughtful repose, Wang Xiao remarked, "I would leave Victoria alone for now. She won''t find any man with her attitude anyways."


    A faint smile danced on Bing Xueli''s lips, a subtle yfulness emerging. With an air of mystery, she divulged, "...Do you want to know something about her?"


    Wang Xiao regarded her with suspicion, "Something about Victoria...?"


    Bing Xueli''s gaze drifted downward, her smile hinting at a mischievous undertone. It was an unexpected departure from her usual serious demeanor, leaving Wang Xiao intrigued.


    In a moment of subtle amusement, she affirmed, "Do you know of the condition Victoria has?"


    Wang Xiao nodded ever so slightly, "Yes, anyway, whoever manages toe to her before sunlight, she would teach them."


    Bing Xueli probed, "Why do you think she does that?"


    Wang Xiao spected, "... She is sadistic and likes to beat children?"


    A fleeting twitch graced Bing Xueli''s lips before she adopted a serious expression, "No..."


    Wang Xiao, exploring an improbable angle, ventured, "... She likes to teach?"


    Bing Xueli shook her head, and Wang Xiao nodded, already knowing that the woman had no such noble motives.


    Bing Xueli finally unraveled the mystery, "... She is trying to find a person who can beat her."


    "Beat her...?" Wang Xiao expressed perplexity, "Isn''t there a lot of people already? There is you, and then there is that Temple guardian..."


    Bing Xueli shook her head, her gaze serious, "You don''t understand. If you want to have her, you have to suppress her, do what you did with Amelia."


    Wang Xiao fell into a contemtive silence, the weight of Bing Xueli''s words sinking in.


    Bing Xueli smiled faintly, her lips withholding further exnation.


    Yin Yue''s voice resonated in Wang Xiao''s thoughts, [I was trying to say the same for years.]


    "Are you going for Victoria tomorrow then?" Bing Xueli probed, her voice cutting through the quiet air of the room.


    Wang Xiao, growing slightly suspicious and annoyed, furrowed his brows at the persistent questioning. "No," he responded curtly, his tone hinting at a desire to end the discussion.


    Bing Xueli''s smile faltered momentarily, a subtle ripple in theposed facade she usually wore. However, she quickly regained herposure, the gleam returning to her eyes. "Then... Shall I keep an eye on her until you are ready to take her?"


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but open one eye, a hint of skepticism in his gaze. "Have you been drinkingtely?" he questioned, probing for an exnation for her unusual behavior.


    Bing Xueli shook her head in denial, her features returning to their usual calm.


    Wang Xiao, genuinely curious now, observed a nuanced change in her demeanor. "Whose side are you exactly on, Eleanor?"


    "Side?" Eleanor blinked, her expression betraying a momentary confusion.


    Wang Xiao rified, his words carrying a weight of significance, "Yes, side. If I were to stand tomorrow against whoever you know up until now¡ªthe vige, Amelia, Victoria¡ªthen whose side would you take?"

 Chapter 103: Roleplay: Mother and Son! You understand, right?

    Wang Xiao rified, his words carrying a weight of significance, "Yes, side. If I were to stand tomorrow against whoever you know up until now¡ªthe vige, Amelia, Victoria¡ªthen whose side would you take?"


    Eleanor fell into a contemtive silence, her typicallyposed expression revealing a subtle internal dialogue.


    Wang Xiao, observing her silent demeanor, eventually sighed, conceding, "Nevermind." Suddenly, he caught her hand, which had been continuously stroking through his hair. "Can you please stop acting like my mother? It''s growing annoyingtely," he stated bluntly, an unfiltered honesty lingering in his words.


    Bing Xueli, taken aback by the abrupt deration, met his gaze with a silent acknowledgment of the unexpected boundary he had just drawn.


    Wang Xiao, sensing the change, continued, "I don''t need someone to constantly watch over me or guide me. I''ve managed just fine on my own, and I''d appreciate it if you treat me ordingly."


    Bing Xueli, still processing his words, spoke cautiously, "I have always considered what''s best for you."


    Wang Xiao, with a touch of frustration, replied, "Considering what''s best for me doesn''t mean dictating every aspect of my life. I need space, Eleanor."


    !?


    Rustle...


    Bing Xueli flinched, after a brief pause she suddenly stood up, the unexpected movement startling Wang Xiao.


    "What are you doing...?" he questioned, a note of confusion in his voice.


    "Going to my room?" she replied mechanically, her movements seeming almost automatic.


    Wang Xiao furrowed his brow in confusion. "Why?" he asked, seeking an exnation.


    "Giving you space," Eleanor answered, her words carrying an air of detachment.


    "Wait," Wang Xiao suddenly caught her hands, his grip firm, and Bing Xueli paused, her eyes meeting his as they lingered on their intertwined hands.


    "Are you angry?" Wang Xiao couldn''t help but ask, a hint of amusement ying in his eyes.


    Bing Xueli''s furrowed brow softened slightly as she considered his question.


    Was she angry?


    She didn''t know.


    She simplyplied with his request.


    Wang Xiao, though content, found himself delving into thoughts. If her responsecked anger, it meant more than her being as cold as ice. It unraveled theplexity behind those smiles, revealing a depth that transcended mere stoicism. Only the things capable of bringing joy had the power to provoke anger, and vice versa.


    Bing Xueli, her gaze still fixed on their entwined hands, responded with a measured calmness, "No, I am not angry."


    Wang Xiao arched an eyebrow, "Then why this sudden act of giving me space?"


    "... You asked for it," Bing Xueli replied.


    Wang Xiao, momentarily taken aback, fell into a brief silence before letting out a chuckle. "Thene and sit back."


    "Mhm," Bing Xueli nodded, returning to her earlier position. Wang Xiao gently took her hand, resuming theforting gesture of stroking his hair. "You can keep it like this."


    Bing Xueli nodded, her gaze focused outside the ss doors, eyes flickering with contemtion.


    Wang Xiao nced at her face, a sudden thought crossing his mind. "You are quite obedipliant today," he remarked, a hint of amusement in his tone.


    "Am I?" Bing Xueli responded inly, her expression revealing little.


    Wang Xiao nodded before shaking his head, "Thinking of it, it seemed you were always like this."


    "Might be," Bing Xueli acknowledged, her demeanor remainingposed.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes lingered over her covered breasts, the shower clean scent emanating from her body always tempting.


    Today, she appeared more open, her subtle shifts catching his attention. Unable to resist his curiosity, he asked, "Would you follow anything I say?"


    Bing Xueli nced down, a brief silence preceding her reply, "As long as it''s not excessive." Her words carried a measured assurance.


    !!


    Wang Xiao was asking tenatively, but her serious reply got his brain wandering, ''As long is not excessive... But what really would be excessive for her?''


    In the end, he his vision was already covered due to her breasts, which gave him the inspiration, "Be my mother," he suddenly spoke.


    !?


    Bing Xueli was taken aback, her eyes widening in surprise, marking it as the most extreme reaction she had experienced all day.


    However, Wang Xiao remained indifferent, not showing much concern. He casually remarked, "Since you enjoy ying the role of my mother so much, why don''t you try being one for a day?"


    "..."


    A sense of suspicion lingered in Bing Xueli''s mind, as if there was something dubious hidden behind Wang Xiao''s smile. Despite her reservations, she unknowingly walked right into his trap and nodded, "Mhm..."


    Wang Xiao''s smirk grew more pronounced, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, as heposed his face into a nk expression. "It''s not that difficult," he mentioned, although his eyes betrayed a different truth.


    Bing Xueli, her innocence clouding her judgment, fell for his deception. Curiously, she inquired, "What exactly do I need to do?"


    Wang Xiao''s smirk became inward, his poker face now on full disy. With a sly tone, he uttered, "Undress."


    !?


    Bing Xueli sat there,pletely stunned. Her eyes blinked in surprise, unable toprehend the audacity of Wang Xiao''s gaze fixed on her breasts. It wasn''t that she couldn''t notice his lingering stare; she had sadly grown ustomed to such behavior.


    With a mixture of suspicion and disbelief, she mustered the courage to speak up. "... I have to act as your mother, right?" she asked, her voiceced with skepticism.


    "Yup," Wang Xiao simply nodded, his gaze unmoving.


    Bing Xueli couldn''t help but be consumed by curiosity. "Then why undress?" she questioned, her inquisitive nature taking over.


    A subtle twitch yed on Wang Xiao''s face as he desperately searched for an excuse. He felt the weight of her prating stare, intensifying the need for a convincing response.


    Finally, his eyes sparked with inspiration as he blurted out, "My mother used to breastfeed me!"


    The words left in the air, exploded like dynamite, leaving Bing Xueli utterly bewildered.


    "Breast... Feed...?" She repeated after him, her voice filled with disbelief and a hint of confusion.


    As her vision blurred, her gaze involuntarily shifted to her own ample assets.


    The room fell silent, the awkwardness increasing between the two.


    With a newfound boldness, Wang Xiao reaffirmed his statement, determined to maintain his stance. "Right, breastfeed," he boldly proimed, his confidence growing with each word uttered.


    Bing Xueli shook her head slightly, her gaze unwavering as she retained her rity. "You are lying," she dered firmly.


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed in confusion, his face disying a mix of bewilderment and surprise. "??"


    Bing Xueli made her point clearer, her voice tinged with disbelief. "I have been outside as well, and I know for certain that it''s not much different from here. Why would your mother breastfeed you if you were an adult?"


    Wang Xiao''s lips curved into a wry smile, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. He knew he couldn''t easily deceive her, but he still decided to test his luck. "It''s not much different... but... me and my mother..."


    "You and your mother?" Bing Xueli echoed, her suspicion growing stronger with each word.


    Wang Xiao''s voice faltered, a hint of embarrassment seeping through. "You see... we were... a... a bit close..." He let out an awkwardugh, "You understand, right?"


    Yin Yue''s mind snapped with a vivid thought, [Masturbating with her bra, indeed... Quite close].

 Chapter 104: *Roleplay: Mother and Son? Steamy Skin!*

    Yin Yue''s mind snapped with a vivid thought, [Masturbating with her bra, indeed... Quite close].


    Bing Xueli, "..."


    She couldn''t believe her ears.


    The words that left his mouth were the most absurd and shocking she had heard all day.


    It was as if a thousand electric volts shot through her body, causing her to shiver from head to toe.


    Her cheeks burned with a deep blush, while her mind conjured up unimaginable and unspeakable scenarios.


    She knew deep down that he was lying, but the sheer audacity of his words left her taken aback. ''Does he have no morals?'' she wondered incredulously. ''How could he stoop so low as to objectify his own mother for such purposes...?''


    As if the surreal situation wasn''t enough, something even more astonishing unfolded before Wang Xiao''s eyes.


    Bing Xueli''s hands, seemingly controlled by an unseen force, gently moved towards her shoulders. With a deliberate and almost hypnotic motion, she loosened the strap on her right shoulder.


    !?


    Wang Xiao''s gaze remained fixed as he watched intently, his eyes locked on her form. A faint wisp of steam emanated from her delicate shoulders, swirling upward as her dress subtly slipped lower, revealing the luminescent expanse of her milky white skin.


    Within the depths of her attire, a ck undergarment adorned with intricate white embroidery peeked through.


    This was a sight that no longer took Wang Xiao by surprise, as he had witnessed her in this ensemble countless times before.


    In fact, he could easily recount the instances when she was d only in her bra and panties.


    Living with her for five years hadn''t been in vain, after all.


    Yet, something unexpected caught his attention.


    "Why is your skin... steaming?" Wang Xiao found himself unable to contain his curiosity, his hands instinctively reaching out to hover near her shoulders and corbone, almost as if guided by an unseen force.


    "It''s quite warm..." he whispered, his voice barely audible as he closed his eyes, savoring the sensation of his touch.


    For a fleeting moment, he lost himself in the warmth, forgetting what he was supposed to be doing.


    Suddenly, a jolt of awareness shot through him, and his eyes flew open, only to find her staring back at him, her expression void of words.


    Bing Xueli remained silent, refusing to answer or exin the reason behind the warmth in her skin. "Can you not touch... there?" she asked, her difort evident as a tingling sensation ran through her.


    Wang Xiao nodded, reluctantly withdrawing his hands. In that moment, he realized that when her whole body belonged to him in the future, there was no need to rush the exploration.


    He would personally unravel the mystery behind it someday.


    A faint smile of relief appeared on Bing Xueli''s face, catching Wang Xiao off-guard. He had expected her to put a halt to their interaction.


    However, to his surprise, she extended her hands backwards, and within moments, he heard a distinct click. The realization hit him like a wave, his sensesing alive with understanding.


    Rustle....


    !!


    The final piece of cloth gently cascaded downwards. Wang Xiao''s breath caught in his throat as he stood there in stunned silence. Earlier, she had only pulled down her dress from the right, leaving her upper body partially hidden.


    Yet, despite the partial coverage, his gaze was drawn to the exposed right portion of her chest.


    The sight caught him off guard; her breasts wererger than anticipated, their presencemanding his attention.


    And then, there it was¡ªthe cherry, delicate and light pink in color, teasingly peeking out. Unable to resist, he extended his hand and brushed against her skin ever so gently, witnessing the instant transformation as her skin instantly turned a rosy hue, and his fingers sinking into her flesh.


    !!


    The extreme softness of her skin made Wang Xiao lift his head, his gaze locking with Bing Xueli''s.


    No matter how hard she tried to conceal it, her face cheeks flushed slight crimson, baring her unspoken emotions.


    Unable to resist, a mischievous grin crept onto Wang Xiao''s face, fueling her embarrassment even more. Reluctantly, she tore her gaze away and averted her eyes.


    ''She is a human after all...'' Wang Xiao smirked inwardly. This extraordinary woman had lived through centuries, yet her allure seemed to have only intensified.


    As he gazed at her breasts from such close proximity, he couldn''t possibly resist the temptation. He wouldn''t deny the offer, not in the slightest. Today, he would have herpletely, no more games to y.


    His hand gripped her breasts, feeling the warmth seep into his fingertips as he savored the sensation. Then, he firmlytched onto her nipple, drawing it into his mouth with an eager suction.


    "!!"


    "Mhmm~"


    Bing Xueli closed her eyes, unable to contain a pleasured soft sigh that escaped her lips. As she opened her eyes again, her gaze met the sight of him intensely sucking on her breast.


    A myriad of emotions flickered in her eyes as she peered outward, while her delicate hand tenderly caressed his hair, maintaining a slight mncholic connection.


    Wang Xiao was taken aback, his surprise matching hers, as the breasts were indeed loaded!


    Contrary to his initial assumption, they were not empty, but instead, a stream of liquid slipped into his mouth. It was slightly warm and sweet, making him realize the reason behind her alluring and steamy body.


    She was producing breast milk!


    While it might seem impossible for others, for her, it was a simple feat. Her ability to heal her own internal tissues allowed her body to exhibit such remarkable flexibility.


    *Gulp... Gulp....*


    Wang Xiao, initially mesmerized by the sensation of his body, was now stimted as the milk poured into his mouth. He greedily continued to suck on it, surrendering himself to the pleasure, while Bing Xueli''s reactions began to be apparent.


    Her toes delicately rubbing against her owns, With each touch, her difort became evident in her tense frame and uneasy gaze.


    A strange and unfamiliar sensation consumed Bing Xueli, causing her to question her own reactions.


    Thoughts raced through her mind as the strangeness intensified. ''What is happening to me? This feels so strange... and yet... so...'' she whispered inwardly, her breathing growing more shallow by each second.


    As her eyesight gradually blurred, a mist settled over her vision, obscuring the world around her.


    She fought to maintain herposure, but the overwhelming stimtion made it increasingly difficult.


    "Xiao, are you done...?" she asked, her impatience seeping through, etching lines of frustration on her face.

 Chapter 105: Booby Trap (1)

    "Xiao, are you done...?" Bing Xueli demanded, her impatience seeping through her words, etching lines of frustration on her face.


    But Wang Xiao remained indifferent, his mouth still savoring and exploring her breasts with sucking and licking.


    "Mmnn~"


    Bing Xueli''s body went limp, sinking into the couch as she closed her eyes, surrendering herself to his increasingly intense actions.


    "Xiao... It''s too much..." she managed to utter, her voice breathless and desperate. The pleasure was bing unbearable, and she hadn''t anticipated the arousing potential of simply breastfeeding someone.


    With each passing moment, the intensity escted, fueling Bing Xueli''s yearning for release. "Xiao, please, I need you to stop," she pleaded, her voice barely audible, filled with a potent mixture of longing and desperation.


    Reluctantly, Wang Xiao finally released her swollen and red nipple, his eyes shing with a subtle, mischievous smile as he cast a nce at her flushed face. "Eleanor..." he whispered.


    Bing Xueli''s eyelids snapped open with a start, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to catch her breath. "What?" she gasped, confusion etched across her face.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a mischievous smile, his eyes locked onto hers. "Do you remember the first thing you taught me about PK?"


    Bing Xueli''s brows furrowed in bewilderment. "??"


    Wang Xiao leaned in closer, his voice a seductive whisper. "The first rule... If your mind is distracted, you might end up hurting yourself... And it''s better not to use Powers at that moment? So, how is your mind now? Do you think you can still muster your strength?" His fingers trailed sensually across her face before lingering on her alluring red lips.


    Bing Xueli''s eyes widened as realization washed over her, but it was toote; her guard had faltered.


    He was right, and the danger was palpable. Using any powers now could result in disastrous consequences.


    Wang Xiao smirked onest time before he captured her lips. Bing Xueli, overwhelmed by the moment, offered no resistance, maybe surrenderingpletely.


    Her lips, warm and soft, pressed tenderly against his, slightly parting as Wang Xiao seized the moment to push her further backward.


    His tongue found its way into her mouth, bringing with it a refreshing, minty sensation that enveloped his senses.


    *Slurp...*


    *Slurp...*


    Bing Xueli felt powerless, her senses overwhelmed by his relentless advance. She could do nothing but stare, her hands eventually moving to his back, as if in surrender. Minutester, Wang Xiao''s body grew limp, and he fainted under her embrace.


    "Sigh..." Bing Xueli let out a sigh of relief, hastily fixing her disheveled clothes. She cast a gentle nce at his face, tenderly touching it, before carefullyying him down on the couch. With a final look, she ventured outside, leaving the room in her wake.


    _______


    Several minutes passed in suspenseden silence before Bing Xueli reappeared, her arrival apanied by Mei Leiyan.


    As they beheld Wang Xiao sprawled on the couch, Mei Leiyan''s lips twitched in bewilderment. "You summoned me for this?" she asked, her eyes flitting between Bing Xueli and the unconscious figure.


    Bing Xueli offered a soft, almost imperceptible shake of her head. "He''s not asleep; he fainted," she exined.


    "Fainted?" Mei Leiyan echoed, her features contorting with concern.


    She moved closer to inspect Wang Xiao.


    Just a day earlier, Mei Leiyan might not have given this scene a second thought.


    But now, she was filled with suspicion. She was still too young to fullyprehend theplexities of Eleanor''s character, but something about the situation was undeniably fishy.


    "Eleanor, did you poison him?" Mei Leiyan inquired, her voice tinged with apprehension as she took a cautious step back, piecing together the puzzle.


    Bing Xueli''s eyes narrowed, her expression revealing nothing. "It''s alright; he''ll awaken within a day." Her cryptic assurance, leaving more questions than answers.


    "But why...?" Mei Leiyan couldn''t help but voice her growing suspicion.


    Bing Xueli nced at Mei Leiyan, her expression unreadable. "I can exin, but first, help me carry him."


    "Carry him? To where?" Mei Leiyan''s confusion deepened.


    The situation had taken a bizarre turn. First, there was the poisoning, and now Bing Xueli was requesting her assistance in moving Wang Xiao somewhere undisclosed.


    "Just follow me," Bing Xueli said with an air of determination, her body levitating gracefully above the ground as she began to rise into the air.


    Mei Leiyan hesitated for a moment but quickly concluded, ''It''s better to go with her than leave him alone with her.'' She followed closely behind, her gaze narrowing as she noticed they were heading directly for the ominous barrier.


    However, instead of colliding with the deadly flowers, they took an unexpected detour. Bing Xueli effortlessly demolished what appeared to be an ordinary mountain, revealing a concealed entrance to a small cave hidden beneath its surface.


    The mysteries of the situation seemed to be deepening with each passing moment.


    "Let''s go," Bing Xueli whispered, a sense of urgency in her tone, her eyes darting towards Wang Xiao as if fearing he might awaken at any moment, and the consequences would be dire for all involved.


    Mei Leiyan remained puzzled, waiting for an exnation.


    "He needs to return to the outside world," Bing Xueli finally rified.


    Mei Leiyan arched an eyebrow. "And don''t you think he can decide that for himself?"


    Bing Xueli nodded, her voice tinged with understanding. "He can, and if he wants toe back, he has that choice."


    Mei Leiyan''s unease grew. "And what if he doesn''t want to return?"


    Bing Xueli fell into silence, leaving Mei Leiyan''s frustration to simmer. She couldn''t help but grow more assertive, her words carrying a hint of aggression. "You didn''t think this through, did you? What about me, or anyone else? Did you even consider it?"


    Bing Xueli closed her eyes briefly, her voice carrying a hint of regret. "I did. It''s better this way." Her conviction remained unshakened.


    Mei Leiyan''s eyes twitched at the unexpected admission. She took a cautious step back, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and concern. "Are you scared of him?"


    Bing Xueli''s steps halted, and she nodded hesitantly. "Yes, scared. Very scared."


    Mei Leiyan''s suspicion seemed to be confirmed. "I knew it..."


    However, Bing Xueli shook her head and continued, her tone earnest. "He needs to make his own choice, Amelia. Whether he wants to remain inside or return to the outside world. Dying it could potentially lead to a catastrophe."


    Mei Leiyan''s frustration grew, and she couldn''t resist a sardonic smile. "A catastrophe? Are you sure that what you''re doing won''t already cause one when hees back? He''lle straight for you, and don''t assume you''re protected." She delivered the warning with a hint of disdain.


    Bing Xueli''s eyes flickered with a mix of emotions. "I''ll handle it myself. That''s why I called you here, so if he ever returns, you can bear witness that no one else was involved."

 Chapter 106: Booby Trap! (2)

    Mei Leiyan fell into a contemtive silence, her mind racing with a barrage of questions and concerns.


    "Why?" Mei Leiyan''s tone had softened, and her question heavy with a sense of bewilderment.


    All of this seemed so unnecessary. Their lives within these walls had been rtively peaceful and devoid of major issues.


    So, why was Bing Xueli going to such lengths, potentially threatening the lives of everyone involved?


    Bing Xueli took a deep breath, her voice carrying a sense of purpose as she exined, "Amelia, we need to consider every possibility. He has a life beyond these walls, and even though he shows no desire to return to it now, what if that changes in the future? Isn''t it better to leave that choice to him? What if, by the time he wants to return, everyone outside has perished?


    Would that not turn him into a karmic demon? Are you prepared to face that version of him?"


    Amelia''s eyes widened in shock. "...Karmic demons...? Are they real?" Her voice trembled with disbelief, as she had only ever heard of them in whispers and legends.


    The term "Karmic Demons" was a phrase used among the vigers, a term that struck fear into their hearts. In their peaceful vige, the average resident was incapable of causing harm to another human being.


    However, the legends spoke of those rare individuals born with the ability to wield PK without the burden of guilt. For them, controlling their unchecked power was nearly impossible, and their unchecked violence could result in merciless killings.


    Even more horrifying were ounts of ordinary people, driven mad or consumed by their darkest impulses, turning into these Karmic Demons.


    "But isn''t all of this just fiction...?" Mei Leiyan couldn''t help but voice her skepticism.


    Bing Xueli''s smile was bitter, her eyes clouded with a heavy reality. "It would be better if it were fiction, Amelia, but it''s all too real. Thest incident urred three centuries ago and decimated our poption by tenfold. We have yet to fully recover from that catastrophe, and it wasn''t even as powerful as the one we fear now.


    If he were to transform into one..." Her voice trailed off, her thoughts dwelling on the grim possibility, that might endager the world.


    Mei Leiyan fell silent, the weight of their decision settling heavily upon her. She reluctantly followed Bing Xueli, and together they carefully ced Wang Xiao on the other side of the exit. As they prepared to leave, Mei Leiyan couldn''t resist her curiosity any longer. "...How did you manage to drug him?"


    Mei Leiyan knew Wang Xiao to be sharp and cautious, and she had her doubts that he would ingest any substance without careful consideration.


    Bing Xueli''s face suddenly flushed, her gaze averted as she went silent, her fingers lightly touching her lips. She floated back toward the vige without answering, leaving Mei Leiyan with her unanswered question.


    Once back in the cave, Bing Xueli sealed the entrance once more. To an ordinary person, it would be unfathomable that this small pit in the mountain concealed an entire hidden world. Hours passed as she meticulously secured the barrier, ensuring that their secret remained hidden from the outside world.


    Back in her house, Bing Xueli issued a solemn instruction to Mei Leiyan, "Don''t disturb me for the next week."


    Mei Leiyan nodded in response, her expression somber, and as the door closed behind Bing Xueli, she was left to contemte the weight of their actions.


    Upstairs, Bing Xueli hurriedly ascended the steps, her footsteps echoing as she slid the door open to her room before copsing onto her bed. Herplexion had turned pale, and her body trembled.


    She had been harboring the poison inside her mouth for an extended period, and it had slowly seeped into her bloodstream. She had used her powers to temporarily suppress its effects, but now the consequences were catching up to her.


    In her determination to execute her n, she had prepared for this moment, never realizing the futility of her efforts.


    She had underestimated the unpredictable nature of the situation, and possibly didn''t ount for Wang Xiao plotting against her simultaneously as well.


    __________


    Wang Xiao stood amidst the thick forest, his senses razor-sharp, and his eyes wide open, showing no signs of the drug''s influence. With a determined stride, he retraced their journey, moving backward along the path they had taken.


    It didn''t take long for his keen instincts to guide him to the specific spot where the mountain''s stones had formed a shallow pit, only a few meters deep.


    He realized he would need to break through to return to the hidden world below.


    Had he fallen victim to the drug?


    Yes.


    But had it affected him as intended?


    No.


    Yin Yue''s mocking voice resonated within his mind, taunting him, [Hehe... You fell for a booby trap.]


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but shake his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Well, at least now I''ve discovered the hidden passage..."


    Yin Yue probed further, [So, are you thinking of going back already?]


    Wang Xiao''s expression grew serious, his thoughts turning to caution. ''Regardless of her intentions, someone who can operate behind your back once can certainly do it again. We need to prepare properly.''


    Yin Yue''s voice persisted in Wang Xiao''s mind, an inquisitive and probing presence. [Oh, so are we embarking on a killing spree?]


    Wang Xiao''s answer was firm, his resolve evident in his tone. "If it bes necessary, yes."


    He turned to take in the sight of the inds stretching out before him. "So, we''re back, huh..."


    Having returned to the outside world, likely after two years had passed, Wang Xiao began to walk aimlessly. The risk of detection by humans made flying too perilous, so he chose to move inconspicuously on foot.


    Yin Yue continued to question him, [Wang Xiao, I still don''t understand why you allowed her to drug you, or why you pretended to be drugged. We''ve already confirmed that even she is affected by the curse of guilt and can''t kill you directly. You could have easily forced her into submission.]


    A faint, wicked smile curled on Wang Xiao''s lips as he responded, ''Did you truly believe I ced my trust in anyone within that ursednd?''


    Yin Yue, [... You didn''t?]


    Wang Xiao''s answer carried a chilling truth, ''No, I don''t even trust myself let alone them.''


    He had contemted adding that his trust in Yin Yue was also far from absolute, but he chose to keep that information concealed for now.

 Chapter 107: Spotted Another Hell Spirit?

    Hidden deep within Wang Xiao''s body was a remarkable secret, one he had guarded closely, revealing it to no one, not even his closest confidants.


    Following theirst deadly encounter with the poisonous flowers, something extraordinary had urred.


    He had seemingly gained immunity to all types of poisons.


    Every single variety!


    This newfound resilience allowed him to effortlessly navigate through the deadly barrier of flowers that had previously concealed the hidden passage below.


    Yet, the existence of the hidden passage had be redundant for him.


    He could now stroll past the barrier without a trace of fear, but still, his curiosity persisted.


    After all, for ordinary humans, the notion of walking through that treacherous barrier unharmed was unfathomable.


    Wang Xiao''s strategic brilliance shone through.


    Whenever Mei Leiyan conducted tests on his body, he skillfully feigned vulnerability to poisons and intoxication.


    Assisted by the knowledge he had acquired from Yin Yue, he wlessly acted the part of a susceptible individual.


    In truth, he had long achieved immunity to such substances.


    But there remained one perplexing question: why had he pretended to be unconscious?


    It was a carefully calcted move on his part.


    Understanding a person''s true intentions was a daunting challenge.


    Even spending a lifetime with someone didn''t guarantee insight into their thoughts and motives, as they rarely unveiled their innermost feelings when you were conscious.


    So, he had acted unconscious, not only to gauge Mei Leiyan''s reactions but also to unveil all of Bing Xueli''s concealed schemes and secrets. It had been aborious endeavor, spanning five long years, but Bing Xueli had remained on his ever-growing list of suspicious individuals.


    As long as Bing Xueli didn''tmit any acts of betrayal behind his back, Wang Xiao was willing to let certain matters slide.


    However, she had crossed the line bymitting the very crime she had managed to avoid for years.


    In doing so, she had essentially dug her own grave.


    Intentions held little weight for Wang Xiao; it was the actions that spoke volumes. If she was capable of such deception today, she could very well repeat it tomorrow.


    Whether her motives were pure or not held no relevance for him.


    Wang Xiao had diligently assessed both Bing Xueli and Mei Leiyan, recognizing that people often revealed their true colors when they thought no one was watching.


    Sometimes, it was advantageous to appear oblivious. In social gatherings, he had developed a habit of turning on voice recording on his phone before temporarily leaving the table.


    He would ce the phone upside down, then return and engage in conversation while discreetly monitoring what was said behind his back.


    This practice had be second nature to him.


    He employed it at the school, in his home, and even at parties.


    Whether it was family, a girlfriend, a wife, or the person he trusted most, Wang Xiao believed it was crucial to understand how they acted in his absence.


    The world was far too vast to be careless, and he was determined to stay one step ahead.


    Wang Xiao was resolute in his determination not to fall into a situation like the one he had experienced before. He understood that life was far too unpredictable to rely solely on miracles.


    ____


    As Wang Xiao walking nonchntly through the dense forest, the soft earth cool under his bare feet, a sudden burst of gunfire shattered the night''s stillness.


    His brow furrowed in confusion and concern.


    "What''s happening here?" he muttered under his breath, his voice barely a whisper against the darknesss of the night.


    The forest, abyrinth of towering birch trees, stood like silent sentinels in the moonlit night. Shadows danced eerily as shes of gunpowder illuminated the scene in stato bursts. Wang Xiao''s eyes, adjusting to the sporadic light, discerned two shing forces.


    On one side, a group of soldiers in crisp military uniforms held their ground with disciplined precision. Their faces were set in grim determination, rifles crackling as they returned fire with methodical uracy.


    "Stand firm! Protect the perimeter!" barked a grizzled sergeant, his voice sharp  like a knife.


    On the opposite side, a ragtag band of mercenaries was advancing, their movements wild and unpredictable. Their clothes were mismatched and worn, telling tales of many battles. The leader, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, barked orders, his voice rough andmanding.


    "Push forward,ds! Victory is ours!" he yelled, his voiceced with a rough, unyielding edge.


    Wang Xiao crouched low, his mind racing.


    "Should I step in, or simply watch?" he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the mix of gunfire and shouts.


    Suddenly, a familiar, ethereal voice echoed in his mind, chilling yet oddlyforting. Yin Yue, spoke with a sense of urgency.


    [Wanf Xiao, you are no longer hidden. Stop trying to blend with the shadows.]


    Wang Xiao "What do you mean?" his eyes instantly scanning the chaos for any sign of exposure.


    Yin Yue''s voice was a cold whisper in his mind. [Another hell spirit is here. It has sensed your presence.]


    His brows furrowing, Wang Xiao spoke slightly surprised  "A hell spirit... like you? Where is it?"


    [Look at the mercenaries'' leader.] Yin Yue''s directive was sharp, filled with an unspoken warning.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze shifted to the mercenary leader, a man named Jake, whose figure had now retreated from the frontline. The air around Jake seemed to warp, creating a sinister aura. His eyes, previously hidden in the shadows, were now eerily visible, glowing a deep, blood-red, fixated directly on Wang Xiao.


    Yin Yue''s voice turned frantic. [Run, now!]


    !!


    Ivan, a slight thin man with a scar across his left hand, called out to his leader in confusion. "Boss, where are you going!?" His voice wasced with concern as he saw Jake veering off the path, abandoning the frontlines.


    Without turning back, Jake shouted over his shoulder, his voice resonating with a dark, chilling edge. "Take care of the frontlines! I''ll be back soon!" His sinisterugh,void and cold, cut through the chilly night, causing a shiver among his men.


    Jake''s eyes, now glowing an ominous blood-red, were fixed in the direction Wang Xiao had fled. A predatory smile crept across his face. "Running won''t save you," he murmured to himself.


    Boom!


    In an instant, his body underwent a startling transformation. Muscles bulged, tearing through the fabric of his pants as a surge of supernatural energy coursed through him. With the power and grace of a cheetah, heunched himself forward, his speed astonishing as he pursued his prey.


    Whoosh!


    The forest blurred around Jake as he followed Wang Xiao''s trail, his senses heightened, attuned to every movement, every sound. The distance between them closed rapidly until they were far removed from the chaotic sounds of gunfire, deep in the heart of the forest.

 Chapter 108: Wang Xiao vs Hell Spirit!

    Jake, his predatory instincts heightened, scanned the area with frustration. "Tch, where did that brat disappear?" He grumbled, realizing he had strayed from his original path. The dense forest around him was eerily quiet, with no sign of Wang Xiao.


    Unbeknownst to Jake, high above him in the canopy, Wang Xiao was perched on a sturdy branch of a birch tree, silently observing his pursuer.


    The moonlight filtering through the leaves cast ghostly shadows on his face.


    ''Yue, what''s with his abnormal physique? Could you grant me those abilities as well?'' Wang Xiao thought, his gaze fixed on Jake below.


    Yin Yue''s voice resonated in his mind, cold ands straightforward,[I could have, if you had allowed me to consume your consciousness and take control of your body.]


    Wang Xiao shrugged inwardly. ''Never mind. These spiritsck intelligence, don''t they? Didn''t he know not to follow an enemy alone? It might be a trap.''


    Yin Yue warned. [Be cautious. He is stronger than you.]


    A sly smirk yed on Wang Xiao''s lips. ''No worries. I have a n to take him down. But first, let''s test the strength of your kind.''


    Crack! The branch Wang Xiao had been perched on snapped loudly as heunched himself towards Jake.


    Wang Xiao, ''This needs to be a precise hit!''


    His body cutting through the air like a dart as his fist, aimed at the back of Jake''s head, began to tremble and sizzle in the air, gathering a visible, burning energy.


    At thest moment, Jake''s instincts kicked in. He sensed the imminent danger and whirled around just as Wang Xiao was about to strike.


    *Booom!*


    "You''re quicker than I thought, pest" Jake sneered, catching Wang Xiao''s wrist with a boom that echoed through the forest, the shockwaves making the trees nearby tremble.


    Wang Xiao''s eyebrows arched in mild admiration. "You''re not the only one with tricks," he said, his body blurring into motion. With a graceful backflip, hended vertically on the trunk of a tree, his stance defying gravity.


    Jake''s eyes narrowed, but then, unexpectedly, he erupted intoughter. "Good! Hahah! Finally, a worthy fight where I don''t need to hold back!" His body shook with unrestrained glee. Pointing a finger at Wang Xiao, his voice boomed with dark excitement, "Just wait until I kill you. I can''t wait to savor your spirit energy!"


    Boom!


    The ground beneath Jake cracked and splintered, his legs swelling with monstrous strength. With a sudden burst, heunched himself towards Wang Xiao like a missile.


    *Crack!*


    The tree Wang Xiao had been standing on snapped violently in the middle as Jake''s body hurtled through it, reducing it to splinters like brittle paper. Wang Xiao, however, was already on the move, having anticipated the attack.


    *Whoosh!*


    Jake, now like a raging rhino, charged again, his fury uncontained. Wang Xiao frowned, his mind racing. ''This is getting dangerous. He''s tearing through everything in his path.''


    The forest around them began to suffer the consequences of Jake''s wrath. Trees snapped and broke, their once sturdy forms no match for his raw power. Wang Xiao''s cover grew thinner with each passing second, the destruction painting a clear picture of Jake''s manic state.


    Jake roared, his voice echoing through the trees. "You can run, but you can''t hide! I will crush every bone in your body!" His every word dripped with madness and the thrill of the hunt.


    As the chaos ensued, the once tranquil forest transformed into a battleground, echoing with the sounds of destruction and the manicughter of a man lost in his rage.


    As Wang Xiao darted deeper into the forest, leaping into the air, Yin Yue''s voice echoed in his mind. [Why not use PK on him?]


    Mid-flight, Wang Xiao twisted around to face Jake, who was barreling towards him like a missile. A focused light gleamed in Wang Xiao''s eyes, a silent evidence to his extreme concentration.


    Suddenly, Jake''s face twisted in shock and pain.


    *Splurt!*


    Blood burst from his mouth as thousands of tiny cuts materialized across his body. Despite the onught, Jake''s momentum carried him forward until he crashed into the ground, the impact creating a massive explosion and carving out a crater.


    Boom!


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed in confusion as hended lightly on his feet. ''His body didn''t explode? That''s unexpected.'' He was genuinely taken aback; it seemed that using PK to cause internalbustion wasn''t as straightforward as he thought.


    "Arghhhh!" Jake''s roar of pain and fury cut through the forest. He staggered to his feet, his eyes burning with rage as he red at Wang Xiao. Despite his bleeding and battered body, Jake''s strength was undiminished.


    He charged towards a nearby tree, yanking it out from its roots with sheer brute force. "You insect, stop flying ande down, face this king!" he roared, his voice a mix of pain and untamed anger.


    Wang Xiao watched, a mix of wariness and suprise in his eyes. ''He''s quite resilient for a human, no he''s a monster!''  He thought, preparing for Jake''s next move.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    One after another, trees were uprooted and hurled through the air by Jake, his actions bordering on the maniacal. Wang Xiao, observing from a safe distance, couldn''t help but smirk at the realization. ''So he can''t jump this high...''


    With a tauntingugh, Wang Xiao called out, "Want to get me, Hippo? Haha!"


    Jake''s eyes zed with unbridled fury. "Ahhhhh!! Pest!!! Insect!!! I''ll squash you!!!" His shout echoed through the forest, veins bulging across his body in a disy of power. The number of trees being thrown increased, each one flying through the air with tremendous speed and force.


    From the depths of Wang Xiao''s mind, Yin Yue''s voice resonated with disdain. [King, huh... Such a low-ranking spirit and he can''t even think straight...]


    Wang Xiao nodded inwardly, still keeping a wary eye on the barrage of trees. ''True, but his strength is better than I thought.''


    He had initially estimated Jake to be much weaker being!

 Chapter 109: Taking the revenge from three eyed bear!

    Wang Xiao nodded inwardly, still keeping a wary eye on the barrage of trees. ''True, but his strength is better than I thought.''


    Yin Yue''sughter echoed in Wang Xiao''s mind, tinged with a hint of mockery. [This might be the weakest spirit you encounter. Others will be far stronger. This one possesses power butcks intellect.]


    Wang Xiao''s expression turned grim. ''The weakest?'' The thought unsettled him. The idea that this was just the beginning, that stronger foesy ahead, weighed heavily on his mind.


    Yet, he remained focused, leading Jake further into the forest, like a shadow luring an enraged beast.


    *Boom! Booom!*


    Jake''s pursuit was never-ending, "Hahah! This pest thinks it can escape its fate!" heughed, his torn clothes and bleeding body not affecting him in the least.


    Suddenly, Jake came to an abrupt halt. From the air above, a sparkling dust began to drift down, shimmering in the moonlight. "What is this!?" Jake eximed, resuming his pursuit , his eyes fixed on the mysterious substance.


    The dust settled slowly over his body, creating a surreal, almost ethereal scene. Jake''s confusion and anger consumed him as he tried to understand this new development.


    Just then, Wang Xiao reappeared in front of Jake, his expression calm yet intense. The contrast between the two was striking: Jake, a figure of raw, unbridled power, and Wang Xiao, a symbol of cunning and strategy.


    "Surprised?" Wang Xiao asked, his voice steady. "You''re not the only one with strength ."


    Jake red at him, his body tensed for the next move, the sparkling dust creating a halo of light around him. "What the hell is this!?" He demanded trying to tore the dust out of his body, tearing apart his own skin in the process.


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened as he watched Jake tear at his own skin ruthlessly. "You won''t be alive to know..." he muttered.


    Jake''s face contorted in confusion, then realization, followed by annoyance. "Tch, you bastard led me deep into this forest!" he snarled. He started advancing towards Wang Xiao, intent on tearing him apart with his bare hands. Suddenly, his eyes widened in horror as he took in his surroundings.


    "Wha¡ª"


    *Thud!*


    Before he could finish his sentence, Jake''s body stiffened and he copsed to the ground,pletely paralyzed.


    Wang Xiao watched, his expression unreadable, as Jake''s body twitched and struggled weakly on the forest floor. "What... did you... do...?" Jake managed to gasp out, his voice a strained whisper.


    Taking calm, measured steps, Wang Xiao approached the fallen figure.


    With a *crack*, a branch nearby snapped and flew towards Wang Xiao''s outstretched hand, as if summoned by an unseen force. He then kicked Jake''s body, flipping it over to face him.


    Jake''s eyes trembled with fear and pain, his lips quivering. The poison was already doing its work, slowly draining the life from him.


    Wang Xiao watched with focused, unflinching eyes. His expression was a mix of determination, a silent acknowledgment of the brutal necessities of survival. He brought the sharp end of the branch closer to Jake, its tip pointed directly at his eyes.


    *Squish!*


    "Arghhhh...." Jake wailing silently in pain, as but unable to move his body.


    Gently, almost deliberate, Wang Xiao inserted the branch into Jake''s eyes. His frown deepened slightly at the unsettling sound of blood and fluid gushing out, some sshing against his face.


    The forest, once alive with the sounds of their fierce battle, now echoed with a chilling silence, broken only by the disturbing noise of Wang Xiao''s actions.


    --------


    10 minutester, the forest was pierced by a guttural roar.


    *Roar!*


    A bear, monstrous in size and bearing an ominous presence, lumbered into the clearing. Its three eyes, glowing with a sinister light, scanned the area, drawn by the scent of blood. It paused upon discovering Jake''s body, its twisted grin frozen in death.


    Without hesitation, the bear turned its attention to Jake''s remains. With a gruesome *splurt!*, it tore off a part of the body in one savage bite, beginning to feast voraciously.


    Hidden in the trees above, Wang Xiao watched, his eyes wide with a mix of disgust and recognition. ''So it wasn''t an illusion...'' he thought, a shiver running down his spine as he recalled a encounter with this very creature.


    It had been this three-eyed bear that had once forced him to flee for his life, navigating the mysterious forest in a desperate escape.


    As he observed, Wang Xiao couldn''t shake off a chilling detail. ''Is it... smiling?'' The bear''s expression, eerily human in its contorted joy, sent a wave of unease through him. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Wang Xiao prepared to descend from his vantage point.


    With a quiet leap, Wang Xiao descended from the trees,nding softly on the forest floor, his eyes never left the bear.


    !?


    Roarrrr!


    The bear, with its ominous three eyes, immediately spotted Wang Xiao. With a ferocious roar, it lunged towards him, its massive body cutting through the air.


    Wang Xiao, his lips curling into a slight smirk, watched the bear''s approach. In a calcted move, he raised his hand, and with a deft motion, unleashed a shockwave.


    Boooom!


    The forest trembled and shook violently. Trees around them were uprooted and obliterated, leaving a path of destruction. The bear, caught in the full force of the shockwave, disintegrated into a mist of blood, sttering the area.


    Droplets of the bear''s blood sshed over Wang Xiao, staining his face. He grimaced in disgust. "Disgusting creature..." he muttered under his breath, his voice a mix of contempt and relief.


    Without a moment''s hesitation, Wang Xiao turned his attention to Jake''s remains. With a focused burst of energy, he incinerated the body, reducing it to ashes in mere seconds.


    The deed done, he leapt into the air, soaring towards the sea. The need to cleanse himself of the day''s grim events was urgent, driving him swiftly across thendscape towards the cleansing waters.


    ________


    In the midst of a smoke-filled battlefield, Ivan and his band of mercenaries were steadily gaining ground against the army regiment. The air was filled with the acrid smell of gunpowder and the shouts ofbat.

 Chapter 110: Shadowfox!

    Back in the midst of a smoke-filled battlefield, Ivan and his band of mercenaries were steadily gaining ground against the army regiment. The air was filled with the acrid smell of gunpowder and the shouts ofbat.


    "Fall back, everyone fall back!" The urgent cry came from the regiment''s second inmand, his voice strained with desperation. The regiment leader''s lifeless bodyy abandoned on the battlefield, a grim reminder of the cost of this conflict.


    A kilometer away, hidden in the dense underbrush, another figurey in wait. Her eyes were fixed on the chaotic scene, her finger steady on the trigger of her sniper rifle.


    Bam!


    The shot rang out, echoing through the trees. One of the mercenaries copsed, but the rest continued their relentless march, their numbers overwhelming the beleaguered soldiers.


    "Tsk, they are too many!" she muttered under her breath, frustration filled her words.


    "How did the news of Fairy Ind leak out?" The question was more to herself than anyone else.


    She was part of a small army regiment on a secret mission to uncover the location of the fabled Fairy Ind.


    The past discovery of a tunnel to the heavens had reignited interest and belief in such mythical ces.


    An ind full of celestial resources, rumored to be inhabited by fairies capable of flight... The thought made her pause. If such a ce existed, it held the potential to change everything.


    The news of Fairy Ind''s existence had set the world aze with excitement and greed. From every corner of the globe, various interest groups, drawn by the allure of celestial riches and the promise of transcendence, converged on the Icevale nation.


    The Iron Shield mercenary group, known for their ruthless efficiency, had emerged as a formidable force in this chaotic scramble.


    Under the leadership of Jake, they had cut a swathe throughpeting groups and armies, leaving a trail of destruction in their path.


    Now, they were closing in on thest standing regiment from country M.


    To avoid international attention and conflict, nations had discreetly dispatched small, elite regiments.


    But the mercenaries, uniting from across the world, had pooled their resources in an unprecedented show of coordination and power.


    Jake''s leadership had transformed them into a juggernaut, their single-minded pursuit of the ind driving them to extreme measures.


    "How is this possible ?" muttered a soldier from the M regiment, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Mercenaries from all over, working together... it''s like they''re an army unto themselves."


    Hisrade, crouched beside him, kept his eyes on the battlefield. "Everyone wants to transcend, to rise above their limits. That ind... it''s not just a ce. It''s a dream. A dangerous one."


    _____


    *Bam!*


    "Sigh... One more down... I can''t continue like this, they are too many..."


    Despite the precise shots, Shadowfox realized the futility of her efforts. The mercenaries, like a relentless tide, kepting. With a resigned sigh, she set down her sniper rifle and vanished into the shadows.


    Her mission was clear ¨C aid Country M and secure the coordinates to Fairy Ind. But now, a direct approach was necessary.


    Shua! Shua! Shua!


    Silently, swiftly, she moved among the mercenaries. Her figure was a mere blur, a specter in the midst of chaos. Each movement was precise, each strike fatal. One by one, mercenaries fell, a dagger expertly lodged in their throats.


    Ivan, leading the mercenaries, sensed the shift in the tide. His eyes narrowed as he observed his men falling mysteriously.


    "There''s an assassin nearby! Be careful!" he bellowed, alerting his troops. His voice carried over the noise of battle, a note of urgency unmistakable in his tone.


    Despite the warning, Shadowfox continued her deadly dance.


    The battle raged on, moving steadily towards the temporary base at a discontinued thermal power nt.


    Amidst the turmoil, the soldiers of Country M were rapidly losing ground. "Arghhh! They''re too many!" one soldier cried out in desperation, his voice tinged with fear.


    "Shut up! And stop wailing like kids! Just a bunch of mercenaries, how dare th¡ª" His words were cut off abruptly as a bullet burst through his head in a gruesome disy.


    "C-Chief!?" another soldier gasped, his voice a mix of shock and disbelief. But before he could process the loss, another order rang out, cold andmanding. "Put it right here, and open fire!"


    The words echoed through the air like a grim reaper.


    Ratatatatat


    Suddenly, the cliff overlooking the power nt burst into a frenzy of light and noise. A mounted machine gun, operated by unseen hands, unleashed a torrent of destruction. Bullets rained down, tearing through metal and flesh indiscriminately.


    The power nt, once a silent, dark relic, was now aze under the relentless gunfire. mes engulfed the structure, painting the night sky with a menacing orange glow.


    The chaos was absolute, the air filled with the sounds of gunfire, screams, and the relentless roar of mes.


    Booooooom!


    Then, a deafening explosion shook the ground. The power nt, hit by a barrage of gunfire, erupted in a massive fireball. The shockwave from the st rippled through the area, shattering windows and sending debris flying


    Booom!


    Booom! Booom!


    A series of smaller explosions reverberated through the area, sending shockwaves of confusion and fear among the mercenaries. They momentarily froze, their faces reflecting the confusion and uncertainty of the situation.


    "Wasn''t the power nt discontinued!?" one of the mercenaries stammered.


    "Shut up, and kill all of them!" Jake''s voice cut through the chaos, sharp andmanding. It acted like a jolt, reigniting the mercenaries'' resolve as they scrambled to regain their momentum.


    Elderich, manning the machine gun, refocused on his task, his fingers tightening around the trigger. But in the next instant, his eyes widened in shock. A cold, sharp de rested against his neck, its presence a silent but deadly threat.


    Squish!


    There was no time for Elderich to react. In a swift, clean motion, his head was severed from his body. Shadowfox, the assassin, had struck with lethal efficiency.


    However, her victory was short-lived. As she moved away from hertest kill, she caught the attention of another mercenary. Their eyes met, a moment of recognition passing between them.

 Chapter 111: The Invincible! David and his naked Adventures!

    Shadowfox caught the attention of another mercenary. Their eyes met, a moment of recognition passing between them.


    "!!"


    "Look there! Who is that!?" A mercenary pointed towards a figure darting in the shadows.


    "Wait! The guy in the ck! It''s the assassin!" Recognition dawned among the mercenaries, and the news spread like wildfire, igniting a frenzy of activity.


    Gunshots erupted from all directions, aiming towards the elusive Shadowfox. Each shot whizzed through the air, an intent to directly kill.


    With an acrobat''s grace, Shadowfox leaped down the hill. She cleared the fence in a single, fluid motion and disappeared among the burning structures of the facility. Her movements were a blur, thanks to her training and survival instincts.


    "Unit 2! After him! Unit 1, clear off the remaining people here!" Jake''smand cut through the noise. He licked his lips in anticipation, sliding a knife de between them as he began his pursuit. His eyes glinted with the thrill of the hunt.


    A procession of mercenaries, including David, followed suit, their steps quick with excitement and determination.


    David''s heart raced with the thought that today might mark their ascent to immortality.


    Once they dealt with these ''pests,'' the search for Fairy Ind''s entrance could begin in earnest.


    Rumors had long circted that the entrance to the mystical indy hidden in the abandoned corners of the Icevale nation''s southwest.


    The idea that such a mythical ce, a source, could be within their grasp, drove them forward with a mix of greed and awe.


    "Hahaha! Heaven! Goddess, wait for me! I amin¡ª!?" David''s triumphant cry was abruptly cut off. He felt a strong griptch onto him from behind, yanking him violently into the bushes.


    ''What!?'' His mind was a whirlwind of confusion and panic.


    "Arghhh!" He tried to shout, but his voice was muffled by the dense foliage.


    "Who is it!?" He struggled, trying to catch a glimpse of his assant, but it was futile.


    "Ugh! Stop it! Stop it! Why are you beating me¡ªahhh!" His plea was drowned out by a flurry of punches and kicks that rained down on him mercilessly. Each blow was precise, powerful, and full of intent.


    David''s world turned into a blur of pain and fear. He could barely think, let alone defend himself. His face, once full of excitement and anticipation, was now bloodied and swollen beyond recognition.


    After what felt like an eternity, the beating finally ceased. Ten long minutes had passed, each second a lifetime of agony for David.


    "So, care to tell me your name?" The voice that broke the silence was calm, almost casual. Wang Xiao crouched in front of the bloodied figure of David, his demeanor that of someone conducting a routine inquiry.


    David''s swollen eyes struggled to focus on the figure before him. The sight of Wang Xiao''s shining red eyes sent a wave of terror through him, more intense than the physical pain he had endured. With a trembling voice and a body shaken by fear, he managed to stutter, "Ancestors! Please, no more!


    Booom!


    Wang Xiao''s kick abruptlynded squarely on David''s bald head, eliciting a pained wince. "Tell me what''s your name!" His tone remained calm, but the underlying threat was clear.


    David, shivering both from fear and the cold, stammered out his name. "It''s David! David! D for David!"


    Wang Xiao nodded, his sharp gaze piercing into David. "Tell me about the situation! What is happening here?"


    As David gulped, his eyes inadvertently drifted downwards, and he froze in shock. ''Why is the reaper... naked!?'' The absurdity of the situation momentarily overshadowed his fear.


    Despite his confusion and the bizarre circumstance, David hastily ryed everything he knew, hoping to appease the menacing figure before him.


    Wang Xiao listened intently, then, seemingly satisfied, blurred into motion and disappeared into the night.


    Left alone, David let out a long sigh of relief. "Sigh... It appears my time has not yete..." He stood up shakily, his eyes taking in the view of the chaotic and burning facilities from the top of the mountain. The sight was a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict.


    A sudden chill from the cold air made him shiver violently. "Damn! I need new clothes! The reaper stole mine!" he cursed aloud. Wang Xiao, in a bizarre twist, had taken all his clothes before departing, leaving David exposed and bewildered in the cold night.


    David wrapped his arms around himself, his mind racing for a solution.


    The night air bit into his skin, and the distant sounds of battle were a grim reminder that he was still in danger.


    He needed to find shelter and clothing fast, but the realization that he had just been robbed by a ''naked reaper'' was something he couldn''t quite shake off.


    As he tiptoed cautiously down the mountain, the absurdity of his naked situation mixed with the seriousness of his mission.


    ''Great, just what I needed today. A naked escape in the middle of a battle for a mythical ind. If I survive this, I''m definitely writing a book.'' he decided with convincing, secretly, retreating when no one was looking, as he stole another dead soldier''s clothes off the battlefield.


    David couldn''t help but chuckle at the thought, despite the gravity of the situation.


    It was eitherugh or cry, and he chose the former.


    With each careful step for retreat, he kept an eye out for danger, his mind still fighting for the title for his new book!


    The Invincible David and his Naked Adventures!


    [A/N: It''s definitely not a foreshadowing for a new book! (Proceeds to shake head so aggressively, that the bald monk''s hat flew off into the next chapter)]


    ________


    As Wang Xiao moved almost leisurely through the chaotic battlefield, a thoughtful expression yed across his face. "Fairy Ind... Are they talking about Xianthera? And what is that tunnel to heavens? I''ve heard about this quite a lot of time already..." he mused to himself.


    He recalled overhearing conversations on the ship. "Even the people there were talking about it.... Are both the same?" The questions lingered in his mind, an intriguing puzzle amidst the turmoil around him.


    His figure ghosted through the groups of fighting soldiers and mercenaries, an odd calm in his demeanor. Those who noticed him were momentarily taken aback.


    "Hey, who''s that guy?" a mercenary pointed out, his confusion mirrored on the faces of hisrades.


    "Is he lost or something?" a soldier questioned, his focus shifting from the fight to this strangely serene figure.


    But before any more words could be exchanged, the reality of Wang Xiao''s presence hit them. With an almostzy flick of his hand, Wang Xiao unleashed a wave of unseen force.


    *Boom!... Boom!*


    Their bodies burst apart violently, even before they fully realized the threat he posed.


    ...Boom!


    The gruesome stter of blood and gore seemed to halt just inches away from him, as if repelled by an unseen force. Wang Xiao, untouched by the carnage he caused, continued his stroll through the battlefield. His steps were calm, almost meditative, contrasting sharply with the screams and sounds ofbat around him.


    "Wh-what just happened!?" a terrified soldier eximed, witnessing the sudden and horrific disintegration of hisrades.


    "Is he some kind of demon?" whispered another, his voice trembling with fear.


    Amidst the rising panic and chaos, Wang Xiao remained deep in thought, his mind still preupied with the mysteries of Fairy Ind and the heavenly tunnel.


    To the soldiers and mercenaries engaged in the heated battle, Wang Xiao appeared as an otherworldly ghost. It was only upon a closer, albeit fleeting, look that they realized he wasn''t walking at all, but floating just above the ground


    But this discovery came toote for them, as no one lived to spread the tale.


    Like a relentless demon, Wang Xiao continued his merciless butchery, his path marked by blood.


    Unbeknownst to him, his eerie procession led him to the deepest part of the power nt. The long, oval, unoperative boilers loomed like dormant beasts, surrounded by awork of silent tubes. Amidst this industrial graveyard, a fiercebat was unfolding.


    "Don''t let her go!"


    "Kill her!"


    Ivan''s voice roared over the din of battle,manding a mixed group of four in pursuit of a single target: Shadowfox.


    She moved with the grace and urgency of a cornered animal, her silver hair a stark contrast against the dull metal and shadows, marking her as a distinctly female figure.


    Her tight-fitting ck suit hinted at her training and lethal skills.


    Shadowfox''s acrobatics caught Wang Xiao''s attention, prompting a raised eyebrow. ''Interesting...'' he thought, observing her from his vantage point. Her face, though mostly obscured, was faintly visible to him, adding to the mystery of her identity.


    As the chase continued, Ivan and his team struggled to keep up with Shadowfox''s swift and unpredictable movements. She leaped and dodged, her every move a calcted effort to evade capture.


    Wang Xiao watched the scene unfold with a detached curiosity, his presence still unnoticed by those involved in the chase. The power nt, with itsbyrinth of machinery and echoing chambers, provided the perfect ce for this deadly game of cat and mouse.

 Chapter 112: Saving the beauty....?

    In the dimly lit corridors of the power nt, the chase was reaching new heights.


    Shadowfox, her silver hair streaming behind her, nimbly navigated the industrial maze.


    "Corner her there!" Ivan shouted, pointing towards a narrow passage lined with rusted pipes. His team, a mix of hardened mercenaries, quickly fanned out, moving to encircle Shadowfox.


    One of the mercenaries, a burly man with a scarred face, lunged at her, his knife glinting in the dim light. "Gotcha now!" he growled.


    But Shadowfox was a step ahead. She twisted in the air, her body contorting impossibly as she evaded the attack. Her counter was swift - a well-ced kick sent the man sprawling.


    "Damn it! She''s slippery!" another mercenary cursed, firing off a shot that ricocheted off a nearby boiler.


    Shadowfox''s breathing was steady despite the exertion. Her movements were fluid, "You''ll have to do better than that!" she spoke, her voice echoing through the space.


    Ivan, growing frustrated, took aim with his own weapon. "End this now!" hemanded, his voiceced with impatience.


    As bullets whizzed past her, Shadowfox utilized the environment to her advantage. She leaped onto a boiler, using the height to survey her opponents quickly. Then, with a graceful dive, she rolled behind a series of tubes, momentarily out of sight.


    "Where''d she go?" one of the mercenaries muttered, scanning the area with a wary eye.


    The tension was increasing, the sound of their own breathing loud in the silence that followed. Each of them knew that the slightest noise could give away their position.


    Suddenly, Shadowfox emerged from her hiding spot, disarming one of the mercenaries with a swift, precise motion. The tter of the fallen weapon was soon followed by the mercenary''s grunt as he hit the ground.


    From his observation point, Wang Xiao watched the scene with an analytical gaze. ''She''s quite skilled to be an assassin,'' he noted, impressed by her ability to turn the tide despite the odds.


    His interest in the situation deepened, his initial curiosity turning into a keen observation of tactics and skill.


    Shadow Fox''s heart suddenly raced as she realized her position. The barrier she was next to was not just any barrier¡ªit was a small boiler, now hissing and emitting steam, signaling potential danger. "Not good..." she muttered under her breath, her eyes quickly scanning for an escape route.


    At that moment, Ivan''s tactical mind grasped the opportunity before him. His eyes lit up with a mixture of cunning and triumph. "Everyone, fire at the boiler!" he barked, pointing towards the structure near Shadow Fox.


    As Ivan''smand echoed through the air, a barrage of gunfire rained down on the boiler.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The sound was deafening, a chorus of bullets drumming against metal.


    Shadow Fox''s eyes widened in horror as she realized her escape was cut off. "No...!" she gasped, her voice barely audible over the sound of bullets.


    The boiler, now riddled with bullet holes, could no longer contain the pressure building within.


    With a thunderous *BOOM*, it exploded, sending a shockwave rippling through the area.


    Shadow Fox, caught in the st, was propelled through the air like a ragdoll.


    Her body mmed against a concrete wall with a sickening *thud*.


    "Argh..."


    She crumpled to the ground, a sharp pain radiating through her. Coughing up blood, she struggled to regain her senses, her vision blurred and ears ringing.


    The mercenaries, sensing victory, approached her with cruelughter. "Looks like the cat''s out of y!" one jeered, his voice filled with maliciousughter


    "Should''ve picked a better hiding spot, darling," another taunted, as they closed in on her weakened form.


    Lying against the wall, Shadow Fox tried to push herself up, her breathingbored. ''This isn''t good...'' she thought desperately, her mind racing for a way out. Blood dripped from her lips, each cough a sharp reminder of her dire situation.


    Ivan, leading the group, had a smirk on his face. "You gave us a good run, but it''s over now." His tone was cold, devoid of any mercy.


    ____


    Shadowfoxy pretending to be unconscious, her mind was working with a clever strategy. ''The moment they gets close, I''ll strike. This ends now.'' Her hand inched toward the dagger at her ankle, her movements deliberately slow and covert.


    Feeling someone lift her, Shadowfox''s eyes flew open, a triumphant grin spreading across her face. In one fluid motion, she thrust the dagger towards her assant''s heart.


    Squish...


    Her triumph turned to disbelief as Wang Xiao appeared before her, his hand bleeding from blocking the strike. "Are you stupid...?" he asked, his tone a blend of bewilderment and irritation.


    "How!?" Shadowfox gasped, her eyes wide. ''Impossible! How did he...?''


    nk!


    Wang Xiao''s swift action forced the dagger from her grip. "You!" Shadowfox''s frustration boiled over. Sheunched a flurry of punches and kicks, but Wang Xiao deftly countered each move.


    "Easy there," Wang Xiao said, a hint of amusement in his voice as he effortlessly restrained her. "You''re not in a position to be picking fights."


    "You bastard!" Shadowfox''s frustration was palpable as she continued her futile assault, her fists pummeling against his chest.


    Wang Xiao, for a moment, stood speechless, almost as if he were dealing with an overly aggressive cat. Then, with a decisive chop to her head, he ended the struggle.


    Bam!


    Shadowfox winced, her world spinning before darkness imed her.


    "So troublesome..." Wang Xiao muttered, looking down at her unconscious form in his arms. ''Was she always this aggressive with men, or is it just my charm?''


    His gaze then shifted to the mercenaries suspended in the air, their faces etched with horror and disbelief, frozen in ce.


    With a casual flick of his hand, Wang Xiao unleashed a force that reduced them to a blood mist. Then, leaping into the air, he made his escape. The metal of the roof twisted and contorted, creating an exit through which he disappeared, carrying Shadowfox away from the scene of the massacre.


    As Wang Xiao vanished into the night, the power nt behind him became a scene from a dystopian nightmare. Engulfed in a fiery inferno, its towering structures crumbled, sumbing to the ragging mes.


    A battlefield charred with ashes, was left behind, leaving no victors in it''s path!

 Chapter 113: Eye for an eye! Blood for blood!

    Wang Xiao approached the outskirts of the city, the unconscious form of Shadowfox cradled in his arms, his mind rmed with caution. ''Taking her to a city hospital would expose us both. And her identity... it''s still a mystery.''


    He nced upwards and made a decision. With a powerful leap, he soared into the sky, his eyes scanning below for a suitable hideout. Surprisingly, the area was dotted with numerous abandoned vis. He chose one nestled near the forest, its seclusion ideal for their needs.


    Gentlyying Shadowfox on a dusty couch in the vi, Wang Xiao began tidying up the ce using his psychokic (PK) abilities. Objects floated and settled into ce as if guided by an invisible hand. ''At least PK makes life easier,'' he mused, recalling how he used to shirk household chores back in vige, leaving them to Bing Xueli.


    A slight grin formed on his face at the memory.


    Once Shadowfox was settled, Wang Xiao turned his attention to her medical needs.


    Relying on his basic knowledge of medicine, he ventured outside to gather herbs from the surrounding forest.


    His skills in identifying and picking the right nts were surprisingly adept.


    Next, Wang Xiao slipped into the city. Moving through the crowds, he discreetly pickpocketed a few wallets, skillfully avoiding detection. With the stolen money, he purchased essential medical supplies and other necessities.


    Returning to the vi, he set about tending to Shadowfox''s wounds with a focus that belied his usual nonchnce. As he applied bandages and administered herbal remedies, his thoughts drifted. ''Was she with the army...?'' The questions lingered unanswered as he worked.


    The vi, once empty and forgotten, now echoed with the faint sounds of life.


    _______


    22nd April, 2026


    As Yuexiu Anrany recovering on the rooftop of the vi, the sun caressed her features, bringing out the soft glow of her skin and the lustrous sheen of her silver-blonde hair that cascaded around her like a sunlit waterfall. Wang Xiao couldn''t help but notice the way the light yed off the gentle waves in her hair, giving her an almost ethereal aura.


    Her cheeks, tinged with the faintest blush of pink, stood in contrast to the pristine white gown she wore¡ªa random choice by Wang Xiao that seemed tailor-made for her delicate figure. The gown''s fabric clung to her form, entuating the gracefulness of her stature. Even in repose, she exuded a natural elegance, a beauty that did not need the adornment of extravagant attire.


    Wang Xiao watched from his chair, the knife he was ying with momentarily forgotten. ''Such details,'' he thought, ''the way her eyshes cast tiny shadows over her high cheekbones, the subtle hue of her lips...''


    Her appearance seemed inconsistent with that of a fierce fighter. There were no scars marring her perfect skin, no signs of the violence she had surely encountered. ''How does one maintain such a looks in this profession?'' Wang Xiao pondered, his gaze lingering on her face, searching for some signs of the warrior within.


    As her eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes that sparkled with a light, Wang Xiao was momentarily surprised.


    The eyes that met his were not just beautiful; they were alive with ''life'', that''s just how he could articte it.


    They were the eyes of someone who had seen much yet stood unfazed by the world''s harsh realities.


    Yuexiu Anran''s gaze fell upon Wang Xiao, and a flicker of confusion crossed her features before she regained herposure.


    "Where am... I?" Her eyes, reflecting the sky''s azure, held a depth that spoke of untold stories, ofughter in the face of danger, of tears shed in silence.


    Wang Xiao cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had settled between them. "You''re awake. How do you feel?" His voice carried a businesslike tone, while his hands, now still, betrayed a flicker of curiosity.


    Her eyelids, light as butterfly wings, fluttered open, revealing eyes clouded with confusion. "You are...?" she began, voiceced with wariness. As memories cascaded back, her expression sharpened like a de drawn from its sheath.


    "Did you... save me?" There was a hint of suprise in her voice, as if the very idea was unfathomable.


    Wang Xiao''s eyebrow arched with a mix of suspicion and irony. "How can you be sure you''re not in the viin''sir??" he countered, the corner of his mouth twitching with the shadow of a smirk.


    Yuexiu Anran surveyed the rustic charm of their surroundings, her finger twirling in the air like she was painting an invisible picture. "Well, for a viin, you have terrible taste in dungeons. Too much fresh air and sunlight," she quipped, her smile unfurling like a g of truce.


    She extended her hand with with a wide grin, "Anran. And you?"


    Wang Xiao found her logic sound and gave a small nod, epting her outstretched hand. But in a swift motion, surprising even Yin Yue, he picked up the knife and with a Boom! drove it into her leg, the fabric of her dress offering little resistance.


    "Ba-ba...ba..."Yuexiu Anran''s mouth opened and closed, her words stumbling over each other in a shocked silence before a squeak of disbelief escaped.


    Catching her gaze, Wang Xiao gestured nonchntly to his own bandaged hand, "Now we''re square," he stated, deadpan. "You stab my hand, I stab your leg."


    Yuexiu Anran''s pain momentarily took a backseat as augh escaped her, surprising even herself amidst the tears. "D-Did you just stab me for etiquette''s sake!?" She choked out, her lips twitching between a wince and a smile.


    Wang Xiao shrugged nonchntly. "At least I have some manners. I don''t go around stabbing my savior in the heart," he retorted with a mock-serious tone.


    !!


    The realization dawned on Yuexiu Anran, leaving her momentarily speechless. Her face flushed with embarrassment. "I... I didn''t know it was you. I thought... it was one of the mercenaries," she stammered, the color of regret painting her cheeks.


    Wang Xiao brushed off her apology, his voice taking on a serious edge. "Let''s talk about this Fairy Ind first." His hand casually caught the handle of the dagger, his intention to twist clear if she proved uncooperative.


    Yuexiu Anran''s face twitched, a mix of pain and apprehension as she offered a sheepish smile. "That... might be a bit difficult for me to exin. But wait... aren''t you with the army?"


    "Which army?" Wang Xiao''s grin widened, a sparkle of mischief in his eyes.


    Anran nodded, her gaze flitted to the vi''s walls, calcting the odds of a daring leap to freedom.


    But Wang Xiao anticipated her thoughts, his voice a step ahead of her escape n. "You wouldn''t make it to the edge, believe me." He smiled, wider than her.


    Yuexiu Anran slumped back, defeated, her thoughts racing. ''Great, saved by a man who stabs first and asks questionster. And apparently, he''s not even military. Just my luck...'' she whispered internally, thinking of away out of this ce.

 Chapter 114: Making Supernatural Beings?

    "Alright, let''s trade. I''ll tell you about Fairy Ind if you tell me why you let me go alive," Yuexiu Anran suddenly proposed, her voice a blend of wariness and boldness.


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao looked genuinely puzzled, his head tilting to one side as his eyebrows drew together. His intense stare sent an unexpected blush creeping up her cheeks. For a moment, her thoughts drifted, ''Is there a hidden significance to his lengthy hair?''


    "What makes you think you can negotiate terms with me?" Wang Xiao''s curiosity was piqued, not by her information, but by the mystery of her strange thought process.


    Yuexiu Anran''s eyes blinked back at him, equally baffled. "You won''t...?" she ventured, her voice a mix of hope and uncertainty.


    "Nope," he replied curtly, shaking his head for emphasis.


    Yuexiu Anran sighed, then winced as she gestured to her leg with a strained smile. "Well, that''s fine, but can we address this first? It''s bleeding."


    Without any preamble, Wang Xiao yanked the dagger out, prompting her eyes to widen in shock.


    She gasped for air, trying to maintain herposure. Hastily tearing a strip from the hem of her already damaged dress, she wrapped it around the wound, muttering, "Quite gentle, aren''t you?"


    Wang Xiao merely watched, a faint smirk ying on his lips. ''She''s got spirit,'' he thought, somewhat impressed by her resilience. "Fairy Ind first, pleasantriester."


    Yuexiu Anran, "..."


    She met his gaze, her silence speaking volumes. ''Is there no way out of this?'' her mind raced, searching for an angle, any leverage.


    But the truth was as clear and unyielding as the de he twirled so casually.


    Finally, with resignation heavy in her voice, she sighed, "I am not allowed to say it."


    "I know," Wang Xiao replied, his voice nonchnt as he cleaned the knife against the mattress, restoring its shine. His next words, however, carried a weight that belied his casual demeanor. "...But would the rules matter after you die?" His smile was subtle, yet it sent a shiver down Yuexiu Anran''s spine, goosebumps dotting her skin.


    In that moment, the gravity behind his casual exterior crystallized.


    She understood the deadly seriousness woven into his words, and it made the air around them grow colder despite the sun overhead.


    ....


    Yuexiu Anran reluctantly shared only the most basic details while shrouding anything rted to her identity in secrecy.


    asionally, Wang Xiao resorted to coercion to make her delve deeper into the details, and it was during one such instance that he stumbled upon some truly valuable information.


    It appears, these individuals possessed a worn-out photograph of a mysterious woman soaring through the skies, heading towards a remote part of the ind.


    The image was just a simple snapshot.


    If Wang Xiao''s instincts were correct, the woman in the photograph could only be Bing Xueli.


    The photograph, taken a considerable time ago, was marked by the passage of years, its edges fraying and the details within fading into obscurity.


    Yuexiu Anran tried to retrieve her phone from her pocket to show Wang Xiao something important, but her lips curled into a bitter smile as she realized it had already met its demise in the crossfire of the previous day.


    Yet, in this tense moment, Wang Xiao''s mind snapped to attention as he remembered something of utmost importance.


    With furrowed brows, he posed a question, "What''s today''s date?"


    Despite his arrival in the city, he had neglected to check the calendar or acquire a new phone, leaving him disoriented with the present.


    "?" Yuexiu Anran''s brows furrowed in confusion, a hint of bewilderment in her eyes. Sensing the gravity in his tone, she paused, "How long was I unconscious?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.


    Wang Xiao''s reply was prompt, yet it carried the weight of the ordeal they had been through. "The fight was just yesterday."


    Understanding dawned on Anran''s face. "Then today must be April 22nd."


    Wang Xiao leaned in, his questionced with urgency. "What year is it?"


    Anran blinked, taken aback by the simplicity yet strangeness of his question. "2026," she replied, a note of confusion in her voice. Her fate, after all, was still intertwined with his.


    Wang Xiao''s response was a silent, contemtive pause. A realization seemed to wash over him, leaving a mixture of astonishment and contemtion. ''The time deviation is real...'' The thought echoed in his mind, a bewildering realization that he was experiencing something extraordinary.


    While Wang Xiao was lost in his thoughts, pondering how to navigate this temporal anomaly, Yuexiu Anran made a startling discovery.


    "My dress..." Her eyes widened slightly, noticing the change in her attire. "Did you... change my clothes?" Her question was direct, her expression unreadable.


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened, his mind still grappling with the revtion. "Do not disturb me, I am thinking!" he said curtly, a hint of annoyance in his tone.


    Yuexiu Anran''s voice was a mix of skepticism and a forced casualness. "...You did it with your eyes closed, right?"


    Wang Xiao''s face twitched, "Are you stupid?" he retorted sharply, his patience wearing thin.


    Yuexiu Anran''s expression darkened, a flicker of hurt crossing her features. "Did you... see everything?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Wang Xiao, visibly frustrated, shot back, "Do I need to remind you that you are the captive here, not me? ... What does it matter if I saw everything? It''s not like you have some great beauty to hide. You''re barely an adult, more a child in form. Maybe focus on eating more, growing a bit, before you worry about someone seeing you naked."


    "..."


    There was a moment of charged silence as Yuexiu Anran processed his harsh words.


    "That was quite rude of you," she finally stated, her voice a deceptive mask of eerie calm. Yet, her eyes betrayed her, revealing a mix of disappointment and shock, etched with lines of annoyance, at the harshness of his words.


    Within her, a seething anger began to simmer, mirroring the intensity of his mounting frustration.


    Wang Xiao''s curiosity red like a zing fire. "Enough, tell me about the tunnel to heaven!" His demand was fierce, his desire for this mystery burning brighter than for the fairy ind he had already traversed.


    "Tunnel to heaven?" Yuexiu Anran''s eyes narrowed to menacing slits, and then she slowly shook her head, her lips pursed in defiance. "I don''t know."


    *p*


    The sharp, chilling sound of a p reverberated through the room as Wang Xiao''s palm met her face with force.


    His voice remained unnervingly calm, but it carried the weight of impending seriousness. "Do you want me to waste my time torturing you, just to get you talking?" His words hung in the air like an ominous cloud. "Shall I describe how I''d strip your skin, clip your nails, and force you to run naked before you even think of opening your mouth?"


    ''He is a professional...!'' Yuexiu Anran shivered, her breath hitching as the gravity of his threats bore down on her.


    She have been captured numerous times, but the seirousness in his eyes was too much even for her to bear!


    Fear wed at her, gnawing at her resolve. "I... I don''t know anything directly... But I have overheard people discussing it..."


    Wang Xiao''s curiosity intensified, his brow furrowing. "Overheard what?"


    Yuexiu Anran hesitated briefly before continuing, her voice tinged with unease. "In the neighboring country, Frostholm... They seem to have found something astonishing... Something that could turn the world upside down..."


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened at her cryptic words. ''Something that could turn the world upside down?''


    She nodded solemnly. "Yes... A source of great power. A way to be God."


    "God?" Wang Xiao''s mind rang with those words, his senses sharpening.


    Yuexiu Anran quickly added, "Yes, anyone who goes insidees back with superpowers! I don''t know how true it is, it might as well be a rumor."


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but press further, his thoughts racing, "Then why are they kidnapping children from all over the world for it?" He couldn''t shake the unsettling notion that perhaps they were trying to create a supernatural army.


    As the weight of Wang Xiao''s questions settled in, Yuexiu Anran''s disbelief grew. "How does he know so much about us?" Her mind raced, realizing that the information he possessed was highly ssified.


    Yuexiu Anran continued to suppress her curiosity about Wang Xiao, her gaze unmoving. "Well... The tunnel entrance is said to be quite small, notrge enough for a grown-up man to pass through, so they are using children. As for an army, I don''t think it''s possible, as there is a reason they are kidnapping so many children."


    Wang Xiao nodded thoughtfully, silently cross-referencing the information she provided with what he already knew. The fact that the tunnel was too small for adults to enter matched with his knowledge, making her words ring true.


    He gestured for her to carry on, his curiosity unabated. "Why kidnap so many children from all parts of the world?"


    Yuexiu Anran took a deep breath, her voice weighted with gravity. "Because most of them never return," she revealed, the somber truth finally revealed.

 Chapter 115: The Eight Continent!

    The Lost Continent, Antia!


    Deep within the swirling, icy embrace of the Antarctic Oceany a forgotten isle, enshrouded in a veil of ghostly mist.


    This forgettennd, Antia, whispered only in the tales of old sailors, defies the modern world''s satellites and maps, persisting in secrecy.


    "Doctor, did you found anything...?" Cain inquired, his advanced prosthetic legs, a marvel of science and art, clicked softly against the ancient stone beneath them.


    "Yes," Dr. Isabe Mercer turned to face him, her presencemanding yet mysterious.


    She was a vision of contrasts¡ªthe timelessness of her features was entuated by the modernity of her attire. Her hair cascaded like a dark river down her shoulders, each strand catching the light as though woven from the twilight itself. Her eyes, a deep emerald, held the glint of untold stories, reflecting a mind that danced on the edge of brilliant discoveries.


    There was a certain allure in the delicate curve of her jaw, the softness of her lips¡ªa stark red that spoke of a fierce spirit.


    The subtle mark above her brow, a signature of her lineage or perhaps a token of her adventures, added to her mystique.


    Despite the chill of the Antarctic air, she wore the weight of her white research coat with an elegance that seemed to transcend the harsh surroundings.


    "Our hunch is spot-on. The monstrous creature that emerged from the water two years ago, and the miraculous immortality serum we stumbled upon¡ªthey''re one and the same," she whispered, her fingers casually tracing the ancient inscriptions on the ind''s stone walls.


    "You mean...?" Cain''s eyes quivered with disbelief.


    Isabe nodded, her voice tinged with excitement. "Yes, the serum we found could very well be remnants of the beast, perhaps its saliva... We''re still in the process of confirming."


    Cain nodded, his hands trembling like leaves in a storm.


    The serum they spoke of shimmered like liquid gold, promising to elongate one''s existence when properly refined.


    It was on that fateful day he lost his legs that they had made their discovery.


    Even now, he shudders at the memory of that bone-chilling night.


    "But did you discover the origins of the beast!? That''s even more crucial, Doctor. If we can trace it back to its source, perhaps immortality will truly be within our reach!" Despite the shivers wracking his body, General Cain, wrapped in a thick fur coat, couldn''t contain his curiosity.


    Isabe''sughter, soft and mysterious, danced through the chamber like an ethereal melody. "Are you getting greedy, General? Haven''t you already secured a pathway to heaven?" She teased, her fingers gracefully tracing the ancient characters adorning the walls. Then, with a sudden shift in demeanor, she instructed, "Fetch the ancient scriptures we unearthed at this site."


    Cain, fueled by excitement and the prospect of regaining his lost limbs, urgently urged, "Hurry! Don''t just stand there, bring the books!"


    Caught in Isabe''s knowing gaze, Cain felt a pang of embarrassment. "Doctor, as powerful as the tunnel is, it''s of no use to us adults," he confessed, acknowledging the limitations of their discovery.


    Isabe nodded, her gaze sweeping across the deste ind. Harsh, gray military structures shed against the wild, untamed greenery, a stark symbol of man''s intrusion. This ind, now ringed with the most advanced tech and security, was a jewel of human achievement and a vault of untold mysteries.


    It was discovered fifty years ago, in an age of innocence, when the first fairy was seen gliding through the sky near Icevale. The military, hungry for such wonders, conquered the ind after numerous sacrifices.


    Yet, the ind kept its secrets close, like a sphinx guarding its riddle. Even the famed tunnel to heaven in Frostholm nation, a marvel in its own right, was but a child''s toypared to the enigmas here, unearthed from ancient scriptures found on this very soil.


    "Here, doctor," Cain said, his voice tinged with reverence. He extended a stack of aged books towards her. Isabe''s fingers, delicate as the petals of an ind flower, selected only the middle tome, leaving the rest untouched.


    Cain''s forehead creased deeply, his brows knitting together in a visible expression of concern and curiosity. "Could this be about the guardians?" he ventured, his voiceced with a blend of hope and caution.


    Isabe, her eyes reflecting the depth of her knowledge, gently shook her head, her long hair swaying slightly. "Possibly. But it''s undeniably linked to this ind." She delicately turned the pages of the ancient tome, stopping at a page marked by time.


    The image that greeted them was both awe-inspiring and terrifying: a colossal beast, its massive form cast in shadow and light, rampaging through an ancient world, its roars almost audible through the depiction.


    "Take a look at this," she whispered, her finger gliding over the aged paper.


    Cain leaned in, his eyes tracing the intricate, cryptic script that danced around the image of the beast. The illustration seemed to leap from the page, its ferocity evident, "What does this signify, Doctor? Thisnguage is beyond myprehension."


    Isabe''s voice dropped to a whisper, imbued with the weight of forgotten eras. "Remember the tales of the eight continent?"


    "Indeed, Doctor," Cain responded, a spark of recognition in his eyes. "And this ind," he said, gesturing towards the ruggedndscape of the ind stretched under a brooding sky, "is the sole surviving piece of that lost continent, Antia, the rest lost to the unforgiving sea."


    Isabe''s smile held a touch of mncholy as she gazed at the ancient illustration. "I think we''ve stumbled upon the truth behind the destruction of Antia, the eighth continent." Her fingers traced the image delicately, outlining a colossal whale in the midst of chaos, its immense form casting shadows over the ruins below. Killer dolphins, depicted with an almost eerie precision.


    Cain''s eyes widened, a light of dawning understanding flickering in them. "You mean these beasts caused the destruction?"


    She shook her head slightly, her eyes not leaving the page. "Look closer, right here on the whale''s back." She pointed to a specific spot on the illustration.


    Leaning in, Cain''s eyes narrowed, focusing intently. His breath caught as he discerned the small, almost inconspicuous figure riding atop the whale. "Is that...?"


    "That''s the real culprit," Isabe confirmed, her voice a mix of awe and solemnity.


    Cain''s expression transformed into one of disbelief. "A child?" he eximed, his voice a blend of shock and skepticism. "You mean to tell me a kid was behind the fall of an entire continent?"


    Isabe''s frown deepened, casting a shadow over her usuallyposed features. "Do you dare question my research?" Her tone was sharp,ced with an edge that hinted at a lurking threat, a stark contrast to her usual calm demeanor.


    Cain felt a shiver run down his spine, an uneasy sensation clutching at his heart.


    He remembered the change in Isabe ever since she had taken that immortality serum. ''Why did she be so intense, so... fierce?'' he thought, a tinge of envy coloring his thoughts. ''I need that serum too.''


    Aloud, he hastened to appease her, "No, Doctor, I wouldn''t dare. Please, enlighten me."


    Her expression softened into a satisfied smile, the earlier harshness dissipating as quickly as it had appeared. "If my hypothesis is correct, then the girl riding the whale might be the eighth guardian," she dered, her words resonating with a certainty.


    "The eighth guardian?" Cain echoed, his voice a mix of astonishment and disbelief. The soldiers stationed behind him, who had been silently observing the exchange, also showed visible signs of surprise, their disciplinedposure momentarily slipping away.


    Isabe''s nod was one of conviction, a silent affirmation of truths long buried. "We''ve always assumed there were only seven guardians, aligning with the seven known continents. But we overlooked this fragment ofnd, this ind¡ªonce the eighth continent. If there were eight continents, it stands to reason there were eight guardians."


    The ce fell into a stunned silence, punctuated only by Cain''s sharp intake of breath.


    The implications of her words were staggering, to say the least.


    "But weren''t the guardians just a myth?" Cain''s voice was a mix of skepticism and wonder. "We''ve never seen any evidence of them, not a single one."


    Isabe''s response was a moment of contemtive silence, followed by a soft, knowing giggle. "A myth, you say?" Her eyes twinkled with a mixture of amusement and wisdom. "Then how would you exin the serum of immortality you so covet? The tunnel to the heavens? This very ind, teeming with wonders akin to fairy tales? Are all these mere myths to you, General?


    Or is age clouding your judgment?"


    Cain''s frown deepened, a clear sign of his displeasure, yet he held back from further argument. "But why is there no mention of this eighth guardian in other texts? Why only seven?"


    Isabe''s finger paused on the page of the ancient book, her mind visibly weaving through the threads of history and mystery. "The absence of any reference to an eighth figure suggests a deliberate attempt to erase her from history... like a dark secret best forgotten." She pondered deeply, her gaze fixed on the image of the colossal beast and the child upon its back.


    Then, a spark of realization lit up her eyes. "General, I believe I''ve uncovered how the eighth continent met its end!"

 Chapter 116: Rescue Operation

    A spark of realization lit up Isablelle''s eyes. "General, I believe I''ve uncovered how the eighth continent met its end!"


    Cain, along with the others in the ce were taken aback by Isabe''s sudden loss ofposure. It was a rare sight, witnessed only once before during the groundbreaking discovery of the immortality serum.


    "It was the eighth guardian! She annihted her own continent, plunging it into the sea''s depths. A guardian who betrayed her duty, a betrayal so profound it warranted her erasure from history," Isabe''s voice echoed through the ce, tinged with a mixture of triumph and disbelief.


    Her fingers trembled on the page, her voice quivering with the magnitude of their discovery.


    Cain, overwhelmed by the information, felt his legs give way, dropping him to his knees. Cold sweat beaded his forehead, his mind swaying.


    "This... this is impossible!" he stammered, the reality of the situation crashing down on him.


    Isabe cast a nce at Cain''s shaken figure, her brow furrowed in curiousity, "Why the fear, General? This is our moment to uncover the truth! To capture this girl and unearth secrets that may dwarf even the allure of the immortality serum. We could be on the cusp of unlocking the ancient legacy of these near-divine beings."


    Cain''s eyes were wide, haunted, as he clutched his head, his entire body quaking. "I... I just remembered..." he whispered, his voice a ghost of its usual strength. Memories, dark and traumatic, began to resurface, casting shadows across his face.


    "General...?" Isabe''s voice softened, concern creeping into her tone. An uneasy feeling settled in her chest, a premonition that their discovery might have unearthed more than just historical truths.


    _________


    Wang Xiao leaned back, his demeanor casual, yet his mind was anything but at ease. He found Yuexiu Anran''s cooperation oddly unsettling, especially given the circumstances of their meeting. He''d conveniently left out the part where he''d coerced her into this seemingly calm discussion.


    "So, you''re a spy, not an assassin?" Wang Xiao repeated after her, a mix of surprise and curiosity tinting his voice.


    That made sense to him now, considering theck of scars or battle marks on her. A spy''s craft was stealth and information, not directbat. Yuexiu Anran was a shadow mover, always lurking, never engaging.


    "Mm-hm!" She nodded, her voice light, almost carefree. "Can you get me some water?" she asked, her request pulling Wang Xiao from his thoughts.


    As he considered her request, another thought wormed its way into his mind. "If you''re a spy... shouldn''t there be peopleing to rescue you?" He voiced his concern, his gaze piercing. "An assassin might be abandoned upon failure, but a spy? They''re valuable assets, no?"


    Yuexiu Anran''s eyes met his, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them.


    "Rescue me?" Yuexiu Anran echoed, her voice tinged with mock surprise. She yfully pointed to herself, her tongue peeking out in a cheeky gesture.


    Swoosh!


    Then, with a sudden burst of energy, she sprang back several steps. Despite her injured leg, her movement was a fluid dance of agility and grace. "Well... it seems my rescuers have already arrived," she dered, her smile wide and conspiratorial.


    "Apologies, but our time together ends here. Thank you for the... hospitality!" With these final words, she spun gracefully and leapt off the balcony, her figure dissolving into the night like a phantom.


    Wang Xiao barely had time to process her departure when he sensed movement around him.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Figures cloaked in ck emerged from the shadows, materializing like shadows in the light. Each move they made was a silent threat, their faces obscured, adding to their menacing aura.


    Wang Xiao remained unflustered, seated on his stool, a wry smile ying on his lips. "I should have known better. Trusting humans...haha" he mused aloud, his voiceced with amusement and a hint of disdain.


    The assants, now fully encircling him, hesitated at his calm demeanor. Weapons in hand, they exchanged wary nces, unsure of their next move.


    "Confused, are we?" Wang Xiao taunted gently, his smile broadening. "Let me rify things for you."


    In the next instant, the terrace erupted into chaos. But amidst the other things, Wang Xiao''sughter rang clear¡ªa sound both triumphant and chilling.


    ______


    "Are you alright?" A small child, no more than twelve, leaned casually against a tree, his eyes filled with concern for Yuexiu Anran, who approached, panting heavily from her escape.


    Yuexiu Anran, still catching her breath, managed a nod to the young boy leaning casually against the tree. "I''m alright," she assured, her chest heaving from the exertion. "But what about the battle?"


    Adam, despite his youthful appearance, shook his head with a maturity that seemed beyond his years. "The army''s been wiped out. The leader sent me to find you, to help locate the Fairy Ind. They don''t want any morerge-scale operations."


    Relief washed over Yuexiu Anran''s face. "That''s better. Less chaos."


    Adam agreed, his eyes reflecting a sense of somber understanding. "It is. But how did you get caught up in all this?"


    Yuexiu Anran''s expression clouded over, her mind shing back to thest night events. The memory of being cornered, guns pointed at her from every direction, and then that mysterious man''s unexpected intervention. "It''s a long story," she finally said, her voice heavy with unspoken details.


    As they spoke, Adam reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. The sight made Yuexiu Anran frown. "You started smoking, little guy?" Her tone was a mix of surprise and mild reprimand.


    Adam nced at the pack in his hand, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "It''s not what it seems," he began, sensing her disapproval. "It''s more of a... habit I picked up to blend in. You know, to seem older, less conspicuous."


    Yuexiu Anran''s frown deepened, but her concern was evident. "That''s not the best way to blend in," she admonished.


    Adam nodded in agreement, his nod was distant, almost mechanical. Anran observed him with a mix of concern and curiosity.


    He was one of the few children who had survived the journey through the tunnel to the heavens, yet the boy standing before her seemed devoid of any childlike essence, as if that experience had transformed him entirely.


    Their moment of quiet contemtion was abruptly shattered.


    Adam''s expression shifted to one of rm, his youthful yet oddly mature voice breaking the silence. "How did you manage to get here without my noticing?" He stepped back, his eyes fixed on something behind Anran.


    Confused, Anran turned, about to ask Adam what was wrong, but her words were cut short. In an instant, Adam''s body began to swell unnaturally.


    *Boom*


    In a horrific spectacle, right before Anran''s eyes, Adam''s small form exploded.


    "Eh?" The word escaped her lips, a faint, disbelieving whisper as she stared at the space where Adam had just been standing. Her eyes were wide, unblinking, as if refusing to ept the reality of what had just urred.


    Behind her, Wang Xiao''s presence loomed, a silent, ominous figure whose arrival had gone undetected by even the vignt Adam. His expression was unreadable, his motives as mysterious as his sudden appearance.


    "Shhh," Wang Xiao whispered harshly, his hand mping over Anran''s mouth as she began to understand the horror of what had just happened. She trembled violently, her eyes wide with fear and betrayal.


    "Why?" she managed to muffle through his grip, her voice a blend of anger, fear, and confusion. "Why Adam?"


    Wang Xiao''s expression remained cold and unreadable. "He served his purpose," he replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "And you, Anran, are far more valuable to me than any expendable child soldier."


    Anran''s tears were hot and bitter as they streamed down her face. Wang Xiao''s words cut deeper than any physical wound. Adam had been a beacon of hope, her only family , and now he was gone, reduced to nothing in an instant.


    "Let me go!" she tried to scream, her voice muffled against his hand. Her heart pounded with a mix of dread and desperation.


    Wang Xiao tightened his grip, his other hand readying to unleash another wave of his psychokic power. "Quiet now. Your cries won''t change your fate. Pick up the phone and call your leader!" He instructed.


    !!


    Yuexiu Anran''s body shook, her hands trembled as she picked up the bloodstained phone left behind by Adam, miraculously still functioning after the explosion. Her mind raced with desperation, but she forced herself to focus on Wang Xiao''s instructions.


    Wang Xiao''s voice was cold, "Tell your leader you''re safe. Say you''ve found a lead on the Fairy Ind and need time to explore it with Adam and your remaining team."


    Anran''s heart pounded in her chest as she dialed the number, her fingers slipping on the phone''s screen. She struggled to steady her voice, aware of Wang Xiao''s menacing presence just behind her.


    The phone rang, and after a few tense moments, her leader''s voice came through. "Report, Adam"


    Swallowing hard, Anran nced briefly at Wang Xiao before speaking. "It''s me, Anran. I''m safe. We''ve... we''ve found a potential lead on the Fairy Ind. I need more time to explore it with Adam and the others."


    There was a pause on the other end of the line, a moment of silence that stretched painfully long. "Understood," her leader finally replied. "Be cautious, Anran. Report back as soon as you have concrete information."


    "Will do," Anran replied, her voice a faint whisper, before ending the call.

 Chapter 117: Consequences of Lying! (1)

    Back in the Vi!


    "Why are you sitting there as if your life is over?" Wang Xiao''s voice broke the heavy silence,ced with a tinge of impatience. He lounged on the couch, his gaze fixed on Yuexiu Anran, who had been motionless, her face down casted, for the past ten minutes.


    "Just a person who would have died eventually. I merely fastened the process," he continued nonchntly, attempting to dismiss the gravity of what he had done. His words, however, seemed to bounce off the walls, leaving Anran''s spirit untouched, her posture unchanged.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed slightly as he observed her.


    He was ustomed to evoking fear and obedience, not this silent, despondent defiance.


    ''So troublesome...'' Wang Xiao shook his head in mild annoyance, muttering to himself about the troublesome nature of the situation. Standing up, he decided to take a stroll to the kitchen, perhaps to clear his mind or simply change the scenery


    Yin Yue''s voice echoed in his mind, curious and probing. [Do you n to extract more information from her?]


    Opening the refrigerator, Wang Xiao grabbed a bottle of water, his thoughts focused. ''She''s more valuable than just a source of information,'' he contemted, taking a long gulp.


    Yin Yue, ever the provocateur, teased, [More use... Are you interested in her body, hehe...? Wang Xiao, so you are indeed a man!]


    A shadow of annoyance crossed Wang Xiao''s face. ''No, it''s not like that. The tone of her leader during the call... it wasn''t strictly professional. He said, "Be cautious." That conversation was too casual, too familiar for a mere spy and hermander.''


    Yin Yue, catching on, questioned further, [You mean, she tricked us?]


    Wang Xiao closed the refrigerator, his mind now racing with this new angle. ''Perhaps,'' he thought, ''there''s a deeper connection between them. This isn''t just about extracting information or locating the Fairy Ind.


    There''s a personal element at y here, and that could change everything.'' His gaze hardened as he considered the implications, understanding that the situation was far moreplex than he initially assumed.


    His eyes narrowed as he pieced together the puzzle. ''If she spoke the truth, then there was an extraordinary effort to secure her retrieval. It implies a standby team was ready to act if she didn''t return. She''s clearly more valuable than a regr spy.''


    Yin Yue, puzzled, [??]


    A sly smile crept across Wang Xiao''s face. ''No matter her true identity, she''s invaluable to her organization. A perfect bargaining chip for future negotiations. And about Adam... he was an anomaly. Why did it take longer to destroy his body?


    Normally, it should''ve been instantaneous.''


    Yin Yue responded, [His body exhibited signs of supernatural powers. I neglected to mention it earlier, as he didn''t seem particrly strong.]


    ''Supernatural powers, huh? Another entity from hell?'' Wang Xiao mused.


    Yin Yue corrected, [Not exactly. We spirits are far stronger. He likely had ties to that ce you humans mention¡ªthe tunnel to the heavens.]


    Wang Xiao nodded, the pieces of the puzzle starting to align in his mind. The situation was moreplex than he initially thought, involving elements beyond mere human espionage.


    The information about the tunnel to the heavens added anotheryer of intrigue and potential power ys.


    Wang Xiao pondered, his curiosity piqued by the mysteries surrounding the tunnel to the heavens. ''What exactly are you...?'' he wondered. Despite the option to retreat into the simplicity of vige life, his desire to uncover the truth was growing stronger.


    Convinced that there was more to gain from further exploration, Wang Xiao re-entered the living room where Yuexiu Anran was still recovering from the shock. "So, are you done crying?" he asked, his tone somewhat indifferent yet probing.


    !!


    Anran, hastily wiping her eyes, retorted with a feigned bravado, "W-who is crying?" She forced a smile, trying to project strength. "Just a person who met an early end! Nothing to cry over!"


    Wang Xiao blinked, taken aback by her sudden show of resilience. He observed her for a moment, her eyes glistening like crystals, not from sadness, but from a stubborn refusal to show weakness.


    "Is this your first time witnessing death?" he asked, his voice softer, but with an underlying sharpness, as if trying to peel back theyers of her facade.


    Anran met Wang Xiao''s gaze, her eyes still shining with unshed tears, yet her voice was steady. "No, it''s not the first time. But it doesn''t get any easier with time, do they?"


    Wang Xiao leaned against the doorway, studying her. "You''re stronger than you look," he observed, his tone a mix of amusement and curiosity. "Most would have crumbled by now."


    Anran shrugged, a forced casualness in her posture. "In our line of work, strength is a necessity, not a choice. You learn to deal with death, or it deals with you." Her words were spoken with a cold, hard truth that belied her youthful appearance.


    Wang Xiao nodded slowly. "And yet, Adam''s death affected you. Why?"


    Anran''s facade cracked slightly, a flicker of pain crossing her features. "Adam... he was just a kid. He shouldn''t have been part of this, he was normal... Before he entered that ce..."


    "There''s no room for sentimentality in this world," Wang Xiao interjected sharply, cutting through her words with a voice cold and void of feeling. "You know that as well as I do."


    Anran''s gaze shifted away, her jaw clenching as a wave of emotions threatened to surface. "Yes, I know," she murmured, her voice a low blend of resignation and pain. "But understanding the brutality of our world doesn''t make it any easier to stomach."


    Wang Xiao pushed off from the doorway, his movements deliberate and measured. He closed the distance between them, each step echoing in the tense air. "You''re right," he conceded, his voice slightly softer yetced with an underlying firmness.


    "...But there''s something you''ve yet to rify. How did you know about the change in Adam after he entered the tunnel to heaven? You imed you''d never seen it yourself. Were you lying to me?" His eyes, previously distant, now bore into her with an incisive sharpness, dissecting her response before it even left her lips.


    Anran''s eyes flickered back to him, a sh of surprise crossing her features before settling into a guarded expression.


    Caught off guard by his question, she weighed her words carefully, aware that any slip could turn her precarious situation even more dangerous.


    "I... I''ve heard stories," she stammered, her mind racing to piece together a convincing exnation. "From others who''ve been there. I''ve never seen it myself, but the tales... they''re consistent. That''s how I knew."


    Wang Xiao''s scrutinizing gaze didn''t waver as he abruptly called out her lie. "Lie!" His voice was firm, brooking no room for doubt.


    "What?... But I didn''t lie," Anran protested, her voice a mix of confusion and defensiveness.


    "I can read the movement of your eyebrows," Wang Xiao replied calmly, leaning against the edge of the couch opposite hers. His demeanor was rxed, yet his eyes betrayed a keen alertness.


    Anran fell silent, her mind racing. The sudden realization that Adam had exploded sent her thoughts spiraling into various possibilities. Finally, a suspicion surfaced. "Are you also a... Deviant?" she asked, her voice tinged with a newfound wariness.


    Wang Xiao, momentarily taken aback, nodded to himself, murmuring, "So that''s what they call people with superpowers." His gaze then sharpened, piercing through her. "You know far more than you''ve let on. Did you think my warnings were a joke? That I wouldn''t dare harm you since you''re a bargaining chip?"


    "..." Anran remained silent, her response evident in her eyes, which flickered with a mixture of fear and defiance.


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened. He stepped forward, his shadow looming over her small figure. "Let me show you the consequences of lying to me." His voice was low and threatening. Firmly gripping her hand, he began leading her towards the stairs.


    Anran''s frown mirrored his as she felt the tight grip on her hand. Biting her lip unconsciously, she braced herself for what she feared would be a harsh lesson in the consequences of deceit at the hands of this unpredictable and dangerous man.


    _____


    As they approached the stairs, Anran''s heart pounded in her chest, her mind a whirlwind of fear and regret. ''How did ite to this?'' she thought, her eyes fixed on the floor, unwilling to meet Wang Xiao''s piercing gaze.


    "You think this is a game, don''t you?" Wang Xiao''s voice broke the tense silence, his toneced with a cold reprimand. "That you can dance around the truth and y the innocent?"


    Anran''s grip on her own arm tightened, her nails digging into her skin. "I told you what I knew," she whispered, her voice strained. "I didn''t think you''d believe me anyway."


    Wang Xiao halted at the top of the stairs, turning to face her. "It''s not about belief, Anran. It''s about following through your words, I hate people who lie to me. You''re in my world now, and here, I set the rules." His eyes bore into hers, a stern warning in their depths.

 Chapter 118: Consequences of Lying (2)

    Wang Xiao halted at the top of the stairs, turning to face her. "It''s not about belief, Anran. It''s about following through your words, I hate people who lie to me. You''re in my world now, and here, I set the rules." His eyes bore into hers, a stern warning in their depths.


    Anran''s breath hitched, a sense of helplessness washing over her. She realized that every word, every action was being scrutinized, and any misstep could be herst. "What do you want from me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "I want the truth, the whole truth," Wang Xiao replied, his grip on her hand not loosening. "And if I find even a hint of a lie, the consequences will be... unpleasant."


    !!


    The sudden shove into the bedroom caught Anran off guard, her heart racing as she was propelled forward. The grip on her hand never wavered, firm and unyielding. Wang Xiao led her to the mirror, and for a brief moment, Anran caught her reflection ¨C disheveled hair and a face marked by the evening''s trials.


    Then, without warning, Wang Xiao''s hands moved to the back of her dress. With a sharp *tear*, the fabric split open, the gown loosening around her shoulders.


    Shock registered in Anran''s eyes, reflected in the mirror before her, but she quickly masked it, a calm fa?ade hiding her growing anxiety.


    Wang Xiao''s brief smile in the mirror sent a shiver down her spine. Then, with another abrupt *tear*, he ripped the dresspletely, leaving her exposed, her naked reflection staring back at her in the mirror.


    Before Anran could fully process her vulnerability, Wang Xiao''s hand moved from her shoulder to her forehead, pushing her face forward against the cold, unyielding ss of the mirror.


    Her skin pressed against it, the cool surface contrasting sharply with the heat of her flushed cheeks.


    Panic and humiliation swirled within her, but she fought to keep her emotions in check, knowing that any sign of weakness could be used against her.


    Anran struggled in vain to free her hand, her head trembling slightly under Wang Xiao''s firm hold. Her eyes, filled with a storm of emotions, stared back at her from the mirror, revealing more than she wished to show.


    "You know what''s the most beautiful and revealing part of the human body?" Wang Xiao''s voice was a mix of rhetoric and menace. "It''s your eyes. They reveal so much about you. And do you want to know what I see in yours? Fear. A scared, crying child.


    That''s all you are. All your feigned toughness, can you see how it crumbles?"


    "Hiss...!"


    He pressed her head harder against the ss, eliciting a slight wince from her.


    She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the world, her reflection, and his words. ''Stay strong,'' she told herself silently. ''Don''t let him see how much he''s affecting you.''


    "Open your eyes....Look closely... Tell me, what do you see in them?" Wang Xiao''smand was unyielding, forcing Anran toply.


    With a hesitant breath, she slowly opened her eyes, meeting the gaze of her own trembling reflection. "T-They are shaking," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper.


    Wang Xiao''s reflection in the mirror wore a sinister smile, his eyes glinting with a cruel amusement. "Good. Now, tell me, what else do you see?" His body pressed closer to hers from behind, his arm subtly reaching around to grab her chest. Anran, her face pressed against the cold mirror, was initially oblivious to his touch.


    "I..." Anran''s voice trembled, barely audible, reflecting her hesitation.


    *Boom!*


    "Don''t turn away. Look into the mirror!...What else do you see?" Wang Xiao''s voice was sharp,manding.


    Without warning, he mmed her head forward, the mirror cracking under the impact. Miraculously, the shards clung to their frame, as if held by an unseen force.


    Anran flinched at his harsh tone and the sudden violence, a gasp escaping her lips. She gave a weak nod, forcing herself to focus on her own battered reflection once more.


    "You see that? The weak, pathetic girl crouched and weeping? That''s you," Wang Xiao whispered cruelly into her ear, his wordsced with mockery.


    Anran''s eyes, glistening with unshed tears, stared back at her from the cracked mirror. The fractured mirror became a window to the past, the shards reflecting not just her present torment but the ghosts of her history.


    Her younger self appeared before her, a small, trembling figure crouched on the ground amidst chaos and loss.


    The haunting image of two lifeless bodiesy before her, their stillness a stark contrast to the raging mes that consumed her home, painting the sky with their fury.


    Her eyes, wide and filled with a pain that had never truly faded, mirrored the fear and helplessness she felt now.


    Wang Xiao''s cruelty had unwittingly forced her to confront her darkest memories, the very moments that had shaped her into the hardened person she had be.


    His relentless belittlement, seemingly without reason or purpose, was breaking her down, stripping her of her defenses.


    "I-I am not weak..." she managed to whisper, her voice subtle,  "Stop ying games with me!"


    Wang Xiao leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "I want you to see yourself as you truly are...."


    Anran''s heart pounded in her chest, a mix of indignation and helplessness surging within her.


    She realized that this was more than just a physical domination; it was a psychological game designed to diminish her, to make her question her own strength and resolve.


    In the distorted reflection, she saw not just her physical form, but the psychological scars that Wang Xiao was meticulously etching into her psyche.


    Wang Xiao''s intentions were clear and coldly calcted. He sought to imprint a psychological shadow of himself within Anran''s mind, a mark of dominance that would linger far beyond the physical confines of the ce.


    Once he sensed that he had achieved his objective, his actions took a final, dismissive turn.


    !!


    With a sudden movement, he released Anran from his grip, carelessly throwing her onto the bed.


    "Huh?"


    The abruptness of the act left her momentarily disoriented, her body colliding with the soft surface of the bed, a stark contrast to the harsh treatment she had just endured.


    Anrany there, her breathing heavy, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions and memories that Wang Xiao''s actions had stirred within her.


    She felt a sudden wave of relief wash over her, a fleeting moment of respite.


    But her relief was short-lived as her gaze swept across her own naked figure.


    Her prestine white skin reflected back at her, radiating an ethereal glow that seemed to sear into her eyes. Her slender legs extended upwards, seemingly endless, until they reached her uncovered thighs. Her waisty unprotected, vulnerable, and her breasts stood exposed, their pink nipples already tingling with anticipation.


    A tremor of fear shot through her, causing her eyes to blur slightly. "Wh-What do you want to do with me?" she stammered, instinctively sliding herself backwards until her back met the solid headboard, seeking even the slightest sense of security.


    The corners of Wang Xiao''s mouth curled up into an unsettling, sly smile. "You are already naked. What did you expect? Naturally, I intend to make you truly feel like a woman," he replied, his voice dripping with a sinister tone. "You can''t expect to be caught and receive kindness from your enemies, can you?


    I am neither the main character from the novel, nor have magnamous heart to not y my captives....Haha..." Laughter escaped his lips as he removed his clothes, causing Anran''s eyes to widen in realization.


    She took in the sight of his well-toned figure with a mix of awe and fear. Her gaze trailed down, captivated by the majestic presence between his legs, sending a thunderous pulse through her pounding heart.


    Though she harbored an inkling that someday she would bear the agony of sexual torture, she never anticipated that fateful day to arrive so soon.


    Gulp....


    "What, do you like what you see?" Wang Xiao taunted, a mischievous smirk ying on his lips as he agilely climbed over to the edge of the bed. Anran couldn''t help but feel a pang of unease as he pulled himself further backwards, his eyes fixed on her.


    Instantly, she vigorously shook her head in denial, "Ah!?" But her protest fell on deaf ears as Wang Xiao abruptly caught her legs and forcefully pulled her downwards.


    "Ah!?"


    "How am I supposed to go ahead if you run that far?" Wang Xiao chuckled, a sinister undertonecing hisughter. Anran''s unsettled heart tightened even further.


    Desperate for a reprieve, Anran mustered the courage to plea, her eyes filled with pitiful hope, "Can''t we... negotiate on this... brother, please?" She hoped against hope that Wang Xiao would show her some mercy, though deep down, she had reluctantly epted her grim fate.


    "..."


    A moment of frozen silence lingered in the air, Wang Xiao''s expression momentarily wavering.


    Then, with a dismissive shake of his head, a sly smile returned to his face. "Negotiate? Why should I?"


    Anran felt a glimmer of hope flicker in her eyes, her voice trembling, "I have not harmed you a single time, from the moment you caught me! We have settled our earlier score, haven''t we? How about we skip this part? You can still torment me, but in other ways."

 Chapter 119: *Consequences of Lying (3)*

    Anran felt, "I have not harmed you a single time, from the moment you caught me! We have settled our earlier score, haven''t we? How about we skip this part? You can still torment me, but in other ways."


    Wang Xiao remained silent, his eyes narrowing as he contemted her proposition.


    Anran held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest. "..."


    "Huh? Do you agree?" She couldn''t help but whisper, her voice tinged with disbelief.


    Perhaps, against all odds, he had epted her plea.


    Even as shock coursed through her, Anran''s lips curved into a slight, lost smile.


    Wang Xiao''s face remained expressionless, a mask of confusion and frustration, as he locked his gaze on her foolishly smiling face.


    In that moment, he couldn''t determine if she possessed an excessive amount of optimism or if she was outright stupid.


    But could he truly call himself a man if he allowed her to walk away now?


    The constant taunting of Yin Yue in his mind only intensified, berating him for ignoring the woman when he was merely trying to exercise caution.


    "Shut up..." he muttered, his hand moving swiftly to grasp her face in an iron-like grip, forcing her to obedientlyy down.


    "Uu-!?"


    Anran stood frozen, her mind momentarily stunned by the sudden turn of events.


    "Huff..." A flicker of relief coursed through her as the restraints from her mouth were removed, only to be reced by another constraint as Wang Xiao pressed his lips firmly against hers.


    There was no way he was going to let her escape now.


    "Eh?"


    Soon, she felt his tongue forcefully invading her flushed face, causing her to close her eyes in embarrassment. With a mixture of surprise and curiosity, she parted her lips, allowing him entrance.


    !!


    The sudden intrusion of his tongue caught herpletely off guard, causing her to squirm slightly on the bed. His hands held her tightly, preventing any escape.


    Now, she desperately wished he didn''t have such strange fetishes!


    "Mmh..." Her lips couldn''t help but release a faint moan as he aggressively attacked her neck with his kisses.


    "You do have a good body, although itcks nourishment..." Wang Xiao''s gaze fixated on her breasts, and he greedily groped them with both hands.


    They were undeniably beautiful, he admitted to himself, but after seeing Victoria and others in Xianthera, his perception of normal breast size might have been distorted.


    Anran''s face flushed deeply, her eyes darting to the side in a mix of embarrassment and surprise. She certainly wasn''t prepared for any sort of chit-chat with him. "Can you just...end this quickly?" she whispered, her voice barely audible as she avoided his gaze.


    Uncertainty and a tinge of anxiety gripped her as she pondered how he would torment her next.


    But luck seemed to be on her side, as Wang Xiao hadn''t revealed any peculiar fetishes...yet!


    Disregarding her words entirely, he treated her as his captive, his fingers hungrily grabbing hold of her breasts, exerting pressure as he pulled her closer to his mouth.


    With an aggressive intensity, he began sucking on her nipples, causing her body to tremble uncontrobly. Soft moans escaped her lips as she struggled to contain her reactions.


    "Mngh..."


    !!


    Her face instantly flushed a deep shade of red as he continued his aggressive actions over her body. Wang Xiao, nonchnt and merely toying with her, had no intention of torturing her. All he wanted was to extract her secrets, and he would do anything to achieve that.


    The truth was ringly apparent in the current situation. He had read enough to understand that a valuable asset should never be wasted. As her captor, he believed himself entitled to take full advantage of her vulnerability.


    "Turn around," hemanded, catching Anran off guard. She gulped, her eyes drifting to the torment her breasts were enduring, feeling a chill run down her spine.


    A strange mixture of fear and exhration surged through her body as she contemted his request. And now, he wanted her to expose her back to him.


    As she met his eyes, a sadistic gleam glimmered within them. Anran''s voice trembled as she mustered the courage to speak, "Please, don''t be too cruel...okay?"


    "..."


    A shadow fell over Wang Xiao''s face, his features changing with a wicked intent. Anran''s heart sank as she realized that her words had provoked a sinister side of him.


    With a sense of resignation, she slowly turned around, lying on the worn mattress and exposing her back to him.


    "Mmhmm...ahh..."


    Her face flushed with a vivid and burning scarlet as his hands delved directly onto her buttocks, his fingers forcefully gripping and harshly pinching the tender flesh.


    The unexpected reaction he evoked from her stirred a twisted fascination within Wang Xiao''s mind. Like a merciless surge of dark energy, the desire to teach her a lesson now consumed him. His curiosity, fueled by sadistic inclinations, whispered seductively in his ears, urging him to explore the depths of his own sadism.


    *Spank!*


    !!


    ''H-He is beginning!'' Anran''s teeth sank into her bottom lip, a reflex to suppress the cry that threatened to escape. The force of the tight p resonated fiercely against her tender buttocks, causing her to grip the bedsheets with white-knuckled intensity.


    *Pak!*


    *Pak!*


    *Pak!*


    Time seemed to freeze as the relentless barrage of spanks crashed over her, each one leaving a searing mark on her consciousness. Her senses were overwhelmed, her bottom gradually sumbing to a numbing sensation.


    The tears welled up in her eyes, teetering on the edge, ready to spill over and trace the path of her silent suffering.


    This involuntary response was her body''s way of coping with the stinging pain around her glowing red buttocks.


    Wang Xiao was taken aback when he discovered that the bed was slightly wet.


    His eyes couldn''t help but linger on the area between her legs, which was also moist.


    A flurry of thoughts ran through his mind, "Did I overstimte her?" As his gaze moved further, he noticed the crimson stain on the bed and his face contorted into a frown.


    Upon closer inspection, he realized that the blood was near her thighs. It dawned on him that it must be the unclosed wound he had inflicted on her.


    The wound had been reopened, causing fresh blood to flow.


    A solemn expression settled on Wang Xiao''s face. Without warning, his finger hovered above the reopened cut. "You are quite resilient to pain," he muttered. And with that, he pressed his finger into the open, bleeding wound on her thigh.


    "Mmm?" Anran was caught off guard before soon enough, the sudden excruciating pain that surged through her body. "Argh!" she cried out, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead.


    ''It''s Painful!'' She desperately sank her teeth into the pillow, desperately trying to stifle her agonized voice.


    Wang Xiao''s fingers delved deeper into her open and bleeding wound, intensifying the unbearable pain coursing through her body.


    "Oh, sorry... I think I just got a bit curious," Wang Xiao muttered indifferently, suddenly aware of the unintended pressure he had applied on her wounds.


    "Please, I beg you. Don''t let curiosity drive you like this again... If you just want to kill me, do it...!" she pleaded, her face turning away, her eyes wide and pleading like a helpless puppy.


    Wang Xiao exhaled deeply, taken aback by her resilience. He couldn''t help but wonder if something was amiss with her pain receptors.


    Even after subjecting her to such torment, she managed to suppress her screams of agony, and speak back!


    He was intrigued by her abilities and wanted to explore them further, but his own desires began to overpower him. His younger brother, overwhelmed by its unquenched thirst, grew impatient and demanded attention.


    Without further ado, Wang Xiao eagerly pressed his manhood between her thighs, causing Anran to inhale sharply as she felt the scorching heat of his touch against the entrance of her quivering core.


    ''He''s really going to do it?... Idiot! Why are you even surprised...?'' she scolded herself internally, her senses heightening as she felt the brush of his  tip against her delicate folds.


    Wang Xiao''s eyebrows arched with delight, sensing the wetness that had been ignited by their earlier spankings. ''To think that my punishment would have such a powerful effect...'' he couldn''t resist a smug smirk as he thrust forward with unbridled desire.


    "Ugh!"


    A gasp escaped Anran''s lips, her fingers fiercely clutching the bedsheet as her thighs mped tightly around his throbbing member, disbelief mingling with a heady rush of pain and pleasure that consumed her every nerve.


    "Hmm... Intriguing," Wang Xiao eximed, unable to hide his surprise. He could hardly believe that she had managed to preserve her purity for so long.


    But as his member pierced through her hymen, he couldn''t help but notice that she seemed just as youthful as he had imagined.


    "How old are you?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.


    Anran remained silent, her body still trembling with the exquisite sensations coursing through her.


    She could feel him deep inside her, her vaginal walls throbbing and tingling with a surreal mixture of pleasure and pain.


    "Does it...matter now?" she questioned, her voice a breathless whisper.


    "Not really," Wang Xiao shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye.


    Without wasting another moment, he firmly grasped her waist, guiding her body as he thrust even deeper inside her, unleashing a tidal wave of euphoria unlike anything she had ever experienced before.


    "Mhmmm~"

 Chapter 120: New Beginning!

    "Mhmmm~"


    *Pak!*


    *Pak!*


    *Pak!*


    "The sensation of young flesh is absolutely exhrating..." Wang Xiao couldn''t help but chuckle as he continued relentlessly pounding into her, his arousal heightened by the feeling of her suffocating grip of her vagina.


    "You!?" Anran''s face suddenly turned ghostly pale, beads of sweat glistening on her trembling body. Her thoughts spiraled out of control as she struggled toprehend his unsettling desires. ''Could he really be attracted to younger ones...?'' she pondered, finding it increasingly difficult to maintain herposure.


    Her lower body had long lost all sensation, rendering it useless and numb. However, as a prisoner, she knew better than to plead for mercy. Despite this, Wang Xiao unleashed his pent-up rage, built over ten years, upon her throughout the entire night. In the end, her utterly exhausted body sumbed to a much needed slumber.


    _______


    23rd of April, 2026!


    As Wang Xiao reveled in theforting embrace of warmth in the outside world, in a distant corner of the globe, within the enchanting realm of the Magic City (Shanghai), his acquaintances and family carried on with their vibrant lives, each thread of existence continuing to weave its own story, all the while, his presence absent but not forgetten, yet slowly fading away with each passing day.


    Just a few streets from the renowned Lost Heaven restaurant, near the intersection of Pudong and Puxi in Shanghai, a quaint bakery weed the early morning''s gentle embrace.


    Its windows were fogged lightly with the warmth inside, a sharp contrast to the brisk pace of the city awakening around it.


    Behind the counter stood Chen Meili, a vision of elegance amidst the aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries. At 26, she carried the sophistication of someone ustomed to early hours and hard work. Her hair, a cascade of rich chestnut waves, was adorned with delicate flowers that seemed to have been caught there by a yful spring breeze.


    Her eyes, a deep and expressive brown, held a kindness that drew in customers, as she greeted each one with a practiced smile that reached her eyes, softening the meticulous care she put into every transaction.


    "Thank you for visiting us today, Mr. Zhang. Enjoy your pastries, and I hope to see you again soon!" Her voice, melodious and warm, was a fitting apaniment to the cozy atmosphere of the bakery.


    As Mr. Zhang stepped out, the door was caught before it could close by a younger, energetic presence. Chen Li, with a bright and cheeky smile, held the door open, his timely entrance synchronized perfectly with the customer''s exit.


    "Good timing, huh?" he quipped, stepping inside, the cool morning air slipping in with him before he shut the door.


    His eyes lingered on Chen Meili, who was tidying up the counter after the customer''s departure. It had been two years since the unfortunate ident that imed Wang Xiao''s life.


    Although he had never known Chen Meili personally, Wang Xiao had seen potential in her and had rmended her for a position in his best friend Chen Li''s business. In honoring histe friend''sst endorsement, Chen Li had brought Chen Meili into the fold.


    For a year, she worked diligently, bing an indispensable part of the team and forming a close, sibling-like bond with Chen Li.


    Hermitment and hard work were evident, to both Chen Li and his father, and they started treating her as thier own family.


    Though, by the wheels of fate,st year, Chen Meili abruptly decided to start her own business,and open a bakery, which was although sudden but supported by both Chen Li and his father.


    "Sister Meili, it''s pretty quiet right now. Why don''t you head home and get some rest? I''ll take over here," he offered with a grin, his hands tucked into the pockets of his pockets, the very picture of eagerness.


    Chen Meili raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a half-smile that betrayed both her affection and concern. "Chen Li, you''re skipping school again," she repremended gently, though the warmth in her voice couldn''t quite mask her disapproval. "You can''t keep doing this."


    Chen Li''s grin didn''t falter, but he met her gaze with an earnestness that was rare for his age. "I know, I know. But I''ve got it covered, really. You''ve been working too hard. Let me handle the early crowd today."


    "Well then, goodbye... I would go and look after Zi''er; she has been getting really rampanttely." With a resigned sigh and a fond shake of her head, Chen Meili agreed, handing over the counter to him.


    She took onest look around the cozy bakery, ensuring everything was in order, her sense of responsibility evident even in her retreat.


    She offered a smile to the few customers before stepping out into the fresh morning air, the city of Shanghai bustling around her, a blend of the old and the new, just like the bakery she had established.


    This bakery was more than a new beginning; it was her deration of independence, a way to leave behind a past that no longer defined her.


    She had yearned for a life of honesty and normalcy, to be just another face in the bustling city of Shanghai.


    Her gaze drifted to the bright sky, her thoughts turning to Lin Xue.


    A unexpected pang of sorrow tugged at her heart. "If only Lin Xue could experience this peace..." she whispered, a mncholic note in her voice.


    Their fates had been dramatically altered over thest year. In a series of events that seemed guided by the unpredictable hand of fate, Lin Xue had ended up in prison.


    Before her sentence, she had transferred her assets to Chen Meili, who had used part of this unexpected fortune to fund her bakery.


    Chen Meili clutched at the pendant around her neck, a memento of their friendship. She held onto the hope that one day Lin Xue could join her and see the life she''d built.


    Yet, deep down, Chen Meili knew the gravity of Lin Xue''s actions and the irrevocable path they had led her down.


    ______

 Chapter 121: Veiled in Darkness!

    As the soft hum of the city life resonated in the distance, the riverfront vi, nestled on the bank of the Huangpu River, stood with understated elegance.


    Its two stories held a quiet dignity, with the prime riverside location making it one of the most coveted properties in Shanghai.


    The vi''s interior was a sanctuary of warmth and light, the kitchen a heart that pumped the fragrance of home-cooked meals throughout the rooms.


    Fu Yuxin, a youngdymanding the kitchen, moved with a practiced grace. Her delicate features were a testament to youthful beauty ¡ª her skin was fair and her eyes, framed by long, sweepingshes, held a depth of warmth. Her hair cascaded in gentle waves, soft and dark, asionally caught by the light to reveal hints of a deep, rich ck.


    It was as if she had stepped out of a portrait, her appearance effortlessly blending with the vi''s serene atmosphere.


    Though she was focused on her cooking, her attention was divided, constantly darting to the living area.


    There, a small infant girl with tufts of ck hair and cherubic cheeks babbled and yed, her innocence a stark contrast to the river''s timeless flow just beyond the walls.


    In an instant of teetering bnce, the infant wobbled, and Fu Yuxin''s heart skipped a beat.


    Whoosh!


    With agility that betrayed her usualposure, she rushed from the stove to the child, catching her just in time, and letting out a sigh of relief.


    "Zi''er, you''re getting too troublesometely. Can''t you give me a break and stop giving me these mini heart attacks?" she whispered, a mix of relief and yful admonishment in her tone as she caught the little one.


    Her eyes, momentarily wide with rm, softened as she ced Zi''er gently back on the floor.


    She was just about to pivot back to the stove when the entrance door clicked open. Chen Meili entered, the daylight from outside outlining her form as she stepped into the house.


    Creak...


    "Hm? ... Sister Meili, you''ve returned quite early. Is the bakery not receiving many customers today?" Fu Yuxin inquired, her voice tinged with surprise and curiosity, her eyshes fluttering gently as she noticed Chen Meili at the entrance.


    Chen Meili responded with a head shake, her lips curving into a warm smile as her gazended on the little one ying on the floor. She gracefully made her way to the couch and settled down, her eyes still following the child''s antics.


    "It''s Chen Li again," she sighed, her smile tinged with exasperation. "He''s been using the bakery as his hideout from school. I wonder how long it will be before Mr. Chen discovers it and gives him a piece of his mind."


    Pfttt!


    At this, a softugh escaped Fu Yuxin, the sound light and airy in the quiet room. "Are you hoping he''ll get caught?"


    Chen Meili''s eyes twinkled with a mix of mirth and sternness. "He deserves a good scolding. But what about you, Yuxin? Have you thought about going back to university?"


    The question prompted a bittersweet smile from Fu Yuxin. "I... don''t think that''s for me..." Her voice trailed off, carrying a weight of unspoken stories.


    Chen Meili raised an eyebrow, a silent inquiry, urging Fu Yuxin to borate on her hesitance, opening the floor for a deeper conversation.


    Fu Yuxin cast a protective nce toward the little girl ying on the floor, Zi''er, her unofficial charge. "Sister Meili, you can''t pressure me like this. If I go off to university, who will look after Zi''er?" she argued, her pout evident even in her voice, signaling her resistance to the idea of further education.


    "I could take care of Zi''er," Chen Meili offered generously, her tone gentle, trying to alleviate Fu Yuxin''s concerns.


    "And what about when I''m at university? Who will be here then?" Fu Yuxin countered, her point hanging between them, unanswerable.


    "...", Chen Meili was momentarily silenced, the practicality of Fu Yuxin''s question resonating in the room.


    With a small, victorious smile ying on her lips, Fu Yuxin was about to borate further when their argument was abruptly interrupted.


    *Boom!*


    !!


    Both women flinched, their hearts leaping into their throats. They whipped around, eyes wide with rm, only to see Zi''er by the ss door, a look of stunned surprise on her tiny face after her collision.


    "This child..." Fu Yuxin''s sigh was a mix of affection and resignation as she swiftly closed the distance between them. Scooping Zi''er into her arms, she cradled the little girl, her movements tender and soothing.


    Chen Meili couldn''t help but smile at the sight, a soft warmth lighting up her eyes as she watched Fu Yuxin calming the child''s tears.


    Cradling Zi''er, Fu Yuxin turned to Chen Meili with a question that had been weighing on her mind. "Sister, why did we need to move into such a big house? Thest apartment was new and more than spacious for the three of us, wasn''t it?"


    Chen Meili blinked, taken aback by the sudden query. She nced at Zi''er, her eyes softening. "Isn''t it for Zi''er''s sake? She should grow up in a ce where she''s free to roam and explore, without any constraints. Besides, we''re not exactly strapped for cash," she began, her voice carrying a light, almost teasing tone. But as she continued, her voice faltered, the atmosphere shifting.


    "No amount of money can make up for her eye¡ª"


    Chen Meili abruptly stopped, the unfinished sentence hanging heavy in the air, filling the room with a solemn silence.


    In a silentmunion, Fu Yuxin and Chen Meili''s gaze rested on the little girl, Zi''er, also known as Zhenxi, as she wriggled restlessly in Fu Yuxin''s arms.


    From her birth, Zhenxi had been showered with love and attention, with people dedicated to ensuring she would experience life''s fullness.


    Yet, ironically, she was barred from witnessing the world''s visual wonders.


    The two women had gone to great lengths, consulting various doctors in the hope of finding a cure for Zhenxi''s blindness.


    But the stark reality they faced was that her condition was untreatable¡ªa gic anomaly that medical science could not yet remedy.


    Fu Yuxin tightened her embrace around Zhenxi, a protective gesture filled with unspoken love and a deep-seated resolve to provide the best for her, regardless of her condition.


    The silence between them was heavy with the unasked question:


    Was it fate''s design that Zhenxi should live a life veiled in darkness?


    _________

 Chapter 122: Two Years Before! Chen Zhenxi!

    Going two years backwards in time...


    March 2nd, 2024 ¨C a date that marked the aftermath of Wang Xiao''s death, a time when wounds were still fresh and emotions raw.


    *p!*


    The sound reverberated through the Fu household, a stark counterpoint to the somber mood that had settled since Wang Xiao''s passing.


    "You insolent child, how dare you tarnish the Fu family name! Exin these messages, and who is this Chuan Hao?" The anger in Fu Yuxin''s father''s voice was boiling, his disappointment a tangible force in the room.


    "Dad, I¡­" Fu Yuxin''s voice faltered, her eyes brimming with tears. She wanted to reveal the truth, to defend herself by confessing it was all Wang Xiao''s doing.


    But she remained silent, weighed down by the thought that speaking ill of the dead, even to clear her name, was an act of disrespect she could notmit.


    Her father''s face reddened with frustration. "No exnation, then? It was only by chance that your brother discovered these chats on your phone. We had no idea you were behaving so recklessly. How could you be so thoughtless, Yuxin, as to bring such shame upon our family?"


    The usation echoed, Fu Yuxin stood motionless, her heart aching. In her silence, she bore the brunt of her father''s wrath, choosing to protect the memory of a man who had deceived her, a man whose actions continued to cast a long shadow over her life.


    Fu Yuxin''s emotions toward Wang Xiao were a tangled web, a mingling of resentment and an inexplicable void that his death had left behind.


    She despised him at her very core, yet with his passing, she found herself grappling with a void, an emptiness that was as disorienting as it was profound.


    The target of her fury had vanished, leaving her anger to dissipate like fog under the sun, reced by a confusing amalgam of sentiments that defied artiction.


    Determined not to be ensnared by theseplex feelings, Fu Yuxin focused on moving forward. She left the Fu family home, seeking independence and a fresh start in a modest room closer to the university she would soon attend.


    One yearter...


    The sky rumbled ominously overhead, a low growl that seemed to shake the very air around the park.


    Boom! Crack!


    The heavy downpour drummed on the roof of a park shed where two young women were deep in conversation.


    The rain was never-ending, turning the world outside into a blurred watercolor of grays and blues.


    Under the shelter of the shed, the grave expressions on Fu Yuxin and Chen Meili''s faces spoke of serious matters at hand.


    Brrrumble...


    The prolonged roll of thunder reverberated through the shelter, as if nature itself was eavesdropping on their secrets. The two women barely flinched at the scene; they were too absorbed in their dialogue, too ustomed to the storms they had weathered in their lives.


    Ka-Boom!


    A particrly close strike illuminated their faces with a brief, stark light, casting deep shadows that flickered away as quickly as they appeared


    Not far from them, shielded from the rain, a baby chair cradled an infant.


    "Mmm....mm...." The infant stirred slightly in the baby chair, lulled back into slumber by the rhythmic pat-pat-pat of raindrops on the shed''s roof, blissfully unaware of the tempest, both outside and within.


    As the storm outside raged, the tension within the shed built with each rumble of thunder.


    Fu Yuxin''s head shake was a quiet storm of its own, her concern visible in the tight lines around her eyes. "T-Then what else can we do, Sister Meili? I really have no idea how to handle this situation," she admitted, her voice almost drowned out by the sound of the rain.


    Chen Meili paused, her face a mask of contemtion as she considered their options, the silence between them stretching taut. "How about I register Zi''er under my surname and adopt her? This way, no one would question Zhenxi''s origins," she proposed, her voice steady despite the turmoil brewing outside.


    Fu Yuxin''s reply was lost in thought, her gaze fixed on some distant point as she weighed the enormity of the decision. It was a moment heavy with the possibility of change when the brittle snap of twigs underfoot jolted them from their introspection.


    Their bodies tensed, instantly alert. The storm''s fury seemed to have crept closer, encroaching on the fragile safety of their shelter.


    With hearts racing, they turned toward the sound, bracing for what might emerge from the veil of the downpour.


    As the rain poured down, the figure emerging from the storm was none other than Fu Yuxin''s brother, Fu Chao.


    His eyes instantly fell on the child, and his expression darkened with suspicion and anger. He stepped forward, his movements quick and unyielding.


    "Is that his child?! That Huang Chao you were sheltering for?" Fu Chao barked, his voiceced with contempt, not waiting for any confirmation.


    Fu Yuxin, "Brother I¡ª"


    Fu Chao raised his hand, and before anyone could react, he struck Fu Yuxin across the face, startling everyone.


    *p!*


    "You shameless girl, carrying the child of some nobody! After everything our family has done for you!"


    !!


    Fu Yuxin, stunned from the shock and pain, struggled topose herself, her face a mixture of hurt and disbelief. Tears began to fall silently, tracing paths down her cheeks.


    "You''re a disgrace!" Fu Chao continued, his wordsced with venom. "I should tell Dad about this. Let''s see how he deals with your... your mistake!"


    In the midst of her tears, Fu Yuxin found her voice, strong despite her emotional turmoil. "Get out, Fu Chao!" she demanded, her voice quivering but firm. "Just leave!"


    Fu Chao paused, seemingly taken aback by her resistance.


    He clicked his tongue in disgust, his words cutting through the sound of the rain. "Tch, so this is why you left home, Yuxin!? It''s good! Good! .... Nevere back to the Fu household ever again with some bastard''s child," he spat out before turning and disappearing back into the storm.


    Once he had left, Chen Meili quickly moved to Fu Yuxin''s side, enveloping her in aforting embrace. "It''s okay, Yuxin. I-I shouldn''t ha¡ª" she began, her voice a whisper, but Fu Yuxin cut her off.


    "It''s alright... I''ve been enduring this for far too long, sister," Fu Yuxin responded, leaning into the hug. Her sobs were muffled against Chen Meili''s shoulder, findingfort in the presence of someone who understood, who offered care without judgment.


    That day marked a turning point for Fu Yuxin. She made the decisive choice to drop out of university and sever all ties with a family that had shown no inclination to seek the truth before passing judgment.

 Chapter 123: Wang Family: Two years later (1)

    At Green Oasis Academy, the buzz of excitement and nervous energy filled the air as the second year was drawing to a close.


    Students gathered around, awaiting the announcement of their preliminary test scores, a precursor to the much-anticipated final examinations.


    "Zhou Fan ¡ª 98!" the homeroom teacher called out, prompting a ripple of apuse and a few envious nces toward Zhou Fan.


    "Ming Zi ¡ª 99!" The number was met with impressed murmurs, as Ming Zi nodded in acknowledgment, a small smile ying on her lips.


    "Wang Mei ¡ª 100! A perfect score!" The announcement brought a wave of cheers and ps, as all eyes turned to Wang Mei, who stood with a modest yet calm expression.


    The homeroom teacher, looking over the ss with a mix of pride and satisfaction, continued, "Good work, everyone, and a special congrattions to Wang Mei. Your performance has consistently improved. Let''s keep this momentum going until the final examinations!"


    The students buzzed with a mix of congrattions, determination, and the inevitable stress that came with the looming finals. For now, the mood was celebratory, but everyone knew that the real challenge was just around the corner.


    As the scores continued to be announced, the room was filled with a chorus of mixed reactions ¡ª sighs of relief, gasps of surprise, and whispers of anticipation.


    "Did you hear that? Wang Mei got a perfect score!" one student whispered to another, their voice tinged with admiration and a hint of envy.


    "Yeah, she''s really setting the standard high for all of us," the other student replied, biting their lip nervously.


    Zhou Fan, his score an impressive 98, couldn''t help but feel a pang of disappointment. ''Just two points away,'' he thought, clenching his fists slightly. ''Next time, I''ll aim even higher.''


    Ming Zi, with her score of 99, offered a gracious smile to her ssmates congratting her, but inwardly, she was already strategizing. ''One point short of perfection. I need to review my study methods,'' she mused, her determination quietly burning.


    Wang Mei, on the other hand, nced outside of window, her thoughts unreadable.


    The homeroom teacher, observing the ss, knew well the variety of emotions ying out among the students. "Remember, these scores are just indicators of where you are right now. They''re not the end-all of your capabilities. Whether you scored high or lower than expected, use this as motivation to push yourself. You all have the potential to excel," she encouraged, her voice firm yet supportive.


    The ssroom, still abuzz with post-announcement chatter, suddenly hushed as Zhou Fan boldly approached Wang Mei''s desk. His challenge caught everyone''s attention.


    "Hey, Wang Mei! How about a bet?" he dered, his voice confident and a bit louder than necessary.


    Wang Mei, known for herposure, simply looked up at him, her expression one of mild curiosity mixed with disinterest. "Not interested," she hummed sinctly, her voice calm and even.


    Around them, a collective sigh rippled through the ss. Zhou Fan''s face fell momentarily, a flicker of disappointment passing through his eyes. Ming Zi, watching the scene unfold, arched an eyebrow. ''Has Zhou Fanpletely lost his mind?'' she wondered silently, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.


    Yet, despite the setback, Zhou Fan didn''t lose his stride. The whole ss''s attention now firmly on the unfolding drama, he pressed on, his determination clear. "In the finals, I bet I''ll get a perfect score! If I do, will you go out with me?"


    !!


    The room fell into a stunned silence, every pair of eyes darting between Zhou Fan and Wang Mei, awaiting her response.


    The audacity of the bet was unlike anything they''d seen before, and the stakes were unexpectedly personal.


    A murmur ran through the ss as Zhou Fan''s challenge was announced, students exchanged looks, some smirking, others wide-eyed with disbelief.


    Wang Mei regarded Zhou Fan with a level gaze. "You''re confident," she noted, her voice betraying neither irritation nor interest. "But why should I ept a bet on your grades? What''s in it for me?"


    Zhou Fan''s face flushed slightly, a mixture of excitement and nerves. "Well, if I don''t get a perfect score, I''ll... I''ll do all your assignments for a month!" he dered, the words tumbling out in his eagerness.


    Ming Zi, unable to contain her curiosity, leaned in closer. ''This is getting interesting,'' she thought, a sly smile creeping onto her face.


    The ss buzzed with renewed whispers, the audacity of the wager sparking a flurry of conversations.


    "Is he serious?"


    "He''s really putting it all on the line!"


    Wang Mei paused, her analytical mind calcting the implications of Zhou Fan''s impromptu bet. The stakes were uneven, heavily skewed in his favor since he controlled the oue. All she really wanted was for him to stop pestering her. With a sigh, she opened her notebook and extracted a sheet of paper, her other hand deftly dialing a phone call.


    "Hm? What are you doing?" Zhou Fan''s surprise was evident, his brow furrowing in confusion.


    Wang Mei responded without looking up, her voice calm and matter-of-fact. "Calling my mother. Let''s draft a proper agreement before we proceed." Her demeanor was all business, a sharp contrast to the casual air of the wager.


    Zhou Fan''s face paled as the call connected. "Mei, what''s going on? Aren''t you at school? Is someone causing trouble?" The voice of Xinyue Zhn, sharp andmanding, resonated from the phone, sending an involuntary shiver down Zhou Fan''s spine.


    Wang Mei muted the phone, her gaze fixed on Zhou Fan. "Still want to bet? Last year, someone was forced to run naked around the field for 10ps over a simr bet."


    !!


    The reminder sent a wave of unease through the room. Everyone remembered the incident; it had been a harsh lesson in the consequences of reckless wagers.


    "Gulp..." Zhou Fan swallowed hard. The realization that Xinyue Zhn, now an activewyer and fiercely protective of her children, was on the other end of the line, was enough to make him reconsider. Her reputation for ruthlessness, especially when it came to her children, was well-known and respected.


    The room remained silent, the weight of the situation dawning on everyone.


    ______


    Back at the Wang Family manor, Xinyue Zhn, d in her professional attire, hung up the phone, her brow furrowed in mild confusion. "What''s gotten into that girl?" she muttered to herself.


    She turned to Wang Zhihao, who was seated at the dining table. "Zhihao, could you pick up Mei from school today? I''m swamped with work," she requested, her tone reflecting both authority and concern.


    Wang Zhihao''s expression darkened, a frown creasing his brow.


    "Is there a problem?" Xinyue Zhn inquired, noting his hesitation. "Do you have clients or meetings today?"


    "None," Wang Zhihao replied curtly, setting down his spoon and standing up.


    "Then it''s settled. Pick her up and check on her. She called me just now; something must be up," Xinyue Zhn instructed, rising from her seat and preparing to leave.

 Chapter 124: Wang Family: Two years later (2)

    "Then it''s settled. Pick her up and check on her. She called me just now; something must be up," Xinyue Zhn instructed, rising from her seat and preparing to leave.


    Wang Zhihao could only nod, albeit reluctantly. His business had been struggling for the past two years, and to manage their finances, Xinyue Zhn had decided to return to her career. Her motivations were twofold: to provide for the family and to ensure her children''s security.


    Ever since the unsettling incident involving Wang Jiarong and the subsequent disappearance of Wang Xiao two years prior ¡ª a fact she refused to ept as death ¡ª Xinyue Zhn had been on high alert.


    After interrogating her children, she had uncovered numerous conflicts and issues in their lives, many of which Wang Xiao had been quietly resolving.


    This discovery struck her deeply; she realized she had been unaware of her children''s struggles, and failed them as thier ''Mother''.


    Determined to rectify her past oversights, Xinyue Zhn became more involved in their lives, vowing to protect them and prevent any further incidents from slipping past her watchful gaze.


    ________


    At Oasis Academy Senior Campus, the usual hum of focused activity was apanied by the soft strains of musicing from thest bench of the ssroom.


    "? ? ? ? ?"


    Wang Xueying, nestled in her secluded corner, hummed along to the melody, her demeanor one of disinterest in the world around her.


    Her hair shrouded most of her face, and her sses gave her the appearance of a nerd.


    "? ?"


    While her sister Wang Mei diligently improved her grades, Wang Xueying had allowed her academic performance to deteriorate. Outwardly normal, she was often adrift in her own realm of thoughts.


    "Isn''t that Wang Xueying?" whispered a student to his friend, ncing back at her. "Doesn''t she fear teacher would admonish her for not paying attention in the ss?"


    "Leave her: She is always in her own world," the friend replied, shaking his head slightly.


    As Wang Xueying gazed outside, her eyes unfocused and distant, the ssroom was suddenly pierced by the school''s inte.


    [Everyone! Gather at the school grounds right now! We have an urgent announcement!]


    The unexpected announcement created a ripple of confusion and curiosity. It was theirst year of senior high school; what could be so urgent?


    "What''s going on?" someone murmured as chairs scraped against the floor.


    "Do you think it''s about the University entrance exams?" another spected, their voice tinged with anxiety.


    Reluctantly, the students rose from their seats, the buzz of their conversations growing louder as they filed out of the ssroom. Wang Xueying let out a soft sigh, her music and solitude interrupted. She slowly stood up, following the crowd.


    "Hey, Xueying, you think it''s something serious?" a ssmate asked as they walked together toward the grounds.


    Wang Xueying shrugged, her expression unreadable behind her hair. "Who knows? With this school, it could be anything," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, as if fed up with this whole social structure.


    As the students settled on the school grounds, the Dean of Oasis Academy stepped forward. His presencemanded immediate attention.


    "Thank you all for gathering here so promptly," he began, his voice carrying over the assembled crowd. "We have a special announcement today, one that I believe will be a great honor for our school."


    He paused, allowing a moment of suspense to build before continuing. "I''d like to introduce a very distinguished guest. Please wee Dr. Isabe Mercer."


    A murmur of surprise rippled through the students. Dr. Isabe Mercer was a name many recognized ¨C a Nobel Prize-winning scientist known for her groundbreaking work in biomedical research, particrly in gic engineering and regenerative medicine.


    Dr. Mercer stepped forward, and a collective gasp went through the crowd. Contrary to expectations of an elderly academic, the woman who stood before them was the picture of youth. Her skin was wless, her appearance seemingly that of someone in her twenties.


    How could this be the renowned scientist whose work spanned decades?


    "Dr. Mercer has made significant contributions to medical science, including pioneering techniques in cellr regeneration," the Dean continued, seemingly oblivious to the students'' stunned expressions. "Her work has changed the course of modern medicine and brought hope to millions worldwide."


    The students exchanged looks of disbelief and awe. Rumors and questions buzzed among them like a swarm of bees.


    "Isn''t she supposed to be old?" one student whispered.


    "How is she so young-looking? Is this another one of her scientific breakthroughs?" another pondered aloud.


    Dr. Mercer stood calmly, a small, knowing smile ying on her lips as if she was well ustomed to such reactions.


    Her youthful appearance was indeed a mystery, one that added an air of intrigue to her already impressive reputation.


    The students of Oasis Academy, on the cusp of their own futures, couldn''t help but feel a surge of inspiration and curiosity in the presence of such an mysterious and aplished figure.


    The Dean''s voice rose above the murmurs of the crowd. "I have a good news for everyone! Dr. Mercer will be staying in Shanghai for an uing experiment. During her time here, she has graciously agreed to mentor our next generation of scientists and thinkers. She will be serving as a temporary Chemistry teacher for our senior students."


    This announcement sent another wave of surprise through the student body. The idea of being taught by a Nobelureate was both exciting and intimidating.


    Dr. Isabe Mercer then stepped forward, her presencemanding yet approachable. She scanned the crowd of young faces, her expression one of genuine interest and warmth.


    "Thank you, Dean," she began, her voice clear and confident, with fluent mandarin, "It''s a pleasure to be here among such bright and promising students. I believe that education is a powerful tool, not just in acquiring knowledge, but in shaping the future. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you and, hopefully, inspiring some of you to pursue your own paths in science."


    Her words, simple yet profound, resonated with the students. They listened, captivated by her charisma and the wealth of experience she represented.


    After her brief address, Dr. Mercer handed the stage back to the Dean. The students burst into a round of apuse, their initial shock giving way to a buzz of excited conversation. The prospect of being taught by someone of Dr. Mercer''s caliber was a rare and thrilling opportunity.


    The Dean, smiling at the positive reception, continued to outline the ns for Dr. Mercer''s integration into the school''s curriculum and the unique opportunity it presented for the students.


    Wang Xueying couldn''t shake off the feeling that Dr. Isabe Mercer had singled her out with her gaze just before exiting the stage. ''Was she really looking at me?'' she wondered, her curiosity piqued. The notion seemed far-fetched, yet it lingered in her mind, adding anotheryer of mystery to the sudden appearance of Isablelle.


    _______

 Chapter 125: Wang Family: Two years later (3)

    Backstage, Cain, d in casual attire, met with Dr. Isabe Mercer. His tone carried a hint of impatience. "Doctor, we flew here on the fastest jet avable. Was it really just for this?"


    Dr. Isabe Mercer''s eyes narrowed, reflecting a mix of determination and excitement. "General, we already have sketches for the two kids you mentioned. The girl has no traceable history, and the boy has been dered dead. But since your team was involved in his disappearance, if he survived, it''s likely he''ll return to his family.


    Finding him could lead us to the girl, who I suspect holds the key to the mystery of the eighth guardian."


    Cain nodded, deep in thought. "We didn''t find bodies in the wreckage from the sea. We can''t be certain about Wang Xiao''s fate. Assuming he survived, it''s only a matter of time before he reappears."


    Dr. Isabe Mercer''s response was calm and assured. "Time isn''t a concern for me, General. I have plenty of it," she said, a subtle reminder of the immortality serum''s power.


    Cain''s expression darkened with a flicker of envy as he remembered the serum. Struggling to maintain a neutral demeanor, he replied formally, "Then I''ll take my leave, Doctor. The world still needs your intellect, take care."


    Dr. Isabe Mercer nodded, only half-listening, her mind already racing ahead.


    Left alone with her thoughts, Dr. Isabe Mercer contemted the intricate web of connections and mysteries.


    ''Wang Xiao... what is your role in the guardians'' story? And who is that girl with the rainbow hair? Which one of you will lead me to my ultimate goal?'' she mused, her fingers tapping rhythmically, her mind a whirlwind of theories and possibilities.


    The pieces of the puzzle were slowlying together, and she was determined to solve it.


    Isabe thoughts were a maelstrom of possibilities and theories, each more intriguing than thest.


    The ancient picture of the figure riding the whale was particrly perplexing.


    The flowing hair of the figure could easily belong to a man, which made her consider the possibility that Wang Xiao himself could be the one connected to the guardians.


    Yet, the ambiguity of the image left room for doubt.


    Was it really Wang Xiao, or could it be the mysterious girl with rainbow-colored hair?


    The uncertainty was both frustrating and exciting.


    The more she delved into the mystery, the moreyers she seemed to discover.


    At the moment, every individual who had been aboard that ship two years ago was under scrutiny.


    Their backgrounds, actions, and connections were being dissected in search of clues. Dr. Mercer, however, had a strong intuition that the key to unlocking this mysteryy with Wang Xiao and the rainbow girl.


    _________


    Beijing!


    Imperial Capital University!


    Seated in the front row of the lecture hall, Wang Jiarong was the epitome of focus and dedication. Far from the bustle of Shanghai, she diligently took notes as the professor expounded on the subject matter. Her attention never wavered, her pen moving swiftly across the pages of her notebook.


    As the lecture came to a close, the bell echoed through the hall, signaling the end of the session. Wang Jiarong methodically arranged her notebooks, her movements precise and orderly.


    Just as she stood, prepared to make her way to the cafeteria, a figure intercepted her path.


    "Kai Xuan?" she said, a hint of surprise in her voice.


    Before she could react further, Kai Xuan, the figure who had stopped her, suddenly dropped to his knees.


    Thud!


    Wang Jiarong stood momentarily frozen, her eyes wide with shock and confusion.


    In the stunned silence of the lecture hall, Kai Xuan looked up at Wang Jiarong, his expression a blend of determination and nervousness.


    He took a deep breath before speaking, his voice resonating in the suddenly quiet room.


    "Wang Jiarong, from the moment I met you, my world changed. You are the brightest star in my sky," Kai Xuan began, his words heartfelt and sincere. "I know this mighte as a surprise, but I can''t hide my feelings any longer. Will you... will you be my girlfriend?"


    The ssroom erupted into a mix of gasps and murmurs, the students unable to contain their shock and excitement at the public proposal.


    "Is he proposing to her? Right here?"


    "Wow, that takes guts!"


    Wang Jiarong stood there, her face a canvas of conflicting emotions. Surprise, confusion, and a touch of annoyance colored her features as she processed Kai Xuan''s words and the spectacle they had be in front of her peers.


    The onlookers watched eagerly, the atmosphere charged with anticipation.


    Some students were whispering among themselves, others were nudging each other, and a few even had their phones out, capturing the moment.


    Kai Xuan remained on his knees, his eyes locked on Wang Jiarong, waiting for her response.


    "Find someone else." Wang Jiarong''s response was as cold and abrupt as a winter gust. She didn''t spare a second nce at Kai Xuan, who remained on his knees.


    With a brisk turn, she walked past him, ignoring his presence entirely as if he were no more than a shadow.


    The ssroom, which had been buzzing with anticipation, fell into a stunned silence at her response, followed quickly by an uproar of reactions.


    "Did she just reject him outright?"


    "That was harsh... Poor guy."


    "Hey, atleast this time she took whole ten seconds! That''s an improvement!"


    "The goddess is really unreachable! This is the 7th guy, she rejected this month!"


    Kai Xuan, still kneeling, felt as though the ground beneath him had cracked open. His body seemed to turn to stone, immobilized by the sheer force of the rejection. The words echoed in his mind, a resounding bell of finality.


    The students'' reactions varied from shock to sympathy, and amusement.


    From the top corner of the lecture hall, Wu Shenji observed the scene quietly. ''She has changed so much ...'' he thought, his gaze lingering on Wang Jiarong''s retreating figure.


    Though they were attending the same college, she had severed all ties with him, her suspicion and resentment a thick barrier between them.


    Wang Jiarong''s demeanor since that fateful incident two years ago had transformed drastically.


    She med herself for not being able to stop Wu Shenji, and that burden of guilt had led her to distance herself from the male students at the university. (A/N: Wang Jiarong is still suspicious about involvement of Wu Shenji, in the incident)


    Each one was a reminder of the trauma she had endured, a constant echo of a past she couldn''t escape.


    As she immersed herself in her studies, seeking sce in the predictability and control of academia, Wang Jiarong built walls around her heart, walls that no one seemed able to breach.


    Her focus was unwavering, her dedication to her future the only path she allowed herself to see.


    The once vibrant and open young woman was now a fortress of resolve and determination, her weaknesses locked away behind a facade of indifference.

 Chapter 126: Li Zhiming

    23rd April, 2026


    "This should keep her securely in ce," Wang Xiao murmured, casting a final, discerning nce at the woman sprawled on the bed.


    She was trapped in an intricate web of ropes, binding her hands, legs, and neck with precision that spoke of a meticulous and calcted intent.


    Her chest heaved in a steady rhythm, the rise and fall entuated by her deep, rhythmic breathing.


    Exhaustion had imed her into a feigned slumber, her body d in an oversized white shirt that fluttered gently with each breath.


    Wang Xiao surveyed the room, his eyes lingering on her restrained form. "You won''t be going anywhere," he said more to himself than to her, a note of satisfaction in his voice. He slid the window open and leaped out with a fluid grace.


    Whoosh!


    The moment his figure disappeared into the night, Anran''s eyes flickered open, gleaming with a mix of mischief and triumph. ''He really thinks these ropes can hold me, Anran, the escape artist?'' she thought, a smirk ying on her lips. She had been merely pretending to sleep, biding her time.


    Now was her chance!


    "Eh?" Her smirk faded abruptly as she attempted to wiggle her toes, only to realize they wouldn''t budge. Panic tinged her voice, "What... what''s wrong with my legs?"


    Struggling, she tried to crane her neck to look down, but it was futile. She couldn''t move even a fraction. "Not just my legs, but my neck too... That man, he''s more sinister than I thought. Restricting me so thoroughly... does he have no conscience?" Disappointment and a hint of fear crept into her voice.


    She attempted to turn her head, to assess the state of her hands, but found her neck rigid and unyielding.


    "..."


    Her face contorted in frustration, a myriad of thoughts racing through her mind. ''There has to be a way out of this,'' she thought determinedly, her spirit reigniting with a flicker of hope.


    However, as one hour melted into the next, her hope evaporated into despair, her eyes now mirroring the betrayal of her once confident n. "My body... it''s paralyzed," she whispered in horror.


    The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. She couldn''t feel her body at all. He must have manipted her pressure points, a tactic both cruel and effective.


    Rustle...


    A sudden chill ran down her spine, not just from the cold breeze wafting through the open window but from the dawning realization of her vulnerability.


    She let out a resigned sigh, "Is this his n? To leave me here, helpless and alone, at the mercy of the elements or worse?"


    She hadn''t anticipated Wang Xiao to resort to such extreme measures. A deep sigh escaped her lips, a mixture of fear and eptance of her grim fate.


    Whoosh!


    Just then, a shadow darted through the window with incredible speed, its presence a silent but potent force.


    ''They''vee for me!'' Anran''s heart leapt with a mixture of fear and hope, but she remained silent, assessing the situation.


    Soon enough, she felt a tingling sensation, a sign of returning life to her limbs. The figure, d in a sleek ck ninja outfit with a mask that hid their features, worked swiftly to untie her.


    Feeling returned to her numb limbs, and she flexed her fingers, relief washing over her. "Ah, freedom atst," she whispered, her voice tinged with both relief and a newfound respect for her captor''s skills.


    "He was quite skilled," she mused, a grudging admiration in her tone, right before the door creaked open.


    !!


    The door creaked open slowly, casting a long, ominous shadow across the room. Anran''s heart skipped a beat, unsure of what new threat might be looming.


    But as the figure stepped into the dim light, her eyes moved in recognition and relief.


    Standing in the doorway was none other than her uncle, Li Zhiming. He was a formidable figure, tall and broad-shouldered, with a presence that filled the room.


    His hair was a miz of gray and ck, cut short and neat, and his deep-set eyes were sharp and perceptive, softened by the hint of a smile at the sight of his niece.


    "Uncle Zhiming!" Anran eximed, her voice a mixture of surprise and immense relief.


    Li Zhiming''s eyes quickly took in the scene ¡ª the ropes, the open window, the mysterious figure in ck.


    His gaze was calm yet piercing, missing nothing. "Ruoran, are you hurt?" he asked in a deep, steady voice that resonated with concern and authority.


    "No, I''m... I''m fine now, thanks to..." Anran nced at the masked figure, who had stepped back into the shadows, almost as if they preferred to remain unnoticed.


    Li Zhiming nodded, his focus now fixated on Anran. He moved closer, every step deliberate and measured, his eyes locked onto her like a lifeline. "I rushed here the moment I heard your voice. Your tone raised a red g, and I knew something was amiss. It''s a relief you still remember my training for stress signals," he said, his voice firm, yet beneath it, aforting warmth simmered.


    As he reached out, his hands,rge and rough, traced the ropes'' knots with gentle precision before carefully untying them. Anran rubbed her wrists, feeling the returning cirction bring a tingling sensation that danced along her skin.


    "Who did this to you?" Li Zhiming''s voice turned as cold as ice, shedding the friendly uncle persona to reveal the fierce protector within.


    Anran hesitated, her mind retracing the chilling memory of Wang Xiao''s calcted cruelty and sinister intentions. "His name was Wang Xiao. He not only took Adam''s life but others as well. He was overwhelmingly powerful, and I... I couldn''t resist..." She finally admitted, her expression falling as she spoke, her own head hung low.


    Li Zhiming''s jaw clenched tightly as his eyes fell upon the scant attire clinging to Anran''s form. A sudden, dark realization dawned upon him, sparking a fierce inferno within his gaze.


    His usually calm demeanor morphed into one of lethal intent, his entire being radiating a deadly aura of fury. "He will pay for this," he vowed, his voice low and menacing, the promise of retribution being made.


    Before the tension could escte further, the mysterious figure in ck stepped forward, their presence a silent yet potent force. "She''s safe now, Li Zhiming. My duty here is concluded," they stated, their voice a distorted whisper through the mask.


    Li Zhiming''s fiery gaze softened momentarily as he turned to the figure, a silent nod conveying a deep-seated respect and gratitude. "Thank you," he uttered, the words heavy with sincere appreciation.


    With a swift, almost ghostlike nod, the figure vanished through the window, melting into the night as silently as they had arrived.


    Anran, still processing the whirlwind of events, looked up at her uncle with wide, questioning eyes. "What now, Uncle Zhiming?"


    He met her gaze, his eyes now alight with a cold, calcted determination. "Now, we prepare our trap. I''ll get you some clothes; change quickly. My men have secured the perimeter. He won''t leave this ce alive," he dered, his voice a chilling promise of the impending storm.


    Li Zhiming''s silhouette seemed to growrger, a sentinel against the darkness, as he readied himself and Anran for the confrontation ahead.


    Anran''s nod was hesitant, aplex web of emotions reflected in her eyes. "Are we going to kill him...?" she murmured, her voice a mix of uncertainty and reluctance.


    Li Zhiming''s brow furrowed deeply, sensing the turmoil within her. "Why? Do you have second thoughts?" he probed, his toneced with concern and a hint of surprise. At that moment, another person, d in a neutral outfit, quietly entered, cing a set of fresh clothes behind her.


    Anran shook her head, her reluctance palpable, her eyes briefly meeting the clothes before diverting. "Cough... Uncle can you please wait outside," she murmured, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.


    Li Zhiming''s face morphed into an awkward expression as he stepped out, closing the door behind him.


    Once alone, his demeanor shifted drastically; the stern, nk mask of a determined warrior emerged.


    ''Bastard, daring toy hands on my chinese cabbage... He must die!'' His thoughts were a storm of contained rage and sorrow, his expression a fierce mask barely containing the tempest within.


    Invisible tears of frustration and regret mingled with his fury. He crossed his arms behind him, issuingmands into the still air. "Seal the entire city! No onees or goes without our knowledge. And gather all the information you can on ''Wang Xiao''. Tap into the Pantheonwork if necessary."


    "Chief... Isn''t this a bit much?" A man returned, the weight of an HK416 in his hands, its well-worn grip speaking of countless battles.


    Li Zhiming''s eyes narrowed, a fierce glint within them. "Too much? Call in the tanks if we must!" he dered, his voice a low growl. His face twitched with barely controlled anger, the intensity in his eyes like mes threatening to ignite the world around him.

 Chapter 127: Reincarnation?

    Li Zhiming''s eyes narrowed, a fierce glint within them. "Too much? Call in the tanks if we must!" he dered, his voice a low growl. His face twitched with barely controlled anger, the intensity in his eyes like mes threatening to ignite the world around him.


    !!


    The soldier shivered, instantly backing away, his mind a whirlwind of questions and unease. ''What''s gotten into the chief today? Sure, she''s close to him, but this level of response? As a spy, shouldn''t she be ustomed to danger?'' Yet, he dared not voice these thoughts, aware that Li Zhiming''s current state was not to be trifled with.


    Meanwhile, Li Zhiming stood in solitude, a silent sentinel wrestling with his inner turmoil. Beneath his stoic facade, he was a tempest of emotion. It was as if the very core of his being had been shaken; the damage was done, and no amount of rage or retribution could undo it.


    The realization that he couldn''t protect the cabbage he grown meticulously all these years from being eaten, pierced his heard deeper than any de.


    _______


    Inside the room, Anran had slipped into her new clothes, her movements mechanical, her mind elsewhere. She took a deep breath and gazed out of the window, seeking a moment of tranquility in the chaos. Her eyes then drifted to the bed, the site of her recent ordeal.


    ''He could have killed me, couldn''t he?'' The thought lingered in her mind, puzzling and disturbing. Wang Xiao had eliminated everyone else, yet he had spared her.


    Why?


    He didn''t strike her as one to be swayed by beauty or sentiment.


    If his intentions were vile, he had had ample opportunity, even before she regained her consciousness.


    Why then, had he restrained himself? The questions swirled in her head, each one echoing her confusion.


    Anran''s reflection in the window showed a woman changed, not just by the clothes she now wore, but by the ordeal she''d survived.


    She was the same Anran, yet not quite.


    Something within her had shifted, a newfound resolve mingling with the lingering traces of bing more mature in her thoughts.


    As she stood by the window, Anran''s resolve solidified, her voice steady as she called out, "You cane inside." She had made a quiet decision within herself, a vow to no longer owe anyone anything.


    Leaving the window open, she allowed fate to y its hand. If fortune favored Wang Xiao, he might just evade the meticulouslyid trap.


    Li Zhiming entered the room, a slight awkwardness in his demeanor as he rubbed the back of his head. "Oh, Rouran, have you finished changing?" he asked, his voice carrying a mix of relief and guilt.


    The sight of the leader of the Pantheonwork in such a state was almost surreal. Known for his unwavering resolve and formidable presence, here he was, disying a rare tenderness.


    In the presence of his daughter, the man who was an unyielding force in the world of espionage and power revealed a softer, more human side.


    This softer aspect of Li Zhiming was a closely guarded secret, one shrouded in aplex past that intertwined with Anran''s own story.


    A past that was kept hidden even from Anran, a evidence to theplex nature of thierplex rtionship.


    ________


    Meanwhile, a shadow darted through the Whispering Woods, moving at a velocity invisible to the naked eye. It streaked between the trees, leaving a trail of blurred lines behind its path, as Wang Xiao hastened back to gather materials.


    Yin Yue''s voice, ethereal andced with concern, pierced the silence. [Isn''t it risky, leaving her unwatched?]


    Wang Xiao paused, his brow furrowed in thought. "I am afraid, she should have someoneing for the rescue already. I don''t know why, but I can''t trust it, if people can follow her without her noticing, she must be someone important, we can never be more suspcious."


    Yin Yue''s spectral form flickered with unease. [So, we''re fleeing then?]


    A sly grin curled Wang Xiao''s lips as he turned, his gaze piercing the shadow-dappled forest. "Escape is for the weak," he dered, eyes glinting with a new profound spark. Suddenly, the forest around them burst into life, vivid with the hues of colossal, exotic flowers, their petals unfurling like a vibrant myth against the dark underbrush.


    Yin Yue, [Why are you harvesting poison from these sinister blooms, Wang Xiao?]


    Wang Xiao, his fingers gently brushing the petals of a sinister-looking flower, replied to her.


    A wisp of nostalgia colored his voice, "Back then," he began, his voice a low rumble, "Mei Leiyan revealed to me a dark secret ¡ª a method to concoct a lethal poison from the very essence of these venomous blossoms, along with other forbidden ingredients." His eyes, reflecting a dangerous knowledge, fixed on the distant shadows.


    The deadly flowers that once brought to the edge of death, would now be his weapon!


    His mind whirred like a hidden machine, gears of strategy clicking into ce.


    "The world," he continued, his gaze turning steely, "is a treacherous ce, moreplex than the untrained eye can see. Consider Adam, a man far from ordinary humans, and we are yet to know the power scales of these people. And let''s not forget the hell spirits, ording to you that mercenary was the weekest one, so there must be stronger ones waiting for us to hunt us down!


    In this game of predators and prey, I must arm myself with more than just strength. This poison, my secret weapon, could be my only savior against a force mightier than my own."


    Yin Yue, moved by his foresight and resolve, responded with a voice soft yet filled with admiration. [Impressive. At least this way, you''re not rushing to im your spot in the cycle of reincarnation.]


    Wang Xiao raised his eyebrows, a flicker of amusement crossing his face as he methodically plucked ingredients from the dense underbrush of the forest. "Reincarnation, is that truly a thing?" he mused aloud.


    Yin Yue''s voice carried a hint of mystique, [Not in the way you might imagine. It''s not about retaining your identity. It''s a fusion, a chaotic melding with billions of other souls. Once you die and are reborn, ''you'' cease to exist as you are now.]


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened, the concept swirling in his mind like an unsolvable puzzle. He decided to let the matter rest, at least for now.


    These topics ¨C the hellish realms, the arcane mysteries ¨C were territories Wang Xiao was not yet willing to explore.

 Chapter 128: Surrendering!

    Yin Yue, continuing their conversation, suggested, [How about adding a bit of your blood essence to the poison? It could enhance its potency.]


    Wang Xiao paused in his task, considering the idea. "My blood essence?" he mused aloud, the notion intriguing him. The concept of using one''s own life force to amplify a concoction was not new to him, but it was a tactic he seldom used, given the risks involved.


    Yin Yue borated, [Yes, your unique energy signature could make the poison more effective, perhaps even untraceable or difficult to counteract. It''s amon practice in certain dark arts.]


    Wang Xiao nodded slowly, weighing the potential benefits against the risks. "It''s a gamble, but it might be necessary," he conceded, his eyes scanning the dense foliage of the Whispering Woods. The forest seemed to be watching him, its ancient trees whispering secrets of the ages.


    He carefully collected the poisonous dust from the vibrant flowers, each movement precise and calcted. His thoughts were a whirlwind of strategy and caution, always aware of the dangers and uncertainties of the world he navigated.


    ''In a world where the lines between friend and foe are blurred, where power and mystery intertwine, one must always be prepared for the unexpected,'' he thought. The idea of reincarnation, a topic broached by Yin Yue, lingered in the back of his mind, a distant, unfathomable concept.


    As he continued his work, Wang Xiao''s demeanor was calm, yet underneathy a restless current of anticipation and readiness. The poison, coupled with his blood essence, would be his ace in the hole, a secret weapon against unknown threats.


    At the crucial moment, Wang Xiao paused, a shadow of doubt crossing his features. The gravity of the situation was not lost on him; creating a poison without an antidote was akin to walking a tightrope without a safety.


    Yin Yue, sensing his hesitation, prodded, [What''s the matter? Don''t want to go back?]


    Wang Xiao''s voice was tinged with a rare hint of uncertainty, "I haven''t created the antidote yet."


    [Then create it already, what are you waiting for?] Yin Yue pressed, its voice a mix of impatience and concern.


    Wang Xiao fell silent, his brows furrowed in contemtion. After a moment, he admitted, "I don''t know how to create the antidote. Mei Leiyan didn''t know either."


    A heavy sigh emanated from Yin Yue, [Let me teach you.] The spirit''s tone shifted, no longer just a guide but now a mentor, ready to impart crucial knowledge.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes ignited with a glimmer of hope and sudden realization.


    How could he possibly forget about Yin Yue''s mysterious origins?


    Over the past few years, this little hell spirit had rarely taken the initiative to impart knowledge to him, leaving him to believe it was all but futile. Yet, now it seemed she held untapped potential, and he was eager to harness it.


    He resolved to delve deeper into her teachings, strengthening his mind and honing his psychokinesis.


    As per Bing Xueli''s guidance, if he achieved enough strength, the notion of shattering the earth itself didn''t seem entirely out of reach.


    Wang Xiao, however, harbored doubts about the feasibility of such a grand ambition.


    Wouldn''t achieving that level of power elevate him to godlike status?


    ______


    A sudden whoosh! sliced through the bushes, a warning that pricked at Wang Xiao''s senses. He halted in his tracks, just shy of the forest''s edge.


    "Something''s not right," he murmured under his breath, his eyes scanning the dense scenary.


    Yin Yue''s voice, tinged with urgency, broke through his thoughts, [The vi is swarming with auras, a storm of breaths. Your enemies have gathered, lying in wait. Do you still n to return?]


    Wang Xiao''s lips tightened. ''At worst, we''ll make a swift escape.''


    [Fair enough], Yin Yue conceded, her toneced with resolve.


    Gathering his courage, Wang Xiao ced his hands in a shield-like position before his forehead, a gesture of readiness and defense. He stepped into the open, his voice carrying a mix of defiance and strategy, "Hold your fire! I surrender!"


    A moment of silence ensued, thick with unsaid threats and unmade decisions. Then, slowly, figures began to emerge from the shadows of the vi, their movements cautious yet deliberate.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Yin Yue''s presence, though unseen, was a whispering breeze at Wang Xiao''s side. [Be on your guard], she murmured, her words a mere wisp of sound.


    Wang Xiao nodded slightly, his eyes sharp and calcting. He noted the positions of the emerging figures, their hands tensing on weapons, their eyes narrowing with suspicion and surprise. His mind raced through scenarios, escape routes, and defensive strategies.


    Then, amanding voice cut through the standoff. "Young man, you''ve made a wise decision. But know this, surrender doesn''t guarantee your safety. What''s your y?"


    Wang Xiao''s serene demeanor contrasted sharply with the charged atmosphere. "I''m here to talk to your leader, not to fight. Take me to him," he stated, his voice clear.


    Themander, momentarily taken aback by Wang Xiao''s calm assurance, tightened his grip on the trigger. With a grudging hiss, he ordered, "Fine, show your courage to the chief then!" He then barked at the others, "Escort him inside. Search him thoroughly. We don''t want any surprises."


    As Wang Xiao was led away, his expression remainedposed. He had anticipated such a search.


    Before entering the vi, he had discreetly activated a mechanism, ensuring the pouch containing the poison and antidote was safely out of reach.


    High above, twenty meters into the cloak of night, the pouch floated, rendered invisible under a viel of night and darkness.


    As Wang Xiao was briskly ushered through the vi''s imposing gates, nked by an unexpectedlyrge contingent of armed guards, he voiced a cautious inquiry to Yin Yue, ''Are there any powerful individuals nearby?''


    He discreetly scanned the surroundings, taking note of the numbers and positions of the guards. If the vi indeed harbored formidable foes, he needed to brace himself for what mighte.


    Yin Yue''s response floated back, tinged with a dismissive note, [No one of significant strength ¡ª just some humans with their toys.]


    Reassured yet vignt, Wang Xiao allowed himself a momentary breath of relief.


    Still, his mind remained alert, weaving through scenarios and strategies.


    His eyes, calm and piercing, missed no detail as he was led deeper into the heart of potential danger.

 Chapter 129: Enslaving Li Zhiming!

    Wang Xiao, surrounded by a phnx of guards d in ck uniforms, their automatic rifles at the ready, ascended the vi''s grand staircase.


    The soldiers, grim-faced and silent, formed a daunting barrier.


    Yet, intriguingly, none of them followed him as he was ushered into the bedroom at the top.


    The door shut behind him with a decisive click, isting him from the armed entourage.


    His world narrowed to the spacious room, where a lone figure awaited him. The man, stood with a mane of gray hair, eyed Wang Xiao with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.


    "Why do I feel like I''ve seen you before?" Li Zhiming murmured, slightly baffled.


    Wang Xiao''s red, glowing eyes seemed to stir a vague memory in him.


    Wang Xiao''s frown was brief, a shadow crossing his face.


    He chose to remain silent, his mind racing, assessing this new yer in the game.


    Li Zhiming shook his head, dismissing the fleeting thought. His voice hardened, "Which faction are you with? Regardless, since you''ve dared to challenge the Pantheonwork, don''t expect to leave this room alive!"


    Wang Xiao''s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. ''So, it''s called Pantheonwork,'' he mused internally, hearing a unknown word.


    He measured his response carefully, knowing that words were as potent as weapons here. "I don''t serve any faction. My actions are my own."


    Li Zhiming''s gaze was aser, sharp and prating, as he attempted to unravel the enigma of Wang Xiao. A whirlwind of thoughts raced through his mind. ''Could he be from the Illuminati? But after his conflict with Chimara''s Collective, perhaps he''s linked to the Echidna Cell. Rouran mentioned something about a superhuman...


    If this man is connected, we might finally have the leverage to challenge those who misused the Deviants.''


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao, with a discreet inward smile, had noticed the open window ¡ª a potential route for a swift and silent escape.


    Fate seemed to be conspiring in his favor today. With no formidable foes nearby, he could easily turn the tables.


    Yet, a direct confrontation might draw unwee attention.


    Curiosity about this new world and the man before him stayed his hand.


    For now, he would y the part of the captive, allowing Li Zhiming to unwittingly divulge valuable insights.


    Li Zhiming, having formted a hypothesis, pressed for answers. "Enough of this! Tell me, why attack the forces of the New World Order? If you''re not allied with any faction, what''s your interest in Fairy Ind?" His eyes, relentless and piercing, sought to pin Wang Xiao down like a specimen under scrutiny.


    Wang Xiao''s brow creased in a frown. ''New World Order? Pantheon Network? He mentioned he was from the Pantheon just moments ago. So, were yesterday''s forces from this New World Order? Allies, or perhaps rivals?''


    Li Zhiming''s frustration was rising as he raised his voice. "Why are you silent!? You can''t hide behind your organization any longer. You know the rules ¨C Deviants aren''t to be used for internal conflicts among groups. You''ve already killed your fellow member! Do you think there''s still a way out for you?"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes blinked, feigning ignorance. "What is this ''Deviant'' you speak of?" His question, simple yet deliberate, caught Li Zhiming off guard.


    "What? Nonse¡ª" Li Zhiming began, but he abruptly halted, scrutinizing Wang Xiao with a newfound intensity. "Aren''t you... too tall to be one of them? Are you from the early batches?" His voice wasced with confusion.


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened, his patience wearing thin. "Enough of this. Stop speaking in riddles."


    Whoosh!


    In that instant, Li Zhiming''s eyes snapped shut, sensing a strange dust being hurled towards him.


    His body instinctively recoiled, ''What is this!?'' Paned his thoughts as he reached for his gun, only to find his body unresponsive, paralyzed by the mysterious substance.


    Thud!


    Before he could copse, Wang Xiao, using psychokic powers, gently levitated Li Zhiming''s body onto the couch, simultaneously muffling any sound in the air.


    "Now, I will be the one asking questions," Wang Xiao dered, his voice a mix of calm andmand.


    "Let''s start with the basics," Wang Xiao began, his voice steady. "Exin to me what a Deviant is, and why you think I am one."


    Li Zhiming''s mind was in chaos, thoughts crashing against each other. ''Paralyzed? How? This man... he''s no ordinary!'' he realized, panic threading through his shock.


    He strained against the invisible bonds holding his body hostage, but his efforts were futile.


    ''Arghhh!'' No sound escaped his lips, no movement followed his desperate will.


    Wang Xiao observed the subtle flicker of fear and struggle in Li Zhiming''s eyes.


    The poison was quite fast and potent against ordinary mortals.


    Realizing the man couldn''t speak, a cold, calcting look crossed his face. "It seems you''re unable to talk. How unfortunate, but I''ll offer you a choice." His voice was steady, almostpassionate. "Die in this paralyzed state, and I''ll ensure everyone here meets the same fate. That includes your daughter."


    Li Zhiming''s heart seized. ''My daughter? Does he mean Rouran? No, not her...'' The very thought wed at him with icy fingers.


    Despite his desire to reject the offer, to embrace an honorable end over a lifetime of service, the image of his daughter''s face, her future, held him back.


    He couldn''t let his pride doom her.


    Wang Xiao continued, "The antidote is unique, crafted solely by my hand. Without it, you''ll need to face this paralysis monthly. If you wish to live, to protect those you care for, show me a sign."


    Desperation surged through Li Zhiming. He attempted to nod, but his body remained unyielding.


    Wang Xiao, understanding the limitation, instructed, "Move your eyes downwards if you agree."


    With monumental effort, Li Zhiming shifted his gaze downwards, the silent confirmation of his choice.


    Wang Xiao nodded, a flicker of respect passing through his eyes.


    From the shadows, a strange, ethereal liquid emerged, floating gracefully toward Li Zhiming.


    It entered his mouth, a ghostly elixir.


    Gulp.... Gulp


    Moments passed, each one an eternity for Li Zhiming, before the paralysis began to recede, sensation creeping back into his limbs.


    As the paralysis began to ebb away, Li Zhiming''s mind raced with a torrent of thoughts and emotions. ''Trapped. I''m utterly trapped,'' he realized with a sinking heart.


    The bitter taste of defeat and the tang of the strange elixir mingled in his mouth, a stark reminder of his new reality.


    Gasp... His first breath was ragged, a sound of life returning to the once motionless.


    Thud, thud, thud ¨C his heartbeat, once muted, now thundered in his ears, each beat a drum of war and survival.


    ''I''ve be a puppet, dancing on his strings,'' Li Zhimingughed internally.


    The weight of his decision, the safety of his daughter against his own autonomy, pressed down on him like a physical force. ''To protect her, I''ve gambled everything. May the heavens have mercy.''


    Swish...


    He flexed his fingers, the sound of fabric against skin whispering through the room, a evidence to his regained mobility and the invisible chains now binding him.


    Wang Xiao''s keen observation caught the subtle, furtive movement of Li Zhiming''s fingers inching towards a concealed gun. His brows furrowed in a silent warning. "Don''t even think about it," he uttered, his voice low yetced with unmistakable threat.


    Whoosh!


    In that instant, Li Zhiming felt an overwhelming force descend upon him, as if the weight of a hundred elephants waspressing his body.


    "Argh!" The sound tore from his throat, a expression of sudden, unbearable pain.


    !!


    The pressure was unimaginable, forcing Li Zhiming''s body to buckle under the invisible load.


    Thud!


    With a grimace etched on his face, he found himself involuntarily kneeling on the floor, his pride and defiance crumbling in the face of absolute power.


    As Li Zhiming kneeled, gasping under the crushing force, Wang Xiao stood over him, his expression an unreadable mask. "Old man, I thought we had an understanding," he said, his voice a cold, calm ripple in the charged air. "Actions like these make me question your sincerity."


    Li Zhiming struggled for breath, his mind a whirlwind of desperation and fury. ''Damn it! To be overpowered so effortlessly... What kind of monster is this man?'' His pride screamed in protest, but the pain was a brutal reminder of his current position.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed slightly, watching Li Zhiming''s every twitch and grimace. "Remember, I don''t need this poison to kill you, I can press you like ants anytime, the poison is merely to keep you under control. Don''t make me regret offering you a choice." His words were a steel trap, mping down on any lingering thoughts of rebellion Li Zhiming harbored.


    Wang Xiao, sensing the hesistation beneath Li Zhiming''s subdued exterior, chose to leverage the man''s most vulnerable point. "That girl, Anran, for her sake I would let you go unpunished, but there shall not be another time for you," he said, his voice carrying a hint of a warning veiled as mercy.


    Li Zhiming''s mind exploded, ''Damn! Anran again? ... How does he know about her? What does he want?''

 Chapter 130: The Bermuda Triangle!

    Li Zhiming''s mind exploded with questions, ''Damn! Anran again... How does he know about her? What does he want?'' The mention of his daughter pierced through the fog of pain and confusion, sharpening his focus. ''I must remain calm, gather information. Who is this man really?


    It''s I who have walked into a trap! I am being targetted!''


    As the oppressive force receded, Li Zhiming''s breath came easier, but the weight on his chest was not just physical.


    He looked up, meeting Wang Xiao''s gaze. "I... understand," he managed, every word an effort.


    Internally, he was another cunning thought. ''Anran is safe, for now. But I must uncover his motives, and who might be pulling his strings. Be calm... there would be an opportunity to strike back!''


    Wang Xiao, observing the flickers of emotion across Li Zhiming''s face, knew he''d struck the right chord. ''Fear for a loved one can tame even the wildest beast,'' heughed inwadly, reminding himself, ''But caution is necessary; desperate men are dangerous.''


    As the atmosphere in the room shifted from deathly tension to a temprorary ceasefire, Wang Xiao casually took a seat on the bed, his posture rxed but alert.


    He gestured towards Li Zhiming, now slowly regaining hisposure. "Okay, let''s start now. Tell me about the Deviants first," he demanded, his tone indicating that this was not a request but an order.


    Li Zhiming, still fighting with the lingering difort, straightened up as much as his recovering body would allow. He eyed Wang Xiao warily, weighing how much to reveal. ''He knows about my deepest secret. How deep does his knowledge go? What''s his motive?'' he thought cautiously.


    "The Deviants," he began, his voice now steadier, "are notmon knowledge. They''re individuals with extraordinary abilities, a step above in human evolution. Some say they''re the next step, others believe they''re nature''s anomalies." Li Zhiming paused, his eyes narrowing. "Why the interest? Shouldn''t you already know of this?"


    "Argh!" The pain was sharp and immediate, a cruel reminder of his ce.


    "Haha... Old man, don''t try to be crafty and test me. Answer what I ask, and tell me everything from the beginning!" Wang Xiao''s voice was stern, the pressure he exerted a tangible force pressing down on Li Zhiming.


    Li Zhiming''s mind raced. ''He''s a Deviant too, there''s no harm in sharing what I know.'' He decided, nodding slightly despite the solemn expression etched on his face.


    Relief washed over him as the pressure lifted. "Have you heard about the rumors of the Bermuda Triangle?" he asked, his voice a mix of resignation and mystery.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "It''s a region in the North Antic Ocean, isn''t it? But I thought those myths were debunked. Sailors vanishing into thin air, ships disappearing mysteriously. Weren''t they attributed to natural causes? High winds, maic variations, human error, even methane gas eruptions reducing water density."


    Li Zhiming''s smile was tinged with bitterness. "If only it were that simple." He sighed, a heavy sound filled with the weight of secrets. "Everything started in 1918, when USS Cyclops, a naval ship from country A, vanished into the Bermuda Triangle with over three hundred souls onboard."


    He paused, the memory of the event seeming to haunt him. "After their disappearance, the Bermuda Triangle became an puzzle to be solved. But formal investigations were dyed by the World Wars. It wasn''t until the infamous Flight 19 incident in 1945 that the military''s attention was truly recaptured."


    "Even a rescue ne sent after them disappeared. The navy sent numerous vessels secretly, straight into the gaping maw of the reaper¡ªthe Bermuda Triangle!"


    Wang Xiao leaned in, listining intently, each word painting a clearer picture of the mystery and danger thaty in the heart of the ocean.


    Li Zhiming, his voice now steady and imbued with a sense of deep, historical significance, continued his tale. "Ship after ship sent by the army kept disappearing for the next decade. However, in 1954, a breakthrough urred. The Lockheed Constetion managed tomunicate from within the Triangle!"


    His eyes took on a faraway look, as if visualizing the events he narrated. "The Bermuda Triangle was merely a fa?ade, a cover for thest existing piece of the eighth continent, Antia. This hiddenndmass, a floating ind, we named Pandora. It was a ce of myths, harboring secrets beyond our wildest dreams."


    Wang Xiao leaned forward, his interest piqued. ''Antia... A hidden continent?''


    Li Zhiming''s expression darkened slightly. "Communication with those inside was possible only via a secret wavelength. The people who had disappeared were embroiled in a war unlike any other. They faced unknown viruses, unprecedented beasts, and a dire scarcity of food and water. Yet, they managed to uncover many secrets and even captured a small portion of Pandora."


    "The establishment ofmunication with Pandora was a turning point. Within two years, the military aggressively sent expeditions, ultimately seizing control of the entire ind. They established a secret naval base and deployed teams of archaeologists and researchers."


    Wang Xiao''s mind was already working on the details, ''An entire hidden continent, a secret war, a struggle for survival and knowledge.'' He pondered the implications, the potential power and danger Pandora held.


    Li Zhiming''s words painted a picture of a world far moreplex andyered than whaty on the surface.


    A hidden history, a secret battle, all shrouded in the veil of the Bermuda Triangle.


    Li Zhiming chuckled, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "You''ve probably heard tales of ships vanishing into the Triangle, only to return without their crews. Those crews were taken by the navy, held within Pandora. The existence of such a ce is a tightly guarded secret.


    It''s the site of the world''s most advanced biotechb, Prometheus, and the most sophisticated internationalwork, Oracle Network. These are funded by interest groups and nations worldwide, operating independently of any single country''s control."


    He caught himself, a brief look of embarrassment crossing his face. "Ahem, sorry, I got a bit carried away there."


    Wang Xiao, picking up on Li Zhiming''s enthusiasm, probed further. "Have you been to this eighth continent yourself?"


    Li Zhiming fell silent, a myriad of memories shing behind his eyes.


    "Tch," Feeling the pressure mounting again, he clicked his tongue in resignation and admitted, "Yes, I''ve been there as the leader of the Pantheonwork. Prometheus''sb might just be the most powerful in the world, second only to the Guardians. It was the most thrilling experience of my life."

 Chapter 131: A Complete Truth!

    Wang Xiao decided not to press the old man too much about his experiences in Prometheus, merely nodding in acknowledgement. "What about this ''tunnel to heaven'' and the Deviants? And who are these Guardians?"


    Li Zhiming sighed, the weight of secrets heavy upon him. "The tunnel to heaven is...plex. As for the Deviants, they are key to everything. And the Guardians? They are the overseers of it all, the ones who truly hold power.


    But this is a story that goes deep, deeper than one can imagine."


    Wang Xiao''s interest was clearly piqued.


    The pieces of a vast, hidden puzzle were slowlying together, each information opening up new pathways.


    Li Zhiming''s tone was somber as he delved deeper into the mysteries of the Deviants. "The tunnel to heaven, the Deviants, and the pathway you asked about are all interlinked. The tunnel is more than it seems¡ªit''s a path to bing a Deviant. Its entrance is hidden in Frostholm, small enough only for children to enter."


    He paused, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "For over half a century, we''ve sent children into that abyss, ever since its existence was discovered in the ruins of Pandora. Those who enter... many never return. And those who doe back are transformed. They emerge with theposure of war-hardened veterans, some broken, some resolute, each carrying the burden of untold experiences.


    It''s as if they''ve lived through centuries in that brief span."


    Wang Xiao listened intently, his minding up with the implications. ''A pathway that transforms children into something... Else.''


    Li Zhiming continued, his voice a mixture of awe and dread. "We call those who return Deviants. They''re different in every conceivable way ¡ª their thoughts, their strength, their very essence. Not alle back with supernatural abilities, but even those without powers possess a maturity and understanding far beyond their years, surpassing even the most seasoned generals."


    He shook his head slightly, a gesture of disbelief.


    "These Deviants, they''ve formed their own legion, the Legion of the Deviants ¡ª It''s a term that signifies their otherness, their departure from what we consider normal."


    "Despite our efforts, they remain shrouded in mystery. They''ve formed a cult of their own, and even among themselves, there is little to no casual conversation. Everything about them is a closely guarded secret, beyond the reach of even Prometheus and Oracle."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed. ''A legion of transformed children, a cult shrouded in secrecy. What exactly happens in that tunnel? And how does it connect to the greater world?'' The questions only multiplied, with no answers up until now.


    Li Zhiming''s voice took on a reflective tone as he continued, "The Deviants lifespans vary greatly. Some Deviants die young, before they even reach thirty, while others are believed to live for centuries. Some might not physically age at all. Each Deviant is unique, making it impossible to generalize about their characteristics."


    Wang Xiao processed this information, then asked, "So you assumed I was a Deviant because of my powers?"


    Li Zhiming eyed him with a hint of suspicion. ''Could he really be unaware? Is he feigning ignorance, or has he lost his memory?'' These thoughts churned in his mind as he nodded. "Yes, your abilities led me to that conclusion."


    Wang Xiao''s interest then shifted. "What about the Guardians? What can you tell me about them?"


    Taking a deep breath, Li Zhiming ventured into the realm of the Guardians, a subject shrouded in even greater mystery. "The Guardians are a concept, almost mythical. We first learned of them from ancient texts found in Pandora''s ruins. These texts suggested that in ancient times, each continent was under the protection of a sacred Guardian.


    These beings were almost god-like, with the power to split the seas and move mountains."


    He paused, noting Wang Xiao''s reaction, which remained steady and unreadable. Encouraged, he continued, "To verify these ims, we cross-referenced them with religious texts worldwide¡ªBuddhism, Christianity, the pantheons of ancient Rome and Egypt, Hindu scriptures... Any religious or mythological texts that spoke of gods werepiled and analyzed meticulously."


    Li Zhiming''s narrative grew more animated, his words painting a grand puzzle of intersecting myths and realities. "When we mapped out these ancient myths, we realized they don''t conflict but rather belong to distinct timelines. Between these timelines, there are gaps, as though key events were deliberately erased from history.


    If all these myths werebined, they''d form a single, unified religion ¨C aplete truth."


    Wang Xiao absorbed this, his mind alight with possibilities.


    "And the most interesting part," Li Zhiming continued, "we found recurring figures across different cultures. These figures, interpreted in various ways and wrapped in local lore, gave rise to different religions. But when we analyzed thesemonalities, we confirmed the existence of these god-like figures ¨C the Guardians. Each possessed the power to split the earth, to obliterate continents."


    "The team at Prometheus is still unraveling more about the Guardians from ancient texts worldwide. However, the existence of any original Guardian remains unconfirmed, as if they vanished into thin air."


    Li Zhiming''s voice lowered, "The Legion of Deviants took it upon themselves to appoint new Guardians, selecting the strongest among them. This practice has been ongoing for thest fifty years."


    Wang Xiao''s interest peaked. ''New Guardians, appointed by the Deviants themselves...''


    "The internal nomination process of the Legion is a mystery to us ordinary humans. They rule continents, but the extent and duration of their reign remain unknown. And while these new Guardians are immensely powerful, they likely can''t destroy continents single-handedly."


    "The world as we know it is significantly influenced by the Legion and the Guardians. Their primary goal is to unearth any information about the original Guardians. And there''s a belief, a theory within the Legion... that the original Guardians might still be alive."


    Wang Xiao, processing the flood of information, finally found a thread of doubt to tug at. "You mentioned the eight continents and each having a Guardian, right?"


    Li Zhiming, momentarily taken aback, shook his head as if to clear it. "Ah, about that... We always believed there were only seven Guardians. Even now, there are only seven new Guardians. But we''ve recently realized a mistake in our¡ª"


    He stopped abruptly, his eyes widening in shock as they fixed on Wang Xiao.


    "Y-You..." His hand trembled as he pointed at Wang Xiao, his voice catching in his throat.


    Wang Xiao, his brow furrowed in confusion, pressed, "What about me?"


    Hiss!


    Li Zhiming, sensing the growing tension, took a deep breath to steady himself. "I knew I''ve seen you before... Your name is also Wang Xiao..." He reached for his cell phone in a hurried motion.

 Chapter 132: Wang Xiao: Most Wanted Man on the Planet!

    Whoosh!


    In a sh, Wang Xiao was at his side, his movement so swift it was almost a blur.


    He intended to snatch the phone away before Li Zhiming could do anything, but the image on the screen stopped him cold.


    His eyes locked onto the photo disyed on the phone, a mix of recognition and disbelief washing over him.


    Li Zhiming watched, the device still in his trembling hand, as Wang Xiao stared at the photo, the implications of this discovery etched into every line of his face.


    Li Zhiming''s confirmation sent a shockwave through the room. ''The red eyes, the same name... It''s him.''


    Shoosh!


    In an instant, Wang Xiao had the phone in his hand, retreating to his original position. Holding up the device, he demanded, "Exin this!" The foreign script on the screen was indecipherable to him, but the images were clear enough.


    Li Zhiming, his voice tinged with panic, stammered out an exnation. "W-We recently realized that there might actually be eight Guardians, not just seven. The images you''re holding... they were circted by Prometheus, not just to us but to every major organization worldwide, each apanied by a substantial bounty. The whole world is abuzz; bounties are being ced as we speak."


    He took a shaky breath, his eyes flickering between Wang Xiao and the phone. "One of the pictures... it resembles you." Li Zhiming''s voice was a mere whisper now. "The other is a girl with distinctive hair... We were instructed by Prometheus to report immediately if we found you. To capture you if possible.


    And this directive has the backing of all seven new Guardians. They want you, dead or alive."


    "Right now,  you''re the ¡ª Most wanted man on the."


    Wang Xiao''s mind raced as he absorbed Li Zhiming''s words. "But why?" he murmured, his fingers tapping a consistent rhythm against the phone.


    The idea that he, or this mysterious girl, could be connected to something as monumental as the eighth Guardian was almost ludicrous.


    And yet...


    Li Zhiming hesitated under Wang Xiao''s intense gaze, but the pressure of that starepelled him to speak. "Our theory is that you and the girl might hold the key to the identity of the eighth Guardian. There''s even a possibility that one of you¡ªor both¡ªcould actually be the eighth Guardian. This is unprecedented, and we''re still investigating whether a continent ever had more than one Guardian."


    Wang Xiao fell silent, his mind a whirlpool of thoughts.


    Amusement tinged his contemtion. The idea of being powerful enough to challenge the world, to stand alongside beings of legend, seemed far-fetched. ''Could I really survive an onught of modern weaponry, much less wield the power of a mythical Guardian? Haha ... Would these Guadians be able withstand a nuclear strike?''


    His thoughts drifted to the girl with peculiar hair, the one who shared his captivity. ''Is there a link between her and the whale attack? Could she... be the eighth Guardian? But she seemed so young, so helpless. And where did she disappear to that day?''


    The realization that he was being pulled into something far grander and more dangerous than anything he''d imagined settled heavily upon him.


    The world around him had changed, or perhaps it had always been this way, and he was just now seeing it for what it was.


    Either way, he was now a part of it, willingly or not.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze hardened.


    Regardless of his doubts and the uncertainty of his role in thisdrama, one thing was clear: he was in the eye of a storm that spanned the globe, and the choices he made from here on out would shape not just his destiny, but potentially that of the world itself.


    Yet, the choice had already been made....


    ''If they want to find me, let theme,'' he decided to teach them a good lesson.


    However, Wang Xiao''s initial resolve to confront his pursuers head-on shifted as Yin Yue cautioned him. Her reminder was a cold ssh of reality against the heat of his thoughts.


    [You should not act impulsively. It''s better to avoid attracting the attention of the existing Guardians. While these new Guardians may not match the original ones in strength, their capabilities are still unknown. And attracting the attention of hell spirits worldwide would turn your life into a nightmare.]


    Her words resonated with Wang Xiao, his expression sobering. His encounter with Jake on Fairy Ind had been a stark demonstration that there were forces out there far beyond his current understanding.


    ".... Tell me about Prometheus, Pantheon, and the other major yers. I want to understand the top structure of this world," he asked, his tone carrying a hint of detachment, as if viewing the world from a different vantage point.


    As Li Zhiming prepared to respond, Wang Xiao settled into a posture of keen attentiveness. ''If they suspect me to be an original Guardian, I might as well y the part to some extent.'' This was a game of information and power, and he needed to understand the rules and the yers if he was toe out on top of it sessfully.


    Gasp!


    Li Zhiming took a deep breath, and nced at Wang Xiao with a new sense of awe and apprehension. ''He''s not one of the Deviants. He could very well be the first original Guardian ¡ª the eighth Guardian.''


    This thought alone was enough to shift the dynamics of their conversation.


    The memory of the catastrophic event in the Antic Ocean two years ago, which he now suspected was connected to the Guardians, yed in his mind.


    He had seen the footage, witnessed the disy of power that defiedprehension. ''If such forces are at y, what chance does humanity stand against them?''


    The legends of the original Guardians had always portrayed them as god-like, revered and feared.


    Although the new Guardians sought a simr status, they nevermanded the same level of reverence.


    The difference was stark and undeniable.


    Now, facing what he believed to be an original Guardian, Li Zhiming''s demeanor changed.


    Gone was the cautious, measured tone of an spy.


    In its ce was a voiceced with respect and a hint of fear.


    With meticulous detail and no longer withholding any information, Li Zhiming began to exin the current global power structure, the roles of Prometheus and the Pantheon, and the intricate web of alliances and conflicts that shaped the world.


    His words were careful, chosen with the understanding that any falsehood might provoke the wrath of the being before him.


    Wang Xiao listened, his demon-like red eyes intently focused on Li Zhiming.

 Chapter 133: Mount Olympus Summit: The Structure of World!

    In the present day, aplex web of five prominent organizations operated on a global scale, standing apart from the all powerful Legion of Deviants.


    The ''New World Order'', shrouded in secrecy and bearing the alias of ''Zero'', thrived as a mysterious entity formed through a remarkable alliance spanning the realms of Europe, South America, and North America.


    Across the Southeast Asian [ASEAN]ndscape, the ''Dharma Council'' had established its presence, echoing the structure simr to Zero.


    Then there was the mysterious Order of Illuminati, a shadowy collective born of mercenaries and individuals deeply entrenched in the underbelly of society. Notably, it presided over thergest dark web markets.


    The choice of the name "Illuminati" was deliberate, a cunning move to ensure that even in the event of a genuine revtion, it could easily be dismissed as a joke or conspiracy.


    However, not everything was as it seemed.


    Two other entities, the ''Prometheus Division'' and the ''Oracle Network'', held a unique ce in this grand maze.


    They were not precisely organizations in the traditional sense butmanded the same level of influence as the three mentioned earlier.


    Nestled in Pandora, Antia, both operated independently, untouched by direct affiliations with any single nation.


    Instead, their members were carefully selected by influential figures and nations from every corner of the globe.


    To furtherplicate matters, within each of these entitiesy intricate subdivisions.


    For instance, Zero''s Intelligence division was known as the Pantheon Network, while their strategic and action unit bore the evocative moniker of Valkyrie''s Command.


    The Dharma Council stood tall as well, boasting its Bodhiwork for intelligence gathering and the formidable Karma Brigade for executing strategic operations.


    But then, there was the Order of Illuminati, a sprawling and decentralised entity, with its reach extending far and wide.


    Within itsbyrinthine structure, they held the X-Files Nexuswork for covert intelligence operations.


    Deep beneath the ocean''s depths, hidden away like a treasure,y the Biomedical Research group, Athena''s Cube, an counterpart to Prometheus.


    In the shadows, another one of it''s faction emerged - the formidable association of mercenaries and ck-market dealers known as the Chimera''s Collective.


    The order of illuminati also have a discreet strategic unit, akin to the Karma Brigade, known only as Echidna''s Cell.


    Meanwhile, the Prometheus Division and Oracle Networks preferred to operate in anonymity, seldom directly meddling in the affairs of the outside world. However, they garnered immense favor among the new Guardians, cementing their positions at the pinnacle of power.


    Presently, an extraordinary system had been set in motion to avert chaos in the presence of the Deviants.


    Yearly, the Mount Olympus Summit convened, with at least one Guardian in attendance and leaders from all five organizations participating.


    This assembly''s purpose was to allocate and authorize the number of Deviants to each faction.


    These Deviants were instrumental in advancing humanity''s collective development, with organizations utilizing their talents as they saw fit.


    Strikingly, direct conflict among the Deviants was sternly forbidden, a safeguard against catastrophic consequences.


    Yet, beneath this delicate facade where the five organizations appeared to hold the high ground, the real puppeteers were the Guardians, orchestrating global affairs from the shadows. The Deviants yed the role of their spies, discreetly monitoring every move.


    Theplexity of this world weighed heavily on Wang Xiao, rendering him silent for minutes as he contemted his ce within this equation of world power.


    Wang Xiao, his mind abyrinth of thoughts and strategies, now stood at the window, gazing into the distance.


    The world outside seemed smaller, more manageable from this vantage point, yet he knew the reality was far different.


    He was now the focus of a global hunt, a target for powers he had only just begun to understand.


    ''What can I do in a situation like this?'' he pondered.


    As long as he maintained the guise of being the eighth Guardian, ordinary humans like Li Zhiming would be too fearful to act against him.


    The reverence and terror in Li Zhiming''s eyes were testament to that.


    But such a facade would crumble in the face of other Deviants and the new Guardians.


    The intentions of these new Guardians troubled him.


    Their orders to capture or kill him suggested hostility towards the original Guardians.


    ''They seem far too hasty to erase all traces of the past, to cement their own rule,'' Wang Xiaoughed, piecing together the puzzle.


    Li Zhiming''s behavior when discussing the new Guardians, a mix of fear and disgust, further supported this theory.


    Unfortunately, Li Zhiming wasn''t in direct contact with the Guardians, being only a part of the Pantheon Network, a branch of Zero.


    To truly understand his enemies, Wang Xiao realized he needed to reach the higher echelons of these organizations.


    As he stood there, lost in thought, his figure cast a long shadow across the room, appearing almost otherworldly in Li Zhiming''s eyes.


    Wang Xiao''s presence was like that of a being from another realm, a figure of power.


    Li Zhiming observed Wang Xiao intently, increasingly convinced of his extraordinary nature.


    He watched as Wang Xiao turned abruptly, his movements fluid yet decisive, as though a crucial thought had suddenly struck him.


    "What about Fairy Ind? You haven''t mentioned that," Wang Xiao inquired.


    !!


    Caught off guard by the question, Li Zhiming hurried to gather his thoughts. "Fairy Ind... Yes, its rough coordinates were recently unearthed from the ruins of Pandora. The New World Order initially led the mission to pinpoint its exact location, but the Order of Illuminati intercepted the information. Our army, under Valkyrie''s Command, shed with a team from Chimera''s Collective."


    Li Zhiming paused, the memory of the incident casting a shadow over his features. "I was tasked to oversee the mission, sending Yuexiu Anran from the Pantheon Network to monitor the situation. But the unforeseen involvement of the lord dramatically altered the course of events, leading to the destruction of both teams."


    He sighed, a mixture of regret and solemnity in his voice. "I suspected the Illuminati might resort to underhanded tactics, so I sent a small team, including a Deviant named Adam, to ensure Anran''s safety. But he was... subdued by the lord." The loss of such a valuable asset weighed heavily on him; the Pantheon Network was now down to a single Deviant.


    Wang Xiao, absorbing this new information, nodded in understanding.


    He then asked directly, "How many Deviants do you currently have under your control?"


    Li Zhiming''s eyes flickered with a hint of difort at the question.


    The bnce of power within the Pantheon Network had shifted significantly, and divulging such information was not without risk.


    Yet, in the presence of Wang Xiao, whom he suspected to be an original Guardian, he feltpelled to answer truthfully.

 Chapter 134: Most Wanted Man — Wang Xiao! (2)

    Albeit his reservations, Li Zhiming revealed the status of the Deviants within the Pantheon Network. "Excluding Adam, we should only have one more. Amaya left recently. Her bond with Adam was akin to that of siblings, and I feared she wouldn''t be able to contain her emotions if she remained."


    Wang Xiao, seemingly indifferent, dismissed the mention of Amaya with a nonchnt nod. His mind was preupied withrger concerns; with the entire world as his adversary, the plight of one girl seemed trivial.


    His inquiry shifted focus. "You mentioned the coordinates of Fairy Ind were discovered by Prometheus. How then did your organization, the New World Order,e to possess them and not others?"


    Li Zhiming, taken aback by Wang Xiao''s astute deduction, couldn''t help but admire him inwardly before responding with a wry smile. "You''ve guessed correctly, Lord. There is a deep connection between Prometheus, Oracle Network, and Zero. The founding members of these organizations originated from the same continent and coborated in the past."


    Wang Xiao nodded, the web of alliances and histories bing clearer. Yet, another question arose, tinged with suspicion. "Aren''t you Chinese? How did you end up in a foreign organization?"


    Li Zhiming was momentarily taken aback by the question, wondering if Wang Xiao had any specific connection to China.


    He then shook his head, rifying, "I was born in country A to Chinese parents. My life and work in China were part of my mission to gather intelligence. Beyond that, I have no direct ties."


    Wang Xiao nodded thoughtfully, his directive was clear and concise. "The specifics don''t concern me. Just keep me informed of any actions your organization takes against me or Fairy Ind. And I''ll need a pair of phones along with some duplicate, fake identities."


    Li Zhiming nodded in agreement, "That can be arranged without difficulty."


    However, a fleeting hesitation in Li Zhiming''s eyes didn''t escape Wang Xiao''s notice. "What''s the issue?" he probed, sensing there was more to Li Zhiming''s reaction.


    Li Zhiming offered a bitter smile. "It''s not about that... I just wondered how you knew about my daughter. It''s been a closely guarded secret, not even disclosed to her."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, and a sly, internal chuckle escaped him. He decided to y into the mystery surrounding his persona. "I have my ways. I can see the same blood flowing in your veins as hers." His response was deliberately mysterious, while inwardly he marveled at his urate guess.


    He had initially thrown out the name Anran merely as a calcted risk, not knowing the exact nature of her rtionship with Li Zhiming.


    But Li Zhiming''s reaction to her mention had confirmed his suspicions.


    ''A simple guess leading to such a valuable information? This old man''s history must be quite extraordinary,'' Wang Xiao mused silently, amused. He wasn''t one to indulge in idle gossip, but the events intruged him.


    Standing at the window, his figure casting amanding shadow, Wang Xiao appeared every bit the powerful figure Li Zhiming believed him to be.


    The room, once a simple ce for an interrogation, now seemed to pulse with the undercurrents of secrets, power, and unspoken agreements.


    The atmosphere in the room shifted as Wang Xiao issued his final directives, his voice calm yet carrying an undercurrent of undeniable authority. "If there''s nothing else, you and your team are free to leave. However, leave your daughter here. I''ll take care of her. And don''t try any tricks¡ªI''ll give your daughter a different poison than yours. So, if you want her to survive, you''ll y along."


    He continued, outlining a simple yet effective narrative for Li Zhiming to ry to his daughter. "Tell her that I''m an old friend who once saved you. The events of yesterday were just a misunderstanding. She''s staying with me now for her safety, as someone is after her life. Keep it straightforward; over-exining will only raise suspicions.


    Since she knows you only as the leader of the Pantheon Network, amand from you should suffice."


    Li Zhiming felt a chill run down his spine. ''Ruthless indeed,'' he thought.


    Wang Xiao''s strategy was clear and calcted, leaving him no room to maneuver.


    He had wanted to conduct his own investigation upon returning, but with his daughter effectively a hostage, he dared not deviate from Wang Xiao''s n.


    Moreover, the cunning nature of the plot was evident. Wang Xiao, with his unnerving intelligence, seemed more like an ancient, scheming entity than a young man.


    By positioning himself as a savior and protector in Anran''s eyes, he was subtly nting seeds of trust and gratitude, which he canter leverage against Li Zhiming himself!


    Hiss!


    Too vicious!


    A cold sigh escaped Li Zhiming''s lips, the gravity of the situation sinking heavily on his mind.


    He gulped, his voice carrying a mixture of fear and plea, "I will do as youmand, but I request you not to reveal my true identity to her."


    Wang Xiao, intrigued by the request, nevertheless nodded. "She will be safe as long as you remain loyal. You may leave now if there''s nothing else."


    Li Zhiming hesitated, a storm of thoughts and fears swirling within him.


    After a few tense seconds, he mustered the courage to voice his deepest concern. "...If I may, what is your motive, Lord? I need to know that I''m not aiding a future catastrophe."


    Wang Xiao''s lips quirked into a smile, which soon erupted into genuineughter. ".... Catastrophe, you say?" He turned his back to Li Zhiming, his posture rxed yet somehowden with an ancient weariness.


    A flicker of mncholy crossed Wang Xiao''s face, unseen by Li Zhiming. "Once, I knew the pain of powerlessness... the chains of weakness," he mused, his hands rising as if to hold something invisible. "When I finally grasped power... do you know what vow I made to myself?"


    "To never be weak again!"


    "To neverpromise due to my weakness."


    "Let the worlde hunting. They will either bow their heads, or I will sever them from their necks, silencing their pursuit forever."


    His voice rose with a fierce determination, "I, Wang Xiao, refuse to live as a puppet at the mercy of fate, again and again!"


    "I will stand at the apex of the food chain. Even if an immortal god descends, I will chain him and keep his head as a trophy."


    Li Zhiming, standing there, felt the sheer intensity of Wang Xiao''s vow. It was as if the air in the room vibrated with the force of his conviction.


    Gulp...


    He swallowed hard, nearly falling to his knees, captivated and awestruck by the maic charm of Wang Xiao''s daring promation.


    Then, as swiftly as it had red, the intensity in Wang Xiao''s demeanor faded, reced by a calm smile.


    He turned back to Li Zhiming, his expression serene yetmanding. "For now, keep everything you''ve heard within these walls. Let it be forgotten, buried in silence. When the time is right, the world will know of my presence. It won''t require any announcement."

 Chapter 135: Enforcer for Prometheus!

    As Li Zhiming finally exited the room, his departure was marked by a sigh of relief. The cold sweat on his forehead was evidence to the intense pressure he had felt in Wang Xiao''s presence. His swift departure, almost akin to a retreat, underscored the impact of the encounter.


    Click...


    The door closed behind him with a soft, final sound. In the newfound silence of the room, Yin Yue''s voice echoed in Wang Xiao''s mind, a gentle yet stern reminder. [Your unconscious emotions and feelings have a profound effect on your surroundings. You must learn to control them. As your power grows, even the slightestpse could lead to catastrophic consequences.


    A mere flicker of emotional turmoil couldy waste to an entire city.]


    "..."


    Wang Xiao remained silent, absorbing her words.


    "Sigh..." A sigh escaped him as he consciously calmed his mind.


    Around him, objects that had begun to tremble and shake under the influence of his psychokic power now settled back into stillness.


    Psychokinesis was indeed a power not meant for the faint-hearted or weak-willed. It responded to the mind''s strength, both conscious and unconscious. Without mastery over both aspects, the power could be an uncontroble force of destruction, endangering the wielder and those around them.


    _________


    Perched at the highest point in the vi, Wang Xiao surveyed the scene below with a predator''s watchfulness.


    His figure, almost ethereal, was silhouetted against the sky as he contemted the potential oues of his recent confrontation.


    Despite his confidence, a wry concern lingered in the back of his mind about Li Zhiming''s next move.


    ''Would he dare to flee with his daughter, to escape my grasp?'' Wang Xiao pondered, his gaze sharp as he scanned for any hidden escape routes they might exploit.


    After all, the girl was an unintentional but valuable pawn in his game, providing him leverage over a powerful subordinate.


    Once assured of Li Zhiming''s departure, Wang Xiao glided back into the vi from the window, his presence asmanding as the shadow of a great bird of prey.


    Descending the stairs with an almost otherworldly grace, he paused, his eyes falling on the collection of handguns and automatic rifles spread across the table.


    There, a girl was engrossed in her examination of the weapons, her curiosity both profound and unsettling.


    Wang Xiao observed her, a hint of amusement mingling within him.


    If he didn''t know her capability to handle such things, he would have scolded her for treating a grenade with the casual curiosity of a child exploring a new toy.


    As Wang Xiao approached, his movements a silent whisper, the girl turned to face him, as if sensing his presence. In her hands, she held the grenade, her curiosity shining in her eyes. "Hey, do you know how this works?"


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Click!


    The situation escted abruptly with the Anran''s innocent click on the grenade, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and realization. "Oh, it worked..." she eximed as the grenade began to glow with an array of lights on its surface.


    Unfortunately she didn''t knew how to trigger it, this was a new model with functionalities she didn''t understand.


    Wang Xiao''s reaction was immediate. A sigh escaped him ¨C a mixture of resignation and urgency. In one swift, fluid motion, he used his psychokic abilities to seize control of the glowing grenade. With a flick of his wrist, he propelled it towards the main gate.


    Whoosh!


    The grenade hurtled through the air, but before it could clear the doorway, it erupted in a blinding explosion.


    Boom!


    "..."


    "...."


    "Buzzzzzz....."


    A sh of intense light enveloped the room, rendering everything within Wang Xiao''s vision a stark, blinding white. ''A shbang?'' he spected, momentarily disoriented as a ringing filled his ears.


    As the ringing in his ears subsided and his vision cleared, Wang Xiao quickly assessed the situation.


    Relieved that Anran hadn''t fled amidst the chaos, Wang Xiao surveyed the aftermath of the explosion. The windows and ss around them were cracked, thanks to the grenade''s power. "Please don''t do it again," he said, his voice filled with resignation.


    Anran, realizing the gravity of her actions, nodded guiltily and carefully set aside the firearms.


    She stood up and approached Wang Xiao, her demeanor shifting from curiosity to a more reflective seriousness.


    Anran''s expression of gratitude was formal, almost ritualistic, as she bent slightly, her hands raised in front of her as a sign of respect. "Thank you... for saving my life earlier," she said earnestly.


    Wang Xiao was momentarily taken aback by her formal gesture. He quicklyposed himself and, feigning an understanding of the situation, asked, "Did Li Zhiming tell you everything?"


    Anran straightened up, her nod firm. "Hmm... Uncle Zhiming did told few things... I didn''t know you were part of a new project, tracking defected Deviants."


    Wang Xiao internally raised an eyebrow. ''New Project? What story has Li Zhiming concocted?'' He kept his face neutral, not letting his confusion show.


    Anran continued, her tone slightly awkward, "Sorry for attacking you earlier." She seemed to be piecing together the information she''d been given, trying to reconcile it with the events she''d witnessed. ording to Li Zhiming, Wang Xiao was a new agent from a project initiated by Prometheus, tasked with tracking and eliminating Deviants who had defected, like Adam.


    The notion seemed difficult for her to fully ept, especially given her history with Adam. "Adam... he changed after returning from the tunnel. He wasn''t the person I knew before," she added, a hint of sadnesscing her words.


    Wang Xiao listened, piecing together the false narrative Li Zhiming had spun. ''So, I''m supposed to be some sort of enforcer for Prometheus... Interesting.'' He kept his thoughts hidden, maintaining the facade that had been crafted for him.


    Seeing her struggle with the revtions about Adam, Wang Xiao added, "It''s aplex world we live in," he said softly. "People change, sometimes in ways we can''t predict or understand. But know that you''re safe here."


    Slightly hesitant, Anran looked up at Wang Xiao with uncertainty in her eyes. "But why would someone want to use Adam to kill me? I can''t see what there is to gain from it."


    Wang Xiao shrugged nonchntly, maintaining the facade Li Zhiming had created. "I''ve only recentlye out. I have no idea about the specifics."


    Anran''s lips pressed together in a pout, her gaze skeptical. "You just don''t want to tell me."


    He nodded, a hint of a smirk ying on his lips. "Yes, I don''t." He walked over to the couch and settled downfortably. Anran followed him, sitting nearby and continuing to study his face with a mix of curiosity and defiance.


    "Hey, why do you have such long hair, like a girl''s...?" She leaned in closer, her fingers gently exploring the silky strands of his hair. Wang Xiao''s forehead creased with lines of annoyance at her forwardness, but Anran seemed unfazed. "It''s so silky..."


    Wang Xiao sighed, a part of him amused by her candidness. "Long hair doesn''t belong to any gender. It''s just a personal choice." He gently saved his hair from her slender fingers.

 Chapter 136: Terrifying Presence?

    Anran sat back, her curiosity momentarily satisfied.


    She looked at him, her expression a mixture of gratitude and lingering doubts. "I guess, but... I don''t like the way you operate," she said, her lips curving into a small, wry smile.


    Wang Xiao gave a nod, a gesture of understanding. "And what exactly do you dislike?" he inquired, his tone open and inviting.


    Anran extended her hand, counting off on her fingers. "Firstly, if you wanted to know something, you could have just told me who you are, then asked your questions. There''s no need for threats or violence; I''m not your enemy." She held up a second finger. "Secondly, you should act more... humanly when treating ady.


    And thirdly," she continued, her grin widening, "since you seem clueless about the world, let me educate you!"


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but wonder at her resilience. Perhaps she had grown ustomed to trauma, able to quickly move past even the most challenging situations.


    As she began to recount the same information Li Zhiming had shared, Wang Xiao yed along, listening attentively. It confirmed his suspicion that despite his earlier threats, Anran had withheld information. ''I need to be more decisive in future interrogations,'' he mused silently.


    Anran borated on the protocols they were trained to follow if captured, emphasizing the importance of revealing only certain details, even at the cost of their lives. While Wang Xiao found it hard to understand such unwavering loyalty, he recognized the futility of debating with someone deeply ingrained in military discipline.


    After confirming the details Li Zhiming had provided, Wang Xiao listened as Anran finally exhaled a sigh of relief. "So now it''s your turn! Were you in one of those big test tubes with green shiny liquid before you were sent on this mission?" she asked, her curiosity apparent.


    Anran''s spection about Wang Xiao''s origins took him by surprise, and he couldn''t help but shake his head, eliciting a look of disappointment from her. "The liquid was orange, not green, and it wasn''t exactly a test tube, but you''re halfway there," he corrected her with a hint of amusement.


    Her eyes lit up. ''I knew it!'' Anran thought triumphantly. She had always harbored suspicions about the activities of Prometheus. ''They must be creating superhumans in secret!'' Her mind raced with theories about why they operated from a high-security ind at an undisclosed location.


    Her attention then shifted to a rifle she had been examining earlier, before he came. With a confident gesture, she offered it to Wang Xiao, adjusting the safety lock. "Do you know how to use these, or should I teach you?" she asked, her tone yful yet challenging.


    Wang Xiao''s lips twitched in response. The ''rifle'' in her hands was actually a sniper rifle,ically oversizedpared to her petite frame. He was about to intervene, concerned she might identally discharge it, when the doorbell rang. The door was still open from Li Zhiming''s departure, revealing an agent standing there with a box.


    He epted the box, finding inside a series of new identities for himself and Anran, along with debit cards and a note confirming the restoration of utilities at the vi. ''Quite efficient,'' Wang Xiao mused, examining the contents.


    As he inspected a new phone, Anran, who had been sorting through her own items, looked up at him. "How long do we have to stay in this hideout?" she inquired.


    Wang Xiao, still focused on the phone, replied nonchntly, "As long as it takes to find out why someone wants to kill you."


    Anran''s skepticism was evident in her tone as she prodded Wang Xiao further. "Don''t you have any other work, like catching some Deviants?"


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened, a hint of feigned irritation creeping into his voice. "Stop asking so many questions. I had no connections with anyone in the Pantheon, and they didn''t know me either. If it weren''t for the HQ''s instructions to assist, I would''ve left right afterpleting my mission here."


    Anran leaned back, a yful yet challenging glint in her eyes. "Okay. But just so you know, I don''t believe everything you and uncle are saying. Your acting was too realistic yesterday!" She revealed her thoughts with a wide grin, confident in her own deductions.


    In her mind, she couldn''t be easily fooled. Despite not knowing the specifics and acknowledging that Adam might indeed have defected and her life could be in danger, Wang Xiao''s existence remained an riddle to her.


    His entire persona was shrouded in mystery.


    She recalled how he seemed clueless at first, and now suddenly he was ying a crucial role. ''Was he really unaware, or was it all an act?'' she pondered.


    Despite her doubts, she knew her role requiredpliance and minimal questioning, especially given her trust in Li Zhiming.


    She decided to ept the dubious narrative for the time being.


    Anran considered the possibility that Wang Xiao might be from a neutral faction like Prometheus and had switched allegiance to Li Zhiming''s side. ''If that''s true, it''s a secret best kept hidden,'' she thought, aware of the delicate bnce of power and alliances in their world.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze lingered on Anran for a few moments before he redirected his attention to the TV, flipping through channels in search of English broadcasts to catch up on global events.


    She didn''t press for anymore answers either, knowing all to well, the futility of such act.


    Rather, she quietly retreated upstairs, only to return momentster with a nket, which she wordlessly offered to Wang Xiao before disappearing again.


    He held the nket in his hands, a perplexed expression on his face. "How weird," he muttered under his breath.


    The cold never bothered him, but the gesture, unexpected and oddly considerate, left him pondering her motives.


    Yin Yue''s voice echoed in his mind, a touch of amusement in her tone. [Pfttt... Is she troublesome?]


    Wang Xiao shrugged slightly, his thoughts elsewhere. ''Who knows, she just seems quite happy for some reason.''


    [Maybe because she got a vacation after a long time? Or maybe being around someone who isn''t a spy is a change for her, you know?] Yin Yue suggested, trying to understand Anran''s demeanor.


    Wang Xiao''s thoughts were already racing ahead. ''I don''t care much for that. What bothers me is how to proceed from here. There are too many variables, and now people want to hunt me.''


    [You know, I could teach you more about PK, but it would take time.] Yin Yue offered, then her tone shifted, bing more serious. [By the way, when Li Zhiming was leaving, I sensed a very terrifying presence in the town. It was strong... very strong. A hell spirit, perhaps.]


    Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed in concern. ''Should I be worried?''


    [Not exactly. The entity''s target wasn''t you. It must have sensed us but chose not to act. How about we go outside and take a stroll? We might find some clues or even learn more about this presence.]

 Chapter 137: Grayhaven Town!

    Equipped with a ten-dor bill, his phone, and a few cards for necessities, Wang Xiao stepped out into the night. His goal was clear ¡ª to find clues about any supernatural presence in town.


    The town of Grayhaven, nestled on the outskirts of the Whispering Woods, was his starting point. The woods themselves were an expansive, uninhabitable area stretching out beyond the town, shrouded in mystery and darkness.


    Despite its sparse poptionpared to the bustling cities of China, Icevale had a surprisingly vibrant nightlife. The streets were quieter than those he was ustomed to, but the people he passed moved with a purpose, their faces illuminated by the asional streetlight and the mesmerizing dance of the aurora lights above.


    The natural spectacle of shimmering greens and blues cast an ethereal glow over the town.


    Wang Xiao found himself momentarily pondering by the beauty of the aurora lights, a rare sight for someone from his part of the world.


    It added ayer of surreal calm to the night, contrasting sharply with the turmoil of his thoughts.


    As he walked, in the Frostview Harbor, his senses attuned to the environment around him


    Frostview Harbor was a medley of quaint charm andtent secrets, its cobblestone pathways winding through an array of weathered, yet sturdy, maritime buildings. As Wang Xiao made his way through, the salty tang of the sea mingled with the crisp night air, filling his lungs with the essence of this unfamiliar ce.


    [Stop! Check out the girl to the right, she''s strange.]  Just then, Yin Yue''s voice urged him to halt, prompting an abrupt pause in Wang Xiao''s stride.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze fell upon a young girl, standing alone with a basket of vibrant blossoms. Her name, he woulde to learn, was Aurora. She was a vision of otherworldly beauty, with long, silver hair braided with delicate orange blossoms that echoed the floral wreath crowning her head. Her eyes, a piercing shade of sapphire, held the depth and mystery of the ocean itself.


    She was wrapped in a teal cloak that swirled around her like the froth of sea waves, a evidence to her bond with the coastal elements of this town.


    Upon spotting Wang Xiaoing towards her, Aurora''s expression tightened, a shadow of discontent passing over her features. "The market is closed for the night. Return with the dawn tommorow," she said, her voice a melodyced with an edge of firmness.


    Driven by Yin Yue''s nudge, Wang Xiao unfurled a ten-dor bill, holding it out towards her. "Ten dors for a single bloom? Perhaps you can reconsider?"


    !!


    A momentary flicker of surprise graced Aura''s face before she masked it with a veneer of calm. "Very well," she acquiesced, her hand gesturing towards the array of petals while the other unconsciously grazed the flowers woven into her hair. "Choose any, but the ones on my head¡ªthey are not for sale."


    Wang Xiao nodded, his eyes meandering over the blooms. He sent a silent query to hispanion, ''Yue? Found anything?''


    In his mind, Yin Yue''s voice floated back, tinged with concentration. [Not yet, give me a moment.]


    Time seemed to stall as Wang Xiao feigned interest in the flowers.


    Impatience knitted Aura''s brow. "Do you truly intend to purchase, or are you here to squander my time?"


    Almost simultaneously, Yin Yue''s confirmation came. [She''s clear. Not our target.]


    At that instant, Aura made to retrieve her basket, her patience frayed. "Since you''ve no wish to buy, I must depart¡ª"


    But Wang Xiao, prompted by an unseen force, selected a cluster of seavender. Extending the bill towards her, he dered, "This one."


    With a curt nod, Aura took the money. "Very well. Good evening." She turned on her heel, her departure swift and final.


    Wang Xiao watched her go, a murmur escaping his lips, "Such haste to leave... Do sales not interest her?"


    He voiced his lingering doubts, "Yue, are you certain she''s not the one?"


    Yin Yue responded with certainty that carried a hint of something deeper. [There''s no trace of otherworldly essence on her, unless she''s concealed it beyond my reach¡ªwhich would be extraordinary.]


    Wang Xiao sighed, his gaze still on the retreating figure of Aura. "Perhaps I''m just unustomed to the people here."


    With the cluster of seavender still in his grasp, Wang Xiao scanned the surroundings, the harbor''s nocturne wrapping around him. Yin Yue''s voice pierced the stillness, urgent and sharp. [Up there¡ªon the rooftops. I''ve picked up a trail.]


    "Upwards, on the roof?" The seavender''s delicate fragrance lingered as he focused his gaze upward.


    Without a second thought for the bystanders, he leaped, his body cutting a graceful arc against the night sky.


    Whoosh!


    From the street below, a symphony of murmured astonishment rose.


    "Did you see that?" a voice quivered. "A man... he just¡ª" another trailed off, too perplexed to finish.


    A child''s voice rang clear, "Mom, look! He flew!"


    But Wang Xiao was already gone, swallowed by the shadows above.


    They chased the trail through thebyrinth of Frostview Harbor, with Yin Yue''s guidance a constant beacon.


    But after a circuitous half-hour of pursuit, the spectral breadcrumbs dissipated on an empty street bathed in the cold glow of streetlights.


    A sigh of disappointment escaped Wang Xiao''s lips.


    He was about to retreat when the warm amber light of the "Boreal Caf¨¦" across the street caught his eye.


    Its exterior was a charming mix of rustic wood and modern ss, the name etched in elegant script above the door. Soft light spilled from its windows, casting inviting shapes onto the pavement.


    Inside, patrons were ensconced in the warm glow, their conversations a murmur beneath the smooth jazz that trickled out into the night.


    Wang Xiao''s attention, however, snapped back to Aurora, who sat alone on a corner table in the caf¨¦, her earlier aura of mystery now wrapped in the caf¨¦''s ambiance.


    "What is she doing in a expensive ce like this?" he mused under his breath, curiosity piquing his interest.


    Her eyes met his, a flicker of suspicion passing through them before he retreated, stepping back into the shadow-strewn alley as Yin Yue''s discovery of a new trail beckoned him away from the light and into the deeper dark of the unknown.


    ______


    Inside, Aurora''s solitude was interrupted by the sight of Wang Xiao outside. Her brow furrowed with suspicion, ''Is he following me?''


    Compelled by a mix of intrigue and caution, she rose, her movements fluid as the waves that whispered to the harbor''s edge.


    Pushing through the caf¨¦''s door, she stepped out just in time to see Wang Xiao vanish into the night. "Weirdo..." she muttered to the empty street, a mix of annoyance and confusion in her voice.


    Her eyes lifted to the rooftops, catching the briefest glimpse of a shadow leaping with unnatural grace. ''Is that him again?'' The thought sparked a new curiosity within her, her earlier annoyance now tinged with a growing interest.


    The flowers in her hair seemed to nod with her movements, as if urging her towards the mystery that had just found across the rooftops of the Harbor.

 Chapter 138: Hrímturs Bar

    In the deste embrace of a street less traversed, Wang Xiao came to a standstill, his pursuit having reached its silent terminus.


    Yin Yue''s voice echoed in his head, tinged with frustration. [It was here! I''m certain¡ªthe aura was unmistakable, but it''s vanished now!]


    A sigh escaped Wang Xiao''s lips, his breath visible in the cool air. "We were toote. And what then? If we had caught up with the hell spirit, what were we to do?"


    Yin Yue''s response carried a hint of reassurance. [Not all hell spirits are as violent as the one we faced before. The weaker their strength, the less cunning they possess. This one, however, is among the mightiest. It would not seek to harm you unless its schemes were threatened¡ªhence its evasion. A dialogue could have shed light on its intentions.]


    Wang Xiao nodded slowly, the possibility of knowledge untapped weighing on him. "Information could have been advantageous... but for now, we stand empty-handed." His gaze lingered on the shadow-strewn street, Before his eyes were drawn to a building across the way, where the first floor radiated with an inviting glow.


    The sight stirred a nostalgia within him, a recollection of his own days in the Shuangxue bar, where the past had been both afort and a cage. With a shake of his head, as if to dispel the ghosts of memories, he decided to immerse himself in the present.


    "Let''s go inside and take a look..." he suggested to Yin Yue, more to himself than to her.


    Stepping into the street, he approached the establishment. The sign above read "Hr¨ªmturs Bar," its local name a nod to the mythic frost giants, a fitting theme for a ce in Frostview Harbor.


    The interior exuded a warmth that seemed to push back against the chill of its namesake, with d¨¦cor that melded sleek, modern lines with rustic, natural elements.


    The lighting was dim but weing, casting a golden hue over the faces of the patrons, who ranged from weary fishermen to young couples, all seeking thefort ofpanionship and a good drink.


    Wang Xiao found a spot at the bar, the polished surface reflecting the bottles of spirits behind it, each one a different shade and shape.


    The bartender, a man with a thick beard and an easy smile, approached.


    "What''ll it be?" he asked in English after noticing Wang Xiao''s nationality, his voice carrying the faintest hint of an local ent.


    "Just something refreshing, thanks," Wang Xiao replied, still scanning the room discreetly.


    As the bartender poured his drink, Wang Xiao''s attention was caught by a group of patrons speaking in hushed tones.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Their bodynguage suggested intimacy, and though he couldn''t grasp the entirety of their conversation, they seem to be making out.


    Wang Xiao sipped his beer, the chilled bitterness a contrast to the peculiar warmth of Hr¨ªmturs Bar.


    He couldn''t help but mutter under his breath, "Weird ce..." His eyes roved across the room, taking in the scene that was a far cry from the Chinese bars he was ustomed to, where intimacy was usually hidden in dim corners, not openly disyed.


    This ce was different¡ªcouples and trios alike shared affections without a shade of secrecy, some seemingly entangled in ndestine rtionships. An open celebration of desires that, in any other bar, would have been curtained away from prying eyes.


    One woman, nked by two men, caught his attention and for a moment, his eyebrow raised in silent question.


    It wasn''t his ce to judge, but the openness was concerning. He turned away, focusing on the beer in his hand, the froth atop the amber liquid a wee distraction.


    "It tastes so bitter... How do people drink this?" Wang Xiao grimaced, setting the ss aside after a few sips. The public disys of affection around him grew more pronounced, challenging his preconceptions. Two men shared a tender kiss nearby, prompting him to muse, "Has the world changed so much in thest two years...?"


    As he pondered the swift social transformations, a new presence slid onto the stool beside him, her hand identally brushing against his. The unexpected touch jolted him from his thoughts.


    "It indeed has changed," the stranger remarked, her voice a soft echo of Wang Xiao''s inner musings.


    The woman signaled the bartender with a practiced ease. "I''ll have a ss of the house red, please," she said, her tone confident yet unobtrusive. As the bartender nodded and moved to fulfill the order, she turned her attention back to Wang Xiao.


    "I''m Lian," she introduced herself, extending a hand that was a blend of grace and strength. Her hair, a striking mix of red and ck strands, framed her face in a cascade of color, reflecting her mixed Chinese and English heritage. Her English was fluent, tinged with the subtlest of ents that hinted at her bicultural background.


    Wang Xiao took her hand briefly, noting the firmness of her grip. "Wang Xiao," he replied, a mix of caution and curiosity in his tone.


    Lian''s wine arrived, and she took a sip, her gaze not leaving Wang Xiao. "It''s not often you see someone new around Hr¨ªmturs Bar, especially one who seems so... out of ce."


    Her observation was astute, and Wang Xiao found himself inadvertently scrutinizing the patrons once more. "I''m just passing through," he said, his voice neutral but his mind alert for any underlying significance in her words.


    Lian''s smile broadened, a yful glint in her eyes. "Passing through Frostview Harbor, or passing through experiences? This bar is more than just a ce for drinks¡ªit''s a crossroads of sorts. Peoplee here carrying their own stories, leave with new ones. Some, like you, are in the midst of discovering which story they belong to."


    Wang Xiao tilted his head slightly, his gaze intently studying her face. His eyes, a striking shade of red, seemed to catch Lian off guard. She quickly averted her gaze, adopting a moreposed demeanor as she lifted her wine ss for another sip. "I see you''re from China," she remarked casually.

 Chapter 139: Re-living the Memories?

    Wang Xiao tilted his head slightly, his gaze intently studying her face. His eyes, a striking shade of red, seemed to catch Lian off guard.


    She quickly averted her gaze, adopting a moreposed demeanor as she lifted her wine ss for another sip. "I see you''re from China," she remarked casually.


    A slight smile tugged at the corners of Wang Xiao''s mouth. "I''m just grateful to be alive. I prefer not to attach myself too closely to any one ce."


    Lian chuckled at his response, herughter genuine. "Is that so...? By the way, the woman over there in the left corner is also from China. Came with her family on a trip and snuck out tonight for a bit of fun."


    His eyes briefly darted to the woman Lian pointed out, the same one sandwiched between two men earlier.


    Continuing her observation, Lian said, "People from all corners of the globe flock here, seeking their own brand of fun. Don''t feel out of ce with the culture here¡ªit''s a haven for open love."


    Wang Xiao shook his head with a wry smile, "I''m not one to judge others'' choices. As for me, I prefer... let''s say, a more clean type women, it''s not that I can''t hold my own preferences, can I?... And if you''re done with the pleasantries, why not be direct about your real intention here?" His tone, though calm, carried a hint of impatience.


    Lian''s expression faltered for a moment, then she leaned in closer, a conspiratorial gleam in her eyes. "No need to get worked up. I came with an offer. The other floors of this bar¡ªhave you wondered what''s up there? We cater to a variety of tastes, including those more... refined, like yours." Her voice dropped to a whisper, her lips barely moving as she spoke.


    In her eyes, Wang Xiao was different from the usual clientele, more handsome and interesting, yet his disinterest only made her more determined to engage him in the other aspects of Bar''s offerings.


    Interest piqued, Wang Xiao leaned slightly closer. "What about the local vor? Is that on offer here?"


    A spark of eagerness flickered in Lian''s eyes. "Absolutely, we offer not just local delights but exotic choices from afar. I can arrange something truly special¡ªa fresh, unspoiled flower for you. But remember, the finest selectionse at a premium."


    Wang Xiao was almost swayed, his curiosity nudging him forward, but then practicality reasserted itself. He reached for his wallet, only to remember theck of cash.


    "Another day perhaps. I didn''t bring any cash with me tonight," he said, with a shake of his head, while pulling out a card to settle for his drink, Lian''s hand quickly intercepted his.


    Her nce towards the bartender was swift and subtle. "The drinks are on me," she dered, guiding him upstairs while casually holding onto his card. Wang Xiao''s frown deepened, his instinct to attack rising, but Lian was quick to reassure, "We ept various payment methods. No need for concern."


    Her assurance did little to ease Wang Xiao''s wariness. He allowed himself to be led, his senses alert, not just to Lian''s motives but to the new environment unfolding before him as they ascended to the second floor of bar.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    _______


    The second floor of Hr¨ªmturs Bar was a stark contrast to the bustling, open atmosphere of the ground level. Dimly lit, with ambient, soft music ying in the background, it exuded an air of exclusivity and secrecy. Plush sofas and private booths lined the walls, each hosting its own little world of hushed conversations and discreet interactions.


    Lian led Wang Xiao through the semi-private spaces, her confidence never wavering. The patrons they passed offered little more than cursory nces, too absorbed in their own affairs.


    The corridor was hushed, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere of the floors below. Lian''s heels clicked rhythmically against the polished floor as she led Wang Xiao towards another staircase, spiraling upwards to the third floor. The air was cooler here, the ambiance more refined and secluded.


    "I''ve arranged a more exclusive setting for you. The rooms down there are rather cramped and unimpressive," Lian exined, her voice smooth but carrying an undertone of pride. As they ascended, she added casually, "Just so you''re aware, the price for this level of service starts at $10,000."


    Wang Xiao, however, seemed more interested in his surroundings than in Lian''s words. His eyes swept over the intricate details of the corridor, the subtle art pieces, and the discreet doors lining the hallway.


    Lian''s annoyance flickered across her face, unnoticed by Wang Xiao. She had been about to mention a potential discount, but his apparent disinterest quelled that thought. Silently, she used his card toplete a wireless transaction, the amount disappearing into the bar''s ounts.


    Reaching the third floor, she handed the card back to him. "Everything''s settled. This floor is where we offer our most... exquisite experiences," she said, her toneced with a hint of irritation masked by professionalism.


    Wang Xiao''sposed demeanor hid a storm of thoughts as he pocketed his card. The subtle surprise at the transaction was quickly overshadowed by his need to stay focused in this unfamiliar environment.


    Yin Yue''s voice, ever-present yet unseen, whispered in his mind, [Let''s cook her alive if she tries to trick you.]


    Wang Xiao''s response was a quiet, unexpected nod. ''Good idea.''


    Yin Yue was momentarily taken aback by his seriousness. [...]


    The corridor they walked through wasvishly decorated, the soft lighting casting elongated shadows. Every detail screamed luxury, but Wang Xiao''s mind was elsewhere, weighing possibilities and strategies.


    Lian, unaware of the silent exchange between Wang Xiao and his unseenpanion, led him to a door at the end of the corridor. She paused, her hand on the doorknob, "This is your room. What awaits inside is tailored to ensure your utmost satisfaction."


    Wang Xiao''s gaze lingered on the door, his mind calming down.


    As he stepped into the room, he braced himself, ready for whatever¡ªor whoever¡ªwaited inside.

 Chapter 140: *Key to Success!* (1)

    In the room, adorned with luxury and mystery, Wang Xiao''s gaze came to rest on a familiar figure.


    Near a vase filled with vibrant flowers, positioned against an open window, stood the girl with the distinctive silver hair ¨C the same girl who had earlier sold flowers in the streets.


    "It''s you..." he said, recognition dawning in his voice. It was Aurora, the seemingly aloof flower seller.


    A realization hit Wang Xiao, connecting the dots between her earlier appearance at the expensive caf¨¦ and now here, in the exclusive room of Hr¨ªmturs Bar. ''Is this how she affords her expensive tastes?'' he pondered, a wry smirk ying on his lips. ''So that''s her key to sess...''


    At the sound of his voice, Aurora turned, her expression a mixture of surprise and caution. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her eyes scanning him, trying to read his presence in this unexpected ce.


    Her posture turned guarded, the moonlight from the open window casting a silver glow on her hair, entuating the unique mix of strength and fragility in her expression.


    "Are you trying to follow me?" Her voice rose slightly, an edge of usation threading through her words.


    Wang Xiao responded with a nonchnt smirk, closing the door behind him. "Tch, no need to pretend anymore, I have paid in advance," he said, his voice a mix of amusement and irony.


    He advanced towards her, reducing the distance between them. His movements were deliberate, each step echoing in the otherwise silent room. Aurora watched, her astonishment growing with each of Wang Xiao''s strides.


    In a fluid motion that caught her off guard, he unbuttoned and removed his red shirt, revealing a well-toned physique shaped by years of training and discipline. The action was bold, almost provocative, yet there was a calcted coolness in his demeanor.


    "You...?"


    Aurora stood frozen, a realization dawning on her. Her body refused to move as she noticed something strange. Wang Xiao, with a subtly sinister smile, had already guided her to the grand bed across the room.


    !!


    It was only when his lips brushed against hers that Aurora awoke. The sudden kiss jolted her out of her initial shock. "So smooth..." Wang Xiao murmured, his gaze lingering on her face. Aurora''s eyes widened in disbelief at his boldness.


    "You''re quite exceptional for a country girl..." Wang Xiao remarked, gently grasping her cheeks and stretching them. His eyes roamed her face, lingering particrly on her deep, ocean-like eyes that held an irresistible allure.


    "..."


    Speechless, her expression morphed into one as if seen a ghost, Aurora shook her head to walk out of her Intial suprise, and focus.


    "Are y¡ª" she tried to formte words, but Wang Xiao''s lips descended upon hers, cutting off any attempt at speech.


    The room spun as she grappled with the whirlwind of emotions his kiss ignited.


    Aurora''s mind raced. ''This can''t be happening,'' she thought. ''Is he for real..."


    Pffttt


    Then, unexpectedly,ughter bubbled up within her, breaking the tense atmosphere. It was a melodic sound, one that filled the room with a sense of lightness, almost surreal in its spontaneity.


    Wang Xiao, taken aback, withdrew slightly, a look of confusion crossing his features. ''Is something wrong with her mind?'' he wondered, his previous confidence momentarily faltering.


    Herughter wasn''t mocking, nor was it nervous¡ªit was as if she found genuine amusement in the situation, a response he hadn''t anticipated.


    Her smile, radiant and unguarded, seemed to illuminate the room, casting a different light on everything around them.


    For a moment, Wang Xiao found himself lost in that smile, feeling a stirring within him, a shift from his initial intentions.


    Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears of mirth as she regained herposure. "Sorry," she said between giggles, "I just... I didn''t expect you to be so... direct..." Her voice trailed off, stillced with the remnants of herughter.


    She continued, herughter tapering off into a series of amused chuckles. "This is all so absurd, isn''t it?"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s gaze fell upon her face, which now radiated with a captivating glow. She looked undeniably charming, but beyond that, she exuded an annoyance that prickled at his senses. Her words carried a tone that seemed to belittle him, as if she regarded him as a mere child.


    Without a moment''s hesitation, he leaned in closer, sucking over her pristine lips.


    Simultaneously, his hands skillfully unchained and discarded her teal blue jacket, casting it aside with a dismissive toss.


    ''This guy!?'' Aurora''s astonishment left her momentarily speechless as his tongue invaded her mouth, while he restrained her movements.


    She fought against the impulse to bite down, an unfamiliar tingling sensation surging through her body, both thrilling and perplexing.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Their fiery embrace intensified, tongues colliding in a passionate battle as their bodies pressed together. Wang Xiao''s hands roamed the curves of Aurora''s waist, igniting a surge of desire within him.


    In the midst of their heated exchange, Aurora''s eyes flickered. Her initial resistance began to waver, reced by a growing surrender to the sensations coursing through her.


    The strange tingling feeling that had initially unsettled her now became a thrilling current that electrified every inch of her being.


    Eventually, they reluctantly broke apart, gasping for breath.


    "Haaa..... Y-you, listen to me first!" Aurora spoke, her voice filled with frustration. However, her words seemed to be met withplete disregard as Wang Xiao shed a smirk, and confidently raised her hands above the mattress, locking them together.


    Aurora''s plea grew desperate. "Are you even listening!?" she eximed, but Wang Xiao''s gaze was immediately drawn to her current attire ¨C a crisp white top adorned with intricate teal blue embroidery, hugging her waist. Below, she wore a flowing skirt in a captivating shade of blue.


    In that moment, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but notice the ample size of Aurora''s breasts, cleverly concealed behind her clothing.


    His curiosity sparked, he disregarded her pleas and boldly reached out, grasping the hem of her top from below. With a swift motion, he tugged it upwards, stripping it away from her body.


    "Ugh!"


    The sound of Aurora''s gasp filled the air, her lips pressed together in a mix of astonishment and frustration.


    She watched helplessly as her words dissolved in the space between them, overshadowed by the audacious removal of her clothes.


    Wang Xiao''s hands found their way to her silky, jade-like skin, his fingertips sinking into its plush softness.


    Ignoring any need for consent, he effortlessly unsped her white bra, without so much as a word passing his lips.

 Chapter 141: *Key to Success* (2)

    Ignoring any need for consent, Wang Xiao effortlessly unsped her white bra, without so much as a word passing his lips.


    !!


    "You! Stop, or I will turn you into charcoal!"


    Aurora hissed, her breasts, protected for so long, nowy bare in front of him.


    Their roundness was perfect and firm, like ripe fruit waiting to be plucked, while a beautiful, light pink cherry adorned the center.


    Wang Xiao stared at her fuming face, his eyes locked onto her exposed treasures, before yfully touching her nose.A mischievous smile crept across his face. "So, you like games like this, huh?" He chuckled, his voice dripping with desire.


    "Well then, I am more than happy to apany you." Without wasting a second, he leaned in, pushing his face against her neck and covering the area with a series of passionate kisses.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    A heavenly scent, fresh and cool, invaded his senses, emanating from her velvety skin.


    As hey above her, his firm chest pressed against her breasts, their erect nipples grazed against his skin, sending shivers down their spines.


    Aurora''s panic started to rise. "Hey, hey! Wait, don''t be so hasty, listen to me fir¡ª" Before she could finish her plea, Wang Xiao silenced her with another intense kiss.


    Herrge eyes widened in astonishment, locked onto his, as his skilled hands explored every inch of her body.


    Each touch sent an intoxicating blend of temptation and addiction coursing through her veins, creating a peculiar and unforgettable chill.


    Her face and neck zed a fiery shade of red, an unmistakable flush that spoke of desire and anticipation.


    As his hands descended upon her chest, her eyes flickered with nervous excitement, mirroring the fluttering in her racing heart.


    The touch, a gentle pressure on her breast, sent shockwaves through her entire being, causing her body to quiver in response.


    ''This bastard has no patience!'' she silently cursed him with a fiery re, concealing her own blushing cheeks.


    Reluctantly, she closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment, and wrapped her legs around his back, catching him off guard, his own desire momentarily faltering.


    "Huh, already lost the character?" Wang Xiao smirked in thought, ignoring his own momentarypse as his hand continued its relentless exploration, kneading and caressing her breasts.


    His fingers teased and toyed with her nipples, awaking a primal longing within her.


    He imed her lips with fervent possessiveness, invading her mouth with a hungry, consuming kiss that left no doubt of his intent.


    Their lips fused with an electric connection, a passionate link that transcended the physical realm.


    Determination surged through him, and with the agility of a predator, he skillfully used his legs to strip away her skirt, aplishing a near impossibility in one swift motion.


    It was as if every obstacle that stood between them was obliterated in their quest for unrestrained pleasure.


    As the panties sailed through the air, caught in the current of their growing desire, he freed her hands, allowing her to eagerly wrap them around his neck.


    Their kisses grew in intensity, their passion escting to dizzying heights, a symphony of longing and pleasure that drowned out the world around them.


    Wang Xiao, though suprised she didn''t want to y the earlier game of victim anymore, was unable to resist, he found himself drawn to her delicate body.


    His hands explored eagerly, fingers gently caressing her clit.


    "Mmmm~" Aurora couldn''t help but shiver, eyes losing all semnce of sanity, turning misty.


    In a whirlwind of desire, Wang Xiao''s remaining garments were torn from his body, soaring through the air.


    Her pitiful, helpless expression proved irresistible.


    His throbbing member now nestled between her thighs, he locked eyes with her, capturing her lost gaze, their desire echoing through the room.


    A gulp escaped Wang Xiao''s throat as he pressed the tip of his pulsating manhood against her inviting folds, allowing it to slip inside her, plunging them both into waves of ecstasy.


    "Mnghhh...."


    Aurora''s lips parted, a moan escaping as pristine pleasure washed over her. In the same instant, Wang Xiao seized her, his lips capturing hers hungrily, his arms wrapping her body tightly in an embrace.


    "Ugh!"


    Her eyes snapped open, wide with shock and disbelief, as she locked her gaze onto him, her unblinking eyes filled with a mixture of fear and confusion. The pain she felt flickered across her face, draining it of color and extinguishing any trace of lust or desire that had been there before.


    In this moment, everything changed for her, and she couldn''t help but wonder, ''What did he do to me?''


    As Wang Xiao continued his actions, an insidious excitement surged through him. He had chosen a prostitute without caring about her virginity, but now, feeling the resistance of her hymen and knowing that he was the one causing her physical difort, he found a twisted pleasure in breaking her maidenhood.


    "Mnmmhh!"


    Aurora couldn''t help but let out a muffled moan as he pulled back, her entire body trembling with pleasure and pain.


    As the pain dulled and a wave of ecstasy washed over her, the lust reignited in her eyes.


    She instinctively wrapped her arms and legs tightly around him, drawing him closer, her embrace both desperate and intimate.


    Knock... Knock!


    Right when Wang Xiao was about to unleash his inner beast, a sudden knock shattered the intense atmosphere.


    Reluctantly, he pulled himself away from Aurora, delightfully licking her tasty lips onest time. With a mixture of annoyance and curiosity, he shifted his gaze towards the door, fervently wishing for the interruption to vanish. "Come backter, I am busy!" he snapped.


    Knock knock!


    The persistent knocks from the other side of the door grew more insistent, filling the room with escting tension.


    Wang Xiao furrowed his brow, his impatience merging with a tinge of concern.


    Finally, he let out a resigned sigh and hastily retrieved his shirt from the cluttered floor. In one swift motion, he wrapped it around his lower body, concealing his manhood now smeared with hints of crimson virgin blood, belonging to Aurora.


    Determined to confront the intruder, he marched towards the door, his mind still tangled in a whirlwind of heated emotions.


    Meanwhile, Aurora watched him depart with a perplexed frown, gripping onto the remnants of her own flushed face. She pped herself, grounding her back to reality.

 Chapter 142: Making them Pay!

    Twenty minutes ago....


    Lian found herself on the second floor of Hr¨ªmturs Bar, approaching a woman leaning against the balcony.


    With long, flowing ck hair and an air of quiet authority, she was smoking contemtively. This was Linda, the owner of the bar.


    "Linda, I''ve given your room to a client for tonight. You can use mine," Lian said, joining her at the balcony.


    Linda took a drag from her cigarette, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "Someone wealthy, I presume? Haha, looks like you''re in for a profitable night. How about a drink to celebrate?" Her voice held a mix of amusement and business-like detachment.


    "Drinks on me, then," Lian agreed with a nod. "And I''ve asked Aisha to apany him."


    Linda''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Aisha? The first-year girl looking to make some extra cash?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "That''s the one," Lian confirmed.


    Linda shook her head, exhaling a stream of smoke. "Her parents would turn this ce upside down if they found out. Not that it matters to her, apparently."


    "We''re not here to judge family matters," Lian remarked dismissively. "That''s their internal issue."


    Linda seemed to ept this, but then her expression shifted, a new thought dawning. "You sent him to my room, didn''t you?"


    Lian nodded, a hint of skepticism in her eyes.


    Linda''s expression suddenly changed, a frown creasing her forehead. "Did you check the room first?"


    Lian''s expression was one of confusion. "Why would I need to check inside?" she asked, her brows knitting together in perplexity.


    Linda''s frustration was palpable as she pped her forehead in exasperation. "Come with me, now!" she demanded, grabbing Lian''s hand and pulling her toward the staircase.


    As they hurried upstairs, a young woman with brte hair, dressed in a flowing red dress, called out, "Madam Lian!"


    Lian and Linda paused, turning to see Aisha approaching. Lian''s frown deepened. "Aisha, you''re already here? Good,e with us." Without waiting for a response, she resumed her brisk pace, Aisha trailing behind them.


    Curiosity and concernced Lian''s whisper as she nudged Linda. "What''s got you so worked up?"


    Linda''s response was a mix of worry and disbelief. "This morning, I met a girl carrying a basket of beautiful flowers. She asked for a ce to stay just for the day, and in exchange for some of her flowers, I let her use my room. She said she''d leave by tomorrow. But now, if you''ve given my room to someone else..." Her voice trailed off, the implications hanging heavily in the air.


    Lian''s face paled as the realization dawned on her. "You mean she might still be in your room..." The thought sent a jolt of panic through her.


    The consequences of such an oversight could be disastrous, both for their reputation and for the safety and privacy of their guests.


    The trio finally reached outside of Linda''s room, and halted thier steps.


    Bam!


    Linda''s knocks reverberated through the hallway, each one a sharp punctuation in the tense silence.


    Aisha, standing a step behind, felt her heart race with a mixture of fear and excitement. ''This is my first time... What will happen?'' she thought, the anticipation sending a nervous shiver down her spine.


    Click!


    The door swung open, revealing a man with long ck hair and a barely-there cloth around his waist.


    His expression was one of annoyance as he faced the trio. "What''s going on?" he directed the question at Lian, his toneced with irritation.


    Aisha''s mind went nk as her eyes fixed on Wang Xiao. The sight of him, so unexpectedly unveiled, sent a shock through her system, and she felt a warm trickle from her nose.


    Meanwhile, Linda, assuming a position of authority, stepped forward to handle the situation.


    "I''m Linda, the owner of this establishment. Was there a girl in here with you?" Her voice was firm, cutting through the confusion.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze shifted to the authoritative woman before him. "Yes, there¡ª" He paused, turning to indicate the room behind him, but the space was empty. Puzzlement flickered across his face.


    "Step aside," Lindamanded, her tone leaving no room for argument. She strode into the room, her eyes scanning every inch for any sign of the mysterious girl. Lian followed closely behind, her own curiosity piqued.


    Aisha, her mind still reeling and misunderstanding the situation, bit her lip nervously and stepped into the room after the others.


    Her eyes darted around, partly in search of the girl they were speaking of and partly out of a confused fascination with the man who had greeted them at the door.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze drifted to the open window as the chilly night breeze wafted in, ruffling the curtains. "So she escaped, huh..." he mused, half to himself, his back against the cool wall. His eyes narrowed slightly at the window. ''Did she jump from here?''


    A wry chuckle escaped him as he entertained the thought. ''Was I so monstrous that she felt the need to leap from the third floor to get away?'' His eyes dropped briefly to the slight bulge beneath his waistcloth. "Maybe I am," he joked lightly, a hint of pride in his tone.


    Meanwhile, Linda''s search became increasingly frantic. "Where is the girl?" she demanded, her eyes darting around the room. The sheets were in disarray, and a small stain of blood on the fabric caught her attention, deepening her concern.


    She spun around to face Wang Xiao, her expression one of urgency and usation. "Where did the girl go?" Her voice was sharp, demanding an exnation.


    Wang Xiao simply shook his head, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the three women in the room. "If it weren''t for you guys barging in, maybe she wouldn''t have run away," he replied coolly.


    As he spoke, the cloth wrapped around his waist began to loosen. Without any sense of urgency or embarrassment, it slipped to the floor, leaving him exposed.


    !!


    The sudden revtion sparked a myriad of reactions among the women, but Wang Xiao, with an air of nonchnce, strode toward them. "Since she has escaped because of your actions, each of you shall bear the consequences! " he dered firmly.


    Linda''s mind echoed in shock. "What!?" she eximed, disbelief and anger intertwining in her voice. "What nonsense is this! I am the owner¡ªah!"


    Her protest was cut short as Wang Xiao, with a swift motion, tossed her onto the bed.


    Lian''s face registered a mix of resignation and dismay, yet she silently epted her fate. Aisha, on the other hand, remained utterly impassive, not showing the slightest inclination to resist.


    Throughout the night, the bed groaned and creaked under their movements, echoing through the quiet room.


    Finally, as dawn approached, Wang Xiaoy back, a satisfied smile on his face, having experienced the most unforgettable night in this foreignnd.

 Chapter 143: Dead...?

    24th April, 2026!


    As Wang Xiao approached the abandoned vi that served as his temporary stronghold, the air was thick with the night''s unresolved mysteries. The vi''s silhouette against the morning sky, seemed to echo with the secrets it housed.


    Yin Yue''s voice, usually so certain, carried a note of doubt. [I think there''s something off about that flower girl.]


    Wang Xiao''s brows arched in mild surprise. "You took this long to figure that out? Is she the one we''ve been searching for?"


    Yin Yue''s response was tinged with skepticism. [I''m not sure... The energy traces we''ve been following are of a powerful hell spirit, but her... she''s an.... I can''t say for sure if they''re the same.]


    "Next time, we''ll ask her directly," Wang Xiao resolved, his voice firm with determination.


    As they reached the entrance of the vi, a mutual understanding settled between them. Yet, that resolve was abruptly shaken when Wang Xiao pushed open the door.


    Grumble...


    "..."


    As he finally entered the vi, a deep, unsettling sound reverberated through the darkened halls of the vi, halting them in their tracks.


    The atmosphere filled with the unknown, he found not a lurking spirit but a far more terrifying scene.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Anran, sat hunched over in the dim light, her figure small and solemn.


    Her eyes, usually so bright, were shadowed with the unmistakable signs of fatigue and frustration. The sight of her, so dejected, momentarily pushed away the night''s eerie events from Wang Xiao''s mind.


    "What happened to you...?" Wang Xiao''s voice trailed off as he took in Anran''s disheveled appearance, momentarily lost for words.


    Anran, who had been lying listlessly with her head on the table, suddenly perked up, her movement reminiscent of a zombie returning to life. "You''re finally back," she said with a weak chuckle, "Hehe...I was beginning to think I''d die here, just like this."


    Wang Xiao''s lips twitched in bemusement as he approached her, his eyes scanning her for any sign of illness. "What in the world happened to you? Did you eat something strange?" His tone wasced with both concern and suspicion.


    Anran grasped his hand gently, shaking her head with exaggerated weariness. "No, that''s just it.... I didn''t eat anything....The kitchen is empty, and I don''t even have any spare clothes. I''ve been recycling the same underwear..." Her voice was a mix of melodrama and genuine difort.


    Wang Xiao, at a loss for words, just stared at her, his expression a mixture of confusion and bewilderment.


    Anran, leaning into her act, let out a dramatic chuckle. "Well, at least now I can die in peace..." With that, she copsed against him, her head resting on his shoulder.


    Just then, a distinct aroma caught her attention, and her demeanor shifted instantly. ''So many women in a single night...?'' she thought, her eyes narrowing slightly as she nced up at Wang Xiao. But then, she noticed the cluster of flowers in his hand.


    "Hey, are those for me?" she asked, her posture straightening as her eyes lit up with newfound energy.


    Wang Xiao, taken aback by her sudden change in behavior, remained silent. ''Was she acting all this time?'' he wondered, still trying to make sense of her dramatic mood swings.


    Before he could respond, Anran snatched the flowers from his grasp and inhaled deeply, a look of bliss crossing her face. "They smell so refreshing... Ah, I feel like my energy''sing back."


    Anran, still clutching the flowers, leaned forward impulsively and nted a kiss on Wang Xiao''s cheek. "Thank you for the flowers," she said, her voice tinged with a yful melodrama. She continued her performance, her eyes glistening with mock tears that might as well have been borrowed from a crocodile. "This is the first time in my life someone has brought me something so nice..."


    Her eyes, brimming with exaggerated sorrow, met Wang Xiao''s, conveying a pitiful yet somewhat true look.


    Wang Xiao''s expression shifted from one of mild frustration to realization as Anran''s antics inadvertently highlighted their actual need for supplies. "Go upstairs and wash your face. We''re going out for a bit," he instructed, his voice tinged with a newfound sense of purpose.


    Anran''s eyes widened in surprise. "Heh? Really...?" Her tone was a mix of disbelief and excitement.


    He nodded in affirmation, prompting her to jump into action. "Give me five minutes!" she dered enthusiastically, cing the flowers carefully on the table before hurrying upstairs.


    Once she was out of sight, Wang Xiao murmured to himself with a wry smile, "Take ten... You''ll be carrying the bags anyway..."


    Yin Yue, [...]


    Settling into a chair, Wang Xiao''s gaze fell on the flowers left behind by Anran. He picked them up, bringing them closer to inhale their scent. "They are indeed refreshing," he murmured, a gentle sigh escaping him. The aroma of the flowers, simple and natural, provided a momentary relief from theplexities of his life.


    Yin Yue''s sudden interjection caught Wang Xiao''s attention, pulling him from his brief moment of tranquility. "Wang Xiao... The flowers..."


    "What about them?" he asked, his interest piqued.


    Yin Yue continued, [They are refreshing.]


    "Yes, so?" Wang Xiao wasn''t sure where she was leading.


    [It''s been a day already, but why haven''t they started showing signs of withering? There is something wrong.]


    At her words, Wang Xiao''s casual interest shifted to alertness. He picked up the cluster of flowers again, examining them more closely. "It is indeed as fresh as yesterday..." he murmured, a frown creasing his brow as he noted the unnatural vitality of the blooms.


    Yin Yue''s next instruction was firm, [Dissect them!]


    Without a hint of surprise at her suggestion, Wang Xiao walked to the kitchen and retrieved a knife.


    Returning to the table, he began to methodically dissect the flowers one by one.


    His movements were precise, the result of years of handling more than just flowers with such tools.


    As he worked, the room filled with a tense silence, broken only by the soft sounds of petals being carefully separated and stems being sliced. Wang Xiao''s focus was absolute, his mind racing with possibilities.


    What secret did these seemingly innocent flowers hold?


    And how did it connect to the flower girl who had given them to him?

 Chapter 144: Loving and Caring boyfriend — Wang Xiao?

    Fifteen minutester, Anran descended the stairs, her appearance transformed. Her hair was neatly arranged, and her face glowed with a refreshed vitality, signaling her readiness to venture outside.


    She wore a white gown that entuated her graceful figure, though it bore a slight tear near her right leg ¨C a reminder of a recent injury inflicted by Wang Xiao in a moment of conflict.


    The wound, now carefully bandaged, didn''t seem to hinder her movement, a testament to her resilience and adaptability as a spy.


    As Anran stepped into the room, her eyes immediately fell on Wang Xiao, engrossed in dissecting the flowers. "What are you doing?" she asked, her curiosity piqued by the unusual sight.


    Wang Xiao didn''t look up from his task. "There''s something odd about these flowers. They haven''t withered at all since yesterday," he exined, his voiceced with concentration.


    "That is stran¡ª" Anran approached the table, observing the deconstructed flora, her voice cut inbetween, a sudden realization gawned at her.


    Her eyes, fixated on the torn petals of thevender, shimmered with a mix of shock and burgeoning sorrow. "T-That''s... my flowers..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, disbeliefcing each word.


    Wang Xiao paused his meticulous work, looking up at Anran. Her expression, a blend of confusion and distress, made him reconsider the simple act of dissecting the flowers.


    The petals, once part of a beautiful arrangement, nowy in fragments, their secrets yet to be uncovered.


    He noted the quick welling of tears in her eyes. ''How quickly she can summon tears,'' he thought, wondering if it was another dramatic act or a genuine emotional response.


    "Since we''re going outside, I''ll buy you more of them," Wang Xiao proposed, setting aside the knife.


    He felt no obligation to do so, but at the same time, there was no reason not to offer. It was a simple gesture, perhaps one that could ease the unexpected tension that had arisen.


    Anran remained silent for a moment, her eyes still fixed on the remnants of the flowers.


    Then, as if flipping a switch, she wiped away her tears, her demeanor abruptly changing.


    The gears of her acting shifted into a more familiar, dramatic mode. "You can''t go back on your words!" she dered, a feigned sternness in her voice.


    Her mood visibly lifted, the prospect of new flowers bringing a spark back into her eyes. "Let''s not waste any time! Move ahead!" she eximed, her earlier sadness seemingly forgotten as she headed towards the door with renewed energy.


    "..."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Wang Xiao''s mind was a whirlpool of thoughts as he followed Anran.


    He had agreed to go out not just to rece the flowers, but also with the hope of encountering the mysterious flower girl again.


    His recent analysis of the flowers had led him to an intriguing conclusion: she might have origins from within Xianthera, a ce renowned for its inhabitants'' extraordinary abilities.


    The flowers, upon close inspection andparison with online databases, were fundamentally different in structure.


    Such an alteration suggested a remarkable level of knowledge and control over PK (Psychokinesis), a skill that was highly revered and rare.


    He recalled thest individual he knew with such ability, Bing Xueli, who could alter her body''s cellr structure to reverse aging.


    However, even she admitted her inability to apply this transformation to others.


    This led Wang Xiao to surmise that the flower girl must have dedicated her life to studying flowers, acquiring an extensive understanding of their biology.


    The uniqueness of the flowers she sold was too significant to be a mere coincidence.


    But why would she sell such extraordinary creations?


    Wang Xiao was certain it wasn''t for money.


    With these thoughts simmering in his mind, Wang Xiao quickened his pace, catching up to the buoyant Anran.


    ______


    "Why are you so excited?" Wang Xiao finally asked as they meandered through Frostview Harbor, his pace leisurely to match Anran''s exploratory one.


    Anran, her eyes dancing with curiosity and excitement, came to a stop in front of a flower shop. "It''s like a free paid vacation! Why shouldn''t I be excited?" she replied, her gazending on a stunning array of flowers. After a moment of contemtion, she pointed to a bouquet of blue roses. "This one, I want this!"


    Wang Xiao nodded, reaching into his pocket for the cash he had withdrawn from an ATM along the way. As he was about to pay the shopkeeper, Anran stopped him, allowing only a single 500 krona note to be handed over. She then carefully selected a single blue rose from the bouquet, examining it closely.


    The shopkeeper, a woman with the worn features of age, frowned at the unconventional purchase. "Hey, t¨² getur ekki bara eitt stykki!" she protested in dic, which Wang Xiao didn''t understand.


    Anran turned to the shopkeeper with a charming, pleading smile. "S?ll, ¨¦g ¨¢ afm?li ¨ª dag! Og ¨¦g vil ekki ae k?rastinn minn h¨¦r eyei of miklu, hann ¨¢ l¨ªtie af peningum," she spoke fluently, weaving a tale of a birthday and a frugal boyfriend.


    Wang Xiao could only watch in astonishment as Anran effortlessly navigated the situation, her words seemingly melting the shopkeeper''s resistance. The old woman finally conceded, her expression softening as she epted the payment for the single rose.


    The old woman''s stern expression melted into a smile as she let them go, her words a mystery to Wang Xiao as Anran swiftly grabbed his hand, leading them away with a relieved exhale. "Phew... I thought she would catch us!" she eximed, though Wang Xiao sensed her underlying confidence.


    They reached the guardrail, where Anran perched herself while Wang Xiao leaned in, curiosity piqued. "What did you tell her?" he inquired.


    Anran''s response was nonchnt. "Nothing much, just that it''s my birthday, and she gave in," she admitted.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow. "It''s your birthday today?" His tone was one of suspicion.


    Her smile turned cheeky, confirming his suspicion without a word. "So you lied..." he concluded.


    Anran''s defense was quick and light-hearted. "Hey, hey! It''s not a lie if she doesn''t know!" she pouted yfully.


    Wang Xiao wasn''t quite convinced. "It indeed isn''t, but didn''t you say quite a lot of things to her? And she also stared and turned around at me. What else did you say to her?" He remembered the old woman''s judgmental nce.


    Caught in her half-truths, Anran hesitated. "I...."


    Sensing her reluctance, Wang Xiao subtly moved his hand towards the knife concealed at his back, a precautionary habit. Noticing his movement, Anran''s eyes snapped shut, and she blurted out her confession in a rush. "I told them you''re my boyfriend and that you love me very much!"


    Wang Xiao, ''Lie''


    Yin Yue agreed, [Liar]

 Chapter 145: Thrown into the Sea!

    Anran''s eyes snapped shut, and she blurted out her confession in a rush. "I told them you''re my boyfriend and that you love me very much!"


    Wang Xiao, ''Lie''


    Yin Yue agreed, [Liar]


    Whoosh!


    Anran''s eyes widened in shock.


    "Ah!?"


    The sound was barely out of her mouth before she found herself airborne, the ground suddenly disappearing beneath her feet.


    Ssh!


    The cold embrace of the sea enveloped her, silencing her exmation.


    She surfaced momentster, sputtering and wide-eyed. "Eh?" she gasped, her earlier confidence reced by utter astonishment.


    Floating in the water, Anran looked up to find Wang Xiao standing at the guardrail, a slight smile ying on his lips. In his hand, he held the single blue rose she had painstakingly chosen earlier.


    After a moment, Anran, now thoroughly drenched, mbered out of the water and trudged back to her previous spot on the guardrail, her mood a mix of sulkiness and disbelief.


    Wang Xiao watched her return, his expression a blend of amusement and mild curiosity.


    As she sat down, Wang Xiao extended the rose towards her. "Here," he said, offering the flower as a peace offering.


    Anran, still dripping and a bit disheveled, looked at the rose, then at Wang Xiao. Her sulky expression slowly shifted into a reluctant smile. "You didn''t have to throw me in," she said, her voice carrying a mock reproach but softened by the hint of a smile.


    Wang Xiao shrugged, the ghost of a smile still on his face. "Consider it a reminder not to lie. Or at least, not to get caught," he replied, his tone light but an underlying threat.


    Anran epted the rose, her fingers brushing against his as she took it. "Fine, I''ll be more careful next time," she conceded, her spirits lifted by the gesture.


    The rose, once a simple object of beauty, had now be a symbol of this memory for her.


    However, Anran''s reaction was quick, almostical, as she noticed Wang Xiao''s hand moving towards her once more.


    In a swift, fluid motion, she hopped off the guardrail, raising her hands in a gesture of surrender. "Ah, please forgive me! I swear, I won''t ever try to lie to you again!" she eximed, her voice tinged with a slight seriousness.


    Wang Xiao paused, his hand mid-air, and then let out a soft chuckle. He hadn''t intended to throw her in again, but her dramatic response amused him. "I''ll hold you to that, lie to me again and you would die," he replied, his tone light yet firm.


    Anran looked up at Wang Xiao with earnest eyes. "I won''t, I swear! So can we go and get me new clothes? These ones are already wet!" she implored, lifting her drenched hands to emphasize her point.


    Wang Xiao gave a nod of agreement. "That''s fine. But I''m curious ¨C how do you know thenguage here so well? And your acting... It''s quite professional," he inquired, genuinely intrigued by her skills.


    Anran''s response was a sudden freeze, her body going rigid as if turned to stone. She then dramatically flopped down onto the ground, beginning to draw circles on the polished road with a finger. "I knew it... We spies are always overshadowed by assassins... People don''t even remember us in the story...." she murmured with exaggerated sorrow.


    Wang Xiao''s lips twitched involuntarily. His gaze fixed on her, unblinking, he yed along, "Let''s go back then, no shopping anymore¡ª"


    Whoosh!


    Before he could finish his sentence, a shadow leaped forward. "Big brother!" Anran''s voice rang out as she clung to his legs, as if holding to her dear life.


    Her sudden, affectionate outburst drew murmurs and stares from the people around them.


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened with mock anger. "This insolent creature!" he eximed. In a swift motion, he lifted Anran and tossed her back into the water, this time further out, ensuring she''d have a longer swim back.


    "Eh?" Anran''s eyes widened in surprise as she once again found herself airborne, the ground swiftly receding beneath her. "I hate you, Wang Xiao!" she shouted mid-air, sticking her tongue out in a yful gesture of defiance, moments before sshing into the water.


    Wang Xiao stood at the edge, watching her. Despite his stern expression, there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.


    Anran''s ssh was a small spectacle, drawing more attention from the onlookers.


    Wang Xiao watched with a hint of resignation. ''If not for Li Zhiming''s loyalty, she would have died a thousand times already...'' he mused silently.


    His own patience was often tested by her antics, he wasn''t particrly a peaceful person, who likes jokes and dramas.


    ______


    Two hourster, the atmosphere had settled into a more peaceful rhythm. They were back at their earlier spot, surrounded by a collection of shopping bags from various high-end stores.


    Anran was quietly enjoying her ice cream, a look of contentment on her face, while the bags near her legs held an assortment of new clothes for both her and Wang Xiao.


    Throughout their shopping spree, Anran''s uninhibited behavior had been on full disy.


    At one point, she had boldly approached Wang Xiao in the middle of a store, holding up two pairs of panties and asking him which he preferred for the night.


    Needless to say, the subsequent events had been anything but tranquil for her.


    Now, as they rxed, the blue rose petals floated aimlessly around the city. Leaning against the guardrail, Wang Xiao caught sight of a broken petal drifting in the sea. He turned to Anran and asked, "... Do you like the blue color?"


    Anran paused, then looked at him with a hint of understanding. "You mean why I chose the blue rose?" Her tone was unusually serious. Wang Xiao nodded, prompting her to continue. "It''s my mom, she liked thos¡ª hm?"N?v(el)B\\jnn


    But before she could finish, a loud burst of music filled the air. Anran''s head whipped around, her expression shifting instantly.


    There was a sh of recognition in her eyes, and a sudden urgency.

 Chapter 146: Unknown Attackers (1)

    "Hey, did you hear that?" Anran''s voice carried a mix of excitement and nostalgia, her ears perking up as her eyes lit up with a smile.


    Wang Xiao, taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor, responded, "What?"


    Without further exnation, Anran grabbed his hand, her grip firm and insistent. "Come with me!" she urged, quickly finishing her ice cream with a few hasty bites.


    Wang Xiao curiosity piqued by her enthusiasm, as he walked alongside.


    As they wove through the bustling streets of Frostview Harbor, the source of the music grew louder and clearer.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The music led them to a small, As they followed the lively music, Wang Xiao and Anran found themselves being drawn not to a street musician, but towards an unexpected scene.


    The source of the music was a bustling, joyous wedding celebration in a small square. The air was filled with the vibrant energy of the event, and the rhythmic beats of music resonated through the crowd.


    The square was adorned with colorful decorations, and at the center, a group of guests were engaged in a traditional dance from the desert country known for its spirited andmunal nature.


    The dancers, hand in hand, formed a moving circle, their feet tapping and stomping in sync with the powerful rhythm of the music.


    Wang Xiao and Anran paused at the edge of the celebration, watching it quietly.


    The guests'' faces were alight with joy, their movements a reflection of the festivity and unity of the asion.


    The energy was infectious, and soon, Anran''s eyes gleamed with excitement.


    "Let''s join them!" Anran''s excitement was growing as she tugged at Wang Xiao''s arm, her disappointment from earlierpletely forgotten in the face of the vibrant asion.


    Wang Xiao, however, was less enthused. He shook his head in refusal, prompting a look of stunned silence from Anran. ".... Don''t tell me you can''t even dance?" she challenged, her tone challenging and probing.


    Wang Xiao''s face twitched slightly, a subtle admission that he could indeed dance. He took a seat, watching Anran gearing up to dance solo. But as he settled down, his shadows, ever-presentpanions, began to whisper their advice and opinions.


    "She is provoking you, don''t follow," one shadow murmured.


    "This women needs a lesson in humility, teach her one!" another suggested.


    "Purge her!" a more aggressive voice demanded.


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened slightly at the familiar yet unwee chorus of voices, recognizing them not as his own internal shadows, but as imitations. "Stop mimicking my shadows, Yue," he muttered under his breath, addressing Yin Yue.


    Finally he made a decision. Standing up, he approached Anran, who greeted him with a delighted smile. She grabbed his hand, her enthusiasm clear as she pulled him towards the dance.


    Initially, Wang Xiao moved awkwardly, unfamiliar with the steps. Seeing his struggle, Anran took the lead, guiding him through the basic movements.


    "Here, let me show you," Anran said, her voice warm and patient. She demonstrated the basic steps, her movements graceful and assured. Wang Xiao watched intently before attempting to mirror her.


    To his own surprise, he found the rhythm more essible than he had anticipated.


    The steps, initially awkward, gradually became more fluid as he allowed himself to be guided by the music and Anran''s lead.


    As they joined the circle of dancers, Wang Xiao''s initial reserve faded, reced by a growing sense of adaptation. The dance, with its energetic andmunal spirit, was infectious, and he found himself moving in harmony with the others.


    When the dance concluded, Anran, still beaming with exhration, turned to Wang Xiao. "See, not so bad after all," she murmered gently, a rare patience reflecting on her tone.


    "Stupidity..." Wang Xiao muttered, shaking his head lightly, the rush of adrenaline from the dance still tingled in his veins, making him forget to reprimand her momentarily.


    Catching her breath, Anran nced at Wang Xiao as they walked away from the celebratory atmosphere of the wedding.


    Her face still flushed from the excitement, she probed further, curious about his thoughts. "So, how was it, did you enjoy it?" she asked, her eyes searching his for a reaction.


    Wang Xiao responded with his usual nonchnce. "It was exciting at first, but if you focus, you realize it''s just a form of sublimation. You''re redirecting your joy, anger and other repressed negative feelings into the dance, using body movements to engage them and trigger hormones for release. Once you realize this, it bes pointless.


    Remove the music, and all you see is a bunch of people jumping around, almost infected with rabbies."


    "Wtf!?" Anran eximed, stunned by his blunt analysis. She felt wronged, her excitement dampened by his clinical breakdown of the dance''s emotional underpinnings.


    ''Why did I even bother to ask him?'' she thought, a mix of frustration and amusement at his unpredictably unromantic perspective.


    Despite his unconventional views, Anran couldn''t help but find Wang Xiao''s honesty andck of pretense strangely endearing.


    [A/N: I was just refreshing some memories, wrote it on a whim. Feel free to forget it and focus on the story from the next chapter. This might be the first andst time you see such a slightly cringe chapter in this novel!]


    ________


    Several hourster, with their shopping expeditionplete, Anran''s hands wereden with bags of various sizes and colors, while Wang Xiao walked alongside her, his hands free. She seemed unfazed by the imbnce, her enthusiasm undiminished as she followed him.


    Most of their groceries were scheduled for direct delivery to the vi, which fortunately meant Anran wasn''t burdened with the heavier items.


    "Did people keep you chained or something? How can buying something excite you so much?" Wang Xiao finally asked, his toneced with a mix of curiosity and amusement.


    Anran caught up to him, pausing for a moment before responding. "... It''s my first vacation, I think," she admitted softly.


    "First vacation?" Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed in surprise.


    "Yeah," Anran said, her voice growing stronger as she spoke. A spark of defiance ignited in her eyes. "That old bastard never gave me any free time. Always something to do, somewhere to go, something to learn. I''ve been wanting to punch him in the face for years!"


    Wang Xiao was momentarily speechless, his lips curving into a faint smile. The ''old bastard'' Anran referred to was Li Zhiming, whom she didn''t yet realize was her actual father. Theplexity of their rtionship and Anran''s unawareness of her true connection with Li Zhiming added amusement to her words.


    Feigning a casual interest, Wang Xiao nodded, encouraging her to continue. "Is that all...?" he probed, his voice carefully neutral.

 Chapter 147: Unknown Attackers (2)

    Anran''s frustration was mounting as she continued, her voice growing more determined, "No! Not just punch him in the face, I want to beat him into pulp! That''s my life mission now! How dare he show me visions of azy, loafing life before tricking me into all this!"


    ".... Haha..." Wang Xiao listened, momentarily speechless at her rants, before a small, spontaneous softugh escaped him.


    Her fiery spirit, even when directed at the man she didn''t know was her father, was somehow amusing.


    "Huh? Did I say something funny?" Anran asked, her tone shifting to one of slight embarrassment.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, trying to regain hisposure. "It''s nothing, it''s ju¡ª"


    His sentence was abruptly cut short, his attention drawn to something behind them. Anran, noticing his sudden pause, turned around with a look of concern. "Huh? Is something there?"


    She scanned the empty street, her brows furrowing in confusion. "There seems to be nothing... Are you sure you sa¡ª Wang Xiao?" Her voice trailed off in bewilderment as she turned back to find Wang Xiao had vanished into thin air.


    The street, which had just moments ago echoed with their conversation, now stood silent, save for the distant hum of the harbor. Anran stood alone, holding the shopping bags, her mind racing to make sense of the sudden disappearance.


    The stillness of the street was abruptly shattered as shadows began to move. Anran''s trained instincts kicked in as she realized the emptiness around her was deceptive. Figures emerged from the shadows, their intentions clear from their menacing approach.


    Gangsters ¨C likely drawn by the disturbance or perhaps by a deeper motive ¨C closed in on her. Anran''s grip on the shopping bags tightened, her eyes quickly assessing her surroundings for an escape route or a potential weapon.


    "Looking for someone?" one of the gangsters sneered, a crooked smile spreading across his face.


    Anran, unfazed by their intimidating presence, replied coolly, "Just out for some shopping. Didn''t expect to run into a weingmittee."


    The gangsters advanced, their steps synchronized, clearly experienced in this kind of ambush. But Anran wasn''t an ordinary target. Her background as a spy had honed her skills inbat and evasion. Dropping the shopping bags, she assumed a defensive stance, ready to defend herself.


    As the first attacker lunged towards her, Anran deftly sidestepped, using his momentum against him to send him sprawling to the ground. She quickly scanned for the next threat, her movements fluid and precise.


    The fight escted as more gangsters joined in, but Anran held her own, her agility and training allowing her to counter their attacks effectively. However, she was outnumbered, and she knew she couldn''t hold them off indefinitely.


    Just when the situation seemed to be tipping out of her favor, a familiar figure reappeared.


    ______


    Minutes earlier, Wang Xiao had positioned himself on the rooftop of a nearby building, observing the unfolding scene below with a strategic eye. Yin Yue''s voice, a constantpanion in his mind, prodded him.


    Yin Yue, [She''ll waste so much time fighting them herself. Aren''t you going to interfere?]


    Wang Xiao was calm, his response calcted. ''I want at least one of them alive. Let her handle it for now. The one who fell first¡ªI''ll keep him. The rest are expendable.''


    Yin Yu chuckled, [Quick and wicked, aren''t you?]


    Wang Xiao remained silent, his eyes fixed on the scene below. When one of the attackers copsed against a street pole, knocked out cold by Anran''s fierce counter, he knew it was time to act.


    With a swift leap, Wang Xiao descended from the rooftop.


    Boom!


    As hended, an eerie stillness enveloped those around him. The attackers'' bodies bloated and then exploded in a awestrucking spectacle.


    Puah! Puah! Puah!


    Anran, caught in the midst of the chaos, was sttered with blood. She stood frozen, her expression one of shock and disbelief. In stark contrast, not a single drop of blood touched Wang Xiao or his clothes, as if repelled by an unseen force.


    He walked over to the only surviving attacker, snapped a photo, and sent it to Li Zhiming for further information. With his taskplete, he started walking back towards the vi, leaving Anran amidst the aftermath of the violent encounter.


    It took a few minutes for Anran to gather herself. The shock slowly subsided, reced by a deep contemtion. She picked up the shopping bags and followed Wang Xiao quietly, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.


    The walk back was silent, each lost in their reflections on the day''s events.


    As they neared the vi, the weight of their existence in thisplex and dangerous world settled heavily upon them.


    Anran nced at Wang Xiao, his demeanor calm and untroubled, as if what had happened was just another day in his life.


    As they entered the quiet confines of the vi, the stark contrast to the day''s chaotic events was palpable.


    Anran''s voice, tinged with a mixture of curiosity and a hint of fear, broke the silence. "Hey, Wang Xiao," she began hesitantly, "how... How do you do that? Just... make them... explode?"


    Wang Xiao remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he shared a piece of his ability, "You just imagine altering their body, and they explode the moment you lose control."


    "That''s it? Can I also do it?" Anran''s voice was a mix of disbelief and intrigue.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao shook his head, a hint of solemnity in his tone. "You don''t have the prerequisites." His words were brief, leaving Anran to wonder if he was evading a deeper exnation or speaking an unfathomable truth.


    Inside the vi, Anran set down the shopping bags, relieved to see their contents intact. The need to cleanse herself from the day''s ordeal was pressing; the smell of blood now seemed to permeate her senses. She headed upstairs towards the bathroom, her steps heavy with the weight of the day''s experiences.


    Wang Xiao, meanwhile, settled into a quiet corner with the newly delivered goods. Among them were several books he had ordered, their pages filled with knowledge he sought.


    He picked one up, flipping through its pages, but his thoughts were elsewhere.


    Yin Yue suddenly broke the tranquility of the moment, [The attack, it was not on you, Wang Xiao!]

 Chapter 148: The Fake Story turned Real? Paradox?

    Yin Yue''s observation brought a new perspective to the day''s events. [Wang Xiao, the attack wasn''t focused on you, they were more interested in attacking Anran,] she remarked.


    Wang Xiao paused, a soft smile ying on his lips. ''You took that much time to figure it out? Wasn''t that the reason I escaped?'' he replied, his toneced with a hint of amusement.


    Yin Yue pressed on, [Oh, so it wasn''t about keeping one of them alive?]


    He shook his head slightly. ''The best way to ever sound credible while lying is to tell the half-truth,'' Wang Xiao revealed, his voice calm and reflective.


    Yin Yue''s retort was tinged with humor. [Hehe, so I became the guinea pig for your social experiment now as well?]


    Wang Xiao remained silent, his thoughts deepening. In truth, he used these mini-experiments on almost everyone he encountered, constantly testing and observing. But the attack on Anran had unsettled him more than he cared to admit. ''Did that old bastard actually trick me into taking over his responsibility?'' he pondered, his mind racing with possibilities.


    It was Wang Xiao''s own story that had put Anran in the line of fire ¨C a narrative he had crafted about someone wanting to kill her. Li Zhiming couldn''t have anticipated that, could he?


    Theyers of deception and intrigue wereplex, and Wang Xiao found himself questioning the true motive behind the attack.


    Why target Anran?


    Was the real target her, or her father, Li Zhiming?


    But considering their rtionship was kept a secret, it seemed unlikely that anyone knew about their familial connection.


    Wang Xiao''s realization sparked a new line of thought, his eyes reflecting the sudden rity. "That hell spirit! It must have some connection with Li Zhiming and Anran!" he deduced.


    Yin Yue''s voice, ever present in his mind, questioned his logic. [How so?]


    He considered the possibilities, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Not sure, but it''s possible that since the hell spirit wasn''t here for me, the next most influential person could be Li Zhiming. Or it might be a coincidence. But if we assume the hell spirit''s target was Li Zhiming, it could indeed send people to attack Anran, especially if it knew about their father-daughter connection.


    Right now, there are too many assumptions."


    Yin Yue seemed to agree. [Your theory is usible. For a hell spirit that strong, there are various ways to ascertain the blood rtionship between two people.]


    Wang Xiao nodded, still baffled by the unfolding situation.


    The story he had fabricated was now aligning with reality in ways he hadn''t anticipated. An unknown enemy was now a real threat to Anran.


    The situation was evolving beyond his expectations, but he was no stranger to the unpredictability of life. He knew all too well that whatever could go wrong often did.


    He stood up, his mind still processing the implications. The line between his fabricated story and reality was blurring, and now he had to navigate this new, more dangerous terrain.


    Anran''s safety was immaterial to him, but that of Li Zhiming was quite substantial, such figure of authority can only be controlled by limited means, which means now Wang Xiao had to look on both fronts.


    Yin Yue''s revtion added anotheryer ofplexity to the situation. "Wang Xiao... I sense many presences lurking outside, but they''re not attacking. They''ve been tracking you ever since you and Anran were on your way back to the vi, yet they didn''t make a move. It seems like they''ve been warned not to attack her in your presence," she informed him.


    Wang Xiao''s expression turned serious. "Why didn''t you tell me this earlier? If the person doesn''t want to attack her near me, they must be aware of my abilities. That makes the hell spirit even more suspicious, considering it''s likely the only entity capable of sensing my extraordinary nature."


    Yin Yue interjected, [We shouldn''t forget about the flower girl. She could also be behind the attacks.]


    Wang Xiao paused, contemting this new angle. "But why would she attack Anran and not me?" he pondered aloud.


    Yin Yue half-jokingly suggested, [Maybe she''s a hidden Yandere?]


    "..."


    Wang Xiao didn''t entertain the notion, his face thoughtful as he shook his head. He made a decision to head upstairs and warn Anran. She needed to stay inside the house or only venture out in hispany until they figured out what was happening.


    For now, he had sent the photo of the attacker to Li Zhiming, asking him to identify the man or provide any information about something out of the ordinary.


    As Wang Xiao ascended the stairs to Anran''s room, his mind was preupied with the day''s events and the potential dangers lurking outside. He opened the door without a knock, not fully prepared for the sight that awaited him.


    *Click!*


    The door swung open, and Wang Xiao was momentarily taken aback.


    "Eh?" Anran, d only in her underwear, stood frozen, holding a pair of soft,fy clothes.


    Her eyes blinked rapidly, registering surprise and disbelief at his sudden entrance. Then, as realization dawned, her face and neck flushed a deep red.


    Whoosh!


    In a blur of motion, Anran darted to the bed, diving under the nket with only her head peeking out. "Hehe, I knew you were hungry for my body, I finally caught you! What are you pretending for, acting cold and indifferent all day long!" she teased, sticking her tongue out yfully. Her words were a facade, a humorous attempt to mask her embarrassment.


    Wang Xiao, still processing the unexpected scenario, stood speechless at the doorway. ''What is she spouting about, even her breasts aren''t that big,'' he thought to himself, his mind still focused on the more pressing issues at hand.


    Yin Yue, ever the instigator, chimed in, [Say it out loud, Wang Xiao! Let the world be on fire!]


    *Gulp...*


    Anran''s nerves were on edge as Wang Xiao approached with a stoic expression. Her mind raced with possibilities, her earlier yfulness washed away giving way to uncertainty. ''He wouldn''t actually get physical and beat me, right? Hehe...'' she thought, trying to convince herself while inwardly feeling doubtful.


    Putting on an awkward smile, tinged with tension and panic, she tried to diffuse the situation. "Hey, hey Wang Xiao... I was only joking... Why get violent over little things? Peace is the ultimate weapon, right? Let''s make peace, shall we¡ª"


    Yin Yue''s voice interrupted her thoughts with less-than-peaceful suggestions. [Peace was never an option, purge her!]


    [Show her who is the man of the house!]


    [Let''s make her do acrobatics]


    Amidst the chorus of voices, Wang Xiao remained focused on the real issue at hand.


    He stopped in front of a slightly nervous Anran and said firmly, "Don''t go outside from today without me."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Huh?" Anran was taken aback, her mouth agape in surprise. ''Ehhhhhhhh?'' Her mind was flooded with confusion and disbelief.


    ''Is this some kind of proposal?'' she wondered, stunned and speechless. It was thest thing she had expected to hear.


    As she looked at Wang Xiao, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and a newfound realization. ''He doesn''t look bad...'' she thought, her eyes scanning him from top to bottom.


    Wang Xiao''s confusion was evident as he tried to grasp the sudden shift in Anran''s behavior. Her exaggerated reactions and nervous chuckles were uncharacteristic, even for her. "Proposal?" he echoed, clearly baffled.


    Anran, misinterpreting his warning as some kind of romantic proposition, nodded vigorously, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and feigned enthusiasm. "Yes, yes! I ept it! Whatever the conditions may be!" she said, her head bobbing up and down as if agreeing to some unspoken pact.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao was at a loss for words. He stared at her for a few seconds, trying to make sense of the situation. Finally, he muttered, "... Why would I propose to someone like you with malnourished thighs?"


    "..."


    Anran sat in stunned silence, her expression a mix of shock and hurt. "M-Malnourished thighs...?" she repeated, her voice barely a whisper, as if trying to process thement.


    Yin Yue chimed in, her voice tinged with reproach. [Wang Xiao, you are too cruel.]


    Wang Xiao defended himself matter-of-factly. ''How am I cruel? I didn''t lie. Or are your thighs like hers, and you sympathize with her?''


    Yin Yue, [...]


    Wang Xiao nodded to himself, slightly amused by the situation. ''Another bamboo pole legs,'' he thought.


    Yin Yue remained silent, possibly pondering over Wang Xiao''s unique way of handling situations.


    That evening, Wang Xiao found himself inadvertently clearing the air about two misunderstandings.


    It took him a good five minutes to exin to Anran what he really meant by his earlierment. After listening to his exnation, Anran nodded in relief.


    "So, you meant that, huh... At least I''m not the one with malnourished legs here..." she muttered, a small smile returning to her face.


    Wang Xiao, sitting on the edge of the bed, peered into her eyes. Shaking his head gently, he rified, "It has nothing to do with your legs. They are still the same."


    Anran, "..."

 Chapter 149: Josephine Sylver!

    Anran sat there, her expression a mix of confusion and mock anger, processing Wang Xiao''s words. The air between them was charged with a strange, yful tension.


    Suddenly, with a burst of feigned fury, she dered, "I am fighting you, Wang Xiao!" Dropping the nket, she lunged forward in a dramatic disy of rebellion. But Wang Xiao, unfazed, calmly stopped her advance with a simple hand ced on her forehead, effectively halting her in mid-motion.


    Thud


    "If you are done ying, can we move on to more concerning issues?" Wang Xiao asked, his tone serious yet tinged with a hint of amusement at her theatrics.


    Anran, momentarily paused by his effortless block, let out a huff of resignation mixed with amusement. She recognized the futility of her assault against him.


    "Fine, fine," she conceded, sitting back down, her demeanor shifting from yful to attentive. "What''s so important that you had to crash my one-woman fashion show?"


    Wang Xiao''s exnation was clear and grave. "You are being watched. That''s why I said you can''t go outside without me. If theyunch an attack again, it appears they are wary of me and withholding any direct confrontation as long as I am nearby."


    Anran nodded in understanding, a spark of mischief in her eyes. "Problem solved, then!" she dered with a hint of cheer.


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed, puzzled by her seemingly carefree response. "What do you mean?" he asked.


    Anran shrugged nonchntly. "Didn''t you just say it yourself? Just don''t go out! Stay inside all day! Eat, sleep, and repeat! Now that''s what I call a vacation..." Her voice trailed off as she suddenly flopped backwards onto the bed, sprawling out with her arms and legs spread wide.


    She let out a long, exaggerated sigh of relief.


    The silence in the room stretched, amplifying Anran''s confusion and surprise. Wang Xiao''sck of response was unusual, leaving her to wonder what was going through his mind. ''Hm? He''s not going to scold me for my carefree attitude?'' she thought. ''Did I misjudge him, or has he suddenly be more tolerant?''


    As these questions swirled in her head, she cautiously lifted her head from the mattress to nce at Wang Xiao. That''s when the realization hit her. ''Not good...'' she whispered under her breath, her cheeks reddening.


    In her impulsive sprawl on the bed, she had inadvertently ced herself in apromising position. Wang Xiao was seated right between her legs, which were spread wide apart in her rxed pose.


    Embarrassment washed over her as she hurriedly tried to adjust her posture, her face burning with a deep blush. Words failed her, the teasing words from moments ago now trapped in her throat.


    "Sorry, I didn''t mean to..." Anran stammered, her voice trailing off. The atmosphere in the room shifted from casual and yful to awkward and tense.


    The intensity of Wang Xiao''s gaze remained fixed near her legs, his eyes unwavering. While they were not as thick as he preferred, there was a youthful allure to them. As his gaze shifted upward to her face, a tangle of thoughts stirred within him.


    !!


    "Hey, back off!" Anran''s voice pierced the air,ced with a mix of fear and defiance, as Wang Xiao abruptly lunged towards her, pinning her down.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curved into a wicked smile as he gazed down at her. "Why are you screaming? It isn''t even your first time," he taunted, his voice dripping with amusement. He leaned in, his lips brushing against the sensitive skin above her neck.


    Anran''s eyes widened, her body shaking with a mix of anxiety and defiance. "You? Didn''t you say I had malnourished legs?" she spat, her voiceced with anger and annoyance. "Get away from me, just because you do it to once doesn''t mea¡ª"


    Before she could finish her sentence, Wang Xiao grew tired of her words. He crushed his lips against hers, silencing her protests.


    The force of the kiss stole her breath away, leaving her stunned and full of disbelief.


    Their clothes were torn away by his eager hands, the fabric flying across the room.


    In the midst of the tangled sheets, Wang Xiao reveled in the power he held over her.


    He preferred his partners muted and silent, his dominance unquestioned.


    Though Anrancked the allure he normally sought, there was an undeniable freshness to her body that enticed him.


    It was a fleeting satisfaction, but it would suffice for the night.


    ________


    As the days slipped by, the calendar marked the transition from April 23rd to May 7th, 2026.


    The Boreal Cafe, a popr spot in the heart of the town, buzzed with its usual blend of patrons.


    Amidst the usual crowd, a group of women sat at a table, their chatter distinct enough to draw attention from others around them.


    Josephine, with her silver-white hair elegantly framing her face and a modest white blouse buttoned to the neck, exuded a quiet confidence as she sat in the Boreal Cafe.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Her friends'' voices buzzed around her, a harmonious blend of concern and excitement.


    "Hey hey, Josephine, would you really be alright running away from home like this?" The woman with shoulder-length auburn hair leaned in, her emerald eyes reflecting the cafe''s soft lighting as she smiled with a mix of charm and concern.


    The high-waisted skirt Josephine woreplemented her tasteful blouse, and the delicatece choker around her neck seemed to embody the strength and vulnerability she felt at that moment. The three friends sitting around her, each with their own style and demeanor, awaited her response with bated breath.


    Josephine''s thoughtful eyes met those of her inquirer, and she let out a soft, assured breath. "I''ve thought about it a lot," she said, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest. "I need this change. It''s now or never."


    Aisha, the woman with the auburn hair reached across the table, her hand offering support. "Just remember, we''re here for you. If you need anything, you know you can always count on us," she reassured, her smile unwavering.


    The group''s chatter andughter filled the cafe, a stark contrast to Josephine''s inner contemtion.


    Unbeknownst to them, at a nearby table, Wang Xiao sat with a cup of coffee, his attention subtly divided between his book and the group of women.


    His presence was unobtrusive, yet his senses were alert, always aware of his surroundings.


    The conversation at the next table had piqued his interest, not due to its content, but because one of the women on the table interested him!

 Chapter 150: Being Watched?

    Wang Xiao''s booky open, but his attention was only half on the words in front of him. His other half was attuned to the surroundings, a skill honed through years of vignce. "Are you sure we are surrounded by more people like Adam?" he inquired quietly, his voice steady as his gaze casually drifted over to the other table.


    Yin Yue''s response came promptly, [100% sure.]


    Wang Xiao nodded slightly, his eyes scanning the cafe with practiced subtlety. Outside the ss walls, two sports cars were parked conspicuously¡ªone, a convertible Audi in a striking red hue, the other an unfamiliar brand that caught his attention.


    Only three tables within the cafe were upied: his own, where he maintained a solitary presence; the table with the group of four women, their chatter providing a lively backdrop; and a table that had been upied by a married couple, who had just gathered their belongings and left.


    He needed to ascertain if the ''Deviants'' outside were spying on him or perhaps on another target within the cafe. Patience was key, and so Wang Xiao waited, his demeanor calm and collected.


    As time ticked by, the cafe''s atmosphere shifted. Fifteen minutester, with the couple gone, a silence began to settle. Now, only Wang Xiao and the group of women remained. The moment of truth was drawing near. Who were the mysterious outsiders watching, and what were their intentions?


    Wang Xiao prepared himself for what mighte next, ready to act, ready to confront whatever or whoever was about to reveal themselves. The pages of his book fluttered gently as a breeze from the cafe''s door whispered through, a subtle reminder that the stillness was temporary and that soon, the quiet might give way to action.


    _______


    The chatter at the women''s table was a blend of light-hearted banter and deeper, more serious undertones. Josephine''s imminent departure was the main thread weaving through their conversation.


    "So, Josephine," Aisha began, her voice tinged with concern, "you''re really going to do this? Just pick up and start fresh?"


    Josephine nodded, her eyes reflecting the firm resolve behind her decision. "It''s time for a new chapter," she affirmed. "I can''t keep waiting for life to happen to me. I have to make it happen for myself."


    A third woman, with chestnut hair and keen brown eyes, leaned in. Her name was Elise, and she was known for her practical nature. "You''ve nned this out, right? You know it''s not just an adventure¡ªit''s real life you''re stepping into."


    Beside Elise was the fourth member of their group, Maya, whose bohemian style was as free-spirited as her personality. "Elise is right, but I think it''s brave," Maya interjected, offering Josephine an encouraging smile. "Sometimes you have to leap and build your wings on the way down."


    Aisha''s concern was growing as she voiced her fears, her emerald eyes reflecting the seriousness of her thoughts. "I just worry, you know? You hear stories about people trying to start over, and it''s not always..."


    Josephine, her gaze distant, responded with a note of firm resolve. "I''m aware of the risks. But staying put, trapped within the castle walls, denied my own experiences ¨C that''s a fate I refuse to ept. I''ve been sheltered and restricted for far too long."


    Aisha''s brow furrowed with concern, her voice a soft murmur. "There might be other reasons behind that..." But her words were quickly overshadowed by Elise''s more assertive tone.


    Elise, her chestnut hair framing her sharp features, leaned forward, her brown eyes gleaming with a provocative challenge. "C''mon, Aisha. Let Josephine discover the world for herself. Or would you rather she remained forever under her mother''s shadow, unseen and untested?"


    Aisha''s frown deepened. "Elise, that''s not fair¡ª"


    Before she could continue, Maya interjected with a schrly poise that belied her free-spirited nature. "Elise has a point. Growth necessitates stepping beyond the familiar. It''s part of life''s journey."


    Aisha, caught off guard by the tag-team of Elise and Maya, turned to Josephine with a helpless expression. "Don''t listen to them, Josephine. They''re just stirring the pot," she murmured, her voiceced with frustration.


    If only Aisha had known how her dormmates would fan the mes of Josephine''s resolve, she might have reconsidered introducing them. Now, she could only watch as Josephine absorbed their words, her decision seemingly solidified by the challenge they presented.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Aisha''s history with Josephine was rooted in their time together during the exchange program in Sylvergard. They had formed a bond then, one that had persisted through messages and calls across the distance that separated them.


    When Josephine''s text arrived days ago, confessing ns to run away, Aisha had dismissed it as a fleeting thought, a joke perhaps. But the reality hit when Josephine''s voice came through the phone, asking to meet at the cafe. That was when Aisha realized the seriousness of the situation.


    She hadn''t hesitated, driving from Geysirton City to Grayhaven, only to find herself in a whirlwind of chaos, partly due to her dormmates'' unhelpful contributions. Elise''s and Maya''s goading had only worsened the situation, encouraging Josephine''s rebellious streak.


    ''This naive one... Did she really take their words to heart?'' Aisha''s worry deepened as she watched Josephine, her decision-making influenced by the provocative banter.


    Then, with a sudden resolve, Josephine snatched up the car keys and stood. "It''s decided! I have to first look for a ce to stay!" She turned to Aisha with a determined look. "Aisha,e and help me choose a house to rent!"


    Without waiting for a response, Josephine marched towards the door. Aisha scrambled to her feet. "Josephine, can you even drive?" she called out, her voice tinged with concern.


    From their seats, Elise and Maya exchanged knowing nces, their crafty smiles revealing a shared sense of mischief. They had sown the seeds of rebellion, and now they watched, almost with a sense of pride, as Josephine took her first steps into the unknown.


    Aisha cast a disappointed look back at her dormmates whose expressions said it all¡ªthey had anticipated this, and the unfolding drama was precisely what they had hoped for.

 Chapter 151: Ambushed the Villa?

    Josephine slipped into the driver''s seat of the red Audi with the ease of someone used to getting her way. She revved the engine, the car''s roared a testament to its power and her growing impatience.


    Booom!


    Slipping on her sunsses, she shot a nce through the cafe''s ss wall at Aisha, her expression a blend of determination and a silent plea for support.


    The sound of the engine was like a deration of independence, the loud boom resonating in Aisha''s chest as she watched Josephine prepare to take off.


    With a resigned sigh and a shake of her head, Aisha turned to address Maya and Elise. "You guys can go back. I''ll go and apany Josephine for the day," she said, a slight edge of protectiveness in her voice.


    "Sure," Elise replied, her smile unwavering, as if she''d been part of orchestrating the entire scenario. Maya simply nodded, her agreement silent butplicit in the day''s events.


    As Aisha stepped out of the cafe and into the uncertainty of the day, she couldn''t help but feel a sense of responsibility for Josephine. The weight of it rested on her shoulders like a mantle¡ªJosephine was her friend, and despite the chaos, she would stand by her.


    Josephine, meanwhile, sat in the driver''s seat, the embodiment of newfound freedom and the independence it entailed.


    Vrooom!


    As Josephine and Aisha departed, Elise and Maya remained at the Boreal Cafe, their conversation turning to their own matters. Their voices were a soft murmur in the now quieter space, their scheming smiles exchanged over coffee cups.


    Meanwhile, Yin Yue''s voice came to Wang Xiao, a signal that the immediate danger had passed. [Wang Xiao, I can''t feel the presence around anymore, they left,] she informed him.


    Wang Xiao felt a wave of relief wash over him. For a moment, he had feared his carefully constructed anonymity had been pierced. He was meticulous about maintaining the fake identity provided by Li Zhiming, ensuring his purchases and movements could not easily be traced back to him.


    He knew the face in the circted bounty photos bore little resemnce to his current one. He had changed a lot since those pictures were taken¡ªso much so that he believed even his family might struggle to recognize him now.


    Later that evening, rather than returning directly to the vi, Wang Xiao chose a more covert approach. He flew in through an open window, his movements silent as a shadow. To the outside world, he and Anran were recluses, holed up in their sanctuary. But Wang Xiao was not one to be caged. He slipped in and out unnoticed, the gangsters surveilling the vi none the wiser to his aerial escapades.


    Even with Li Zhiming''s assurances of handling surveince, Wang Xiao remained cautious, ever mindful of cameras and prying eyes.


    Settling down on the cold floor of the living room, he turned on the television, scanning the news channels for anything that might pique his interest. Finding nothing noteworthy, he switched to more casual viewing, opening a pack of chips and beginning to absentmindedly munch.


    The quiet evening was suddenly interrupted by a burst of energy.


    "Yayyyy!"


    The sound of rapid footsteps approached, and Whoosh!


    Anran appeared, her arrival as sudden as a storm, breaking the stillness of the vi.


    Her energy was like a whirlwind, her movements swift and skillful.


    In a fluid, almost acrobatic motion, she lunged towards Wang Xiao. Before he could react, she was on his back, her arms wrapping around his neck in a mock ambush.


    "Caught you!" she eximed, her voice filled with mischievousugh. Her grip, though firm, was careful, a bnce of respect for his strength.


    Wang Xiao, taken by surprise, managed to keep his bnce, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, as he continued munching,"Have you finished all the tasks already, that you have spare time for this?" he asked, his tone light yet edged with a hint of seriousness.


    In response, Anran swiftly maneuvered herself from his back to face him, herrge eyes blinking innocently. She eyed the packet of chips with obvious temptation but hesitated, recalling the less-than-pleasant oue of herst chip-snatching adventure. She looked at him with misty, pleading eyes, trying a different tactic this time.


    !!


    ''Again?'' Wang Xiao sensed the familiar prelude to Anran''s antics.


    Every time she opened her mouth, she had a knack for making him rethink about the future of humanity.


    Anran, maintaining eye contact, uttered a word that was unexpected and slightly unsettling in this context. "... Baby..." Her hand inched closer to the chip packet as she spoke.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened, a shiver of difort running down his spine. "Speak like that again, and I''ll throw you out for wolves to eat," he warned, his tone a blend of annoyance and sternness.


    Anran''s attempted charm offensive halted abruptly at Wang Xiao''s stern warning, her hands freezing mid-air.


    She withdrew her hand and retreated slightly, shing back a awkward smile under his gaze.


    Wang Xiao, with a small smile, resumed munching on his chips, then gently shoved her aside. "Stop being too clingy," he said, his tone light but firm.


    Undeterred, Anran slid back closer to him. "Why not?" she asked, feigning innocence. Then, her expression shifted as a mischievous smile spread across her face. "Do you want to use me at night and then throw me aside during the day, uh-huh! I disapprove!" she dered, lightly shaking her head.


    Yin Yue, [She has a point]


    Wang Xiao nced at Anran, her face beaming with pride.


    He couldn''t help but wonder if the recent events had given her too much free time, leading her to current situation.


    "Your imagination is running wild," Wang Xiao responded, a hint of reproach in his voice. "But if you''re so bored, maybe I should find some chores for you around the vi."


    Anran''s eyes widened at the suggestion of chores, bravado fading, before a smug smile restored over her face, "You can''t scare me anymore! Hehe... I have finished all the chores already!" she hopped back onto hisp, facing him, she maintained her grin, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.


    Wang Xiao''s expression remained unchanging as he took a moment to survey the room. His eyesnded on the unwashed dishes still lingering, then moved to the couch, which was in disarray. Finally, his gaze settled on the dining table, cluttered and uncleaned from the previous night. Surprised at her bold im, he turned his attention back to Anran. "...


    Did you even prepare breakfast?" he asked in a calm, almost dubious tone.


    Anran, "..."


    Her smile gradually faltered as she realized her boast might have been premature.


    She looked away momentarily, trying to muster a response. "...Um, about that..." she began, her voice trailing off, unable toe up with a convincing excuse.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, "It seems your definition of ''finishing all the chores'' is quite different from mine," hemented inly.


    Anran let out a sheepishugh, trying to lighten the moment. "Well, you know, I did some of them... The rest are... still in progress," she admitted, her tone a mix of defeat and concession.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, an amused yet exasperated expression on his face. He stood up, gently moving Anran off hisp. She slid down gracefully onto the cold floor, her eyes following him as he walked over to the dining table. There, he picked up a bottle of water, took a drink, and then carefully ced it back, his movements deliberate and precise.


    "Do you know what would happen if there was liquid nitrogen in this bottle instead of in water?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of a lesson about to be imparted.


    Anran, slightly suspicious and wary of where this conversation might be going, took a moment to consider her response. "... What would happen?" she finally ventured.


    Wang Xiao''s smile turned wickedly yful. "You would bloat by two times," he said casually.


    "That''s it? Phew..." Anran replied, a sigh of relief escaping her lips, "...You had me worried for nothing," she whispered to herself.


    Wang Xiao shook his head again, not done with his hypothetical scenario. "That''s just the limit of your stomach, before it can''t take anymore and explodes!"


    !!


    Anran''s eyes widened in shock at the graphic description. Wang Xiao nced at her with a knowing smile, almost as if he enjoyed her startled reaction.


    Realizing she might have overstayed her wee in her yful sprawl on the floor, Anran hurriedly stood up. "I-I''ll go do the dishes..." she stammered, eager to escape the topic and perhaps redeem herself in the household chores department.


    As she scurried off to the kitchen, Wang Xiao''s smile lingered.


    Booom!


    Rumble!


    Crash!


    The abrupt, thunderous sounds of sts outside the vi shattered the momentary peace, jolting both Wang Xiao and Anran. Wang Xiao''s expression shifted instantly from amused to alert, his senses honing in on the source of the disturbance.


    "What...?" he murmured under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he quickly assessed the situation. The suddenness of the explosions suggested an unexpected attack or a serious incident nearby.


    Anran, rmed by the noise, peeked out of the kitchen, her face etched with worry. "Wang Xiao?" she called out, seeking reassurance or an exnation from him.N?v(el)B\\jnn

 Chapter 152: A complicated situation!

    Wang Xiao met her gaze, a signal for her to stay calm. "Stay here, I''ll check what''s happening," he instructed, his voice steady.


    He moved swiftly towards the nearest window, peering out cautiously to gauge the situation outside.


    The street outside the vi is a canvas of chaos - smoke billows up into the sky, painting it in shades of gray and orange.


    The sounds of a gunfight, distant yet unmistakably harsh, echo through the air, creating a symphony of danger and desperation.


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed, as he spoted a familiar figure amidst the turmoil. "This creature again...?" he murmured to himself, a hint of curiositycing his usually impassive tone.


    Reflected in his eyes is a scene of fierce confrontation. Josephine, the girl from the cafe, is crouched beside her car. She''s surrounded by a group of guards, their handguns drawn and faces set in grim determination.


    They were being besieged by four barely grown teen, whose movements were a blur of lethal efficiency, their young faces reflecting like masks of cold intent.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Among the chaos, another girl lied fallen. Aisha, with a wound on her head, her still form a stark contrast to the violent dance around her.


    "Why here, of all ces?" Wang Xiao pondered, his thoughts racing as he assessed the situation.


    Yin Yue''s voice, a whisper in his mind, breaks through his contemtion. [Ignore them.]


    Wang Xiao almost nodded in agreement, his mind calcting the risks and benefits.


    But then, a strategic thought struck him. "Those guards... They''re protecting Josephine. She might be useful if shees from a powerful background," he mused aloud.


    Yin Yue, intrigued by his line of thought, probed further. ''How...Oh? Do you intend to manipte her as you did with Li Zhiming?''


    Unfazed by the moral implications, Wang Xiao replied coolly, "Perhaps. First, we need to determine her value. If she proves insignificant, we can always dispose of her body in the woods."


    Yin Yue''s voice took a teasing tone. [You can''t just throw away such a potential resource, can you?]


    Wang Xiao''s eyes twitched, betraying a flicker of annoyance.


    He has ns, contingencies for every oue, including if Josephine is deemed unimportant.


    "Even if she''s not directly useful, she can still serve a purpose in her final moments," he thought aloud, his mind working through the possibilities, given her abundent body type, she wasn''tpletely useless for Wang Xiao, and since she would die in that case anyways, might as well make some use of her, and make her serve him.


    The scene shifted back to Anran, who had been silently observing Wang Xiao.


    "Is everything alright? Or we need to evacuate..." Anran asked tentatively, her voice a soft contrast to the harshness outside.


    Wang Xiao turns away from the window, his expression like an silent mask. "It''s aplicated situation. Just stay inside, I would go quickly and see what I can do."


    Anran, with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, moved towards the window as well, her steps light yet hesitant. "Complicated? Are they going to use missiles or something to force us out...?" she whispered to herself, her eyes scanning the scene outside as Wang Xiao slips out of the room silently, almost like a shadow.


    Her gazended on Josephine, the girl outside who appeared both scared and anxious. Anran''s eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the peculiar detail of Josephine''s attire, barely containing her breasts. "Quite aplicated situation indeed..." She muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with a mix of irony and concern.


    She drew the curtains shut with a swift movement, trying to detach herself from the chaos outside as she retreats to the couch, feigning disinterest.


    But the facade of indifference didn''tst long. A few momentster, Anran''s resolve faltered; she let out a sigh, the weight of responsibility pulling her upright.


    She proceeded to open a box, revealing an assortment of firearms, her movements methodical as she prepares for a confrontation she knows might be inevitable.


    As Anran keeps a watchful eye on the fight through a discreet vantage point, a realization dawned on her. "Hm? Are those attackers... Deviants?" The question sliped out as a whisper as she noticed the unnatural prowess with which the attackers took down the guards.


    Her expression shifted, turning from casual observation to intense focus. She reached for the sniper rifle, her hands steady and experienced, readying herself for what she knows she must do next.


    ___________


    Perched silently on the roof, Wang Xiao was the picture of patience and calction. He sat motionless, his eyes scanning the chaos below with a predatory focus.


    The rooftop vantage point gave him a clear view of the mayhem, yet he remained as still as a statue, waiting for the precise moment to intervene, the moment being when no guards around Josephine stay alive.


    Below, the scene is one of unrestrained chaos.


    The kind of violence that, under normal circumstances, would dominate news headlines. But here, in the remote outskirts of a small town, it''s a hidden storm, witnessed by only a few.


    Josephine, pressed against the cold, unyielding fiber of her car.


    Her body trembling slightly, her breathsing in short, panicked gasps. "W-Who are these guys?... Why are they attacking me?" she stammered to herself, her mind racing with fear and confusion.


    Her eyes darted around desperately, silently pleading for a savior in this nightmare.


    For Josephine, this was a harsh deviation from her life of luxury and safety. Her world, usually so controlled and predictable, had been shattered in mere moments.


    Despite her usual air of arrogance, borne from a life of privilege and power, she found herselfpletely unprepared for real danger.


    This terrifying situation threatened to break the facade of confidence she''s always maintained, revealing the helpless individual beneath.


    The ground outside the vi had be a battleground, where Josephine''s guards valiantly, but hopelessly, fought to protect her.


    One of the guards, a seasoned man named Marco, shouted orders amidst the gunfire. "Cover the left nk! Push them back!" His voice, a beacon of fading hope in the din of battle. The remaining guards moved in unison, their training evident in their coordinated efforts.


    But the attackers, four barely teenage assants, moved with a terrifying, unnatural grace. Their eyes burning with a fierce intensity as they cut through the guards'' defenses.

 Chapter 153: Knight in shining Armor?

    The attackers, four barely teenage assants, move with a terrifying, unnatural grace. Their eyes burning with a fiery intensity as they cut through the guards'' defenses.


    One of the teens, a boy with startlingly cold eyes named Alex,ughed maniacally as he dodged a bullet. "Is this the best they can do?" he sneered, his voice chillingly devoid of empathy.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Another, a girl with blood matted over her hair, named ra, joined in the fray.


    Her movements were swift and deadly, her expression one of twisted joy. "They taste fear," she whispered to her herself, her face smeared with blood.


    Josephine, her back against the car, watched eveything in horror. The world around her slowed down as she witnessed the chilling scene.


    Her bodyguards, whom she had always seen as invincible, were falling one by one. "Please...Stop this..." she whimpered, her voice barely audible over the gunfires and screams.


    In her heart, she knows it''s a losing battle. Thest of her guards, a young man named Liam, makes a final stand. "Get away from her!" he yelled, firing his weapon with shaky hands.


    "Arghhhhhh!"


    But it''s futile. He is quickly overwhelmed, his desperate cry cut short.


    The attackers, their faces sttered with the blood of her protectors, turned their attention to Josephine.


    Their steps towards her slow, almost taunting.


    The fear in Josephine''s eyes was growing as she realized, she is now alone, cornered by these remorseless young predators.


    The sight of their bloodied faces, wearing the lifeblood of her guards like war paint, sending chills down her spine.


    The reality of her situation hits her hard ¨C she was utterly defenseless.


    Josephine never imagined it could end like this, at the hands of children who looked more like monsters from a horror story.


    Tears start to blur her vision, and her lips part in a silent plea for mercy. But before a word can escape, a sudden movement catches her eye.


    From above, a figure descended like a specter in the chaos.


    Whoosh!


    Boom!


    Wang Xiao, his expression unreadable,nded with the grace of a eagle, a mere arm''s length from Josephine.


    The ssh of water from a nearby puddle muddied her vision momentarily.


    As her sight cleared, she saw Wang Xiao standing between her and the bloodthirsty teens.


    His presence, both terrifying and calm. "Enough," he said, his voice calm but carrying an edge that halted the attackers in their tracks.


    Alex, the cold-eyed boy, his demeanor a blend of youthful arrogance and a chilling hint of experience beyond his years, he titled his head to examine Wang Xiao. "And who might you be?" he challenged, his voice oozing with mockery.


    Wang Xiao, unfazed by the bravado, looked over the teenagers. His eyes, sharp and discerning, seem to pierce through the chaos, seeing more than just the surface. After a moment that feels like an eternity, he responded with a calm and cutting voice, "You are not worth the words..."


    ra, her eyes a swirling storm of madness and thrill, stride forward confidently. "You think you can stop us?" she sneered, her toneced with contempt and the excitement of the hunt.


    But it''s Alex''s reaction that changes the course of the confrontation. His eyes, previously filled with cold confidence, suddenly widened in a mix of fear and realization. "T-This?" he stuttered, taking a hesitant step back, a rare glimpse of fear showing through his facade.


    ra, misinterpreting his reaction, sneered at him. "Alex? Hehe! Scared already? Good, I''ll take all the credit then!"


    Herugh, a twisted melody against the gruesome background of blood.


    But Alex''s next words cut through her mockery like a knife. "Shut it! You mad girl, look below his legs!" he barked, his voice tinged with urgency, demanding attention.


    Confused, Josephine followed their gaze downwards.


    *Gasp!*


    !!


    Her eyes, instantly, widening with terror,nded on the shocking discovery.


    The ground beneath Wang Xiao wasn''t just dirt and gravel ¨C it was a horrifying sight of blood and flesh.


    The realization hit her like a physical blow; the ''water'' that had sshed over her face was, in fact, blood ¨C the blood of Alex''spanions, mercilessly crushed by Wang Xiao.


    !!


    Time forze ¡ª Fear, respect, and a newfound understanding of the man standing before them settle in the eyes of the attackers.


    Josephine, huddled behind Wang Xiao, caught in a whirlwind of emotions. Her heart racing, pounding against her chest like a frantic drum.


    Her legs trembling almost giving up, as she looked up at Wang Xiao''s back, her eyes were aplex mix of fear, awe, and an involuntary reverence.


    The tales of knights in shining armor, once just fanciful stories, suddenly feel tangible, real.


    She questioned her own senses ¨C is this a dream or has some fantastical savior truly appeared?


    In her dazed state, she barely registered the silentmunication between Alex and ra. The two, realizing the grave mistake of underestimating Wang Xiao, share a look that speaks volumes ¨C a desperate n to escape.


    Wang Xiao, ever vignt, sensed their intention.


    In a blur of motion, a whirlwind of decisive action, he moved.


    "Argh¡ª"


    "Ughhh¡ª"


    *Snap!*


    Wang Xiao''s movements, a study in deadly grace ¨C his arms stretch out horizontally, and in one swift, unhesitating motion, he ended the threat of Alex and ra.


    Thud!


    Alex and ra, the once fearsome predators, were rendered lifeless in an instant, their bodies falling limply to the blood-soaked ground, their necks twisted at unnatural angles.


    Turning around, Wang Xiao faced Josephine. His clothes and face remain impably clean, untouched by the carnage he has wrought. His voice is calm, almost gentle, as he asked, "Are you all right?"


    Josephine''s eyes fixed on his face, searching for a hint of the brutality she just witnessed, but finding none. Instead, a faint smile ying on his lips, an mysterious gesture that embeds itself in her memory.


    Overwhelmed by a mixture of fear, gratitude, and a strange sense of fascination, she managed a shaky nod. "Y-Yeah..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

 Chapter 154: Wang Xiaos bird net too wide: Caught a Sylver bird? (1)

    [A/N: Thest two chapters were entirely in the present tense. I was quite sleepy and didn''t notice, but I have manually fixed them for now. There might still be some mistakes left.


    From here on, I will be extra careful with it!


    Thank you for your support!]


    .


    .


    .


    Josephine managed a shaky nod, her mind racing. "Y-Yeah..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her thoughts were a whirlwind. ''Is this really happening? Who is this man?'' she wondered, her heart still pounding in her chest, echoing the chaos that had just taken ce.


    Wang Xiao, ever the embodiment ofposure, moved towards Aisha. He lifted her effortlessly, as though she weighed nothing, mounting her over his shoulder with practiced ease.


    The sight was startling yet strangely reassuring.


    ''He''s strong, capable...'' Josephine thought, her mind trying to reconcile the violent savior with the gentle way he handled Aisha.


    Josephine''s eyes flickered with a mix of confusion and concern. She opened her mouth, a question hovering on the brink of being asked.


    But Wang Xiao cut her off before she could voice her thoughts. "Follow me in," he said, his voice decisive, brooking no argument.


    Josephine felt a surge of frustration at being dismissed so easily, yet she also recognized the authority in his tone.


    "Ah... okay!" Biting her lip, she gave a hesitant nod, her mind still nodding in agreement to her. ''What choice do I have?'' she thought, the reality of her situation striking her.


    With slightly shaky steps, she hurried to keep up with Wang Xiao. As they left the scene behind, Josephine cast a lingering look over her shoulder, the images of the battle etched in her memory.


    Despite her fears and the shock of the violence, a part of her felt an undeniable sense of safety in the presence of this mysterious protector.


    Wang Xiao, carrying Aisha, strode ahead with a clear purpose. Josephine followed, her mind a storm of thoughts and emotions.


    This unexpected turn of events, this departure from her once secure and predictable life, marked the start of something new, something terrifying yet strangelypelling.


    Her life, once defined by luxury and predictability, was now veering into uncharted territory.


    Each step she took behind Wang Xiao was a step away from her former self, her world reshaped in the span of a few minutes.


    As they moved forward, the silence between them was heavy with unasked questions and unspoken thoughts.


    Josephine found herself studying Wang Xiao''s back, the way he carried Aisha with such care yet absolute control. ''Who is he? A rescuer or something else?''


    Josephine''s earlier fear slowly morphed into a curious intrigue. She waspelled to know more about this enigmatic figure. "Who are you?" she finally asked, her voice steadier now, but still carrying a tremor of the fear that had not entirely dissipated.


    Wang Xiao didn''t answer immediately, his focus still on the path ahead. Then, after a moment that seemed to stretch too long, he replied without turning back. "Someone who was in the right ce at the right time," he said cryptically.


    His response left Josephine more puzzled, yet also strangelyforted.


    There was an undeniable sense of safety in his presence, a stark contrast to the fear she felt just moments ago.


    __________


    Inside the vi, the atmosphere shifted palpably as Wang Xiao entered. Anran, positioned near the entrance, observed the scene with a sharp, discerning gaze. Her eyes momentarily nced at Aisha, limp and unconscious over Wang Xiao''s shoulder, but it was Josephine''s meek demeanor that captured her attention.


    ''Tamed already?'' Anran thought, a hint of surprise and skepticism coloring her thoughts. She observed Josephine, noting the subtle tension in her body, the way her fingers curled into a nervous fist.


    It was clear that Josephine was out of her element, stepping into an unknown world that was vastly different from her own.


    Wang Xiao, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents of tension, moved with purpose. He gentlyid Aisha down on a nearby couch, his actions gentle and careful.


    He then turned to Josephine, his tone shifting back to one ofmand. "You, follow me upstairs," he saidmanding, not waiting for a response before he nced over at Anran.


    Her posture, stiff with a long sniper rifle awkwardly hidden behind her, didn''t escape his notice.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    His gaze briefly swept over her before he spoke again, his instructions clear and firm. "Don''t make any noise, and don''t let anyonee inside. Also inform Li Zhiming to contain the damage outside and clear the site."


    "Ah? okay!" Anran responded, her voice a mix of eagerness and determination. She snapped a quick military salute, already pulling out her phone.


    In her mind, she reaffirmed her capability and resolve. ''This is my chance to prove myself,'' she thought, her fingers moving swiftly over her phone''s screen. ''A simple task, I won''t fail!'' she chuckled inwadly, delightful.


    Watching Anran''s zealous response, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but wonder if he should handle the call to Li Zhiming himself.


    However, deciding to trust her for such mundane task, he simply shook his head and turned towards the stairs, leaving Anran to her duties.


    Meanwhile, Josephine stood frozen in ce, lost in her thoughts. Wang Xiao''s voice, calling from the stairs, jolted her back to reality. "Are youing?" he asked, his tone indicating it wasn''t really a question.


    "Huh?" Josephine blinked, her trance broken. She looked up to see Wang Xiao waiting, his expression unreadable.


    Meeting his gaze, a flush of shyness tinged her cheeks.


    Slowly, she began to ascend the stairs, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. ''What does he want to do with me?'' Despite her confusion and the surreal nature of the situation, she found herselfpelled to follow, drawn by the mysterious aura of Wang Xiao and the sense of security he provided.


    _______


    In the room above, the air was thick with unspoken questions and a sense of uncertainty.


    Wang Xiao''s demeanor was calm, yet there was an underlying intensity in his actions. He sat on the bed with a casual authority, his eyes never leaving Josephine as he gestured toward the chair.


    "Take a seat," he stated, his voice neither harsh nor weing, butmanding in its simplicity.

 Chapter 155: Wang Xiaos bird net too wide: Caught a Sylver bird? (2)

    "Take a seat," Wang Xiao stated, his voice neither harsh nor weing, butmanding in its simplicity.


    Josephine, her mind swirling with questions and apprehensions, felt a twinge of nervousness. ''Is this an interrogation?'' she wondered, swallowing the lump in her throat as she moved towards the chair.


    Her movements were tentative, betraying her inner turmoil.


    Sitting down, she ced her hands in herp, adopting a reserved posture.


    Her fingers fidgeted, betraying her anxiety.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She looked up at Wang Xiao, searching his face for any clue about what was toe. "Why am I here?" she finally asked, her voice carrying a mix of fear and curiosity. "What do you want from me?"


    Wang Xiao regarded her for a moment, his gaze assessing. "You were in danger. I intervened. As for why you''re here," he paused, choosing his words carefully, "it''s safer for you right now. As for what I want, that will depend on your answers."


    !!


    Josephine''s back straightened as she realized the true nature of this encounter. ''It''s indeed an interrogation!'' she thought, her mind racing. She fixed her gaze on Wang Xiao, bracing herself for his questions.


    "What''s your name?" Wang Xiao asked, his tone straightforward.


    Josephine hesitated for a moment before replying, "It''s Jossy."


    As soon as the words left her lips, Wang Xiao''s reaction was swift and startling. With a sudden, forceful kick, he struck the chair, sending it, and Josephine, tumbling backward.


    *Thud!*


    Josephine hit the floor, her eyes wide with shock. "What the¡ª?" she eximed, her heart pounding from the unexpected fall.


    "You lied," Wang Xiao stated tly, his expression unchanging. "I can tell when someone is lying."


    Josephine, stunned and now sitting on the floor, looked up at him with a mix of disbelief and indignation. How could he possibly know? Determined to test his im, she decided to challenge him. Slowly, she got up, dusted herself off, and with a defiant smirk, began to reel off a series of names.


    "Anna. Beth. ire. Diana. Eliza. Fiona..."


    With each name, Wang Xiao shook his head, unmoved. His ability to detect her lies seemed almost supernatural.


    Then, with a confident smirk, Josephine said, "You''ve lost. One of those was my real name."


    Wang Xiao remained silent for a moment, his expression thoughtful. Then, a small smile appeared on his face. "It''s Josephine. I know it."


    "Huh?" Josephine, caught off guard by his uracy and the sudden smile, felt a mixture of irritation and startlement. ''How does he do it?'' she wondered, her initial fear mingling with a growing curiosity about this mysterious man.


    The atmosphere in the room shifted abruptly as Wang Xiao spoke, his tone shedding any remnants of casualness. "Okay, enough of games," he dered, his eyes taking on a sharp, prating quality.


    Bam!


    The sound echoed in the room as an inexplicable force seemed to emanate from Wang Xiao. Josephine felt it as a physical weight, an overwhelming pressure that pinned her firmly to the chair. She struggled against it, but it was like being held down by a thousand-ton force, invisible yet unyielding.


    "Huh? Wh¡ª" she started, her voice a mix of confusion and rm. Her words were abruptly cut off as Wang Xiao leaned forward, his question direct and upromising.


    "Tell me everything about yourself, and those attackers, also the people defending you. Any lies, and this time I will throw you out of the window." His words were icy, his gaze piercing, as he looked at her unflinchingly. The open window behind him served as a silent, ominous threat.


    Josephine could finally feel the seriousness of the situation. The rebellious nature she had shown earlier had evaporated, reced by a sense of urgency and fear. She swallowed hard, her eyes flicking to the window, then back to Wang Xiao.


    "Okay, okay," she started, her mind racing to organize her thoughts. "My name is Josephine, Josephine Sylver. I... I don''t know who those attackers were. I''ve never seen them before," she began, her voice steadying as she spoke. "The people defending me, they''re...


    they were my bodyguards. Hired by my father to protect me. I''m... I''m the daughter of  Queen Seraphina Sylver," she stopped suddenly to assess Wang Xiao''s reaction, seeing that he was still same as earlier and unreactive, she continued, "She is the queen of Sylvergard... "


    Josephine''s words flowed more freely now, "She is the queen of Sylvergard, a small but wealthy country. I... I was here on a personal visit, nothing official. It was supposed to be a secret, but somehow..." Her voice trailed off, the implication clear ¨C someone had leaked information about her whereabouts.


    Wang Xiao''s expression remained unchanged, his eyes never leaving Josephine''s face. He seemed to be absorbing every word, yet giving nothing away.


    Josephine''s words painted a picture of a sheltered, restricted life, one that was bound by the overprotectiveness of her mother, Queen Seraphina.


    The mention of Sylvergard, known for its unique ice hotels and the flygskam movement that promoted sustainable travel, piqued Wang Xiao''s interest. He realized the significance of having a member of such a prominent family under his ws.


    As she continued, Josephine delved into the changes in her life following high school. The freedom she once enjoyed was reced by stringent restrictions. Her life was now a series of closely monitored engagements, her every move shadowed by bodyguards.


    Wang Xiao listened intently, his mind piecing together the fragments of her story. It was clear that the Queen''s overprotectiveness was more than just maternal concern.


    The sudden shift in her behavior suggested she might have been aware of potential threats against her daughter.


    Josephine, however, seemed either unaware or unwilling to acknowledge this possibility.


    Wang Xiao''s thoughts turned analytical. ''The Queen must have anticipated some threat,'' he mused internally. ''But this girl, Josephine, she seems oblivious, or maybe she''s in denial. Humans often blind themselves to ufortable truths.''


    Josephine''sck of knowledge about the attackers didn''t surprise him.


    There was a genuine cluelessness in her demeanor that suggested she truly had no idea who they were or why they had targeted her.


    The guards who had died defending her were just that ¨C bodyguards, loyal to their duty. Josephine had believed she had evaded them in her attempt to escape the confines of her controlled life, not realizing that they had been keeping a watchful eye on her all along.


    As Wang Xiao processed this information, he understood most of the situation.

 Chapter 156: Anran Abondened?

    "So apparantly¡ª" Wang Xiao was on the brink of summarizing the entire chaotic situation when something inexplicable seized his attention, rendering his normallyposed face utterly nk. In a swift, fluid motion, he rose from his seat and hurried toward the windows, his mind filled with an ominous premonition.


    As he stood by the window, his silhouette framed against the light, the sight of the military helicopters hovering ominously above seemed to shift the gravity of the room.


    The whirring of their des was a distant, yet intrusive presence, underscoring the severity of the situation.


    "This girl..." Wang Xiao muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with hint of frustration. With a resigned sigh, he turned from the window, leaving a cloud of unanswered questions in his wake as he exited the room.


    Josephine, left alone in the sudden quiet of the room, felt a surge of uncertainty. Her heart raced, each beat echoing the distant thud of the helicopter des. Tentatively, she rose from her chair, her steps uncertain as she moved towards the window. Peering out, she saw the military helicopters, their intimidating presence casting shadows over the vi.


    The sight stirred a mix of fear and recognition in her.


    "Is it mom...?" she murmured to herself, her voice barely audible. The possibility that her mother, the Queen, might have sent these helicopters sent a shiver down her spine. It was a stark reminder of the reach and influence her mother wielded.


    The situation was escting far beyond what she had anticipated. What started as a secretive escape from the confines of her guarded life was spiraling into an international incident.


    _________


    "Anran, what on earth have you done now?" Wang Xiao''s voice boomed across the hall, causing Anran, who was awkwardly standing at the main door, to flinch and turn around with a startled expression.


    She faced him, her eyes wide with confusion and bewilderment. Under her breath, she whispered, "I am sure, I didn''t request helicopters..."


    Wang Xiao, his frustration palpable, loomed over her, his voice dripping with surprise and disbelief, "You? What did you even say during that call?"


    Anran, rendered speechless, felt a tide of self-doubt rising within her. ''Did I really blurt out something absurd?'' she thought, her confidence wavering under his intense gaze.


    Wang Xiao saw the uncertainty flickering in her eyes and his own narrowed in annoyance. "Just an easy task, and yet, you manage to mess it up spectacrly. How?" he snapped.


    Anran, as perplexed as he was frustrated, finally shrugged, a wry smile creeping onto her face, "It is what it is... Now what? Do we send them back?" Her attempt at lightening the mood hung awkwardly in the air.


    Wang Xiao stared at her, momentarily speechless. The thought crossed his mind, almost tempting him ¨C ''Maybe I should send her back from where she came...''


    Just then, Josephine, who had been quietly trailing behind Wang Xiao, descended the ornate staircase, her hand gliding along the polished banister. She halted at the foot of the stairs, her gaze fixed on Anran and Wang Xiao, who were locked in a heated argument by the front gate.


    A furrowed brow creased her otherwise serene face as she muttered under her breath, ''What in the world is happening here?''


    The soft tap of her bare foot on the marble floor cut through the tension, drawing Wang Xiao''s attention. He pivoted sharply, his eyes narrowing as they settled on Josephine. "Who asked you toe down?" he questioned, his voice cold and t, masking the simmering frustration beneath.


    Josephine flinched slightly at his tone, her heart skipping a beat. She opened her mouth to respond, but her words were abruptly cut off by the sudden entrance of a guard through the open door.


    "Princess!" the guard eximed, his breath short and uneven, a clear sign of his haste. His eyes, wide with a mix of urgency and respect, darted anxiously between the three of them, as if weighing the gravity of his interruption.


    "..."


    "..."


    Josephine, Wang Xiao, and Anran all turned to face him, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity.


    The guard, regaining someposure, straightened his posture. "Princess, the imperial guards are ready to receive you!" he announced, his voice still carrying a trace of urgency, but steadier now amidst the thick tension hanging in the air.


    Josephine nodded, her expression shifting to one of understanding, tinged with a hint of guilt. She nced briefly at Wang Xiao, her eyes conveying a silent apology. "He is Marcus," she began, her voice steady yet soft, "the squad leader for my mother''s special security forces. And the choppers outside," she paused, her gaze flickering towards the window, "they also belong to Sylvergard."


    Anran, feeling somewhat sidelined in the unfolding drama, muttered in a mix of resignation and defiance, "Humph! I am not angry, you don''t need to coax me back!" She walked over to the couch with an exaggerated slump, her movements a blend of grace and rebellion. Flopping down, more like throwing herself onto the cushions, she pouted dramatically before tearing open a packet of chips.


    She began munching on them aggressively, the crunch of the chips punctuating the tense atmosphere.


    Wang Xiao, momentarily ncing at Anran''s theatrics, quickly redirected his focus. He turned to Josephine, who was now engaging in a more serious conversation with Marcus. "Josephine, why did your mothere here?" he inquired, his tone curious.


    Josephine hesitated, her eyes flickering with unease. Opting for rity, she gestured to Marcus, silently asking him to exin.


    Marcus, having just noticed Wang Xiao, raised an eyebrow inquisitively. ''Who is this man?'' his expression seemed to ask. Nevertheless, he offered a courteous nod before addressing them. "The queen received news of the attack and was immediately concerned. She sent us to fetch the princess without dy," he exined, his voice carrying the gravity of the situation.


    Wang Xiao nodded, piecing together the situation. The presence of the army made sense now; they were here for protection. And if the queen had sent them, it indicated that she was aware of a potential threat to her daughter.


    His curiosity deepened about the hidden machinations behind the scenes.


    The sound of Marcus clearing his throat recaptured their attention. "Princess, we don''t have much time," he urged, his voice tinged with urgency. "The queen is extremely worried. We must depart immediately."


    "I..." Josephine hesitated, her gaze flickering to Wang Xiao. She was torn, clearly not wanting to leave so abruptly. After a moment''s pause, she turned to Marcus, her voice carrying a hint of boldness. "Can we bring Wang Xiao with us, Marcus?" she inquired suddenly.


    "..."


    The room fell silent, the question hanging in the air like a delicate thread.


    !!


    Anran, who had been munching on chips nonchntly, nearly choked on her snack. Her eyes narrowed as she studied Josephine''s confident posture, her gaze lingering on the extended curve of her hips. ''This woman is really daring,'' she thought with a smirk. She found the idea of Josephine trying to sway Wang Xiao amusing.


    After all, Anran herself had been attempting to do the same for ages, with little sess.


    Meanwhile, Marcus regarded Wang Xiao with a scrutinizing gaze. After a brief, calcting pause, he gave a cautious nod. "That''s alright," he conceded.


    Josephine turned to Wang Xiao, her voice steady but tinged with a hint of hope. "Wang Xiao, what about you? Would you like to join us?" Her question, simple yet loaded, seemed to hang between them.


    Wang Xiao, in a contemtive silence, weighed his options. Finally, he nodded. "Let''s go," he said decisively.


    Anran, who had been reveling in her amusement, suddenly froze. "Huh?" she stammered, her voice a mix of disbelief and confusion. She rubbed her eyes as if to clear a mirage, only to see Wang Xiao actually leaving with Josephine.


    Whoosh!


    Panic surged through her. She leapt from the couch and dashed outside, only to witness the helicopter lifting off, its rotors slicing through the air.


    Stunned, Anran stood there, mouth agape, as the reality sank in.


    Wang Xiao was really leaving with Josephine, and she had been left behind.


    Anran eyes tracking the ascending helicopter, a whirlwind of confusion and irritation swirling within her. "What?!" she eximed, her voice a mix of disbelief and frustration. The situation was unfathomable. ''Just a busty princess? That''s it?'' she thought, her mind racing through the absurdity of it all. ''I could have kidnapped a few myself!''


    Her humorous musings quickly faded, reced by a serious, contemtive expression. She watched the chopper disappear into the distance, her thoughts lingering on Wang Xiao.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Buzz!


    Just then, her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her reverie. She nced at the screen to see a text from Wang Xiao, and a sigh of relief escaped her lips.


    The message was straightforward, almost characteristically so for Wang Xiao. He instructed her to keep the house clean for his return and to contact Li Zhiming for additional security reinforcements. He mentioned he would be away for a week.


    The reason behind his sudden departure became clearer. Wang Xiao was seeking to understand more about the attack. He saw this as a prime opportunity, a chance to delve deeper into the mystery.


    And Anran knew him well enough to understand that for Wang Xiao, making an escape, should things turn sour, was never a concern.


    With a newfound sense of responsibility, Anran pocketed her phone and headed back inside. If Wang Xiao was counting on her, she wouldn''t let him down.

 Chapter 157: Reaching Sylvergard! (1)

    As the helicopter des sliced through the air, Wang Xiao gazed out of the window, his eyes reflecting the sprawlingndscape below. Josephine sat across from him, her posture rigid with both awkwardness and anxiety. The roar of the helicopter''s engines filled the cabin, yet a tense silence hung between them.


    Finally, Josephine broke the silence, her voice barely audible over the noise. "Thank you foring with me," she said, her eyes not quite meeting his. "I know this is unexpected."


    Wang Xiao turned his gaze from the window to Josephine. "I''m interested in learning more about this attack," he said, his voice steady. "Your mother''s involvement suggests she already knew about it."


    Her expression flickered, revealing a brief moment of suprise.


    Josephine seemed taken aback, perhaps even feeling a twinge of guilt for her initial decision to flee.


    She nearly killed herself, a realization that weighed heavily on her. Yet, she couldn''t help but wonder, ''Why didn''t mom just tell me directly?''


    Pushing these thoughts aside, she spent the remainder of the flight attempting to engage Wang Xiao in conversation.


    Her motives remained unclear, perhaps even to herself, but there was an evident desire to connect, to understand.


    ________


    As the helicopter hummed steadily through the sky, Josephine found herself ncing more frequently at Wang Xiao.


    The silence felt like a vast ocean between them, and she yearned to build a bridge, however fragile.


    About an hour into the flight, she ventured her first attempt. "Is Icevale your home?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.


    Wang Xiao, who had been gazing pensively out of the window, turned towards her. A small, almost imperceptible smile graced his lips as he shook his head. "No, not my home," he replied, the smile unexpectedly softening his usually stern demeanor.


    Josephine was taken aback by the smile, a rare glimpse of warmth from the mysterious man.


    It encouraged her, and as the hours ticked by, she found herself gradually opening up more, sharing tidbits about Sylvergard, its culture, and even her favorite childhood memories.


    Wang Xiao listened, offering the asional nod or briefment, his demeanor attentive yet guarded.


    As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow inside the cabin, Josephine found herself talking about her love for Sylvergard''s traditional music, her eyes lighting up with passion.


    Then, breaking through his stoic shell, Wang Xiao asked, "What about you? Do you y any instruments?" It was a small gesture, but it felt significant, a sign of his engagement.


    Josephine, surprised and pleased by his interest, was about to respond when an unexpected voice echoed in Wang Xiao''s mind.


    [Why are you provoking her when she''s obviously interested in you?] Yin Yue''s voice, the hell spirit only he could hear, questioned, her tone both teasing and probing.


    Wang Xiao nced at Josephine, who was waiting for his response. Instead of replying to Yin Yue, he chose to focus on Josephine, his expression unreadable, but his eyes held a hint of something deeper, something unspoken.


    It was a silent acknowledgment of Yin Yue''s insight, yet he remained outwardlyposed, attentive to Josephine''s next words.


    As the helicopter continued its journey, a subtle shift urred between them.


    The distance began to close, not fully bridged, but no longer as vast as it had once seemed.


    Marcus, observing Josephine''s uncharacteristic behavior, couldn''t help but feel perplexed. ''What happened to the Princess?'' he thought, his expression hardening. His military bearing was evident, even in the confines of the helicopter.


    With his short ck hair neatlybed, his face bore the marks of a seasoned soldier in histe forties, lines etched by years of service and responsibility. He was dressed in his Colonel uniform, the insignia of the Special Operations Group prominently disyed. His hand rested casually near his Ak-5, a constant reminder of his readiness for any threat.


    His gaze shifted suspiciously towards Wang Xiao. ''Did she eat something wrong? Or is it because of this man¡ª''


    *Gasp!*


    His train of thought abruptly halted as Wang Xiao turned to meet his gaze. Their eyes locked, and Marcus felt the weight of Wang Xiao''s intense, probing stare. It was a look that seemed ustomed to assessing threats and reading situations, a look not unlike his own, yet it unnerved him.


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao regarded Marcus with mild curiosity. ''Does he disapprove of Josephine being close to me?'' Wang Xiao wondered, his thoughts unaffected by Marcus''s imposing demeanor.


    Only when Wang Xiao looked away did Marcus manage to breathe a sigh of relief. ''Why does this young man have such a terrifying stare?'' he pondered, still trying to shake off the unease.


    "Wang Xiao! Are you listening?" Josephine''s voice, tinged with both frustration and concern, drew Marcus''s attention. She leaned forward, her handsnding on Wang Xiao''s shoulders in a surprising disy of familiarity.


    !!


    "Cough, cough!" Marcus discreetly coughed, a subtle reminder of protocol and decorum. Josephine, misinterpreting the cough, turned towards him with a frown. "Marcus, do you have a cold?"


    Caught off guard, Marcus could only shake his head, the stern military fa?ade momentarily softening. "It''s nothing, Princess, just the seasonal change," he replied.


    Josephine''s response was quick and yful yet serious. "Good, don''t let us catch it, or you might as well jump down the helicopter. Just don''t let it spread to us." Her tone was light, but her eyes held a glint of seriousness, as if contemting really throwing him outside.


    Marcus nodded, the corners of his mouth twitching into a slight smile despite the gravity of their situation. His hand, still near his Ak-5, rxed slightly.


    the helicopter continued its journey through the scendscape, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the cabin. The atmosphere had changed since the beginning of their flight. Josephine''s initial anxiety had given way to a sense of camaraderie with Wang Xiao, and even Marcus couldn''t help but ease up a bit.


    Five hourster, they finally reached their destination, a magnificent pce nestled in the heart of Sylvergard.


    The helicopter''s descent was smooth as they approached the magnificent pce of Sylvergard royalty.


    The golden domes and intricate architecture glistened in the fading sunlight, creating a breathtaking spectacle.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 158: Reaching Sylvergard (2)

    Five hourster, the helicopter began its descent towards the royal pce of Sylvergard, a grand structure that exuded both majesty and history.


    The pce, reminiscent of Captial city ¡ª Sylvia iconic Drottningholm, stood proudly amidst lush gardens and pristine waterways.


    Its architecture was a harmonious blend of ssic Nordic design with a touch of modern elegance, a fitting symbol of Sylvergard''s rich heritage and progressive spirit.


    As the helicopternded on a helipad situated discreetly among the gardens, Wang Xiao peered out, taking in the sprawling pce grounds bathed in the soft glow of the evening sun. The pce, with its ornate facades and imposing towers, was a sight to behold.


    Josephine, her initial awkwardness now reced by a sense of purpose, straightened her attire and prepared to disembark.


    "I never get used to this view..." she murmured, more to herself than to others.


    Marcus, ever vignt, checked his equipment onest time before following suit. His military uniform, adorned with the insignia of the Special Operations Group, seemed even more imposing against the backdrop of the royal pce.


    The trio disembarked, and were immediately greeted by a contingent of pce guards, their uniforms a crisp contrast to Marcus''s more battle-ready appearance.


    Wang Xiao, while walking alongside Josephine, remained observant, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He noted the security measures discreetly ced around the pce, a silent testament to the seriousness of the situation they were facing.


    As they approached the grand entrance, the towering doors of the pce opened, revealing the opulent interior. Thevish hallways were lined with portraits of past monarchs and tapestries depicting Sylvergard''s history.


    Josephine, taking a deep breath, turned to Wang Xiao and Marcus. "Wee to my home," she said, a mix of pride and anticipation in her voice. "I hope you enjoy it here."


    Inside, the pce buzzed with a subtle tension, the staff and officials moving with a sense of urgency that hinted at the ripples of political and personal dramas unfolding within its waters.


    As they proceeded, Wang Xiao''s thoughts were on the task ahead.


    As they traversed the opulent hallways, a young maid with chestnut hair and a soft, unassuming demeanor approached them.


    "Elina," she introduced herself with a polite curtsy, her voice a gentle whisper against the grandeur of the pce.


    Her uniform, a neat blend of traditional and modern, spoke of the pce''s adherence to both heritage and present-day elegance.


    "Princess Josephine, the Queen awaits you in her chambers," Elina said, her eyes briefly meeting Wang Xiao''s before looking away, a hint of curiosity flickering in them.


    Josephine nodded, a wave of apprehension visible in her posture. She nced at Wang Xiao, as if to reassure herself of his presence.


    As they neared Queen Seraphine''s room, Elina paused, turning to Wang Xiao with a respectful yet firm tone. "I''m sorry, but you cannot apany the Princess further. The Queen is preparing for rest, and it''s not appropriate for gentlemen to enter at this hour."


    Josephine''s initial reaction was one of surprise, her brows knitting together in a frown. "But he''s with me¡ª" she started to protest.


    Elina quickly interjected, her tone still respectful but insistent. "I understand, Princess, but it''s the Queen''s protocol. I assure you, it''s only for the night."


    Josephine, after a moment of hesitation, turned to Wang Xiao apologetically. "I''m really sorry, Wang Xiao," she said, her eyes conveying her apology. "Could you please stay tonight? Look for me if you need anything." Her tone was earnest, hinting at her reluctance to part ways even temporarily. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao, understanding the delicacy of royal protocols, gave a slight nod. "I''ll be nearby if you need me."


    Josephine offered him a grateful smile before disappearing into the Queen''s chambers with Elise.


    Wang Xiao watched them go, his thoughts racing. ''What does the Queen want to discuss that requires such privacy...? Or is it just a veil...a measure of security to borrow time and research more about me?'' he wondered, the strategist in him analyzing the situation.


    Elina, sensing his contemtion, gestured for him to follow her. "I''ll show you to your room, sir. Please, this way."


    As they walked, Wang Xiao observed the subtle nuances of the pce. Each step took him deeper into the heart of Sylvergard''s power, a world where every smile hid a story, and every gesture had a meaning.


    Elina led him to a guest room, its decor elegant yet understated. "I hope you find the amodations to your liking, sir. If you need anything, please let us know," she said, her tone a blend of professionalism and hospitality.


    "Thank you, Elina," Wang Xiao replied prefunctonary, his mind already plotting the next steps.


    He stepped into the room, his eyes sweeping over its interior - a tasteful blend of luxury and function, befitting a guest of his stature.


    As Elina quietly closed the door behind him, Wang Xiao found himself alone with his thoughts.


    The room, whilefortable, felt like another chessboard piece in theplex game being yed within these walls.


    He walked to the window, gazing out at the moonlit gardens, their serene beauty shadowing the hidden machinations of the pce.


    "Wasn''t this ce once a tourist spot?" he mused aloud, his voice barely a whisper in the quiet room. He pulled out his phone, grateful for the satellite inte connection that pierced through the pce''s thick walls.


    His fingers moved swiftly over the screen, seeking information that might fill the gaps in his understanding of the situation.


    As he scrolled, the pieces began to fit together. His eyes narrowed as he came across a crucial piece of news. A year ago, the Queen had dered an end to public tours, transforming the pce from a celebratedndmark into her private sanctuary.


    The decision, at the time, had raised eyebrows but now seemed to take on a new significance.


    Wang Xiao leaned back, his mind racing. ''There''s a link...'' he thought, ''between the attack and the Queen''s retreat into this fortress of solitude.''


    The decision to iste herself in the pce suddenly appeared to be more than a mere whim of royalty; it hinted at a deeper, perhaps more ominous motive.


    And then there was the attack on Josephine.


    Only the most powerful couldmand the kind of forces that were deployed against her.


    Wang Xiao''s thoughts darkened. ''Queen Seraphine has made a  powerful enemy...''


    He stood there for a long while, the glow of the moonlight spilling across the room, casting long shadows that seemed to y out the silence of his thoughts.

 Chapter 159: Provoking Marcus?

    The night of May 7th, 2026, passed without incident for Wang Xiao in the royal pce. It was a rare moment of tranquility amidst the unfoldingplexities. Elina, ever efficient and attentive, ensured he had everything he needed when morning arrived.


    After refreshing himself with a bath, Wang Xiao decided to explore the pce grounds, curious to learn more about this secluded royal domain.


    His steps eventually led him to the tree gardens, an area of serene beauty. Here, he found Marcus sitting under a tree near the iconic Chinese pavilion, meticulously cleaning his equipment.


    In the background, the members of his squad were engaged in a rigorous hand-to-handbat training session.


    As Wang Xiao approached, the rhythm of the training seemed to falter.


    The squad members exchanged nces, a mix of curiosity and respect evident in their eyes. There was a palpable shift in the air, a buzz of anticipation as they recognized the neer.


    Marcus, noticing their distraction, silenced them with a sternmand. "Don''t try him, you all would get your ass whooped!" he warned, half-joking yet serious. His voice held a note of respect for Wang Xiao''s capabilities, acknowledging him as a formidable presence.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but smirk slightly at Marcus''s remark. He approached the squad leader, his gaze taking in the well-coordinated training session. "Your team seems well-disciplined," hemented, nodding towards the squad members who had resumed their training with renewed vigor.


    Marcus nced up at Wang Xiao, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of pride mixed with a hint of defensiveness. "They have to be," he replied firmly, setting aside his cleaning kit with a deliberate motion. "In our line of work, discipline isn''t just a virtue, it''s a necessity. It''s as important as strength, if not more."


    Wang Xiao observed the squad with a discerning eye, his head tilting slightly as he formed his response. "You misunderstand me, Colonel," he said, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of critique. "I didn''t mean they are good because they are disciplined. They are more like ves, running on orders in the name of discipline."


    !!


    Gasp!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The training ground fell into a deathly silence at his remark.


    Marcus, equally taken aback, his expression a mix of surprise and a dawning realization of the provocation in Wang Xiao''s words.


    The sudden tension sparked a flurry of reactions among the squad members.


    A tall, muscr man with close-cropped hair, identified as Sergeant Erikson, stepped forward. "Colonel, let me show him what real discipline is," he said, his voice a deep rumble, his stance emanating confidence.


    Next to him, a lean and agile woman, Corporal Vega, with her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, spoke up with a fiery glint in her eyes. "I don''t appreciate being called a ve. Permission to spar, sir," she requested, her tone sharp and defiant.


    Another member, a younger recruit named Jensen, his face still showing traces of youth, chimed in, "I want to see if he''s as good as he talks, Colonel."


    One after another, the squad members voiced their eagerness to challenge Wang Xiao, each with their own reason for taking offense to his words. They were a diverse group, from the stoic and experienced Lieutenant Karlsson to the swift and wiry Private Nilsson, each skilled in their own right and united in their pride as members of the Special Operations Group.


    Marcus held up his hand, signaling for silence. He studied his team, understanding their pride and their need to defend their honor. Then, turning to Wang Xiao, he said, "They''re not ves, Wang Xiao. They''re warriors. And they take pride in their discipline and their ability to make choices."


    Wang Xiao''s smirk widened as he observed the squad''s reaction. "Fancy names to hide the real purpose," he quipped, his words a deliberate taunt.


    Jensen, his youthful face now contorted with indignation, turned to Marcus. "Colonel, are we going to let this slide!?" he demanded, his voice echoing a mix of challenge and disbelief.


    Marcus, a resigned smile ying on his lips, seemed to understand the underlying motive behind Wang Xiao''s provocations. "Since you''re eager to teach him a lesson, go ahead," he said, his toneced with an unspoken caution. He knew the confrontation might not turn out in their favor, but the lesson would be valuable.


    Erikson, stepping in with amanding presence, ced a hand on Jensen''s shoulder to halt him. "If he says our discipline is useless, let''s fight him using our strategy. Let''s see if he canst even one minute!" he dered, his gaze sharp as he turned to Wang Xiao. "Is that fine with you?"


    The challenge seemed to amuse Wang Xiao, his face breaking into a confident smile. "Thirty seconds," he countered, his tone light yet firm. "And if you all can still stay on your legs, I lose." His statement, bold and audacious, sent a ripple of surprise and newfound respect through the squad.


    !!


    The atmosphere in the garden transformed instantly, charged with a blend of anticipation and skepticism.


    Wang Xiao''s confident smile and bold im seemed to stir a mix of excitement and disbelief among the squad members.


    Jensen, momentarily halted by Erikson''s hand, nodded in agreement with the new n. The squad members quickly huddled together, whispering and gesturing as they formted their strategy.


    They were a formidable team, and the idea of using their collective skills against a single opponent, even one as mysterious as Wang Xiao, invigorated them.


    Erikson turned to face Wang Xiao, his sharp eyes assessing the situation. "You''ve got yourself a deal," he dered, the challenge clear in his tone.


    The squad members dispersed, forming a semi-circle around Wang Xiao. Their expressions were a mix of determination and focus, each one ready to prove their worth and the effectiveness of their training.


    Marcus, observing from the sidelines, couldn''t help but sense a potent mixture of curiosity and caution. He was acutely aware that underestimating Wang Xiao''s abilities would be a grave mistake.


    Yesterday, as they arrived at the princess''s rescue site, the aftermath of the battle had been partially cleaned up, yet the pungent odor of blood still hung in the air.


    The ground bore scars of destruction, with evident signs of a fierce and relentless struggle etched into its surface.


    Yet, he also understood the pride and skill of his team. ''This will be interesting,'' he thought, his experienced eyes not missing the strategic positioning of his squad.

 Chapter 160: 30 seconds!

    Wang Xiao stood rxed, his posture deceptively casual as he observed the squad members positioning themselves. There was an air of confidence about him, a calmness that seemed to contradict the imminent confrontation.


    The air was thick with anticipation as the squad members closed in around Wang Xiao, their movements coordinated and silent.


    The garden, once a ce of serenity, had transformed into an battlefield.


    Whoosh!


    As the first attack wasunched, Wang Xiao''s movements were a blur, his reflexes lightning-fast.


    Erikson lunged forward with a powerful strike, but Wang Xiao deftly sidestepped, his hand shooting out to grip Erikson''s wrist, twisting it sharply.


    "Argh!"


    A crisp snap echoed through the air as Erikson stumbled back, a groan of pain escaping his lips.


    "Take this!" Corporal Vega, swift and agile, leaped towards Wang Xiao, her fists aiming for a quick one-twobo.


    Whoosh!


    But Wang Xiao was quicker, catching her mid-air with an effortless throw, sending her crashing to the ground with a thud.


    Boom!


    "Ahh!" she cried out, her body writhing in pain.


    Whoosh!


    "Look here, you bastard!" Jensen, consumed by anger, lunged forward with fists that sliced through the air like lightning, his ferocious energy palpable. Yet, his expression crumbled in the very next moment as he choked on his own words.


    Wang Xiao, danced around his strikes with ease, a smirk ying on his lips.


    Booom!


    In a fluid motion, he delivered a swift kick to Jensen''s abdomen, sending him sprawling to the ground with an "Oof!"


    Lieutenant Karlsson and Private Nilsson, seeing theirrades fall, attacked simultaneously from opposite sides.


    Wang Xiao, however, seemed to anticipate their moves, ducking and weaving with a agile grace.


    He struck Karlsson with a sharp elbow to the sr plexus, eliciting a gasping "Ugh!" from the lieutenant.


    At the same moment, he caught Nilsson''s punch, twisting and throwing him over his shoulder, his bodynding with a heavy crash beside Karlsson.


    The remaining squad members hesitated, their confidence waning as they witnessed the swift defeat of their peers. Wang Xiao stood amidst them, his breathing steady, his eyes alight with a fierce intensity.


    "Ugh!"


    Erikson, Vega, Jensen, Karlsson, and Nilssony on the ground, groaning in pain, their expressions a mix of disbelief and respect. The rest of the squad, now wary of engaging further, looked to Marcus for guidance.


    Marcus, his expression aplex tapestry of surprise, respect, and a hint of amusement, called off the confrontation. "Enough," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the tension. "This lesson is over."


    Wang Xiao, his point made, helped Erikson to his feet, offering a hand to Vega as well. His actions were those of a warrior acknowledging the bravery of his opponents.


    As the squad members slowly regained theirposure, nursing their bruises and egos, the air of confrontation slowly dissipated, reced by a newfound respect and a tinge of awe.


    They looked at Wang Xiao not just as an outsider now, but as a formidable force, a master ofbat whose skills were both mysterious and impressive.


    Marcus approached Wang Xiao, a wry smile on his face. "Well, you certainly made your point," he conceded, extending his hand in a gesture of respect. "You''re more than just talk."


    Wang Xiao sped Marcus''s hand firmly, his smile broadening. "It''s not about proving superiority," he said, his tone amiable yet earnest. "It''s about understanding that true strengthes from within, not just from orders and discipline."


    The squad members, gathered around, listened intently. The lesson wasn''t lost on them. They had learned something valuable, not just aboutbat, but about respect and the different forms strength could take.


    In that precise moment, Marcus inclined his body, drawing so close to Wang Xiao that his whispered words melted into his ear, "Tell me honestly, young man, what is it you''re after?"


    A vestige of amusement flickered across Wang Xiao''s eyes before he made a discreet nod towards the shadows, away from curious and prying eyes.


    Marcus squinted attentively, sizing up the situation. Before they made their way to the secluded niche, he deftly grabbed two cold beer cans from the cooler, handing one over to Wang Xiao. The cracking hiss of Marcus''s beer opening punctuated their stride towards istion.


    "Are you seeking answers or just fond of ying games?" Marcus''s question hung in the air like a sudden drop in temperature, apanying Wang Xiao.


    Shielding his intentions, Wang Xiao flicked the tab of his beer can, agitating the frothy contents, but he refrained from taking a sip. Underneath the yful smirk he inquired, "Your badge - it reads ''SOG.'' Precisely what do those letters signify?"


    Seeing that Wang Xiao was hungry for knowledge rather than conflict, Marcus nodded, the shadows casting a veil of mystery over his expression. "SOG," he began, "stands for Special Operations Guard, an elite division within the Sylvergard military. I belong to the Cobra unit that is tasked with protecting the royalty.


    Though their power has dwindledmitting to our modern democratic system, the parliament still keeps us alert."


    Wang Xiao received the information thoughtfully. Finally, he mused aloud, "So, you''re not merely an officer, but a governmental spy, tucked beneathyers of deception..."


    Marcus''s face hardened momentarily, neither confirming nor denying before he offered an unsolicited word of caution.


    "I''d advise you to stay away from the women of the Royal family here, they carry an unspeakable curse." He tilted his head back, downing his beer with a gusty sigh before shing a mischievous grin, "Haha, seems like my beer has run its course," the rascal''s chuckle ringing out as he escaped back towards hisrades.


    All Wang Xiao could do was shake his head, humor twinkling beneath his hardened facade, before discarding the untouched beer can with a distant, reflective gaze.


    The disy of power earlier was not merely for this casual conversation; it was a calcted move to sow a subtle seed in their minds, one that could quietly shape their perception of him.


    Wang Xiao, after all, wasn''t one to engage in a game without his own well-ced pawns.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    When the opportune moment arrives, he knows he must be armed with his own formidable strategies.


    In his eyes, this Colonel appears to be a reliable ally. As long as he skillfully ys his moves, not only winning the Colonel''s support but also rallying his entire team to his cause, he''s confident he can draw them to his side.

 Chapter 161: Wrong time, Right Place (1)

    Wang Xiao''s steps echoed through the ornate corridors of the pce, his voice barely above a whisper, "Cursed women...?" The words felt foreign, yet they clung to his mind, echoing Marcus''s enigmatic warning.


    He paused under a grand archway, his gaze lost in the intricate patterns above. ''What did he mean by that?'' His thoughts spiraled, seeking answers in a web of confusion. He reached for his phone, fingers tapping in a frenzied search.


    But the inte, usually a sea of endless information, was eerily silent on this topic.


    Each query led to a dead end, as if the world had collectively decided to shroud this mystery in silence.


    With a resigned sigh, he pocketed his phone, only to have his gaze snag on Elina, the maid from earlier.


    She moved with a grace that belied her station, each step a study in poise. "Elina!" he called, his voice slicing through the morning calm.


    Elina stopped, her steps halting with a soft rustle of her skirt, her surprise fleeting before she masked it with practiced professionalism.


    Turning, she approached with measured steps. "Is there anything I can help you with, sir?" Her voice was the embodiment of calm, but her eyes held a flicker of curiosity.


    Wang Xiao nodded, a n forming in his mind. "Can you lead me to Josephine''s room? I have something I need to ask her," he said, his tone even.


    Elina hesitated, her eyes flickering with a hint of uncertainty. It was unusual, this early in the morning, yet the princess had made her instructions clear - she was avable for him. With an inward shrug, Elina nodded, "Of course, sir. Please follow me."


    She led him through the winding hallways, their footsteps a soft patter against the marble floors.


    Stopping outside the queen''s quarters, she pointed to the next door. "The princess''s room is right there. She prefers not to be disturbed by servants."


    "Thank you," Wang Xiao replied, his hand already on the doorknob, his actions void of hesitation.


    Elina''s eyes widened slightly as he entered without a knock, a breach of protocol that sent a ripple of shock through her. ''Did he just...?'' She watched the door close behind him, her mind a whirlwind of scandalous possibilities.


    ''Could the princess have...?'' The thought lingered, unsaid but heavy in the air as she turned away, her steps a soft echo in the grand hallway.


    ____________


    As Wang Xiao stepped into Josephine''s room, the air shifted subtly, a silent acknowledgment of his unannounced intrusion. The room, bathed in the soft glow of morning light, was a harmony of elegance and simplicity. Gossamer curtains danced gently in azy breeze, and the walls were adorned with fine art that whispered stories of a past era.


    But it was the emptiness that struck him the most. The room, though filled with luxurious furnishings¡ªa four-poster bed draped in satin, a mahogany writing desk, a chaise lounge by the window¡ªheld no sign of Josephine. It was as if the room was holding its breath, waiting for its upant to return and breathe life into it.


    Wang Xiao moved further inside, his footsteps muffled by the plush carpet. His eyes scanned the room, seeking clues, answers, anything that might unravel the mystery of Marcus''s cryptic warning. *''Curse women...'' What did it mean? And why was Josephine not here?*


    His gaze fell upon the desk, where an array of papers and a half-finished lettery. He hesitated, a battle between curiosity and respect for privacy waging within him. Finally, curiosity won. He edged closer, skimming the visible lines of the letter, but they offered no insights, just mundane correspondences, and thenguage was foreign which he can''t yet understand.


    A sense of frustration began to build within him.


    He turned to the window, looking out at the sprawling pce gardens.


    The beauty of the view did little to soothe his restless thoughts.


    Wang Xiao''s reflection stared back at him from the ss, a man caught between two distinct worlds.


    He let out a sigh, feeling the weight of unanswered questions pressing down on him.


    Just then, a sound caught his attention. A faint rustling, like the whisper of silk against silk. He turned sharply, but the room remained as it was¡ªempty, save for the lingering echoes of its absent mistress.


    [There is someone beside the door], Yin Yue''s voice echoed in Wang Xiao''s mind, instantly heightening his senses.


    His eyes narrowed, a mix of caution and curiosity shing through them.


    No sooner had the warning registered than the door beside him creaked open, revealing a scene he was wholly unprepared for.


    Creak!


    Josephine stood there, emerging from the bathroom, her figure draped in nothing but a white towel that clung to her like a second skin. Her silver hair, wet and shimmering, cascaded down her back, strands sticking to her damp skin. Water droplets clung to her eyshes, glistening like tiny jewels under the soft light.


    For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Their eyes locked, a myriad of emotions flickering through Josephine''s gaze ¨C surprise, confusion, and a hint of vulnerability he had never seen in her before.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Recovering from her Intial shock, Josephine, wrapping the towel more securely around herself, took a step forward, her posture regaining its usual poise. "Wang Xiao...?" she said, a trace of wry humor in her voice.


    "So early in the morning, can''t you grant me a rest after such a hectic day yesterday?" She spoke, not knowing why such ambiguious wordsing out of her mouth, a faint redness of her cheeks.


    Recovering quickly from the initial shock, Josephine managed to inject humor into the unexpected situation. "Wang Xiao...?" she said, her voiceced with wry amusement. "So early in the morning, can''t you grant me a rest after such a hectic day yesterday?" Her words flowed with a surprising ease, even as a faint blush tinted her cheeks.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze inadvertently traced the line of her slender legs before darting up to her face, a brief, unguarded thought shing through his mind. ''Not bad...'' But he quickly refocused, concealing any untoward reaction. Opening his mouth to speak, he said, "I just wanted to take a look around and find you. Don''t really have many acquaintances here in the pce...


    And that old goon, Marcus, he is too much to bear..." His hands casually inspected her desk, maintaining a veneer of calm.

 Chapter 162: Wrong Time, Right place! (2)

    "And that old goon, Marcus, he is too much to bear..." Wang Xiao''s hands casually inspected her desk, maintaining a veneer of calm.


    Pfttt!


    Josephine couldn''t help but let out a chuckle at his description of Marcus. "Old goon?" she repeated, her voice tinged with amusement.


    She moved towards him, intending to secure some of her important belongings, when suddenly the door to her room swung open again, unannounced.


    "Josephine, can you pleas¡ª" The new voice, distinctly feminine, cut through the air, halting both Josephine and Wang Xiao in their tracks.


    They turned in unison, surprise evident in their expressions.


    Whoosh!


    In a swift, almost reflexive motion, Josephine closed the distance between herself and Wang Xiao. She reached for his shoulders and, in a bold, impulsive move, pressed her lips against his.


    The sudden kiss was a shockwave, a desperate measure in a moment of panic. Josephine''s action, so bold and impulsive, was a stark contrast to her usualposed demeanor.


    Her fingers dug into Wang Xiao''s shoulders, not just pulling him into the kiss, but also drawing him closer to shield him from the view of the neer.


    Wang Xiao, taken aback, barely had time to register the softness of her lips before his mind caught up with the situation.


    His initial instinct was to pull away, but he understood in a sh ¨C this was a diversion, a way to protect their reputations in a potentiallypromising scenario.


    The door swung open fully, revealing another woman in the doorway, her words trailing off as she took in the scene before her. Her eyes widened in shock, and she mped a hand over her mouth, a muffled gasp escaping her lips.


    Josephine''s sharp tone cut through the room, her annoyance clear as she addressed the intruder. "Mom? Can''t you see we are busy?" Her words were a blend of irritation and a forced casualness, as if trying to paint the situation in a less scandalous light.


    ??


    The woman, now identified as Josephine''s mother, stood momentarily frozen in the doorway. Her features, a mature echo of Josephine''s own, were etched with a blend of surprise and a barely-concealed amusement. Augh escaped her lips, light and melodious, filling the room with an unexpected warmth.


    Wang Xiao, caught off guard, turned his head towards the sound, but before he could fully take in her appearance, Seraphine ¨C as Josephine''s mother was apparently named ¨C gracefully shut the door behind her. "Take your time..." her voice chimed through the wood,ced with a hint of teasing.


    Josephine, her cheeks ame with a blush that crept up to her hairline, let out a sigh, the tension in her shoulders easing as she stepped away from Wang Xiao.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She turned to face him, a sheepish expression crossing her face.


    "Wang Xiao, I am really sorry, but my mother... She''s very strict about these things. If she saw us like this and misunderstood, she would make trouble for you unnecessarily..." Josephine''s voice wavered, a mix of apology and frustration, her eyes briefly darting away in a disy of difort.


    She paced a little, her hands wringing the towel. "You have to understand, she views everything through the lens of royal duty and propriety. An unmarried princess, in a... apromising position with a man ¨C it''s scandalous by her standards."


    Her words tumbled out in a rush, each sentenceced with a growing panic. "And it''s not just about me. She''ll see it as a reflection on our entire family, on the royal lineage. The gossip, the rumors it would stir..."


    Josephine halted, taking a deep breath, trying topose herself. "And you, Wang Xiao. You''re a guest here. I can''t have you dragged into pce intrigues or be a target for the court''s censure because of a misunderstanding. That would be grossly unfair to you."


    She turned back to him, her eyes earnest. "Please believe me, I never intended for you...."


    Wang Xiao heard her words enter one ear and swiftly exit the other, his mind still upied by the lingering, refreshing scent of fresh pink roses. Josephine''s panic-stricken lips moved, but their meaning failed to reach his ears.


    His gaze remained fixated on her moist lips and panicked eyes, drawn to the tempting cleavage revealed by the loosely wrapped towel barely concealing her body.


    "Wang Xiao, I¡ªuuu!?"


    Josephine''s words abruptly dissolved as she shook her head in disbelief, only to find herself enveloped in Wang Xiao''s embrace momentster. His lips seized hers, igniting an electric surge of sensations across her own dampened lips.


    Inwardly sighing with relief, Wang Xiao savored the familiar fragrance that invaded his nostrils, kindling an undeniable arousal within him. Gently yet passionately, he parted her lips with his tongue, delving into the depths of her mouth, catching Josephine off guard.


    !!


    Her pupils instantly dted as she snapped back to reality, emerging from the depths of her shock. Wang Xiao continued to possess her sweet mouth as she stood there, suspended in a euphoric daze, making no attempt to resist.


    Her eyes, wide with panic, locked with Wang Xiao''s, a silent surrender in their depths.


    Having meticulously plotted to trap her heart and exploit her for his own desires, Wang Xiao now reveled in the gratification of knowing she was already under his irresistible influence.


    The absence of resistance from Josephine fueled his excitement.


    Wang Xiao was also slightly stimted, pushing forward his ns ahead of schedule, as the breasts that once used to be mundane now became a rare treat.


    "Haaa... Haaa... W-Wang Xiao?" Josephine gasped, her eyes filled with shock and questions as they finally broke apart.


    She had no clue what had just happened.


    Wang Xiao met her gaze, his eyes fixated on her, his lips curving into a soft, wordless smile.


    Ignoring her stunned expression, he leaned forward once more, drawing her in, and sealing their connection with another kiss.


    ''Huh?''


    Josephine''s mind whirled in confusion. This time, she wanted to push him away, but his firm grip on her waist rendered her powerless. The only sound that filled the air was the audible swallowing, as he greedily tasted her lips, clearly unsatisfied with their previous encounter.

 Chapter 163: *Josephine (1)*

    "Ugh, w-wait!" Josephine''s plea fell upon deaf ears as Wang Xiao effortlessly ced her onto the luxurious expanse of her plush bed, and once again imed her lips in a passionate kiss.


    Her mind became a whirlwind of swirling questions, and she felt a sense of helplessness as control slipped through her fingers like sand.


    d in nothing but a flimsy white towel, she found herself forcefully pressed down onto her own bed, unsure of how to react.


    Panic gnawed at her, but her attempts to push him away proved futile, and all that escaped her lips were muffled cries of protest, quickly smothered by his insistent presence.


    "Argh, Wang Xiao, enough!" she burst out, the words escaping her lips the moment he parted from their deep and passionate kiss. Their eyes locked in a fierce and unyielding deadlock, the weight of the moment pressing down upon her trembling frame.


    Wang Xiao''s focus shifted momentarily, his gaze drawn irresistibly to her lips, glossy with the remnants of their shared saliva.


    Without breaking eye contact, he reached out and clutched her face between his fingers, locking her in a hypnotic trance of intensity.


    !!


    Her breath caught in her chest as his piercing stare prated her, leaving her stunned and devoid of any coherent response.


    In that moment, Josephine''s mind raced, trying to regain herposure and find the strength to assert herself.


    Summoning herst reserves of courage, Josephine''s hands shot up, grappling fiercely at Wang Xiao''s wrists, determined to break free from his grip.


    Her eyes, filled with a mixture of fear and determination, bore into his, silently demanding him to release her from his hold.


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed with a mixture of surprise and intrigue as he realized the sudden resistance brewing within Josephine.


    His grip loosened slightly, yet his fingers maintained their firm presence against her flushed cheeks, unwilling to forfeit.


    "No, Wang Xiao!" she finally spoke, her voice trembling butced with an unexpected undercurrent of strength. "This is not right. This is not like you at all!" she asserted, her words cutting through the tense air like a sharp de.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Oh?" Wang Xiao halted, a sudden glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes, as if they were grinning at her. "So what am I like...?" he asked, his voice dripping with a mixture of curiosity and seriousness.


    "That..!?"


    Josephine''s lips pressed tightly together, a conflicted expression crossing her face.


    She turned her gaze away, unable to meet his eyes, realizing that although she had voiced her disapproval, she didn''t have the answers to his query.


    A heavy sigh of disappointment escaped Wang Xiao''s lips, the weight of his expectations drowning him.


    He had anticipated her to illuminate him with her perspective of him.


    With the sigh still hanging in the air, his warm lips grazed her neck, jolting Josephine from her thoughts. She let out a frustrated groan, "Ugh, listen to me and stop already!"


    Her neck twisted and turned as Wang Xiao continued to suckle on her sensitive skin, transforming it into a fiery flush of crimson. Restless, her hands clenched into clenched fists, a physical embodiment of her loosing patience.


    "Wang Xiao, it won''t end well if you persist!" she warned, her voiceced with a blend of concern and admonishment.


    "I would call for help."


    Her words slipped through one of Wang Xiao''s ears and out the other, his nonchnce evident.


    If she truly wanted to involve others, she could have easily done so herself, a long ago.


    He released a silent smile, his lips trailing kisses across her cheeks, while she shook her head in protest.


    Yet, the scent of fresh roses wafting from her was enough to captivate Wang Xiao, causing him to disregard her objections.


    He tightened his grip on her jaw, holding it firm as he pressed his lips against hers, time and time again.


    Josephine felt utterly helpless, her eyes brimming with a faint anguish, but there was something indescribably sorrowful in her gaze.


    Finally, the pieces of the puzzle fell into ce, revealing the truth she had long sensed.


    Why did she always perceive a different aura emanating from him?


    Beneath his tough exterior, therey hidden depths, as if cracks marred his very foundation.


    The mere thought of it filled her with a profound sadness. "His eyes were so bleak... always," she concluded, piecing together the fragments of her understanding.


    Having sated his desires, Wang Xiao briefly ran his tongue along her corbone before casting his gaze downward, drawn to her cleavage. Her breasts, astonishingly ample for her age, beckoned to him like a soft, seductive melody.


    He gently untucked her towel, slowly unwinding it, his fingers gliding against her smooth skin.


    Josephine''s eyes widened ever so slightly, a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. "Wang Xiao, let''s thoroughly consider this first," she managed to say, her cheeks aze with embarrassment.


    "You can do thatter, but we need to talk right now!" she asserted, her voiceced with nervousness.


    Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine uttering those words, but the panic coursing through her veins pushed them out, her porcin white skin reflecting in his intense gaze.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes were fixated on her ample breasts, unable to tear his gaze away. He paused momentarily, captivated by the sight of those jade melons, perfectly ripe with a cherry on top.


    Josephine''s youthful age promised velvety smoothness, enticing Wang Xiao to squeeze and caress them.


    "Wang Xiao... Phew... So you''re finally ready to listen," Josephine thought, a faint sense of relief washing over her amidst the blush that stained her cheeks.


    She misunderstood his momentarily halt for an expression of understanding.


    Though she had no qualms about pursuing a rtionship with him, this wasn''t the way she had envisioned it.


    However, Wang Xiao''s thoughts took a different direction. ''I wonder if they would burst like water balloons if I squeezed them hard enough,'' he mused, his gaze remaining fixed on her breasts.


    Almost unconsciously, his hand reached out towards them, and with a sudden jolt, it was as if they bounced back, emitting a faint boing!


    "Eh?"

 Chapter 164: *Josephine (2)*

    Almost unconsciously, Wang Xiao''s hand reached out towards them, and with a sudden jolt, it was as if they bounced back, emitting a faint boing!


    "Eh?"


    Josephine''s heart skipped a beat, her hard drive crashing like a thunderous symphony.


    What she had once appeared as in the epilogue now revealed itself as a prelude to something far more different!


    Wang Xiao''s fingers daringly sank into the milky white expanse of her breast, causing his eyes to flicker with a momentary delight that ignited a fire within him. Then, under Josephine''s eyes, wide with disbelief, he leaped forward, striking out his tongue with a teasing gentleness that sent electric jolts through her being, like a dance of forbidden pleasure over her cherry.


    !!


    Josephine felt a delicious shiver cascade down her spine, causing her head to turn and her lips to part in an ecstatic surrender. A soft, breathy "Ahn~" escaped her, a moan woven with desire, as her eyes closed tightly in a mix of ecstasy and embarrassment.


    His touch intensified as he further squeezed her supple skin, provoking a bewildering sensation that coursed through her every nerve, like an electric current enveloping her entire being.


    As a final, desperate plea, she found her voice, whispering in an almost drunken voice, "Wang Xiao... Please... Let''s stop... here.."


    Her words were a mere whisper, barely audible amidst her intoxicated state. Wang Xiao eagerly sucked on her nipples, squeezing her breasts aggressively, and his lips traced a path of wetness across her chest, leaving a trail of saliva behind. Her nipples became hardened and reddened under his skilled attention.


    His hands struggled to contain the fullness of her breasts as they spilled out. With gentle yet firm movements, he massaged them, causing waves of pleasure to course through her.


    "Mmmngh¡­"


    Josephine''s eyes narrowed slightly with a mix of reluctance and desire as she felt his kisses trailing down towards her abdomen. The alcohol like state dulled her initial protesting thoughts, and she sumbed to the intoxicating sensations.


    Wang Xiao nted a kiss just above and below her abdomen, urging her legs apart. Her thighs, smooth and inviting, eagerly weed his touch as he sensually ran his fingers along them, asionally showering them with kisses.


    !!


    Josephine clenched the bedsheet tightly, the sensation crawling across her skin bing unbearable, causing her vision to blur with a haze of lust.


    As the haze of lust enveloped Josephine, she arched her back instinctively, offering herself further to Wang Xiao''s mercy.


    With a gentle yet demanding touch, Wang Xiao parted her thighs, revealing the delicate blossom nestled enticingly in between. The tender trace of crimson, like a seductive invitation, adorned the velvety inner folds that glistened with an immacte purity, as if deliberately safeguarded from prying eyes.


    Without hesitation, Wang Xiao leaned closer, his warm breath gently caressing the sensitive skin of her inner thighs. His lips, soft and demanding, met the tender flesh between her legs.


    "Ah!?" Josephine''s startled cry escaped, her hands instinctively flying to cover her mouth in disbelief.


    Her head snapped upward, unable to resist the maic pull of curiosity, as an icy touch sent a cascade of goosebumps rippling across her skin, inducing involuntary shivers.


    A rush of heat suddenly consumed Josephine''s body, her cheeks flushing with a rosy hue. Her hands trembled, torn between covering herself and reaching out to pull him closer, due to iprehensible feeling she felt.


    "Mhnn.... W-Wang..." Her eyes filled with mist, as she writhed under his touch, her head thrown back, his hands firmly holding her thighs apart, rendering her powerless. She tried desperately to push him away, but her feeble attempts yielded no strength, as her body surrendered to the pleasure enveloping her.


    Her breathing turned rough, and the torture continued for next five minutes, before some sanity return to Josephine, but that was fleeting, as next moment, she found herself being turned around, before a stinging pain hit her bottom.


    Her breathing becamebored, each intake of air a desperate struggle against the torment that seemed to stretch on for an eternity.


    Five agonizing pleasurable minutes dragged by, their weight crushing Josephine''s exhausted spirit.


    Just as a glimmer of sanity dared to return, it was cruelly snatched away in the next moment.


    She was abruptly spun around, and a searing, white-hot pain shot through her bottom, engulfing her senses.


    Josephine fought against her exhaustion, her voice a mere whisper, barely escaping her lips, "What is he doing...?" Despite the intense, burning pain, she refused to release a scream; her weariness was too overwhelming.


    A sinister smirk spread across Wang Xiao''s face as he loomed over her, his naked body on disy, "You''ve been a bad girl. It''s time for you to learn a lesson," he whispered with chilling satisfaction.


    "??" Josephine''s eyes narrowed, a mix of apprehension taking over her mind.


    With great effort, she turned her head slightly, her gaze falling upon the angry redness that surrounded her tender, vited skin.


    The source of her difort now burned with new profound rity.


    A surge of confusion and subtle humiliation washed over her, and Josephine mustered the courage to speak out. "I don''t like that kind of y..." she murmured, bitternesscing each word, as denial no longer appeared to be an option.


    Wang Xiao''s smile only deepened, he positioned his throbbing member between her reddened butt cheeks, dering his intentions. "We''ll discover that soon enough."


    "Huh?"


    Josephine''s eyes narrowed at his words, a mix of curiosity and trepidation hitting her as she watched his throbbing member prate her. The sensation of him rubbing against her delicate folds sent a shiver down her spine. With each slow, deliberate movement, only the tip of his member breached her entrance, causing her to push against the mattress with her elbows, her face twisted in pain.


    "Mnghh!" Josephine moaned, feeling a mix of difort and pleasure wash over her.


    Unexpectedly, her eyes flew open, widened with a surge of sensation, as he fully entered her.


    Her inner walls mped tightly around his throbbing length, the force of their connection tinged with a brief moment of pain that left a trickle of blood staining the once pristine bedsheets beneath her trembling legs.


    A single tear escaped the corner of her eye, glistening in the soft light, as she braced herself against the bed, her grip on the sheets bing a desperate white-knuckled clutch.


    "Mmm!~"


    Muffled moans and gasps spilled from her parted lips, surrendering to the intense pleasure and overwhelming emotions coursing through her.


    As their bodies found a rhythm, a symphony of moans and gasps filled the room. Josephine''s breath hitched, her voice escaping in breathless, throaty moans of


    "Ahhhnn~"


    "Mngghhh..t-take it slowmmhnnn~""


    Each powerful thrust elicited a melodic chorus of pleasure from her quivering lips.


    Pak!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Pak!


    Pak!


    The sound, slick and wet, filled the air, punctuated by the rhythmic p of their bodies colliding.


    Wang Xiao groaned deeply, his voice mingling with her vocalizations, a harmony of masculine desire.


    The sound of his name slipped from Josephine''s lips in a whispered plea, with a melody of need and abandoned shame.

 Chapter 165: Marriage Proposal?

    The bed in the pce creaked ominously, the noise echoing through the opulent chamber as two shadowy figures engaged in a fierce struggle.


    Wang Xiao''s fingers clenched tightly in Josephine''s hair, his grip merciless as he relentlessly pounded into her from behind.


    Each thrust sent shivers of pleasure mixed with pain coursing through her body.


    "Mmmmmnghh~" Josephine couldn''t help but release a loud moan, her voice filled with abination of pleasure and desperation.


    The sensation of his throbbing member prating her deeply for the third time was overwhelming, leaving her senses heightened and her thoughts clouded. As he pulled out, leaving his essence behind, her trembling legs almost gave way.


    "H-Hey, wait..." Josephine managed to stammer, her mind struggling to catch up with the whirlwind of sensations. But before she could regain herposure, Wang Xiao swiftly lifted her up, his strength surprising her as he moved towards the window. With one leg thrown over his shoulder, he positioned himself to enter her in the same daring position.


    Fear wed at Josephine''s innermost thoughts.


    What if someone spotted them in thispromising position?


    Panic threatened to consume her, but as the first wave of pleasure crashed over her, all concerns faded away, leaving behind only a rush of ecstasy and the sweet sting of pain.


    Time seemed to slow as the room blurred around them, the outside world fading into the background.


    Thoughts of consequence were reced by the urgent hunger for fulfillment. In this moment, she surrendered to her primal desires, allowing the intoxicating blend of pleasure and pain to consume herpletely.


    Reality faded away, her sanity slipping through her fingers like grains of sand...


    _______


    In the confines of luxurious Drottningholm Pce, nestled in the heart of Sylvia, the clock struck 8:00 pm on the 8th of May, 2026.


    Under the soft glow of the yellow light, two figuresy entwined, their breaths mingling in the quiet of the grand chamber.


    Beneath a luxurious white quilt, Josephine, her form gently resting atop Wang Xiao''s sculpted, bare chest, gazed intently into his face, shrouded in slumber.


    Her eyes, filled with aplex mix of emotions, pondered silently if the man beneath her remained unchanged.


    In a whisper, tinged with herplex web of feelings, she breathed, "How can you sleep so peacefully aftermitting so many crimes in a single day...?" The words, light as a feather, yet heavy with meaning.


    Suddenly, Wang Xiao''s eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes that seemed never to have been closed. His gaze briefly met hers, then drifted downwards, lingering on her breasts pressed against the warmth of his chest.


    "Ah!?"


    A startled exmation burst from Josephine''s lips in a hushed, astonished yelp. Her cheeks flushed a vivid, deep rose, her eyes widening with bashfulness as she locked her gaze onto him. "Hey, can you be a bit more considerate? At the very least, avoid using your teeth to bite them..." she retorted, her voice a blend of reproach and an involuntary burst of amusement.


    Laughter lightly danced in her tone, even as he bit her already tender, bruised nipple, drawing a delicate mix of pain and pleasure.


    Josephine shook her head, a silent surrender to his behaviour.


    She settled morefortably onto him, a portrait of serene eptance against his form.


    In the background, the delicate clinking of utensils provided a gentle soundtrack to the scene.


    Elina, meticulously arranging traysden with an assortment of fruits, moved with deliberate slowness.


    She filled a ss with water, her eyes darting away, trying their utmost to avoid the intimate tableau beside her, yet drawn inexorably back in fleeting, stolen nces.


    The silence in thevishly adorned chamber of Drottningholm Pce was broken by Wang Xiao''s voice, tinged with a blend of curiosity and concern. "You''ve been suggesting for a while that I''m heading towards trouble. What exactly do you mean?" His eyes searched hers for an answer, a subtle crease of worry etching his brow.


    Josephine fell silent, her lips hesitating slightly. She nced at Elina, noting her deliberately slow movements, before refocusing on Wang Xiao. "You dared to seduce the princess of Sylvergard in her own pce. Do you think nobody will find out?" A tinge of resentment colored her voice.


    Leaning closer, her breath warm against his ear, she whispered conspiratorially "Idiot, if you''d listened to me, we could''ve left the pce to do it. Now you''veplicated everything..."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As she spoke, Josephine''s mind raced. ''How could he be so reckless? Does he not understand modesty?'' Her thoughts were a whirlwind of concern and frustration.


    Pak!


    Without warning, Wang Xiao''s handnded sharply on her bottom¡ªa silent reprimand for her sharp words. "Watch your words when you''re with me," he cautioned.


    Already ustomed to the stinging pain on her back, Josephine rolled her eyes, her frustration now directed at a new target. "Elina!?" she called sharply, her gaze piercing the maidservant.


    Elina, visibly startled, momentarily lost herposure before regaining it. "Yes, Princess...?" she replied, her voice a careful blend of respect and caution.


    "Have you gathered enough information for the Queen, or do you need more time? Your hands have been unusually slowtely," Josephine remarked, narrowing her eyes at Elina.


    Elina carefully ced down the tray, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness. "Why would I indulge in such behavior, Princess? Gossiping is not in my nature, it''s beneath me," she responded, striving to maintain an air of innocence.


    Josephine''s eyes narrowed, her inner voice seething, ''She lies so effortlessly. Can I trust no one in this pce anymore?'' Outwardly, shemanded, "Leave us. Now!"


    Elina flinched at the harshness in Josephine''s tone, then, with a slight bow, responded, "As you wish, Princess," and hastily exited the room.


    Following Elina''s departure, the air seemed to grow heavier. Josephine exhaled a deep, fatigued sigh, the sound resonating with a multitude of unspoken worries. "You see that?" she said, her voice a blend of weariness and frustration. "That''s exactly the kind of trouble I''ve been talking about."


    Wang Xiao''s intense gaze remained locked on her, his eyes a mirror to his unspoken thoughts. "Didn''t your mother already see us together?" he queried, his voice tinged with a hint of suspicion.


    He pondered silently, questioning Josephine''s motives. Was she weaving tales to emotionally influence him further?


    Josephine''s response was dyed, her silence stretching between them like a taut string. Finally, her head dropped softly against his chest. "I don''t know... Mom has always been against any sort of... you know, fun outside the norm. In school, there were those wild parties where everyone made out with strangers, but she was extra vignt to ensure I stayed away."


    Wang Xiao, slightly perplexed, replied, "I don''t see anything wrong with her wanting to protect you..."


    Josephine''s silence returned, her thoughts swirling. ''Why would he think I wanted to be part of that reckless crowd?'' she thought, feeling misunderstood. ''I just wanted the freedom to make my own choices, even if it was just to go and have a drink.''


    With a slight shake of her head, she voiced more of her constrained life. "It wasn''t just about those parties. She''s be increasingly overprotective, almost paranoid. She forbids me from even the simplest contact with the opposite gender, insisting that I''ve grown up and must avoid such ''unroyal'' behavior."


    As she spoke, Josephine felt a mix of frustration and resignation. To Wang Xiao, her life might have seemed sheltered and privileged, but to her, it felt suffocating, a golden cage restricting her every move.


    Wang Xiao remained silent, absorbing Josephine''s words, his expression unreadable.


    Josephine continued, her voice tinged with a mix of sarcasm and resignation. "She said I could engage in a rtionship if I was serious about it, but otherwise, it''s aplete no. Though I often doubt her sincerity. Unlike in films and stories, there''s no strict royal duty to remain a maiden until marriage. Many princesses have boyfriends before they''re wed.


    I guess my mother is just more conservative."


    She sighed, a distant look in her eyes. "It was odd today... She didn''t overreact on the spot. I just... I don''t want to face her again anytime soon."


    Yin Yue, muttered under her breath, [Things are certainly peculiar in this pce.]


    Wang Xiao nodded internally. The story seemed typical - a paranoid mother or queen - but something didn''t quite add up.


    Josephine said this overprotectiveness started a few years back, around her middle school years.


    It was normal, yet something about it felt off to Wang Xiao.


    He was about to delve deeper, perhaps starting by asking about the conversation between Josephine and the Queen the previous night, but before he could voice his questions, Josephine suddenly lifted her head.


    Her eyes locked with his, her expression morphing into a faint smile. "Though my mother is strict, in Sylvergard, it''s usually the Queen who makes the decisions. So, once I be Queen... I could decree that a princess should remain a virgin until marriage. Doesn''t that mean, Wang Xiao, you''d have to marry me...?"


    Her eyes sparkled with a provocative gleam, keenly observing Wang Xiao''s reaction, as if challenging him with her bold proposition.

 Chapter 166: Marriage Proposal Accepted: First Rite of Marriage, Initiated!

    Jospehine, "Doesn''t that mean, Wang Xiao, you''d have to marry me...?"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao, initially speechless, gazed at Josephine, a whirlwind of emotions flickering across his face. After a moment, he gave a small nod, surprising even her, as she had half-jokingly teased him. Then, with a swift movement, he caught her shoulders and turned her around.


    "Let''s start with the first rite of marriage then!" he dered, his voice resonating with a mix of yfulness and seriousness.


    Josephine''s eyes widened in shock and a hint of amusement. "No! We still haven''t eaten any¡ª"


    Her protest was abruptly cut short, her words trailing off into the air. A realization dawned on her ¨C the night ahead promised to be long and eventful, possibly leaving them with empty stomachs but filled with other indulgences, as Wang Xiao ''devoured'' her in a different manner.


    ________


    9th May, 2026!


    The minty freshness of toothpaste lingered in Josephine''s mouth ¨C a bizarre reminder of her second dental routine of the day, all thanks to Wang Xiao.


    "It''s the second time I''m brushing my teeth today, Wang Xiao, all because of you!" Josephine eximed, stepping out of the bathroom, her bare feet padding softly on the cool floor.


    She was draped in a loose, azure top that fluttered gently with her movements, contrasting with her crisply white short skirt. Her gaze, a mix of annoyance and amusement,nded squarely on Wang Xiao, who had nonchntly made himself at home in her bed.


    Wang Xiao spared her a brief, mocking nce. "me your own inability to grasp it the first time around," he retorted with a smirk.


    "Huh?" Josephine''s brow furrowed in confusion, her eyes twitching slightly. How was she supposed to know men could be so... vigorous during the day?


    And how on earth did Wang Xiao still have the energy after the marathon they had embarked on over thest 24 hours?


    Her own legs felt like jelly... She half-wondered if she might need a soothing massage just to walk straight again.


    With a resigned sigh, she slid under the quilt, her eyes curiously darting to the textbook in Wang Xiao''s hands. "Why are you reading my science books?" she asked, a hint of bewilderment in her voice.


    Wang Xiao shrugged nonchntly. "Nothing better to do," he replied, his voice betraying a hint of boredom.


    Josephine fell silent, pondering. A school textbook seemed like an odd choice for leisure reading. Wouldn''t it be more likely to bore him further?


    Finding no answers, she snuggled closer to him, her gaze lingering on his face. Time seemed to driftzily by until Wang Xiao, cing the book aside, turned to her with a curious expression. "Hey, Josephine, Marcus warned me to stay away from you yesterday. Do you know anything about that?"


    ??


    Josephine''s initial confusion swiftly morphed into indignation as Wang Xiao''s words sank in. Her eyebrows arched in a mix of surprise and anger. "That old bastard really had the nerve to say that? I need to have a serious talk with him!" she eximed, her voiceced with disbelief and a hint of fury.


    Wang Xiao, reopening the book, added nonchntly, "He mentioned something about ''cursed women''..."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    At that, Josephine''s anger dissipated as quickly as it had red, reced by a somber, pensive expression. This shift didn''t escape Wang Xiao''s keen observation. He probed further, "Do you know anything about it?"


    Josephine fell into a troubled silence, her thoughts racing. Wang Xiao, noticing her withdrawal, called out to her gently, "Josephine?"


    She snapped back to the present, her eyes meeting his with a mix of apology and unease. "Uh, yes..." she began hesitantly, a faint sense of apprehension clouding her voice. "It''s just... We don''t talk about it here," she said, her words trailing off as she attempted to sidestep the conversation.


    Wang Xiao, however, wasn''t satisfied with her vague response. He nodded, understanding her reluctance yet curious still. "So, what is it? What''s this curse they talk about?" His tone was gentle yet persistent, sensing that behind her reluctancey a story ¨C a significant part of her past or perhaps a hidden truth about theirmunity.


    Josephine bit her lip, a storm of emotions ying across her face. She knew that opening up about this could change everything, yet Wang Xiao''s eyes made it hard for her to keep hiding her secrets.


    Josephine, after a brief moment of silence, exhaled a deep, resigned sigh. "It''s exactly as it sounds... Cursed women... Any man who marries into Sylvergard royalty is cursed to die," she exined, her voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and disbelief.


    She cautiously observed Wang Xiao''s reaction, and as his expression turned contemtive, she quickly ced her hands on his face. "Xiao, I swear I didn''t remember this earlier, or I would have told you. It''s just an ancient myth, nothing more," she added hurriedly, trying to reassure both him and herself.


    Wang Xiao looked into her slightly panicked eyes, searching for more than just the words she spoke. "Your father? Where is he?" he asked, his voice steady but revealing a hint of concern.


    !!


    Josephine visibly flinched at the question, falling into a pained silence.


    Wang Xiao murmured under his breath, piecing together the unsaid words, "So it''s true... He died..."


    Josephine stuttered, struggling to exin, "I-It''s not like that, he had a stroke when I was five..."


    Wang Xiao gently responded, his voice soft yet firm, "Yes, but he died nheless."


    "..."


    Josephine, her gaze fixed on a distant point, spoke with a hint of guilt coloring her voice. "It''s not like I didn''t ask... But mom always insisted there was no such curse..." Her words were barely more than a whisper, revealing the inner conflict she felt between family lore and her own desires.


    Wang Xiao shrugged, disying a pragmatic approach. "I wasn''t too concerned about it, since the legend specifically mentions marriage. We could just avoid that part. By the way, are there any male members alive in your royal family?" His curiosity was piqued, wondering about the scope of this curse.


    Josephine nced at him, her heart not entirely on board with the idea of never marrying him. She was already thinking of other ways to circumvent the curse. "My brother," she finally said, "he should be in school right now."


    Wang Xiao nodded in acknowledgment. Then, seemingly shifting gears, Josephine suggested, "Do you want to go with me to pick him up from school today?"


    His response wasced with skepticism. "Would your mother even allow you to go outside now?"


    Her face twitched slightly at the reminder of her mother''s protectiveness, but then she smiled faintly, a rebellious glint in her eyes. "We could sneak out!" she proposed boldly.

 Chapter 167: Jospehines Revenge!

    "We could sneak out!" Jospehine proposed boldly.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, slightly amused yet curious. He then steered the conversation toward a more pressing issue. "When we arrived, I remember your mother wanted to speak to you privately... Did she ask anything about me or the attack?" His voice carried a hint of suspicion, indicating that this was his main concern for the day.


    Josephine hesitated, the weight of the conversation with her mother, Seraphine, from two days ago pressing on her. Finally, she nodded, slowly unraveling the details of that private discussion.


    She recounted the conversation with her mother, Seraphine, with a thoughtful expression. "She did ask about you, but it was more about how you managed to defeat those attackers. She wanted every detail of the fight," she said, recalling the intense scrutiny of her mother during that discussion.


    Wang Xiao listened intently, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed this information. "Anything else she was curious about?" he asked, trying to gauge the depth of Seraphine''s concerns.


    Josephine shook her head slightly. "Not much else. But when I mentioned the strange behavior of the attackers, she seemed to gloss over it. She just told me not to leave the castle until she says otherwise."


    She paused, a frown creasing her brow as she remembered a crucial detail. "Oh, and before the fight, those people... they insisted I had toe with them to meet their lord. I didn''t understand why, so I refused. That''s when the conflict started."


    Wang Xiao mulled over this new piece of information. "Their lord, huh?" he mused, his mind racing with possibilities.


    Josephine nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting a mix of concern and determination.


    The mention of ''their lord'' hinted at arger plot, one that possibly intertwined with the mysteries and politics of her family and their kingdom.


    Yin Yue''s voice cut through Wang Xiao''s contemtions, offering a critical perspective. [Remember your conversation with Li Zhiming? These ''Deviants'' might be structured like an army, but their leaders aren''t typically referred to as ''lords.'' It''s likely...] she trailed off, allowing Wang Xiao toplete the thought.


    ''It might be a guardian who''s after her,'' Wang Xiao concluded, his gaze sharpening as he turned towards Josephine. She met his gaze with a faint smile, her cheeks coloring slightly under his intense scrutiny.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Before Wang Xiao could delve deeper into his thoughts, Yin Yue interjected again, cautioning him. [No need for drastic measures like killing. Don''t look for shortcuts to solve problems.]


    Raising his eyebrows in mild surprise, Wang Xiao responded, ''Why would you think I''d want to kill her? I''m just pondering if I''m being used. Her mother knew those attackers were Deviants. By stopping them, I might have aroused suspicion about myself...''


    He fell into a brief silence, his thoughts churning. ''I don''t like this feeling... Am I being manipted? If that''s the case, there will be consequences,'' he mused with a sense of cold resolve.


    Yin Yue continued, bringing a strategic angle to the conversation. [Consider how you can use this situation to your advantage. This country could serve as a hideout or something more. Don''t waste potential allies.]


    Wang Xiao acknowledged her advice with a nod. "That was my intention, besides..." His gaze drifted over Josephine''s figure, lingering momentarily before she caught his eye line and frowned, realizing where he was looking.


    But before she could voice her disapproval, Wang Xiao closed the distance between them, his face drawing near to hers.


    !!


    Caught off guard, Josephine''s heart raced, her breath hitching as their lips met.


    "Mmmn..."


    She ced her hands gently on his shoulders, surrendering to the moment.


    However, the tranquility was short-lived. Within a minute, Josephine pulled away, leaping out of bed. "Wang Xiao, no! I can''t anymore," she pleaded, her voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and difort as she nced towards the bulge in the quilt.


    "My legs are already sore, believe me..." She pleaded, desperationcing her words.


    Wang Xiao remained silent, his gaze fixed on her. He understood her physical difort, but he was still grappling with his own unresolved desires


    Grrr


    At that moment, the sound of Josephine''s stomach growling broke the tension. "See... We haven''t eaten since yesterday..." she confessed, her face flushed with embarrassment.


    Wang Xiao remained quiet, pondering their next move. He understood they needed to address the immediate needs ¨C food and rest ¨C but then who would solve the problem of his little brother?


    Would he die of hunger?


    Wang Xiao''s gaze, a mix of contemtion and mild frustration, lingered on Josephine, who was visibly struggling with the situation. The silence between them stretched, thick with unspoken concerns and the physical difort they both felt.


    Josephine, noticing the disappointment in Wang Xiao''s eyes, felt a twinge of guilt. She bit her lip, wrestling with the awkwardness of the moment before making a tentative suggestion. "I-I could ask Elina toe and look after you? Would that be okay?" she asked, her voice uncertain but earnest, clearly trying to find a solution despite her difort.


    "Alright," Wang Xiao finally agreed, his tone filled with reluctant eptance. "Send her in, but after you''ve had breakfast, make your way back to me; I''ll be right here."


    Josephine nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Okay, then I''ll arrange for Elina to fetch your clothes. Feel free to use my bathroom to freshen up," she leaned in, their lips meeting in a gentle, lingering kiss, "Goodbye."


    With haste fueled by trembling legs, she dashed out of the room as swiftly as her heart raced, evading the temptation to be pulled back into the warm embrace of the quilt.


    _____


    Creak...


    The door slowly swung open, and in stepped Elina, carrying a neatly folded pile of Wang Xiao''s clothes. Her footsteps echoed softly in the dimly lit room.


    But as her eyes fell upon the unexpected sight of Wang Xiao sitting naked beneath the quilt, her entire body tensed, and her face contorted with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty. It was as if time had frozen, and her mind raced with a flurry of thoughts.


    ''Does this... Does this align with what Princess had hinted at? Do I have to attend to certain matters before he can get dressed?'' Elina''s thoughts raced, and her fingers involuntarily tightened around the clothes in her grasp.


    "Oh, good, you''re finally here," Wang Xiao''s voice broke the silence, and he nonchntly rose from the bed, allowing the quilt to slip from his body. Panic coursed through Elina as she felt her heart skip a beat, and her duty-bound resolve was tested to its limits.

 Chapter 168: Jospehine Posioned!

    As the quilt fell, revealing Wang Xiao''s form, Elina''s mind seemed to whirl in a whirlwind of emotions. ''There goes my happy marriage... Thanks royal duties...'' She let out a deep sigh, a sigh of resignation as she epted the unexpected turn her life had taken. She had sworn an oath to serve, and this was well within the scope of her duties.


    Yet, amidst the turmoil of her thoughts, there was a strange realization. She never imagined that this day woulde, not with the king no longer among the living and the little prince merely in middle school.


    Elina couldn''t help but wonder if Princess Josephine was orchestrating this as some form of retribution for Elina''s previous spying endeavors. If she backed out now, she feared Josephine''s retaliation, and that was a gamble she couldn''t afford to take


    _____


    After leaving Elina with the responsibility of attending to Wang Xiao, Josephine had retreated to her take breakfast alongside Seraphine, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. She was torn between her duties to her family and her growing feelings for Wang Xiao.


    The hour she spent away felt like an eternity, filled with a mix of apprehension and hope about the permission she sought from her mother, Seraphine.


    Finally, with a mixture of relief and nervous anticipation, Josephine made her way back to Wang Xiao''s room. She had managed to convince Seraphine to allow her a brief respite outside the castle walls, albeit with a condition that puzzled her.


    As she neared the room, her pace slowed, her heart pounding with a blend of excitement to share the news and uncertainty about what she might find upon her return.


    Josephine''s hand hesitated on the door handle before she gently pushed the door open. The scene that greeted her was one of calm after the earlier storm of events. Wang Xiao, fresh from his bath, exuded a sense of rxed alertness.


    Elina, having finished tidying the room and attending to Wang Xiao, was in the process of buttoning up her top, her expression a mask of professionalism despite the odd situation.


    Josephine cleared her throat to announce her presence, her bitterness at the earlier scene quickly masked by a smile. "I have good news," she began, stepping into the room. Her eyes met Wang Xiao''s, trying to gauge his reaction as she delivered the surprising update from her mother.


    "Mother has given me permission to go outside." Josephine announced, her voice betraying a hint of forced cheerfulness.


    Wang Xiao, wrapping a towel around his waist, turned to her with a look of surprise. This was unexpected, given Seraphine''s earlier insistence on her staying within the castle walls.


    "But," Josephine continued, "she agreed only on the condition that you apany me."


    Now Wang Xiao''s surprise morphed into confusion. Was this an indirect acknowledgment from Seraphine of his capabilities? His mind raced with questions. It seemed almost too convenient, a direct contrast to the caution and restriction that had previously been imposed.


    "What is this woman up to?" Wang Xiao mused aloud, his gaze shifting between Josephine and Elina, who was now trying to make a discreet exit from the room. His thoughts were clouded with suspicion. Seraphine''s decision to allow Josephine outside, specifically under his escort, didn''t add up unless she had an ulterior motive.


    Josephine, sensing his confusion, added, "I was surprised too. But maybe she''s starting to trust you." Her words, meant to be reassuring, tinged with her own uncertainties about her mother''s intentions. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao, still pondering the implications of this development, realized that this might be a calcted move by Seraphine. Perhaps it was a test of his abilities or a ploy to uncover more about him.


    As Elina exited, closing the door with a quiet click, Wang Xiao began dressing himself. The casual ease with which he moved caused a faint blush to creep across Josephine''s cheeks. She retreated to the sanctuary of her bed, trying topose herself.


    "So, when are we leaving?" Josephine asked, her voice carrying a note of excitement. She swung her legs yfully as she sat on the bed, her earlier difort momentarily forgotten in the anticipation of the outing. "I want to show you around the city, and then we could pick up my brother from school as well!"


    Wang Xiao, buttoning up his shirt, nced over at her, a small, appreciative smile ying on his lips. He was aware of the change in her demeanor ¨C the eagerness to share her world with him, a sign of growing trust and perhaps something deeper.


    "We can leave as soon as I''m ready," he replied, fastening thest button. He looked at her, considering her proposal. "A tour of the city sounds interesting. And meeting your brother... that will be an important step."


    Josephine beamed at his response, her enthusiasm evident in her voice. "You''ll love it! The city has so much history and beauty. And as for my brother, I''m sure you two will get along," she said, her eyes shining with the prospect of introducing Wang Xiao to more of her life.


    As Wang Xiao finished dressing, he reflected on the significance of this outing.


    Not only would it be a chance to learn more about Josephine''s world, but it would also be an opportunity to observe the dynamics of her family and perhaps gain insight into the capital city of Sylvergard as well.


    With a nod to himself, he was ready to step into a day that promised to be both revealing and enjoyable.


    The room was charged with a blend of anticipation and enthusiasm, as Wang Xiao abruptly remembered something important. "Hey, Josephine. Can you pass me that small pouch?" he asked calmly, pointing towards a spot near the bed.


    As Josephine delicately grasped the small pouch, her movements were graceful yet slightly hurried, fueled by the excitement of their impending outing. "This one?" she queried, reaching back and retrieving the pouch perched atop thempstand.


    "Yes, but be careful with it," Wang Xiao warned, a note of caution in his voice. However, as if on cue with his warning, the pouch slipped through Josephine''s fingers, cascading its contents onto her. A soft "Oops..." escaped her lips, her eyes widening in surprise as golden dust glittered against her skin.


    Wang Xiao whirled around, his face a picture of surprise and worry. "What did you do...!?" he eximed, his tone a blend of rm and resignation.


    Josephine attempted to speak, to brush off the incident as a minor mishap that the maids could easily rectify, but her voice refused to cooperate. Her throat felt constricted, her vocal cords unresponsive.


    Wang Xiao sighed heavily, a mix of frustration and resignation evident in his expression. "Don''t even try to speak. That dust is a potent poison used for emergencies. It paralyzes on contact," he exined with a tinge of regretful voice.


    Panic flickered in Josephine''s eyes, her body rigid and unresponsive. The reality of her situation began to dawn on her ¨C she waspletely at Wang Xiao''s mercy.

 Chapter 169: The Hidden Paradise!

    The reality of her situation began to dawn on Jospehine ¨C she waspletely at Wang Xiao''s mercy.


    Seeing her distress, Wang Xiao quickly produced a vial from his pocket and administered the antidote. "This should counteract the effects. But here''s the catch ¨C you''ll need to take this every month, and only I have the antidote," he said, his voice steady as he gently poured the light blue liquid into her mouth.


    As the antidote took effect, Josephine''s muscles slowly rxed, and a wave of relief washed over her. When she finally regained her ability to speak, she asked with a mix of apprehension and curiosity, "D-Does this mean I have to see you every month for the antidote?" Despite the seriousness of the situation, a yful glint shone in her eyes.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile. "Yes, but it''s noughing matter. You must be diligent about it," he warned, then added, "Or you could take a bulk supply, but¡ª"


    Josephine cut him off, determination in her voice, "No need. I''lle each month." She saw an opportunity in this unexpected twist ¨C a reason to maintain close contact with Wang Xiao.


    epting her decision, Wang Xiao sighed, his mind shifting back to the immediate problem. "Alright, let''s head out. But first, let me clean up this mess. We can''t risk anyone else getting exposed to this." His voice was firm, indicating the gravity of the situation.


    Josephine nodded, stepping out of the room to give him space. She leaned against the corridor wall, her mind abuzz with thoughts of their day ahead and the unexpected turn of events that had just took ce.


    Inside, Wang Xiao efficiently cleared away the remaining dust, his movements methodical and precise.


    His face was expressionless, but his mind was active, pondering different situations every second.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ______


    As Wang Xiao emerged from the room, he was greeted by Josephine''s faint smile. She reached out, taking his hand with a sense of eagerness that seemed to light up her entire being.


    Together, they made their way towards the garage, her steps lively and full of anticipation. Wang Xiao, observing her enthusiasm, allowed himself a small smile, recognizing these moments of unconcious empathy, the ability to mirror the behaviours.


    He knew his capacity for empathy was still intact, and unlike others, he could control it, a skill that often proved invaluable.


    Upon reaching the garage, a space brimming with an array of cars, Josephine turned to him with a question. "Which car?" she asked, her voice echoing slightly in the vast garage.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes scanned the lineup of vehicles, each one gleaming under the bright lights. He paused when his gazended on a particr car. "Let''s take that one," he suggested, pointing towards a sleek gray Audi A5.


    It stood out to him not just for its aesthetic appeal but also because it was the only convertible with four seats in the garage. Wang Xiao had always had a preference for open spaces; the feeling of the wind and the unobstructed view a convertible offered was something he enjoyed.


    Josephine''s eyes followed his gesture,nding on the Audi A5. A smile yed on her lips as she nodded in agreement. "Great choice!" she eximed, her voice tinged with excitement. She quickly moved towards the car, her steps light and graceful.


    Booom!


    The car, with Josephine at the wheel and Wang Xiao beside her, burst through the pce gates with a speed that was both exhrating and slightly rming. Marcus, who happened to be nearby, watched the vehicle zoom past, shaking his head in mild exasperation. "Who allowed this girl to take the car by herself?" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.


    Around him, others shared simr expressions of concern ¨C Josephine''s driving was notorious for being, at best, mendable.''


    Inside the car, Wang Xiao''s expression remainedposed, but a slight twitch of his lips betrayed his amusement at Josephine''s bold driving. "Isn''t it beyond the speed limits, Josephine?" he inquired as the Drottningholm Pce disappeared behind them at an rming rate.


    Josephineughed, a carefree sound that filled the car. "No issues," she assured him, her eyes focused on the road. "These cars have special license tes for royalty. No one will make trouble. It''s one of the small privileges we still have in this new world order."


    Wang Xiao nodded, epting her exnation. He settled into his seat, deciding to enjoy the ride without worry. The wind whipped through their hair as the convertible sped along, bringing a sense of freedom and adventure.


    As they drove, Josephine took Wang Xiao around various spots in the city. Each location had its own story, its own charm. From histordmarks to bustling marketces, each site revealed a different facet of the city''s character. Josephine was an enthusiastic guide, her love for her city evident in the way she described each ce with passion and a deep sense of connection.


    For Wang Xiao, this was an opportunity to see the world through Josephine''s eyes, to make her psychological profile ¡ª  Each choice she made, every word she spoke, offered him valuable insights into her personality. He noted her enthusiasm, the way her eyes lit up with a sense of freedom whenever she navigated through the streets.


    It wasn''t just about the ces they visited; it was about what these moments represented for her ¨C a rare escape from the confines and expectations of royal life.


    Their journey eventually led them to a secluded location, a private property nestled amidst lush gardens. The serene greenwn, dotted with trees, offered a stark contrast to the bustling city they had left behind. They pulled up outside a quaint yet elegant restaurant, secluded and almost hidden from the casual eye.


    "This restaurant belongs to a friend of mine," Josephine exined as she parked the car. "It''s quite hidden, not well-known, but it''s one of the best in the country." Her tone held a mix of pride and fondness.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze swept over the area, taking in the details. The few patrons present were an indication of the restaurant''s exclusivity, but the collection of supercars parked outside ¨C from Paganis to Ferraris ¨C spoke volumes about the clientele. This wasn''t a ce frequented by ordinary people; it catered to a select few who knew of its existence and could afford its luxury.

 Chapter 170: The Hidden Paradise (2)

    In the heart of the Hidden Paradise, a restaurant known more for its discretion than its signage, Josephine led Wang Xiao into a world that felt detached from the bustle of the city.


    They were greeted by Liana, the owner, whose presence was as enchanting as the ambiance of her establishment.


    Liana''s eyes, a deep hazel, sparkled with the warmth of a long-time friend as she embraced Josephine.


    "Liana, this is Wang Xiao," Josephine introduced, her voice carrying a note of pride.


    Liana extended a hand, her bracelets clinking melodically. "Pleasure to meet you. Josephine here is not just a friend but an inspiration. Her visits always bring life to this ce." Her voice was a melodic blend of warmth and sincerity.


    Josephineughed softly, a hint of redness on her cheeks. "Liana, stop. You''ll make him think I''m here every day!"


    Liana winked, "Ah, but wouldn''t that be lovely? Anyway, I''ll leave you two to it. My kitchen is your yground. Just... try not to burn anything down, Josephine."


    With a yful roll of her eyes, Josephine led Wang Xiao into the kitchen, a ce that seemed to hold more secrets than just culinary ones.


    As she started to prepare the meal, clumsily chopping vegetables, Josephine seemed to gather her thoughts. "Wang Xiao, about today..." she began, hesitantly at first. "When I was...affected by the poison, the way you cared, it meant a lot to me. I didn''t expect that from you."


    Wang Xiao observed her with a steady gaze, his thoughts churning. He deduced that Josephine must have had a prior conversation with Liana to arrange the use of the kitchen. It was clear that this moment was nned, not just a spontaneous culinary event, but an opportunity for Josephine.


    Josephine smiled, a touch of mncholy in her expression. "My grandmother used to say that the women in our family don''t fall in love easily. But when we do, it''s fierce and all-consuming. And since the day you saved me, I knew... it was you or no one else."


    She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "There''s more to it. The curse... My grandmother believed that if the love was true, the curse wouldn''t im the man. My grandfather was the first to survive many years after marrying into our family. They passed together, five years ago."


    Wang Xiao listened intently, his expression unreadable, but his eyes never left Josephine.


    Josephine, now attempting to saut¨¦ the vegetables, added with a shy smile, "I like to think, if my love is true, you''ll be safe too."


    Wang Xiao didn''t respond immediately, his mind processing the depth of her confession.


    Their conversation flowed as seamlessly as the meal preparation, despite Josephine''s culinary struggles. Eventually, she managed to put together a meal that was simple yet somehow perfect for the moment.


    Josephine, with a mixture of pride and nervousness, presented the meal she had prepared to Wang Xiao. The dish, while simple, was made with genuine effort and care.


    They settled at a small table set aside in the cozy corner of the kitchen, the warm aroma of the cooked meal mingling with the ambient scents of the restaurant.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao regarded the dish before him with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. He took a bite, and a small smile appeared on his face. "It''s edible, that''s for sure. But why go through all this trouble?" he asked, his tone light yet curious.


    Josephine paused briefly, a slight flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. "Well, I looked into traditions from your country, China," she exined, her voice a mix of earnestness and slight hesitation. "And I found that it''s kind of a mandate for expressing... well, affection or care."


    Wang Xiao blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing his features before he understood what she was referring to. In China, cooking for someone was often seen as an act of care or affection, though it wasn''t exactly a formal tradition, more of a customary practice. "That''s true in a way," Wang Xiao conceded with a gentle nod. "But it''s more of amon practice than a strict tradition.


    It''s the thought and effort that count."


    Josephine''s expression softened at his response, relief mingling with a sense of aplishment. "I wanted to do something for you, to show you that... well, that you''re important to me," she admitted, her gaze lowering slightly.


    Wang Xiao took another bite, this time more thoughtfully. "In that case, you''ve more than seeded," he said, his tone in.


    Wang Xiao''s response was delivered in his usual straightforward manner, yet Josephine, now ustomed to his style ofmunication, interpreted it as a sign of sess. She felt a sense of aplishment, believing her gesture had conveyed her feelings effectively.


    Just then, Yin Yue''s voice, tinged with a hint of amusement, echoed in Wang Xiao''s mind. [Wang Xiao, at this point she is just creating her own delusions.]


    Wang Xiao acknowledged Yin Yue''sment inwardly, unfazed. For him, what mattered most was the direction in which things were progressing. His primary focus was on the broader picture, ensuring that events unfolded in a manner beneficial to his goals.


    Encouraged by Wang Xiao''s subtle affirmations, Josephine felt motivated to continue her efforts.


    After they finished, they left the Hidden Paradise and continued their journey, heading towards the school to pick up Josephine''s younger brother.


    The school, known as Solna International Academy, was nestled in a picturesque area surrounded by verdant gardens and modern architecture.


    As they drove, the atmosphere between them was afortable blend of silence and asional conversation. Josephine seemed more rxed, her earlier nervousness reced by a quiet contentment, her smile more frequent and genuine.


    As they drove towards Solna International Academy, Wang Xiao was deep in thought, observing Josephine''s changing demeanor.


    Every small personal victory she experienced, every moment of ease and happiness, he noted with a strategic mind.


    He recognized the importance of these experiences for her, yet his intentions in encouraging or reinforcing her behavior were strategic, serving his own agenda.


    At this stage, every interaction was part of a carefully calcted game for Wang Xiao, each moment skillfully used to draw Josephine closer for reasons driven by his personal motives.


    His responses to her, though seemingly genuine, were part of arger n.


    He wanted Josephine to fall for him, not out of any budding affection on his part, but as a means to an end.

 Chapter 171: William Sylver! Importing Boyfriends!

    Wang Xiao''s understanding of human behavior and motivations was different and pragmatic.


    He observed how every smile and word of encouragement he offered Josephine served to deepen her trust and reliance on him. This was a deliberate strategy on his part, a conscious maneuvering within their rtionship.


    His awareness of his actions and their intended oues set him apart from most people, who often navigate their rtionships unconsciously, driven by emotions and unexamined desires.


    Wang Xiao, in contrast, had a clear understanding of his objectives and acted intentionally to achieve them.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    He saw how others, often unknowingly, reinforced or punished behaviors in those around them to meet their own goals, which they might not even fully understand themselves.


    Josephine, in Wang Xiao''s analysis, was driven by her desires for freedom and security¡ªdesires he was currently fulfilling. He understood that if he were to restrict her like her mother did, her feelings towards him would likely shift to annoyance or even disgust.


    Humans, as Wang Xiao observed, are naturally drawn to those who support their goals, often without fully understanding why. Josephine, like many, would probably not be fully aware of the underlying motivations driving her behavior.


    Instead, she might rationalize her feelings and actions, ascribing her own meanings to them, just as anyone else would.


    As they reached the school and prepared to meet Josephine''s brother, Wang Xiao was fully aware of the role he was ying.


    He resembled Josephine, his actions driven by motivations akin to hers, albeit directed toward the achievement of his own goals.


    Just as he yed the role of the provider for Josephine''s desires in her narrative, he delicately bnced his pursuits with her wishes, all the while pushing forward.


    As long as both of their objectives were fulfilled, there was no room for conflict.


    This was the secret to engineer human behavior ¡ª granting them their desires to facilitate the achievement of their goals.


    _______


    At Solna International Academy, William Sylvia stood out not just for his height, which was slightly above average for his fifteen years, but also for his distinct appearance. Hisnky frame hinted at the awkward stages of teenage growth spurts, and his light blonde hair, styled in a deliberately messy fashion, gave him a touch of rebellion.


    His sharp blue eyes, always gleaming with a hint of sharpness, surveyed his surroundings with keen interest.


    d in the school''s standard uniform, which he wore with a casual disregard for conformity, William was the center of a group of friends. Their conversation, a lively mix of school gossip and thetest tech trends.


    As the school bell signaled the end of the day, a flood of students spilled out of the building. William''s attention was suddenly drawn to his sister Josephine''s car pulling up to the curb. His usual grin faltered into a look of surprise when he noticed a foreign man seated beside her.


    The sight was intriguing and wholly unexpected.


    His friends, quick to pick up on the unusual scenario, didn''t miss a beat. They pped him on the back,ughter erupting among them.


    "Hey William, looks like your sister''s decided to import her boyfriends now," one friend jeered, hisughter echoing the others''.


    "William! looks like your sister''s found herself a new sugar daddy," another added, winking exaggeratedly.


    Another friend, sporting a mischievous grin, added, "Maybe she''s auditioning for a new stepdad for you, huh?"


    "Watch out, Will. If they get serious, you might be bing an uncle in no time!" a third chimed in, eliciting a fresh round ofughter.


    "Shut up, you guys..." William retorted, rolling his eyes. His friends'' remarks were typical, but this time they sparked a deeper curiosity in him.


    He had never seen this man before.


    Who was he, and what was his rtionship with Josephine?


    With a mix of feigned annoyance and genuine intrigue, William made his way through the crowd towards the car.


    Each step was a blend of his usual swagger and an increasing sense of anticipation.


    As he drew closer, his gaze locked with Wang Xiao''s.


    William''s sharp, discerning eyes seemed to cut through the surface as he approached the car, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and questions. There was a hint of protective skepticism in his posture, typical of a younger brother suddenly introduced to an important figure in his sister''s life.


    "Hey sis, didn''t expect to see you here..." William began, his voice casual as he nced at Josephine. His gaze then shifted to Wang Xiao, an eyebrow raised as he extended a hand in greeting. "And you are?" he asked, his tone polite yet probing.


    Wang Xiao, everposed, opted not to engage in the usual handshaking, an action that didn''t go unnoticed by William. "I''m Wang Xiao, a friend of your sister," he replied, his voice even and controlled, yet maintaining a hint of cordiality.


    Josephine, sensing the underlying tension, lightly touched Wang Xiao on the shoulder, a silent question in her gesture about his reluctance to engage more warmly. She then quickly intervened, "William, this is Wang Xiao. He''s been... helping me with some things. I thought it''d be nice for you two to meet."


    William, picking up on the nuances of the interaction, gave a nod and hopped into the backseat. He caught a glimpse of what he interpreted as a mocking look in Wang Xiao''s eyes. "So, he''s the guy who''s been hanging out with you?" he whispered to Josephine as she started the car, his voice low but carrying a weight of curiosity and slight suspicion.


    Josephine, frowning slightly, responded with admonition, "William, behave."


    Unfazed, William retorted , "Just making sure he knows the family rules." Despite his teasing tone, there was a genuine interest in his voice, an indication that he was intrigued by Wang Xiao and keen to understand the nature of his rtionship with his sister.


    Josephine nced at Wang Xiao, her voice soft and slightly apologetic. "Xiao, don''t mind him, he''s just a kid..." she whispered, trying to smooth over any potential friction.


    William''s frown deepened as he absorbed the interaction between his sister and Wang Xiao. ''Who the hell is this guy?'' he wondered silently. It was so unlike Josephine, known for her confidence and asional arrogance, to show such consideration and deference to someone else.


    Wang Xiao gave Josephine a brief, acknowledging smile. "It''s no issue," he said calmly, then, pointing towards the edge of a beach, he requested, "Can you make a quick stop over there?"

 Chapter 172: Helpless Prince? Catching fishes in the sea!

    Wang Xiao, "Can you make a quick stop over there?"


    Josephine, slightly puzzled, and William, visibly confused, both looked towards the direction Wang Xiao pointed. "Are we going to the beach?" Josephine asked, her curiosity piqued as she steered the car towards the location.


    They reached a rtively secluded area of the beach, a ce where it was possible to drive cars right up to the shoreline ¨C an open beach essible by vehicles.


    As they neared the beach, Wang Xiao grinned mischievously. "I''ve been thinking about taking a piss on open beaches for a while now," he announced with a slight chuckle, his tone light yet carrying an undercurrent of something more.


    "Huh?" Josephine reacted, a mix of surprise and disbelief in her voice. She shook her head, deciding not to question his sudden whimsical statement. "Whatever," she muttered, still trying to make sense of Wang Xiao''s uncharacteristic behavior.


    Little did she know, this moment was more than just a whimsical desire for Wang Xiao. There was an underlying motive, a subtle nod to his inner sadist finding an outlet. It was an odd connection to his past, a time when he had sisters of his own, and this situation with William and Josephine unknowingly mirrored aspects of his own history.


    As the car came to a halt near the open beach, the atmosphere inside was suddenly shattered by a startling turn of events.


    William''s scream pierced the air, a sound of surprise and shock, as Wang Xiao, with an unexpected and swift movement, grabbed and hurled him far into the sea.


    Whoosh!


    "Wha¡ª No! Stop!" William''s voice was a mix of disbelief and fear as he was swiftly lifted and thrown, his words cut short by the ssh into the water.


    Ssh!


    Josephine, utterly shocked and bewildered, spun towards Wang Xiao, her eyes wide with disbelief and panic. "What are you doing?!" she eximed, her voice rising in a mixture of confusion and horror.


    Standing calmly by the shore, Wang Xiao looked back at Josephine with an unreadable expression. "He needed to cool off," he stated nonchntly, as if his actions were nothing out of the ordinary.


    Meanwhile, William, who had surfaced in the water, was sputtering and coughing, his initial shock now turning into anger and confusion.


    As a decent swimmer, he managed to keep himself afloat, but the surprise of the situation was evident. "Are you insane?!" he yelled back towards the shore, his voice echoing his disbelief and fury.


    Josephine, torn between her concern for William and her shock at Wang Xiao''s behavior, rushed towards the water''s edge. "William, are you okay?" she called out, her voice shaky with worry.


    Wang Xiao nced at both Josephine and William, a slight smile ying on his lips, his demeanor unsettlingly calm in contrast to the chaos he had just caused. "It''s strange..." he murmured to himself, almost contemtively, "There are tons of guards in secret to protect Josephine, but none for this little piece of work?"


    Hisment, more to himself than anyone else, hinted at a deeper calction behind his seemingly impulsive act.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Meanwhile, William staggered back to shore, drenched and visibly shaken. His usual bravado was reced by a look of horror and confusion. Water dripped from his clothes, creating small puddles around his feet as he confronted Wang Xiao, his eyes wide with a mix of anger and disbelief.


    William, shivering and still trying to regain hisposure, red at Wang Xiao. "What''s your problem, man?" he demanded, his usual confidence overshadowed by the shock of the experience


    Wang Xiao''s response to William''s challenge was both calm and intimidating. "One should pick fights carefully," he warned, his voice even but his eyes sharp and unyielding. "Do you want to get thrown again to catch some fishes? This time, I might throw you into a different part of the sea!"


    In the tense aftermath of Wang Xiao''s startling disy of dominance, William''s usual confidence was nowhere to be seen.


    He retreated shivering in the car, his mind racing. ''Who the heck is this guy?'' he thought, ncing furtively at Wang Xiao, who had casually threatened to toss him into a different part of the sea.


    The realization that Wang Xiao could effortlessly throw him such a distance was both horrifying and baffling.


    Josephine stood by, her internal conflict evident. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it, torn between defending her brother and herplex feelings towards Wang Xiao.


    The usual rity with which she navigated her life seemed clouded in that moment.


    Wang Xiao, unfazed by the turmoil he had stirred, nonchntly suggested, "I''ll drive." His voice was calm, but there was an underlyingmand that Josephine instinctively obeyed, albeit with a sense of confusion and unease.


    As they settled into the car, Wang Xiao with an assertive yet yful demeanor, had Josephine sit atop him.


    His hands, casually ced on her waist, confidently maneuvered the steering wheel. Josephine, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and surprise, attempted to focus on the road, though Wang Xiao''s proximity was distracting.


    William, still in the backseat, watched the unusual scene in silence. His mind was a whirlwind of questions and concerns about Wang Xiao''s true nature and intentions.


    The situation in the car felt alien to him, and he struggled to make sense of his sister''s subdued response to Wang Xiao''s bold behavior.


    Josephine, trying to steady her racing heart, managed to stammer, "Xiao, this... this isn''t necessary. I can sit in the passenger seat."


    Wang Xiao, with a yful glint in his eye, responded, "Nonsense. We''re perfectly fine like this. Aren''t we, Josephine?" His tone was light, but there was an edge to it that suggested he was enjoying the control and the mild difort he was causing.


    "Huh?"


    Josephine, caught off guard by Wang Xiao''s sudden provocativeness, felt a rush of emotions. Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red, her heart pounding rapidly. She was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond to this bold, uncharacteristic side of Wang Xiao


    "..."


    ''Bastard!'' William, from the backseat, watched with a mix of shame and anger. He felt a sense of helplessness, a realization that he was powerless in this situation.


    The sight of Wang Xiao''s hands casually slipping inside Josephine''s clothes was deeply unsettling. It seemed to William that Wang Xiao was intentionally provoking him, unting his influence over Josephine.


    In that moment, William, the little prince of the Sylvergard family, felt a profound sense of helplessness.


    The realization that he was powerless to intervene or protect his sister in this situation was a bitter pill to swallow.


    Yet, as the graceful bird willingly fluttered her winds and flew right into the trap, what could he, a mere boy, possibly hope to change?


    It was as if destiny itself had conspired against him.


    At this rming pace, he pondered with a mix of disbelief and resignation, he might soon find himself taking on the unexpected role of an uncle, a circumstance he had never imagined in his wildest dreams.

 Chapter 173: Empty Villa?

    May 18th, 2026


    After a week in Sylvergard, Wang Xiao had embarked on his return journey to Icevale on the night of May 15th. But what was supposed to be a routine trip had taken a series of unexpected turns.


    Now, three dayster, an utterly exhausted Wang Xiao emerged on the south coast of Icevale. His appearance was that of a man pushed beyond his limits ¨C drenched, with eyes tired and void, almost zombie-like in their emptiness.


    "Yin Yue, next time you want to kill me, just say it directly!" Wang Xiao grumbled aloud, his voice a mix of exhaustion and irritation. With a heavy thud, he copsed onto the sandy beach, sprawled out and spent.


    Behind himy the foreboding expanse of Whispering Woods, with its tall birch trees standing like sentinels, forming a maze-like barrier.


    [Wang Xiao, it was for your own good. You need to improve your control over your psychokinesis,] Yin Yue''s voice resonated in his mind, calm and rational. [You won''t magically be better just by reading books. You need to push yourself to the limits and use it daily.]


    Before departing, Yin Yue had challenged him to cross the sea by himself, without any assistance. The task was to walk on water or swim underwater, covering a distance of 2000 kilometers within two days, all without food and water. It was a grueling test of his abilities and endurance.


    Exhausted, Wang Xiao sprawled out on the beach, understanding Yin Yue''s rationale but unable to shake off his frustration. "Hah... I''m tired..." he muttered, spreading himself out on the sand.


    Rumble!


    Suddenly, a rumble of thunder echoed overhead. Wang Xiao looked up, his fatigue momentarily forgotten, "Huh? Is this bastard skyughing at me now?" he muttered as the sky darkened ominously, and clouds gathered, thundering as if in response to his plight.


    Pat-pat-pat!


    Within moments, a heavy downpour began, soaking Wang Xiao further. The rain fell relentlessly, as if the elements themselves were adding insult to injury, leaving him lying there, drenched and weary on the beach of Icevale.


    Dragging his weary body from the beach, Wang Xiao reconsidered his initial n to check on Xianthera and collect the essence of poisonous flowers. The relentless rain and his sodden clothes convinced him to postpone that endeavor. After a brief rest to gather his strength, he trudged towards Grayhaven town, intent on checking on Anran.


    As he approached the vi, Wang Xiao noticed the armed guards positioned discreetly in the shadows. These were Li Zhiming''s precautions to secure Anran during his absence.


    Wang Xiao knew well that against a Deviant, these soldiers might stand little chance, but for now, their presence was a necessary precaution.


    Thankfully, there had been no signs of Deviant activity targeting Anran.


    "Anran! Get me some food and clothes," Wang Xiao called out as he pushed the vi door open, expecting the usual warm wee.


    Instead, he was met with an unexpected silence.


    "..."


    But it wasn''tplete silence. As the door swung open and thunder rumbled ominously outside, a shaft of light illuminated a figure sprawled on the couch.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze immediately fell on the unexpected figure sprawled on the couch.


    The lighting, flickering with the rhythm of the thunderstorm outside, cast a dramatic glow on Aisha''s face, highlighting her striking features.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her long light brown hair was spread out like a fan around her, and her emerald eyes, wide with surprise, met his.


    "What are you doing here!?" Wang Xiao blurted out, his surprise evident as he closed the door behind him.


    He hadn''t expected to find Aisha still here.


    Why hadn''t she left yet?


    His mind raced with questions as he looked at her, waiting for an exnation.


    Aisha, caught off guard by his sudden appearance and brusque tone, sat up quickly, pulling the nket tighter around her. "I... I was just..." she stammered, her eyes darting around as if seeking an escape from the question.


    Wang Xiao closed the door with a soft thud, his eyes never leaving Aisha. He was tired, hungry, and now thoroughly confused. ''Why is she still here? What''s going on? Where is Anran?'' he thought, his frustration mounting. The vi, which he expected to be a refuge, was presenting him with more questions than answers.


    Aisha finally found her voice, though it trembled slightly. "Anran let me stay. I had nowhere else to go after... after everything that happened." Her eyes lowered, unable to meet Wang Xiao''s piercing gaze.


    Wang Xiao''s expression softened marginally at her exnation, but his wariness remained.


    His gaze lingered over her, a mix of contemtion and caution in his eyes.


    Her presence in the vi, far from being a mere coincidence, seemed to hint at a deeper purpose. ''Did Anran ask her to stay here?'' he mused internally, pondering the possibility. ''To guard the secrets of the Deviants and what transpired that night?''


    He recalled the night he had saved her, the chaos and the danger. It seemed logical at the time that Aisha would leave and move on with her life.


    Yet here she was, still in the vi, ''Is Anran waiting for me to decide her fate?'' he questioned himself.


    The thought that Anran might have left Aisha here as a responsibility for him to deal with was both irksome and puzzling.


    ''Couldn''t Anran have just handled this and disposed of her? Does she expect me to deal with every aftermath? Can''t she, for once, do one thing by herself?'' Wang Xiao''s thoughts were a whirlwind of frustration and conjecture. He sighed inwardly, his fatigue from the journey mingling with the weight of this new problem.


    He even forgot that he was the one who forbade Anran from taking action by herself, as he deemed her unreliable. She waited for him to decide Aisha''s fate.


    ''So scary...'' Aisha sat silently, her difort growing under Wang Xiao''s intense scrutiny and his shining red eyes.


    She seemed unsure of how much to reveal, her fingers still nervously ying with the edge of the nket.


    Wang Xiao leaned back in his chair, his mind working through various scenarios. He knew he needed to get to the bottom of why Aisha was still here, and for that, he needed to first understand the situation.


    Breaking the silence, he finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "Aisha, where is Anran? Why is she not in the vi? And what exactly did she say to you?" His questions were direct, seeking rity amidst his confusion.

 Chapter 174: Spotting the Hell Spirit again!

    Aisha, visibly shrinking under the weight of Wang Xiao''s intense inquiry, fumbled for her words. "I... She said she was going to take a bath, upstairs," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Her eyes were downcast, avoiding Wang Xiao''s prating gaze, as if seeking refuge in the folds of the nket she clutched tightly around her.


    "Taking a bath, upstairs?" Wang Xiao echoed, his eyebrows arching in mild skepticism. He pondered her response for a moment, his mind analyzing the usibility of her statement.


    Despite his doubts, he decided to verify her im first. "I''ll go and take a look," he announced, his voice carrying a note of finality.


    As he moved towards the stairs, his every step seemed to echo through the tense atmosphere of the room.


    Aisha watched him go, her body tensed like a coiled spring. It was only when his imposing presence began to fade with distance that she allowed herself a small sigh of relief.


    The tension in her shoulders eased slightly, yet the apprehension lingered. She knew this reprieve was temporary.


    _______


    Wang Xiao''s footsteps were cautious as he approached the bathroom door, his mind teeming with scenarios. Pushing the door open, he was greeted by an unexpected emptiness. The room was devoid of any signs of recent use ¨C no fogged mirror, no damp towels. Just a silent, unupied space.


    His eyes quickly darted to the window, swung wide open. Raindrops spattered against the sill, dampening the mat below. Wang Xiao usually left the windows open for fresh air, but not when it rained. His brow furrowed as he pieced together the clues. ''Could she have run away?'' he thought, a touch of bewilderment coloring his usuallyposed demeanor.


    With a deep sigh, a mix of frustration and resolve, Wang Xiao moved swiftly to the window, peering out into the rain-drenched world. Without hesitation, he leaped agilely from the window,nding with a precision that spoke of his training.


    Outside, he quickly grabbed the nearest guard, his voice firm, his question direct. "Has anyone left the vi recently?" His eyes scanned the area, seeking any hint or clue that might solve thistest mystery.


    _____


    !?


    The guard flinched visibly as Wang Xiaonded before him, his hand instinctively moving towards the hidden firearm under his coat. But as he caught sight of the piercing red eyes ring at him, recognition dawned, and he rxed, though only marginally.


    "It''s you, Sir Wang Xiao," he stammered, his voice a mix of relief and residual tension.


    Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed in impatience. "Has anyone left the vi recently?" he demanded, his tone sharp as the rain continued to pour around them, creating a symphony of pattering sounds on the wet ground.


    The guard shook his head quickly. "No, sir, no one has¡ª"


    Wang Xiao cut him off. "Contact Li Zhiming. I need to speak with him immediately," he ordered, his voice brooking no argument.


    The guard hesitated for a moment, the weight of Wang Xiao''s gaze heavy upon him. He fumbled with hismunicator, still wary of Wang Xiao''s unpredictable nature. After a few tense seconds, he handed the device over to Wang Xiao.


    The rain drummed steadily around them, adding to the urgency of the moment. Wang Xiao took the phone, his eyes never leaving the guard.


    There was a sense of urgency in his movements, a clear indication that whatever he suspected, or feared, was significant.


    When the call finally connected, Li Zhiming finally answered, he ryed the information about the tracker in Anran''s phone.


    Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed in thought. ''Of course, the tracker... But is my phone even functional after being submerged?''


    He reached into his pocket, pulling out his own phone, which had endured a lengthy submersion in water during his unexpected swim.


    To his surprise, the screen flickered to life under his touch, still fully operational. Wang Xiao let out a short, incredulousugh. ''It''s 2026, after all,'' he reminded himself, the realization dawning on him that technology had advanced to such a degree.


    Thetest tech had made his device resilient against elements he used to worry about.


    Wang Xiao quickly navigated to the tracking application, his fingers moving with practiced ease.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He was momentarily taken aback by the efficiency and reliability of the technology at his disposal ¨C a stark contrast to the more rudimentary gadgets of the past.


    The tracker''s blinking dot on the screen was a stroke of luck, as it remained tantalizingly close, still within the bustling city, despite its rapid movement.


    "Li Zhiming, keep your men on high alert. I might require backup," Wang Xiao dered into the phone, his voice resonating with a potent blend of authority and resolve.


    Rain poured relentlessly around him, but his unwavering concentration fixated solely on the crucial mission. He relinquished the phone to the vignt guard and vanished into the heavens above.


    Whoosh!


    [Wang Xiao, don''t fly!] Yin Yue''s urgent voice echoed in Wang Xiao''s mind, halting him midair.


    The raindrops seemed to freeze around him as he stopped abruptly, hovering against the backdrop of the stormy sky.


    "Hm, why?" He queried, a hint of confusion in his tone.


    [That hell spirit, fromst time, I''m sensing it again. Look to your right,] Yin Yue warned, her toneced with caution.


    Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed as he swiftly turned, his eyes scanning the horizon. Far in the distance, he discerned two small, shadowy figures. ''Who is that second one? Are they engaged in a fight?'' he wondered, his eyes narrowing in an attempt to decipher the scene.


    [It seems the hell spirit was monitoring Anran. When she ventured out alone, the spirit sought to ambush her but was intercepted,] Yin Yue exined.


    ''I see...'' Wang Xiao mused, his mind racing. ''This coincidence is suspcious... Who could that second person be?''


    [Don''t approach. You''re already exhausted. Secure Anran and leave. The second figure doesn''t emanate a hell spirit''s aura. It''s wiser not to engage without knowing their full capabilities,] Yin Yue advised, her voice steady yet urgent.


    Acknowledging her counsel, Wang Xiao descended slowly, his body cutting through the rain as hended softly on the ground.


    He then proceeded to leap agilely from rooftop to rooftop, moving swiftly and silently across the cityscape.


    Each jump was calcted and precise, a testament to his training and physical powers.


    The lights of the city blurred below him as he made his way toward Anran''s location.

 Chapter 175: Brewing Storm!

    As Wang Xiao made his way through the rain-drenched streets, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, his mind was a torrent of questions and apprehension. ''What in the world is going on?'' he thought. Despite his curiosity about the hell spirit and the mysterious second figure, he knew better than to engage in a battle that was beyond his paygrade.


    He finally located Anran in a dimly lit alley, the neon lights from nearby signs casting eerie shadows. She was standing her ground against a group of trained soldiers. Wang Xiao observed from above, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation.


    _______


    The alley was a cacophony of conflict, echoes of punches and kicks reverberating off the damp walls.


    Anran moved with a grace and precision, her every motion a blend of defense and attack. The soldiers, disciplined and relentless, advanced in a coordinated effort to overwhelm her.


    "Take her down, but be careful of the backpack!" one soldiermanded, his voice sharp over the sound ofbat.


    "Watch her moves; she''s quick!" another grunted as he lunged towards Anran, only to be met with a swift kick that sent him staggering back.


    Anran''s breaths were sharp and quick, her focus razor-sharp as she parried and struck with practiced ease. The soldiers came at her from all sides, their boots thudding against the ground, their fists slicing through the air.


    "Surround her, no escape!" a soldier shouted, trying to coordinate their efforts against Anran''s deft maneuvers.


    Despite her skill, Anran was outnumbered. She weaved through her attackers, her breathsing in quick gasps.


    Each evasion, each parried blow, was an evidence to her resolve. But as one soldier after another came at her, the situation grew increasingly dire.


    She wore a small backpack, its contents unknown, strapped tightly to her back as she fought. It was clear she was protecting whatever it contained with her life. A misstep, a moment''s hesitation, and she stumbled, falling to the wet, slick pavement.


    Thud!


    !!


    She braced for the next assault, a flicker of despair crossing her determined features. ''Is this how it ends?'' she thought, her heart pounding in her chest.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    A collective cheer went up from the soldiers, sensing victory. "We''ve got her now!" one eximed triumphantly.


    But their triumph was short-lived.


    Booooom!


    At that moment, a thunderous shockwave erupted, reverberating through the alley. It was sudden and powerful, sending the soldiers flying back with brutal force.


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    They crashed against the building walls, their bodies crumpling unnaturally from the impact.


    Anran, released from the soldier''s grip, fell to her knees, panting heavily. Her mind raced, trying to process this unexpected turn of events. ''What just happened?'' she wondered, her heart still pounding in her chest. The rain poured down, mingling with the sweat and grime on her face, but for a moment, she was too stunned to move.


    [Voice from Above]: "Seems like you could use some help."


    Anran looked up to see Wang Xiao descending from above, his expression serious and grim. His arrival was both startling and relieving.


    "You''re here!" Anran gasped, her relief evident despite her confusion. "How did you¡ª"


    *Smack!*


    But before she could finish her sentence, Wang Xiao''s hand struck her cheek in a swift, startling smack. She staggered backward, a hand flying to her reddened cheek, her eyes filling with disbelief and confusion.


    "Wan¡ª" she began, her voice trembling with a mix of sorrow and fear, but before she could say another word, Wang Xiao was already moving past the moment.


    His face was etched with frustration, a reflection of the today''s events. He swiftly captured the fallen soldiers'' faces through his camera lens, sending each photograph to Li Zhiming without uttering a single word.


    His actions were precise, as if he wished to avoid any potential confrontation here. Anran, sensing that this was not the right time for discussion, remained silent, her cheeks stinging from the earlier confrontation. She watched silently as he meticulously took all the shots.


    Without casting a single nce in her direction, Wang Xiao suddenly dered, "We need to leave, right now!" He didn''t pause for her response, his entire focus set on getting them out of this ce.


    "Mm..." Anran''s response was soft, her gaze still fixed on the ground. She followed closely behind him, trailing his determined silhouette as they made their way back to the vi. Thoughts and emotions swirled within her, but for now, she chose to keep them locked inside.


    ______


    Back in the Vi, as the door closed with a muted thud, the air seemed to grow omnious with tension.


    Wang Xiao''s presence alone seemed to charge the atmosphere, an unspoken storm brewing in his eyes.


    "Why did you run away? Didn''t you know people were tracking you?" Wang Xiao''s voice was sharp, a de cutting through the silence as he snatched the backpack from Anran''s trembling hands.


    His movements were brisk, his frustration palpable as he rummaged through the contents.


    Contrary to his suspicions, it held only the essentials for survival ¨C nothing that linked her to him or his secrets.


    Anran stood motionless, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles whitened, her anxiety a tangible presence in the room. In the background, Aisha, perched like a statue on the couch, watched with wide eyes, her face a canvas of confusion and fear.


    "Have you lost your voice?" Wang Xiao''s tone escted, a mix of anger and concerncing his words.


    "I..." Anran''s voice was barely audible, her eyes glistening pools threatening to spill over. She seemed to shrink under his intense gaze.


    "Great, now you want to cry?" Disbelief tinged Wang Xiao''s voice as he grasped her face, forcing her to look at him. "Anran, I won''t ask again. Why did you run away?" His eyes, fierce and unyielding, searched hers for an answer.


    "Ugh," Anran gasped, pain flickering across her features under his firm grip. Her eyes, now brimming with tears, were forced to meet his unflinching stare.


    "This woman..." Wang Xiao''s patience snapped, but a reminder shed through his mind, a silent voice of reason [Wang Xiao, she''s just a kid, stop it! She''s scared.]


    He paused, his internal battle evident in the clench of his jaw. ''Scared? Then why run?''


    Abruptly, he released her, and Anran crumpled to the floor with a soft thud.


    "!!"


    Aisha, jolted into action, hurried to Anran''s side. Meanwhile, Wang Xiao looked on, a mirthless smile curling his lips. "Stay inside, both of you. Don''t leave until I say so," he ordered, his gaze piercing Aisha with a chilling warning. "You too. Try to leave, and I''ll I''d chop you into pieces and feed you to the sea."


    With those ominous words, he turned and strode towards the stairs, his damp clothes clinging to him, adding to his frustration and exhaustion.

 Chapter 176: Hrímturs Bar again?

    Tap... Tap...


    The rhythmic sound of Wang Xiao''s footsteps echoed in the hallway. He hesitated at the door, his hand frozen mid-air. It struck him as odd, his own outburst downstairs, scolding those two girls with such uncharacteristic behaviour.


    "Why did I lose my temper like that?" he muttered to himself, shaking his head in confusion.


    Pushing the door open, he stepped into the room, his thoughts a whirlwind of uncertainty.


    Inside, time seemed to warp and twist around him. The room, bathed in shadows, held a silent, eerie calm.


    Half an hour slipped away like sand through fingers. When Wang Xiao reemerged, his silhouette was a ghostly presence against the moonlit window.


    d in fresh attire, his hair still damp, he looked like a man reborn, yet troubled.


    In the quiet of his mind, Yin Yue''s voice emerged, [Maybe because of my presence, that hell spirit doesn''t try to get in conflict with you,] she suggested, her voice a whisper in the night.


    Wang Xiao paused, his gaze distant. "Seems like it. But who is he fighting against?" he wondered aloud, more to himself than to Yin Yue.


    Yin Yue''s presence in his mind seemed to darken. [No idea. But it''s not another hell spirit. This world... it''s bing abyrinth of mysteries ever since you humans opened that portal.]


    !?


    Wang Xiao''s thoughts took a sharp turn. "The portal to heaven or hell... where does it lead?" he pondered, his curiosity now mingled with apprehension.


    After a brief pause, Yin Yue replied solemnly, [That portal is more than a gateway. It''s a moment frozen in time, a void bridging our worlds. We hell spirits emerged from there, scattered into your realm.]


    A frown creased Wang Xiao''s forehead. [Suspended time? Are you saying these deviants are those who''ve ventured into the actual depths of hell?]


    Yin Yue''s voice was grave, [Worse. They should''ve remained lost in the void. Trapped there, time bes meaningless. I fear most have perished in that endless loop.]


    Wang Xiao''s mind raced with questions. How long had each soul been trapped in that timeless void?


    What were the rules governing this bizarre intersection of worlds?


    He needed answers, but they seemed as dull as shadows.


    With a deep sigh, he stepped out onto the balcony, gazing down at Hrimpurs bar on the third floor.


    The night air was cool against his skin, a stark contrast to the heat of the questions burning in his mind.


    ______


    !?


    The dim yellow light of the bulb cast a warm glow over the scene, illuminating the woman''s hair, a striking mix of red and ck.


    She stood elegantly, the wine ss cradled in her hand.


    The quiet moment was shattered as Wang Xiao appeared beside her as if conjured from thin air.


    "What are you drinking?" he asked abruptly, his hand yfully pping her bottom, causing it to jiggle noticeably.


    !!


    Without waiting for a response, he snatched the wine from her hand, taking a sip. "Quite bitter as always? Don''t you guys have something better?" he mused, his tone light but probing.


    Lian, momentarily taken aback, ced a hand over her racing heart. She exhaled a shaky breath, "Can you... can you stop jump scaring me like this?" she pleaded, her voice a mix of annoyance and relief.


    Wang Xiao shrugged indifferently. "Where''s Linda?" he inquired, seemingly unfazed by the effect of his sudden appearance.


    Lian, still recovering, pressed her lips together. "How did you even get to the top floor? Did you jump through the roof or something?" she asked, herughter tinged with disbelief.


    To her surprise, Wang Xiao nodded. "You''re not entirely wrong," he admitted with a mysterious air.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Lian, stunned, shook her head with a defeated sigh. "You disappeared for more than a week. Of course, Linda isn''t here. She''s out dealing with some business," she informed him. Then, a mischievous smile yed on her lips. Her ck split dress revealed her legs as she shifted them slightly.


    "But I can entertain you instead," she offered, her voiceced with suggestion.


    Wang Xiao nced at her, his mind racing back to the events of thest month. He had been a frequent visitor to the Hripurs bar, each time paying generously. This had evidently led Lian to act provocatively towards him.


    He recalled the night with Linda, a memory that was both unexpected and transactional. He had ensured her silence with an exorbitant amount of payment, treating it all as just another expenditure of Li Zhiming''s wealth.


    Gently pushing Lian away, Wang Xiao''s voice was firm yet detached. "Not in the mood. Get me something disposable instead," he requested, his mind elsewhere.


    Lian, now visibly confused, echoed his words with a puzzled expression. "Disposable? What does that even mean?"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao turned silent, briefly, one minuteter, finally, he spoke, his voice low but clear. "Disposable means just that. Something... or someone... that, even if broken, shouldn''t matter."


    !!


    Lian felt a chill crawl up her spine at his words. Turning to face him, her voice was tinged with caution. "Sorry, we don''t deal in that sort of business here."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, undeterred. "But you can arrange it, can''t you? Or know someone who can?"


    Lian remained silent, her mind racing. This request was beyond the usual; it wasn''t just about finding a prostitute. It was something more sinister, more dangerous.


    Sensing her hesitation, Wang Xiao leaned in closer, whispering a figure into her ear that made her gasp.


    "Eh?" She stared at him, disbelief written across her face. "You''re... joking?"


    Without a word, Wang Xiao produced a card, its mere presence speaking volumes. "I don''t lie. So, will you get me what I want, or should I find someone myself from the bar downstairs?"


    "No! Don''t go downstairs. I''ll get you something... just give me half an hour," Lian blurted out, her decision made more out of fear than willingness. She hurried away, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and worries.


    Despite her reluctance, Lian knew that in a ce like this, filled with tourists and transients, it wasn''t impossible to fulfill such a dark request. There were women who had been kidnapped or lost, women with no identity, whose disappearance would likely go unnoticed.


    As she made her way to make the arrangements, a sense of dread hung over her. She couldn''t help but wonder what fate awaited these ''disposable'' women at the hands of Wang Xiao.

 Chapter 177: Mayor Hasting!

    As the night deepened, the darkness outside seemed to swallow the world whole.


    Lian stood by the open balcony, her gaze fixed on the shadowy sky. "Looks like we won''t be seeing the sun for a while..." she muttered to herself. In this persistent gloom, distinguishing between day and night had be a challenge.


    The relentless weather mirrored her growing unease.


    When Wang Xiao had first arrived, it was noon. Now, enveloped in night''s embrace, she felt the weight of uncertainty.


    Both times of day were shrouded in the same, oppressive darkness.


    Thankfully, the rain had ceased, but her anxiety hadn''t.


    Her thoughts were fixated on the three girls she had provided for Wang Xiao.


    Now, they were alone with him in the room.


    A sense of dread gnawed at her; the money she had received suddenly felt like a burden too heavy to bear.


    Click!


    The door swung open, and Wang Xiao emerged. Lian rushed toward him, her voiceced with concern. "What happened to them? Are they alive?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Stretching his limbs, Wang Xiao looked at her, a frown creasing his forehead. "They''re breathing," he said, closing the door behind him.


    "Breathing?" Lian''s heart sank. That wasn''t the reassurance she had hoped for.


    Wang Xiao, however, was preupied. His mind was elsewhere, fixated on more pressing matters.


    He took out his phone, checking for a response from Li Zhiming, but found none.


    Confusion simmered within him. Even thest batch of photos he had received from that despicable character offered no clues.


    He scrolled through the photos from thest month, stopping at one that showed a group of gangsters. He held out the phone to Lian. "Recognize him?" he asked, his voice sharp.


    Lian stared at the screen, her expression a mix of confusion and hesitation. "This..." she began, unsure.


    Wang Xiao pressed on. "So, do you know who it is?"


    Lian was silent, torn. It felt like an interrogation, and she was caught in the crossfire of her own principles. "I can''t reveal information about clients," she said firmly.


    "100k," Wang Xiao interjected, naming his price nonchntly.


    Lian''s eyes widened in shock. "I-It''s against my ethics," she stammered.


    "500k," Wang Xiao countered, upping the ante without a second thought.


    Lian nearly staggered, feeling as if she''d been hit by a tidal wave of disbelief.


    Was this man a god of wealth, casually throwing around sums like they were mere numbers on a screen?


    "What now? Ethics or not?" Wang Xiao asked, his gaze intense as he dangled the card in front of her, tauntingly close.


    "Hehe..." Lian let out a nervous chuckle, taking the card. Her resolve crumbled under the weight of Wang Xiao''s offer. "Mr. Wang, what ethics are you talking about? This woman has long sold herself," she confessed, a bitter smile on her lips.


    "Is he here?" Wang Xiao asked, his tone direct and businesslike.


    Lian''s demeanor shifted, her frivolity reced by seriousness. "Yes," she confirmed.


    "Let''s go and see him, then," Wang Xiao proposed, his determination clear in his voice.


    Descending the creaky staircase into the bustling heart of Herimpurs bar, the scene that greeted Wang Xiao and Lian was one of chaotic colorful light.


    "Haha!" At the center of it all sat Mayor Gregory Hasting, a man of considerable girth with a neatly trimmed silver beard, his bald head gleaming under the dim lights.


    He was dressed in an expensive-looking suit that seemed to struggle against his ample frame.


    Surrounded by three giggling women, he was the picture of indulgence, a goblet of wine in one hand as he regaled hispanions with stories, hisughter booming across the room.


    Lian, with a subtle sense of urgency, tugged at Wang Xiao''s arm, pulling him to the side. "That''s him," she whispered, nodding discreetly towards Mayor Hasting. "The man in your photo, he belongs to Mayor Hasting''s inner circle."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed as he observed the mayor, taking in the scene with a calcting gaze.


    The mayor seemed oblivious to the gazes around him, lost in his own world of power and pleasure.


    "Looks like our dear Mayor Hasting enjoys the finer things in life," Wang Xiao remarked dryly, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Lian nodded, her eyes darting nervously around the room. "He''s untouchable in this town. Everyone knows it, but no one dares to speak up. The man you''re looking for is often seen with him, like a shadow. Be careful, Wang Xiao. Crossing the mayor could have serious consequences."


    Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a faint smile. "Sure," he remarked, without a hint of seriousness.


    As they watched, Mayor Hasting raised his goblet for a refill, his boomingugh echoing through the bar. The women around him leaned in closer, hanging on his every word, lured to the power he wielded.


    As Wang Xiao turned to leave the bar, his departure was as strange as his entrance.


    "I think I''m done for today. I''ll see youter, Lian. Call me when Linda is here," Wang Xiao said, his tone calm yet firm, his gaze still on the Mayor''s back.


    "Huh? Going already?" Lian called after him, her voice tinged with surprise and a hint of disappointment.


    She had braced herself for a confrontation, or at least some kind of interaction with Mayor Hasting.


    Wang Xiao''s abrupt decision to leave without engaging left her in a state of confusion.


    As she watched him disappear through the bar''s entrance, Lian felt a strange sense of relief mixed with apprehension.


    On one hand, Wang Xiao''s presence and his mysterious request had cast a shadow over her night.


    On the other, his sudden departure left her with the daunting task of dealing with the powerful figures in the bar, figures like Mayor Hasting, who she couldn''t afford to offend.


    Lian sighed, a feeling of weariness washing over her. The night had taken unexpected turns, and now, with Wang Xiao''s departure, it seemed to return to its usual rhythm of music,ughter, and the clinking of sses.


    But the undercurrent of something more sinister, something that had been briefly stirred up, still lingered in the air.


    As she turned back to attend to her duties, Lian couldn''t shake off the feeling that this was not the end of the story.


    Wang Xiao''s visit, his unusual requests, and his sudden exit felt like pieces of arger puzzle, one that she was now unwittingly a part of.

 Chapter 178: Playing with Mayor (1)

    As Wang Xiao stepped out into the cool night air, the voice of Yin Yue echoed in his mind, tinged with confusion. [Are you not going to interrogate that mayor?] she asked, clearly puzzled by his sudden departure from the bar.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao continued walking, his stride steady as he replied mentally, "We can''t interrogate him in front of everyone, can we?" There was a strategic calmness in his tone, a clear indication that he had a n in mind. He pulled out his phone, skillfully navigating to an app to check the location of Mayor Hasting''s residence.


    The screen disyed a map, pinpointing the mayor''s luxurious abode ¨C a ce far removed from the crowded city.


    ______


    Mayor''s Residence!


    Within the weing confines of the Hasting residence, the air was filled with theforting aroma of Grace''s cooking. Grace, Mayor Hasting''s wife, entered the living area where her daughter Amelia was engrossed in her studies.


    The affection between them was evident in the gentle ease of their interaction.


    "Zoe, you''ve been at those notes for hours," Grace observed, her voiceced with maternal concern as she nced over her daughter''s shoulder at the scattered university papers.


    Zoe looked up, a hint of fatigue in her eyes tempered by determination. "I have a big examing up, Mom. It''s on urban development and policy ¨C you know, stuff Dad deals with, but from a theoretical perspective."


    Grace smiled, her pride in her daughter evident. "Just like your father, always so dedicated. But even he takes a break now and then," she said, moving to sit beside Zoe. "How about you join me for a cup of tea? Mom is making your favorite ¨C lemon and ginger."


    Zoe hesitated, then closed her tablet with a soft click. "That sounds really nice, Mom. Thanks," she replied, her smile a mirror of her mother''s. As they settled into thefortable sofa, the tension in Zoe''s shoulders eased.


    Grace''s gaze softened as she watched her daughter. "I always admire how hard you work, but remember, it''s important to find bnce. Your father might rule the city, but in this house, we make time for each other."


    Zoe leaned against her mother, the warmth between them a stark contrast to the public image of Mayor Hasting. "I know, Mom. It''s just that sometimes, I feel like there''s so much to learn, to understand. Especially if I want to make a real difference, unlike..." Her voice trailed off, not wanting toplete the sentence.


    Grace nodded, understanding the unspoken words. "You will make your own path, Zoe. You have a heart that sees beyond power and politics. That''s a rare thing in our world."


    The peaceful atmosphere in the living room was abruptly shattered as the sound of footsteps echoed down the stairs.


    ??


    Grace and Zoe exchanged puzzled looks, their tranquility giving way to confusion.


    "Huh?" Grace uttered, her expression shifting to one of concern.


    "Hm?" Zoe echoed, her curiosity piqued as she tried to peer past her mother.


    They both watched, bewildered, as a man they didn''t recognize descended the stairs. His presence was unexpected, his arrival unannounced. The intrusion sent a ripple of rm through them.


    "Who are you?" Grace asked firmly, her maternal instinct kicking in as she stood and positioned herself protectively in front of Zoe.


    Wang Xiao surveyed the mother and daughter with a disarming smile, his demeanor casual yet imposing. "Didn''t expect the mayor to keep goods at home..." he chuckled, his wordsced with an unsettlingugh.


    Grace''s heart raced at his remark, the red glint in Wang Xiao''s eyes sending a chill down her spine.


    His appearance and demeanor were like that of a demon, and she realized, with a sinking feeling, that they might be in danger.


    Four hourster!


    Tthe night had deepened into the quiet hours, Mayor Hasting staggered into his house, the effects of the evening''s indulgences evident in his unsteady gait and slurred words.


    The house, usually filled with the gentle sounds of his family, was eerily silent, causing a frown to crease his inebriated features.


    "Grace? Zoe?" he called out, his voice echoing through the empty halls. There was no response, only the sound of his own heavy footsteps.


    He squinted, trying to focus as he made his way through the darkened house.


    As he stumbled into the living room, the absence of his wife and daughter sent a wave of confusion through his foggy mind. "Where is everyone?" he muttered to himself, struggling to piece together the silence that greeted him.


    Growing more agitated, Mayor Hasting clumsily ascended the stairs, his thoughts jumbled but fixated on one concern.


    Reaching the top, he headed straight for his study, the only ce in the house where his true self ¨C the one hidden from public view ¨C wasid bare.


    Pushing the door open, he flicked on the light and quickly scanned the room.


    His eyes were drawn to the safe where he kept his most confidential documents ¨C evidence of the dark deeds that underpinned his political life.


    He stumbled towards the safe, his hands shaking as he keyed in thebination. "Can''t let anyone find this... can''t risk it..." he mumbled to himself, the fear of exposure momentarily clearing the fog of alcohol.


    As the safe door swung open, he let out a sigh of relief. Everything was in ce, his secrets still securely locked away. But the relief was short-lived as the reality of the empty house crept back into his awareness.


    He staggered back, copsing into his leather chair, his mind racing. "What''s going on here? Where''s my family?" The questions spun in his head, each one amplifying his growing sense of dread.


    The mayor leaned forward, burying his face in his hands.


    The night''s drinking had numbed him, but now a different kind of unease was taking hold.


    "So... Your are back..."


    !!


    The unexpected voice shattered the uneasy silence, causing Mayor Hasting''s heart to leap into his throat. Startled, he lurched upright in his chair, his eyes darting around the dimly lit room.


    "W-Who?" he stammered, the alcohol-induced fog in his brain struggling to process this new threat.


    B-Rumble!


    A sh of lightning briefly illuminated the room, revealing the figure of Wang Xiao standing at the window. His hair fluttered in the breeze from the open window, the storm outside casting his features in a dramatic light.


    Mayor Hasting''s eyes widened in recognition and fear. The man from the photographs, the one he had been warned about, now stood in his own study. His mind raced, trying to piece together how this could have happened, how his sanctum had been breached.


    He muttered, his voice a mix of dread and disbelief. "What are you doing in my house? How did you get in here?"


    Wang Xiao''s expression was unreadable, a calm contrast to the storm raging outside. "I have my ways, Mayor," he said coolly. "And I have some questions for you. It''s about time we had a little chat, don''t you think?"


    The mayor''s initial shock gave way to a defensive posture. He was used to being in control, used to being the one asking the questions, not the one answering them. But in this moment, in the presence of this enigmatic figure, his usual confidence was shaken.


    "What do you want? Money? I can give you money," the mayor blurted out, reaching for the familiar solution to all his problems.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, a slight smirk ying on his lips. "It''s not about money, Mayor Hasting. It''s about your sins..."


    "S-Sins?" Mayor Hasting''s voice trembled, his earlier bravado evaporating as a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.


    The term ''sins'' echoed ominously in the room, a stark reminder of the numerous shady dealings and moralpromises that paved his path to power.


    Wang Xiao gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, his gaze fixed intently on the mayor.


    The air in the room seemed to grow heavier and¡ª


    Booom!


    In a sudden and shocking turn of events, both of Mayor Hasting''s hand palms exploded in a burst of pain and horror.


    "Ah?.... Arghhh!"


    He screamed, the sound raw and filled with agony, as he stared in disbelief at his mangled hands.


    Blood sttered the rich furnishings of the study, the stark red a shocking contrast to the subdued elegance of the room. Mayor Hasting''s face contorted in pain, his eyes wide with shock and fear.


    "What have you done?!" he yelled, his voiceced with pain and disbelief. He looked up at Wang Xiao, his eyes brimming with tears of pain, searching for an answer, for any kind of reasoning behind this sudden, brutal act.


    Wang Xiao''s demeanor remained eerilyposed, his tone almost philosophical, as he observed the mayor''s agony. "It''s alright, we humans often forget that each one of us hasmitted our fair share of sins. And sometimes, those sinse back to bite us."


    "No one is a saint, Mayor," he continued, his voice carrying a hint of cold finality. "Your sins, in particr, were far too severe. You dared to plot against me."


    "AHH! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!? I don''t know anything!"

 Chapter 179: Incompetent Li Zhiming!

    "AHH! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!? I don''t know anything!" Mayor Hasting, clutching his bleeding hands, screamed in a mix of pain and desperation.


    The excruciating agony was too much, bringing him to tears mixed with blood. "SOMEONE SAVE ME!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the walls of the study, a plea disappearing into the void.


    Wang Xiao watched, unmoved by the mayor''s cries.


    "You know exactly what I''m talking about, Mayor. The games you y, the strings you pull... they all have consequences. And tonight, those consequences have caught up with you... It implicated not only you but even the people around you," he stated, his voice resonating with a cold, hard truth.


    Mayor Hasting''s eyes, bloodshot and wild with fear, darted desperately around the room. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT!?" he screamed, his voice hoarse with pain and terror, hoping against hope that someone would hear him.


    But Wang Xiao had already neutralized any potential interference from the guards.


    "I don''t want too many things, just a few answers," Wang Xiao replied, his lips curving into a smile that did not reach his eyes.


    Thud!


    The sound of the mayor copsing to his knees echoed in the room. His fa?ade of power and control had crumbled entirely, leaving a man driven solely by the instinct to survive. "I would tell, I would tell everything! Please spare me!" he begged, his voice trembling.


    Wang Xiao''s expression remained unchanged.


    He had anticipated this moment, the point at which fear would override the mayor''s usual arrogance.


    Wang Xiao''s final  ultimatum echoed off the walls. "Start talking, Mayor. Time is not on your side, and neither am I." His voice was cold and unyielding, a stark contrast to the mayor''s panicked, pain-wracked whimpers.


    He held up a photo, a snapshot from the first assault they had faced from gangsters. "Do you recognize these men?" he asked, his eyes boring into the mayor''s.


    Mayor Hasting squinted through his pain, his voice faltering. "I-I..." he stammered, the recognition shing across his face momentarily before Wang Xiao swiftly changed the photo. "What about these men? Recognize any of them?" he probed, now disying images of soldiers.


    The mayor''s reaction was more pronounced this time, a clear sign of recognition in his terror-stricken eyes. Wang Xiao''s lips twisted into a sly smile. "I will let you live if you tell me everything honestly."


    "R-really?" Mayor Hasting gasped, desperation and a glimmer of hope mingling in his bloodshot eyes.


    He began to spill everything, his words tumbling out in a frantic torrent. "It''s those ck soldiers! They paid me to¡ª" His desperate voice trembled as he tried to reach for his phone, but then a horrifying realization washed over him.


    He had lost his hands. Agony contorted his face as he clenched his jaw in pain, yet he pressed on, his words strained, "I-It was the girl they wanted! They asked me to get her alive and avoid you! I have the photos, in my phone!"


    "Anything else?" Wang Xiao pressed, his face a mask of stoic darkness.


    "No, nothing else! I swear! I don''t even know who they were! Please, I have a wife and children¡ª" His plea was abruptly cut off.


    Gasp!


    Wang Xiao approached him, his footsteps calm and measured. The mayor braced himself for further agony, but instead, Wang Xiao walked past him, his voice carrying a chilling revtion. "Your wife and daughter are in the closet."


    The mayor''s heart plummeted. After a minute of stunned silence, he mustered the strength to drag himself towards the closet.


    His movements were shaky, fueled by dread and pain, leaving a trail of bloody footsteps.


    With a weak nudge from his leg, he opened the closet door. "Grac¡ª" His voice was a strangled whisper, the name dying in his throat as he took in the horrific sight before him.


    Thud!


    "BASTARD!" His scream was a mix of rage and despair, echoing through the study. He copsed to the floor, crying, his entire being consumed by the horror of what he saw in the closet.


    ________


    *Click*


    As Wang Xiao exited the room, his movements were swift and purposeful.


    He descended the stairs quickly, his figure a silent shadow slipping through the grandeur of the Hasting residence.


    Reaching the kitchen, his actions were precise and calcted.


    He methodically turned open all the gas valves, allowing the invisible and odorless danger to fill the room.


    Then, with deliberate force, he sabotaged the pipes, ensuring that the gas would continue to flow unchecked.


    Leaving the house as silently as he had entered, Wang Xiao moved with a calm urgency.


    Once outside, he didn''t pause to look back.


    His expression was impassive, a mask hiding any emotion that might have stirred within him.


    He walked a hundred meters away from the house, distancing himself from the imminent destruction.


    Standing under the night sky, the distant sounds of the city around him, Wang Xiao waited.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The minutes ticked by, each second stretching out as the tension in the air grew palpable.


    Booooom!


    Then, five minutester, the night was shattered by a colossal explosion.


    The st was thunderous, a deafening roar that resonated through the city. mes leaped into the sky, painting the night with their ferocious dance.


    The shockwave from the explosion rippled outward, shaking the ground and rattling windows in the nearby neighborhood.


    WHAM!


    As the fire consumed the house, casting its harsh light on the surroundings, Wang Xiao remained where he stood, a solitary figure against the destruction.


    In the aftermath of the st, emergency services would soon swarm the area, their sirens cutting through the night as they raced to the scene.


    But Wang Xiao, his mission aplished, started walking back to the vi, making his ways past the outskirts, covered with woods.


    [You killed all of them? I thought you would take those girls as ves given what you did to them, weren''t they good looking?]" Yin Yue''s voice questioned, her tone reflecting both curiosity and confusion.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed slightly in the darkness. "Keeping potential threats close in times like these is too risky," he replied, "They might be used against me in future."


    He then dialed Li Zhiming, his fingers swiftly working the phone.


    The call connected, and Li''s voice echoed with a mix of anxiety and respect. "Lord, what can I do for you?"


    Wang Xiao''s voice was direct and using. "I''ve sent you critical photos twice without a response. Is your intelligencework this ipetent?"


    "..."

 Chapter 180: Luna!

    Wang Xiao, "I''ve sent you critical photos twice without a response. Is your intelligencework this ipetent?"


    "..."


    There was a momentary silence from Li Zhiming, a pause that spoke volumes.


    Finally, Li spoke, his voice strained. "I apologize, Lord. I was verifying the information."


    Wang Xiao cut to the chase. "Mayor Hasting''s house is no more. I trust this will note as a surprise."


    Li Zhiming''s response was tinged with a panic barely kept at bay. "Lord, this is serious. The man you''re asking about is connected to Zero, under themand of Gabriel, my superior, the leader of the New World Order."


    Skepticism colored Wang Xiao''s tone. "Are you seeking a scapegoat, Li?"


    Li''s voice was earnest, almost pleading. "No, Lord! Gabriel is ambitious and ruthless. He''s aiming for total control over Zero and has targeted my family to force my submission. I had no idea he''d go this far.''


    "..."


    Wang Xiao, his silhouette merging with the forest''s shadows, pondered deeply on the call with Li Zhiming. "Aiming forplete control over Zero... Is Gabriel some power-hungry individual?" he mused, his voice a whisper among the rustling leaves.


    Li Zhiming''s reply came through with a hint of resignation, "I have strong ties with Prometheus lord, that might be the reason. Gabriel''s recent obsession with Frostholm nation is unsettling. Given that ce is closely monitored by Prometheus due to its..."


    A thought struck Wang Xiao, "Is Gabriel a Deviant?"


    "No, he isn''t," Li quickly rified.


    "Then... does he aspire to be one?" Wang Xiao''s voice wasced with curiosity.


    "That''s highly unlikely," Li responded. "He''s too tall and big  to even enter that ce. And the odds of surviving that process are minimal."


    "Strange..." Wang Xiao''s voice trailed off as he pondered the implications.


    The line went silent for a moment, filled only with the distant hoot of an owl and the soft whisper of the wind through the trees.


    Wang Xiao let out a slow, measured breath, a mist in the cool night air. ''So, I haven''t been discovered yet... He isn''t after me...''


    Yin Yue''s spectral voice floated in his mind, [He must be quite cunning, to make a hell spirit his ally.]


    ''Possibly... A deal of some sort,'' Wang Xiao contemted, his gaze drifting over the darkened forest.


    Back on the phone, Wang Xiao''s decision was firm. "Gabriel is your concern, Old Li. Deal with him as necessary. And inform me immediately of any developments. Also, remove all guards from my vi. Their presence is no longer required."


    Li''s sigh of relief was audible even over the phone, the tension in his voice easing slightly. "Understood, Lord."


    Beep!


    The call''s conclusion left Wang Xiao enveloped in the quietude of the forest, his thoughts swirling in the cool night air.


    A sigh escaped his lips, a soft sound in the natural stillness. "Why is this bing moreplicated than it already is?" he mused internally, his brows furrowing in contemtion.


    In the midst of his reverie, something caught his eye in the distance.


    Squinting, he tried to make sense of the shadowy figure. "Is that a person?" he whispered to himself, curiosity piqued.


    Moving cautiously, he approached the spot. But as he drew closer, the scene that unfolded before him was far grimmer than he had anticipated.


    It wasn''t just one person; there were more than twenty bodies.


    They were soldiers, each bearing the same emblem as those who had been pursuing Anran.


    Their lifeless formsy scattered, lying without breath amidst the tranquility of the forest, their guns strewn around them.


    [That one, near the tree, is breathing!] Yin Yue''s voice echoed in his mind, her tone urgent.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze snapped to the indicated soldier.


    He approached warily, his senses heightened.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The soldier Wang Xiao had been led to believe was on the brink of death turned out to be a woman, her short, silver-white hair reflecting the moonlight that filtered through the trees.


    Shey against a tree, her breaths shallow andbored, a stark contrast to her delicate, almost ethereal features.


    Her suit, a blend of professionalism and elegance, was marred by dark stains spreading across the fabric, a grim realization to the gunshots that had pierced her.


    Wang Xiao approached cautiously, his gaze taking in the injuries that peppered her legs, the torn fabric around them revealing the severity of her wounds.


    Blood seeped into the earth beneath her, her skin was pale, beads of sweat on her forehead indicating the pain she was enduring.


    Yin Yue''s voice, usually dispassionate, carried a note of urgency. [She''s still alive, but she won''tst long with those injuries.]


    Wang Xiao knelt beside the wounded soldier, his hands expertly assessing her condition. "Stay with me," he said, his voice calm andmanding.


    The woman''s eyes fluttered open, focusing with difficulty on the figure before her.


    The pain was a white-hot ze in her consciousness, yet there was a resilience in her gaze, a steely determination that not even her critical condition could diminish.


    Through gritted teeth, Luna tried to speak, her voice a hoarse whisper. "You..."


    Wang Xiao''s response was both swift and practical. He grabbed a nearby piece of cloth and, with remarkable speed, wrapped it around Luna''s right leg to staunch the bleeding, which had been flowing rapidly.


    As Luna''s eyshes trembled, her consciousness fading, Wang Xiao gently lifted her onto his shoulder, ready for action. With determination in his eyes, he soared through the air, heading straight for the vi.


    A deafening "Booom!" echoed as Wang Xiao touched down right outside the vi''s entrance, forcefully pushing the door open in one fluid motion.


    "Huh?"


    "What''s happening here?"


    Wang Xiao''s voice trailed off, a blend of bewilderment and curiosity in his tone as he crossed the threshold of the vi.


    The interior of the vi unfolded before him like a scene from a y. Anran, perched casually on a stool by the dining table, was swinging her legs back and forth in a rhythm that matched the hum of the vi.


    The moment the doors of vi opened ¡ª Her head turned sharply, her hair following a momentter.


    Her eyes darted not just to Wang Xiao, but lingered curiously on the shadowy figure over his shoulder.


    A few feet away, Aisha, the freeloader, lounged in her own world. Engrossed in a glossy magazine, she barely looked up until Wang Xiao''s presence became undeniable.


    !!


    As their eyes met, her body tensed, and she quickly ducked behind the magazine, as if it could shield her from the reality of her situation.


    The vi itself was a spectacle of cleanliness and light. Every corner shone, reflecting the numerous lights that illuminated the space. The enticing aroma of food filled the air, tugging at Wang Xiao''s senses, reminding him of a hunger he had neglected.

 Chapter 181: Reason she ran away?

    The vi itself was a spectacle of cleanliness and light. Every corner shone, reflecting the numerous lights that illuminated the space.


    "We were just... um, waiting for you," Anran announced, her voice a mix of cheerfulness and awkwardness as she hopped off the stool.


    She picked up a set of clothes with a bright smile, resembling a magician presenting a trick. "Ta-da! Your clothes! And dinner''s already served! Oh, and let me help with her."


    "I''ll throw her away to bed upstairs ¡ª real quick!"


    She reached for Luna, who was resting over Wang Xiao''s shoulder. A fleeting look of doubt crossed Anran''s face as she gauged Luna''s size, but she masked it quickly with a smile.


    "You sure you can manage?" Wang Xiao asked, one eyebrow raised in doubt.


    "Just watch me!" Anran joked, puffing up her chest in mock bravado. With surprising ease, she hoisted Luna onto her shoulders, her small frame suddenly taking on the role of a pint-sized superhero.


    ??


    Watching Anran''s triumphant, yet wobbly ascent up the stairs, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but stare nkly.


    At the top, Anran turned, her smile as wide as it was triumphant. "I''ll change her clothes as well!" she dered, her voice echoingedically as she vanished into a room with Luna.


    "..."


    "..."


    In the ensuing silence, Wang Xiao and Aisha exchanged a look that said, ''Did that just really happen?'' Wang Xiao finally broke the silence with a resigned shake of his head, as if dislodging the absurdity of her actions, and turned his attention to the dinner table.


    He moved towards the dining table, his steps measured, his mind still processing the evening''s events.


    !!


    As Wang Xiao neared, Aisha flinched, her grip tightening around the magazine. To her relief, he seemed preupied with his own thoughts, paying her no mind as he sat down to eat.


    ''Relief... as long as he''s eating, I''m not fish food,'' she thought, letting out a breath she didn''t realize she was holding, her body rxing into a slouch of relief.


    ________


    Two hours had slipped by like shadows in the night when Anran, with the stealth of a cat, tiptoed towards Wang Xiao''s room.


    Her heart beat in a rhythm of excitement and nervousness as she gently pushed the door open, peeking inside.


    Her eyes widened, not in shock, but in a mixture of awe and mischief.


    The room looked like a scene from a fantasy movie. Various objects were suspended in mid-air, orbiting in a slow, ethereal dance around Wang Xiao. He sat in the eye of this tranquil storm, cross-legged on the bed, deeply engrossed in meditation.


    This was his daily ritual, honing his psychokic abilities, turning his mind into a force of nature.


    Anran''s hand hovered over the door, ready to close it and leave him undisturbed, as was the usual protocol. But then, a devilish thought crept into her mind, ''I can disturb him, right?... It''s not like I like to get beaten but...''


    A memory shed in her mind, Wang Xiao''s voice telling her that interruptions were wee in his training ¡ª it would futher help him hone his control over psychokenesis.


    Her lips curved into a mischievous smile, a n forming in her mind.


    She knew the risks - whether she seeded in her plot or not, retribution was almost certain.


    Quietly slipping off her slippers, she prepared herself for the inevitable consequences.


    Her grin widening, she took a deep breath, and with a burst of speed¡ª


    Whoosh!


    "Haha ? ?~" Herughter rang through the room, vibrant and full of life.


    Wang Xiao''s meditation broke as he felt a sudden, light weight around his neck. Opening his eyes, he found Anran hanging from his neck like a ko, her arms wrapped tightly, herughter like music in the otherwise still room.


    "Do you really want to get beaten?" he asked, an amused yet warning tone in his voice.


    Anran''s response was a yful pout, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "We-women-are more resilient to beatings," she dered with a mix of pride and cheekiness.


    "..." Wang Xiao''s eyes blinked slowly, taking in the chaos Anran had brought into his tranquil world.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The floating objects, momentarily disturbed, began to gently descend back to their ces, as if the room itself was sighing in resignation.


    Nestling into Wang Xiao''sp, Anran twisted her body to fit snugly, wrapping her arms around his waist. She inhaled deeply, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "Ah... I missed this..."


    Wang Xiao, caught off guard by her sudden closeness, felt a shiver run down his spine.


    Boom!


    "Ah!" Anran yelped as her head bumped against his fist, her yful intrusion met with an unexpected consequence.


    "Are you a cat or something? Why are you sniffing?" Wang Xiao scolded, half-amused, half-baffled by her cat-like behavior.


    "Hehe.." Anran chuckled through the slight pain, her grip around him tightening affectionately. "I think..." she started, a mischievous yet affectionate glint in her eyes.


    "You think what?" Wang Xiao asked, one eyebrow arching, half-expecting another bout of something weird.


    "I think... I have be excessively attached to you..." Anran finished, her smile broadening as she basked in the warmth of her admission.


    Wang Xiao remained unfazed. "So?" he queried, his face a calm sea of indifference.


    Did she think he hadn''t noticed?


    Or does heck eyes?


    Anran''s expression shifted to a yful pout. "So... It''s not good..." she murmured, her voice purring with a hint of drama.


    "How does that concern me?" Wang Xiao replied, his tone light yet distant.


    Anran raised her head to meet his gaze, her eyes shimmering with a mix of jest and sincerity. "It doesn''t," she stated firmly, then, with a sudden burst of energy, she pushed him down. "But that''s exactly the problem..."


    Her tone softened, a thread of vulnerability weaving through her words. "I guess, you wouldn''t even care if I died, would you?"


    "You probably wouldn''t shed a tear or feel a thing."


    "But that''s alright. At least I won''t make you sad," Anran whispered, her voice a delicate mixture of jest and mixed emotions.


    She then copsed onto his chest with a contented sigh, her body surrendering to thefort of his presence.


    Suddenly, without warning, she began to float upwards.


    "Eh?" she gasped in surprise, her eyes widening as she hovered in the air.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes met hers directly, his voice cutting through the whimsical moment with a sharp edge. "Was that the reason you ran away?" he asked, his gaze piercing.


    "..." Anran''s lips pressed tightly together, a clear sign of inner turmoil.

 Chapter 182: World Conquer: Spreading the genes ?

    "Was that the reason you ran away?" Wang Xiao asked, his gaze piercing.


    "..." Anran''s lips pressed tightly together, a clear sign of inner turmoil. After a moment''s hesitation, she shook her head, her voice a soft murmur. "That''s not it."


    Wang Xiao, sensing something amiss, pressed further. "So what is it?"


    "...um..." Anran''s hesitation grew, the words seeming to stick in her throat.


    "Anran, whatever you are hiding, you better spill it out," Wang Xiao insisted, his tone firm and unyielding.


    "Oops," Anran chuckled nervously, she knocked her head yfully, still adrift in the air.


    She shut her eyes, a final smile flickering across her face as if bracing for an impending storm. "I guess I am pregnant...hehe..."


    !!


    Her words, light and airy, hit Wang Xiao like a ton of bricks.


    Thud!


    "Ouch... " Anran suddenly fell onto him, and Wang Xiao''s expression darkened with confusion and suprise.


    ''How...?'' he wondered silently, his mind racing.


    The realization dawned on him.


    He had never bothered with contraception, not with Josephine, Anran, or anyone else.


    The women in the brothel took care of it themselves, but Josephine and Anran...


    ''Why didn''t you remind me, Yue?'' Wang Xiao murmured, his thoughts a whirlwind of chaos.


    Yin Yue responded, as if stating the obvious, [I thought you wanted to spread your genes all over the world].


    "..."


    Wang Xiao was left speechless, the weight of the situation settling in as hey there, with Anran in his arms and a future he hadn''t nned.


    "Hehe..." Anran''s nervous chuckle filled the air,ced with a growing anxiety that grew as she noticed Wang Xiao''s expression darken.


    She stammered, "X-Xiao... There''s no need for spilling blood over small things... Maybe I could just abort?" Her words were tentative, betraying her difort with the idea, but survival was her immediate priority.


    In her mind, she rationalized the situation. If she lived, there would be countless opportunities in the future, possibilities of bringing more children into the world for him.


    But if Wang Xiao''s anger led to a fatal decision now, all those possibilities would vanish into nothingness.


    Her eyes searched his, looking for a sign, any indication of what fate might await her.


    The idea of an abortion was a desperate offer, a sacrifice thrown into the vtile mix of emotions that swirled in the room, with her life seemingly hanging in the bnce.


    Wang Xiao''s reaction was one of confusion rather than anger, his eyes flickering with surprise at Anran''s words. "Blood...? What nonsense are you spouting?" he retorted, clearly still trying to process the unexpected turn of events.


    Anran''s eyes widened, a glimmer of hope sparking in them. "Hm? You''re not going to... Kil¡ªhurt me?" she asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and tentative relief.


    Realizing the absurdity of her assumption, Wang Xiao let out a sigh, his expression softening slightly. "Get me my phone," he instructed, his tone moreposed now.


    Quick toply, Anran reached out and grabbed his phone, handing it to him with a cautious yet hopeful demeanor.


    Wang Xiao took the phone from her hands and, without hesitation, dialed a number.


    Wang Xiao held the phone to his ear, the dial tone humming briefly before a familiar voice answered. "Hello?"


    "Josephine, it''s me. I need to know, have you been taking contraceptives?" Wang Xiao''s question was direct, his voice tinged with urgency.


    There was a pause on the other end. Josephine''s voice returned, a noticeable blush in her tone. "Oh, um, that''s quite an unexpected question, Wang Xiao..." She hummed, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.


    Wang Xiao, sensing her hesitation, pressed for a clear answer. "I need to know, Josephine. It''s important."


    "Yes, I have," Josephine finally confirmed, her voice steadying. "Being a princess, one must always be prepared for... unforeseen circumstances. We always carry contraceptive pills in our handbags, just in case. After all, a bastard royal child¡ª" She trailed off, not finishing the sentence.


    Wang Xiao understood the implications. "I see. Thanks for letting me know," he said, a mix of relief and contemtion in his voice.


    "Why do you ask all of a sudden?" Josephine inquired, her curiosity piqued.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, even though she couldn''t see him. "It''s nothing. I''ll call you backter," he said and promptly ended the call.


    He turned to Anran, who had been carefully watching the exchange.


    The pieces of the puzzle were starting to fit together in his mind, but there was still much to consider.


    "Was that... the princess you were with earlier?" Anran asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.


    She had expected the call to be about the attackers, but the subject of contraception seemed oddly out of ce.


    A thought struck her - was Wang Xiao starting to take an interest in her body as well?


    Wang Xiao gave a small nod, confirming her guess.


    This simple gesture made Anran''s expression shift, a mixture of apprehension and curiosity taking over.


    Tentatively, she ventured a more personal question, "... Do you like... girls with big breasts... and... thighs?" Her voice was hesitant, almost cautious.


    Wang Xiao was silent for a moment, weighing his response. Finally, he admitted, "Bigger ones are better and have more use cases."


    Anran blinked, surprised by his frankness. She nced down at herself, assessing her own physique.


    She wasn''tcking, but she didn''t quite fit the description he seemed to prefer. "Is that why you go looking for women outside?" she asked, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.


    "Hm? How do you know I meet women outside?" Wang Xiao retorted, his curiosity piqued. He had never explicitly mentioned his activities outside to her.


    "Well..." Anran began, a sly smile ying on her lips. "Whenever youe back¡ªeven today... there were at least two or more women''s fragrances on you," she revealed, her smile broadening. "Not that I''mining. It''s actually quite pleasing to the nose."


    Wang Xiao''s lips twitched involuntarily, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. ''Two or more?'' he thought, finding her precision oddly amusing.


    "Why didn''t you mention it earlier?" he asked, a light chuckle hidden in his voice.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Anran nced at him, her eyes holding a brief silence before she shrugged nonchntly. "It didn''t matter," she said simply.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Didn''t it?" He was perplexed.


    Hadn''t she just confessed to feeling excessively attached to him?


    In his experience, most women would have shown some concern or jealousy in such situations.

 Chapter 183: Accident?

    In Wang Xiao''s experience, most women would have shown some concern or jealousy in such situations.


    Sensing his confusion, Anran borated, her voice carrying a hint of awkwardness as the conversation veered into sensitive territory.


    "You see... I can''t control you... If I tried, you''d probably leave me. And as long as youe back home, I don''t really care about the specifics..." She finished off the sentence, her voice trailing off as she gave a small nonchnt shrug.


    "Oh," Wang Xiao uttered, a bit taken aback by herid-back attitude.


    A thought crossed his mind ¨C was she actually more intelligent and aware than she let on, perhaps even feigning her clumsiness?


    "But..." Anran''s voice trailed off, her expression shifting to one of slight concern, her eyes reflecting a depth of emotion that she had not previously shown.


    "But what?" Wang Xiao''s expression shifted, a shadow of irritation flickering across his features.


    Anran hesitated for a moment, her words cautious. "You should take care of your health... If you''re with so many girls at once, every day... In the future, it might bring y¡ª"


    "Shut up," Wang Xiao interjected sharply, cutting her off mid-sentence.


    "Okay," Anran replied, unfazed by his interruption. She shrugged nonchntly, then added a surprising suggestion, "By the way... if you like many girls, I could bring Aisha or a few more girls over..." She offered, her voice hinting at a yful conspiracy.


    Wang Xiao stared at her, a mix of disbelief and exasperation in his eyes. He sighed heavily. "How would you even know which girl to bring?"


    "You could tell me," Anran suggested simply, as if it were the most obvious solution.


    Wang Xiao countered, "Then? Just because I say, doesn''t mean she would follow you..."


    Anran chuckled, a hint of nervousness in herughter, aware that her next words might bring her some beating.


    Yet, she ventured forth nothenless, "Then we kidnap her!" Her lips curled into a mischievous smile, her hands innocentlyid over him.


    Bonk!


    Wang Xiao lightly knocked her head, though more gently than before. His voice was steady but tinged with scolding. "Why do you think I would need your help to kidnap women? Can''t I do it myself?"


    "Or have you started to think you''re better than me?" he added, his questionyered with a mix of sarcasm and genuine curiosity about her thought process.


    Anran''s softughter filled the room, a sound that was both light and carefree. "Of course not! You''re the best!" she eximed with genuine admiration. Leaning forward, she closed the distance between them, stopping just shy of his face.


    "Can I kiss you?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with a mix of yfulness and affection.


    Wang Xiao raised his eyebrows, his responseced with a touch of bemusement. "Are you really asking that after everything? Don''t ask such pointless things and waste my time."


    "Okay," Anran replied, undeterred and smiling. She leaned in, nting a series of quick kisses on his cheeks. Wang Xiao''s eyshes fluttered in mild irritation, but as she moved towards his lips, he reached out, pulling her closer.


    Clothes fluttered around them, caught in the sudden whirlwind of events.


    In Wang Xiao''s presence, Anran found afort and ease she couldn''t fully exin.


    By societal standards, he might have had zero redeeming factors, but that didn''t matter to her.


    Her affection for him wasn''t driven by societal expectations but by a deeper, more instinctual connection.


    Her behavior was influenced by a desire for freedom, something she found in abundance with Wang Xiao.


    Unlike her disciplined life under Li Zhiming, where she was constantly on guard, following strict military orders, and always disciplined, Wang Xiao offered a stark contrast.


    He seldom cared about her daily activities; she could spend all day lounging in front of a fan, and he wouldn''t bat an eye as long as her tasks werepleted.


    Thisck of restraint, this freedom to just be herself, was perhaps what drew her to him, creating an unconcious bond that was as unconventional as it was profound.


    _________


    On the morning of May 19th, 2026, Wang Xiao was greeted by an unusual sight as he checked his phone.


    It was flooded with texts, most of which were from Josephine.


    She had apparently arrived early in the morning, at around 8 am.


    ncing at the clock, he realized it was already 10 am. She had been waiting outside for two hours.


    However, the doors of the vi weren''t locked, and Aisha was usually up by this time. Shrugging off any immediate concern, Wang Xiao carefully disentangled himself from Anran, who was still deep in sleep, and made his way to the bathroom for a quick shower and change of clothes.


    Thirty minutester, refreshed and dressed, Wang Xiao descended the stairs, only to find Josephine and Aisha sitting on the couch. The scene before him was peculiar ¨C Josephine appeared to be consoling Aisha.


    "What happened to her now?" Wang Xiao frowned, his curiosity piqued. The atmosphere seemed heavy, the air thick with an unspoken tension.


    Josephine''sforting demeanor contrasted sharply with Aisha''s apparent distress, painting a picture that demanded exnation.


    Wang Xiao''s entrance into the ce altered the scene subtly, his presence drawing the attention of both women.


    "Wang Xiao..." Josephine looked up, a serious expression etched on her face, while Aisha seemed lost in her own world of sorrow.


    "What''s going on here?" Wang Xiao asked, his voice calm but carrying an underlying note of concern.


    Josephine took a deep breath before exining. "It''s... about Aisha."


    "Her parents... they were in an ident. And it''s not just her; her dormmates Elisa and Maya have also disappeared, and their families suffered idents too."


    "ident?" Wang Xiao''s frown deepened as he processed the information. It sounded too coincidental to be a mere string of unrted tragedies.


    "I believe it''s connected to me," Josephine continued, her voiceced with guilt. "It seems like a warning, a message from my pursuer. They''re targeting people close to me."


    Aisha, her eyes red and swollen from crying, looked up at Wang Xiao.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her usual spirit was nowhere to be seen, reced by a helplessness that was heart-wrenching.


    Josephine''s gaze, intense and filled with concern, locked onto Wang Xiao. "Please be careful, Wang Xiao. This isn''t just a threat to me... It could very well extend to you and anyone close to you."


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed in concern. He took a seat beside Aisha, then turned his attention back to Josephine. "How did you manage toe here? Didn''t your mother expressly forbid you from going outside?"


    Josephine hesitated, her eyes reflecting a turmoil of emotions. "Um... About that..." She paused, gathering her thoughts. "Mom said... It''s fine if I am going to you..."

 Chapter 184: Ghosts?

    "..." Wang Xiao fell silent, his expression turning contemtive.


    This information seemed suspiciously convenient.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The protective stance of Josephine''s mother, coupled with the sudden allowance for this visit, raised more questions than answers.


    He knew then that he needed to have a serious conversation with Josephine''s mother.


    Resolved to tackle the issues at hand methodically, Wang Xiao stood up from his seat beside Aisha. He was acutely aware that the situation required his immediate attention, starting with the new arrivals under his care.


    "Take care of her," he instructed Josephine, nodding towards Aisha. "I have some work to attend to, and it might take some time. None of you should go outside alone for now," he added, his tone firm.


    Josephine offered a bitter smile in response to Wang Xiao''s instructions before he turned to head upstairs once again.


    _____


    "Shh!" The sound was faint but caught Wang Xiao''s attention just as he reached Luna''s room. He turned, spotting Anran peeking out from another room, gesturing for him toe over.


    ??


    Wang Xiao was puzzled by what Anran might want but, given her insistent signaling, he let out a resigned sigh and decided to see what she needed.


    _____


    Click!


    The door clicked shut behind him. Wang Xiao was met with the sight of Anran, d only in a towel. "What do you want?" he asked bluntly.


    "Are you going to meet thatdy you kidnapped?" Anran inquired, a knowing smile on her face.


    Wang Xiao was on the verge of losing his patience when she quickly added, "You can''t meet her."


    "Why not?" he asked, his suspicion evident.


    "Well..." Anran held up her phone to him. "I sent her photo to Uncle Li... But he couldn''t find any matching faces in the entire database."


    Wang Xiao''s demeanor shifted, taking her more seriously. "There are more photos?" he inquired.


    "Yeah, I sent Aisha and Josephine''s too..." Anran chuckled nervously, slightly sweating under his scrutinizing gaze.


    "You were confirming their identities?" Wang Xiao asked, indifferent to her methods.


    "Yes, Josephine and Aisha were fine, but thisdy..." Anran''s voice trailed off, adopting a more serious tone.


    "Don''t get dramatic. What did Li Zhiming say? And whatnguage are you two using?" Wang Xiao questioned.


    "Oh, it''s my nativenguage. I forgot you can''t read it," Anran realized and smiled apologetically. "As for thedy... She''s a Ghost."


    "Ghost? What''s that?" Wang Xiao frowned, a mix of confusion and curiosity in his expression. Anran took his hand, leading him to a seat before she began to exin.


    As Wang Xiao sat down, Anran''s expression grew more somber, a stark contrast to her usually yful demeanor. "A Ghost, in the context Uncle Li and I are using, doesn''t mean a literal spirit. It''s a term we use for someone who doesn''t exist in any records, someone who''s aplete mystery. Thisdy, whoever she is, doesn''t have a past that we can trace. It''s as if she appeared out of thin air."


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened, his mind racing with the implications.


    A person with no past was a dangerous unknown piece in their current situation. "And you''re sure there''s no record of her anywhere?" he pressed, seeking confirmation.


    Anran nodded, her usual cheer reced with a seriousness that matched the gravity of the situation. "Yes, absolutely sure. Uncle Li has ess to extensive databases, and if he says she doesn''t exist in them, it means she''s been incredibly careful to erase her tracks or... she''s been erased by someone else."


    "..."


    The room, draped in contemtion, mirrored Wang Xiao''s deep thoughts. He leaned back, his gaze lost in the distance, mulling over the newyer ofplexity added to the situation.


    [She is also a Deviant], Yin Yue chimed in, adding a more ominous tone to the already tense atmosphere.


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao''s posture stiffened suddenly, his sharp movement catching Anran off guard. Ignoring her startled look, he mentally questioned Yin Yue, ''Why didn''t you tell me this before?''


    [I was waiting for the right moment], came the response.


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed, his mind racing. ''How strong is she...?''


    Yin Yue''s answer was unsettling in its uncertainty. [I can''t ascertain].


    Wang Xiao sighed inwardly. [How do you even determine if someone is a Deviant or not?]


    Yin Yue exined, [I scan their biological structure for anomalies, like your brain... It''s drastically different from that of a normal human. I found multiple abnormalities in her body too¡­]


    This discovery answered a long-standing question for Wang Xiao. ''So if a person can maintain a normal body using some trick, or if his power is strong enough to revert to normal when needed... You can''t detect them?''


    Yin Yue conceded, [That''s possible... But it''s rare for someone to have that capability].


    Wang Xiao shook his head, realizing he couldn''t rely solely on Yin Yue to identify Deviants. His gaze then shifted back to Anran, who seemed to be holding back words, likely intimidated by his serious demeanor.


    "Do you want to say something?" he asked, redirecting his attention to her.


    Anran nodded, her usual lightness reced by a solemn air. "The Ghosts... It''s not just a random term. Globally, we''ve noticed a pattern and given them this name. These individuals seem to be working in groups for unknown employers. We don''t know the extent of theirwork, their strength, or their numbers.


    I gave the woman you brought in an overdose of sleeping pills to ensure she wouldn''t wake up before today."


    Wang Xiao leaned in, his interest piqued. "So, are these Ghosts part of a separate organization?"


    "It''s likely," Anran replied. "They don''t appear to be affiliated with any known groups. Their motives are unclear too. But this one... I suspect..."


    "This one what?" Wang Xiao prompted.


    "This one is after you," Anran dered.


    "Me?" Wang Xiao''s eyebrows knitted together in confusion.


    Anran nodded firmly. "I don''t know the circumstances of how you found her wounded, but Uncle Li mentioned your name is at the top of a most-wanted list. These Ghosts might be hunting you as well. She might have been sent specifically for you."


    At that moment, a memory shed through Wang Xiao''s mind.


    He remembered Luna''s eyes briefly opening, squinting at him before she fainted again.


    Could it be possible that she was indeed sent after him?


    How did they even find him?


    "It''s all still a theory... We can''t be certain," Anran hurriedly added. "I searched her clothes for any clues, but there was nothing connecting her to you. She wasn''t carrying anymunication devices either."

 Chapter 185: Enslaving Luna?

    [Wang Xiao, what do we do with her?]


    Outside his room, Wang Xiao pondered in silence. ''Let''s try enving her. The poison should work on her as well, right?''


    Yin Yue responded, [It should work. How about feeding her a different poison each month, and giving her a different antidote each month, to make sure about her intentions first?]


    "That would do," Wang Xiao agreed, his mind already strategizing the next steps.


    __________


    Meanwhile, inside the room, Luna sat on the bed, methodically unwrapping the bandage around her legs. Her face was a mask of concentration as she used a knife to extract bullets, one by one, from her flesh.


    Each time she pulled a bullet out, blood flowed freely, but her expression remained stoic. The knife pierced her skin, yet she showed no sign of pain, her movements rough but precise.


    Her fingers suddenly paused as the door swung open. Her fierce gaze shot up to meet the neer''s. ''It''s him!'' Her mind echoed with recognition, her eyes locking onto Wang Xiao with an intense stare.


    Wang Xiao, upon entering, took in the scene before him. Luna, sitting there, extracting bullets from her own body, was a sight that would unnerve most.


    He frowned, a mix of concern and curiosity in his expression. "Are you taking out bullets by yourself?" he asked, his voice carrying a blend of surprise and a subtle hint of respect for her resilience.


    ??n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Luna, slightly unnerved by Wang Xiao''sposed demeanor, could only offer a nod in response, her heart thumping nervously.


    A myriad of thoughts whirled through her mind, ''Why isn''t he attacking me? Does he think I''m merely an ordinary, injured soldier?'' A grin slowly curled within her mind, almost whispering in cunning.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao,pletely unaware of her ndestine thoughts, advanced with a tranquility that seemed almost out of ce. "Let me help you," he suggested gently, the door clicking softly as he eased it shut behind him.


    He moved towards the bed, settling on its edge with an air of ease, the mattress creaking under his weight. Carefully, he extracted the knife from Luna''s grasp with a whisper of metal.


    With the precision akin to that of a skilled surgeon, he set about extracting the remaining bullets, the clink of metal against metal resounding in the quiet room.


    Luna''s reaction was dyed, her eyes fixed on his face in disbelief.


    It wasn''t until she felt a prickling sensation that she snapped back to the moment. ''I should pretend this is painful!'' she thought hastily and shut her eyes, letting out a sharp scream.


    "Arg¡ª!" Her voice was piercing, prompting a frown from Wang Xiao. "Shut up, why are you screaming like a child!?" he scolded.


    "Huh?" Luna was taken aback by his rebuke, her eyes wide as she met his gaze.


    "Why did you even y with bullets if you''re so afraid of taking them out?" he continued, silencing her with his stern tone.


    "..." Luna found herself momentarily speechless, unustomed to such direct reprimand.


    Her heart thumped, skipping a beat, as she grappled with a blend of confusion and an inexplicable fascination.


    She studied his features intently ¨C the stern set of his jaw, the intense focus in his eyes.


    "Take this and bite on it," Wang Xiao directed, offering her a pillow. Automatically, Luna epted it, cing it between her teeth.


    Her eyes remained steadfastly fixed on him, now tinged with awe and curiosity.


    ''Why does he look so fascinating... so fierce unlike the others...?'' she wondered silently, her throat emitting a soft gulp as her fascination deepened.


    d in a simple white shirt, with the top two buttons casually undone, Luna''s appearance starkly contrasted her usual concealed demeanor. Her ample features, often hidden, were now subtly highlighted by her attire.


    Entranced by Wang Xiao''s presence, she observed him silently until his voice snapped her out of her reverie. "What''s your name?"


    "Luna..." she replied, her voice emerging softer, more feminine than usual, unveiling a rarely seen aspect of her character.


    A flicker of intrigue passed through Wang Xiao''s eyes. "Oh?" He let out a small nod, his thoughts churning, ''Is she trying to seem like a regr person? Interesting...'' He nodded inwardly, a hint of amusement coloring his thoughts.


    "So, Luna, what were you doing alone in the woods?" he inquired, smoothly ying along with her act.


    Luna''s eyes fluttered, captivated and unable to drift away from his gaze. "I was trying to find you," she confessed impulsively, the realization of her words dawning on her a moment toote.


    !!


    Wang Xiao''s movements came to an abrupt halt, visibly taken aback. He turned to her, his expression a blend of confusion and intrigue. "Find me?" he echoed, his eyes searching hers, which shimmered like exquisite crystals.


    "I..." Luna faltered, grappling for words. "I''m a mercenary. I saw a posting offering one million dors for your capture... But..."


    "But what?" Wang Xiao prodded, his amusement apparent in how she clumsily attempted to mask her true identity.


    "But I was ambushed... There was a fight, and I..." She trailed off, her voice quivering slightly.


    "So, you got injured in that fight, and I ended up finding you? Were you caught in the crossfire?" Wang Xiao pieced together, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern.


    "Maybe..." Luna murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, her mind seemingly adrift.


    "How did you manage to find me?" Wang Xiao pressed, momentarily setting aside the fact that her face was inching closer to his with every passing second.


    "We... Spotted you in some store CCTV footage..." Luna disclosed, her openness taking Wang Xiao by surprise.


    His eyebrows arched in curiosity. "How?" he questioned, just as he deftly removed thest bullet.


    Clink!


    The bullet hit the ground, reminding Wang Xiao that his appearance in photos should appear much younger. How, then, had they identified him?


    "..."


    Lifting his head, Wang Xiao found himself gazing directly into Luna''s eyes, now perilously close to his own. Her warm breath tickled his skin. "Your eyes..." she murmured absentmindedly, her fingers hovering near his eyes, as ifpelled to touch them.


    !!


    Wang Xiao flinched, instinctively stepping back. "What are you doing?"


    "I... I''m sorry... I didn''t mean to," Luna stammered, her curiosity piqued. Fighting to steady her racing heart, she managed to exin, "It''s your eyes. We filtered through individuals worldwide born with red eyes."


    "Oh... So that''s how it is..." Wang Xiao murmured, a new understanding dawning on him.


    ''Hehe... So interesting... Did I scare him?'' Luna couldn''t help the growing smile forming inside her, observing him lost in deep thought.

 Chapter 186: Identity Compromised!

    Wang Xiao''s mind churned with thoughts, considering the myriad of possibilities. As he observed Luna, who seemed somewhat disoriented, a critical question formed. Given her ability to track him, who else might know his whereabouts?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Luna, who else is aware of my location besides you?" he asked, eager to gauge the extent of her honesty.


    Surprisingly, Luna was forting. Her glossy red lips parted slightly as she answered, "No one."


    "No one?" Wang Xiao echoed, his eyebrows arching in surprise.


    Luna nodded affirmatively. "No one."


    "But didn''t you mention that you found me?" He probed further.


    Luna''s response came with a hint ofplexity. "We did... But it wasn''t easy."


    "Not easy? So how difficult was it?" Wang Xiao pressed, his curiosity piqued.


    In response, Luna shifted her position, kneeling over the bed, her hands bracing her as she moved forward on all fours. Despite her bleeding, she advanced towards him, her voice lowering. "Very hard..."


    With each repetition, "Very... Very... Very hard..." her pupils dted, emphasizing the intensity of her words and the challenge they faced in tracking him down.


    Wang Xiao watched her approach, a mix of wariness and intrigue in his gaze. "That''s quite amitment for a mercenary," he remarked, his voiceced with a hint of skepticism.


    Luna paused, just inches away from him, her eyes locked on his. "You don''t understand," she began, her voice a whisper. "Tracking someone like you... it''s not just about the money. It''s about the challenge...the thrill of the hunt." Her body subtly trembled, each word infused with a quiver of excitement.


    Wang Xiao leaned back slightly, absorbing her words. ''Thrill of the hunt...?'' he thought.


    "And now that you''ve found me?" Wang Xiao asked, his voice steady but his mind racing with possibilities.


    Luna''s expression softened, a tinge of vulnerability flickering in her eyes. "I... I haven''t thought that far ahead," she admitted.


    Her mind had been consumed with the pursuit, the legend of the mysterious eighth guardian, not the aftermath.


    The proximity, the tension between them, it was all so overwhelming.


    Wang Xiao pondered her response, a part of him intrigued by her honesty.


    Luna, sensing the shift in his demeanor, added, "And what about you? What will you do now that I''ve found you?"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "That depends," he said slowly, "on whether I see you as a threat or an ally."


    Luna held his gaze steadfastly, her eyes a maelstrom of determination and uncertainty. Slowly, she crawled a few steps closer, her movements deliberate. "So, could I... could I be your friend?" she ventured, her voice steady yet betraying a flicker of excitement in her eyes.


    "..."


    "..."


    The silence that settled between them was thick, almost suffocating. They stared at each other, neither quite sure how to navigate the moment.


    ''Why is he looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong? ... Isn''t this how humans normally interact?'' Luna pondered, her mind a whirlpool of confusion.


    ustomed to solitude and the straightforward nature of her work, she was unversed in the nuances of normal human interaction.


    She continued to fix her gaze on Wang Xiao, silently seeking some sort of guidance or response.


    In a bold move, driven by herck of conventional social boundaries, Luna continued to inch closer.


    Her hands had already made their way over his legs, and she was leaning towards him.


    Her fingers slowly began to creep towards a more intimate area above his pants.


    Wang Xiao, who had been frozen in a mix of surprise and uncertainty, suddenly acted.


    He thrust his hand forward, effectively halting her advance.


    "Here, drink some water," he offered abruptly.


    Luna blinked in confusion. "Huh?"


    His hand held a ss of water that seemed to have appeared out of thin air, whisked directly from outside the window.


    He wasn''t even attempting to conceal his superpowers!


    But then Luna''s attention shifted. As she unconsciously epted the ss, a strange odor wafted to her nose, causing her face to twitch in distaste. "I... Don''t need it," she said, her smile awkward and forced.


    Wang Xiao, with a hint of cunning, chose to ignore her reluctance. He maintained his gaze, countering her move with a subtle smile, turning her own strategy against her. It was a silent dare - if she wanted to continue this charade, she''d have to drink the water.


    In his mind, he knew the stakes. If the poison in the water entered her bloodstream, it would be unstoppable, a perfect trap.


    "..."


    "..."


    Their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. Wang Xiao''s smile remained unyielding, while Luna''s was awkward, forced. She was ying the part of an ordinary person, but Wang Xiao had her cornered.


    If Luna detected the poison, it would betray her as someone with extraordinary senses and capabilities,pletely undermining her story of being just a normal individual.


    Luna''s fingers quivered slightly as she raised the ss to her lips.


    Gulp...


    A nervous swallow echoed in the room, and then, fueled by a sudden surge of resolve, she acted.


    Whoosh!


    In one swift motion, she downed the entire ss of water, catching even Wang Xiao off guard. He let out a deep sigh, a mixture of surprise and intrigue evident in his eyes.


    "Is this enough?" Luna asked, her voice steady as she stared back at him, the empty ss in her hand. Her action had raised the stakes of their silent game, leaving Wang Xiao to ponder her true nature and intentions.


    Nothenless, Wang Xiao''s smile broadened mischievously. "This one, drink this one as well..." He handed her another ss, this time containing the antidote.


    Luna''s eyebrow arched in suspicion. ''He can''t kill me twice, right?'' she mused inwardly, a chuckle escaping her lips. Without further questioning, she downed the second ss, then provocatively licked her lips clean, her eyes flickering towards him with a seductive nce.


    "Can we proceed to the main meal now?" she inquired flirtatiously.


    "Not so fast..." Wang Xiao pushed her face gently away, a hint of annoyance in his tone. He was now beginning to wonder why every of these peculiar creature always stumble into his life. "First, tell me about the ghosts..."


    !!!


    Luna''s reaction was immediate; she froze, her mouth agape in surprise. "Y-You knew about me already?"


    Wang Xiao gave a small nod. "Well, you are one of the members of Ghosts... So, care to tell me more? By the way, the first ss had poison, and the second, the antidote, which you''ll need every month from now on."


    ''S-So strategic...'' Luna''s eyes widened, her admiration for his strategic mind growing. Yet, a realization dawned upon her, ''So all my pretending was in vain? No... He still doesn''t know everything...'' A sly smile formed inside her, and she began to spill information about the Ghosts without any hint of guilt.

 Chapter 187: Lunas Offer?

    "The Ghosts are under the leadership of a Guardian, an mystery within our ranks," Luna began, her voice steady. "No one has ever seen or met this Guardian. It''s all very secretive."


    Wang Xiao''s interest piqued. The mention of a Guardian ying a covert role stirred a whirlwind of questions in his mind. Why would a Guardian operate in such secrecy?


    Luna continued, detailing theposition of the Ghosts. "The team consists mostly of defectors, deviants who turned their backs on the Legion. One day, we received mysterious invitations, anonymous letters asking if we wished to join the Ghosts."


    She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Once they epted, all their problems vanished. They were promised freedom, no coercion, no obligations."


    Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed as he processed this.


    The sudden erasure of information about these individuals indicated the influence of someone powerful, presumably a Guardian working behind the scenes.


    "The missions," Luna added, "are distributed to each member through letters that self-destruct after being read. Every Ghost receives the same letter. There''s no room for refusal ormunication. Anyone can undertake the mission."


    She paused, a hint of excitement in her eyes. "Upon sessfulpletion, we''re rewarded. The rewards are always undisclosed beforehand but are always worth the pursuit."


    Taking a deep, contemtive breath, Wang Xiao broke the silence. "So, what is your ultimate goal?"


    Luna momentarily froze, the weight of his question hanging between them. Then, as if a mask had slipped, her face softened into an mysterious smile. "Nothing," she replied, her voice a melody of mystery.


    "Nothing?" Wang Xiao''s voice wasced with skepticism.


    Luna nodded, her eyes reflecting a depth of unspoken thoughts. "We don''t have set goals, not really. The missions, I believe, are a means to channel the energies of the defectors... A way to keep them under control. They''re used as pawns to ensure the world''s bnce of power remains intact, preventing these misguided souls from self-destructing."


    Intrigued, Wang Xiao leaned forward. "Like what?"


    Luna''s eyes darkened with the memory. "Thest target was a general, walking on the brink of igniting a global war."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, a shadow of realization flickering across his face. "And what of those who refused to join the Ghosts? Those who defied the legion?"


    Surprise flickered across Luna''s features. "You don''t know?" she asked, a sly smile curling her lips.


    "I am not a deviant. How would I know the inner workings of your kind?" he countered, a trace of annoyance in his tone.


    Luna studied him silently, her gaze intense and probing. Abruptly, her expression shifted. "You''re lying..." she used, suddenly pushing him down.


    Her eyes, fierce and unyielding, bore into his. "I can tell by your eyes... They''re as hollow as ours," she whispered, her fingers hovering dangerously close to his face, as if ready to reveal the truth hidden within.


    "Hollow?" Wang Xiao questioned, his voice a calm counterpoint to her intensity.


    "Yes, hollow," Luna affirmed, her voice softening. "You exhibit no fear, no nervousness. It''s absent. In fact, you''re just like me..." Her voice trailed off as she scrutinized him, a dawning realization reflected in her eyes as she peered into the depths of Wang Xiao''s gaze.


    Wang Xiao regarded her with a steady gaze. "You just can''t see it, but I am as scared of dying as anyone else."


    Luna fell silent, then broke into a chuckle, disbelief evident in her tone. "I highly doubt that."


    "By the way," she continued, her demeanor shifting, "as for those who defected... they faced the legion''s rule: hunt and kill." Her eyes glinted wickedly as she spoke the harsh reality.


    Wang Xiao, probing further, asked, "And what about height? Do all Deviants look like children?"


    "Do I look like a child to you?" Luna responded, a sh of anger in her eyes.


    Wang Xiao retorted, "Your actions are childlike."


    Luna fell silent, then unexpectedly chuckled. "You might be right. We don''t really interact with humans... Our social skills are as they were when we first joined..." Her voice trailed off, and she suddenly turned pale, as if struck by a disturbing thought.


    Wang Xiao narrowed his eyes, pondering. Was this what Li Zhiming was referring to?


    The mysterious and unspoken ''tunnel to heaven'' among Deviants?


    Regaining herposure, Luna continued as if the previouspse had never happened. "We don''t have a uniform height issue. Some Deviants are short, but others aren''t. We''re not the same... Each one is different. Some grow...


    Some remain the same size their entire lives. Some age... Some don''t age at all... Some age slowly... Others age rapidly... We are all different!"


    Wang Xiao pondered silently, ''Is entering this so-called tunnel the only way to solve this mystery?'' His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Luna''s proposition.


    "Do you want to be a ghost as well?" she asked, her face inches from his, her breath mingling with his, her hair cascading over his face.


    He inhaled, taking in her scent. "Why would I? I am not even a Deviant," he replied, maintaining hisposure.


    Luna leaned in closer, her fascination with him growing. "It doesn''t matter. No one would be able to tell the difference. You''re more of a deviant than any of us..." She marveled at his ability to remain calm in the face of potential death.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Doesn''t he fear an attack from me?'' she wondered.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow as Luna continued, "No one would ever hunt you... Your name would vanish from history... Off the wanted lists... You would be a ghost... Free to do whatever you want... What do you say?"


    Wang Xiao, seizing the opportunity to gather more information, asked, "But you said you have no contact with the leader. How would I join?"


    Luna''s face broke into a secretive smile. "It''s a secret... I can''t reveal anything unless you join us... Or I would..."


    "Or you would what?" Wang Xiao pressed, his curiosity piqued.


    "D-I-E," Luna stated bluntly, her expression unchanging. She watched him closely, trying to gauge his reaction, to see if the possibility of such danger would elicit any fear or concern.

 Chapter 188: *Maid?* (1)

    Wang Xiao maintained hisposure, unfazed by her blunt statement. "Your mouth runs quite freely for someone who''s supposedly restricted in what they can say."


    "Doesn''t matter," Luna responded with a light chuckle, her demeanor casual. She then leaned in closer, resting her head on his chest, a position that allowed her to observe his heartbeat.


    This unexpected intimacy seemed to perplex Wang Xiao.


    "Why not?" he asked, curious about her boldness.


    Luna lifted her head, locking eyes with him. "Because you''ve poisoned me already, haven''t you?" she said, her tone matter-of-fact, as if stating an undeniable truth.


    Wang Xiao''s expression remained neutral, though inwardly he was grappling with the situation.


    He didn''t sense any deceit in her words, yet something felt amiss. ''Why does everything seem so off?'' he wondered.


    ''How did I even end up attracting the attention of this peculiar woman?'' His thoughts were a mix of bewilderment and caution.


    His eyes narrowed slightly as he observed her leaning over him. Through the slight gap in her shirt, he could glimpse the faint pink cherries, which she made no effort to conceal.


    Yin Yue, [Wang Xiao, sometimes I feel you deliberately stir their hearts and then feign ignorance.]


    Wang Xiao''s response was a silent, contemtive look. His thoughts were abruptly jolted by an ominous premonition, ''Don''t tell me you too¡ª''


    Yin Yue''s voice shifted suddenly, taking on a stern tone. [No, what the hell are you talking about!?]


    Then, with a hint of teasing tone abruptly continued, [... Or do you want a crossbreed between our species?]


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Luna''s voice cut through his inner monologue. "Hey, why are you silent? I asked you something," she inquired, a note of curiosity in her tone.


    Wang Xiao snapped back to the present, his gaze settling on her. "??"


    He was genuinely puzzled. "Asked what?"


    Luna paused, her expression a mix of confusion and slight annoyance. ''Did he not hear me?'' she wondered. ''Or did he choose to ignore me?''n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "I said... What about our friendship...?" Luna''s gaze, intense and probing, fixed on Wang Xiao once more, seeking an opening in his carefully guarded demeanor.


    Wang Xiao remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. He seemed to weigh her words, giving the impression of deep contemtion, before finally, he softly shook his head. "I don''t take any friends."


    Luna''s face fell slightly, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes. "...Then take me as your ally."


    Wang Xiao shrugged, his voice steady, "Not possible."


    Luna''s lips twitched, a sign of her growing frustration. It was rare for her to lower her guard this much. "Then what position can you give!?" she demanded, her voice carrying a mix of desperation and challenge.


    Wang Xiao raised his hand, extending a single finger to emphasize his point. "Only one position... That''s the only one I have open right now."


    "And what is that?" Luna asked, her voice tinged with a mix of hope and apprehension, her lips pressed tightly together.


    "Maid." Wang Xiao delivered the word without a hint of guilt or jest.


    "..."


    Luna stood frozen, her face stiffening in shock. ''Maid!?'' The word echoed in her mind, a stark insult to her capabilities and status.


    Was that all he saw in her?


    The indignity of it threatened to unleash a storm within her.


    For a fleeting moment, she envisioned plunging the entire city into darkness as a testament to her wrath.


    Wang Xiao''s voice rang out, filled with reprimand, "Are you in or out? Aisha is already waiting outside for the same role."


    Luna''s heart raced in panic as she stammered, "I-I want it!" Her words spilled out hurriedly, but as soon as they left her lips, she instantly regretted her decision.


    Wang Xiao''s smug smile confirmed her worst fear ¨C she had lost.


    ''Damn!'' Luna cursed herself inwardly.


    But amidst the frustration, a blossoming smile appeared on her face, a smile that made Wang Xiao catch his breath.


    In that moment, she looked stunningly beautiful, the embodiment of allure and determination.


    "Now that it''s settled, let''s continue," Luna proimed, leaning hastily towards Wang Xiao''s face.


    For as long as she could remember, Luna had always been someone who didn''t hesitate to im what was rightfully hers.


    But Wang Xiao couldn''t help but smile, seeing past Luna''s facade of adulthood to the childlike vulnerability beneath.


    He clicked his tongue yfully, mesmerized by her unpredictability.


    Suddenly, Luna found herself stunned, frozen in disbelief.


    Before she could even register what was happening, Wang Xiao''s lips met hers in a passionate, unexpected kiss.


    Her eyes widened in surprise as he swiftly twirled her around, changing their positions. "I don''t like being the one beneath, my maid," he specified with a mischievous glint in his eyes.


    Luna furrowed her brows, determined not to concede. "I don''t like it either!" she retorted, her voiceced with defiance.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t contain his amusement as he broke into a chuckle. "You''ll get used to it," he teased, a hint of seduction lingering in his words.


    Luna remained silent, her thoughts entangled in a whirlwind of emotions.


    Without warning, Wang Xiao pressed forward once more, his lips meeting hers in a intense, electric kiss. His lips caressed hers with a gentle intensity, leaving her breathless and wanting more.


    !!


    Luna,pletely forgetting the specifics for now, urgently wrapped her hands around his neck, her legs coiling tightly around his back, creating an unbreakable bond.


    The blood still trickled slightly from her wounds, but neither of them paid it any mind.


    His tongue invaded her mouth, and she eagerly responded, lost in the intensity of the moment. However, the experienced Wang Xiao, deeming her an amateur, swiftly suppressed her, overpowering her until she was left breathless and gasping for air, her body lying there, her eyes hazy with desire.


    Luna nced down, her eyes drawn to their clothes, miraculously still intact, barely containing the heat radiating between them


    With a sudden, breathtaking motion, her hands descended, catching Wang Xiao off guard as she tore her own shirt open, revealing the fierce desire burning within her.


    Tear!


    Then, without hesitation, she mercilessly tore his clothes to shreds, the sound of fabric tearing mingling with their urgent breaths.


    He had nned to teach her a lesson, but as his gaze fell upon her majestic breasts, round and firm, time seemed to pause.


    The pure, milky whiteness of their skin mixed against the vulnerable, pink nipples that teased him, beckoning him to indulge in their tender delight.


    "Mmm~" Without another word, Luna''s lips pressed together, sealing in a desperate moan as Wang Xiao eagerly descended upon her, his mouth hungrily sucking on her nipples, his skillful tongue expertly teasing and caressing.


    His fingers delicately explored their softness, drowned in their allure as they sunked into her skin.

 Chapter 189: *Maid* (2)

    In the confined space of the room, Luna luxuriated on the enticing bed, her body contorting effortlessly before Wang Xiao.


    With each movement, her back arched gracefully as his lips touched her neck, igniting an electrical spark within her.


    Meanwhile, his hands ventured boldly, exploring the forbidden territory nestled between her thighs.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Mngh..."


    As pleasure surged through her, Luna''s eyes became veiled in a mist of ecstasy.


    Wang Xiao''s nimble fingers caressed her most intimate area, delicately teasing the delicate petals that concealed a blossoming flower within her.


    Her neck arched gracefully as he lifted her head, and her eyes locked onto his, supressing her desire.


    A mischievous smile yed across her lips, causing them to quiver with anticipation. With a boldness that surprised him, her slender fingers darted into his pants, their tips tracing the edge of his manhood with careful precision.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but be taken aback by her actions.


    "So warm..." she murmured in a voiceced with desire, her intoxication evident in her gaze. "Let me feel it..." she pleaded, her voice dripping with urgency.


    Giving a barely perceptible nod, Wang Xiao pushed his pants aside, eager to see how insane she can go?


    He settled backfortably, and Luna nestled herself over his legs, her hands delicately cradling his manhood, her fingers teasingly exploring its every inch. Her eyes sparkled with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, a glimmer of mischief dancing within them.


    ''Truly a child...'' As Wang Xiao observed her, he couldn''t help but find her actions childish, abination of naivety and audacity.


    !!


    However, his amusement abruptly transformed into surprise when Luna suddenly grabbed hold of his dick and brought her face close.


    Pakh!


    Her cheeks collided with his rigid shaft, the impact stealing his breath away.


    Pakh!


    Pakh!


    His member rhythmically smacked against her flushed skin, the reverberation producing a sharp and intoxicating sound. Luna''s lips curled into a discreet smile, reveling in the unexpected sensation.


    ".." Wang Xiao found himself at a loss for words, utterly bewildered by this creature actions.


    Luna''s teasing eyes locked with his, a mischievous glint dancing within them, relishing in his speechlessness. Slowly, deliberately, she licked her lips, coating them with a glistening sheen of saliva, transforming them into an enticing shade of crimson. Keeping her gaze fixed upon him, she inched closer to his throbbing tip.


    With a soft, lingering smooch...


    Her lips tenderly caressed his tip before parting, ready to engulf his length into the warmth of her mouth


    Gwak!


    A sudden sound escaped her throat, her eyes widening slightly as his member made contact with the walls of her mouth, filling the cavity and stifling her breath.


    Undeterred, she adjusted her position, allowing it to slide deeper until her mouth waspletely filled, the weight of her head as a testament to the intensity of the moment.


    Slurp...


    A sultry sound echoed in the room as she began to move her head, the slick motion coating his length with her saliva, intensifying her movements.


    With each movement, she showed expertise, driving him to the brink of ecstasy.


    Pop...


    The soft sound of her mouth releasing his member momentarily interrupted the his sensation. She savored the moment, lingering for a few minutes, licking and teasing him like a piece of candy before finally relinquishing her hold and cradling herself above him.


    It was only now that Wang Xiao grasped the chaos they have wrought upon the bed, his resigned sigh a evidence to the mess they had created.


    Despite the blood coursing from her injury, this wild woman showed little regard, carefully aligning his throbbing shaft with her entrance.


    ....


    "Ahhhhnn~"


    Luna''s lips parted in ecstasy as his tip breached the entrance, delicately gliding into her suffocated cave.


    Wang Xiao, thoroughly immersed in the sensations, awoke abruptly when his tip brushed against an intoxicating boundary. His head raised in bewildered curiosity, silently questioning, "??"


    In that pivotal moment, Luna met his gaze and daringly flung herself over hisp, her body sumbing to hismanding presence. "Ugh..." A searing sting shot through her as his length pierced her hymen in one forceful thrust, delving deep into the core of her being.


    The mingling pool of pleasure and pain was tainted by a hint of blood, mingling into the background of redness.


    Wang Xiao''s confusion swelled, his voiceced with concern, "Is it your first time?"


    Luna nestled her head against his chest, her breathing ragged, cheeks aze with a fiery blush that mirrored the inferno of her desires.


    ....


    "What do you think... Hehe?" he teased, nting gentle kisses on his cheeks. "Did you really believe I''m an experienced woman who knows every inch?" she whispered seductively.


    Wang Xiao nodded, a knowing glint in his eyes, causing her to chuckle softly.


    Her eyes sparkled with delight, reflecting the excitement she felt.


    Leaning forward, she revealed with a faint smile, "The only body I have ever carved is yours..."


    Wang Xiao was at a loss for words.


    "Don''t just stare at me like that," Luna urged, her voiceced with a mixture of desire and anticipation. "Show me the dominance you disyed before," she murmured, feeling him still inside her, his hardened length nestled between her supple buttcheeks.


    A wicked smile yed on Wang Xiao''s lips.


    Did she truly think he wouldply so easily?


    Would he obediently follow hermand?


    A sadistic glint sparked in his eyes. "Do it yourself," he said, his voice dripping with amusement.


    Pakh!


    Without warning, a sharp, resounding p echoed through the air,nding firmly on Luna''s enticing buttocks.


    !!


    Luna''s eyes flew open, wide and piercing, a mix of disbelief and fury reflected in their depths. "You dare!?" she erupted, her flushed cheeks burning with anger and overwhelming embarrassment.


    Wang Xiao maintained a deceptive amiability, his smile stretching across his face. But beneath the pleasant facade, his voice carried a hidden warning. "You are the servant, not me. Do as I say..."


    His words held a tangible edge, a reminder that defiance would not be tolerated.


    Luna''s expression froze, a storm brewing within her. "Ugh!" she cursed herself, her frustration turning inward.


    How could she have engaged in such dangerous games with him earlier?


    Despite her regret, she lifted her hips ever so slightly, cautiously taking out his throbbing member from her depths.


    "Mnghh~" A soft, tremulous moan escaped Luna''s lips, a mixture of pleasure and anticipation.


    And then, with determination, she began to sway her hips, each movement sending a shockwave of sensation rippling through her body.


    The sound of flesh meeting flesh reverberated through the air.


    Pak!


    Pak!


    Pak!


    The rapid, rhythmic ps of their bodies merged with Luna''s unrestrained moans, filling the house. The raw passion echoed, reverberating off the walls and resonating through the very soul of the house.


    _____


    "Ahhhnnn~"


    Luna''s moans, untamed and vibrant, resonated through the air like a hauntingly sweet melody.


    Downstairs, the other girls felt an icy chill course through their bodies, an unsettling sensation causing goosebumps to rise on their skin.


    Anran, in the neighbouring room, startled by the intensity of the sounds, sprang up from her seat and thrust her head under the icy torrent of running water, desperate to quell the shivers crawling up her spine.


    "Did... you hear that?" Downstairs, Aisha stammered, her voice trembling as she swallowed a lump of nervousness.


    The sensual moans from upstairs sent a warm flush racing up her neck, momentarily shrouding the sorrow of her lost parents. Her mind spun with a whirlwind of thoughts, both fearful and intrigued.


    "That''s..." Josephine trailed off, her cheeks revealing a faint blush as her lips curled into a wry smile. "Is this some sort of wee?" she pondered silently, her curiosity piqued.


    She couldn''t help but wonder what was truly happening above them?


    _______


    Six hours had bled into eternity before Wang Xiao finally emerged from his room, stretchingnguidly in the hallway.


    As the click of his door echoed, a synchronous sound mirrored from the neighboring room.


    Curiosity peeked out in the form of Anran, her appearance disheveled, eyes shadowed as though sleep had be a stranger, her hair a wild mess of neglect. "Have you encountered a ghost or something?" Wang Xiao inquired, his voiceced with a hint of jest.


    Stepping into the hallway, Anran''s figure was a silhouette of weariness. "No," she retorted, shaking her head while her eyes threw daggers of exasperation his way. "I heard one, didn''t see... Had I seen it," she paused, her hands abruptly shot up towards her neck, miming a dramatic gesture of strangling herself, only to¡ª


    Crash!


    Copse onto the ground with aedic thud.


    Wang Xiao, witnessing her theatrical fall, merely blinked, a testament to how ustomed he had be to her actions.


    "Is this the example you intend to set for a child?" His tone carried a mix of seriousness and critique.


    Bouncing back to her feet with a vigor that defied her previous state, Anran protested, "Absolutely not!"


    "You imed you''d shoulder the responsibility," Wang Xiao reminded her, his expression unreadable.


    Vigorously nodding, Anran affirmed, "And I will! Definitely."


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Silence hung between them, Wang Xiao harboring a sea of doubts about her capability to nurture a child.


    The conversation that day, fraught with Anran''s decision and Wang Xiao''s skepticism, culminated in a reluctant agreement.

 Chapter 190: Leaving Icevale! (1)

    Wang Xiao allowed Anran to keep the child on the condition she would raise it herself and exhibit a responsible attitude towards its upbringing.


    Despite Wang Xiao''s uncertainties about the longevity of his presence in her life, one thing was paramount: ensuring that Anran''s influence didn''t foster folly in the next generation, and spoil his genes.


    If it indeed turns out like that¡ª


    His thoughts veered into a shadowy realm, his mind a whirlwind of dark considerations. Barely pausing to gather his bearings, he brushed past Anran, exchanged fleeting words with Josephine and Aisha, then, with a suddenness that caught everyone off guard, he announced his ns and strode through the main door.


    "Are we really leaving?" Aisha called out, her voice trailing off in the thick, uncertain air.


    Josephine, equally puzzled, could only offer a shrug. "I don''t know. But he didn''t seem to be joking."


    Aisha bit her lip, struggling to reconcile herself with the abrupt upheaval. "I... it''s just so sudden."


    While confusion clouded their minds, Anran was a whirlwind of activity, her movements fluid and purposeful as she packed their bags


    ncing at Aisha, her eyes sparkled with an unspoken challenge. "Are youing or not? He won''t wait for us," she dered, zipping the suitcase with a decisive motion before bounding upstairs for the rest.


    "..." Aisha sat, frozen, the weight of the moment pressing down on her.


    Josephine, watching Anran''s energetic disy, couldn''t help but marvel. "Does she always have this much energy?"


    Aisha''s answer was hesitant, a soft "Y-Yeah..." that seemed to get lost in the room.


    Wang Xiao, unlike the others, wasn''t taken aback by Anran''s readiness. His inquiry into her past revealed a life punctuated by frequent travels and undercover missions.


    To him, her boundless energy made perfect sense; she was someone who thrived in motion, a restless spirit that could never sit idle.


    _______


    Perched on the edge of the rooftop, Wang Xiao found himself nursing a ss of red wine, its bitterness a sharp contrast to the evening''s ambiguous tranquility.


    The town lights flickered like distant stars, casting a soft glow that danced across the ss''s surface.


    "I thought you don''t like drinking..." came a voice, shattering the serene silence. Leaning against the wall with a casual grace, Linda stood beside him, her presence asmanding as the pearl harbour that reflected the city.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She was the matriarch of this concrete kingdom, with the Hrimpurs bar nestled like a jewel in the building''s heart. Her appearance belied the ruthlessness required to navigate the murky waters of her empire¡ªflowing raven hair framing a face that radiated an almost innocent rity, a stark contrast to the shadows her business cast.


    "And you," Wang Xiao began, his voice a low murmur, "are surprisingly clean for someone so deeply embedded in the dirt."


    Linda''sughter was a soft chime in the cool air. "Appearances can be deceiving, Wang Xiao. But let''s not dance around the shadows. Why the sudden need for wine?"


    Wang Xiao''s gaze drifted over the city, a maze of light and shadow. "I''ll be leaving soon," he confessed.


    Linda raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Really? That is a surprise," she remarked, her tone betraying a flicker of curiosity as she took a delicate sip from her ss.


    Wang Xiao turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "What about the services you hinted atst time? Do you delve into... Those activities as well?"


    Her surprise was genuine, eyebrows arching in intrigue. "Hmm? I might need to consult with Lian. She''s better acquainted with our... less conventional ventures."


    "I''m not fond of riddles, Linda. Can you do it or not?" Wang Xiao pressed, his patience thinning.


    A shadow crossed Linda''s face, her features hardening. "Ten thousand dors per target, provided there''s no tight security and they''re not high-profile," she stated, the price set with cold precision.


    "And if the job''s abroad?" Wang Xiao inquired, his mind racing with ns and contingencies.


    "Possible. But expect the price to adjust ordingly."


    Wang Xiao nodded, pulling out his phone to show her two profiles. "These individuals. Can it be done?" His voice was a whisper, barely carrying over the breeze.


    Linda studied the screen ¡ª a teen boy with tousled, jet-ck hair was none other than Wang Sheng, his cousin, and the son of Wang Zhihao''ste older brother.


    He currently resided with his grandparents, nestled in the embrace of their familial home.


    And then there was his sister, now 21, a vision with her cascading, golden locks, meticulously curled and brilliantly dyed, a living embodiment of youthful radiance.


    Wang Xiao could still recall that haunting dream with unnerving rity, the imagery of his own decapitated head etched into his memory like a scar.


    It all began with the searing image of Wang Sheng locked in a passionate embrace with his sister on the moonlit rooftop.


    He had seized the incriminating evidence and used it as a dark bargaining chip, entangling himself in a web of deceit and desire.


    Outwardly, Wang Xiao harbored a burning desire to see them both eliminated, a desire born of the belief that no one who bore witness to that fateful night should escape with their lives intact.


    His obsession with maintaining his own reputation, untouched by association with seemingly ordinary women, was merely a facade, albeit one he clung to vehemently.


    But beneath it ally the raw truth - he sought to eradicate any reminder of that ominous dream, to escape the specter of his own decapitation that continued to haunt him.


    The weather seemed to grow colder as Linda acknowledged Wang Xiao''s grim determination, her slow nod carrying the weight of unspoken truths. "It can be done. But remember, some stains don''t wash out with blood," she cautioned, her voice a low murmur that danced with the breeze.


    Wang Xiao, his face a mask of contemtion, nodded in agreement. "Proceed with it then. Money shouldn''t be a problem, but isn''t it quite cheap for a person''s life?" The thought hung heavy in the air, the value of a human life reduced to mere numbers.


    It struck him¡ªa stark revtion of how cheaply life could be bartered.


    He pondered the fragility of existence, the notion that a life could be extinguished for less than the cost of a luxury car.


    Was it truly this easy to die?


    The thought soured in his mind, a bitter reminder of his own helplessness in a past life, where he could have been snuffed out without warning for a sum as petty as ten thousand dors.


    Linda, observing the whirlwind of emotions ying across Wang Xiao''s features, offered a  smile. "Ordinary people''s lives aren''t deemed worthy of too much attention. With the right negotiation, even a thousand dors might suffice, though it coulde back to haunt you," she exined, her toneced with pragmatism.


    "But why are you surprised? I thought you understood the price of life better than most. Weren''t you inquiring about the city mayorst time? Lian mentioned it to me... Unfortunately, you''re a bitte. An ''ident'' has already imed his family."


    Wang Xiao''s expression remained unchanged, a stoic facade that betrayed none of his thoughts.


    "Tch," Linda''s attempt to glean some reaction from him failed, leaving her with a sense of disappointment.


    Wang Xiao''s voice broke the silence, its chill matching the night air. "idents happen quite often, who knows¡ªthis building we''re standing on might just blow up any moment," he said, his smile not reaching his eyes, revealing a cunning that sent shivers down Linda''s spine.


    !!


    She felt a tremor of nervousness, an unsettling sensation creeping into her very bones. "What are you talking about? Why invoke such grim omens? I was merely sharing news," she stammered, her usualposure slipping.


    "And I was merely predicting the weather," Wang Xiao replied, his tone calm.


    !!


    Linda''s posture stiffened as Wang Xiao''s final warning echoed, "Linda, although with your intelligence, you should understand it, I would still repeat it for you¡ªnever disclose my association with you. Offers maye, tempting with money or more, but eptance would sign your death warrant. The next day, you wouldn''t be alive to enjoy any of it."


    Her heart sank, a heavy stone in her chest. "I''m not foolish..." she murmured, more to herself than to him.


    How could she not have sensed the danger that clung to Wang Xiao, the abnormality of his presence?


    Whoever he was evading, it didn''t concern her, she would not insert herself in conflicts that served no purpose.


    Her role was to conduct her business, execute the work, and then erase any memories.


    "Good," Wang Xiao replied, his smile one of satisfaction, a rare moment of approval that allowed Linda a brief respite from the tension.


    Yet, beneath his calm exterior, Wang Xiao harbored no illusions about his situation.


    He believed his identitypromised, his time in this country running out.


    His final act before departure was to secure a collection of poisonous flowers from the forest.


    But Linda served a darker purpose in his strategy¡ªshe was his unwitting bait, a means to verify if others besides Luna were aware of his whereabouts.


    He nned to instruct Li Zhiming to discreetly monitor Linda.


    Her fate would be the indicator he needed; her death would signal that his pursuers were close, that they had tracked him through her.


    Conversely, if Linda remained unharmed and he was attacked, the traitor would be Luna, revealing her as the one who had betrayed his secrets.

 Chapter 191: Leaving Icevale (2)

    Linda had unwittingly be a crucial piece in verifying the truth behind Luna''s assertions.


    Wang Xiao had meticulously categorized his enemies.


    At the top was Josephine, chased by unknown forces, her enemy present even before his arrival and thus not directly rted to him.


    Next in line was Gabriel, a threat primarily focused on Anran.


    Lastly, he contended with the mysterious Ghosts pursuing him, alongside Prometheus, an powerful organization that had branded him the world''s most wanted.


    These three opponents, each with their own veiled agendas, left Wang Xiao uncertain whether they acted independently or were interconnected.


    He was determined to explore this mystery, seeking to dismantle these threats systematically.


    He had braced himself for the worst possible oues, yet he also allowed himself a sliver of hope for an ideal resolution.


    In the best-case scenario, his whereabouts remained a secret, Luna was not a betrayer but an ally.


    This alliance would significantly reduce his list of adversaries and give him additional strength.


    However, to confirm whether the entity hunting Luna was distinct from his other foes, Wang Xiao needed to delve deeper.


    Thisplex web of alliances and enmities did not dampen his spirits; rather, it brought a smile to his face.


    The intricate game unfolding before him was slowly bing clearer, offering him the leverage he sought on the global stage.


    In the immediate future, Wang Xiao desired nothing more than to recede into the shadows, to observe and analyze the situation from a distance.


    He believed that obscurity was his ally, that fading from the public eye would diminish the heat over him.


    Li Zhiming had hinted that with time, the world''s attention would shift, allowing Wang Xiao to slip through the cracks of their collective memory.


    This strategy of deliberate disappearance was precisely what he aimed for, a tactical retreat in anticipation of a more advantageous position.


    _________


    1:00 AM, May 20th, 2026.


    Chop-chop-chop!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Silence draped the night, shattered only by the fierce chopping of a military helicopter''s rotors slicing through the air, its thunderous shockwaves an invisible storm raging across the sky.


    Inside, Josephine, swaddled in a thin nket, peered out into the darkness, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. "Hm? Why are we heading towards Lovon? Will you all be staying with us?"


    Though Wang Xiao had mentioned their departure, he had only revealed Sylvia, the capital of Sylvergard and its myriad inds, as their initial destination.


    Lovon, known for its majestic royal pce, now loomed as their unexpected endpoint, sparking hopes in Josephine of a grand stay perhaps within its walls.


    However, Wang Xiao''s response shattered her brief daydream. "We''ll be stopping here," he dered abruptly as the helicopter began to decelerate.


    Whoosh!


    With a swift motion, Wang Xiao slid the door open, revealing the night sky''s vast expanse, the air rushing in with fervent gusto.


    "Huh?" Josephine''s stunned exmation mirrored her disbelief, a sentiment quickly shared by Aisha and Anran, who exchanged bewildered nces with Wang Xiao.


    "Josephine, the helicopter will return you to the pce. As for us, our exit is now," Wang Xiao proimed, his tone final.


    "What!?" Aisha''s mind reeled, panic threading through her thoughts as Anran nonchntly tossed a backpack onto herp. "Aim for the bushes," she instructed, her calm demeanor in stark contrast to the ongoing chaos.


    Without a moment''s hesitation, Wang Xiao began hurling their luggage out into the void, each piece disappearing into the darkness below.


    "Wait, are you serious¡ª" Josephine''s horrified protest was cut short as Wang Xiao leapt from the helicopter, his figure swiftly swallowed by the night.


    Swoosh!


    "Wait for me," Anran''s voice was thest echo of assurance before she, gripping Aisha''s hand, plunged into the abyss, leaving behind a trail of disbelief and a startled cry from Aisha that pierced the night.


    Josephine, left alone with her thoughts and the receding figures of herpanions, was snapped back to reality by the helicopter pilot''s confused statement. "Hm? They left their parachutes¡­" he muttered, a puzzled frown creasing his brow as a chilling realization dawned.


    The emergency parachutes had indeed been abandoned, a fact underscored by the discovery that the backpack Anran had given Aisha contained only essentials¡ªno parachutes.


    In that moment, the air within the helicopter grew colder, Josephine, her voice a mix of confusion and urgency, broke the silence. "Where is Luna?" Her eyes scanned the cabin, registering the absence of the new girl who had be an mystery unto herself.


    Far below, the night over Kingsh?lm Ind, a stone''s throw from Levon Ind, was pierced by the thrill of freefall.


    Four figures, Luna included, were plummeting through the air, a silent pact among them as they embraced the void.


    "Hehe... I always wanted to free fall like this without parachutes!" Anran''s voice cut through the rush of wind, her excitement barely audible over the roar of the air.


    Together, they formed a circle in the sky, around them, bags and luggage floated as if trapped in an invisible web, a visible disy of the unseen forces at y.


    Wang Xiao, the architect of their aerial ballet, concentrated deeply. He was manipting an invisible barrier, a skillful disy of psychokinesis (PK), ensuring their luggage remained suspended, cloaked from any prying eyes below.


    Amidst the adrenaline, Aisha''s screams filled the void, a stark contrast to Luna''s serene observation of Wang Xiao.


    His focus was unwavering, his abilities ensuring their descent was controlled and unseen.


    Luna''s eyes sparkled with an otherworldly light, catching Wang Xiao''s attention and momentarily breaking his concentration.


    "I''ll be back in a week... Take care, master! <3" Luna''s voice, light yet firm, reached him just as she winked out of existence.


    "Ahhhh!?" Aisha''s scream, full of surprise and fear, tore through the moment. Suddenly feeling Luna''s absence, she frantically reached for Wang Xiao, seeking stability.


    Whoosh!


    A fleeting ray of light vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving Wang Xiao questioning, "Did she... just escape?"


    [I didn''t see her leave; it was too quick, but she''s gone now.]


    "Too fast? What do you mean?" Wang Xiao''s voice was a mix of intrigue and lingering frustration.


    Yin Yue, uncertain and slightly in awe, replied, [No idea, she must''ve used her abilities.]


    Wang Xiao''s silence was heavy, a storm of frustration brewing within him.


    Where had Luna gone?


    Was this the beginning of a downward spiral of fortune for him?


    Despite the uncertainty and the unexpected turn of events, Wang Xiao knew retreat wasn''t an option.


    His path was set, and the future, though now more unpredictable, still awaited his next move.


    With a deep breath, he focused on the descent, the immediate challenge ofnding safelymanding his full attention.


    The mysteries surrounding Luna and whaty ahead would have to wait.


    For now, survival was paramount, and the game, with all its unforeseen yers and rules, would continue.


    _______


    Whoooosh!


    A streak of brilliance carved its path across the heavens, a solitary ray of light bridging the vast expanse from the north to the south Antic Ocean.


    Mid-flight, this celestial beam halted abruptly, its photons coalescing with ethereal grace into the form of a woman suspended in the air.


    Her shoulder-length white hair danced in the wind, framing a face marked by sereneposure.


    Below her, the unique formation of Tristan Da Cunha, Inessible Ind, and Nightingale Indy spread out, their arrangement drawing a perfect triangle from this aerial vantage point.


    She hovered precisely at the center of this natural trinity, a position that would have left Wang Xiao in awe, for she had traversed eleven thousand kilometers in the blink of an eye.


    This feat, achieved by disassembling her very being into particles of light, was what Luna referred to as FTL movement¡ªfaster than light travel.


    "Damn, I''m already feeling heavy; that bastard drained all my energy..." she grumbled, the exertion of her journey manifesting as a profound weariness. Her gaze drifted to the ocean below, and with a sense of urgency, her descent began.


    Swoosh!


    With the grace of an eagle and the finesse of a surfer riding the crest of a wave, Luna glided downward. She manipted the very air around her, altering its refractive index to create a seamless glide.


    This maniption wasn''t just aerodynamic; it was a ballet of physics, bending light to interact with Earth''s maic field. She created a localized anomaly where gravity''s grip loosened, allowing her to float and fall in a controlled dance of her anti gravity bubble.


    Ssh!


    Her entry into the ocean was a whisper, her form merging with the water as if embracing an old friend.


    Ordinarily, the journey to the ocean''s abyss could be condensed into mere seconds through her FTL capabilities.


    However, the toll of her recent exertions loomedrge; another instance of instantaneous travel could very well fragment her being, scattering her essence across the void.


    Thus, she opted for a more measured approach. Harnessing the ethereal properties of light, Luna descended towards the ocean floor, located four thousand kilometers below.


    This deliberate pace was a evidence to her respect for the natural order, even as she bent its rules to her will.


    As Luna descended through the aqueous abyss, her thoughts wandered, swirling like the water currents around her. "This energy drain... it''s more severe than I anticipated," she mused internally smiling wryly, the weight of her recent exertion pressing down on her consciousness. "Gabrial ...


    You bastard, wait for me to break your bones!" She cursed inwardly, her resolve hardening with each remembered grievance, the debt yet unpaid, waiting to be returned tenfold.


    The cold embrace of the ocean deep whispered secrets, ancient and timeless.

 Chapter 192: Athenas Dome!

    The date was May 22nd, 2026. A silver BYD Tang SUV zipped along the northbound highway leading into Beijing, China''s sprawling capital.


    The vehicle, a blend of modernity and efficiency, was a capsule of familial dynamics, carrying within it four distinct individuals, each absorbed in their own thoughts yet bound by blood and shared history.


    The patriarch of the group, an elderly man with a flowing white beard and skin etched with the tales of years gone by, broke the silence with a chuckle that seemed to fill the cabin. "Haha... Xiao Sheng, we are finally going to get you into college," he said, his voice tinged with pride and a hint of nostalgia.


    In the back seat, Wang Sheng sat with a stoic expression, his brows knitted in a frown that seemed out of ce on such a youthful face. "I don''t want to study. Why make me study? Why can''t I just not study like sister?" he protested, his voice a mix of defiance and resignation.


    Beside him, his sister, Wang Ling, turned to face him, her own expression mirroring the seriousness of their conversation. "Xiao Wang, you should appreciate what grandpa and grandma are doing for you. They''re giving you the chance to go to university," she reprimanded, her words sharp yetced with concern.


    From the front passenger seat, another voice joined the fray, softer and tinged with understanding.


    It was their grandmother, her face framed by gentle wrinkles and eyes that held decades of wisdom. "Hey, leave him alone. He''s just stressed," she said, her tone defensive, siding with her grandson in the face of familial expectations.


    "Humph, grandma, you alwayse to his rescue. But he needs to learn respect..." Wang Ling countered, her words heavy with a mix of frustration and love. Her gaze lingered on her brother, reflecting aplex web of sibling rivalry and protectiveness.


    The car continued its journey towards Beijing, the old man, ever the mediator, nced at his grandchildren through the rearview mirror, his eyes reflecting a mix of hope and concern.


    "Life is not just about doing what we want, Xiao Sheng. It''s about finding our path, even through the things we might not enjoy," he offered, his voice a bridge between generations. "And sometimes, we find our passion in the most unexpected ces."


    Wang Sheng, silent now, stared out the window at the passingndscape, the words of his family members swirling around him like leaves caught in a gust of wind.


    Was it rebellion he felt, or was it fear?


    As the family navigated their way through theplexities of their conversation, the atmosphere within the BYD Tang was abruptly shattered by an unforeseen peril.


    "What!?"


    The old grandpa, who had been the voice of wisdom and calm, suddenly let out a surprised gasp, his eyes widening in shock as he caught sight of an impending disaster in the rearview mirror.


    "Watch out!" he eximed, a note of paning his voice as an out-of-control truck barreled towards them at full speed.


    The family''s conversation ceased instantly, reced by a tense silence punctuated only by the urgent honking of their car, a futile attempt to alert the reckless driver.


    But the truck didn''t stop. In a heart-stopping moment, the driver of the truck, realizing the imminent collision, made a desperate leap from the cab, abandoning the vehicle to its deadly trajectory.


    "Quick, grab something!" the grandmother cried out, her voice trembling as she reached out instinctively to shield her grandchildren.


    Wang Sheng and Wang Ling, their earlier bickering forgotten, clung to each other, their faces a mask of terror and disbelief.


    Screeeeech!


    The sound of tires struggling for purchase on the asphalt filled the air, a harrowing prelude to the inevitable.


    CRASH!


    The truck mmed into the back of their SUV with the force of a battering ram, the sound of crumpling metal and shattering ss a deafening cacophony in the confined space.


    Whoosh!


    The impact was so severe that it sent their vehicle careening off the road, breaking through the safety railings with horrifying ease.


    As they hurtled towards the bottom of the mountain, time seemed to slow.


    The grandfather, in those fleeting moments, thought of his lifetime, the love he had for his family, and the hopes he harbored for his grandchildren. "Protect them," he whispered silently, a final plea to the universe.


    Wang Sheng, holding tightly to his sister, closed his eyes, a storm of emotions raging within him¡ªregret, fear, and an overwhelming desire to protect his sister from the inevitable. Wang Ling, tears streaming down her face, whispered, "I love you," ast confession in the face of their shared fate.


    BOOM!


    The car abruptly exploded upon impact at the mountain''s base, a fireball erupting into the sky, its roar a stark finale to the lives and dreams it consumed.


    Silence enveloped the scene, a haunting void that spoke volumes of the traged.


    It was a silence that remained unbroken until the distant wail of sirens pierced the air half an hourter, a somber symphony of rescue and despair.


    Emergency responders raced against time, their efforts a evidence to the fragility of life and the unforeseen dangers that lurk on seemingly ordinary journeys.


    But for the family that had set out with hopes and dreams, the journey hade to an abrupt and tragic end, no one ever knowing the true mystery behind this ident.


    __________


    Meanwhile, deep beneath the surface of the South Antic Ocean, hidden within thebyrinthine embrace of underwater caves, existed a marvel of modern science and secrecy:


    The Athena''s Dome!


    This facility, shrouded in the darkness of the ocean depths, was a evidence to human ingenuity and the unyielding quest for knowledge.


    Its structure, a cube-like edifice coated in a matte ck finish, rendered it invisible to radar and immune to conventional detection methods, a ghost amidst the vast, uncharted waters.


    Inside this mysterious cube, amidst a hive of activity and technological prowess,y a unique chamber.


    This room, spacious and dimly lit, was dominated by arge screen that cast a soft glow across the faces of the personnel diligently working at their stations. Desks lined the left and right sides of the room, each one a cockpit of research and surveince.


    At the heart of the chamber, a peculiar feature caught the eye: a small pond, its water still and clear, a piece of the ocean brought within these walls. Directly opposite this tranquil body of water stood an elevated tform, bristling withputers and monitors, the nerve center of this underwater bastion.


    In themand chair, Sakura Kimura, with her short, light pink hair that hinted at a personality as vibrant as her appearance, reclined with an air of casual authority.


    A packet of chips in hand, she munched contentedly, her demeanor belying the seriousness of their mission.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The tranquility of the room was suddenly disrupted by a soft, swirling sound, as if the sea itself whispered secrets.


    Ssh...


    The pond at the center began to stir, its surface rippling in anticipation.


    Then, as if born from the water itself, Luna emerged.


    Her entrance was both graceful and otherworldly, the water parting to wee her back from the abyss.


    Partially submerged, she stood there, a figure of resilience and mysterious power. Her clothes, adhered to her form, and her hair, wet and glistening under the artificial lights, painted a picture of someone who had just traversed realms beyond the ordinary.


    Sakura, pausing mid-chew, stared in mild surprise before a smile cracked herposed facade. "Wee back, Luna. But why do you look so... Messed up?" Her choice of words were carefull, a yful jab undein with genuine worry.


    Luna, with the grace of someone born of the sea, stepped out of the pond, her movements betraying a familiarity with the element that was both awe-inspiring and slightly otherworldly.


    As she flicked her head, a cascade of water droplets flung from her hair, sparkling briefly in the artificial light before dissipating into the air. "What''s going on with Zero? Their leader, Gabriel... How did that normal human be so strong?" she murmured, her voiceced with frustration and disbelief.


    The room fell into a hushed silence, the usual hum of activity stalling as all eyes turned towards her.


    Sakura, her brows knitted together in seriousness, pushed aside her snack and swiveled her chair to face Luna directly. "There''s been an incident..." she started, her tone somber, the gravity of the situation reflected in her eyes. She gestured for Luna to approach, therge screen at the front of the room flickering to life with an array of images and cascading data streams.


    "What''s going on now?" Luna inquired, stepping closer, her gaze fixed on the screen, searching for answers.


    "It''s not just Gabriel. We''ve registered a significant increase in individuals with supernatural capabilities all over the world," Sakura revealed, her voice tinged with a mix of fascination and concern. "I''ve dispatched a few agents to collect samples, but it''s as if..."


    "As if they''ve suddenly decided to show up?" Luna finished for her, the pieces of arger puzzle beginning to coalesce in her mind.


    Sakura nodded, confirming Luna''s suspicion. "Yeah... It''s weird."

 Chapter 193: 8th Prince! (1)

    Sakura nodded, confirming Luna''s suspicion. "Yeah... It''s weird."


    "..."


    A heavy silence enveloped them, the weight of this discovery settling in.


    Luna''s thoughts raced, trying to connect the dots, to understand the implications of this global emergence of power.


    Breaking the silence, Sakura nced at Luna, a question lingering in her gaze. "What about Gabriel? Do I send someone after him as well?" Her question, though casual, carried an undercurrent of readiness, a willingness to mobilize at Luna''smand.


    Luna''s annoyance was growing as she wrestled with theplexities of their situation. "He hasn''t broken any rules to warrant official action against him. Too much interference by us can backfire... Before we make a move, we need to understand their source of power. Have you found anything more? Is there any connection between them?"


    Sakura, her fingers deftly moving across therge screen, sifted throughyers of data with a practiced ease. "No, none of the individuals we''ve identified seem to be connected in any manner. They arepletely random," she replied, her voiceced with disappointment.


    The mystery of the situation deepened, theck of connection between the individuals with newfound powers only adding to theplexity of the already existingplex world.


    Luna sighed, a sound of resignation that seemed to echo through the room. "Whatever... Let others take care of it. That''s not my problem..." Her attempt to distance herself from the situation was a thin veil over her underlying concern.


    Sakura, unable to hide her amusement at Luna''s statement, let a smirk y on her lips. "Luna... Your territory doesn''t even have humans to rule," she reminded, poking fun at Luna''s grandiose statement.


    Luna''s response was a silent re, a storm brewing behind her eyes.


    The conversation took a sudden turn as Sakura nced at the control panel of their Nexuswork. "Oh yeah, Luna... Weren''t you after that new mission to find the eighth guardian?" Her curiosity piqued, she leaned in, trying to catch a glimpse of something, or someone, behind Luna. "I don''t see him anywhere... Didn''t you say you were going to chain him and bring him to Antarctica? Is he outside?


    Where is he?" Her questions, rapid-fire and tinged with mischief, sought to draw Luna out of her brooding.


    Luna, feeling Sakura''s prying eyes, her frustration reached a boiling point.


    Boom!


    With a swift movement, she grabbed Sakura''s head, forcing her attention back to the screen. "Focus here!" shemanded, her voice a blend of anger and urgency.


    "I want you to close that mission and recall all the ghosts," Luna rified, her order clear.


    Sakura, taken aback by the sudden physicality, managed a confused "Huh, really?"


    Luna''s gaze hardened, her eyes piercing Sakura with a warning that brooked no argument. "Yes, or do I need to make you repent?"


    Sakura, recognizing the seriousness in Luna''s tone, nodded instantly, her fingers flying over the keyboard. "Done! I''ve closed the mission, and themunication will be sent out shortly."


    Luna''s eyes gleamed with delight, she let out a nod of approval, "Good, now remove all the surveince from him."


    "All? You mean..." Sakura''s voice trailed off as she hastily began the process, her mind racing with questions. ''What happened to Luna today?'' she wondered, a chill running down her spine as she contemted the drastic nature of Luna''s orders. The usual calm and calcted Luna seemed to be on edge, pushing boundaries in ways that left Sakura feeling uneasy.


    Finally, after several tense moments, Sakura exhaled a sigh of relief, her fingers ceasing their frantic dance across the keyboard. "It''s done. I''ve blocked all the surveince over him, except for Prometheus and Oraclework. They are beyond our capabilities," she announced, trying to catch Luna''s eye, seeking some sort of reassurance or exnation.


    "Block them as well," Luna stated tly, her gaze never leaving the screen. The finality in her voice brooked no argument, yet it left Sakura feeling more adrift than ever.


    "Huh?" Sakura''s was shocked by Luna''s request, and before she could formte a response, she felt a handnd gently on her shoulder, its grip firm yet somehowforting.


    "Sakura, did you not hear me?" Luna''s voice, closer now, carried a hint of impatience mixed with an underlying warning that Sakura couldn''t ignore.


    Gasp!


    The room went deathly silent as everyone around them took in a sharp cold breath.


    Swoosh!


    One by one, they began to edge away, pretending to be engrossed in their work, leaving Sakura feeling isted in the eye of the storm.


    ''Bastards, don''t abandon me! She''s losing her mind again!'' Sakura cursed inwardly, her frustration mounting. She took a deep, steadying breath, trying to calm her racing heart.


    Memories of thest time Luna had taken such drastic measures flooded her mind, recalling the chaos that ensued when Luna, in a simr fit of determination, created the Ghostwork using the already existing X-files Nexus.


    To those on the outside, the Illuminati was a shadowy organization synonymous with corruption and sinister machinations, a cabal that seemingly fostered crime at every turn.


    Yet, this perception barely scratched the surface of the truth¡ªa truth known only to a select few.


    The Illuminati endured not because it was invincible, but because those charged with its eradication were, in fact, its architects and stewards.


    The irony was as stark as it was unsettling.


    "I-I would need your authentication to block them..." Sakura''s voice was hesitant as she vacated her seat, moving to stand to the side, her posture betraying her unease.


    Luna, ever the picture of impatience, clicked her toungue. "So annoying..." She slid into the vacated seat with an ease that spoke of her familiarity with themand center.


    Her fingers danced across the keyboard, a flurry of precise movements as she began the authentication process.


    Her credentials and bio-signature were keys to a digital kingdom, one that she ruled with an iron will.


    As shepleted the final steps, a grin spread across her face. The screens before them, once filled with the images of Wang Xiao, now blinked into emptiness, his digital footprint erased from their surveincework.


    "Now... He is only mine..." Her words were a whisper of possession, her tongue tracing her lips unconsciously¡ªa gesture that sent a shiver down Sakura''s spine.


    Sakura, standing just off to the side, felt a chill that had little to do with the temperature of the room.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The predatory satisfaction in Luna''s expression, the possessive glint in her eye, did not bode well in Sakura''s mind.


    She harbored a whirlwind of questions, each more pressing than thest, yet the instinct for self-preservation held her tongue.


    The desire to live far outweighed her curiosity.

 Chapter 194: 8th Prince! (2)

    Sakura, known by her codename ''Geko,'' was a legend in her own right. A prodigy who had graduated from MIT at the tender age of fourteen, she had be a Ph.D. schr by sixteen and had taken up a professorship by the age of twenty.


    Her name was synonymous with brilliance in the realm ofputer science, a beacon of intellect that had mysteriously vanished from the public eye after a few years in academia.


    Rumors of her involvement in cyber-espionage had swirled, her moniker ''Geko'' appearing across hijacked state and country websites, cementing her status as one of the preeminent minds in the digital world.


    For over a decade, she had left traces of her existence like breadcrumbs, a digital phantom whose real motivations and allegiances were as mysterious as the organization she now served.


    ________


    September 11th, 2026!


    In the quiet that had enveloped Wang Xiao''s life over the past four months, there was a semnce of peace, an unfamiliar tranquility that seemed almost surreal.


    No longer under the constant gaze of unseen watchers, and without the threat of attacks that had once been a near-daily urrence, he found himself in a rare moment of peace.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Josephine had taken to staying low at the castle, a silent fortress that had be a sanctuary of sorts.


    Wang Xiao, cautious, had only recently revealed their location to her, allowing her the chance to visit, to breach the solitude that had be their shield against the world''s prying eyes.


    Anran, too, found sce in the safety of home, untouched by the violence that seemed to follow them like a shadow.


    Yin Yue, with her keen senses, detected no disturbances, a silence that was as wee as it was unsettling.


    Even the once persistent pursuit, that had marked Wang Xiao as a target on the world''s most wanted list, had ceased.


    His name had vanished, not just from the list but from the digital world entirely.


    Li Zhiming, ever vignt, brought to Wang Xiao''s attention an abnormality that was both a relief and a riddle.


    His digital footprint had been erased, wiped clean as if he had never existed. Attempts to search the name ''Wang Xiao'' on search engines were met with errors, a digital void where his identity once stood.


    The anomaly had not gone unnoticed by the public; whispers of a global glitch spread, with posts questioning the disappearance being removed as swiftly as they appeared.


    This global stage anomaly, a digital curtain drawn over Wang Xiao''s existence, sparked theories and spections.


    Some came forward iming it to be a bug, a glitch in the vast digital matrix that had inadvertently swallowed numerous ''words'' along with his name.


    But for those in the know, those who had once pursued Wang Xiao with determination, this was no mere glitch.


    They recognized the signs of deliberate maniption, a concerted effort to erase Wang Xiao from the digital and physical world.


    And in this recognition, they began to seek alternatives, to find ways around the digital erasure that shielded him.


    Eighth Prince! ¡ª ¡ºOne who must not be named¡»


    They had shifted the way they referred to him, now invoking the title of the Eighth Prince in theirmunications, deliberately avoiding any mention of his original name.


    Wang Xiao found himself unexpectedly gratified by this change, as it provided a shroud of secrecy around his family. Their records had been wiped from online ess, further concealing his identity.


    However, little did he suspect that a few astute individuals had already pierced the mystery.


    As for the mastermind behind this cloak-and-dagger affair?


    It was none other than a determined woman with a relentless desire to bind him: Luna Marquez.


    She had proimed that she had transformed him into member of Ghosts.


    Contrary to his expectations, Luna had indeed returned mystery within a week, and didn''t betray him.


    When interrogated, she unveiled the truth.


    Wang Xiao was rendered utterly speechless, perplexed at how she could have achieved this without his consent.


    Wang Xiao was left speechless, wondering how she could do it without his permission. He ended up disciplining her, but that was the worst mistake of his life.


    It made both of them realize something profound.


    Click...


    As Wang Xiao emerged from the steam-filled bath, a hazy mist clung to his damp skin.


    The air grew still as he took in the sight before him and felt a shiver run down his spine.


    "Ahn~ Prince... Come and free me from their clutches," Luna''s voice, soft and sensual, lured him towards her.


    Shey over the bed, her white shirt clinging to her curves, a few buttons artfully left undone. The outline of her breasts teased his gaze as they tried to escape their cotton confinement. Bound to the bed, Luna''s slender wrists were chained, helpless and vulnerable.


    Her ivory legs, smooth and ethereal, caressed each other in a restless dance.


    Shey there, devoid of panties, wearing only a long shirt that formed part of her usual ck ensemble.


    Her crimson-stained lips, slightly parted, oozed a seductive allure.


    Her eyes, brimming with tears, pleaded for salvation as marks of tight rope adorned her delicate hands.


    But Wang Xiao knew better than to fall for her apparent helplessness.


    "How many times have I told you not to call me by that name?" Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed, his tone filled with irritation.


    He brushed Luna''s pleas aside, his focus set on the wardrobe where his clothes awaited.


    Determined to ignore her deceitful presence, he turned his back to her.


    "Hehe... Why are you getting offended? I think it suits you, doesn''t it?" Luna materialized beside him in an instant, her hand subtly reaching towards his chest. Like a thief in the night, her touch ignited a fire, exploring the edge of his torso with skin crawling precision.


    "..." Wang Xiao was left utterly speechless in his attempt to describe her.


    This woman, a sight to behold, was an unabashed Masochist, delighting in being pped by him.


    [I had no inkling that such peculiar creatures actually existed in the real world...] Yin Yue''s voice echoed with pure bewilderment.


    ''I had no inkling either... I thought it was nothing but a mere legend...'' Wang Xiao pondered, his mind swirling with disbelief.


    In this moment, his sole motivation for keeping her alive was to protect and preserve this exceptionally rare and endangered creature.


    Yet, in the midst of his astonishment, he couldn''t fathom how all these bizarre beings had found their way into his life.


    Amongst this bewildering spectacle, Aisha was the sole semnce of normalcy... or so he thought... until...

 Chapter 195: *Aisha? Vouyer?!*

    Gasp!


    Luna''s hands, with stealth and cunning, sneaked inside Wang Xiao''s clothes, eagerly seeking the intoxicating allure of his manly scent. A deep breath filled her lungs, causing Wang Xiao to shiver involuntarily.


    "!!"


    A thunderous boom reverberated through the room.


    "Ahn~ Prince, be gentle. What if I break?" Luna''s body, despite being forcefully mmed against the wardrobe, gracefully slumped onto the floor, meticulously spreading her legs with a seductive allure.


    Wang Xiao''s face transformed into a portrait of utter speechlessness, frozen in a moment of shock. "Your mind is broken!" he managed to utter, but his words merely elicited giggles from Luna.


    Her supple form slid sensuously across the smooth wooden floor, bringing her close to his legs.


    !!


    With audacious boldness, Luna''s hands reached out, snatching his prized possession, his family jewels. "Master, could you discard me so easily?" Her eyes brimmed with a mixture of disbelief and hurt, piercing Wang Xiao''s soul.


    Hisposure shattered, and annoyance simmered within him.


    He swore she only revealed this side of her when no one else was near!


    This captivating enchantress carefully upheld a facade of elegance and innocence in the presence of others, while unapologetically exposing her true desires behind closed doors.


    Realizing she may have gone too far, Luna''s expression instantly changed. She let out a cough to regain a semnce of dignity, saying, "Okay, I won''t joke anymore. But Xiao, I have something truly extraordinary to show you."


    Wang Xiao''s brows raised in anticipation. With a hint of threat, he replied, "? If it isn''t exciting, I''m locking you in the basement for the next month."


    Luna''s smile turned subtle. "You would love it," she whispered, and¡ª


    Whoosh!


    In an audacious move, she forcefully pulled down his pants, baring his passion to the world with a daring flourish.


    "Is that¡ª" Wang Xiao''s words were frozen in astonishment.


    Contrary to what he expected, Luna didn''t pounce on him.


    Instead, she maintained her crouched position in front of his imposing manhood, slowly removing her shirt.


    With each button undone, her breasts were unveiled, round and firm, bathed in a captivating glow.


    Her nipples stood erect, offering a blush of pinkish delight.


    Her wless skin, resembling the smoothest silk, shimmered from her shoulders down to her abdomen.


    Though he often cursed her actions, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but acknowledge her exceptional skin texture.


    And as if that weren''t enough, the size of her breasts exceeded his palms'' capacity to fully epass them, even though she managed to artfully conceal those twin wonders somehow!


    Luna couldn''t help but smile, her eyes lighting up when she noticed him fixated on her ample breasts.


    Sensing his desire, she gently pressed her hands against her bosom, skillfully bringing them closer together, emphasizing her cleavage.


    With a mischievous glimmer in her eyes, her hands ventured towards her sensitive nipples.


    "Hehe..." Luna''s smile grew suspicious as she used her fingernails to tease her peaks, coaxing a surge of pleasure throughout her body.


    In an instant, a pleasurable spurt burst forth from her nipples, showering Wang Xiao''s legs with a sudden rain of white milk.


    !?


    Startled, Wang Xiao immediately nced down, his eyes narrowed at the unexpected sight.


    A stream of creamy milk cascaded down his legs, as Luna''s milk-covered hand firmly wrapped around his member, sealing it within a thick coat of her warm, intoxicating milk.


    Not content with just that, Luna yfully squeezed her breasts, intensifying the stream of delicious juices that sprayed all over his throbbing manhood.


    Thebination of her soft hands and the flow of milk sent waves of suprise coursing through him.


    "Extraordinary, isn''t it!" Luna proimed proudly, the room now filled with the heady aroma and mess of her milk, sshing onto the floor.


    Eager to explore further, Luna positioned her head between his legs, her lips parting eagerly.


    With a teasing flick of her tongue, she licked the tip of his member, already coated in her aromatic milk.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but shudder with both surprise and satisfaction, his hand tenderly resting on her head, urging her onwards as he experienced a newfound awakening.


    Slurp...


    Luna quickened her movements, eagerly seeking his approval. Her tonguepped over his shaft, which glistened with milk.


    Like a skilled whisperer, her tongue worked its magic, and after fifteen minutes, his throbbing member finally exploded inside her mouth, releasing his essence that she eagerly swallowed.


    Finally, Luna stood up, a mischievous smile ying on the edge of her lips. "I told you it would be exciting, didn''t I?"


    Wang Xiao nodded slightly before remembering to ask, "How did you do it?"


    "That''s my little secret!" Luna extended her hands, caressing his face seductively. Then, in a hurry to attribute her sess, she quickly backtracked, "It wasn''t that hard, really. I just simted in all the right ces, and vo!"


    "Wasn''t it risky?" Wang Xiao''s thoughts raced. Altering anything inside one''s body seemed incredibly dangerous, unless you possessed the expertise of someone like Bing Xueli.


    "Are you worried?" Luna''s eyes sparked with mischief as she teasingly pursed her lips, inching her face closer to his.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes fixated on her glistening lips as they drew closer.


    However, his expression quickly turned to revulsion as he noticed the faint residue clinging to the edges of her lips.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    With a sudden shove, he pushed her face away, "It''s time you pay for keeping secrets from me," he dered, his desire undeterred, as his dragon stood proud proud and unyielding.


    ''Damn!'' Luna cursed herself inwardly, her initial excited smile fading into oblivion, overshadowed by a growing sense of dread.


    Bam!


    And then, like a thunderous explosion, everything changed.


    Wang Xiao forcefully thrust her face against the wardrobe, causing the entire structure to tremble in its wake.


    His hands, filled with a mix of aggression and possessiveness, tightly gripped and squeezed her buttocks, leaving imprints of his dominance upon her.


    In that moment, a contented sigh escaped Wang Xiao''s lips.


    Each touch upon her skin confirmed an unparalleled smoothness, akin to that of a delicate newborn baby, giving him a sense of pleasure that bordered on obsession.


    "Mmmn~"


    As he observed her moan, oblivious to their position, Wang Xiao couldn''t resist delivering a sharp p to her round derriere.


    Pakh!


    "Ah!~"


    Luna shuddered, feeling the impact reverberate through her buttocks. Inhaling deeply, the sting overwhelmed her senses, leaving her mind gasping for air. Wang Xiao had certainly unleashed his full force, and Luna couldn''t deny the intensity of the sting!


    Yet, amidst the pain, an inexplicable mix of pleasure and arousal surged within her. It was a strange sensation that urged her on, craving for more.


    Witnessing the woman before him in this vulnerable state, Wang Xiao''s grin widened. He swiftly turned her around, forcefully pressing her back against the unyielding wood.


    Bam!


    "Haah...." Luna''s eyes momentarily lost focus, her bare back colliding with the wardrobe with a bone-shaking impact. It felt as if her very being was on the verge of breaking. A satisfied sigh escaped her lips, her surrender palpable, before Wang Xiao seized her tender nipples, firmly pinching them.


    "Mmm~" her lips murmured, instantly pressing together as she let out a low, breathy moan, her eyes fluttering shut in sheer ecstasy.


    Driven by his own desires, Wang Xiao directed her nipples towards her face, and...


    Ssh!


    Even as her ownctating breasts rained milk onto her face and shoulder, Luna sensually ran her tongue over her lips, savoring the essence of her own body. Her body quivered with excitement, the droplets of milk glistening as they cascaded down from her chin.


    !!


    Wang Xiao''s gaze fixated on her face, now drenched in breast milk, causing his eyes to narrow with a mixture of surprise and intrigue.


    "!?" Luna''s eyes snapped open, startled by his intense focus. "Ahnn~" In an impulsive response, she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist as he unexpectedly began to suckle on her neck and face, taking pleasure in cleaning her with his tongue.


    "W-What the ***?" Meanwhile, a young girl outside rubbed her sleepy eyes, her jaw dropping in disbelief at the surreal and erotic scene unfolding before her.


    ''Too hot! Too hot!'' She swiftly pped her burning cheeks in an attempt to regain rity, biting her lips in a mix of shock and curiosity. This girl, none other than Aisha, was unable to tear her eyes away from the tantalizing disy.


    For the past four months, she had been forced to endure the unmistakable sounds of Wang Xiao engaging in intimate encounters with Anran, Luna, or other women on a daily basis. At first, it had unsettled her, but over time, it had be a numbing routine.


    But today was different. As she approached the room to ask them for breakfast, she was hit with a shocking and surreal sight that left her frozen in ce. Her thighs involuntarily clenched together, the friction causing a tingling sensation, making it difficult for her to even stand.


    _____


    In a swift motion, Wang Xiao aggressively maneuvered Luna, pushing her buttocks towards him, while Luna, her hands gripping the already cracked wardrobe, provocatively wiggled her rear end.

 Chapter 196: Abondened Anran!

    In a swift motion, Wang Xiao aggressively maneuvered Luna, pushing her buttocks towards him, while Luna, her hands gripping the already cracked wardrobe, provocatively wiggled her rear end.


    The sight was a vivid depiction of self-harm.


    Wang Xiao''s manhood stood tall and rigid, evidence of his intense arousal, while Luna, adorned with bite marks on her neck and even her face, bore marks all over.


    In that moment, it dawned on her that the power of her breast milk held an strange influence over Wang Xiao, surpassing her initial expectations.


    With a delicate bnce, she nted one hand on the nearby surface for support. With her other hand, she ventured towards her breast, scooping up a measure of the creamy milky liquid. As her body shivered with anticipation, her hand made its way towards her most intimate area, gently exploring herself.


    Squish...


    Her hand glided sensually across her heated folds, spreading the milk on her quivering entrance, as if coaxing it for Wang Xiao. Her fingers danced provocatively, teasingly moving.


    "Come on, my prince... im it as yours! Hit me even harder!" she lustfully dered.


    "You''ll regret it," Wang Xiao whispered, but he couldn''t deny his growing desire for her untamed madness today.


    His pulsating manhood eagerly pressed against her dripping entrance, ripe with anticipation.


    He trailed it along her slick folds, teasingly brushing against her, until he forcefully thrust inside her.


    "Mngh!" Luna''s eyes brimmed with tears as pleasure mingled with pain.


    She knew her provocative words might have unforeseen consequences, but she couldn''t resist the thrill of it!


    Pak! Pak! Pak!


    Wang Xiao firmly grasped her waist, relentless in his pounding, driving his throbbing member deep inside her.


    The sound of their flesh colliding reverberated through the entire house, like a relentless piston of pleasure.


    _________


    In the shadowed embrace of the vi, a structure that whispered tales of medieval grandeur with its towering spires and stone walls cloaked in ivy, Anran found a moment of modern sce.


    She sprawled across a plush bean bag chair, an ind offort in the vast sea of her living room.


    The glow of the television cast flickering lights and shadows across her face, illuminating her in a dance of colors as shezily reached for another grape.


    The grapes, a vibrant burst of natural sweetness, were a far cry from her usual snack of choice.


    She could almost hear the crinkle of a chip packet, feel its salty crunch between her teeth, but Wang Xiao''s ''not-so-gentle'' insistence on healthier choices echoed in her mind.


    The slight bulge of her stomach, a tender reminder of the new life she were soon to wee, made her smile even as she sighed for the junk food she missed.


    Night had wrapped its velvet cloak around the vi, and the only sounds were the low murmurs of the TV and the asional creak of the ancient house settling.


    Anran''s ears perked up at the sound of footsteps descending the staircase. She turned, azy eyebrow raised in curiosity.


    "Hm? Are they finally done?" she mused to herself, a soft murmur lost in the spacious room.


    Wang Xiao appeared at the foot of the stairs, draped in a bathrobe that hung loosely around his frame.


    The early morning had been filled with sounds that drifted down from the upper floors, sounds of moans and movement that had ceased only moments ago.


    Anran watched him approach, a mix of amusement and affection in her gaze.


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened as he took in the sight of her, lounging with an air of contentment he found both endearing and slightly frustrating. "Why are you sitting around all day? Don''t you have any work?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of annoyance masked by mock sternness.


    Anran lifted her gaze, locking eyes with him, and casually shrugged as if she had a response at the ready. "I''ve already washed the dishes, prepared the food, cleaned the whole house," she dered, her voiceced with a hint of pride.


    Wang Xiao''s lips twitched, a subtle sign of his frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Don''t you despise this loathsome and monotonous existence?"


    Anran''s response was animated, her words punctuated by gestures that filled the air with her energy. "I think this life is rather splendid. Just a few hours of work, then leisure as far as the eye can see. Two hours for cooking, two for cleaning, two for misceneous tasks... that''s merely six hours in total!" With a grin stretching from ear to ear, she sprawled out like a contented sloth.


    As she smiled, revealing a row of gleaming teeth, there was a hint of defiance in her eyes.


    However, it was also a sign that she always showed before she knew he would beat the crap out of her afterward


    Yet, It was her way of saying she was ready and didn''t fear it!


    ''This woman...''


    ''Such a unhelpful mindset.''


    ''She needs fixing.''


    In a sudden burst of action, Wang Xiao scooped her up as effortlessly as one would lift a cat, hoisting her into the air. "If you have so much time to spare, then go outside and find something productive to do. Starting today, you''ll be responsible for paying rent."


    "What!? But why?" Anran''s gaze bore into him, a mixture of indignation and disbelief.


    Of all the scenarios she had prepared for, this was not one of them!


    Did she really have to join the workforce now?


    Absolutely not!


    She cherished her current lifestyle too much!


    Whoever imed that being a housewife was easy clearly had no idea. Let those women toil away all day, only to return home and continue with their domestic duties.


    Anran wasn''t about to sacrifice her freedom for anyone!


    She was fiercely protective of her way of life and prepared to defend it at any cost!


    Wang Xiao''s decree was unyielding, his tone a blend of serenity and steel. "Because it is my decision. And the amount is $10,000 a month."


    "T-That''s too much!" Anran''s protest erupted, her voice echoing with disbelief, just before she found herself unceremoniously ejected.


    "Don''t return until you can afford the rent," Wang Xiao dered, his smile serene yet concealing a storm of hidden resentment.


    Stunned, Anran blinked, initially thinking it was all a jest. But the intensity in Wang Xiao''s gaze left no room for doubt; he meant every word.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Feeling a surge of indignation, she stomped her foot defiantly. "I won''te back if you treat me like this!"


    "Suit yourself," came the indifferent reply, followed by the sound of a door shutting¡ªa symbolic end to their current chapter.


    Anran stood there, momentarily frozen in disbelief, before her anger red, fueling determined strides as she muttered to herself, "Who does he think I am?"


    "Does he truly believe I won''t run away?"


    "Let him suffer now! I won''t go back!"


    With each purposeful step, her resolve hardened.


    _______


    Under the cloak of a Kingsh?lm wintery night, Anran found herself perched on the icy steps outside a now-deserted coffee shop.


    The biting cold seeped through her clothing, a stark reminder of her solitude in this isted indic corner of the capital, Sylvia.


    Amid the hush, her thoughts whirled like the snowkes around her.


    ''Should I go back...?'' she pondered, her breath forming clouds in the frigid air.


    ''No, no...'' Anran quickly shook her head, as if to scatter her doubts like leaves in the wind. ''I cannot show weakness everytime! I must fight for my rights!''


    Her resolve flickered like the dim lights in the distant shops, gradually waning as the cold intensified. She hugged herself, a subtle attempt to ward off the chill, her gaze wandering through the deste market¡ªthe only sign of life in this secluded ind.


    With the night deepening and the shops shuttering one by one, only a handful of lights persisted, casting long shadows on the ground. The coffee shop behind her had closed its doors for the night, yet the interior glowed with a soft, unweing light.


    Grrr...


    A sudden rumble from her stomach jolted Anran from her reverie.


    ncing down at her slightly protruding belly, she mused, ''I need to eat something...'' The realization unsettled her, especially as she scanned the surroundings to find nothing but closed doors.


    A light chuckle escaped her lips as she stood, brushing off the dust, "Hehe... I should head back... Not for me, but for the baby! Wang Xiao should be grateful, afterall I-am-responsible!" she mused aloud, her words dripping with irony, masking her true intentions beneathyers of jest.


    Just then, a figure emerged from the shadows, his attire dark, a mask concealing his face. As he approached Anran, who was stretching her limbs in preparation to return, his eyes gleamed with an unsettling curiosity.


    "Hey, cutie. What brings you out here all alone at night?" His voice was smooth, almost too inviting.


    "Lost, are you?" He peeled off his mask, revealing a head of signature blond hair and a smile that many would find charming.


    Anran, who had just resolved to return, caught sight of him and her eyes narrowed in irritation. Without a word, she responded with actions rather than words.


    *Boom!*


    "Argh!"


    Her foot connected with his face in a swift, unexpected motion. "Don''t bother me. Can''t you see I''m busy?" she snapped, her tone serious yetced with a hint of amusement as she channeled her inner Wang Xiao, mimicking him.


    "You!?" The man, sprawled on the street, misinterpreted herughter as mockery, his face contorted in a mix of pain and fury.

 Chapter 197: Mysterious Monks!

    "You!?" The man, sprawled on the rain-slick street, misread herughter as mockery. His face, a canvas of pain and fury, twisted grotesquely under the dim glow of the flickering streetmps.


    Tap-tap-tap!


    The confrontation, poised on the knife-edge of violence, was pierced by a rhythmic tapping, slicing through the tense silence like a de through silk.


    "Who dares now!?" The man, his voice a blend of confusion and anger, whirled around, his frown cutting deep lines into his weather-beaten face.


    "Be still, for anger serves no one," came Shi Yan''s voice, firm yet imbued with an almost tangiblepassion. He emerged from the shadows, his presence like a beacon in the night. d in a in yellow robe that seemed impervious to the biting cold, his bald head and serene face radiated calm, giving him the aura of a monk who had transcended the worldly.


    "Who the hell ar¡ª" The man, his anger momentarily frozen by surprise, was cut off as another figure stepped from the darkness.


    Whoosh!


    This was Shi Lei, his reputation for mastering Dim Mak¡ªthe touch of death¡ªpreceding him. With a precision that spoke of decades of disciplined training, Shi Lei executed a swift, almost imperceptible strike to the man''s neck. The confrontation ended as abruptly as it had begun.


    "His sins have overflowed; his eyes were full of malevolence... may Buddha be your guiding light in the realms beyond," Shi Lei murmured, his eyes closed in a moment of reverence for the life just extinguished.


    Whoooh!


    Anran, propelled by a mix of desperation and calcted risk, reacted with a burst of energy. Her attack, aimed at Shi Yan, was a blend of agility and force, a testament to her survival instincts.


    Yet, as her leg flew towards Shi Yan, it was caught with effortless precision, her momentum halted by his unwavering grip. The cold night air seemed to thicken around them, charged with the potential for further conflict.


    "We harbor no ill will towards those yet to be born," Shi Yan stated calmly, his gaze locking with Anran''s, a serene ocean meeting a turbulent storm. "Your actions, though misguided, are understood."


    "Heh? Do you think your words can threaten me?" Anran thought, her frown deepening. Yet, as she felt the unyielding strength of Shi Yan''s grip, her leg screaming in protest as if it had struck cold iron, she took a deep breath and let out a small nod. "You are right, then! I surrender!" Raising her hands in a gesture of defeat, she acknowledged the futility of further resistance.


    Shi Lei and the other monks, silent witnesses to this exchange, allowed a brief moment of surprise to pass over their stoic faces before nodding in eptance of her decision.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Anran, sensing the subtle shift in the atmosphere, cautiously retracted her leg from Shi Yan''s hold. Her stance, wary but no longer openly aggressive, reflected her eptance of the situation.


    "As is wisdom in restraint," Shi Yan replied, the hint of a smile gracing his lips, softening the stern aura that surrounded him. "But know this¡ªwe are not your enemies, nor do we seek to add to your burdens."


    Anran trailed behind the monks, her footsteps echoing softly on the ancient, stone-paved path that wound through the darkness.


    The night air, heavy with the scent of impending rain, carried their words to her ears, each syble fueling her curiosity and unease.


    "Who are you? Why intervene in the matters of strangers?" she found herself asking, her voice betraying her blend of apprehension and intrigue.


    "We are disciples of Shaolin, practitioners of peace, and protectors of those who seek refuge from the storms of life," Shi Lei replied, his voice a deep well of conviction and calm. The moonlight cast his shadow long and ethereal on the ground beside him.


    "Where are you taking me?" Anran pressed, her curiosity now warring with a growing sense of concern.


    "To a ce where questions find their answers, and the weary find rest," Shi Yan interjected, his eyes capturing the moon''s serene glow. "A sanctuary for those lost, and a beacon for those seeking the way."


    "Who is lost? I am not lost at all..." Anran couldn''t help but retort, her defenses rising against the implication.


    Shi Yan, walking a step ahead, let out a faint chuckle, the sound surprising Anran with its warmth. "You may not be lost, but your path is misguided. The evil spirit you harbor is a destroyer of peace and serenity. It must be cleansed," he stated, his calm demeanor unwavering, as if he spoke of nothing more contentious than the weather.


    Anran''s initial impulse was to rebuff him sharply¡ª''Why don''t I cleanse your brain first, bald monkeys!'' she thought bitterly, her lips pressing together in a pout.


    Yet, despite her internal resistance, she found herself continuing to follow them, her curiosity piqued by their mysterious confidence and purpose.


    As they ventured deeper into the night, Anran couldn''t shake the feeling that something didn''t add up.


    They seemed more interested in her than a random act of intervention would suggest.


    Or more precisely, they seemed drawn to the life burgeoning within her, a realization that filled her with a mix of surprise and apprehension.


    ''Did theye for me or for Xiao?'' she pondered, her hand instinctively resting on her abdomen. Her expression turned solemn, reflecting the turmoil of thoughts swirling within her.


    Remarkably, she still had her phone, which they hadn''t confiscated. This oversight¡ªor perhaps a deliberate choice¡ªpuzzled her further.


    ''Is it a trap?'' The thought flickered through her mind like a shadow, fleeting but unsettling. She shook her head lightly, dismissing the notion yet unable topletely banish it.


    Even if it were a trap, discarding her only means ofmunication was not an option.


    The phone was her anchor, It was a lifeline to the outside world, yet here she was, walking deeper into the unknown with men who spoke of peace but wielded the power to intervene with decisive force.


    ____________


    12th September, 2026


    "This ce isn''t too bad," Josephine mused, her gaze wandering as she perched, somewhat reservedly, on the couch.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao was basking in a moment of tranquility.


    Close by, Luna had drawn up a chair, eagerly offering him fruits. Josephine, puzzled, couldn''t help but wonder who this new girl really was and why she seemed so utterly devoted.


    And why on earth was she donned in a business suit inside the house?


    Yet, she had learned to overlook many things. This included the sight at the couch''s end where Aisha, her former best friend, sat. Wang Xiao''s legs were casually draped over her, and she appeared to be quite at ease with it, munching on snacks.


    Shaking her head, Josephine decided to divert her attention back to Wang Xiao. "Where''s that drama queen? Why isn''t she around?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued atst.


    Wang Xiao cracked one eye open, noting Josephine''s bewildered expression. "She''s probably off performing in some drama," he responded nonchntly.


    "Huh?" Josephine was utterly taken aback.


    Cough!


    Luna interjected with a soft cough. "What he means is, she''s been recently recruited by a dramapany," she exined.


    "Really?" Josephine blinked, struggling to grasp the news.


    Wang Xiao offered no response, neither confirming nor denying.


    Finally, Josephine sighed, shifting the topic. "I''ve baked some cake for you. Would you like to try... It?" she asked, a hint of excitement in her voice.


    "Hm," Wang Xiao nodded, showing a flicker of interest.


    The day flew by in the blink of an eye, and tranquility reigned even into the following day. It wasn''t until the night of September 14th that Luna, positioned closely above Wang Xiao on the bed, found herselfpelled to ask, her voice tinged with fatigue, her face softly illuminated in the light, "Did your pet run away?"


    Wang Xiao remained silent for a moment before responding, "We''re on a quite remote ind; she should be alright. And if, somehow, she still ends up killing herself, then it''s just natural selection at work."


    "..." Luna was left speechless, pondering his words in the quiet of the night.


    _______


    15th September, 2026


    "What are you searching for?" Wang Xiao asked, curiositycing his tone as he noticed Josephine pacing the house.


    She had arrived early in the morning, her eyes darting from corner to corner with an intensity that spoke of a mission.


    "I''m looking for Anran. I haven''t seen her around for quite some time," she responded, her voice carrying a hint of worry.


    Ever since Wang Xiao had opened the doors of his secluded ind home to her, Josephine made it a ritual to visit every morning. In the beginning, her encounters with Yuexiu Anran were frequent, almost daily. But now, her absence in Josephine''s recent visits had sown seeds of curiosity mingled with concern.


    In a world where rivals were asmon as the stars in the sky, one might have expected Josephine to view Anran as a threat. Yet, she felt no such animosity. Even with Luna and Aisha constantly by Wang Xiao''s side, Josephine''s heart remained untroubled.


    After her exhaustive search of the house yielded no trace of Anran, Josephine finally surrendered to the plush embrace of the couch.


    "Has she left?" she inquired, her gaze drifting towards Wang Xiao, who was absorbed in the glow of his tablet.

 Chapter 198: Norhaven!

    "Has she left?" Jospehine inquired, her gaze drifting towards Wang Xiao, who was absorbed in the glow of his tablet.


    "Hm? She might have taken a vacation," he mused, his voice nonchnt.


    "You''re not sure where she went?" The skepticism in Josephine''s voice was palpable, tinged with an undercurrent of concern.


    Her world, once vast and bustling, had shrunk to the confines of the pce, leaving her with few connections beyond its walls.


    "I have no clue, but I could find out if you''d like," he proposed, his calmness a stark contrast to the storm of questions in Josephine''s mind.


    "You can?" Surprise flickered across Josephine''s face as she approached him, a mixture of hope and disbelief in her eyes.


    With a nod, Wang Xiao affirmed his willingness.


    His rxed demeanor suggested he held keys to many doors, secrets untold.


    He drew his phone from the depths of his pocket, their devices a digital bridge between their worlds, interconnected.


    Or why else would he appear so unconcerned?


    With a few taps, he initiated the search.


    "Norhaven?" The name fell from Josephine''s lips in a whisper of astonishment as she leaned over to catch a glimpse of the blinking dot on the map.


    "..." Wang Xiao met Josephine''s gaze with a silence heavy with implications, their eyes mirroring the suprise and confusion that the discovery had spurred.


    "What is she doing in another country?" Wang Xiao furrowed his brows, his thoughts racing. "It''s only been four days, and she''s already traversed such distances?"


    Josephine was at a loss, the situation unfolding before her growing increasingly perplexing. "...Did she have a quarrel with you?" she ventured, her skepticism evident.


    A flicker of irritation crossed Wang Xiao''s eyes. He found it hard to believe that Anran would leave, even if he sent her away a thousand times.


    "Cough... I think, you should see this, Prince," Luna interjected, her presencemanding attention in her professional ck suit, a stark contrast to her usual demeanor around him.


    "See what?" Wang Xiao turned, only for Luna to thrust a screen into his view. The bright light from the device cast his features in sharp relief, disying a security footage clip.


    It showed Anran being escorted away by several monks.


    "When did you get this?" Wang Xiao and Josephine turned to Luna, their question unified.


    "Four days ago," Luna answered without missing a beat, her calmness unwavering. Josephine''s eyes narrowed. "Aren''t you his secretary? Why report this only now?"


    Luna''s eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as she regarded Josephine. "I don''t owe you exnations," she retorted, leaving Josephine momentarily speechless.


    "Okay, let''s not argue for now. Luna, where did you find this footage?" Wang Xiao redirected the conversation, seeking rity.


    Luna smoothly reverted to her professional persona. "This is from the security cameras at a coffee shop in Kingsh?lm. She was on the ind on the night of the 11th, which means they likely took her to another country on the 12th. Today is the 15th."


    Wang Xiao''s patience thinned. "...Why didn''t you inform me sooner?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Luna''s response was a shrug, her smile innocently beaming. "Natural selection," she stated, professionally.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened, his thoughts swirling with the urge to put her firmly in her ce. Luna''s realization that her carefully crafted facade of professionalism might crumble before everyone caused her lips to twitch nervously.


    Yet, she breathed a sigh of relief as Wang Xiao refrained from unleashing his anger, at least for now.


    "Let me check on her first," he called to Li Zhiming, striding to the corner, where he intended to brief that old bastard on the situation.


    Ever since learning of his daughter''s pregnancy, Li Zhiming had been silently seething.


    "Should we go to Norhaven...?" Josephine suggested, prompting Wang Xiao to arch an eyebrow and pause his phone call.


    "Is there a way?" he asked, his suspicion evident.


    Josephine nodded eagerly. "We have a private jet. We could take that and fly there."


    "Would your mother allow it?" Wang Xiao questioned, his distrust clear in his tone.


    Josephine shrugged as she took a seat. "Who''s going to tell her? Let''s just steal it."


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Luna, "..."


    ____________


    Whoosh!


    At the Sylvia Royal Airfield, a Dassault Falcon 8X sliced through the sky with the grace and might of an eagle, its powerful engines roaring against the backdrop of a serene dawn.


    The aircraft''s abrupt takeoff triggered the rm system, causing a symphony of buzzers and warning signals to echo across the deserted airstrip.


    Inside the cockpit, Marcus''s voice,ced with frustration and disbelief, bounced off the confined space. "Princess, why are you dragging me into your schemes!? I am already near retirement in few decades!" he protested, his hands gripping the controls tighter than necessary, betraying his inner turmoil.


    "Silence, Marcus! Or I swear, I''ll have you reassigned to guard duty in front of that ancient wall in the pce gardens. Imagine spending your days gazing at it, lost in its endless cracks and crevices," Josephine retorted sharply, her wordsced with a threat that was only half in jest.


    "..." Marcus was left speechless, his rebuttal dying on his lips. Sergeant Erickson, stationed in the co-pilot''s seat, couldn''t contain his amusement and burst intoughter, a moment of levity in the tense atmosphere.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao, with a practiced hand, punched in their destination coordinates into the airne''s navigation system.


    With the cockpit''s duties handed over and the aircraft on course, Wang Xiao and Josephine made their exit, the door closing behind them with a soft click.


    They stepped into the luxurious interior of the jet, a stark contrast to the business-like atmosphere of the cockpit.


    The cabin was an oasis offort, designed to cater to the whims of the elite. Plush seating, ambient lighting, and the subtle hum of the aircraft in flight created an almost surreal sense of tranquility.


    Here, amidst the opulence, only Luna, Josephine, and Wang Xiao were present, a trio embarking on an uncertain journey.


    Luna, alwaysposed, observed the interactions with a keen eye, her thoughts a guarded secret.


    As the aircraft steadied its course towards Norhaven, each upant was lost in their own musings.


    "Let''s hope this gamble pays off," Josephine finally broke the silence, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the dawn was slowly giving way to daylight.


    As the private jet carved its path through the clouds, a peculiar tension simmered within its luxurious cabin. Luna, with her carefree presence, intensified the atmosphere as she uncorked a bottle of wine with an ease that contrasted the gravity of their situation.


    Pouring the rich, crimson liquid into sses, she handed one to each of herpanions, her actions smooth yet deliberate.


    Wang Xiao, observant, arched an eyebrow, his gaze sharp. "What are you up to now?" he questioned, his voiceced with a mix of curiosity and caution.


    Luna merely smiled, a cryptic gesture that seemed to dance with hidden meanings.


    "Take a look at this," she suggested, sipping her wine with an air of nonchnce as she extended her phone towards Wang Xiao. "She seems alive, as of now," Luna remarked casually, her tone masking the significance of her words.


    Josephine, driven by a blend of concern and curiosity, leaned in beside Wang Xiao. The screen revealed Anran, seemingly unharmed but trapped within the confines of a barely lit warehouse, surrounded by looming shadows and stacks of grain bags.


    The scene was eerily still, save for Anran''s figure caught in a sliver of light.


    "How do you have this?" Wang Xiao''s inquiry was sharp, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Luna.


    Luna responded with a boldness that took Wang Xiao by surprise. Leaning in, she allowed her hands to wander across his chest with a familiarity that bordered on provocatively. "If I can track you, tracking her is no big deal..." she whispered, her gaze shifting defiantly towards Josephine, who watched, eyes wide with shock and difort.


    Sensing the tension and the unspoken signals between Luna and Wang Xiao, Josephine excused herself. "I would go and check the washroom," she announced, gracefully exiting the scene, leaving Luna and Wang Xiao locked in a silent confrontation.


    Wang Xiao''s suspicion towards Luna deepened. Her actions and the information she possessed painted her as a figure shrouded in mystery and power.


    Without warning, he spun Luna around, pulling her into hisp with a maneuver that caught her off guard.


    "Tell me exactly, who are you?" he demanded, his voice a blend of intrigue and authority.


    Luna, caught in the act, struggled to maintain her facade. "W-What do you mean, Prince?" she stammered, herposure slipping as she pondered the implications of his question.


    Wang Xiao''s smile broadened, his hand gently exploring, as if seeking truths hidden beneath her skin. "Don''t want to speak? No worries, I already know who you are."


    Luna''s response was a mix of amusement and apprehension. "Oh, really?" she queried, her eyebrows arching in surprise and concern.


    Wang Xiao''s assertion was unexpected. "You''re a kid, a little scared kid," he proimed, catching Lunapletely off guard.

 Chapter 199: Qi Convergence Program: Dharma Council!

    Wang Xiao''s assertion was unexpected. "You''re a kid, a little scared kid," he proimed, catching Lunapletely off guard.


    "..."


    Luna, always primed for confrontation, found herself at a loss for words. Wang Xiao''s usation hit a nerve, suggesting vulnerability where she had always projected strength.


    His words were a mirror reflecting an image she didn''t recognize¡ªor perhaps, one she was reluctant to acknowledge.


    "You are scared, all you Deviants are just scared children in disguise. You seek punishment and disdain as if craving validation for being above others. There must be someone superior among your ranks, orchestrating this facade," Wang Xiao mused, his voiceced with a mix of curiosity and usation.


    Luna''sposure cracked, her face a mask of defiance turning to stone. "What are you talking about?" she demanded, her voice a mix of anger and disbelief as she swatted away his hands.


    But Wang Xiao''s grin only widened, fueled by her reaction.


    He had harbored suspicions about Luna''s true identity for some time, her strange presence a puzzle he was determined to solve.


    Now, he felt closer to the truth than ever before, convinced she was a key figure among the so-called ghosts, perhaps the ''founding'' member, her earlier stories merely fabrications to obscure her true nature.


    As Luna attempted to regain herposure, her usual confidence wavered, revealing a moment of genuine difort.


    Wang Xiao seized this opportunity, whispering provocatively, "I''ve always been curious about the effect of being thrust into hell from a young age... It appears I now have my answer."


    "You''re bing a nuisance," Luna managed to say, her voice strained as she attempted to rise, her heartbeat thundering in her chest like a drum of war.


    "Shut up and sit," Wang Xiaomanded sharply, his sudden outburst startling her into submission. "Don''t move until I say!" His words were amand, leaving no room for negotiation.


    Luna took a deep, shuddering breath, her cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. She bit her lip, a gesture of frustration and containment, as she was forced toply.


    "Now, answer me one by one," Wang Xiao demanded, his voice a mixture of intrigue andmand. Before Luna could even muster a response, he silenced her with a firm pinch, pressing her lips together with his fingers. "What''s your real name?" he queried, finally releasing her.


    Luna paused, a flicker of irritation crossing her features before she responded with a hint of defiance. "Luna Marquez. How many times must I repeat it?" she shot back, her eyes rolling in exasperation. The difort of the situation was palpable, wrapping around her like a suffocating cloak.


    "And your age?" Wang Xiao probed further, his curiosity unsatiated.


    At his insistence, Luna''s eyebrows arched, a silent question in their curve. Wang Xiao, unsatisfied with theck of response, rephrased his inquiry, delving deeper.


    "At what age did you enter the tunnel to hell?" His tone carried a weight of skepticism, clearly doubting any notion of redemption or paradise at the end of such a journey, especially one that had shaped Luna into who she was before him.


    Memories, faint and elusive, flickered behind Luna''s eyes. "1975," she finally whispered, her voice a mere breath in the charged air.


    Wang Xiao, though somewhat prepared, couldn''t mask his surprise. ''1975?'' His mind raced, trying to piece together the implications of her answer. "And your age at that time?" he pressed on.


    "Around ten," Luna replied, a smile ying at the corners of her lips, as if amused by his persistent interrogation.


    "Your parents? Alive or dead?" Wang Xiao''s questions continued, relentless.


    Luna''s response was swift, yet it carried a hint of evasion. "I don''t know," she confessed, turning her head away as if the question unearthed feelings she''d rather keep buried.


    "You don''t know?" Wang Xiao echoed, puzzled by her ambiguous answer.


    Luna''sposure returned as swiftly as it had faltered, her mischievous smile reappearing. "I don''t remember," she rified, her gaze steady. "It''s been decades. Their names, their faces... they''re all lost to me. To you, it might seem like fifty years, but none of you can fathom the time spent in that wretched ce," she revealed, a shadow of fear momentarily darkening her expression.


    "How long, then?" Wang Xiao pursued, sensing the depth of her trauma.


    Luna''s response was a chuckle, a sound that seemed out of ce amidst the gravity of their discussion. "Forget the count," she dismissed.


    "What?" Wang Xiao couldn''t hide his bewilderment.


    Luna''s demeanor shifted, a seriousness overtaking her features. "Do you have any idea what happens in that ce?" she posed the question, her tone sobering.


    Wang Xiao remained silent, understanding that this was a moment to listen, to let Luna unveil the truths she harbored.


    "That ce is a living hell," Luna began, her voiceced with a chilling certainty. "People search for paradise, but what they find is torment. You''re trapped, eternally bound, not seeking escape but longing for death."


    She painted a horrifying picture, one of self-cannibalization and endless despair, where death was a luxury denied. "You consume your own flesh, hoping it will end your suffering. But that ce... it refuses to let you die."


    "That''s the true essence of imprisonment," Luna concluded, her eyes widening with the intensity of her revtion.


    And then, as if the weight of her own words was too much to bear, she erupted into unrestrainedughter, a sound that echoed hauntingly within the confines of the jet.


    Herughter was a stark reminder of the abyss she had gazed into, a ce where time and sanity intertwined in a dance of madness.


    Wang Xiao felt an unsettling chill crawl up his spine as Luna''sughter filled the cabin, a sound that seemed to echo from the depths of a tortured soul.


    Her abrupt shift from mirth to intensity, as she grasped his head, forcing him to meet her gaze, only added to the surreal atmosphere that had enveloped them.


    Her eyes, pools of darkness, bore into his, her lips twisted into a smile that sent shivers down his back. "Do you want to know more? My name, in fact, I don''t remember!" she whispered, her voice a blend of amusement and madness.


    "Hahaha! No one remembers who they are!" Herughter wasced with a sinister undertone, a mockery of their own forgotten identities, lost to the abyss of their shared hell.


    She drew him even closer, their foreheads touching, creating a moment of eerie intimacy. "In fact, the name I''ve chosen belonged to the first girl among us who chewed herself to death, hoping it would end her suffering," Luna confessed, her words a chilling testament to the despair that had enveloped them in that dark ce.


    Her revtion was not just a sharing of her own burden but an invitation into the camaraderie that bound those who had survived the tunnel to hell.


    Wang Xiao, caught in the gravity of her gaze, found himself at a loss for words. "Who was that girl?" He suddenly snapped and asked.


    "Hahaha..." Luna, as if she didn''t hear him, refused to reply.


    "Luna! I asked, who was that girl?" Wang Xiao''s voice echoed again.


    "LUNA!?"


    *p!*


    The sharp p resounded in the confined space of the jet''s luxurious cabin, a stark contrast to the previously muted atmosphere.


    Luna''s head turned sharply from the impact, a brief moment of silence enveloping them as she regained herposure.


    When she faced Wang Xiao again, her eyes zed with a mix of anger and something unidentifiable, before her expression shifted into a sly grin. "Are you scared?" she taunted, a challengeced within her words.


    Wang Xiao''s response was cool, unfazed by her provocation. "Stop projecting your trauma onto me. I was merely curious," he retorted, his voice steady.


    Luna seemed momentarily taken aback, her facade slipping as she offered a self-deprecating smile. "...Is that how you see it? A bunch of traumatized children?" Her demeanor changed again, a spark of realization in her eyes. "You aren''t that wrong... I think...."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Shaking his head, Wang Xiao decided to steer the conversation away from the murky waters of their past. "Forget about it. Tell me about the people who kidnapped her. Do you have any idea of their identities?"


    Luna settled back into hisp, the storm of their interaction giving way to a sudden calm. "They seemed to belong to an abondened project of the Dharma Council," she revealed, her tone shifting to convey information.


    "Dharma Council?" Wang Xiao''s interest was piqued, his brows arching in question.


    "Just like there is the New World Order, aka Zero, for European and American continents, there''s the Dharma Council for the ASEAN nations. They have their ownwork called the Bodhi Network," Luna exined, her voice taking on a lecturing tone.


    She continued, delving deeper into the council''s murky history. "A few decades back, there were rumors of them attempting to bring back the ancient gods under a program called the Qi Convergence Program."


    "Bring back the gods?" Wang Xiao echoed, his brows knitting in confusion and intrigue.

 Chapter 200: Facing the Monks (1)

    "Bring back the gods?" Wang Xiao echoed, his brows knitting in confusion and intrigue.


    Luna nodded, a chuckle escaping her lips. "They were trying to recreate gods through extreme body conditioning. For that, they set up their base at Shaolin, training the monks from childhood, making them tough enough to endure bullets. They conducted deadly experiments to make them invincible.


    There was a rumor that the experiment failed terribly," she narrated, her tone hinting at the gravity of such endeavors.


    She chuckled again, a hint of irony in herughter. "However, it appears they''ve hidden a few sessful ''toys'' from prying eyes."


    ______


    Wang Xiao''s mind was a filled with questions and theories.


    Anran''s situation was indeed perplexing. Being pursued by Gabriel was one thing, but to have the Dharma Council on her trail as well? It didn''t add up.


    Anran, with her petite stature and seemingly mild demeanor, hardly appeared as someone who would attract such powerful enemies.


    The sound of a door clicking gently open interrupted his contemtions.


    Josephine re-entered the cabin, her arrival marked by a slight awkwardness as she noticed the charged atmosphere.


    Luna, ever the embodiment of grace under pressure, quicklyposed herself, adjusting her attire and hair before gracefully returning to her seat.


    The dynamics within the cabin shifted subtly with Josephine''s return, a brief interlude of normalcy in an otherwise tense journey.


    As the ne soared above Norhaven, the voice of Marcus broke through the cabin''s rtive silence. [We won''t be able tond nearby, but the monastery down below is exactly what we''ve been looking for], he announced from the cockpit.


    Without hesitation, Wang Xiao rose from his seat, his determination palpable. "I''ll go and take a look," he dered, moving towards the emergency exit with a decisiveness that left no room for doubt.


    Josephine, still processing the sudden turn of events, could only watch in stunned silence.


    Before she could voice her concerns, the cabin was filled with the sound of rms ring, a cacophony of warnings that sent Marcus into madness.


    Beep! Beep!


    "What the hell!?" he eximed, grappling with the controls as the ne rocked with the unexpected breach. "Who opened the emergency gate?"


    Luna, quick to react, secured Josephine, ensuring her safety amidst the chaos.


    Whoosh!


    The door, after a few tense seconds, sealed itself shut, the rms ceasing as suddenly as they had begun.


    But Wang Xiao was gone, vanished into the thin air outside.


    "D-did he jump!?" Josephine managed to utter, her voice a mix of disbelief and shock.


    Luna, unfazed, simply shrugged. "He did jump."


    "What!?" Josephine''s incredulity was palpable. "B-But we''re mid-air flying¡ª" Her protest was cut short by her own realization of the sheer audacity of Wang Xiao''s action.


    Shaking off her disbelief, she moved with purpose towards the cockpit, intent on coordinating with Marcus for more information.


    ______


    Swoosh!


    As Wang Xiao plunged from the aircraft, his figure cut through the cold, crisp air with the precision of a falcon descending upon its prey.


    Below him, the monastery emerged from the midst of a dense forest, an ancient edifice that seemed to whisper tales of the forgotten and the mystical.


    Its walls, aged and weathered by time, stood steadfast amidst the sprawling greenery that enveloped it, an evidence to the resilience and the enduring spirit of those who dwelled within.


    The northern lights, a mesmerizing dance of colors across the night sky, cast an ethereal glow over the scene, bathing the monastery and the surrounding forest in hues of green, purple, and blue.


    The surreal illumination added ayer of otherworldliness to Wang Xiao''s descent, as if he were falling not just towards a physical location but into a realm where the boundaries between the earthly and the divine blurred.


    The monastery itself was a sprawlingplex of buildings, with sloping tiled roofs that gleamed under the celestial light show overhead.


    Towering statues of deities stood guard at the entrance, their features noble and serene, offering silent blessings to all who approached.


    The central courtyard, visible even from the air, was an oasis of calm, with meticulously maintained gardens that hinted at the discipline and devotion of the monks.


    As Wang Xiao neared the ground, the rustle of the trees in the light wind and the distant sound of chanting reached his ears, a serene soundtrack to his audacious approach.


    _______


    In the serene courtyard of the monastery, under the ethereal glow of the northern lights, the tension was enough to silence the natural symphony of the night sounds.


    "Hm?" Shi Yan, standing with amanding presence, suddenly cast his gaze upwards, a frown marring his otherwise impassive features.


    His attention, caught by an anomaly in the sky, signaled an unexpected turn in the night''s proceedings.


    "Elder Shi Yan, is something wrong?" Shi Lei, stationed nearby, couldn''t help but inquire, his curiosity piqued by the elder''s sudden alertness.


    The monastery, despite its peaceful appearance, was transformed into a fortress, with over fifty guards armed with automatic rifles encircling thepound.


    A helicopter, its lights cutting through the darkness, stood ready in a clearing to the left, a silent testament to the seriousness of their vigil.


    Shi Yan, his gaze still fixed on the sky, responded with a calm that belied the oddity of his statement. "It''s nothing. I just felt someone was falling from the sky." The words, absurd in any other context, carried a weight in the charged atmosphere of the courtyard.


    Shi Lei, momentarily taken aback,ughed nervously. "Haha... Elder, you won''t be joking, how is this possible?" His disbelief was evident, a natural response to the improbability of such an urrence.


    "Do you doubt my words?" Shi Yan''s sharp turn and piercing gaze sent a clear message of warning.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    His authority, unquestioned within the ranks, demanded respect and belief, even in the face of the unbelievable.


    Shi Lei, feeling the weight of Shi Yan''s scrutiny, immediately silenced his doubts, a shiver running down his spine as he acknowledged the folly of questioning the elder''s senses.


    "Why isn''t the people from your side here yet?" Shi Yan redirected his attention to Zach, the lead guard of the opposing faction, his tone indicating an impatience for the proceedings tomence.


    Zach, ever wary of the monastery''s upants and their disdain for his group, replied with a nce towards the monks. "There are still a few hours before the designated time for the exchange."


    The tension between the two groups was evident, with Shi Lei expressing open contempt. "Humph, if not for the supreme one directing us to purge this evil personally, we would never help sinners like you. Your aura stinks," he dered, his disgust for the alliance, however temporary, clear.

 Chapter 201: Facing the Monks (2)

    Shi Lei. "Humph, if not for the supreme one directing us to purge this evil personally, we would never help sinners like you. Your aura stinks," he dered, his disgust for the alliance, however temporary, clear.


    !!


    Zach''s knuckles whitened as he clutched the firearm, a growl escaping his lips. "Bastards," he hissed, pivoting sharply and retreating to a shadowy recess.


    With a quick zip, he liberated himself, all the while seething with contempt. "What do they think? If not for Commander Mercy, would they still be drawing breath?" His words dripped with venom as he entertained sinister visions of dispatching the monks post-mission.


    Puchi!


    At the sound, Zach''s gaze narrowed, a ripple of apprehension coursing through him. Warmth pooled beneath him, but it wasn''t the anticipated relief. No, it was crimson, staining the ground.


    Thud!


    His body crumpled soundlessly as Wang Xiao surveyed the scene, methodically assessing and strategizing.


    Whoosh!


    Wang Xiao sprung into motion, his form a blur as he systematically dismantled their ranks, each movement calcted and lethal.


    Four more adversaries sumbed to his relentless assault, the sudden realization dawning on the remaining soldiers.


    "Someone has infiltrated! Be alert!" The warning cry cut through the night, a desperate attempt to marshal the forces against this unseen assant.


    Bam! Bam!


    Gunfire erupted towards thest known location of the threat, a futile effort to strike down the phantom that haunted them.


    But their efforts were in vain; each shot fired only served to reveal their positions, making them easy prey for Wang Xiao.


    The courtyard, once a scene of tense anticipation, erupted into chaos as gunfire pierced the night, the brief shes of light casting stark shadows across the ancient stone.


    Amidst the disorder, Shi Lei''s voice cut through the din, a note of panic underlying his confusion. "What''s happening?" he demanded, his stance defensive as he surveyed the unfolding violence.


    Shi Yan, ever the pir of calm amidst the storm,manded, "Stay calm," his eyes meticulously scanning the perimeter, tracking the ominous sounds of bodies hitting the ground with a grim determination.


    The night air, charged with the tension of imminent confrontation, suddenly shifted as a blur of movement targeted Shi Yan directly. It was not a missile or a stray bullet but Wang Xiao''s fist, closing in with lethal intent.


    Boom!


    Shi Yan reacted with practiced precision, channeling his energy into his palm and thrusting it outward to parry the attack.


    The collision of forces sent shockwaves through the air, an evidence to their power. "Wha¡ª" Shi Yan gasped, the impact sending him reeling backward, his body flying tens of meters before crashing into a tree trunk with a bone-jarring thud.


    Boom!


    "Elder!" Shi Lei''s cry echoed in the courtyard, his concern for Shi Yan momentarily overshadowing his shock at the assant''s identity.


    As heid eyes on Wang Xiao, standing amidst the chaos with eyes that gleamed an ominous red, realization dawned. "Y-You are the demon!" he used, his voiceced with fear and disbelief.


    Wang Xiao, however, seemed unphased by thebel, his expression one of mild annoyance rather than anger.


    He shook his head, dismissing the usation with a scathing critique. "Are you two the ancient gods they were trying to revive? I would have to say, you two are quite pathetic by the standards of gods!" His words, sharp and dismissive, cut through the tension,ying bare the absurdity of their supposed divinity.


    In the midst of the charged atmosphere, an information from Yin Yue resonated within Wang Xiao''s mind, rifying the nature of his opponents.


    [They are not gods or anything, just some better humans made by continuous body conditioning, and some external alterations to their bodies], her voice, clear and informative, offered a new perspective on the beings before him.


    Armed with this newfound understanding, Wang Xiao''s gaze upon Shi Yan and Shi Lei shifted. They were not divine entities but merely humans, albeit enhanced through rigorous conditioning and perhaps technological or mystical augmentations.


    "You dare mock the divine?" Shi Lei spat, defiance ring in his eyes despite the clear danger Wang Xiao represented. "You will regret trespassing on sacred ground!"


    Wang Xiao, unfazed, simply adjusted his stance, ready for whatever maye. "Sacred ground?" he mused aloud, his toneced with skepticism. "This ce is soaked in the blood of ambition and treachery. Where''s the sanctity in that?"


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Around them, the remaining guards rallied to Shi Lei''s side, their weapons aimed at Wang Xiao, yet none dared to fire, the memory of their fallenrades a silent warning of their enemy capabilities.


    Shi Yan, struggling to his feet, his back against the tree trunk that had halted his flight, wiped the blood from his lips. His eyes, filled with a mix of respect and resentment, remained locked on Wang Xiao. "You... Who are you really?" he asked, his voice strained from the impact.


    "I want the return of something that belongs to me!" Wang Xiao dered, his intense gaze sweeping over the gathered guards before fixing firmly on Shi Yan. "And I have reason to believe you possess it!"


    As the standoff intensified, more monks, drawn by the situation, emerged from the monastery''s depths.


    Their faces were etched with concern and curiosity, forming a silent audience to the confrontation.


    Among them, Shi Yan stood out, his presencemanding and imbued with an air of authority.


    He stepped forward, his voice resonating with a firmness that seemed tomand the very air.


    "Enough," he intoned, the power in his voice imposing a temporary peace. "This violence is futile. Let us engage in dialogue and seek a peaceful resolution."


    "A resolution?" Wang Xiao countered, his voiceced with a thinly veiled threat. "Start by exining why you sought to abduct Anran, and perhaps I might allow you to walk away with your lives." Despite his words, Wang Xiao harbored no intention of sparing them, his mind set on retribution.


    "Anran?" Shi Yan echoed, a flicker of recognition crossing his features. "You''re referring to the girl?"


    With a nod, Wang Xiao confirmed, "Yes, her."


    At Shi Yan''s subtle gesture, a soldier emerged from the shadows, pushing Anran forward with the barrel of his gun ominously ced against her head.


    Anran''s panicked eyes searched the courtyard before locking with Wang Xiao''s steely gaze, a silent plea evident in her fleeting look before she quickly averted her eyes.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 202: Facing the monks (3)

    "We cannot release her; she harbors an evil that must be eradicated," Shi Yan dered, observing Wang Xiao''s resolute demeanor. He crossed his arms in a gesture reminiscent of a monk''s meditative stance and spoke with conviction.


    "Evil seed?" Wang Xiao''s eyebrows twitched in annoyance. Encountering such ignorance was bing a tiresome routine for him. "And where did you acquire this piece of ''information''?" he asked, his face a mask of stoic inquiry.


    Shi Lei interjected, "That''s none of your¡ª"


    Shi Yan cut him off, focusing his intense gaze on Wang Xiao. "Are you the origin of that malevolent presence?" he used, squinting as if trying to discern the truth through sheer will.


    Wang Xiao remained silent, offering no defense against the baseless usation.


    "Hm! Then it must be true. It seems we have no choice but to eliminate you as well," Shi Yan concluded, misinterpreting Wang Xiao''s silence as an admission of guilt. He nodded slightly to himself, convinced of his righteous path.


    Puchi!


    "What a fool," Wang Xiao whispered under his breath, his words barely audible.


    Yet, they struck the air like a thunderp, shocking everyone present as Shi Yan''s head abruptly exploded.


    Boom!


    Fragments of flesh and shards of metal, remnants of whatever enhancements or devices had been imnted in his body, scattered violently, causing coteral damage to those unfortunate enough to be nearby.


    "..."


    A hushed stillness enveloped the surroundings, every soul frozen in ce.


    With an ominous grace, Wang Xiao advanced, his presence casting a long, dark shadow that seemed to swallow the light around him.


    Shi Lei, caught off guard, stumbled backward, his face contorted in pain as metal fragments pierced his skin, crimson rivulets tracing their path. "Y-You, how dare you attack the eld¡ªwha!?"


    Boom!


    Shi Lei''s words were cut short by a deafening boom, his head inting before erupting in a shower of flesh, a haunting disy that painted the air with a spray of crimson.


    Silence hung heavy, every eye fixed on Wang Xiao, uncertainty etched on their faces.


    "Everyone, fire at him! Fire! Right now!" The second inmand, Drake''s voice shattered the silence like a thunderp, his words a desperate plea for action in the face of overwhelming fear.


    Whoosh!


    In an instant, before anyone could react, the very weapons they held in trembling hands were torn from their grasp, spiraling upward in a mesmerizing dance before forming a sinister ring in the sky.


    "What!?"


    "How!?"


    "Our guns!"


    "G-Ghost..."


    A chorous of panic erupted, mingling with disbelief. Wang Xiao''s gaze locked onto Drake, whose trembling form betrayed his fear.


    "D-don''te near us, or we will kill her." With a menacing glint in his eyes, Drake leaped forward and seized Anran, her delicate form trapped in his grasp as he brandished a gleaming de against her throat, his threat floating in the air like a dark omen.


    Anran, "..."


    ''These guys might be a little dumb,'' she thought, her mind racing as she assessed the situation.


    If Wang Xiao could effortlessly disarm them of their firearms, how could they possibly think a mere knife would tip the scales in their favor?


    Wang Xiao''s response to Drake''s threat was as cold as it was astonishing. "Then kill her," he stated with chilling indifference, his voice devoid of emotion as he continued his advance.


    Drake''s reaction was a mixture of incredulity and fear. "W-What!? Have you gone insane!" he stammered, the knife in his hand quivering as much as his voice. "I-I would really kill her! Don''t dare to take another step!" His threat, however, was undercut by his own terror.


    "..."


    Anran, caught in the middle of this standoff, found herself at a loss for words.


    The realization that she was considered expendable was both shocking and oddly predictable.


    With a mental shrug, as if resigning herself to her fate, she closed her eyes, but in that moment of resignation, a spark of determination ignited within her.


    Whoosh!


    With a swift and unexpected movement, she kicked backward with all her might, targeting Drake''s vulnerable spot. The impact was immediate and effective.


    "Argh!...Y-you" Drake''s eyes bulged in shock and agony, veins throbbing on his forehead as he copsed to the ground, his wails echoing through the eerie silence.


    Anran swiftly removed the duct tape from her mouth, a symbol of her regained agency. Wang Xiao spared her a brief nce before nodding and redirecting his focus to the remaining crowd.


    The circle of guns, previously a menacing halo in the sky, now turned outward, targeting the stunned monks and soldiers who were frozen in disbelief.


    !!


    A chill ran down their spines, but there was no time for prayers or pleas to the gods. As if on cue, the triggers of the levitated firearms were simultaneously pulled.


    Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!


    The bullets flew like deadly currents, each one finding its mark with ruthless efficiency. The frozen bodies of the monks and soldiers were torn asunder, magazines emptying in a relentless barrage that reduced them to nothing more than remnants of flesh and bone.


    The only sound that followed was the grim symphony of dead bodies hitting the ground, breaking the eerie silence that had briefly reimed the space.


    Clink! Clink! Clink!


    One by one, the firearms descended, their metallic bodies hitting the concrete courtyard with a series of echoing clinks.


    The ground, now painted in the deep red of spilled blood, bore silent witness to the violence, while Wang Xiao''s eyes roamed, searching for a camera.


    The circumstances of Anran''s kidnapping, coupled with the fact that the monks were merely used as bait, struck him as suspiciously convenient.


    It was clear they were pawns in arger scheme, likely manipted to test his capabilities.


    But the questions loomedrge in his mind: Who was behind this borate setup?


    And why choose him as their subject?n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The realization that they had been under surveince for some time only added to the puzzle.


    Their adversaries were evolving, bing more bizarre and unpredictable with each encounter.


    However, since the intention was to test him, Wang Xiao was determined to provide them with a spectacle they would not soon forget.


    His message was clear: he was not a mere participant in their games but a master of his own fate.

 Chapter 203: Invited by the Queen! (1)

    Crack..


    Into the deep, whispering heart of the Norhaven forests, the symphony of nature was momentarily disturbed by the sound of twigs snapping underfoot.


    Two figures, their forms casting long shadows in the moonlit de, navigated the dense foliage.


    Wang Xiao, his focus locked on the glowing screen of his phone, was tracing a path towards a destination only known to him.


    Beside him, Anran walked with her head bowed, her expression clouded with a mix of regret and self-reproach, as if she had unwittingly woven a web of chaos around the one person she had hoped to avoid burdening.


    Breaking the silence, her voice barely rose above a whisper, "Hey, are you angry that I caused so much trouble?"


    "..."


    The quiet that followed her question was heavy, filled with words unspoken.


    After a moment, she ventured further, her voice tinged with concern, "... Do you find my behavior childish?"


    "..."


    Still, Wang Xiao offered no reply, his silence a vast ocean between them.


    Anran''s words faltered, a confession half-formed on her lips. "... I am not really like that... It''s just with you...I am like this..." She struggled to articte the turmoil within her, the right words eluding her grasp.


    Wang Xiao finally broke the silence, not with words but with action, guiding her gently yet firmly against a tree.


    The suddenness of the movement, the intensity in his gaze,pelled her to listen, to truly hear what he was about to say. "Do you know why I am still tolerating your behavior?" he asked.


    "W-Why?" Anran''s heart raced, her question barely a whisper, a mix of fear and anticipation swirling within her.


    Wang Xiao''s exnation was both unexpected and insightful. "From an early age, you were forced to act as an adult, unlike me, you didn''t do it out of your own choice.


    So, when you find an opportunity where someone else can take care of the mess you create, you start to act childish, fulfilling the desires that you earlier weren''t able to." His words, spoken with a rity that cut through the shadows, offered a mirror for Anran to see herself reflected in ways she hadn''t considered.


    "Am I?" The question was more to herself than to him, a whisper lost in the rustling leaves. Anran was taken aback, not just by his acute observation but by the realization that Wang Xiao understood her more deeply than she had imagined.


    Wang Xiao continued, his tone unyielding yet without a hint ofpassion. "Your behavior is just like any other human, normal and selfish. You saw an opportunity and took it. And I don''t care what you do with your worthless life, act as a child or an adult, but if you try to ignore what I say from next time, then you can pack your bags and leave."


    Anran, "..."


    Her response to Wang Xiao''s blunt ultimatum was a moment of silence, a pause where the gravity of his words held between them like a suspended chord waiting to resolve.


    "Take these phones, and see if you can crack them," he said, shifting the subject abruptly as he handed her two smartphones.


    They were relics from their recent confrontations with Zach and Drake, possibly holding secrets or information valuable to their cause.


    !?


    Anran''s initial shock at the sudden change in conversation gave way to a smile, broad and bright, that lit up her face.


    It was a smile of relief, of realization that despite his stern facade, Wang Xiao was far from giving up on her.


    As he turned to walk away, Anran called out, "Hey, wait!" But Wang Xiao, ever the relentless forward-mover, didn''t pause, embodying his philosophy that the journey waits for no one, that one must always press on, regardless of the challenges or distractions.


    Anran, momentarily dismayed by hisck of response, quickly shook off her disappointment.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Um!" A pout yed on her lips, but it was soon reced by a yful, contented smile as she followed him, her steps light, almost hopping along the path they were carving through the forest.


    In her heart, Anran understood the truth in Wang Xiao''s observations.


    She was living out the childhood freedoms and whimsies she''d been denied, indulging in a sort of dyed rebellion she could afford now in hispany.


    She knew, with a rity that came from his words, that this phase was but a chapter in the long story of her life.


    A few ''thousand'' years down the line, she imagined herself evolving past this need for childish antics, embodying a serene maturity earned through centuries of experience.


    Wang Xiao, for his part, seemed to understand this trajectory as well.


    His decision not to suppress her behavior but to allow it space to manifest and eventually exhaust itself was a testament to his patience and his long view of their destinies.


    He recognized that suppression would only dy the inevitable, that true growth required freedom to explore, to err, and to learn.


    As Anran set to work on the phones, her fingers dancing over the screens with a hacker''s finesse, Wang Xiao allowed himself a moment of reflection.


    ___________


    "Josephine!"


    The sharp call echoed through the Queen''s Chamber, cutting through the tense air like a knife.


    "I told you, you can go and meet him, but that certainly doesn''t grant you license to rob a private jet and flee to another country in the dead of night!"


    Seraphine''s voice rang out with frustration and disbelief as she fixed her gaze on Josephine, who stood before her, shamelessly smiling.


    In the dimly lit chamber, Seraphine''s eyes flickered with a mixture of concern and annoyance as she observed her daughter''s defiant stance.


    A few hours earlier, chaos had erupted in Sylvergard with Anran''s incident. Now, back in the safety of the pce, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The Kingsguard had wasted no time in sweeping them all away, forcibly bringing them to the pce.


    Josephine, now facing her mother in the Queen''s Chamber, attempted to lighten the mood with a yful smile. "Mom, please, we''re still breathing, and the world hasn''te crashing down around us just yet."


    With a carefree bounce in her step, Josephine skipped over to the bed where Seraphine sat, her heart racing with adrenaline.


    She enveloped her mother in a warm hug, the faint flush of excitement coloring her cheeks.


    She couldn''t quite exin the rush of emotions coursing through her veins, but she didn''t want to dwell on it.


    !!


    Seraphine''s reaction was unexpected. Caught off-guard by Josephine''s unusual disy of affection, she couldn''t help but arch an eyebrow in disbelief.


    "..."


    Her daughter''s antics, fidgeting like a lovestruck teenager, caused Seraphine to adopt a deadpan expression, as if her n had backfired.

 Chapter 204: Invited by the Queen (2)

    In thenguid afternoon, the pce halls whispered with the secrets of a thousand years.


    Elina, her posture a study in elegance and submission, turned towards Wang Xiao, her voice clear and crisp. "The Queen should be beyond that door," she said, her eyes lowering in a graceful bow before she drifted away, her steps silent against the marble floor.


    Wang Xiao stood alone, enveloped in the grandeur of the hallway.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The journey through the pce''sbyrinthine paths, under Elina''s guidance, felt like a descent into another world.


    The very thought of meeting the so-called ''Queen'' had been a persistent whisper in his mind for what seemed like an eternity.


    Yet, the path to the throne room was not one to be taken lightly.


    Wang Xiao''s thoughts shifted to Yin Yue, ''Are there any threats beyond this door?'' he inquired, silently.


    [No threats, the queen seems pretty normal as well,] came the reassuring reply from Yin Yue.


    Wang Xiao narrowed his eyes, a flicker of doubt shadowing his thoughts.


    If there were Deviants acting as bodyguards in disguise alongside Queen Seraphine, it wouldn''te as a surprise.


    Yet, the notion that she was without any such anomaly piqued his curiosity further.


    What could the Queen be plotting, using her own daughter as a chess piece?


    His hand reached for the door handle, his mind swirling with questions and possibilities.


    As he pushed the door open, a decisive "Click!" shattered the silence, and a flood of sunlight spilled over him, bathing his face in a warm glow.


    !?


    As Wang Xiao''s eyes adjusted to the brilliance of the unexpected sunlit space, he took in the full view of the Queen''s unexpected attire.


    She was draped in a white bikini thatplemented the silver of her hair, each piece seemingly crafted with an elegance befitting her royal status.


    The fabric hugged her form, entuating her graceful curves while retaining an air of regal decorum.


    The bikini was adorned with subtle embellishments that caught the light, giving her an otherworldly glow that echoed the tranquil surface of the pool beside her. Her skin, kissed by the gentle sun, radiated with a soft luminescence, enhancing the stark contrast between her attire and the expected formal garb of royalty.


    The Queen''s rxed posture, reclined against the beach chair, belied the sharp intelligence in her eyes, which now fixed upon Wang Xiao with an intensity that matched the midday sun.


    This casual disy of leisure was a visual mystery, challenging the preconceived notions of pce grandeur with a scene more akin to a serene holiday than a royal court.


    In that moment, as the light breeze stirred the air and the scent of water mingled with the subtle fragrance of her skin, Wang Xiao understood that this was no ordinary meeting.


    It was indeed a battle, but not of swords or wits¡ªit was a disy of gic supremacy.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes, though trained on the political and strategic, could not ignore the sheer physical presence of the Queen.


    Her form, showcased in the stark simplicity of a white bikini, was a testament to the same impable gics that had graced her daughter, Jopshine.


    The Queen''s ample bosom, the curvature of her hips, all spoke of a lineage sculpted with care, a living sculpture that no royal attire could enhance further.


    Wang Xiao''s initial shock morphed into a wry understanding.


    "Seraphine Sylver... You are quite peculiar to be a queen," he finally said, his voice steady but his mind still racing to reconcile the image before him with the one he had constructed of a monarch.


    The Queen''s lips curled into a sly smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement as if sharing a secret. "Peculiar?" she echoed, her toneced with intrigue. "Perhaps. Or perhaps it''s peculiar that you address me by my name so directly?" she mused, casually removing and stowing away her sunsses.


    ''Asserting moral superiority?'' Wang Xiao''s gaze narrowed, his expression darkening. "You should consider yourself lucky that I haven''t taken drastic measures for dragging me into your daughter''s affairs," he dered, his voice tinged with a hint of menace.


    The Queen leaned back in her chair, her regal demeanor undisturbed by Wang Xiao''s thinly veiled threat. "Ah, but you forget, Mr. Wang," she replied smoothly, her voice dripping with honeyed sarcasm. "It was not I who involved you in these matters. It was your own ''actions'' that led you here."


    Wang Xiao scoffed, a bitterugh escaping him. "My own actions, you call it? More like maniption. What about you allowing her to purposely visit me? I don''t serve as bodyguards for anyone.


    Don''t think for a second that I''m blind to your games," he retorted, although he didn''t know exactly what was happening, the initial encounter felt contrary, as if the Queen were negotiating from a position of lower ground.


    She was already acting as if she were on the back foot?


    Despite his uncertainty about the situation, Wang Xiao was determined to seize any advantage presented to him.


    "One minute for an exnation is all I can grant, before you start exining yourself," Wang Xiao spoke sharply.


    A flicker of annoyance crossed the Queen''s features before she regained herposure, her smile widening ever so slightly. "Why are you acting as if you haven''t gained anything? Exnation is something that I should demand from you. What magic charm did you use on that little girl, that she stole a whole jet and flew across nations for you?" she spoke, her toneced with unspoken resentment.


    Everything had crumbled the moment her daughter fell for him.


    Now, Seraphine had other ns.


    ''Leave it to the gods,'' that was her strategy for survival.


    Wang Xiao continued to stare into her eyes, his gaze probing for answers, but the woman seemed to be lost in her own world, her sorrows weighing heavy upon her.


    With a heavy sigh, she reclined against the beach chair, the weight of her troubles evident in the lines etched upon her brow.


    The silence stretched between them, a palpable tension hanging in the air, until...


    Ssh!

 Chapter 205: European Guardian: Asmodeous

    Ssh!


    Suddenly, Seraphine snapped back to reality, startled as she found herself submerged in the water, struggling for breath. Gasping for air, she fell in the pool, panic gripping her heart.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao, wearing a sly smile, strolled leisurely to her abandoned chair, and sank into it with casual grace. "One minute already over, Queen. Another minute, and this time I might drown you in a sea ofva," he stated nonchntly, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.


    The faint scent of roses and lemon lingered in the air, but Wang Xiao pushed aside any distractions, focusing on the task at hand.


    "Cough... cough!" As Seraphine coughed and clung to the pool''s edge, her gaze locked with Wang Xiao''s in disbelief and speechlessness, tinged with an inexplicable bitterness. ''He is real,'' she thought, the realization sinking in as she struggled to regain herposure.


    Ultimately, she let out a weary sigh.


    Her sigh was more than just exhaustion; it was the sound of a spirit bending but not breaking.


    As she emerged from the pool, the sunlight didn''t just illuminate her; it cast an ethereal glow around her, entuating the determined set of her jaw and the resolve in her eyes.


    She moved with a grace that belied the turmoil churning within her, her steps deliberate as she approached the low table.


    The bottle of red wine caught the light, its deep color promising a momentary escape from the pressing reality.


    She poured the wine with a steady hand, the liquid''s rich aroma briefly overpowering the scent of chlorine and summer blooms.


    The sound of the wine hitting the sses seemed louder than it was, as she pulled a chair close to him, andid down.


    She reclined, mirroring his posture, a silent acknowledgment of the battle of wills, while offering him the ss, her voice was a mix of steel and silk, betraying the weight of the stories she carried.


    "What do you want to hear?" she asked, her voice steady but carrying the weariness of one who has been through the depths.


    It was a concession, a willingness to parley, but also a subtle challenge.


    Wang Xiao''s response was sharp, a de unsheathed in the tranquility of their surroundings. "Everything. For every lie, you mother and daughter will lose an organ." His tone was matter-of-fact, devoid of malice but filled with an unyielding resolve.


    !!


    Seraphine''s eyes flickered, the threat igniting a fire within her.


    The audacity of his ckmail was a p to her dignity, a challenge to her integrity. She wanted to rage, to summon Josephine and expose Wang Xiao for the monster he seemed to be.


    Yet, wisdom tempered her anger.


    She knew the stakes were too high, the consequences too grave.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    With a deep breath, she began to peel away theyers of her story, "In the year 2020, a decree was sent to every major European royal house."


    "We were given five years to prepare our daughters for a possibility¡ªthe Guardian of the European continent demanded our heirs in exchange for protection and benefits. It was an ultimatum disguised as an offer."


    Wang Xiao''s reaction was unexpected. Amusement flickered across his features, and a chuckle escaped him, "Guardians started extortion now?"


    Seraphine''s smile formed a bitter curve on her lips as she refilled her ss.


    Wang Xiao watched, his thoughts a mix of approval and strategy.


    To him, the Guardian''s demand, cloaked as protection fees, was a cunning move. Refusal could spell disaster for any lineage that dared defy, leaving them vulnerable to mysterious deaths or abductions without recourse.


    "Who else received this order?" His curiosity was piqued.


    "None. It seems we were the only ones marked by such misfortune. Only the European continent appears targeted," Seraphine replied, her voiceced with a hint of irony as she sipped her wine.


    "Has anything simr ever urred in Europe?" Wang Xiao''s skepticism was evident.


    "Never," Seraphine answered, her conviction clear. "The Guardians, ever-shifting, rarely make direct contact. Our children are spared the weight of these truths, considered unnecessary burdens. This demand was unprecedented¡ªa demand so ridiculous, it was unheard of."


    Wang Xiao nodded, absorbing her words. Despite the allure of her presence, he remained focused, contemting her fate based on the motives she revealed.


    Seraphine continued, "It''s 2026, the year the princesses were to be surrendered. We heard nothing until the day you intervened, saving Josephine. That was the day Guardian Asmodeus''s emissaries came to im her."


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened, his brows furrowing in disapproval. "So, I unwittingly eliminated Asmodeus''s emissaries and got entangled in this mess?" His tone wasced with disbelief and a hint of usation.


    He feigned knowledge of Asmodeus, not wanting to reveal his unfamiliarity.


    Seraphine''sughter, light yet tinged with a somber note, broke the tension. "Believe me, I had no hand in orchestrating that encounter."


    Wang Xiao pressed on, "And what then? You didn''t consider standing against his oppression?"


    Her smile turned wry. "Oppose them? We could, but only by presenting our refusal at the summit of Mount Olympus."


    "..."


    Silence fell, heavy and contemtive.


    Wang Xiao pondered the feasibility of such a challenge¡ªfacing the Guardian in person on such hallowed ground, with no assurance of safety.


    "Why didn''t you keep Josephine within the castle''s protection, instead of sending her to me as if she were bait?" he finally asked, suspicioncing his voice.


    "To ensure Josephine''s safety," Seraphine began, her smile knowing.


    "To ensure your daughter''s safety?" Wang Xiao interjected, his toneced with skepticism. "Or was it a ploy to pit two factions against each other, exploiting the ensuing chaos for your advantage?"


    !!


    Seraphine''s expression momentarily froze, revealing the truth behind Wang Xiao''s usations.


    Her strategy, borne of desperation and cunning, had indeed been to set two powerful forces against each other.


    When she learned that the Deviants sent for Josephine were effortlessly defeated, Seraphine suspected the involvement of a formidable opponent, perhaps another guardian from their ranks.


    This unexpected twist presented an opportunity¡ªif she could manipte these forces into conflict, it might grant her leverage, or at the very least, buy some precious time.


    In the beginning of this year, the gravity of the situation hadn''t fully dawned on her until a second letter arrived, explicitly stating that someone woulde for her daughter.


    From that moment, Seraphine had redoubled her efforts to safeguard Josephine, ensuring she remained within the castle''s protective embrace.


    The threat escted when the Deviants attempted a more direct approach, ready to decimate her daughter''s guard to fulfill their mission.


    This bold move underscored the peril Josephine faced, intensifying Seraphine''s protective instincts.


    Throughout Josephine''s childhood, Seraphine had imposed strict social restrictions on her, citing various reasons but never revealing the ominous shadow the Guardians cast over their lives.


    She rationalized that if Josephine was destined to be taken, it was preferable she had no attachments that could make her departure even more painful.


    Despite her seemingly light-heartedments about allowing her daughter to date, Seraphine harbored no illusions about Josephine''s chances of forming a meaningful rtionship.


    She viewed her daughter as too spoiled, unlikely to find a partner who could truly understand and tolerate her.

 Chapter 206: Killed the King?

    "To ensure your daughter''s safety?" Wang Xiao interjected, his tone dripping with skepticism, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Or was it a cunning ploy to pit two factions against each other, exploiting the ensuing chaos for your advantage?"


    Seraphine, now wearing a bitter smile, fidgeted nervously, her hands trembling slightly as she attempted to y it cool. With a shaky hand, she began pouring wine into his empty ss. "I never said that."


    "Don''t pour more wine; hold onto it. You''ll need itter," Wang Xiao remarked, his smile tinged with a hint of menace.


    If this woman truly intended to manipte him...


    He should have been enraged.


    But instead, he found himself oddly entertained...


    Now, rather than seeking revenge, he plotted to use her in return, all the while concealing his true intentions.


    After all, how could Seraphine possibly know that at this very moment, Wang Xiao found himself without the backing he so desperately needed?


    "How did youe to this conclusion about my strength?" Wang Xiao inquired, maintaining his facade with practiced ease.


    Seraphine, "You''ve faught so many Deviants effortlessly," she remarked before her eyes sparked with cunning. "And now, you''ve mentioned Guardian Asmodeous by name directly." Her implication was clear; she believed him to be a guardian from another continent.


    Wang Xiao had no intention of correcting her misunderstanding.


    Instead, he found himself admiring her naievity.


    As he stole a nce at her, he couldn''t help but notice how her demeanor grew increasingly provocative with each passing moment.


    Whether she was aware of it or not, the slight flush on her cheeks, the damp bikini clinging to her curves, and her ample assets seemed almost calcted.


    He might have assumed she was trying to seduce him if not for the seriousness in her eyes.


    To imagine that this woman was contemting pitting Guardians from two different continents against each other left him at a loss for words.


    Was she incredibly foolish or simply daring?


    But then, a rumor he had been itching to confirm surfaced in his mind. "Tell me about your family, the cursed woman of Sylvergard royalty. What''s that all about?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.


    "..."


    Seraphine''s face momentarily betrayed her, locking into a mask of grim realization as Wang Xiao''s inquiry veered into unexpected territory.


    His eyebrows arched, a mischievous spark lighting his eyes, "Let''s change the question, why does it seem like you called me here toe clean?" he proposed, steering their dialogue into deeper waters.


    Caught slightly off guard but finding some sce in the change of topic, Seraphine responded with a question of her own, "Why do you think so?" Her attempt to redirect revealed her difort, an attempt to regain some control over the conversation''s direction.


    Wang Xiao, undeterred,id down the rules. "I ask the questions, you answer."


    Faced with his unyielding stance, Seraphine found herself at a loss for words, cornered by her own machinations.


    With a sigh, she conceded, "I got cornered."


    His amusement was barely contained as he suppressed a chuckle, "Oh, really?" His tone,ced with mockery, only served to deepen the tension.


    Seraphine, now grappling with the consequences of her actions, acknowledged the heart of their predicament. "Guardian Asmodeous likely sees us as uncooperative by now..." she mused, her voiceced with resignation.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "That''s a given," Wang Xiao agreed, his response concise, acknowledging theplexity of their situation without offering any sce.


    Seraphine continued, her voice a mixture of defeat and determination. "And you already suspect me, not seeing me as a trustworthy ally. Choosing any side now would lead to the same oue. My best option was to choose the path of least damage."


    Wang Xiao, seizing on her admission, pressed further. "So, did you n to use your daughter to ensure I wouldn''t turn against you?"


    Seraphine, "..."


    Seraphine, her emotions a tempest, contemted the unthinkable¡ª hurling the ss of wine against his smug face, as a symbol of her frustration and defiance.


    The notion that he might have been manipting the situation all along, using Josephine as a pawn in a game Seraphine had unwittingly yed into, sent chills down her spine.


    With gritted teeth and a heart heavy with resignation, she proposed, "What would you do? I am fine if you just take Josephine away and flee." The bitterness in her voice was evident.


    Wang Xiao''s amusement only grew at her offer. "Oh, I hadn''t pegged you for the motherly type," he remarked, his entertainment evident.


    Seraphine, ignoring his jibe, dered, "That girl can''t take the responsibility of being queen anymore." Her statement, definitive and resigned, caught Wang Xiao''s attention, his eyes narrowing as he allowed her to borate further.


    As Seraphine recounted the history, her words painted a picture of a tradition steeped in treachery and ambition that dated back to the 1500s. Wang Xiao listened, captivated by the tale of a queen who had married into the royal family of Sylvergard only to assassinate the king and seize control.


    This act of betrayal had not only cemented her power but had also birthed a dark tradition within the kingdom.


    The tradition dictated that the throne of Sylvergard would always pass to the husband of the princess, who, upon bing queen, was expected to continue the cycle of assassination to maintain her rule.


    This ritual, designed to consolidate power within the matriarchal lineage, cast a shadow over the women of Sylvergard, branding them as ''cursed'' in the eyes of the people and potential suitors alike.


    Josephine''s grandmother, upon her ascension to the throne, chose a path of raw honesty over the cold finality of execution, unveiling her soul''s burdens to the king¡ªa choice that danced dangerously close to the precipice of catastrophe.


    "She was a fool," Seraphine uttered, her wordsced with a hidden mncholy that shimmered in the dim light, her face a canvas of unspoken sorrows.


    "What about you?" Wang Xiao inquired, his curiosity flickering like a me in the shadow.


    "Me? What about me?" Seraphine deflected with a practiced air of indifference. She stooped to retrieve another bottle of wine, the ss cool in her grasp.


    With a swift, deliberate motion, she uncorked it, the pop echoing softly in the room. She tilted the bottle to her lips, taking a deep, defiant gulp, the wine''s rich aroma briefly filling the air.


    Her evasion was palpable, a silent fortress built around the topic at hand.


    Wang Xiao, either blind to her difort or choosing to pierce through it, pressed further, his voice a mix of casual curiosity and probing depth, "Did you also kill your husband?"


    !!

 Chapter 207: Seraphine: Lesson Learned!

    ...Did you also kill your husband?"


    !!


    "Wh¡ªCough, cough!" Seraphine sputtered, wine spilling over her lips and cascading down her front, staining her skin and clothes in a rivulet of red. Wang Xiao''s gaze remained fixed on her, his face a mask of stoic inquiry, as she struggled for air.


    "Could you not broach such topics without warning?" Seraphine gasped out, her cheeks burning with a flush from the alcohol and her sudden fit, her eyes darting away in a mix of anger and embarrassment.


    Wang Xiao simply shrugged, "I was merely curious."


    Seraphine found herself at a loss for words, her frustration growing.


    Her mind raced, unable to untangle his line of questioning. With a deep, resigned sigh, she sought sce in the wine, its bitter taste a sharp contrast to her swirling thoughts.


    "I''ll take that as a yes," Wang Xiao murmured, almost to himself, as he turned his gaze back to the dwindling daylight.


    The evening had crept in, the sun''sst embrace painting the sky in strokes of orange and purple, the world bathed in the soft glow of twilight.


    Beside him, the continuous sound of Seraphine gulping down wine, bottle after bottle, filled the air.


    Wang Xiao could only describe her actions as a dance with death.


    It seemed she had already epted her fate, each sip of wine a deliberate step towards the end she had seemingly resigned herself to.


    In an ideal world, had Josephine possessed the cunning and guile of her mother, Seraphine could have masterfully orchestrated the young woman as a pawn to sway Wang Xiao, weaving a maze of maniption that might have tipped the scales in their favor.


    Yet, witnessing the unguarded, lovesick expression painting Josephine''s face, Seraphine reluctantly abandoned such schemes.


    The realization struck her with the force of a cold wave; her daughter''s innocent heart was an unforeseen chink in their armor, not the weapon she had hoped for.


    Now, with her aspirations crumbling around her, Seraphine''s strategy shifted towards istion of her foes.


    By pairing Josephine with Wang Xiao, she aimed to simplify the battlefield, focusing her efforts on a singr, formidable adversary¡ªGuardian Asmodeous.


    Of course, the initial n to deliver Josephine into Asmodeous''s clutches, a ploy designed to secure an alliance or perhaps a powerful bargaining chip, crumbled to dust the moment Wang Xiao decimated his ranks.


    The chessboard had been upended, and Seraphine found herself scrambling for a new strategy.


    This entire endeavor was a gamble from the start. Seraphine had envisioned not just safeguarding her daughter but also securing Wang Xiao as an ally.


    Together, they would mount a defense against Asmodeous, and their nation would rise, like a phoenix, from the ashes, stronger and more glorious than ever before.


    She had dreamt of a future where theirbined might would forge a realm unrivaled in power and prosperity.


    Yet, as theyers of her strategy peeled away, revealing the fragility at its core, Seraphine confronted a harsh truth.


    The gamble, a dizzying leap into the abyss of political intrigue and familial bonds, was wed from inception. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The harsh light of realityid bare the stark improbability of victory in such a gamble, illuminating the oversight that would be her undoing.


    She had failed to anticipate that Josephine, her daughter, rather than being the linchpin of their survival, would be their most weakest point.


    "You are cold, but I find it rather... Entertaining," Wang Xiao murmured, more to himself than to anyone else. Yet, his words, deliberate and pointed, floated through the air, reaching Seraphine''s ears like a mocking serenade, a deliberate provocation.


    "Are you mocking me?" she shot back, her eyes narrowing into slits, a predator sizing up its unwitting prey.


    Wang Xiao, undeterred and ignoring her irepletely, retorted, "You''re the one making a mockery of yourself, not I."


    Seraphine was momentarily struck silent, her usual quick wit failing her. But then, a sly, cunning grin crept across her face, transforming her silence into a weapon of its own. "And how, pray tell, would you feel if the tables were turned and someone made you the butt of their joke?" she countered, her voice dripping with mock curiosity, a challenge hanging between them like a drawn sword.


    Wang Xiao didn''t miss a beat, his confidence unshaken. "They wouldn''t dare. Unless, of course, they''re as inebriated as you are now. But sobering up would quickly remind them of the greatness before them," he dered, his smile broadening into a smug, triumphant disy, as if he had already won an unseen battle between them.


    Seraphine is rendered speechless once more, her retort dying on her lips.


    "Your smile¡ªit looks like an¡ª" Seraphine''seback is cut short, her brewing frown frozen as her eyes suddenly widen in shock.


    !!!


    Ssh!!


    As Wang Xiao''s grip tightened, Seraphine''s world abruptly plunged into silence but for the muffled gurgle of water enveloping her.


    The shock of cold water against her skin was immediate, a stark, numbing contrast to the heated exchange moments before.


    Glub, glub, glub¡ªher desperate attempts to speak were nothing more than bubbles racing to the pool''s surface, her words lost in a watery abyss.


    Panic spiraled within her, a fierce thrumming in her chest, as she struggled against Wang Xiao''s iron hold.


    ''I-I can''t... breathe...'' Her mind screamed in silence, a cacophony of thoughts shing with the primal urge to survive. ''This can''t be how I...¡ª''


    Suddenly, the pressure vanished. Air! Seraphine''s head broke the surface, and she inhaled sharply, a gasping intake that was part relief, part painful reintroduction to the world of the living.


    Cough, cough¡ªher body convulsed, rejecting the water she''d swallowed.


    "Why?" she choked out, her voice a raspy whisper, as she red at Wang Xiao through water-streakedshes.


    Wang Xiao''s response was cool, detached. "Consider that a lesson," he stated, the calm in his voice a stark contrast to the storm he''d just unleashed.


    As Seraphine fought to regain herposure, her mind was a whirlwind of fury and confusion. ''A lesson? For what?'' Her thoughts were a tangled mess, her usual cunning clouded by the shock of betrayal and the physical ordeal.


    "Lesson learned," she finally said, her toneced with a bitter edge. Despite the ordeal, her spirit remained unbroken, her resolve hardening like steel. ''I will not forget this disgrace, Wang Xiao. And you will regret teaching me such a ''lesson''.''


    As thest drips of water fell from her, the pool''s surface once again calm, the undercurrents of their rtionship had irrevocably shifted.

 Chapter 208: Seraphine (1)

    ''I will not forget this disgrace, Wang Xiao. And you will regret teaching me such a ''lesson'','' Seraphine vowed silently, her resolve burning like a beacon in the night.


    As the final droplets of water cascaded from her, shimmering briefly in the air before returning to the pool, the surface of which had returned to a deceptive calm, the emotional turbulence between them had deepened, a silent storm brewing beneath the tranquility.


    "Eehehe..." An involuntaryugh abruptly bubbled up from Seraphine, the sound surprising even herself. It was augh tinged with disbelief and a hint of hysteria.


    Thoughts of retribution swirled in her mind, a tempest of vengeance and pride.


    Yet, amidst this storm, a ludicrous realization struck her¡ªhow could she even dream of exacting revenge on him, when the mere act ofying a finger on him seemed an insurmountable challenge?


    Wang Xiao''s brow creased in confusion at her suddenughter, questioning her grasp on reality. But then, as if to answer his unspoken doubts¡ª


    "Ah¡ª!?"


    In a moment that seemed to defy thews of gravity and decorum, Seraphine''s grace abandoned her.


    With cheeks flushed crimson, she decided to embrace the fate, impulsively deciding to kiss the floor, executing an unexpected dive.


    Bam!


    "Ugh!"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao, now convinced of her bewildering unpredictability, could only observe her with newfound wariness.


    Meanwhile, Seraphine, groaning in pain,y sprawled there, a mix of embarrassment and difort etched across her features.


    As Wang Xiao contemted her condition, a wry curiosity overtook him. "How does it taste?" he inquired, his voice unexpectedly robotic.


    "It tastes like a floor," Seraphine retorted with a wry grimace, her voice tinged with irony.


    Her face morphed into a grimace as she attempted to rise, her vision blurring and weaving before her eyes.


    The ground seemed to tilt and spin, a treacherous dance floor that refused to stay still.


    The question haunted her, ''Am I drunk?'' But the dizzying room suggested a different mise, one not solely induced by wine. The floor, slick and unyielding, seemed to mock her attempts at stability.


    After several fruitless efforts, a sigh of exasperation broke free, "Would you help me, please?"


    Observing the struggle of this formidable woman reduced to grumbling for assistance, a smile yed on Wang Xiao''s lips, betraying a hint of amusement. "Sure, I was only waiting for you to ask." Stepping forward, he extended a hand, his grip steady and secure suprising even her.


    Seraphine, her legs wobbly as if made of jelly, leaned heavily on him, her hand sping his neck for support. Together, they made their way to the door, an unlikely duo bridging their recent conflict with this unexpected intimacy.


    "Waiting for me to ask for help? Why?... Are you some sadist who enjoy seeing us in pain?" Seraphine murmured, her words tinged with confusion and the haze of her condition.


    "I don''t touch women without their permission," Wang Xiao replied, his voice even, as if stating an obvious principle.


    The door swung open to admit them, marking a transition from the chaotic interlude by the pool to whatever awaited them next.


    "Mmm..." Seraphine fell silent, pondering his words. Despite the turmoil of the evening, she sensed an underlying sincerity in his statement, a sliver of respect that she hadn''t anticipated.


    Yet, she braced herself for the possibility that her current assumption might soon lead to a harsh enlightenment.


    As they crossed the threshold, Wang Xiao''s expression softened, the scent of citrus and roses finally making itself known to him, a fragrance that had been teasing his senses all evening.


    It emanated from Seraphine, enveloping him in a cloud of unexpected warmth.


    ______


    As Wang Xiao guided Seraphine to the nearest room, his lips curved into a knowing smile, his amusement barely contained.


    Seraphine, for her part, oscited between difort and a stubborn attempt to regain her independence.


    Each time she tried to stand on her own, her efforts ended with Wang Xiao tightening his grip, pulling her closer into his embrace.


    ''My peach blossom luck has been rejuvenated,'' he chuckled softly, a lightness in his voice that hadn''t been there for some time.


    Since leaving Xianthera, it seemed as though his charm with the opposite sex had waned, but fate appeared to be smiling on him once again.


    With Seraphine in his arms, a woman of remarkable strength and beauty, Wang Xiao felt a surge of opportunity. Today, he mused, he might be willing to kill a kitten  if it meant reaping the benefits of this unexpected alliance.


    Whether she liked it or not, Seraphine was about to be an unwitting pawn in his game.


    ''It''s just that you''ll be falling into my den now,'' he remarked offhandedly, his smile taking on an edge as he steered the conversation towards more dangerous waters.


    "Asmodeous, do you have any idea why he''s asking for your daughters?" His question,ced with genuine curiosity, masked the deeper strategies at y.


    Seraphine''s brows furrowed, her voice a whisper, "He... might want to control us..?"


    "Control?" Wang Xiao echoed, probing further.


    "Yes, if he had hostages from every kingdom, he could maintain control over them. No matter how powerful he might be, he''s still one man and can''t oversee everything by himself," Seraphine exined, her mind racing through the implications of Asmodeous''s demands.


    Wang Xiao nodded, his expression thoughtful. He was skeptical of Asmodeous''s strategy. If indeed the demon lord thought to control the kingdoms through hostages, he was misguided. Such a move would only shelter traitors, sowing the seeds of his own downfall.


    [Xiao, could it be he is merely driven by lust and has no grand schemes?] Yin Yue couldn''t help but interject, her voice a blend of concern and skepticism.


    Wang Xiao remained silent, his expression unreadable as he mulled over this simpler, yet no less dangerous motive.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [You people in power, you always lose sight of your dominion at the sight of beauty],Yin Yue continued, her voiceced with a sharp irony that struck a chord in Wang Xiao.


    It was a reminder of the pitfalls that even the most powerful could not forsee.


    His eyes instinctively narrowed, drawn to Seraphine''s visage, her features aglow with a mix of the warmth and her own heightened emotions.


    "This one! This room should be empty," she dered, pointing to a door on their left.


    Acknowledging her direction, Wang Xiao pushed the door open to reveal a room that was surprisingly tidy. Arge bed, adorned with fresh sheets, sat centrally, suggesting the room''s readiness for guests.


    "This is Elina''s room, she doesn''t use it during the day..." Seraphine announced, a trace of mncholy threading through her voice as she sank onto the bed.


    She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders slumping under the weight of resignation and burgeoning regret.


    Her head felt unbearably heavy, and her eyes stung, the alcohol coursing through her veins amplifying with each passing moment.


    "I-I should check the washroom," she muttered, pushing herself up with a grimace. A peculiar sensation unsettled her, a difort that hinted at the evening''s toll on her body.


    As Seraphine made her unsteady way toward the washroom, her steps uncertain and faltering, Wang Xiao''s hand shot out, capturing her wrist with gentle firmness. "Let me apany you," he offered, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that brooked no argument.


    !!


    Seraphine froze, her body tensing under his touch. Her lips parted then closed, a silent struggle to articte her whirlwind of thoughts.


    "I... I..." Her words stumbled over themselves, her usual grace and elegance lost in a sea of fluster and surprise.


    "I mean, you might fall. Let me escort you to the door," Wang Xiao rified, his expression unwavering, his voice smooth and reassuring, subtly shifting the implication of his initial proposition.


    Seraphine found herself caught in a maelstrom of doubt and wariness, questioning his true motives. Yet, the genuine concern in his voice, whether feigned or sincere,pelled her to at least acknowledge his offer. With a hesitant nod, she acquiesced.


    "Good girl," Wang Xiao murmured, a smile breaking across his face as he gently hugged her shoulders, guiding her toward the washroom door. At his words, Seraphine''s mind reeled as if struck by lightning.


    Boom!


    ''Wha¡ª'' Her features twisted into an expression of sheer astonishment, utterly taken aback. The term ''girl'' had never been applied to her, not in her recollections. Never before had she been referred to so informally, so diminutively.


    Yet, as she processed his words, a realization dawned on her. Considering Wang Xiao''s ''perceived'' age and his status, his choice of words could stem from an age-old habit, a perspective where even those of considerable age seemed youthful inparison.


    This fleeting insight into Wang Xiao''s perception did little to quell the storm of emotions within Seraphine.


    Whoosh!


    The washroom door swung open, and with a swiftness born of a desperate need for solitude, Seraphine slipped inside, distancing herself from Wang Xiao''s unsettling proximity.


    Click!


    The moment the door clicked shut behind her, she was enveloped in the washroom''s sterile, impersonal calm¡ªa stark contrast to the emotional tumult she had just escaped.


    "Haaaa..." A sigh of relief escaped her lips, heavy with the burden of the evening''s events and theplexities of her interactions.


    She hurriedly untangled her bikini, a clumsy dance of necessity, until finally, she could address the pressing difort that had been gnawing at her.


    ¡ªSwoosh!

 Chapter 209: *Seraphine* (2)

    ¡ªSwoosh!


    As she relieved herself, the sound of water cascading into the bowl resonated through the small, tiled room, its steady stream a background chorus to her racing thoughts.


    _______


    Outside, Wang Xiao, his sharp hearing picking up on the stream of falling water, felt a shiver run down his spine.


    His mind went nk instinctively, while inside, Seraphine let out a relieved sigh. The fog in her mind seemed to dissipate, allowing her thoughts to form clearly.


    Click!


    Upon opening the door, she was met with the intense gaze of Wang Xiao, which caught her off guard. In a moment of embarrassment, she coughed, trying to mask her surprise. "I am fine now, you ca¡ª"


    ''Eh?


    Thud!


    Seraphine''s words caught in her throat as Wang Xiao abruptly pushed her back, covering her lips with his own. The softness of her lips against his overwhelmed Seraphine.


    "G¡ªgetuu¡ªaway!" She struggled against him desperately, but Wang Xiao''s cunning eyes met hers with determination.


    His hands darted behind her, sending a shiver of sensation down Seraphine''s back that made her eyes tremble. "Stop¡ª"


    Her words caught in her throat as Wang Xiao unexpectedly seized her tongue with his own, jolting her and robbing her of breath.


    Rustle....


    Seraphine''splexion drained of color as his hands traced a path around her body, the thin bikini offering little defense. Each touch of his fingers raised goosebumps on her skin.


    His hands roamed her abdomen, delicately tantalizing between her thighs before moving to her breasts, separated only by a fineyer of fabric. The intimate contact brought tears of shame to Seraphine''s eyes.


    Flushed with embarrassment, the haze of drunkenness returned to cloud her senses.


    "You won''t win, give up," Wang Xiao said, unable to contain himself, before finally parting their lips.


    A burst of emotion flooded Seraphine''s mind, her body igniting with heat. Summoning her courage, she whispered, "I never thought you would be also like this! Are all Guardians like you?" Her voice dripped with disdain.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curved into a sly smile, a mischievous gleam dancing in his eyes. He was right; she had indeed considered him her Guardian. His gaze lingered on her bikini, where two white rabbits were strategically hidden, nestled within the fabric as if in a secret sanctuary.


    Seraphine''s eyes quivered when she caught his intense stare, a mix of fear and panic clouding her expression. "If youy a finger on me, I''ll tell Jospehin¡ª" she started, but her voice faltered as Wang Xiao tugged at her bikini, causing the two mounds to escape and bounce inches away from his face, sending a rush of adrenaline through his veins.


    ''The perfect firmness!'' Wang Xiao couldn''t tear his eyes away from the sight before him, the milky white skin adorned with a jewel that seemed to sparkle under the sunlight. He couldn''t help but wonder how she had managed to maintain such a wless physique at her age.


    Except for Victoria''s ample bosom, which he had somehow managed to catch a glimpse of, and Bing Xueli''s well-proportioned curves, Seraphine was now on top of his mental ranking


    . His gaze burned with desire, a fire igniting within him. Yin Yue''s warning echoed in his mind - men often lose their way in the presence of beauty.


    But Wang Xiao saw these moments as necessary refreshments to stay true to his path.


    Seraphine''s eyes widened, a mix of terror and awe captivating her as Wang Xiao''s chilling words pierced through the silence.


    "Seraphine, you killed your husband. How many years has it been?" His voice sent shivers down her spine, causing her heart to race with a mixture of guilt and apprehension.


    "I didn''t kill anyone!" she screamed, her voiceced with panic.


    "Oh, you didn''t?" Wang Xiao couldn''t help but grin, his lips pressing against her neck, sending shivers down Seraphine''s spine. Her hands curled into fists as she stood there, her back pressed firmly against the rough, wooden surface of the door.


    "What do you think your daughter and son would think when I tell them you were the one who killed their father... solely to uphold your power?" His voice filled her ears once again, causing Seraphine to gulp in fear.


    Gudong...


    "Y-You won''t," she murmured with false confidence, her lips forming a trembling, fake smile.


    Wang Xiao gave a final, sinister smile. "We can both keep some secrets then," he announced, gripping her tightly.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Ah!?"


    "Ugh! Put me down!"


    Seraphine''s desperate protests went unheard as she gritted her teeth in a mixture of anger and shame, while he carried her and ruthlessly tossed her onto the bed.


    Thump!


    Thrown onto the mattress, her heart thundered in her chest. She hesitated, then parted her lips to assert her negotiation skills, "STOP, I wo¡ª"


    But Wang Xiao was not interested in negotiating. He seized her lips once more, his tongue delving into her fragrant and tantalizing mouth, the sweet yet bitter taste of wine intoxicating him as he devoured her.


    He was entranced by her scent, finding it irresistible. Wang Xiao was a simple man - if he wanted something, he took it.


    Seraphine''s eyes widened in panic as her body pressed against his. She gasped as she felt his clothes disappear, the situation only growing more intense and ufortable.


    As he pressed against her, her hands trapped between them, rested above her abdomen, when she abruptly felt something hard pressing against her slender fingers, a hot rod that made her heart chill.


    A shiver ran down her spine as she realized what it was, her heart pounding in sheer panic.


    "You!" Seraphine''s eyes widened in disbelief as Wang Xiao tantly disregarded her anger, his fingers digging into her cheeks before nting a forceful kiss on them. Seraphine was left utterly speechless, her mind racing with a mix of shock and indignation.


    ''Does he see me as a child?'' she seethed within, her fury simmering dangerously. As a woman who had weathered the trials of life and ruled as a queen, she found herself unustomed to such disrespect.


    Undeterred by her growing anger, Wang Xiao leaned in to take a long, deliberate sniff of her hair before his hands moved downward, seizing her bosom with a possessive grip. His fingers sank into the soft flesh, a sinister smile creeping across his face. "Tell me, Queen, do you desire another princess?" he taunted, the mocking tone of his voice cutting through the tense air.


    The audacity of his words caused Seraphine to stiffen in shock. "Be quiet and rape me if that''s all you want!" she snapped, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and defiance.


    "Haha..." Wang Xiao couldn''t contain hisughter as he secured her slightly erect nipple within the grip of his fingers, pinching them carefully. He watched with amusement as her expression twisted into one of pain.


    "I never said I wanted to rape you, but I think you are the one longing for it," he taunted. Luna had clearly left a bad influence on Wang Xiao, as his words echoed her boldness.


    Seraphine''s chest heaved with anger. "Bullshit!" she scoffed, her neck reddening and her body aze with defiance.


    With a knowing smile, Wang Xiao leaned in and began to suck on her nipples, his other hand aggressively toying with her other breast, grabbing and pinching in a rough manner.


    "Nghh¡ª"


    Tears welled up in Seraphine''s eyes as a foreign sensation washed over her, and she stifled her cries by covering her mouth with her hands.


    "Hah..." Struggling to breathe, her whole body tensed even more, her legs rubbing together in a mixture of pleasure and difort.


    As Wang Xiao''s hold on her tightened, Seraphine''s body arched with a mix of pleasure and pain, her mind surrendering to the raw and primal urges that coursed through her.


    Wang Xiao''s thick member throbbed, pressing insistently against her abdomen, as Seraphine''s lips quivered in anticipation.


    His hands finally dared to venture between her legs, expertly adjusting her panties as he teased her wet opening with his throbbing shaft.


    "Your body is practically begging for me," Wang Xiao couldn''t resistmenting, watching with fascination as Seraphine''s face contorted in a mixture of desire and disbelief.


    "I thought you had more self-control than this," she managed to gasp out.


    Interpreting her words as a feeble attempt to taunt him, Wang Xiao leaned in closer and captured her lips in a hungry kiss.


    !!


    Seraphine was caught off guard, her hands weakly gripping his shoulder as she felt his tip breach her entrance.


    A gasp escaped her lips, followed by a cry of disbelief.


    "Ugh...Are you even human?" Tears welled in her eyes as she struggled to contain a muffled groan, his full length plunging deep into her, engulfing him in a suffocating ecstasy.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but sigh in awe; it was an unparalleled experience,pletely foreign to him. As her walls tightly enveloped him, asking his essence inside her, a surge of excitement coursed through him. He instinctively grabbed her shoulders tightly for leverage.


    Seraphine''s eyes shook with a mixture of diforting pleasure and pain, a wave crashing over her before Wang Xiao unleashed his raw passion upon her.


    Pak! The sound of their bodies colliding filled the room.


    Pakh! Another echoing impact reverberated throughout the space.


    Pak! A third strike left a mark on both their souls.


    Though Seraphine braced herself for hisck of tenderness, the intensity of his actions left her stunned, forcing her to endure the storm of emotions that washed over her.

 Chapter 210: Secluded Amelia (1)

    Elina, weary to the bone, was on the verge of embracing the sce of her room when the unexpected sound of the door being locked from the inside froze her in her tracks.


    The muffled noises that leaked through the threshold¡ªmoans of distress and harsh whispers¡ªsent a shiver down her spine.


    "Mmnghh~"


    "Ahn~"


    "L-Leave me alone, I am tired already!"


    "Shut up!"


    "Ugh!"


    The familiarity of the voices tangled in an inexplicable scenario was unmistakable to Elina, and the realization that they emanated from within her sanctuary turned her blood cold.


    Gudong...


    Her throat moved with a silent gulp, heart hammering against her chest as a cocktail of confusion and apprehension coursed through her veins.


    "Elina! Have you seen Wang Xiao or mom!?" The sudden intrusion of Josephine''s voice,ced with a mixture of curiosity and concern, snapped Elina back to the present.


    Josephine, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil unfolding just beyond the door, was on her own quest for answers, her gaze scanning for any sign of the mysteriously vanished Wang Xiao.


    "No! Don''te here," Elina blurted out, desperation edging her voice as she instinctively turned to block Josephine''s path.


    Thest thing she wanted was for Josephine to stumble upon the chaos thaty behind the door.


    Josephine paused, a faint smile ying on her lips, "What happened, Elina? Are you hiding a man or what?... Is Wang Xiao inside?" The joke soured as the gravity of the situation dawned on her.


    Elina, caught in the eye of the storm, faced a barrage of emotions. The possibility of what Josephine suggested¡ªthough not entirely unfounded given past events¡ªstruck her as absurd, yet the seed of doubt had been nted.


    As Josephine drew nearer with each step, her voice softened, an attempt at reassuranceced with curiosity. "C''mon, tell me if he is inside, I won''t really get angry at you," she coaxed gently.


    "P-princess, stay away!" Elina''s voice cracked, her heart racing with panic. ''No, she can''t find out her mother is entangled in an affair!'' Elina''s mind screamed, the thought alone enough to send her into a frenzy of desperation.


    With her heart pounding against her ribs like a frantic drumbeat, Elina made a split-second decision.


    Biting down on her lip, she reached for Josephine, her hands trembling as she sped the princess''s wrist, pulling her away with a sudden urgency that left no room for protest.


    "Huh?" Josephine''s voice wasced with confusion and concern as she allowed herself to be led away. "Elina? Are you alright?"


    Once they were a safe distance away, Elina, with her breathing in ragged gasps, finally halted. She nced around nervously before leaning in to whisper into Josephine''s ear, her voice barely a breath.


    "You?!" The shock in Josephine''s eyes was palpable as they widened in disbelief. However, it quickly gave way to a wry smile, a mixture of amusement and resignation.


    "Make sure not to get caught, or I won''t save you!" With those parting words, filled with a blend of jest and warning, Josephine turned on her heel and disappeared down the corridor.


    Elina let out a heavy sigh of relief, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red. In her moment of panic, she had concocted a story about sneaking her boyfriend into the pce¡ªa tale far from the truth but usible enough to deflect Josephine''s suspicions.


    Despite the oddity of the excuse, considering Elina''s married status, Josephine didn''t press further. After all, it wasn''t her ce to judge others'' morals, and such urrences weren''t unheard of within the pce walls.


    Now left alone, Elina''s relief quickly morphed into a grim determination. She faced the daunting task of ensuring that no one else ventured near that part of the pce, her mind racing with strategies to keep the secret buried.


    _____


    "Amelia?"


    The name echoed softly in the air, a question mark in the dimly lit expanse of theboratory.


    In Xianthera, life had resumed its usual pace in the wake of Wang Xiao''s disappearance.


    It served as a reminder of how swiftly the world moves on, how quickly absence is woven into the fabric of the everyday, prompting a reflection on the fleeting nature of existence.


    Bing Xueli, on a mission fueled by whispers and concerns shared by Victoria, found herself stepping into the shadowy confines of Mei Leiyan''s sanctuary.


    Theboratory, a ce of innovation and discovery, now felt more like a tomb, heavy with the absence of its master.


    Mei Leiyan, once a vibrant presence within themunity, had be a ghost, her existence narrowed to the confines of her research space.


    The discrepancy in time''s flow between Xianthera and the outside world only added to the sense of disconnection. While only half a year might have passed elsewhere, Xianthera had felt the weight of two and a half years without Wang Xiao.


    It was a separation that had left its mark on themunity, but on none more so than Mei Leiyan.


    Bing Xueli had initially interpreted Mei Leiyan''s withdrawal as a coping mechanism, a scientist''s retreat into work to manage grief.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Yet, the truth, as unveiled by her conversation with Victoria, hinted atyers ofplexity and devotion far beyond what anyone had anticipated.


    The sight that greeted Bing Xueli as she ventured deeper into what now seemed less like aboratory and more like a personal shrine to solitude and dedication was startling.


    Mei Leiyan, d in the stark simplicity of a hospital gown, was found not among her beakers and vials, but on the cold floor, in a state of slumber.


    This image, a stark departure from the Mei Leiyan everyone thought they knew, left Bing Xueli frozen, a mix of concern, confusion, and curiosity churning within her.


    "Amelia?" The concern in her voice was evident as Bing Xueli cautiously approached, her fingers finding the switches that bathed theboratory in harsh, revealing light.


    !!


    The sudden illumination caused Amelia''s eyelids to flutter in protest.


    Shielding her eyes, ustomed only to the dim glow of her equipment, she squinted against the brightness that invaded her shadowed domain.


    "E... Eleanor?" she murmured, confusioncing her voice as her vision adjusted, revealing the hesitant figure of Bing Xueli standing before her.


    "What... are you doing here?" Amelia''s voice emerged hoarse, as if unused to conversation, her form slowly rising to confront the unexpected visitor.

 Chapter 211: Secluded Amelia (2)

    "What... are you doing here?" Amelia''s voice emerged hoarse, as if unused to conversation, her form slowly rising to confront the unexpected visitor.


    Bing Xueli, momentarily rooted to the spot, found her gaze drawn away from Amelia. The flick of the switch had unveiled chaos, theboratory''s secretsid bare under the unforgiving light.


    Her eyes locked onto therge test tubes on the left, their contents suspended in a sickly green liquid. "T-That''s...." she stammered, her voice trailing off as shock took hold.


    Amelia''s response, tired yet resigned, broke the silence. "No need to be surprised, it''s dead."


    The casualness of her deration sent a shiver down Bing Xueli''s spine, her mind racing as she tried to process the scene before her.


    The disarray of theboratory, once a bastion of scientific pursuit, now resembled a scene from a forgotten nightmare.


    Test tubes, papers strewn about, and the mysterious specimen floating lifelessly in its green tomb¡ªall painted a picture of obsession, desperation, and perhaps, a hint of madness.


    Bing Xueli''s shock morphed into a deep contemtion, her eyes wide as she revisited every detail of the scene.


    Amelia''s nonchnt admission had unsettled her, stirring a series of questions and concerns about the lengths to which Amelia had gone in her solitude, and what drove her to pursue such a grim project.


    Guilt washed over Bing Xueli as she began to apologize, her voiceced with remorse. "I am sorry... I didn''t mean any of i¡ª"


    "Save your words for yourself," Amelia interrupted, herughter devoid of any real humor, piercing Bing Xueli''s heart like needles. "Nothing would have changed since it was dead from the beginning. But why are you here today? Is the outside too calm, and you''vee here seeking trouble?"


    Her words, sharp and cutting, left Bing Xueli speechless, the difort in her throat intensifying with each barbedment.


    Amelia''s impatience was growing as she dismissed Bing Xueli with a roll of her eyes. "If you have nothing to say, leave. I have only one year to breathe some semnce of life into this, or it''s all for naught. Don''t disturb me."


    Bing Xueli found herself at a loss, her words failing her as Amelia turned away, burying herself back in her work, searching for the elusive solution to her problem.


    Amelia''s voice broke the tense silence once more, a hint of mockery in her tone. "What, do you think I''m trying to y god?"


    Hesitant, Bing Xueli shook her head, struggling to find the right words. "It''s not that...."


    "Then what is it? Speak clearly," Amelia pressed, her frown deepening.


    "It''s been two and a half years since he left," Bing Xueli finally managed, her voice carrying the weight of the unspoken truths between them.


    Amelia''s demeanor shifted instantly, her face clouding over as she averted her gaze, focusing on the sprawling blueprintid out before her. "Yeah, and don''t mention it. You said it yourself¡ªif he wanted to, he coulde back on his own. It''s not like I''mining. He should have been here, but we can''t hold it against him when we gave him no choice¡ª Wait!


    What did you say?" Mid-sentence, Amelia''s realization struck, her eyes widening in shock as the significance of Bing Xueli''s words finally registered.


    "It''s been more than two years already," Bing Xueli confessed, her voice heavy,den with the passage of time and the weight of untold stories.


    Amelia''s reaction was instantaneous and profound.


    She froze, her body rigid as if turned to stone, the realization hitting her like a physical blow. "M-More than two years..." she echoed, her voice a whisper of disbelief, the magnitude of time lost dawning on her in that moment.


    A heavy silence enveloped the room, filled with the weight of unspoken regrets and the ghost of time wasted.


    Finally, Amelia exhaled a heavy sigh, a sound of resignation and eptance. "I see, so I''ve spent more than a year on this with nothing to show for it. It''s time to shut it down then."


    Bing Xueli watched, a mix of surprise and concern ring within her as Amelia moved with a newfound determination.


    She began to systematically shut down theb, flicking off switches and powering down the systems that had consumed so much of her life.


    Bing Xueli felt a pang of panic, not at the loss of the project, but at the stark, unemotional eptance Amelia showed in the face of failure.


    Once the task wasplete, Amelia washed her face, as if cleansing herself of the past years'' obsession.


    "Hah! It''s time to restart the old life then. So, Eleanor, got any tasks for me?" Her attempt to return to normalcy, to reim the life she had put on hold, left Bing Xueli speechless, her guilt intensifying with each spoken word.


    Among her rtionships, if Victoria was a cherished friend, then Mei Leiyan¡ªAmelia¡ªwas as close as an adopted daughter to her.


    Witnessing Amelia''s brisk dismissal of years of work and her readiness to move forward struck a chord within Bing Xueli, her heart aching with a blend of admiration and sorrow.


    Knowing that any attempt to discuss the past would only add to the weight Amelia was already carrying, Bing Xueli found her voice, albeit with difficulty. "Can you design a new curriculum for..."


    Amelia listened attentively, her demeanor calm and unshaken by the remnants of her failed project surrounding her. She nodded, signaling her readiness to embrace the future, leaving the past where it belonged.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    In that moment, Bing Xueli realized the resilience and strength Amelia possessed, was far greater than she had anticipated.


    ______


    On the 17th of September, 2026, the tension in the air was growing, a storm brewing in the confines of a room where the normal rules of engagement no longer applied.


    Seraphine, fueled by a mix of desperation and fury, confronted Wang Xiao with a ferocity born of someone who had nothing left to lose.


    "You bastard, stop pretending to be asleep and face me!" Her voice was a call to battle, her resolve steeled by the eptance of her impending doom. In her mind, if death was inevitable, she would face it on her terms, leaving no words unsaid, no resentments buried.


    Wang Xiao, for his part,y in an unsettling peace amidst the chaos of the disheveled bed, seemingly oblivious to the storm brewing around him. Seraphine, perched above him, fixed him with a re that could have set the room aze, her resolve unwavering.


    "Who... is it?" As he groggily rubbed his face, Wang Xiao seemed genuinely perplexed by the ''creature'' causing such amotion, disrupting his sleep with her demands for acknowledgment and answers.

 Chapter 212: Asmodeous: Demon King of Lust

    Wang Xiao, "Who... Is it?"


    Seraphine''s expression twisted with both physical difort and simmering rage.


    The residual numbness in her body only fueled her fury as she confronted him, her words sharp and using. "Are you even human!?"


    Her questions poured out, each one more biting than thest. "Do you also treat Josephine like this!?" She was relentless, her voice rising, "No one can survive it; they would die of internal bleeding¡ª"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Her tirade was cut short, her breath catching in her throat. In a sh, the dynamics shifted¡ªWang Xiao''s agility and strength flipping their positions with a swiftness that left Seraphine disoriented.


    Now underneath him, her back pressed against the bed''s soft surface, she found herself staring up into his eyes, her anger momentarily eclipsed by surprise.


    "Ugh! Leave me!"


    Seraphine shouted in panic, her heart hammered against her chest, her breathsing in short, ragged gasps.


    She thrashed beneath his imposing figure, her arms stretched out wide, forming a desperate T-shape. Wang Xiao loomed over her, his eyes a piercing re that seemed to look right through her.


    "You shouldn''t disturb a man in the morning" Wang Xiao murmured, his voice a chilling blend of calm and wickedness.


    A shiver of fear coursed through Seraphine''s veins. "Ah! No¡ª" she protested, her head shaking wildly in a bid to escape his iron grasp.


    Yet, for all her frantic movements, Wang Xiao''s smirk only widened, his hold unbreakable, as if her efforts were nothing but the struggles of a captured bird against the inevitable.


    "I''ll end you for this!" she vowed through gritted teeth, her spirit unbroken even as despair threatened to swallow her whole.


    "You''d better kill me first, or I''ll never let you know peace again!"


    The next moment, Seraphine found herself being dragged across the room, her dignity stripped away with her clothes.


    She pressed her palms against the floor, trying to anchor herself, to resist being pulled into the washroom. But Wang Xiao''s strength was relentless, dragging her forward as if she weighed nothing.


    Fury ignited within Seraphine, her voice a fierce roar as she cursed him, her handsshing out at anything within reach, seeking something, anything, to strike.


    Yet, the washroom door closes with a resounding thud, sealing her fate with an ominous finality.


    4 hourter!


    The atmosphere in the room had shifted dramatically.


    "..."


    Seraphine, seated on the bed, had drawn a white quilt tightly around her, a fragile barrier between herself and the world.


    Her eyes, red-rimmed and swollen from the intensity of her emotions, betrayed her urge to breakdown.


    The soft, milky expanse of her shoulders was marred by various marks, each a silent evidence to the recent storm of physical and emotional torture.


    She trembled, not from cold, but from a storm of rage brewing within, barely contained beneath the surface.


    Beside her, Wang Xiao appeared detached from the immediate aftermath of their storm, his attention absorbed by the glow of his phone screen.


    He was engrossed in reading, not about the Guardian Asmodeous as one might expect given their situation, but rather about the Demon King Asmodeous.


    His curiosity wasn''t driven by idle interest; he sought understanding, a deeper meaning behind the name that tied their fates together.


    Asmodeous, as Wang Xiao discovered, was a figure shrouded in myth and darkness, a name that resonated through the annals of demonic lore.


    Known as the Demon King, Asmodeous was often depicted as the embodiment of lust and wrath, a being whose very essence was intertwined with the baser aspects of human nature and desire. His legend spanned cultures, each attributing to him a domain over temptation and the testing of mankind''s fidelity.


    Wang Xiao''s interest in this particr demon king wasn''t merely academic.


    The implications of a guardian named after such a figure were unsettling, hinting at aplexity and danger to their situation far beyond simple political machinations.


    The parallels between the demon''s traits and the events around them were not lost on him,


    As Wang Xiao delved deeper into the lore surrounding Asmodeous, the room seemed to shrink under the weight of ancient histories and dark myths unfurling from his phone''s screen.


    The Demon King Asmodeous, a name steeped in the annals of demonic legend, first emerged from the shadows of early Judaic texts, weaving through the fabric of various cultures, eachyer adding depth to his fearsome persona.


    His earliest mention is found in the Book of Tobit, a narrative found within the Apocrypha, texts that straddle the boundary between canonical and non-canonical within the religious traditions that hold the Bible sacred.


    In this story, Asmodeous is portrayed as an evil entity, a demon of lust who murders seven consecutive husbands of Sarah, a woman he obsessively desires, preventing the consummation of their marriages.


    It is only through the intervention of the archangel Raphael that Asmodeous is subdued and banished to the distant reaches of Egypt, where he is bound.


    This narrative sets the stage for his role across cultures as a disruptor, a being whose essence is intertwined with the baser aspects of human nature, temptation, and the trials of fidelity.


    Asmodeous''s lore expands through Imic texts and the Talmud, where his deeds and dominion over the seven hells illustrate a figure of power and punishment, a master of maniption and a whisperer of sins.


    His story is embroidered with tales of Solomon, showcasing his ability to sow discord, manipte from the shadows, and his eventual subjugation by the wise king, only toter be a counselor in the art of deception and control.


    In the apocryphal texts, Asmodeous''s influence spans the earthly and the divine, challenging the boundaries of morality and divine order. His name bes synonymous with the deadly sin of lust, embodying the eternal struggle between baser instincts and the pursuit of righteousness.


    The legends of Asmodeous are not merely tales of fear and warning; they serve as a mirror to humanity''s own nature, a reflection of the internal battles waged within the soul.


    His enduring legacy across cultures and religions underscores the universal themes of temptation, theplexity of human desires, and the eternal vignce required to navigate the moralndscape of life.


    Wang Xiao''s research into Asmodeous painted a picture of a being whose story transcended mere mythology, bing a symbol of the dualities within the human condition: love and hate, lust and purity, control and chaos.

 Chapter 213: Seraphine Decided to Surrender!

    Wang Xiao''s focus narrowed on a particrly striking title associated with Asmodeous ¡ª


    "Demon king of lust? Could it be connected...?" he mused under his breath, the words hanging in the air like a mysterious clue.


    Could it be, he pondered, that there was a literal connection, a direct line that tied the essence of Asmodeous to his own situation?


    Was it possible that Yin Yue''s assessment held merit, framing Asmodeous as merely a man overwhelmed by lust, or did the title hold a deeper, more symbolic meaning?


    The room was heavy with the weight of his thoughts, the silence punctuated only by the quiet tapping of his fingers against the screen of his phone.


    Seraphine, still wrapped in her quilt, caught the murmur of his voice, and it was as if a spark had ignited the gunpowder of her emotions.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Yes! You are the demon king of Lust! The very embodiment¡ª!!"


    Her words tumbled out in a heated rush, a blend of usation and bitter realization, however all of it faltered as Wang Xiao turned towards her, his gaze piercing and sharp, causing her to involuntarily shrink back, her voice fading into silence.


    "You never seem to learn, do you?" Wang Xiao''s voice carried a semnce of a smile, yet his words hinted at something more ominous.


    Gulp


    Seraphine swallowed nervously, a sense of fear and foreboding creeping into her mind.


    "Gwakk!"


    "Stttopjfkp"


    Suddenly, the room was filled with her anguished cries and desperate whimpers as Josephine''s head was violently pushed down between his legs, his hardened member piercing her throat. Her bloodshot eyes welled with tears as he ruthlessly forced himself deeper, eliciting a mix of pain and terror.


    "You won''t die from it, don''t worry," Wang Xiao''s twisted grin sent shivers down her spine. "If I were in your ce, you would have inflicted far worse upon me. Your husband bore witness to it in the afterlife, so don''t expect any mercy from me."


    "Ugh!"


    Seraphine spat, trying to resist, but Wang Xiao was relentless in his determination to teach her a brutal lesson.


    After what felt like an eternity, Seraphine''s jaw hung ck in disbelief, her disheveled appearance a stark reflection of the torment she endured. She red at Wang Xiao with simmering resentment, choosing silence out of fear of further retribution.


    "Don''t forget to take some contraceptives afterwards," Wang Xiao''s casual tone stabbed at her already shattered dignity as he casually mentioned, before putting his phone down and rising to his feet.


    Eyes narrowed in anticipation of the end of her suffering, Seraphine let out a brief sigh of relief. However, her hope was shattered as Wang Xiao moved behind her, parting her buttocks with a disturbing familiarity, a scorching rod pressing against her aching entrance.


    Her reddened, bruised skin bore the remnants of the punishment she endured.


    "Wait¡ª argh!" Her scream was hoarse and desperate, but her strength failed her as she copsed, whimpering faintly, before the darkness of unconsciousness consumed her.


    In that moment, she was certain that death was imminent.


    ________


    On the 18th of September, 2026, the dynamic between Wang Xiao and Seraphine had taken a turn toward an uneasy truce, marked by moments of silence that spoke louder than words.


    Wang Xiao, reclined with an air of contentment, his eyes gently closed as he savored the delicate fragrance that Seraphine carried.


    Shey atop him, a contrast to his rxed state, her eyes wide open and fixed on him, a silent observer caught in a moment of vulnerability and contemtion.


    Her inability to walk, a consequence of their encounter, had left her in thispromised position, reliant on him in a way that chafed against her pride and independence.


    "..."


    Seraphine''s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and retorts, each one teetering on the edge of her tongue.


    Yet, the memories of the previous day''s fallout loomedrge, a cautionary shadow that stifled her voice, leaving her unusually reticent.


    "Why don''t you stop clinging and leave my chest?" Wang Xiao''s voice cut through the silence, a teaseced with a yful challenge, his eyes twinkling with mirth as they opened to meet her gaze.


    The provocation, meant to elicit a reaction, only tightened the knot of frustration within Seraphine.


    "..."


    Her face betrayed her inner turmoil, a visible twitch signaling her annoyance.


    If only her legs would carry her, she would have stormed away from this infuriating man and his infuriating smugness.


    "Haha..." Wang Xiao''sughter, genuine and unguarded, echoed in the room, a sound that, under different circumstances, might have been infectious.


    Instead, it served as a reminder of her current plight, fueling her irritation further.


    Poof!


    In a moment of resignation, her features softened into a pout, and she let out a heavy sigh, the weight of her emotions pressing her face into the warmth of his bare chest.


    "Don''t let Josephine know this..." she murmured, her voice a blend of weariness and resignation.


    His response was immediate, tinged with a yful reprimand. "Oh, but I thought you mother and daughter were quite close?" Wang Xiao teased, his tone light but probing, as if dancing around the edges of a deeper inquiry.


    At this, Seraphine lifted her head, her gaze locking with his, a serious undertone cutting through the momentary levity. "I know what you''re thinking, but there are some things which shouldn''t be revealed for their own good. Whatever you are thinking of doing, it would only get destroyed if you do it."


    "¡ªA woman is the worst variable to take care of in a fight," she asserted, her voice firm. In her derationy not just a warning but a reflection of her own experiences.


    Her ns, meticulously crafted and personally significant, had crumbled, ironically, because of her daughter¡ªthe very person for whom she had risked everything.


    Wang Xiao noddded silently, his understanding of the situation was clear; he had no interest in getting entangled in unnecessary drama, especially with the ever-present threats looming over him.


    Yet, a flicker of curiosity sparked within him as he observed Seraphine''s demeanor, prompting him to gently lift her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Say, have you decided to surrender? Why else would you warn me? Tch, you are theplete opposite of your daughter in expressing yourself," he mused, his observationced with a blend of intrigue and critique.


    "..."

 Chapter 214: Grumbling Queen (1)

    "..."


    Seraphine found herself at a loss for words, her mind fighting with his inscrutable demeanor.


    Her heart skipped a beat, a mix of indignation and unexpected embarrassment surging within her.


    p!


    In a reflexive motion, she pped his hand away, her cheeks coloring with a flush of emotions. "Don''t think too much, whatever happened, forget about it. Everyone makes mistakes. I was drunk, or you wouldn''t have got me this easily," she asserted, her voice a blend of defensiveness and an attempt to salvage her dignity.


    She pushed against him, trying to lift herself and create some distance, all the while striving to maintain an air of grace despite the turmoil churning inside her.


    "Forget about it? Haha..." Wang Xiao''sughter rang out again, rich with a knowing undertone as he watched her struggle to sit up and move away from him.


    Her naked back was turned to him, as he challenged. "Do you seriously believe I can''t do anything to you if you are not drunk?"


    !!


    Seraphine''s body tensed, a visible shiver running through her as she pressed her lips together, a silent scream to her resolve and her pain.


    Wang Xiao''s smirk only deepened, his challenge hanging in the air between them,ced with a provocation that was both cruel and calcted. "If you can walk to the door by yourself and leave, let''s follow your words," he dared her, his voice smooth yet edged with a cold amusement.


    "..."


    Seraphine gaze swept across the room, taking in the two doors ¡ª one leading to the world outside and the other to the washroom.


    The mere thought of reaching either felt like a daunting task.


    !!n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    As she tentatively ced her leg on the floor, a sharp jolt of pain shot through her, causing her eyes to widen in shock and agony, as though she had indeed seen a ghost.


    The pain, originating from the area below her abdomen, was so intense it seemed to electrify her legs, rooting her to the spot.


    With a heavy heart and a body unwilling to obey hermands, she copsed back onto the edge of the bed, the fight draining out of her.


    "Inhumane..." she whispered, the word slipping out in a breath of bitterness, a quiet indictment of the situation she found herself in.


    Wang Xiao seemed unfazed by her usation.


    Rustle...


    With a fluid motion, he rose from the bed, the distance between them closing as he scooped her up in his arms, her protests ineffective against his decision. "Your body stinks," he dered, a blunt observation marking Seraphine made.


    "You!¡ª You stink!" She retorted, her words sharp with indignation yet carrying a hint of resignation. Dangling in his grasp, she was acutely aware of her own weakney and the absurdity of their bickering in the face of it.


    "Well, we both stink," Wang Xiao conceded, his agreement unexpected.


    ________


    Wang Xiao gently carried Seraphine into the shower area, surrounded by a ss wall that gleamed in the soft light.


    The entire washroom was a beautiful mix of modern design, evidence of a recent renovation of the pce.


    As they stepped inside, the sliding ss door closed behind them, enclosing them in a private sanctuary.


    A small window in the upper left corner allowed a sliver of natural light to filter in.


    He lowered Seraphine to the floor, where she slumped, her brows furrowed in difort as the water cascaded down on them like a gentle rainfall.


    "The water is cold..." she whispered, her voice barely audible above the sound of the shower.


    She shivered slightly, as the water gently traced a path down her face, mimicking the path of her tears.


    "Cold water helps with swelling," Wang Xiao murmured, his hand rubbing her back in a soothing motion. But despite his efforts, Seraphine''s breathing became ragged.


    If not for him, her body wouldn''t be swollen to begin with.


    He reached for the bottle of shower gel, sitting beside her and wrapping his arms around her from behind.


    Seraphine rxed into his embrace, letting out a sigh as she spread her legs slightly and allowed herself to unwind.


    As he began to massage her body with the shower gel, his hands moved across her skin, the touch bothforting and painful.


    Seraphine winced quietly as the tension slowly melted away.


    With a deep exhale, she released a breath she didn''t even realize she was holding.


    Hiss!


    A sharp intake of cold breath escaped her lips as his fingers ventured between her legs, delicately entering herbia and rubbing with precision.


    "Fool, use some antiseptic," she managed to speak between clenched teeth, the sting of the soap setting in.


    "Oh," Wang Xiao chuckled, "I''m not ustomed to your women''s products. Never mind." He set aside the shower gel and reached for the bottle of antiseptic.


    "Heh... The way you are, I''d think you''re quite used to this, right?¡ªAm I the hundredth woman you''ve raped? Or have you reached a century already? You guardians seem to be experts in this field... no, it must be your specialty! Shouldn''t it be¡ª" Seraphine couldn''t help but voice her thoughts, her face contorted in difort as the antiseptic made contact with the swollen area between her legs.


    Hiss!


    She winced and pleaded, "Can you ¡ª keep your fingers out?"


    Ignoring her plea, Wang Xiao found satisfaction in his actions, continuing to rub her sensitive area as Seraphine squirmed slightly.


    His fingers pressed into her vagina, causing her to shift ufortably in his embrace. She bit her lip, the water cascading over them as they sat together.


    Slurp...


    Suddenly, Seraphine turned her face upwards and eagerly opened her lips, greedily drinking the shower water cascading over them, much to Wang Xiao''s irritation. "Have you gone insane?" he asked, taken aback.


    Seraphine boldly retorted, "I am thirsty and hungry as well!" Her nonchnt attitude made it seem like she wasn''t bothered by herck of decorum.


    Completely speechless, Wang Xiao wondered if she was simply throwing a tantrum or if she truly meant what she said.


    Wiping her lips, Seraphine exined, "The water is clean and purified, just like the water we have in taps for drinking. We don''t reuse or recycle it, so it''s perfectly safe to drink." Her confidence remained unshaken despite the judgment in Wang Xiao''s eyes.


    "Do you always talk so much?" Wang Xiao''s frustration was evident in his question.


    He couldn''t help but remember how elegant she used to be.


    Had she finally shed her facade and revealed her true self?


    The atmosphere tensed as Seraphine''s face darkened. "Is that a problem?" she challenged.


    Standing up behind her, Wang Xiao sighed, "No, no problem. But you''re starting to annoy me."

 Chapter 215: Grumbling Queen (2)

    Standing up behind her, Wang Xiao sighed, "No, no problem. But you''re starting to annoy me."


    "And this ¡ª is ¡ª annoying me!" She dered, putting her hand behind her head and grabbing his hardened member, now right next to her face as she stood up behind him.


    The firmness of it, like a rod, took her by surprise; she felt the warmth in her fingers and a sense of panic washed over her.


    "Do you want to rip it off?" Wang Xiao narrowed his eyes in irritation as she held onto it tightly.


    "No, I want to bite it off," Seraphine retorted before pulling her hand back. "Fortunately for you, I have no desire to put this disgusting thing back in my mouth."


    Wang Xiao was left speechless.


    "..."


    He was surprised by her bold words, unsure she still had the strength to speak them.


    He stepped forward, making Seraphine narrow her eyes as his member loomed in front of her face.


    "What do you want?" She asked, her tone skeptical.


    "Service. Use your hands," Wang Xiao stated bluntly.


    "..." Silence enveloped Seraphine as she sighed in resignation, her hands reluctantly reaching for his member.


    With slow, gentle movements, she began to stroke him. "Your ego is quite fragile..." she murmured under her breath.


    "Take the load over your face," Wang Xiao suddenlymanded, gazing down at her with a faint smile.


    "..."


    Speechless, Seraphine deliberated whether she should feel satisfied having finally gotten under his skin, or foolish for engaging in this self-inflicted humiliation.


    Suddenly, a splurt broke the stillness.


    Ssh!


    Fifteen minutester, his member throbbed and unleashed its load directly onto her face. Reality crashed down on her, and she realized she should indeed feel foolish.


    Her eyelids clenched tightly as the warm liquid was slowly cleaned off her face by the water.


    "Get yourself cleaned up and call me back," Wang Xiao instructed as he slid open the ss door and exited, leaving Seraphine sat there alone, a mix of emotions swirling within her.


    Lost for words, Seraphine stared in silence, pondering the encounter and the conflicting emotions it had stirred within her.


    _______


    Hours had passed, transforming the room''s atmosphere into a temporary truce, yet again.


    Seraphine, now somewhatposed, sat regally atop the bed. Her hair, still damp from a recent wash, was neatly bundled into a white towel that crowned her head.


    Despite the casual setting, she exuded a restrained elegance, a te of food bnced on her outstretched legs, covered by the quilt.


    She watched in silence as Elina, her quiet presence a diforting shadow, finally closed the door behind her, leaving Seraphine to her solitude.


    Click!


    "Sigh..."


    The moment the door clicked shut, Seraphine''s gaze, previously sharp and guarded, softened as it fell upon the meal before her.


    A quiet smile yed on her lips, the formalities of cutlery abandoned as she opted to engage with her food directly, her fingers diving into the dish with an earnestness that belied her earlierposure.


    Wang Xiao, returning from washing his hands, paused at the threshold, momentarily struck silent by the candid scene before him.


    "..."


    The sight of Seraphine, so oftenposed and in control, now indulging in her meal with such unguarded enjoyment, was both unexpected and disarmingly human.


    !!


    Caught mid-bite at his sudden appearance, Seraphine choked, the unexpected interruption sending her into a coughing fit.


    "Cough! Cough!" She frantically patted her chest, trying to clear her throat, her eyes watering from the effort.


    Meeting his gaze, her hands smeared with the remnants of her meal, she resembled a child caught in crime, her earlier poise dissolving into embarrassed stammering. "I..." she managed, her voice a mix of surprise and guilt.


    Wang Xiao''s initial shock gave way to a resigned shake of his head. "Do whatever you want," he uttered, his voice carrying a mix of amusement and disappointment.


    Seraphine, "..."


    After a prolonged silence that stretched on for what seemed like an eternity, Seraphine surrendered to her hunger, her previous concern over Wang Xiao''s observation dissipating.


    She was hungry, and that hunger justified her actions in her mind.


    Without further ado, she resumed her meal, a subtle lick of her lips betraying her anticipation before she dove back into the food.


    Wang Xiao, meanwhile, seemed to upy his own world, moving about the room, his presence acknowledged by Seraphine only through her deliberate choice to ignore him.


    Distractedly, Wang Xiao pulled out his phone, its screen lighting up with a barrage of unread messages from Josephine.


    It was a reminder of the world beyond these walls, a world still in motion. His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden realization. "Hey, do you have someone who can crack secured phones?" he casually threw the question into the air, directed at Seraphine without expecting much of a response.


    ??


    Surprised by his query yet quick to recover, Seraphine paused mid-bite, herposure swiftly returning as she nodded, a trace of elegance in her acknowledgment. "There is one," she confirmed, her voice carrying a hint of intrigue.


    "There is?" Wang Xiao echoed, his interest piqued.


    He had retrieved phones from kidnappers previously and handed them over to Anran to y with, but sess had little to no chance.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The information locked within those devices was out of reach, and until now, he had been hesitant to involve Li Zhiming, wary of exposing too much to someone not within his circle of trust.


    Now, with the stakes rising and his list of enemies bing ever more defined, the prospect of unlocking those phones held new significance.


    "Norhaven, we would need to go there if you want someone able to crack anything," Seraphine casually mentioned, continuing her meal as if discussing a leisurely outing rather than a mission of digital espionage.


    "Norhaven?" Wang Xiao echoed, his mind racing back to the rescue of Anran from that very ce.


    The name triggered a cascade of memories, each intertwined with danger and intrigue.


    Seraphine, seemingly unfazed by the weight of her suggestion, borated without missing a beat. "You don''t need to overthink it. The monarchs there face the same threats from Guardian Asmodeous. Though we''ve been his direct targets thus far, the ripples of his actions have surely reached the ears of others in simr positions."


    "The Queen there," she continued, her tone casual as she spoke of royal connections and subterfuge as one might discuss the weather, "I have some contacts. As long as I deceive them regarding your protection, they''ll be inclined to assist us." Her ease in discussing the maniption of her contacts revealed a pragmatic, if ruthless, approach to alliances and survival.


    Wang Xiao found no surprise in her willingness to bend the truth to her advantage.


    It was a tactic as old as time, yet in Seraphine''s hands, it seemed both an art and a weapon.

 Chapter 216: Freya!

    "When do you want to meet them?" Seraphine inquired, her gaze questioning.


    "Let''s go on Sunday," Wang Xiao decided, setting a timeline for their venture into uncertain alliances and shadowy deals.


    Seraphine acknowledged with a soft nod, her movements graceful as she wiped her lips with a tissue. "But the queen there has a husband," she added, an offhandment that seemed loaded with unspoken implications.


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed in suspicion at this seemingly random piece of information. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked, puzzled by her intentions.


    Seraphine''s lips curled into a mysterious smile, her response a simple, "Nothing," leaving a trail of questions.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao was left in a state of speechlessness, he burned with the desire to beat her, but her cunning wits allowed her to slip away from the impending violence, using herck of words as a shield.


    Seraphine''s tone took on a bitter edge as she delved into her past, revealing a connection that caught Wang Xiao off guard. "Ericka and I attended the same university," she began, her voice tinged with a mix of resentment and nostalgia.


    Wang Xiao''s interest piqued, sensing the conversation was veering into unexpected territory.


    "She was the daughter of Henrik S?rensen, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Norhaven government. As you might imagine, the government and the monarchy in Norhaven are closely interlinked," Seraphine elucidated, painting a picture of a world where political and royal lines blurred.


    Wang Xiao, puzzled by the direction of this revtion, questioned its relevance. "How does her background matter to me?"


    "Because the person we''re going to meet is her daughter¡ªthe second princess," Seraphine revealed, connecting the dots in a way that Wang Xiao hadn''t anticipated.


    Wang Xiao''s skepticism was immediate. "I want someone reliable, not some kids."


    Seraphine''s response was swift, imbued with a conviction that brooked no argument. "Don''t underestimate them. Ericka''s entire family possesses exceptional intellect. Ericka herself is a scientist. Thest time I met her, sheined about her daughter''s disinterest in science,menting how she''s always glued to herputers.


    It was as if she was boasting about her daughter being a genius," Seraphine recounted, her irritation at the memory evident.


    "Being obsessed withputers doesn''t automatically make you a genius," Wang Xiao retorted, his own experience coloring his skepticism. He didn''t see his own tech proficiency as anything extraordinary.


    "You don''t understand. Her daughter is a prodigy!" Seraphine insisted, her emphasis on the word ''prodigy'' leaving no room for doubt. "I looked up a name she mentioned in passing, and you won''t believe what I found."


    Wang Xiao, still harboring doubts, watched as Seraphine searched for an electronic device. Impatiently, he tossed his phone towards her. She quickly navigated to a search, inputting a few keywords before handing the device back to him.


    "Check for yourself," she urged.


    As Wang Xiao scrolled through the news articles that popped up, his initial skepticism melted away, reced by a flicker of surprise.


    ___________


    21th September, 2026!


    A figure stood atop the clock tower, casting a long shadow over the bustling streets of Norhaven''s capital.


    Wang Xiao, his silhouette etched against the sky, surveyed the city below with a keen eye.


    His attention was drawn irresistibly to one building in particr, standing out among the urbanndscape: ''Sunflower International Middle School.''


    Amidst the sprawl of concrete and ss, this institution was his singr focus, his predetermined destination.


    The sun, high in the sky, bathed Wang Xiao in a brilliant light, highlighting the determined set of his jaw and the intense focus in his eyes.


    From this vantage point, he observed his target, the school that housed the individual he sought.


    On this day, his interest was piqued not by tycoons or political figures but by someone much younger, a girl still in middle school.


    His mission was clear, though fraught with moral ambiguity ¡ª he was here to abduct her.


    Down below, within the walls of Sunflower International Middle School, the day''s lessons hade to an early end.


    Freya Astrid, the daughter of Ericka S?rensen and Magnus Bj?rnson, emerged into the sunlight, her steps light with the joy of unexpected freedom.


    Freya, with her bright eyes and carefree spirit, was unaware of the danger lurking just out of sight, her thoughts upied with ns for the afternoon now that school had been dismissed early.


    Her hair, a deep shade of crimson, cascaded down her shoulders and was gathered into an elegant bun atop her head, secured with a golden essory that hinted at her noble lineage. Tendrils of her vibrant hair framed her face, highlighting her porcin skin and the rosy flush of her cheeks.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Her eyes, a clear, mesmerizing hue, were entuated with delicate makeup that enhanced their natural allure, giving her a look that was both innocent and wise beyond her years. A ck bow adorned one side of her hair, adding a touch of youthful charm to her sophisticated appearance.


    Freya''s attire spoke of her status and her family''s influence; she wore a dark, tailored jacket richly adorned with golden embroidery and decorative buttons that gleamed in the sunlight.


    The jacket''s design was both stylish andmanding, leaving a blend of royal elegance and modern fashion sensibility.


    Even in the joyful abandon of school''s early release, there was an air of refinement about Freya that set her apart from her peers.


    Unbeknownst to her, this same striking appearance made her all the more noticeable to the watchful eyes observing from the clock tower above.


    Her distinctive look, marked by the vivid red of her hair and the regal cut of her clothes, would make her an unmistakable target for Wang Xiao''s nned abduction.


    "Why did mom call me early today?" Freya''s mind churned with curiosity as she meandered through the school grounds, her footsteps buoyant yet absent-minded.


    The unexpected call from her mother had been both a surprise and a disruption, leaving her to wonder about the urgency that warranted an early departure from school.


    Her slender fingers adjusted the strap of her schoolbag, a subtle motion that spoke of her unease.


    The early release, though weed, was unusual ¡ª her mother, wrapped up in the world of science and politics, seldom made such impromptu requests.


    Back at the hotel in Norhaven, Wang Xiao had been biding his time, a strategist waiting for the right moment to act.


    Seraphine had ventured out early to the castle to liaise with Ericka, leaving Wang Xiao with a task that piqued both his interest and skepticism.


    Seraphine had entrusted him with a crucial role ¡ª to watch over Freya, who was momentarily without her usual security detail.


    While Wang Xiao was not one to take orders, the request aligned with his own objectives.


    Yet, he harbored doubts about this girl, this young ''stick'' as he dubbed her.


    Could she genuinely possess the abilities Seraphine imed she did?


    Shaking off hesitation, he made his move with the grace of a seasoned knidnapper.


    Whoosh!


    In a single, fluid motion, he leaped from the clock tower, descending like a specter into the quiet anonymity of a shadowed alley.


    _____

 Chapter 217: Trading Skill?

    Whoosh!


    In a single, fluid motion, Wang Xiao leaped from the clock tower, descending like a specter into the quiet anonymity of a shadowed alley.


    _____


    As Freya strolled the familiar path leading from the school''s gates, her thoughts fluttered like the leaves around her. "Why such urgency, Mom?" she whispered to herself, a frown creasing her forehead.


    The lightness of her early release was shadowed by the strangeness of the request.


    "Could it be another one of her experiments, or...?" Her voice trailed off, her mind swirling with possibilities.


    Absorbed in her thoughts, she didn''t notice the figure emerging from the alleyway.


    Crash!


    Her steps halted abruptly as she collided with the unexpected obstacle ¡ª Wang Xiao, who seemed to have materialized from thin air.


    !!


    "Oh! I''m so sorry, I didn''t see¡ª" she began, her apology cut short as he grasped her hands.


    "Huh?"


    "What are you doing? Didn''t I apologize already?" Freya''s eyes narrowed at Wang Xiao, sharp and using.


    "Just because you look good, doesn''t mean you can go around molesting girls, okay Uncle!" A mischievous smile yed on Freya''s lips.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes twitched as Freya nced around and screamed, "Hey, someone help me, there is a child molesto¡ªuuu!"


    Before her words could even finish, Wang Xiao quickly covered her mouth, silencing her with a fierce re. Freya''s eyes widened in shock as she defiantly sunk her teeth into his hand.


    ''This insolent child!'' Wang Xiao thought, ring at her before forcefully dragging her along with him.


    "You¡ªleave me!" Freya struggled, her voice echoing through the crowded street and leaving passersby stunned as they witnessed the disturbing sight of her being forcibly taken into a dark alley.


    Some onlookers finally sprang into action, reaching for their phones to call the police.


    But as they realized the seriousness of the situation, the alley was eerily empty, shadows concealing any trace of the two figures that had disappeared into its depths.


    ________


    Back in the hotel, the charged atmosphere of room crackled with tension, a stark contrast to the lively streets of Norhaven from which they had just departed.


    Freya, her back against the chair, eyed the man who had brought her here with a mix of defiance and apprehension.


    "Who the hell are you!?" she demanded, her voice a mixture of fear and bravery.


    "Uncle Molestor, you should know about the identity of the person before choosing your target!" Her words were loud, a feigned confidence masking her inner nervousness as she struggled against her restraints.


    Wang Xiao responded not with words but with action.


    Bang!


    His hand came down hard on the table, a deliberate show of force meant to intimidate.


    "One more word out of your mouth, and I would rip you apart," he threatened, his eyes drilling into hers with an intensity that brooked no argument.


    !!


    Freya''s initial reaction was to flinch, the sound of the bang reverberating in her chest.


    "Humph.."  She swallowed hard, the bravery slipping momentarily but quickly recovered, her pout an expression of both fear and a stubborn refusal to show weakness.


    She turned her head away, a silent act of rebellion.


    Without another word, Wang Xiao threw two pieces of a phone onto the table before her. "Can you crack these phones?" he asked.


    The request seemed to jolt Freya, though she fought to keep herposure.


    "Uncle, what are you talking about? How could I, a mere child with such tiny hands, know anything about that?" she retorted, her toneced with a mix of sarcasm and feigned innocence.


    "Why don''t you find someone capable? I think you''re mistaken. How about you let me call my mother, and I''ll ask her to send a seasoned hacker like in the movies!" Her eyes pleaded with him, a facade of earnestness painting her features.


    The flicker of innocence in Freya''s wide eyes seemed to momentarily sway Wang Xiao.


    "Let''s do that," he agreed, moving to release her from the restraints that bound her to the chair.


    !?


    The sudden shift in his approach caught Freyapletely off guard.


    "Huh? Really?" She was incredulous, rubbing her wrists to restore cirction as she cautiously rose to her feet, her expression a blend of surprise and cautious relief.


    But the respite was short-lived as Wang Xiao''s voice came back with a chilling proposition, "Since you are of no use to me now, I can only utilize your body aspensation." The smile that apanied his words was pleasant, but the threat behind them was clear as day. "After all, someone called me ''Child Molestor'' a moment ago."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Freya''s heart skipped a beat. She froze, her nervous gaze flickering back to Wang Xiao. "Uh..."


    "Are you doing it or not? I don''t have time to y with you," Wang Xiao pressed, his impatience evident.


    With a heavy sigh that spoke volumes of her capittion, Freya admitted her defeat. "I will, but I need aptop and some USB cables."


    Whooosh!


    Almost as if by magic, Wang Xiao extended his hand, summoning aptop and USB cables that soared across the room from elsewhere in the suite,nding securely in his grasp.


    ??


    The disy of Wang Xiao''s hidden capabilities left Freya speechless once more, her mouth agape in astonishment.


    "That''s... Cool..." Freya whispered, a genuine sense of wonder in her voice as she watched the objects move at hismand.


    Her curiosity piqued, she couldn''t help but ask, "Can we trade skills?"


    Wang Xiao observed her reaction carefully. Herck of surprise hinted that this loli was no stranger to the unusual, perhaps even the extraordinary.


    For the moment, though, he chose not to dwell on her request.


    Instead, he handed her theptop and USB cables, setting a stern, if not impossible, condition. "Start your work. I would strip you naked if you aren''t done within 5 minutes."


    "What!?" The demand was absurd, unreasonable, and Freya felt the urge to protest.


    How could she possibly assess the security measures of the devices in such a short time frame?


    Yet, inwardly, she smirked at the challenge. ''Heh, five minutes are more than enough to let everyone know about you!'' Her confidence surged, bolstered by her secret contingency n.


    Settling back into the chair, she flipped open theptop with practiced ease.


    Reaching for the locket around her neck, she detached the gem, revealing the hidden USB drive within.


    She inserted it into theptop and began her work.


    Her fingers danced across the keyboard with a speed and precision that betrayed her fragile age.


    The screen shed with lines of code and various windows as she navigated through the system with a deft hand.


    A triumphant smile spread across her face, signaling her progress.

 Chapter 218: Ericka!

    Few minutes Later...


    "Is it done?" Wang Xiao inqured, upon the notice Freya''s rxed posture.


    "Done!" Freya announced, hitting the enter key with a beaming smile.


    Beep!


    The sudden, sharp sound abruptly echoed, catching Wang Xiao off-guard.


    His phone, a silentpanion till now, buzzed with an urgency that was both unexpected and rming.


    Curiosity piqued, he snatched it up, his eyes narrowing as they darted across the screen.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    A message blinked back at him, a digital cry for help that included their precise location, a candid snapshot, and a frantic plea: [Help me someone! Some child molestor disguising as a magician has trapped me!]


    "You?" Disbelief tinged his voice as he swiveled towards Freya, whose smile was a concoction of triumph and mischief.


    "Broadcasted to the entire nation, no less. My saviors should be en route as we speak," she dered, her grin stretching wider.


    The room hummed with the soft flicker of screens, as if mimicking her satisfaction.


    _____


    Meanwhile, nestled in the shadowy depths of the Antic, Sakura found herself roused from a serene slumber by a barrage of insistent alerts.


    Blinking away the remnants of sleep, she was greeted by the image of Wang Xiao, a figure loomed ominously behind a bound girl, apanied by the same message that had invaded the tranquility of Norhaven''s inhabitants.


    "How peculiar... Who is this adept soul?" Sakura mused aloud, a hint of admirationcing her words as she stifled a yawn andzily began to navigate through her ownbyrinth ofmands and scripts.


    Her mission was crystal clear¡ªprotect the anonymity at all costs.


    With the efficiency of a shadow erasing its own silhouette, she obliterated every trace of the message, leaving no stone unturned.


    As the digital footprints vanished into the ether, Sakura surrendered once more to the embrace of sleep, the ocean''s depths reiming its tranquil dominion.


    _______


    "Huh?"


    Freya, previously exuding a smug smile, was suddenly taken aback as theptop screen behind her froze.


    "What? Did it crash?" She turned around, puzzled, and Wang Xiao couldn''t help but share in her bewilderment.


    Pop!


    Out of nowhere, a ''Gekko'' figure appeared on her screen, giving her a mini heart attack.


    Boom!


    Freya mmed her fist onto the keyboard. "This bitch!"


    While she seethed in frustration, Wang Xiao''s eyes blinked, reassessing the threat level of this girl. "You really didn''t take my warning seriously, did you?" he said.


    "What do you mean...?" Freya, still preupied with the ''Gekko'', didn''t give much thought to his words until a few momentster¡ª


    "Ah!?"


    "What are you doing, you beast!"


    "Put me down!"


    With a swift motion, Wang Xiao lifted Freya upside down and stripped away her clothes, shocking even Freya herself.


    !!


    As Freya dangled helplessly, her mind raced with confusion and panic. "What the hell are you doing?!" she demanded, her voice tinged with a mixture of fear and anger, as she hugged her body with her hands.


    Wang Xiao''s expression remained impassive as he gazed at her. "I warned you, now if you still have time to scream, might as well put that energy to use in proper ces," he replied, his tone grave.


    As for the message being recalled, well as long as his name in under the list of ghosts, thest thing he should be worried about was his identity getting exposed.


    As Wang Xiao continued to hold her suspended in the air, Freya''s anger grew. "Let me go, you creep!" she shouted, her face flushing with humiliation.


    "This time, you have fifteen minutes, but one more slip-up and you''ll find yourself flying out that window," Wang Xiao dered, a calm smile ying on his lips, instantly soothing the wiggling Freya.


    With deliberate care, Wang Xiao slowly lowered her back into the chair, and this time, the loliplied without a single grumble.


    Ten minutester.


    "Finished," Freya dered, presenting the unlocked devices to Wang Xiao with a mix of pride and relief.


    Taking them, Wang Xiao dove into the sea of information, his fingers swiping with a fervor. Yet, the deeper he delved, the thicker the fog of confusion grew around him.


    "Why does it all lead back to Gabriel?" he pondered, his brow furrowing in perplexity.


    The phones he had intercepted were a direct line to Gabriel, a revtion that twisted the narrative in unexpected ways.


    Gabriel, it seemed, was the puppeteer who had fooled the monks.


    More shockingly, he was intertwined with Anran''s life in ways Wang Xiao hadn''t anticipated, aware not only of her pregnancy but also of his paternity.


    But the puzzle remained - if Gabriel had previously pursued Anran, why shift his focus to him now?


    ________


    As Wang Xiao was maneuvering his situation with Freya to his benefit, her mother, Ericka, found herself locked in a heated exchange with Seraphine.


    The scene yed out in the hidden depths of Ericka''s personalboratory, a space secluded beneath the pce''s grandeur, where the quest for knowledge was sanctified amidst beakers and burners.


    Seraphine paced theb, her frustration echoing through the quick tap of her heels against the cool, tiled floor.


    In contrast, Ericka, a striking figure in her pristineb coat, moved through theb with an air of serene focus. Her rich auburn hair, a vibrant cascade of curls, tumbled past her shoulders, defying the sterility of theb with its fiery hue. Red-rimmed sses perched on her nose, framing eyes that were a clear, prating blue¡ªa stark contrast to the warmth of her tresses.


    "Ericka! Are you even listening to me?" Seraphine''s voice, strained and cracking with emotion, struck against the hum of equipment and the clinking of ss.


    "Yes, go on," Ericka replied, her gaze fixed intently on the swirling contents of the test tube she expertly manipted, her tone even but distant.


    "..."


    Met with Ericka''s brief acknowledgment, Seraphine fell momentarily silent, her grievances hanging in the air between them.


    Ericka''s mouth tipped into a sly smile, her demeanorposed. "I understand what you''re seeking, Sera, but that girl has long since slipped from my sphere of influence. If there''s someone you need to confront, it''s Freya herself, not me."


    Seraphine exhaled a weary sigh, the weight of her concerns pressing down. "How do I even begin to exin this to her?"


    "There''s no need for grand narratives. Magnus and I have alreadyid bare the truth to her, as well as to her sister, who''s currently abroad in country M for her university studies. These girls have grown; they''re more than capable of navigating their own storms," Ericka responded, her voice a mix of dismissal and assurance.

 Chapter 219: Project Genesis!

    ??


    Seraphine''s brow furrowed, a blend of confusion and disbelief etching her features. "Are you for real?" she questioned, her voiceced with skepticism.


    Ericka offered a resolute nod, the soft light of theboratory casting her auburn locks in a radiant halo. "I am dead serious. And I''ll be leaving at the end of this year for Antia. I''ve officially been nominated to work for Project Genesis. If sessful, it''ll change the entire world!"


    Seraphine''s mind raced with questions. "Antia? You mean you''re actually going there? Why didn''t you tell me this sooner? And what abouting back? Can you even return once you leave?"


    With a gesture that was both elegant and final, Ericka confirmed her path. "Indeed, I am bound for Antia. My expertise in microbiology is crucial in the sess for this project. As for my return, the future is as yet unwritten. But know this¡ªI''ll be leading Project Genesis, directly supervised by Dr.


    Mercer," Setting aside her scientific implements, Ericka leaned back against ab desk, the announcement of her ns resounding in the quiet like a decree.


    "And what of this Project Genesis? Why the suddenmitment when you''ve previously declined their Project Icarus?" Seraphine''s suspicion was palpable, her gaze probing.


    Ericka was known for her independence, her reluctance to align with external agendas.


    What shift had urred within her to alter her course?


    This wasn''t the first time Prometheus had extended an offer to her, but she had rejected it previously.


    Ericka''s lips curled into a faint smile as she spoke, "This time, it''s different."


    Seraphine leaned in, intrigued. "And how''s that?"


    Ericka''s eyes gleamed with determination. "This time ¡ª I would be leading. And it''s not just another one of their attempts to control the world; they''re actually crafting something that could reshape the very fabric of reality we know."


    Seraphina''s eyebrows shot up in disbelief; she struggled toprehend it all.


    Undeterred, Ericka pressed on, her voice tinged with excitement. "I know you won''t believe me, but what if I told you we''ve already achieved immortality?"


    Seraphine''s eyes narrowed, her skepticism evident. But before she could respond, Ericka continued eagerly. "Yes, you heard it right. Dr. Mercer and her teams have unearthed a substance that can extend human lifespan, though it''s in limited supply!"


    Ericka''s words hung in the air, charged with possibility. "This project aims to replicate it, and as long as we seed..."


    Seraphine interjected, her tone dubious. "Huh... Nothing would happen. It''s probably just one of their cheap tricks to grab attention."


    Ericka met Seraphine''s skepticism with unwavering resolve. "You can choose to believe or not, but I''m diving in headfirst."


    Seraphine''s voice crackled with frustration, "So you''re just going to ignore me?"


    Ericka heaved a weary sigh, her words heavy with reluctance, "Sera, it''s not that I don''t want to protect them too, but I''ve tried, and they''re just... stubborn. Insistent on keeping it to themselves. If that''s the case, maybe you should address her directly. If she still has any sense, she''ll understand. Or how about bringing Magnus into the conversation?


    The girls seem to listen to him more."


    "..."


    Seraphine fell into a tense silence, her expression unreadable.


    Then, with a sharp inhale, she raised a suspicious brow and fixed her gaze on Ericka. "Are you abandoning them?"


    !!


    Ericka stammered, caught off guard by the usation, unable to meet Seraphine''s eyes. "W-What are you talking about?"


    Seraphine''s eyes flickered with certainty. "I knew it!" she dered, her voiceced with conviction. She had sensed something was off all along, and now, seeing Ericka''s evasion, her suspicions were confirmed.


    This woman was nning to abandon everyone and flee!


    "Ahem... Guys... I found this outside the door." Amidst Seraphine''s usations, another figure descended the stairs, taken aback by the tense atmosphere. He cleared his throat, presenting them with a sealed red envelope. "Did any of you drop this?" he inquired, casting a nce towards them.


    He was Magnus Bj?rson, a contradiction to his name; slender in stature, d in a gray coat, his hair a blend of blonde and white, impably styled in a professional cut.


    With the monarchy and government closely intertwined in Norhaven, Magnus, the king of Norhaven, often participated in discussions concerning the nation''s futurews as part of an advisory council.


    Ericka swiftly regained herposure, offering a warm smile. "Please, put it on the desk," she gestured towards the cluttered desk, strewn with various vials of liquids.


    "Of course," Magnus murmured, cing the envelope silently on the desk. His gaze lingered on Seraphine, who shot him a re before hurriedly retreating.


    "I never liked this guy," Seraphine muttered as Magnus exited.


    Ericka countered, "Who do you even like? You don''t like anyone, and to this day, you haven''t provided a genuine reason for hating Magnus."


    Seraphine crossed her arms defiantly. "I don''t need a reason to hate anyone."


    "Whatever, Miss Arrogant Queen. If there''s anything else I can help you with, please let me know before the end of this year. And if you want to talk to Freya, she should be back soon." Ericka sighed and moved to the table to retrieve the letter. Her brows shot up in surprise as she noticed it wasn''t addressed to anyone specific, and the packaging looked remarkably extraordinary and unique.


    Seraphine observed Ericka intently, her eyes narrowed, a silent smirk ying at her lips as she contemted teaching Ericka a lesson.


    In her mind, any man was better than Marcus ¡ª even the beggars on the street ¡ª and she was determined to prove it.


    As Ericka pulled out the letter from the envelope, her eyes narrowed further. It contained a in sheet of paper, of very premium quality, but its color theme was strikingly unique.


    Completely red, with mes ring up.


    "Hey, Sera, do you know someone called the 8th Prince?" Ericka questioned, her curiosity piqued.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "What?" Seraphine blurted out involuntarily.


    Ericka gestured toward the letter. "I don''t know, but it''s addressed to someone named 8th Prince. Do you know anyone with that name?"


    Seraphine shrugged dismissively. "The letter must be some kind of prank or delivered to the wrong address," she scoffed.


    Ericka nodded, setting it aside with a puzzled expression.


    She couldn''t fathom any queen having more than five sons, let alone naming one "8th Prince."

 Chapter 220: Devils Invitation (1)

    Tap..


    Tap...


    "Oh, Freya! You''re back?" Ericka''s voice cracked through the silence as she finally noticed another presence entering the room.


    Her eyes, previously glued to the microscope, now lifted in curiosity. The moment her gazended on Freya, her eyebrows furrowed in concern. "What on earth happened to your face? Why do you look so¡ª?"


    "I am beyond pissed off!" Freya interjected, her words sharp as knives, echoing through the tense air in the room.


    With a huff of frustration, she flung her backpack across the room; itnded on the couch with a thud.


    Momentster, she copsed beside it, embodying defeat.


    ''Bad! Bad! Bad!'' The words escaped her lips in a vehement whisper, each syble a hammer strike against the soft fabric of the couch.


    She twisted and turned, her fists pounding rhythmically as if trying to beat her disappointment into submission. Never before in her life had she tasted the bitterness of defeat, but today was different.


    Today, Wang Xiao had coerced her into a corner, making her do something utterly against her will.


    And now, fear mingled with her frustration.


    Was she actually terrified?


    From a corner of the room, Ericka could only watch, her heart aching for her friend. "What in the world happened to her?" she murmured under her breath, her curiosity piqued.


    Seraphine, who had been silent until now, felt a bitter smile run down her face.


    Her heart skipped a beat, realization bubbling up.


    Could this be linked to Wang Xiao?


    As if summoned by their conversation, a series of calm, collected footsteps resonated from the staircase.


    Tap.... Tap...


    The sound, methodical and steady, seemed to herald the arrival of someone significant. A shadowy figure descended, each step measured, exuding an air of tranquility that contrasted sharply with the chaos of the room.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Ericka, that''s Wang Xiao," Seraphina murmured, her voice tinged with a mix of awe and caution. She gestured towards the figure, now visible in the doorway, causing Ericka to turn and face the neer. Her initial surprise at seeing Wang Xiao was reced by curiosity. ''Why does he look so¡ª?''


    Her thoughts momentarily wandered to the incongruity of his appearance¡ªa fusion of ancient and modern, as if he had stepped out of time itself.


    ''Is he preparing for a movie role?'' she wondered, momentarily distracted by the incongruity.


    But as quickly as the thought appeared, it vanished. Shaking her head slightly, Ericka cleared the fog of confusion.


    The realization of who stood before them brought a wave of excitement, tinged with a hint of apprehension.


    "Wang Xiao... I''ve heard so much about you¡ª from Sera," Ericka said, her voiceced with an enthusiasm.


    She walked forward and extended her hand in greeting, her demeanor shifting to one of cordial professionalism mixed with a keen interest in the enigmatic figure before her.


    "Oh, sorry, I am Ericka!" Her introduction was warm, yet carried the weight of her status as both a mother and a renowned scientist.


    Her eyes, bright and inquisitive, darted over Wang Xiao, seeking to decipher the puzzle he presented, a blend of ancient mystique and contemporary fashion that seemed oddly fitting within the walls of herboratory.


    Wang Xiao, for his part, responded with a subtle nod, his demeanor exuding calm confidence. "I''ve heard much about you, Dr. Ericka. Your reputation in the scientificmunity precedes you."


    "Really? You have?" Ericka''s surprise was evident in her tone.


    "Disgusting!" Freya sat up abruptly, her eyes narrowing with contempt as she red at both of them. She couldn''t stand her mother''s deferential tone towards Wang Xiao.


    Wang Xiao, noticing Freya''s change in demeanor, found himself momentarily unsettled by Ericka''s reaction and Freya''s evident displeasure.


    He shook his head slightly, aiming to clear the misunderstanding. "No, I think I have never heard about you," he stated, attempting to maintain a diplomatic tone.


    ??


    Ericka, still grasping his hand, paused, her expression frozen in a mix of bewilderment and realization.


    "Heh?"


    The sound escaped her lips before she couldpose herself, her mind racing to process the abrupt shift in the conversation.


    Wang Xiao cast a quick, questioning nce at Seraphine, silently inquiring if all human interactions in this household were as perplexing as this.


    Seraphine, though aware of the tension, could only offer a nomittal shrug, providing no clear answers but suggesting a longstanding familiarity with such odd dynamics.


    Turning back to Ericka, who now looked abination of shocked and slightly embarrassed, Wang Xiao sought to soften the impact of his words. "Although I haven''t heard about you... You are still pretty well known..." He ventured, hoping to navigate the social faux pas with some semnce of grace.


    "Oh..." Ericka''s response was a deted sigh, her initial enthusiasm giving way to a mild disappointment.


    "You don''t need to be disappointed, Ericka," Wang Xiao interjected, his voice carrying a hint of empathy. "In fact, your presence is likely well-known within yourmunity."


    Ericka''s face fell even further, as if Wang Xiao had uttered some forbidden truth.


    A mixture of disappointment and embarrassment washing over her.


    Was her reputation not as illustrious as she had thought?


    Behind her, Seraphine couldn''t help but smirk, unsure if Wang Xiao''s words were deliberate or idental, but enjoying the moment nheless.


    Ericka had been eagerly anticipating the meeting with the living Guardian, hoping it would be a moment of profound enlightenment.


    Instead, she felt a heavy sense of disillusionment weigh upon her ¡ª a wave of depression crashing over her.


    Having already concluded his work with Freya, Wang Xiao''s attention wandered, his gaze scanning the room until it settled on a particrly intriguing piece of paper resting on the desk.


    Intrigued, he strode over and plucked it up, his fingers tingling with anticipation as he unfolded the document


    "Hm? What..." As his eyes scanned the text, his mind abruptly ignited with sudden realization.


    "Where did you find this?" His tone was sharp as he spun around, his gaze piercing as he demanded an answer.


    ??


    Seraphine and Ericka both jolted, startled by the sudden intrusion of his voice. It took a moment for Ericka topose herself before she exined, "Ah, that strange letter... It was Magnus who left it there, though it seems to be the result of someone''s idea of a joke. It doesn''t even have an address; Magnus stumbled upon it lying abandoned outside."

 Chapter 221: Devils Invitation (2)

    "Who in the world is Magnus?" Wang Xiao couldn''t contain his bewilderment, his voice tinged with frustration.


    Confusion flickered across Seraphine''s face before she stepped closer, her eyes clouded with concern. "What''s the matter? Is there something wrong with that letter?" she inquired, her toneced with curiosity and skepticism.


    Wang Xiao responded, his voice heavy with suspicion, "Everything about it is wrong. But before we delve into that, answer me first¡ªwho in the heavens is Magnus?"


    From behind them, Freya''s voice cut through the air, sharp and unexpected.


    "He''s my dad!" she dered, her announcement hanging abruptly in the tense atmosphere.


    "Your dad?" Wang Xiao spun around, his gaze intensifying as he fixed it on Freya, "What exactly is his full name?"


    "His full name is Magnus Bj?rnson, but Wang Xiao, what''s going on?" Seraphine''s voice quivered slightly, sensing a burgeoning storm of misunderstanding that threatened to escte into a catastrophic sh.


    She hurried to intercept the looming crisis, "Magnus is innocent regarding the letter; he merely found it abandoned outside."


    Despite her  aversion to Magnus, Seraphine knew that any misstep could lead to a bloodbath, judging by Wang Xiao''s thunderous expression.


    If their suspicions were misced, they all could find themselves trapped in an sea of blood, possibly leading to an untimely visit to the graveyard.


    Wang Xiao, after a moment of intense inner turmoil, visiblyposed himself. He snatched up the letter with a resolved grip and strode out, his footsteps echoing ominously as he ascended the stairs from whence he came.


    Whoosh!


    Without uttering a single word, the instant he emerged from the basement''s gloom, Wang Xiaounched himself into the sky with an explosive force, indifferent to the eyes that might witness his supernatural departure.


    _____


    Hovering in the realm where heaven meets earth, Wang Xiao found himself adrift in a sea of clouds, their ethereal forms swirling around him like mischievous spirits.


    The air caressed his ears with faint whispers, a symphony of silence and secrets that the vast expanse of sky held. He twirled gracefully, his movements fluid and deliberate, as he scoured the horizon, his eyes sharp and unyielding.


    The boundless sky seemed to stretch into infinity, a canvas of blues and whites that blurred the lines between reality and the celestial.


    "Did you spot anyone?" His voice cut through the tranquility, a beacon in the serene vastness, directed at Yin Yue.


    His gaze was relentless, a hunter''s stare that missed no detail, no matter how minute, as he searched for any disturbance, any shadow that dared to mar the perfect canvas of the skies.


    [Nothing out of the ordinary], Yin Yue reported back, offering a momentary sce in the quiet before the storm.


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    He stood in silent contemtion, the weight of realization pressing down on him with an ufortable rity.


    Despite his expectation of being under surveince, the precision with which he was being tracked irked him deeply.


    The letter in his hand, crisp and foreboding, bore his name¡ªor rather, his title as the 8th Prince¡ªa detail that proved the meticulous nning behind this unexpected invitation.


    The sender was none other than Gabriel Nightshade, a name that puzzled Wang Xiao''s thoughts in knots of confusion and intrigue.


    Nightshade''s proposal was daring, extending an invitation to Wang Xiao to join a ndestine assembly known as Hell''s ves, a society that pledged allegiance to the shadows and proposing that Wang Xiao be a herald for the Devil himself.


    Such words, whether a deliberate provocation or an earnest invitation, left Wang Xiao ensnared in a web of spection.


    The intentions behind Gabriel Nightshade''s overture were shrouded in mystery, a puzzle that resisted straightforward interpretation


    [Hey, it could be simply that he was only interested in Anran, until you showed up, and he found you more intriguing than her, prompting him to want you to join him?] Yin Yue offered, her voice a mixture of spection and reason.


    It was a theory Wang Xiao had already turned over in his mind, a possible exnation for Nightshade''s sudden and unsettling interest in him.


    This suggestion, while usible, did little to ease the chaos within Wang Xiao.


    The idea that his mere presence could pivot Nightshade''s attentions so drastically, from Anran to himself, suggested a depth of calction and foresight that was disconcerting.


    "That''s possible, but then why this name? We already know there''s a very powerful hell spirit aligned with Gabriel, and if they can spot us, it''s likely they could recognize us as their kin as well... Why does it seem like this faction is specifically tailored for hell spirits?" Wang Xiao muttered, his voice low and tinged with unease.


    [You are right!] Yin Yue''s response came with a note of sudden realization.


    Her acknowledgment added weight to Wang Xiao''s suspicion, confirming the unsettling pattern emerging before them.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao''s mind raced as he pieced together the implications. "This is not good. These hell spirits seem intent on creating their own world order... It appears someone is actively working to unite them," he mused, his wordsced with concern.


    The notion that there was a concerted effort to bring together beings of such supernatural potential was rming, hinting at ambitions that threatened to destabilize the delicate bnce between realms.


    The letter''s wording, upon reflection, seemed less an invitation and more a rion call¡ªa summoning to unite under a banner that Wang Xiao found both foreign and ominous.


    The message, veiled in the guise of camaraderie, hinted at arger, more insidious agenda.


    [Hehe... These people are mistaking you for a hell spirit, but are you? I mean, you could be considered one in their eyes, due to me... But not really...] Yin Yue''s amusement at the situation was palpable, even as she acknowledged the peculiar position Wang Xiao found himself in within this world.


    Wang Xiao felt an acute sense of discement, adrift between identities and worlds.


    He was neither fully human nor a hell spirit, upying a liminal space that left him isted from both.


    This sentiment echoed Bing Xueli''s earlier words, casting Wang Xiao as a figure who belonged neither to the world beyond nor to the realm within Xianthera ¡ª a Deviant in its truest sense!


    Even Luna''s ims started to echo simultaneously with his; he was more of a deviant than anyone else!

 Chapter 222: Herald of Devil?

    "It''s most likely that Gabriel is also a hell spirit..." Wang Xiao''s realization dawned with a mixture of apprehension and understanding, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to coalesce into a clearer picture.


    [We can take that as a possibility, at least now we are certain that there are only two individuals, Gabriel and Asmodeus, that we need to concern ourselves with. And this Gabriel, he seems to have refrained from attacking Anran because he noticed your presence near her.


    [Then, he wanted to test you, and after witnessing your powers, he wished for you to join them?] Yin Yue''s voice, both analytical and supportive, helped distill the situation, summarizing the events and intentions with precision.


    Wang Xiao nodded, an acknowledgment of the uracy and possibility of Yin Yue''s summary. "That''s urate, and possible..."


    !!


    His thoughts were abruptly interrupted as a sudden realization struck him, his eyes snapping open with intense rity.


    He recalled his conversation with Li Zhiming, connecting dots in a rapidly, "Yue, if we assume they are indeed a collective of hell spirits, and someone is orchestrating their unification¡ªtargeting only the stronger ones who retain their sanity¡ªwhat could be the purpose? And how might this rte to the so-called tunnel to hell or heaven?"


    This invitation, selective and targeted, wasn''t dispatched to every hell spirit indiscriminately. It was a call to those of significant strength, those capable of blending seamlessly with humanity while retaining their formidable essence.


    The criteria for this selection highlighted a strategic and discerning approach, an attempt to gather an assembly under a single banner for reasons yet unknown.


    [I can only think of one thing... And if it''s true... It would rify why Gabriel wants Li Zhiming out of the picture and full control over Zero...] Yin Yue''s voice trailed into Wang Xiao''s consciousness.


    Wang Xiao remained silent, a sense of foreboding wrapping around him like a shroud.


    He had no illusions about the gravity of Yin Yue''s insinuation; the pieces were aligning with his own thoughts.


    [They are going to march, sooner orter, towards the portal...] Yin Yue''s voice echoed again, her thoughts mirroring Wang Xiao''s own expectations.


    The notion of a march, a collective movement toward an objective of unimaginable consequence!


    "Do they want to return?" Wang Xiao couldn''t help but voice the question that loomedrge in their conversation.


    The idea of a return, of crossing back through the portal, opened a Pandora''s box of potential oues.


    Yin Yue''s response was a sigh, [Wang Xiao, would you prefer to live as a king in a small kingdom or a ve in a huge empire?]


    "Neither," Wang Xiao replied without a moment''s hesitation, his conviction clear.


    [...]


    Yin Yue found herself momentarily speechless at Wang Xiao''s perspective, even as she sought to rify her point. [We hell spirits are used as tools in Hell, while here, the power we wield can grant us everything we need... So, what do you think we are missing?]


    "What?" Wang Xiao''s confusion only grew with her words.


    In his mind, he listed the typical desires that motivate beings, both human and supernatural: subordinates tomand, power to wield, wealth to umte, women to y.


    To him, these hell spirits, beings of immense power and ancient lineage, stood beyond such mundane aspirations.


    What, then, could they possibly yearn for that this world, with all its vastness and diversity, could not provide?


    [Home! It''s the feeling of home, that we would miss. The air here is unusual for us, and even itcks a very important element, which could multiply our power by hundreds of times.] Yin Yue''s words was like a beam of light piercing through the fog of Wang Xiao''s understanding.


    Wang Xiao grasped the magnitude of her words. "So they want to terraform the Earth?"


    The implications of such an endeavor were staggering.


    To alter the very essence of the to mirror the infernalndscapes from which they originated¡ªnot just as a means of power enhancement but as a quest for a semnce of home¡ªwas a concept both terrifying and profound!


    Yin Yue confirmed, [Right, but we can''t be sure... There is one way to explore the truth, and you know it. So, are we going to join them or not?] Her questionid bare the crossroads at which they now stood.


    Joining Gabriel and his cohort could offer them insights and perhaps a chance to explore any ns that threatened the bnce of the worlds.


    Yet, it also posed significant risks, including the danger of bing dragged into schemes with potentially catastrophic consequences.


    Wang Xiao was enveloped in a cloak of grim silence, his mind a sea of thoughts and reservations.


    Luna''s words had indeed ignited a spark of curiosity within him about the tunnel, a mysterious beckoning that appealed to his adventurous spirit.


    However, the prospect of aligning himself with a cadre of extraterrestrial beings was far from enticing.


    The idea of venturing into the unknown called to him, but not at the cost of his autonomy or principles.


    Moreover, the title ''Herald of Devil'' grated on his sensibilities. If he were to assume the role of a herald, then who, in this grand scheme, would y the devil?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The very notion was repugnant to Wang Xiao, whose journey had been marked by a fierce independence and a deep-seated aversion to subservience.


    From an early age, he had harbored an intense resentment towards weakness, a disdain so profound it had be the driving force behind his relentless pursuit of power.


    The thought of being under someone''s thumb, of serving another''s will, was disgusting to him.


    His mastery over PK, his increasing control over the psychic and kic forces that coursed through him, was a testament to his dedication to self-improvement and sovereignty.


    To now contemte the possibility of yielding to another, of bing a mere instrument in someone else''s grand design, was unthinkable.


    _____________


    Country M, The District!


    Deep beneath the bustling life of the District, hidden from the prying eyes of the world above,y the headquarters of the New World Order.


    Within these secret chambers, technology and ancient mysticism intertwined, casting a surreal glow over the faces of those who operated in the shadows.


    The walls, lined with screens disying a mosaic of global intelligence, hummed with the quiet intensity of whispered secrets and coded messages.

 Chapter 223: Prince of Atlantia!

    Gabriel Nightshade, his short red hair a stark contrast against the sterile, blue-tinged lighting, stood at the heart of this nerve center, a figure ofmand and power.


    His piercing blue eyes scanned the room, taking in the silent efficiency of his select loyal subordinates, each absorbed in their tasks,  to the New World Order''s reach and ambition.


    As the designated hour came and went, the anticipation that had electrified the air slowly ebbed away, leaving a sense of disappointment.


    Gabriel, masked his frustration well, but the tightness in his jaw betrayed his inner turmoil.


    "One more potential soul gone to waste," he muttered, almost to himself, his voice echoing slightly in the cavernous room.


    The statement crashed against the air, a somber acknowledgment of Wang Xiao''s absence.


    "Sir, perhaps he had his reasons. He is known for his... unpredictability," ventured a subordinate, a young woman with keen eyes and a presence thatmanded respect despite her youth.


    Gabriel turned to her, his gaze sharp. "Unpredictability is a luxury we can can''t afford," he replied, his voice steady butced with an edge. "In our quest, every piece must fall into ce with precision. He represented more than just potential; he embodied an element of power that is rare and invaluable."


    He paused, turning to gaze out of arge, one-way ss panel that looked upon an artificial night sky, a perpetual darkness that mirrored the secrecy of their operations. "But the New World Order does not hinge on the whims of one individual. We adapt, we evolve, and we move forward."


    ra nodded, understanding the weight of Gabriel''s words. "Shall we initiate contingency ns, then?" she asked, her voice a mix of determination and curiosity.


    Gabriel''s response was a slight nod, his mind already racing through scenarios and strategies. "Yes. Begin the preparations. And keep a close watch on Wang Xiao''s movements."


    As ra nodded, swiftly rying the tasks to their operatives, she followed Gabriel through the dark corridors of their underground headquarters.


    The metallic door hissed open, revealing an elongated tunnel shrouded in shadows, its walls echoing the soft hum of distant machinery.


    "Hey, ! Gabriel, are we really going to let the 8th Prince slip through our fingers so easily?" ra''s voice,ced with urgency, echoed slightly as she quickened her pace to catch up with him.


    Gabriel, his stride unfaltering and wrapped in an aura of calcted calm, slowed slightly at her inquiry.


    The corners of his mouth twitched into a faint, sinister smile¡ªa fleeting glimpse of malevolence that vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving one to wonder if it had been there at all.


    "For now, yes," he responded, his voice a blend of coldmand and veiled motives. "Focus on setting our ns into motion. As for the 8th Prince, ensure he doesn''t interfere with our operations. We can''t afford to draw undue attention at this stage. The Guardians have already sensed our presence."


    ra''s lips twisted in a mild expression of disdain. "Tch, those Guardians underestimate us," she retorted, her blue eyes sparkling with a cunning intensity. "And as for that little prince, leave him to me."


    Gabriel paused, casting a sideways nce at ra, his gaze piercing the dim lighting. "Don''t underestimate him," he cautioned, his tone carrying an undercurrent of warning.


    With that, he stepped into a room that seemed to swallow all traces of light, its darkness absolute.


    ra''s smirk deepened at Gabriel''s warning.


    Fear a prince?


    The very idea wasughable to her.


    If the Guardians, those ancient watchers of bnce, deemed it necessary to keep a wary eye on their movements, what concern should she have for a mere prince?


    Her confidence was unshakable, her resolve as sharp as the de she was ready to wield against any who stood in their way.


    Indeed, the emergence of Wang Xiao''s name within the circles of power hadn''t been a mere coincidence but a consequence of a series of calcted moves, all set into motion by Luna''s sudden appearance.


    Her attempt to shield him from prying eyes and radars demanded an exnation, a narrative to justify his sudden prominence.


    Thus, a proposal was put forth, nominating him as the eighth guardian¡ªa title that could only be ratified with the consensus of other powerful entities.


    In the interim, given Antia''s small dominion and theplexities of its politicalndscape, he was orded the title of Prince.


    This designation not only elevated his status but also cast a spotlight on him, making his identity known to many, while simultaneously rendering him untouchable by others who now viewed him with a mix of interest and caution.


    ________


    In the dimly lit corridors of the old building, Wang Xiao''s confusion deepened as Seraphine, gliding like a shadow in the night, stealthily led him through the maze-like passages. His brows furrowed involuntarily as he struggled toprehend her mysterious intentions.


    "Why are you taking me?" Wang Xiao''s voice was a whisper, barely audible over the soft shuffle of their footsteps against the cold stone floor.


    Seraphine''s eyes sparkled mischievously as she nced back at him, her lips curling into a secretive smile. "Trust me, it''ll be fun," she murmured, her voice barely more than a breath.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "..."


    Wang Xiao found himself at a loss for words, his mind racing with questions.


    Had this woman forgotten how to act her age?


    As they crept along, Seraphine suddenly halted, pressing a finger to her lips in a gesture of silence.


    "Shh! She might hear us," she whispered, her eyes darting nervously around the deserted corridor.


    Unconsciously, she nibbled on her lower lip, her apprehension growing.


    "I helped you get your work done; at least give me a favor," she pleaded in a hushed tone.


    ??


    Wang Xiao scowled, wondering if she had consumed a gallon of nonsense today. "A favor from me would cost you ¡ª your life," he retorted.


    "..."


    "..."


    There was an awkward silence between them, broken only by the distant echo of their footsteps reverberating through the empty halls.


    Seraphine struggled to find the right words, her mind racing toe up with a convincing argument. "Do you dislike women?" she ventured tentatively, her voice tinged with annoyance.


    "I dislike them when they talk too much," Wang Xiao replied, unflinched .


    Seraphine let out a frustrated sigh. "I meant their bodies! You can''t possibly tell me you''re not even attracted to the female bodies? You do like women, don''t you?" she asked in resignation.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze bore into her with skepticism. "I''m straight," he affirmed.


    Seraphine persisted, "Good! Thene with me!"

 Chapter 224: Saving the World!

    Seraphine persisted, "Good! Thene with me!"


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed in confusion.


    He couldn''t decipher if it was the weight of old age targeting her mind rather than her body, prematurely aging her mentally, or something else entirely, but she seemed unusually dumb to him at that moment.


    Ignoring Wang Xiao''s judging eyes, Seraphine pressed forward, her steps purposeful as she finally came to a halt behind a nondescript door.


    A deep breath escaped her lips, her eyes darting around the corridor with the stealth of a seasoned thief.


    "What now?" Wang Xiao''s voice broke the silence, his curiosity piqued.


    A faint blush tinted Seraphine''s cheeks, betraying her otherwiseposed facade. Locking eyes with Wang Xiao, she spoke with a gravity that demanded attention. "Hup, Ericka is inside¡ª Hup!...There''s a secret about her that most people don''t know."


    Wang Xiao''s brows shot up in suprise. "Are you drunk?" he blurted out, finally recognizing the abnormality.


    Seraphine remained unfazed, her eyes sparkling mischievously as she continued, "She ims she doesn''t drink because it affects her focus, but the truth is quite the opposite! Once she starts, there''s no stopping her, and her tolerance is practically non-existent!" Her words dripped with a devious charm, as if she had concocted something innocently ominous.


    "..." Wang Xiao was at a loss for how to respond, so he simply let her carry cook.


    "Today, she was drinking with me, and as expected, she''s now dead drunk inside, stumbling around like a fool," Seraphine pointed a finger directly at the center of Wang Xiao''s forehead, her grin widening. "Now you ¡ª our rockstar! ¡ª will ''identally'' stumble in and seize this golden opportunity!" She announced her final n with a flourish.


    "..." Wang Xiao remained silent, unsure of how to react.


    "Go! Go! Go inside already!" Seraphine eximed, already swinging the door open. Wang Xiao could hear the pulsating music from within, along with the faint silhouette of a woman leaping across the bed, d only in her underwear.


    He couldn''t help but wonder if he should walk into this trap or not.


    "Does she have STDs?" Wang Xiao''s suspicion bubbled to the surface, his gaze lingering on Ericka''s enticing figure.


    Her physique was too remarkable to overlook.


    "No, just go already!" Seraphine urged impatiently, her tone brimming with urgency.


    Wang Xiao stood silent, torn between caution and temptation.


    A heavy sigh escaped him as he finallyprehended why some men willingly walk into such traps.


    At that moment, he was adrift, unsure of his motives or actions.


    Yet amidst the uncertainty, one thing remained clear: he had to act.


    He was the chosen one¡ªthe only one capable of this mission.


    And so, Wang Xiao transformed into a reluctant superhero, poised to save the world in a single night.


    Seraphine watched him depart, her eyes shimmering with excitement. With a mischievous giggle, she closed the door behind him, not from the outside, but from within, as she embarked on her own adventure.


    _______


    22nd September, 2026!


    The morning light, iltered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the room where three souls were entwined in the aftermath of an unexpected night.


    Seraphine, with her ruffled white hair,y peacefully over Wang Xiao''s chest, her breaths even and calm, a stark contrast to the mischievous energy she radiated just hours before.


    On his other side, Ericka, in a state of serene slumber, was practically lying over him, her presence a warm reminder of the night''s turn from chaos to harmony.


    Wang Xiaoy awake, caught in a moment of tranquility and reflection.


    The events of the previous night yed back in his mind, not as a series of decisions, but as a pivotal point that had brought them all closer in the most unexpected way.


    As he gazed at the ceiling, Wang Xiao contemted the unpredictability of life and the beauty of moments born from chaos.


    He marveled at how, in their vulnerability, they found strength, and in their foolishness, they found wisdom.


    Yin Yue, [It''s called post-nut rity, Xiao], she chimed in, her tone teasing, yet matter-of-fact.


    But even her yful remark couldn''t shake Wang Xiao from his deep contemtion of life''s mysteries.


    Meanwhile, Seraphine stirred, her longshes fluttering as she gradually emerged from her slumber. The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow upon her delicate features.


    As Seraphine''s eyes flickered open, they met Wang Xiao''s gaze, silently questioning.


    ??


    A wave of confusion washed over her as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings.


    With a sudden realization, her expression shifted from groggy to dismayed. "Fuck!" she eximed, her voice echoing in the room.


    p!


    Her hand instinctively flew to her forehead in frustration as the memories flooded back¡ªall of this was her doing.


    Turning to face her, Wang Xiao''s voice cut through the tense silence. "So, you woke up?" he asked, his tone devoid of emotion.


    Seraphine hesitated, unsure of how to respond.


    Should she y dead and avoid the impending conversation?


    "..."


    "..."


    While the two of them exchanged awkward nces, Ericka''s body, sprawled across the bed, began to stir as well.


    With anguid stretch, she blinkedzily, taking in her surroundings. However, as she picked herself up, herpletely naked body reflected a pair of tightly cupped breasts with signs of intense use from yesterday.


    A subtle shift in Wang Xiao''s expression hinted at difort, and Seraphine''s guiltden eyes turned towards Ericka. "Ericka," she began tentatively.


    "What... what happened here?" Ericka''s voice betrayed her confusion as she struggled to make sense of the situation. A strange fatigue weighed upon her, adding to the surrealness of waking up beside these two.


    "I can exin," Seraphine offered, though it only deepened Ericka''s furrowed brow, leaving the air heavy with awkwardness.


    "Let''s talk about herter. I''m not in the mood for it right now," Wang Xiao dered suddenly, shifting his position slightly. Seraphine and Ericka turned to him, their eyes wide with curiosity.


    ??


    !!


    Seraphine''s confusion deepened, but Ericka''s expression turned to ice as she felt a searing heat between her thighs, poking and teasing her. She sucked in a sharp breath, unsure of what was happening.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Ah!?"


    Ericka''s cry echoed through the air as Wang Xiao swiftly maneuvered, twirling her around and pressing her back firmly into the mattress. His lips found hers with an insistent hunger, igniting a fierce fight.


    ''Eh?''


    Ericka''s mind scrambled to make sense of the situation as Wang Xiao''s fervent kisses captured her, causing her to release a soft, trembling moan, "Ahhh~"


    A surge of ecstasy flooded through Ericka as she experienced a sudden, overwhelming fullness in her lower body. Her eyelids fluttered closed, her back arched, and a euphoric expression of pure pleasure bloomed across her face.


    "Sera! You!" Ericka snapped out of her trance, her eyes narrowing as she turned sharply to face Seraphine, who was watching in awkward silence.


    Without hesitation, she gave Seraphine a piercing re.


    "Wh¡ªahhnn~" But before she could dwell on it, Wang Xiao''s firm grip on her shoulder pulled her back into the moment, his throbbing member plunging into her already soaked entrance once more, causing her mind to go nk with pleasure.


    "Ahhhnn~"


    "Pak!"


    "Pak!"


    The sound of their bodies colliding filled the room, punctuated by the sharp ps of Wang Xiao''s hand against Ericka''s jiggling buttocks. He spun her around, positioning her on top of him with a determined look in his eyes.


    Silent and wide-eyed, Seraphine watched as Ericka rode Wang Xiao, her heart filled with a mix of conflicting emotions.


    Should she feel victorious that her prank had worked so well, or guilty for the consequences she could already see unfolding before her eyes?


    As she observed Ericka''s expression, it became evident that the damage had been done.


    The marriage now stood on the brink of destruction, as Ericka''s transformation seemed irreversible.


    _________


    In the hazy afternoon light, Wang Xiao emerged from the room, his ears ringing from the cacophony within, an evidence to the chaos left behind.


    "Why do these women scream so much?" he muttered, shaking his head to clear the noise.


    Little did he expect that the scene unfolding before him would escte into a full-blown brawl between Seraphine and Ericka.


    Wang Xiao watched in amusement as Ericka lunged forward, seizing Seraphine by her hair, pulling and pummeling with ferocity.


    The raw intensity of the confrontation held a strange satisfaction, momentarily captivating Wang Xiao''s attention.


    Yet, as the spectacle dragged on, boredom soon crept in, exacerbated by the deafening volume of their screams.


    "Hey!"


    Startled, Wang Xiao turned to the unexpected voice, finding a loli standing before him, her gaze piercing. Freya''s narrowed eyes bore into him, demanding an exnation for his presence.


    "Why are youing from Ericka''s room?" she interrogated, suspicion evident in her tone.


    Caught off guard, Wang Xiao hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "It''s none of your business," he retorted, attempting to brush off the inquiry.


    "It''s my business! She is my mother!" Freya asserted, her stance unwavering as she awaited a satisfactory exnation from Wang Xiao.

 Chapter 225: Asmodeous (1)

    Unexpectedly, she found herself escaping punishment as Wang Xiao approached her, his presence casting a shadow of uncertainty.


    "Eh?"


    Freya''s face changed into confusion, a barrage of question marks filling her expression, as Wang Xiao''s hand unexpectedlynded on her head.


    !!


    Just as she lifted her gaze to protest, she froze, trapped by the intensity of Wang Xiao''s piercing eyes, his smile sending shivers down her spine.


    "Girl, I would suggest you keep that little tongue of yours in check, or next time I might just cut it down and shove it where the sun don''t shine."


    A sharp inhale escaped Freya as she flinched, her nodding quick and fervent. "Hm! Hm!"


    There was no doubt in her mind.


    She was certain he would follow through.


    As Wang Xiao finally departed, leaving behind an eerie silence, Freya couldn''t help but release a sigh of relief, her hands instinctively moving to her backside, inspecting them for any signs of¡ª


    With a heavy exhale, she allowed herself a moment of respite, grateful to have escaped unscathed¡ªfor now.


    ________


    In the heart of Transylvania, Romania, nestled on the fringe of civilization, stood the most imposing castle, its silhouette a haunting specter against the bright sky.


    *Thud!*


    "Haaaaa!..." A sharp exhtion pierced the silence, a plume of smoke swirling into the air, as a man''s form crumpled to the aged wooden floor with a graceless thump.


    He slouched, his back pressed against the bed''s sturdy base, the cold wood a stark contrast to his heated skin.


    Bare, his body radiated an unearthly luminance, a ghostly white that seemed alien to mankind.


    The room around him was thick with a pungent, almost tangible aura of destion, the air heavy and suffocating.


    Through the haze, his eyes shone with an ethereal blue light, as if harboring the depths of the sky, while his skin gleamed with an unnatural luminescence.


    Scattered around him, the room was a tableau of decadence and despair, with more than ten women in various states of undress and unconsciousness.


    "Ugh..."


    "Gr..."


    Their bodies were strewn across the floor like discarded dolls, twitching slightly, their legs spread apart, marred by bruises and marks that told tales of the u speak horrorst night.


    Yet, amidst the chaos, the man appeared as if plucked from the pages of a dark fairy tale, his blonde hair cascading down his shoulders in a golden waterfall, soft and lustrous, a stark contrast to the scene of debauchery.


    His voice, a low growl, broke the silence, filled with impatience, "Hey! What happened to the princesses? It''s already the middle of the year; why aren''t they here yet?" Rising to his feet, his stature imposing, he surveyed the room, his gaze sweeping across the room, a storm brewing beneath the calm.


    "Lord Asmodeous, we are working on i¡ªuggghhhhhhhhhhhh!" Amara, her hair a cascade of glistening ck silk, approached with nervousness only to be halted mid-sentence.


    !!


    Asmodeous, without warning, extended his hand with a swiftness that belied his size, his fingers encircling her neck in an iron grip. "Lord No¡ªahhhhh!" she managed, her scream piercing the heavy silence as terror widened her eyes and the unthinkable happened.


    Whoosh!


    Without warning, Asmodeous''s muscles did not merely tighten; they transformed. His flesh rippled and extended, an otherworldly phenomenon, reaching for her face with a hunger that seemed to devour the very air between them.


    "!!" Amara was enveloped, consumed by an embrace that was more than physical¡ªit was an absorption into the very essence of Asmodeous.


    Silence fell, a heavy cloak that seemed to mourn the loss of Amara. Asmodeous, now standing even taller than his imposing 6''7'''' stature, appeared rejuvenated, his skin acquiring an even more wless texture, if such a thing were possible.


    "Tch, these are mere trifles, but they will suffice for now..." His gaze, dismissive yet calcting, swept over the other women in the room.


    One by one, he approached them, assimting each with the same terrifying efficiency with which he had imed Amara. Their bodies, once writhing in agony, now contributed to his growing power.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Finally, he moved towards the ss wall, his reflection a dark mirage against the backdrop of the mountainous range outside.


    The curtain of day seemed to bow before his gaze.


    As Amara''s ce was taken by another, the cycle of dread continued.


    "Lord, we attempted to fetch the princesses as their time had expired, but we encountered some... obstacles," the new woman reported, her voice trembling with fear.


    "Obstacles?" The word fell from Asmodeous''s lips like a decree, his towering presence now clouded with a frown of displeasure.


    The neer, upon witnessing the formidable silhouette of Asmodeous, instantly averted her gaze.


    Despite his title as the Immortal King, revered for an eternally youthful body, few truly understood the depths of his story or the darkness that clung to his soul.


    Asmodeous had mastered an art most sinister, a secret gleaned from the cold-blooded denizens of the dark¡ªshedding his ancient skin to don the fresh, vibrant hide of others.


    This ritual was the fountain of his eternally youthful appearance, driving his relentless pursuit of beautiful women as both a means to sustain his beauty and a symbol of his power.


    Yet, this horrifying ability to rejuvenate was but the surface of his true might.


    His essence thrived on absorption; a capability to assimte any matter into his being, transforming the very fabric of his physique at will.


    His skeleton boasted a density a hundredfold that of ordinary humans, his skin had be an imprable fortress, tougher than steel through ceaseless absorption.


    His desire for the princesses was driven by a dual purpose: not only to consume their vitality but also to wield them as pawns in a grander scheme of dominance over the kingdoms.


    It was a deration of his supremacy, a challenge to the status quo where other Guardians hesitated, content in their anonymity.


    Asmodeous, on the other hand, drowned in his power, crowning himself a deity among mortals.


    "The envoys sent after the princess of Sylvergard were found lifeless," the woman reported, her voice a grave melody amidst the silence.


    "And you saw fit to dy this news?" Asmodeous''s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint within them as he pivoted, his towering form casting an ominous shadow over the woman.


    !!


    Her frame quivered under his gaze, a deer caught in the sights of a predator.


    "L-Lord... We..." Her words faltered, trapped in a throat constricted by fear.


    "Proceed,"manded Asmodeous, his voice a calm that contrasted the storm of his displeasure.

 Chapter 226: Asmodeous (2)

    "Proceed,"manded Asmodeous, his voice a calm that belied the storm of his displeasure.


    A brief sigh of relief escaped her lips, only to be cut short by a piercing scream. "Ahhhhh!" Asmodeous''s skin surged forward like sinister tendrils, ensnaring herpletely. With a sneer, he remarked, "Not you, fool. Another one! Continue!" His directive was aimed at another woman, her presence at the door marked by an almost growing feeling of suffocation.


    "L-Lord... Just as Senior Jenny advised... we probed into the matter and found that the queen is fiercely guarding her daughter, tantly ignoring ourmands..."


    Asmodeous''s patience frayed at the edges, his voice sharp as a whip''s crack. "You can''t overpower a mere human? What monumental ipetence!" His scorn sliced through the air, a verbalsh that left Elia recoiling.


    Elia recoiled, her voice a fearful whisper, "Lord... It''s not solely that. We... We encountered a powerful D-Deviant protecting her. Our envoys... all met their demise at his hands alone..." She braced for the worst, her words hanging between them like a death sentence.


    History had shown, those bearing ill news to Asmodeous seldom lived to tell another tale.


    Yet, death did note. Instead, Asmodeous''s eyes ignited with an intense, predatory gleam. "A Powerful Deviant? Not aligned with our faction, you say?" he probed, his interest piqued.


    Elia, trembling, managed to shake her head. "It''s... It''s the man recently crowned as the Prince of Antia... Lord Eclipse sanctioned his ascension..."


    "..."


    Silence enveloped the room, thick with unspoken thoughts, before Asmodeous''s lips curved into an enigmatic, wry smile. "A prince, is he? Venturing far from his domain, seeking his demise here with us?" he mused, his voice a low murmurced with dark amusement.


    The animosity between Asmodeous and Eclipse was as ancient as it was deep-seated, and now, it seemed, fate conspired to draw them into confrontation once more.


    The prospect of absorbing Eclipse was tempting, fraught with the promise of untold power.


    Yet, Asmodeous was acutely aware of the uncertainties such a direct sh entailed.


    The oue of a battle between two such titans was a mystery wrapped in the shadows of their vast, untested strengths.


    Now, presented with an opportunity to confront her chosen champion, Asmodeous sensed an opening!


    "You may leave," Asmodeous dismissed Elia with a casual wave of his hand, his gesture unexpectedly lenient.


    "Huh?" Confusion washed over Elia, her mind a tumult of disbelief. Could she truly walk away unscathed?


    Was she spared the fate that befell so many before her?


    "Do you not wish to leave?" Asmodeous''s voice cut through her thoughts, his eyes narrowing in mock curiosity, a sinister amusement twinkling within.


    "N-No, Lord! I am forever at your service!" Elia stammered out the words, her heart thundering against her chest as she pivoted, her steps hurried and eager to escape his presence.


    As she retreated, a whirlwind of thoughts besieged her. ''Has the lord''s temper softened today? What stroke of fortune has spared me?'' Relief blossomed in her heart, a fleeting moment of hope¡ªuntil a chilling scream shattered the silence.


    "Ahh!?"


    "Fool, I meant leave this world," Asmodeous''s voice was tinged with disdain, a cruel smirk ying on his lips.


    Swish!


    With a flick of his tongue, his skin transformed into lethal tendrils, slicing through the air with precision.


    Puchi!


    They pierced Elia''s flesh, tearing her apart with ruthless efficiency.


    The pieces of her being were dragged across the floor, her blood painting a haunting tableau, shimmering ominously in the dim light.


    In a final act of dominance, Asmodeous absorbed her essence, her screams fading into a haunting silence.


    He afforded himself onest, cruel smile, a silent observer to the tragedy he had authored.


    Then, with the indifference of a storm leaving devastation behind it, he turned to gaze out at the horizon.


    He watched impassively as the sun dipped below the edge of the world, theing of night cloaking him in darkness.


    Only then did he retreat to his chambers, the echoes of his deeds a somber luby to apany his slumber.


    _________


    Within the storied walls of Norhaven Royal Castle!


    "Ugh! Get off me, you behemoth!" Seraphine''s protest was muffled beneath the weight of Ericka, who had unceremoniously nted herself atop her, eyes glinting with victorious malice. "Don''t you dare beg for mercy!"


    "Ugh!" Seraphine hissed, her difort morphing into irritation. A rueful thought crossed her mind¡ªperhaps she should have indulged in just one more slice of cake at dinner, if only to have the strength to toss Ericka off with ease.


    "This is the price for ying with me!" Ericka dered, a wicked grin splitting her face.


    "Who''s ying with whom? Have you taken a good look at yourself in the mirror w¡ª" Seraphine shot back, her words sharp as knives.


    "Shh! Silence!" Ericka''s face flushed a deep shade of crimson, her hand mping down over Seraphine''s mouth in a hasty attempt to stem the tide of her taunts.


    "Humph! ying the innocent now, are we?" Seraphine''s smug satisfaction only deepened Ericka''s embarrassment.


    "Keep it down, will you?" Ericka hissed, a desperate plea for discretion.


    "Keep it down? Oh, like how you kept quietst night? Huh?" Seraphine''s eyebrow arched in a challenge, her wordsced with mischief.


    Ericka was speechless, her frustration boiling over, itching to imprint her fist in Seraphine''s smirking face.


    Click!


    "Wh¡ª?" At the most inconvenient moment, the door swung open, revealing Freya, who stood frozen on the threshold, her eyes widening in sheer disbelief.


    !!


    The scene before her¡ªtwo grown women, embroiled in a baffling skirmish, devoid of attire¡ªstruck her with a wave of shock so potent it could have knocked the air from her lungs.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Why are they fighting without any clothes on!?''


    The question screamed in her mind, a silent echo that painted her face a vivid shade of crimson.


    "I-I shoulde backter," she stammered out, her voice barely a whisper against the tumult of her embarrassment.


    With hurried, panicked steps, she retreated, closing the door behind her as if to physically shut away the bewildering image seared into her memory.


    As the door clicked shut, an oppressive silence enveloped the room.


    "..."


    "..."


    Seraphine and Ericka, still entwined in their awkward tableau, exchanged looks that transcended words.


    A profound realization dawned upon them in that silentmunion¡ªthey were acutely, embarrassingly aware of their undignified state.

 Chapter 227: Dragon Canyon!

    Under the cloak of nightfall, the bedroom bathed in a soft, eerie glow, casting long shadows across its inhabitants.


    Seraphine, perched delicately on the right side of the bed, felt an involuntary shiver crawl down her spine.


    The evening had unfolded into a scenario far beyond her wildest thoughts¡ªa twist of fate she hadn''t dared to imagine.


    Gasp!


    In a sudden movement, Wang Xiao had ushered them back onto the bed with a determination that brooked no argument.


    His hands, firm and unyielding, encircled the waists of both women as they found themselves trapped in an awkward silence.


    "..."


    "..."


    There they were, Seraphine and Ericka, sitting stiffly, their gazes fixed ahead as if the answers to their turmoily in the void before them.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao''s fingers embarked on a deliberate dance across their skin, eliciting involuntary shivers and twitches that betrayed their outwardposure.


    A smirk yed on Seraphine''s lips, a private victory in the difort. ''At least, I''m not crumbling like her,'' she thought smugly, stealing a nce at Ericka.


    Thetter seemed to have sumbed to the inevitability of their situation, her movements stilled, her defiance quelled.


    Yet, the surface calm belied the storm raging within Ericka.


    Her body might have been motionless, a statue in the midst of chaos, but her mind was a whirlwind of panic and disbelief. ''W-What is this madness? Why are we doing it again!?'' she raged internally, her thoughts filled with confusion and anger.


    ''And why is Sera just sitting there, silent as the grave? Does she not feel this... this... vition?'' Ericka''s heart thrummed against her chest, a fric beat of anxiety and fear.


    She bit down on her lip, hard enough to draw blood, as Wang Xiao''s embrace tightened, a possessive gesture that bound them together in their shared destiny.


    Finally, her voice pierced the silence, delicate yet desperate. "Hey, Sera... Why this silence? Say something, won''t you?" Ericka''s words floated across the space between them, dressed in a smile that was too brittle, too forced to be anything but a facade of bravado.


    "Huh?" Seraphine''s response was tinged with surprise, her brows knitting together in confusion. "Silent? What on earth are you implying? Do you really see me as a coward?" She fired back, her voiceced with challenge, refusing to ept thebel projected onto her.


    "..."


    Ericka found herself at a loss, her throat tight, a silent acquiescence almost escaping her.


    "It''s all your fault," she ultimately breathed out, a sigh heavy with resignation and unshed frustration.


    !?


    "Me? Heh! Don''t pin this all on me, miss scientist. It''s a simple case of cause and effect!" Seraphine''s retort was sharp, her stance defensive. "You were the one lost to the wine, not I."


    "You weren''t drunk?" The revtion struck Ericka with the force of a thousand ton bricks, her eyes widening as the pieces began to fall into ce, yet the puzzle remained iplete.


    !!


    Seraphine momentarily faltered, realizing she might have overlooked crucial details in her ount. "Hehe... I was merely testing you," she offered weakly, attempting to deflect.


    Rustle!


    "Enough! Sera, out with it¡ªwere you in full control all this while?" Ericka''s patience snapped, her movements quick as she seized Seraphine''s dress by the cor, her gaze sharpening into a pointed usation.


    "..." Amidst the heated exchange, a flicker of annoyance sparked within Seraphine. ''Why must this fat woman always escte things to physical confrontations?'' she mused bitterly, acutely aware of her disadvantage in any test of strength against Ericka, whose robust physique nearly guaranteed her victory in such disputes.


    "..."


    As the room filled with the petty squabbles of two adults reduced to childish bickering, Wang Xiao reached the limits of his patience.


    The weight of managing their daughters'' antics was burdensome enough without having to referee the adults'' disputes.


    "You two¡ªenough!" His voice,manding immediate silence, an unyielding decree that brooked no dissent.


    !!


    Ericka, taken aback, could only utter a confused "Huh?" while Seraphine remained silent, her expression unreadable.


    Without warning, Ericka found herself suspended mid-air, her surprise manifesting as a sharp gasp.


    "..."


    Below her, Seraphine''s face bore a resigned eptance, as if such oues were to be expected under Wang Xiao''s watch.


    "You both stop this childishness. And Seraphine, didn''t you im to barely know her?" Wang Xiao''s voice was tinged with suspicion, his gaze piercing as it shifted between them.


    ??


    "What?" Ericka''s voice was a mix of disbelief and anger as she turned her re towards Seraphine. "You said that to him?"


    Seraphine''s response was a dry chuckle, herposure unshaken even as they floated aimlessly. "Isn''t it the truth?"


    Ericka, "..."


    "Enough," Wang Xiao interjected, his voice a calm force that halted the impending sh. "I have a habit of sleeping like this. So, you two can either find a way to coexist quietly, or I may have to resort to... alternative methods."


    Ericka''s expression shifted to one of bewilderment. Was their arrangement merely a quirk of his sleeping habits?


    "And what might these ''alternative ways'' entail?" Seraphine inquired, her toneced with cautious curiosity.


    She was no fool to leap to conclusions without understanding the full scope of possibilities.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curved into a knowing smile, "Merely ensuring you''re both too exhausted to break the silence."


    !!


    Instantly, both Ericka and Seraphine''s lips twitched in unison, a rare moment of synchrony. "No need," they blurted out together, a flush of embarrassment coloring their simultaneous refusal.


    "We can reach a truce on our own!" they dered together once more, their arms folding in rebellion even as they hovered mid-air, rendering Wang Xiao momentarily speechless with their synchronized protest.


    ''What is the history between these two?'' Wang Xiao mused, a flicker of amusement crossing his features as the dispute dissolved into an uneasy peace, allowing him the prospect of rest atst.


    His initial mission in Norhaven had been straightforward: crack open the secrets hidden within the phones, uncover the truth, and make a swift exit.


    However, the discovery that Gabriel was the mastermind, coupled with the mysterious letter sent to him, hadpelled Wang Xiao to extend his stay for the week.


    Amidst the bedroom events, discontent simmered beneath the surface, its source not the obvious suspect.


    Magnus, absent on a diplomatic mission, remained blissfully unaware of the invisible green hat that had appeared above his head.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The harbinger of real unrest was his daughter, Freya, whose concernsy not with her mother''s affairs but with a particr outsider: Wang Xiao.


    Freya''s disdain for Wang Xiao ran deep. ustomed to the digital battlegrounds where strategy reigned supreme, she found herself outmatched and outmaneuvered in the real world by Wang Xiao''s more direct, ''physical'' approach.


    His preference for resolving conflicts with action over words left her grappling for a foothold in a game she didn''t know how to y.


    Throughout the week, Ericka yed the role of guide, showcasing the expanse of Norhaven to Wang Xiao.


    Their explorations extended beyond the city limits, thendscape unfurling below them as they surveyed the region from the sky.


    Remarkably, Ericka seemed unbothered by the potential scandal of her affair bing public knowledge.


    Wang Xiao''s curiosity about Ericka''s apparent indifference was satiated by Seraphine, who revealed Ericka''s ambitions to join Prometheus and her imminent departure.


    This information painted Ericka''s nonchnce in a new light; on the brink of vanishing from their world, the opinions of those she left behind held little consequence.


    Wang Xiao, though intrigued by the mysterious Prometheus, found his interest piqued further by Ericka''s next suggestion. "Let''s visit Dragon Canyon," she proposed, abruptly.


    "Hm?" The mention of Dragon Canyon piqued Wang Xiao''s interest, the name itself evoking images of ruggedndscapes and ancient mysteries. "Dragon Canyon?" he echoed, curiositycing his voice at the bold name.


    Seraphine, joining the conversation with a nod of approval, lent her support to Ericka''s suggestion. "It''s nestled between Icevale and Norhaven, on Jan Mayen Ind. Truly, it''s a remarkable ce," she confirmed, her endorsement unexpected yet wee.


    Ericka''s suggestion to escape the warmth for the cool embrace of the ciers was met with a surge of unexpected enthusiasm.


    It became clear that her motives extended beyond merely showcasing the sights to Wang Xiao.


    There was a deeper, more personal journey at y¡ªa farewell tour of sorts.


    The glint of nostalgia in her eyes spoke volumes, a silent testament to her desire to imprint the beauty of her homnd in her memory before embarking on a new chapter with Prometheus.


    Jan Mayen itself was a marvel of nature''s contrasts, straddling the realms of Icevale and Norhaven.


    Despite its breathtakingndscapes, crowned by the imposing Beerenberg volcano and surrounded by pristine ice ciers, the ind remainedrgely untouched by tourists.


    The presence of Norhaven''s military, vignt in their watch, had deterred many would-be visitors, preserving the ind''s secluded tranquility.


    Yet, for Wang Xiao and others, the usual barriers that kept the ind secluded from prying eyes were no obstacle.


    Ericka''s presence among them acted as a key, unlocking paths that would otherwise remain closed, her authority ensuring their passage was unhindered.

 Chapter 228: Dragon Canyon (2)

    On the 27th of September, amidst andscape so breathtakingly cold that even the sun seemed to shiver, a sigh of exhaustion fluttered through the air, momentarily warming the cheeks of the ciers.


    Seraphine, standing firm against the icy gusts, turned just in time to witness Ericka''s descent onto the snow, an impromptu snow angel minus the enthusiasm.


    "Finally, we''re here..." Ericka murmured, her voice carrying the weight of a thousand steps, each one regretted the moment it was taken.


    Her deration, however, was met with a gentle, almost a frown from Seraphine.


    "It''s still a kilometre more," Seraphine corrected, her tone suggesting this was merely a minor detail Ericka had conveniently overlooked.


    "...what?" The disbelief in Ericka''s voice was so tangible, it almost warranted its own set of thermal clothing.


    Seraphine, unable to resist, allowed a grin to y on her lips. "You''re the one who wanted to see the ends of the earth, remember? And now you want to turn back because it''s a bit farther than expected?" Her amusement was clear, the situation too ripe with irony to be left unacknowledged.


    Ericka, momentarily lost for words, could only muster a look that was a mix between ''I will remember this'' and ''I''m too tired to retaliate''.


    The realization that their trek was far from over, the vast cier continuing to loom ahead, indifferent to their plight, stretched on, a seemingly insurmountable barrier to their goal.


    __________


    While Ericka and Seraphine were engaged in their own frosty duel, Wang Xiao found himself confronting the mystery of Dragon Canyon, his expectations shing with reality.


    "This is Dragon Canyon?" he questioned, a note of disillusionment in his voice as he hovered in the chill, the snowkes swirling around him like a dance of disappointment.


    Yin Yue added in, her voice a thread of skepticism in the icy air, [It doesn''t look that interesting.]


    Indeed, Dragon Canyon, despite its grandiose name, revealed itself as nothing more than a vast chasm carved into the ice.


    It stretched over a kilometer, its depths shrouded in darkness, a bottomless void that defied exploration.


    Its name, a grim homage to those it had imed, offered no tales of dragons or fiery breath but spoke of a cold, merciless grave for the unwary.


    Wang Xiao''s expectations had painted images of mythical creatures, of dragons entwined with the elements of fire and air, not this silent, frozen abyss that seemed to mock his anticipation. Yet, as he descended toward the dark waters, the allure of the unknown tugged at his curiosity.


    [Are you going inside?] Yin Yue''s inquiry broke through his contemtion.


    With a nod, Wang Xiaomitted to his decision. "Since we are here, might as well take a look."


    Ssh!


    His form broke the surface, plunging into the icy waters below. The immediate shock of the cold was a visceral challenge, his body protesting against the intrusion.


    Though he managed to stabilize, the realization dawned that his control over his body''s temperature, while top notch, was tested by the continuous chill of the abyss.


    ''It''s not looking good,'' he acknowledged internally, his adventurous spirit undeterred by the physical difort.


    Wang Xiao decided to venture further, experimenting with his abilities in this new, unforgiving environment.


    As silence enveloped him, he allowed himself to float, surrendered to the embrace of the icy depths, his eyes closed in concentration.


    Whoosh!


    In an instant, the abyss beneath Wang Xiao transformed.


    His eyes, previously closed in serene contemtion, shed open, heralding a shift in the water around him.


    It recoiled, parting before him as though repelled by an invisible force emanating from his very being.


    A slight, triumphant smile touched his lips, a silent acknowledgment of his newfound technique. ''Why hadn''t I considered this earlier?'' he mused, marveling at the simplicity and efficacy of his actions.


    [It would consume more and more energy, the deeper you dive,] Yin Yue''s voice echoed in his mind,ced with caution. [If you lose control at the wrong time, you might bepressed to nothingness.]


    ''That''s alright,'' Wang Xiao dered with a confidence that bordered on recklessness.


    He was undeterred, ready to push the limits of his exploration.


    Swish!


    With resolve steeling his every move, he propelled himself deeper into the canyon''s depths, eager to discover its secrets while his strength permitted.


    Woosh! Woosh!


    The silence of the deep was shattered by the swift passage of aquatic creatures, a flurry of life in the cold, dark waters.


    Then, something utterly unforeseen urred¡ªWang Xiao found himself amidst orcas, their sleek forms cutting through the water with lethal grace.


    The presence of these apex predators in such frigid depths defied logic, sparking a surge of confusion and awe in Wang Xiao.


    ''???'' His mind trying to rationalize the implications of this discovery.


    The realization that he might inadvertently provoke a confrontation with a pod of killer whales forced a rapid reassessment of his situation.


    Such an encounter would not only be dangerous but could deplete his reserves, leaving him helpless in the unforgiving embrace of the abyss.


    Whoosh!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    With a sense of urgency driving him, Wang Xiao made the decision to ascend.


    Swoosh!


    In that moment of decision, an unexpected disturbance rippled through the water. ''Hm? What?'' Wang Xiao tensed, bracing for a confrontation. He anticipated the orcas'' sleek forms to charge, to collide with him in their domain where he was an uninvited guest.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    However, rather thanunching an assault, the majestic creatures began orbiting him, swiftly transforming his solitary dive into the center of a living, moving cyclone.


    Their sleek bodies blurred into a vortex that obscured his view, leaving him in awe and confusion.


    ??


    Bam!


    The sudden impact against his back sent a jolt of rm through Wang Xiao.


    An orca had propelled itself towards him, its massive form a shadowy figure in the water''s dim light.


    But instead of the expected collision, the force was absorbed by the bubble of air he had unconsciously maintained around himself¡ªa shield that should have been as fragile as a whisper against the might of the whale.


    Yet, the anticipated breach never came.


    The orca''s touch was surprisingly gentle, a mere nudge that sent Wang Xiao spiraling deeper into the abyss, his mind struggling to grasp the nature of this interaction.


    Bam!


    ''Wtf!??'' The shock of a second, equally soft push left Wang Xiao bewildered, his descent into the depths elerating under the whales'' guidance.


    "kekekkeke!"


    The surreal turn of events reached its peak as what sounded likeughter echoed through the water.


    "Kekekke!"


    The orcas, their mouths curving into eerie semnces of grins, seemed to revel in the game they had devised, batting Wang Xiao''s bubble back and forth with the joy of children at y.


    ''The hell is happening!?'' Amidst the chaos, a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu struck him, the orcas'' actions reminiscent of that of three eyed grizzly.


    They treated his protective bubble as nothing more than a toy, their pushes guiding him ever deeper into the waters of Dragon Canyon, leaving him to wonder at the wild situation.


    ''No, they aren''t normal!'' Wang Xiao''s mind raced as he scrutinized the creatures encircling him. A chilling realization dawned upon him¡ªthey bore only a superficial resemnce to orcas.


    These beings were abnormal, their behaviors and appearances veering into the uncharted territory, ''What the hell are these!?'' His thoughts spiraled into confusion as the creatures tightened their formation around him, crafting a living dome that blotted out the scant light filtering through the water''s surface.


    !!


    A cold dread gripped Wang Xiao, a shiver coursing through his spine as a terrifying thought emerged: ''Wtf? Do they intend to push me to death?'' The yful nudges now seemed sinister, a concerted effort to drive him to an unseen, possibly fatal, end.


    "Kekekke!"


    The eerieughter echoed again, but this time it was followed by a sudden, resounding Boooom!


    In a burst of resolve, Wang Xiao shattered the watery cage confining him. He propelled himself upwards with all the force he could muster, breaking free from the dark depths and the circle of creatures.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The orcas¡ªor whatever they were¡ªpursued him with a speed that bordered on the supernatural.


    Their teeth, now visiblyrger than any orca''s should be, glistened menacingly in the dim light, transforming them from mysterious escorts to apex predators on the hunt.


    __________


    Booom!


    Amidst Wang Xiao''s frantic ascent, the tranquil abyss of the North Antic stirred with ancient power.


    From the darkest depths, where light dared not trespass, a colossal force awakened. An entity, dormant for eons beneath the ocean''s surface, roused from its slumber.


    Its eyes, glowing with a baleful red luminescence, pierced the shadowy waters as it awakened.


    The ocean floor trembled, sending ripples across the deep, as this behemoth¡ªa leviathan whose sheer size eclipsed any known creature, a relic from a bygone eraunched itself with purpose.


    Boooom!


    With an astonishing burst of speed, the leviathan tore through the water, its massive form cutting a path through the sea as if it were nothing but air.

 Chapter 229: Dragon Canyon (3)

    Swish!


    The pressure of its passage caused the very water around it to tear apart, creating a vacuum in its path.


    This ancient whale, a relic from a time when the earth was wild and untamed, set its course with unerring precision toward Jan Mayen Ind, where Seraphine, Wang Xiao, and Ericka found themselves trapped in their own situations.


    This was no ordinary blue whale; it was the same monstrous creature that had once attacked the ship bearing Wang Xiao as a captive, casting him adrift to a deste ind.


    Now, as if drawn by the threads of fate that connected it to Wang Xiao, the leviathan seemed to home in on his presence.


    ______


    Ssh!


    Emerging from the chilling embrace of the cier, Wang Xiao found himself unceremoniously deposited onto the icy expanse.


    His feet skidded across the frozen surface, a stark contrast to the fluid danger he''d just escaped.


    "What the hell was that!?" His voice cut through the eerie silence, a mix of incredulity and frustration marking his tone.


    Swoosh!


    He spun around, scanning the horizon for any sign of the abnormal orcas, when a new sensation crawled over his skin.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    "Kekkekeke..."


    "Kekekekkekekkkekekekekekekekekkekekekkekekekeem"


    One by one, the orcas surfaced, their heads breaking the icy water''s ne, emitting sounds eerily akin to derangedughter.


    Beneath Wang Xiao''s feet, the ice trembled, threatening to fracture under the weight of the unseen chaos within.


    The numbers of these omnious orcas swelled, an unnerving sight that defied logic and reason.


    "How?! Why are there so many?" Wang Xiao muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on the growing assembly.


    The situation was spiraling beyond hisprehension!


    [I... Have no idea...] Yin Yue''s voice echoed in his mind, tinged with concern.


    Even she, with her vast knowledge and abilities, found herself at a loss.


    She attempted to delve into the essence of these creatures, seeking an anomaly, a clue to their intentions.


    Yet, their forms, while mimicking orcas, revealed nothing but an mysterious void.[They look like orcas, yet they''re not. What drives these creatures to purse you with this dedication ?] she pondered aloud, her thoughts mirroring Wang Xiao''s bewilderment.


    Wang Xiao, standing above the cracking ice, faced the gathering storm ofughter and shadows. "Is this some game to them?" he mused, a flicker of anger mingling with his confusion.


    Theughter of the orcas, now a symbol of madness, seemed to mock him, pushing him further into a puzzle that defied solution.


    _________


    "Hm? Did you hear that?" Ericka''s voice echoed against the biting cold, her toneced with curiosity rather than fear.


    "What?" Seraphine''s response was a mix of skepticism and amusement. "Ericka, are you starting to hear things now?" She couldn''t suppress a chuckle, but Ericka''s sharp re quickly wiped the smirk from her face.


    "Be serious, Sera! It''sing from over there!" Ericka insisted, her determination pulling her towards the source of the noise.


    ''Ugh! This idiot!'' Seraphine cused Ericka inwadly , the frustration bubbling within her. ''Why does this snow angel have to be so clueless? Can''t she see the danger in wandering off the path?''


    Despite her irritation, Seraphine couldn''t deny the truth: she too had heard the noise, and it was unmistakably clearer than she cared to admit.


    But years of watching horror movies had taught her one thing¡ªif you followed such sounds, you were likely signing up for a starring role in a tragedy.


    "Hey, Ericka, wait! I need to tell you something¡ª" Seraphine''s voice trailed off as she hurried after Ericka, desperate to prevent her friend from unwittingly kickstarting a horror movie clich¨¦.


    But as she caught up, she found Ericka had already halted, standing at the edge of a precipice. "Phew, thank God you realized," Seraphine gasped out, relief flooding her as she mistakenly believed Ericka hade to her senses.


    That relief was short-lived.


    Ericka wasn''t pausing for a breath or a moment of reflection; she was transfixed, her eyes locked onto something in the distance, something that had rooted her to the spot.


    "Hm, Ericka!?" The concern in Seraphine''s voice was evident as she followed Ericka''s gaze, her heart pounding with anticipation and a hint of fear.


    And then, she saw it.


    !!


    Whatevery before them was enough to halt Ericka in her tracks, to turn the ever-curious, fearless adventurer into a statue.


    And now, Seraphine too found herself caught in the same trap, her body rigid, her mind racing.


    _______


    Puchi!


    "Bastards are never-ending!" Wang Xiao''s voice reverberated with frustration, his eyes aze as he surveyed the crimson-stained waters.


    Despite his efforts to turn the tide with their blood, the relentless onught of these creatures showed no signs of abating.


    "When would they end?" He spat out the words, a mixture of anger and despair evident in his tone.


    His body hovered above the fractured ice, a crimson halo surrounding him, while the orcas, with their mockingughter, emerged from the icy depths, their menacing stares fixated on him.


    With a grim determination, Wang Xiao unleashed a barrage of explosions, each st painting the scene in a deeper shade of red as the river of blood flowed endlessly.


    Yin Yue, [...]


    She hesistant to speak, only to be silenced by another voice that pierced the air like a thunderp. "Hey! Stop that!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Who dares!?" Wang Xiao spun around, his gaze piercing through the neer with narrowed eyes, a sense of divine wrath emanating from him, causing even the unbeliever like Ericka to quiver in fear as she stood frozen in ce, unable to move under the weight of his oppressive aura.


    Hovering above the crimson river, Wang Xiao cast a shadow that seemed to merge with the dark waters below, his eyes mirroring the deep red of spilled life, a clear reminder to the power he wielded.


    Ericka, witnessing this, was reminded forcefully of the chasm that lies between the mortal realm and the divine.


    The man before her, an entity capable of devastation on a scale unfathomable, stood as a living monument to that divide.


    Her initial impulse to protest was swallowed by the gravity of the moment, her words emerging as a faint whisper after a tense, heavy silence.


    "T-they aren''t trying to fight you..." She approached the quieted orcas with a cautious step, their predatory eyes following her every move, yet holding back as if awaiting her touch.


    Reaching out to caress the faces of these creatures was an act of audacity, one that could have spelled her doom under different circumstances.


    Yet, as her fingers made contact, a realization dawned upon her. ''This is unbelievable!'' The thrill of potentially discovering a new species electrified her, gratitude flooding in for her timely intervention that may have spared these beings from annihtion.


    "S-See... These seem like some new species of dolphins, they aren''t really harmful," she called out to Wang Xiao, her voice carrying a mix of hope and assertion, trying to bridge the gap between his perception and the reality she believed in.


    Wang Xiao, suspended in his judgment, watched silently.


    The puzzle of their behavior still echoing in his mind¡ªwhy then had these creatures seemed so intent on his destruction, pushing him deeper into the abyss?


    "What is that?" His attention snapped to a new anomaly, a rapidly approaching dot in the distance, its speed and direction unmistakable.


    !?


    As his focus honed in on the rapidly approaching figure, the world around him seemed to slow, every detail magnified.


    The figure''s features became clearer with each passing second¡ªa person of undeniable grace, with long, flowing blonde hair that seemed to dance with the wind and eyes of a piercing, crystalline blue that cut through the distance like shards of ice.


    [Carefull!] Yin Yue''s voice pierced his concentration, a stark warning that barely had time to register before¡ª


    Booooooom!


    The air exploded with the force of the collision.


    Bam!


    Wang Xiao, caught off guard, was sent flying, his body a mere projectileunched by the formidable power of the neer.


    Boooom!


    He crashed into the ice wall with a thunderous crack, shards of ice cascading around him like a shattered mirror.


    "Hahahaha! Is this the 8th Prince? So weak!" The air was thick with mockery as Asmodeous stepped forward, his figure emerging from a swirling icy mist, hisughter echoing ominously across the frozenndscape.


    Gasp!


    The next moment froze Ericka and Seraphina in horror. In Asmodeous''s hand was a severed, bloody hand, the droplets of blood painting the snow beneath a stark, beautiful red.


    The horror of the sight, coupled with the realization of its possible owner, sent a wave of shock through them.


    "... h-hand...?" Ericka''s voice trailed off into a whisper, her gaze locked on the trophy Asmodeous unted with such casual cruelty.


    Seraphina, her usualposure shattered, could only stare in disbelief, her mind crashed at the implications of what this meant for Wang Xiao.


    Asmodeous, basking in the terror his presence invoked, turned his sharp gaze towards Ericka and Seraphina, a sinister smile ying on his lips. "Ah, witnesses to my triumph. How delightful," he taunted, his voice a cold whisper that seemed to leach the warmth from the air.


    From above, hisughter continued to echo, a haunting the moment. "You all are fools," he taunted, his gaze sweeping over Ericka and Seraphina  yet again, with a look of utter disdain. "Did you really think you stood a chance?"

 Chapter 230: Dragon Canyon (4)

    Cough! Cough!


    Wang Xiao emerged from the shattered ice, a grimace of pain etched across his face as he expelled blood with each wrenching cough.


    His gaze, fierce and unyielding, found Asmodeous hovering above, a spectral figure in the bleakndscape.


    Ignoring the sharp pain radiating from his shoulder and the warmth of his own blood soaking into his clothes, Wang Xiao''s attention was fixated on his adversary.


    [His body is peculiar,] Yin Yue observed with a sense of urgency, [It''s as if his bones are forged from something denser than thebined weight of a thousand humans, and his skin... it''s like steel.] Her analysis painted a picture of a being far removed from the frailties of human flesh and bone.


    The collision had imparted a brutal lesson on Wang Xiao; the force of it was akin to being struck by a speeding train¡ªa blunt, unforgiving impact that spoke volumes of Asmodeous''s unnatural strength.


    "Who are you?" Wang Xiao''s voice, rough with effort, broke the silence. There was a note of genuine curiosity amidst the pain, a query directed at the almost ethereal appearance of his foe, whose skin and features seemed to belie a delicate femininity.


    "Asmodeous," came the reply, the name rolling off the tongue with an air of supremacy. Asmodeous''s eyes, cold and unfeeling, locked onto Wang Xiao. "You are quite frail for a prince, huh?" The words wereced with disdain, a mocking sneer that sought to belittle.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, a spark of defiance igniting within him despite the physical exhaustion that clung to his limbs.


    Yet, he managed a grin, a retort poised on his lips. "Then why do you look like a frail woman instead?" He countered, his tone dripping with sarcasm, buying time as he gauged his opponent, his body screaming due to earlier exhaustion.


    !!


    Asmodeous''s expression momentarily froze, a flicker of surprise¡ªor was it irritation?¡ªcrossing his otherwise impassive features.


    Wang Xiao pressed on, seizing the momentary advantage, "Let me guess," he began, his voice stronger now, weaving words as he might wield a weapon, aiming to unsettle Asmodeous further.


    "You''re like a cosmic shit, then? Looks all shinny and colourful, yet stinks?" Wang Xiao voice dripped with sarcasm, the pain from his injuries momentarily forgotten in the face of such a enlighting discovery.


    "..."


    Asmodeous, taken aback by theparison, blinked, the icy facade momentarily cracking.


    "Cosmic shit?" he repeated, the word foreign and distasteful on his tongue. "I am a being of unparalleled power, not provoked by such gliberrish nonsense!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao smirked, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement. "Oh, my mistake. I just thought, with all the arrogance you must be drinking from the gxy''srgest shit-can."


    Yin Yue''s presence in his mind felt almost like a sigh. [Perhaps mocking a being capable of crushing us is not the wisest strategy,] she reminded gently, her tone suggesting that while Wang Xiao''s humor might be a coping mechanism, it could also be poking a very dangerous bear.


    "Enough of this nonsense," Asmodeous growled, clearly unamused by the turn the conversation had taken.


    Yet, there was a hint of reluctance in his stance, as if Wang Xiao''s words had indeed struck a nerve.


    Boooom! I


    With a sudden burst of speed that split the air itself, Asmodeous dove towards Wang Xiao, his eyes igniting with a wrathful ze.


    But Wang Xiao, far from being daunted, only offered a grin in response.


    He strategically positioned himself against the precipice of Dragon Canyon, a silent audience of orcas below them, their gaze fixed on the situation above, contrasting thier earlier mischief.


    Boom!


    Ssh!


    The sh between them resulted in a spectacr plunge, both figures descending into the abyssal waters of the canyon.


    The dark depths swallowed them whole, a silent witness to their struggle.


    "You Bastard!" Asmodeous''s fury echoed through the water, his voice a distorted growl as he attempted to hurl Wang Xiao deeper into the abyss. But Wang Xiao, undeterred, met his gaze with a defiant re, seizing Asmodeous''s hands in a vice-like grip.


    !!!


    A moment of stunned silence passed underwater, Asmodeous''s eyes widening in shock before a painful scream tore from his throat.


    Wang Xiao''s smirk was thest thing he saw before the pain began.


    BOOM!


    Boooom!


    In the murky silence of the deep, a battle unseen but fiercely felt raged on. Asmodeous''s skin, previously impervious and likened to steel, began to peel away under Wang Xiao''s assault.


    Thick, tar-like blood clouded the water, streaming from the wounds on his face and shoulders asyer afteryer of his stolen defenses were stripped away.


    The sight of Asmodeous, a being of unparalleled power,ing undone at the seams was both horrific and mesmerizing.


    Wang Xiao, channeling all his strength into this singr focus started  to dismantle the threat before him, piece by piece.


    "YOU!!!!" Asmodeous''s fury echoed through the water, his voice distorted and monstrous. Heunched a furious punch towards Wang Xiao, who braced himself for the impact.


    With swift precision, Wang Xiao managed to tear through the skin of Asmodeous''s fist, but he couldn''t fully evade the blow.


    Whooosh! Bam!


    The force of the punch sent shockwaves through the water, but before Asmodeous could follow up, an unexpected ally intervened¡ªan orca, its massive form a blur of motion, collided with Asmodeous.


    "Ugh! You puny creatures! Stay away from my path!" Asmodeous snarled, his half-shredded face filled with mask of rage and blood.


    His voice, even underwater, generated powerful shockwaves that rippled through the abyss.


    Booom! Screeeeh!


    With brutal force, Asmodeous grabbed an orca, tearing it open with his bare hands. Yet, undeterred by the violence, more orcas joined the fray, their sharp teeth gnashing at him, their bite force proving significant even against his steel-like skin.


    "Aghhh! Annoying!" Asmodeous''s anger boiled over as he iled underwater, desperately trying to fend off the relentless assault from the orca swarm.


    The water around them turned into a frenzied whirlpool, the orcas working in unison to overwhelm him.


    Wang Xiao watched, a mix of surprise and confusion marking his features as the orcas formed a living vortex around Asmodeous, their intent clear¡ªthey were trying to take down the threat he posed.


    Hiss!


    A sudden pain jolted Wang Xiao back to his own predicament.


    The cold sting of the water against his bleeding shoulder, where Asmodeous had torn away his hand, brought a sharp reminder of his injuries.


    His expression darkened, the grim reality setting in.

 Chapter 231: Dragon Canyon (5)

    ''His body is unbelievably strong,'' Wang Xiao acknowledged internally, his gaze fixed on the chaotic scene before him.


    Despite his efforts to dismantle Asmodeous, all he had managed was to strip away the his outeryers, revealing a monstrous, battered form beneath.


    Yet, Asmodeous''s core seemed untouched, his strength undiminished.


    In the midst of Wang Xiao''s strategizing, a ghostly figure, battered and bleeding yet unbowed, surged through the water with supernatural speed, its sights set on Wang Xiao.


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao''s surprise was fleeting, reced quickly by resolve as he braced himself for the impact, his fist poised for a counterstrike.


    Booom!


    Their collision sent shockwaves radiating through the water, powerful enough to reverberate against the very foundations of the surrounding mountain.


    Gasp!


    On the surface, Seraphine and Ericka watched in horror as the ice around them fractured, giant sheets splintering and falling away into the abyss below.


    Whoooh!


    The battle had escted, with Asmodeous seizing Wang Xiao and propelling them both into the air, relentlessly driving him back while Wang Xiao''s fists hammered down upon Asmodeous''s skull, each blow aimed with desperate intensity.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Boooom! Booom! Booooom!


    The sounds of Wang Xiao''s punches echoed like thunder, a furious attempt to breach Asmodeous''s seemingly imprable defense.


    Yet, Asmodeous, his demeanor as twisted as his form, met each strike with sinisterughter, the sound chilling against the icy expanse.


    "Hahahaha!" His maniacalughter, mocking Wang Xiao''s efforts as he drove him back against the icy walls encasing the volcano, Beerenburg.


    !!


    A surge of pain ignited Wang Xiao''s resolve into a zing fury. With a fierce grip, he seized Asmodeous''s wrists, locking eyes with him as the madughter continued to spill from Asmodeous''s lips.


    The ice beneath them began to crack and groan, an evidence to the immense forces at y between the twobatants.


    Splurt!


    In a moment of ruthless determination, Wang Xiao exerted all his might against the limbs that felt as unyielding as steel.


    Splurt!


    With a gruesome effort, he detached Asmodeous''s arms from his body, a move that should have been decisive.


    Yet, Asmodeous''s reaction was far from defeated; he grinned, a wicked smile spreading across his face before¡ª


    Boooom!


    He lunged forward, headbutting Wang Xiao with such force that the world turned momentarily dark for him, blood trickling down his forehead.


    Buzzzzzzzzzzzz!


    A disorienting buzz filled Wang Xiao''s ears, his vision blurred and his head throbbing from the impact.


    Seraphine and Ericka watched in horror, gasping as Asmodeous, now handless, stood proudly.


    Blood oozed from his shoulders where his arms had been, and his facial skin, torn away to reveal the bone beneath, did nothing to stifle hisughter.


    Whoooosh!


    Suddenly, the air itself seemed to conspire with Asmodeous, as debris and matter from the surroundings began to swirl and converge on him.


    Ericka and Seraphine looked on in terror as Wang Xiao, shaking off the disorientation, witnessed an unbelievable sight.


    "He can absorb things!?" Wang Xiao eximed, his voiceced with shock. Before their eyes, Asmodeous''s body underwent a transformation.


    The swirling matter clung to him, granting his skin an icy, muddy texture. His wounds knit together in a disturbing disy of rapid healing, and even more unsettling was the regeneration of his limbs.


    His appearance morphed, bing something akin to a golem, his features rough and jagged, a far cry from any semnce of humanity.


    "Prince, you''ve made a catastrophic error by challenging me in my own realm!" Asmodeous''s eyes bore into Wang Xiao like fiery daggers as he spoke, his voice now a deep growl, carrying a mix of amusement and simmering frustration.


    Wang Xiao found himself outmatched.


    He had already expended the lion''s share of his strength, tearing at Asmodeous''s hands and rending his flesh.


    But as Asmodeous effortlessly regenerated, a sense of futility washed over him.


    Was there even a glimmer of hope left?


    The questions swirled in Wang Xiao''s mind, but they were swiftly drowned out by the sound of Asmodeousunching himself at him once more.


    This time, the demon lord moved with a terrifying speed, dragging Wang Xiao around like a ragdoll and raining blows upon his bloodied visage.


    Wang Xiao struggled to retaliate, but it was as though Asmodeous, who had initially toyed with him, had now unleashed his full wrath.


    "No...." Ericka''s voice, filled with dread, pierced the cold air as she and Seraphine bore witness to the sudden, drastic turn in the battle''s dynamics.


    The disparity in power between Wang Xiao and Asmodeous was as vast as the heavens and the earth.


    Booom!


    In a desperate bid for leverage, Wang Xiao unleashed a burst of psychokic energy, momentarily disfiguring Asmodeous''s face into fragmented chaos.


    Yet, before the satisfaction of the attack could even settle, the damaged flesh reformed, as if time itself reversed at Asmodeous''s whim.


    "Hahaha!" Asmodeous''sughter echoed ominously as he pinned Wang Xiao against a towering sheet of ice, his voice dripping with mockery. "Did you really think my prowess is limited to mere physical strength? Let me enlighten you, I, Asmodeous, am capable of absorbing anything!"


    "I consumed the essence of thousands women to sculpt this impable form, and you, you dare sully it!"


    "Do you think I would let such humiliation go unpunished?" Asmodeous taunted, his tone darkening. "Behold the doom that befalls those who cross the mighty Asmodeous!"


    "Face my wrath!"


    In a disy of terrifying power, Asmodeous''s fist began to swell monstrously, drawing in matter from the surroundings, growingrger and more menacing by the second.


    ''Not good,'' Wang Xiao realized, his expression hardening. Catching sight of Seraphine and Ericka, their faces etched with terror as they witnessed the unfolding spectacle, he sighed, the weight of the moment pressing down on him.


    But the die was cast. Wang Xiao hadn''t anticipated the Guardians'' swift intervention, nor had he expected a confrontation so direct and so soon.


    As Asmodeous''s fist grew, a monolith of destruction, Wang Xiao realized the gravity of his miscalction.


    Now, he can only relinquish the connections he''s forged and single-mindedly prioritize survival.


    In this moment, whether Ericka and Serphine perish or face uncertain fates, his own survival reigns supreme.


    Right then, Asmodeous''s voice boomed, filled with a sinister glee as he prepared to announce Wang Xiao''s demise to the world. "This is the end, Prince! Witness the moment your life is extinguished by the great Asmodeous!"

 Chapter 232: Dragon! Aura and Aurora!

    "....This is the end, Prince! Witness the moment your life is extinguished by the great Asmodeous!"


    Asmodeousughter, cold and devoid of mercy, echoed off the ice, a harbinger of doom.


    !!


    Ka-Boom!


    But fate, it seemed, had other ns. Before Asmodeous could savor his victory, the sky itself rebelled against the injustice, splitting apart with a roar that silenced all other sounds.


    Roaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarr!


    The air trembled, the very earth shook, and in that moment of cosmic upheaval, something ancient and powerful made its presence known.


    "Huh?" Asmodeous''s moment of triumph was cut short, confusion etching his features as darkness swallowed the daylight, casting an ominous shadow over the battlefield.


    "Wha¡ªarrghhhhnodjdkh!"


    A scream of terror and pain¡ªthe likes of which had never before escaped Asmodeous''s lips¡ªpierced the air. In an instant, a massive maw, lined with razor-sharp teeth, descended from the heavens, engulfing him whole.


    Crunch... Crunch...


    The sound of Asmodeous being devoured resonated through the silent witnesses, a grim reminder of the power that lurked beyond their understanding.


    In the aftermath, silence reigned, broken only by the ragged breaths of the survivors.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao, Ericka, and Seraphine remained frozen, their eyes locked on the behemoth before them.


    Its eyes shone with a yellowish light, alien and unfathomable, while its body, covered in white scales, blended seamlessly with the snow around them.


    The creature''s wings, vast and imposing, unfurled behind it, casting a shadow that spoke of ancient power and majesty.


    The dragon, the mythical beast of legends, seemed almost... annoyed?


    Its massive eyes rolled in what could only be interpreted as exasperation, as if it had been drawn away from a particrly engaging dragon pastime to deal with this mess.


    "Wt¡ª!?" Wang Xiao was dumbstruck, his mind grappling with the reality that a dragon¡ªa creature of myth and legend¡ªstood before them, not just any dragon, but one of colossal size, its entire form impossible to take in at a single nce.


    The dragon, for its part, seemed to give a huff that stirred the snow around them, its breath a visible puff in the cold air.


    It was as if the creature was sighing at the inconvenience of having to disy its might to such an insignificant audience.


    A new realization gripped Wang Xiao, an instinctual understanding that flight was futile against such a being.


    This dragon, this guardian of the skies, held their fates in its ws, capable of extinguishing their lives with as much thought as one might give to snuffing out a candle.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    And he was right. In the presence of such a creature, all ns, all strategies, and all thoughts of resistance paled.


    They stood at the mercy of a being that belonged more to the realm of dreams and nightmares than to their reality.


    "Are you alright?" In the midst of the silent aftermath, a gentle melody pierced the tension, a soothing sound that seemed almost out of ce in the cold, harsh environment of ce.


    Whoosh!


    And then, with a graceful movement thatmanded the attention of all present, a figure leaped from the dragon''s back,nding with an elegance that contrasted the chaos of moments before.


    The neer, with silver hair cascading like a waterfall of moonlight, caused a stir among the group. Her arrival was as unexpected as it was dramatic, leaving Ericka, Seraphine, and Wang Xiao in a state of startled surprise.


    Wang Xiao, in particr, found his gaze drawn to her rosy cheeks, her fairplexion that seemed to radiate its own light, and the distinctive teal jacket that sparked a flicker of recognition in his mind.


    "It''s you..." His voice was a mixture of suprise and realization, the words barely a whisper.


    The flower girl from Icevale, the very one he had sought without sess, now stood before him, inexplicably allied with a dragon.


    Aurora''s expression shifted, a shadow passing over her features. "I have a name, Aurora," she corrected him, her sigh cutting through the tension as she addressed the group''s stunned expressions.


    Rooaaar!


    The dragon''s roar, a sound of ancient power, seemed to echo Aurora''s introduction, though the resulting gale sent their hair into disarray, a wild dance in the wind.


    Hiss!


    At a distance, Seraphine and Ericka wore expressions of sheer terror, their faces drained of color as the dragon''s gaze swept over them. Aurora, noting their fright, let out a resigned sigh and nced towards them, a gesture of acknowledgment that prompted an immediate reaction.


    Thud! Thud!


    In the next moment, both women sumbed to their fear, copsing into unconsciousness. Wang Xiao, witnessing this and standing perilously close to Aurora and the dragon, instinctively took a step back.


    Aurora turned to face him once more, her eyes momentarily reflecting the icy depths of a winter storm before softening. "They''re only asleep, haven''t died yet," she assured him, her lips curving into a gentle smile. "But if they remain exposed to the cold too long, they might not wake up."


    Wang Xiao''s gaze darted between Aurora and his fallenpanions, a silent debate raging within him. With a determined nod, he moved to lift Seraphine and Ericka, only to freeze as the reality of his missing hand dawned on him once again.


    Caught in this absurd situation, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but let out a frustrated chuckle.


    Here he was, standing in the aftermath of a confrontation with a godlike being, in thepany of a woman and her dragon, contemting how to carry his unconscious friends to safety with one hand.


    "..."


    Slightly embarrassed by his own oversight, Wang Xiao resorted to using his psychokic abilities to levitate Ericka and Seraphina''s unconscious forms.


    Casting a dark look back towards Aurora, who responded with a subtle smile, he propelled himself into the air, leaving the scene behind.


    Once he was out of sight, Aurora''s expression shifted, the smile fading into something more contemtive. "Aura, do you also think I might be a bit... Stupid?" she asked, half in jest, half in earnest self-reflection.


    Whuff!


    Aura, the dragon, lowered its massive head towards her, its breath a warm gust against the chill air.


    Aurora sighed, the weight of her thoughts growing.


    The dragon''s response, a gentle exhtion, left Aurora to interpret its meaning¡ªagreement, denial, or perhaps simple empathy, symbolising it''s intelligent nature.

 Chapter 233: Confronting Aurora?

    ''What do you think about it?'' Wang Xiao murmured, his focus split between navigating through the air and the conversation he was revisiting in his mind.


    [About what?] Yin Yue''s voice echoed in his thoughts, her tone surprisingly neutral.


    Wang Xiao hesitated before continuing, ''She, the flower¡ªwhat''s her name, Aurora, I told you she was abnormal.''


    [She possesses an intriguing ability,] Yin Yue mused, analyzing the limited data at her disposal. [To hide herself and evade detection, to alter her physical form with such precision that even my scans fail to prate her guise¡ªit''s extraordinary.


    It suggests she can modify her cellr structure in mere milliseconds, utilizing her strength selectively while maintaining the appearance of a normal human. Whether this is a strategy to conserve energy or a limitation of her powers remains to be seen.]


    Yin Yue''s confusion mirrored Wang Xiao''s own.


    The inability to detect Aurora with her advanced sensing abilities suggested that, at a cellr level, Aurora appeared indistinguishably human.


    However, the moment Aurora leaped from the dragon''s back and gracefully hovered above the ground, a subtle anomaly presented itself¡ªa fleeting fluctuation within her body, so brief and faint that Yin Yue would have overlooked it had she not been keenly observant.


    The precision and control Aurora exhibited were nothing short of remarkable.


    Her abilities hinted at her mastery over an extraordinary ability to camouge her true essence, making her indistinguishable from a regr human to both conventional and enhanced forms of detection.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    During Aurora''s descent from the dragon''s back¡ªa subtle, momentary fluctuation in her body''s energy signature that suggested a highly controlled maniption of her bioenergetic field.


    This maniption was so precise it seemed to border on the art of molecr reconfiguration, indicating an active modtion of her physical and possibly quantum properties.


    This allowed Aurora to maintain a human facade, possibly involving the dynamic restructuring of her body''s atomicposition or the alteration of quantum states within her body to deceive observers.


    The energy required for such continuous modtion raised questions about its efficiency and purpose.


    Was it merely a defensive mechanism designed to blend among humans and evade detection, or was there a deeper, more strategic reason for this facade?


    This level of control, akin to epigic modification on demand, suggested Aurora could indeed be maintaining a human facade through continuous, conscious maniption of her biological makeup.


    It indicated an extraordinary mastery over her own gic code, requiring immense energy either expended in a constant stream to sustain this human form or through the ability to switch her gic expression as necessary.


    Moreover, Yin Yue''s analysis ventured into Aurora''s neurological makeup, which, while outwardly human, operated on a level ofplexity that defied conventional understanding.


    Her brain, akin to a highly advanced bioputer, was capable of running and rerouting countless processes simultaneously.


    This cognitive architecture allowed for the rapid deconstruction and reconstruction of her apparent human form, suggesting a level of bioengineering or evolutionary adaptation far beyond current scientificprehension.


    It implied Aurora possessed the ability to render herself invisible to detection methods by aligning her biological signature closely with that of a normal human, extending to her neural pathways and cognitive functions.


    This suggested a brain structure capable of dynamically rewiring itself to support the dual nature of her existence, a discovery that profoundly expanded the scope of their inquiry into the nature of identity, perception, and the potential for beings like Aurora to exist.


    But, above all¡ª


    [The Dragon...]


    Wang Xiao''s thoughts shifted to the other mysterious presence in their encounter. "What about the Dragon? Is it even real?" he queried, grappling with the surreal events of the day.


    Yin Yue''s response addedyers to the puzzle. [Not only is it real, but the cosmic energy signatures coating its scales bear a striking resemnce to those found in theherworld.]


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened in astonishment at yet another discovery, then settled back into a contemtive gaze. "Let''s confront her directly this time," he decided, a n forming in his mind.


    [Are you sure she won''t simply evade us again?] Yin Yue''s skepticism was evident in her tone.


    "We can''t control what we can''t," Wang Xiao replied, his voice steady and resolute.


    ________


    Four hours Later!


    "Is she still there?" Wang Xiao''s voice broke through the stillness as he stirred from his recovery.


    Despite his eagerness to confront Aurora, he knew better than to rush in unprepared.


    The potential for her to harbor unseen abilities loomedrge in his mind, urging caution.


    [I can''t locate her precisely, but the dragon has relocated to a different part of the ind. It appears they''ve made a temporary settlement and might be anticipating your arrival,] Yin Yue reported, her observational capabilities stretched across the expanse of the ind.


    "You can scan the whole Ind?" Wang Xiao asked, his surprise tinged with admiration for Yin Yue''s abilities.


    [Not entirely. Therger the area, the more diluted my findings be. However, the dragon''s energy signature is unmistakable and impossible to overlook,] Yin Yue admitted, shedding light on the scope and limitations of her powers.


    With a nod and a deep, contemtive sigh, Wang Xiao prepared himself to seek out Aurora and unwrap the mysteries she embodied.


    His mind teemed with theories¡ªcould she be a hellish spirit, akin to the dragon''s infernal energy signature?


    A Deviant, albeit one of unparalleled strength?


    Or perhaps another Guardian, her powers rivaling even those of Asmodeous?


    And the dragon¡ªwas it merely a creature that had wandered through a portal, now allied with Aurora?


    Spection, however, would yield no answers. The time for direct confrontation, for questions to be asked and truths to be revealed, had arrived.


    ________


    Perched at the cliff''s edge, Aurora sat in solitude, her gaze fixed on the chaotic sea below.


    The waves crashed against the rocks with relentless force, sending sprays of water skyward, some of which managed to grace her face with their cool touch.


    Not far from her, the dragony in a semnce of rest, its massive form an evidence to the power it wielded even in slumber.


    Shhhh....


    Suddenly, it stirred, sensing a presence approaching from afar. Wang Xiao, determined and resolute, made his way towards them, his stride steady and purposeful.

 Chapter 234: The True Guardians! (1)

    "Who are you?"


    The question, simple yetden with curiosity, floated across the serene grassy expanse to where Aurora sat, her back to him initially.


    As she turned to face Wang Xiao, her gaze seemed to draw the vastness of the sea into her eyes, her silver hair framing her face like moonlight against the night sky.


    "Is that the only thing you want to ask?" There was a softness in her voice, a hint of a smile ying at the corners of her eyes, imbuing her with a mncholic aura.


    Wang Xiao''s expression tightened, caught off guard by her gentle demeanor amidst the backdrop of their recent encounters.


    This part of the ind, cloaked in sparse vegetation, presented a stark contrast to the icy destion that dominated thendscape elsewhere.


    Compelled by an unseen force, he found himself sitting beside her, his gaze drifting out to the sea that stretched endlessly before them.


    "How is it? Isn''t it amazing?" Aurora''s voice, breaking the silence once more, prompted a frown from Wang Xiao.


    He was not in the mood for idle chatter, yet he found himself oddly captivated by her perspective.


    "The ocean, it covers most of the, so vast you could get lost by day, yet it could fill you with dread at night... It''s all yours now? What do you n to do with it?" Her inquiry, ending on a note of curiosity, took Wang Xiao by surprise, prompting him to turn towards her.


    "Mine?" The notion seemed ludicrous, yet there was something in Aurora''s tone that suggested she wasn''t entirely jesting.


    Her lips curved into a slight smile, a whisper of amusement at his bafflement. "Not yet, but this ce we are sitting on, for certain, belongs to you," she rified with a deep, resonant sigh.


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao, puzzled, found this creature manner ofmunication puzzling.


    Why can''t she speak human?


    It was as if she spoke in riddles rather than direct human speech.


    Aurora''s faint smile broadened slightly, as though she could sense his confusion and sought to alleviate it. "Let me rify for you, Asmodeous is dead."


    "..." Wang Xiao''s eyes blinked rapidly, still unclear on what had transpired.


    He nced backward towards the colossal white dragon, its body unmoving as it slumbered.


    After witnessing the brutal scene of Asmodeous being crushed to death by the dragon''s massive form, why should he still focus on it?


    Aurora''s emphasis on this event piqued his curiosity, suggesting implications far beyond what he had initially considered.


    Aurora rified, her voice steady yetced with a hint of amusement. "After the death of Asmodeous, the throne of the European continent is left unimed. ording to tradition, the one who ys him assumes his mantle, until such a time as another from the legion challenges for the right."


    !?


    This new discovery jolted Wang Xiao, prompting a swift turn towards Aurora.


    "You are also a guardian like Asmodeous?" He inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity and wariness.


    That was the first thing that came to his mind? Was he being used as a mere pawn in some grand power y orchestrated by these guardians?


    If that were the case, it presented an opportunity he could not ignore!


    He did not fear such political maneuverings; let theme.


    He would demonstrate his powers and navigate these treacherous waters with unwavering resolve.


    This woman, Aurora, must have her own motives, and she might require a puppet ruler to govern the European continent on her behalf.


    All of this, Wang Xiao deduced within mere seconds, his mind racing with the implications of Aurora''s words.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Witnessing the serious expression etched upon Wang Xiao''s features, Aurora could not help but break into a faint, melodious chuckle that reverberated through the vast ce.


    She sighed deeply before reaching down to retrieve the severed hand thaty beside her, its fingers twitching ever so slightly.


    "Do you want this back, or not?" she inquired, her toneced with mischief as she yfully waved the dismembered hand before him, as if it were a mere toy.


    !!


    Wang Xiao squinted his eyes, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he shook his head slowly, "I would prefer to have both hands intact."


    "Okay," Aurora responded with an ease that seemed out of ce in theplexity of their situation.


    She handed him the severed hand, her action apanied by a simplicity that bordered on the absurd.


    "What would I do with it?" Wang Xiao couldn''t hide his confusion, his brow furrowing as he held his own hand, now an object disconnected from him.


    "Attach it back," Aurora suggested, her tone as casual as if she were instructing him on a mundane task.


    Wang Xiao was momentarily speechless, a rare urrence for someone who had faced down countless dangers without flinching.


    "How?" he finally managed, his voice a mix of frustration and a begrudging eptance of his need for assistance.


    Observing his genuine cluelessness, Aurora let out a soft sigh, as if resigned to his ignorance of such seemingly simple magics.


    She stepped closer, her movements graceful, entering his personal space with a confidence that spoke of her familiarity with such procedures.


    Rustle...


    She positioned herself in front of him, taking the severed hand and carefully aligning it with his right shoulder.


    As she worked, a delicate scent wafted towards Wang Xiao, a blend of fresh citrus and floral notes that transported him back to their first encounter, a reminder of the peculiar connection that had formed between them despite their brief history.


    Whoosh...


    Without warning, a stream of water enveloped Wang Xiao''s shoulder, catching him off guard with its sudden, cool embrace.


    Before he had time to react, a familiar tingling sensation spread through his right hand, signaling the return of its function.


    "That''s not me, that''s Mimi," Aurora rified, her voice calm as if exining a mundane urrence. She paused, seemingly realizing Wang Xiao had no context for who¡ªor what¡ªMimi was, and shifted the conversation back to the heart of the matter.


    "Do you want to know who I am?" she asked, her voice carrying a weight that seemed disproportionate to her casual demeanor.

 Chapter 235: The True Guardians! (2)

    "Do you want to know who I am?" Aurora asked, her voice carrying a weight that seemed disproportionate to her casual demeanor.


    In an unexpected move, she pressed her back against Wang Xiao, closing any physical distance between them.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Hiss...


    Inhaling deeply, Wang Xiao was enveloped by her scent, aplex bouquet that was bing increasingly familiar.


    He nodded, his interest piqued. "Who are you?" he echoed, his gaze locked at back of her head.


    Aurora''s lips curled into a smile, one that hinted at the seismic impact her next words would carry.


    Yet, her expression remained impassive as she delivered the bombshell, "Your wife."


    Booom!


    The deration detonated like a bomb in Wang Xiao''s mind, leaving him momentarily shell-shocked.


    Aurora, seemingly amused by his reaction, snuggled closer deliberately, barely suppressing her amusement.


    Yin Yue''smentary floated through his stunned silence. [Genius! This one wants thergest piece of the pie!]


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened with confusion and a hint of indignation.


    He didn''t recall any matrimonialmitments, let alone to someone whose existence was as baffling as Aurora''s.


    "Are you not going to take responsibility for me?" Aurora prodded, her tone yful yet probing. Though she couldn''t see his face, she seemed to delight in the turmoil her question stirred within him.


    "What responsibility? I don''t remember marrying anyone," Wang Xiao retorted, his frustration evident.


    Aurora nudged him gently, a gesture that sought to lighten the mood. "Hey, no need to be so stiff and formal. I don''t like it."


    ''Then don''t like it,'' Wang Xiao thought almost instantly, a sh of irritation coursing through him.


    If not for the fact that a colossal dragon slumbered behind them, he might have been tempted to push her off the nearest cliff.


    "You are terrible at jokes," he finally adapted a more diplomatic approach, definitely not wanting anyone to take advantage of him, although he had been the one to push her down first.


    Aurora raised her brows, a challenge glinting in her eyes. "And you are also terrible at surviving." she retorted, challenging his self-assessment.


    Wang Xiao, undeterred, shot back, "I have survived so far, so clearly, you''re mistaken."


    "You wouldn''t have this time if I didn''te," Aurora countered, her voiceced with a hint of smugness.


    Wang Xiao''s expression remained impassive. "I could have retreated."


    "And what of those two women? They would have perished, or worse," Aurora pointed out, her voice sharpening.


    "That''s not my concern," Wang Xiao replied coldly, his focus narrowed to his own survival.


    Aurora was taken aback, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief. "!!"


    Wang Xiao continued, unfazed by her reaction, "If they were important, I could find a way in the future to bring them back to life. As long as I survive, I can do things. If I am dead, nothing else matters."


    Aurora fell silent, the audacity of his words rendering her speechless.


    His willingness to prioritize his own life so starkly, to speak so casually of reviving the dead as if it were a mere inconvenience, stirred an anger within her she hadn''t expected to feel.


    Her breathing became erratic, a physical manifestation of her turmoil.


    "Do you think you can do anything? Reviving the dead is not possible!" Aurora finally snapped, her voice a mixture of disbelief and anger.


    She questioned whether Wang Xiao truly grasped thews of their existence?


    Wang Xiao, pragmatist, responded with calm certainty, "I can find that out. At least I trust myself more in bringing them back to life than expecting them to resurrect me should I fall."


    "..."


    Aurora''s mouth opened, then closed, her words failing her as she found herself at a loss to counter his unwavering conviction.


    "Now, would you bother to tell me about yourself?" Wang Xiao inquired, a sly, triumphant smile ying across his face, sensing he had gained some ground in their verbal sparring.


    "..."


    Aurora fell silent, caught off guard by the turn of their conversation.


    She had not anticipated being cornered so skillfully.


    After a moment, she pressed her lips tightly together, her arms folding defensively as she averted her gaze. "I won''t tell. When I tried, did you even bother to listen?" she retorted, her voice tinged with a mix of resentment and usation.


    "Huh? When did you try?" Wang Xiao pressed, genuinely puzzled. From his perspective, this was the first real conversation they were having.


    Aurora''s expression softened, a smile flickering at the edges of her lips. "In April, when you were so eager for flesh, you didn''t even give me a chance to speak. I merely wanted to exin things to you, but you¡ª" Her voice trailed off, choked by the memory of her frustration and the futility of attemptingmunication that day.


    ??


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, a mix of confusion and realization dawning on him.


    His life, filled with moments of destruction and forgetfulness, made it hard to recall every detail, especially one as seemingly mundane as that day''s events.


    "That''s different. Today is different," he countered, unwilling to dwell on past mistakes.


    "Heh, you didn''t even enjoy your meal properly that day. You must have been quite upset, weren''t you?" Aurora couldn''t resist teasing him, recalling how she had deliberately escaped from him since he seemed utterly uninterested in anything she had to say.


    !!


    Wang Xiao''s irritation grew, the reminder grating on him.


    He entertained the brief, wish to instill in her a lesson in decorum.


    But there were more pressing matters to address.


    "If you''re not going to share anything, then I''ll take my leave," he announced, rising to his feet with a resolve to end the standoff, his patience with indirect methods wearing thin.


    !?


    Aurora, who had half-expected Wang Xiao to press further or attempt to coax the information out of her, was taken aback by his readiness to walk away.


    She hadn''t anticipated his indifference, nor his apparent willingness to leave without the answers he sought.


    "Wait,e back!" she called out, her toneced with urgency.


    The sudden shift in her approach, from defensiveness to an almost desperate need to keep him there, revealed the depth of her own conflicted needs.


    For a moment, Wang Xiao skillfully reversed the roles, with Aurora now seeking to hold onto the conversation she had initially resisted.

 Chapter 236: The True Guardians! (3)

    ''Is it safe? What are your thoughts, Yue?'' Wang Xiao inquired, pausing in his tracks but not making any move to return towards Aurora.


    The unexpected turn of events left him disoriented¡ªinstead of hostility, he found himself lost in a maze and seemingly un-hostile interactions.


    He sought Yin Yue''s advice, feeling as though he was navigating through a maze whose exits kept shifting.


    Yin Yue''s response came with a note of caution. [Safe? No... But you should go and listen to her. At least she doesn''t seem in the mood to harm you. Just try to keep your tongue in check; sometimes your words can be quite sharp.


    Not to mention, if she had wanted to kill you, she could have easily sed that dragon on you by now.]


    Wang Xiao''s eyes twitched in annoyance.


    Was today simply not his day?


    He couldn''t say for sure.


    What he did know, however, was that he needed answers!


    With a deep breath, he turned around to face Aurora again, who also shifted her gaze towards him. "Either you tell me your identity truthfully, or I will leave... And this wife thing, you better clear that up as well," Wang Xiao demanded.


    Yin Yue, [...]


    If she could, would surely have indulged in a facepalm.


    She had just cautioned Wang Xiao, yet here he was, treating Aurora as if she were merely another creature he had encountered on his travels, rather than a being of significant mystery and potential importance.


    Aurora''s response to Wang Xiao''s demands came with a hint of amusement, her lips curving into a wry smile. "Okay, but you must promise not to interrupt. Telling my whole story could take years. The more you interrupt, the longer we''ll be here," she said, her toneced with a patience that seemed to stretch across millennia.


    Wang Xiao, contrary to what she assumed, appeared more reasonable to her than she had first thought.


    This peculiar condition surpised Wang Xiao, though it also stoked his skepticism. ''Years to exin? Howplex could her story be?'' he wondered silently, his instincts cautioning him to stay alert.


    Tap! ... Tap!


    "Come, have a seat first," Aurora gestured, patting the grass beside her with a smile that was meant to be inviting.


    To Wang Xiao, however, it felt as though he was being coaxed by a centuries old witch in disguise.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Her subtle smile, under different circumstances, might have been disarming, but currently, to Wang Xiao, it sent an inexplicable shiver down his spine.


    Instead ofplying with her straightforward invitation, he opted for a strategic retreat, positioning himself behind her¡ªa tactical choice that offered both a quick escape route and an unobstructed view of her back.


    ??


    Confused but adaptable, Aurora''s lips twitched with suppressed amusement or perhaps exasperation.


    Without a word, she reached back for his hands, drawing them forward to encircle her waist.


    ??


    Rustle...


    The rustling of the grass as Aurora shifted closer sent a ripple of unease through Wang Xiao, prompting an involuntary reaction.


    "You have no sense of modesty," he remarked, his tone a mixture of resignation and bewilderment.


    "Really?" Aurora''s response was quick, her lips trembling with the effort to contain her amusement. "I thought you were just a bit sh¡ªhesitant to grab me." Her eyes gleamed with mischief, betraying her own racing heart as the cold touch of his hands met her skin.


    Wang Xiao was momentarily lost for words.


    ''Hesitant?''


    The very notion seemedughable.


    If only he was certain of her harmlessness, he would have dly demonstrated hisck of hesitation.


    Yet before he could collect his thoughts, Aurora had leaned back further, her back now flush against his chest, as she gazed upwards at the night sky with a contented sigh.


    "Do you see there?.... In the north, that constetion is named after a girl, Cassiopeia. But I think it suits you better." Her voice, carrying a softness that contrasted sharply with their earlier banter, floated gently in the evening air.


    Wang Xiao''s confusion only deepened. "I thought you were going to reveal your identity?" he reminded her, his patience wearing thin.


    Aurora''s expression soured momentarily. "Can you not interrupt?" she chided, her annoyance evident.


    Wang Xiao held his tongue, though internally he debated the logic of her strategy.


    How could he not pose questions if she insisted on veiling her answers in riddles and redirection?


    Aurora, undeterred, directed his gaze back to the stars. "Look carefully, it forms a W!" she exined, eager to share her celestial insight.


    "Okay?" Wang Xiao responded, his tone t, not quite catching the excitement Aurora seemed to be aiming for.


    Aurora, undeterred by hisck of enthusiasm, pressed on, "Your name starts with it, don''t you think that''s interesting? Or even a bit exciting?"


    "No," Wang Xiao replied bluntly, "You can find any pattern you want in the sky, given the number of stars."


    Aurora sighed, a hint of disappointment in her voice, yet she persisted, "That one is special, you know. The story of Cassiopeia isn''t just about punishment by the gods for vanity. It''s often misunderstood."


    "Hm? Then what''s the real story?" Wang Xiao, now mildly intrigued, allowed his gaze to drift upward, searching the night sky until his eyes settled on the constetion that formed a distinct ''W''.


    Aurora delved into the lore, her voice weaving the ancient tale with a passion that contrasted her initial frustration. "...4000 years ago, during the greek era... Cassiopeia was the queen of Aethiopia and the wife of King Cepheus. She was known for her extraordinary beauty, but she was also extremely vain and boastful about it."


    "Cassiopeia once imed that she and her daughter, Andromeda, were more beautiful than the Nereids, sea nymphs who were daughters of the sea god Nereus."


    "Outraged by Cassiopeia''s arrogance, the Nereidsined to Poseidon, the god of the sea, who sent a sea monster, Cetus, to ravage the kingdom of Aethiopia."


    "To appease the gods and save her kingdom, Cassiopeia agreed to sacrifice her daughter, Andromeda, by chaining her to a rock as an offering to the monster ¡ª However, Perseus, the legendary Greek hero, intervened and rescued Andromeda from the sea monster, eventually marrying her."


    "As punishment for Cassiopeia''s vanity and arrogance, the gods ced her in the sky as a constetion, where she is condemned to circle the celestial pole, sometimes hanging upside down, as a reminder of her hubris!"


    As Aurora concluded the tale, her sigh seemed to carry the weight of centuries, a bridge between the mythic past and the present moment under the stars.

 Chapter 237: The True Guardians! (4)

    As Aurora concluded the tale, her sigh seemed to carry the weight of centuries, a bridge between the mythic past and the present moment under the stars.


    "And what makes it special?" Wang Xiao pressed, still struggling to reconcile the somber tale with the notion of ''specialness''.


    The Greek tales overflow with such simr stories.


    Aurora''s eyes shimmered like the sky, deep ocean hues interwoven with the dancing northern lights, lending them a mesmerizing, oceanic green.


    "It''s special because it questions the tales we ept without hesitation. Why would a woman, condemned for her alleged vanity, be immortalized with such beauty in the heavens?"


    "It challenges the very foundation of how we remember and honor those from our past?" Aurora''s voice trailed off, her lips subtly curving into an mysterious arc.


    Wang Xiao pondered for a moment before replying, "To deter people from emting her? To make an example of her?"


    Shaking her head, Aurora''s response was a gentle rebuke to his conjecture. "History, as you know, has been rewritten many times, glorified and utilized as per the convenience of your kind. They have altered everything, and the truth got lost in its meaning."


    Wang Xiao remained silent, his skepticism momentarily silenced by the conviction in Aurora''s voice.


    How could she speak with such certainty, as if she had borne witness to the events she described?


    Aurora''s voice took on a bittersweet tone, tinged with mncholic satisfaction.


    "... Cassiopeia was undeniably beautiful, yet she was far from boastful. She became a victim of her own kindness. Just as evil snuffs out lives, so does kindness. She became entangled in a malicious scheme, whispers of which reached even the depths of the sea."


    "When the monstrous Cetus emerged, wreaking havoc without exnation, it seized the opportunity amidst the chaos."


    "Cassiopeia was captured, while her daughter Andromeda fled with Perseus, who was, in fact, Cassiopeia''s lover. He was not a hero but a coward. After their escape, Cassiopeia was subjected to endless torment, raped and discarded in captivity, forsaken even by the sea itself."


    "The tale of her sacrificing her daughter was a fabrication, concocted to tarnish her further. When questioned about her daughter, she remained silent, leading the king to believe she had offered her child to the monster in exchange for her own safety."


    "The past underwent countless distortions, losing its true essence."


    "On the eve of September 23rd, ording to the Attic calendar, she sumbed to suicide. Yearster, as the truth came to light, the constetion was christened in her honor, alongside her daughter''s, to pay homage to their lineage."


    "Andromeda''s name lives on in the distant reaches of the gxy, an evidence to the enduring legacy of their bloodline."


    "..."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    In the stillness of the moment, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but wonder if they werepeting into some unspoken contest of weaving tales.


    "Do you not believe me?" Aurora''s question broke the silence, her intuition seemingly attuned to Wang Xiao''s skepticism.


    "Only an idiot would take that at face value," Wang Xiao retorted bluntly, his patience for what he perceived as fanciful stories wearing thin.


    Aurora, undeterred, posed a seemingly unrted question. "What is the twenty-third letter in the alphabet?"


    "It''s ''W,''" he responded, his expression hardening before a flicker of realization crossed his face.


    !!


    The coincidence of Cassiopeia''s supposed date of death and the shape of the constetion began to dawn on him.


    Aurora borated, "In Greek, it''s ''¦·,'' which, if you observe closely, bears a resemnce to ''W.'' Look at the pattern the stars form."


    Whoosh!


    As if on cue, the grass beneath them swirled and stretched, miraculously forming a small ''¦·'' that mirrored the celestial arrangement above.


    Wang Xiao was momentarily taken aback, the undeniable simrity between the grassy symbol and the constetion overheadpelling him to reconsider his stance.


    Aurora, barely concealing her amusement, teased, "So, you believe it now, does that make your an idiot?"


    "I might tear your mouth apart if you insult me again," Wang Xiao shot back, half-joking, half-serious by her glibness.


    Yin Yue interjected with a gentle reminder, [Wang Xiao... I thought we were approaching this with caution.]


    Aurora, unfazed by the threat and seemingly amused by the exchange, countered with a slice of pragmatism. "If you tear my mouth apart, I''ll be rendered dumb. Then you''ll be left in the dark, never knowing the full extent of the truth."


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow at Aurora''s suggestion, "Then let''s proceed after you''ve shared everything with me," he stated.


    "That could take a while," Aurora warned, her voice echoing slightly in the tranquil night air.


    "I''m not short on time," Wang Xiao retorted confidently, his gaze steady on Aurora''s moonlit face.


    "Oh, really?" Aurora''s expression lit up with a hint of smile under the glow of the moon. "I was under the impression you mortals had only a few decades at best."


    "I''ll figure something out. Longevity doesn''t seem out of reach," Wang Xiao responded, his voice carrying determination.


    Aurora''s smile turned wry, as if she held a secret too amusing to share outright. "Your luck might have already done the heavy lifting for you, identally," she revealed, her eyes gleaming with undisclosed knowledge.


    Wang Xiao''s interest was piqued. "What do you mean?" he pressed, eager for rification on her cryptic hint.


    Shaking her head, Aurora murmured, "It''s nothing. Just wait, and you''ll find out soon enough. Though, I''m curious about what you did to earn Mimi''s trust. Her legacy is powerful enough to incite a global conflict."


    Wang Xiao, now thoroughly confused, sought rification. "Who is Mimi? You''ve mentioned her twice now."


    "Cut your finger and see for yourself," Aurora suggested, a challenge underlying her seemingly casual advice.


    Wang Xiao stared at her, disbelief mingling with a dawning sense of curiosity. "Cut my finger?" he echoed, unsure whether Aurora was jesting.


    Aurora nodded, unfazed by his hesitation. "You won''t take my word for it, so why not conduct a little experiment? Try cutting off a finger¡ªor, if you''re feeling bold, a leg."

 Chapter 238: The True Guardians! (5)

    Aurora, "...You won''t take my word for it, so why not conduct a little experiment? Try cutting off a finger¡ªor, if you''re feeling bold, a leg."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s silence stretched as he mulled over Aurora''s proposition, his mind wrestling with the implications of what she suggested.


    What kind of game was she ying?


    And more importantly, what were the rules?


    "If it doesn''t heal, I''ll heal it for you," Aurora offered, seemingly unfazed by the gravity of her own suggestion.


    Wang Xiao broke his silence, his curiosity piqued despite his reservations. "Show me," he demanded.


    "Huh?" Aurora blinked, taken aback. "Show you what?"


    "Prove that you can heal a severed finger," Wang Xiao rified, his gaze fixed on her, searching for any sign of deceit.


    Aurora''s response came with a nod, an eptance of his challenge.


    She extended her hand in front of him, the moonlight casting a gentle glow over her skin.


    With her other hand, she plucked a de of grass, which miraculously morphed into a sharp de right before his eyes.


    Swoosh!


    Under Wang Xiao''s watchful gaze, Aurora''s thumb was cleanly severed.


    Remarkably, there was no blood, only the stark reality of her digit lying separate from her hand.


    Then, with a calmness that belied the astonishing nature of her actions, she picked up her thumb and reattached it.


    Within moments, it was as if the thumb had never been severed, the seam between flesh seamlessly mended.


    "Do I need to show it again?" Aurora asked, her tone casual as if she had just performed a trivial party trick.


    Wang Xiao''s expression hardened, a mix of awe and renewed caution settling over him. "No need," he managed to say, his eyes unconsciously drifting to the back of her head.


    Despite the strangeness of the situation, he couldn''t help but notice the serene aura she exuded, the pleasant scent of her hair filling his senses.


    It was clear that Aurora possessed a patience and a depth that Wang Xiao had rarely encountered amongst woman.


    Maybe Bing Xueli, but this one was even better.


    Wait!


    She just revealed the truth of Greek mythology, a tale dating back four thousand years?


    As Wang Xiao began connecting the dots, a conclusion formed: this girl must be akin to Bing Xueli, enduring through centuries!


    Yes, that must be it!


    However, before he could delve deeper into this train of thought, he was abruptly brought back to the present by a rather mundane action.


    "Be quick," Aurora''s voice,ced with impatience, broke his reverie as she began removing his shoes.


    !!


    The sudden, unexpected contact¡ªthe feel of her slender, soft fingers brushing against his skin¡ªjolted Wang Xiao, freezing him in a mix of surprise and mild difort.


    "What are you doing?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of unease. This was not how he had envisioned their interaction progressing.


    Aurora''s response was direct, her focus singr. "Cut your thumb, and let me show you. Don''t waste time. You value time, so why waste?"


    Her logic, though bizarre in the context of their current activity, was oddlypelling.


    Wang Xiao found himself questioning the logic¡ªorck thereof¡ªbehind Aurora''s actions.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    This creature''s thought process seemed foreign, her approach to problem-solving unconventional at best.


    Yet, his curiosity was piqued, overriding his initial hesitance.


    Swish!


    With a reluctant focus, he concentrated on his toe¡ªand in an instant, the toe was severed, blood marking the sudden separation.


    A sharp pain shot through him, causing his brows to furrow in a brief disy of difort.


    Though initially taken aback by the sudden healing of his toe, Wang Xiao''s astonishment gave way to intrigue. "What now?" he asked, seeking to understand the mechanics behind this unexpected phenomenon.


    "Just put it back," Aurora suggested with an air of simplicity, as if reattaching severed limbs was an everyday urrence.


    Using his psychokic abilities, Wang Xiao maneuvered the severed toe back into ce.


    Whoosh!


    To his amazement, a stream of soothing, almost ethereal water enveloped the wound, mirroring the experience with his hand. Within moments, not only was the toe reattached, but Wang Xiao also regained full sensation and movement.


    "What the¡ª?!" Wang Xiao eximed, his rational mind fighting with the impossibility of what had just urred.


    It was clear to him that this healing wasn''t Aurora''s doing; the absence of water during her own demonstration was proof of that.


    "That''s Mimi," Aurora exined, her voice carrying a note of fondness. "She''s one of us."


    "One of you???" Wang Xiao echoed, his curiosity piqued.


    Aurora''s smile widened slightly. "I''m not sure how you two crossed paths, but she''s using your body as a host. She''s never done that before, as it poses a risk to her own existence. You could potentially kill her, which means she has chosen you. I find that amusing."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes twitched at the revtion. "How does this Mimi look?" he inquired, eager to understand more about the entity that had seemingly chosen him as a host.


    "She''s beautiful," Aurora began, her description painting the image of an ethereal being. "Her skin is like that of a real fairy, untouched..."


    Bewildered with the vague description, Wang Xiao pressed for more tangible details. "Can you tell me something more useful?"


    Aurora nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "Her hair reflects the rainbow."


    "Rainbow?" Wang Xiao repeated.


    !!!


    The girl on the ship!


    The mention of ''rainbow hair" caused a lightbulb moment for Wang Xiao.


    That mysterious encounter suddenly made sense.


    Aurora watched his realization unfold, a subtle shift in her demeanor suggesting she was gauging his reaction.


    "You remember her?" Aurora probed, her voice carrying a blend of curiosity and caution.


    "Yes," Wang Xiao confirmed, his mind racing to piece together the implications of this discovery.


    Aurora simply nodded, her expression unreadable, choosing not to delve deeper into his memories.


    Wang Xiao pressed on, driven by a need to understand the bizarre situation he found himself in. "You said she is one of you. What does that mean, and how can she live inside my body without me noticing?"


    The concept that Mimi could inhabit his body so seamlessly was baffling, especially considering Yin Yue''s silence on the matter.

 Chapter 239: The True Guardians! (6)

    Aurora hesitated, searching for the right words to exin a reality that seemed to defy all logic.


    "Mimi''s knowledge of the ocean and its inhabitants is profound. She can essentially be one with the water in your body, living within you unnoticed," Aurora finally disclosed, her exnation bordering on the unbelievable.


    Wang Xiao was momentarily floored. The concept sounded like something out of a fantasy novel. "What?" he couldn''t help but express his disbelief.


    "Don''t overthink it," Aurora advised, seeing his confusion. "Just as you use your mind to manipte objects, we have our domains of mastery. I''m akin to nts, and Mimi to water. It''s specialization, not dissimr to your psychokinesis."


    Wang Xiao''s curiosity was piqued. "How so?"


    Aurora nced around before pointing to a distant rock. "How would you move that rock?"


    "I''d focus on it and lift," Wang Xiao exined, simplifying his process.


    Aurora nodded. "Ever wonder how that girl Luna perceives it? I might not see what she does, but she has her unique perspective."


    Wang Xiao was intrigued. "How would it look to her?"


    Aurora''s exnation peeled backyers ofplexity that Wang Xiao had never considered. "She might see the particles responding to your focus. It''s as if your brain resonates,municating with atoms to initiate movement. You''re not controlling them directly; you''remunicating.


    The better yourmunication, the more control you achieve," she exined, drawing a parallel between his psychokinesis and hermunion with nature.


    "I''ve spent my life conversing with nts and trees, manipting their atoms at will. Mimi possesses a simr depth of understanding with the ocean," Aurora continued, her connection to the natural world evident in her every word.


    Wang Xiao, however, was fixated on a more immediate concern. "But how can she turn into water?" The thought of such a transformation was both fascinating and deeply unsettling.


    Aurora''s gaze grew serious, a mix of caution and wisdom in her eyes. "Attempting such a transformation now would be fatal for you. It requires extensive knowledge and precise control. Everything in this world, at its core, is made up of matter¡ªatoms and particles. If you understand a form deeply enough to alter your own structure to match it, you can achieve that transformation."


    "...Fire is a chemical reaction; water is apound. You''d need to change every part of your body into the same elementalposition as water."


    Wang Xiao''s mind raced at the implications.


    The idea of altering his own atomic structure to mimic another form of matter was daunting.


    ''Turn each part of my body into water? That''s beyond my current capabilities,'' he realized with a mixture of disappointment and relief.


    The prospect of such power was intriguing, but the inherent risks and the sheer depth of understanding required were sobering.


    ''For now, I can barely tweak the simplest of particles without risking a catastrophic failure,'' he admitted inwadly.


    The thought of meddling with his own physical makeup to the extent Aurora suggested was far beyond his current realm of possibility.


    Aurora''s revtion opened up new horizons of thought for Wang Xiao, expanding his understanding of what might be possible with sufficient knowledge and mastery.


    Aurora''s smile deepened, a clear indication she enjoyed the stir her words caused. "You might find Luna''s abilities particrly useful. She perceives photons, or light, which could provide you with insights into manipting energy more effectively."


    Wang Xiao, puzzled by this revtion, sought rity. "So, you''re all Guardians, then? Which continent do you hail from?" He had already suspected Aurora to be a Guardian, but Luna being one had never crossed his mind, given herck of overt demonstrations of power.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Wrong," Aurora corrected him gently, her head tilting in a soft shake.


    "Hm? Not Guardians, then what? Hell Spirits?" Wang Xiao ventured a guess, his knowledge limited to the beings he was already familiar with.


    But as the words escaped him, his expression shifted drastically.


    The existence of hell and its inhabitants was a closely guarded secret, that could pose an threat to his own existence.


    Yet, Aurora''s reaction was not what he expected. She offered a subtle smile, neither confirming nor denying his spection. "Neither of those. But this Hell Spirit you mentioned, is it the name of an entity causing trouble recently?"


    Wang Xiao''s response was a silent, narrowed gaze.


    Aurora, "Me and Mimi are Guardians, but not of this era," she rified, suggesting a depth and history to their roles far beyond Wang Xiao''s initial understanding.


    "Which generation, then?" Wang Xiao''s curiosity was piqued.


    The notion of generations among Guardians suggested a lineage or a session that was meticulously maintained, yet shrouded in mystery to those outside their circle.


    Aurora, sensing the depth of his curiosity, turned to face him.


    Her gaze, initially meeting Wang Xiao''s, drifted towards the majestic figure of the dragon resting nearby.


    "You see her? That''s Aura, and she has been mypanion for a very long time. However, the life energy sustaining her is depleting, and soon, she will pass away with it..."


    Wang Xiao, taken aback by the solemnity of her words, chose not to interrupt, sensing the gravity of the moment for Aurora.


    Though Aurora maintained aposed fa?ade, a subtle tremor in the corner of her lips betrayed the sorrow that the thought of Aura''s impending demise brought her.


    As she redirected her gaze towards the stars, a particr constetion caught her attention. "That one there is called Draco. The brightest star, Eltanin, is near its head. I named it... after Aura..." Her voice trailed off,den with unspoken emotions and memories.


    ??


    "You named it?" Wang Xiao eximed with an unbelieving tone, his eyebrows arching in surprise.


    Pfttt....


    Aurora anticipated this reaction, yet she couldn''t suppress the bubblingughter that erupted from her lips.


    She quickly mped her hands over her mouth, but theughter persisted, escaping in uncontroble bursts. "Wang Xiao, I didn''t mean it... That... happened..." Her words were punctuated by fits of giggles as she struggled topose herself.


    With each attempt to stifle theughter, her face contorted in a futile effort to contain the mirth.


    Wang Xiao, witnessing her struggle, decided he had seen enough.


    He closed the distance between them and firmly grasped her face, covering it with his hand.


    "Eh!?" Aurora''s startled exmation was muffled by Wang Xiao''s hand.


    As herughter subsided, Aurora took a deep breath, her eyes wide with surprise as she felt his hand clenching tightly around her face.


    "Heh? I thought you needed some help. Excessiveughter can kill people; be careful." His smile only added to the bewildering moment as he released her, leaving Aurora''s mind reeling with a mix of emotions.


    With an amused sigh, she shook her head, trying to regain herposure.

 Chapter 240: The True Guardians! (7)

    With a deep sigh that seemed to echo the weight of centuries, Aurora embarked on a tale as ancient as time itself, reaching back to a period two hundred million years ago.


    Imagine a world where the continents were not scattered as they are today but united in a vast expanse ofnd known as Pangea.


    It was a time when the air buzzed with a mysterious energy, a fifth element beyond the familiar ones of today, known as Aether.


    "Wait? Humans existed back then?" Wang Xiao interjected, prompting Aurora to roll her eyes in exasperation.


    "They did. Don''t question the how or why! I said to save your questions forter. Let me finish first," she retorted, her words tinged with a mix of irritation and urgency.


    Wang Xiao nodded, signaling her to continue.


    Aurora exhaled, weaving her tale once more.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The humans of that era bore little resemnce to the people of today; they were beings of immense strength, their physical might a hundredfold greater than that of any modern human.


    Their intellect was vast, their senses razor-sharp, harmonizing with nature from their very inception and wielding the power of psychokinesis with ease.


    Yet, their most profound ability was the mastery of Aether.


    This wasn''t merely another gas mingling in the atmosphere; it was the breath of the divine, a source of power so profound that its wielders could only be described as sorcerers in the eyes of today''s humanity.


    Modern science, in its never-ending quest to demystify the concept of magic, has failed to turn its gaze backward, to a time when the improbable was possible.


    If the mere doubling of oxygen in the atmosphere once allowed creatures to grow to colossal sizes, then imagine the transformative potential of a mysterious element like Aether.


    Aurora and herpanions, often mythologized in the annals of history as fierce warriors, were in truth the sheltered princesses of their time.


    Far from the paragons of strength that the era demanded, they were delicate flowers in a field of stone.


    The Pangean Continent, a vast, unbrokenndmass, teetered on the brink of monumental change.


    Under the ambitious vision of Emperor Aegis, it was inching toward an unprecedented unification.


    The days when the continent was splintered into myriad provinces were fading, as Emperor Aegis harbored dreams of a singr, united empire.


    To achieve this grand unity, princesses from each major faction were chosen not for their prowess in battle but for their political value.


    The supercontinent was cleaved into precisely eight segments, each bestowed upon a major faction to govern.


    These princesses, stepping into the realm of political marriages and oaths, were all betrothed to Emperor Aegis.


    Their duty was twofold: to oversee the functioning of their respective territories and to report their sesses directly to the emperor.


    This strategy was Emperor Aegis''s masterstroke¡ªa political maneuver designed to divide and rule the disparate tribes without sowing seeds of dissent.


    During these tumultuous times, the poption of the Pangean supercontinent was scant, ravaged by incessant wars that had the power to level mountains.


    Yet, as the continent began to stabilize under this new order, the people saw a resurgence.


    Prosperity bloomed like a rare flower in the desert, promising an era of peace and growth.


    But tranquility was not tost. An unimaginable threat, whispered to have descended from the stars, loomed over Pangea.


    This alien enemy, singr in its might yet unbeaten in battle, forced Emperor Aegis himself to take to the field.


    Despite the passage of millennia, no victor emerged from this struggle of titans.


    The continuous onughts, a sh of cosmic fury against the might of millions, tore the very fabric of the earth apart


    The once-unified Pangean supercontinent fractured, each shard drifting apart to form the continents as we know them today.


    The day the sky celebrated in radiant jubtion marked a turning point for the inhabitants of Pangea.


    It was as if the heavens themselves were alight with joy, casting a brilliance the world had never seen.


    But this celestial spectacle was a harbinger of doom, as meteorites¡ªperhaps remnants of the cosmic battle¡ªbegan to rain destruction upon the earth.


    Colossal beasts, now known to us as dinosaurs, were reduced to dust, with nowhere to hide from the cataclysm.


    The continents, already fractured, drifted even further apart.


    From millions, the poption dwindled to mere thousands, the once-abundant Aether now scarce, its diminishing presence a silent testament to the world''s plight.


    Emperor Aegis and the celestial visitor, the protagonists of this age-old conflict, vanished, consumed by the very havoc they had unleashed.


    Legends whisper that in his final moments, Emperor Aegis harnessed an ancient treasure, offering himself in sacrifice to shield the remnants of Pangea from total annihtion.


    What remained was a generation scarred by loss and destion¡ªchildren and women, primarily, for the warriors had alreadyid down their lives.


    These were the intended bearers of Pangea''s legacy, now martyrs of a bygone dream.


    Surviving a war that spanned millions of years demanded more than the longevity afforded by Aether; it required resilience beyond measure.


    As peace finally descended, Aurora and other constorts faced the challenge of guiding a new generation, one raised on tales of war, living in the shadows of fear and oppression.


    Among the survivors were individuals like Aurora, privileged with ess to the dwindling resources and protection that their status afforded.


    Emperor Aegis, having never consumated his marriage nor fathered children, left his legacy in the hands of his eight consorts, pledged but never wed.


    With his passing, these women inherited the stewardship of the now fragmented continents.


    Unprepared for rulership, their reign spiraled into chaos. Internal strife and conflict erupted, plunging the world into one of its darkest epochs.


    Haunted by their collective failure, the consorts abdicated their thrones, disappearing into the annals of history as if unable to bear the weight of their inherited world.


    The once-great vision of a unified Pangea, now fragmented into realms, each grappling with the aftermath of a war that reshaped the course of history.

 Chapter 241: The True Guardians! (8)

    The decision to abandon the thrones only worsened the chaos, igniting endless cycles of power struggles across the fragmentednds.


    The consorts, once hailed as leaders but now branded traitors, vanished into obscurity, only to be remembered as historical footnotes long after the Pangeans ceased to exist and history blurred into myth.


    As centuries passed, the once-abundant Aether depleted, leaving humanity in a gradual decline.


    With each sessive generation, humans grew weaker, teetering on the brink of extinction multiple times.


    Abilities like psychokinesis, once innate, now requiredplex postnatal rituals to awaken.


    The human mind dulled, senses became blunted, and the once-vibrant connection with nature and the elements faded into obscurity.


    The concept of Guardians was nonexistent, reced only by tales of mysterious figures who would emerge during times of great conflict to alter the course of events.


    These beings, revered under various names throughout history, were whispered to be the consorts of Emperor Aegis, perhaps driven by a lingering guilt over their abandonment of Pangea in its darkest hour.


    It wasn''t until sixteen thousand years ago that the notion of Guardians took a more defined shape, when someone discerned the pattern of these interventions and bestowed upon them the title of "The Guardians."


    This was not an official designation but rather a mythic construct, a narrative woven by the people of that era to exin the unexinable.


    These figures, elevated to the status of deities, became objects of worship.


    During the 20th century, as the supernatural elements of the world began to resurface, a new group of deviants saw an opportunity to formalize and assume the mantle of Guardians¡ªa title that had never truly existed beyond the realm of legend.


    This move to institutionalize the concept of Guardians represented humanity''s attempt to reconnect with its lost powers and heritage.


    Yet, it also highlighted the evolving nature of belief and the human capacity to create structures of meaning out of the chaos of existence.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s expression was etched with gravity as he confronted Aurora.


    "How many years did you say?" His voice was tense, his eyes piercing.


    Aurora, reclining casually, met his gaze with cool indifference. "200 million," she stated matter-of-factly.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a disdainful mutter. "Old witch."


    !!


    "What?" Caught off guard, Aurora''s lips quivered in surprise.


    Wang Xiao pressed on, his skepticism evident. "How did you manage to live so long? And why are there only eight of you left, while the rest of the Pangeans perished? What happened to them?"


    The questions hit Aurora like a relentless onught, leaving her momentarily speechless.


    She had known divulging her secrets would invite scrutiny, yet the intensity of Wang Xiao''s interrogation rattled her.


    Aurora''s response was a heavy sigh, a plea for simplicity in inquiry, "Only one question at a time, or I might find myself too bored to answer."


    Yet, Wang Xiao, perhaps too caught in his thoughts, bundled his questions again, his curiosity unbridled,  "Is that dragon behind you as ancient as you im? How did you and it survive for so long? And why are there only eight survivors amongst you?"


    "..."


    Aurora''s irritation red, her lips twitching in frustration at his disregard for her request.


    Exhaling deeply, she turned towards him, her eyes locking onto the dragon nestled behind Wang Xiao. "Aura," she began, her voice tinged with resignation, "I found her. Whether she''s as old as me, I can''t say. But our survival hinges on her scales, infused with aether. However, that well is running dry, and her time may be running out."


    "I see..." Wang Xiao, nodding slowly, began to piece together the puzzle.


    The Aether Aurora spoke of seemed to him the mystical thread that wove together the realms of hell and earth, a concept as fascinating as it was terrifying.


    Aurora''s lips pressed into a thin line, a hint of frustration coloring her response to his skepticism. "As for your other question, we weren''t the only survivors. Many others did endure, but their fates were varied¡ªsome vanished into the mists of time, others met unknown ends.


    Only we eight were bound by the oath, which kept us interconnected through the eons," she rified, her voice carrying the weight of lostpanions and bygone eras.


    Wang Xiao found himself lost with disbelief and the monumental task of reconciling the vast, untold history Aurora presented with the known chronicles of his world.


    The historian in him yearned to flip through the pages of an thick history book, confronting her words with the ink of the past.


    Suddenly, their solemn discussion was pierced by distant shouts.


    "There!"


    "They''re over there!"


    "Look!"


    ??


    Both Aurora and Wang Xiao, caught mid-conversation, jerked their heads toward themotion.


    Approaching their isted edge of the ind were two speedboats, slicing through the water, each carrying a crew of more than ten people.


    While Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed in confusion at their identity, Aurora''s expression tightened, a storm brewing in her eyes. "They might be searching for Asmodeus," she said, her voice tinged with trouble, as if the very name summoned dark clouds on the horizon.


    Yin Yue, ever watchful, chimed [They are deviants, strong in fact.]


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed in disdain, not expecting such an interruption.


    However, before he could process this new threat, the earth beneath their feet trembled violently.


    "Earthquake?" he uttered, the word barely escaping his lips as the ground''s rumble swallowed his voice.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Aurora''s smile, bitter andden with dread, shadowed her face. "Worse," she confessed, her two words painting a grim picture of the chaos about to begin.


    Rooaaar!


    Thud! Thud! Thudh!


    The once-slumbering dragon awakened, its massive form rising with a series of earth-shaking thuds.


    Stepping beside Wang Xiao and Aurora, its sharp eyes locked onto the water, a silent sentinel braced for the impending tumult.


    The Deviants aboard the speedboats sensed the shift, their advance halted by the dragon''s imposing presence.


    "What''s happening?" the first one called out, uncertaintycing his voice.


    "Doesn''t matter! Keep going!" another barked back, determination overriding caution.


    "But the¡ª"


    "Just keep going!"


    Their dispute was cut short as the ocean beneath them darkened ominously, a shadow spreading across the water''s surface like a stain.


    Before they could react, the sea churned violently.


    "Wha¡ª!?"


    Booooooom!


    A colossal whoosh tore through the air as the water split apart, revealing a spiraling vortex beneath the ocean''s surface.


    The force of the whirlpool was insatiable, dragging everything in its vicinity into its maw.


    "Argh!?"


    "What''s happening!?"


    "Stop this!"


    Their cries were swallowed by the whoosh of the water. In mere seconds, the speedboats and the Deviant were consumed by the spiraling abyss, leaving a void where they had once been.


    But the true terror emerged in the aftermath, as a creature of unfathomable size revealed itself.


    The beast''s mouth, gaping and vast, stretched wider than any ship, a living wonder in the sea.

 Chapter 242: Tiamat!

    Swish!


    With a majestic emergence that seemed tomand the very elements, the creature broke the surface of the water.


    Its immense form cast a shadow over Wang Xiao and Aurora, an awe-inspiring presence thatmanded attention.


    Ssh!


    "Kekeke...."


    In the way of this colossal creature''s arrival, a group of orcas surfaced, their heads poking out from behind the whale as if they were in on some cosmic joke.


    Theirughter, though chilling, seemed almost yful, but the scene quickly turned deadly.


    "Argh¡ª"N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Save me!"


    The few Deviants who had narrowly escaped the initial turmoil were not spared the orcas'' merciless y.


    They were torn apart, the orcas treating them as ythings, their screams punctuating the air as the predators'' teeth gleamed crimson with their blood.


    This gruesome scene jolted Wang Xiao from his daze.


    "I have seen this one..." He whispered, a mixture of recognition in his voice.


    Memories of a ship incident from a decade ago flooded back, featuring this very whale.


    Aurora, her expression somber, confirmed his realization. "That''s Tiamat," she said, her tone carrying a weight of unspoken history.


    Whoooooooo!


    The whale, as if acknowledging its name, let out a sound that resonated through the air like a shockwave.


    Booom!


    This sonic boom washed over Wang Xiao and the others, a palpable force that even caused the dragon to recoil slightly.


    Amidst the chaos, Wang Xiao''s face reflected aplex web of emotions.


    Aurora, sensing the gravity of the moment, ced a hand on his shoulder. "I need to tell you something," she announced, her voice promised information of profound significance.


    Wang Xiao listened intently as Aurora unveiled the mysteries of their survival and Tiamat''s ancient origins.


    "...Unlike Aura, who hails from the era of Pangea, Tiamat predates even that vast continent. Our knowledge of heres from the most ancient scrolls. It was Mimi who identally discovered her, and since then, Tiamat has only ever responded to Mimi," Aurora began, painting a picture of a creature so ancient and powerful, its existence seemed like a myth brought to life.


    "The sinking of the Eighth Continent was orchestrated by Mimi, utilizing Tiamat and her orcapanions. Perhaps they''ve sensed Mimi''s presence and havee here," she continued.


    "This legacy Mimi left behind is the most treasured among us," Aurora concluded, her expression darkening.


    "Why the grim face, then?" Wang Xiao probed, his curiosity piqued.


    If they couldmand such creatures, what need was there for fear or concern?


    Aurora''s gaze held aplexity of emotions as she responded. "Tiamat is an immortal beast, far beyond ourprehension. And as for our survival, her role has been pivotal. She holds the key to immortality," she revealed, her words echoing with a secret long kept hidden.


    "Immortality?" The word hung in the air, a concept so seductive it seized Wang Xiao''s full attention.


    Aurora nodded, her hand gently caressing the dragon beside her as she exined the dire situation they faced after the great extinction.


    "Aether vanished, and with it, the ability to sustain our kind. But it was through Tiamat that we borrowed time, learning to manipte our cellr structure for self-repair and achieve a form of immortality," she said, a note of solemn gratitude coloring her voice.


    Wang Xiao, his gaze now fixed on the majestic creature that was Tiamat, "How can she help you survive?" he asked, his mind racing toprehend the ancient magic and science that intertwined in their tale of survival against the march of time.


    "Aether," Aurora''s single-word response was both an answer and an invitation to a deeper understanding.


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao''s confusion was evident, his brows arching in a mix of curiosity and bewilderment.


    "Come with me," Aurora said, her tone suggesting urgency. Grasping Wang Xiao''s hand, they took off with a sudden whoosh, propelling towards Tiamat with a speed that turned the world into a blur around them.


    As they drew closer to Tiamat, its vastness became increasingly apparent to Wang Xiao. The creature''s dark gray skin, slippery and expansive, stretched out like a livingndscape beneath them.


    Thud!


    Theynded on Tiamat''s back, a maneuver that left Wang Xiao in awe. The experience of standing atop such a mythic creature was beyond words.


    Whoooooooo!


    Tiamat emitted a frequency, a sound that seemed to carryyers of meaning, prompting Aurora to sigh. "She is trying tomunicate, but without Mimi, we''re left to guess. Only she could decipher theirnguage," Aurora exined, a note of regret in her voice for the lost connection.


    Then, with a deliberate motion, Aurora crouched and made a small incision on Tiamat''s back. Wang Xiao watched, startled by the action.


    "What are you doing...?" he couldn''t help but ask, his voiceced with caution and amusement.


    Aurora continued, undeterred.


    The cut, though it appeared severe at close range, was insignificantpared to the colossal size of Tiamat. "The blood of Tiamat contains thest reserves of Aether. Properly refined, it can extend one''s lifespan indefinitely. It''s not sufficient to grant immortality to an whole army, but for a few individuals, it''s more than enough," she exined, her actions precise and reverent.


    As the blood gathered into arge, hovering droplet, Aurora performed a mysterious ritual that transformed its color to a glowing blue.


    Then, with a graceful motion, she directed it towards Aura, who was waiting nearby.


    Whoosh!


    With an eager opening of her mouth, Aura consumed the droplet.


    The white scales on her back immediately began to glow, turning even brighter.


    ??


    The self-repairing nature of Tiamat''s body was a marvel to witness. The bruise that Aurora had inflicted healed in mere moments, leaving no trace of the wound.


    With the taskpleted, Aurora grasped Wang Xiao''s hand, and together, they soared back to the surface.


    Whoosh!


    As they ascended, Tiamat, with a silent nod to the natural order of things, dived back into the depths, her orcapanions following suit.


    Aurora, uponnding, exhaled deeply, a mix of relief and exhaustion evident in her gesture of wiping her forehead.

 Chapter 243: Secret to Immortality!

    Aurora, uponnding, exhaled deeply, a mix of relief and exhaustion evident in her gesture of wiping her forehead. "It''s done! Sigh... Tiamat would never let anyone close to her, unless Mimi is nearby," she exined, her gaze drifting towards Aura, who seemed rejuvenated by the exchange.


    Rooaaar!


    Aura, now infused with new vigor, nuzzled against Aurora affectionately, promptingughter from her. "Tiamat''s blood might extend Aura''s life by a few years, but there''s a limit. We can''t risk Tiamat''s wellbeing by taking too much," Aurora rified, a note of solemnity in her voice.


    Wang Xiao, his curiosity piqued, inquired about the legacy Aurora had mentioned.


    Her eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and wisdom as she continued to engage with Aura. "The legacy is Tiamat herself. Now that Mimi is with you, you can use Tiamat''s blood to extend your life and those close to you until you master using PK to regenerate your cells.


    It''s a temporary measure, but with Mimi''s presence, Tiamat should pose no threat," she revealed, weaving a connection between the ancient creature and their present circumstances.


    Wang Xiao''s thoughts turned to Mimi, the living mystery within him. "Why isn''t she, Mimi, showing herself?" he wondered aloud, the realization of cohabiting with another sentient being adding ayer ofplexity to his existence.


    The sensation was far more tangible than his connection with Yin Yue, whoseck of physical form lent a certain abstractness to their rtionship.


    The knowledge that Mimi, a separate, living entity, shared his body was unsettling, a feeling that sent shivers down his spine.


    Aurora''s smile held a wry edge, a blend of amusement and resignation. "It''s alright. She probably doesn''t want to show herself unless you''re in genuine danger," she suggested, her tone light yet carrying a hint of seriousness.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but feel a twinge of suprise.


    "Real danger? I nearly died..." he murmured under his breath. Even in the face of Asmodeus''s threat, Mimi remained a silent watcher.


    "I can''t do anything about that girl. She once sank her own continent; do you really think she listens to anyone?" Aurora''s lips curled into a smile, hinting at the unpredictable nature of the entity within Wang Xiao.


    How could he possibly understand the whims of someone he barely knew, someone who had shown herself only fleetingly?


    Booom!


    As their conversation flowed, Aura, the dragon, spread her wings wide, a majestic disy of power and grace.


    With a powerful p, sheunched herself into the air, ascending towards the heavens.


    "Wouldn''t that draw attention?" Wang Xiao asked, his eyes following Aura''s ascent with a mix of awe and concern.


    Aurora shook her head, a gentle smile ying on her lips. "Aura is as intelligent as any human, perhaps more so. Her scales allow her to evade detection with ease," she reassured him, her confidence in the dragon''s abilities evident.


    Wang Xiao found himself adrift in a sea of mysteries, each information only serving to deepen the story.


    The events of the day had unfolded like pages from a book of ancient lore, leaving him with abyrinth of questions.


    Yet, as he watched Aurora, her gaze following Aura''s flight until she became a speck against the vast sky, he realized he was fortunate to have her as a source of knowledge, however cryptic her answers might be.


    Once Aura had vanished from sight, Aurora settled back onto the grass, her eyes wandering to the night sky strewn with stars.


    "Don''t ask me everything at once....In the grand scheme of things, it might not even matter," she said, her voice tinged with a mncholy that spanned millennia.


    For her, the weight of two hundred million years was not just a number; it was a lifetime of experiences, burdens, and, perhaps, a profound sense of fatigue.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    [A/N: The author, weary from the weight of untold stories, knows that divulging all would take twenty chapters or more. The mysteries and queries will unfurl gradually! For now, only a glimpse is offered!]


    Wang Xiao leaned forward, his brow furrowed in thought, before settling beside her. "Then, just one more question for today: how does any of this even rte to your presence here?"


    !!


    Aurora''s gaze shifted uneasily, her lips pursed in contemtion.


    Despite her exhaustive exnation, she seemed to dance around the crux of the matter.


    In the moonlight, her eyes blinked, betraying a hint of uncertainty.


    She had divulged much, yet the fundamental question: What in the world was she doing here with him?


    !!


    "What happened?" Wang Xiao couldn''t help but let a rogue smirk y at the corners of his mouth, noticing her abrupt descent into silence as if she had suddenly forgotten her lines in the middle of a performance.


    The moonlight danced across both of thier faces, casting a glow that made the moment feel almost ethereal.


    Wang Xiao was certain now; she was harboring a secret.


    Until now, she had been an open book, her stories and secrets spilling out like water from a cracked vase


    But what of her earlier confession, iming to be his wife?


    Was this woman making a sport of assigning the title ''husband'' to unsuspecting strangers?


    Or was her mind simply as navigable as a maze drawn by a toddler?


    Wang Xiao''s curiosity was piqued, a smirk threatening to break into a full-blown grin.


    Aurora, catching the barely concealed disdain in his smile, felt a prick of annoyance stir within her.


    Taking a deep breath, she decided to confront him!


    "Alright, I will exin... In fact," she hesitated, her words tangling like threads in a loom, "as I''ve mentioned before¡ªwhether it be me, Mimi, or the other six¡ªwe were all bound by an oath to marry Emperor Ageis. But with his passing, that future dissolved into nothingness... until, a few months ago, you... you decided to im me."


    "That''s it?" Wang Xiao''s voice dripped with disappointment.


    His gaze intensified, pinning her under a scrutinizing look. "Can''t you just push me outright? Why continue this charade of being an innocent, helpless woman?"


    A flicker of irritation crossed Aurora''s face, her eyes twitching slightly as she wrestled with her rising frustration.


    Reminding herself that resorting to violence would solve nothing, she replied with forced nonchnce.


    "I could have easily turned you into a pile of ash," she retorted, the words heavier with thought than malice, "but then I noticed Mimi, ever so protective like an Guadian Angel, casting you under her wing. And since she had already chosen you... it seemed like fate had woven its threads, grabbing all eight of us in this unexpected destiny.


    To be honest, the me falls squarely on Mimi; she''s the instigator of this entire mess."


    "..."


    Silence descended between them, Wang Xiao rendered out of words.


    Was Aurora serious, or merely pulling his leg?


    Fianlly, he arrived at an conclusion ¡ª This woman like her predecessors must becking intelligence!


    What in the world is she bbering about?

 Chapter 244: A witch preying on the vitality of the young?

    Wang Xiao couldn''t care less about this Mimi character; she was, in his view, merely a tenant in his body, and her protection could at least count as the rent she owed him.


    He felt almost entitled to demand more from her, considering the circumstances.


    And this woman before him?


    As he caught Aurora''s daydreamy and mncholic gaze, his face twitched in bemusement.


    Was she genuinely this naive?


    If sleeping with someone automatically made them spouses, he mused, he''d be the patriarch of an entire metropolis by now!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The absurdity of the thought made him sneer in disbelief.


    He barely held aughter, before unconciously it erupted.


    Pfttt...


    "What!?"


    Aurora''s eyes snapped open at the sound of someone¡ªWang Xiao¡ªerupting into demonic, loudughter. "You? Are you a foolish woman?"


    Thud!


    Unable to contain himself, Wang Xiao fell backward onto the ground, hisughter uncontroble. "How could you even think that just because you consider yourself my wife, I would ept it? Hahaha!"


    To him, this was the pinnacle ofedy¡ªa joke for the ages.


    That was it? This was her basis for iming to be his wife?


    Was she merely trying totch onto a rising star?


    A witch preying on the vitality of the young?


    In Wang Xiao''s estimation, Aurora didn''t need a supporting arm; she needed a different kind of support entirely¡ªa stay in a mental institution seemed more fitting for her ambitions!


    "Old witch, you''re getting senile! Haha..." Wang Xiao swore he had never encountered anything so absurd in his life.


    A woman iming to be two hundred million years old and possessing such a scant number of brain cells? Surely, senility was setting in.


    Aurora''s face flushed a deep shade of red, her embarrassment and fury mounting as she watched Wang Xiao clutch his stomach, ovee withughter. "You!?¡ªShut up!"


    But Wang Xiao''sughter only grew louder, unfazed by her indignation.


    Unable to contain her anger any longer, Aurora stood up, her fists clenched tight as she made a shocking deration. "Fine then! Since you im you don''t ept me, I''ll just say you raped me that day! There, now I should be free to erase you as revenge!"


    "Heh?"


    Wang Xiao''sughter stopped dead, reced by disbelief as he looked up at the woman seething with rage before him. "Hey, if you''re justcking a man, say it directly. What''s with this rape usation? I clearly remember your cooperation, even if it was all a misunderstanding," he retorted, his eyes narrowing.


    He didn''t take kindly to being used of crimes he hadn''tmitted.


    "It doesn''t matter. Since we''re unrted now, I don''t need a reason to kill you," Aurora dered, folding her arms across her chest and sporting a smug grin.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao was baffled by the sudden transformation of this seemingly reasonable woman into someonepletely unreasonable.


    "What are the benefits?" Given that the situation had escted to this point, and considering he had taken her maidenhood, he reckoned this transaction was purely to his advantage.


    Aurora was momentarily struck speechless by his sudden calctive look, as though she were a hen poised toy golden eggs for his fortune.


    "Don''t overthink it. I won''t solve your problems for you; you need to solve your own. Or do you intend to rely on a woman for that?" Her words dripped with a mix of sarcasm and challenge, turning his mercenary logic back on him.


    "That''s okay," Wang Xiao said, a surprising note of agreement in his voice, but his gaze soon drifted, taking in her body as memories of theirst encounter yed like a montage in his mind.


    He hadn''t fully savored her then.


    Aurora, keenly attuned to the shift in his demeanor, felt a cold shiver trace down her spine, intuiting the direction of his thoughts.


    "Now, since you are my wife... Shouldn''t that mean...?" His voice trailed off, heavy with insinuation, as if the mere suggestion carried a world of possibilities.


    Aurora''s eyes flickered, caught off guard yet oddly prepared. "Yes!...We can do that as well..." Her cheeks betrayed her, a flush of embarrassment creeping over her skin.


    Was she misinterpreting his gaze, or was her mind wandering down forbidden paths?


    With a boldness that surprised even herself, she closed the distance between them, taking a seat directly in front of him.


    She guided his hands to her waist, a silent invitation to explore the tension brewing between them.


    ???


    Wang Xiao remained silent for a beat, then shook his head, disarming the moment with a simple, "I didn''t mean this."


    "Then what do you mean?" she asked, her voiceced with suspicion, eyes narrowing as she tried to decipher his intentions.


    Was she really overthinking?


    His smile took on a dark edge, "Since you are my self proimed wife, you should prepare yourself to be disciplined by familyw for mocking me earlier."


    His hands itched for a different kind of interaction, one where he could teach her a lesson.


    The reason mattered little to him.


    Was it for her bravado earlier?


    Now that he knew she wouldn''t break her character of wife so easily, why not use this as an opportunity for instruction?


    And yet, he couldn''t help but ponder, was there a hint of eagerness in her actions, a too-ready willingness to fall into his arms?


    The real reasons behind her behavior remained shrouded in mystery, yet Wang Xiao focused on the present moment.


    "..."


    Aurora''s face froze, her mind racing to assess if this aligned with her scheme.


    Wang Xiao, confident in his safety and sensing her uncertainty, grew bolder. "What''s the matter, having second thoughts already?" he taunted, a wicked grin curling his lips as his fingers deftly tugged at the zipper of her jacket, revealing the white top snugly hugging her breasts.


    Without hesitation, his hand cupped her breasts through the fabric, capturing the softness of her skin in his grasp.


    "Mhmmm..." Aurora''s lips pressed tightly together as she weighed her options, her resolve hardening. "I don''t back down," she dered, her eyes steely.

 Chapter 245: Were you also spying on me? Sneakily simping like the others?

    "Mhmmm..." Aurora''s lips pressed tightly together as she weighed her options, her resolve hardening. "I don''t back down," she dered, her eyes steely.


    "..."


    Silence descended in the air like a heavy fog.


    "Haha...." In a sudden break from his usual demeanor, Wang Xiao burst into a hearty chuckle at the sight of Aurora''s unwavering determination, causing her to narrow her eyes in annoyance, her frustration growing.


    "Is it funny?" She asked, her irritation barely contained.


    Knowing his tendency to rarely show amusement, she couldn''t help but wonder what had sparked such a reaction from him.


    "Why are you constantlying closer to me?" Wang Xiao finally blurted out, unable to contain his curiosity any longer.


    For a while now, he had been observing the strange behavior of the creature before him.


    Her movements seemed to have a purpose, her body inexplicably drawing nearer, her every action seemingly deliberate and calcting.


    ??


    Confused, Aurora herself nced down and discovered that the once loose grip over her waist was now tight, his hands wrapped tightly around her.


    To her surprise, the culprit wasn''t Wang Xiao, but herself!


    "..."


    As she leaned closer towards him, a wave of awareness washed over her, causing a tinge of embarrassment to color her cheeks.


    Despite her initial shock, she quicklyposed herself and turned around to seek an exnation, only to be met with a startling sight.


    "Mmmgh!?"


    !!


    Thud!


    Wang Xiao, with a determined look in his eyes, pushed her down and boldly grabbed her breasts, pressing them firmly against his chest. At the same time, he stole her lips in a kiss that left her breathless.


    It was a bold and unexpected move, but the sweet fragrance that always surrounded her had been tempting him for far too long.


    If he still couldn''t understand her hints, he might as well bebeled as dense!


    "Mmm~" Aurora''s eyes widened, the sapphire depths of her gaze locking onto his face.


    She was slightly taken aback as he sucked on her lips, his tongue slowly and deliberately making its way towards her fragrant mouth.


    As Aurora''sshes fluttered, she closed her eyes slowly, savoring the moment as she wrapped her hands around the back of his neck, the sensation sending shivers down her spine.


    Slurp... Slurp...


    Even after the intense series of kisses, Wang Xiao, still unsatisfied, gently scooped her cheeks and began kissing them tenderly.


    Aurora''s eyes blinked in response, her own breathsing in quick and shallow as she shifted her face slightly, her shiny pink lips now glistening with abination of their mingled saliva.


    "Hah... haa... Do you want to eat me alive?" Her words came out as a soft murmur, her eyes rolling yfully as he continued to explore her face with his tongue, a sensation that both irritated and excited her.


    Wang Xiao came to a sudden stop, his smile taking on a slightly sly edge as his deep red eyes fixed on her annoyed face. "Tell me honestly, what were you up to all this time?"


    Aurora''s response was a puzzled "Huh?" His question left her brows furrowed in confusion.


    Then, Wang Xiao dropped a bombshell. "Last few months ¡ª Were you also spying on me? Sneakily simping like the others?" His teasing smile caught her off guard.


    "..."


    Aurora was speechless.


    "Ugh..." Regret flooded her as she wished she hadn''t interrupted him. But before she could fully process it, Wang Xiao resumed his kisses on her cheeks and neck, whispering, "Why do you taste even better with age?" His words lingered in the air, causing Aurora to question her very existence.


    "..."


    Speechless and unable to move, she could only watch in shock as, despitebeling her as an old witch, he continued to consume her like a delectable treat.


    Her skin began to transform into a mask of fear and disbelief as he removed her white top, unveiling a pair of beautiful breasts that caught his gaze.


    "Mmngh~" As he leaned in and started to suck on her breasts, Aurora''s back arched in response, a surge of electricity coursing through her body at his touch.


    "Mmm~"


    Her breasts felt both firm and soft under his touch, his fingers sinking into the plushness before his teeth gently nipped at her nipples.


    "Can you handle it when things get rough?" A low, seductive whisper suddenly slipped into her ears, his hot breath striking against her ears making her quiver.


    She felt her lower garments being removed, and a burning sensation ignited against her most intimate area as his tip delicately rubbed against her folds.


    She bit her lip, meeting his gaze with a nod and a whispered, "Yes..." Her chest rose and fell rapidly with each breath.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Good," Wang Xiao''s lips curved into a sly smile as the tip of his manhood teased gently against her folds before entering quietly, causing her eyshes to flutter in response.


    Aurora''s eyes flickered with a mix of emotions as she turned her face sideways, her cheeks flushing with a hint of embarrassment. She spoke in a soft, almost whisper, "You could go all out. I could heal the damage..."


    ??


    Wang Xiao had question marks above his head, wondering if she really wanted to be abused.


    Regardless, he leaned in, capturing her lips once more with his, his manhood entering her narrow entrance stealthily.


    "Mmnngh~" With a soft, muffled moan, Aurora couldn''t help but release sounds of pleasure between their connected lips.


    Each sensation of his manhood wrapping tightly against her insides sent waves of sensation through her, threatening to consume herpletely.


    !!


    Wang Xiao, feeling a surge of stimtion as well, deftly turned her around and positioned her above him, enveloping her in a tight embrace before¡ª


    Pakh!


    "Mnghhh~"


    Aurora''s eyes fluttered shut, her lips parting to release a sweet, melodic moan as he delved deep inside her, his entire length entering her in one powerful thrust.


    His hands greedily grasped a handful of her plushy buttocks, which were more full and inviting than they initially appeared.


    Her backside, slightlyrger than her breasts, seemed to hold all the secrets of the universe as he began to move his hips, drawing her closer and burying his face in the curve of her neck.


    "mhhnn~"


    "Ahhhhhnnngh~"


    Pak!


    Pak!


    Pak!


    Pak!


    For the next eight hours, the room transformed into a battlefield of passion and desire, the air thick with the sounds of their lovemaking until the first light of dawn.


    Aurora''s eyes, heavy, flickered to meet his gaze as he released inside her for the seventh time, her own lips swollen and parted, her hair clinging to her damp, glistening skin.

 Chapter 246: Aurora, "Fine, Im a masochist"

    Aurora''s eyes, heavy, flickered to meet his gaze as he released inside her for the seventh time, her own lips swollen and parted, her hair clinging to her damp, glistening skin.


    "Nghh..."


    She let out a soft, sensual moan as he slowly withdrew from her, their essences mixing and trickling outnguidly. Copsing over him, she took deep breaths, her hair clinging to his bare chest.


    "Haa.... Haaa...."


    Amidst the slow, rhythmic breathing, his hand found its way to her face, tenderly caressing it with a gentle touch, lost in the moment.


    However, while one hand yed the role of an angel, the other ventured to her backside, delivering a sharp strike against her already swollen, red skin.


    "Mmnnn~ stop it..." Aurora''s eyes fluttered as each blownded, a mixture of pleasure and pain dancing across her features.


    "Haha.... Didn''t you say you could heal any damage caused?" Wang Xiao chuckled, his amusement evident as he watched her reaction.


    Aurora''s fists clenched in irritation as she gazed at him, her face betraying a hint of embarrassment amidst the neutral expression. "I can, but please, not now. Let me enjoy this moment. You can indulge your sadistic tendencies in a few minutes," she asserted, meeting his gaze with a subtle blush and a daring look in her eyes.


    "Huh? Who''s the sadist? You''re just a masochist..." Wang Xiao shot back.


    Aurora remained silent, her expression inscrutable.


    "... Fine, I''m a masochist. Leave me be," she conceded, effectively shutting down the argument and leaving Wang Xiao at a loss for words.


    "..."


    Speechless, as he watched her settle back into her previous position, lying above him in a peaceful slumber, he couldn''t shake the nagging curiosity about what was truly going on in her mind.


    She appeared to be doing nothing, a fact that left him puzzled and intrigued.


    Upon reflecting on the events that had unfolded thus far, he struggled to find any motive for her involvement in a potential scheme involving him.


    However, after studying her for a while and noticing the depth of emotion in her eyes, he began to form a few tentative conclusions.


    Though she had lived for millions of years and possessed formidable strength, she didn''t seem to fit the mold of an extraordinary psychopathic genius.


    Instead, she came across as more of a sheltered princess, as she had imed, revealing a aspect to her character that he had not previously considered.


    Even Bing Xueli had achieved immortality in under fifteen hundred years, but ording to Aurora''s description, despite the presence of Aether, it took them quite a while to figure it out.


    Perhaps it was because they were so dependent on Aether that they never considered what life would be like without it.


    Aurora didn''t seem to possess the same level of talent as Eleanor.


    As Wang Xiao observed Aurora calmly resting on his chest, a sense of deja vu washed over him.


    Her features seemed to shift, morphing into Josephine before his eyes.


    He shook his head in amazement, his smile reflecting his newfound understanding perfectly.


    In that moment, both Aurora and Josephine appeared strikingly simr.


    Up until now, Wang Xiao had viewed Aurora through the lens of immortality, overlooking a crucial detail.


    ??


    "Ugh, can''t you just be still for a moment?" Aurora couldn''t resist speaking as he nuzzled his nose into her shoulder and neck, his lips grazing her milky white skin.


    Though her words sounded irritated, Wang Xiao saw a small, hidden smile ying at the corner of Aurora''s lips and he stopped, his eyes wide with sudden realization. ''So that''s how she is...'' he thought to himself, nodding in silent understanding.


    "..."


    "..."


    Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, causing their eyes to lock in an intense gaze. Without uttering a single word, Aurora''s eyelids fluttered in confusion.


    "What...?" she finally managed to ask.


    "Do you want a hug?" Wang Xiao unexpectedly interjected, his lips forming the words that struck Aurora like arrows.


    ???


    Her head tilted in bewilderment, but the seriousness in his eyes prompted her lips to part and close in hesitation.


    "..."


    In the midst of a suffocating silence, a minute stretched into eternity before Aurora found herself enveloped in an embrace, her body pressed closely against his, the warmth seeping from his chest into hers, igniting a flicker of heat that danced across her skin.


    Her chin delicately perched on his shoulder as she inhaled the moment, her breaths slow and deliberate, eyes swirling with a storm of emotions.


    Her hands, a tender whisper against his back, began their silent journey closer to him, inch by inch, as her gaze drifted across the expanse of verdant fields stretching before them, a serene chaos.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Suddenly, a rustle shattered the stillness...


    In the next heartbeat, Wang Xiao, whose sole intent had been to unravel a theory, caught himself in a moment of surprise as Aurora entwined her legs around him, her embrace tightening, a serpent''s coil of unexpected intimacy.


    Her movements, a surpise even to herself, painted her eyes with shades of conflict and curiosity, the warmth of his body sparking an unfamiliar delight within her.


    "Umm... How many years has it been since you''ve touched a human?" Wang Xiao''s voice, a gentle intrusion into the silence, stirred the air between them.


    Silence.


    His inquiry plunged Aurora into a sea of reflection. "I... Don''t know..."


    Dwelling amongst them, yet the simple act of touch, of shared warmth through something as innocent as a hug, remained an uncharted mystery to her?


    "Are you done?" Wang Xiao, finally wing his way back from the depths of his own thoughts, ventured, finding Aurora still in her dreamlike state, yet now wearing a gentle smile that seemed to know secrets of its own.


    "No..." she responded, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes, still entangled with him in a way that left Wang Xiao momentarily at a loss for words.


    A beat of silence passed, almost awkward, almost profound.


    He couldn''t help but wonder, was this going to be a thing now?


    Just as he was about to retreat into his thoughts again, possibly to construct a grand theory on human interaction, Aurora decided to drop another bomb into the conversation, her lips parting slightly, "...Do you prefer a son or a daughter?" she inquired, her voice as light as a feather yet heavy with curiosity.


    "Huh?"


    Wang Xiao blinked, once, twice, a visual representation of a system reboot, before he managed to stammer out after what felt like an eternity, "...What?"


    Undeterred, Aurora pressed on, "Son or daughter? Choose... I could arrange that for you. Also, light skin or dark? And what about the hair color?" Each option presented with the casualness of discussing weather preferences.


    "..." Wang Xiao found himself speechless yet again, his brain doing overtime.

 Chapter 247: Accustomed to a bit of domestic affection

    "Are you talking about having children or manufacturing them?" Wang Xiao couldn''t help but ask, his toneced with a mixture of bewilderment and genuine curiosity.


    Aurora paused, retreating into her thoughts once more. "Both... I could decide the type of children I want. If I can alter my body, changing that shouldn''t be an issue," she mused, her statement floating between serious consideration and the edge of futuristic fantasy.


    Wang Xiao, momentarily taken aback, reached out to grasp her shoulders gently, urging her to meet his gaze directly. "Have you ever done it?" he asked, searching her eyes for a hint of jest or sincerity.


    Aurora fell silent.


    "So you haven''t...?" Wang Xiao prodded, his curiosity piqued.


    "But... I have experimented with nts; the human body shouldn''t be that hard," Aurora responded, her confidence wavering slightly under the weight of his stare.


    "But you can fail," Wang Xiao pointed out, the pragmatic part of him surfacing.


    "That''s alright; we can make another one. So, choose, son or daughter?" Aurora persisted, her question hanging in the air, a mix of earnestness and a dash of whimsy.


    Wang Xiao found himself at a loss for words. He really didn''t know at this point whether she was serious or joking.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Just moments ago, he had thought she simply sought some warmth, but now it seemed this woman was on a quest for his essence!


    She wanted to steal it to have children!


    Not jumping to conclusions yet, he nced into her amiable-looking eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth despite the absurdity of the conversation. "Aurora... When did I say we are having a child?"


    Aurora''s lips curved into a smile, her expression a blend of innocence and calction. "Wasn''t that the deal? You epted me as your wife. Now, if you can''t even give me a child, whatpetence do you have? I might be your trophy wife, but in return, you also need to provide me with a child."


    "And I won''t go into battle unless it''s a matter of life and death for you, isn''t that the role of a wife?" she asked, her eyes blinking innocently, though her face held a calcting expression that made Wang Xiao feel an urge to react more... emphatically ¡ª perhaps a punch on that growing face?


    "You... Are stupid..." After a long, dragging silence, he finally spoke, shaking his head and muttering bitterly. "So that''s why you concocted this story of marriage? You just wanted a child?"


    Aurora countered, "I didn''t concoct anything. But you were right, millions of years havepsed¡ªwho would still follow the oath? Maybe a few of us, and that''s if you''re lucky. Most would st you into nothingness if you attempted to do what you did to me. Even Mimi''s presence wouldn''t be able to save you." Her words were light, yet they unveiled a grim reality.


    Silence fell over Wang Xiao.


    Finally, he let out a sigh, his gazeplex as he looked at her face. "Why didn''t you reveal this earlier?" His voice carried a mix of frustration and curiosity.


    Aurora, with a nonchnt shurg, remarked, "You''re winning - this deal isn''t a loss for you. Plus, there''s nothing we can do now." She nced down at her naked body, her vagina still moist from his fluids.


    He had ejacted inside her so many times even though just one urrence was enough for her to be pregnant.


    Now, even if she didn''t intervene, the oue was inevitable.


    The irreversible deed had been done, leaving a heavy weight in the air.


    Wang Xiao''s face hardened, his expression unreadable. "..."


    Aurora, noticing his sour mood, couldn''t resist the urge to try and uplift him. "Hey, your genes would be quite impressive, given your significant control over psychokinesis at such a young age..."


    "...And though our meeting was an ident, since Mimi had already chosen you, it presented me with the best opportunity to have children. So, I followed along. Why are you upset? If you feel cheated, tell me what you want, and I''ll obtain it for you."


    Wang Xiao remained silent, contemting her words.


    Why did it feel like she was rubbing salt against his wounds?


    Aurora sighed, attempting to lighten the mood. "Hey, smile a bit."


    "Why did you want children?" Wang Xiao finally asked, his curiosity piqued amidst the confusion.


    Aurora''s lips quivered as she searched for the right words. "I... I want to be a mother," she admitted with a heavy sigh. "Creating a human specimen might not be that hard in a few years... But I desire the feeling of motherhood..."


    "...People used to pray to me for fertility, yet I never experienced it myself. It piqued my curiosity, and over thest ten thousand years, it became something I desired more than anything."


    "Fair enough," Wang Xiao epted, his response allowing Aurora to breathe a sigh of relief.


    "So, do you prefer a son or a daughter? If it doesn''t work out, we''ll simply try again," she said, her smile warm and reassuring, as if she were discussing something as mundane as choosing a paint color for a nursery.


    Suddenly, the air was split by a sharp sound.


    Bam!


    "Ah!?"


    "What?"


    Caught entirely off guard, Aurora released a surprised yelp, a mixture of shock and pain, as his fist connected with her face, the impact suggesting her nose might have been broken.


    She blinked upwards in stunned disbelief. "What are you doing!?" she gasped.


    Crack!


    Frantically, she reached up to her nose, the pain ring brightly for a moment before she managed to realign it.


    The bleeding halted almost immediately, and the damage seemed to heal before his eyes.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t suppress a smirk, pulling back his hand. "You''re supposed to be my trophy wife, remember? Shouldn''t you have grown ustomed to a bit of ''domestic affection'' by now?"


    "..."


    Silence enveloped Aurora.


    She found herself speechless, with noeback at hand.


    "Go ahead," she sighed after a moment, turning to present the other side of her face, her expression resigned yet defiant.


    "What do you mean, ''go ahead''?" Wang Xiao queried, confusioncing his tone.


    Aurora''s response wasced with a chilling nonchnce. "Finish what you started. Is beating me what you want? Then do it. I can endure the pain. I won''t dull my pain receptors just for you..."


    "...If seeing me in pain satisfies you, then you shall have your wish," she dered, a stark challenge in her eyes that dared him to cross a line from which there was no return.

 Chapter 248: Lets talk later. First, show me some new poses!

    Aurora dered,"... If seeing me in pain satisfies you, then you shall have your wish,"


    "..." Wang Xiao went silent.


    "Okay," unexpectedly, he lunged towards her, and¡ª


    Bam!


    "Ah!?"


    A startled cry tore from Aurora as a torrent of punches descended upon her, each blow a thunderp in the quiet that had preceded.


    On the edge of the cliff, an uncanny scene yed out under the watchful gaze of the indifferent sky: a naked man unleashing a storm of violence upon a naked woman.


    The tempest of his frustration raged and roared, only dissipate away after a grueling ten minutes, leaving Wang Xiao breathing heavily, a man emptied of his fury.


    "Ugh, did you really have to beat me that badly?" Aurora couldn''t help but grumble as she attempted to heal the bruises marring her disfigured face.


    Wang Xiao, slightly amazed by her healing abilities, mocked, "As a trophy wife, you should know better than to challenge your husband," using her own words against her, rendering her helpless.


    "..."


    Silence followed, rendering Aurora speechless.


    Finally, she shrugged. "Are you done, or do you want to continue beating me?" she asked.


    "..."


    This time, Wang Xiao was the one left speechless.


    Indeed, this was the calmest woman he had ever encountered in his existence.


    Aurora''s face held a slight smile as she waited for him to act. When he didn''t, she closed the distance between them and snuggled her back against him. "Now, about the child? I''m asking onest time¡ªstate your preferences, or don''t me meter."


    Wang Xiao''s lips quivered as he whispered, "Daughter," his hand instinctively wrapping around her waist. Despite her wless figure, she was not skinny, her soft curves providing him with ample flesh to grasp.


    "Okay, but why not a son? Don''t men usually prefer sons?" Aurora couldn''t help but ask, her lips pursing in genuine curiosity.


    Wang Xiao shared his perspective, one that seemed toe from a ce of personal philosophy. "Raising a son could be troublesome. As long as it''s a daughter, her beauty alone would suffice, regardless of her knowledge in other areas. A failed man is deemed worthless, but a beautiful woman is always admired for her beauty."


    His words, echoing the insight of some ancient sage, were reflected in Aurora''s eyes, prompting her to nod in understanding before she shared her own view.


    "Don''t worry about the upbringing. I can take care of training the child. Even if you never meet them, I assure you, I''ll raise the most well-mannered children you could ever imagine!" she offered, her confidence not born of arrogance but of her extensive experience, certain in her capabilities.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes twitched, his gaze lingering on her exposed back. He couldn''t resist inquiring further, "You said I won''t meet them? What do you mean? Do you n to raise them on your own?"


    Aurora''s response came with a smile, "Yes. But you''re wee to visit them whenever you wish."


    Wang Xiao nodded, finding a sense of contentment in their arrangement. "Then let it be a daughter."


    Aurora, "??"


    Question marks seemed to float above Aurora''s head as she turned to meet Wang Xiao''s gaze, finding a yful twinkle in his eyes.


    Wang Xiao, caressing her wless cheeks, the smoothest skin he had ever touched, imparted his wish with a touch of possessiveness. "I''d prefer if no other men saw you. And your nonchnce¡ªdon''t assume I share it. Don''t even think about now seeking amusement elsewhere."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Aurora''s re intensified. "What do you take me for!?" she retorted, her cheeks flushing under his intent gaze, leaving an indelible mark on her.


    "It''s a non-negotiable condition of being a trophy wife," Wang Xiao chuckled, his hands finding her waist and drawing her close as he reclined back into the grass.


    "Mm!" Aurora pouted, her fists clenched in a silent protest. "I understand how you men think. Don''t worry; there''s no man with better talent than you."


    Wang Xiao''s lips curved into a smile at her scent, which he found quite enticing, prompting him to nt soft kisses on the back of her shoulders. "You keep mentioning talent. Which talent are you referring to?"


    Aurora exined, "Psychokinesis, naturally. Your mind is incredibly strong, and you''ve managed to graspplex concepts on your own, despite your youth. Compared to you, we were like sheltered children at birth; it took us ages to figure things out." Her voice carried a hint of bitterness as she shared her thoughts.


    "When we finally took a decision for ourselves for the first time in our lives, abandoning the throne, we also botched it, leading to a massacre of the Pangeans. We thought we were acting for their betterment... But..." Aurora''s voice dwindled into silence, a somber reflection on past misjudgments clouding her tone.


    Wang Xiao, with a tender gesture, caressed her face. "That''s alright. You''re a trophy wife now; you don''t need to worry about making decisions."


    "Really?" Aurora couldn''t help but smile, a yful acknowledgment of the moment, her heart racing as she felt his manhood growingrger and pressing against her thighs, eager to break through.


    Simultaneously, his fingers delicately traced through her silky hair, sending  goosebumps down her spine.


    "Do all of you... Look this attractive?" Wang Xiao finally asked, his focus wavering in the face of this country troppling beauty.


    These women, their skin he noted with a touch, were unlike any other; the customary rough texture often found was absent, reminiscent instead of a newborn''s softness.


    Their bodies exuded a natural fragrance, fresh and captivating.


    Aurora''s smile turned wry at his question. "Do you wish to im all of us?"


    Wang Xiao responded with a nod, his lips finding her nape. "Why not? If some useless emperor who couldn''t even evade death in history dared to dream such dreams, why shouldn''t I, who am far superior?"


    Aurora''s smile held a tinge of bitterness, pondering if herpliments had inadvertently fueled his ego. Yet, amused by his audacious thoughts, she nodded. "Okay, I will support you. But first, you must be strong enough to handle them yourself."


    "...Some of them would be quite resistantttaaahn~...mmmng~L-Let me fiiinish...Ahhnn~"


    Wang Xiao, despite her faint protests, couldn''t help but smile as he felt the warmth of her body enveloping him, his manhood plunging deep into her. "Let''s talkter. First, show me some new poses," he demanded.


    Aurora''s breath caught in her throat as she whispered, "What types of poses?" Her voice was a mixture of nervousness and curiosity, her heart racing with excitement.


    Wang Xiao leaned in closer, his breath hot against her ear as he began to exin all types of impossible positions and movements, Luna had performed with him.


    Aurora''s cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, her lips trembling as she bit down on them in a futile attempt to contain her growing arousal. "I-I don''t know if I can do that..." she hesitated, her voice barely a whisper.

 Chapter 249: New Guadian of Europe?

    Despite her super human body, Aurora found it ridiculous to utilise her abilities for such reasons!


    Wang Xiao''s eyes darkened as he caressed her cheek gently. "Trust me. I''ll guide you every step of the way, and who is here beside us, to see your embarassment anyways?" he reassured her, his words sending a shiver down her spine.


    Aurora''s heart pounded in her chest as she looked up at Wang Xiao, her eyes filled with a mixture of hesitation and longing.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Finally, with a shaky nod, she whispered, "Okay. Let''s try."


    ___________


    On September 30th, the once tranquil Jay Mayen Ind was engulfed in chaos.


    The air vibrated with the consistent buzz of helicopter rotors as Wang Xiao bid farewell to Ericka and Serphina, who had recovered.


    They had awoken two days prior, but Wang Xiao had been preupied with Aurora, leaving him no opportunity to contact them.


    Despite their situation, both women had the wisdom to call for help but chose not to venture out on their own, opting to wait for Wang Xiao''s return instead.


    Wang Xiao had managed to get a recement for his broken phone, thanks to the efficient services of the Pantheonwork, which had it reced within a few hours.


    "Where to now?" He finally turned to Aurora, who seemed to be donning new attire.


    She was adorned in what appeared to be a new outfit, though, upon closer inspection, it was simply her previous attire minus the jacket that had once shrouded her from prying eyes.


    Freed from its confines, her figure now painted a picture of undeniable femininity, casting her in a light that significantly aged her in Wang Xiao''s eyes.


    Where once the jacket had lent her the innocence of youth, suggesting a girl barely past her mid-teens, its absence now revealed a woman in the full bloom of her early twenties.


    "Lord Prince! We shall be taking our leave!" announced John, the Deviant who had stepped into Adam''s shoes after thetter met his demise at the hands of Wang Xiao. He saluted towards Wang Xiao, backed by a lineup of figures all dressed uniformly in sleek ck suits.


    Rooaaar!


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao was on the cusp of nodding in acknowledgment when the calm of the sky was shattered by the sudden emergence of a colossal dragon, sending waves of shock through everyone present¡ªeveryone, that is, except for Wang Xiao and Aurora.


    "Alert!" John''s eyes narrowed, a sheen of cold sweat breaking across his back as he instinctively took charge, signaling to the others to be on high alert.


    Thud!


    With a force that trembled the earth, the dragonnded on its mighty legs, its sharp, predatory gaze sweeping over those gathered.


    When its eyes fixed on John, he felt as though he was peering straight into the abyss, the gaze of the reaper himself.


    Even Amaya, another Deviant standing close by, found herself paralyzed under the weight of that fearsome stare.


    But the tension snapped as swiftly as it had arrived. The dragon''s menacing aura melted away, turning almost domesticated as Aurora approached it. Her hand reached out, tracing gentle caresses along its formidable face.


    This transformation, from fierce beast to docile giant at Aurora''s touch, sent shivers down the spine of everyone watching. It was a vivid reminder, a reevaluation of the woman who stood by the Eighth Prince''s side, her significance magnified in a moment that intertwined fear, respect, and awe.


    "You guys can go¡ª" Wang Xiao began, turning to dismiss them, but paused mid-sentence, his gaze sharpening. "Both of you are Deviants, right?" His eyes swiftly scanned John and Amaya.


    "Yes, lord!" John responded immediately, a trace of excitement in his voice for being recognized, while Amaya offered a faint nod in confirmation.


    Their military helmets and gear made it challenging to distinguish their identities at a nce.


    "If you both are here, who is with Li Zhiming?" Wang Xiao''s inquiry followed, his memory reminding him that the Pantheonwork typically assigned only two Deviants.


    "Lord, we weremanded by Sir Zhiming toe here! The Commander wanted to properly greet the new guardian!" John exined, his eyes sparkling with admiration.


    Despite being in the legion for only a few years and still bearing the youthful appearance of a 15-16 year old, John was well aware that, until now, not a single death of a Guardian had been reported.


    Wang Xiao was the first to defeat a Guardian and take his ce.


    Although this opened the door for others to challenge him for the position, the imposing presence of therge dragon behind him, exhaling cold breaths, was a deterrent strong enough to quell any such ambitions.


    Who would dare challenge a man capable of ying a Guardian, especially when hemanded such a terrifying beast?


    The thought alone was enough to instill a deep sense of respect, and perhaps a hint of fear, in those who understood the magnitude of Wang Xiao''s achievements.


    "Humph..." Amaya''s reaction was a sharp contrast to John''s; a sneer flickered across her face, brief and quickly masked, yet it was a clear sign of her defiance. Despite her internal resistance, she was acutely aware of her limits, understanding all too well that she was no match for Wang Xiao.


    Wang Xiao''s acknowledgment of John was brief, a mere nod, before his gaze shifted,nding on Amaya with an intensity that seemed to pierce through her. "You''re Adam''s sister?" he inquired, his voice calm yetden with implications that sent a jolt of panic through Amaya''s core.


    ''He knows about me!?'' The thought thundered in her mind, a mix of shock and fear rendering her momentarily speechless.


    John, too, was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise as he looked at Amaya, as if seeing her in a new light.


    Under the weight of Wang Xiao''s prating gaze, Amaya''s resolve wavered. Her lips pressed tightly together, she hesitated before finally yielding to the inevitable.


    With a trembling hand, she removed her helmet, revealing her identity. "Yes, Lord, I am Amaya, from the Eagle''s Eye faction, assigned to oversee affairs within the Pantheonwork."

 Chapter 250: Power! Authority!

    With a trembling hand, Amaya removed her helmet, revealing her identity. "Yes, Lord, I am Amaya, from the Eagle''s Eye faction, assigned to oversee affairs within the Pantheonwork."


    With her helmet now removed, Amaya''s identity was revealed.


    Her long ck hair framed a face that was both sharp and delicate, with deep violet eyes that held within them theplexities of her duties and her lineage.


    A subtle choker adorned her neck,plementing the elegance that her military role rarely allowed to surface.


    The ck sleeve tattoo that snaked up her left arm hinted at a depth of character, marking her as someone far removed from the rank and file.


    As she stood there, the sunlight catching the edges of her silhouette, it was clear Amaya was no mere soldier; she was a Deviant with a story, different from rest of humanity.


    "Hey, what is he up to now?" Aurora murmured, craning her neck to get a better view. She turned around, her eyes widening in surprise as she caught sight of Wang Xiao and Amaya standing in front of each other.


    Suddenly, a sharp tap echoed through the room.


    !?


    Aurora watched in shock as Wang Xiao leaned in and tapped Amaya on the back, causing her to jump in surprise before he pulled her into an unexpected hug.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "I am really sorry about your brother," Wang Xiao''s voice carrying feigned sadness echoed with sombreness.


    !!


    Amaya''s eyes widened in disbelief as his hand slowly made its way to her back, his touch sending a shiver down her spine.


    !!


    And then, without warning, his hand slipped into the back of her pants. Amaya''s face flushed with embarrassment as a rush of warmth flooded through her skin. Before she could react, Wang Xiao''s hand found its target ¨C her fleshy butt.


    He squeezed, a look of smug satisfaction shing across his face as the ce erupted in gasps of astonishment.


    !!


    The other soldiers immediately averted their gazes, feeling a cold chill run down their spines. Aurora''s head slightly tilted as she noticed Wang Xiao''s ominous smile, while Amaya stood there, her face flushed with a mix of rage and humiliation.


    It was bad enough that he had killed her brother, but now he was rubbing her face in the humiliation.


    Now, more than ever, she wanted to kill him.


    Aurora''s lips curled into a bitter smile as Wang Xiao released Amaya from the hug. With a boldness that defied belief, he reached directly into Amaya''s cleavage, his hands boldly groping and massaging her breasts, his fingers cruelly pinching her nipples.


    !!


    The tant act of humiliation left a sour taste in everyone''s mouths.


    "People die everyday, you should get used to working in thier absence," Wang Xiao remarked, his voice carrying weight as he turned away with a subtle smile, striding back towards Aurora.


    He left behind a seething Amaya, her pale face frozen in shock, his words echoing in her mind like shattering ss.


    Normally, those who survived hell and returned would forsake familial ties, long faded from memory.


    But for Amaya, it was different; she and her brother were in it together, and now¡ª


    Tip... Tip... Tip...


    As Wang Xiao ascended onto the dragon''s back with Aurora and departed, a scene that drained color from John''s face, tears cascading from Amaya''s eyes.


    The sight of Deviant weeping, an urrence John never fathomed witnessing in his lifetime.


    Yet now, witnessing Amaya''s trembling form, silent sobs and cold body, he realized the Guardians chosen amongst the legion were not only the most powerful but also the cruelest, bringing even the deviants to thier knees.


    _____


    As the dragon soared into the sky, Aurora couldn''t resist asking, "Why did you want to turn her into a free enemy?"


    It was clear she didn''t grasp Wang Xiao''s methods.


    Wasn''t he just setting himself up for failure with moves like this?


    "First, hold this," Wang Xiao instructed, his voice smooth as silk.


    Seated directly behind her, he reached out and sped her hand in his, causing a rush of unexpected warmth to flood through her.


    Aurora''s face froze in stunned surprise


    "..."


    "Now, we can talk," Wang Xiao whispered, guiding her hand to rest inside his pants where her fingers delicately wrapped around his little brother, anchoring it firmly in ce.


    "..."


    After a stunned silence, Aurora, a shimmering beacon of patience in a world fraught with impatience, nonchntly added, "Shall I stroke it as well?" Her tone dripped with sarcasm, not expecting Wang Xiao to nod in agreement.


    "Yes, please do," Wang Xiao insisted, his voice smooth. "Your fingers are softer."


    "Huh?" Aurora''s voice came out as a mere whisper.


    Her lips slid open, but no sound escaped as a wave of embarrassment swept over her.


    Was he genuinelyplimenting her?


    Or was he just being in creepy?


    Rather than pondering this, Aurora decided to show her cooperative nature by taking action.


    With deliberate care, she began to stroke his manhood as the dragon soared through the skies.


    She made sure her touch was steady, simultaneously ensuring the winds wouldn''t carry them away.


    "Where are we heading?" Wang Xiao queried, his fingers wandering with a mind of their own, tracing the softness of her body, teasing the delicate skin of her waist and venturing further with a boldness that contrasted his casual tone.


    Aurora, in an attempt to escape the ticklish sensation, contorted her neck, tilting and twisting her head, her voiceced with a mixture of difort and amusement as she awkwardly replied, "Transylvania."


    "Hm? Why there?" Wang Xiao couldn''t suppress his curiosity.


    Aurora''s voice took on a tone of solemnity, "That''s the stronghold of Asmodeus. The time hase for you toy im to all that was his. Yet, you haven''t been officially anointed as a guardian. Nowadays, they rely on passwords, and authorization is mandatory at the annual summits held at Mount Olympus to ensure you''re fully acknowledged as Asmodeus''s sessor."


    Wang Xiao nodded, his expression serious yet determined. "That''s irrelevant. Official recognition or not, the influence has already begun to weave its magic."


    "Hm?" Aurora''s confusion was evident as she tilted her head, seeking rity in his cryptic words.


    "Before, did you see the fear and awe in those people''s eyes? The way they pretended not to see anything, even when their team leader was molested in front of everyone, it was like an open circus," Wang Xiao''s voice dripped with a mncholy that seemed out of ce, yet profoundly sincere.


    A silence fell between them, until Wang Xiao continued, "It could be her, you, or anyone else... In this world, where power dictates safety, no one is beyond reach. In times past, emperors wielded their might openly, under the sun. Now, the games of power are yed behind closed doors, their machinations more insidious, yet no less dangerous."

 Chapter 251: *Power!*

    Aurora''s lips tightened in disapproval as she stared at Wang Xiao. "You only harassed that girl to test her reaction?"


    Wang Xiao nodded, his lips grazing her nape as he spoke. "Pretty much. I don''t know her and I don''t care. But if I had approached her before rumors of me ying Asmodeous spread, do you think she would have reacted the same? In this world, neutrality is a luxury only the most powerful can afford."


    "Li Zhiming even went as far as sending a whole squad to demonstrate a strong alliance with me, risking his own security. It''s a strategic move to ward off any potential threats to his position within the organization."


    Aurora hummed in agreement, her eyes reflecting understanding. "You''re right. But that girl seemed genuinely angry. She won''t forget how you treated her anytime soon. You need to be mindful, or a small seed of resentment might blossom into your downfall."


    A flicker of amusement danced in Wang Xiao''s eyes as his lips twitched. "I am waiting for the day of my downfall." His hand wandered up to cup her breasts, a mischievous glint in his eyes.


    "Mmmng~ It''s only been a day. Why are you in the mood again so soon? Can''t you take a break?" Aurora''s voice held a hint of annoyance.


    Her hands felt the familiar sensation of his growing manhood, and she could already feel the heat rising between them.


    With a mischievous grin, Wang Xiao couldn''t resist the urge to yfully pinch Aurora''s cheeks before leaning in for a passionate touch.


    He kissed her with fervor, tasting her sweetness linger on his lips. "me yourself, not me," he teased, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes.


    Aurora was left speechless, her mind racing to understand how she could possibly be at fault here?


    Shaking her head in disbelief, she mustered a wry smile and remarked, "Even though you haven''t ascended to Guardian status yet, you''ve already garnered quite a few... impressive titles: yer of Gods, Hell Prince... Hell Prince seems to be the popr one," she said, a hint of amusementcing her words.


    ??


    Curious, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but inquire, "Where did you get all this information? I''m pretty sure you haven''t left my side recently."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Aurora''s grin widened as she casually retrieved a phone from an unexpected hidden pocket in her dress. "I''m more connected than you think. I keep up with modern technology. It''s all circting in the Illuminati''s merchant group."


    ''This witch is more modern than I thought...'' Wang Xiao thought to himself, a mix of surprise and admiration rising within him.


    Never did he expect her to proudly wield a phone in her possession.


    "The merchant group of the Illuminati?" Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, trying to conceal his suprise. "What exactly is that, and why are you involved with them?"


    Aurora simply shrugged, replying nonchntly, "I ocasionally trade a few things there," before swiftly powering off her phone and stashing it away.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s curiosity was piqued, a mix of thoughts raging inside his mind.


    He found himself wondering about the nature of Aurora''s contacts.


    Did she have any male acquaintances stored in her phone?


    Yet, as quickly as the question arose, he remembered something crucial about her.


    This woman hadn''t touched another human for ages, a fact that brought an involuntary twitch to his lips.


    Despite her otherworldly connections, her interactions remained remarkably tonic.


    Aurora was a patient woman, a trait Wang Xiao found increasingly admirable.


    She had a knack for steering conversations away from conflict, aligning perfectly against the temperament of thier kind.


    This realization made him appreciate herpany even more.


    Oblivious to Wang Xiao''s silent evaluation, Aurora felt an unexpected chill, her cheeks warming with a flush.


    Gathering her courage, she voiced a question that took Wang Xiao by surprise.


    "Do you... Want me to provide some additional services?" she asked, her words suggestive.


    "Additional services like...?" Wang Xiao responded, his toneced with suspicion and a hint of intrigue.


    Aurora remainedposed, her response straightforward, "I can use my mouth...."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by her bold proposition.


    Aurora, noting Wang Xiao''s stunned silence, feltpelled to borate, hoping to rify her intention, "You mentioned my fingers are soft... My mouth should be... superior," she attempted to justify, her words inadvertently deepening the awkwardness rather than alleviating it.


    Her cheeks bloomed with an intense shade of red, betraying her embarrassment.


    Despite the boldness of her words, she felt a certain necessity behind them, a conviction that some actions, however shameful, were essential.


    Attempting to bridge the growing silence and perhaps offer him a semnce of control over the situation, she stammered, "Y-You could express your preferences, and I... I could adjust, maybe align myself to better suit them."


    !!


    Wang Xiao turned speechless.


    Her suggestion had veered into realms he hadn''t anticipated.


    What was she nning to do now ¡ª terraform?


    He wasn''t kidding when he assumed she was the most patient woman he had ever met.


    The ability to navigate such delicate matters with a frankness that was both surprising and, in a strange way, endearing ¡ª and more importantly, it needed an amount of shamelessnes, that he hadn''t anticipateding from her.


    She turned around to find his intense eyes locked onto hers, their lips connecting in a soft embrace.


    As they kissed, she felt his eyes on her, and then the sensation of him beginning to suck on her lips.


    His hands, which had been wrapped around her waist, suddenly moved to grope her breasts, his lips leaving a trail of saliva on hers.


    "Mmn~" Aurora''s eyes fluttered closed with a hint of amusement as he started to bite her face.


    "W-Wait... Let me finish first!" she protested, but he ignored her, grabbing her hands and pinning them above her head as he pushed her down onto the dragon''s back.


    Thud!


    Her back hit the uneven surface as Wang Xiao continued to explore her body, his hands expertly removing her dress as he moved from her neck down to her abdomen.


    Seeing her irritation, he couldn''t resist teasing her, grabbing a chunk of flesh on her waist and pinching it. "Aren''t you a bit on the chubby side?" he taunted, causing Aurora''s eyes to twitch.


    Taking a deep breath to control herself, she asked, "... Do you want me to be thinner?"


    !?


    The weight of her words finally hit Wang Xiao, who had been oblivious before, realizing that by ''amodating his demands,'' she would be willing to literally change her body.

 Chapter 252: *Pantheons!*

    Captivated by the shimmering beauty in her eyes, he was momentarily torn between awe at her abilities and confusion at the peculiarity of her request.


    Disregarding both possibilities, he gently cupped her face and whispered, "Do you wish to see yourself exhausted, copsed, and wailing?" His eyes held an ominous glint, catching Aurora off-guard.


    Unaware of the sadistic side he harbored, Aurora was taken aback.


    "Mngh~" Before she could delve deeper into his psyche, a rush of sensation engulfed her lower body as a scalding heat pierced her, causing her to clench her lips tightly and arch her back in ecstasy.


    Pak !


    Pak!


    Pak!


    The sound of their bodies colliding echoed through the air.


    He gripped her shoulders tightly, driving deeper into her as Aurora''s hand weakly clung to his neck.


    What was supposed to be a six-hour journey extended into over eight hours, with Aura circling the Romanian airspace tirelessly.


    Meanwhile, high above, Aurora and Wang Xiao continued their own journey.


    ________


    "What did you want to tell me about?" Wang Xiao, recliningfortably on the dragon''s back, inquired.


    Plop!


    "Haah..." Aurora, crouching near his legs with her head nestled in between, spat his manhood from her mouth before speaking, "...Tiamat has existed since before Pangea. It has been referenced in countless scriptures, in various forms."


    "You must keep its existence a secret, or it could spark global conflict and lead to destruction. Immortality is a temptation that no ordinary mortal can resist...mmmhm" Her words trailed off as she leaned towards his testicles, enveloping them in her mouth and tenderly nibbling, causing him to feel a sudden jolt of surprise.


    !!


    Wang Xiao lifted her head, catching sight of him devouring his own family jewels, and shook his head with a wry smile.


    As Aurora continued her activities, her words flowed effortlessly from her lips.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Throughout history, whenever wars ravaged thend and Tiamat''s blood was spilled, it stirred the depths of the ocean, giving rise to an array of immortal sea creatures."


    "The majestic orcas you see before you are but one example. And have you heard of the fearsome hydra? That mythic beast was also born from this ancient bloodline, only to meet its tragic demise..."


    Hearing Aurora''s tale, Wang Xiao couldn''t resist lifting his head in suprise. "What other secrets of the past have you yet to reveal? Share all the important ones.." he implored.


    As Aurora''s tongue halted its serpentine motion along his shaft, she fixed him with a prating gaze. "...Remember, not all that you think you know about the past is urate," she cautioned, her voice hauntingly wise.


    "Hm? Haven''t you already shared this with me?" Wang Xiao mused, his curiosity piqued by the mysterious depths of her words.


    Aurora exined, her voice like serene waters of the sea, "The myths were penned by mere mortals who habitually exaggerated them. Over time, these tales became a means for humanity to rationalize the natural phenomena surrounding them, in the absence of any knowledge of advanced atomic studies or scientific understanding."


    She continued, delving into a specific details, "Consider the story from the Greek pantheon where Perseus, afterpleting his mission to decapitate Medusa, encounters Titan As¡ªthe very titan reputed to bear the sky upon his shoulders. Utilizing Medusa''s severed head, Perseus turns As to stone."


    "Various iterations of this myth exist: in some, a disagreement sparks the confrontation; in others, As, mistaking Perseus for a threat, bes hostile."


    "Regardless of the narrative discrepancies, it''s widely interpreted that Perseus''s actions inadvertently alleviated As''s eternal burden. As a stone figure, As would no longer endure the fatigue of holding up the sky."


    Wang Xiao, skeptical, inquired, "What about it?"


    Aurora''s smile held a hint of slyness as she exined, "It''s intriguing... Beyond interpreting Perseus''s actions as heroic, the myth itself never truly transpired....The people of that era,cking knowledge of the cosmos beyond Earth and the sky overhead, crafted these narratives to exin the sky''s existence."


    "It''s not just the sky; whether it''s sunrise or sunset, humans devised tales for these phenomena too, sometimes bending the truth, other times fabricating events entirely."


    "Just as you are perceived as a god by today''s standards, in the past, there were individuals who, through some anomaly, awakened to their strength and established Factions, simr to today''s Deviants¡ª"


    Wang Xiao, interrupting, questioned, "What do you mean by ''identally awakened''? Hadn''t Aether vanished?"


    Aurora affirmed with a nod, "Yes, Aether had depleted, but that didn''t render the Pangeans powerless overnight. Their physiology was still vastly superior to modern humans''. From birth, they could harness the power of the mind due to their robust brains. Their anatomy was more advanced and resilient."


    "However, with each seeding generation, these abilities began to wane, and their cerebral capacity diminished. It''s a natural evolutionary process for any multicellr organism.


    Just as unused muscles atrophy, and how an organ once crucial for digesting raw meat is nearly obsolete in contemporary humans due to disuse, the ancients, over generations, experienced a degradation in their powers and a diminished use of their capabilities."


    "It reached a point where certain societies secluded themselves, distancing from those born with lesser cognitive abilities or without special talents. They interbred exclusively within their circle to preserve their legacy."


    "These groups not only distinguished themselves as distinct but also embarked on quests to harness the remnants of Aether. Their goals were to forge weapons and extend their lifespans, with some mastering Psychokinesis (PK) to achieve immortality. This pursuit of power and longevity gave rise to the entities humans came to worship as gods."


    "These secretive circles harbored and transmitted ancient wisdom, mastering the use of Psychokinesis to manipte atomic structures andmand elements. For instance, they harnessed fire through the principle of pyrokinesis. Today, we have a term for their realm¡ªPantheons."


    "Throughout history, myriad Pantheons have existed, revered as deities by the masses. Yet, their divine aspirations were not satisfied with mere worship; they sought acknowledgment as true gods. Thus, some established edicts to avoid meddling in human affairs, barring supernatural emergencies. The most notable of these policies originated from Zeus of the Greek Pantheon."


    "The stories surrounding the Greek Pantheon are not entirely urate. In truth, it was an assembly of power-wielding humans who dered themselves ''immortals'', having tapped into a profound essence¡ªthe very essence that births consciousness. Through this, they transcended their mortal confines, bing entities distinct from ordinary human flesh."

 Chapter 253: Pantheons! The Battle of Immortals!

    "Then a conflict erupted among these powerful beings know as ''Immortals'' that reshaped their world. Those who emerged defeated werebeled Titans, while the victors were hailed as gods. The Titans found themselves ensnared, not by chains, but by a tactical quandary: their death would merely liberate their essence, allowing them to seek vengeance after reconstructing their forms."


    "Zeus, as history remembers him, the sovereign of that era, endeavored to sculpt humanity''s perception, elevating them to the pedestal of divinity. He understood that a true, omniscient deity exists in a realm of neutrality, where concepts of good and evil are mere facets of its existence, unworthy of its concern. Thus, Zeus instituted decrees."


    "Humanity was instructed to remain aloof, irrespective of the cmities befalling them¡ªbe it pestilence that ravaged continents or despots bent on annihtion. For in Zeus''s eyes, good and evil were but elements of the cosmic bnce, and he aspired for the gods to be seen as impartial entities. Yet, this ideal was fundamentally wed, as they were not divine by nature."


    "Wang, the term ''gods'' is incredibly subjective. What does it truly denote? An omnipotent, indifferent entity? Or beings like you, the Deviants? From humanity''s vantage, none of the sacred texts truly capture the essence of divinity from a standpoint of neutrality. Gods have always been depicted as champions of humanity and paragons of virtue.


    These myths serve as moral beacons, narratives constructed by humans to steer their collective conscience, ensuring their survival and fostering their progression."


    "...Once the unity within these pantheons crumbled under the weight of internal conflicts, and as these extraordinarymunities disintegrated, they mingled with ordinary humans. The offspring of such unions were significantly less potent, the profound knowledge began to fade, and the once-potent bloodlines diluted.


    It reached a stage where, amidst tens of thousands, perhaps only one possessed a brain resilient enough to wield psychokinesis without catastrophic consequence."


    "Their physical resilience and skeletal strength waned alongside the rise of modern technology, leading to a current state where humans possess the frailest form of all their ancestors. Even their cerebral capacity has dwindled, no longer potent enough to manipte the very particles of their environment."


    Aurora concluded with a smile, leaving Wang Xiao in a muddle of thoughts. "So, are we evolving... backwards?"


    Is it possible that the technology intended to be humanity''s boon has, in fact, been its bane?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao''s confusion deepened.


    A flicker of amusement crossed Aurora''s face, barely containing herughter. "Not exactly. The concept of myth isn''t as ancient as you might think. In fact, ''myth'' once simply meant stories. Just as religions can be seen as constructs by certainmunities to establish moral guidelines, myths were originally stories."


    "If an omniscient deity truly had the bandwidth to inscribe edicts within sacred texts, and yet individuals continuously defy these injunctions, it leads us to a crossroads of interpretation: the deity is either not all-knowing, or he consents to such transgressions. The second option is particrly troubling, casting him in the light of a sadistic overseer rather than a detached arbiter."


    "If this deity demands worship and supplication for favors, his impartiality is furtherpromised"


    "A basic critical examination suggests that religious doctrines are predominantly human fabrications, tailored to regte human behavior, much like the constitutions that delineate the boundaries of our modern societies."


    "It''s perplexing, isn''t it? How a document penned by the hands of ancient scribes continues to dictate the lives of millions? Or how constitutions, essentially sets of guidelines devised by inherently wed humans, havee to wield such authority that they overshadow the very essence of the states they were meant to serve?"


    "This phenomenon has escted to the point where these constructs have outgrown their national confines, evolving into formidable tools of control."


    "Previously, religious texts authored by mortals served as the ultimate arbiters of human conduct, imbuing a select few with the power to govern the masses under the guise of divine mandate."


    "Today, this mantle has been passed to the constitution, a secr scripture, which, while devoid of divine attribution,mands a simr, if not greater, reverence and obedience."


    "In both instances, the inherent adaptability and evolutionary potential of humanity are overlooked, as these rigid frameworks offer little room for growth or adaptation."


    "Humans forget that they are ever-evolving beings, and by adhering strictly to these unyielding rules, they inadvertently stifle their own development."


    "Returning to your query, no, humanity isn''t regressing in the evolutionary sense. However, barring the exceptional individuals among us who possess extraordinary gic gifts, the broader popce has faced limitations, a trend that was bound to intensify in the absence of Aether. This eventual decline was all but invetible."


    "With the progression of modern technology, there lies a potential for humanity to reach or even surpass the glory of Pangea! Yet, this aspiration is contingent upon our ability to transcend the constraints of our self-imposed legal and moral codices," she concluded, her words trailing off into a deep sigh.


    Wang Xiao''s confusion was growing as he struggled to grasp theparison to Pangea¡ªa civilization believed to be not only ancient but also possessing technology far beyond modernprehension.


    Catching the puzzled look on his face, Aurora realized she needed a more rtable analogy to rify her point. With an unwittingly charming gesture, she extended her hand, her expressions animated yet strangely endearing as she embarked on an exnation. "Okay, hear me out. Let''s consider the trajectory of current humanity.


    You''re delving into the minutiae of each element at an unprecedentedly microscopic level."


    "In the Pangean era, we had the advantage of Aether. It was a catalyst that enhanced our understanding of the universe,plemented by a wealth of knowledge inherited from our ancestors¡ªeffectively, we were born into an advanced state."


    "However, today, you must remember that everything in your world, including Aether, isprised of existing matter. The sh between Emperor Aegis and that extraterrestrial force exhausted the Aether, dispersing it into various forms of matter. This dispersion led to its gradual depletion.


    Now, consider your modern achievements¡ªhow did humanity develop nuclear weapons?" She posed the question with a gleam of curiosity in her eyes.


    Wang Xiao blinked, slightly taken aback by the sudden shift in topic. "Not entirely sure, but it involved some kind of reaction involving plutonium or uranium, I think?"

 Chapter 254: Asmodeous Palace

    Wang Xiao blinked, "...Not entirely sure, but it involved some kind of reaction involving plutonium or uranium, I think?"


    Aurora nodded with a beaming smile, "Exactly. Now imagine recing plutonium or uranium with hypothetical Element X, possessing the capability to manipte gravitational forces and, by extension, time itself, or Element Y, which could be used to rend the very fabric of spacetime for instantaneous travel. Envision these extraordinary phenomena as mere interactions between elemental forces."


    "Consider the myriad elements that might have existed in the ancient past or in the unexplored reaches beyond Earth. There could exist minerals capable of tearing through spacetime itself!"


    "Once Aether dissipated, the arcane knowledge we Pangeans held became obsolete,pelling humanity to adapt anew. Now, your generation is on the brink of rediscovery, piecing together the mysteries of existence."


    "Imagine if humanity were to uncover a substance capable of altering spacetime. By harnessing such a substance, they could develop devices enabling inteary travel or even instantaneous movement across vast distances."


    "Furthermore, through advancements in biotechnology, modern humans might achieve what we once did through the sheer power of our evolved minds¡ªaltering their physiological makeup. In the future, they could potentially engineer their brains to harness Psychokinesis."


    "And it doesn''t stop there. By mastering the elements and their frequencies to the utmost degree, even in the absence of Aether, humanity could perform feats that seem magical by today''s standards."


    "Consider your current quantum theory, which posits that the particlesposing your body are in perpetual motion, albeit on a scale so minute you appear stationary. Now, what if you could influence this constant motion through Psychokinesis?"


    "....You could also ¡ª  Develop your perception to recognize the substances that humanity has yet to uncover. The possibilities are boundless; it might require time, but humans could eventually mimic the frequencies the brain employs tomunicate with other particles..." Aurora''s words painted a vivid picture, and as Wang Xiao absorbed her words, his expression shifted to one of enlightenment.


    "It seems more feasible now that you exin it. Using PK, I knew someone, who could concentrate her mental energy topress space, causing explosions, and she could even generate fire and wind..." Wang Xiao reflected, reminiscing about Bing Xueli''s capabilities.


    Aurora''s agreement was prompt. "Right! That''s Psychokinesis at a molecr level. By elerating the motion of atoms in a specific area, thereby increasing kic energy, you elevate the temperature, resulting in fire.


    Should your friend push beyond, exerting such pressure that atomic nuclei can no longer maintain their cohesion, it might lead to nuclear fusion, or in an extreme scenario, copse into a singrity, forming a ck hole!"


    "It''s even conceivable to synthesize new types of particles, essentially creating anything. In the Pangean era, simr principles were applied using Aether. However, Aether, being a muchrger and more massive particlepared to others, was simpler to manipte."


    "Even now, rearranging the atoms could give you, atom of water, that is less catastrophic, but still far harder as it was used to be when thier was Aether." Aurora spoke, slightly curious of whom Wang Xiao can refer as friend.


    Wang Xiao face darkened, "So you mean, my normal practice seesions can one day, erase our whole gxy as I identally copse it under a ck hole."


    Aurora smiled bitterly, "You need enough strength to put that much pressure first."


    Wang Xiao, "So... Not possible?"


    Aurora shook her head, "For mortals? Not possible, but you forget important thing about evolution, it works in real time, so if you start to beat your hand against a tree everyday From early ages, till you grown up, your bones in hands would be already far stronger than average limit of human bones."


    "Averages are wrost estimate, as people forget to consider, it''s an average, and it can change as you change poption, not to mention you don''t need to abide by it."


    "So considering, you can live few thousand years, and practice PK daily, you should be able to atleast get to level to diintegrate things and copse reality."


    Hearing Aurora''s projection, Wang Xiao was visibly startled. "A few thousand years!?"


    Aurora affirmed with a nod, "Yes, that''s the timeline for someone like you. Given that you''re only 22 and already exhibit psychokic abilities a hundred times more potent than the average practitioner, you''re venturing into territories beyond my wildest spections."


    Aurora offered a smile, aiming to encourage him, but Wang Xiao wasn''t consoled¡ªdaunted by the prospect of needing millennia to reach his potential.


    The idea of spending thousands of years to master his abilities seemed overwhelming.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Observing his crestfallen expression, Aurora found herself at a loss for words.


    Why did the mention of time dishearten him so?


    Was the timeframe too ambitious, or had she inadvertently set it too conservatively?


    She pondered, realizing the chasm between their perspectives.


    For Aurora, even a timeline spanning millions of years to achieve such profound mastery seemed reasonable, underscoring the vast differences in perception between them.


    Her gauge of time, influenced by her own journey and the long history of the Pangeans, starkly contrasted with Wang Xiao''s human impatience and thirst for swift progress.


    Rustle...


    As Aurora began to dress, Wang Xiao followed suit, their journey to Transylvania having reached its destination.


    Yet, a persistent curiosity gnawed at Wang Xiao,pelling him to probe further into the ancient mysteries. "Hey... What existed before Pangea?" he inquired, his interest piqued.


    Aurora, seemingly anticipating such a question, replied with a casual ease, "Our knowledge of our past is as fragmented as your understanding of yours. I might share more another time, but for today, it''s irrelevant¡ªand it might unsettle you, or more urately, provoke your anger."


    "Make me angry?" Wang Xiao was taken aback by her response. It was rare for anything to truly rile him, sparking his curiosity even further.


    With a swift motion, they both leaped from the sky, descending towards andscape where ancient forests stretched endlessly, culminating at a medieval-style pce perched on the very edge of the horizon.


    With a resonant boom, theynded a distance from the pce, opting to approach the domicile of Asmodeous on foot.

 Chapter 255: Posion Maiden (1)

    Nestled in the heart of the Transylvanian wilderness, the castle of Asmodeous stood as a grand silhouette against the night sky.


    Its spires and towers, ornate and menacing, were like sentinels watching over a world cloaked in darkness.


    Illuminated by the soft glow of the moon, the ancient ivy-d stonework of the castle seemed almost alive, whispering secrets of the ages to the silent night.


    The imposing arched gateway, inscribed with tales of old, cast long shadows across the cobblestone path that led to the fortress.


    A hauntingly beautiful stone fountain, overseen by the figure of a naked winged angel,y still, the water within reflecting the flickering light of stars overhead.


    The wild embrace of the surrounding forest reached out to the castle walls, as if nature itself yearned to be part of the mystique of this ce.


    ra, stationed at the gateway, appeared as a figure woven from the very threads of night.


    Her attire, a striking contrast of deep crimson and shadowy ck, hugged her form, melding the allure of the East with a provocatively modern design.


    The fabric was cut away at the shoulders, leaving her arms bare and showcasing the strength in them, while a ne with a ruby pendanty against her corbone, a vivid contrast to her pale skin.


    The borate golden tiara, resemblingurel leaves, crowned her head, signifying her regal bearing. Her pointed ears peeked from beneath her flowing, raven-ck hair, hinting at her unique lineage.


    Her eyes, sharp as the des of warriors past, pierced through the darkness, fixating on the two approaching silhouettes.


    They moved with intent along the cobblestone, their arrival sending ripples through the stillness of the night.


    As two figures finally emerged out of the forest, making their way toward the castle, ra''s expression grew taut, a mix of anticipation and wariness coloring her features.


    As the moonlit shadows danced around her, ra''s face drained of color, each feature of the neers etching itself into her memory.


    Before her stood a woman of ethereal beauty, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall under starlight, and eyes that held the cold brilliance of sapphire ice.


    But it was the man who captured ra''s attention utterly¡ªa ghost from her past, perhaps?


    His eyes were like embers in the dark, glowing with an intense crimson light, while his attire¡ªa meld of ck and red¡ªwhispered of ancient times.


    A tremor of recognition ran through ra, her voice escaping in a breath, "The Eighth Prince...!" Her eyes stretched wide with shock, her footing nearly betrayed her.


    "You are...?" Wang Xiao halted, an eyebrow raised in question at the pale figure rooted by the gate, as though she were both guardian and statue.


    He noted her bewildered silence, puzzling. A nce towards Aurora found her with a subtle arch of surprise in her gaze, suggesting an unexpected recognition.


    It seemed ra had been anticipating someone, but not them¡ªcertainly not him.


    The riddle deepened¡ªra knew of him, but not of Aurora, who in turn seemed to know ra.


    What was this tangled web of familiarity?


    Wang Xiao took a step forward, his movement cut short by Aurora''s sudden grip. Her voice was urgent, a warning bell in the night. "Wait, don''t go near her. She is a poison maiden. Merely touching her would be lethal."


    !!


    ra stumbled back, her shock mirrored in her voice, "You know of my curse...?" A glimmer of vulnerability shed before she steeled herself, her eyes alighting with a supernatural silver fire, her gaze sharp as daggers. "Where is Lord Asmodeus!?" she demanded, her fierce gaze fixated on Wang Xiao, her posture now one of offense rather than defense.


    ''Lord Asmodeous?'' Wang Xiao echoed, a flicker of amusement crossing his features as the name seemed to conjure an inside joke only he was privy to. "Were you standing guard all this time for Asmodeous''s return?"


    ra''s confidence wavered at his grin, her stance rigid with trepidation. "W-Where is Lord Asmodeous? Eighth Prince, heed my warning¡ªyou tread upon forbidden grounds. Take yourpanion and depart at once," her voice cracked like thin ice underfoot.


    Wang Xiao''s amusement faded into a frown, her insistence piquing his interest. "Haven''t you heard? Asmodeous is no more," he challenged, searching her face for a hint of acknowledgment.


    "That''s a lie!" The words burst from ra, her fists tightening as if grasping at the fragments of her shattered reality.


    But then, Wang Xiao did the unthinkable. With a swift motion that betrayed his earlier calm, he reached out and seized ra by the neck. The act was so sudden, so brash, that it jarred the night itself.


    "What!?" The disbelief in ra''s eyes mirrored the shock that rippled through Aurora. "Wang Xiao!" she cried out, a note of distress coloring her usuallyposed voice. But Wang Xiao was undeterred, his eyes locked on ra''s, his grip firm. "A touch of poison never killed anyone," he retorted, his voiceced with a dangerous calm.


    "Argh¡ªrelease me!" ra''s voice, filled with disbelief ragged as she gasped for air, her body contorting desperately against the vice-like grip of Wang Xiao. Her feet kicked out into the void, seeking purchase where there was none.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze was unyielding, his voice cold and merciless as it sliced through the tension, "Your lord has fallen. Summon everyone from within the castle, or I swear I''ll this ce into dust myself!"


    !!n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ra''s struggle ceased abruptly, her survival instinct taking over.


    Her eyes, once full of defiance, now flickered with the realization of her dangerous situation. "You... you wouldn''t dare," she breathed, her voice a mix of fear and disbelief. "The Eighth Prince wouldn''ty waste to the legacy of Asmodeous without cause."


    "...Would you wage war on a ghost, or can we parley like the civilized beings we purport to be?" Her oice steadied as she sought to appeal to any shred of reason left in the man who held her fate between his fingers.


    Wang Xiao''s grip loosened imperceptibly, his features softening but a fraction. "Talk, then," hemanded, his tone still firm.


    ra, gasping, regained herposure as she felt the crushing pressure around her neck abate. "Lord Asmodeous''s absence has left a power vacuum that threatens the bnce of... our entire existence.


    If you truly possess might, aid me in locating the Lord, and I assure you, any grievances between you shall be brought to the table for negotiation!" she offered, her voice a mix of desperation and hope.


    She observed Wang Xiao''s features, searching for a sign of agreement, but his expression grew increasingly grim.


    ''Have I not offered enough?'' she questioned inwardly, her mind reeling for more leverage.

 Chapter 256: Poison Maiden (2)

    ''Have I not offered enough?'' ra questioned inwardly, her mind reeling for more leverage.


    With a surge of resolve, she added, "I¡ªI pledge to serve you for a year! Just assist me in finding the Lord!" Her gaze flickered withplexity, trying to read the enigma before her.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao remained silent, his stoic facade betraying none of his thoughts.


    ra pondered in dismay, ''How was he immune to my poison?'' A question mirrored in Aurora''s equally perplexed look.


    Then, breaking the heavy silence, Wang Xiao extended his hand. ra, misreading the gesture as a sign of ord, reflexively brightened with a relieved smile and reached out.


    But the smile shattered as swiftly as it had formed.


    Pakh!


    A sharp crack echoed as Wang Xiao''s hand met ra''s cheek rather than her outstretched hand, sending her reeling several feet away.


    Bang!


    "You?!" Shended, crouched on the ground, her hand sped to her stinging face, a look of utter bewilderment in her eyes.


    ...


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed with unexpected disdain as he locked his gaze on her. "Fool," he spat, striding towards her with purpose.


    He crouched down, bringing his eyes level with hers. "Do you still cling to the belief that your lord lives? He is dead! The only master you serve now is me. Either scurry away and gather everyone inside here, or I''ll slice you into pieces and toss you into this fountain, to apany your lord to the underworld."


    Hiss!


    ra''s body shook with a sudden jolt. She sucked in a sharp, frigid breath, as if the harsh reality she''d been evading had finally caught up to her.


    She had been aware of the conflict, but the notion of Asmodeous actually perishing had seemed inconceivable.


    Now, with the enemy forces advancing before her, and her own defenses failing, she waspelled to ept defeat.


    Despite her trembling legs, she rose and staggered back to the pce, determined to rally everyone.


    As ra retreated, Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed further in contempt. "What kind of dim-witted creature give birth to her?" he mused aloud, prompting a suppressed smile from Aurora.


    "She seems remarkably loyal to her lord," Aurora observed, her voice tinged with intrigue. "I wonder what that man eating monster Asmodeous did to earn such trust from a Poison Maiden."


    Wang Xiao''s interest was piqued by the term. "You mentioned she''s a Poison Maiden; what does that mean?" he asked, turning his attention to Aurora for an exnation.


    Aurora''s response cameced with the weight of ancient knowledge and real-life myth. "She descends from a n that started three millennia ago, worshippers of serpentine deities, Medusa among them, and revered the healing and destructive powers of snakes, akin to the ancient cult of Asclepius."


    "This reverence was not misced; their deity was believed to embody the dual nature of venom¡ªcapable of both harming and healing."


    "After their downfall, the survivors dispersed. They had a practice of feeding venom to their young girls, aiming to create an army immune to all poisons. But the result was not just an army."


    "It was a generation of women who could survive any toxin, much like the serpents they worshipped, rising from the mountain of their predecessors'' corpses....A single touch from these women could consign a soul to the underworld,den with such deadly poison."


    "These women, their beauty as deceptive as the serpents of their worship, proved far deadlier than their delicate appearances suggested."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "They avenged themselves on those who subjected them to such terrors, and formed their own tribe....Utilizing their lethal touch, they became assassins, their very presence as toxic as the poison coursing through their veins, toppling monarchs and seeding chaos."


    "Their legend grew, drawing parallels with the Hashshashin (order of assassians during 11th century A.D) and the Borgias, families and orders that simrly wielded poison as a tool for control and assassination ¡ª Until an emperor, grieving the loss of his two sons to such poison maiden, set out to annihte them, erasing them from existence and even from the pages of history, as if such vile creatures should never roam thend!"


    Wang Xiao pondered, "Is it even possible for them to have survived for three thousand years?"


    Aurora smiled, a tinge of bitterness in her expression. "The tribe didn''t survive; it went extinct. Though it seems they have left descendants who retreated into seclusion. Even if they managed to endure thousands of years in hiding, their numbers must be exceedingly small."


    "Still, a tribe full of poisonous women who can''t be touched? How did they manage to have descendants?" Wang Xiao inquired, his curiosity piqued.


    Aurora fell silent, her gaze locking with his, before she spoke again, albeit with hesitation and a note of guilt. "Women don''t need pration to be pregnant... Only the essence of a man is necessary."


    Wang Xiao nodded, processing the information. Unexpectedly, Aurora continued, "I considered extracting your essence while you were asleep, if not for Mimi guarding you..."


    Her words hung in the air, casting an awkward silence over the surroundings.


    Both fell into a wordless exchange.


    "..."


    "..."


    Aurora avoided Wang Xiao''s stunned gaze with a faint sense of guilt. After all, she had always found the idea tempting, desiring only a child at first.


    However, Mimi was residing within his body, and she couldn''t risk awakening that evil spirit, which could potentially submerge several more continents ''idently'' beneath the ocean.


    ______


    Half an hourter, the courtyard of the castle was alive with an unusual sight.


    "Who is he!?"


    "Shh!"


    "Quiet!"


    Under the cover of night, the castle''s courtyard was a mosaic of women, each bearing distinct ethnic backgrounds and allure. Their hair, varying in color, shimmered under the moonlight. Among them were faces both oval and heart-shaped, from slender models to enchanting beauties and independent divorcees¡ªnearly every type imaginable.


    Some appeared youthful, while others carried the grace of maturity, but a singr trait unified them: undeniable beauty.


    Witnessing such a gathering, Wang Xiao was utterly astonished. The courtyard was awash with their presence, easily numbering in the hundreds.

 Chapter 257: Mass Execution

    Five minutester!


    "Let''s go and take a look inside," Wang Xiao suggested.


    The trickle of people emerging from the pce was slow, and he grew impatient, eager to uncover the secrets thaty within the ancient walls.


    "Mhm," Aurora assented, her expression unreadable as she followed him up the stone steps, their footfalls echoing in the quiet of the night.


    The courtyard they crossed was vast, yet it bore an air of neglect, the shadows cast by the moon turning the unkempt flora into ghostly silhouettes.


    It was here a small assembly had gathered upon ra''smand¡ªservants of the castle, perhaps, or other denizens of Asmodeous''s domain.


    They huddled together, casting wary nces at Wang Xiao and Aurora, their murmurs a low hum in the otherwise silent expanse.


    Unfazed by the hushed tones of spection, Wang Xiao and Aurora continued on, passing through therge wooden doors of the castle.


    The doors stood open as if in invitation¡ªor as a silent evidence the chaos that had befallen the once-secure stronghold.


    As they stepped inside, the castle''s interior loomed before them, a grand foyer that whispered of both grandeur and destion, the very stones of the halls imbued with the echoes of a thousand secrets, until ¡ª


    "Everyone, gather in the courtyard!"


    ra''smanding voice echoed through the castle corridors, disrupting the quiet examination of its medieval architecture by Wang Xiao.


    Her announcement, cascading down from the upper stairs, heralded the onset of further tumult. Before them a scene of disarray¡ªover a dozen women, embroiled in confusion and forming cliques, their whispers a rising storm.


    "Hey, ra, who gave you the right to marshal everyone in the absence of our Lord?" A woman''s sultry voice sliced through the air, her long violet hair cascading around her like a waterfall, signaling her distinction from the rest. Encircled by a group of eight, she stood out as a ringleader, her mocking tone aimed squarely at ra.


    ra''s response was a piercing re. "By the decree of Lord Asmodeous himself. Heed the call, or don''t¡ªthe choice is yours. But remember, your fate is not my concern." Her promation sent ripples through the crowd.


    !!


    Jhenny, emerging as the de facto leader of the dissenting group, conceded with a heavy sigh, signaling her followers.


    "Girls! The lord''s will is clear, and there''s no arguing with that! Let''s head outside," she dered, her demeanor signaling resignation as she led her group out, the others following in her wake, their steps echoing a reluctant obedience to amand they dared not defy.


    In the politics of this castle, survival was an art, finely honed by the necessity to navigate the treacherous waters of power and favor.


    The women of the castle, understanding the high stakes of their existence, crafted their own methods of enduring in a realm where alliances could mean the difference between life and absorption.


    The direst fate awaited any woman who shared Asmodeous''s bed; to be consumed wholly by him unless deemed ''unworthy'' of such an integration¡ªa grim lottery where luck was a fickle guardian.


    To evade such a fate, the women devised a strategy not just of luck, but of calcted avoidance.


    They established awork of factions, each a small bastion of mutual protection and shared secrets.


    Central to their strategy was steering clear of Asmodeous''s nocturnal summons.


    The Lord of the Castle, engrossed in his own affairs, seldom selected apanion personally, delegating this task to a trusted servant.


    Thus, the key to survival for these factions hinged on maintaining a favorable rapport with this servant, ensuring their members remained unnoticed and unchosen.


    There were instances when the castle''s inhabitants remained untouched, a clear evidence to their strategy''s effectiveness.


    Instead, new groups of women were brought in from beyond the castle''s confines, unsuspecting and unprepared for the fate that awaited them.


    This adaptability, this never-ending pursuit of survival within the castle''s oppressive confines, showcased the undying survival spirit of all living beings.


    It was a reminder of humanity''s capacity to endure and find ways of survival, even in the most shadowed corners of existence, where the specter of death loomed ever-present.


    "..."


    ra''s sharp eyes narrowed at Jhenny as she swept through the crowd, her hips swaying provocatively.


    ra''s expression remained stoic as she watched the scene.


    Jhenny, the oldest surviving woman in the castle with six years under her belt, drew all eyes with her movements.


    The only one who had been there longer was ra herself, who had spent a decade in residence.


    Asmodeous had never dared to touch ra, fearing that her poisonous touch would scar his sacred form.


    ra was well aware that Asmodeous was uncertain of how her venom would affect him.


    Asmodeous simply did not want to take any risks.


    In that moment, Jhenny, on her way out, caught sight of Aurora and Wang Xiao standing near the entrance.


    Unable to resist, she called out, "Ara, who are these new faces? Hehe, has Lord Asmodeous developed a taste for ''strong'' women?" With a quick stride, she made her way toward where Aurora and Wang Xiao stood, her ample bosom bouncing with each step.


    Each movement emphasized their impressive size, capturing attention.


    Boing! Boing!


    Although Aurora was undeniably beautiful, it was Wang Xiao who truly captivated Jhenny.


    She approached him directly, reaching out to grasp his face with a grin. "Ohho... Look at that adorable face. Did the lord personally choose you... Cutie?" she eximed, noting the drop in Wang Xiao''s expression.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "..."


    In the next moment, Jhenny engulfed Wang Xiao in a tight embrace, her sweet, seductive scent enveloping him, making his nose tingle as her ample bosom pressed against him.


    Her slender fingers deftly opened his shirt and slipped inside, her eyes sparkling with surprise. "Oh, are you perhaps taking testosterone, girl? Your build is quite solid," she said, her words flowing effortlessly, her whisper sending a shiver down Wang Xiao''s spine.


    "Ah, baby, don''t be angry so fast. I am merely inspecting the goods for the lord," Jhenny told him, her face inches away from his. The overpowering burst of perfume that washed over Wang Xiao made him feel nauseous. However, what happened next left him utterly stunned.


    "Hmm? What''s this thinghy¡ª?" Jhenny plunged her hands directly inside his pants, exploring for a hidden treasure. Unintentionally, she stumbled upon something unexpected, causing her to freeze in disbelief.

 Chapter 258: When Earth screams neath bloody rain, heavens cries shake the sky! (1)

    "Hmm? What''s this thinghy¡ª?" Jhenny plunged her hands directly inside his pants, exploring for a hidden treasure. Unintentionally, she stumbled upon something unexpected, causing her to freeze in disbelief.


    !!


    Gasp!


    "Th-Th..." Her voice quivered as she shot Wang Xiao a startled look, disbelief written all over her face.


    A flush of shame and embarrassment crept up her cheeks. "You''re a man!?" Her words rang out in the room, her astonishment growing as she realized she was witnessing a male figure entering the space for the first time.


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Aurora and Jhenny shared a moment of stunned silence, their eyes wide with surprise.


    Sensing the awkward tension, Jhenny swiftly retracted her hands, a nervous chuckle bubbling up. "Oopsie! Looks like the Lord has changed his preferences,dies! We''re in the clear," she eximed, leading her group out with a carefree sway in her step,ughter trailing behind her.


    ra''s breath caught in her throat at the sudden turn of events, her eyes widening in shock before she released a trembling sigh, realizing the situation remained unchanged even after a long moment.


    "It''s been quite some time since I''vest check humans tenacity," Wang Xiao''s voice broke the silence abruptly as he directed a piercing gaze up at ra.


    She squirmed under his intense stare, avoiding his eyes as if she yed no role in the drama.


    _______n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Fifteen minutester!


    "Why have you divided them into two groups?" Wang Xiao finally broke the silence, his curiosity getting the better of him as he gazed at the orderly arranged women divided into two distinct blocks. It was clear that beauty wasn''t the criterion for this division.


    Aurora chose to stand deliberately behind him on the left, allowing him the space to take charge and demonstrate his leadership.


    ra positioned herself to the right of Wang Xiao and exined with a stoic demeanor, "Eighth Prince, those on the right have  already consumated with Lord Asmodeous, and those on the left have yet to meet him," she announced, her tone chillingly indifferent, as though she were discussing something as mundane as vegetables rather than the fates of these women.


    !!


    Her words cast a sudden, icy pall over the courtyard. The previously animated chatter among the women ceased abruptly, their eyes¡ªfilled with awe, curiosity, skepticism, and fear¡ªnow fixed intently on Wang Xiao.


    "Prince!?"


    "He''s the Eighth Prince!?"


    "Lord Asmodeous is truly dead, then?"


    Faces among the crowd turned into canvases of emotion¡ªrelief, gratitude, anxiety, and nervousness sketched across their features as the reality of the situation dawned on them.


    "Consumated with Asmodeous? Could you borate on what you mean by that?" Aurora, unable to contain her confusion and concern, inquired, her gaze piercing through the night towards the women neatly segregated into a square on the right.


    ra''s voice cut through the tension, "Lord Asmodeous had a... particr appetite. He would usually consume the bodies of women after their very first night. Those you see on the right were deemed...cking by him, unworthy of such a fate, and thus were spared only to serve."


    The information sent a chill down the spine of the crowd, yet Wang Xiao''s demeanor remained stoic, his eyes methodically scanning the women on the right, who now looked back at him with eyes filled with hope, desperation, and, for some, an unsettling boldness.


    ''So these are the ones rejected?'' Wang Xiao mused internally, a trace of amusement flickering through his mind.


    Asmodeous''s criteria for beauty and worth seemed to have been mercilessly stringent.


    His thoughts were abruptly shattered by a deafening boom.


    "What the¡ª"


    "Arghhhh!! REMOVE IT! GET IT OFF ME!"


    "UGHhhh!"


    "Dear Lord! Mercy!"


    "Argh! Please, someone¡ªahhhh"


    Before the shocked gaze of everyone present, the ground beneath the women on the right splintered open, a web of sinister, dark tendrils erupting forth.


    Whooosh! Whoosh! Whooosh!


    These tendrils coiled around the women with terrifying precision, pulling them down into an abyss as if the earth itself had opened its maw to swallow them whole.


    Crack...


    The horrifying spectaclepleted in mere seconds. Every woman, even those who desperately attempted to flee, was ensnared and dragged into the void.


    The stone floor then seamlessly knit itself back together, leaving no trace of the harrowing event, as if the earth had never opened its mouth at all.


    Silence descended, a thick, oppressive veil.


    The courtyard, once buzzing with whispers and life, now stood as a silent witness to the unfathomable.


    "You did it...?" Wang Xiao''s immediate reaction was to whirl towards Aurora, who stood with a serene smile that unsettled him more than the horror unfolding before their eyes.


    Aurora''s voice was calm, almost soothing in the midst of chaos. "Some used women¡ªyou needn''t dwell on it. It''s better to be cruel to your enemies before they have the chance to do the same to you."


    Wang Xiao''s gaze hardened as he scrutinized her, the smile unwavering on her face. After a moment, he nodded, seemingly epting her logic. "That''s alright, they were expendable anyway." His agreement was cold, his attention shifting back to the women in the left square who had witnessed the scene unfold with evident horror.


    Crunch!


    Crunch!


    Crunch!


    The sickining sound of crunching and churning echoed through the courtyard as Aurora, who had been manipting the earth, nodded in response to Wang Xiao''s eptance.


    A sickening slurry of blood began seeping from the cracks in the ground where the women on the right had stood, a chilling confirmation of their fate.


    The women on the left, now witnessing the carnage, were engulfed in sheer terror.


    "L-Lord! Spare us!"


    "Mercy!"


    One by one, they copsed to their knees, faces drained of color.


    Some had endured Asmodeous''s cruelty, but the brutality they witnessed now was beyond anything they had imagined.


    With Asmodeous, at least death had been swift.


    This... this was a terror they could not have anticipated, a cruelty that lingered and echoed in the crunching bones beneath their feet.


    Even ra, standing to the side, felt her stomach churn, her usually impassive demeanor giving way to visible difort.


    The pale cast to her face and the hand hastily covering her mouth betrayed her nausea, her heightened senses making the scene before her all the more disturbing.


    Turning away, she tried to distance herself from the reality before her in the courtyard.


    "You, have you summoned everyone here already?" Wang Xiao''s voice cut through the heavy silence, pulling ra from her repulsion.

 Chapter 259: When Earth screams neath bloody rain, heavens cries shake the sky! (2)

    "You, have you summoned everyone here already?" Wang Xiao''s voice broke through the heavy silence, pulling ra from her repulsion.


    "Huh?" The sudden question startled her, drawing her gaze back to him.


    With a slight shake of her head and removing her hand from her mouth, ra replied, her voice carrying a bitter edge, "Not everyone. The princesses from the allied nations destined to arrive have not yet made their appearance. Messengers have already been dispatched to escort them here; we only await the New Lord''s confirmation."


    Wang Xiao nodded, casting another evaluative look at ra. Despite the horrors that had just unfolded, he had to admit she was handling her responsibilities well. Since her ''initial baptism'' into this brutal new reality, she had proven herself capable.


    As Wang Xiao''s gaze shifted back to the women kneeling on the ground, a collective gasp of terror escaped them.


    To their frightened eyes, his mere nce seemed to herald the approach of the grim reaper,ing directly for them next.


    However, his gaze zeroed in on someone else, searching for a target lurking in the shadows. She tried to shrink away, attempting to hide her presence by hunching down, but Wang Xiao''s eagle-eyed vision quickly picked her out. "You, step forward."


    "Me?"


    Wang Xiao''s intense stare bore into Jhenny, who looked like she was about to bolt. "No, the one behind you, trying to keep out of sight."


    All eyes swiveled to Jhenny, who facepalmed herself in exasperation before putting on a facade of innocence and reluctantly shuffling towards him with uneasy steps.


    "Lord? Hehe... I''m sorry about before. How about I give you a massage¡ªah!?" Her words were abruptly cut off as she gasped, her mouth opened wide against her will.


    "Your tongue is sharp, but let''s see if it''s as sharp as a knife," Wang Xiao''s ominous words hung heavy in the air, sending a shiver down Jhenny''s spine before¡ª


    Swish!


    Thud!


    In the blink of an eye, Jhenny was caught off guard, her mouth still hanging open in shock. Then, with a sudden jolt, she heard something plummeting towards the ground and a rush of warmth flooded her mouth, tinged with the unmistakable metallic tang of blood.


    Splurt!


    "Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"


    Her piercing scream sliced through the air, reverberating sharply. Ignoring her agonizing cries, he remained fixated on her, ensuring she was propelled through the air and crashed beneath the imposing figure of the angel statue, plunging into the fountain below.


    Ssh!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Jhenny, her feet submerged in the cool water up to her knees, struggled to maintain her bnce before ultimately sumbing to the force and plunging beneath the surface.


    "Ahh¡ª"


    As the echoes of her distressing screams reverberated throughout the air, a chilling sense of dread gripped the hearts of onlookers, signaling only themencement of a horrifying ordeal.


    "Hey, do you even know how to cook food?" Wang Xiao abruptly turned towards Aurora, his voice breaking the tension with a stark contrast to the chaos.


    Aurora''s mind screamed at her not to nod, but the piercing gaze from Wang Xiao seemed to mock her, silently asking, ''Are you really clueless about something so basic?'' Despite her hesitation, she reluctantly nodded.


    Wang Xiao''s voice cut through the tense atmosphere,manding, "Good, then cook her," as he pointed towards Jhenny, now crumpled in the water.


    !!


    Jhenny body froze in fear as his finger singled her out.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    The sudden silence that enveloped the ce felt suffocating, as if time itself hade to a standstill.


    Aurora''s lips managed to form the words, "Are you sure...?"


    In that moment, Jhenny''s tear-filled eyes locked onto Wang Xiao, a mix of terror and desperate hope shining through.


    Attempting to rise, she found herself weighed down as if a mountain rested upon her shoulders.


    "Uuuuahhd!?" Jhenny''s muffled plea filled the air, only to be met with Wang Xiao''s feigned empathetic smile.


    He disregarded Aurora and coldly instructed, "Do it, and raise the temperature slowly..."


    !!!!


    "Nnnfkxnns!"


    Despite the blood trickling from her tongue, Jhenny''s screams and tears filled the ce, Aurora, conflicted but resolute, shook her head and followed instructions.


    Wang Xiao''s piercing gaze fell upon the others, who trembled in silence.


    "The eight women with her, step forward," his voice, though not loud, reverberated in everyone''s minds.


    !!!


    "It''s her!"


    "It''s her too!"


    The women began using and throwing out the eightpanions, who pleaded in protest.


    "It wasn''t me¡ª"


    "Shut up, Genni! Don''t let us suffer for your actions!"


    "The lord asked you to step aside, don''t provoke him!"


    "What!?"


    As chaos erupted, Wang Xiao''s lips curled in a knowing smile. These eight had been Jhenny''s closest allies, but in the face of consequences, loyalty crumbled like dust.


    As eight women stood in front of Wang Xiao, trembling with nerves and tears streaming down their faces, he nodded for them to step aside and stand apart. With a reassuring smile, Wang Xiao then turned his gaze on the remaining group.


    More than forty pairs of eyes fixed on Wang Xiao, their faces lit up with hopeful anticipation, as if they had already won his favor. But then, suddenly...


    Snap!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The sound of tree branches breaking filled the air, as thousands of them twisted and writhed, encircling the women within the square. Their sharp, pointed edges seemed to re menacingly at the terrified group.


    "L-Lord!?"


    "What does this mean?!"


    Their voices trembled in fear, their panic palpable. Even Aurora, taken aback by the sudden turn of events, realized that these women, untouched by Asmodeous, held potential. But Wang Xiao had different intentions.


    "Booom!


    Booom!


    Booom!


    "Argh!"


    "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh"


    "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"


    Screams echoed through the air, each more horrifying than thest, as twigs and branches of all sizes, like a twisted circle of death, hurled themselves towards the helpless crowd. It was pure chaos, witnessing them being pierced to death while still alive.


    "S... Save... Me..."


    Some met their end instantly, while others slowly bled out. The terrifying scene sent chills down the spines of all who witnessed it, especially when ra caught Wang Xiao''s chilling smile as he gazed upon the pool of blood, causing her eyes to widen in horror.


    The stench grew unbearable, assaulting their senses as¡ª


    "Ughhhh!"


    Several of the women couldn''t hold it in and vomited on the spot, causing Wang Xiao to visibly recoil in disgust. He then turned his attention to Jhenny, who suffered silently in unimaginable agony, her eyes filled with terror as she beheld the remains of once living beings before her.

 Chapter 260: When Earth screams neath bloody rain, heavens cries shake the sky! (3)

    "Ughhhh!"


    Several of the women couldn''t resist the urge and vomited on the spot, their retching causing Wang Xiao to visibly recoil in disgust.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He then turned his attention to Jhenny, who bore her suffering silently, her eyes wide with terror as she gazed upon the gruesome remains of once-living beings before her.


    "The foodcks some spices," Wang Xiao, still merciless, seemed to have a sudden realization as his eyes locked onto the petrified Jhenny.


    "Huh?" Jhenny''s hands involuntarily shot up into the air before a sharp gust of wind sliced through her.


    "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"


    Her hand was severed, blood spurting out like a fountain, her disembodied hand floating in front of her as a few twigs and branches twisted together, creating a makeshift ce for a small campfire.


    ....


    Whooosh!


    With a loud whoosh, a towering fire erupted, casting a bright glow across the night and illuminating the already terrified faces of those gathered.


    Like a skewer, two branches skewered her severed hand, suspended in the air above the mes as if to roast it.


    Crackle...


    "Haha..." Wang Xiao chuckled as he observed Jenny''s terror-stricken expression, her face suddenly appearing aged beyond its years.


    He then turned to the other eight women, his voicemanding and cold, "Feed her own hands, and I will spare all of you."


    !!!!


    His words sent a chill down the spines of everyone present, freezing them in fear.


    Deciding not to dwell any longer, Wang Xiao quickly departed, leaving the women to face their fate alone.


    Jenny found herself under the watchful gaze of eight pairs of eyes, once friends now twisted into something more terrifying.


    "Ahhhhhghh!"


    "Nnnnoo!"


    "Ugh!"


    The cries echoed through the night, filled with horror and desperation.


    ...


    A few minutester, chaos erupted, igniting a brutal brawl that painted an inhumane scene. The perpetrators tore into the now-cooked flesh of their victim''s hands, greedily stuffing the gruesome meal into her mouth despite the searing pain that burned their own hands.


    "Monster..." A whispered usation hung in the air as one of the survivors, still clinging to life after the brutal assault, dragged her bloody body across the stonned floor, her eyes gazed towards the horrifying spectacle.


    The shadow of Wang Xiao loomed ominously in their souls, a haunting presence that promised to follow them into the afterlife.


    The eight alive women who had finally seeded in forcing Jhenny to consume her own flesh watched in grim silence as she sumbed to death, tears of sorrow streaking her face.


    In an instant, the situation took a chilling turn. They realized they were trapped by an unseen force, unable to escape the scalding waters of the fountain that now bubbled with malevolence.


    "Ahhhh!"


    Their anguished cries pierced the air as the realization dawned upon them - they had been deceived, and a fate worse than death awaited.


    The specter of a prolonged and agonizing demise loomed ominously over their souls, casting a shadow that would linger long after their mortal life had been extinguished.


    ______


    "Dispose of their bodies,"manded Wang Xiao from hisfortable seat within the castle''s confines, casting a casual nce at Aurora, who appeared bewildered by his directive.


    "Me?" she asked, her uncertainty palpable.


    "Cleaning falls under your duties," Wang Xiao reaffirmed.


    With a resigned smile, Aurora nodded and made her way outside. As she departed, ra''s expression shifted to one of rm under Wang Xiao''s scrutinizing gaze.


    "Are you curious why my body remains immune to your poison?" he inquired.


    ra hesitated before nodding affirmatively.


    Wang Xiao''s smile widened, withholding any insight into his immunity, sending a shiver down ra''s spine. This fear surpassed any she had experienced in the presence of Asmodeous.


    "Do we have CCTVs in ce?" he inquired further.


    ra confirmed, "Yes, there are eighteen cameras positioned outside, each corner within, meticulously monitored."


    "Release the recordings from the outside cameras to select groups awake of existence of guardians, ensuring my face remains concealed," Wang Xiao instructed with a calcted grin.


    ra, bewildered by his strategy, soon grasped his intent. Wang Xiao aimed to sow fear so deep that resistance would falter.


    Amidst this turmoil, chaos unfurled across the globe like a wildfire, consuming all in its path.


    In the dead of night, the live coverage all across the world shifts to Romania, where an unprecedented horror on the streets below.


    What began as a routine evening has turned into a scene from a nightmare.


    Witnesses are reporting, and cameras are confirming, that rain has begun to fall over the city.


    But this is no ordinary rain; it is, unbelievably, blood.


    As if torn from the pages of apocalyptic prophecy, this boiling blood rain is scalding everything it touches, casting a crimson shadow over the city.


    The very fabric of reality seems to warp under the weight of this horror.


    Buildings, oncendmarks of cultural heritage and daily life, now appear as monuments to an unimaginable catastrophe.


    The immediate effects are horrifying.


    Reports areing in of injuries, with the rain melting the skin of those unfortunate enough to be caught unprotected.


    Emergency services are overwhelmed, issuing urgent pleas for everyone to stay indoors and seal windows and doors as best as they can.


    Yet, the boiling blood is not merely a physical assant; it strikes a deeper, more primal fear into the hearts of all who witness it.


    This catastrophic event, live before eyes, seems like the prelude to the world''s end.


    Experts are at a loss, with meteorologists, scientists, and theologians alike unable to provide exnations for this phenomenon.


    Spection runs rampant, with theories ranging from a severe atmospheric anomaly to a sign of divine wrath.


    As we continue to report on this cmity, the images we broadcast were not for the faint of heart.


    The streets, illuminated by the eerie glow of this crimson rain, painted a picture of a world teetering on the brink of the abyss.


    The air, filled with an iron scent, carried the collective fear and uncertainty of a poption facing what may well be their darkest hour.


    In an attempt to find any silver lining, stories of incredible bravery andpassion. Communities are banding together, sharing whatever shelter they can find, while volunteers and emergency responders risk their lives to aid those in distress.


    But as the night wears on, the question on everyone''s lips remains unanswered: why is this happening?


    And perhaps more importantly, whates next?

 Chapter 261: Posien Maiden: Interrogation!

    Outside the castle!


    Once a beacon of purity, the angelic statue now stands drenched in crimson, its once pristine form tainted.


    The crimson water beneath it mirrors the same eerie hue, a reflection of the ominous transformation.


    Against the moonlit sky, the majestic walls of the castle gleam, casting an unsettling glow that betrays its true inhabitant¡ªa devil, not an angel!


    Inside the castle...


    "I asked you to quietly dispose of their remains; why then did you orchestrate such a spectacle?" Wang Xiao, sprawledzily across the sofa in a feigned slumber, couldn''t resist craning his neck towards Aurora, who had just breezed into the dimly lit majestic hall of the castle.


    Aurora''s gaze briefly swept across the scene,nding on ra who was seated at the foot of the couch.


    ra''s hands were gently massaging Wang Xiao''s legs, which were draped over herp, all the while maintaining an expression of unwavering stoicism.


    Seemingly unfazed, Aurora smiled warmly, "I only executed the task as you described. Nothing more."


    She glided towards a solitary, plush couch draped in shadows and gracefully seated herself, iming the space as her own.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, a simmering intensity behind them. "Exactly which of my words led you to believe I wanted you to make a bloodbath over the city? Now, the entire world is on the brink of chaos."


    A subtle smile yed at the corners of Aurora''s lips, her eyes twinkling with mischief.


    "Isn''t that the very results you wanted? To rule in a cloak of terror? When the tales of this night weave into the fabric of other dark events, your name will echo through the corridors of power and fear, revered as the ''Hell Prince''..."


    She stifled a chuckle, the moniker ''Hell Prince'' tickling her fancy as she uttered it.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze remained piercing, a storm brewing within, yet he offered no words of confirmation or denial.


    The reputation of the European Guardian, already sullied by Asmodeus,y in ruins.


    To even ponder restoration was pointless.


    Thus, Wang Xiao harbored intentions far more sinister, to weave a wave of terror so profound, it would dwarf the deeds of Asmodeus, cementing his dominion through the very essence of fear.


    That''s precisely why he had instructed ra to disseminate the video far and wide. Yet, Aurora, with her actions, turned the situation into overkill.


    Truthfully, Wang Xiao was baffled by how this woman managed to make it rain blood over the city like acidic rain, scorching everything in its path.


    Her visage bore an innocent charm, but Wang Xiao would be foolhardy to overlook the potential darkness within¡ªa woman who had lived through the ages and possiblyid entire nations to waste.


    "Hey, are you going to divulge everything, or do you fancy bing part of the rain as well?" Wang Xiao''s lips twitched into a smirk as his gaze shifted to ra, who continued her tasks with indifference.


    Wang Xiao recognized the need to keep at least one ally alive, and ra seemed like the prime candidate.


    At the sound of his voice, ra flinched, yet her pride remained unbroken, even as Wang Xiao seized her hand and pulled her closer, causing her to lean over him.


    !!


    Her eyes, sharp and prating like a serpent''s, locked onto Wang Xiao in silent defiance.


    Aurora, observing the tense silence, chose that moment to rise and exit the room quietly, her parting shot tinged with sarcasm, "Don''t meet your end beneath a woman''s skirt, at least. If you do, don''t expect me toe to your rescue."


    "!!"


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed, his expression darkened with irritation, but by then, Aurora had already vanished into the shadows.


    [Would you really let her leave just like that? Her actions will surely repeat in the future if she escapes without facing any consequences,] Yin Yue, who had remained silent until now, finally voiced her thoughts.


    The earlier bloody scene seemed to have little effect on her.


    Wang Xiao pondered silently for a moment before responding, ''You don''t understand, a human''s words cannot always be trusted. Her saying that... it means she cared. And was she jealous?'' A sense of amusement began to bubble within him at the thought.


    Yin Yue countered, [Your greatest delusion is believing you can control her. The truth is, she remains around you by her own volition, not because of any maniption on your part.]


    ''Don''t speak nonsense. Tell me, would her poison affect me?'' Wang Xiao quickly changed the subject, seeking information about Aurora''s deadly capabilities.


    [It''s of the same caliber as the poisonous flowers guarding the entrance to Xianthera. Whoever forged their bloodline must have incorporated it. Therefore, it shouldn''t affect you,] Yin Yue rified.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes suddenly widened in realization. ''I forgot to ask Aurora about Xianthera and the tunnel to hell! She must have more knowledge about it.'' He shook his head, a bitter smile ying on his lips, before turning to ra, who hovered awkwardly above him, her face tinged with displeasure.


    "What''s your connection with Asmodeus?" Wang Xiao inquired, his lips curling into a wry smile as he gently grasped her chin, prompting her brows to knit together in evident displeasure.


    The mention of Asmodeus sparked a visible me of hatred in her eyes. Whether that ire was directed at him or at Asmodeus remained ambiguous.


    "Why does it matter to you? You''ve emerged victorious,e to im all that was his. But what remains for you to im, aren''t you satisfied yet?" ra retorted sharply.


    Wang Xiao''s response was a genuine smile, a rarity on his usually calm face.


    Her words had peeled back ayer of her facade, revealing a raw, undiluted devotion to Asmodeus. "You do realize that your lord Asmodeus might have simrly razed many homes to the ground. It''s simply his turn now," he pointed out, hoping to stir a reaction.


    !!


    "..." ra''s expression darkened, and she fell into a heavy silence.


    Seizing the moment, Wang Xiao offered her a lifeline, "If you tell everything about yourself, I might consider sparing you."


    "I¡ª" ra began, only to be silenced by Wang Xiao''smanding shush.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Shh... Do you think you''re in a position to negotiate? Your poison doesn''t affect me," Wang Xiao whispered, his eyes gleaming with an ominous light, hinting at the power he wielded and the futility of her resistance.

 Chapter 262: Poison Maiden: The Night of Sorrow!

    In the charged silence of the room, ra''sbored breathing was the only sound¡ªa tangible marker of her inner turmoil.


    Her breath, once warm against his face, now seemed like a storm, bounce back to p her with the force of her own anger.


    But deep down, she knew the truth. In her current situation, bargaining power was a luxury she couldn''t afford.


    "Ie from the Rothschild family..." she began, her confession drawing a frown from Wang Xiao.


    He allowed her to continue, despite his initial reaction, intrigued by the unexpected revtion. "They named me ra Rothschild, but... in reality, I was taken from my tribe when I was very young..."


    Her story, revealing her origins from a tribe now scattered, hidden in the remote depths of the Amazon rainforests.


    Their uniquenessy in their lethal touch¡ªa single contact could be fatal to any ordinary human.


    Their bloodline, imbued with such peculiar capabilities, was bound to attract attention...


    Wang Xiao absorbed ra''s story without evident surprise.


    The Rothschilds, a dynasty known for their unquenchable thirst for power and influence over the centuries, setting their sights on a being as unique as ra, seemed almost expected to him.


    Yet, despite their meticulously crafted schemes, they seeded in abducting only ra.


    Over the ensuing decade, in their pursuit to harness her abilities, they subjected her to a horrifying ordeal, injecting her with a myriad of venoms.


    This cruel experimentation caused her body to endure agonizing pain, as if ame from within.


    Despite being carriers of one of the world''s deadliest toxins, the poison maidens like ra were not immune to the effects of other poisons, especially when introduced inrge volumes.


    Though not lethal, these substances still wreaked havoc on their systems.


    Things didn''t end with the injections. The experiments were just the beginning.


    Fortunately for ra, the medical personnel were too intimidated by her lethal nature to proceed with invasive surgeries, which might have dissected her in their quest to unveil the secrets of her anatomy.


    Subsequently, the Rothschilds opted to weaponize her unique attributes, repurposing her existence into that of an assassination tool.


    In a world where her fate seemed irrevocably grim, and where no one dared challenge the might of the Rothschilds,


    Asmodeus emerged as her unlikely savior fifteen years ago.


    He was the sole individual bold enough to extricate her from the clutches of the Rothschilds, offering her a semnce of freedom for the first time in her life.


    This act of defiance against a power as formidable as the Rothschild family painted Asmodeus not just as a rebel but as a liberator in ra''s eyes.


    In a life overshadowed by maniption and torment, he stood as the beacon of hope and autonomy she had longed for, further cementing her unwavering loyalty and devotion to him.


    ra''s devotion to Asmodeus knew no bounds, willing to dedicate her very existence to him.


    However, upon discovering that her inherently toxic nature had even a minimal effect on him, Asmodeus chose not to take any risks.


    Instead, he relegated her to the role of an assistant, a position that, despite its limitations, provided ra with a sense of purpose and belonging.


    Now, with Asmodeus no longer in the picture¡ª


    "Kill me, I don''t have any need to live anymore..." ra''s voice was firm, her gaze steadfast, yet veiling a deep-seated sorrow.


    It raises an intriguing question: How can someone perceived as a monster by others be cherished so deeply by someone else?


    Perhaps it''s not so peculiar after all.


    Beingbeled a monster is often a matter of perspective.


    Wang Xiao, upon witnessing her determined gaze, couldn''t suppress a sinister smile. "Kill you? But why? Didn''t you express a desire to be spared?"


    !!


    ra recoiled slightly under his intense scrutiny, his fingers weaving subtly through her hair in a mockingly gentle gesture. "Don''t you wish to test the extent of my immunity to your poison? What about changing allegiances?" he proposed.


    Her retort wasced with hateful venom not derived from her physical condition. "Humph! What makes you think I won''t slit your throat as you sleep?"


    Wang Xiao''s hand caressed her face, sending involuntary shudders through her, as he responded with chilling calmness, "Good luck with that."


    ??


    ra was left confused by his bold words, her heart racing as his hand came to rest on her back.


    gasp!


    His fingers slowly traced over her bare skin, sending goosebumps down her back through the gaps in her clothing. "You know... I''ve always wanted to enjoy someone''spany after they''ve lost the love of their life."


    "Huh!?"


    "You''re sick!" ra surpised, spat out in disgust, unable to hide her contempt.


    Wang Xiao let out a soft, eerieugh. "Perhaps I am," he agreed, nodding slightly as his face drew closer to hers.


    !!


    ra recoiled in revulsion, not wanting his touch.


    However, a strange force seemed to hold her in ce, rendering her unable to move.


    Her eyes widened in fear as Wang Xiao stopped just an inch away from her lips, breathing in her scent - a mix of spice and seduction that ignited a me within him. "Do you think it''s so easy to end your own life?"


    ra''s eyes quivered, paralyzed with fear, unable to even bring herself to bite her own tongue in an act of suicide.


    The sense of despair washed over her.


    With a twisted smile, Wang Xiao tilted his face and rubbed it against her lips. ra''s eyshes fluttered in shock as she realized the full extent of his intentions, her body frozen in disbelief of his actions.


    It felt as though it was only just the beginning when Wang Xiao''s hands eagerly made their way towards her chest.


    She was d in a stunningted ck dress that he wasted no time in tearing apart, revealing her pale white breasts that were just begging to be touched.


    Describing it as belonging to mature women seemed like an exaggeration.


    As her nipples brushed against his chest, he realized that the softness more than made up for their size.


    "Mmmnn!"


    With no hesitation, he delved in to savor the sweetness of her exposed skin,pletely disregarding ra''s trembling eyes that followed his every move, incapable of forming a single sound apart from the silent pleading in her eyes.


    The sheer horror of betraying someone against her will dawned on her.


    She couldn''t even bear the thought!


    She wanted to perish!


    Die!


    Die!


    Die!


    But all of her screams went unheard by heaven as she felt her nipples wet with his saliva, being flicked by his tongue. As she sucked it off, she couldn''t help but shiver.


    Her veins started to scream for her as his hand went between her legs, and Wang Xiao''s brows couldn''t help but be raised.


    His eyes, slightly teasing,nded on her face as she shut her eyes in humiliation.


    "Is your vagina also poisonous?" He taunted, his fingers rubbing against her folds.


    !!


    ra''s eyes snapped open, her lips quivering in raw anger without a single word uttered.


    A chuckle threatened to escape Wang Xiao, but instead, he hastily discarded his pants with a sense of excitement fluttering within him - he was eager to see the torment he could unleash upon this woman.


    Gazing at her trembling yet determined eyes, tears threatening to fall, he longed to...n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The taste of her breasts was surprisingly sweet, not the bitterness he had expected. With anticipation building, he guided his throbbing member toward her entrance, watching as ra''s face darkened with despair.


    !!


    Wang Xiao refused to show mercy, fully aware that if Asmodeous somehow managed to survive, he would mercilessly target anyone Wang Xiao knew about.


    This wasn''t some fairy tale or novel where authors conveniently ignore the harsh realities of the world.


    No, this was a brutal world, where the illusion of a beautiful and peaceful existence was simply a fa?ade created by censorship.


    In theplexplex, women were like precious trophies ¡ª Everyone coveted the thrill of possessing them for themselves, but envy consumed them when others received shinier, more coveted trophies.


    No one wanted to be given a trophy that had already been imed by someone else; it only served as a reminder of their own perceived inadequacy.


    With Wang Xiao''s increasing desire, his manhood pressed forcefully against ra''s entrance.


    In response, her eyes tightly clenched shut, her whole body trembling with anticipation and fear. ''Lord... Forgive me for not apanying you in afterlif¡ªahnnn'' she silently pleaded, until he drove his tip into her, the sensation of his hardened length rubbing against her moist walls caused her inner muscles to instinctively contract, her hands clenching involuntarily.


    "Ugh!"


    At that very moment, Wang Xiao''s arms encircled her back, pulling her closer, while his mouth imed her lips!


    !!


    He greedily sucked on them, causing her eyes to snap open in wide-eyed disbelief.


    Her saliva,ced with a venomous taste, dripped from the corners of her mouth, yet he paid little attention to it.


    In that very moment, ra felt an agonizing jolt of pain shoot through her abdomen, leaving her gasping for breath and groaning in difort.

 Chapter 263: Revealing her Kinks?

    "..."


    A torrent of raw, unexined sadness enveloped her, overwhelming her senses.


    It consumed her, like a perpetual storm ravaging her shaking hips and prating her like a heartless conqueror.


    He seemed eager to unleash his post-war excitement inside her, his throbbing member relentlessly pounding her, showing no remorse for the blood he caused to spill.


    Today, ra was reduced to the status of a voiceless doll, her vibrant spirit silenced.


    The only screams that escaped her were cries of desperation, a futile attempt to erase the haunting reality she wished never urred.


    The pain, the intensity, the invasive touch of his fingers encroaching upon her trembling body, his essence smearing her face and legs, the blunt force of his member pping her face with unsettling disregard...


    None of it held any significance today. Originally, Wang Xiao had desired her presence by his side, yet it was merely a fleeting notion for him.


    In his eyes, shecked the importance necessary to warrant the exertion required to win her undying loyalty.


    He would rule, whether through his strength or words!


    What purpose did such strength serve if left untapped, unused?


    What worth was that medicine if it failed to rescue the suffering?


    What value did knowledge hold if it couldn''t ignite the me of wisdom?


    _____


    October 12th, 2026!


    The fear meticulously cultivated by Wang Xiao had blossomed perfectly.


    "Huh?"


    On the second floor, nestled within the confines of the castle, he found himself abruptly awakening to the sight of ten faces blooming barely feets from his own.


    Each face was a canvas of emotions¡ªnervousness wove through their features, anxiety tinged their expressions, and a subtle shimmer of anticipation danced in their eyes.


    "Mm..." Just behind him, Aurora stirred, it was as if the faintest ripple of themotion had already trigerred her sixth senses.


    With azy, yet almost ethereal movement, she reached for a pillow, mming it over her face to create a barrier against the worldly chaos.


    "..."


    Left alone to confront the sudden invasion of these peculiar creatures, Wang Xiao could do nothing but lock gazes with them.


    Their eyes, wide and unblinking, conducted a silent examination, flickering with the soft glow of the faint sunlight.


    Click!


    Fortunately, the door swung open once more, and ra stepped through, her demeanor a mask of indifference sculpted by recent events. However, Wang Xiao caught the flicker of concealed distaste in her eyes as she spoke, "Lord, these are the princesses from the European nations, summoned by your request."


    "They have arrived of their own ord,nding on Romanian soil in the early morning," she continued, her lips curling into a faint smirk. After all, the news of Wang Xiao''s savage acts had spurred the European royalty into action, hastening to send their princesses to Romania in a collective gesture of desperation.


    If a single life is lost, it can be mourned and reced, but if entire lineages are extinguished, do they not vanish from history?


    The choice was clear, and now, gazing into the hopeful eyes fixed upon him, Wang Xiao grasped the full extent of the situation.


    Yet, he remained uncharmed by thier feigned innocence.


    These creatures'' expressions are as misleading as their outward beauty.


    "Lord, this one here is Princess Celina of Andorra," ra said, gesturing towards a young woman d in an elegant, open-shoulder, emerald dress.


    She then proceeded to introduce the rest, moving gracefully from one royal figure to the next.


    "This is Princess Eloise of Belgium!"


    "Princess Isolde of Denmark!"


    "Princess Valeria of Liechtenstein!"


    "The Second Princess Amalia and the Third Princess Gabrie of Luxembourg!"


    "Princess Serina of Monaco!"


    "Princess Juliana of the Nethends!"


    "Princess Leonora of Spain!"


    "Princess Eleanor of the United Kingdom!"


    "And finally she is.... Princess Sophia of the Vatican - the illegitimate daughter of Pope Frank the Fifth and thete Lady Mercy." ra paused as she indicated a girl with a delicate frame, whose hazy eyes and blonde hair shimmered subtly under the room''s light.


    "Umm..."


    Sophia, uneasy under his scrutiny, nodded with a subtle grace, her expression briefly shadowing with sadness.


    Continuing, ra''s voice held a note of suspicion, "Luxembourg has extended their goodwill by sending two of their princesses. I am waiting for the Lord''s instructions on how to proceed with them."


    !!


    Her words, icy and chilling, turned the weather cold suddenly, causing two girls¡ªmarked by their chestnut hair and wide, round eyes¡ªto visibly flinch.


    Though mirror images of one another, their distinct attire set them apart.


    "Twins?" Wang Xiao pondered, his eyebrows arching in surprise. "Let them be. Has everyone else arrived?" he inquired, his voiceced with curiosity.


    ra, her head tilting ever so slightly, let out a soft sigh. "Not quite; we''re still awaiting representatives from two nations. Josephine of Sylvergard remains absent, and neither First Princess Helena nor Second Princess Freya has came from Norhaven."


    "..."


    Sensing Wang Xiao''s silence, ra misunderstood and leaned closer, her eyes sparking with a predatory gleam. "Shall I dispatch escorts for them?"


    She proposed, her tone dark and ominous, she didn''t quite liked the daringness of these European royalties, trying to defy their gods!


    !!


    Hiss!


    Her words, sharp as shards of ice, made everyone around her inhale sharply, a cold chill settling in their bones.


    It seemed their timely arrival was a stroke of fortune, sparing them a fate potentially as grim as that looming over Sylvergard and Norhaven.


    However, the next words from Wang Xiao caught everyone off guard¡ªeveryone except ra.


    "Leave those two nations be for now; I''ll deal with themter," he dered, his smile sending a wave of chills through the room.


    !!


    Gasp!


    That subtle evil smile, interpreted as a harbinger of doom for Sylvergard and Norhaven.


    ra merely nodded in acknowledgment. When Wang Xiao''s gaze turned sharp, his suspicion growing, he questioned, "ra, why did you deposit them all in my room early in the morning? Couldn''t you just have waited for me toe down?" His tone, a mix of irritation and curiosity.


    "I believed the Lord would prefer to personally assess them," ra responded with polished professionalism, her demeanor calm.


    Yet, beneath the surface, Wang Xiao could discern her motives were driven by thirst for revenge against him.


    "You assume too much," he remarked, a trace of admonishment in his eyes.


    "I apologize, Lord," she replied, her voice devoid of genuine regret as she lowered her gaze, the picture of submission.


    "Do you? Your apologycks sincerity," Wang Xiao observed with a hint of amusement, pondering the depths of this woman''s capacity for pretense.


    "I apologize, Lord," she repeated, yet Wang Xiao remained unconvinced, his head shaking in disapproval.


    "Still not sincere enough."


    "I apologize, Lord!"


    "Not enough!"


    "I apologize, Lord!"


    "Still not enough!"


    !!


    With a swift motion, ra''s frustration boiled over.


    "Would this suffice, Lord?" she demanded through clenched teeth as she drew a knife and sliced across her palm, splitting her skin apart.


    Swish!


    Blood dripped onto the floor, a stark contrast against the cold stone.


    Tip...


    Tip...


    !!


    Wang Xiao, taken aback for a brief moment, swiftly recaptured hisposure and nodded. "Enough, but now you''ve stained the floor with your blood. Mop it clean."


    ??


    ra''s gaze lingered on Wang Xiao, filled with confusion.


    How could there be a mop in such a ce?


    She hesitated, contemting whether to leave or to stay, sensing a hidden meaning in his gaze.


    "What are you waiting for?" The drop in Wang Xiao''s tone sowed seeds of despair within her, further intensifying her misunderstanding.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "..."


    Her gaze fell upon the white marble floor, now marred by the crimson of her own blood, deemed poisonous by her actions and lineage.


    With a breath drawn deep into her lungs, she fortified her resolve and¡ª


    Thud!


    The sound of her knees hitting the floor echoed through the silence, drawing a mixture of shock and confusion from all those present.


    "Huh?"


    "Eh!?"


    Under their astonished gazes, she bowed her head, her face drawing perilously close to the stained marble.


    Then, with a tongue that quivered as much from despair as from determination, she began the unthinkable act.


    !!


    Gasp!


    A gasp of surprise went through everyone''s heart, sending a shiver down everyone''s spine as they watched in astonishment.


    Wang Xiao stared bewildered, his smile faltering as ra began to lick the floor clean.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao himself was utterly perplexed; all he intended was for her to witness his mopping, yet now he found himself at the center of a bizarre spectacle.


    Why had this woman chosen to reveal her peculiar ''kinks'' in such a public manner?


    Yin Yue struggled to contain herughter, her eyes twinkling mischievously. [Practice being less intimidating.]


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    He couldn''t fathom how anyone could find him intimidating.


    As Wang Xiao lost himself in introspection, pondering his unintentional aura of intimidation, he remained oblivious to the immediate effects of his demeanor on those around him.


    The princesses were paralyzed with fear, their reactions and direct evidence to the terrifying image he unconciously projected.


    In their eyes, Wang Xiao had transformed into a figure of devil who often entertained himself in such disturbing ways!


    This perception was not helped by the grim spectacle before them, reinforcing their belief in his ruthless nature!


    Caught in a moment of horrified fascination, they could do nothing but stare at him in shock, their eyes wide with fear.


    !!


    However, as soon as Wang Xiao''s gaze drifted towards them, they quickly lowered their heads, attempting to hide their fear and submission.

 Chapter 264: *Mass Orgy?*

    !!


    Wang Xiao''s intense gaze scanned the room, finallying to rest on Sophia, the young woman whispered to be the illegitimate child of Pope Frank.


    "Are you really the Pope''s daughter?" He asked, a mixture of suspicion and curiosity evident in his tone, eager to hear the truth from her own lips.


    !!


    Sophia visibly flinched at being singled out.


    After a moment of hesitation, she took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes... Pope Frank is my father, and my mother, Mercy, worked at a flower shop in Vatican City."


    "Is that all?" Wang Xiao inquired, his disappointment evident.


    He had hoped for more scandalous discoveries.


    Sophia fell silent under his piercing gaze, but another person seized the opportunity to speak up. "Lord, there are rumours that Pope Frank may have forced himself upon Lady Mercy. It is said that he took responsibility for her pregnancy, but her untimely death remains a mystery."


    !!


    "You??" Sophia gasped, unable to tear her gaze away from Celina, who stood before her with a victorious smile stered across her face.


    Celina, the princess of Andorra, possessed subtle, waist-length silver hair that shimmered in the dim light, framing her beautiful, heart face.


    As Wang Xiao''s eyes roved over her from head to toe, Celina could sense an intensity in his gaze.


    With no words spoken by Wang Xiao, Sophia felt a surge of anger rise within her, but she forced herself to remain silent.


    Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted, and a decree rang out.


    "Who asked you to speak....?" Wang Xiao''s voice was calm, sending a chill down


    Celina''s spine.


    "Huh, Lord I¡ªbooom!"


    Before Celina could even finish her sentence, she exploded in a burst of blood.


    Ssh!


    Ssh!


    Ssh!


    The crimson liquid sprayed across the room, sttering against the walls with a sickening sound.


    Miraculously, the blood seemed to halt in its tracks before reaching Wang Xiao or Aurora, as if halted by an invisible force.


    The scene was both cruel and mesmerizing, leaving Sophia frozen in shock and horror.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    The scene left everyone frozen in shock, their feet growing cold as the realisation of the situation sank in.


    Even ra, feeling the weight of the mess and the expectation that fell upon her, considered the unthinkable task of cleaning it up by licking it off.


    Her mind raced, making quick assumptions and decisions.


    This woman really wasted no time in making assumptions.


    Wang Xiao, sensing the tension in the room, gestured for ra to leave. "You can go out," he said.


    "..."


    ra rose, inhaling deeply before responding, "As you wish, Lord..." Her words filled with relief, as she made her exit, giving no more than a passing nce to the Princesses, whose fate was no longer her concern.


    Hiss!


    As ra departed, a sudden chill filled the room, causing the remaining ten princesses to shiver.


    Blood had sttered across the faces of the twins, Amalia and Gabrie, who stood close to Celina, painting their dresses a deep crimson.


    These girls, who had lived sheltered lives devoid of such violence, now found themselves confronted with the cruel reality of their surroundings.


    The threat of their own death wasrge, urging them to gather theirposure before it was toote.


    Wang Xiao furrowed his brow in frustration and rubbed his temples.


    He didn''t want to kill her, but the thought of letting her off without consequences made his blood boil.


    If he didn''t act, he knew her behavior would be validated, setting a dangerous precedent for everyone there.


    The possibility of others following suit and repeating the same behavior because it had been allowed in the past made him rethink.


    Despite the chaos in the room, Wang Xiao felt no remorse.


    The mess was a small price to pay for maintaining order and discipline.


    He looked at the girls with a sense of tired resignation.


    Even the idea of engaging with them in any way felt like a heavy burden.


    "Can you guys do chores?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of exhaustion.


    !!


    "Y-Yes!"


    "Yyes!"


    The voice that erupted was instantly filled the ce with nervous energy, sending a shiver down the spines of those present.


    Even those unfamiliar with the situation feltpelled to mutter a hesitant ''yes'' from their trembling lips, acutely aware that a single ''no'' could potentially dissolve their very existence from the face of the earth.


    Previously, when they stumbled upon him in his slumber, they entertained the notion that he might not be as evil as the rumors suggested.


    However, upon arriving at the scene, they were confronted with a terror far beyond what the rumors had prepared them for.


    Some women, who had infiltrated this ce as spies for the royal family, were quick to banish all thoughts of reporting back on the events.


    Report?


    Hehe, they feared that even surviving a single night in this ce would require a miracle.


    "Good then," Wang Xiao acknowledged their reluctant agreement with a slight nod, his movements deliberate and slow as he shifted on the bed, finally allowing his legs to dangle over the edge in a silent disy of power.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Gasp!


    In the midst of it all, the bedsheet that had cloaked his body until then was suddenly tossed aside, revealing his naked form.


    Despite their expectations, the sight of him unclothed caused the girls to blush subconsciously, unable to tear their eyes away.


    While the traditions within royal families had loosened over time, a decree from five years ago, anticipated akin to Serpahinne''s preparedness for her own losses, had forbidden Josephine from entering into physical rtionships.


    In a simr vein, the mothers of these princesses had taken precautions for any unforeseen circumstances.


    Unfortunately, the unforeseen circumstances turned true today!


    Thier preperations were well worth it!


    Seated before ten untouched maidens, Wang Xiao remainedposed.


    As he rubbed his eyes and announced their fate, "From this day onwards ¡ª you all would stay within the castle and maintain its cleanliness..." A sudden thought struck him, "I don''t like maid uniforms, continue wearing your regr attire, just as you are now."


    A memory of Lunaunching herself towards him in a maid''s outfit lingered in his mind.


    An image he hoped would never repeat itself.


    Amidst a room filled with vibrant, fragrant faces, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but appreciate the vivid array of colors after years of the dull monotony of ck and white.


    The princesses'' delicate features darkened, their status plummeting from royalty to mere maids in an instant.


    Sophia, whose sharp mind often sparked with insight, saw it as an Ascension; for is not the maid of the Guardian akin to a messenger of God?


    Wang Xiao, observing the girls already scheming, felt a wave of weariness wash over him.


    His gaze was drawn to the enchanting figure of the Pope''s illegitimate daughter; all the beauties present in the room, fragrant and colorful, rivaled that of Josephine and others.


    But such thoughts were quickly cast aside as he dered, "The one who proves to be the best at serving will earn the title of head maid."


    His announcement was delivered with azy tone, yet his eyes gleamed with a hint of cruelty, as if already enjoying the iing chaos.


    And chaos did indeed ensue. Sophia, who had caught a glimpse of Wang Xiao''s dark smile, was spurred into action, knowing she must act swiftly to seize this opportunity.


    "..."


    With silent, cautious steps, she crept forward, her heart pounding in her chest¡ª


    Thud!


    In the blink of an eye, she dropped to her knees, hovering close to his manhood like a slumbering dragon, and tentatively scooped it into her quivering hands.


    "This is my chance! No need for anger!" Internally, she reassured herself, clinging to her delusions as she finally parted her lips and forced herself to take it all in.


    !!


    "Gwak..."


    Tears welled up in her eyes, but she persisted, determined to see it through.


    !!!!


    Witnessing her unwavering dedication, the others fell into a daze. Swiftly following were the twins, Amalia and Gabrie, each seizing one of his balls and enveloping it in their mouths.


    Tears glistened in their eyes, but they pushed through the difort.


    !!


    A shiver raced down Wang Xiao''s spine. Initially uninterested in bing intimate with them, his feelings had shifted now¡ª


    Gradually, the room devolved into a chaotic frenzy.


    Despite his manhood standing alone, six mouths darted around it, ensuring an unforgettable experience.


    While, another girl embraced him from behind, shedding her clothes, as the twins Amalia and Gabrie, urged him into a simultaneous kiss, creating a three-way encounter.


    "Mmmgh!"


    "Ahhhn~"


    "Lorddd~....."


    After a few hours, the man who had once imed he wasn''t interested was observed vigorously plunging inside each of them.


    The three girls were lined up on the floor, their backs exposed to him.


    Valeria was positioned in the middle, with Sera and Juliana nking her, their buttocks glowing red from the force of his thrusts.


    The room was filled with the sound of their moans and the overpowering scent of sweat and desire.


    Exhausted women surrounded him, panting heavily and utterly drained of energy.


    "Mmmghnnngh~" Sophia, engaged in a passionate kiss with Wang Xiao, was forcefully held by him as her lips quivered in pleasure and exhaustion.

 Chapter 265: Bribery?

    Thud!


    Her body suddenly copsed,pletely exhausted. She couldn''t help but faint, her eyes fluttering closed in defeat. "Tch..." Wang Xiao clicked his tongue in disapproval, but thankfully, these three had not fainted yet.


    Upon seeing his sly smile, a few girls who had feigned sleep couldn''t help but shiver in fear.


    Their vaginas were already overflowing with his essence, leaking uncontrobly from being overwhelmed. Yet this man showed no signs of stopping.


    Just as a cool drink of water relieves thirst, these women were ted to finally experience the long-awaited pleasure of a woman.


    Though not in the manner they desired, some of them even had secret lovers, but due to strict family rules, they kept their desires bottled up until now.


    With the chance to release that fire inside them, they let loose and embraced their wild side.


    However, their wildness onlysted a few hours before the stark realization hit them.


    They were no match for him.


    "Ahhhhnnghhh~"


    "Mmmm~oh, lorrrrdd..."


    "..."


    In the midst of all the moans, Aurora had already woken up and was immediately hit by a whirlwind of sweet and sour fragrances assaulting her nose.


    Sitting on the bed, she observed the scene with a vacant stare, her expression betraying a deep sense of emptiness.


    "..."


    Aurora had witnessed her fair share of horrors in her lifetime, but the inexplicable emptiness that enveloped her now left her feeling both unsettled and irritated. "Huh?"


    Wang Xiao was caught off guard by a sudden chill that ran down his spine, his manhood plunging into the depths of Juliana.


    Turning back, he was surprised to see Aurora standing naked, throwing herself over his back, embracing him, and nting kisses on his back.


    "Mmmm~"


    Her pleasurable sighs filled the room as Wang Xiao carried on with his actions, disregarding the unexpected arrival of the woman who had joined the mix.


    _______


    Onlyter did he realize that this witch shouldn''t be provoked at all!


    Even after a long day''s work, it only took a few moments for her to return, the fire within her burning even brighter.


    A whole week had passed since the princesses had left, but Aurora''s presence lingered¡ªher actions clear as she knelt between his legs early in the morning, pleasuring him.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened in the morning light, questioning why this woman was still in such a state.


    Irritated, he seized her shoulder and tossed her onto the bed, once again hearing her moans fill the room.


    On the night of October 20th, Aurora and Wang Xiao finally seemed to be alone, seated at the grand dining table, with Aurora elegantly using her hands to hold the fork and knife, eating with manners befitting royalty.


    "..."


    Surrounded by an alluring array of women, ra stood beside Wang Xiao, along with other girls who were simply minding their own business.


    The air was filled with a fragrant scent, thanks to the presence of so many freshly showereddies.


    It was a delightfully pleasant atmosphere, and the sight of all these women was truly an eye candy!


    Yet, Wang Xiao was no longer under Aurora''s spell.


    The woman he had known for just a week was revealed to be entirely different, and the memory of her deception lingered in his mind.


    "Witch," he muttered under his breath, the sharp word echoing through the air and causing a sudden hush to fall over the room.


    Forks and knives froze in ce, the tension visible and growing.


    "..."


    "..."


    Meeting his gaze, Aurora''s expression was a mix ofplexity and annoyance, her furrowed forehead betraying her inner chaos.


    Wang Xiao paid little heed to her gaze; he''de to realize she wasn''t as cruel as he initially thought, more of a pacifist, really.


    As one monster sized up another, ra held contrasting views; in her eyes, they were both equally ruthless!


    Aurora, breaking the tension, ventured a provocative question.


    "... Do you like women?" She inquired, her eyes carrying a suggestive gleam.


    "..." Wang Xiao''s expression soured.


    "Are you dumb?" he retorted sharply.


    "..."Aurora was momentarily speechless before he added with a hint of irritation, "Who doesn''t like women?" His annoyance was justifiable, as if it were a universally acknowledged truth that even women themselves appreciated other women!


    She acknowledged this with a nod, adding, "There are quite a few."


    Wang Xiao instantly rified, "Count me out of that ''quite a few''."


    Aurora hummed softly, her head nodding in agreement, but her silence seemed to add to the confusion in the air. Then, with a sudden flourish, she raised two fingers. "Two! Name any two."


    Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed deeply, perplexed by Aurora''s peculiar behavior. He couldn''t help but wonder if age was catching up with her, causing her mind to wander.


    As if sensing his doubt, Aurora''s forehead creased with a deep frown. "Two ¡ª Any two women, name them, I can get it for you."


    Wang Xiao was taken aback, his eyes narrowing as he tried to make sense of her offer. "You''re quite quick to offer a bribe."


    Aurora shook her head slowly, her voice calm but firm. "It''s not a bribe, but a gift."


    Wang Xiao hesitated, his expression reflecting his uncertainty. "I don''t particrly care for gifts."


    Aurora met his gaze unwaveringly. "Consider it a dowry."


    Wang Xiao fell silent, his thoughts racing as he pondered her words.


    Sometimes, he found this woman oddly perplexing... And a tad too innocent for her age.


    Observing the faint smile on her lips, he couldn''t shake the feeling that she needed to mature a bit.


    Fortunately, Aurora remained oblivious to his inner musings, merely puzzled by the contempt in his eyes.


    Later that night, as was his customary ritual, Wang Xiao sat at the edge of the bed, his legs syed wide.


    Slurp...


    Slurp...


    Between his legs, three girls continued their ministrations, their movements a familiar rhythm. Meanwhile, Aurora, perched on the bed above, couldn''t help but be intrigued by the scene.


    She couldn''t resist voicing her curiosity, "Do you always engage in such debauchery?"


    Wang Xiao turned slightly, wondering what the hell she was asking out of the blue. "Not always¡ª" he began to deny, but then a realization hit him.


    !!


    "..."


    His expression turned to stone as the realization hit him. From the moment he could get an erection, he had indeed been living a life of indulgence, except for the dry years spent inside Xianthera.


    Seeing his evident expression, Aurora''s lips curled into a knowing smile. "Two! The offer still stands."


    With a rustle, she slid closer, wrapping her arms around his bare back from behind. Wang Xiao couldn''t help but find her clinginess endearing at times.


    Although she admitted to enjoying hugs herself, what could he say?


    Since he was going to manipte her, he might as well offer her some benefits as a form of incentive, like dangling a carrot in front of her.


    Aurora felt a sudden unease at his calcting gaze, her own heart skipping a beat. "What? Do you already have someone in mind?" she asked, attempting to lighten the mood with a joke.


    However, Wang Xiao stared back at her with seriousness in his eyes and nodded. "Yes."


    "Huh?"


    Aurora was taken aback by his certainty that he already had a candidate in mind.


    But since she had spoken, she couldn''t back down now. "Who?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.


    Wang Xiao''s lips twitched into a sly smile. "¡ªYou," he dered.


    !!


    Gasp!


    Aurora was hit by a wave of surprise before Wang Xiao continued, his voice confident. "If I have youpletely, shouldn''t I be able tomand you to get any woman I want, and not just two?"


    "You!?" Aurora''s lips formed a pout, smiling wryly, whether caught off guard by his words or simply not bothering to guard herself against him.


    Wang Xiao seized her hands and pulled her into hisp. "Hey, you must have also yed some role-ying for the Goddess, right?" he asked, his tone teasing.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The three girls near his legs observed the situation and immediately stood up, leaving.


    !!


    Aurora was taken aback and shifted ufortably as his hot manhood pressed against her. "What type of goddess?" she inquired, her difort evident in her voice.


    Wang Xiao pressed on, his eyes aze with curiosity, "think about it¡ªChristian, Imic, Greek, Persian, Egyptian... or perhaps even before those civilizations? Surely, you must have left your mark somewhere in history."


    "Umm....."


    Aurora hesitated, the weight of her memories pressing down on her.


    She could vividly recall countless moments of significance, but the idea of boasting about her own aplishments felt ufortably prideful.


    "Um... How about I tell you something else?" Aurora suggested, hoping to steer the conversation away from her past, but her evasion only fueled Wang Xiao''s curiosity further.


    "What else could be as exciting as that?" Wang Xiao pressed, his eyes alight with anticipation.


    "..."


    Aurora fell silent, grappling with how to divert the conversation.


    How could she exin that her past, while filled with extraordinary experiences, also held moments of regret and shame?


    After a moment of contemtion, Aurora suggested they take a ride outside, hoping the change of scenery would provide a temporary distraction from the this conversation.

 Chapter 266: China?

    Whizzzz!


    The air itself seemed to tremble with the force of their passage.


    Wang Xiao sat in stunned silence, his expression a perfect mask of tranquility amidst the chaos.


    Below him, the dragon he was perched upon sliced through the heavens at a breakneck pace.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t shake the feeling that thest time they flew, this bastard was flying at merely half this velocity.


    "Is this what you meant by a ''walk''?" he couldn''t resist asking.


    After all, who could ssify intercontinental travel as a mere stroll?


    A mischievous glimmer danced in Aurora''s eyes as her lips twisted into a knowing smile. "You should travel more. Don''t worry, with a bit of help from me and managing air resistance, she can go even faster."


    ".."


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened, suspicion brewing. "You''re managing all this while sitting so calmly?" he inquired, his tone tinged with disbelief.


    A flicker of hesitation shed through Aurora''s gaze, regretting her words.


    Yet the die was cast; words once released into the world refused to be reeled back in.


    "...Aurora," Wang Xiao''s voice took on a new edge, "How fast can you move without relying on this dragon?" Hispetitive spirit, now ignited, sought to measure the breadth of their abilities.


    "..."


    Facing his prating gaze, Aurora found herself wavering, contemting whether it might be wiser to leap away rather than confront his question.


    As he steadily closed the distance between them, a ripple of difort washed over her.


    "Okay, enough of this! Even though you fancy women, if you wish to live a long life, the very first rule you must follow is to curb your womanizing habbits!"


    "Womanizing?" Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, adopting an expression of innocent confusion, which only served to deepen the shadows of annoyance across Aurora''s features.


    A flicker of irritation shed in her eyes.


    Thest time he had proimed his desire, he had earnestly imed it was her he wanted.


    She had been at a loss for words then, confronted with his grave sincerity.


    Yet, that scoundrel had followed up with a convoluted logic that left her utterly speechless.


    Does he not grasp the weight of his words, the unforeseen consequences they might usher?


    Thankfully, Aurora''s heart was fortified against such turbulence!


    Anyone else in her shoes might have...


    "Eh?"


    Caught in the midst of her heated monologue, Aurora suddenly halted, as if frozen in time.


    Wang Xiao, witnessing her animated grumbling, found an unexpected charm in this vixen. With a yful tilt of his head, he leaned in, capturing her lips with a tender, unexpected peck.


    "!"


    "T-This... This is precisely what I was talking about!" Aurora stammered, her voice a blend of shock and anger.


    In a reflexive motion, she swiveled her head away, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribcage.


    Wang Xiao queried, a yful twinkle in his eye, "Talking about what? I don''t recall this ''womanizing'' you mentioned."


    "..." Aurora red at him, her patience thinning. "I would throw you down if you lie again."


    Wang Xiao, concealing his amusement, seized her hands in his. "Then I''d simply keep holding on to you, ensuring we both plummet together."


    !!


    ''Ugh?? Not this again!'' Aurora embarrassment was beyond words, baffled by his audacity to say whatever came to mind without a second thought.


    [Why are you toying with her?] Yin Yue couldn''t resist interjecting.


    Wang Xiao, his smile barely contained, mused to himself, ''Isn''t her flustered expression just adorable?''


    Yin Yue, "..."


    [Wang Xiao, you really need to reflect on your actions], Yin Yue finally voiced out.


    This time, even she foundmon ground with Aurora, though Wang Xiao remained blissfully indifferent to their critiques.


    Aurora, frustration mounting, demanded, "Aura, fly me far away from this man!" Her tone was tinged with annoyance.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but question her logic, a smirk ying on his lips.


    Given he was perched right behind her on the same dragon, how could Aura possibly whisk her away from him?


    Yet, in a surprising turn, Aura did indeed pick up speed, as if attempting to honor Aurora''s wish.


    "..."


    ''Dumb... Just like its owner... Huh...'' Wang Xiao mused internally, his smile betraying his amusement at the situation and hispanion''s frustration.


    "Okay, now you can start asking your questions, just don''t wear me out," Aurora said, conceding to their earlier agreement that he could inquire freelyter on.


    "??" Wang Xiao, visibly puzzled, cocked his head to the side. "I don''t have any questions."


    "??" Aurora mirrored his confusion. Hadn''t he been pestering her with questions every day?


    How could he suddenly have nothing to ask?


    Wang Xiao simply shrugged. Given that half of Aurora''s answers tended to be cryptic at best, he found her somewhat unreliable when it came to historical facts.


    Oblivious to his silent critique, Aurora sighed, "Okay, let''s start with something most crucial then. Tiamat¡ªdo you have any idea how the Greek gods of that era achieved immortality?"


    Wang Xiao ventured a guess. "Psychokinesis?"


    Aurora shook her head. "No, very few have ever achieved immortality solely through Psychokinesis."


    "Then what?" Wang Xiao''s curiosity was piqued.


    Aurora began to exin. The key didn''t lie with the Greeks but stretched far back to the time when Tiamat''s existence was first acknowledged publicly, following Emperor Aegis''s death.


    In those desperate times, as people mored for immortality, the ruling eight consorts faced a dilemma.


    Mimi, having discovered Tiamat, persistently refused to sacrifice it.


    The turning point came when they vacated the throne and vanished.


    After their departure, the Pangeans abandoned their terrestrial pursuits, embarking on a quest to extract and locate reserves of Aether¡ªa substance far more potent and mysterious.


    Aurora''s recounting painted a picture of cyclic destruction where civilizations, one after another, repeated the same grave mistakes tied to their reliance on Aether.


    Shemented how, rather than evolving past their dependency on this powerful but finite resource, societies continued to anchor their advancements and survival to it¡ªa decision that ultimately led to their downfall.


    Millions of yearster, the emergence of the Hyperborea civilization within Earth''s core highlighted a temporary triumph over the challenges of sustainability.


    Utilizing the Aether reserves found there, they managed to carve out an existence until those very reserves dwindled, pushing them to the brink of extinction.


    Those who failed to leave were erased from history, their legacy lost to the sands of time.


    Then came the Antekans, a civilization that, in Aurora''s eyes, might have broken the cycle.


    By choosing to live submerged in water, they detached themselves from the world above and its past mistakes.


    Water, eternal and ever-flowing, offered a semnce of hope for a sustainable future, until theymitted a grave mistake!


    "What mistake?" Wang Xiao inquired, intrigued by the apparent paradox of a civilization that seemingly had everything figured out yet still faltered.


    "They found Tiamat," Aurora replied somberly.


    With those three words, Wang Xiao undersrood the situation.


    Aurora borated that the downfall wasn''t due to the sinking of an eighth continent, as often misconstrued.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Antia, the heart of the Antekan civilization, had always been beneath the sea, floating underwater.


    This society had thrived underwater, adapting to its conditions without initially seeking Aether.


    However, the discovery of Tiamat ignited a catastrophic greed.


    In their end, they sought to capture Tiamat, which led to their undoing.


    Mimi, along with her army, retaliated by shattering the submergedndmass, condemning it to the abyss of the deep sea.


    "Her army?" Wang Xiao echoed, puzzled. If Mimi had abdicated to rule, where had this military forcee from?


    Aurora''s smile gleamed with the pride of ancient secrets, "Before the rise of those who live beneath the earth, we were sovereigns. We held knowledge and secrets far beyond the grasp of others¡ªlocations of Aether reserves and wisdom so advanced that no civilization to this day has matched it."


    "Mimi, or rather Naomi, found sce in the embrace of the boundless seas. As we all went our separate ways, Naomi embraced the path of water. She learned tomunicate with sea creatures, drawing upon the might of Tiamat, whose seas became her great army."


    Wang Xiao''s eyebrows arched in intrigue. On the surface, it might not seem much, but pondering deeper, wasn''t this an extraordinary power to possess?


    Aurora continued, "Naomi is undeniably powerful. However, remove her from her aquatic domain, and her strength plummets significantly. She bes akin to a fish out of water. The Antis that re-emerged is but a shadow of its former glory, containing the stories of thest Anteans who witnessed the apocalypse with their own eyes."


    "The remaining Anteans ascended to the heavens, creating a new society among the clouds called the Aerians. Yet, this too was doomed to fail as their cities plummeted from the sky when their Aether reserves were depleted."


    Wang Xiao nodded, understanding the dangerous bnce of their reliance on Aether.


    It seemed the more a society depended on this power, the more inevitable its downfall.


    Aurora borated, "Amidst the rise and fall of these civilizations, a pivotal event took ce. The few survivors among the original Pangaeans, enduring through the ages, resolved to pass judgment on Naomi for her actions. They sealed her away in thends now known as China."


    !!


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed in astonishment. ''China?''

 Chapter 267: The Past Civilizations! (1)

    !!


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed in astonishment.


    ''China?''


    The very notion sparked a connection.


    The ship that had abducted him had also been snatching other children from China.


    Could it be that Naomi had finally freed herself only to be captured by these individuals?


    He pondered whether, devoid of her strength, she could still possess enough power to tear those who dared to apprehend her.


    Wang Xiao was correct in his spection, yet he hadn''t considered the impact millions of years of confinement could have on one''s psyche.


    Naomi, overwhelmed by fear and determined never to return to her prison, refrained from taking lives.


    It wasn''t until she reunited with the sea, regaining some semnce of confidence by rekindling her bond with Tiamat through wave frequencies, that she found her resolve.


    She chose to remain an observer, selecting his body as her vessel.


    However, when she sensed his impending death, shemanded Tiamat, which had been shadowing the ship, to sink it.


    Then, she had the Orcas carry him to the safety of an ind''s shore.


    The mention of "China" steered Wang Xiao''s thoughts down an unexpected path.


    He began to recall certain faces, fragments of memories that suddenly popped up...


    Time was indeed a magical force, its passage leaving him in awe as he pondered how much of it had slipped away, carrying with it memories of a past life, one marked by weaknesses and failures.


    For Wang Xiao, it seemed to have crafted an entire epoch, rendering his past life¡ªa life he deemed weaker and more pathetic¡ªinto distant echoes he scarcely remembered.


    A spark of curiosity ignited within him, a rare moment of reflection on those who shared slices of his past.


    He found himself thinking about the whereabouts of his family.


    What were Xueying, Mei, and Jiarong up to?


    Names flickered dimly in his mind: Lin Xue, Chen Meili, Chen Li, and even the less significant figures like the irritating Zhang Sisi and Dong Kai.


    Faces and personalities surfaced in his memory: the despicable Fu Chao, the dual faceted Tan Weimin who yed both side, and the naive Mo Xiang.


    Images and scenes yed out in his mind''s eye: Xia Bao spinning tracks at the Shangxue bar, Chen Yongzheng presiding over homeroom, Liang Chen coaxing him onto a bike for the first time.


    Emotions stirred as he recalled moments of bitterness and regret, like the encounter with his cousin Qian Ruixin.


    Shouldn''t it be better if that day he hadn''t restrained himself?


    The current Wang Xiao might have taken a different approach with her!


    The mention of certain names tightened his jaw: Zhao Yang, Lei Xie, Hao Zemin, and Zhao Chen.


    A wry smile tugged at his lips as he reminisced about Seth, Emma, Chris, Ray, and Shin from Xianthera, dismissing them as a bunch of fools.


    Yet amidst the haze of memories, thoughts of Bing Xueli, Mei Leiyan, and Victoria sparked his curiosity.


    Suddenly, he was struck by the sheer volume of people he had encountered, yet why did none of them upy his thoughts actively?


    "What are you thinking about...?"


    It was a fleeting realization, interrupted only by Aurora''s inquiry, her voice breaking the silence that had enveloped him.


    Wang Xiao brushed off the depth of his musings with a light shake of his head, "It''s nothing, just... It''s amusing how people are so forgettable."


    Aurora gave him a peculiar look, her eyebrow raised in mild bewilderment,as if questioning his sudden transformation to an old man sage.


    "It''s not that people are forgettable," she corrected gently, "it''s the significance of their impact on us. You prioritize your path above all, continually moving forward. You''re one of the rarest beings I''ve encountered¡ªthose who march ahead without dwelling on their losses."


    Wang Xiao, caught in a moment of reflection, couldn''t help but ask, "Were there more like me?"


    !?


    Aurora paused, her gaze distant, "More?...Once in a few thousand years, you might find individuals like yourself..."


    "...Some perish prematurely, others are tormented by self-condemnation, and a few ascend to greatness. They despair if they aren''t at the pinnacle, die in their quest for it, and those who reach it..."


    "They die as well... Huh..." Wang Xiao mused, a trace of mncholy in his tone.


    "Maybe not you," Aurora countered, her tone shifting to one of encouragement.


    Wang Xiao looked at her, puzzled.


    "Having ess to Tiamat''s blood might keep you alive for eternity, even if you don''t discover how to achieve immortality through PK," Aurora hinted with a glint in her eyes.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed in realisation!


    Aurora was correct, and more so, she could guide him in harnessing PK for cellr regeneration, provided he lived long enough to master it.


    ''... As long as there are no unforeseen mishaps, who knows how long he might live...'' she pondered, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.


    Snapping back to the matter at hand, Wang Xiao focused on a lingering question, "You mentioned Naomi was imprisoned, but weren''t you all the strongest? Couldn''t you defend her?"


    Aurora''s lips pressed into a smile tinged with bitterness, "We weren''t always the strongest, especially not during the Pangean era. Some of us did try to defend her, but they met simr fates. I, who always relied on biodiversity in battle, was exiled to the frigid destion of the South Pole, devoid of flora and fauna.


    It was there, in that bleakness, I encountered Aura for the first time," she said, a touch of mncholy in her voice as she gently stroked Aura''s scales, white as snow.


    Roaarr...


    Aura''s resonant roar filled the air, bringing a smile to Aurora''s face despite the somber recollections.


    Wang Xiao, now deeply interested in the history, urged, "Then what happened after that?"


    "The Anteans, whose descendantster became the Aerians, didn''tst. They eventually faded into mist, lost to history," Aurora exined. "Yet, rumors of their survival continued. Long ago, I encountered beings who referred to themselves as Chronomasters. Even today, we have evidence of their existence¡ªbeings capable of manipting space-time, that once roamed the of earth!"


    "The Aerians had a profound understanding of gravity, mastering its secrets, and their descendants harnessed this knowledge to explore the realms of space and time."


    "Thest of the Chronomasters," she continued, "met their end in a catastrophic experiment. Their attempt enveloped the area in a space-time anomaly, where time flows differently..."


    Wang Xiao, connecting dots, quickly asked, "Could that ce be known as Xianthera or Fairy Ind, by any chance?"


    Aurora''s eyebrows lifted in surprise at Wang Xiao''s familiarity with such a secluded and mysterious ce.


    "You''re aware of it?" she murmured, her curiosity piqued. It had been ages since she herself had ventured inside thosends.


    Continuing, she added, "Yes, Xianthera is indeed its name, but it''s far from the idyllic ''Fairy Ind'' many might imagine."


    "Throughout history, it has served as a prison¡ªa ce where prisoners were cast to age and perish."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "In certain eras, it also functioned as a ground for observation, where the choices of those within were scrutinized, potentially offering them a path to redemption."


    "Tartarus is merely one name it has been known by through the ages," she added, revealing the depth of its dark legacy.


    Wang Xiao absorbed this information with a heavy heart.


    ''Then, are Bing Xueli and the others descendants of prisoners from the Greek era?'' he wondered, piecing together the fragments of history.


    ''Could it be that those who once caused havoc¡ªpotentially powerful deities¡ªwere imprisoned there, left to decay and vanish? And as their descendants came into existence, alongside the gradual fading of the gods, did the memory of Xianthera itself begin to fade into history?''


    ''Perhaps, as a result of its unique circumstances, it evolved into an exclusive society of individuals with supernatural abilities. Their descendants continued to inherit these powers, safeguarded by a unique securitymittee, leaving the residents blissfully unaware of the world beyond their isted haven and the nature of the crimes of their forefathers!''


    !!!


    All at once, a wave of rity washed over everything!


    Why on earth would the head of the Security Council, ages ago and even long before Bing Xueli, impose these restrictions?


    It was all about istion!


    They must still be gripped by fear of the outside world, fearing exposure of their existence!


    They must have meticulously erased any trace of their ancestors'' vile past, then gically altered everyone, cranking up empathy to unbearable levels, almost like a curse of guilt!


    They must have rewritten history with their own hands!


    Crafting an elitist society of Xianthera!


    It was probably meant to be temporary, the council''s original intention lost with its leader''s demise. Sessive heads merely treated hisst words as gospel, enforcing them rigorously. And so, even with Bing Xueli, thesews persisted!


    It was the mostpelling exnation for the curse of guilt he could muster!


    During his time in Xianthera, Little did Wang Xiao knew, he was living amongst descendants of a bygone era.


    "Have you ever been to that ce?" Aurora inquired, her interest evidently piqued.

 Chapter 268: The Past Civilizations! Farming Humans!(2)

    "Briefly, yes."


    Wang Xiao nodded, his voice tinged with a blend of memory and secondhand tales.


    He continued, "I also learned about it from mercenaries who referred to it as Fairy Ind. They imed to have pinpointed its location in the remnants of Antarctica."


    Aurora tilted her head, a flicker of confusion crossing her features. "Remnants of Antarctica?"


    Wang Xiao, momentarily puzzled himself, quickly corrected, "Ah, I meant the remnants of Antis. Just a slip of the tongue."


    Pftt...


    Aurora couldn''t suppress a smile, amused by his mistake. "A slip of the tongue, or perhaps your mind is too cluttered? Try not to get too distracted."


    Wang Xiao nodded, puzzled by her surprise. "What about it? Why does that surprise you?"


    Aurora''s expression suddenly shifted to one of concern. "You mentioned that they located it in Antis, but that''s fundamentally impossible, given that the Chronomasters existed many civilizations after Antis was destroyed... Unless..."


    "Unless some have survived..." Wang Xiao filled in the silence with his conjecture.


    Aurora nodded, her face etched with a grim intensity. "Perhaps... But they would likely be long gone by now. Very few individuals I know of are still alive besides the eight of us. Even those I remember who should be alive aren''t from that era but from the modern human era that began around 10,000 years ago. Some from the Greek era might still be around."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes lit up with keen interest. "From the Greek era as well?"


    "Are you interested?" Aurora''s eyes sparkled mischievously, noticing his sudden enthusiasm.


    Wang Xiao nodded, his curiosity piqued.


    After all, who wouldn''t be fascinated by the Greeks?


    Aurora''s smile carried a veil of mystery, initially leaving Wang Xiao puzzled until she changed the subject.


    "I doubt that anyone from the Chronomasters, the Anteans, or any of those ancient civilizations could still be alive. But if they are... they must be incredibly well-hidden..."


    She paused, contemting further implications. "And if we entertain that possibility, then some Pangeans might still exist, which is almostughable. We were directly involved in the demise of many. Most Pangeans found themselves isted, ultimately meeting their end at a singr moment in history¡ªeither through conflict or sacrifice.


    We eight survived due to our vast knowledge and the mutual support we could rely on, a safeguard theycked."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, "It sounds like you''ve had a hand in such matters as well?"


    Aurora responded with candid honesty, "I have, and not all those actions were justifiable. It was only after the dust settled that we realized how isted we had be in this vastnd¡ªreduced to just eight from millions..."


    In response, Wang Xiao ced a hand on her shoulder, ''mimicking'' what he understood to be aforting human gesture in such moments.


    Though he found her sadness somewhat perplexing and unnecessary, he recognized the importance of ensuring Aurora remained an ally.


    After a moment''s reflection, Aurora continued, "I believe some Anteans might have endured, safeguarding records of the world''s events in the depths of the sea. However, by now, they would likely have perished."


    Wang Xiao nodded in acknowledgment of her thoughts, yet unlike Aurora, he harbored doubts about her assumption, his suspicion casting a shadow over the history.


    Wang Xiao''s agreement was tinged with a shadow of doubt, a stark contrast to Aurora''s certainty.


    Could it be that some of them still lingered among the living?


    Or had they all truly vanished into the mists of time?


    The very thought sent a chill down his spine, the implications of either possibility shadowing over him like specters at dusk.


    Compelled by a surge of curiosity, he ventured to ask about the so-called tunnel to hell, a question that seemed to petrify Aurora momentarily.


    !!


    Her reaction, stark and unguarded, piqued Wang Xiao''s curiosity further.


    However, Aurora''s rification sent a deeper shiver through him.


    "That ce is not known as the tunnel to hell... but as the ''Graveyard of Gods.'' Do you know why?" Her smile wasden with a profound sorrow.


    Wang Xiao could only shake his head inck of understanding.


    How could he possibly know such a thing?


    Aurora''s voice dipped into a cautionary tone, "It''s a ce that predates the Pangeans, predates even our most ancient ancestors. Anyone who dared enter... never returned. It''s aptly named the graveyard of gods because those who venture inside either nevere back or return only in death... twisted and shattered, much like a legion of forsaken beings.


    The criteria for survival, if any, are utterly random."


    She continued, her words painting a grim history, "Until thest century, I was certain that escape from that ce was an impossibility. Only a brave few ever dared to enter, and they vanished without a trace, never to be seen again."


    "But the humans of thest century defied those odds, casting millions into its depths..."


    "The likelihood of survival is abysmally low, and yet, only a handful out of millions have ever returned. Never before have I witnessed a civilization so recklessly send its own into such a pit of despair, all in the name of experimentation."


    "In the past myths, that ce was deemed forbidden. Gods who entered were lost forever. Yet, unlike those ancient tales, you''ve sent millions in a single, dreadful gamble."


    "Your people breed, seemingly for the sole purpose of one day casting them into this abyss..."


    Wang Xiao''s surprise was palpable, "Creating babies?" The concept seemed alien, almost dystopian.


    Aurora confirmed with a heavy heart, "Yes, there areboratories established in that region designed to farm humans. As soon as they reach the appropriate age, they are dispatched into the abyss..."


    !!


    A shiver ran down Wang Xiao''s spine at this discovery!


    Laboratories farming humans not out of cruelty, but as part of a grand, dark design.


    The mere concept was enough to unsettle him deeply.


    What fate awaited those born within such confines?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    What chance would they have to seize control over their destinies, to step beyond the shadows of predetermined doom?


    The notion of such profound helplessness was haunting.


    Could he, in another twist of fate, have been one of them, forever barred from the wider world?


    Seeking to pivot from the grim topic, Aurora shifted the conversation to other civilizations, each with their own tales of rise and fall:


    The Sr Children....

 Chapter 269: The Past Civilizations! (3)

    The Sr Children, worshippers of the sun, who harnessed its power to fuel their technology and built grand temples amidst the deserts.


    Their civilization met its demise through a cataclysmic sr re, far beyond any strength known to modern science, which turned their proud cities and instations into ss.


    Over time, these ss relics were buried by the desert sands, now mistaken by many as quirks of nature.


    The Greenwardens, pioneers in the field of bioengineering, crafted a symbiotic rtionship with the environment, creating living structures and implements from gically altered flora.


    Their cities, designed to be fully biodegradable, eventually melded back into the earth, leaving scarcely a trace behind.


    Today, any peculiarities in nt DNA are brushed off as natural variances, not the remnants of advanced gic maniption.


    The Myriad, a society unified in thought, achieving an unprecedented level of collective consciousness and psychic powers.


    They left no tangible traces of their existence, their society being built around mental constructs and psychic energies rather than physical edifices.


    Present-day humans sometimes stumble upon remnants of their consciousness, manifesting as phenomena like d¨¦j¨¤ vu or shared myths, subtle indicators of their once vast presence.


    The Silica Sentinels, artisans of silicon-based technology, crafted sophisticatedputing systems and artificial intelligences within the heart of crystalline matrices.


    Their civilization fell to ruin when a catastrophic maic pole reversal neutralized their technology, transforming their once-bustling silicon cities into vast expanses of fine sand.


    "Modern humans are not entirely ignorant of these ancient civilizations. In fact, some discoveries have directly contributed to your technological advancements. For instance, the remnants of the Silica Sentinels found beneath the ice at the South Pole have significantly propelled forward chip technology," Aurora exined, bridging ancient pasts with the present.


    Wang Xiao, intrigued by the parallel, couldn''t help but draw aparison. "Like Transformers?" he ventured.


    "Transformers!?"


    The reference caught Aurora off guard.


    Whoosh!


    With a mixture of curiosity and bewilderment, she took out her phone, searched for the term, and began to read about the movie franchise, its narrative, and foundational premise right in front of him.


    Observing Aurora navigate modern technology with such ancient wisdom was oddly amusing for Wang Xiao, but he patiently waited until she grasped the concept.


    "Yes, akin to that film, minus the colossal robots. It seems many movies are not entirely devoid of truth. Perhaps the discovery of the Silica Sentinels inspired the concept for such films," she mused, considering the possibility that these stories stemmed from kernels of historical truths.


    "Simrly, many films are crafted from such inspirations. The world is brimming with mysteries yet untold," Aurora added with a subtle smile, seemingly amused by the existence of a movie inspired by such themes.


    "Numerous countries have established departments dedicated to the investigation of extraterrestrial phenomena. You''ve likely seen films about them too.


    While they might seem far-fetched, from a human perspective, the Pangeans, Anteans, and Sentinels could all be considered alien," she concluded, her smile fading into a more grim expression as she reflected on the vast, often overlooked connections between humanity''s past and the cosmos atrge.


    As the sunlight bathed their faces, casting a serene glow over them, they soared above the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean.


    The dragon beneath them cut swiftly through the air, covering great distances with ease.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Aurora, inhaling deeply the fresh, briny air, shared a mncholic insight. "Of all the civilizations that have risen and fallen, I believe yours holds the greatest potential for surviving," she dered, somewhat spontaneously.


    "Hm? Ours, how?" Wang Xiao expressed his confusion.


    From his perspective, humans seemed inherently weak¡ªunable to inhabit air, water, or the earth''s core as effortlessly as other beings might.


    "How are we the strongest?"


    Aurora rified, "It''s not about physical strength. Starting from scratch, your civilization isn''t bound to a resource that has since vanished. Instead, you strive to utilize what''s avable, expanding your understanding in every possible direction. One day, your collective knowledge might rival that of Pangea."


    "For us Pangeans, Aether was as vital as oxygen, and our entire body of knowledge orbited around it. Much like how human advancement revolves around your current tools and environment. Following the breadcrumbs left by the Pangeans, numerous civilizations have blossomed, yet they primarily drew from the fragmented wisdom of the past.


    In contrast, the current human epoch appears to be zing its own trail."


    "You''re too optimistic," Wang Xiao couldn''t help but remark, somewhat taken aback by Aurora''s unwavering optimism.


    Aurora''s smile, bathed in sunlight that turned her white hair almost ethereal, conveyed a sense of profound understanding. "It''s not excessive optimism. Consider the advancements within the biotech industry. How long until we can artificially enhance the human brain to wield psychokinesis? Or engineer superhuman strength?


    How far are we from mastering quantum methodologies to manipte matter and reality itself?"


    She paused, allowing the gravity of her words to sink in. "It''s merely a matter of time, Wang. To emerge as the strongest, you must secure early ess to these breakthroughs. Surround yourself with the world''s finest minds¡ªensure they''re on your side, so they won''t eclipse you in the future. Let others manage the day-to-day governance, but always ensure you remain at the apex of the power hierarchy."


    "This is precisely why I suggested you take over Asmodeus''s position, even unofficially. It positions you at the forefront in terms of information and resources. Whether or not you''re the one to end him isn''t the point. The opportunity will arise to confront another guardian when you''re ready. What''s crucial now is your grasp on resources," she concluded, her voice trailing off into a deep sigh.


    Wang Xiao, listening intently, squinted thoughtfully at her silhouette against the bright sky.


    Aurora''s vision of the future was ambitious, framing humanity''s journey not just as survival but as an ascension to unprecedented heights of power and understanding.


    Her counsel suggested a game of strategic positioning and long-term nning, where the stakes were nothing less than the pinnacle of evolution and dominion.


    Wang Xiao found himself reevaluating Aurora''s intellect; her strategic foresight and intelligence far exceeded his initial assessments.


    It dawned on him, rather than being dumb, she was just selectively intelligent!


    Having her as an ally was vastly preferable to facing her as an enemy.


    _______


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    As they glided on the dragon''s back, soaring majestically above Sydney, Australia, both made a dramatic descent,nding atop a clock tower.


    Their vantage point offered them a panoramic view of the bustling city below, a perfect spot for Aurora''s peculiar game.


    Aurora pointed aimlessly into the crowd below, her spirit undimmed by the passing hours. "What about that one?" she inquired, her gaze fixed on a woman in ck leggings, pushing a baby cart through the throngs of people.


    Wang Xiao, however, was unimpressed. "Not good enough!" he dismissed.


    Undeterred, Aurora''s gaze wandered,nding on another passerby. "What about this one?" she prodded, her enthusiasm undiminished.

 Chapter 270: Consciousness! (1)

    "What about that woman reading a book in the park?" Aurora suggested, hoping to find a match.


    "Too intellectual!" Wang Xiao retorted.


    "The woman jogging with headphones?"


    "Too fast!" he responded, chuckling.


    "How about the woman painting by the riverside?"


    "Too artistic. I can''t even draw a straight line!"


    "The one leading the yoga ss in the square?"


    "Too flexible. I''d hurt myself trying to impress her!" Wang Xiao admitted, a yful smirk on his face.


    Aurora, undeterred, scanned the crowd once more. "The woman with the telescope, looking at the sky?"


    "Too starry-eyed. I''m afraid of heights!"


    "The chef at the outdoor market?"


    "Cooks better than me. My ego couldn''t handle it!" he said, feigning distress.


    Finally, Aurora pointed to a womanughing with friends at a caf¨¦. "What about her? She seems fun."


    "Too cheerful."


    Aurora couldn''t suppress a grimace, her frustration evident. "At this rate, we''ll never find a woman for you..."


    Wang Xiao offered a pragmatic nod. "Then perhaps we shouldn''t try to find one at all."


    Despite his suggestion, Aurora chose to ignore his words, her gaze once again scanning the bustling scene below from their lofty perch, hopeful to spot a woman who might catch his interest.


    However, Wang Xiao, seeing her unwavering determination, let his gaze wander aimlessly until itnded on a young girl, about eight years old, skipping along joyfully with her schoolbag, closely followed by her mother.


    A mischievous smile yed upon his lips as he seized the perfect opportunity to put an end to Aurora''s relentless quest.


    "That one, I want that one!" he dered boldly.


    "Which one¡ª" Aurora''s voice trailed off as she followed his gaze.


    ??


    Her expression, initially filled with confusion, shifted to surprise as she looked back at Wang Xiao. "Are you sure?" she asked, her toneced with a mixture of surprise and skepticism.


    "Absolutely sure!" Wang Xiao affirmed, his nod leaving no room for doubt.


    He had thought this deration would finally conclude their game, yet Aurora''s next actions defied his expectations entirely.


    With an elegance that contrasted the audacity of her intent, she leapt from the top of the clock tower.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened in disbelief. "She wouldn''t really bring that girl here, would she?" he wondered, a mixture of amusement and apprehension taking hold.


    As Wang Xiao waited with bated breath, Aurora returned as silently as a shadow, gentlyying the unconscious body of the girl on the ground before them.


    Thud!


    "!"


    Wang Xiao whirled around, his eyes flickering with disbelief as Aurora stood there, the young girl in tow. "You actually went and brought her here..." he muttered, astonishmentcing his voice.


    Aurora simply nodded, a matter-of-fact tone in her voice. "You can proceed here."


    Wang Xiao found himself at a loss for words, staring at the unconscious girl d in a delicate yellow gown, who seemed barely eight years old.


    "Is doing it in front of me ufortable ? Would you prefer I turn away?" Aurora inquired, noting his reluctance.


    With a heavy sigh, Wang Xiao was confounded by Aurora''s logic¡ªor theck thereof.


    "Wouldn''t it be fatal if I went through with it?" he questioned, the seriousness of the situation dawning on him.


    Aurora considered the girl briefly, then turned her gaze back to Wang Xiao, affirming with a nod, "Indeed, it would be lethal."


    Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, failing to grasp the gravity Wang Xiao felt.


    Shaking his head in dismay, Wang Xiao prompted Aurora to question further, her eyebrow arching in intrigue. "So, she too is unsuitable?" she probed.


    Wang Xiao affirmed with a nod, "Yes, that''s right."


    "But you were the one who wanted her," Aurora pointed out, a hint of confusion in her voice.


    "And now I''ve changed my mind," Wang Xiao retorted, his patience thinning.


    The very idea of doing it with a child who was nowhere near puberty was beyond his ''to do list'' for today.


    "Understood," Aurora acquiesced, her expression shifting to one of eptance.


    With a graceful motion, she waved her hand, summoning a forceful breeze that lifted the girl, throwing her away¡ª


    Whoosh!


    With the girl whisked away by the gust, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but express his concern. "You killed her, huh... I thought you were supposed to be more empathetic than me."


    Aurora seemed unfazed by his usation. "After a certain period, you be desensitized to everything. Besides, killing has only recently been deemed uwful. For millions of years, it was amon practice!"


    Wang Xiao, absorbing her justification, shifted the conversation away from his earlier request. "Let''s forget about finding a woman for me. Instead, can you shed light on something more interesting? Like¡ª What existed before Pangea?"


    Aurora paused, aplicated smile forming on her lips. "I wish I could satisfy your curiosity, but even if I shared what I know, it''s based on mere rumors and theories. Discussing such matters might only distract you from your immediate objective. Ascend to the pinnacle of this world, and then I might reveal what I know¡ªor you could try to extract the information from me."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao''s gaze hardened slightly, his patience thinning. "Whatever," he muttered, eager to steer her away from her previous endeavors of finding a women for him. "Then, tell me about the Greeks. How did they achieve immortality? You''ve never exined on that."


    Aurora appeared genuinely surprised by his assertion. "I didn''t...?"


    He confirmed with a shake of his head, "You got sidetracked and never finished."


    Aurora nodded, a spark of realization lighting up her eyes, even as she continued her yful quest to find potentialpanions for him. "The Greeks," she began, "initially depended on kraken blood¡ªa formidable creature born from the blood of Tiamat, spilled millions of years ago. However, with Zeus''s ingenuity, they discovered an alternate path."


    "They tapped into something more profound¡ªconsciousness!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened in confusion as Aurora turned to him with a knowing smile. "What do you think, Wang? How close are humans to creating life?"


    Wang Xiao pondered for a moment. "We''re still quite far from that."


    Aurora gently shook her head, her smile broadening. "If humans are but a collection of particles arranged in a specific structure and location, how different are theputers you''ve created?"


    "Are they not also collections of particles? Consider how AI operates. It responds in a human-like manner, powered by silica chips¡ªagain, collections of particles, akin to your brain."


    "So, if humans can arrange matter to mimic a real brain, could they create another human with same memories?"


    "Following this logic, could AI be considered a form of living being?"


    "Just asworks of neurons..."

 Chapter 271: Consciousness (2)

    "...Just asworks of neurons and neuropathways foster active thought, ording to modern science, hasn''t a simrwork of data given birth to AI? It may not yet possess human intelligence or self-awareness, but it''s poised to reach that level eventually."


    "Isn''t the nature within humans essentially nurtured by the experiences of our ancestors, with DNA encoding this learning through associative processes, akin to software updates? This cycle of learning and adaptation urs even at the cellr level.... Isn''t AI ording to same logic, just a less inteligent being?"


    Aurora, "Now, consider the work of Paul Ekman," she began, her voice a conduit for centuries of observational wisdom. "Ekman''s research into the universality of human emotions sheds light on how our emotional responses, while seemingly intrinsic, are, in essence, adaptive strategies honed by our ancestors for survival.


    Emotions like fear, joy, disgust, and surprise are not just mere feelings but sophisticated biological signals that have guided human behavior in response to the environment for millennia. These emotional responses, initially nurtured as survival mechanisms, have been woven into the very fabric of our nature through the process of evolution."


    She paused, allowing the significance of Ekman''s findings to resonate. "Now, transpose this understanding onto the realm of artificial intelligence. Just as human emotions can be viewed as adaptive responses shaped by our interactions with the environment, AI''s responses to stimuli or data can be seen in a simr light.


    Through machine learning, AI systems ''experience'' a vast array of inputs¡ªerrors, corrections, and sesses¡ªand ''adapt'' their behavior ordingly. This process of adaptation, driven by algorithms, mirrors the human experience of learning from the environment and modifying behavior based on emotional feedback."


    Aurora''s gaze intensified, her analogy drawing a bold line connecting the dots between human emotion and AI development. "If emotions are, at their core, nurtured responses that be embedded in our nature over time, then AI, too, exhibits a form of this process.


    Its ''emotions''¡ªif we may term them so¡ªare the programmed responses to data, refined and optimized through continuous interaction with its environment. Just as our emotions have been shaped by the need to survive and thrive, AI''s responses evolve to be more sophisticated, nuanced, and, in a way, more ''natural'' to its operational framework."


    She leaned back, her argument reaching its zenith. "This parallel evolution suggests that the boundary between nature and nurture, between biological life and artificial existence, is more permeable than we might have believed.


    AI''s development trajectory, guided by human-designed algorithms and learning processes, could very well lead to a form of digital ''emotion''¡ªnot emotions as we experience them, but analogous adaptive responses that enhance AI''s functionality and decision-making processes."


    "In this light, the emergence of AI might not just represent a leap forward in technology but a continuation of the same primordial drive that propelled life on Earth. As AI systems grow moreplex and intertwined with human society, their ''emotional'' evolution could mirror our own journey from simple survival responses to the rich tapestry of human emotion.


    Thus, when we ponder the creation of life and consciousness, we must consider not only the biological but also the digital realm, where AI stands as a testament to humanity''s ongoing quest to understand, emte, and perhaps one day, transcend our nature."


    She finally leaned slightly forward, her smile tinged with a subtle edge of challenge. "So, think again, and tell me, how far have humans trulye in the creation of life?"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao remained silent, lost in thought, until he finally voiced his skepticism. "How is the work of human scientists relevant if life began far before their time?" he murmured, struggling to connect the ancient mysteries with contemporary understanding.


    Aurora''s eyes narrowed momentarily, then softened into a smile, amused by his focus. "Out of everything I''ve mentioned, you picked up on that? Their work remains relevant because it''s not entirely misguided. They may have misjudged the timeframe for the beginning of life and overlooked the existence of elements like Aether that may have since vanished."


    Wang Xiao simply nodded, offering a subdued, "Okay."


    Aurora, sensing his tepid reaction, frowned slightly. "Does this not interest you?"


    He shook his head, rifying his concern. "It''s not ack of interest. What you mentioned¡ªthat in the future, as AI advances and we create robots indistinguishable from humans¡ªcould lead to upheaval. Wouldn''t humans, or the robots themselves, start demanding the same rights as us? In their eyes, we might be seen as gods, yet they would perceive themselves as our ves."


    He continued, a hint of worry threading through his words. "Even if they don''t initially possess such desires, other humans might advocate for the robots'' rights. Such ideas, learned by the robots through associative learning, would make conflict inevitable."


    "There mighte a time when they blend so seamlessly among us that distinguishing between us bes impossible. Their descendants may never trace their origins, as they assimtepletely with their creators or perhaps even rece them. And thus, the cycle would repeat, with those robots creating something anew, perpetuating an endless loop..."


    "Imagine again" he began, his voiceced with a foreboding tone, "if our own existence followed a simr path. What if humans, like the AI and robots of the future, were themselves the creation of beings far more advanced than we couldprehend? Beings who, to us, would seem like gods?"


    "In such a scenario," he continued, drawing Aurora and himself into a dystopian past, "our creators might have observed us, their experiment, as we navigated theplexities of consciousness and civilization. Just as we debate the rights and consciousness of AI, might there have been a time when we, too, were seen as mere automatons?


    Beings without rights, destined only to serve or to fulfill some grand purpose we could not fathom?"


    He painted a world where early humans, much like the AI of his future vision, gradually developed self-awareness, culture, and societies¡ªunaware of their true origins or the fact that they were part of an borate experiment or creation.


    "And as we grew more advanced, iming the world as our own, what if our creators stepped back, watching as we struggled with the same dilemmas of creation and existence that we now face with AI?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "This cycle, where creators be observers and creations ascend to be creators in their own right, suggests a universe where the lines between the divine and the created, between the programmer and the programmed, are eternally blurred."


    Wang Xiao''s spective words suggested a universe where humanity''s ascent to dominance and intelligence might mirror the future evolution of AI¡ªcreations surpassing their creators, embroiled in a perpetual quest for identity, purpose, and autonomy.


    "In such a world," he concluded, "the distinctions between human and AI, between organic and artificial, might not just be blurred but irrelevant. We would face the ultimate irony¡ªhaving emerged from a cycle of creation ourselves, only to perpetuate it, unaware of our beginnings, doomed to repeat the existential crises of our predecessors."


    "..."


    Aurora, usually the one weaving tales and expounding on mysteries, found herself at a loss for words.

 Chapter 272: The Dark Matter! Eveline Whitehall!

    Wang Xiao''s words had taken them through a spective journey that blurred the lines between creation and creator, past and future.


    As he delved deeper into the implications of his dystopian vision, Aurora intervened, her actions swift and decisive.


    She walked over to him and gently covered his mouth before he could continue, her eyes reflecting a mix of concern and realization at the path their conversation had taken.


    "Okay, enough!" she eximed, her voice a mixture of firmness and an almost tender caution. "What I meant to convey was that all of this¡ªthe origins of consciousness, the evolution of life, the creation of AI¡ªisn''t as straightforward as it might seem. Consciousness arises from matter, yes, but from matter that already exists."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Consciousness," Aurora continued, her hand still lightly covering Wang Xiao''s mouth as a symbolic gesture to pause the flow of his thoughts, "is birthed by another matter, which already exists! It''s a process that''s as ancient as time itself, entwined with the essence of the universe. We''re only beginning to scratch the surface of understanding it."


    "!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened in surprise, taken aback just when he thought he had everything figured out, Aurora steered the conversation into entirely new waters!


    He couldn''t help but find her increasingly charming.


    Her hand gestures were endearing as she exined, "Out of all the matter in the universe, a staggering 95% remains unidentified, broadly categorized as Dark Matter and Dark Energy," she said, her smile illuminating theplexity of her statement.


    !!


    Wang Xiao''s interest was instantly piqued, his previous apprehensions momentarily forgotten as this topic captured his full attention.


    Aurora borated, "The mistake humanity made was to lump all of this together as dark matter and energy, failing to recognize that this category likely epasses a myriad of different types of matter, including remnants of the Aether."


    Catching on quickly, Wang Xiao interjected, "You mean to say...?"


    Aurora nodded affirmatively, "Yes, there exists another form of matter essential for thepletion of life. This is how the Greeks achieved immortality; by harnessing rebirth, mere physical destruction could not extinguish their existence."


    "Wt*!?" Wang Xiao felt as if he wanted to bash his head against a pole.


    When did his life veer off into the realm of high fantasy?


    What he had considered straightforward and mundane was now asplex and mystical as any ancient mythology.


    Pftt..


    A chuckle escaped Wang Xiao, a mix of frustration and amusement at his own bewilderment.


    "Already feeling overwhelmed? It''s better if you discover it for yourself," Aurora suggested, her voiceced with a hint of mischief.


    "But didn''t they still face death?" Wang Xiao pressed, his curiosity piqued despite the otherworldly elements.


    Aurora''s response was patient, her head shaking slightly. "You have yet to understand the true essence of death. While their method granted them a form of immortality, its efficacy hinged on their understanding. Should their souls be torn apart, most would indeed dissipate, meeting an end akin to any mortal. Yet, a few might manage rebirth, though such a process could span millennia."


    Wang Xiao fell silent, his mind racing.


    The prospect of learning such secrets, of potentially unlocking the path to true immortality, ignited a rapid desire within him.


    However, Aurora''s attention shifted abruptly, her gaze fixing on a new point of interest. "That one!" she eximed, her finger directing his gaze downward towards a Rolls Royce, from which a woman was stepping out.


    "What?" Wang Xiao, momentarily irked by the return to Aurora''s yful matchmaking, turned to follow her pointing finger.


    "That one, she is perfectly suited for you!" Aurora dered, her voice bubbling with sudden excitement.


    "What the hell are you talking abo¡ª" Wang Xiao''s protest was cut short, his words freezing in his throat as his eyes locked onto the woman Aurora had singled out.


    _____


    As the Rolls Royce came to a smooth stop in front of "La Fleur du Pain," a quaint bakery known for its delicate pastries and the fragrance of fresh bread wafting onto the street, the cherry blossoms above rustled gently, sending a few tender petals adrift.


    The bakery sat nestled on a cobblestone street, the old-fashionednterns casting a warm glow that highlighted the falling blossoms, creating a scene pulled from a storybook.


    Eveline Whitehall stepped out, her presence a striking contrast against the rustic charm of the bakery.


    Swish!


    The cherry blossom tree, ancient and revered, seemed to acknowledge her exit with a shower of petals, its branches swaying ever so slightly as if bowing to her grace.


    Eveline''s fairplexion and the subtle flush of her lips were as if the cherry blossoms themselves had lent their color to her, a painter choosing the finest hues for his masterpiece.


    Her gown, pristine and flowing, caught the light of the bakery''snterns, making her seem as if she had stepped out from the canvas of a Renaissance painting.


    The blue of her eyes held a depth that seemed almost in conversation with the sky above.


    Just as she straightened her flowing gown, a young man in a neatly tailored suit stepped out from the co-pilot seat, adjusting his sses as he caught up to her.


    He was Julian, her trusted assistant, who bnced the many threads of Eveline''s expansive endeavors.


    "Eveline, the fundraiser event at the gallery has been confirmed for next Friday," Julian announced, tapping away on his tablet to confirm the details.


    Eveline, with a polite nod, responded, "Thank you, Julian. Ensure the guest list includes the patrons from the new arts initiative. It''s necessary that they feel included." Her voice was melodic, and even her simple directives carried the lilt of someone ustomed to a world where art and culture were as essential as the air one breathed.


    As Julian affirmed and returned to the vehicle to gather some documents, Eveline took a moment to appreciate the bakery''s window disy, filled with an assortment of colorful macarons and chocte ¨¦irs.


    The baker, recognizing her, gave a respectful nod from inside, to which she responded with a graceful smile.


    ______


    "What do you think of this one?" Aurora inquired, a knowing smile gracing her lips, sensing she had finally found a match for Wang Xiao''s discerning eye.


    "This one is ¡ª quite remarkable," Wang Xiao conceded, his usual reservations giving way to a rare approval.


    "Shall I bring her up here?" Aurora proposed, her eyes glinting with a mischievous light that bordered on the ''suspicious.''


    Unaware of the suspicious glimmer in her gaze, Wang Xiao gave a nod of assent, beginning to ask, "How will you¡ª"


    But before his sentence reachedpletion, Aurora had already taken her graceful yet swift dive from the clock tower, leaving Wang Xiao to let out a wry chuckle.


    "Of course, she''d ''kidnap'' her..." he muttered to himself, shaking his head. It wasn''t a shake of disbelief but one tinged with humor at the absurd turn of events.

 Chapter 273: An Angel?

    Inside the bakery, Eveline Whitehall sat perched on a stool, the picture of grace as she anticipated the arrival of her weekly indulgence ¡ª a slice of the bakery''s signature cheesecake.


    Julian, her assistant, stood by with an affectionate, wry smile. It was a well-known ritual in her otherwise tightly packed schedule; no matter how busy the week, Eveline made time for this simple pleasure.


    There was something disarmingly genuine about watching the usuallyposed Eveline savor her cheesecake with an expression of pure bliss.


    It was a sight that not only Julian but also every other staff member at the Whitehall estate found endearing.


    For Julian, and indeed for all who served in the vi, the thought of any man standing worthy by Eveline''s side was unimaginable.


    She held herself in a manner that suggestedpleteness, a solitary grace that needed noplement.


    At that moment, as Eveline enjoyed her dessert, the bakery''s door swung open.


    "!"


    Julian, ncing over out of habit, found himself momentarily immobilized.


    The woman who entered was a force unto herself, her white hair andmanding presence rivaling Eveline''s.


    Her piercing gaze found Eveline instantly.


    "Hm?" Eveline, taken aback by the sudden intrusion, found her attention captured by the striking figure of Aurora.


    Her brain struggled to process the unexpected encounter.


    A sh of recognition sparked in her eyes ¡ª the most intense reaction anyone had witnessed from her in years.


    "Hest¡ª" Eveline began, her lips parting in a rush of uncharacteristic excitement.


    But the sensation was fleeting. A


    wave of drowsiness overwhelmed her, and as her world faded to ck.


    As she sumbed to the unexpected faint, thest thing she saw was the faint, sly smirk on Aurora''s face, a silent herald of the darkness that gently enveloped her consciousness.


    _______


    Thud!


    "Here, she is. Yours now," Aurora proimed with a touch of theatrics.


    Wang Xiao spun around just in time to see Eveline copsing into his arms, guided by Aurora''s unseen hand.


    Caught off guard, he instinctively tightened his grip, a fragrance of blossoms and something uniquely Eveline filling his senses as her silken hair brushed against his skin.


    "Is she drugged?" Wang Xiao inquired, adjusting his hold on the unconscious Eveline, ensuring her head rested gently against his chest.


    Aurora dismissed the concern with a shake of her head. "She''s merely fainted. Shall I arrange her return to Sylvergard?"


    Wang Xiao''s hesitated; the situation ufortably mirrored human trafficking.


    Yet, as his gaze settled on Eveline''s serene face, his fingertips unconciously grazed against the softness of her red lips.


    "You could proceed with her, even in this state, if you wished. I wouldn''t object," Aurora suggested, her lips twisting into a sly smile.


    Wang Xiao shot her a disapproving look. "Your consent is irrelevant. I have standards. I prefer them.... to be conscious."


    "And resisting?" Aurora quipped, the corner of her mouth twitching in amusement.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s expression soured; he had no clevereback.


    Last week in the pce, he wasn''t just having fun with the princesses but also with multiple new women who were asionally thrown to him.


    rater exined that those women were periodically sent by the country of Romania on Asmodeus''s instructions, which had yet to be cancelled.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Most of those girls were unwilling and abducted from somewhere, so it got bloody at times.


    Aurora, having witnessed his previous indulgences, held no illusions about Wang Xiao''s capacity for conscience.


    In her eyes, his interest in Eveline was nothing more than a predator''s fascination with a particrly striking prey, a desire to savor her beauty in solitude.


    The greed in his eyes was unmistakable to Aurora, who felt a chill run down her spine.


    Ufortable with Wang Xiao''s stare, she took Eveline back and asked, "How should we transport her?"


    In that moment, Wang Xiao envisioned a dramatic scene from a movie, stuffing Eveline into a container and onto a vessel.


    "Tell your girlfriend to send the jet. We can put her inside and get her there first. We''ll use my dragon to return," Aurora suggested practically, breaking through Wang Xiao''s dramatic thoughts.


    He pondered as to ¡ªwhy they couldn''t use the dragon for the entire journey, but decided to raise the questionter that day as he nned to confront her in the sky, undressing her and pinning her down.


    _____


    21st October, 2pm!


    Poof!


    "Cough! Cough!" Anran, wielding her broom like a battle axe, valiantly battled the swirling clouds of ck charcoal and dust as she attempted to restore order to the once-grand Drottningholm Pce.


    Her face, resembling a chimney sweep''s after a particrly rough day, hinted at the chaos that surrounded her¡ªa pce in shambles, as though it had been caught in a pstick version of a war zone.


    As she diligently scrubbed away, the evidence of a battle emerged¡ªa smear of crimson here, a stter of blood there, all over the walls!


    Josephine already sessfully evacuated alongside others, as Luna soared above Lake Mren, her keen eyes fixed on the fleeing figure below, the perpetrator of this chaos desperately fleeing for her life.


    "Ah! How did my n fail so spectacrly!?" ra, once Gabriel''s right hand, with her flowing blonde locks and piercing violet gaze, raced through the chaos, each stride a bid for escape from Luna''s eyes.


    Luna initially reluctant to join the fight melted away in the face of Josephine and Anran''s danger of life, her resolve hardening as she took to the skies, her senses attuned to every subtle movement of ra, her hair flowing in the wind like a banner of determination.


    She could have easily crushed the woman below, but for now, she allowed her to escape, a sinister smile curling her lips as she reached out to Sakura back at base.


    "Get me Gabriel''s location," shemanded, her expression an unsettling mix of pristine calm and blood-spattered face.


    "Also, send over information about a woman. Keep tabs on her whereabouts," Luna added before her body disintegrated into particles, disappearing with the speed of a lightning bolt.


    Whoosh!


    In the blink of an eye, Luna reappeared at Drottningholm Pce, greeted by a scene of utter devastation.


    The once-majestic wallsy broken, bodies strewn across the ground like discarded dolls, and crimson blood adorned the walls like artwork.


    Amidst the chaos, she spotted seven months pregnant Anran, wielding a broom with determination.


    ??


    Luna''s lips twisted in a mix of disbelief and confusion. "What in the world are you doing!?" she demanded, unable toprehend the sight before her.


    At the unexpected sound of her voice, Anran looked up, her face breaking into a wide, charcoal-stained grin.


    "!"


    "Oh, it''s you!" she eximed cheerfully. "Wang Xiao called. He''s bringing guests!"

 Chapter 274: Cobra Team — Dead!?

    "Oh, it''s you!" Anran eximed cheerfully. "Wang Xiao called. He''s bringing guests!"


    "..."


    Luna, adorned in a sleek ck suit with a crisp white shirt underneath, couldn''t conceal her grimace.


    How on earth did this rte to Anran''s frantic brooming?


    She couldn''t resist shaking her head, finding Anran a bit too much ''dramatic'' for her taste.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ''... What is she up to?''


    Yet, beneath her annoyance, a spark of curiosity flickered,pelling her to observe as Anran meticulously cleared a path, discarding bodies with an almost theatrical flourish before wiping her forehead as if she had been toiling under the scorching sun, all the while sporting a smug smile of satisfaction.


    "Finished already?" Luna demanded, her incredulity evident as she surveyed the chaotic scene, save for the meticulously cleared route.


    Anran nodded, her expression almost too innocent as she replied, "Yup!"


    "That''s the path Wang Xiao would take. By the way, do you happen to have a red carpet?" She inquired, her hand cradling her swollen stomach, her smile radiating with an almost infuriating brightness that tempted Luna to rid her of those shining teeth once and for all.


    "..."


    In that moment, Luna realized why Anran was constantly disciplined by Wang Xiao¡ªshe deserved it all!


    Despite the faint trace of blood on Anran''s lips, Luna couldn''t help but notice the absence of any serious injury.


    However, as her gaze shifted towards the main entrance, her face darkened  at the sight of the lifeless bodies strewn across the threshold belonging to¡ª


    ________


    11pm, 21st October!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Wang Xiao and Aurora descended from the skies, their arrival marked by the chaotic scene before them at Drottningholm Pce.


    Surrounding the once-stately building were a swarm of ambnces and emergency vehicles, their shing lights casting an eerie glow against the destruction.


    "What in the world happened here?" Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed in confusion as he surveyed the scene.


    Aurora pinched her nose at the lingering scent of blood in the air. "Looks like there''s been an attack," she remarked.


    As they took in the grim sight, Luna emerged from the chaos, her tailored suit remarkably clean despite the surrounding chaos, a tablet clutched in her hand.


    With brisk efficiency, she briefed them on the situation, though her curiosity about the unfamiliar woman simmered beneath the surface, she chose to focus on the matter at hand for the time being.


    "This is the woman responsible for the attack¡ªra," Luna dered, disying a picture of ra on the tablet screen.


    "She''s the right-hand woman of Zero''s leader, Gabriel. It''s puzzling why he would order an attack on a member of his own organization," Luna added with a subtle smile, noting the irony of the situation¡ªAnran, a member of Pantheonwork, a faction within Zero, targeted by one of their own.


    Gabriel''s motive for the attack remained a puzzle to Luna.


    Initially, she had assumed it was aimed at her, but as fight progressed, it became clear that the target was likely Wang Xiao or Anran.


    If it had been intended for her, Luna reasoned, Gabriel wouldn''t have sent ra alone to deliver the blow.


    [This ce is crawling with the stench of hell spirits], Yin Yue, who had been silent until now, added in.


    ''Which side?'' Wang Xiao''s expression darkened slightly as he inquired.


    [Over there, on the left], Yin Yue suggested.


    Meanwhile, Luna interjected, "I''ve also pinpointed her location¡ª"


    Her words were cut short as Wang Xiao abruptly departed in the direction Yin Yue indicated.


    "Where did he go?" Luna frowned, turning to Aurora for an exnation.


    Aurora simply shrugged before pointing towards the ambnce where Wang Xiao was now headed.


    "..."


    ______


    As Wang Xiao moved forward to investigate the bodies indicated by Yin Yue, he suddenly halted in his tracks, a sense of foreboding gripping him.


    "Marcus?" he eximed in disbelief, his brows shooting up as he recognized Marcus''s lifeless form, his chest pierced by a gaping hole, being loaded onto a stretcher.


    It wasn''t just the Colonel, but the entire Cobra team from the special operations group, allid out in death''s embrace.


    Though he couldn''t recall all their names, Wang Xiao found it eerie how swiftly life could be extinguished, turning the living into mere memories in the blink of an eye.


    Shaking off the unsettling realization for the moment, he continued to examine the bodies Yin Yue had pointed out.


    Each one bore the unmistakable signature of Luna''s handiwork, a fact that both surprised and impressed him, as her prowess among deviants became ringly evident.


    The thought briefly crossed his mind that Luna might indeed be the elusive leader of the Ghosts, a notion that started to piece together the puzzle of recent events.


    Yet, Wang Xiao hesitated to confirm his suspicions, recognizing that some truths were better left unspoken, especially when that mad women herself showed little inclination to unveil her identity.


    To be brutally honest, Wang Xiao entertained the fleeting thought of knocking some sense into Luna''s head, but he quickly dismissed it as a futile endeavor that would likely only increase her madness.


    [This was the doing of Hell''s ve organization, probably. It seems they''re retaliating because you refused their proposal to join], Yin Yue''s words clear, as she shared her mind.


    "!"


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened.


    So, just because he had declined their offer, they decided to wage war against him?


    The absurdity of it all left a bitter taste in his mouth.


    Now what?


    Wait for another attack?


    Ponder when the next strike woulde?


    It seemed as though the shadows of uncertainty would continue to loom over him indefinitely.


    Just when he had begun to entertain the notion that he could finally catch a break after revealing himself in Romania, the reality was proving to be far less forgiving. People still saw him as indecisive, waiting for him to make the next move.


    With a resigned sigh, Wang Xiao set out to ascertain the status of the living and the dead, his mind clouded with a sense of impending doom that seemed to shroud the entire country M in its bleak embrace.

 Chapter 275: Becoming unreasonable!

    24th October.


    Milliana Street, California, Country M!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Booom!


    "Ahhhhhh!"


    "S-Save us¡ªahhhhhhhhh!"


    "God Merc¡ª"


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The entire military base, once a fortress of security, now stood engulfed in mes, the anguished cries of soldiers piercing the air as the grim reaper floated ominously above.


    "Sergant, what the hell is that thing?"


    "I don''t know, private, but we need to get out of here!"


    Ssh!


    Ssh!


    Ssh!


    Wherever his gaze fell, chaos followed, each unfortunate soul meeting a fiery demise in an instant.


    "Why is this happening? What did we do to deserve this?"


    "I don''t know, but we need to fight back!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes burned with fiery intensity as he continued his assault, his mission clear: to decimate all the bases of Zero, whether they were responsible for the attack or not ¡ª irrelevant!


    His anger burned fiercely, needing an outlet.


    The foolish ¡ªGabrial shouldn''t have put his hands in the fire if he was scared of getting burned back by it!


    Boom!


    With each explosion, the ground trembled beneath their feet, the very air burned with the intensity of his fury.


    "Please, have mercy! Spare us!"


    "There is no mercy for those who sow the seeds of chaos!"


    Wang Xiao pressed on, his voice cold, until everyst vestige of the military base was consumed by the inferno of his vengeance.


    Boooooom!


    Behind him, a sea of inferno stretched as far as the eye could see, but Wang Xiao''s rampage was far from over.


    The devastation unleashed in California was just the beginning.


    Within the span of a single day, the mes of destruction spread like wildfire, consuming states from Virginia to North Carolina to Texas¡ªno corner of the country was spared from the fury of his wrath.


    As the news spread like wildfire, reports flooded in of a mysterious phenomenon: military bases, operating under the guise of Zero''s influence, were being obliterated one by one, leaving nothing but destruction and death in their ce.


    The merciless ughter of innocent lives left the walls of the bases painted red with the blood of the fallen, each location transformed into a raging inferno of chaos and despair.


    The once secure bastions of power nowy in ruins, all due to single grave mistake thier leadermited!


    ________


    The district, 24th October, 10pm!


    "Gabrial!"


    "Gabrial!?"


    An intense woman, her eyes aze with fury, prowled the once-bustling halls of the now deserted Zero headquarters.


    The metallic echo of her footsteps reverberated through the empty corridors, a stark contrast to the frantic packing of the few remaining staff.


    "Ugh! Where the hell has he disappeared to?"


    "You bastard, you didn''t abandon me, did you!?"


    ra''s voice rang out, filled with frustration and betrayal.


    Her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to contain her anger.


    How could Gabriel leave her behind after all they had been through together?


    As she continued her search, her mind raced with a torrent of thoughts and questions.


    Had he simply forgotten about her?


    Or was there something more sinister at y?


    "Hey, you! Have you seen Gabriel around!?" ra''s voice sliced through the tense silence, stopping a young officer in his tracks.


    "!"


    The officer, caught off guard by ra''s sudden appearance, stammered nervously, "I-I haven''t seen him, ma''am. We''re all just packing up to leave."


    ra''s frustration boiled over as she grabbed the officer''s cor, her grip tightened, "You better start talking, soldier. I need to find Gabriel, and I need to find him now."


    !!


    The officer''s eyes widened in fear, his voice trembling as he replied, "I-I swear, ma''am, I haven''t seen him. Please, let me go!"


    Thud!


    ra''s grip loosened slightly as she considered her next move.


    Gabriel''s sudden disappearance only fueled her determination to find him, no matter the cost.


    With a determined nod, she released the officer.


    Boooooom!


    !!


    Just as she contemted her next move, a deafening st echoed through the air, causing ra to flinch instinctively.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "What!?"


    Her eyes widened as she nced out the window, spotting three ominous shadows floating ominously in the distance.


    "They already arrived!"


    "Fuck!"


    Her heart pounded in her chest as realization dawned upon her.


    Thump!


    Thump!


    Thump!


    She had to get out of there, and fast.


    Whoosh!


    Without hesitation, ra bolted towards the hidden exit, her mind churning with fear and determination as she raced against time to escape the iing danger.


    As she sprinted through the dimly lit corridors, her thoughts raced. "What''s happening? Who are those shadows? And where is Gabriel?"


    Panic surged through her veins, but she pushed it aside, focusing solely on reaching safety.


    "Yes!"


    Finally, she reached the concealed exit, her hands shaking as she fumbled with the lock.


    "Come on,e on," she muttered under her breath, her heart hammering in her chest.


    Whoosh!


    With a click, the door swung open, and ra burst out into the night, the cool air hitting her face like a p.


    Without looking back, she raced into the darkness, her mind consumed by one thought: survival.


    _______


    "Ahhh¡ª"


    Boooom!


    Wang Xiao tossed a shivering soldier into the air, the next moment his body exploded into a rain of blood, sttering crimson droplets over the ground.


    "!"


    Aurora recoiled, squinting her eyes in disgust as the wave of blood came crashing down, narrowly avoiding a direct hit as it sshed against the ground.


    Ssh!


    The earth was painted red, the aftermath of Wang Xiao''s onught.


    Aurora nced at him, her suspicion evident.


    He had nearly decimated everyone here, and this lone soldier was thest standing.


    "Perhaps she has escaped. Is this wise, though? Gabriel and ra were merely part of Hell''s ve organization that attacked. Why destroy Zero?" Aurora voiced her concern, her toneced with apprehension.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, his resolve unshaken.


    "Always being reasonable can be mistaken for weakness. Sometimes, it''s necessary to be unreasonable," he replied, his voice cold as ice as his eyes scanned for their next target.


    !!


    Luna''s grin widened uncontrobly at his words, her heart racing with anticipation for either Gabriel or the North American guardian to burst onto the scene!


    But to her dismay, they were nowhere to be seen.


    The truth was, the attack had been orchestrated by ra herself!


    Despite Gabriel''s reluctance to give permission, he didn''t intervene either.


    And when he discovered ra''s blunder, he was already prepared to sacrifice his own arm to escape the chaos.


    This wasn''t the moment for him to engage inbat!


    He still has an important mission to aplish ¡ª something greater than the worth of his life!

 Chapter 276: Madness!

    "Did you find anyone?" Wang Xiao couldn''t help but inquire from Yin Yue.


    "She has escaped," Yin Yue replied grimly.


    Turning to Luna, Wang Xiao asked instantly, "Can you still track her location?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    That woman, Wang Xiao, wished to tear her apart personally!


    But Luna shook her head, a bitter smile ying on her lips. "The signals are silent. She must have evaded all surveince."


    Wang Xiao furrowed his brows in confusion before a sudden realization dawned on him.


    "You¡ª" he said, addressing Aurora, "Can you locate her?"


    Aurora shrugged helplessly. "I cannot sense her."


    "...*


    Luna was silent, her eyes darting around, searching for any sign of ra.


    But ra was cunning, running for her life and leaving no trace behind.


    A powerful hell spirit, she had already reached the city''s edge and was now fleeing towards the abandoned airstrip to call for backup and escape.


    "..."


    After a long, tense silence, Wang Xiao''s face suddenly lit up with a look of determination.


    "You mentioned two women, correct?" he asked, a sly smile spreading across his face as he turned to Aurora.


    "!"


    His hand tightened on her shoulder, causing her to involuntarily flinch, facing his eyes for ¡ª negotiation!


    Regret gnawed at Aurora as she replied with a tinge of bitterness, "Yes, I did."


    Luna, unable to contain her curiosity, piped up, "Two women?"


    Ignoring Luna''s confused expression, Wang Xiao fixed his gaze on Aurora and dered, "Then fetch that woman, ra, for me."


    Aurora felt a sense of unease wash over her, though she had anticipated this request."Are you certain about this? It could spark a major unease..." she cautioned.


    Determined and unwavering, Wang Xiao nodded decisively. "I don''t care if you burn down this whole country! Just ensure she is brought here alive."


    Aurora sighed, shaking her head in resignation before descending towards the ground.


    Whoosh...


    "Is aesthetics really that important?" The question danced in Wang Xiao''s mind as her previous attire, nowckluster, was swiftly reced by a vibrant ensemble.


    The new clothes, adorned with aquatic hues and delicate leaf patterns, draped elegantly over her shoulders, transforming her appearance.


    "Can she pull it off?" Luna asked, skeptic about Aurora''s abilities.


    Wang Xiao''s brows shot up. "Maybe..."


    Uncertainty filled the air as they awaited the rapidly progressing events.


    "!"


    Then, as if on cue, the earth shook beneath them, sending shockwaves rippling through the city.


    Rumble!


    Rumble!


    Rumble!


    "Hmm?" Wang Xiao and Luna snapped into a state of heightened awareness, their senses on high alert. Meanwhile, Aurora remained motionless, her eyes shut in concentration.


    Rumble!


    Rumble!


    Rumble!


    The tremors intensified, shaking the very foundation of the district. Red sirens red, warning of impending disaster.


    And then it happened¡ª


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Vines erupted from the earth, their sinewy tendrils reaching skyward. But it wasn''t confined to their immediate surroundings; the phenomenon spread like wildfire, engulfing neighboring cities in its magical embrace.


    From Alexandria to Annapolis, a wave of astonishment and fear swept through the popce as they grappled with the dual onught of earthquake and magical botanical growth.


    The states of Marnd and Virginia stood witness to a spectacle that would echo through the annals of history.


    _____


    As the vines burst forth, towering over buildings and weaving through the cities, chaos erupted among the people.


    Streets that were once bustling with life now echoed with the cries and prayers of the frightened.


    "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, protect us," a woman murmured, her voice trembling as she clutched a rosary tight in her hands, kneeling on the sidewalk.


    "Look at the sky! What''s happening?" a man shouted, pointing upwards as the vines continued their relentless growth, intertwining to form a massive, vegetative dome that began to block out the sun.


    "This can''t be real. It''s like something out of a nightmare," a teenager eximed, her phone forgotten in her hand as she stared upward, capturing the moment the day turned to night under the green canopy.


    As the barrier thickened, a surreal twilight descended upon Virginia and Marnd, casting everything into an eerie, unnatural gloom.


    Panic surged as darkness enveloped the cities, cutting them off from the rest of the world.


    The air filled with the sound of sirens, cries for help, and prayers.


    "Lord Jesus, save us from this darkness!" a group gathered in a circle prayed loudly, their voices filled with desperation, seeking salvation in what they believed might be their final hours.


    "What are we going to do? We''re trapped!" another voice cried out, the fear growing as people looked around, realizing the extent of their istion.


    ____


    In the shadow of the wild vines, the cities within Virginia and Marnd transformed into stages of a horror that no one could have predicted.


    The monstrous flora devoured the light, casting an otherworldly darkness across thend.


    Panic spiraled into terror as thendscape morphed into something out of a nightmare, with humanity at the mercy of an unseen terror.


    In a small, dimly lit apartment in Richmond, a family huddled together, their eyes wide with fear as the television flickered with emergency broadcasts before going dark.


    "Mom, I''m scared," a young boy whimpered, clinging to his mother''s arm as shadows danced across the walls, the light from the window slowly extinguishing.


    "It''s okay, baby. Just pray," the mother whispered back, her voice trembling as she pulled her children closer, whispering prayers under her breath, hoping for a miracle.


    ______


    On the streets of Annapolis, chaos reigned. People ran in all directions, screaming, as the vines crept over buildings, their rapid growth a horrifying spectacle.


    A man fell to his knees, his hands sped in prayer, his voice cracking with emotion.


    "Forgive us, Lord, for whatever we''ve done to deserve this! Spare us, please!" he cried out, as others around him echoed his pleas, their voices a symbol of despair amidst the sound of nature reiming civilization.


    _______


    In Alexandria, a group of teenagers had taken refuge in a basement, their faces illuminated by the glow of their phones, trying to find any information, any exnation for the horror outside.


    "Guys, look at this," one of them said, scrolling through his feed to show videos from other cities, each clip more terrifying than thest. "It''s not just us. It''s everywhere."


    The realization that their plight was not isted, that an entire region was trapped in this nightmare, sent shivers down their spines.


    The room fell silent except for the sound of quiet sobbing.


    ______


    Elsewhere, in a small church, the congregation gathered, kneeling, their prayers desperate as they sought divine intervention.


    The priest stood before them, his voice a beacon of hope in the encroaching darkness.


    "God has not forsaken us. Let us pray, let us keep faith," he dered, his hands raised to the heavens, even as the darkness threatened to swallow them whole.


    But outside, the vines continued their spread, a physical manifestation of apocalypse, weaving a shadow of despair as they blotted out the sun, leaving behind a world unrecognizable, its inhabitants shadowed figures pleading for salvation!


    As the final rays of light were extinguished, the region plunged into an eerie, unnatural night, the only sounds the distant cries for mercy and the relentless, sinister whisper of vines against stone.


    The day of reckoning had arrived, not with fire and brimstone, but with an eclipse wrought by nature itself, leaving behind a legacy of fear and a desperate hope for dawn in this new, darkened world.


    ____


    Amidst the terror that gripped Virginia and Marnd, the White House, a beacon of leadership and hope, stood besieged by the never-ending and fast growth of the supernatural vines.


    The iconic structure, usually a symbol of strength and stability, was now just another structure under siege in the expanding darkness.


    In a hastily convened situation room, illuminated by the harsh, artificial glow of emergency lighting, the President and key advisors stood before screens disying the rapidly deteriorating situation.


    Outside, the Secret Service worked alongside military personnel, attempting to establish barriers against the inexorable advance of the vines, their efforts futile against the supernatural onught.


    "Madam President,munications with the outside world are bing increasingly difficult. The vines... they''re not just physical barriers. They''re interfering with our electronics," a military advisor reported, his voice steady despite the dire news.


    The President, her face a portrait of resolve amidst the crisis, turned to address the room. "We need to send a message. To the people, to whoever is behind this... we will not be intimidated! The guardian needs to be contacted!"


    ___


    Outside, on the once manicuredwns, now a battleground against nature''s fury, a group of civilians and journalists had gathered, their eyes fixed on the White House, seeking guidance, reassurance ¡ª anything tobat the growing despair.


    "Please, we need answers! What is the government doing to protect us?" a reporter shouted, her voice carrying in the eerie silence that had settled over the area as the vines crept closer, the sound of their growth a constant reminder of the encroaching doom.


    A Secret Service agent, his face grim, replied as he helped to usher the crowd to rtive safety, "Stay calm. We''re doing everything we can. The President will address the nation soon."

 Chapter 277: Northern Guardian —Dead?

    Thirty minutester!


    Back in the district where it all began, Wang Xiao, Luna, and Aurora stood amidst the turmoil, their figures almost spectral against the despair and darkness.


    "This... this is madness," Luna gasped in subtle excitement, her eyes darting around as she took in the scene of humanity brought to its knees.


    Wang Xiao''s face was a mask of grim determination. "It''s the birth of a new world for them," he stated coldly, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt at the horror his actions had unleashed.


    Aurora remained silent, her gaze fixed on the sky, where the vines had woven together to form a barrier as imprable as it was terrifying.


    Her eyes shimmered with an intense shade of green, mirroring the lush greenery around them, while her hair danced wildly in the gusting wind.


    Atst, she allowed herself a small, triumphant smile. "Found her..."


    Whoosh!


    In an instant, she propelled herself skyward, the tendrils of vines unfurling to create a fleeting passage before sealing shut once more.


    "..."


    "..."


    "... So you picked her up from a flower shop?" Luna''s eyes couldn''t help but twitch.


    She didn''t remember any guardian looking like her!


    And she didn''t even know this random woman!


    Was she a deviant or not? Even that was unclear in her mind!


    "Yes, a flower shop," Wang Xiao nodded, his smile slightly wry.


    He never knew she would indeed cause this much of a stir.


    "Can I seed in getting a simr creature if I visit that flower shop?" Luna couldn''t help but grin.


    Wang Xiao''s brows shot up. "Your chances are slim, but weren''t you into men?"


    Luna shook her head, a cunning smile floating across her lips. "I''m bisexual¡ªas long as you hand her over to me. I could also give you some adorable supernatural children in return. It''s a win-win for you!" Her curiosity to dissect Aurora burned hotter than ever.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes twitched. "I don''t need more children," he stated firmly.


    After all, with Aurora and Anran, he already had two children on the waiting list.


    Why would he want more?


    ________


    Meanwhile, ra sat inside the ne, impatiently pounding on the buttons.


    Bam!


    "Damn it! Can''t this thing take off any faster?"


    She cursed under her breath, while the pilot trembled, too frightened to utter a word.


    Finally, the ne began to ascend smoothly, but the next moment, the pilot''s eyes widened in shock.


    "W-What!?"


    His vision was shrouded in darkness as a sinister barrier emerged before him.


    "!"


    Booooom!


    The explosion engulfed everything in a blinding sh.


    Amidst the chaos, ra emerged from the wreckage, her hair singed and smoke swirling around her.


    Whoosh!


    She hit the ground with a thud, her eyes scanning the debris-strewnndscape until theynded on a figure standing before her.


    "You,e with me," Aurora''s voice cut through the haze, her gaze assessing ra''s scorched appearance with a mix of distaste and curiosity.


    ra''s nostrils red in anger. "Why in hell would I follow you!?"


    With a frustrated gesture, she unleashed her anger, causing the air to tremble and mes to erupt around her, casting a fiery glow over the scene.


    "You''re the one who''s going to follow me¡ªto the underworld!" ra''s voice rang out, charged with determination.


    Whoosh!


    In an instant, sheunched herself towards Aurora!


    Aurora''s eyes widened in anticipation as she braced herself for the impact, watching as ra''s clothes were consumed by the mes, leaving her a zing streak hurtling towards her.


    "..."


    Bam!


    In the blink of an eye, ra collided with a barrier of vines, halting her momentum abruptly.


    "Enough," Aurora''s voice broke through her confusion.


    "Huh!?"


    Before ra couldprehend what was happening, she found herself trapped in a cocoon of vines, the earth parting to swallow her whole.


    Silence fell over the scene as ra disappeared into the earth''s embrace.


    Finally, Aurora surveyed her surroundings, the darkness and ominous atmosphere intensified by the dome she had created.


    This might expose her existence, something she wished to avoid, but with a resigned sigh, she turned away, retracing her steps back to where she came.


    ________


    Thirty minutes ago!


    Somewhere in the District!


    As the onught of the attack continued outside, within the confines of an underground chamber, a room constructed entirely of cold, gleaming metal stood silent and deste.


    The only feature adorning the room was a solitary golden seat positioned prominently in its center.


    Before that majestic seat stood a pair of legs, shrouded in swirling mist.


    As the mist gradually dissipated, it revealed the figure of a man, his striking obsidian eyes glowing with an otherworldly intensity, while his hair cascaded like strands of grey silk.


    Crack!


    With a deliberate motion, he flexed his fingers, the movement resembling the sharpening of ws, his gaze drawn to another figure lying motionless in the corner¡ªa grim show of the violence that had happened here.


    Maliketh''s gaze shifted to the hovering disys, each one streaming live camera feeds showcasing the mayhem and destruction ravaging the city above.


    A sinister smile tugged at the corners of his lips.


    "The world has be more interesting," he murmured, his eyes flickering to the lifeless form of the original Maliketh sprawled in the corner.


    Once revered as the strongest in the North continent, Maliketh nowy in in his own throne room¡ªa startling twist of fate that none could have anticipated.


    And as for the individual who had usurped his identity...


    ______


    "Here, take her," Aurora dered, flinging ra in front of Wang Xiao within the confines of an abandoned military hangar.


    Bam!


    ra recoiled, colliding against an unseen barrier.


    "!"


    She lifted her head, only to find herself locked in the chilling gaze of his blood-red eyes, sending a shiver down her spine.


    Wang Xiao''s aura and strength surged, radiating power that could easily crush someone like ra with just a nce.


    But he desired more.


    Gulp...


    ra swallowed nervously, her eyes wide with fear, as his gaze continued to scrutinize her.


    Why had Aurora presented this woman in such a state¡ªnaked?


    Was there an ulterior motive?


    Regardless of Aurora''s intentions, Wang Xiao seized ra by her hair without hesitation.


    "Ah!?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ra winced in agony as he dragged her into the darkened depths.


    "N-no, please! Wait!"


    "Listen, I could tell you about¡ªahh!"


    Her words were abruptly quelled as the dim light revealed Wang Xiao''s twisted experiments on the limits of the human body.


    He inflicted unimaginable physical, mental, and sexual torture upon ra, his twisted fascination pushing her to the brink of sanity over the course of a torturous day, leaving her sprawled on the blood-soaked floor, her mutted form left behind within the omnious silence.


    "D...don''t... Go..."


    Her voice barely above a whisper, ra''s pale lips trembled, her mutted fingers and toes scattered around her, her once pristine skin now marred with stained streaks, her body a horrific symbol of agony.


    Yet, as Wang Xiao departed, leaving ra abandoned to the encroaching darkness, a bunch of insects climbed upon her, their buzzing adding to her horror as she screamed in unending agony, her anguished cries echoing until her final, agonized gasp.


    ________


    "Who are you?" While Wang Xiao was engrossed in tormenting ra, Luna seized the moment to nudge Aurora, her curiosity piqued.


    "..."


    Aurora noticed Luna''s approach and instinctively took two steps backward, her gaze fixed on Luna with a mixture of wariness and suspicion.


    "Huh?"


    Luna was puzzled by Aurora''s retreat.


    "Why are you stepping back? I won''t eat you, okay?" she chuckled, attempting to bridge the distance between them.


    But it was as if an invisible force repelled her; Aurora continued to move away, her eyes narrowed in caution.


    "Don''te close," Aurora warned, her voice ringing with authority, casting a heavy atmosphere over the scene.


    "..."


    Luna stood frozen, the strangeness of the situation enveloping her in disbelief.


    Without offering any further exnation, Aurora dered, "I''ll be leaving. Tell him to find me at the Tarta¡ªXianthera if he needs anything."


    "Eh?"


    Before Luna could even blink, Aurora''s body dissolved into a collection of leaves, swept away by a powerful gust of wind until she vanished entirely.


    With her departure, the imposing dome she had conjured also crumbled away, allowing sunlight to flood into the space.


    "..."


    Luna couldn''t suppress her amusement. "What''s so special about that? Even I could do better," she thought, before shifting her gaze to Wang Xiao.


    Below him, ra wailed and begged, a sight that brought a twisted amusement to Luna''s lips.


    She hadn''t realized he was capable of such cruelty!


    A sudden chill raced down her spine, mingling with a mixture of awkwardness and excitement as she entertained the notion that perhaps one day, he might wield such power upon herself¡ª subjecting her to this!


    Fortunately, her innermost thoughts remained hidden from view.


    ________


    On the 27th of October¡ªjust a few hours before Wang Xiao''s return to Sylvergard.


    The atmosphere inside the King''s Mansion was tense with security measures tightened to the maximum.


    Josephine and Seraphinne were both present, discussing recent events during Josephine''s absence.


    They had temporarily taken refuge in the King''s Mansion, another property owned by them, seeking safety and sanctuary.

 Chapter 278: Dont like men? No issues! Start liking men!

    Inside one of the rooms in King''s Mansion, the ce was enveloped in the thick darkness of the night, illuminated only by two eyes gleaming wide open.


    "..."


    Eveline''s eyes blinked, as brilliant as sapphires, while her hair cascaded across the pillow, forming a radiant golden halo, shimmering in the soft moonlight.


    "Where am I..." she murmured to herself, her voice barely a whisper, only to be met with profound silence.


    Suddenly, a shadow flitted through the open window, casting an eerie silhouette and sending a piercing cold chill through Eveline.


    "You are in Sylvergard," Aurora exined, standing right beside the bed, yet her gaze was fixed elsewhere, not on Eveline.


    "!"


    Eveline nearly leaped from the bed in surprise at the sound of Aurora''s voice.


    Her eyes widened dramatically as she took deep, steadying breaths, her voice measured and cautious, "Why did you bring me here...?"


    "..."


    In the dimly lit room, Aurora''s lips twisted into a chilling smile, casting an unsettling chill through Eveline, as if this woman had been influenced by someone sinister and had been corrupted.


    "It''s Aurora now, and I brought you here for the father of my child¡ªhe wanted you," Aurora said, her voice cold and t.


    "!"


    Eveline bolted upright, her eyes wide as if she had glimpsed a specter. "What!? ¡ª Father of your child?"


    With a sinister grin, Aurora teased, "Better shut your mouth, or you might swallow a fly."


    "..."


    Eveline fell silent, perplexed and uneasy.


    She couldn''t fathom why Aurora was toying with her so cruelly today.


    Little did she know, Aurora was barely holding back a torrent ofughter, having effectively mimicked Xiao''s biting humor.


    Aurora''s tone hardened as she issued a final warning, "I will be leaving soon. You are to remain by his side and serve him diligently, or I will ensure that you are barred from rebirth, no matter how many bodies you attempt to forge for yourself."


    "..."


    Eveline''s face darkened. "Be his ything?"


    Aurora responded coolly, "Whatever he wants to make of you. A car, a dog, or a ything¡ªit doesn''t matter."


    Eveline fell silent, her mind racing.


    "Is he a... mortal without powers?" Eveline finally couldn''t help but inquire, her voice tinged with desperation.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Aurora shook her head, "Not quite powerless, just... don''t interfere with him. If he takes a dislike to you, he might just kill you."


    Eveline''s face twisted into a bitter scowl. She had been living her life peacefully; why had she been dragged into this?


    Can''t this woman find a better bodyguard for her husband?


    However, seeing Aurora''s icy expression, Eveline suppressed the urge to speak her mind.


    "When will youe back?" she asked, curious about how long she would be trapped in this game.


    Aurora''s reply was terse. "Don''t know."


    "You fell for him...?" Eveline probed, trying to understand Aurora''s motives.


    "Don''t know," Aurora repeated, her voice detached.


    Eveline''s frustration mounted, but noticing a sudden blush on Aurora''s cheeks, her face darkened even more. "I am not like you. Why don''t you find someone else? I don''t even like men."


    Aurora''s response was blunt. "Then start liking men."


    "..."


    Eveline remained silent, her thoughts darkening.


    "I would make a terrible doll for him," she murmured.


    "A doll is a doll, not good or terrible, only beautiful or ugly. Are you ugly?" Aurora retorted tly.


    Eveline paused, "..."


    "I might kill him in his sleep," she hesitated, her voice barely a whisper.


    "!"


    A sudden chill passed over Eveline, but Aurora responded with disarming simplicity, "Then it''s his bad luck."


    Eveline fell silent once more.


    She truly couldn''t grasp Aurora''s demeanor today.


    If it was merely bad luck, why did Aurora seem to exert pressure over her as if issuing a warning?


    In her four thousand years of life, Eveline had never felt so bitter about merely existing!


    As Eveline adjusted her mindset, she noticed Aurora had long since disappeared, leaving behind only the fading echo of her chilling smile.


    After all, Aurora could finally depart now that Eveline was close to Wang Xiao.


    And why was she leaving like a thief in the night?


    Because if Wang Xiao ever discovered that she had purposefully taken him to the Australian continent just so she wouldn''t have to look after him anymore, that might mark the end of herst peaceful day on this.


    _________


    On the chilly early morning of October 28th, at 3 a.m., Wang Xiao returned to the shadowy halls of Sylvergard, his mind preupied with the sudden disappearance of Aurora.


    He had already questioned Josephine, Seraphinne, and Anran, but each conversation led to dead ends¡ªnone had any insight into Aurora''s whereabouts.


    Luna, ever forgetful, seemed to have selectively forgotten to even mention Aurora, conveniently skipping over any details that might shed light on her absence.


    As Wang Xiao turned to leave, frustrated and weary, Josephine abruptly stopped him as if a crucial memory had just resurfaced.


    "Xiao, there''s another woman waiting on the top floor¡ªthe one you sent from Australia," she said, her gaze curious and probing.


    "??"


    Confusion crossed Wang Xiao''s face as he dug through his memories. In the chaos of recent events, he had utterly forgotten about Eveline, the woman they had quietly abducted from Sydney.


    As realization flickered across Wang Xiao''s face, Josephine couldn''t hold back her suspicion. "Did you abduct her?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.


    Wang Xiao''s expression ttened into a mask of neutrality. "No," he answered curtly, his tone final, as he quickly steered the conversation away.


    Josephine watched his retreating back with a mix of concern and surprise. "He''s started kidnapping girls now? What is he thinking? Sigh... I need to talk with mom about this," she muttered under her breath, her mind racing with troubling thoughts.


    She paced the room, her steps echoing softly in the silence. "How do I even bring this up? Mom will be furious, and rightly so. Perhaps Aisha will have some insight," she pondered aloud, considering her next steps.


    Retreating to her own quarters, she sought refuge in solitude, far from the maddeningplexities Wang Xiao brought with him.


    "I can''t stand this," she sighed, sinking onto her bed. "Every time hees back, there''s more women. And now, after losing Marcus and the Cobra team... it''s like we''re just waiting for the next disaster...."


    Josephiney back, staring at the ceiling. "Aisha''s been through a lot too with the attack. Maybe she''ll understand better than anyone. Yes, I''ll talk to her first."


    Deciding it would be best to consult Aisha first, who had suffered injuries in the recent attack, Josephine left her room, preferring the solitude over the difort of being near Wang Xiao and potentially hearing about him with another woman.


    After all, with the recent news that Marcus and his entire Cobra team had perished, she was already engulfed her in gloom, that seemed to have arrived dyed.

 Chapter 279: Trying to be nice? Didnt work! Become a thug! (1)

    Tap...


    Tap...


    Tap...


    As Wang Xiao approached the chamber where Eveline resided, his footsteps reverberated through the deste corridor.


    Preupied by the series of events over the recent weeks, he felt as if his life had undergone a profound transformation.


    With ra by his side, he wielded nearplete control over Europe, since she was still revered as the indispensable advisor to the European guardian.


    Ten princesses awaited him within the ancient walls of Transylvania''s castle.


    Just as Wang Xiao was enjoying in his seemingly perfect existence, as if his fortunes could soar no higher¡ª Aurora vanished, leaving a void he felt powerless to fill.


    And as if fate sought topound his challenges, Yin Yue chose this moment to intrude upon his thoughts.


    [Xiao, I have been longing to tell you this for quite some time...] Her voice, tinged with somberness, echoed in his mind, stopping him dead in his tracks.


    "!"


    ''No way!''


    A chilling premonition surged through him, sparking a surge of rare panic, ''She wouldn''t propose, would she?'' he wondered, perplexed about how to handle hell spirits that manifested as ethereal balls of gas.


    Yin Yue, fortunately, was oblivious to his thoughts and continued, [You are terrible at remembering, even thatst time you identally impregnated Anran, you continued to repeat the same mistakes, and not once did you bother to take precautions before being intimate with a woman.]


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s face fell; he couldn''t help but want toin, ''What precautions? Those stics are ugly, they ruin the sensation and are too much hassle to change with each use.''


    It''s not like he hadn''t tried; he did with Lin Xue once, but the experience was so dreadful he never used one again, especially since that woman used pills to regte herself.


    But now, avoidance had be his habit.


    [Still, you could at least remind the girls to take something, like a pill you humans use, or you''ll end up with an army of children.]


    Wang Xiao frowned, ''Just some kids? Why fret so much?''


    He didn''t understand the fuss.


    He had all the means to support a hundred children!


    What was the issue?


    Seeing that Wang Xiao didn''t care, Yin Yue decided to change the topic, after all, she knew Wang Xiao would regret having too many childrenter.


    [Also, be cautious regarding Country M. You have openly devastated theirnds, and with Aurora gone, a counterattack could cause you some damage. Ensure your practice isn''t disturbed.]


    "..." Wang Xiao couldn''t help but frown, ''Yue, why are you adopting the role of my mother? Do you really think I haven''t anticipated their moves? I survived long before Aurora, and I don''t rely on her for my safety. Her presence is beneficial, but her absence might be a blessing in disguise.''


    Yin Yue, silent on the other end, gave no response.


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened at her silence, ''Why are you acting weird today...?''


    "..."


    Still no reply from Yin Yue.


    Silence settled heavily, as Wang Xiao waited patiently.


    Finally, her voice emerged, softer and tinged with regret, [I messed up.]


    ??


    Confusion clouded Wang Xiao''s expression as he inquired, "Messed up, how?"


    [...]


    Yin Yue''s voice hesitated through the silence that stretched ufortably between them.


    Finally, she spoke, [I''ve scanned your body many times, but the result remains unchanged.]


    Wang Xiao''s impatience surfaced, "What remains unchanged?"


    "..."


    Yin Yue hesitated before revealing, [Xiao... You can''t have a male heir.]


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened, "Why is that?"


    Yin Yue exined, [When I transformed myself into a girl, I got careless, and it ended up affecting you as well... Your essence isn''t the same; the chances of you having a male heir are one in ten thousand now. So, if you really want to have many children, that''s fine, eventually, you might get a son.]


    "..."


    A heavy silence fell over Wang Xiao as he processed the consequences of her words.


    His face, once animated with frustration, softened into a contemtive mask before he finally responded, "That''s it?"


    [Huh? You aren''t bothered?] Yin Yue spoke in suprise, her voice tinged with relief.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes blinked, betraying the mismatch between his words and his bodynguage, ''Not in the least. I don''t care much about children, as long as¡ªI gain immortality.''


    Yin Yue responded, somewhat relieved, [Oh... That''s good then.]


    At that moment, unknown to both of them, the grimly slim chance¡ªone out of ten thousand¡ªhad already manifested. Unbeknownst to Wang Xiao, he had a son.


    ''Who else knows about this?'' Wang Xiao inquired, resuming his steps through the echoing corridor.


    Yin Yue revealed, [Aurora should know. That''s why she asked what gender you wanted your child to be. I''m not sure if this condition is something she can fix or not.]


    Wang Xiao simply responded, "Oh."


    He continued on without much further response, his thoughts seemingly distant. After all, the concern for sons and daughters had never weighed heavily on him until now.


    ______


    Click!


    Inside one of the rooms in the King''s Mansion, the door clicked open, and light from the hallway spilled into the shadowed space.


    Rustle... Rustle...n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The windows stood open, allowing curtains to wave with the wind while moonlight draped across a strikingly beautiful face.


    ''Beautiful indeed...'' Wang Xiao mused silently as he stepped inside, gently closing the door behind him.


    His gaze locked with two luminous blue gems¡ªEveline''s eyes, which observed him with a piercing intensity.


    She reclined on the bed, her head resting elegantly against the headboard.


    Her eyes, shimmering even in the dim light, seemed to capture the very essence of the moon itself, and her expression, devoid of a smile, stirred a peculiar flutter in Wang Xiao''s heart.


    ''Sigh...'' Choosing to momentarily ignore her prating stare, he walked over to the table to retrieve a bottle of water.


    As he poured the liquid into a ss, the silence stayed between them.


    Eveline''s gaze followed his every movement with mechanical precision, her snowy hair reflecting the moonlight, enhancing her ethereal appearance.


    "Do you need water?" Wang Xiao asked, his tone casual. Instead of handing the ss over to her, he leaned against the table, sipping the water himself.


    His eyes roamed over her face, trying to decipher any hint of emotion.


    "..."


    Eveline blinked slowly, her face an unreadable mask, offering no reply.


    Sensing her continued silence, Wang Xiao tried another approach. "How about some...food?"  he ventured, his voice tinged with a mixture of concern and curiosity.


    "..."


    Eveline remained mute, her presence distant.


    Frustrated by her nonresponse, as she turned her attention away from him, her gaze drifting aimlessly around the room.


    She seemed particrly fixated on the scene outside the window, as if the night itself held more interest than the conversation.

 Chapter 280: Trying to be nice? Didnt work! Become a thug! (2)

    "..."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao watched her disinterest with a growing sense of resignation.


    He sighed deeply, the weight of the situation pressing down on him."Well, you''re in my ce now, far from Sydney," he said, his voice a mix of sternness and casualness. "And just to break it to you, there is no escape...."


    He paused, watching for any flicker of reaction, but her face remained impassive, which threw him off bnce.


    Sigh...


    Despite herck of response, he pressed on, driven by a need to set the rules, "Now, you can stay here or anywhere else in the mansion, but you are bound not to leave¡ª"


    "Is that how you talk to your prisoners?"


    "!"


    Eveline voice, sharp and suddenly piercing, broke through his voice like a cold breeze.


    Whoosh!


    She turned her head sharply toward him, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that stopped him mid-sentence.


    "!"


    Wang Xiao was taken aback, his words caught in his throat.


    He stared at her, momentarily lost for words.


    "Sigh...I was merely trying to be nice for once...but never mind," he sighed, the frustration evident in his voice.


    His words seemed to further confuse Eveline, making her squint her eyes in suspicion.


    "Being nice?" Eveline thought to herself, her mind racing. ''So it is not usual him?'' But her internal debate was cut short as she noticed the shift in his demeanor.


    "!"


    Ignoring her contemtive silence, Wang Xiao lifted his head, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth.


    Yet, his eyes gleamed with an unsettling malice as they inappropriately lingered on her cleavage.


    Eveline, catching the unsettling direction of his gaze, felt a surge of difort.


    She adjusted her position, her eyes narrowing. "Is this your idea of being nice?" she asked, her voice icy and piercing, challenging his unsettling behavior.


    Tap...


    Wang Xiao merely smiled in response, taking a step towards her.


    "My apologies, I may have forgotten my manners..." he spoke, his voice ominously devoid of any real remorse.


    The smoothness of his tone did little to mask the undercurrent of insincerity that ran through his words.


    Eveline tensed, her intuition ring as she assessed the unsettling calm in his tone. "Forgotten, or conveniently disregarded?" she countered sharply, her gaze unwavering as she watched his approach.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Wang Xiao paused, the smile fading slightly as he realized his usual charm wasn''t swaying her. "Perhaps a bit of both," he admitted, his voice lowering to a more serious tone. "It seems I am not as adept at diplomacy as I am at other... endeavors."


    Eveline''s posture remained guarded, "Diplomacy requires sincerity," she added, her voice serious yet flowing melodically.


    Wang Xiao nodded slightly, acknowledging her point. "True. Let me attempt sincerity then," he announced ominously.


    "!"


    Before Eveline could react, Wang Xiao lunged toward her, closing the distance with startling speed. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief.


    Bam!


    The sudden movement caused a loud noise as Wang Xiao feel above her, his face directlynding above her chest.


    "..."


    Eveline could have easily dodged him, her reflexes sharp and instincts keen, yet she chose to remain seated like a fragile doll.


    A small frown crept across her beautiful face as she processed his intrusive actions.


    "Haaa...."


    Wang Xiao inhaled deeply, the intoxicating scent of her perfume enveloping his senses. "Let''s show you my sincerity... How sincere of a person I am," he whispered, his lips running across the soft, delicate skin of her cleavage.


    "..."


    Eveline''s frown deepened further, her expression a mask of disdain.


    Even as Wang Xiao, who had looked up to gauge her reaction, found himself caught off guard by her stoic calm.


    ??


    Confused, his eyes clung to her face, mechanical yet probing, "Not scared?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.


    Eveline met his gaze squarely, her voice cool and detached as she replied, "I don''t like men."


    !?


    Wang Xiao''s eyebrows shot up in surprise.


    "Lesbian?" he ventured, his tone a mix of curiosity and confusion.


    "No," Eveline responded crisply, shutting down that line of inquiry with a single word.


    Wang Xiao, now visibly puzzled, persisted, "??"


    With a sigh, Eveline rified, her voice carrying a note of weariness mixed with a bitter undertone, "Neither men nor women; I find all human rtionships equally filthy. People are... Disgusting."


    Her words were sharp, echoing through the air with a rity that seemed to echo around the room.


    !?


    ''Interesting...''


    Wang Xiao paused, absorbing her perspective, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow.


    "Disgusting, you say? That''s an unusual view," he mused aloud, trying to navigate this new insight into her character. "So, what do you value?"


    Eveline''s eyes flicked away for a moment, reflecting on his question.


    When she looked back at him, her gaze was steady, revealing a glimpse of her inner convictions. "Freedom. Truth."


    Wang Xiao leaned back slightly, intrigued by her response. "Freedom and truth," he repeated softly, his tone reflective. "Those are rare treasures indeed. It seems we might have more inmon than you think."


    Her response to his remark was a slight narrowing of her eyes, skeptical yet listening.


    As the silence stretched between them, Wang Xiao considered Eveline''s words deeply, intrigued by the philosophy she expressed.


    She briefly hesitated, then added, "...Perhaps it''s an understanding that some of use to realize sooner than others. Attachment breeds dependency, dependency breeds weakness. I choose strength."


    Wang Xiao, surprised, nced at her face with a newfound interest.


    He reached out, his hand gently rubbing her cheek, his lips curving into a smile. "Really, then why are you even staying here? Haven''t you made zero attempts to flee?" He couldn''t help but suppress augh, pinching her cheek lightly.


    He didn''t know why, but the more she acted detached, the more he was drawn to her.


    Eveline frowned as he treated her face almost childishly, turning her head away, seemingly uninterested. "I have no other choice, do I?" she spoke with a hint of resignation.


    Wang Xiao''s smile grew brighter. "You don''t," heughed lightly, his amusement evident. "But your understanding¡ª iscking."


    "!"


    Eveline, surprised, turned to him sharply. "How?" She demanded, her tone sharp.


    Wang Xiao, continuing to stretch her cheek gently between his fingers, a yful yet thoughtful expression on his face, added, "Attachment breeds dependency, and dependency breeds weakness, yes, but it is also a tool, which if used effectively, can be a weapon!"


    He borated on his perspective, suggesting a more strategic use of emotional connections, contrasting sharply with her view.


    Eveline listened, her expression a mix of curiosity and skepticism, as she weighed his words against her own beliefs.


    This unexpected discourse on the nature of human connections offered her a different lens through which to view her situation and his motives.

 Chapter 281: Trying to be nice? Didnt work! Become a thug! (3)

    In the dimly lit room, the only sound was the soft rustle of the curtains as a gentle breeze teased them apart.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Eveline sat quietly, her gaze fixed on a distant point, her breathing measured and calm despite the growing tension.


    Wang Xiao watched her for a moment, captivated by herposed demeanor.


    With a slow, deliberate motion, he reached out, his fingertips lightly tracing the warmth of her face.


    "You enjoy .... freedom yet isn''t it ironic that you, yourself, are held here like a caged bird?"


    His voice was soft, yet the words carried a sharp edge that caused Eveline''s eyes to flicker with emotion.


    ??


    His remark visibly unsettled her, prompting a calm yet piercing reply, "Does belittling others make you feel superior?" Her voice, smooth and controlled, yet there was an underlying strength that attracted him more with each word she spoke.


    Previously, he had dismissed her as just another woman, but now, observing her resilience and grace under pressure, he found himself deeply amused.


    The sight of her red lips quivering slightly as she formed each word irresistibly drew his hand to her mouth again.


    "..."


    Her lips, painted a vivid shade of red, trembled under his touch, and he traced his fingers along them unconsciously, captivated by the slight quiver.


    Eveline recoiled slightly from his touch, and Wang Xiao caught the subtle shift in her expression as he withdrew his hand.


    Noting her fleeting look of subtle relief, he waspelled to reach out once more, this time pinching her lips between his fingers, asserting his control.


    "!"


    "Know this," Wang Xiao dered, his tone a mix of admiration and warning. "When I decide to possess something, I stop at nothing to achieve it¡ªeven if it requires setting the world ame."


    "No matter whether you cherish your freedom or not!"


    "Now, you are my caged bird!"


    "And this will be your fate, henceforth and forever!" His deration, loud and clear, sealing her fate with his words.


    "!!"


    Eveline sat on the edge of the bed, her body tense with shock as she processed his bold deration.


    Her eyes widened, reflecting a mix of surprise and disbelief at his boldness.


    ''I would cut his tongue!'' she thought , her emotions bubbling with anger.


    Whoosh!


    Abruptly, Wang Xiao removed his belt and settled next to her on the bed¡ª Eveline''s heart skipped a beat at the unexpected gesture, her mind racing with uncertainty.


    But instead of violence, Wang Xiaoy down beside her, his eyes closed in a disy of calm control.


    "Don''t you know how to service a man? Or do you even need to be taught that?" His voice broke through the charged atmosphere, his words sharp andmanding.


    "..."


    Eveline''s brow furrowed deeply as she locked eyes with him, her gaze steady and probing.


    Wang Xiao leisurely ced his hand behind his head, a challenge in his posture as he waited for her response in the silence that enveloped them.


    "..."


    Rustle..


    Wang Xiao felt a slight twitch in his face as Eveline unexpectedly climbed above his legs and pulled his pants down, her cold fingers rustling against his skin.


    The sensation sent a shiver down his spine, something entirely new and unfamiliar.


    The first time heid eyes on her up close, he knew he would never tire of seeing her in that way¡ªsitting on the bed or staring out the window with the same impassive expression.


    There was no joy, no overwhelming sorrow, only a subtle mncholy reflected in her face, cast in the soft glow of the setting sun.


    "!"


    As her fingers slowly wrapped around his manhood, a sudden surge of electricity jolted it awake.


    He could feel every inch of her soft, warm lips inching closer and closer to his manhood.... close.


    Just as he anticipated the sensation of her touch, Eveline hesitated.


    ??


    His eyes briefly opened to find Eveline''s face hovering just an inch above his throbbing manhood, her parted lips, quivering.


    Her fingers encircled the base, applying gentle pressure.


    "What happened...?" Wang Xiao questioned, his head lifting slightly.


    Eveline remained silent, her eyes filled with distant look before she shook her head.


    "It''s nothing," she whispered softly, before parting her lips and delicately pressing the tip of his manhood against her own lips, her breath warm against his skin.


    "!"


    Wang Xiao was taken aback by her technique as she sensually traced her lips around the tip of his manhood, teasing it with a delicate touch.


    He could feel the sudden warmth and wetness of her mouth enveloping the top of his shaft.


    A soft sigh escaped from his lips as Eveline continued to expertly massage his testicles with her fingers while her mouth moved up and down his length in a seductive rhythm.


    He allowed her to continue, surrendering to the pleasure of her skilled actions, feeling a profound sense of release in thefort of the bed.


    With a look of pure bliss on his face, Eveline''s eyes glittered briefly with a hint of disdain before she extended her tongue, firmly grasping his throbbing manhood in her hand.


    She then ran her tongue along every inch of his length, from the tip to the base, in a pattern, repeating the motion.


    Before, she finally turned downward and began to delicately lick his testicles, causing him to quiver slightly in unease.


    She continued with such ease, despite her squinted eyes giving off a fierce re as if she could rip them off at any moment.


    She persisted, and Wang Xiao couldn''t resist but open his eyes, feeling a rush of warmth as she swallowed both of his testicles, her movements so skillful and arousing.


    As Eveline prepared to leave, he extended his hand unexpectedly, halting her head from moving.


    "Continue what you were doing earlier..." he said, his voice trailing off and leaving only her fiery eyes.


    "..."


    Despite her fierce gaze, she turned her face back down and resumed her motion.


    Wang Xiao''s face bore a bitter smile as he covered his eyes with his hand, the reason behind his actions remaining uncertain, even to him.


    Fifteen minutester, Eveline found herself lying above Wang Xiao, her face mere inches from his as she stared into his eyes with an impassive expression.


    With her face so close, Wang Xiao felt a powerful, unspoken desire coursing through him.


    A slight smile yed on his lips as he reached for the bottle on the side table. "Open your mouth," he instructed Eveline.


    She hesitated for a moment, feeling slightly clueless, before reluctantlyplying.

 Chapter 282: *Make Me*

    A slight smile yed on Wang Xiao''s lips as he reached for the bottle on the side table. "Open your mouth," he instructed Eveline.


    She hesitated for a moment, feeling slightly clueless, before reluctantlyplying.


    But as soon as the water began sshing over her head, cascading down to wet her pristine neck and causing her hair to stick across her face, Eveline''s expression changed to one of resignation.


    Ssh...


    Ssh...


    Ssh...


    He continued to pour the water into her open mouth, her face darkening and her body quivering with emotion, for once.


    Her vision became clouded by the falling water, but as it eventually cleared, she saw him looking back at her with a wry smile, adding a touch of cruelty to the ce.


    "..."


    Eveline, never in her life felt such intense desire to take someone''s life as she did in that moment.


    As his hands slowly made their way towards her skin, a numbness seemed to wash over her.


    With delicate precision, he pulled the straps of her gown, revealing the hidden masterpiece of her pristine skin, concealed within.


    Then, he turned her around, her back sinking into the plush mattress.


    "..."


    Eveline''s face instinctively turned sideways, yet, her senses ignited as his lips gracefully caressed her face.


    "!"


    In an unexpected move, he seized her face, teeth sinking into her tender cheeks, causing her eyes to momentarily narrow in repulsiveness.


    It was as if she could see the wicked pleasure in his eyes as he yfully licked her face with his cold tounge and traced a sinful trail along her neck.


    Then, he gently guided her head to face him fully, and his lips descended upon her eyelids, cing delicate kisses above each one.


    As an act of surrender, Eveline closed her eyes, her body a canvas for his exploration.


    He moved with a hunger that seemed insatiable, devouring her tender, red-painted lips.


    His hand, like a curious creature, wandered across her silky skin, and she remained motionless, her body an exquisite work of art being carefully inspected by his eyes.


    Eventually, his lips traveled above her now nude abdomen. In the next few long-stretched minutes, he breached the final barrier, and the once pure white sheets turned red.


    "..."


    Eveline''s eyes swelled with a slightly mncholy feeling, as if something was tearing her apart from within.


    She continued to look sideways, voiceless, but Wang Xiao, noticing her abnormality, couldn''t help but speak.


    "Don''t you know how to moan?" he asked. After all, he didn''t expect her to be a maiden and still not react as he took it away.


    Did she truly not feel anything? Was she merely an empty doll, devoid of emotions?


    Eveline turned her head slowly to nce at him, a deliberate motion that made his heart skip a beat.


    !!


    Her eyes glistened with the essence of the sky itself.


    Her lips quivered as she formed words, "I know..."


    Wang Xiao was momentarily at a loss before grumbling, "Then moan," as he leaned in, grabbing her breast, white as the purest skin, and licking them over.


    He didn''t care if she was faking it.


    He needed to hear her voice to be stimted.


    But Eveline, seemingly unconcerned with the consequences, replied, "Make me."


    "!"


    Her words caught Wang Xiao off guard, his eyes subtly shaking as he nced at her face devoid of the smug smirk he was expecting, instead finding a mask of pure impassivity as he moved inside her.


    Pakh!


    The urge to hit her was immense, but he fought to contain it, instead turning her around and pressing her face against the pillow, causing Eveline to realize that her words had actually managed to snap him off.


    _____


    "Mmm~"


    Six dayster, Eveline found herself trembling beneath Wang Xiao, her body now covered in the marks of their time together.


    His tongue traced a path above her cheek, as she gazed up at the ceiling on that November 2nd, it became clear that this man had no intentions of leaving her alone.


    His fingers delved deep into her skin and explored the depths of her being between her thighs, causing her to involuntarily curl her toes in response.


    Her eyes were red from the continuous activity of the past six tiring days.


    Elina, who had miraculously survived the attack two weeks ago, now stood at some distance away from them, silently clearing away the now-empty tes of food from yesterday.


    An inscrutableplex expression crossed Elina''s face as she nced over at Eveline, who appeared to be struggling underneath Wang Xiao.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Refusing to witness any more of the disturbing scene, Elina quickly reced the tes and scurried sway before she, too, became a victim of Wang Xiao''s wrath.


    Her hand and head were both heavily bandaged, evidence of the brutal attack she had survived.


    Seraphina had urgently summoned her back from the hospital after thest servant who came to deliver food had stared for too long, leading to Wang Xiao gouging out her eyes.


    The confusion surrounding the true identity of Asmodeus grew deeper with each passing moment.


    Had it ever been truly destroyed?


    Was it a tangible being or something far more sinister?


    "Mhnn~"


    Eveline''s moans began to echo throughout the room, persisting for hours, their faint yet potent spell lingering in the air until she was left alone on the bed, with only wet clothes to attend to herself.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao lingered nearby the table, consuming an apple with deliberate slowness, his gaze fixed on Eveline as she attended to herself.


    "..."


    Crunch...


    With each bite into the apple, his brows remained furrowed in a deep scowl.


    This woman before him resembled a doll, yet she failed even at that simple role.


    Watching her methodically cleanse her body of the fluids, wiping them away without a flicker of emotion, ignited a rage within him that he couldn''t quite understand.


    Perhaps it was the absence of the reaction he anticipated?


    Sensing his intense re upon her, Eveline set aside the wet cloth, leaned against the headboard, and turned her face to meet his gaze.


    "If you fly into a rage every time you''re denied what you desire, it''s rather childish..." she said, her words flowing like a soft melody, but they had a powerful impact on Wang Xiao.


    "!"


    His gaze froze over her, as if it had the power to tear her apart in the next moment.

 Chapter 283: "...A few are in progress."

    "If you fly into a rage every time you''re denied what you desire, it''s rather childish..." she said, her words flowing like a soft melody, but they had a powerful impact on Wang Xiao.


    "!"


    His gaze froze over her, as if it had the power to tear her apart in the next moment.


    Somehow, she always seemed to provoke his anger with her words, even though it wasn''t her intention.


    Yin Yue tried to intervene and smooth things over before they took a turn for the worse, but Wang Xiao ignored her,manding her not to interfere in how he dealt with his women.


    "Do you want to die?" Wang Xiao''s voice remained calm, but his eyes held a deadly seriousness.


    If this woman answered in the wrong way, he was ready to unleash his fury on her right then and there, tearing her apart with just a look.


    [...]


    Yin Yue held her breath, bracing herself for the confrontation.


    She had seen Wang Xiao ask this question of Eveline many times before, but every time, her words somehow managed to keep her safe from his wrath.


    "Perhaps...if you had something other than force to conquer a women, you would have seeded..." Eveline mentioned, her lips curving slightly, into an subtle yet rare smile.


    "..."


    p!


    Eveline''s head spun as she found herself suddenly facing the mattress to her left, her ears ringing from the impact of the p.


    A trickle of blood stained the corner of her lips, a cruel reminder of the violence inflicted upon her.


    She braced herself for what woulde next, knowing all too well the pattern of abuse, yet it did little to deter her from speaking her mind.


    The next onught came swiftly, as Wang Xiao turned her around and pressed her forcefully against the mattress, pounding her mercilessly.


    As night descended, Eveline sat cutting an apple, her slender legs concealed beneath the sheet.


    Beside hery Wang Xiao, his eyes closed in slumber, his face illuminated by the soft glow of the room.


    She couldn''t deny his attractiveness, yet it held no sway over her.


    Aurora had once remarked that Eveline seemed detached from life, seldom showing interest in matters of sexuality.


    Yet, trapped in this never-ending cycle for a week now, she felt a growing urgency to break free.


    Observing Wang Xiao''s sleeping form, Eveline couldn''t shake the feeling that he would stop at nothing, and sooner orter, Aurora''s ominous prediction woulde to pass, and she would meet her end at his hands.


    As she offered him the apple, her words formed carefully on her lips, "What do you do with the women, on whom the force doesn''t work...?"


    "??"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes snapped open, scanning her face for any hint of change in expression.


    "Such women doesn''t exist. Anyone will break under sufficient force," he replied bluntly, mirroring her own demeanor.


    "But what if you can''t use force on her?" Eveline pressed.


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed in visible annoyance. "Why wouldn''t I? Just because she might die? Then she''s better off dead."


    "I haven''t given up yet, kill me," Eveline dered firmly.


    "!"


    A flicker of surprise widened Wang Xiao''s eyes, but he quickly regained hisposure. "You and your friend really know how to speak, don''t you? It''s just that she is not as irritating as you!"


    Eveline''s eyes briefly shimmered with emotion. "She isn''t my friend," she corrected softly.


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    He remained silent, his expression unreadable.


    Over the past week, he had pieced together the truth¡ªit was all a plot by Aurora, who had cleverly used this woman as a decoy while she herself slipped away to a ce beyond his reach.


    His anger was not just fueled by her escape; it was the sting of deception that stung him.


    He had fallen for Aurora''s ploy, and now the uncertainty of her next move haunted him.


    The very thought sent shivers cascading down his spine, his mind filled with ominous possibilities.


    Wang Xiao refrained from probing Eveline further after she confirmed that she was neither one of the original guardians nor a Pangean.


    As long as she didn''t belong to those factions, she posed no real threat to him.


    "Just like how you want to subdue me, but killing isn''t an option¡ªthere might be many others you encounter in the future..." Eveline murmured, her fingers gently brushing across his forehead, soft yet deliberate.


    Wang Xiao''s brow creased deeper in contemtion.


    He refrained from eliminating her not merely out of mercy, but strategy.


    He was aware that she had been ced in his path by Aurora, and until the waters of their situation cleared, any drastic action was unwise.


    If only Luna had disclosed Aurora''s whereabouts, this entire mess could have been avoided.


    Unbeknownst to her, her seemingly trivial mischief had set off a chain of events far beyond herprehension.


    "Which many?" Wang Xiao inquired, a trace of curiosity bleeding through his usually calm demeanor.


    Eveline responded coldly, "Like your family, if you have any."


    "..."


    A muscle in Wang Xiao''s jaw twitched before he closed his eyes, deliberately choosing not to take her words to heart.


    The concept of family was alien to him, shaped differently in his mind than it might be in others''.


    Seeing him withdraw into silence, Eveline''s frown deepened slightly. "Don''t you have children at least?"


    !?


    His eyes remained shut as he replied evenly, "...A few are in progress."


    Eveline was taken aback by his clinical tone. "So, you would kill them if they didn''t conform to your expectations?"


    "Yes," Wang Xiao answered simply, without a hint of emotion.


    "..."


    Eveline paused, his blunt affirmation unsettling her.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It reminded her starkly of another man from Milliana she had once known, who had spoken in simrly chilling terms.


    The recollection clouded her eyes with a rare flicker of emotion, stirring even the typicallyposed Eveline to anger.


    "What if she is your daughter, what would you do then?" Her voice cracked slightly, revealing a sliver of vulnerability.


    ??


    Wang Xiao''s eyes snapped open. "...Why does it matter?" he retorted.


    He genuinely did not understand¡ªhow could familial ties make any difference in the ruthless calculus of his decisions?


    Eveline''s eyes narrowed in subtle disgust, a sentiment that wasn''t directed at Wang Xiao specifically.


    "It matters a lot!" she insisted.


    "..."

 Chapter 284: Cooperation flourish, when goals are the same....

    Eveline''s eyes narrowed in subtle disgust, a sentiment that wasn''t directed at Wang Xiao specifically.


    "It matters a lot!" she insisted.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao remained silent, puzzled by the sudden passion in her voice, yet somewhat amused by the situation.


    "It doesn''t," he countered, his lips curling into a slight smirk as he savored her visibly angered state.


    "It does! What if you wanted her as well? What would you do then?" Eveline pressed, her words flowing without hesitation, clearly catching Wang Xiao off guard.


    "!"


    His eyes narrowed, studying her intently as if questioning her sanity.


    He had always maintained that he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted, but he had never entertained the thought of extending such ruthlessness to his own blood.


    In fact, he hadn''t even considered that his life would be significantly different with or without children.


    Suddenly, Eveline''s brows rose in realization that the norms of this era were not what she had expected, she recognized that her viewpoint might not resonate as normal here.


    Nevertheless, she was not the type to retract her words or show weakness, even in the face of such fundamental differences.


    Wang Xiao was momentarily forced to reflect as Eveline continued, "...You can''t control everything in people''s lives. What if you cage her like you did me, and yet one day she meets her so-called Prince Charming? What would you do then?"


    Her lips curved into a rare smile, one that seemed to mock him directly.


    His hand rose in the air as if he were about to strike her, but he never followed through.


    Instead, he regained hisposure and, with a smile, grabbed her chin, peering deeply into her eyes.


    "Then, I kill that Prince Charming," Wang Xiao replied, his own smile broadening as if it was such an easy question.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    He didn''t fully understand why they were discussing this hypothetical situation, but he couldn''t bear the thought of such a scenario ying out.


    When he briefly closed his eyes, he instinctively thought of a beautiful girl with long ck hair and eyes as red and luminous as his own, shimmering like stars in the night.


    Yet, the image of her getting close to someone else snapped him back to reality.


    Wang Xiao was not one to meddle in other people''s lives, but the thought of a woman, especially the one he likes, with another man was intolerable.


    He would cage them, much like he had done with Eveline.


    "Then be a viin in her eyes," Eveline suggested, her lips curving up as she observed a myriad of emotions crossing his face.


    "!"


    Wang Xiao frowned, wanting to argue the mentality that he would never see his own flesh and blood in such a way, but the words never left his lips.


    "What are the ways you can even have a woman...?" Eveline pressed on, her toneced with challenge.


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened, a realization dawning upon him.


    "Is it so hard to show affection for once, or are you simply incapable?" Eveline continued, her words striking at him, but only serving to annoy him further.


    "Who is incapable?" He snapped back, his pride stung.


    As long as his objectives were achieved, and if making a woman fall for him was necessary, he believed himself fully capable of such feats.


    This woman, he thought bitterly, was asking for a beating!


    Eveline observed him and smiled, albeit subtlety.


    The thought of being treated ''lovingly'' by this man was infuriating to her, but it seemed preferable to the treatment she had endured over thest seven days.


    Thus, she was more than willing to teach him a thing or two if it meant easing her own circumstances and reducing the time he spent with her.


    "How do you even greet a woman when you enter a room?" she asked him pointedly.


    Wang Xiao was left speechless, unustomed to such queries in his typical interactions.


    "Try now," she urged him.


    "Why would I follow what you say?" Wang Xiao retorted, his pride ring.


    "You need to grow more if you even want to use people effectively. Using a stick to force obedience isn''t always the way," Eveline continued.


    "I don''t know what happened in your life, but you¡ª are far from powerful if you can''t capture people''s minds without resorting to force."


    "..."


    After a few minutes, Wang Xiao reentered the room, walking directly over to sit on the edge of the bed where Eveline was resting.


    "..."


    "..."


    "That''s it...?" Eveline asked, her eyes narrowing in confusion.


    "What else?" Wang Xiao responded, genuinely puzzled.


    "Is that how you enter every time? Is this a throne hall or what?" Eveline couldn''t help but speak, her toneced with surprise.


    Wang Xiao frowned, thrown off by her question. "Then what...?" He asked, his bewilderment clear.


    To him, this was simply his women''s room¡ªhis domain, as it were.


    What was the problem with entering as if he owned it?


    Eveline felt the urge to p her own forehead in resignation.


    Even she, who wasn''t particrly versed in such matters of men and women, knew this wasn''t how it was supposed to be done!


    Was this man truly aiming to antagonize the world?


    She had thought him arrogant until she realized he genuinely saw nothing wrong with his behavior.


    It dawned on her then: the environment in which people are raised has a profound effect on how they express affection.


    Families that are less open often breed children who are ustomed to keeping things to themselves, for whom an open disy of affection might feel awkward and embarrassing.


    They might want to express affection, but it''s simply not their norm.


    Eveline considered that Wang Xiao''s mannerisms might stem from his upbringing in a conservative family from Eastern China, much like she suspected based on his behavior.


    In contrast, individuals like Josephine, who seemed much closer to their mothers, might hail from more open families typical of the West.


    This disparity in familial environments deeply influences how individuals perceive and express affection, often without them even realizing the underlying issues.


    With this understanding, Eveline¡ªa woman who harbored no particr affection for men or women¡ªbegan to teach Wang Xiao, a man known for hisck of mercy, how to act affectionately.


    Her goal was to help him build a dependency among those around him, enabling him to use this dependency against them, just as he had described in his own tactics.


    Wang Xiao was aware that Eveline was merely using his own strategies against him, but he recognized the value in cooperation when their objectives aligned.


    Afterall.... cooperation flourish, when goals are the same....

 Chapter 285: Adorable Grumbling Women?

    27th December, 2026!N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Life had settled into a pleasantly routine pace for Wang Xiao over the past two months, as he found himself quite at home in the luxury of the King''s Mansion.


    Meanwhile, the Sylvian royal pce was still under repairs, prompting aplete relocation of its inhabitants to the King''s Mansion.


    In recent days, Josephine and Seraphina had been embroiled in a surprisingly fierce dispute.


    Seraphina was insistent on her daughter pursuing higher education overseas¡ªa n Josephine had once championed herself.


    However, Josephine had since discarded those ambitions and was now vehemently opposing any notion of university enrollment.


    She felt it was unnecessary, but Seraphina was unyielding, and the tension had left their little girl, Aisha, who was supposed to apany her to university, deeply distressed.


    Aisha had tried her best to calm the rising storm, but the atmosphere had only grown more charged when Eveline unexpectedly announced her pregnancy.


    The news had blindsided Wang Xiao; he had assumed that Eveline would have taken precautions.


    Yet, it seemed she had other ns, caring little for the consequences.


    In fact, Eveline was quite purposeful in her actions.


    Her pregnancy could serve as a strategic diversion, allowing her to escape Wang Xiao''s attentions for a few months and redirect his focus elsewhere.


    Upon learning of both Anran and Eveline''s pregnancies and realizing she was out of the loop, Josephine felt even morepelled to stay.


    Luna maintained her mysterious presence, materializing seemingly out of nowhere to shadow Wang Xiao the moment he emerged from his room.


    Her ability to appear so unexpectedly continued to surprise him, yet she remained undisturbed by the recent upheavals, as if the past few months had left no imprint on her.


    Tap...


    Tap...


    Now, following his steps closely, she halted beside a door. Wang Xiao entered, disappearing into what was known as the Queen''s chambers, leaving Luna outside.


    Adjusting her suit meticulously, Luna scanned her surroundings. "He is bing worse every day..." she mused to herself, a smile spreading across her face.


    Fortunately, the corridor was empty, sparing anyone the disconcerting sight of her grin that seemed almost to enjoy in the chaos.


    _______


    "Hm?"


    The soft murmur floated through therge room, where morning light filtered through sheer drapes, casting a warm glow on the scene within.


    Seraphina, sitting atop the plush mattress, was adorned in minimal clothing that left her shoulders bare, showcasing the elegant slope of her corbones.


    Her long, flowing silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, shimmering softly in the morning light¡ªa curtain of privacy in her intimate setting.


    She was absorbed in the meticulous task of painting her toenails, a bottle of rich, deep red polish in her hand.


    Her solitude was interrupted as Wang Xiao entered.


    She caught his reflection in the mirror opposite and frowned slightly, her eyes narrowing with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.


    Her hand paused in its motion, the brush hovering just above her toes.


    Wang Xiao approached silently, his presencemanding yet familiar.


    As he came to stand behind her, he reached out, his arms sliding around her waist, pulling her gently against him.


    He nted soft kisses across her face, his touch feather-light, yet filled with intent.


    "What are you even doing this early in the morning?" he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.


    Trapped in the warmth of his embrace, Seraphina''s response came back as a half-hearted grumble, muffled against his arm, "An abandoned widow? What else is there for me to do?"


    "Widow, probably... but... Abandoned?" Wang Xiao couldn''t resist pressing his lips against the back of her neck, the warmth of his touch making her quiver.


    As his hands, which had been wrapped around her waist moments before, carefully moved up to seize her breasts, Seraphina''s eyes widened in surprise for a fleeting moment.


    "!"


    "Shh... Josephine could walk in any minute to start another fight with me. What if she catches us like this?" Seraphina spoke in a hushed tone, her lips slightly trembling as she nced hesitantly towards the door, feeling the warmth of Wang Xiao pressing against her back.


    Wang Xiao now began to tenderly caress her hair, his touch sending a wave of sensation through her. "What''s wrong with her seeing you like this? You look... beautiful with your hair down..."


    Surprised, Seraphina''s smile faded, her expression turning bittersweet. "That''s not what I meant..."


    Wang Xiao''s lips curved into a slight smile.


    The confrontations between Josephine and Seraphina had be a regr urrence, with Seraphina forbidding Josephine from having children or neglecting her studies.


    Amused by the ongoing feud between mother and daughter, Wang Xiao remained silent. In fact, Josephine was unaware of the intimate rtionship he shared with Seraphina.


    "Luna is waiting outside, no one will disturb us without her noticing..." Wang Xiao whispered softly, his fingers making delicate movements against her abdomen before trailing downward, causing Seraphina''s eyes to flutter.


    A sense of omnious premonition washed over her, but Wang Xiao, pressing her back against him, began to slowly undress her, revealing the little clothing she had on.


    "Mmm..."


    As his tongue intruded forcefully into her mouth, Seraphina was engulfed by a intense sensation that clouded her eyes.


    She weakly clung to him as he sucked on her lips, his eyes prating deep into hers.


    After staring at her for a moment, Wang Xiao couldn''t resist the urge to run his fingers gently across her face and whisper, "Why don''t you and your daughter serve me together?" His voice, though a whisper, hit Seraphina like a thunderous bomb.


    "!"


    Her eyes widened in shock, only serving to make Wang Xiao''s smile even more subtle. "I can give you one month to think it over. If you two can''te to a decision, don''t me me for being a brute," he added with a smile before moving downwards and nipping at her nipples.


    "Ah!"


    The surprise broke through Seraphina''s face, revealing a mix of resignation and apprehension. She knew his interest would eventually turn towards this direction, but faced with his firm ultimatum, she couldn''t shake off the heavy sense of foreboding that settled in.


    Unable to resist, Wang Xiao leaned in and bit her cheeks, finding the gloomy expression on this grumbling woman strangely adorable.

 Chapter 286: Pretending to be Dead?

    27th December, 2026!n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    2:00 PM, Sylvia.


    "Aaaaa..."


    The King''s Mansion hummed quietly in thezy afternoon.


    In the spacious living room, faint rays of sunlight spilled throughrge frozen windows, casting warm patterns across the furnishings.


    Aisha, settledfortably on a plush sofa, watched television, her expression one of faint irritation.


    She watched the screen intently, eyebrows knitting together as an otherworldly creature on the nature documentary disyed bafflingly peculiar behavior.


    "Aaaa..."


    A few feet away, Anrany sprawled on the cool marble floor, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She strategically positioned a table fan in front of her, turned it on full st, and opened her mouth wide, savoring the st of chilled air as if she were a desert traveler finally feeling a breeze.


    "..."


    Aisha observed Anran''s antics with a mix of amusement and resignation.


    She momentarily fantasized about channeling Wang Xiao''s stern demeanor, imagining herself bringing semnce of order to Anran for such childlike behavior.


    Yet, the sight of Anran''s pregnant belly, prominently disyed and somehow justifying her odd actions, made Aisha sigh in resignation instead.


    "Really, Anran? You know, that''s not how normal people use a fan, right?" Aisha muttered under her breath, her voice a blend of fondness and frustration.


    Anran, hearing thement, merely grinned and yelled back, "It''s too hot, and this little one seems to enjoy the breeze as much as I do!"


    A soft chuckle escaping her as she shook her head in resignation. "At this rate, you''re going to turn into a human ice cube," she muttered under her breath.


    She leaned back, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest as she pondered theing weeks. "Until the end of January, huh?" she spoke aloud to herself, more a statement than a question. "Guess we''re all hostages, until then."


    "Hm! Hm!" Anran, eyes closed, merely hummed in response, her mind drifting.


    "..."


    ncing at the pronounced swell of Anran''s stomach, which was nowrger than her own body, Aisha''s resolve softened.


    This woman had seemingly earned a ''free pass'' to indulge in her behavior over the past few weeks.


    No one dared to interrupt her anymore, and it seemed this state of affairs would persist until the end of January when her delivery was due.


    Until then, this creature would undoubtedly continue to astonish onlookers with her remarkable characteristics.


    Aisha sighed and leaned back, her gaze flitting between the television and Anran. Just as she was about to speak, "Until then, I g¡ª" her words abruptly stopped as she heard footsteps approaching.


    Tap...


    Tap...


    Wang Xiao was descending the stairs, his hair freshlybed, with Luna trailing behind him. His eyes swept the room, finally resting on Aisha.


    Thump!


    Aisha''s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly averted her gaze.


    Whoosh!


    Her cheeks flushed a deep red, prompting Wang Xiao to raise an eyebrow in bewilderment.


    "Again...?" he murmured under his breath before turning to Luna, "Do you have any idea why this girl is acting weirder every day?"


    Luna replied with her usual professionalism, "No idea."


    Wang Xiao nodded, unaware that Luna, though strict about not letting anyone disturb his nightlife, would intentionally leave the door slightly ajar for Aisha to peek through.


    Thus, Aisha had witnessed many things that perhaps she shouldn''t have...leaving her emotions and reactions increasinglyplex and unpredictable.


    "??"


    As Wang Xiao continued his descent, his eyes narrowed slightly on spotting Anran sprawled on the floor, an unusually usual sight that piqued his curiosity even further.


    Approaching the scene, he turned to Aisha, questioning, "What happened to her?..." His tone conveyed a mix of concern and confusion, which surprised Aisha since she remembered Anran being perfectly fine just moments ago.


    "I... I don''t know. She was fine just a moment ago." Aisha, still a bit flustered, responded with a hint of uncertainty in her voice.


    She too was puzzled by the sudden change in Anran''s demeanor.


    Wang Xiao, now standing beside Anran, bent down slightly and gently poked her face, asking in a tone mixed with confusion and bewilderment, "What are you doing...?"


    Wang Xiao, now standing beside Anran, bent down slightly and gently poked her face, asking in a tone mixed with confusion and bewilderment, "What are you doing...?"


    Feeling the prod, Anran opened one eyezily and then promptly shut it again, seemingly content to continue basking in the breeze from the fan.


    "I am pretending to be dead," she murmured.


    "..."


    "I see," Wang Xiao straightened up, his expression one of mild amusement mixed with resignation.


    He looked over at Luna, who merely offered a discreet smile, indicating she too found the situation oddly confusing but not rming.


    Pftt ...


    Aisha, watching from the sofa, struggled to suppress herughter as the surreal scene before her.


    Anran''s deration of "pretending to be dead" was just another confusing tactics of this creature, that she can''t ¡ª yetprehend.


    Wang Xiao shook his head slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement. "Pretending to be dead? And how is that helpful?" he asked, his tone curious.


    "Hm?"


    Anran opened both eyes this time, shifting to look up at him with a mischievous grin.


    "It''s attention grabbing technique. You should try it sometime," she quipped, her voice yful.


    ??


    "Attention-grabbing?" Wang Xiao echoed, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Whose attention are you trying to grab...?"


    With a theatrical flourish, Anran extended her arm, her finger pointing directly at him before gently pressing against his chest.


    "Yours!" she dered boldly.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao paused, absorbing Anran''s admission.


    For a moment, the room was speechless itself, the only sound the soft hum of the fan continuing to blow its cool breeze across Anran''s face.


    Finally, he broke the silence, a hint of a smile ying on his lips. "Well, it seems to be working," he conceded, acknowledging the odd effectiveness of her method.


    Anran''s grin widened, satisfied with his response. "See? I told you!" she said, her tone light and teasing.


    "Haha..." Aisha, no longer able to contain her amusement, let out a burst ofughter from the sofa.

 Chapter 287: Facing An Unstoppable Power! (1)

    Wang Xiao looked over at Aisha, then back at Anran, and shook his head, still amused. "You''ve made your point," he said to Anran, "But if you can''t justify this¡­ performance, Luna is ready to send you off to the mines in Africa."


    "!"


    "But you said mines were off limits!" Anran protested with widened eyes, rapidly welling up with glistening, fake tears.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao caught himself marveling at her quicksilver emotions, ''Again? How does she manage to cry at the drop of a second...?''


    He then nodded, recalling his own decree. "True, I did say that working in the mines is off limits as punishment until after your delivery."


    Turning to Luna, he gave a new directive, "Luna, assign her to the Amazon if she starts up with more drama."


    "!!"


    Anran''s eyes shot open in horror, and Luna responded crisply, "Noted, Prince."


    "No! No! No! I am not going back to the Amazon!" Anran sprang to her feet, her earlierziness forgotten.


    !?


    Wang Xiao was momentarily taken aback by her reaction, then remembered¡ªshe must have had some challenging experiences there during past missions.


    "I am just bored lying around here! I want to go out, but not to the Amazon!" Anran protested, her voice a mix of desperation and protest.


    Wang Xiao looked at her with a skeptical frown. "Can you even get bored of beingzy...?" he questioned.


    "Yes!" Anran replied emphatically. "We can! You ¡ª won''t understand!"


    ______


    Boom!


    The engine of a sleek R8 Spyder roared as it raced down Highway 261, the matte dark green body of the car slicing through the wind like a de.


    The iconic emblem of four rings gleamed under the sun, signaling a fusion of power and elegance on wheels.


    In the passenger seat, Anran was a portrait of wild exhration.


    Her hair whipped around her face in frenzied dance, her eyes alight with the thrill of speed.


    She leaned forward, soaking in the blur of thendscape as it flew by.


    "Yay!" she eximed, her voice lost in the rush of air.


    "!"


    Beside her, Wang Xiao gripped the steering wheel with controlled precision, his focus momentarily broken by her cheer.


    He shot her a sharp look, his brow furrowed with concern. "What are you doing!? Do you want to fall out of the car?" he scolded, his voice tense over the roar of the engine.


    "Don''t worry! I can handle this!" Anran dered boldly, standing up against the force of the wind, her figure outlined against the open sky.


    Whoosh!


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened further, his concern turning into frustration. "Anran, look at yourself! Do you really think you can pull off those acrobatics with that huge belly?" His tone was a mix of disbelief and irritation.


    "!"


    Caught off guard, Anran nced down at her pronounced belly, a momentarypse of judgment washing over her.


    With a sheepish grin, she settled back into her seat, herughter tinged with embarrassment. "Hehe... I''m sorry."


    "You better be," Wang Xiao retorted sharply, his gaze still fixed on the road ahead. "The child isn''t my responsibility.... Is this how you n to be responsible while raising it?"


    Anran pouted, her initial thrill dampened by his scolding. "Hey, loosen up a bit..." she murmured, her adventurous spirit momentarily cowed.


    Wang Xiao sighed, his features softening as the initial spike of adrenaline faded. "Just be careful...and don''t jump around..." he said, a hint of softness creeping into his voice as he nced at her belly, then back at the road.


    Anran nodded, a mix of gratitude and chastened excitement settling over her.


    She knew he was right, and as the car sped along, Anran''s initial burst of excitement mellowed into a casual hum, her fingers tapping rhythmically on her thighs.


    Curiosity piqued, she couldn''t help but ask, "Where are we going?"


    Hearing her enthusiastic tone, Wang Xiao replied with a hint of a casual smile, "Towards Trox Golf Club on Fra Ind."


    "Yay!" Anran eximed, her cheer infectious.


    "Do you even know anything about that ce?" Wang Xiao inquired, his toneced with amusement.


    "Nope!" Anran responded immediately, her honesty unguarded.


    "Then why are you so excited?" Wang Xiao asked, his eyebrow arching curiously.


    "Um? Why???" Anran paused, genuinely puzzled for a moment before her face lit up with realization. "Because¡ªit''s my first road trip!" She couldn''t help butugh, the sound light and carefree.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "First...?" Wang Xiao echoed, his voice tinged with surprise.


    "Hm! Hm!" Anran nodded vigorously, her enthusiasm undiminished.


    Wang Xiao''s expression turnedplex as he processed her response, wondering if she was perhaps embellishing her experiences.


    After a moment, he decided to delve deeper into her past, a topic that had long intrigued him. "...When did you be a spy?"


    "When did I be a spy?" Anran repeated, blinking in surprise before shaking her head with a smile. "I don''t remember exactly. It just happened... Initially... It was only the army... Then spy work..."


    Wang Xiao nodded, his interest piqued. "So when did you get enrolled in the army?"


    Whoosh!


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao looked surprised as he noticed Anran smiling with her eyes closed, her hands presented to him with four fingers tucked and six extended.


    "Six...?" He muttered, trying to decipher her signal.


    "Yup!" Anran nodded, confirming his guess.


    Wang Xiao''s expression shifted to a frown, puzzled by her gesture. "Was it an army full of children?"


    Anran shook her head, her smile widening. "Nope, more like they were all big giants in front of me at that time..." She raised her hand, mimicking the towering height of her formerrades, before chuckling and wiping her face. "In fact... I was quite scared, you know..."


    Wang Xiao observed her, his thoughts internal and contemtive. ''Broken...'' he considered, noting how her smile lingered even as she recounted such daunting memories.


    "What before that?" He probed further, sensing there was more to her story.


    "Before that?" Anran''s expression dimmed slightly, a shadow passing over her features. "Before that was just me... and my mother and father... in the cold county..."


    She paused, her voice trailing off as she lost herself in a distant memory. "I was outside one day... ying in the snow... when...I heard a st and turned around, only to find..."


    Wang Xiao kept his eyes focused on the road, giving her the space to gather her thoughts, his hands steady on the wheel.


    Listening to her recount her past stirred a mix of emotions within him, a mncholic smile asionally breaking through his typically collection demeanor.


    This girl, he thought, really knew how to make things dramatic.


    He pondered whether her theatrical aura was a mechanism to veil the true impact of her experiences, a way to overshadow the somberness of her history with ayer of drama.


    It was her way, perhaps, of coping with the shadows that lingered from those days.

 Chapter 288: Facing an Unstoppable Power! (2)

    Whoosh!


    The Audi rolled smoothly along the highway as Wang Xiao savored the thrill of driving, the powerful engine purring beneath the hood.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He was lost in thought, considering the prospect of opening his own garage, when his focus sharply returned to the road.


    "Xiao! Xiao! Look at that!" Anran abrutly eximed, her voice bubbling with excitement as she pointed vigorously towards the distant mountains.


    ??


    Wang Xiao offered a quick nce, nodding appreciatively. "Yeah, they''re beautiful," he acknowledged briefly, his eyes returning to the road.


    Anran wasn''t satisfied with his brief acknowledgment. "No, you have to really look! The way the sun hits the peaks¡ªit''s like they''re glowing!" Her enthusiasm was never-ending, but Wang Xiao felt a tug of concern that kept his eyes fixed ahead.


    "Just a second," he murmured, his brow furrowing slightly as a chill of apprehension trickled down his spine.


    He couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off.


    "Xiao, you''re missing it!" Anran protested, her voiceced with a hint of frustration.


    She grabbed his arm, trying to draw his attention back to the view.


    "!"


    Honk!


    At that moment, the re of a horn broke through their conversation like a ss.


    "!!"


    Whoosh!


    Wang Xiao''s head snapped forward, his eyes widening as he spotted a semi barreling down the road towards them.


    His grip tightened on the steering wheel, preparing for evasive action.


    "¡­It''s okay, it''s on the other side," Wang Xiao exhaled, his voice betraying a steadiness he did not feel, his heart still hammering in his chest.


    "!"


    "What...?"


    A chilling sensation crept over him, unexinably ominous, as if the world had suddenly dimmed to monochrome, leaving only two piercing eyes fixed upon him through the gloom.


    "??"


    Anran''s voice floated in the background, her words blending into an indistinct murmur, her enthusiasm failing to prate the fog of Wang Xiao''s sudden, intense focus.


    Buzzz.....


    Buzz.....


    Buzzz....


    His ears rang with a high-pitched echo, drowning out the normal sounds of their journey.


    As he fought to shake off this eerie trance, his eyes sharply narrowed at the figure driving the opposing semi-trailor.


    "Hmm?..."


    "...Is that even human?" he thought to himself.


    The driver, d in a nondescript jacket and hat, failed topletely conceal long, silver hair that shimmered unnaturally.


    More striking was the skin, an eerie greyish-blue that seemed to suck the warmth from the air, and the face¡ªsharp and angr, utterly devoid of any facial hair.


    The figure was eerily reminiscent of a character from folktale¡ªan ancient, cursed mage, perhaps, something from a dark fairy tale.


    As if sensing Wang Xiao''s scrutiny, the driver turned slightly, offering a slow, knowing smile that sent a shiver down Wang Xiao''s spine.


    "!"


    The smile wasn''tforting; it was sinister, filled with an unspoken threat that seemed to reach across the divide of the highway and straight into Wang Xiao''s core.


    "!!"


    Wang Xiao''s grip tightened on the steering wheel, his instincts screaming a warning.


    "Get out of the car!" Wang Xiao shouted, urgency spiking his voice as he saw Maliketh swerve the semi, steering it directly toward them with terrifying intent.


    "Huh?" Anran was stunned, her mind struggling to process the rapid esction of events.


    Swoosh!


    All she could register was the massive semi-trailor just meters away, barreling straight at them with deadly intent.


    "Shit, it''s toote!" Wang Xiao cursed under his breath.


    He summoned all his strength in those critical seconds, trying to use his powers to halt the deadly charge, but the reality of the situation turned him cold to the bone.


    "!!"


    The psychokenisis unexpectedly didn''t work!


    "Hahahaha...." Maliketh''s eerieugh echoed from the semi as he flung the door open and leaned out.


    Whoosh!


    He supported himself with one hand against the frame, his slight body somehow causing the massive vehicle to tilt as if his mere presence could topple mountains.


    In that moment, the entire area around them shifted into a shadowy grey haze, the world losing its color as if dipped into an old, monochrome film.


    Malikethughed mockingly at Wang Xiao, who was frantically trying to use his psychokic abilities to stop the vehicle.


    But his efforts were futile; his powers seemed inexplicably neutralized, leaving him cold feet.


    Boooooom!


    In the next moment, the highway erupted into an inferno as the truck collided with the car.


    Booom!


    The Audi was flew backwards, skidding nearly a hundred meters across the asphalt as the semi truck mmed into the safety barrier and exploded, a monstrous fireball rising into the sky.


    Boooooom!


    Above the chaos hovered Maliketh, untouched, an ominous dark cloud-like aura swirling around him.


    "Hahahaha... It feels so exciting to be alive again!"


    Hisughter echoed over the roar of the mes.


    Materializing above the wreckage, he stood in the middle of the raging inferno, untouched by the lick of mes.


    His eyes, glowing faintly red, fixed on Wang Xiao, who, realizing his powers were nullified, had leapt from his car at thest second.


    Buzz.....


    Buzz....


    Wang nowy sprawled on the ground, his ears ringing, as he struggled to his feet.


    Whoosh!


    With a mere flick of his wrist, Maliketh directed a stream of mes toward Wang.


    Hiss!


    The air sizzled as the fire seared the fabric of Wang''s clothes, and his eyes widened in terror, feeling the intense heat scorching his skin.


    "!"


    Despite the numbness shielding him from the worst of the pain, a chilling sensation crept up his skin¡ªa reminder of his sizzling back being grilled alive.


    Whoosh...


    Malikethnded gracefully on the still-warm asphalt from his airborne stance.


    As his bare feet touched down, the road beneath him cracked ominously.


    "So pathetic... Is this what humanity has been reduced to?" Maliketh sneered, his voice filled with disdain as he extended his hand toward the sky, summoning more power to his call.


    Whoosh!


    Above Maliketh''s outstretched hand, the air rippled as if torn apart by an invisible force, as his lips twisted into a grim line against his greyish-blue skin.


    Swoosh!


    An ominous ck cloud materialized, swirling with subatomic particles that danced and collided with ferocious speed, mimicking the violent beauty of a particle collider.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    This was no ordinary energy; it was antimatter, the nemesis of existence itself, encapsted within a pulsating electromaic field that he controlled with deadly precision.


    As the antimatter interacted with anything in its path, it annihted itpletely, leaving nothing but void.


    "Such a waste to expend my strength on mere ants... But the humans from my domain were begging for vengeance..." Maliketh''s voice was a low mutter, resonating with the power he wielded.

 Chapter 289: Facing an Unstoppable Power! (3)

    "Such a waste to expend my strength on mere ants... But the humans from my domain were begging for vengeance..." Maliketh''s voice was a low mutter, resonating with the power he wielded.


    Buzz....


    The energy grew more turbulent, demanding an even stronger maic field.


    Soon, all metal objects in the vicinity began to levitate, trembling in the air as they were drawn toward the epicenter of his power.


    !?


    At that critical moment, Maliketh''s eyes narrowed, detecting an iing ray of light from the distance.


    Whooooosh!


    In an instant, the light collided with him.


    Boooooom!


    Maliketh''s face twisted in disgust before morphing into a wicked smile as his body was crashed back into the debris.


    Bam!


    Some distance away, a woman now stood, her face etched with slight horror.


    "Interesting, you are..." Maliketh eyes glew with obsidian, as he dusted off his hands nonchntly, as if the attack had barely affected him.


    Luna stood beside Wang Xiao, who had managed to regain his footing and was now warily observing Maliketh.


    Maliketh''s attention shifted to Luna, who appeared momentarily frozen by the encounter.


    "...No... It can''t be..." Luna''s voice trembled with disbelief, which only deepened Wang Xiao''s confusion.


    He was standing right behind her when he noticed her right hand beginning to disintegrate into thin air.


    "!"


    He gasped, taken aback by the sight, but Maliketh wasted no time in pressing his advantage.


    "Your light energy is useless against me," Maliketh dered coldly, watching Luna''s distress with a dismissive sneer.


    !!


    Luna''s shock quickly gave way to fury as she spun to face him, her eyes zing.


    "Who are you? Where is the real guardian of the North!?" she demanded, her voice echoing across the chaotic scene.


    "Hahahaha! I am the guardian of the North!" Maliketh''sughter was dark and chilling.


    Whoosh!


    He casually formed a small sphere of swirling antimatter in his hand, the air around it crackling with purple lightning, and tossed it toward Luna with a flick of his wrist.


    Tremble....


    Luna felt a cold chill wash over her as she saw the oing ball of energy, which seemed like the arch-nemesis of her very existence.


    Whoosh!


    In response, light from the surrounding area converged in front of her, swiftly forming a barrier made up of densely packed photons.


    Yet, despite the unbreakable defense, she instinctively stepped back.


    Boom!


    When the antimatter collided with her photon shield, it began to devour the light, the shield fizzling and popping as it was being neutralized.


    The terrifying interaction between light and antimatter hissed and spat... a dangerous dance of opposing forces.


    Whoosh!


    "Ahhhh...." Luna''s scream pierced the air as the photon shield was suddenly prated by a barrage of antimatter particles.


    She stood frozen, horror-stricken, as thousands of shards of antimatter tore through the barrier, striking her body like a swarm of venomous needles.


    The first few shards arced above her, mercilessly piercing her right shoulder and making her wince in sudden pain.


    "Argh!"


    Another shard savagely tore into her left shoulder as her eyes widened, filled with a raw terror at the relentless torrent of razor-sharp fragments hurtling toward her with the ferocity of a soundwave.


    Thud!


    "Ugh..."


    As the shards burrowed deep into her flesh, she couldn''t suppress the flow of blood, now gleaming silver in the dim light, dripping from the corner of her lips.


    Yet, her pain morphed into a bright smile in response to Maliketh''s mocking sneer, before ¡ª


    "!"


    "What!?"


    Stunned and bewildered, Luna recoiled. She desperately tried to heal herself, but, to her despair, found the effort utterly futile.


    "Ahhh..."


    The particles began their cruel feast on her flesh, methodically devouring her very existence.


    Boooooooooom!


    In the chaos, Maliketh''s voice echoed through the destruction, his parting words chilling to the bone. "Farewell, humans."


    Suddenly, gamma rays burst forth from where he stood, zing like a miniature sun erupting in the night.


    Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooom!


    The explosion that followed was deafening, shaking the entire capital of Sylvia.


    Tremble...


    Fra Ind was consumed in a catastrophic sea of destruction.


    Boooooom!


    High above, a colossal mushroom cloud formed, visible from hundreds of kilometers away.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    As the shockwave expanded, it triggered an earthquake throughout the capital, shattering every window in its path with it''s force.


    ________


    King''s Mansion!


    Whooooosh!


    The mansion shuddered as the shockwave mmed into it.


    Boom!


    Inside Seraphina''s room, Josephine, d in a flowing, silken nightgown, jerked around, her face a mask of surprise and horror as she peered through the web of cracks spreading across the window.


    "!"


    The ghost of thest attack haunted her, triggering a wave of PTSD that left her momentarily paralyzed with fear.


    Forgetting their earlier argument, she whispered, her voice trembling, "Mom... Did you hear... that?"


    "Huh?"


    Equally stunned, Seraphina, dressed in a plush velvet robe that brushed the floor with each step, moved towards the balcony for a clearer view, Josephine trailing behind, her fear growing.


    Hiss!


    The sight that met them was both awe-inspiring and terrifying sending thier feets cold, a chilling feeling shared by the millions of residents across Sylvergard.


    The nuclear rm wailed, casting the capital into instant chaos.


    Meanwhile, in a weakly lit room elsewhere in King''s Mansion, a woman with long, cascading hairy resting.


    She was enveloped in darkness until the shockwave stirred her from slumber.


    "!"


    Her eyes flickered open, catching the faint, ominous glow filtering through the window.


    "..."


    With robotic precision, she rose from her bed, her graceful movements contrasting the urgency of the moment.


    She approached the window just in time to see the ominous mushroom cloud swelling against the sky.


    Crash!


    In the next instant, the window shattered, sending shards flying as Eveline propelled herself towards the epicenter of the explosion.


    _______


    "Haha...."


    High above the sky, far beyond the thunderous mushroom cloud, Maliketh cackled inughter as he surveyed the chaos he had wrought.


    "!?"


    Yet, his sinister smile froze abruptly when he spotted a small, shimmering patch beneath the debris, a ce pulsating with an unusual intensity of photons.


    "They survived... Huh?"


    Though his words carried a note of disappointment, yet his expression twisted into a grin, ready to swoop down and finish what he had started.


    But suddenly, he stiffened, an unusual omnious sensation crawling up his skin.


    "!"


    Crackle....


    Crackle.....


    "No way...." Maliketh''s features contorted into a grimace, his face falling in dismay.


    Ka¡ªboom!


    Suddenly, the sky itself seemed to tear apart as bolts of lightning viciously streaked across the heavens, painting the entire expanse of Sylvergard with a sheet of dark purple.


    The spectacle horrified the Sylvergard.


    Already traumatized by the destruction in country M, the residents were now confronted with an even more terrifying phenomenon in their homnd.


    Ka¡ªboom!


    The live broadcasts across Sylvergard ryed this new horror in vivid detail.


    "Tch..."


    Maliketh''s eyes narrowed with fury as he red at the raging skies.


    "You won''t survive for long...!" His voice echoed into the heavens, not aimed at Luna or Wang Xiao, but at some unseen force above, stirring a rare fear and anger within his obsidian gaze.


    With a final roar, his form dissolved into pure antimatter, disappearing into the abyss.


    "..."


    "..."


    After a tense, prolonged silence, the lightning finally ceased its furious dance, and the skies slowly cleared, restoring calm to the shaken nation.

 Chapter 290: Power of a Nuclear Bomb!

    "Agh..."


    Back on the ground, Wang Xiao''s mind was reeling, overwhelmed by a deafening buzz.


    His vision blurred into nothingness, engulfed by a swirling, thick haze.


    As rity began to slowly seep back into his surroundings, an unexpected force collided with him from the front.


    Hiss!


    Luna crashed onto him, her weight forcing a sharp gasp from Wang Xiao as pain shed across his face.


    Thud!


    They both toppled backwards, his back hitting the rough asphalt with a searing sting, the texture gritty and unforgiving beneath him.


    Ka¡ªBoom!


    In that instant, his senses jolted as another thunderous boom echoed across the sky, streaks of lightning splitting the heavens, casting jagged shadows on the ground.


    His mind, still buzzing, struggled to orient itself amidst the chaos.


    Just then, a voice cut through the tumult, clear and resonant.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "What were you two even fighting against...?" Eveline descended gracefully, her figure slicing through the smoky air. Her eyes, wide and reflective, took in the surreal devastation around them.


    They stood on a small, intact circle of highway, a surreal ind of normalcy in a sea of destruction.


    Beyond this tiny oasis, a vast crater stretched over a kilometer in diameter, the highway obliterated and transformed into a vision of apocalypse.


    The surroundingndscape was charred and crackled with residual energy, ominous and charged with swirling dark velvet electric currents that danced menacingly across the ckened ground.


    "..."


    As Eveline noticed both Wang Xiao and Luna lying unconscious, her face grew grim. "What is this?..." She murmured, crouching beside Luna to inspect her right shoulder, where the hand was distrubingly absent.


    Instead of a normal wound, it appeared as if shimmering dark sand like particles was actively consuming the flesh, radiating a sinister energy.


    Eveline instinctively reached out to touch it, but her eyes suddenly widened in rm, and she quickly withdrew her hand.


    "!"


    "This..." Her face twisted into an expression of deep concern and confusion. "What is this ominous substance?" Although she had a notion about its nature, the possibility left her cold with dread.


    Her gaze involuntarily lifted to the thundering sky above.


    Her eyes narrowed sharply, catching thest moments of Maliketh dissolving into dust, a sight that made her blink twice, her expression aplex mix of emotions.


    "..."


    In that moment, Eveline felt the weight of the situation pressing down on her, silently cursing  Aurora for what deep rabbit hole she had thrust her into.


    ??


    Then, abruptly she turned away from the grim scene on the ground to face another.


    The air thrummed with the distant but growing roar of helicopters.


    She spotted several approaching rapidly, leading the formation was a highly advanced military helicopter, its sleek matte ck body shinning through the air with ominous aura.


    "..."


    Simultaneously, Eveline''s gaze swept across the debris-strewn ground and caught sight of broken car parts.


    Her eyes then narrowed as she detected a thermal signature in front of her.


    Her face momentarily darkened with recognition of a body that should have been unrecognizable, trapped within the twisted wreckage of a car.


    "Died... Huh..."


    Surprised by her own reaction, Eveline''s form disintegrated into dust, only to reappear instantly in front of the shattered remnants of an Audi.


    The vehicle was torn apart, its once sleek structure now a heap of mangled metal.


    As she reached into the wreckage, her hand glowing with a soft, golden light, her eyes betrayed a flicker of sadness¡ªa rare departure from her usual indifference.


    She peered inside at the bloodstained interior, her expression grim.


    Whooooosh!


    At that moment, tens of soldiers began to descend around her, rapidly securing the area.


    Some called out to Eveline to step back, taken aback by the radiant golden glow emanating from her hand.


    But theirmands halted abruptly as heavy footsteps approached.


    "PUT DOWN YOUR GUNS!"


    ______________


    Binntal Valley, Switzend!


    Nestled among towering mountain peaks, the serene Binntal Valley basked in the golden glow of the first rays of sunlight.


    The morning light filtered through the thinning mist, casting a warm, ethereal light on the scene below.


    On the grassy ground, Wang Xiao and Lunay motionless, an unsettling stillness surrounding them.


    Eveline sat beside them, her posture rxed yet she kept vigil.


    The golden light touched her hair, reflection across her face, highlighting a mix of concern and determination in her expression.


    The quiet was only broken by the asional chirp of early birds and the distant rustle of leaves, hinting at the valley''s awakening life.


    Eveline''s gaze was fixed on Luna and Wang Xiao, watching for any signs of consciousness.


    The air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and pine, a stark contrast to the grim scene of recovery.


    "!?"


    Slowly, Wang Xiao''s eyelids began to flutter. His eyes, initially clouded with confusion, gradually focused on the shifting patterns of light and shadow cast by the rising sun through the leaves above.


    The gentle rustling of the grass as a breeze swept through brought a semnce of peace, easing the tension in his body.


    Eveline noticed the subtle change in his expression and leaned closer, her hand stretched to assist.


    Slowly, signs of life returned.


    His eyelids twitched, and gradually, his eyes opened, squinting against the bright light filtering through the towering trees.


    "Where...?" His voice was hoarse, barely a whisper as Wang Xiao tried to piece together his fragmented memories.


    "On Earth," Eveline answered softly, turning to him with a faint smile. "You''re alive, at least for the moment."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes snapped open wide. "That guy!" He attempted to sit up, his movements sluggish and painful.


    "What guy? The one who ambushed you two?" Eveline''s eyes widened in surprise as she watched Wang Xiao turn around slightly frantically, scanning their surroundings for any sign of the attacker.


    "It''s Maliketh, that''s his name," Wang Xiao managed to say, his gaze still sharp and searching. Before he could move any further, Eveline gently pressed her hand onto his shoulder, urging him to be still.


    "He''s long gone, and you''re in Switzend," Eveline reassured him, her face etched with aplex mix of relief and concern. "Besides, if he were here, you wouldn''t stand a chance."


    Wang Xiao froze, his eyes briefly flickering with the memory of thest explosion, as intense as a live nuclear detonation.


    "The ce where you were found... the whole ind was wiped out, devoid of life. No one was alive except for you two," Eveline added, her voice low and steady.

 Chapter 291: Ancient Powerhouse! Anran—Dead!

    ".... No one was alive except for you two," Eveline added, her voice low and steady.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Two?" Wang Xiao turned to his right, catching sight of Luna, who, though awake, was in a sorry state.


    Her clothing hung in tattered strips, her eyes were open but her lips were pressed tightly shut, signaling her silence.


    One hand was conspicuously missing, reced by a ragged stump, and her exposed ivory skin was stained by numerous dark speckles.


    "He wasn''t Maliketh..." Luna''s voice was barely a whisper, her gaze drifting skyward yet acutely aware of Wang Xiao''s concerned stare.


    She had been conscious for some time, quietly channeling her energies to mend her battered body.


    "Who is he then?" Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed in confusion and concern.


    "Maliketh is supposed to be the guardian of North America, but that was just an impostor," Luna replied, her eyes burning with a mix of determination and anger. "I expected the real Maliketh to seek vengeance after your assault on country M within his domain, but the entity that arrived was not him!"


    "??"


    Wang Xiao''s ears were still ringing from the earlier chaos, yet he caught her implication, "...How are you so sure...?" He asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.


    Luna''s voice carried a rare bitterness as she responded, "He wasn''t alive."


    "What?" Wang Xiao''s confusion deepened, his brows knitting tighter.


    But before he could delve further into his questions, Luna waved her remaining hand, summoning a golden cocoon of shimmering light around herself.


    The cocoon radiated a soft, pulsating light, enveloping her in a protective barrier that seemed to quicken her healing process.


    "..."


    The rapid sequence of events momentarily bewildered Wang Xiao.


    Eveline''s subsequent exnation shed some light, albeit unsettlingly.


    "Her body is badly... infested with those ominous particles. I tried to extract them, but it''s too much for me." Her eyes briefly flicked over to the glowing cocoon surrounding Luna, a hint of surprise in her gaze. "She might be able to heal herself better. Give her some time."


    "Right..." Wang Xiao muttered, his mind racing as he turned to examine his own body, relieved to find that hecked the ominous ck particles that gued Luna.


    "Your body had those too. I removed them for now. Also, I healed your back, but that girl is dead." Eveline''s voice dropped to a t, detached tone as she reverted to her usual stoic demeanor.


    "Huh? Who is dead?" Wang Xiao stood, feeling a sharp ache in his joints as he rose.


    "That girl," Eveline replied simply.


    Wang Xiao paused, a brief wave of confusion washing over him before rity dawned. "Anran...?" His voice faded slightly.


    Eveline turned away, her lips pressed tightly together, her silence confirming the reality.


    "..."


    "..."


    After some silence, Wang Xiao''s face rxed into a mask of confusion, and he sat back on the ground, his gaze drifting skyward. Eveline watched him, her expression a mix of bafflement and contemtion. She suspected that he was either hiding his emotions well or was genuinely detached from the situation.


    "...Do you have any idea about that dark energy? It seemed to cancel out my powers..." Wang Xiao finally broke the silence.


    Eveline furrowed her brows, her hands resting lightly on the grass as she took a deep breath. "...It appeared simr to what we used to call ¦¶?¦Ï?."


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao''s eyebrows lifted at the unfamiliar term.


    "You can call it Antimatter," Eveline exined, her tone even. "I looked into it a bit, though even during our time, I''ve never heard of anyone capable of wielding it as a weapon."


    "Antimatter?" Wang Xiao echoed, the word foreign yet heavy with implications.


    Eveline nodded. "If you want to know more, you need to ask Aurora. I don''t have much insight into it. Also, it might be better if you check on your women first."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed slightly, a moment of indecision passing over his features. "What about Sylvergard? And Maliketh? Won''t hee back?"


    Eveline''s lips curled into a slight smile. "Scared?" She couldn''t help but tease¡ª an unusual behaviour, that Wang Xiao failed to ount for at the moment.


    His eyes narrowed, his tone resolute. "Need to prepare, if he ising back."


    Eveline stared at his face, momentarily lost as his reply took her by surprise, before she let out a briefugh, unusual for her character. "Prepare for what? Fight him?"


    Seeing herugh, Wang Xiao''s brows knitted in annoyance. "Is there a choice...?"


    Eveline shook her head, her demeanor bing more serious. "There isn''t, but ''he'' won''t being anytime soon. Just stay inside Europe."


    Wang Xiao didn''t understand the cryptic smile that lingered on Eveline''s lips, nor her emphasis on staying in Europe.


    What was it about Europe that made it safer, or was it merely a strategic position? He felt a mix of curiosity and caution, but for once, he decided not to press further.


    ______


    Thud!


    Wang Xiao peeled off his shirt and, with a bare back, copsed onto the grass, spreading out as his eyes fluttered closed.


    "..."


    Watching him sprawl out, Eveline tilted her head, curiosity etching her features until Wang Xiao''s lips quivered, forming a question. "Do you have cigarettes...?"


    "Hm?" Eveline''s eyebrows rose, her curiosity tinged with slight surprise. "I thought you didn''t smoke?"


    "But I feel like it now," Wang Xiao muttered, his eyes remaining shut.


    It was an inner urge, so strong and unfamiliar that even he couldn''t understand it.


    "..."


    Eveline fell silent, pondering his request before her eyes blinked, offering a piece of advice. "...If you smoke once when stressed, then every time you get stressed, you might use it for escapism..."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao nodded, about to concede, "I might b¡ª"


    Woof!


    ??


    His words were abruptly cut off by a sudden barking. Both he and Eveline turned their heads to see a massive dog with thick, dark brown fur ambling towards them.


    The unexpected arrival of the dog shifted the atmosphere, momentarily distracting them from the heavier topics at hand.


    Eveline''s expression softened slightly, a hint of amusement crossing her features as they watched the dog approach, its tail wagging in a friendly, albeit imposing, manner.

 Chapter 292: Didnt expect that from you!

    Eveline''s expression softened slightly, a hint of amusement crossing her features as they watched the dog approach, its tail wagging in a friendly, albeit imposing, manner.


    "..."


    "..."


    Seeing the colossal dog, Wang Xiao was taken aback. "What the hell is this thing?" he eximed, eyeing the animal that wasrger than him, its long fur making it resemble the size of a lion.


    Woof! Woof!


    The dog continued to circle around them, finally settling next to Eveline, who broke into a slight smile as she petted its massive head.


    This disy of affection seemed to irk Wang Xiao, who watched with a frown creasing his brow.


    "This is a Tibetan mastiff; they are usually this size. It belongs to a small girl from the tribe that lives nearby," Eveline exined, her voice softening as she stroked the dog''s fur.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao appeared indifferent to the exnation. "Stay away from it," he said with a hint of disgust, before reclining back on the ground.


    "Hm?" Eveline looked at him, slightly surprised by his reaction. "Stay away from it?"


    Woof!


    The dog barked again, its deep, resonant sound filling the air, but Wang Xiao remained unfazed. "Just stay away," he reiterated firmly.


    Eveline, puzzled by his strong aversion, watched him for a moment.


    The dog, sensing perhaps the tension or simply content with Eveline''s attention,y its head on herp, gazing calmly at Wang Xiao.


    Eveline''s hand continued to move through the thick fur, her actions gentle and reassuring, contrasting sharply with Wang Xiao''s evident difort.


    She wondered what might have caused such a strong reaction from him towards such a generally beloved creature.


    "..."


    Eveline was left confused by his prolonged silence, her mind trying to reconcile Wang Xiao''s unexpected reaction.


    It was one thing to be cautious about other people, but his aversion to a dog was perplexing, even for her.


    Finally, the massive dog lumbered away as a small girl from the nearby tribe approached to retrieve it.


    Wang Xiao''s face rxed visibly, which didn''t escape Eveline''s notice.


    Her eyes blinked in surprise at his change in demeanor.


    "¡­ Were you really serious about that puppy?" she finally asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.


    Wang Xiao remained silent, hisck of response only deepening Eveline''s confusion.


    She couldn''t fathom what kind of restrictions he imposed on himself¡ªor why a Tibetan mastiff would trigger such a strong reaction.


    Rustle...


    The next moment, Wang Xiao''s eyes opened with a flicker of annoyance, only to find Eveline leaning over him.


    As she positioned herself just a few inches above him, the faint, fresh citrusy scent emanating from her teased his nose, a soothing contrast to the tension between them.


    Her long light blonde hair cascaded down, brushing against his face, soft strands tickling his nose.


    Eveline''s gaze was intense, probing for an answer in his eyes.


    Her face, though not overly emotional, radiated a brightness like the sun,pelling yet gentle.


    She supported herself on her limbs, pressing down into the ground as she looked into his eyes, searching for something in his expression.


    Finding no flicker of response, she eventually turned away and fell back against the ground beside him, exhaling deeply.


    "Weirdo¡­" Wang Xiao muttered under his breath, still baffled by her proximity and her probing eyes, the lingering scent of citrus mingling with his thoughts.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Eveline let out a small sigh, the grass rustling beneath her as shey next to Wang Xiao. The sun was warm but her tone carried a hint of cool reproach. "You''re a weirdo. Any normal person in your ce would have hugged me by now."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flickered, his annoyance briefly surfacing. "And then what? Am I supposed to cry like a river?"


    "It''s not about crying," Eveline countered gently, her voice carrying a hint of patience. "It''s about feeling. There are situations that naturally trigger intense emotions. Embracing someone, sharing that moment¡ªit''s being human."


    He scoffed lightly, a wry smile ying at the corners of his mouth. "Oh, great. I don''t feel the urge to hug your shoulder and weep... Are you happy about that?"


    "Why should I be happy about that?" Eveline replied, her confusion genuine as she propped herself up on one elbow to look at him more directly.


    "Then by all means, feel free to cry on my behalf," Wang Xiao retorted, his voice dry.


    "..."


    Eveline paused, a shadow of a frown crossing her face.


    Silence fell between them for a moment, the only sound the rustle of the grass in the breeze.


    Wang Xiao continued, his voice softer but with an undercurrent of frustration. "It seems like you all want everyone to conform¡ªto react as you do. And when someone doesn''t, they''rebeled as alien, metally ill. Most humans can''t tolerate difference... Perhaps it''s time you consider that what''s normal for you isn''t the norm for everyone."


    "You''re right..." Eveline admitted quietly, her tone softening as shey back down, her gaze returning to the sky.


    Her voice was soft, stripped of any desire to argue further.


    Shey back, feeling the cold grass press against her spine, the early signs of dew forming.


    The cold winter air settled heavily around them, the mountain''s chill prating despite the tranquil silence that Eveline foundforting.


    It was a quietness that seemed to mute the world''s chaos, providing a rare peace.


    Suddenly, a thought seemed to strike her, breaking the stillness. "Your child..."


    Wang Xiao shifted his gaze, puzzled, briefly ncing toward her slender abdomen. "What about it...?"


    "Not this one, Anran''s," Eveline rified, turning to meet his eyes squarely, a seriousness etching her features.


    "What about it?" Wang Xiao asked again, his tone tinged with skepticism and a hint of guarded interest.


    "It''s alive. They were alive when I arrived, so I saved them," Eveline murmured, her voice low, almost as if she was confessing to herself rather than informing him.


    Wang Xiao squinted, surprised by the revtion, yet his response came out sharp, almost defensive. "Didn''t expect that from you."


    Eveline''s gaze drifted back to the sky, her expression softening. "I have a soft spot for pregnant women... and their children..."


    Seeing her mncholic look, Wang Xiao''s curiosity deepened, his brows furrowing. "It seemed to be only children. Why didn''t you save both?" His voice carried a mix of usation and frustration.


    It was one thing to ept the loss of life in abstract terms, but confronting the possibility that someone could have intervened yet chose not to was harder to digest.


    Eveline sighed, her voice t. "I can''t bring back the dead; she was already gone... You should look to Aurora for that."

 Chapter 293: Gaias Facility!

    Eveline sighed, her voice t. "I can''t bring back the dead; she was already gone... You should look to Aurora for that."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened, but after a moment of reflective silence, his skepticism surfaced. "Can... she really do that?"


    Eveline''s response was nonchnt, as if discussing a routine matter. "Shouldn''t be hard for her as long as the person hasn''t been dead for too long..."


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened with the implications of her words, stirring a mix of hope and doubt. "Do you know where she is?" he asked, his voice carrying a newfound resolve.


    Eveline replied with a detached tone, "No idea."


    Wang Xiao''s expression tightened, and he turned his gaze toward Luna, who remained encapsted within the golden cocoon, seemingly oblivious to their conversation.


    He let out a heavy sigh, realizing that the answers wouldn''te easily and that he might have to undertake the things in his own hand if there was any chance of changing the grim reality.


    _____


    Gaia''s Facility!


    Nestled in the heart of Binntal Valley, was far more than just a bunker.


    Encircled by imposing barbed wire, thepound resembled a military base.


    The surface buildings served as the headquarters for the Pantheon Network, presenting a formidable front to the world.


    Beneath this fa?ade, however,y a hidden world¡ªa sophisticated underground facility bustling with some of the top scientists and researchers from around the globe.


    These brilliant minds were engaged in cutting-edge biotechnological research for an organization known only as Zero.


    Within one of the surface structures, which bore the sterile, orderly appearance of a hospital, in one of the high-tech medical rooms.


    Here, Dr. Rebeca, a woman of striking appearance, was closely observing a patient on life support.


    Her blonde hair was pulled back neatly, entuating her sharp facial features and the spectacles perched firmly on her nose, which added to her authoritative aura.


    She wore a pristine whiteb coat that highlighted her professional demeanor, her presencemanding yet distinctly feminine, underscored by her curvaceous figure.


    Beside her, almost in contrast, stood Li Zhiming, a man whose build was like that of a giant, with broad shoulders and hands that could easily be mistaken for anvils. His eyes, red and weary, betrayed his emotional turmoil as his hands clenched into fists at his sides. Despite the somberness that Li brought into the room, Rebeca seemed unfazed, her focus entirely on the patient.


    "Her body looks intact surprisingly..." Rebeca whispered, her voice carrying a clinical detachment as she examined the monitors and readouts.


    She was unaware that the preservation of the body was the work of Eveline, whose interventions were often silent yet profound.


    "Unfortunately, she has no pulse," Rebeca concluded, her tone turning grim as she delivered the news.


    Hiss!


    The news delivered by Dr. Rebeca seemed to reverberate through the sterile room, echoing off the walls with a weight that could be felt physically.


    Bam!


    Li Zhiming''s reaction was instant, his grief manifesting with sudden, raw power.


    Hisrge fist collided with the nearby wall, a stark, thunderous impact that sent a tremor throughout the entire facility.


    "!!"


    The vibration was not just physical but emotional, stirring a tension in the air.


    Dr. Rebeca, typicallyposed and professional, frowned at the disruption.


    Her expression was a mix of disapproval and concern¡ªnot just for the integrity of the facility but for the man whose pain seemed to know no bounds.


    Behind Li Zhiming, four armed guards tensed, their hands tightening on the automatic rifles they carried.


    Trained to respond to any threat, they remained still, their presence a silent reminder of the high-security environment of Gaia''s Facility.


    Yet, in this moment, their weapons seemed irrelevant against the emotional onught of a man.


    Li Zhiming, breathing heavily, turned back to face Dr. Rebeca, his eyes red and raw. "You must do something, Doctor," he pleaded, his voice a pleading whisper that betrayed his desperation. "There must be something... anything..."


    Dr. Rebeca adjusted her spectacles, her gaze softening as she looked at the man crumbling before her. "Mr. Zhiming," she began, her voice steady yet empathetic, "I understand your pain, but without a pulse, our options are severely limited.


    The life support is maintaining her bodily functions, but revival..." Her voice trailed off, not wanting to extinguish all hope but needing to be realistic about the grim prognosis.


    Li Zhiming''s shoulders slumped, a defeated giant in the sterile light of the hospital room.


    The guards behind him shifted ufortably, unused to the disy of raw emotion in such a controlled environment.


    "Please," he said, his voice barely audible, "check again. Anything you can do. She''s all I have left."


    Rebeca nodded slightly, moved by his plea. "I will review every possible option once more," she promised, knowing full well the limits of science but also understanding that sometimes, hope was as crucial as treatment in these desperate situations.


    As Li Zhiming stepped back, allowing her to proceed.


    Dr. Rebeca observed Li Zhiming''s grief-stricken posture, the giant of a man now looking smaller, his hope hanging by a thread.


    She cleared her throat gently, drawing his attention back from the depths of despair. "Mr. Zhiming, there is still something critical you need to know."


    Li''s head lifted slightly, a spark of interest ring in his weary eyes.


    "The life inside her is still alive. The babies vitals are stable for now, and it''s possible to extract them sessfully," Rebeca disclosed, her words filling the room with a renewed sense of urgency.


    "!"


    Li Zhiming''s posture stiffened, his grief momentarily overshadowed by a surge of cautious hope. "The babies... my grandchildren?"


    "Yes," Rebeca confirmed, nodding solemnly. "But we must act swiftly. We need to move her to the basement facility here at Gaia''s. It''s equipped with specialized cryopreservation technology that can maintain her body in a state that is safe for the babies. If we dy, or if the procedure is done above ground without the necessary precautions, we risk losing them too."


    Li Zhiming''s response was immediate and resolute. "Do whatever it takes, Doctor. Please." His voice, though still heavy with sorrow, now carried a firm determination.


    Dr. Rebeca turned to the guards standing by. "Prepare for immediate transport to the basement level. Ensure the corridor is clear and secure." The guards nodded, their earlier readiness shifting into action as theymunicated the orders through their earpieces.


    Turning back to Li Zhiming, Dr. Rebeca added, "I will oversee the procedure myself. We''ll need your authorization to proceed with everything. Time is of the essence."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Li nodded, his hand absently brushing tears from his cheek. "Anything they need, anything at all," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the life support indicators blinking beside Anran''s still form.

 Chapter 294: Déjà vu?

    Li nodded, his hand absently brushing tears from his cheek. "Anything they need, anything at all," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the life support indicators blinking beside Anran''s still form.


    _____


    Tap...


    Tap...


    The sound of Wang Xiao''s determined footsteps echoed through the sterile corridor of Gaia''s Facility.


    His approach grabbing attention, the rhythmic tapping sharp against the quiet hum of the medical equipment.


    As he neared the critical ward where Anran was being held, a pair of guards instinctively moved to intercept him.


    Their hands hovered near their rifles, bodies tensed for confrontation.


    "Sir, you can''t go in there," one guard asserted, stepping forward with a hand raised to block Wang Xiao''s path.


    However, before the situation escted, another guard tugged at his colleague''s sleeve, leaning in to whisper urgently.


    "!"


    Whatever was said made the first guard pause and then step aside, his expression conflicted but yielding.


    Ignoring the guards entirely, Wang Xiao pushed open the door of the ward with a force that caused everyone inside to turn sharply in his direction.


    Click!


    _____


    Inside, Li Zhiming was by Anran''s bedside, his posture one of deep sorrow.


    The sudden intrusion caused him to straighten abruptly, anger and surprise shing across his face.


    "What do you think you''re doing here?" Li Zhiming demanded, moving instinctively between Wang Xiao and the bed.


    Wang Xiao, driven by raging emotions, responded with cold fury. "Get away, I don''t have time for you," he stated tly.


    Without waiting for permission, he attempted to push past Li Zhiming, who blocked his path.


    Li Zhiming, "Wait!"N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The physical altercation escted quickly.


    ??


    Wang Xiao, overwhelmed by frustration and a desperate need for answers, struck Li with the back of his hand.


    Bam!


    "Agh!"


    The force of the p sent therger man stumbling backward, crashing against the wall with a thud that reverberated through the room.


    Boom!


    Dr. Rebeca, who had been adjusting the life support equipment, turned around sharply at themotion. "This is a hospital, not a battlefield," she eximed sharply.


    Li Zhiming, rubbing his jaw, steadied himself against the wall. "What has gotten into you?" he growled, his voice low and pained.


    Wang Xiao, nced but offered no verbal response.


    Dr. Rebeca stepped between them, her presencemanding and decisive. "I will not allow this kind of behavior in my facility. Whatever your grievances, they will not be settled here. Not at the expense of my patient''s safety," she dered firmly, meeting the gaze of each man.


    ??


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed as he assessed Dr. Rebeca, who stood before him with an air more akin to a scientist than a typical doctor.


    "You want to stop me...?" His voice was low and steady, as he measured her.


    Rebeca, feeling a chill run down her spine, met his gaze with a intensity of her own. "No matter who you are, you need to follow my rules here," she asserted, her voice wavering slightly under the weight of his scrutiny.


    Whoosh!


    Without another nce at the woman, Wang Xiao turned and walked towards Anran''s body. "Good luck enforcing those rules," he muttered dismissively over his shoulder, hisment leaving Rebeca visibly perturbed.


    "..."


    Li Zhiming frowned as he watched Wang Xiao press his hand against Anran''s body, inspecting it closely.


    "..."


    Rebeca, feeling somewhat scolded and foolish with embarrassment, stood by with a flushed face.


    Wang Xiao was taken aback by the preservation of Anran''s body; her skin and hair were still fresh, indicating that not much time had passed since.


    Strands of her silver hair cascaded around her lifeless form, framing her delicate features like a bygone portrait.


    As he ran his hand gently over her cold face, a deep realisation touched him¡ªthe stark reality that death spares no one echoed in the chill he felt.


    "Are you done? We need to move her to the facility in the underground facility!" Rebeca interrupted his thoughts with a sharp hiss, pulling him back to the present.


    "Underground facility.... for what?" Wang Xiao, taken aback, turned around, his expression confused as he sought an exnation from Li Zhiming.


    "The underground facility is equipped with advanced cryopreservation technology," Li Zhiming exined, his voice heavy with a mix of hope and despair. "It''s our best chance to preserve her long enough to safely extract the babies. It''s the only way they might survive."


    Wang Xiao, processing this new information, nced back at Anran''s serene face, then at the tense figures of Rebeca and Li Zhiming.


    ______


    Fifteen minutester...


    Wang Xiao stood near the window of the now empty ward, the room quiet except for the soft hum of medical equipment winding down.


    Outside, the medical team was busy transporting Anran to the underground facility, leaving him alone with his thoughts.


    Leaning against the cold ss, Wang Xiao caught his faint reflection staring back at him.


    He half-expected some cinematic shback to y through the ss¡ªsomething dramatic or revealing.


    Instead, all he got was the chill of the faint cold air brushing against the pane, prompting a deep, resigned sigh from him.


    "What''s the day?" he finally asked, his voice barely more than a murmur.


    Yin Yue, who had been silent up until now since he woke, responded with a t tone tinged with slight worry. [It''s the 27th of December, not even a day has passed.]


    Wang Xiao let out another sigh and shifted his gaze back to the outside view.


    [What happened, Xiao? You are acting weird], Yin Yue probed, her soothing voice echoing slightly in his brain.


    Wang Xiao remained silent, his eyes lost in the distant memory ying in his mind.


    It was from May 18th, 2026¡ªa date etched deeply in his memory.


    That was the day Anran, that over-energetic girl, had run away and announced her pregnancy to him like a bombshell.


    But what haunted him was not the announcement itself but the reason she had given for her flight¡ªthat he would, in fact, get rid of her.


    And even if she died, he wouldn''t care, would he?


    Thinking about it, Wang Xiao felt a cynicalugh building up inside him because, in a twisted way, her words had somehow proven right...


    He had tried to touch her face earlier, to see if there was any trace of life, any sign of the vibrant spirit he once knew.


    But deep down, he realized he really didn''t care.


    His own detachment baffled him.


    He knew even at that moment, that she was right, but how had she spotted it?


    He hadn''t given off many signals; for a normal human to detect such subtleties should be hard. It was almost like she had predicted the future...


    Wang Xiao had always taken pride in the workings of his mind.


    His thoughts, deeply shielded, allowed him to operate with a level of detachment that even he sometimes found disconcerting.


    Whether dealing with Josephine or anyone else, he had honed the ability to conceal his tracks meticulously, convincing even himself in the process to leave no stone unturned.


    This deep understanding someone might possess of him was unsettling... Terrifying to an extent, something that he would never agree to...

 Chapter 295: Back To Xianthera (1)

    This deep understanding someone might possess of him was unsettling... Terrifying to an extent, something that Wang Xiao would never agree to...


    He never truly believed that Anran, the girl he considered insignificant in the grand scheme, could pose any real threat.


    Yet, the possibility that she had perceivedyers of his psyche he hadn''t acknowledged opened a new realm of unsettling possibilities about himself that he had never admitted existed.


    As these thoughts spiraled, Yin Yue''s voice cut sharply through the silence, pulling him from the edge of his introspection. [Xiao... I never said it, but people don''t get angry at natural disasters for the destruction of their homes.]


    "Why...?" Wang Xiao''s voice was a low murmur, his eyes narrowing as the truth in her words struck a chord within him.


    [Because they can''t control it, and they know it], Yin Yue continued, her tone analytical yet tinged with a subtle empathy. [You have taken yourself to such a self-centric approach that you ept whatever happens as inevitable, immediately focusing on alternatives]


    [If one pathway is destroyed, you seek another; if all paths are blocked, you find new ones.]


    [You never pause to mourn or contemte; you just act, which is now causing you the problem.]


    [It''s not even seen as a problem through your eyes, is it?] she pressed further. [For you, what is dead, and if beyond your ability to change, should simply be sidetracked as you continue on toward your goals.]


    "..."


    Wang Xiao fell silent, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Is that even a problem...?" he mused aloud, the question more to himself than to Yin Yue.


    [No, it isn''t,] Yin Yue responded, her digital voice calm and measured. [So you shouldn''t think too deeply about it. Self-awareness can be unsettling for those who have not fully confronted it.]


    [At the end, the ''self'' is both the beginning and the end of understanding. However, just as you have your ''self,'' others have their own ''selves.'']


    [It''s a continuous conflict between what they want and what you want... If, at this current moment, you had the option to choose¡ª]


    [One having her alive versus dead, what would you choose?] she pressed further.


    Wang Xiao furrowed his brows, puzzled by the sudden directness of the question. Why did it matter?


    The answer seemed obvious to him.


    ''She could have more usecases alive than dead,'' he thought, not just as a matter of emotion but as a practical consideration.


    Infact, he would think the same for Marcus  and even whole cobra squad.


    Wasn''t it this very sense of helplessness that ignited his thirst for power?


    At twelve, he had stood back, powerless, fully aware that achieving absolute power was a pipe dream at that age¡ªthe human body, after all, was just as vulnerable to a bullet whether it housed the soul of a president or an ordinary person.


    Yin Yue had been correct in her assessment; Wang Xiao methodically evaluated every situation and arrived at calcted conclusions.


    However, everything shifted when he first learned about PK.


    For the first time, he glimpsed what could be considered absolute power.


    Now, he saw a path to obtain that power, to ensure he would never again feel that crippling helplessness¡ªeven if it meant overthrowing his own creator, should such a being exist.


    While it seemed an impossible feat, Wang Xiao waspelled to try...


    After all, attempting to seize control was far preferable to sitting idly by, wracked with anxiety over some higher power dictating the rules he was expected to follow.


    "!"


    "Hey, want a drink?" The sudden voice from behind made Wang Xiao turn around, and upon seeing Li Zhiming approaching, his frown deepened.


    "What are you doing here?" Wang Xiao asked, his tone guarded yet curious as to why Li Zhiming would seek him out after their recent altercation.


    Li Zhiming held up a bottle, trying to ease the tension with a weary smile. "Thought you might need this more than I do right now."


    "..."


    Shaking his head, Wang Xiao stood up, stepping closer to Li Zhiming.


    He ced a hand lightly on Li''s shoulder, his expression serious. "Ask that doctor to keep her in cryopreservation for longer..." he murmured.


    "Huh?" Li Zhiming responded, clearly stunned by the sudden request.


    His confusion was still etched on his face as a cold breeze swept through the corridor, carrying a chill that seemed to held his feets cold.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    By the time Li turned to respond, to ask why or perhaps to argue, Wang Xiao was already walking away.


    He moved swiftly and decisively, disappearing around the corner with a sense of purpose that left Li standing alone, the echo of Wang Xiao''s footsteps fading just as quickly as the breeze that had passed between them.


    ________


    Chirp...


    Chirp...


    Standing at the edge of Whispering Woods near Grayhaven Town, Icevale, Wang Xiao took a deep breath, the crisp, cold air filling his lungs.


    The trees around him were stark, their branches bare and frosted with snow and dew, casting eerie shadows on the snow-nketed ground.


    The entire forest exuded a mysterious and chilling aura, enveloping him in a sense of profound istion yet strange familiarity.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but feel drawn to this ce; it held an inexplicable connection to him.


    No matter how far he traveled, he always found himself spiraling back here, as if pulled by invisible threads of fate.


    "I would be leaving," murmured Eveline, her voice a soft echo behind him.


    "Already?... Don''t want to go inside?" Wang Xiao asked, turning around to face her, his voice tinged with a hint of surprise and reluctance to part ways so soon.


    But as he turned, all he saw was the dust swirling in the air where she had stood, slowly being carried away by the gentle wind.


    Eveline was gone, her departure as silent and mysterious as her presence.


    "..."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao stood alone, staring at the space she had vacated, perplexed and slightly adrift.


    Her abrupt departure left him with a mix of emotions; the woods around him seemed to whisper secrets he could almost grasp.


    The coldness of the setting echoed his sudden solitude, making the forest feel even more mysterious today.

 Chapter 296: Back to Xianthera (2)

    Silvertide City, Xianthera!


    In the heart of Silvertide City, during the vibrant season of autumn, the leaves painted thendscape with fiery hues of orange, red, and gold.


    Inbetween this colorfulndscape, the architectural marvel of the city, a grand circr dome, stood prominently.


    This structure, located centrally within the bustling town, was not only a symbol of authority but also a beacon of learning and governance.


    Inside the dome, within a highly guarded room that served as the epicenter of educational directives, silence stood alone...


    The room, designed with elegance and precision, featured walls lined with ancient books and modern digital disys that blended the rich heritage of Xianthera with its progressive aspirations.


    Therge, circr table at the center was made of polished mahogany, reflecting the soft light filtering in from the high, arched windows adorned with stained ss, casting colorful patterns on the glossy surface.


    Here, in the sanctum of academic power, Mei Leiyan upied the president''s seat.


    Her presence was bothmanding and serene, mirroring the quiet power of the season outside.


    As the president of the board of education, Amelia''s role was pivotal.


    She meticulously reviewed thetest reports that sprawled across her desk, her fingers brushing over the pages.


    "Not too bad..." she murmured under her breath, her eyes narrowing slightly as the scores turned out better than anticipated.


    For the first time in Xianthera, an unprecedented experiment had been carried out: a select group of students'' memories were left intact, a deliberate move to gauge their reactions to the realities of their ostensibly wless utopian society.


    However, the experiment couldn''t yet be escted to a full-fledged scale; the necessary safeguards to manage any unintended consequences were stillcking.


    "Sigh..."


    This limitation made Amelia sigh heavily, her gaze drifting towards the window, lost in thought.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Years had rolled by, each more monotonous than thest, filling her life with a pervasive sense of ennui.


    Every time her mind wandered to a certain face from her past, her expression darkened, a shadow of mncholy lingering in her eyes.


    "Haaa..."


    She leaned back, resting her head on her steepled hands, her eyes reflecting a depth of emotion that the serene office setting didn''t quite match.


    In the center of the room stood a circr table that had reced an empty space¡ªa battleground of ideas where she and Wang Xiao had often shed fiercely on one particr topic.


    "Going to bed together is most efficient... My foot..." she muttered sarcastically, the memory bringing a faint, wry smile to her lips despite the nostalgia.


    Her gaze then shifted back outside, where the scenery of Silvertide Cityy bathed in the rich, warm hues of autumn.


    Leaves in shades of fiery red, burnt orange, and golden yellow danced on the breeze, falling gently to the ground in a quiet ballet that contrasted sharply with the silence that enveloped the city.


    "Perhaps it''s time for a change..." Amelia whispered to herself, her eyes fixed on the tranquil scene outside that mirrored the stagnation she felt within.


    "For changing what?" A voice suddenly broke the silence, deep and familiar.


    "!"


    Amelia spun around, startled, her heart skipping a beat.


    Her eyes widened, registering the eerily familiar face before her, her lips trembling.


    Seeing her in this state brought a strange satisfaction to Wang Xiao, yet he waspletely taken aback by her next words.


    "Y-You¡ªI would kill you!"


    "??"


    Before Wang Xiao could even react, Amelia grabbed the nearest flower vase and hurled it towards him.


    Whoosh!


    Wang Xiao''s eyes twitched as he moved with reflexive speed. He caught her wrist with one hand, and with the other, he grabbed her waist and spun her around, deftly avoiding the flying vase.


    "Have you gone insane with excitement?" he asked, his voice a mix of irritation and disbelief.


    He held her firmly, ensuring she couldn''tunch another impulsive attack, his gaze piercing as he sought to understand her sudden aggression.


    Amelia struggled slightly in his grasp, her breath heaving as she fought to calm her racing heart.


    "Why are you here?" she gasped out, her voice shaky. "After all this time, you just show up and... and..."


    Wang Xiao loosened his grip slightly but didn''t let go, his expression softening. "I''m here for a reason..."


    "Humph! Leave me!" Amalia''s protest was fierce as she struggled, twisting her body in an attempt to break free from his hold.


    "..."


    This sudden resistance left Wang Xiao momentarily immobile, standing there holding her from behind as if rooted to the spot.


    "Why are you resisting so much today?" he couldn''t help but ask, his tone tinged with genuine puzzlement and frustration. In a swift movement, he pulled a chair over with his free hand and sat down, still securing her by his side to prevent her from storming off.


    "!"


    Resisting and me!? Don''t act as if you weren''t gone for years and just came back the next day!" Amalia snapped. Her voice was sharp, charged with pent-up emotions. As Wang Xiao''s hand still encircled her waist, she leaned in sharply, her eyes narrowing dangerously. The light caught her teeth, unnaturally sharp, gleaming ominously as she opened her mouth¡ª


    Snap!


    "!"


    "Wh¡ª" Wang Xiao''s eyes shot open in rm. The unexpected action, the snap of her teeth so close, jolted him into releasing her.


    Whoosh!


    He jerked his hand back, eyes narrowing as he scrutinized it for any signs of injury.


    Bam!


    Amelia rose unsteadily, her back colliding with the table with a resounding thud. Whirling around, she fixed him with a defiant grin. "Don''t you darey a finger on me without permission!" she spat, gripping the table''s edge, her eyes aze with fury.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao found himself unable to tear his gaze away from this woman, her demeanor resembling that of a cornered cat.


    He couldn''t help but wonder what had transpired to provoke such a reaction. Speaking in a low, ominous tone, he ventured provocatively, "If not me, then who else? Have you already found a recement¡ª"


    "You¡ªShut your mouth!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened as, before he could react, the furious woman lunged toward him. Her fists were balled up, hurtling toward him with rming speed.


    Bam!


    They crashed to the ground in a chaotic tangle.

 Chapter 297: Back to Xianthera (3)

    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened as, before he could react, the furious woman lunged toward him. Her fists were balled up, hurtling toward him with rming speed.


    Bam!


    They crashed to the ground in a chaotic tangle.


    Whoosh!


    As they fell to the ground, Amelia''s fists began to rain down on Wang Xiao, her movements sharp.


    Pfttt....


    Despite the onught, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but chuckle, deftly dodging each strike with a surprising nimbleness.


    Inbetween her flurried punches, he chuckled, "Hey hey, do you really want to murder your husband?" His words, light yet tinged with a yful seriousness, seemed to momentarily pierce her fiery veil.


    "!"


    His words seemed to hit a nerve within Amelia, halting her motions as if someone had pressed pause on her emotions.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Her fists hung suspended in the air, captured delicately by Wang Xiao, who initially looked on with mild amusement.


    ??


    However, his expression swiftly shifted as droplets began to fall onto his face¡ªtears, not from his own eyes but from hers.


    Tick...


    Tick...


    Each droplet echoed in the silence, Wang Xiao''s heart skipped a beat as he looked up, startled, to see Amelia''s eyes¡ªsapphire deep and shimmering with unshed tears.


    "Why... Why did youe back?" The words tumbled from Amelia''s lips in a broken sob, her hands instinctively finding their way to his chest, seeking something steady.


    "!"


    The contact jolted Wang Xiao, gently, he lifted his hand to her cheek, his fingers brushing away the wet trails of her tears. "Amelia..." His voice was a soft murmur, filled with a tenderness that seemed to dissolve thest of her resolve.


    Thud!


    Overwhelmed by the moment, Amelia''s strength waned, and she leaned heavily against him.


    Her body lose all it''s strength, and she copsed into his embrace, the barriers between them melting away for the first time in what felt like forever.


    Wang Xiao held her close, a protective arm wrapping around her, as he too closed his eyes, giving in to the closeness that had been missing for too long.


    "..."


    In that quiet embrace, surrounded by the faint ticking of an unseen clock, Wang Xiao''s hands tenderly caressed Amelia''s head, his voice controlled yet filled with concern. "Amelia... What happened...?"


    "Why... Why did youe back now..." Amelia''s voice was weak, barely above a whisper, her eyes red and swollen from the tears she had shed.


    Wang Xiao gave a wry smile, seeing through the tough exterior she always projected. "Why shouldn''t I havee back?" he countered softly, his lips brushing lightly over her tear-stained cheeks in a gentle kiss.


    "You shouldn''t have!... Why..." Amelia''s voice cracked as she spoke, and she threw her hands up in a gesture of helplessness and frustration.


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Amelia''s eyes, red and swollen from crying, met his gaze, taking a deep, shuddering breath, she steadied herself against the surge of emotions. "I... I lost our child," she whispered, the words barely audible, yet they struck Wang Xiao like a physical blow.


    "!"


    His face darkened, and for a moment, he could only stare at her in disbelief and surprise.


    "When you left, I found out I was pregnant," Amelia continued, her voice gaining a little strength as she delved into the painful memories. "I wanted to tell you, but you were gone, and then... then I miscarried. It was too much, Xiao, and... I... I was alone." Her voice cracked, and fresh tears spilled over, tracing silent paths down her cheeks.


    "..."


    Seeing his nk expression, Amelia''s panic surged, and she clutched at his clothes tighter. "I... I tried my best to¡ª"


    "Shh... It''s just a child, we can make one more," Wang Xiao interrupted, cing his fingers gently over her lips to silence her.


    "!"


    Amelia''s eyes widened in shock at his words, a mix of hurt and disbelief flickering across her face. "You!" she eximed, her voice thick with emotion as she flushed with anger.


    "You¡ªinsensitive prick!" Her voice shook as she leaned in and bit down on his shoulder in a mix of frustration and desperation.


    Crunch!


    "!"


    Wang Xiao furrowed his brows in surprise at her reaction, but then his expression lightened intoughter.


    "Hey, hey, don''t me it on me," he chuckled, gently trying to ease the tension between them. "You were the first one to say that saving me was the worst decision."


    !?


    Amelia pulled back slightly, staring at him with a fiery gaze.


    The raw edge in hisughter didn''t amuse her; it stung, deepening her upset.


    His attempt at humor in such a delicate moment felt like a misstep, atleast in her eyes.


    "It still is!" she eximed, her voiceced with exhaustion and frustration, as she couldn''t help but rub her swollen eyes.


    As she grumbled, Wang Xiao''s lips curved into a faint smile, observing her.


    He watched her intently, sensing a flicker of emotion in Amelia''s eyes as she looked at him lying there.


    A pang of curiosity stirred within him, prompting him to wonder what was going through her mind.


    Yet confusion painted his face when he caught sight of her leaning in, her hair blurring his vision.


    He blinked, trying to clear his view, only to realize that this woman was attempting to kiss him.


    "Mmgnh~~"


    Amelia whole body quivered, a sense of energy stirring within her.


    Her hands moved frantically as she searched his body, her touch both desperate and relentless.


    This sudden change in her demeanor caught him off guard, as he was usually the one who surprised others.


    Today, however, it seemed that he was the one being caught off bnce, like a gust of wind shifting the weather unexpectedly.


    His hand instinctively shot out and grabbed her head.


    "Mngh~"


    Amelia appeared to be driven by an insatiable craving, her whole body itching with heat. Her slender fingers rifled against his fabric in search of something to extinguish it until they caught a bulge over his pants.


    She leaned in, her breath tickling his neck as she whispered with a mix of plea and desire.


    "Give me..." Her voice trailed off, teasing against his skin. "Give me... another child..."


    Gasp!


    For a moment, his mind fought to process her request, to grasp the depths of her longing in her eyes.


    Feeling her hands slide underneath his clothes, and her eyes demanding and misty with pleading, Wang Xiao tenderly caressed her face.


    "Amelia... Not now, I need you toe outside world with me first," he said with a sense of urgency.


    "!"


    "Enough!" Amelia''s voice cracked, her eyes brimming with tears. "You only show up when you need something! And you don''t even have half an hour for me!?"


    "..."

 Chapter 298: ...Was this door open the whole time?"

    "It isn''t hard enough...." Amelia muttered, her disappointment evident in her voice, as she delicately grasped his member in her hands, attempting to position it against her eager entrance.


    However, it stubbornly refused entry.


    Observing her squatting above him, Wang Xiao, a mix of irritation and impatience evident in his controlled tone, voiced his thoughts. "You need to make it hard... It doesn''t just spring to life on its own."


    "Ugh... Then how???" Amelia gritted her teeth, her anger boiling within her.


    Wang Xiao casually shrugged his shoulders, his indifference making her even more furious. "You''re a woman, not me.... Your time is already ticking, Amelia¡ª?"


    In an instant, the words ceased, swallowed by the abrupt action as she spun around, her back turned to him, positioning her mouth dangerously close to hisher region.


    "..."


    A rush of warmth enveloped him, leaving Wang Xiao dumbfounded as he pped his forehead in frustration. ''Fuck this....''


    Meanwhile, a few minutester, someone who stood at the helm of reality or illusion stood stupefied, her eyes rubbing in disbelief as she sought confirmation that the world she perceived hadn''t been irrevocably altered.


    In the ghostly silence, Diana stood petrified by the yawning doorway, her face twisted in raw terror at the nightmare that froze before her.


    Across from her, an unsuspecting man, his innocence screaming against the vile encroachment he suffered.


    "Ahhhnnn..."


    "Mmghhhhh~~"


    From the shadows slithered a creature, nails like the ws of night, hair wild as the stormy sea, its form cradling atop the helpless victim.


    Its mouth stretched wide, releasing distorted moans of twisted pleasure, while its ws, sharp as daggers, danced threateningly over his trembling flesh.


    Hiss!!


    A shiver of ice sprinted down Diana''s spine as she¡ª on the brink of flight, her breath a prisoner in her throat, desperate to meld with the shadows.


    "..."


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao had long ago taken notice of her presence, his gaze piercing through the darkness, aware of the lingering figure haunting the periphery.


    Only Amelia, consumed by the sinister possession, remained oblivious to Diana''s presence.


    As Wang Xiao studied Amelia''s lost expression, a knowing smirk danced across his lips, forewarning her¡ª inevitable regret that would surelye crashing down upon her, once it''s over!


    ______


    Half an hour had slipped by, shrouded in an oppressive silence.


    "..."


    "..."


    Standing before the mirror in the washroom, Wang Xiao took deep, deliberate breaths, each one a battle to quell the storm inside him before¡ª


    Bang!


    His forehead mmed into the mirror, fracturing the ss and splintering his reflection into a web of jagged lines, while crimson blood trickled down his brow.


    "Are you alright...?" A voice, soaked in worry, drifted through the closed door.


    "Yeah, just a mosquito," Wang Xiao replied, his tone masking the turmoil beneath as the shards of ss hovered in the air, rearranging themselves with an eerie precision.


    He turned on the tap, letting the cold water rush over his face and hair, washing away the blood as the wound slowly sealed itself, leaving no trace on his now unblemished reflection.


    [Xiao, you did great!]


    "..."


    ''Really?'' A hollowugh echoed silently within him.


    How could any of this be considered ''great''?


    [Uh... Yeah...]


    [You didn''t tear her to pieces, no blood was spilled, and both of you¡ªcame out alive!]


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened, his expression a mask of conflicted emotions.


    Was this supposed to be a victory?


    The urge to shatter his reflection again surged through him, a desperate need to escape the twisted praise echoing in his head.


    He swore he''d never fucking try to act nice again!¡ªNever to don the mask of niceties again, to never weave sweet nothings into the fabric of his reality.


    If the beast in his heart had its way, that wily vixen would be but a breath away from a strangled fate!


    If the shadows in his heart had voices¡ª they would be howling for her downfall.


    His clenched fists itched to wring the life from that blonde vixen who whispered such deceit.


    What Wang Xiao now faced was the age-old dance of change¡ªresistant, reluctant.


    Draped in pleasantries, a tactic sown by that ''woman'', was meant to harvest favor andpliance.


    Yet to his eyes, it backfired¡ªa silent rebellion against the veiled maniptions. A riddle wrapped in courtesy, it proved to be no more than a gesture as ineffective as it was insincere.


    _____


    "Let''s go."


    Outside, Wang Xiao spoke anew, his lips curving into a subtle smile as he sped the hand of Amelia, whose raven locks cascaded like a dark waterfall.


    He was ready to lead them forward.


    Amelia hesitated, her stance faltering slightly. "From the front gate...?" Uncertainty shimmered in her sapphire eyes, reflecting her thoughts like light dancing on deep waters.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Wang Xiao''s brows lifted in surprise. "What''s the issue?" Noticing her hesitation, he couldn''t help but probe further.


    Silence fell over Amelia, now dressed in a striking blue and white dress that entuated her paleplexion.


    She cast a wary nce through the window, where a solitary raven perched ominously.


    Following the trail of her gaze, Wang Xiao''s expression deepened into a frown.


    "Are you worried about... Eleanor?" he queried, his toneced with a mix of curiosity and concern.


    Amelia nodded, her hesitation palpable as she looked toward the open door of her office.


    Wang Xiao''s frown turned stern. "Let here if she seeks her doom early. I have no time for her today."


    "You¡ªhow can you say that?!" Amelia''s grip tightened around his hand, her panic evident. She was certain Eleanor was listening, yet Wang Xiao responded with a calm, knowing smile.


    He understood, after thest troubling incident, that Eleanor too was ensnared by the curse of guilt¡ªthus, he harbored no fear of her.


    "But... huh?" Amelia''s voice trailed off as a sudden chill seemed to pass over her. She froze, her eyes narrowing. "...Was this door open the whole time?" she asked sharply, a realization dawning on her with icy rity.


    "Haha..." Wang Xiao couldn''t help but let a smirk curl his lips, hisughter ringing out, causing Amelia''s eyes to cloud with realisation.


    "Xiao! Answer it!"


    "Haha..."


    Hisughter continued, a mocking echo in the looming shadow of unanswered questions ¡ª yet all of them were answered as the echoes of her horror had spread among her staff, now staring at her with warry nces as she strode toward herboratory.


    Her cheeks burned with embarrassment; Amelia longed to dig a hole and bury them together¡ªfor he had not warned her the door stood open!


    Yet each time she shot him a re, it only fueled the whispers further, confirming suspicions and drawing sharp gasps of surprise from those around.


    As for Wang Xiao¡ªhis presence had faded from memory, his identity erased like footprints by the tide.


    Now to the vigers, he was but a stranger''s face, newly glimpsed and easily forgotten.

 Chapter 299: Gabrial absconded?

    Laboratory, Basement!


    The ce was dimly lit, save for the focused glow of a single overheadmp that cast an eerie spotlight on scattered papers and old, leather-bound books strewn across a dusty wooden table.


    Wang Xiao''s face was pinched in concentration as he picked up a thick volume, its pages yellowed with age.


    "What are these...?" he murmured, his brow furrowing deeper.


    Amelia, who was busy rifling through a stack of dog-eared journals, looked up, her expression an odd mix of hope and resignation.


    "You said you wanted to revive someone from cryo sleep or a simr state, right?" she asked, the corners of her mouth twitching into a tentative smile.


    "Uh-hm," Wang Xiao nodded, his gaze darting over the dense text he held.


    He was visibly taken aback by something he read, his eyes widening slightly.


    "I''ve tried this before for our¡ªnever mind... it just never worked out," Amelia continued, her smile fading into a grimace.


    "I don''t know if it will this time either," she confessed, her voice tinged with a bitter edge.


    Wang Xiao set the paper down, his demeanor shifting from surprise to determination. "Your chances of sess would be quite high this time," he asserted confidently, sparking a flicker of curiosity in Amelia''s eyes.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    ??


    She turned to face him fully, her gaze intense as she searched his face, wondering what had fueled his newfound assurance.


    From the shadowy corner of his mind, Yin Yue''s voice added, [Her studies are borate. With a few adjustments, they could actually work.]


    Wang Xiao nodded, affirmation written across his features.


    This was precisely why he hade to this forgottennd, filled with the scent of mold and the promise of forbidden knowledge.


    Yin Yue ims to have the necessary knowledge, but of course, he know nothing about surgery or medicine.


    Wang Xiao admitted openly to himself, looking back at Amelia with a respectful nod.


    He need someone who can understand the scientific nuances and execute the procedures.


    He had chosen Amelia for this task over Reba, whom he knew only in passing.


    Amelia''s grasp on the theoretical was evident from the meticulous notes and annotations that peppered her workspace.


    Now, as he observed the confident way she handled the ancient tomes, he realized she might not need as much guidance as he had initially thought.


    Her capability was clear, and perhaps, just maybe, they were on the brink of something¡ª groundbreaking.


    Even if all paths turned to dust, Wang Xiao harbored deeper schemes: to seek Tiamat and use the Elixir of Life; and if the stars refused to align, then perhaps a quest for Aurora, or a counsel with Naomi would suffice.


    He held a quiet belief, a whisper within, that the silent tenant residing rent-free in his vessel might heed his words.


    This resolve was fortified when Yin Yue observed his tendency to simply ept things and forge ahead.


    It was a jolt, a spark that ignited within him the realization that he had deemed Anran''s ''death'' as definitive without exploring other possibilities.


    Now awakened, he was determined to push his own limits to their utmost.


    Maliketh would remain a shadow at the edge of his thoughts, a nightmare to confront once they stood as equals in the arena of might.


    Indeed, it had been but seventeen years since Wang Xiao awoke to this world, a mere five in mastery of psychokics.


    Given time, he mused, even the celestial beings like Maliketh would reckon with his presence.


    Yet, beneath it all, Wang Xiao understood¡ªthese grand designs might merely be his heart''s way to veil its own fragility, a coping mechanism, a lie woven from threads of desperation.


    Humans, ever so human, perpetually strive to validate their emotions and beliefs, crafting justifications as shields against the relentless march of reality, much like Wang Xiao, much like anyone else.


    ______


    Midnight, 29th December, Gaia''s Facility


    In the gloom of Gaia''s advancedboratory, the clock struck twelve, its chime echoing off the sterile, metallic walls.


    Beep...


    Beep...


    Rows of high-tech equipment and softly humming machinery, a single cryogenic pod stood out, bathed in a cold, blue light.


    Inside, a bodyy suspended, serene and still, as if caught between worlds.


    The pod, screens flickered with vital statistics andplex graphs, painting a picture of life held in pause.


    The air was filled with the sterile scent of antiseptic, mixed with the faint ozone smell of active electronics.


    Tubes and wires snaked from the pod like lifelines, pulsing with the rhythms of artificial life support.


    Wang Xiao and Amelia arrived at the scene, their quick steps halted by Reba, who was monitoring a panel of blinking indicators.


    "Wait! We are still in the middle of the procedure¡ª" she started, her plea cut short by Amelia''s assertive interruption.


    "No need, I''ll take it from here," Amelia dered, stepping forward with such decisiveness that Reba, caught off guard, faltered.


    "You are...?" Her eyes flicked between the determined Amelia and Wang Xiao.


    "Amelia. Also, bring everyone here; I need to know the team before we proceed," Amelia added authoritatively.


    "Huh?" Confusion and irritation shed across Reba''s features.


    It was herboratory, after all.


    Why should she heed themands of someone else?


    "Did you not hear her... Perhaps?" Wang Xiao interjected, his tone mild but his gaze sharp,nding on Reba with a silent warning.


    "Follow him, Reba," came another voice.


    Li Zhiming entered theb, his presence only intensifying Reba''s difort, her face twisting as if she had swallowed something bitter.


    She conceded, albeit reluctantly.


    Wang Xiao''s attention shifted as he noticed a new emblem on the uniform of a stern-faced Li Zhiming, and he frowned.


    "Old man, did you get a promotion?" he asked, his suspicion apparent.


    Behind him, a woman red viciously towards him, and recognition dawned on Wang Xiao''s face. He knew her.


    Amaya''s presence caught Wang Xiao by surprise, not merely because of her angry re but because she was among other Deviants.


    This was unusual, as Wang Xiao clearly remembered the rules of the Pantheon Network, which typically allowed only two Deviants at any given time.


    "Not a promotion, it''s temporary. Gabriel has absconded, so I''ll be temporarily heading the entire Zero. In the next few hours, I''ll also be moving to the Zero headquarters in the States," Li Zhiming exined, his tone carrying a hint of pride.


    It was a temporary appointment, but the possibilities it heralded could lead to permanence.

 Chapter 300: Reviving the Dead!

    Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed with concern.


    He had many questions, each pressing against the forefront of his mind, but he knew this was neither the time nor the ce, especially as Reba returned with her team in tow.


    "You can do it... right?" he asked Amelia, seeking confirmation.


    He had refined some of her earlier missteps and provided her with the optimal procedures gleaned from Yin Yue''s guidance.


    Yet, the thought of resurrecting the dead still seemed like a miracle.


    Amelia nced toward the cryo pod where the bodyy in stasis.


    She nodded confidently. "Her body appears unharmed, which is a significant advantage. And since not much time has passed, our chances of a sessful procedure are even higher."


    Gasp!


    Around Reba, the team members drew in a sharp, cold breath, their minds alight with the possibility that they might witness a groundbreaking event today.


    Meanwhile, Reba shot a skeptical nce toward Amelia.


    "Why does she look pregnant?" Amelia couldn''t hold back the question any longer, her toneced with surprise and a hint of usation.


    He hadn''t informed her of this detail, nor the identity of the individual on whom they were about to operate.


    Eveline''s efficiency with the transport had been remarkable, their arrival startlingly swift.


    This left Amelia pondering whether the world outside was far more stronger than Eleanor had ever admitted.


    Wang Xiao''s eyebrows arched in response. "Because she is," he stated simply.


    Amelia''s expression soured. "...It''s yours?"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao met her gaze, his face an unreadable mask, offering no words in return.


    "Cough, can you two decide on your internal matterster? Dr. Reba is waiting..." Li Zhiming interrupted, his tone both amused and exasperated.


    Seizing the moment to escape the tension, Wang Xiao gave a small nod and stepped away, leaving Amelia to wrestle with her emotions alone.


    She stood there for a moment, her face a mix of conflicting feelings, before exhaling a deep, resigned sigh.


    _______


    Outside!


    "You all can leave," Li Zhimingmanded, his voice echoing slightly in the cold, crisp air.


    He waved dismissively at his guards, who initially frowned in hesitation but ultimately obeyed, their boots crunching against the gravel as they departed¡ªall except for one.


    "..."


    Amaya remained steadfast, an unyielding figure behind him, causing Li Zhiming''s brow to crease in annoyance.


    "Amaya? Did you not hear me? Leave us alone," he barked, his tone harsher this time, echoing a note ofmand that brooked no argument.


    "Yes, sir..." Amaya''s response was slow, her voiceced with reluctance and a trace of disappointment.


    She cast a final, lingering look towards Wang Xiao, who was steadily approaching.


    Her eyes briefly red with a mix of defiance and resignation before she turned to leave.


    Wang Xiao, for his part, barely recognized her.


    In his mind, she was a mere blip on his radar, her significance barely registering.


    If Amaya had known how little she figured in his thoughts, perhaps she wouldn''t have imbued her departing gaze with such intense rage, hoping to snatch a sliver of his attention.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Tap...


    Tap...


    As Wang Xiao''s footsteps echoed on the empty pavement outside, he broke the silence with a pressing question.


    "What happened with Gabriel?" He knew that if anything, he could at least handle the likes of Gabriel and reduce his list of enemies.


    "Gabriel has run away," Li Zhiming sighed, turning to look back at him. "Your...st attack has unsettled the higher-ups. Now, even the responsibility for the attack on Sylvergard is being med on you."


    "Why would I attack my own territory? Have they lost their minds?" Wang Xiao couldn''t help but squint his eyes in frustration.


    Li Zhiming sighed again, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it with a flick of his lighter. "Only a few people know it was the result of a sh between you and the North American guardian."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. "Their opinions don''t concern me," he stated firmly.


    After all, he remembered that in his position, he shouldn''t care about what others think, except for other guardians.


    Li Zhiming nodded in understanding. "Just stay alive. And thank you for helping the girl out."


    Wang Xiao remained silent, his thoughts as unreadable as his expression.


    Li Zhiming misread the stoicism on Wang Xiao''s face for anger and quickly tried to defuse the tension.


    "I didn''t mean to attack you... It was simply the rush of emotions getting the better of me," he exined, his voice tinged with regret.


    Wang Xiao''s response was ice-cold and matter-of-fact. "If I cared about such things, you would be dead by now. My intelligence allows me to see beyond the moment and to spare you for it."


    "!"


    A wry smile flickered across Li Zhiming''s lips. "That''s settled then. You can''t exact revenge on my granddaughters over this!"


    Wang Xiao furrowed his brow, perplexed by the very thought.


    ''Why would I even consider that?'' he questioned inwardly, his frown deepening.


    Li Zhiming continued to draw on his cigarette, the smoke swirling around him in the dark of night adding an air of mystery.


    Wang Xiao can''t help but inquire, "You said you were leaving in a few hours? Aren''t you going to wait for your daughter to wake up first...?"


    A shadow passed over Li Zhiming''s face, his usualposure crumbling slightly. "Not today, I have more work to do... Besides, I don''t have the courage to exin her identity to her... Haha... She might just tear my head off for it," he chuckled dryly, though theugh didn''t reach his eyes.


    "..."


    Silence fell between them for a moment.


    Wang Xiao didn''t regard Anran as dangerous at all¡ªif anything, she seemed to him like a cat without ws.


    Changing the subject, Li Zhiming leaned closer, lowering his voice almost conspiratorially. "Hey, did I ever tell you her story...?"


    Wang Xiao nodded, signaling that he knew, but Li Zhiming, perhaps eager to share, ignored the gesture and plunged into the tale regardless.


    In the beginning, Li Zhiming was merely a spy hired by Country M to gather intelligence against China, owing to his own nationality.


    However, his life took an unexpected turn during a mission on a cruise ship where he met a woman from Russtovia.


    Sheter confided that her roommate, who was also her lover, was not just a casualpanion but her fianc¨¦.


    They were on the cruise to celebrate their engagement and nned to marry upon returning to their homnd.


    This revtion disheartened Li Zhiming, but it did not derail his life, until he crossed paths with her once again, this time in her own country.


    It was there he learned that theirst encounter had resulted in the birth of a daughter¡ªa secret she had kept, disguised as her husband''s child.


    That was when Li Zhiming made the grave error of letting his emotions dictate his actions.


    He became so fixated that he bought a house next to hers, bing her neighbor and inadvertently forgetting the dangers of his own identity.


    This obsession drew a deadly attack intended for him, but it endangered everyone around them.


    .


    .


    .


    A/N: Outside the country from 22-27th may, updates would resume afterwards!

 Chapter 301: Unusual Silence!

    "... I wish I had never re-entered their lives..." Li Zhiming confessed, his voice heavy with regret.


    He never intended for Anran to follow in his footsteps, but ironically, he believed that immersing her in his world was the safest option for her.


    Despite his regrets, a subtle pride crept into his voice as he spoke of her.


    He had the power to decide on the missions she would be assigned and ensured she was constantly under watch.


    "You did what you deemed fit; there is nothing to regret," Wang Xiao responded, offering an unusual reassurance.


    Li Zhiming chuckled softly, the sound tinged with mncholy. "If only it were that simple..."


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Why wasn''t it simple?n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The weight of their previous conversation still lingered, but Wang Xiao shifted focus, perhaps a bit too abruptly.


    "...Any idea where Gabriel is right now?" His thoughts had already pivoted to strategy, mulling over future moves.


    After all, once Luna was healed, he might well take it upon himself to eliminate Gabriel.


    Li Zhiming shook his head, his expression somber. "No idea... But he wasst seen heading towards Frostholm..."


    "!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened for a second. "Towards the tunnel to hell?"


    Li Zhiming nodded. "For now, there is nothing to worry about. The security is tightened, and the chances of any human infiltrating that ce are impossible."


    "He is not human," Wang Xiao stated tly.


    "Huh?" Li Zhiming''s confusion was evident.


    Wang Xiao, instead of borating, reached out mentally to Yin Yue. ''You were correct, Yue. The hell spirit controlling Gabriel is indeed aiming for the tunnel to hell. What now?''


    After a brief pause, Yin Yue responded, her voice echoing within his mind. [...I think... We can only wait... Or do you want to go and investigate?]


    Wang Xiao''s faint smile barely touched the corners of his mouth, a hint of wry amusement in his gaze. ''I don''t have time to face an army of hell spirits. It''s better if they are aiming to break the barrier, or might just want to return home. Let the concerned people worry about it.''


    Yin Yue fell silent. If anything, she wanted to remind him that he was one of the concerned parties.


    But then again, he was right.


    Venturing alone against such formidable foes could lead him to serious injury again, even if he emerged victorious.


    Li Zhiming didn''t add any more words.


    Momentster, a ck Apache helicopter touched down near them, its des slicing through the air with a buzzing whir.


    He quickly boarded, leaving the situation in Wang Xiao''s capable hands.


    Currently, Wang Xiao himself desired some peace.


    Thest thing he wanted was to spend the next few days crusading against supernatural forces.


    With a final nce at the departing helicopter, he turned and headed towards the mountains where Eveline and Luna were waiting.


    There, in the tranquil solitude away from the chaos of his duties, he hoped to find a brief period of peace.


    ____


    Chirp....


    Chirp....


    29th December, 2024!


    As dawn broke, Wang Xiao''s eyes fluttered open to the first gentle rays of the rising sun filtering through the window. His eyelids moved slowly at first, then abruptly widened.


    Whoosh!


    Reacting instantly, his eyes shot wide open as his hand darted forward to intercept a foreign object hovering in front of him.


    "What''s the time?" he asked, catching Eveline slightly off guard.


    His fingers had been absentmindedly tracing lines across his face, but they paused as he unexpectedly captured her soft hand, bringing her movements to a halt.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze locked onto her face, his headfortably nestled on her thighs¡ªa position he had found to offer a deeper sense of safety and rest during the night.


    Eveline''s lips curled into a smile at his sharp instincts. "It''s only morning, but you can go back to sleep; a surprise is waiting for you."


    "..."


    ''What kind of surprise?'' Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed slightly, scrutinizing her expression for any hint of what she meant.


    However, Eveline, ever mysterious, offered no further details.


    With a mixture of curiosity and resignation, Wang Xiao rose to his feet, stretching his limbsnguidly, only to notice Luna still encased within her healing cocoon.


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened. ''How much longer will she need to heal?'' He was unsure of the extent of her injuries and could only guess that it might take weeks.


    With a heavy sigh, he made his way towards the imposing structure of Gaia''s Facility, encircled by the high-security perimeter, his mind racing with thoughts of what awaited him inside.


    _____


    Boom!


    The sound bommed sharply, signaling Wang Xiao''s arrival at the military base.


    He was initially headed for the underground sector when his attention was abruptly diverted.


    Tucked away in a shadowed corner, Reba was deep in conversation with a soldier, their heads bowed in serious discussion.


    Catching sight of Wang Xiao, Reba''s eyes flickered towards him.


    "!"


    She subtly pointed toward the rear of thepound, her lips moving in silent artiction, words lost in the distance between them.


    ??


    Perplexed, Wang Xiao halted, squinting in the direction she indicated.


    It took a moment for him to piece together her silent message¡ªshe wasn''t pointing him toward the usual underground haunts but rather towards the hospital that sprawled prominently on the surface of the facility.


    With a final, confirming nce at Reba, rity struck. The item or person he was searching for was now housed within the hospital, not buried in the depths below.


    "..."


    Feeling a vague sense of unease, Wang Xiao redirected his steps towards the hospital building.


    Tap...


    Tap...


    His boots clicked against the concrete, the sound sharp in the crisp morning air.


    Ascending to the second floor, he stepped into a long, deserted corridor that seemed to stretch endlessly.


    The usual clutter of his thoughts cleared, leaving him in a state of eerie calm.


    The corridor was eerily silent, amplifying the sound of his own breathing and the steady thud of his heart.


    The fluorescent lights overhead cast a sterile glow, throwing long shadows that danced quietly alongside him.


    Wang Xiao moved with a purposeful stride, his senses heightened, the weight of his footsteps echoing solemnly through the hallway.


    He passed by hospital staff and soldiers, his intense focus rendering them mere blurs in his peripheral vision, until¡ª

 Chapter 302: Wang Xiao stunned: Bàba? (1)

    Rustle...


    In a private ward that exuded a sense of calm and serenity, a woman sat propped up in bed, her light blonde hair cascading softly around her shoulders, providing a striking contrast to the pale blue hospital gown she wore.


    The room was warmly decorated, with soft pastel colors that added aforting touch, and arge window that allowed natural light to brighten the space.


    Beside her, a small bouquet of fresh flowers and a few get-well cards adorned the bedside table.


    Click!


    "Huh?"


    As the door clicked open, Anran turned towards the sound.


    The light from the corridor spilled into the dimly lit room, outlining the figure of the person at the door.


    "!"


    Upon seeing who it was, her eyes opened wide briefly, before they softened, and a yful giggle escaped her lips.


    Whoosh!


    "Hehe... See this," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of mischief and pride.


    With all the grace of a magician revealing her grand trick, she gently presented the two newest additions to her life¡ªtwin girls cradled carefully in her arms.


    Each infant was swaddled in soft white nkets, their tiny faces peeking out with curious eyes.


    One of the twins yawned widely, her small hand curling into a fist, while the other blinked sleepily at the new world around her.


    ____


    "Hehe... See this."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao stood frozen at the doorway, his eyes squinting slightly as if to make sense of the scene before him.


    After a moment of hesitation, he cautiously advanced a few steps into the room.


    "Hm! Hm! Take them¡ªdon''t hesitate!" Anran urged, nodding her head smilling as she watched him approach.


    There was a spark of mischief in her eyes that made him even more wary.


    "..."


    As Anran held out the twins with a face brimming with excitement, Wang Xiao''s thoughts scrambled.


    "..."


    He stared down at the infants, their small sizes and slightly unkempt appearances momentarily pushing him to the edge of difort.


    Despite his initial reaction, he found himself mechanically reaching out to cradle them in his arms.


    ''Why do they look like they''ve just wrestled in blood?'' he thought, his face contorting subtly in an attempt to mask his disgust, and desire to throw them out of window.


    Internally, Wang Xiao was already reeling.


    It was at that moment he fully grasped the weight of his past decisions¡ªthe carelessness of fleeting moments now crystallized into the very real regret in his arms.


    Yet, as if sensing his inner regret and deciding to twist the knife a bit deeper, Anran smiled widely, puffed out her chest slightly and boasted, "See, I told you a small waist is also useful! Look what I managed¡ªthese two beauties!"


    Wang Xiao, now juggling the twins, couldn''t help but let out a resigned sigh. "Yes, you did..." he mumbled under his breath, a mix of awe and slight resignation in his tone.


    He gazed down at the tiny faces looking up at him with wide-eyed innocence.


    Suddenly, one of the twins unconsciouslytched onto his finger, her tiny grip surprisingly strong.


    ''Fuck...''


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed as he felt a mild tug; the infant seemed determined to keep him anchored.


    Just as he tried to extract his finger, the second twin seized another finger, doubling the assault.


    "..."


    Before the scene could devolve into full fledged war, Wang Xiao quickly decided to avert any further chaos.


    "Here... take them back," he said, a hint of urgency in his voice as he handed the babies abruptly back to Anran.


    ??


    Anran, caught slightly off guard, epted the twins with a softugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Haha... Are you embarrassed?"


    "..."


    "Do you want to die again?" Wang Xiao couldn''t help but re at her, annoyed.


    Anran, undeterred by his threat, simply shook her head, her grin broad and unabashed.


    "Nope," she replied cheerily, her eyes sparkling with mischief.


    ____n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Ignoring her, Wang Xiao eyes went to the cards and flower kept nearby, slightly surprised who can put them, he went forward to check it out, finding names which slightly suprised him.


    He didn''t recognise many, so why were they even here?


    [They should be from staff, nothing abnormal.] Yin Yue rified, before he can overthink it in the moment.


    Wang Xiao nodded, finding Amelia who had arrived but was waiting at the door, before he went outside, to greet her.


    "You worked hard..." He can''t help but notice her appearance, her eyes slightly weary.


    Amelia let out a faint smile, tucking the door behind them, but keeping it unlocked.


    "Well, it was worth it." She can''t help but sigh, before she eyed suspiciously towards, Wang Xiao, "I still don''t understand... Why would you have children with girl this young?"


    "Young?" Wang Xiao can''t help but mumer to himself, "She should be 19 soon..." He thought.


    Amelia eyes squinted hearing his mutterings, "She said that to you...?" She can''t help but be conflicted.


    Rustle...


    As they spoke, a sudden rustle of movement caught Wang Xiao''s attention. "Who?"


    "!"


    Before he could fully turn around, a weightunched itself at him.


    Whoosh!


    Anran hadunched herself at him with a smile, wrapping her arms tightly around Wang Xiao''s neck and her legs around his waist in a tight embrace.


    "Yup, my neenth birthday was yesterday!" she whispered right into his ear, her voice a soft murmurced with a trace of triumphant mischief.


    "Really...?"


    Wang Xiao, initially taken aback by the suddenness of the gesture, felt his body tense up momentarily.


    But as he recognized the familiarity and warmth of her hold, he rxed into the embrace, his earlier caution melting away.


    Anran giggled, her head bobbing yfully above his shoulder. "Uh-huh! On paper! I''m officially neen now!"


    Wang Xiao nodded in acknowledgment, his mind still catching up with the rapid turn of events.


    Meanwhile, Amelia stood a few steps away, her voice barely audible as she muttered skeptically to herself, "On paper...?" Her brow furrowed, her eyes narrowing as doubt shadowed her features, freezing momentarily in thought.


    What Wang Xiao failed to notice in this moment was the calcted nce that Anran cast over his shoulder at Amelia.


    Her eyes were slightly squinted, shimmering with a cunning and possibly dangerous glint.


    Amelia''s expression darkened significantly as she observed the seemingly innocent deration from Anran carried an unsettling passive aggressiveness, especially when paired with her piercing gaze.


    "..."


    Though silent, Amelia''s mind was in chaos until a sudden realization struck her, sparking a re of panic.


    "Hey, you can''t move on your own! You need rest!" she blurted out, her voice tinged with concern and urgency as she stepped forward.


    .


    .


    .


    A/N: Outside the country from 22nd to 27th may, updates would resume afterwards!

 Chapter 303: Wang Xiao stunned: Bàba? (2)

    "Hey, you can''t move on your own! You need rest!" Amelia blurted out, her voice tinged with concern and urgency as she stepped forward.


    At her warning, Anran clung to Wang Xiao like a ko to a sturdy trunk.


    Her eyes¡ªa mixture of mischief and mirth¡ªblinked in surprise before she theatrically closed them again.


    Amelia, "??"


    Then, with a grin that stretched mischievously across her face, Anran stuck out her tongue at him. "Pthhh!"


    "..."


    "What?" Amelia, standing just behind Wang Xiao, felt her heart skip a beat in shock.


    ''This girl...'' Her eyes, wide as crystals, mirrored a blend of astonishment and amusement.


    Never in her life had she expected such childlike actionsing from a grown woman, a mother of two!


    "..."


    The air around Wang Xiao tightened with tension as Anran''s arms ensnared him, herughter tickling his ear.


    He believed this whimsical woman desperately needed some discipline¡ªafter all, she had abandoned her parental duties and was now wreaking havoc.


    "Anran... I thought you were going to be¡ªresponsible," he managed to say, his voice tinged with both irritation and reluctant amusement, muffled by her proximity.


    "Hm! Very responsible! I am!" Anran dered, nodding vigorously and pointing to herself with her thumb to emphasize her point even more.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao wondered if she was merely pretending not to hear or genuinely oblivious to the chaos she stirred.


    Like Amelia, he was momentarily petrified, as the next words tumbled from Anran''s lips¡ª


    "B¨¤ba!"


    "!"


    Locking eyes with him, Anran''s grin widened, impish and triumphant, before she repeated, her voice soft yet clear, "B¨¤ba!"


    "..."


    "..."


    Today marked the day Anran knew she should have held her tongue, restraining the impulsive words that so often escaped her.


    Yet, she didn''t¡ªand the mischievous twinkle in her eyes only brightened as she anticipated the consequences.


    For the first time in the world, a woman who hade back from the dead was now soaring through the air.


    Anran felt herself thrown aloft, embracing the G-force as if to test her own shock absorption capabilities.


    Amelia could only shout in rm as Wang Xiao catapulted Anran¡ªa seemingly normal human¡ªinto the air like a projectile.


    Racing after her with heart-pounding urgency, Amelia was determined to ensure that this girl wouldn''t meet death once again, increasing her own workload!


    [A/N: B¨¤ba = Dad in chinese]


    _________


    December 31, 2026!


    The new year was almost there!


    After permitting Anran an additional day in Gaia''s high-tech facility for thorough examinations, Wang Xiao made the decision to transfer her back to the stately King''s Mansion in Sylvergard.


    Consolidating everyone in one secure location seemed like a smarter tactic to Wang Xiao, especially considering Eveline would now be living among them.


    However, a singr dilemma stayed: the secret of reviving the dead.


    This groundbreaking discovery, now fallen into human hands, came with significant limitations¡ªit was impossible to resurrect anyone with a mutted body or if a considerable amount of time had psed since death.


    Yet, the secret was irrevocably revealed.


    Wang Xiao was uncertain about how the staff at Gaia''s facility would handle such potent knowledge.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    For the moment, he delegated this thorny issue to Li Zhiming to manage, given his leadership role in Project Zero.


    It was only during a video call with the old man that he discovered Li Zhiming was already in Frostholm, staying in a remote outpost for unknown reasons.


    He promptly received the contact details of Li Zhiming''s secretary for any further matters.


    Nheless, having warned him of the technique''s dangers, Wang Xiao was not overly concerned.


    His own method of dealing with enemies¡ªturning their bodies into nothing more than a mist of blood¡ªleft no chance for revival.


    After settling Eveline and the two little terrors¡ªyes, Wang Xiao genuinely considered these charming girls as little monsters, a sort of abomination¡ªit was somewhat amusing to see him scrutinizing the two adorable infants with a suspicious and overly cautious gaze.


    This unexpected behavior elicited a chuckle from Seraphina, who found herself puzzled by the man''s apprehension towards such innocent beings.


    Meanwhile, news that Fra Ind was bing uninhabitable and manifesting bizarre phenomena after a bombardment of gamma rays dominated the television broadcasts.


    Fortunately, Levos Ind, where Wang Xiao and the others resided, remained perfectly safe.


    If Eveline''s words were to be believed, Maliketh would not dare to enter this territory again, apparently deterred by some ominous presence he feared lurking in the sky.


    Wang Xiao himself was unclear about what Eveline was signalling to, yet he had his suspicions...


    Putting aside these thoughts, the immediate concern became Amelia.


    Wang Xiao sensed that after their prolonged separation, she might wish to stay with him, yet she was already expressing a desire to return.


    Convinced that Amelia would find greater safety in Xianthera, he resolved to escort her back himself.


    As for the care of Anran during this period and overseeing her recovery, he had decisively abducted Reba from Gaia''s Facility to fulfill this role.


    Reba naturally was very resistant, so he had no choice but to ce her in a stic bag, dragging her all the way in.


    Now, standing on the frozen outskirts of Xianthera, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but take in a deep, fresh breath of the crisp air.


    The outskirts appeared eternally cloaked in snow, a strange phenomenon, yet there was an undeniable magic to the ce.


    "You are not going toe inside?" Amelia inquired, a note of hope mingling with reluctance in her voice. "Time moves slowly here; you could even stay for a few days," she suggested, her eyes conveying a subtle plea.


    Wang Xiao smiled faintly, his eyes sweeping over the vast, frostyndscape of Xianthera. He couldn''t deny its breathtaking beauty.


    "Not right now, but you could alwayse outside to meet me; I''ll keep the entrance open. Don''t worry about anyone infiltrating this ce. This part of the ind will be dered a restricted zone and will remain off the surveince grid."


    "You guys can freelye outside from now on. It''s the perfect opportunity for you to import technology from the outside world and help this ce catch up¡ªor even surpass it," Wang Xiao outlined his ambitious ns for Xianthera.


    He believed deeply in the potential of this ce; it had given him so much during the ten years he spent here, though he was only awake for five of them.


    Now, with his influential status in the outside world and with the support of Li Zhiming, he was confident he could preserve this sanctuary''s secrecy forever.

 Chapter 304: Meeting Bing Xueli again!

    [Ahem, Xiao, we agreed on something,] Yin Yue interjected with a pointed tone, unable to conceal her concern as Amelia stood stiffly before Wang Xiao, her smile strained ¡ªtinged with tension.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t resist meeting Amelia''s gaze, her eyshes flickering with a hint of surprise, as he enveloped her in a warm embrace.


    !?


    Startling her¡ªGently, he ced a tender kiss on her forehead. "Take care this time, and find me if you run into any trouble," he murmured softly, his voiceden with emotion.


    "You don''t need to take it all on yourself..." His words were as much a reassurance to himself as they were to her.


    "!"


    Amelia''s eyes widened in astonishment, staring into the distance for a split second before her rigid features melted into a faint sweet smile.


    "I don''t regret saving you... Ever...I lied... All those times..." she whispered, her voice barely audible as she pressed her head against his chest, her arms tightening around him in a firm embrace.


    Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, reflecting her chaotic emotions at the moment.


    As Wang Xiao gently stroked her back, he whispered, "I know¡­" His voice was soothing, yet his gaze sharpened, alert and watchful, as he looked over Amelia''s shoulder, scanning the environment for something¡ªor someone¡ªelse in their midst.


    "Promise me... This time, you''ll be there to meet our child..." Amelia pleaded, unaware of the visitor standing behind her.


    Her voice was tinged with a mixture of hope and vulnerability as she sought reassurance from Wang Xiao.


    "I would..." Wang Xiao began, his voice faltering slightly with hesitation. He reached out, cupping her face gently, only to be met by her eyes, shimmering like crystals.


    She leaned in swiftly and kissed him on the lips.


    "!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, his gaze flickering with a mix of surprise and difort as he stared at the tall woman with striking white hair standing before him.


    Why did it feel so illicit, this moment of intimacy, as if they were under the watchful eyes of someone they shouldn''t be?


    Wang Xiao mentally scolded himself, determined to shake off the oppressive image of his guardian from his mind.


    As Amelia slowly pulled away, her smile faint yet meaningful, she hesitated, seemingly reluctant to turn and walk away.


    But as she did, she caught sight of two deep eyes intently observing her.


    "!"


    She froze for a heartbeat, her gaze locking with Bing Xueli, who stood stoically by the leafless tree.


    Quickly regaining herposure, Amelia straightened her posture, her voice carrying a touch of defiance mixed with resignation.


    "I would wait for you..." she dered, her tone tinged with a cool indifference.


    With a final nce, she walked away, her steps measured and deliberate, seemingly unperturbed by Bing Xueli''s oppressive presence.


    "..."


    "..."


    "You came back..." After a long, stretched silence, Bing Xueli exhaled, her expression indifferent but tinged with a faint smile that betrayed herposed facade.


    "Not for long," Wang Xiao responded curtly, his eyes scanning her from top to bottom, assessing her presence. "Why are you here?"


    "..."


    Taken aback by the edge in his voice, Bing Xueli hesitated.


    "Are you angry... at me?" she ventured, her voice a blend of concern and curiosity.


    Wang Xiao remained silent for a moment before shaking his head dismissively. "You''re fortunate. Had you encountered me a few months ago, I might have been, but not anymore."


    "..."


    Bing Xueli stood silently, her gaze fixed on him, a soft murmur escaping her lips almost without thought, "You have grown..." Each time she saw him, he seemed to have evolved immensely, his changes always leaving her astounded.


    "People grow through their experiences," Wang Xiao dered, a note of finality in his voice. "As long as they''re alive, they continue to evolve. If there''s nothing else, I''ll be leaving." His words were firm, and without waiting for a response, he turned to leave.


    "Wait¡ª" Bing Xueli''s plea faded into the cold air, her expression shifting to one of slight disappointment as Wang Xiao swiftly vanished from her view, his silhouette swallowed by the swirling white snow.


    ______


    [Wow... You''vepletely turned the tables on her.]


    Outside, as Wang Xiao soared over the frosty expanse of Icevale, Yin Yue''s voice, tinged with a hint of amazement, resonated within his mind.


    Previously, it had seemed like Wang Xiao was the one pursuing her, but now the dynamic had dramatically shifted¡ªit was she who seemed to be chasing him.


    Yin Yue wasn''t sure if this reversal was deliberate, but Wang Xiao had indeed flipped the script on that woman!


    If anything, Yin Yue was immensely satisfied with this turn of events.


    She harbored a strong dislike for that woman and even harbored a secret desire to see her in sadness.


    Fortunately for Wang Xiao, he was blissfully unaware that the voice echoing in his mind was quite... peculiar at times.


    Had he known, he might have chosen to iste himself in the remote Himyas to escape her influence.


    _____


    Back in Xianthera!


    Bing Xueli returned to her living room, sinking quietly to her knees beside the low table, enveloped in a contemtive silence.


    Her mind was numb, echoing with the coldness of his dismissal as she picked up a pen, intending to outline her ns for theing years.


    Yet, each time she set the pen to paper, her fingers hesitated, dropping listlessly.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "..."


    Eventually, she remained utterly still, her gaze distant and filled with introspection.


    She questioned her priorities¡ªhad she devoted too much to the vige and her role there?


    Wang Xiao had flourished due to her decisions, reaping benefits from her actions.


    However, it now seemed those same decisions had unintentionally pushed him away from her.


    For the first time in her life, doubt crept into her heart, causing her to question her past actions...


    Was it all truly necessary?


    This question haunted her, not just in fleeting moments, but as a constant, oppressive presence in this very room, continuing to haunt her day and night.


    "Huh?"


    Her expression suddenly morphed into one of surprise as she noticed a few droplets of water spattering onto the paper, causing the ink to smear.


    ??


    With a confused frown, she slowly brought her fingers to her face, discovering the unexpected wetness of tears on her cheeks.

 Chapter 305: New Year—2027! Dream! (1)

    12:00 AM, January 1, 2027!


    Boom! Boom!


    The night sky over Sylvergard erupted in a magic of colors, as firecrackers burst into radiant blooms of red, green, and gold.


    Despite the recent tragedy with the destruction of Fra Ind, the city refused to be subdued, its inhabitants embracing the new year with an extravagant disy of lights and sounds.


    As the sky shimmered with vibrant hues, the streets of Sylvergard filled with people, their faces a blend of joy and a faint receding mncholy.


    It was as if they were casting their hopes and regrets into the sky, using the brilliant fireworks as a conduit to leave behind the past and stride towards a brighter future.


    On a secluded hill overlooking the city, under the ancient boughs of an oak tree, a couple stood close, their arms wrapped around each other, sharing a quiet moment away from the chaos.


    The flickering lights painted their faces in a canvas of colors, their eyes locked in a tender gaze that spoke of new beginnings and shared dreams.


    Meanwhile, in a cozy home at the city''s edge, a family gathered around the dinner table, sharing a festive meal.


    Laughter and chatter filled the room as tes were passed and stories exchanged.


    Children''s giggles mingled with the distant pops of fireworks, weaving a tale of familial warmth that contrasted with the cool night outside.


    Amidst it all, the heavens peeked through the window of one of the buildings.


    The room was bathed only in the soft light filtering in from themp and the moon.


    Above the bed, a womany with her back to the mattress, her breathsing in ragged gasps.


    A man hovered above her, their bodies hidden beneath the tangled sheets.


    Seraphina''s hair clung to her neck and face, the aftermath of their activities leaving her exhausted.


    She used the back of her arm to shield her eyes, peering through the gaps to see her nipples flushed a faint red hue.


    Wang Xiaoy above her, his lips still sucking gently, causing her to quiver with a mix of pleasure and exhaustion.


    "Wait...mmm~"


    "Stop¡ª"


    "I won''t... be able to wake up tomorrow."she murmured, her voice azy protest against his actions.


    A flick of his finger on her nipple made her gasp in surprise, the sensation sending shivers down her spine.


    "!"


    She stared at him, her expression a mix of shock and annoyance, only for him to burst intoughter.


    "Haha..."


    Hisughter echoed in the room, aggravating Seraphina even more.


    She shot him a sharp look and asked, "What?"


    "Haha... It''s nothing." Unable to contain his mirth, Wang Xiao sprang out of bed,pletely naked, to grab the water bottle and chugged it down.


    "..."


    A wave of emotions washed over Seraphina''s face - frustration, embarrassment, and a hint of attraction.


    She couldn''t maintain eye contact with him for long, and with a subtle blush, she awkwardly averted her gaze.


    ".... Are you nning to spend the entire night here?" she asked, her voice tinged with hesitation as she looked down at her legs, feeling them move ufortably under the sheets and tugged together.


    "?"


    With a single brow arched in suspicion, Wang Xiao turned sharply towards her.


    "Is there some kind of problem?" he inquired, his tone tinged with suspicion.


    A shadow crossed Serpahina''s face before she shook her head slowly. "Josephine already knows," she admitted somberly.


    "Oh? You''re a bitte to catch on," Wang Xiao chuckled, unable to suppress a faint sense of amusement as he observed her sitting on the bed, her hands folded in a manner that emphasized her already prominent chest.


    "You already knew...?" Serpahina gasped, her surprise evident in her widened eyes as she raised her gaze to meet his intense stare.


    Was she truly the only one left in the dark?


    Right before her eyes, Wang Xiao lunged forward, grabbing her legs and tugging her down slightly.


    "Ah!?"


    Then, startling her¡ªhe positioned himself above her and buried his head between her breasts, firmly pressing them together with his hands.


    "You can''t keep big secrets hidden for long, can you?" His voice was muffled as he spoke.


    Serpahina was beyond annoyed now. "Stop acting like children," she muttered.


    "Haha..." Wang Xiao''sughter grated on Serpahina''s nerves that day.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    She had always wondered why this guy never smiled, but today, it was particrly irritating.


    She nced toward him, only to see him using her little, soft rabbits as makeshift pillows, yfully tormenting them as they squeaked in protest.


    ''Why is he sofortable?'' she thought, wondering why he seemed more at ease with her body than she was with herself.


    But today, Wang Xiao was in full thug mode.


    He blurted out without even meeting her gaze, "Oh, get those thoughts out of your head, Sera. You''re way past that age now... Haha.."


    "!"


    "What!?" Seraphina snapped, as if someone had just stepped on her tail.


    She hadn''t even been thinking about that!


    She clenched her teeth in anger, forcing herself to hold back until suddenly, it struck her. Her eyes widened in sudden realization.


    "Are you happy because you''re going to be a father?"


    "!"


    Her words came out innocently, but they hit Wang Xiao like a ton of bricks.


    Despite the innocent moment of him rubbing his face against her breasts, her question seemed to freeze him in his tracks.


    "What kind of nonsense is that? Why would I be happy about that?" he muttered, his confusion clear on his face.


    "..."


    But then he noticed Seraphina''s disbelieving gaze and his expression darkened.


    "..."


    "..."


    After a grueling staring battle, he finally mustered up the right words, his voice hesitant, "... Were you happy when you had Josephine?"


    "..."


    Serpahina, caught off guard by the unexpected question, nodded lightly.


    Her reply was tinged with a hint of sadness as she spoke, "I was happy, and you should be too... But these kids, they grow up so fast and before you know it, they''re arguing with you..." Her smile was bittersweet, her eyes filled with longing.


    Wang Xiao remained silent for a moment, his expression contemtive.


    Then, a contempous grin spread across his face, "Why would they argue with me? Don''tpare your wed parenting to mine..."


    "You¡ª!" Serpahina''s voice rose in anger, tired of his insults and belittling remarks.


    She moved to stand up and walk away, but before she could take a single step, he grabbed her and forcefully pushed her back down.


    A muffled gasp escaped her lips as his lips met hers, a  foreign tongue had taken residence in her mouth, the sound of protests slipping through the gap between their lips.

 Chapter 306: New Year—2027! Dream! (2)

    Outside their room window, in the cloak of night, two piercing eyes shone in the darkness, watching intently.


    After a moment, the observer exhaled a deep, measured sigh, and the dim light revealed what seemed to be the shadow''s lips curling into a faint smile.


    Soon, the eerie shadow dissolved, giving way to the figure of beautiful woman.


    Eveline, perched casually on a tree branch, an apple in one hand, her legs idly kicking at the cool night air.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Not bad..." she murmured, her lips twisting into a knowing smile. It wasn''t just Wang Xiao''s performance in bed¡ªthough perhaps that yed a part¡ªit was something more.


    She noticed the subtle shifts in him, transformations she wasn''t sure were spurred by his recent humbling session with Maliketh or by his awareness of the profound impact he had on those around him.


    Wang Xiao, perpetually walking forward, seemed to still harbor the youthfulness of someone pretending to age before his time.


    He had seemingly overlooked the fact that those he left behind would continue their lives without him...


    Amelia was not alone; there was Wang Xueying, Wang Mei, Lian, and Linda...


    He moved onward, seemingly oblivious to the impact he could have, a self-awareness he eithercked or consciously ignored until now.


    Utilizing his official powers, he dered the area around Xianthera forbidden to humans, coborating with Li Zhiming and ra, the poison maiden he encountered in Romania¡ª This was his first step towards recognizing and harnessing his own influence.


    Perhaps Aurora''s decision to leave Eveline close to Wang Xiao wasn''t as whimsical as it seemed.


    The woman''s methods were cryptic, and even Wang Xiao remained unaware of her true intentions, delving into that witch''s mind...


    ______


    7:00 am, 1st January!


    In another corner of the world, where the sun had already crested the horizon, an alone house stood, draped in shadows despite the daylight.


    Inside, the rooms were decked out in festive garb, ready to ring in a new year, yet they were suffused with an eerie, tragic aura.


    In the heart of this gloomy setting, on the ground floor adorned withvish furniture and towering ceilings, a young girl wandered.


    She was dressed simply in a in, white long T-shirt with a round cor, paired with snug ck leggings.


    As she moved through the rooms, her expression was tinged with worry, her bare feet tapping a soft, rhythmic beat against the cold marble floors.


    "Xueying, did you hear that noise? Where are Dad and Mom?" Wang Jiarong''s voice trembled, breaking the heavy silence as she turned towards Wang Xueying.


    Xueying was descending the stairs with azy yawn, her movements slow andnguid.


    Pausing mid-step at the question, Xueying looked puzzled. "What voice?" she asked, her voice groggy, fingers rubbing at her sleepy eyes.


    "..."


    "..."


    Wang Jiarong, letting go of any expectation of useful information from her sister, swiftly started ascending the stairs toward the second floor.


    Her voice, filled with urgency, trailed off as she darted past Wang Xueying, "Keep an eye out for Mom and tell me if you see her!"


    "..."


    Wang Xueying stood motionless, her face a nk canvas.


    "What''s the new drama with her today?" she mused, a soft sigh escaping her lips just as the doorbell shattered the morning quiet with its insistent buzz.


    "Hm?"


    "Who gets up this early?" she grumbled, annoyance creeping into her voice as she strode towards the entrance.


    The cool floor tiles felt icy against her bare feet. Reaching the door, she turned the lock with a sharp click.


    Click!


    "Hey¡ª"


    Boom!


    Before the visitor could finish speaking, Wang Xueying had already mmed the door shut in their faces, leaving the visitors stunned on the doorstep.


    "..."


    "..."


    Zhao Chen paused and cast a questioning nce at his brother, Zhao Yang, a mix of confusion and concern etching his features¡ª wondering what did he wrong?


    d in a sleek ck suit with a pristine white shirt peeking from beneath, he cradled a bouquet of vibrant flowers intended for New Year''s greetings.


    Coming to thier background, once Zhao Chen was deeply involved in a dark n against Wang Xiao, orchestrated by Hao Zemin.


    Hao, who had once pursued Wang Xueying at school and harbored resentment after being threatened by Wang Xiao, was driven by a thirst for retribution.


    Zhao Yang, who was a year senior to Wang Xiao in junior high, harbored his own grudges stemming from a contentious episode with their English teacher, Lei Xie.


    This dispute had escted dramatically, culminating in a heated brawl with Wang Xiao.


    Both Zhao Yang and Hao Zemin found amon confidante in Zhao Chen.


    As Hao Zemin''s closest friend and Zhao Yang''s elder brother, Zhao Chen was reluctantly roped into their sinister conspiracy, plotting a dangerous fate for Wang Xiao at the edge of the cliff.


    Three years had passed since the incident, and the rtionships among them had transformed dramatically.


    Hao Zemin had abandoned his pursuit of Wang Xueying, deterred by a blend of fear and regret.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Chen had stepped into the void left by Hao, inadvertently causing a rift in his longstanding friendship with Hao Zemin.


    "Brother, you should just give up," Zhao Yang chuckled, unable to suppress his amusement as he watched Zhao Chen face yet another brutal rejection.


    Zhao Yang had not only outgrown Zhao Chen in height but also seemed years older than his actual age, his broad shoulders casting arge shadow.


    Hisughter rolled like thunder, resonant and deep, filling the space around them.


    "Shut up!" Zhao Chen exploded, his face lined with frustration and embarrassment.


    Whoosh!


    With a swift motion, he spun around, his hands flinging the bouquet of flowers violently to the ground.


    He then turned sharply on his heel and marched away, his brother''s boomingughter echoing behind him like the roars of a giant.


    "..."


    As Zhao Chen stormed off, a sly, almost wicked smile curled the corners of Zhao Yang''s lips¡ªhe had been secretly hoping for his brother''s failure.


    Just as he was about tough in a moment of enjoyment, his phone buzzed sharply in his pocket.


    "?"


    Pulling it out, he nced at the new message and his smile quickly faded into a frown.


    "Assembly near the home? So abrupt, why now?"


    Zhao Yang''s brows knitted together, his eyes flickering a fiery red for a brief moment before returning to their usual calm.


    He let out a wry smile, tinged with irony.


    "How am I supposed to convince this ''kid''s'' family to lend me money to go overseas now? Did that bastard lose his mind? Why issue a summoning call out of the blue?"


    Muttering to himself, Zhao Yang chuckled dryly before heading towards his home.


    There was a mysterious aura about Zhao Yang now, as if he had undergone a transformation, not just him but perhaps everyone involved.


    The very earth itself seemed to be shifting beneath their feet.


    Something momentous was on the horizon, something that promised to alter the course of history forever...

 Chapter 307: New Year—2027! Dream! (3)

    Click!


    As the door creaked open, Wang Jiarong stepped into the room, her eyes widening at the sight that greeted her.


    "!"


    There, before arge, elegantly framed vanity mirror, her mother, Xinyue Zhn, was absorbed in applying makeup.


    Dressed in a sharp, grey suit that signified of her profession as awyer, Xinyue''s posture was the epitome of grace.


    Her hair was slicked back into a perfect bun, projecting the image of strict professionalism.


    "Mom?" Wang Jiarong''s voice cracked with uncertainty, breaking through the calm silence of the room.


    "..."


    Xinyue continued her makeup routine without pause, her hands moving with practiced precision.


    She delicately dabbed concealer over a discolored mark on her cheek, her expression unreadable in the mirror''s reflection.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Stepping closer, Jiarong''s heart thudded with growing concern.


    She could see now¡ªa faint, angry handprint marred her mother''s otherwise pristineplexion, barely hidden beneathyers of expertly applied cosmetics.


    "Why are you covering that up? What happened?" Jiarong''s voice was soft but insistent as she reached out and gently grasped her mother''s wrist, stopping her mid-gesture.


    "??"


    Xinyue paused, her eyes meeting Jiarong''s in the reflection before lowering her gaze.


    "It''s nothing, dear. Just a small ident," she murmured, attempting to resume her makeup with her free hand.


    !!


    Jiarong tightened her grip slightly, her worry intensifying. "Mom, this doesn''t look like ''nothing.'' Who did this to you?"


    Xinyue sighed, setting the brush down and turning to face her daughter.


    Her face was a mask of forced calm, but her eyes betrayed a storm of emotions. "Jiarong, it''splicated. I don''t want you to worry about these things. Focus on your studies, okay?"


    "But how can I not worry!?" Jiarong''s voice trembled with emotion.


    "You always tell me to stand up for what''s right. How can I ignore this when it''s happening to you, right in our home?"


    Xinyue looked into her daughter''s earnest eyes, the fa?ade ofposure cracking slightly.


    "I''m handling it, I promise. Let''s not make this bigger than it needs to be." She forced a smile, her usual resilience shadowing her momentarily softer expression.


    Wang Jiarong, "..."


    She had only returned from Beijing for the New Year, but upon her arrival, she discovered that things had deteriorated far beyond the state she left them inst time.


    ''What the hell is happening!?'' Wang Jiarong felt an overwhelming urge to clutch her head in frustration.


    A deep, simmering anger rose in her heart towards her father, Wang Jiahao, if only for a fleeting moment.


    Feeling defeated like so many others before her, she retreated to the solitude of her own room.


    Looking ahead, she knew she would soon be heading back to university, clinging to the hope that the situation at home wouldn''t spiral further out of control.


    But as adults around her regressed into childlike behaviors, what option did the children have but to ignore?


    This response only perpetuated the cycle, trapping everyone in a loop where the adults continued their petty squabbles, endlessly acting like children, while the children themselves drifts further apart in their lives, struggling with forming their own families and dealing with the emotional fallout of their upbringing...


    As this pattern repeats itself, the consequences ripple outwards, affecting generations.


    The children, witnessing the unresolved conflicts and immaturity of their elders, often carry forward a blueprint of dysfunction into their own adult lives.


    They may find it challenging to trust, tomit, or to handle conflicts diplomatically, having never seen these modeled constructively¡ª ultimately living a life filled with void!


    In a situation like this, the institution of leadership is much needed¡ªsomeone who can step up and resolve the tension, as the current institution has be dysfunctional.


    The siblings left behind to their young age, still possessing the mentality of children, can do nothing but get dragged into the loop.


    Previously, this loop did not exist; in such situations, Wang Xiao would have stepped up and resolved issues, which led to many psychological changes due to his early exposure to the world, changes that could never be undone.


    It''s ultimately the situations that shape people, as those people choose to respond to the situation in their own ways.


    He decided to fill the role of the absent leader and bring harmony, which resulted in the loss of his childhood and the suppression of extreme emotions, living in a constant state of control.


    He could have avoided it all if he had had the freedom, but the only thing that grants freedom in this society is resources, which are often secured with.... money.


    Resources, particrly wealth, often afford individuals the freedom to step away from unhealthy rtionships or oppressive situations...


    This capacity to choose one''s own path is a fundamental aspect of personal autonomy.


    However, society frequently underestimates the importance of such resources, tending to overlook how financial independence can be crucial in enabling individuals to make choices that preserve their well-being and dignity.


    Anran and Wang Xiao, both left to deal with their issues before a certain age, responded differently to their different situations, eventually bing who they are now...


    The loop around Wang Xiao was broken by the introduction of Eveline, allowing him to start caring less about things.


    For Anran, it was broken the moment he stepped into her life¡ªthis is why he is everything to her, and she is willing to give up everything to have him.


    He freed her in her eyes


    He gave her the feeling she had never experienced before...


    Simrly, Josephine and Seraphina''s loop was broken with his introduction into their lives.


    The influence that Wang Xiao had with his role of ''rebel'' in society remained unexplored by him.


    Perhaps his presence even managed to break the loop of¡ª


    ______


    "What?"


    In an unrecognizable, shadow-drenched location, Wang Xiao''s eyes flew open, a surge of panic filling them as he realized he was submerged in water.


    "!!"


    With a gasp, he bolted upright.


    Ssh!


    Water cascaded off his head, sttering loudly as he frantically scanned his surroundings.


    He found himself confined within a narrow, coffin-like container barely matching the length and width of his body, filled nearly two feet deep with chilly water.


    "..."


    As the disturbed water settled, rippling gently around him, Wang Xiao wiped his face with cold hands.


    His eyes strained against the darkness that enveloped him, catching only the faint glimmer of light that filtered down from a small circr opening above, its source shrouded in mystery.

 Chapter 308: Dream—Morpheus?

    10:00 AM, January 1st!


    King''s Mansion!


    "!!"


    "Haaaa!"


    Buried in thefort of his plush bed, Wang Xiao was lost in deep slumber until suddenly, his eyes burst open, and he began to sweat profusely.


    Gasp!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He gasped for air, his breaths ragged and desperate, as he jolted upright in a state of panic.


    "Hm? Finally awake..."


    A soft voice floated through the dimly lit room, barely more than a whisper but distinctly clear.


    His eyes, wide and rmed, were fixed on the wall, unseeing.


    He remained oblivious to Eveline''s presence on a nearby stool, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder, until the fog of his fright lifted.


    Turning slowly, he met her gaze, filled with concern and a quiet question.


    "...What happened?" His voice cracked as he spoke, shivering as he felt an icy chill seeping into his bones.


    Eveline''s eyes flicked downwards subtly, prompting Wang Xiao to frown and look towards his neck.


    "What''s this...?" His fingers traced the contours of a peculiar pendant¡ªa sleek ck chain from which dangled a small crystal glowing a fierce red, ensnared by a metallic w as if it were a precious trophy.


    "That''s the Amulet of Protection. It''s strange he gave it to you," Eveline murmured, her voice tinged with bewilderment and a trace of unease.


    "Gave it to me? Who?" Wang Xiao''s confusion mounted, his mind shrouded with fog.


    What on earth was happening around him again?


    Could they not let him sleep in peace, just this once?


    "Dream..." Eveline murmured, her gaze intensifying as she stared at the pulsing red crystal.


    "What? ... How do you know about that?" Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed suspiciously at her. Had she manipted his mind this time?


    "..."


    As his gaze turned sharply towards her, Eveline nonchntly shrugged, "Don''t give me that look. I don''t know the details of your dream. I''m referring to the ''one'' who gave you the Amulet. He''s known as Dream."


    "!"


    Wang Xiao arched an eyebrow in confusion, "What''s this all about now?"


    With a dismissive flick of her wrist, Eveline turned away, her eyes drifting out towards the window. "...The man who bestowed this upon you was once known as Morpheus. Now, he goes by Dream, aptly named for his ability to infiltrate people''s minds and conjure illusions so vivid they can kill... In fact, he can assassinate someone within their own dreams..."


    "!!!"


    Sensing Wang Xiao''s growing tension, Eveline allowed a faint smile to creep across her face, "Though this habit of his has led many to pursue his demise, he has always managed to escape death by clinging to this peculiar item... This amulet... it''s what has kept him alive for millennia... Without it, he would be vulnerable to his pursuers, even outside of their dreams..."


    Wang Xiao, momentarily speechless, followed a pattern once set by Aurora: he swiftly pulled out his smartphone and started fervently searching for ''Morpheus.''


    "..."


    "..."


    Minutes ticked by as he scrolled through the information, his forehead creasing with tension until he finally exhaled a deep, audible sigh of relief.


    Delicately, he lifted the amulet from around his neck, holding it tightly in his grasp.


    "He''s a god? Like an actual deity from the myth?" Wang Xiao whispered to himself, his mind filled with the surreal notion that he might be experiencing his first genuine encounter with a figure from ancient Greek mythology.


    Eveline nodded, her expression tinged with bewilderment as she eyed the glowing amulet, "You should keep it close. I don''t know his reasons, but if he gifted this to you, it''s likely meant to aid you in some way."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao, his eyes wide with bewilderment and suspicion, gazed at the amulet nestled in his palm.


    Why would a mythical god, aplete stranger, leave him such a mysterious gift?


    Was it merely a benign token, or could it be something more sinister, like a time bomb in disguise?


    Yin Yue arrived just in time to offer his insights, peering closely at the amulet with a discerning eye, [This Amulet resonates with the same energy signature as that dragon, Aether... Fascinating... Although it''s not potent enough to shield you from supremely powerful entities like Maliketh, it still has its uses. It''s even emitting a subtle energy field... Interesting...


    It seems to exert some kind ofmand over its surroundings...]


    "!"


    "Commanding the things around it?" Wang Xiao echoed, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and concern.


    His murmur caught Eveline off guard, prompting a flicker of surprise across her face. "You can perceive that? Huh..."


    "Indeed, it operates in a mysterious manner, as if it has the power to shift the fate of objects within its vicinity....This artifact has been instrumental in the downfall of many gods... It seems diminished now, though... Whoever forged it must have been a master of their craft."


    "Do you know who created it?" Wang Xiao pressed, his curiosity deepening.


    Eveline shook her head, her expression clouded with uncertainty. "No idea, but the creator must be a unstoppable force... Exceptionally powerful, surpassing anyone I''ve known... To this day, the origins of the Amulet are shrouded in mystery."


    She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in.


    Wang Xiao nodded solemnly, then a shadow of concern crossed his features. "This... Morpheus... Should I be worried about him?"


    "..."


    Eveline fell silent, clearly unsure how to address Wang Xiao''s concerns fully.


    After a moment of hesitation, she ventured cautiously, "What did you see in the dream?"


    Wang Xiao fell silent too, straining to recall the details of his dream, only to realize with a mix of frustration and disbelief that he had forgotten everything.


    "I can''t remember, can you do something about it?"


    Eveline shook her head, a note of resignation in her voice. "If you can''t remember, it''s probably not there anymore, or essing it would be difficult. Although Morpheus hasn''t really harmed anyone... So, I don''t think he would have bad intentions, but then again, he''s never shown intentions to protect or coborate with anyone either."


    "Why did hee for you?" she murmured more to herself than to him, lost in thought.


    Wang Xiao, caught up in the weight of the unanswered questions, felt a sudden impulse.


    Bang!


    In a sudden burst of action, he extended his hand and knocked her on the head.


    ??


    Eveline, momentarily stunned by the beating, turned to Wang Xiao, her expression shifting to one of mild irritation as he began, "Why didn''t you catch him, if you knew about it?"

 Chapter 309: Amulet of Protection! Wang Xueyue and Wang Xixi!

    Eveline, taken aback by his sudden tap, turned sharply toward him, her expression a mix of surprise and annoyance.


    Yer, before she could react further, Wang Xiao began, "Why didn''t you catch him, if you knew about it?"


    ??


    Eveline rendered momentarily silent, pondering her own inaction.


    Why hadn''t she caught him?


    Hey, if she could, she certainly would have.


    "If I had gone to catch him, what if someone had sneaked up behind you to attack? It could be all a set-up..." She retorted, her eyes reflecting a stoic resolve.


    Did her good intentions always have to be questioned?


    Wasn''t it enough that she stayed by his side, albeit forcefully, ensuring his safety?


    Wang Xiao, realizing the logic in her words, nodded.


    He was still in the dark about who Morpheus was or why he was targeting him, but one thing was clear: this woman, Eveline, proved herself useful at times.


    His thoughts were abruptly interrupted as he felt a twitch in his legs, a reminder that it was daytime and he was still sitting naked on the bed.


    ??n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Confusion painted Eveline''s face as she tried to decipher his gaze, only to be suddenly pulled off-bnce.


    In a surprising turn of events, she felt someone grasp her shoulders and toss her onto the bed.


    "..."


    "..."


    ______


    7:00 PM, January 1st!


    "Hehe..."


    Anran gazed at the piece of art she had created, mesmerized by itsplexity.


    She continued to stare, captivated, while Reba busied herself with rearranging the room, attempting to tune out the surroundingmotion.


    ''Ugh... When can I leave?'' Reba silentlymented, her frustration growing as she questioned whether she would ever manage to escape.


    Click!


    Just then, the door swung open, revealing Wang Xiao stepping into the room.


    Reba quickly seized this chance, slipping out the door and releasing a deep, relieved sigh into the chilly evening air.


    Reba, once a dedicated doctor, had seemingly been transformed into a full-time nanny¡ª and for verypelling reasons...


    ??


    Wang Xiao discovered Anran propped up against the bed on her elbows, her gaze intently focused downward at their two daughters, each securely swaddled and nestled side by side.


    "What is she looking at?" Driven by curiosity, Wang Xiao edged closer, only for Anran to swiftly turn around, seize his hand, and position him to see exactly what she was observing.


    "Hehe... See this! Now, no confusion!"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao momentarily ignored Anran''s gleaming smile and turned his attention to what she had actually done.


    He had harbored a vague sense of foreboding about it, but upon closer inspection, things weren''t as dire as he had imagined.


    Anran had cleverly wrapped one daughter in a white swaddle and the other in yellow, a simple strategy for easy identification.


    "..."


    "..."


    He didn''t grasp the necessity of her actions until a sudden realization made his eyes widen, "Which one is... Who?"


    Frustration creased Wang Xiao''s forehead as he confronted the surprising reality that he couldn''t distinguish his own daughters!


    What kind of confusion was this?!


    "Hehe..." Anran couldn''t help but giggle with a gleam of satisfaction, enjoying in the rare moment where she felt genuinely useful.


    "This one is Yue, and this one is Wanxi!" She announced, her finger gracefully pointing at each baby in turn.


    "...oh." Wang Xiao observed the twins carefully: the one swaddled in white was Wang Xueyue, and the one in yellow was Wang Xixi.


    Naturally, their longer names had already been affectionately shortened to Yue and Wanxi.


    "Yue," meaning moon, reflected a subtle grace and calmness, while "Wanxi," joyfully resonating as ''joyous sunset,'' hinted at warmth and delight.


    These names, derived from Anran''s full name, Yuexei Anran, and Wang Xiao, were carefully chosen to symbolize aspects of their own.


    Wang Xiao, much like a benevolent dictator in his household, had decided on these names without much external consultation, dismissively waving off other opinions as one might disregard unwee advice in his home country.


    Though the names and their corresponding colors were now set, it wouldn''t be long before a fierce rivalry took shape between Yue and Wanxi.


    In just a few years, the tides of their battles would shift the colors: Wanxi would assertively im the white, and Yue would embrace the yellow.


    That inevitable sibling rivalry was anticipated by all who knew them.


    "Here! Grab them!" Just as Wang Xiao extended his hands, going for a gentle touch, Anran, with an urgency, pushed the bundled infants into his arms.


    "..."


    "..."


    He could only nce up briefly before Anran pulled out a camera, a faint smile hovering over his face as an impromptu studio sprang to life right in the room.


    Naturally, things didn''t go smoothly.


    The peaceful slumber of the babies was abruptly interrupted by the bursts of camera shes, leading to a whole new set of acrobatics until they amassed a gallery full of pictures.


    Surprisingly, Wang Xiao was quite cooperative, a stark contrast to what Anran had expected¡ªhis usual aversion to cameras seemed to fade away.


    At one point, he even ended up holding the kids upside down, one in each hand, nearly giving Anran a mini-heart attack.


    But ording to him, his children should be strong enough to tolerate minor upheavals!


    "..."


    Thatment made Wang Xiao pause, realizing the words had slipped out on their own, and perhaps these adorable creatures should be allowed some time before he tested their resilience.


    Ignoring his odd train of thought, the fact that he now considered them adorable marked a significant shift from his initial repulsive reaction back in the hospital.


    Though he wasn''t thrilled about their chubbiness, the inte had done enough to convince him that it was just normal baby fat!


    The Amulet of Protection, in fact, was left alone with Anran to y with, as Wang Xiao felt she tended to die pretty quickly.


    However, he regretted it almost immediately, as Anran spent the entire day hopping around him, and by the next day, she was boasting about having received something, rather than discussing its actual function with everyone.


    "..."


    "..."


    Josephine and Aisha were nning to visit the States in September and had already started nning to hop around and check out ces in Europe, starting with the neighborhood volcanoes in Icevale.


    Wang Xiao felt that Josephine was avoiding confrontation with him, but he himself was nning his own journey.


    Before setting out, he checked the status with Ericka, the queen of Norhaven, and her annoyed daughter, only to find out that Ericka had, in fact, already left for Antia.


    As for Freya, she had been loitering around aimlessly, apparently finding her lifelong purpose in defeating a hacker known as the Geko.


    After ensuring that things were in order, Wang Xiao merely waited for Luna toe back before he could leave for his own trip to¡ª

 Chapter 310: Frostholm: Heaven on the Earth! (1)

    January 15, 2027!


    "Would you two be going alone...?" Seraphina, rubbed her eyes, her voice tinged with sleepiness.


    It was only four in the morning, and the icy pre-dawn air seeped through the walls of the dimly lit open balcony where Eveline and Wang Xiao stood, fully equipped and ready to depart.


    Despite having been informed well in advance about their ns to delve into the activities of the hell ve organization and Gabriel, the question of why they had chosen to leave at such an ungodly hour nagged at her.


    Couldn''t they have let her sleep a bit longer?


    She was particrly irked by the fact that she was the only one roused from sleep¡ªAnran was still blissfully asleep, resembling a log in her cozy room.


    "She wouldn''t be going with me," Wang Xiao broke through Seraphina''s train of thought, his voice firm.


    Eveline, d in a thick, white furry jacket that seemed to glow against the dim interior, appeared ready to brave the cold that awaited them outside.


    Wang Xiao''s statement made her raise her eyebrows in surprise.


    That deviation wasn''t part of their original n.


    ??


    Seraphina''s surprise mirrored Eveline''s; both were equally taken aback.


    "She would," Wang Xiao asserted, undeterred by their stunned expressions.


    Whoosh!


    "Hey losers, missed me?" The sudden interruption came with a gust of wind as Luna made her dynamic entrance.


    Shended gracefully on the balcony, the cold wind swirling her straight ck suit around her like a dark aura.


    "!?"N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Her arrival caused the rest to turn and stare in silent astonishment.


    Ignoring the startled looks directed at her, Luna sauntered over and casually draped an arm around Wang Xiao''s shoulder.


    With a mischievous chuckle, she teased, "Of course, all losers except this one over here!"


    Serpahina, "..."


    Eveline, "..."


    Both exchanged silent nces, their minds tangled with the same question: had this woman finally decided to reveal her true colours?


    Was she shedding her guise of the dutiful assistant?


    However, Eveline, ever focused on her primary objective, was the first to rify her position. "I am here to look after you, not them," she stated firmly, her voice crisp in the cold morning air.


    !?


    Her words caused everyone present, including Luna, to frown, puzzled by the sudden insult.


    Why were they being treated like second-ss citizens?


    And just who was this woman, really?


    Beyond looking beautiful, her actual contributions were seldom noticed, yet her attitude seemed to soar beyond the stratosphere.


    Wang Xiao watched as the tension among the three women simmered, a subtle smirk ying on his lips as he anticipated the brewing confrontation.


    There was something wickedly entertaining about the prospect of Luna and Eveline shing.


    Despite his intrigue, he wasn''t quite sure who would emerge victorious should ite to blows, though his bets were on Eveline, given her evident capabilities.


    [Xiao, stop enjoying this! You have toplete your little adventure before February] Yin Yue unable to see a man happy, sent a reminder of the uing deadline, to meet with Amelia.


    Yet¡ªWang Xiao continued to enjoy in the moment, however, until the roaring sound of helicopter des booming across the sky snapped him back to reality.


    They were already runningte, and the helicopter waiting beside them was ready to take off, its engines booming as it disturbed the tranquility of the early hours.


    Whoosh!


    "Just stay back, I wouldn''t really jump to my death, and you said it yourself¡ªEurope is safe." His words left behind in the air, echoing around Eveline as she knitted her brows together in concern.


    "Wouldn''t really jump to my death? What does he intend to do now...?" Eveline muttered, her gaze fixed nkly on the ascending helicopter.


    She watched as he climbed aboard, the rotors whipping the air into a frenzy, with Luna quickly trailing behind him.


    "Don''t overthink it, he won''t die," Seraphina murmured, stifling a yawn before sumbing again to sleep, but Eveline remained rooted to the spot.


    A nagging unease tugged at her¡ªsomething about the situation felt off...


    They were supposed to be pursuing someone named Gabriel, purportedly not a very strong enemy.


    Logically, Wang Xiao alone should be able to hold his own, and with Luna''s help, they were expected to easily overpower him.


    Yet, the pieces didn''t seem to fit together seamlessly...


    What crucial element was she overlooking?


    After a moment of silent contemtion, Eveline shook her head dismissively.


    "Why am I so worried?" Aurora said it herself.


    "I''m not being paid to contradict him... Am I?~"


    Her chuckle was dry, echoing slightly with a hollow charm as she finally turned, her silhouette blending into the dim light as she retreated into the depths of the mansion.


    ______


    "Mmghh~~"


    "Ahnnn..."


    Back on the helicopter, Luna and Wang Xiao were entangled in a mess.


    Her suit jackety abandoned on the floor of the helicopter, the buttons of her shirt barely holding on as his hands explored beneath.


    Their lips locked in a heated embrace.


    "I warned you about it... You still want to jump to your death~," her voice was a soft whisper, filled with desire, sending shivers down the spines of the two pilots piloting the aircraft.


    !!


    But before anyone could react, Luna sharply turned her head. "If you dare to look back again, I will gouge your eyes out!" Her threat froze the pilot in terror, causing the helicopter to momentarily lose bnce.


    However, Wang Xiao and Luna continued.


    "I need to go..." Wang Xiao''s breath was hot against her neck as his hand sought its way between her trembling thighs.


    "That ce is a hell~ you would die.~" Luna''s groans of warning only fueled Wang Xiao''s desire for exploration as he remained undeterred.


    "It''s better to die once than to die every day." Wang Xiao chuckled boldly before lowering himself, his lips capturing her nipples in a searing kiss that made Luna''s eyes widen in astonishment.


    "!"


    "Mhnnnn~"


    Her breath hitched, her gaze locked onto him.


    In that moment, the allure of this man intensified, igniting a fierce fire within her that burned uncontrobly.


    It struck a chord deep within her, sending waves of fiery sensation through every fiber of her being.

 Chapter 311: Frostholm: Heaven on the Earth! (2)

    6:00 AM, Frostholm.


    From Sylvergard, it took six hours to prate into the heart of this no-man''snd, where the icy grip of winter had smothered any warmth from the sun.


    As the helicopter approached Frostholm, they entered a realm where time seemed to stand still under a perpetual twilight, painting everything in hues of destion and despair.


    Northwest Frostholm!


    The most isted sector, a ce seemingly at the edge of the world.


    Thendscape was a vast canvas of endless white, interrupted only by the ghostly dance of the Aurora Borealis.


    These celestial lights wove through the dark sky in swathes of green and violet, casting an ethereal glow that did little to lift the gloom.


    The bitter air was sharp enough to cut through bone, and the silence was deep, broken only by the asional distant rumble of shifting ice¡ªa reminder of the living, breathing nature of this frozen desert.


    Into the icynd of the northwest, the stark beauty of the wilderness gives way to a scene of military readiness...


    Here, spaced precisely a kilometer apart, a series of outposts dot the icyndscape like watchful sentinels.


    Each is a fortress of modern warfare, bristling with antennas and satellite dishes, and guarded by special forces trained for the unknown.


    The central outpost spans into view, a stronghold of activity amidst the stillness.


    The structures are angr and fortified, designed to resist the relentless Arctic elements.


    Soldiers move with purpose, their breaths creating plumes of vapor in the frigid air, as they check equipment andmunicate over radios.


    The hum of generators and the asional static ofmunications punctuate the quiet, adding to the sense of urgency...


    As if some war was on the brink of beginning...


    _____


    N1D01, Central Outpost!


    Inside the cold interior of the reinforced barracks, the only warmth came from the steady hum of the overheadmp that cast long shadows across the room.


    Maps and digital disys flickered in the dim light, setting a somber mood as the team of five gathered around the central nning table.


    The air was filled with the scent of coffee and the faint metallic tang of electronic equipment.


    Li Zhiming,manding in his ck army uniform with sharp, clean lines, maintained a stoic demeanor as he presided over the meeting.


    His dark eyes were alert and focused, his hair meticulouslybed back, adding to his authoritative presence.


    The fourmanders of the Valkyriemand, each a leader of their respective units within Zero, stood ready, their uniforms a mirror image of discipline and readiness.


    First Commander Helena Krajci, the lone woman in the group,ing with ties in gypsies from Bulgaria.


    Having long abandoned her country, religion, and family after the death of her husband, she now serves as the lead for the Valkyriemand!


    Her dark blue hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her piercing blue eyes scanned the room with analytical precision.


    Her uniform was pristine, the golden stripes catching the light as she moved.


    Second Commander Takashi Yamamoto!


    With his stern features and tightly cropped ck hair, Takashi''s posture was rigid, reflecting his military discipline.


    Commander Takashi sported a pair of weathered circr spectacles, his eyes gleaming with a shrewd strategic glint.


    His uniform bore the golden strikes and Valkyrie logo prominently on his chest.


    Third Commander Erik Vogel!


    A tall, broad-shouldered man with a buzz cut and a scar tracing down his left cheek, Erik''s presence was intimidating.


    His uniform, like the others, was tailored to fit hisrge frame perfectly.


    Fourth Commander Raj Patel!


    The youngest of the group, Raj''s dark skin contrasted with the ck and gold of his uniform.


    His sharp, intelligent eyes and a slight stubble added to his rugged appearance.


    Li Zhiming addressed the room, his voice resonating against the reinforced walls. "The primary objective is clear: we are to invade and apprehend Gabriel. Intelligence suggests he''s currently holed up in apound near the northern ridge of Frostholm. We need a clean operation¡ªminimal coteral, maximum efficiency."


    Commander Krajci leaned forward, her voice crisp, "General! We''ve received reports of an Unknown Threat Zero surfacing in Sylvergard and over Country M. This entity, whatever it is, has shown capabilities that could interfere with our mission. We must consider the possibility of its involvement."


    Commander Yamamoto added, "If this Unknown Threat Zero decides to protect Gabriel, or worse, if they are coborating, we might be walking into a moreplicated situation than anticipated. We need contingency ns."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Commander Vogel suggested deploying scouts, "We should deploy scouts immediately to gather more intel on this Threat Zero. Understanding its motivations and capabilities will be crucial. Meanwhile, our cyber unit should start jamming theirmunications to disrupt any coordination they might attempt."


    Li Zhiming nodded thoughtfully, marking potential points on the map with aser pointer. "Excellent points. Let''s mobilize our aerial surveince to track any unusual activities around Gabriel''s suspected location and keep an eye out for any signs of this Unknown Threat. We''ll adjust our strike n based on the reconnaissance data."


    All nodded, as was about to leave for the execution of thier ns, until Li Zhiming, stopped them, "Everyone Remember ¡ªGabrial hasmitted a treason! Any hesitation against him would not be met kindly."


    All nodded, ready to depart and execute their ns, but as they began to leave, Li Zhiming''smanding voice halted their movement. "Everyone, remember¡ªGabriel hasmitted treason! Any hesitation against him will not be met kindly."


    "!"


    His stern gaze swept across the room, ensuring his words sank deep into every team member''s consciousness.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    A moment of solemn silence passed over the group, as themanders exchanged nces.


    Then, almost in unison, themanders responded with a determined rity that filled the space.


    "Understood, sir," replied Commander Helena Krajci, her voice steady and resolute.


    Commander Takashi Yamamoto gave a crisp nod, adding, "No hesitation, sir."


    Commander Erik Vogel''s deep voice resonated next, "We''ll proceed as nned¡ªno mercy for traitors."


    Finally, Commander Raj Patel affirmed, "rity received. We''ll act with full resolve."

 Chapter 312: Athene!

    "...sigh..."


    Li Zhiming exhaled deeply, his frustration growing as he tossed his cap aside and began massaging his temples wearily.


    Ever since he assumedmand of Zero, he had risen to the rank of a general, capable of leading an army.


    Yet, he was acutely aware that in this bitter cold, only the elite Valkyriemand¡ªa special strategic unit within Zero¡ªcould survive, let alone operate effectively.


    He had raised concerns that Gabriel might be orchestrating something catastrophic, but the Guardians had yet to respond.


    Typically, the leader of Zero would know the identities of all the Guardians, as they are required to attend the summit at Mount Olympus.


    However, being new to his position, Li Zhiming could only wait anxiously for this crucial meeting.


    Meanwhile, it appeared that Gabriel had exploited this period of uncertainty.


    He had managed to assemble a small regiment in Northern Frostholm, a region so inhospitable that normally, even those equipped with the best gear could not endure.


    Yet, drone imagery revealed groups of people moving about with ease, unaffected by the extreme conditions.


    Regrettably, satellite surveince was ineffective over this zone, with the only exception being the Oraclework.


    Hidden somewhere in this frostbound wilderness was the key to the mythical tunnel to the heavens, shrouded in secrecy and protected by thend''s brutal embrace.


    Li Zhiming also attempted to establish contact with Prometheus, but they seemingly underestimated the seriousness of the situation, opting not to deploy their special army formed under the guise of the As Initiative.


    The As Initiative was primarily established to reim advanced technology and ensure it didn''t fall into the wrong hands.


    This program didn''t focus on creating supersoldiers; instead, it selected the elite from military ranks and equipped them with cutting-edge, restricted technology.


    One key reason why Prometheus did not perceive the threat as urgent was the Delphi Protocol, developed by the Oraclework.


    In the final analysis using this protocol, which utilizes advanced predictive algorithms for threat assessment, the threat level was not yet considered critical.


    ording to the Delphi Protocol, the likelihood of Gabriel sessfully tampering with the tunnel to the Heavens was almost negligible.


    The energy emanating from this tunnel was not something to be meddled with lightly.


    Relying on the insights from the Delphi Protocol, even the Dharma Council withheld substantial support.


    They only consented to send a single member of the Karma Brigade to evaluate the circumstances firsthand.


    The Karma Brigade, much like Valkyrie''smand, was designed to respond to specialized, high-stakes situations.


    In a simr vein, a representative from the As Initiative was dispatched.


    All the organizations were ying it safe, given the apparent internal politics within Zero.


    From an external perspective, the situation seemed almost scripted¡ªa ssic plot from a movie where leadersmit treason and their subordinates, assumingmand, hunt down the former leaders.


    Despite their reservations, the other organizations couldn''tpletely disregard the call for aid and each sent one representative nheless.


    However, there was one notable exception: the Order of Illuminati showed no response to the ongoing crisis, seemingly unbothered by the developments.


    Little did Li Zhiming know, their inaction wasn''t due to ack of desire to intervene but rather because their supreme leader was unreachable.


    Luna, the leader, had been hibernating for half a month, and without her permission, they were paralyzed.


    Stepping out of the barracks, Li Zhiming wrapped himself in a thick, brown fur coat to fend off the biting cold.


    He lifted his gaze to the night sky, now painted with the mesmerizing rays of the Aurora Borealis¡ªa beautiful dance of green light that seemed almost otherworldly.


    As he watched the celestial disy, a heavy sigh escaped his lips.


    "I did everything I can..." he muttered, a deep sense of crisis stirring within him.


    He had a lingering feeling that things were about to take a turn for the worse.


    Despite his best efforts to prevent it, it seemed the heavens might have a different fate in store...n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ____


    The Great Mountain of Borr!


    Perched atop Northern Frostholm, the towering summit of this mountain was engulfed by a thundering snowstorm, which covered thendscape in a thick veil of white, reducing visibility to mere meters.


    Inbetween this fierce blizzard, two pairs of eyes glinted with an unnatural brightness, piercing through the haze with unwavering focus.


    They were fixated on the army assembled far below the cliff¡ªa crew that appeared almost otherworldly in their energy.


    Below, like a horde of wild Vikings, they devoured meat in prodigious amounts, astonishing any onlooker with their primal hunger.


    Some demonstrated their brute strength by obliteratingrge boulders and cliff faces with single, devastating blows.


    Yet, all activity ceased abruptly as a figure emerged, striding forward with his arms open wide as if to embrace the entire crowd.


    His hair was a vivid, striking red¡ªa stark contrast to the bleak ice in the back.


    As he prepared to speak, every face turned toward him, drawn by themanding presence of his unusual appearance.


    "Are you going to let them do whatever they want?" called out the figure on the left side of the top of the cliff, her voice distinctly feminine yet imbued with a warrior''s resolve and authority.


    Her piercing ck eyes, sharp and mesmeric, scanned the scene below her.


    The rest of her face was hidden by a red battle scarf, adding an air of mystery and determination.


    "It''s not up to me to stop them; that''s your task," replied herpanion on the right, unexpectedly revealed to be Aurora.


    A subtle, knowing smile yed on her lips as she gazed down at the chaos, her demeanor calm and slightly amused by the scene that sprawled beneath them.


    "Humph..." Athene let out a disgruntled voice, her tone thick with skepticism. "Since when has it ever been your duty? You dwell in that deste ce, devoid of life. How could you possibly forge any connection to the living?"


    Aurora responded with a wry smile, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Then why don''t you intervene? It''s your domain, isn''t it? Why so silent?"

 Chapter 313: Crushed the Mountain!

    Aurora,"Then why don''t you intervene? It''s your domain, isn''t it? Why so silent?"


    "..."


    Athene fell mute, her lips pressed tightly together in a hard line.


    The silence stretched between them, heavy andden with unspoken words until Aurora shattered it with her probing question. "You, too, want to see what lies beyond that wall, don''t you?"


    Athene''s brow furrowed deeply. "I have no desire to see anything beyond it; only death lies past that wall."


    "But people havee back," Aurora countered calmly, her voice steady and sure.


    "One in a million doesn''t count," Athene retorted calmly, her eyes narrowing skeptically.


    "It does," Aurora insisted softly, yet with an underlying firmness.


    Athene''s expression darkened, her hands balling into fists at her sides.


    She was torn, not wanting to sever ties with herst living connection. "Why are you so hell-bent on this? Aren''t we supposed to protect these realms? This could destroy everything." She countered back, firmly.


    "It might also bring new life... to them and to us," Aurora suggested, her voiceced with a hopeful undertone.


    Athene frowned, her gaze shifting to Aurora''s midsection, which showed no signs of active pregnancy. "You''ve already given birth..?"


    Matching Athene''s suspicious gaze with a small smile, Aurora touched her abdomen gently. "I have. She''s beautiful. You should meet her sometime."


    "..."


    Athene was rendered speechless, her mind reeling from this new discovery.


    Initially, she had dismissed Aurora''s announcement of pregnancy as mere jest, but the reality of it now sparked aplex mixture of shock and faint... revulsion within her.


    Ignoring Athene''s visibly judgmental stare, Aurora continued with a calm and measured tone, revealing the depths of her unconventional choice. "I hastened the process using the temporal anomalies in Tartarus. Fortunately, despite their strange creations, the Sandmasters left us something truly beneficial."


    Aurora''s eyes grew distant as she spoke, reflecting a profound seriousness. "However, it''s crucial for her to avoid the outside world at this formative stage."


    "The external environment is riddled with distractions that cloud one''s understanding of the universe''s fundamentalws, obscuring the raw truths of our existence."


    "She needs to be nurtured in a ce where life is not filtered through the deceptive lens of modern human society¡ªwhere she can learn the unforgivingw of the jungle, perceive the essence of being, unadulterated by falsehoods."


    "She must grow up insted from these distortions until she is mature enough to navigate and see beyond them."


    Athene''s expression tightened, her eyes narrowing slightly in a mix of skepticism and concern.


    Though she had no right to influence Aurora''s parenting decisions, the unsettling fact that Aurora had indeed brought a new life into such a reality was deeply diforting to her.


    Aurora''s expression softened into a slightly mncholic gaze as she addressed Athene again, her voiceced with a somber tone. "You bash me, but in fact, you know it too¡ªthe things we''ve uncovered during our rule, the relics have said it all..."


    "From where wee from..."


    "From what we are..."


    "From what our purpose is..."


    "They provide all the answers, and yet, we have failed to fulfill that destiny. Aether has vanished, and without its power, we are condemned to remain here, bound to this realm until the end of time."


    "This could be our final opportunity."


    "This civilization, as technologically advanced as it might seem on the surface, cannot possibly sustain itself or break the cyclical bounds with such finite resources."


    "We acted as cowards during our initial reign, but now, it is time to face what we began. If it takes a graveyard to herald a new dawn, so be it..."


    Athene''s brow furrowed deeply at Aurora''s bold words. "And what about the consequences? What if something worsees from the other side? The beasts below are merely a fraction of what might exist!"


    "That''s why you are here," Aurora replied, her tone resolute. "Just let it open enough toplete it''s work."


    "..."


    Athene stood silently, her gaze fixed on the diminishing figure of Aurora as she walked away, her footsteps soft against the snowy ground. A frown creased Athene''s brow as she called out, "Are you leaving? Won''t you stay to watch?"


    Aurora''s reply floated back in a hushed tone, barely audible above the whisper of the wind, "Not everyone in a war is a soldier..."


    Athene''s frustration bubbled up, her voice rising sharply in the cold air, "And what about your man? Will you just let him march to his death?"


    Aurora paused, her back still turned, and she raised one hand in a nonchnt wave without ncing back. "You remember the rumors from our time? If those tales about Aegis hold any truth, he might just be what we desperately need!"


    "Why are you so hasty?" Athene couldn''t help but say, her temper rarely red except in the face of this carefree spirit.


    In Athene''s eyes, Aurora was too careless and reckless.


    Aurora''s figure halted briefly as she turned her head slightly, her profile catching the faint light. "It''s not about haste. But consider this¡ªif he grows naturally, soon enough, he''ll be just like us, and neither of us wants that."


    "We''ve achieved nothing noteworthy with our lives so far."


    "If that ce is the crucible that forges monsters called as Deviants, let him transform into one¡ªthat''s his desire."


    "I have no right to stop him..."


    "If I were to stop him, he''d see me as selfish, prioritizing my ambitions over his. His pursuit is strength, and even if it leads to his downfall, it''s his choice. All you can do is acknowledge it, and not obstruct his path."


    "Even if it leads to his destruction, he''ll embrace it with a smile..."


    "!"


    Aurora''s words struck Athene like an icy gust, sending a chill through her, her feet suddenly feeling as if they were encased in the frozen ground beneath her.


    This provoked a slight, knowing smile from Aurora. "I think you are quite selfish, Athene, not me."


    "!"


    Aurora''s pointed remarks, carefully crafted to sting, had their intended effect.


    Athene''s eyes widened in anger as she watched Aurora''s silhouette dissolve into the swirling snow, just before...


    Boom!


    The entire mountain range shuddered violently; thergest peak of Borr fissured, a tangible manifestation of Athene''s barely contained rage.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 314: Meeting Cain!

    The entire mountain range shuddered violently; thergest peak of Borr fissured, a tangible manifestation of Athene''s barely contained rage.


    Boom!


    Disregarding the avnche of snow and rock thundering down the mountain, Athene disappeared, her form swallowed by the storm as if drawn into the chaos she had helped unleash.


    Crash!


    Crash!


    Crash!


    Behind them, the mountain continued to disintegrate, sending massive boulders tumbling down its slopes, obliterating everything in their path.


    This catastrophic event was a stark realization of the fears harbored by Bing Xueli¡ªthat those endowed with immense power could unconciously bring about ruin.


    This underscored the vital necessity for those possessing extraordinary abilities to maintain theirposure.


    Even Wang Xiao, if he were to momentarily lose control, could inadvertently cause severe destruction in his immediate vicinity...


    This was precisely why the denizens of Xianthera were rigorously trained from birth¡ªto master the powers that were both a blessing and a curse, ingrained in their very essence.


    _____


    7:00 AM, Frostholm!


    At base N1D01, Luna and Wang Xiao finally touched down.


    The helicopter, obstinately refusing to cooperate, hovered rebelliously above the ground to avoid the snow, forcing them to execute a direct approach to the location without parachutes.


    Whoosh!


    Theynded onto the pristine nket of freshly fallen snow, their boots pressing a soft, telling crunch into the white expanse.


    "!"


    This subtle noise caught the attention of Commander Erik, who was absorbed in the meticulous task of cleaning his rifles, outside of the barracks.


    "Huh?"


    With a sharp pivot, he peered through the curtain of snow only to find Wang Xiao and Luna materializing like ghosts before him.


    His eyes widened for a fleeting second.


    "Infiltrators!" he roared, his voice echoing across the silent expanse as he quickly aimed his twin rifles at them.


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Luna, "..."


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Momentster, a squad of soldiers burst from the barracks, d in sleek, high-tech armor.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Suddenly, a line of soldiers burst from the barracks, d in high-tech armor, their guns ready.


    Clink!


    Clink!


    Clink!


    The air hummed with the sound of activatingser sights, all converging on Luna and Wang Xiao.


    "Erick? What happened?" Helena burst out, her voice sharp with urgency, closely followed by Commander Yamamoto and Raj, each leading their respective units.


    Erik''s eyes remainedser-focused on the infiltrators. "State your names and IDs!" he demanded, his voice booming across the cold air.


    _____


    Central Command Center!


    "Sir... this..." Alice, perched at the edge, stared through the expansive ss window, her eyes wide as she witnessed the chaos below.


    With her short blonde hair neatlybed and donned in a crisp ck uniform, she served as Li Zhiming''s aide.


    The scene below was pure chaos: dozens of soldiers had their guns trained on a man and a woman.


    Alice noticed the slight curve of the woman''s lips¡ªan dangerous smile in the face of death¡ªwhich knitted her brow in confusion.


    ''Could they be from enemy? Is this a direct assault?'' she wondered silently.


    "What is it?"


    Li Zhiming, who had overheard her murmurs while engaged with other post officials, approached to see for himself, prompted by Alice''s stunned silence.


    "!"


    As he arrived beside Alice, his eyes locked onto the scene below.


    His voice, tense and urgent, "We need to stop them!" But it was already toote.


    Below, Luna took a deliberate step forward as Erik and Helena appeared to issue stern warnings to her and herpanion, until they eventuallymanded their troops to open fire.


    Bam!


    Bam!


    Bam!


    "Damn it, idiots! All of them are idiots!" Li Zhiming couldn''t help but spin around and dash toward the stairs, desperate to defuse the situation before his elite squad was annihted in a single day.


    ____


    "Don''t step closer!" Erik warned, his voice tense, as he sensed no fear from the two figures standing defiantly before him.


    "Or what...?" Luna''s lips curled into a slight, mocking smile as she coolly surveyed the gun aimed at her.


    She noted the subtle trembling in the hands that held the weapons¡ªwhether from the biting cold or nerves, she couldn''t be sure.


    But one thing was clear to her¡ª


    This was merely an army of trash!


    "Or you''ll be riddled with thousands of bullets in an instant!" Helena chimed in, trying to dial down the tension. She subtly signaled Erik to step back with a tap of her hand.


    Yet, she gravely underestimated the madness of the person standing before her.


    Immediately after the warning, Luna took her first deliberate step forward. "Try your luck," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the crunch of her bootpressing the ice below.


    Crunch...


    Her step seemed to echo ominously across the frozen ground.


    Erik and Helena''s eyes widened in shock.


    Was this an outright deration of war?


    The thought shed through their minds in unison before Helena''s voice broke through the tense air, "Open fire!"


    Bam!


    Bam!


    Bam!


    On hermand, a barrage of bullets surged towards Luna.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Yet, astoundingly, as they reached her, the bullets halted mere centimeters from her body, disintegrating into dust.


    "..."


    "..."


    The sight was chilling, driving the soldiers into fear and confusion as they unleashed even more bullet.


    But it was toote¡ªLuna vanished in a swift gust.


    Whoosh!


    Commander Takashi and Commander Raj watched, their expressions turning grave as Luna disappeared from view, leaving everyone astonished.


    "Stop it! She''s on our side!" they cried out in unison, realizing with a jolt that she was a Deviant.


    But their realization came toote. Luna, her grip iron-tight, held the towering figures of Erik and Helena by their necks. She turned to face the shocked onlookers, her eyes alight with a sinister delight. "Not anymore," she whispered ominously.


    "!"


    The unexpected twist silenced the crowd, but it was quickly broken by another presence, as slow, deliberate ps echoed through the air.


    p!


    p!


    p!


    "Such a lovely day to be alive..."


    Mechanical footsteps approached from behind Wang Xiao.


    The steady, advancing sound was paired with a voice so familiar it made Wang Xiao''s eyes narrow in suspicion, trying to ce where he had heard it before.

 Chapter 315: Base F1D99, The Dead End!

    p!


    p!


    p!


    "Such a lovely day to be alive..."


    Mechanical footsteps echoed ominously from behind Wang Xiao.


    The relentless, advancing rhythm was paired with a voice so hauntingly familiar it caused Wang Xiao''s eyes to narrow in suspicion, desperately trying to recall where he had heard it before.


    "Indeed, such a lovely day to be alive..."


    Upon recognition, Wang Xiao turned sharply, his lips curving into a subtle, knowing smile.


    "!"


    Cain, his prosthetic legs nking with each step, stopped abruptly. "Do I know you?"


    "Probably," Wang Xiao replied, his smile widening uncontrobly.


    ??


    Confusion flickered across Cain''s features, his mind tumbling through memories¡ªhad their paths crossed previously?


    Luna, having discarded Helena and Erick, stood in the shadows, her thoughts a whirl as the mini-war around them seemed to abruptly pause.


    ''Do I know him?'' Cain, feeling increasingly uneasy under the intense scrutiny and d in a thick military jacket, stood isted, the cold seeping into his synthetic limbs.


    He was the same general who, three years ago, had abducted Wang Xiao and ordered his execution, only for him to be miraculously rescued by Tiamat''s intervention.


    ''He is dangerous...'' Cain thought, omniously, deciding to trust his instincts and attack first.


    Whoosh!


    He surged forward with a mechanical hiss, his movements powered by more than just his prosthetic enhancements.


    Boom!


    His speed was a blur as he closed the rapidly shrinking gap between them.


    Bam!


    But before his momentum reached its peak, Wang Xiao intercepted him, catching Cain''s head in a firm, unyielding grasp, forcing their eyes to lock.


    "!"


    "Remember me...?" Wang Xiao''s voice was low and taunting, his intense red eyes searing into Cain with a gaze that seemed to peel backyers of buried time.


    "!!!!"


    Cain''s eyes quivered violently under the piercing stare, the fierce red igniting a flood of suppressed memories.


    Images of a shattered, broken ship flickered through his mind, sending shards of a once broken reality crashing into his consciousness.


    Inside Cain''s head, a monologue churned, ''This face... those eyes... the fire... ''


    Just then, Li Zhiming, who had dashed to the scene, intervened urgently. "Wang Xiao, wait! General Cain hase here from Prometheus. We need to talk and clear any misunderstandings first!"


    "Oops... You shouldn''t have said that..." Luna couldn''t help but chuckle, herughter cut short by another, more horrifying sound.


    Tear


    "ARGGHHHHH!"


    In the next moment, Wang Xiao, with his bare hands, brutally tore Cain apart.


    Splurt!


    Blood erupted like a violent waterfall, cascading down in heavy, wet sshes, yet miraculously none stained Wang Xiao.


    Below them, the pristine snow turned a stark, vivid red, setting a cruel scene as Cain''s body was ruthlessly split into two.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Everything froze, the air filled with shock and horror, just as the two severed pieces of Cain crashed heavily to the ground.


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Gasp!


    ....


    Amidst the chilling silence that followed the violent spectacle, a calm voice floated, starkly contrasting the tense atmosphere.


    "Such violence among the young... Huh."


    A bald monk, wearing thin Taoist robe in this bone chilling cold¡ª his fingers methodically rolling over Buddha beads, emerged as if from thin air, advancing steadily towards Li Zhiming.


    "Grandmaster Shi Xin?" Li Zhiming repeated, his tone tinged with surprise and respect.


    He had been briefed that the Abbot of Shaolin would be arriving from the Bodhi Matrix to assess the situation.


    Every gaze shifted to Grandmaster Shi, who responded with a subtle nod. "Indeed¡ª"


    "Oye!"


    His words were abruptly cut off by Luna''s sharp call.


    ??


    Grandmaster Shi turned to face Luna, his serene expression meeting her fiery eyes.


    She stared him down, her voice sharp andmanding. "I am older than your grandmother, monk. Next time, if you forget to pay your respects, I might just gouge your eyes out."


    "!"


    Grandmaster Shi''s eyes twitched slightly, betraying his calm demeanor.


    This unexpected confrontation made the others turn to look, suddenly curious and excited to see how the events would turn out to be.


    Inside, Shi Xin was weighing her words, a flicker of annoyance crossing his mind. ''Such disrespect in front of others... But perhaps, this is a test of patience, a challenge of my resolve.''


    Li Zhiming, sensing the growing curiosity and the need for formal introductions, cleared his throat. "Everyone, let me formally introduce Lord Wang and Grandmaster Shi Xin. They will be staying with us as our honored guests, here to aid us in the uing battle. Any disrespect to them would not taken kindly... As you have already witnessed!"


    ______


    January 18, 2027!


    Base F1D99, The Dead End!


    Outside, everything was encased in ice, and although it was morning, no sunlight pierced the perpetual darkness that loomed over this forsaken ce.


    Thendscape was hauntingly lit only by the ethereal glow of aurora lights, painting ghostly colors across the sky.


    A solitary building stood stark against this deste coldness, resembling a dormant thermal reactor, devoid of guards or any signs of life.


    Inside, it took on the guise of a military surveince base, yet the most ominous feature was the staircase spiraling downward into the depths.


    "Is the tunnel to hell at the bottom...?" Wang Xiao muttered, his voice echoing slightly in the chilly air as they gathered at the location.


    Not just him, but Luna, Grandmaster Shi, Li Zhiming, and all fourmanders stood poised to descend.


    They were nked by four guards, their faces obscured, each clutching an oddly shaped gun that seemed as out of ce as the setting itself.


    "Why do you think it''s called a tunnel?" Luna couldn''t help but mutter, her toneced with a mix of contempt and disdain.


    Wang Xiao nodded. "Why does this ce look so silent?" As he spoke, his voice echoed slightly in the cavernous interior of the facility.


    The main hall where they stood was stark and utilitarian, with cold, gray walls lined with monitors and equipment that blinked intermittently.


    High above, exposed steel beams criss-crossed the ceiling, contributing to the industrial feel of the space.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Despite the presence of a team of researchers and some special military personnel working diligently on the tform across from them, the vast area still seemed hauntingly deserted.


    "Don''t you guys usually kidnap children in masses to send them down?" That was the main query Wang Xiao had, haunted by memories of the ship carrying so many children.


    "..."


    Li Zhiming remained silent, his expression unreadable.


    "!"


    The faces of everyone near Wang Xiao darkened¡ªa grim acknowledgment of a truth everyone knew but few wished to voice aloud.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Even the researchers momentarily froze, their movements halting as they turned to nce at the man who dared to speak such truths.

 Chapter 316: Mary—The First Deviant!

    The faces of everyone near Wang Xiao darkened¡ªa grim acknowledgment of a truth everyone knew but few wished to voice aloud.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Even the researchers momentarily froze, their movements halting as they turned to nce at the man who dared to speak such truths.


    The atmosphere grew tense, the only sounds the distant hum of machinery and the soft clicking of keyboards.


    The fourmanders at Valkyrie''smand, having been briefed about Wang Xiao''s reputation as the yer of Asmodeus, kept a respectful distance, wary of standing too close.


    Meanwhile, Grandmaster Shi surveyed the surroundings with a keen interest, his gaze asionally settling on Wang Xiao and Luna.


    For him, too, it was his first visit to this ominous ce, and the air of secrecy and slightly magical and mystical feeling only deepened his curiosity.


    Luna''s identity had remained shrouded in secrecy until now, with no one truly understanding who she was.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Yet the sight of the monk, conspicuously missing one eye, served as an evidence that significant events had happened over the past three days.


    It was a silent warning to all: if they valued their vision, respect was mandatory.


    "Ahem, the usual operations have been temporarily suspended," Li Zhiming interjected, his toneced with awkwardness as he broke the tense silence.


    "Hm, let''s go down," Wang Xiao nodded, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of anticipation and thrill at the prospect of exploring what was ominously dubbed the tunnel to hell.


    The enthusiasm was not lost on the fourmanders and Abbot Shi either; their faces lit up with a mix of nervous excitement and curiosity, this being their descent into the depths.


    Only Luna held a look of disdain, her expression one of contempt for the depths below.


    As they began their descent, the stairs were initially engulfed in darkness, but with each step, sensors triggered the lights to illuminate the path incrementally.


    The stairway revealed itself to be abyrinth of high-tech security measures: hundreds of trapsy hidden, ready to activate.


    This path could only be safely navigated by those with authorized ess, effectively turning any unauthorized intruder into a casualty.


    Even for the Deviants, known for their supernatural powers, prating this fortress would be a challenge.


    As they made their descent, Li Zhiming shared eerie details about the tunnel: those who descended to work never came back to surface!


    They lived out their lives and met their ends in the depths!


    That was the grim condition set for employment in this facility!


    The initiative was originally named Project Transcendence.


    Its aim was ambitious: to engineer humans who could surpass the limits of ordinary humanity.


    Yet, the project quickly veered into uncharted territories, spiraling beyond their control.


    Wang Xiao had not fully grasped the implications until they reached the base of the tunnel.


    Gasp!


    There, they were greeted by an unexpectedly vast and majestic hall, starkly different against the confined, oppressive spaces they had imagined.


    The grandeur of the hall left everyone momentarily stunned.


    Steel tes sheathed the four walls, lending a fortified, bunker-like appearance.


    At the center, a cylindrical ss structure stretched imposingly from the left to the right side of therge rectangr space.


    It stood as the focal point, harboring something crucial, mysterious, and possibly ominous. Wang Xiao and the others stood at the entrance, taken aback by the sheer scale and unexpected splendor of the structure.


    "Luna!?"


    As the group stood in awe of the cavernous hall, a figure detached herself from the shadows, her presence almost ethereal against the stark metallic background.


    Mary, d in a dark, intricatelyced gown that whispered of ancient nobility and secrets, approached them.


    Her deep ck hair cascaded around her shoulders, framing a face that was both haunting and mesmerizing.


    Her red eyes, glowing softly in the dim light, fixed on Luna with an intensity that felt almost tangible.


    Mary reached out and gently took Luna''s hands in hers, her touch light yet filled with decades of longing and questions. "How many years has it been, Luna? Why did you nevere back?"


    Her voice, a melodic contrast to her stern appearance, carried a weight of sadness and reproach.


    Wang Xiao turned, his gazending on Luna, who stood slightly awkward for a moment¡ªa rarity that made her appear almost vulnerable.


    Her expression quickly shifted as she hissed angrily.


    "Mary, if you don''t release my hands this instant, I will cut them off!"


    Despite Luna''s palpable anger, a mischievous giggle escaped Mary, who covered her face with a delicate hand, stepping back gracefully while maintaining a respectful distance. "Luna, my dear, really? I had no idea you''d be so tender-hearted already."


    Luna''s frown deepened, and she took a deep, steadying breath to quell her rising anger before turning to Wang Xiao.


    She gestured towards Mary with a swift tilt of her head, exining, "This is Mary. She runs and owns this ce. She''s also one of the first Deviants to have ever awakened!" After Luna''s introduction, the gaze of everyone present shifted to Mary, their expressions a mix of awe and curiosity.


    "Don''t stare too intently; I might just pluck those orbs right out," Mary teased, her voice yful yet tinged with an underlying threat.


    Her smile disarmed most, causing them to hurriedly avert their eyes¡ªeveryone except for Grandmaster Shi and Wang Xiao, who continued to observe her with unabashed interest.


    "Oh my, this one already doesn''t have an eye!" Mary eximed with a chuckle, her gaze fixating on the empty socket of Grandmaster Shi.


    She extended her palm, turning it upside down in an omnious gesture.


    Whoosh!


    "Let me fix that for you," she dered, her voice tinged with a yful menace.


    As she spoke, the air above her hand seemed to shimmer and swirl, coalescing into the form of an eyeball.


    Gasp!


    The spectacle left everyone in stunned silence, their eyes wide with a mix of awe and horror.


    Ignoring their shocked expressions, Mary moved toward Grandmaster Shi with a deliberate grace.


    She positioned the newly formed eye against his empty socket and gently pressed it in.


    Squish!


    Grandmaster Shi''s face contorted with disbelief, then twisted in agony.


    "!"


    A pained groan escaped his lips, growing louder and more desperate, "It hurts... it burns!"

 Chapter 317: Human Farming?

    Squish!


    Grandmaster Shi''s face contorted with disbelief, then twisted in agony.


    "!"


    A pained groan escaped his lips, growing louder and more desperate, "It hurts... it burns!"


    The pain was evidently more intense than when Luna had originally plucked his eye out.


    Squish!


    Blood began to seep from the socket, dark and thick.


    Unperturbed, Mary wiped the blood away with a tender, almost affectionate stroke of her hand, herughter ringing out as she enjoyed it with a smile.


    "STOP THIS! STOP THIS!"


    THUD!


    Overwhelmed by pain, Grandmaster Shi copsed to his knees, his groans mingling with hisbored breaths.


    "Arghhhh!"


    As his vision slowly cleared, the pain induced tears to mix with blood, streaming down his cheeks, prompting looks of disgust and concern from the onlookers.


    In the midst of the chaos, Mary''sughter subsided into a serene smile.


    She surveyed the room, her red eyes gleaming with a hint of satisfaction. "It''s been a long time since we''ve had such distinguished guests," she said, her voice echoing slightly in the expansive hall. "I hope you find our facilities... enlightening."


    _______


    Ten minutester!


    The monk, as if touched by some arcane magic, regained hisposure and even bowed in respect to Mary for restoring his eye.


    He maintained a respectful distance, however, as they all spread out to explore the depths of the facility.


    Their freedom to roam was unrestricted; no one stopped them from viewing any part of the vast undergroundplex, and the workers seemed indifferent to their presence.


    The four guards who had initially escorted them had retreated upstairs, leaving the area filled with researchers bustling back and forth.


    The atmosphere felt suspended in time¡ªslightly dystopian, with technology that, upon first nce, appeared to be relics from decades past.


    Mary had slipped away to an adjoining room, leaving behind abyrinth of automatic steel doors that made the facility feel like a maze.


    The area where they now stood seemed to be the nerve center of it all.


    Luna and Wang Xiao stood near the cylindrical ss structure, drawn by curiosity and a sense of... Apprehension.


    Wang Xiao, in particr, was eager to peer into what was ominously dubbed the tunnel to hell, his eyes scanning the mysterious setup, trying to decipher the secrets it held.


    Peering through the ss, Wang Xiao discovered that it enclosed a pathway that descended steeply, the walls rough and unpolished like those of a natural cave.


    As the path narrowed dramatically, he could see a faint, mystical-looking mist at the far end¡ªa shimmering, multicolored haze that suggested a tear in the very fabric of space itself.


    It appeared as though a portal to another dimension had been violently carved through space and time, a rainbow-hued breach that glowed with both wonder and danger.


    However, an anomaly caught his attention: there seemed to be no direct way to enter this pathway.


    His gaze lifted to the ceiling of the cylindrical structure, and he noticed aplex mechanical system designed to open the ceiling itself.


    Luna, following his gaze and confirming his suspicions, nodded grimly. "They open the ceiling and simply drop the subjects down like a stream. It''s the most effective way to send thousands of experiments at once. They don''t even need toe down here; the subjects can be directly transported from arge pipe stationed above, outside the facility."


    Her words, especially the detached way she referred to ''experiments,'' sent a chill through the air, making Wang Xiao''s eyes narrow in surprise. "So they just drop them to their death...?" he asked.


    Luna responded with a subtle nod, "Pretty much."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao was left speechless, the casualness of the information silencing him.


    As he observed the facility, everyone working seemed devoid of emotion, until Yin Yue provided a chilling rification¡ªthat the majority here were indeed Deviants.


    This exined their lifeless, almost robotic demeanor.


    Yet, all were under Mary''smand.


    "Mary has been running this ce from its inception. She''s also a founding member of Project Transcendence," Luna added, her voice tinged with a mixture of respect and wariness. "She was the daughter of the scientist Hanna, who first discovered this ce."


    Wang Xiao, realizing the implications, asked, "And that scientist¡ªshe threw her own daughter into this... tunnel?"


    Luna smiled slightly, her eyes clouding with uncertainty. "I don''t know..." she muttered, her tone suggesting that she harbored the same dark suspicions.


    Although Luna found herself considering the situation, she couldn''t help feeling a thrill of excitement depite the danger.


    Deep down, she harbored a desire to meet Hanna, the scientist behind it all.


    Suddenly, Mary reappeared, her energy undiminished, her smile broad and chilling.


    She ced a reassuring hand on both Luna and Wang Xiao''s shoulders. "In the world of science, it''s quitemon to first test the medicine on oneself," she exined, her voice rich with intrigue. "Hanna surely would have been the first to jump in, if only she could fit..."


    Wang Xiao remained silent, processing the eerie implications of Mary''s words.


    Luna forced a bitter smile, ncing around at the expanding structure, "But why is this thing growingrger by the moment?"


    "Oh, it''s expanding," Mary replied nonchntly, as if discussing the weather.


    Luna nodded slowly, still uneasy. Wang Xiao, however, found himself drawn back to the spectacle below them.


    He couldn''t shake off his concern. "Isn''t it alreadyrge enough to fit multiple adults?" he asked, his voice edged with suspicion.


    Mary''s eyes flickered, a deep red glowing ominously. "Indeed, it is," she confirmed, her tone carrying a hint of something dark and unspoken.


    Mary''s words grew more disturbing as she drew them closer to the ss. "We no longer adhere to any height or age criteria, but disrupting the narrative we''ve painstakingly built over decades would cause unnecessary problems."


    "Adults prove more difficult to control; children, on the other hand, can be packed more densely into smaller containers. We have established awork of facilities across thisnd to ensure a steady flow of production," she exined with a clinical detachment that chilled the air around them.


    "Steady production?" Wang Xiao echoed, his voice tinged with suspicion as he turned to face Mary, seeking rification.


    Without a trace of emotion, Mary continued, "Below every base and outpost lies a fully operational facility that we''ve engineered to augment the supply chain feeding Project Transcendence. Each facility is capable of housing a thousand subjects at a time. They are bred in controlled cycles till they reach a certain age, ensuring that each base contributes a hundred subjects monthly."


    She paused, letting the gravity of her words sink in before adding, "The northern and northwestern regions of thisnd are nketed with hundreds of these bases and outposts."N?v(el)B\\jnn

 Chapter 318: Project Transcendence — 2247!

    Mary''s voice was calcted and methodical as she outlined her vision, "Although we already operate hundreds of facilities, we have yet to achieve self-sufficiency."


    "I n to expand our operations tenfold in the uing decade, and eventually by a hundredfold, which would eliminate our dependency on external fuel sources¡ª"


    Her words, absorbed intently by all present, were suddenly shattered by an explosive interruption.


    Boom!


    "SHUT UP!"


    A massive, booming voice thundered through the facility, causing the workers on the facility to swivel around.


    Their gazes were sharp, their expressions stoically unfazed by the outburst.


    "HOW CAN YOU SAY ALL THAT WITH SUCH A STRAIGHT FACE!?"


    "DO YOU HAVE NO HUMANITY LEFT!?"


    Takashi, overwhelmed by emotion, couldn''t contain his anger. His hand mmed against the ss with such force that it thundered through the chamber.


    Boom!


    Tears welled up in his eyes as he stood, trembling with rage.


    Behind him, the othermanders and Li Zhiming appeared equally unsettled, unsure how to respond.


    Despite themotion, Mary did not modte her tone or pause her discourse, her voice continuing to echo clearly across the room,pelling everyone to listen.


    Takashi, unlike the others, couldn''t contain his outrage.


    While the rest of the group listened with bitter resignation, he felt an uncontroble urge to react.


    "I see you have quite the notable hand there..." Mary''s lips curled into a subtle smirk as she observed Takashi''s hands, which seemed unusual, almost as if they had been enhanced in some manner to cause such uproar. "However, this ss is reinforced to a degree that even I cannot break it. You should give up."


    "!"


    Takashi''s eyes bulged with disbelief, "Yo¡ª"


    "Take him away," Marymanded briskly before he could finish his sentence.


    Two figures swiftly approached from behind, seizing Takashi firmly.


    "ARGH!¡ª LEAVE ME!"


    "LET ME GO!"


    He shouted and struggled vehemently, his protests echoing through therge space, but it was futile.


    The guards dragged him resolutely back towards the stairs, forcing him to ascend to the surface against his will.


    Meanwhile, Mary pped her hands sharply, snapping the attention of everyone back to her.


    "Let''s put that matter aside for now. You might all be pondering the necessity of such a project," she announced, capturing the curiosity of the room with hermanding presence.


    Mary''s lips twisted into a knowing smile, revealing a hint of the depth of her strategy. "Have you ever considered what happens when two Deviants have a child?" Her words dropped like a bomb.


    "!"


    However, Mary''s next words were even more startling. "What happens when a Deviant pairs with a normal human? Would such a union be sessful? And the resulting child¡ªwould they be a normal human, or would they possess the powers akin to those of the original Deviant? Do genders y a role? And critically, what are the chances of inheriting powers from the Deviant parent?"


    The whole ce went silent.


    The group exchanged puzzled nces, overwhelmed by theplexity and implications of her inquiries.


    Wang Xiao nced at Luna, seeking any hint of understanding, but found her gaze locked on Mary, tinged with subtle yet growing anger.


    Seeing their confusion, Mary''s eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and mischief, and she leaned in slightly as if sharing a confidential secret. "Perhaps I should rify what exactly a Deviant is¡ªDeviants are not merely individuals with abilities; they are the next step in human evolution, through a series of enhancements, they undergo tough trials beyond this space.


    They possess capabilities far beyond those of an ordinary human."


    Her voice grew more animated as she continued, "The purpose of Project Transcendence was to ensure that humanity would not just survive, but thrive, transcending our biological limitations."


    "And we have already achieved remarkable sess with Deviants. Each one that emerges from the tunnel is treated with a specially developed solution, a culmination of years of research. This solution enables them to reproduce normally with humans. However, the probability that their offspring will inherit these enhanced abilities is still less than ten percent."


    Her enthusiasm was evident, even as it bordered on fanaticism, revealing the depth of hermitment to her vision¡ªa vision that reshaped the very essence of human potential.


    She continued, "Thus¡ª our goal has been to produce so many Deviants that, after ten, no, a hundred years, humanity as we know it will change once we begin to release them en masse, rather than merely using them as soldiers."


    "As per our projections, we need to release only one million Deviants a year, and within eight hundred years, the entire poption of the world will have achieved Transcendence, in some form and the project would reach singrity!"


    "Our new solution, which aims to increase the chances of inheriting superpowers, is also under development."


    "All of this could significantly shorten the timeline for thepletion of Project Transcendence to within the next hundred years!"


    "The project is scheduled to finally conclude on the 27th of May, 2247." Mary''s voice carried a hint of relief as she announced the final conclusion date, suggesting the immense weight of the centuries-long n she was orchestrating.


    "..."


    "..."


    Crack...


    The silence that had enveloped the hall, punctuated only by the faint hum of machinery and Mary''s confident derations, was shattered by an ominous yet abrupt cracking sound.


    "Huh?"


    Mary paused mid-sentence, the colour draining from her face as she turned sharply towards the source of the disturbance, her eyes widening in stark disbelief.


    "What¡ª," her voice caught in her throat as she stared in horror at the once imprable ss, now webbed with fractures.


    The pristine barrier she had so proudly proimed unbreakable was now filled by a spreadingwork of cracks.


    The instigator of this unexpected chaos was a girl who seemed scarcely sixteen.


    She stood calmly, contrary to the escting tension in the room, her light rainbow-colored hair shimmering subtly.


    Wang Xiao blinked, taken aback by the surreal turn of events. "Mimi?" he whispered surprised, recognizing the girl.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Thest time he had seen her, she was just like a ghost; this might be him witnessing her properly for the first time!


    Naomi''s index finger rested lightly yet defiantly against the ss, the epicenter of the fracture radiating outward as if her touch alone had unleashed the damage.


    Her eyes locked on Mary, filled with a calm defiance that bordered on challenge.


    Gasp!


    Ignoring the stunned murmurs around her, Mimi''s lips curled into a slight, knowing smile.


    Her gaze did not waver from Mary''s, who now faced her with a mix of shock and calction.


    "This... this is impossible," Mary stammered, struggling to maintain herposure as she assessed the young girl who had just turned her world upside down.

 Chapter 319: Dumb B*tch?

    "This... this is impossible," Mary stammered, her voice faltering as she tried to reconcile the reality before her eyes with her beliefs.


    She stared in disbelief at the young girl who had just upended the certainty of her world.


    Naomi slowly turned to face Mary, her lips curling into a subtle, mocking smirk.


    It was as if she were taunting the supposedly unbreakable ss for its fragility.


    "!"


    Mary''s face twisted with rage as her eyes red with rage, "CATCH THIS RAT!" she screamed, themand erupting from deep within her, booming through the chamber.


    Her body shook with fury, herposure shattering as visibly as the ss had.


    Naomi, undeterred and eerily calm, extended her hand toward the fractured pane once more, her movements deliberate, almost ceremonial.


    "UGH!" Mary, clearly at her wit''s end, suddenly lunged towards Naomi in a desperate attempt to apprehend her before any further damage could be inflicted on the facility.


    Whoosh!


    Mary''s hands, outstretched like the ws of a bird of prey, aimed to snatch Naomi.


    However, just as they were about to connect, Naomi mysteriously dissolved into a cascade of shinning blue water, effortlessly evading capture.


    "HUH? WHERE IS SHE!?" Mary, stunned by the sudden disappearance, spun around in confusion, scanning the area for any sign of Naomi.


    Her eyes narrowed as she spotted a stream of water meandering towards the staircase, ascending gracefully.


    Without hesitation, Mary transformed into a swirling red mist, her voice echoing through the vast space, "WAIT FOR ME!"


    The mist darted towards the facility''s entrance with remarkable speed, determined to intercept Naomi.


    Then, both Mary and Naomi vanished from view, leaving behind only the echo of their confrontation.


    "..."


    "..."


    An eerie silence enveloped the room as everyone present exchanged looks of bewilderment.


    Luna, too, seemed lost for words, shocked by the unprecedented disy of powers she had just witnessed from Mary.


    "...If I were her, I wouldn''t try to chase that girl," Wang Xiaomented, breaking the deadly silence.


    His voice carried a hint of amusement, mixed with a dash of surprise at the drama.


    Whoosh!


    "Who is she?" The question came almost immediately from all around him. Luna was the first to voice it, her curiosity piqued, her eyes wide with intrigue.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao gave a slight shrug, his expression one of bemusement.


    "I''m not entirely sure either, but it looks like your senior is in for quite the chase today..." He muttered, a wry smile ying on his lips.


    With that, he turned away from the group, his steps leading him deeper into the facility to explore further, leaving the others to ponder the mysterious events they had just witnessed.


    ______


    January 18th, 10 PM!


    Base F1D99.


    Seated a short distance from the imposing structure of Base F1D99, Wang Xiao found solitude on the frozen, deste expanse.


    Under the cloak of pitch darkness, he absentmindedly snapped small twigs between his fingers, his legs stretched out on the cold, hard ice.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Ka¡ªBoom!


    Abruptly, a rumble of thunder shattered the silence, its sound echoing fiercely across the icy ins.


    "Hm?"


    The sudden sh briefly lit up Wang Xiao''s contemtive face as he looked up.


    The sky, typically adorned with the ethereal dance of Aurora lights, was nowpletely shrouded by oppressive, dense ck clouds.


    "So strange... Why does it feel like the end of the world?" Wang Xiao can''t help but mutter to himself, a trace of wry amusement in his voice as he surveyed the imaginary red gs guing their whole journey.


    Meanwhile, inside the facility, silhouettes were drawn to the ss windows, their faces pressed against the pane, eyes wide with concern.


    They watched the surreal shift in weather with a mix of fascination and unease.


    While snowstorms were the norm in this harsh climate, the concept of thunder and rain was almost mythical.


    Wang Xiao, feeling a mix of solitude and confusion, can''t help but ponder his reason for being outside alone.


    Mary had returned to the base hours earlier, her expression weary and defeated.


    It was clear from her demeanor that she had failed in her pursuit of Naomi, and whatever chase had ensued had left her drained and frustrated.


    ...


    Afterward, when Wang Xiao half-expected the insane witch with the haunting red eyes to confront him, she surprisingly ignored him, vanishing into a deep, shadowy tunnel instead.


    Disregarding these creatures unpredictable mood swings, Wang Xiao found himself waiting, his ears straining for any update on Gabriel''s movements.


    While he waited, a wry smile yed across his lips; he felt as if he were witnessing his own slow descent into his own downfall¡ªa sensation he strangely enjoyed.


    His contemtive mood, filled with a stream of disjointed thoughts, shattered abruptly with a distinct sound.


    Crack!


    "!"


    "Hehe... Didn''t expect to find you here..."


    "!"


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao abruptly spun around and rose to his feet, he found himself dwarfed by a looming figure, whose faint shadow seemed to swallow him whole along with the echo of a sinister stinkyugh.


    [Hell spirit...] Yin Yue murmured, her tone a blend of curiosity and caution.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed in sudden caution as he stared up at the behemoth before him.


    "Zhao... Yang?" he uttered hesitantly, his gaze locked on the towering figure''s beardless, oval face, which oddly resembled a potato.


    "Yes, I didn''t expect the boy from this guy''s memories to survive and meet here!" Zhao Yang''s voice boomed, yet there was an unexpectedly friendly glint in his eyes as he gazed down at Wang Xiao with a grin that seemed to blur the line between good and evil.


    "I hadn''t thought this one would share the same fate, destined to be taken by another fellow spirit," Zhao Yang continued, his toneced with a mixture of amusement and irony.


    He threw his head back andughed heartily, the sound echoing ominously around them. "Haha... Two enemies, both now possessed by our kind. Soon the whole world will be ours!"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao, still processing the sudden and surreal encounter, struggled to find his voice.


    Finally, he managed to speak, his words blunt, "Dumb B*tch"

 Chapter 320: Anger? Not dead yet!

    The atmosphere grew still as ice around them seemed to freeze once more, Zhao Yang''s face contorting into an ugly expression upon hearing Wang Xiao''s words, his heart clenching with dread.


    "You were supposed to die at my hands... but you can''t even manage to survive. What a... disappointment"


    ncing down, Zhao Yang spotted Wang Xiao muttering to himself, deepening his frown. "What the hell are you saying!? Have you lost your mi¡ª"


    Crack!


    "Huh¡ªAhhh!?"


    Boooooom!


    Before the words could escape his mouth, Zhao Yang felt his face crack, the muscles of his skin bursting apart.


    Splurt!


    Splurt!


    Splurt!


    "What... wh..." Zhao Yang, now unrecognizable with his facial skin gone, leaving only bones and his jaw moving with eyes still attached to the sockets, presented a horrifying sight.


    Drip...


    Drip...


    The blood and remaining flesh clinging to the bone dripped to the ground, as wave of excruciating pain surged through Zhao Yang''s body.


    His vision blurred, his mind clouded with fear and confusion.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but stare in a mix of disgust and disappointment at Zhao Yang''s badly mutted face.


    There had been a time when Wang Xiao had harbored a fierce desire to personally tear this man apart.


    Yet¡ª Now, seeing the wretched state of his once enemy, he found his thirst for vengeance draining away, reced by a hollow sense of repulsiveness.


    "Y...y..."


    Whoosh!


    Despite his disfigured face, Zhao Yang''s movements were startlingly quick.


    Clench!


    With a sudden lunge, he extended his hand and seized Wang Xiao''s neck in a grip that was both icy and iron-tight.


    "!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyebrows shot up in surprise, his earlier resignation erupting into a renewed surge of adrenaline.


    Anger rose up within him as he remembered how this very man had once plotted to throw him off a cliff when he was merely twelve years old.


    "You sure are resilient..." Wang Xiao muttered under his breath, his voiceced with a mix of surprise and grudging respect.


    How Zhao Yang was still clinging to life was beyond him!


    "Y-Y...you...to..." Zhao Yang''s attempt at speech was an eeire sight; his jaw moved jerkily, as if manipted by unseen strings, and a disturbing attempt atughter shook his battered frame.


    Witnessing the dismal state of Zhao Yang, Wang Xiao shook his head in frustration.


    Any hope of gaining useful information from this broken shell seemed futile.


    Crunch!


    "!"


    Crunch!


    "!!!"


    Crunch!


    The sound of tearing flesh filled the chilly air as Zhao Yang''s limbs were violently ripped from his body, one after another, and hurled to the snow-covered ground.


    Each limbnded with a thud, sttering the pristine white snow with dark, spreading stains of red.


    Thud!


    "Ag¡ª!"


    Finally, Zhao Yang''s torso crashed to the earth, and incredibly, he was still breathing.


    Wang Xiao watched in horrified fascination as the dismembered limbs, scattered like some ancient ritual, slowly began to form a circle around the gasping torso.


    "What?"


    Wang Xiao remained on edge, a mix of caution and stunned disbelief overtaking him.


    It seemed impossible, yet Zhao Yang''s life force refused to be extinguished.


    The severed limbs, oozing blood, started inching their way back toward his body, as if drawn by some unseen maic force.


    "!"


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    "!"


    In an instant, the scene erupted into an otherworldly spectacle.


    Boom!


    Everything ignited into blue mes that leapt high into the night sky, casting an eerie, flickering light across the blood-stained snow.


    Wang Xiao instinctively stepped back, his eyes wide as he processed the surreal scene before him.


    The mes danced wildly, illuminating the reunion of Zhao Yang''s limbs with his torso, a sight both ghastly and mesmerizing.


    Screech...


    In front of him, Zhao Yang''s figure seemed to spontaneouslybust, his body emitting a harrowing screech as his flesh sizzled ominously.


    Within moments, he was enveloped by roaring blue mes that seemed to consume everything in their path.


    Thest thing Wang Xiao saw was the bones of Zhao Yang''s jaw, clinging to charred remnants of flesh, moving as if trying to articte a curse.


    The movement was sinister, forming words in anguage Wang Xiao couldn''t decipher.


    "What... did he say?" Wang Xiao muttered, a cold shiver tracing down his spine as he asked the silent night air.


    This encounter was perplexing. Why hadn''t this unusual hell spirit fought back?


    What had really happened here?


    Just then, a voice whispered in his mind, chillingly clear, [You will die.]


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao jerked back, startled by the sudden intrusion into his thoughts. "...What?"


    Yin Yue''s voice came again, calmer this time, [It''s nothing, those were just his parting words to you before he died.]


    Wang Xiao let out a measured breath, trying to settle the unease that clung to him.


    He sank back into his spot, his mind still wrestling to reconcile the strange scene witnessed by him.


    "Why didn''t it fight back?" he pondered aloud.


    Yin Yue responded with a simple, [Don''t know.]


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Ka¡ªboom!


    The sky erupted once more, a fierce thunderp slicing through the silence and causing Wang Xiao to furrow his brows in confusion as he gazed up at the chaotic weather patterns.


    Just then, a voice broke the stillness behind him.


    "He hasn''t died yet."


    The voice, clear and decisive, came from close by, instantly putting Wang Xiao on alert.


    He took a moment topose himself before turning around calmly, only to see Aurora standing just a few paces behind him.


    Her attire, pristine white, almost merged with the misty background, rendering her nearly ethereal in appearance.


    "..."


    "Here..."


    As Wang Xiao was still processing the situation, Aurora extended her arms, offering him an object carefully wrapped in cloth.


    His heart tightened with recognition¡ªhe knew exactly what was hidden within the folds.


    "Why do you guys keep handing me these, as if it''s my fault or something? In this case, you literally asked for it..." he muttered somewhat bitterly, his voice low.


    He epted the bundle cautiously, unwrapping it to reveal a sleeping baby girl.


    Gently, Wang Xiao touched the baby''s face, his fingers tracing the soft cheeks with utmost care to avoid waking her.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The infant, oblivious to theplexities surrounding her, breathed softly, cocooned in the tranquility that Wang Xiao''s touch seemed to offer amidst the storm brewing both in the sky and on the ground.

 Chapter 321: One is enough for this World!

    "She didn''t tell you...?"


    Aurora''s voice carried a note of surprise as she sat closely next to Wang Xiao, her eyebrows knitting together in mild confusion.


    Wang Xiao turned to her, curiosity etching his features. He questioned where she had vanished to and how she had managed to hasten her delivery.


    Aurora exined that she had been in Xianthera and had instructed Luna to pass on this crucial information to him.


    However, as Wang Xiao absorbed her words, his face remained neutral, betraying no sign of prior knowledge.


    "I don''t remember Luna mentioning anything about this," he confessed, his voice carrying a note of resignation mixed with indifference as he shrugged.


    "..."


    Aurora''s face fell, a flicker of disappointment passing through her eyes as silence stretched between them.


    She searched his face for some hint of jest or misunderstanding, but found none.


    Seeing his casual shrug, Aurora was momentarily speechless.


    Wang Xiao then added, with a hint of reproach, "You should have chosen a more reliable person to ry such important messages."


    Aurora, "..."


    She fell silent, left without words but inwardly nodding, questioning her own judgment.


    How had she ever thought Luna was reliable?


    She wondered, chiding herself for her rarepse in judgment.


    Pressing her lips together in frustration, she exhaled slowly and changed the subject. "How is that girl, Eveline, doing?"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes twitched in surprise. "You ced her with me...?" he asked, a hint of suspicion coloring his tone.


    "..."


    Aurora fell silent again, catching the wary look in his eyes.


    She briefly considered whether it might be better to just stand and walk away before the conversation led to ufortable territories of domestic violenc¡ªreconciliation.


    Noticing the awkward looks she was casting, Wang Xiao realized what she might be thinking, which only added to his bewilderment.


    "She''s doing well so far..." he responded, deliberately keeping his tone casual.


    He chose to momentarily ignore the fact that Eveline and Aurora knew each other and that even his meeting with Eveline seemed orchestrated.


    Aurora''s demeanor grew awkward just as the sky began to rumble again, pulling her attention abruptly upwards.


    She red at the sky as if she could confront it, her mind racing: ''Why is she poking her nose where it doesn''t belong?''


    The anger seemed to redirect from their conversation to the heavens above, and Wang Xiao, noticing her intense gaze skyward, asked suspiciously, "Is there something in the sky?"


    Aurora nodded, her gaze still fixed on the tumultuous sky above. "Someone who doesn''t know anything other than anger," she murmured, her voice tinged with a hint of disdain.


    Wang Xiao fell silent, his brow furrowing as he tried to decipher her crypticment.


    ''Is she talking about Zhao Yang?'' he wondered, his thoughts drifting back to his recent, violent encounter with Zhao Yang. Was Aurora referring to that confrontation?


    Recalling her earlier, equally mysterious statement, he asked, "What did you mean when you said ''he'' hasn''t died yet?"


    Aurora looked momentarily confused as she turned to face him, her expression shifting as she recalled her own words. "Oh, that guy from earlier, he didn''t die¡ª"


    "He burned himself, escaped, and is now standing ten kilometers away from here," she exined nonchntly, gesturing vaguely in a random direction, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Wang Xiao couldn''t possibly see that far¡ªhis vision couldn''t stretch beyond a hundred meters in this dense fog, let alone ten kilometers.


    She continued as if it were the most normal thing in the world,pletely disregarding rest.


    "..."


    He stared at her, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected innocence in her expression.


    Why did this witch sometimes seem so disarmingly cute?


    Shaking his head, Wang Xiao reminded himself that delving too deeply into her thoughts was abyrinthine venture.


    This woman was entric, and perhaps the weight of years had frayed the edges of her reason.


    Deciding to shift his focus, he turned his attention to the baby cradled in his arms, a newer, more updated version.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    As he deliberately disturbed the infant, a small smile stirred the baby awake.


    "!"


    "She looks so simr to Anran''s daughter...?" Wang Xiao remarked, a wry smile ying on his lips as he looked into the baby''s wide, ocean-like eyes, filled with curiosity.


    Except for the eyes, which sparkled like crystals from the depths of the ocean, he found it hard to distinguish between this child and his other two daughters.


    "Well... You can keep this one, if you like her," Aurora said nonchntly.


    "!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed instantly, he nced at her suspiciously, questioning, "What were you going to do with her originally then?"


    Aurora replied simply, "Raise her myself."


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Although he had once suggested the same arrangement to Anran, the reality of actually agreeing to it sat ufortably with him.


    These conflicting thoughts forced him to confront aspects of himself he hadn''t fully acknowledged before.


    Noticing his hesitation, Aurora quickly added, "Although, you can visit her whenever you like."


    Wang Xiao exhaled, the weight of the situation making him feel weary. "And what''s your n now?" he asked, his voice tinged with fatigue and suspicion.


    "..."


    Aurora met his gaze steadily, undeterred by the scrutiny.


    Then, with a directness that caught Wang Xiao off guard, she pointed to her stomach and stated tly, "Give me another one."


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Aurora, "..."


    Whoosh!


    Momentster, Wang Xiao could be seen handing the baby back to Aurora, his movements deliberate.


    As he did so, he resolved internally to ensure he wouldn''t end up with more of these little creatures than he could manage¡ªcertainly no more daughters than the fingers on his hands could count.


    Pftt...


    Aurora suppressed a smile, amused by Wang Xiao''s evident apprehension at the prospect of having another daughter.


    "I thought you didn''t care about having children," she murmured, cradling the baby back in her arms.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, nodding. "I didn''t, but managing too many would be challenging..." he trailed off, his gaze drifting suspiciously toward his curious new daughter. A slight smile then crossed his face. "...And they aren''t that bad."


    "Oh?" Aurora couldn''t help but be slightly surprised to see him smile. "Already being protective...?" she probed, her curiosity piqued.


    Wang Xiao fell silent for a moment, choosing not to deny her observation.


    He stared off into the distance, thoughtful, before exhaling a warm breath. "One shouldn''t have children if they don''t know how to take care of them. Imagine being able to destroy a person''s life, merely because you randomly felt life wascking something. Instead of addressing that void within themselves, some decide to have children."


    "Most people in the world just have children for the sake of having them. They want their children to be better than them while mimicking their own habits, which is contradictory."


    "Failures are bound to raise failures."

 Chapter 322: The Call of Death! (1)

    "Failures are bound to raise failures."


    "A child growing up in a failed household is already set on a path likely to lead to failure."


    "They would adopt habits from their parents, and since their parents are not very sessful, those habits are likely not the ones that foster sess."


    "All in all, it''s a paradox of the blind leading the blind."


    Aurora nodded, absorbing his thoughts without disagreement before probing further, a spark of curiosity in her gaze. "What about you? Do you consider yourself a sess or a... failure?" she asked, her eyes locked intently on his.


    Wang Xiao responded with a dismissive shrug. "Doesn''t matter."


    Aurora, puzzled by his evasiveness, pressed, "Huh?"


    Wang Xiao exhaled, his tone tinged with self-deprecation. "I would never want a son like me. That would be my worst nightmare¡ªfighting another me. One of me is enough for this world."


    Aurora remained silent, digesting his stark honesty.


    Wang Xiao continued, his voice softening, "...though daughters are eptable," he muttered, his eyes briefly drifting to the squirming girl in Aurora''sp, a hint of a smile touching his lips.


    Aurora couldn''t help but think, ''Freak!''


    The thought bubbled up inside her,ced with a mix of amusement and disbelief, though she kept it unspoken.


    If Wang Xiao, knew he had made this women call himself as ''Freak'' he would have added this on his list of achievements already.


    Somehow, Wang Xiao felt no urge or curiosity to discuss Maliketh at this moment¡ªit seemed utterly fruitless.


    Nor did he care about Gabrial, his presence, or anything else.


    The only thing that captivated him was the tunnel to heaven.


    Initially, it had barely made an impression, but now, each time he glimpsed it, he felt a profound calling.


    This call grew stronger and clearer with every passing moment.


    To the extent that with each breath he drew and each heartbeat that echoed in his chest, he could hear it calling to him.


    Thump...


    Thump...


    Mystical forces permeated this ce, and with each sweeping nce, Wang Xiao reassured himself of its magic.


    Gabrial and everything else faded into irrelevance. Wang Xiao no longer considered them his concerns.


    At this moment, the only thing he sought was¡ª


    "Are you alright?" Aurora asked, her voiceced with a note of rm as she observed him abruptly fall silent, his gaze fixed on something unseen.


    "Hm? Yeah, do you not hear it?" Wang Xiao murmured, shaking his head gently, his brows furrowing in surprise.


    A thick, swirling red mist had begun to envelop the surroundings, glowing eerily in the dim light.


    Within its depths, it seemed to morph and twist, forming a spectral hand that reached out to him, beckoning.


    He squinted, trying to discern details in the misty shapes, and could just make out the ethereal outline of a face, its features blurred but somehowpelling.


    Then, a whisper broke through the silence, ancient and cryptic.


    "??? ¦®?¦Ð¦Í¦Á!" ¡ª "Har-thu Xypna!"


    The words seemed to curl around him like the mist itself, pulling at the edges of his consciousness.


    "Hear what?" Aurora blinked, her face a portrait of confusion.


    As Wang Xiao struggled to respond, another phrase wove through the chilling air, deeper and moremanding:


    "??? ¦¡?¦È¦Å¦Ñ!" ¡ª "Ba-sen Kha Wes Aither!"


    "That... Can you see that?" Wang Xiao pointed toward the mist, his voice filled with a mix of fascination and unease.


    ??


    Aurora turned toward the direction he indicated, but her eyes met only the usual scenery; everything appeared serene and untouched.


    She neither saw the ghostly phenomena nor heard the whispering echoes that seemed so clear to Wang Xiao.


    A frown creased her forehead as her expression crumbled into one of deep concern and bewilderment.


    As the mist seemed to be denser, another whisper emerged, haunting and relentless.


    "??? ?¦Í¦Å¦Ì¦Ï?!" ¡ª "Djed-Sen Azr Anemos!"


    "!"


    Wang Xiao''s breath hitched as the words surrounded him, each syble a ghostly caress against his skin.


    Aurora watched him, her concern deepening into fear, as she realized something profound and unseen wasmunicating with him.


    Finally, a soft but firm voicemanded from within the mist, calling him deeper into its secrets:


    "?????? ?¦Ñ¦Á!" ¡ª "Ankh-mer Ingwaz Hora!"


    "!"


    Once again, Wang Xiao felt goosebumps marching across his skin, apanied by a cold shiver that seemed to echo through his very bones.


    Watching him, Aurora''s unease deepened. Something inexplicable was happening right before her eyes, and she was powerless to see or understand it.


    "What did you hear?" she finally asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and apprehension.


    "Write it on the ground," she instructed, gesturing towards the thick nket of snow at their feet, urging him to inscribe the eerie words he had heard into the pristine white canvas.


    Wang Xiao nodded slowly, his breath visible in the chilly air as he reached out, his fingers tracing the ancient symbols he had heard whispered to him.


    Each character was etched deliberately, carving a path through the snow to reveal the dark earth beneath.


    Aurora leaned in closer, her eyes wide as she tried to make sense of the cryptic letters that formed under his touch.


    The symbols seemed to pulse with an unseen energy, almost as if they were alive, resonating with the whispers that still echoed in Wang Xiao''s mind.


    "Har-thu Xypna!" Wang Xiao murmured, his voice barely a whisper as he inscribed each symbol.


    The words seemed to rise from the ground, carried by a breeze that hadn''t been there a moment ago.


    He continued, his hand moving to the next sequence, driven by a force he could barely understand. "Ba-sen Kha Wes Aither!"N?v(el)B\\jnn


    As he formed the words, the air around them grew perceptibly colder, and Aurora wrapped her arms around herself, shivering.


    "What does it mean?" Wang Xiao asked, his voice barely above a whisper, his gaze fixed on the mysterious inscriptions.


    ''??? ¦®?¦Ð¦Í¦Á!¡ª??? ¦¡?¦È¦Å¦Ñ''


    However, as they watched, the inscription began to morph before their eyes, the characters twisting into forms far more ancient and arcane.


    This sudden transformation etched a frown onto both Wang Xiao''s and Aurora''s faces, though each wore the expression for vastly different reasons.


    "!"


    Aurora''s eyes widened in shock, a flicker of recognition shing through them.


    Her face turned ghostly pale, the blood seemingly draining away as she stared, transfixed by the eerie, changing script.

 Chapter 323: The Call of Death! — Language of Gods! (2)

    "The Call of Death..."


    "!"


    "What...?"


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but turn towards Aurora, his eyes narrowing in confusion as the letters swiftly evaporated, whisked away by a mysterious, chilling breeze.


    "..."


    Still harboring a flicker of disbelief, Aurora shook her head slowly, her face marked by a shadow of unease. "It''s... the Call of Death."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "What is the Call of Death?" Wang Xiao''s frown deepened, his tone filled with apprehension at the sinister implications of the name.


    Aurora replied, her gaze clouded and somber, "I can''t decipher this script myself, but it''s the same ancientnguage discovered on the relics unearthed during the Pangean era, from civilizations that existed long before ours, lost to the sands of time."


    "And?" Wang Xiao asked, his toneced with suspicion.


    Aurora paused, her eyes darkening with the weight of memory. "And... during those times, there were strict decrees we had to abide by. One particrly strict rule stated that anyone whomitted a heinous crime against the emperor was sent to the graveyard of gods to die."


    Wang Xiao nodded, understanding the gravity of such a sentence.


    It certainly seemed like a merciless way to execute someone, especially given the abysmally low survival rates in the tunnel to heaven.


    Aurora''s voice grew softer, almost a whisper, as she continued, "Back then, we had tales of those who perished within the graveyard. It was said that their souls would scream into the night, calling the living to join them, to share in their cursed fate."


    "Their cries are the screams of souls still tormented, trapped in perpetual agony."


    "And anyone who follows those screams," Aurora''s voice dropped to a hush, "is doomed to suffer a simr fate."


    "Thus, it was named ''The Call of Death.''"


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    Even though he had braced himself for the worst, the reveal that it was merely lore from the ancient Pangean era still left him deeply unsettled.


    However, a momentter, an unnerving thought struck him: since he could actually hear these whispers, shouldn''t he be even more rmed that a legend hundreds of millions of years old might be real?


    Observing the shadow that crossed his face, Aurora hastened to add, "??? ¦¡?¦È¦Å¦Ñ¡ª which is pronounced ''Ba-sen Kha Wes Aither''... It means ''Come to the Aether,'' the cries of the damned calling you."


    "!"


    "Wait!" Wang Xiao abruptly came out of his reverie, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Didn''t you say you don''t understand thisnguage?"


    "..."


    Aurora hesitated, her eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and reverence, before nodding slowly. "I don''t know the entirenguage... But this particr phrase is etched into the memory of nearly every Pangean still living. It''s almost instinctual for us."


    "This isn''t just anynguage; it''s known as the Language of the Gods. Legend has it that the words themselves hold such immense power over the cosmic forces that they can warp the very fabric of reality."


    "Anyone who masters thisnguage," Aurora continued, her voice dropping to an awed whisper, "has the potential tomand all the nine realms¡ª"


    "The sun, and the eights that orbit it."


    "It''s the ultimatenguage of the universe."


    "Every word uttered is amand, and every stroke written is an expression of its indomitable will."


    Aurora concluded, her gaze distant and full of wonder.


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    He fell silent, lost in thought...


    Had he not witnessed it firsthand¡ªthe mysterious way the words materialized and then vanished in the snow¡ªhe would never have believed her words.


    But now, it was clear. Aurora wasn''t merely putting on a grim face; she was genuinely as astounded as he was¡ªthough, in truth, he was filled with awe while she was consumed by terror.


    For Aurora, this moment was unprecedented.


    Never in her life had she encountered someone who actually imed to have heard the cursed call of death!


    And that someone was none other than the father of her daughter!


    She just couldn''t understand¡ªwhere had this all been all this time? Why him?


    So many questions swarmed into her mind.


    Until now, everything had been going as it should, but now!


    It was all a¡ª mess!


    Seeing the distress etch deeper into Aurora''s features, Wang Xiao gently ced his hand on her shoulder, "Aurora..."


    "!"


    "Y-Yeah?"


    Jolted, Aurora flinched slightly before locking eyes with him, finding a deep concern reflected in his gaze.


    "You''re still not revealing everything to me," Wang Xiao said, his tone insistent.


    He had overlooked her actions until now, but the urgency of their situation pressed upon him, urging him to push for the whole truth.


    This woman, he sensed, held the key to unlocking the mystery.


    Aurora remained silent for a moment, trapped by his intense stare.


    The realization that there was no escaping this confrontation settled heavy in her chest.


    Finally, she let out a slow breath and confessed.


    "Thenguage, and the specific meaning of ??? ¦¡?¦È¦Å¦Ñ, were originally uncovered by Aegis himself.... Moreover, he was the very first to spread tales of the call of death!"


    !?


    A thought struck Wang Xiao, causing him to speak up, a hint of suspicioncing his words, "Could it be that he deliberately distorted the meaning of these words to keep people away from this ce? Is there something here, something hidden, that could challenge his authority?"


    Aurora shook her head, her voice low and tinged with a hint of foreboding. "There is more..."


    Among the ongoing whispers and hushed conversations of her time, one rumor stood out as particrly forbidden, shrouded in secrecy and fear.


    It concerned Emperor Aegis.


    It was whispered, in tones of awe and terror, that he was the first man to ever emerge alive from the...Graveyard of Gods!


    Indeed, after he propagated the chilling tales of the call of death, some of Aegis''s former friends began to voice suspicions.


    These murmurs stemmed from his astonishingly swift ascent to power, which seemed almost supernatural.


    Just a few years earlier, Aegis had been a nobody, indistinguishable from the masses, ording to those who had known him in his youth.


    Yet, in a stunning twist of fate, he suddenly amassed an immense amount of power and authority.


    The whispers grew into a widespread belief¡ª he was a man blessed by the gods themselves!


    A man touched by divine forces!


    A man chosen by the heavens!

 Chapter 324: Emperor Aegis— The Man Blessed by the Gods!

    Blessed by the gods themselves!


    Touched by divine forces!


    And chosen by the heavens!


    "And... yet he died," Wang Xiao couldn''t suppress a disdainful chuckle as he shook his head in amusement.


    "..."


    Aurora offered a wry smile in response, a trace of surprise flickering in her eyes. "He did, indeed."


    Wang Xiao''s tone grew serious, his curiosity piqued. "So, did the divine forces abandon him after he fulfilled his purpose? What was his purpose, anyway?"


    "!"


    Aurora paused, her gaze locked onto his, filled with a mix of admiration and concern as he gently cupped her chin in his hands.


    Wang Xiao''s smile broadened mischievously, "Had you foreseen all this?"


    "..."


    Aurora remained silent, her eyes darting away ufortably.


    Wang Xiao continued, his voiceced with suspicion, "Considering that a nobody from Pangea could ascend to such heights after surviving your Graveyard of Gods... And that even ordinary humans in our era without aether can ascend to ranks akin to Luna and Asmodeus, did you ever ponder what might happen if someone already powerful, like me, were sent there?"


    "Would that create another... Emperor?" he mused, his eyes sparkling with the thrill of the hypothetical.


    "!"


    Aurora''s expression hardened, her lips merging into a taut line as she drew a deep, steadying breath, her eyelids fluttering shut. "Why are you pretending as if you didn''t already know all of this?"


    Isn''t that precisely why he''s here?


    Can''t she see the raw thirst for power burning in his eyes?


    They are insatiable.


    With a knowing smirk, Wang Xiao couldn''t suppress a chuckle. "Actually, this Emperor business is a new to me."


    He released her chin, only to lean in closer, pressing a tender kiss on her cheek and then yfully nibbling at it.


    "!"


    Caught off guard, Aurora flinched, but as his cool tongue traced her cheek, a wave of calm washed over her. "What have you named this little one?"


    Wang Xiao inquired, nodding towards the infant cradled in her arms.


    The baby, appearing to be just over a month old, was surely not brought here merely for naming.


    Wang Xiao was skeptical of Aurora''s intentions.


    Golden wisps of hair crowned the child''s head, enhancing the serene smile on her sleeping face.


    Aurora had clearly chosen a name, her decision evident in her demeanor.


    Aurora''s eyes shed with aplex intery of light and shadow. "Even if I tell you, you won''t remember aftering back from that ce."


    Wang Xiao paused, his surprise etching itself briefly across his features before heposed himself with a slow, deliberate nod.


    He recalled the eerie whispers that circted¡ªthe legends that imed anyone who ventured into the tunnel emerged with their memories hard to recall, as surpressed by an unseen hand.


    "Don''t worry about your memory; Naomi will help you recover it," Aurora added, her eyelids fluttering like the wings of a trapped butterfly as she noticed his difort.


    Wang Xiao offered a thoughtful nod, his face clouded with a mix of resignation and intrigue.


    The chilling prospect of forgetting everything cast a shadow over his spirit.


    "That''s fine," he finally said, his voice a whisper of resolve.


    Then¡ª He leaned in closer, his hands gently cradling her face. "As long as I see your daughter grow to mirror your grace, I''ll recognize her, with or without my memories."


    Aurora''s lips curved into a brief, fleeting smile, but then he leaned even closer, his whisper a gentle caress against her ear. "Although, I dislike secrecy and deceit. It irks me when others plot behind my back."


    "But you already knew," Aurora countered, her voiceced with a mixture of surprise and usation.


    Did he genuinely not anticipate what would ur if he dared the journey through the celestial tunnel and returned alive?


    How could that possibly be just nning?


    "There is a possibility ¡ª I couldn''t have known; you should have told me, rather than making assumptions," Wang Xiao said with a dismissive shrug.


    "..."


    Aurora, momentarily speechless, finally muttered, "Then you''re not as capable as I had imagined."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, "Oh, questioning my capabilities?" His voice was low, almost a purr as he gently stroked her cheek, then abruptly pushed her onto the frost-covered ground.


    "!"


    A shiver ran through Aurora as Wang Xiao loomed over her, nting kisses across her face.


    Her eyshes fluttered, casting fleeting shadows as a sly smile yed on her lips. "You have audience," she whispered.


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao paused, his gaze shifting sharply to the facility building.


    Through the window, he could see a crowd, their eyes fixed intently in his direction.


    It seemed the Zhao Yang incident had captured their full attention.


    "Change the ce," hemanded, his voice barely above a whisper. No sooner had he spoken than the ground beneath them cracked open, enveloping them in darkness as it swallowed them whole.


    ______


    "Huh?"


    "What happened?"


    First Commander Helena couldn''t help but express her astonishment as, right before her eyes, the ground cracked open and devoured Wang Xiao, Aurora, and their baby, whisking them away into its depths.


    "Did the earth just swallow them up?" Third Commander Erick eximed, his massive hands rubbing his eyes in disbelief. The sight of such a burly Viking confounded by what he saw added an odd twist to the scene.


    Standing alongside them, Luna had been all smiles, seemingly entertained.


    But as soon as the trio vanished, her smile vanished and she faded from the scene, evidently bored now that the main act was over.


    Second Commander Takashi and Fourth Commander Raj were still at the window, their expressions puzzled as they tried to recall where they''d seen such a stunningly beautiful woman before¡ªwas it a dream, orst week''s celestial magazine?


    Li Zhiming coughed, bringing a hint of order to the chaos. "Commanders, perhaps it''s unnecessary to remind you, but should any mishaps befall this mission, you''re on your own."


    "And please, try not to die from curiosity! Or your battalion might still be chuckling about it centuries from now."


    "!!"


    Raj and Takashi shivered simultaneously. Despite the lighthearted tone of Li Zhiming''s remark, the seriousness of his words wasn''t lost on them.


    They exchanged a somber nod and reluctantly turned their gaze away.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Monk Shi Xin alone wasn''t there out of curiosity.


    He was standing straight, waiting for a chance to examine the remains more closely.

 Chapter 325: Domain of a God? Divinity!

    Monk Shi Xin alone wasn''t there out of curiosity.


    He was standing straight, waiting for a chance to examine the remains more closely.


    As soon as Wang Xiao and Aurora vanished, Shi Xin strode purposefully to the spot where Zhao Yang had met his fiery end.


    He crouched down, inspecting the icy surface beneath where the congration had urred.


    "Interesting..." he murmured to himself, his eyebrows raising in surprise at the absence of ashes on the frostbitten ice. "What sinister technique did this person employ for their self-destruction?" His voice was low, tinged with both curiosity and unease.


    He had harbored ambitions to challenge these demonic entities himself, eager to gauge their strength.


    However, the sheer magnitude of power Zhao Yang had demonstrated was already far beyond his current understanding.


    It was all too mysterious, too chilling.


    _______


    Simultaneously, the once greatrged ice mountain of the north Frostholm, now shattered by Athene''s wrath,y in ruins.


    Above the jagged debris, a small crack ripped through the chaos, through which two figures gradually emerged¡ªunmistakably, they were Aurora and Wang Xiao.


    However, as Wang Xiao''s eyes fluttered open, he found himself still positioned above Aurora.


    Yet what truly captured his attention was the abrupt shift in their surroundings.


    Gone was the serene icyndscape they had known moments ago, reced by a scene of apocalyptic ruin.


    Massive blocks of icey scattered like the bones of a colossal beast, crushed and fragmented under the force of divine fury.


    Ka¡ªBoom!


    The sky above boomed with ominous ck clouds, the air electric with the continuous growl of thunder.


    The destruction around them was evidence to the power that had been unleashed here, painting a grim portrait of devastation.


    This unsettling scene made Wang Xiao''s brow furrow deeply as he absorbed the catastrophic transformation of the world around them.


    "It''s Athene; she''s angry," Aurora whispered, her eyelids fluttering as she gazed upward at the tumultuous sky, her lips forming a tight, resigned pout.


    "Athene?" Wang Xiao''s head tilted inquisitively as he shifted his gaze to Aurora sprawled beneath him.


    Her mesmerizing aqua-green eyes, entuated by her flowing white dress, seemed to draw the stormy heavens into their depths.


    "Mm." Aurora gave a slight nod, her voice barely above a whisper. "She''s enraged with you, because of me."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed deeply.


    What was he supposed to do now?


    He didn''t even know who the hell Athene was.


    If some woman was irrationally angry, why should it concern him?


    ".... Wait, where is the baby?" Wang Xiao suddenly realized there were no signs of their daughter.


    He braced himself with one hand against the rugged ground, pushing himself up to scan the surroundings more thoroughly.


    "She''s with Athene; she''ll be safe," Aurora assured him, her grip tightening reassuringly on his hand as she spoke.


    ''This Athene again?'' Wang Xiao couldn''t suppress a frown, his eyes narrowing as he gazed into Aurora''s with a mix of confusion and suspicion. "Is it truly safe to leave her with your... this Athene?"


    Aurora nodded firmly. "It''s the safest ce. Athene is not only the strongest but also the most noble; she harbors no thoughts of vengeance."


    Wang Xiao was far from convinced about Athene''s harmlessness, his confusion deepening. "Weren''t you the strongest?" he asked, his voice tinged with doubt.


    "..."


    Aurora paused, a contemtive silence falling between them before a soft smile slowly spread across her face. "In terms of destructive power, I don''te close to her. Her mere presence is enough to darken the skies and whip the entire country into a raging storm."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flew wide open in shock as he instinctively craned his neck toward the thundering sky. "Are you saying she is above us right now? And that it''s her presence causing all this chaos?"


    The entire sky was indeed shrouded in ominous clouds, with thunder cracking fiercely through the air.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    And to think, the worst part was their location¡ªFrostholm, a realm of eternal ice where rain and thunder were myths.


    For the entire country to suddenly be engulfed by such a storm?


    Could all this upheaval really be the work of a single individual simply existing above them?


    If that was indeed the case, it somehow made sense, yet Wang Xiao couldn''t shake off the feeling that such immense power concentrated in one person was almost inconceivable.


    Little did he realize, Athene wasn''t actively wielding her power at all; the stormy spectacle around them was a mere side effect of her¡ª existence.


    Aurora''s nod was heavy with the solemnity of ancient secrets. "That''s her domain, akin to what you might describe as a domain in Country M ¡ª  When I stripped away the suppression from my powers and stepped into the battle armor, that wasn''t just raw power, it was the domain."


    "Mastery at such a profound level causes the elements themselves to submit to your influence."


    "They converge around you like honeybees to their queen, eagerly clustering near you, quieting the rest around you."


    "Before, I merely allowed my true form to emerge, and that act alone remade our surroundings into stretches of sunlit beaches woven with lush vines¡ªjust a natural consequence of my unleashed essence."


    "Now, Athene floats above us in the sky, her presence uncontained,pelling the sky to announce her existence."


    "They scream with excitement; if you could only see it, the spectacle is truly... Mesmerising."


    Wang Xiao hesitated, puzzled for a moment¡ªwho were ''They''? Then it clicked; she was speaking of the elements once again.


    But this ignited his curiosity: How did the world look through her eyes?


    What mesmerising visions appear before her when she could perceive even the subtle molecr shifts in the air?


    He had often wondered, why not the guardians simply use psychokinesis?


    Surely their innate PK abilities were already stro?


    What was the true value in mastering a specific element of the cosmos?


    Now, with his new emerging knowledge of domains, the puzzle pieces were clicking into ce.


    Previously, he had naively believed that at their peak, they might manage to devastate a handful of smaller nations.


    But now, with a deeper understanding of their capabilities, he could envision how someone like Naomi could reduce an entire continent to ashes, exining why their guardianship spanned continents rather than just countries.


    Bing a master in your own element... ensuring that no enemy can diminish your power.

 Chapter 326: True Immortality! Rebirth!

    Bing a master in your own element... ensuring that no enemy can diminish your power.


    This discovery made him realize the power disparity was immense.


    It sent a shiver down his spine, a cold chill he hadn''t experienced before.


    The gap was overwhelming.


    They weren''t merely on different levels; they were ying in entirely separate leagues.


    Previously, he had never ced them on the same pedestal as gods.


    But now¡ª


    It seemed they were not just akin to gods; they were the sovereign deities of their own vast domains.


    Luna, Eveline, Eleanor¡ªeven the most mightiest people he knew paled inparison; they remained mere mortals, and he could sense their mortality, their absence of that true celestial aura.


    Everything began to align, revealing why whenever he saw Aurora, a distinct and powerful aura enveloped her.


    A simr essence hovered around Eveline, though it was much more subtle; with Aurora, however, it was tantly powerful.


    So, was this aura functioning like their divinity?


    Does it mean beings like them existed in a constant suppressed state, like slumbering nuclear bombs, ready to unleash their dormant energy once awakened?n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    But then¡ª


    "Why didn''t my PK work against Maliketh?" he muttered, his voiceced with bewilderment.


    That was the oddest urrence he encountered, yet deep down, he felt he already knew the answer.


    Could it have been due to the stark ck and white aura that enveloped everything when Maliketh appeared, turning the world into a dichotomy of shadows and light?


    Was it another domain?


    Each time Wang Xiao revisited the thought, a bitter taste lingered in his mouth¡ªnot so much from the defeat itself, but from the overwhelming sense of helplessness.


    How had he, in an instant, reverted to the despised mortal he once was?


    Aurora''s smile was tinged with bitterness as he brought up Maliketh; these two should have never shed, at least not at this moment.


    Yet even she couldn''t have foreseen that this entity would return now, baring its fangs so unexpectedly.


    She hesitated, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "That''s... because of his Domain. We haven''tpletely discovered it yet, but it fundamentally opposes all living matter. He can transform living entities into antimatter using his psychokinesis, thanks to his mastery over electromaic fields."


    "So, your normal PK wouldn''t stand a chance."


    "But that''s alright. As long as you remain on this continent, he won''t dare approach. Athene and he are hardly on amicable terms. She has killed him so many times that he fears to walk in her domain."


    "He isn''t from our time?" Wang Xiao queried, his memory sparked by something Luna had mentioned earlier.


    She had cryptically stated that Maliketh isn''t truly Maliketh, a detail he hadn''t fully grasped at that moment.


    If it''s not really him, then how is it the same body?


    And if he has been killed numerous times, how does he keep returning?


    Aurora responded, "He is one of the surviving Pangeans, merely inhabiting the body of Guardian Maliketh from your era. As for why he hasn''t perished permanently, it''s because we¡ªcannot be killed."


    Wang Xiao, "..."


    His face contorted with confusion. "What do you mean?"


    A sense of foreboding filled at the back of his mind.


    The earlier rebirth of Eveline, and now this possession by Hell Spirits?


    What was all this chaos?


    The implications of her words were significant, casting a shadow over everything.


    If neither of thebatants could be killed, would their battle ever truly conclude?


    Aurora cleared her throat, her expression tinged with reluctance.


    It was far too early to burden him with such fears, but silence would lead to greater dangers.


    Speaking with deliberate vagueness, she said, "That means we can''t die. I realize this might be difficult to grasp, but hold onto this truth¡ªnothing in the world is everpletely destroyed."


    "If, after death, you merge with the cosmos, where were you before you were born?"


    "A part of it... So, in essence, you''ve always existed. It''s merely a specific pattern of... elements... that sparks your consciousness."


    "Though you''ve only met Eveline from the Greek era, those individuals have not only deciphered their unique pattern but have strengthened it as well. They''ve mastered the art of rebirth, even though it takes time. But for them, it''s certainly achievable."


    "Yet, there are methods to utterly erase their essence, preventing any chance of rebirth."


    "For us, it''s a bit moreplex. The level of reinforcement we undergo is such that... Never mind, just remember this: death doesn''t hold its usual finality for us."


    "We might return the very next day, bypassing traditional rebirth. While certain measures can dy this process, we have yet to discover a way to permanently eliminate someone at our level."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s expression became vacant, his eyes wide as he gazed at her deceptively innocent face while she divulged such horrifying truths.


    So the being lying beneath him couldn''t be killed?


    Truly and utterly indestructible?


    No conceivable way to end their existence?


    Absolute immortality?


    "What about sending them to the graveyard of¡ª" Wang Xiao''s words suddenly caught in his throat as a chilling realization dawned on him.


    Aurora gave a wry smile, her eyes shadowed with a mix of regret and resignation. "That''s why it''s called the Graveyard. That''s our only means to truly eliminate someone at our level... And we have done it, over and over. Yet, it was our mistake to believe that no one could return from the Graveyard of Gods."


    "..."


    "..."


    Although she didn''t show it, Wang Xiao could see a reflection of his own thoughts flickering in her eyes.


    They had been remarkably fortunate... until now.


    If someone at their level ventured into the Graveyard of Gods and managed to return...


    He shuddered to think of the immense scale of power such a person would wield.


    What Wang Xiao didn''t realize was that Aurora had not mentioned it, but she harbored a heavy heart when discussing this topic for a very specific reason.


    ''What if someone already did?'' she pondered somberly, dreading the very notion she was forced to consider.


    But something about it felt profoundly unsettling. Before Pangea, the Graveyard of Gods served as a prison for the most formidable beings of the era.


    Surely thousands had been banished there?


    Why then had no one been fortunate enough to return?


    Was the sheer number of exiles insufficient to test the bounds of possibility?


    Had those who were sent been merely unlucky?


    Or were those who remained outside just fortunate enough to avoid an impending disaster?


    Or perhaps, was there something within that abyss that quenched their desire to return?


    And who was the mysterious being that shed with Emperor Aegis?

 Chapter 327: Gabrial! Luck... Coincidence?

    Aurora struggled with the mysteries not only of her era but also of the ancient times whispered in sacred scriptures, revealing unsettling truths about humanity''s origins and purpose.


    What they were...


    And why they were here, isted on this vast blue orb...


    She found herself paralyzed at the thought of sharing these burdensome information with Wang Xiao.


    To unload such profound, unsettling secrets upon him seemed too cruel, the weight too immense for any one person to bear.


    Once he came to understand these truths, she knew, he would be irrevocably changed.


    No one would emerge unscathed...


    The reality was simply too horrifying.


    Even now, she wavered, torn over whether to reveal the truth.


    After all, if he survived the forting trials, there might never be another opportunity for them to meet for ages.


    They might never cross paths again.


    In the vast vum of time and space, their meeting could be but a fleeting moment, never to be revisited.


    Every action she had taken until now was meticulously nned, with ''multiple'' reasons behind each one, not just a single motive.


    This included why she left her daughter for him to be with, even when she wasn''t present.


    The light in her eyes dimmed, a shadow of doubt creeping in.


    Should she just leave things as they are?


    After all, it wasn''t so bad...


    There was a certain peace to it.


    A feeling she experienced when sitting on the edge of an empty cliff, yearning to remain in that suspended state forever...


    Her earlier resolve was waning, and she knew exactly why.


    Her eyes grewplicated as she gently caressed his face, but Wang Xiao didn''t even notice.


    He seemed frozen in time.


    His mind had long since gone nk.


    Rebirth... Immortality...


    Everything...


    Auroraing to him...


    Luck... Coincidence?


    Everything seemed to echo loudly, hammering into his brain.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    His very personality, his memories¡ªeverything seemed to blur for a moment, as if his soul had left his body, drifting weightlessly in the air.


    Because Aurora revealed a bit too much this time, the possibilities in Wang Xiao''s mind exploded.


    If she couldn''t die and people could be reborn, what had happened to Aegis¡ª


    "Hey, Wang!"


    "!"


    "Wang?"


    "!"


    "Ah, yeah?" Wang Xiao jolted back to reality, his heart pounding as he shook his head and looked down at a bewildered Aurora lying beneath him.


    "What happened to you? Your heartbeat and blood pressure are off the charts," Aurora asked, suspicion and concern flickering in her eyes.


    "It''s... It''s nothing." Wang Xiao exhaled deeply, trying to steady himself.


    Then, his ears picked up the distinct sound of twigs snapping and someone walking on the ice.


    The noise grew louder with each passing moment, a harbinger of someone¡ªor something¡ªapproaching.


    ___


    "Now that''s interesting..."


    A voice, deep and resonant, broke through the silence just as a towering, imposing figure stepped into view, exuding an aura of chilling power.


    His ice-blue eyes pierced through the frozen air, their cold gaze reflecting the unyielding nature of his elemental control.


    His skin was pale, almost translucent, resembling a sculpture carved from ice, and his armor, adorned with intricate frost patterns, shimmered ethereally in the subdued light, giving the impression that he was cloaked in a perpetual veil of frost.


    "Valen Frostbane...?" Aurora''s voice was a whisper, tinged with recognition as her head tilted slightly to take in the sight before her.


    "Oh, you recognize me?" Valen''s lips curled into a sly grin, amusement flickering across his frosty features as he slowly raised his hands.


    Whoosh!


    The air around them began to chill further; a cold mist swirled violently around his limbs, and the temperature plummeted, causing ice crystals to spark into existence, dancing in the air around him.


    His gaze hardened, and his voice was a low growl as he addressed them with stern determination. "Did you two cause this whole mountain to copse? Regardless, both of your lives end today!" He scrutinized Wang Xiao and Aurora, their ambiguous posture not escaping his keen eyes.


    He really couldn''t believe it.


    Had these two caused the mountain to copse?


    What kind of power was at y here?


    The thought made his blood heat up, igniting a fiery glint in his eyes, especially after catching the flicker of those jewel-like eyes staring back at him.


    "..."


    Valen, oblivious to a critical detail of another pair of red eyes staring back at him, continued.


    A mini ice storm swirled menacingly at his feet. "Although, I need to keep one of you alive for interrogation by Gabrial! You, the man with dark hair, choose how you want to die!" His gaze then drifted to the two soft curves pressing against Wang Xiao''s chest, prompting a hungry lick of his lips.


    "Nevermind, I''ve changed my mind. The woman, you will die. As for the man, I will take you alive for interrogation!" He dered, his face flushing with a cunning gleam.


    He have a clever thought¡ªy with the woman before her end and use Wang Xiao merely as a tool for interrogation.


    "..."


    "..."


    "What happened? Why aren''t either of you speaking?" Valen''s voice crackled through the frosty air, his frustration growing as he took a step forward, his boots barely touching the ice, almost as if he were levitating.


    After an extended, tense silence, Wang Xiao finally stood up.


    He exhaled a heavy sigh and turned toward Valen, his expression hardened with resolve.


    He took a measured step forward and fixed Valen with a steely gaze. "You''ve really got some nerve, eyeing my wife right in front of me."


    "Huh?" Aurora flinched, a flicker of surprise crossing her features as Wang Xiao paused momentarily, nced back at her, and then corrected himself with a slightly ironic tone and a wink, "Trophy wife."


    "..."


    Valen''s smirk faltered, turning into a scowl as he absorbed Wang Xiao''s sharp words.


    He straightened, his aura intensifying, casting chilling shadows over the jagged ice. "Bold words for a man in such a position," he sneered, raising his hands. Instantly, the air grew tenser, colder¡ªmist began to crystallize, forming sharp ice spears suspended above them.


    Aurora, sensing the imminent danger, whispered urgently to Wang Xiao, "Be careful. The original owner of this body was a deviant and could wield cryokinesis. He is also one of the four generals of Gabriel''s army."


    "!"


    "Toote to warn him,dy," Valen said, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

 Chapter 328: Frozen Heart!

    "Toote to warn him,dy," Valen said, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    In an instant, the ice spears surrounding him shot towards Wang Xiao with the speed of bullets, slicing through the air with a chilling hiss.


    Crash!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    "Survived, huh?" Valen''s grin faded as the ice spears shattered just inches from Wang Xiao. "It seems you pack a punch too! Haha, this is going to be interesting."


    "Indeed."


    In the next second, a voice came from behind, freezing Valen in his tracks.


    "!!"


    "Arrghhhh! BASTARD, LET GO OF ME!" Valen''s body convulsed violently as if his soul were being ripped from his flesh.


    Wang Xiao had descended like a predator, hands mped around Valen''s head, attempting to crush it from within.


    "Ahhhhhh!"


    Valen''s stomach twisted, an unbearable agony searing through him as his vision blurred.


    "Ahhhhh¡ª!"


    His eyes bulged wide, blood streaming from them, desperately trying to withstand the crushing force.


    His fists clenched tightly, veins throbbing, as he fought to prevent his body from exploding like a watermelon. Just before¡ª


    Whoosh!


    "!"


    "DAMN!"


    "DAMN!"


    "DAMN YOU, PUNK!"


    "Argh... my eyes..." Valen screamed in agony. In his frantic struggle to save himself, he had gouged out his own eyes.


    Blood streamed down his face, and he looked horrifying as he leaped above the ice, thrashing in desperation.


    "I''ll kill you! I''ll tear you apart!" Valen roared, his voice filled with pain and fury. "You think you can beat me?"


    Around him, a series of ice spikes materialized, their sharp edges glistening menacingly. "You can''t run, bug! I am Valen, a general of Gabriel''s army!"


    Wang Xiao had already retreated, now standing tens of meters away.


    He stared in bewilderment at the sight of the huge man jumping like a maddened monkey. "What kind of idiot is this?" Wang Xiao muttered under his breath. "He''s lost his mind..."


    Valen continued to scream, his voice echoing through the frozenndscape. "I''ll make you suffer! You and your pathetic resistance!"


    Wang Xiao narrowed his eyes, his mind troubled as ice spikes suddenly began to barrage from all directions around Valen.


    "I need to end this quickly," he thought.


    "You won''t escape me!" Valen howled, his remaining senses sharpening with his growing rage. "No one defies Gabriel''s army and lives!"


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Wang Xiao took a deep breath as the ice spikes, like bullets from a minigun, fired aimlessly in all directions.


    He dodged them with agility, each spike narrowly missing him, while Valen leaped about in fury, his mind still ringing with pain and rage.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "I can''t let up," Wang Xiao thought, determination steeling his resolve. "I have to finish this now."


    "Enough of this blue monkey," Wang Xiao muttered, determination hardening his resolve.


    With a swift motion, he turned and nced around, his eyes locking onto massive blocks of ice, each tens of times his size.


    Instantly, they began to float, shimmering in the cold air.


    "Huh?" Valen, straining to sense everything around him, froze abruptly.


    He felt an immense force approaching, but it was already toote.


    Bam!


    Bam!


    Bam!


    In an instant, the colossal ice blocks mmed into him, crushing Valen and forming a massive sphere engulfing him.


    The force was equivalent to a hundred elephants, shaking the ground violently.


    Any normal man would have had his bones reduced to dust under such immense pressure.


    "Strange... All these hell spirits lose their minds the moment they face pressure or a difficult situation," Wang Xiao observed, a frown creasing his brow. This wasn''t the first time he had seen a hell spirit stronger than him lose itsposure.


    Every time he fought with a hell spirit, they seemed tock stability of thought and descend into madness.


    Yin Yue''s voice echoed in his mind, exining, [They don''t have proper control over their host''s brain. The stronger the hell spirit, the more stable it is after taking over its host''s body. But their intelligence isn''t stable due to the weakness of the human body. They channel most of their energy into strengthening the host''s physical form, leaving their minds vulnerable.


    This makes them susceptible if you disrupt their thoughts with confusing scenarios.]


    "!"


    Wang Xiao nodded at her exnation before asking, ''Why didn''t you warn me of a hell spirit approaching?'' It had spoiled his time with Aurora.


    Yin Yue''s voice was calm and measured. [Aurora was nearby, and you are going to war. You need to be ready in advance; surprises cane when you ''least'' expect them. Also, I have ensured that they can''t detect my presence inside you and wanted to test if it was working.]


    Wang Xiao fell silent, processing her words. He then turned and spotted Aurora, curiously standing and ncing toward the massive ice sphere.


    He assumed Aurora had the same reasoning, so Yin Yue''s actions made sense.


    In the end, he had to adjust his mentality, epting that he was at war and that any wrong move could be fatal.


    With renewed resolve, he moved toward the sphere to recover Valen''s body.


    His hands sped behind his back, he approached the sphere.


    It was a striking sight, the ice glistening in the cold light, forming a nearly perfect sphere that towered over him.


    If not for its massive size and the deadly intent behind it, it would have been almost beautiful.


    "..."


    Seeing him walk close to the sphere, Aurora''s eyes blinked, a flicker of anticipation crossing her face.


    Despite this, Wang Xiao continued forward, his steps steady until he reached the sphere. Suddenly, his expression froze.


    Whoosh!


    A hand shot out from inside the sphere, pressing directly against his chest.


    Wang Xiao looked down in shock as his chest rapidly froze, ice spreading in an instant.


    The chilling cold reached his heart, and within seconds, his heart stopped beating.


    "!""


    "!"


    _____


    Inside the sphere, cramped in suffocating darkness, Valen''s body had sustained multiple fractures and broken bones, yet they were knitting back together at an astonishing rate.


    ''Hahaha! With my trump card, he''ll be dead in a second!'' he snickered inwardly, reveling in the absurdity of anyone thinking he could be vanquished by the very ice he ruled over.


    His trump card, the Frozen Heart, was a deadly secret even Aurora and Gabriel were unaware of.


    With just a re, he could freeze an opponent''s heart, snuffing out their life in an instant.


    But this time, he went a step further. Ensuring physical contact, he pressed his icy hand against Wang Xiao''s chest, triggering the deadly technique to guarantee his opponent''s demise.


    Victory seemed assured, and Valen''s thoughts echoed with triumphant grin.

 Chapter 329: Surpassed the Aether! (1)

    "Only these four?"


    Aurora inquired, her eyes sparkling with a mix of curiosity and surprise as she clutched his phone, fiddling with it.


    Shey beside him, her face turned towards his, her head nestledfortably in the cradle of his hand.


    Both were bared to the whisper of the cool air, their naked skin tingling slightly.


    She snuggled closer to him, her breasts pressing warmly against his chest, a contact that stirred a fleeting distraction in Wang Xiao.


    However, he managed a response, his gaze drifting upwards to the vast expanse of the sky as if seeking escape from an uing premonition. "Yeah, you''re familiar with everyone else around me; these four are the only neers. I have this sinking feeling that something dire will happen once I enter that tunnel..."


    "...It would be wise to have someone watch over them."


    "Okay," Aurora replied softly, her lips barely moving as her words floated into the silence. Together, theyy in stillness, the distant rumble of thunder rolling across the sky, supplementing the tranquility.


    "Your friend doesn''t seem too pleased," Wang Xiao observed with a chuckle, his voice mingling with the rumble of distant thunder.


    He understood precisely why the skies were stormy.


    A wry smile curled the corners of Aurora''s lips. "She isn''t."


    "Haha... Then let''s ruffle her feathers even more." Wang Xiao''sughter echoed in the charged air as he leaned over Aurora, grasping her delicately flushed rosy cheeks and pinching them softly between his fingers.


    Aurora''s eyshes fluttered like delicate wings, her eyes gleaming with mischief as Wang Xiao leaned in close and nted a soft kiss on her neck. "You are a bit fat, has anyone ever told you that?"


    Her eyes shot open in mock shock. "Really?" she whispered, clearly not expecting such a taunt, as he gently nibbled along her face. "Yes, but it''s good. It doesn''t look fat at all."


    ''Then how is it fat?'' Aurora pondered inwardly, her mind a mix of confusion and amusement at his teasing words.


    Regardless, she knew her body was perfect, and she held that confidence close.


    But how had they gone from a fierce battle for survival to this carefree moment so abruptly?


    To understand that, one would need to revisit into the past.


    ___


    Four hours earlier!


    "!!!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes shot open in sheer suprise as he stood immobilized before the ominous sphere.


    A ghostly, ice-cold hand sped onto his chest, its chilling grip paralyzing his heart until it stuttered and stopped.


    Caughtpletely off guard, he hadn''t anticipated such a sinister assault.


    Although he had braced his body for an attack, fortifying it against expected blows, the prating cold that could snuff out his life was beyond his calctions.


    Yet, even as an icy shroud began to encase his body, Wang Xiao''s eyes still flickered wildly.


    They snapped to the right, towards the chaos where debrisy scattered from the mountain''s recent copse.


    Instantly¡ª


    BAAAM!


    A colossal trunk, ripped from its roots, rocketed through the air, mming into the ground with earth-shattering force.


    It pierced the center of the sphere vertically, gouging out a crater six feet deep.


    But the onught was far from over.


    Bam!


    Bam!


    Bam!


    One after another, the shattered trees followed, each one mming into the spot where the sphere had been, burying themselves deep into the earth and reshaping thendscape with each thunderous impact.


    Ssh!


    Snow mingled with blood sttered across Wang Xiao, a confirmation that Valen was caught in the destruction.


    However, Wang Xiao didn''t merely recoil this time; his bodyunched backward, retreating several paces before¡ª


    Whoosh!


    The tree trunks erupted into mes, the fiery glow reflecting menacingly in Wang Xiao''s eyes.


    If the ice couldn''t kill him, he was certain the fire would!


    Simultaneously, he began extricating himself from the icy grip that had seized him.


    Since his legs and head were less affected, escaping proved rtively easier.


    "Stupid bitch..." Wang Xiao growled under his breath, his jaw tightening as he observed the giant ice popsicle aze, a sarcastic smile spreading across his face at the sight.


    This fool didn''t realize that stopping someone''s heart wouldn''t immediately halt their brain.


    He then shifted his focus to healing the rest of his body.


    Despite his efforts, the damage to his heart and chest was severe, indicating months long recovery ahead.


    If Eleanor hadn''t enlightened him on the intricacies of internal organs and self-healing techniques, he might have perished helplessly without any external help.


    Yet, even with his knowledge, his skill level was modest, and the extent of the damage daunting, .n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The mes roared louder, the crackling and sizzling filling his ears, casting an ominous, warm glow around him.


    "It should be done now," Aurora''s voice echoed softly behind him, her hand gently pressing against his back, easing his recovery with a soothing warmth.


    Her eyes lingered on the vibrant mes that bathed the area in a warm glow, a soft smile ying on her lips.


    She hadn''t expected Valen to die in such a manner, by bing a literal ice popsicle.


    Now revitalized, Wang Xiao turned, stretching his muscles, a trace of amusement in his tone.


    "This iceman really tried to freeze me to death," he chuckled, an unexpected lightness in his reaction that defied the seriousness of the situation.


    Aurora responded with a wry smile. "He must havee to survey."


    "Survey, for what?" Wang Xiao''s curiosity piqued as he turned back to the crackling mes, pondering the mysterious presence in this remote location.


    "!"


    "Wait, where are we exactly?" The question suddenly dawned on him. He hadn''t even realized where Aurora had transported them.


    He turned to face her, noticing her evasive eyes and the guilty expression on her face.


    "Aurora...?" he inquired, his voice deepening with a blend of suspicion and concern.


    Aurora sighed in defeat, her voice tinged with resignation. "When this mountain was still intact, below it was the temporary base of the Hell ve''s organization as they prepared for an attack."


    "!!!"


    Wang Xiao''s face twitched in disbelief. Why was she mincing her words? "You transported us directly to their base?"


    "..."


    Aurora fell silent, her gaze averted, before finally giving a small, hesitant nod.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao was left speechless. "Woman, that''s not cute at all," he muttered, unable to hide his frustration as he gently cupped her face.


    Unfazed, Aurora lifted her hand and pointed aimlessly into the distance. "They have already relocated to another site, just over there."


    Wang Xiao, "Hm? Where?"

 Chapter 330: Surpassed the Aether (2)

    Unfazed, Aurora lifted her hand and pointed aimlessly into the distance. "They have already relocated to another site, just over there."


    "Hm? Where?" Wang Xiao turned his head, his eyes searching the destendscape, but all he found was a stark expanse of ice and a scattering of twisted, eerie trees that seemed to shiver in the cold.


    "..."


    Then it dawned on him: this woman was once again weaving her intricate games!


    How could he possibly see as clearly as she did in this fog-enshrouded environment?


    A sigh escaped his lips as a sly, knowing smile crept across Aurora''s face.


    "You don''t need to worry. Valen was Gabrial''s trump card, kept in hiding; not even his own army knew about him. He was always held back, and this time he must have been sent here to search for clues about what caused the mountain to copse. Afterward, his mission was to scope out your military base andunch a surprise attack from behind when no one was watching," she exined.


    "He was meant to exploit the chaos and cripple your forces from behind," she borated.


    Her words, if anything, made Wang Xiao stare at her, bewildered.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    What exactly was she low-key proud of?


    "You already knew all this? That he woulde to fight us and ultimately be killed?" he questioned, his tone a mix of resignation and irritation.


    "Mhm."


    Aurora paused briefly, then nodded without a trace of guilt.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao felt the impulse to p his forehead in exasperation but instead sighed deeply, flicking her head in a gesture that seemed to barely affect her.


    "What else do you know about their army?" Wang Xiao asked, his toneced with both suspicion and curiosity.


    This woman, he realized, though she maintained an innocent facade, seemed to know everything.


    "What else do you want to know?" Aurora responded, her voice tinged with hint of nonchnce.


    "When will they attack?" Wang Xiao pressed.


    "Not anytime soon; there are still four more days before theyunch the attack," she disclosed calmly.


    "Good, tell me more as we check the ice mattress." Wang Xiao nodded, his actions decisive.


    He grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the crackling, intense heat of the mes, steering her towards a softer area on the icy ground.


    Thud!


    ____


    In the current time!


    Slurp...


    Slurp...


    Wang Xiao was lost in savoring the sweet lushness of Aurora''s lips, cradling her delicately above him while his arms eagerly spanned out to cup her supple buttocks.


    His fingers dug deeply into her supple skin, while one hand daringly slipped between her thighs, teasing her soft, damp entry.


    As they devoured each other''s lips, Aurora responded eagerly, their tongues intertwined.


    Wang Xiao coaxed her to arch her back just so, allowing him to align his pulsing manhood with her weing threshold, before he glided inside smoothly, enveloped by her inviting warmth.


    Caught off guard by his intentions, Aurora hesitated, unsure if he yearned for more.


    Yet she followed his subtlemand, letting him prate deeper.


    "It''s better inside; I could sleep like this," he murmured, rendering her speechless.


    She gave a slight shake of her head, a wry smile curling her lips. "Why don''t you just make a doll of me if it''s that heavenly?"


    Wang Xiao lifted an eyebrow, his gaze locking with her bold one. "Good idea.


    Silence fell over Aurora, her mind as speechless as her¡ªwas she now to be replicated as a doll?


    Luckily for her, such schemes were far from Wang Xiao''s thoughts.


    "Surely you''re not nning to fight against Gabrial, are you?" Wang Xiao murmured, his lips grazing her ear delicately.


    "Uh-huh." Aurora shook her head, a gentle gesture both to deny his question and to ease away from his hold.


    As their eyes locked, she replied with a dismissive air, "That''s the duty of the current guardian, not ours."


    Wang Xiao''s face lit up with a mischievous grin. "Not mine either, so it must fall to Luna." He winked yfully, prompting Aurora to cover her mouth as she tried to stifle a burst ofughter.


    "You evil man," she chided, her tone a mix of amusement and surprise.


    She hadn''t anticipated that he would so casually suggest throwing Luna under the bus.


    What more could be expected from such a scheming man?


    Especially considering he had yet to be named the official guardian, a decision pending the oue of the solemn assembly at Mount Olympus.


    Finally ¡ª Two pairs of sparkling eyes locked, each glinting with unspoken schemes, almost as if they were silently chuckling over the cunning plots brewing in their minds.


    Surrounding them, innocent bystanders were destined to be coteral damage, while these two evil spirits delighted in the inevitable chaos.


    Brushing aside such dark musings, Wang Xiao ventured a probing question, his voice filled with hint of curiosity. "Hey, would the... Aurora of today stand stronger than the Aegis of your era?"


    "Huh?"


    Caught off guard, Aurora blinked, her head moving slightly as her hair cascaded, momentarily covering her face.


    Surprise flickered vividly across her features before she reluctantly shook her head.


    She desperately wanted to im superiority, but the battle they had witnessed millions of year ago ¡ª was of a magnitude that could shatter the very beneath their feet.


    "None of you?" Wang Xiao persisted, seeking confirmation.


    "None of us could match the prime Aegis," Aurora confessed, her tone tinged with a mix of respect and resignation.


    "..."


    A contemtive silence fell over Wang Xiao.


    His mind raced as he pieced together the puzzle. "Is it theck of Aether?" he spected, his voice dipping into a contemtive murmur.


    Prime Aegis had wielded the power of Aether, a resource now beyond Aurora''s reach.


    With Aether, she might well have outshone the legendary Aegis multiple folds.


    However, Aurora''s next words stopped him cold, "Aether or not, it''s irrelevant to us now."


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao reeled, visibly shaken by her dismissal.


    "It makes no difference?" he echoed, disbelief narrowing his eyes.


    With a solemn nod, Aurora confirmed, her silenceden with a profound consequences that hinted at deeper, unspoken truths.


    Wang Xiao''s response was merely a stunned silence, his thoughts churning as he tried to understand the reason behind her bold deration.

 Chapter 331: Surpassed the Aether (3)

    Aurora responded, "Aether or not, it''s irrelevant to us now."


    "We''ve long since adapted to living without it, altering our practices and perspectives ordingly."


    Wang Xiao, still puzzled by her words, pressed further, "But still, wouldn''t it amplify your strength¡ªor mine? If Aether were to return to the world tomorrow, wouldn''t we inherently grow stronger?"


    "Mmm... It''splicated." Aurora sighed, a hint of weariness in her voice. "You see, Aether is akin to a divine element, surpassing all but one entity; it served as our conduit to engage with the world around us, to issuemands, to make themprehend our intentions in anguage they could grasp."


    "Consider this: everything around you pulses with life; Aether was once our linguistic bridge to that vitality. It endowed us with the ability to bend reality, bestowed us with what might be called superpowers. It facilitated a deeper understanding of ourselves and the cosmos."


    "However, where we stand now, we''ve mastered interacting without Aether. This approach requires more patience and deeperprehension, but it proves more efficient. We no longer rely on an intermediary to trante our will."


    "Although, this means that each time we encounter a newnguage spoken by someone from a different culture, we must learn it from scratch, whereas a trantor already understood allnguages. Every element around us is unique and reacts distinctively; with sufficient dedication, you can eventually master everything in your surroundings."


    "But even after millions of years of continuous learning, and achieving mastery in specific domains, the case remains illustrative. For instance, if Naomi has mastered water, transforming it or even herself into water bes as effortless as breathing for her. In her case, Aether wouldn''t significantly enhance this efficiency."


    "Yet, it would undoubtedly expand the range of abilities at her disposal. She could then delve into understanding and controlling fire, which would be simpler and faster, although direct maniption of the elements would still surpass such methods in efficiency and control."


    "Therefore, if time is not of essence, you can see that we have evolved beyond a dependence on Aether for our capabilities."


    "We might say we have even surpassed it."


    "Ultimately, if the world were saturated with Aether tomorrow, the decision would rest with each of us¡ªwhether to invest more time to deeply understand this force, or to simply harness Aether to satisfy our immediate needs."


    "Without Aether, we would find ourselves impotent if our skills depended solely upon it."


    "There is no inherent harm in utilizing it, but we have experienced the severe consequences firsthand following its disappearance; our entire civilization was obliterated as a result."


    Wang Xiao absorbed her words thoughtfully, pondering his own experiences.


    Presently, to move a rock, he focuses on the air surrounding it rather than on the rock itself, a method far more efficient due to the resistance the air presents.


    With this technique, he can simte an effect akin to zero gravity.


    However, if Aether were avable¡ªan element he has yet to utilize¡ªthe process might shift dramatically. He would then channel his energy through Aether, using it to manipte the air and effortlessly move the stone.


    Aether would essentially act as an intermediary, enhancing his interaction with the natural elements.


    He also grasped the significance of their adaptation to a life devoid of Aether.


    It was akin to imagining a world where water is nearly extinct.


    Humanity would face near extinction, unprepared for survival without this crucial resource.


    In the desperate remnants of such a world, people would persist, scraping by on what little was left until some, driven by necessity, evolved to thrive without it, discovering alternative ways to sustain themselves.


    Now, after thousands of generations,paring those who evolved with those dependent on water is not straightforward.


    Which group is truly better off?


    Should water suddenly reappear, would those who have adapted abandon their new methodologies?


    Unlikely. Rather, water would be integrated as a mere supplement, an enhancement to their already evolved lifestyles.


    Still, he didn''t understand: Why could he wield Psychokinesis when ordinary people could not?


    He understood theoretically that their brains might not withstand the strain, but what was the deeper truth behind it?


    "Don''t overthink it," Aurora advised gently, her voice tinged with a hint of mystery. "There are some truths that can''t merely be spoken about; they must be experienced. Consider this: if you''re puzzled about how we can control the elements, it''s because each element possesses its own consciousness. The weaker will always yield to the stronger, and our consciousnesses are among the most potent.


    The rock, the air¡ªeverything around us is imbued with life."


    "But you won''t truly understand until you experience it yourself."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Aurora seemed to peer into the depths of his thoughts, addressing his silent queries with an air of anticipation, as if she had long expected him toe up with these questions.


    Wang Xiao was somewhat of an idental chef; he could whip up tasty meals but remained blissfully unaware of the precise quantities of ingredients he used.


    He grasped the concept of Psychokinesis but was baffled by its underlying mechanics.


    Eleanor, who had taught him, was no different.


    She epted that some mysteries were simply destined to remain unsolved.


    After all, you can''t know what you don''t know.


    As Wang Xiao wrestled with these thoughts, he sensed a click in his mind, like the edge of an enlightenment, yet the breakthrough that he had read about in novels never arrived.


    Observing his earnest efforts, Aurora added in, "Even though Aether doesn''t hold much value for us, it could for you. You might ess a broader spectrum of powers, though they may be less potent. The ability to heal others could prove invaluable. And let''s not forget, Aether is... magical... In its absence, the world has undeniably grown..


    weaker."


    Wang Xiao shrugged, puzzled by Aurora''s monologue,pletely unaware that the hypothetical scenarios they were toying with might soon manifest into startling reality.


    The world stood on the brink of transformation, and at this crucial moment, uncertainty reigned supreme.


    Even those privy to the impending changes had no inkling of what the future held.


    Who would embrace this new era?


    And how many would die in the process?

 Chapter 332: Impersonating!

    Aurora remained tight-lipped about Naomi; the young girl appeared to be weaving her own tales of adventure, far from the nearby drama.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao needed to return to his base.


    As he slipped into his clothes, Aurora leaned in close, her voice a conspiratorial whisper as she unveiled her reason for wanting Valen eliminated.


    "You can actually do that...? I thought you wouldn''t get involved in this?" Wang Xiao asked, his surprise evident as he fastened the buttons on his shirt.


    With a sly grin, Aurora replied, "It''s okay, I''m not stepping into the war itself. I''m merely lending you a trick." Her voice tapered off into a murmur, her words tumbling out almost as an afterthought, "...and if she has any qualms about it, she can simply tack it onto my list of crimes at the end. Not that it would sway her judgment anyway."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao noticed her murmuring or grumbling about something¡ªor someone¡ªas she bowed her head, her gaze fixed on her feet.


    It might have been endearing, if only he could overlook the words she muttered, judgment and prosecution.


    "Who is it... Athene?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.


    Aurora lifted her head, her movements gentle, and shook it slightly. "I can slip from Athene''s grasp with ease," she said, a small smile ying on her lips as she cast a clever nce towards the sky, as if to taunt an unseen adversary enemy.


    Wang Xiao, "Then...?"


    "It''s someone else, merely some people who start to lord over others after gaining a shred of power," she muttered, her lips curling into a pout.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, baffled.


    How could anyone dare to bully this woman?


    "Is it serious?" He needed to know, regardless of whether she was jesting.


    "A bit, perhaps," Aurora murmured.


    "You can''t even escape?" he asked, his voice tinged with surprise.


    Aurora fell silent before slowly shaking her head. "If I use my full strength, the damage would be catastrophic. That''s precisely why none of us are permitted to engage in direct conflicts; we can''t risk tearing the continents again." she exined, her chuckle light yet tinged with an uncertainty she herself seemed unsure of.


    "Can''t fight and can''t even die, so what''s the problem?" Wang Xiao pressed, his curiosity sharpening.


    "I''m constrained, but she isn''t," Aurora replied, her toneced with a mix of admiration and frustration. "Her ability tobat a single opponent is best¡ªno weapons, no destruction."


    Wang Xiao shrugged dismissively. "Let her fight, it''s not like you would die."


    Aurora''s expression darkened, and she fell into a pensive silence. "What if someone can regenerate from a single atom? And I were to split them, atom by atom, and scatter each one as far as possible from the others, forbidding their reunion or regeneration? You wouldn''t die, but nor would you truly be alive."


    Wang Xiao was left speechless.


    Hearing about this mysterious person now seemed to irk him even more.


    Aurora, seeking to shift his focus, smoothly pulled something from her sleeve and extended her hand, palm open.


    "Once you break the upper ss, this will allow you to masquerade as Valen for a few hours. Keep it close, perhaps in your pocket," she exined, her voice low and conspiratorial.


    "Hmmm?" Wang Xiao leaned closer, his gaze fixating on a small, crystal-clear orb resting in her palm, about 2 cm in diameter.


    Within it, nestled another intricate crystal sphere. His curiosity piqued about how she had crafted such a device.


    Sensing that now was not the time for questions, he carefully plucked it from her hand and tucked it into his pocket.


    This diversion was precisely what she had hoped for.


    Gabrial was nning a surprise attack from behind, and now Wang Xiao could turn the surprise against him by impersonating Valen.


    Ironically, the situation amused Wang Xiao.


    He had graduallye to recognize that Aurora was more than she seemed¡ªa crafty trickster operating subtly under the radar.


    Seeing her slight, mysterious smile, he couldn''t help but feel a pang of sympathy for those around her.


    How many had she deceived until now?


    However, he quickly noticed that she hadn''t yet pulled her hand back.


    She still held it out, as if expecting something in return.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "What?" Wang Xiao asked, puzzled.


    Aurora curled her fingers, a yful gleam in her eye as she signaled, "My gift, where is it?"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao was left speechless.


    His eyes twitched at the sight of her self-satisfied smile, clearly indicating she had orchestrated this moment.


    She demanded a gift in exchange for her gift.


    Yin Yue couldn''t help but chuckle, observing the awkwardness, [She has a point, but you don''t have a gift.]


    Wang Xiao found himself in a particrly tricky situation today.


    Thankfully, his quick thinking hadn''t deserted him yet.


    He gently curled her fingers back, grasping her hand between his and giving it a light squeeze. "For that, you need to survive. If you don''t meet me after one month, no gift for you," he dered.


    Aurora''s eyes widened in surprise, then softened into a small, knowing smile as she pulled her hand back.


    "Okay," she replied with a casual air.


    Wang Xiao''s face twitched in disbelief. Moments ago, she was hinting at her potential death, yet now, lured by the prospect of a gift, she casually vowed to survive?


    It seemed these creatures could indeed go to great lengths for a gift.


    It appeared that no matter their age, their fundamental nature didn''t change much.


    ______


    Deep within the rural heart of China, at a location veiled in secrecy!


    Thendscape was dominated by lush, golden wheat fields that stretched out like a vast sheets across the vige farnd.


    Nestled in the midst of this golden expanse, a girl sat in tranquil istion, her attire a flowing ensemble of white and grey fabrics designed to ward off the oppressive heat.


    Her head was shielded by a Guo-Ye, a traditional wide-brimmed hat crafted by the bamboo-weaving farmers of Shandong.


    This sizable hat cast a shadow over her entire face, providing sce as she reclined leisurely on the unyielded earth.


    Her posture was rxed, with one leg stretched out casually and the other bent, drawing close to her chest.


    She was leisurely chewing on a stick of sugar cane, grasping the fibrous stalk with hands that seemed too delicately sculpted for such rustic pleasures.


    Her slender, almost fragile fingers suggested an otherworldly grace, weaving an aura of mystery around whether she truly belonged to the mundane realm of earth.

 Chapter 333: Attacked!

    Rustle...


    Yuriko was nonchntly biting into her sugarcane, her white teeth gleaming as they sank into the fibrous stalk, when a sudden rustle from the surrounding wheat made her frown in suspicion.


    "Who is it? Come forward."


    Her words floated gently from her lips, yet they carried apelling force, causing the air itself to shudder and ripple as if in obedience to hermand.


    Concealed within the shadows of the tall wheat, the hidden figure felt a sharp pain pierce her head, stunning her into stillness.


    "!!"


    ''Come forward.''


    ''Come forward.''


    ''Come forward.''


    The voice, both gentle and ethereal, wove through the air, haunting in its beauty yet terrifying in its insistence, echoing ominously in her mind from all directions.


    Rustle...


    Finally, a small gap appeared in the lush wheat field as a figure, barefoot and hesitant, stepped out, slowly emerging from the sea of golden stalks.


    Rustle...


    Naomi''s bare feet emerged first, the delicate soles brushing against the soft, cold earth, leaving a faint trail in the fine dust that covered the golden wheat field.


    Her toes, tender and unmarred, seemed almost to dance hesitantly with each step, as if they were reluctant to fully disturb the serenendscape.


    As she moved, the hem of her light pink gown whispered against the wheat, the fabric flowing gracefully around her ankles in a gentle caress of color that contrasted vividly with the surrounding gold.


    The gown itself, made of a light, airy silk, draped elegantly over her form, its folds capturing the subtle dance of the early afternoon light.


    Ascending upwards, the fabric clung softly to her body, outlining a figure both delicate and slender.


    The gown''s neckline dipped modestly, framing her neck and the soft curve of her shoulders with an understated elegance.


    Finally, her face came into view, framed by loose strands of hair that fluttered slightly in the breeze.


    Naomi''s expression was a stark contrast to the tranquil beauty of her attire.


    Her brows were drawn together sharply, furrowed in anger, and her eyes¡ªusually gentle and warm¡ªnow zed with a fiery intensity as she fixed Yuriko with a re that seemed to burn with the heat of her emotions.


    "What are you here for? Do you want revenge...?"


    Yuriko''s voice was tinged with surprise as she faced the person before her, her tone bing taunting, her expression morphing into one of dignified one.


    Naomi continued to fix Yuriko with an unyielding re, then, softening slightly, shook her head with a light, almost dismissive smile.


    "..."


    Her lips momentarily twisted into a disdainful sneer, sending a ripple of unease through Yuriko.


    Then, in an instant, Naomi''s body began to shimmer, the outline blurring as if bing part of the air itself, and suddenly, she vaporized right before Yuriko''s eyes.


    Whoosh!


    Her essence soared upward with a startling swiftness, leaving a trail of shimmering particles behind its path. Yuriko gasped, taken aback by the sudden ascent.


    "Hm?"


    Rising to her feet, Yuriko squinted into the sky, now a canvas of change.


    Within moments, the once-clear blue was overtaken by swirling, dark clouds, gathering with an ominous intensity that transformed the daylight into a threatening twilight.


    Her gaze narrowed as the first drop of rain fell directly onto her face, causing her eyshes to flutter gracefully, while the eyes beneath them flickered with emotion.


    Pat... Pat... Pat...


    Gradually, the raindrops multiplied, quickly escting into a torrential downpour that soaked Yurikopletely as she stood motionless.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "..."


    She could only watch like a doll.


    In the following days, the Chinese television broadcasts began to cover the floods in Yunnan Province live.


    The entire province was submerged under a vast nket of water, startling and shocking the nation as if the gods themselves had unleashed their wrath upon thend.


    However, as mysteriously as they had appeared, the floods receded, vanishing as if they had never existed, leaving the residents even more bewildered.


    Ultimately, these startling events were merely the prologue to something far greater, causing this news to be quickly suppressed and forgotten.


    _______


    As the floodwaters receded, somewhere else ¡ª Shanghai found itself cloaked in a chilling nket of cold.


    Dawn unfurled with streets veiled in a dense mist, almost deserted but for the asional flicker of car lights piercing through as hurried souls ventured towards offices and schools.


    In this quietude, the Huangpu Rivery covered in the same ethereal mist, its waters a hidden mystery beneath the vapors.


    Nestled at the confluence of Pudong and Puxi, Lost Heaven stood¡ªa contemporary restaurant imbued with a tranquil ambiance.


    It was here that Wang Xiao had once brought Chen Meili, the receptionist from Velvet Shadows, as a gesture of appreciation¡ªa ce etched in the corridors of his memory.


    Unseen by the distracted city, the mist hovering above the river began to stir, moving with an unnatural grace.


    Gradually, it coalesced into the form of a person, as if the river itself were breathing life into a human figure.


    _______


    F1D99, Frostholm, Northern Region!


    21st January, Night!


    Outside the facility, a robust campfire crackled and popped against the biting cold, illuminating the faces of Shi Yan and the remaining fourmanders as they, along with other Deviants, reveled in the frosty evening.


    Mary had delivered a shock to everyone earlier that day, revealing that they were to be attacked the next morning.


    She even disclosed the enemy''s base location, aligning perfectly with the intel Wang Xiao possessed.


    ''Is there even any need for us?'' Wang Xiao pondered, taken aback by Mary''s capabilities, which seemed to rival those of Eveline.


    With Mary present, she theoretically could single-handedly confront Gabrial''s entire army.


    So, what was the purpose of all these extensive preparations?


    A short distance away, Wang Xiao found solitude leaning against a tree, growing tired of being constantly addressed as ''Lord'' and bombarded with requests for fighting techniques.


    Thus, he had retreated to a spot somewhat removed from the warmth of the campfire.


    The assembly of Deviants that had gathered to offer their support were exclusively allies of Mary; no others had shown up, a fact that puzzled Wang Xiao until Li Zhiming disclosed the reason.


    No guardians had responded, and Europe was currently devoid of any official guardian.


    Essentially, Wang Xiao would have to contact ra tomunicate his needs to the Deviants in this region to rally them here.


    Nevertheless, they still would not arrive in time.


    Just as Wang Xiao settled into the thought of a quiet night, the air was shattered by a deafening explosion.


    Boooooom!

 Chapter 334: Burning Earth! The Dance of Ice and Fire (1)

    Just as Wang Xiao settled into the thought of a quiet night, the air was shattered by a deafening explosion.


    Boooooom!


    "What!?"


    Wang Xiao spun around, stunned, his expression mirrored by the faces of those around the campfire who also turned toward the sound in shock.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Near the campfire!


    "Attack!?" Erick shouted, rising swiftly, his eyes darting toward the sudden ze lighting up the night sky.


    mes engulfed part of the facility dome, casting an eerie glow on the faces gathered around the fire.


    "Is this an attack on the facility?" Helena questioned sharply, squinting towards the fiery chaos where figures could be seen scrambling in panic.


    Takashi frowned, gripping his weapon tighter. "It must be. No idents would cause such an explosion and fire. It''s deliberate."


    Raj quickly strategized out loud, "We need eyes out there. I''ll take a squad to the west wing. We can''t let them nk us."


    Erick nodded, already moving to act. "And I''ll secure the east side. If this is a diversion, we can''t afford to be caught off guard here."


    Helena turned to Abbot Shi Xin, her voice firm, "Abbot, please keep the rest here calm and organized. We can''t have panic spreading."


    Shi Xin nodded solemnly, his gaze moving over the disoriented crowd.


    ...


    "Stupid people..." Wang Xiao muttered under his breath, his disbelief evident as he listened to their hasty nning. "If there''s already been a st, doesn''t that mean the enemy is already among us?"


    His pointed words stopped all themanders in their tracks, freezing them with the realization of their oversight.


    Even Shi Xin, usually unppable, paused, his steps halting amidst the chaos.


    Through the swirling smoke and leaping mes of the zing fire, Wang Xiao caught sight of Li Zhiming being hastily escorted out by Amaya, alongside several others who were desperately fleeing the inferno.


    Boooooom!


    Another explosion thundered through the area, shaking the ground beneath their feet.


    This was merely the start. Suddenly, a barrage of explosions tore through the night, one after another in rapid session.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    "Everyone, evacuate! Leave this ce!" Wang Xiao''smand cut through the din as another thunderous explosion echoed around them.


    Whoosh!


    A momentter, Mary emerged, floating eerily above the raging inferno. Her face was etched with fury and disbelief, her figure silhouetted against the fire that devoured the facility below.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    The facility trembled, each st sending a shudder through the ground.


    Terrified screams mingled with the cacophony as soldiers and personnel scrambled past Wang Xiao, their frantic shouts piercing the air.


    "Medic! We need a medic here!" shouted one soldier, dragging arade whose gear was scorched and smoking.


    "Keep moving! Go, go, go!" another voicemanded, pushing through the crowd with a sense of urgency.


    They were outfitted in high-tech battle gear, their advanced weaponry ttering against their armor as they ran. Their faces, illuminated by the intermittent glow of the explosions, were etched with panic and desperation.


    "This way! Follow me!" a young soldier yelled, leading a group away from a particrly fierce ze that had engulfed a section of the facility.


    Wang Xiao narrowed his eyes, watching as panicked people streamed past him, their faces etched with fear as the explosions grew louder and more destructive.


    "Why aren''t you putting out the fire?" Wang Xiao shouted up to Mary, his voice filled with frustration as he dodged another group of fleeing soldiers.


    "Help! It''s burning, it''s all burning!" screamed a soldier, his uniform catching fire as he desperately tried to beat out the mes.


    Mary''s eyes narrowed into slits of pure hatred, her already crimson irises beginning to bleed ominously, prompting Wang Xiao to step back cautiously.


    Boooooom!


    A colossal explosion erupted, dwarfing all previous sts in magnitude.


    Fortunately, by this time, all the survivors had managed to retreat and were now standing about five hundred meters away, witnessing a towering cloud of fire rise into the sky.


    Bam!


    The very ground where Wang Xiao had just stood was violently swept away by a roaring wave of mes and a powerful shockwave.


    Bam!


    High above, a kilometer in the air, Mary and Wang Xiao floated together.


    Their hair and clothes whipped about wildly, influenced by the powerful shockwaves that continued to assault them.


    [It''s madness], Yin Yue''s voice echoed with a tinge of concern, as the explosions showed no signs of subsiding.


    [The hell spirits are abandoning their original hosts anding to possess the Deviants stationed in the facility. They overwhelm them, forcing them to explode. They are effectively destroying themselves!]


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened in horrified realization.


    Suicide?


    They had all overlooked the fact that unlike them, hell spirits fight for a purpose far greater than their own survival!


    They wouldn''t hesitate to destroy themselves if it meant fulfilling their purpose!


    It wasn''t that the fire couldn''t be extinguished, but Mary herself was overwhelmed with shock.


    Her own people, those she had trusted with her life, were now detonating themselves in a final, desperate act.


    Her body trembled uncontrobly with rage and disbelief.


    ________


    In the Western Region of Frostholm, rms red, piercing the cold, brisk air.


    People scrambled in panic, a sense of urgency evident as they rushed toward the harbors, the designated evacuation points.


    The usually quiet docks were now scenes of chaos, with families clutching belongings, elders being guided or carried, and children''s cries mingling with the loudspeaker announcements instructing everyone to keep calm and proceed in an orderly fashion.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Above their heads, the atmosphere was split by the sharp sonic boom of F-35 jets slicing through the sky, their roar reverberating off the rugged coastline.


    Below, the dark waters stirred as submarines began to surface, joining the fleet of ships ready to evacuate the masses.


    In the harbor, soldiers and rescue personnel were directing the evacuation, their voices firm yet reassuring amidst the chaos of sirens and shouting.


    "Move quickly, but don''t run! Keep your families together!" a soldier shouted, gesturing towards a waiting ship.


    "Please, follow the signs! Life vests are avable on board; secure them on children first!" another called out, guiding a group of elderly people towards a gangway.


    A mother clutching her child looked around frantically, "How long do we have? Are we safe here until we board?"


    A nearby soldier responded, trying to mask his own concern with a calm demeanor, "We''re doing everything to keep everyone safe. The ships will leave as soon as they''re full. Stay with me."


    As people filed onto the ships, the rumble of the jets overhead continued, a reminder of the urgency of their situation.


    The confusion and fear were growing, but so was the determination of the soldiers and rescue workers striving to maintain order.

 Chapter 335: Burning Earth! The Dance of Ice and Fire (2)

    "Just keep moving forward, sir, you''re almost there!" a young soldier reassured an elderly man struggling with his bag.


    "Why now? What''s happening exactly?" a teenager asked, her voiceced with fear as she boarded one of the ships.


    "It''s a precautionary measure right. We have to move quickly but safely," the soldier replied, not having all the answers but providingfort where he could.


    "Why are there bombers? What''s going on?" one man demanded, his voiceced with suspicion as he cornered a soldier trying to direct the crowd toward the evacuation ships.


    "Is this because of a threat? Are we under attack?" a woman queried, her voice trembling, hands clenched tightly around the straps of her backpack as another jet roared overhead, its sonic boom rattling the windows of nearby buildings.


    Whooooosh!


    Soldiers, strained under the weight of urgency and confusion, repeated their instructions with increasing desperation.


    "Please, move quickly to the ships! We''re here to ensure your safety, but we must act fast!" one soldier shouted, his voice nearly drowned out by the tter of footsteps on the cobblestone.


    As skepticism and fear grew, a group boldly refused to budge. "We''re not moving until you tell us what''s happening!" a burly man yelled, his voice sparking others to echo his sentiment, halting the evacuation flow.


    Inside hismand tent, the general watched the growing unrest with a furrowed brow.


    His thoughts raced, ''If we don''t get these people out soon, we''re going to have a bigger crisis on our hands. They need to understand the urgency...''


    Stepping out with determined strides, he grabbed a megaphone and fired his pistol into the air.


    BANG!


    "!!!"


    The voice of the bullet ripping apart the air silenced the crowd instantly, freezing them in their tracks


    "People of Frostholm, your lives are in imminent danger. This is your only warning!" His voice thundered over the megaphone,manding and clear. "The jets overhead are not a threat to you but a shield against what''sing. Cooperation is your only path to safety."


    Startled by the gunshot and galvanized by the seriousness in the general''s tone, the crowd''s resistance began to crumble.


    Whispers of "We should go..." and "He''s right..." rippled through the mass as soldiers moved in, their presence reassuring, guiding hesitant steps towards the ships.


    "Move it, let''s not waste more time!" a soldier urged, waving a group forward, the urgency palpable in his voice as another jet screamed across the sky.


    The general watched as thest of the evacuees boarded, his relief tempered by the weight of responsibility. ''Will we be safe'' As the ships pulled away from the dock, he allowed himself a moment to hope, his gaze lingering on the horizon where the jets continued their patrol, guardians against an unseen threat.


    As the ships pulled away from the harbor, a sudden, ear-splitting¡ª


    Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom!


    sted through the air, shaking the foundation of Greend.


    "Wh¡ª"


    "Huh¡ª"


    "What''s happening¡ª"


    "OMG! I am blind!"


    Whoooooooooooooooooosh!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    A massive shockwave erupted from the north, its mysterious brilliance overwhelming, forcing everyone''s vision into aplete, nk whiteness.


    The intense light caused instant chaos, not just among the people on the ground but also in the skies above.


    Beep! Beep! Beep!


    In the cockpits of the F-35s, rms red continuously.


    The pilots grappled with their controls as their systems flickered and glitched under the unexpected assault of the shockwave.


    "Systems failing¡ªcan''t maintain¡ª!" a pilot''s voice crackled over the radio, edged with panic.


    "I''ve lost control! All systems are down!" another shouted, as their jet began to spiral uncontrobly.


    The situation was even more dire for the two bombers in the formation.


    As the pilots struggled with their own blinded vision and malfunctioning controls, their aircraft veered off course, heading dangerously towards the northeastern region.


    Crash!


    Booooooooooooooom!


    The sound of the bombers impacting the ground was thunderous, followed by an even more devastating explosion.


    Booooooooooooooomooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom!


    The nuclear payloads they carried detonated upon impact, sending a monstrous mushroom cloud into the sky and nketing the area in radioactive fallout.


    "Mayday, Mayday, we''ve got nukes down!" came a desperate transmission from one of the surviving pilots, barely audible over the static and chaos of the moment.


    The fallout spread quickly, carried by the winds, as the nation burned under the double catastrophe of the initial shockwave and the subsequent nuclear explosions.


    Thendscape was irrevocably altered, a once-thriving region now a radioactive wastnd.


    On the ground, the survivors of the initial blinding light now faced a new horror, their fearspounded by the rising mushroom clouds and the realization of the nuclear disaster.


    In the aftermath of the catastrophic explosions, thendscape of Frostholm began to transform under the merciless onught of radiation and the mysterious blinding light.


    Near the origin of the mysterious white light in the Northern region, the scant vegetation that dotted the rugged terrain started to wither and decay at an rming rate.


    Trees, once sturdy and resilient, now stood brittle and gray, their leaves curling and ckening as if scorched by an invisible fire.


    As the eye moved toward the northeastern region, the effects became even more pronounced.


    The nuclear fallout had settled over the area like a deadly shroud.


    The ground was littered with the charred remnants of flora that had been lush and vibrant only hours before.


    Small rare animals, unable to escape the swift spread of radioactive material,y lifeless.


    The air was filled with a metallic tang, and the sky had taken on a sickly yellow hue.


    In themand centers, military and government officials coordinated a response, their faces grim as they faced the reality of a disaster that had reshaped their nation overnight.


    _____


    As the evacuees aboard the ships witnessed the horrific scenes on their  homnd, the atmosphere was filled with disbelief and fear.


    Gasp!


    People crowded along the railings, staring in stunned silence at the once-familiar coastline now enveloped in a mushroom cloud.


    The reality of their plight settled in, and a mix of reactions began to ripple through the crowd.


    "What have we done to deserve this?" one elderly woman cried out, her voice breaking as she clutched a handkerchief to her mouth.


    "Is everyone from our neighborhood okay? My brother, he didn''t make it to the ship!" a young man frantically called into his phone, trying to reach any remaining family members.


    "This can''t be happening... This isn''t real," murmured a mother, holding her children close, her eyes wide with shock as she gazed at the smoldering remains of her homnd.

 Chapter 336: "Welcome to the new Age!" (1)

    A group of teenagers huddled together, whispering anxiously among themselves. "Do you think it''s like this everywhere? Are we going to be okay?" one asked, seeking reassurance in a situation that seemed beyondprehension.


    On the upper deck, a retired soldier stared grimly at the destruction, his expression hardened with resolve. "We need to stay strong and help each other. Now, more than ever," he announced loudly, trying to instill a sense of camaraderie among the shell-shocked passengers.


    "Was it a nuclear explosion. How far does the radiation spread? Are we safe here?" another passenger questioned aloud, sparking a flurry of worried conversations about the potential health impacts.


    The ship''s captain, recognizing the need for calm, interjected over the inte, "Ladies and gentlemen, please, return to your cabins. We are in contact with authorities and ensuring your safety. Stay indoors and await further instructions."


    Amidst the confusion, a volunteer working with the ship''s crew moved through the crowd, offering words offort and distributing nkets. "We''re together in this. Let''s focus on the present and keep everyone safe and supported," she said, guiding a small child back to his parents.


    As the ships steered further away from the smoldering coastline, the reality of their exodus and the uncertainty of their future stared at every heart aboard.


    Fear and dread filled the air, thick as the bitter smoke that rose in plumes behind them.


    Little did they realize that the storm was just beginning, signaling not just a catastrophic change for Frostholm but potentially for the entire world.


    The aftermath of the nuclear catastrophe and the mysterious explosion of white light had unleashed a wave of confusion that rippled across the globe.


    News channels worldwide interrupted regr programming, their screens split between experts specting and live footage of the unprecedented disaster.


    "In breaking news, a massive explosion in Frostholm has sparked fears of a possible nuclear conflict," one anchor announced, her voice tense as the channel shed images of the mushroom cloud over icy terrains.


    Another news broadcast showed a roundtable of experts debating intensely. "We''re not just talking about a regional crisis; the implications of this could be global. The environmental fallout alone could be catastrophic," an environmental scientist exined, stressing the potential for a triggered climate apocalypse.


    On social media, videos of the blinding explosion went viral, with captions like, "Is this the beginning of World War Three?" and "End of days?" spreading like wildfire, fueling panic and spection across countless feeds.


    Meanwhile, another broadcast focused on the international reaction: "Governments around the world are on high alert, with emergency meetings being convened as we speak. The full impact of the incident remains unclear, but the global response has been swift and concerned."


    Back on the ships, passengers huddled around any device that could receive broadcasts, their faces reflecting the flickering light of the screens, absorbing each new piece of information with a mix of fear and disbelief.


    "The Frostholm incident has triggered significant seismic activity, and with the region located at the North Pole, we''re looking at a potential crisis in ice melt and sea-level rise," another expert warned on a different channel, tying the immediate disaster to longer-term environmental threats.


    Amidst the chaos, the captain of the ship tried to provide reassurance over the inte, "Please remain calm and stay in your cabins. We are in constantmunication with authorities and will keep you informed of all developments."


    As the ships moved further into the open sea, away from the immediate danger but not from its consequences, the people aboard faced not just the prospect of discement but a future shrouded in the uncertainty of a world bracing for the new age.


    _______


    12:00 am, 22nd January!


    Greece!n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Tucked away in the maze streets of Athens, "Neptune''s Dive" was a bar that wore its rugged charm proudly.


    Crack...


    The door creaked on its hinges as patrons slipped into the dusky interior, a blend of shadows and flickering dim neon lights.


    Walls stered with old band posters and graffiti, a sticky floor dotted with crushed cigarette butts, and the pervasive smell of weed mixed with the sharp scent of cheap liquor gave the dive its unmistakable character.


    The patrons of Neptune''s Dive were a motley crew, drawn in by the promise of anonymity and the lure of a ce that felt removed from the rigors of the outside world.


    The bar itself, a long stretch of scarred polished wood, was crowded with people trying to drown their anxieties in the depths of ss after ss.


    "????????~"


    "??????~"


    In the corner, the bar''s signature attraction tonight was a man with a lyre, his appearance striking¡ªa modern-day bard.


    His white shirt was left casually unbuttoned at the top, revealing a hint of a well-toned chest, a subtle nod to the ssical robes that might have graced his form in another era.


    His fingers danced over the lyre strings with practiced ease, each pluck resonating with a rich, sonorous sound that broke through the smoky haze of the bar


    Twang...twang


    He began with a song that seemed to capture the essence of the night¡ªa melody that wove together strands of longing and anticipation.


    His voice, warm and clear, rose above the murmur of the crowd:


    "Under the veil of night''s embrace,


    Shadows dance with tender grace.


    Hearts entwined in time''s ownce,


    Moments stolen in this dimly lit ce.


    Rivers flow beneath moonlit skies,


    Carrying whispers and lovers'' sighs.


    A song of old, where the new sunrise,


    Brings hope where once were goodbyes."


    As the final verse lingered in the air, blending seamlessly into the ambiance of "Neptune''s Dive," the man''s fingers slowed, caressing thest few notes into a lingering silence.


    The audience, momentarily caught up in the web of his music, gave a collective sigh of contentment.


    With the echoes of his song still hanging in the air, he looked around at the assembled crowd, his gaze intense yet inviting.


    Then, with a knowing smile, he leaned forward slightly as if sharing a secret with his audience.


    His voice, now imbued with a hint of mystery and promise, carried over the clinking of sses as he dered, "Wee to the new Age!"


    p! p! p!


    "Bravo! What a song!" shouted the old man with white hair from his corner, his voice booming above the rest.

 Chapter 337: "Welcome to the new Age!" (2)

    "Wee to the new Age!"


    p! p! p!


    "Bravo! What a song!" shouted the old man with white hair from his corner, his voice booming above the rest.


    Hisughter rang out, rich and infectious, as he raised his overflowing jug of beer high into the air, the frothy liquid sloshing over the rim in his enthusiasm.


    The three women around him joined in, their own apuse enthusiastic as they leaned closer, their faces alight with amusement and delight.


    "That''s the spirit of a new age indeed!" he proimed loudly, the jovial tone in his voice drawing smiles from those nearby. Hispanions giggled, toasting to his words, their sses meeting with a celebratory ting.


    "More! Give us another one!" another voice called out from the back of the bar, where a younger crowd gathered, their faces eager and animated by the performance.


    The lyre yer, Alex, nodded appreciatively, his smile wide as he absorbed the energy of the room.


    He adjusted the strings of his lyre, preparing for another piece, encouraged by the warm reception.


    His eyes twinkled with a hint of the divine as he surveyed the room, ready to weave another tale with his music that would keep the spirits high and the worries of the outside world at bay for a while longer.


    Amidst this euphoric atmosphere, the corner upied by the old man with white hair became a focal point of yful intrigue andughter.


    He was the same guy who had eximed the loudest earlier, renowned as Zach King in the bar for his jaw-dropping drinking abilities.


    Dressed in a tastefully casual designer zer and an open-cored crisp shirt, Zach exuded a rxed yet authoritative charm.


    Around him, the three women in flowing dresses fluttered with a mix of flirtation and mirth, each vying for his attention in their own enchanting way.


    "Zach, darling, you must tell us your secret for staying so timeless," cooed the brte to his left, her voice a silken tease as she leaned closer, her hand lightly brushing against his arm.


    Rustle...


    The blonde across from him, with a mischievous glint in her eye, chimed in yfully, "Yes, do share! Or is it just thepany of beautiful women that keeps you so youthful?" Herughter, light and inviting, drew a chuckling response from him.


    The redhead to his right, not to be outdone, draped her arm around his shoulders and whispered audibly, "Or perhaps it''s something more magical? You must possess a potion of youth, hidden away from the prying eyes of mere mortals." Her fingers toyed with the edge of his zer, pulling him teasingly closer.


    Zeus responded with a heartyugh, his voice resonant and full of life, echoing around the bar. "Ah, my deardies, if only it were something as simple as a potion. But I assure you, it''s all in the art of living well and enjoying the finest pleasures life has to offer¡ªsuch as this delightfulpany."


    As theyughed and sipped their drinks, the backdrop of the lyre''s mncholic strings added ayer of depth to their interaction, weaving a magical sound thatplemented the dance of flirtation and fondness ying out in the corner.


    Meanwhile, the television continued to drone on, the contrast between the broadcasted global crises and the local warmth of the bar highlighting the surreal divide between the world inside and outside Neptune''s Dive.


    The news anchor''s voice momentarily broke through the music andughter, bringing a fleeting reminder of the uncertainties lying beyond the bar''s smoky confines.


    "Reports continue toe in about the situation in Frostholm, with international leaders calling for calm amid the unfolding nuclear crisis," the anchor reported, his tone stark against the sounds of mirth and music in the bar.


    "...Latest updates on the Frostholm crisis show governments worldwide fighting with the aftermath," the broadcaster''s voice struggled topete with the background noise of the bar. "Leaders urge calm as the implications of the nuclear fallout continue to show."


    A woman at the bar, her eyes reflecting the flickering neon, turned to herpanion, her voice a mix of fear and curiosity. "Do you think it''s really as bad as they say? Could it affect us here?"


    Herpanion, a grizzled man with tattoos winding down his arms, took a slow sip of his drink before answering. "Honey, when the world goes to hell, we''ll still have ces like this. Neptune''s Dive isn''t going anywhere."


    "Indeed, young man! Hahaha!" Zach, enjoying in the atmosphere, his arms around his women, roared over the noise, "Let the night carry on! Music, beer, and women¡ªwhat else does a man need?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Within the bubble of light and shadow, Zeus and hispanions seemed momentarily insted from the world''s chaos, their evening an ode to the timeless pursuit of joy.


    ______


    Meanwhile in Italy!


    Under the shroud of the Italian night, the oppressive darkness was whispered by the howling winds and the crunching of waves against the hull.


    The harbour was a chaotic symphony of nature''s fury, with gusts that seemed determined to rip the world apart.


    Yet, in the middle of this cacophony, Penny stood resolute, her phone''s meager shlight casting an eerie glow over the scene, battling the power outage in the city.


    Eyes alight with urgency, she issued orders to her crew as they struggled against the elements.


    "C''mon, C''mon! We would receive a big order this time!"


    Her words held the undeniable weight of desperation wrapped in a veneer of opportunity.


    The crew moved like shadows, bending against the wind, pushing crates and fastening ropes with frozen fingers.


    The high-end funeral home she ran had faced a downturn, and this mission was her lifeline.


    Frostholm¡ªafter the chilling reports of a nuclear fallout¡ªhad turned into their El Dorado.


    The sheer scale of the disaster promised a morbidly lucrative opportunity; entire families would pay millions for the recovery of their loved ones'' remains.


    A sh of lightning illuminated the harbour for the briefest moment, revealing Penny''s taut features and the wearied but determined faces of her crew.


    She held her phone higher, its trembling beam illuminating the gangnk where Mark, her second-inmand, was overseeing the loading of specialized recovery equipment.


    "Mark!" she called, her voice slicing through another gale. "We need those containment units secured! If anything shifts during transit, it''ll be our heads."


    "Soon ready, boss!" Mark shouted back, his voice almost swallowed by the wind.


    He gestured towards a stack of heavy-duty coffers they would need for the expedition¡ªeach one a small fortune in its own right.


    The sea churned with rage, sshing cold saltwater over the dock and drenching the crew.


    Yet no one faltered.


    They had all felt the tightening grip of financial strife over the past months, and hope¡ªhowever grim¡ªfueled theirbor.


    As Penny moved from crew member to crew member, offering quick words of encouragement and making adjustments where necessary, she couldn''t shake the thoughts racing through her mind.


    Her business was on the brink of copse; her debts had umted to a suffocating level.


    This night, despite its darkness and desperation, was ironically her light at the end of the tunnel.


    Her connection with the dead was unique after all!

 Chapter 338: No army!?

    Back in Frostholm, nestled in the northern region!


    Wang Xiao and Mary floated effortlessly in the air when suddenly Wang Xiao''s vision blurred, followed by loud booming noise.


    Buzzzz...


    Buzzzzz...


    The blinding light and deafening sound seared through his head, and simultaneously, his body felt engulfed in searing heat, a sensation he could barely endure.


    "What the ****!"


    As if that weren''t enough, momentster, another shockwave, this time from the detonation of a nuclear bomb in the northeast, violently shook him.


    Bam!N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The shockwave crashed upon him, forcing his eyes open to witness the world slowly restoring itself amidst a colossal mushroom cloud.


    Bam!


    In an instant, another shockwave from the same direction struck him, rattling his very core.


    Whooooosh!


    Muchter, when everything seemed momentarily stable, Wang Xiao''s body was violently hurled hundreds of meters through the air, leaving him disoriented and shaken.


    "My head!?"


    Yin Yue, [ON YOUR RIGHT!]


    BOOOOOOM!


    In an instant, another shockwave surged past Wang Xiao''s right, carrying a person who crashed to the ground with another in tow.


    Buzzz.....


    His head still throbbing, he shook it violently, struggling to regain his senses.


    To his left now, a massive mushroom cloud shook the air, its ominous shape dominating the sky.


    Crack...


    The ground split openpletely, rendering that direction eerily vacant despite being hundreds of kilometres away


    On his right, hundreds of kilometers away where the brilliant explosion had erupted mere minutes earlier, Luna and Gabrial had been locked in fiercebat until she unleashed her ultimate cosmic onught, Eclipse.


    Directly below their aerial battlefield, thend spanning more than fifty kilometers in every directiony smoldering, melted into a nightmarishndscape where even the soil had been incinerated.


    Vegetation for hundreds of kilometers around reduced to charred remnants by the searing photon st.


    The repercussions echoed for thousands of kilometers, causing distant forests to wilt and decay in the wake of its devastating power.


    Her attack had been so cataclysmic that it immediately triggered a Threat Level Zero alert from the military, a dire warning of imminent danger to the nation''s survival.


    This was her most strongest attack, meticulously reserved for this critical juncture!


    ______


    Frostholmy divided: one side engulfed in a raging inferno of disaster, the other resembling scenes ripped from a dystopian movie.


    The simultaneous detonations of nuclear payloads and Luna''s devastating assault had transformed half the country into a wastnd, unfit for human habitation.


    On the scorched ground below, the situation was dire.


    "We are doomed..."


    Li Zhiming''s voice quivered as he hastily donned his safety mask.


    Thendscape around him mirrored the final act of an epic tragedy; everywhere he looked, there was only devastation.


    His own body remained miraculously intact, shielded by the armor concealed beneath his clothes and the protective presence of Amaya.


    "Monk, get the General out of here," Erick ordered, his grip tight on a glowing machine gun, readying forbat.


    Shi Xin nodded solemnly, his role here not one of a warrior. "General,e with me."


    Amaya swiftly escorted Li Zhiming away from the ce, nked by Shi Xin''s watchful presence.


    Meanwhile, breaking the oppressive silence, Helena''s voice echoed through the destion.


    Surrounded by armored guards armed with precision weapons, she vented her frustration into the barrenndscape, "Where are they? The enemies!?" Her cry reverberated across the devastated terrain, unanswered.


    "Quiet," Takashi whispered urgently, his eyes squeezed shut in concentration. "I can''t hear any movement."


    Fourth Commander Raj let out a frustrated sigh, pulling a pendant from around his neck and gripping it tightly in his hand.


    Zap!


    The pendant glowed faintly before transforming with a sudden sound it transformed into a double-edged spear. "Damn it! I''m moving forward."


    Around them, multiple deviants who had originally guarded the facility stood in tense readiness, the aftermath of the sts leaving the area eerily silent.


    "One thing''s for sure," muttered Lieutenant Mei Ling, her voice barely audible over the lingering echoes. "Whatever caused this, it wasn''t natural."


    Lieutenant Zhao, scanning the horizon with furrowed brows, nodded in agreement. "It''s too quiet. Even the wind feels wrong."


    Not far off, Specialist Han whispered to himself, adjusting his gear nervously. "Those sts... I''ve never seen anything like it. Hope we don''t encounter whatever caused them."


    Among the fallen figures scattered around, some weakly groaned in pain while othersy eerily still.


    The air was filled with tension, amplified by the faint crackling of ck-scaled shields enveloping the fourmanders of Valkyrie''smand, contrasting sharply with the battered appearance of the deviants nearby.


    Commander Raj''s voice broke through the stillness, low and determined. "Spread out. Search every corner. We need to find out what''s out there."


    More than a hundred soldiers, a mix of human and deviant alike, moved cautiously through the mist, their senses strained and nerves on edge in the unnaturally quiet ce.


    "What''s there?"


    Commander Raj''s eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through the slowly parting mist that seemed to retreat, revealing something¡ªor someone¡ªapproaching rapidly in his direction.


    From the depths of the fading mist, a shapeless form began to glide toward him, making his eyes widen in rm.


    "There! Fire!" Raj bellowed, pointing forward. His voice cracked slightly as his entire body reacted¡ªhairs standing on end, a chilling wave of goosebumps cascading down his spine.


    "!!"


    His instincts screamed that whatever was emerging from the mist was a threat of the highest order.


    Bam!


    Bam!


    Bam!


    Bam!


    Bam!


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    A flurry of gunfire erupted as Erick stepped forward, his posture tense.


    He switched on the machine gun strapped to his chest and unleashed a torrent of bullets into the advancing fog.


    "Keep shooting! Don''t let up!" Erick shouted over the cacophony of gunfire, his voiceced with urgency and fear.


    Around them, soldiers instinctively tightened their grips on their weapons, their breaths shallow as they prepared for whatever horror was about to emerge from the mist.


    Bam!


    Bam!


    Bam!


    "Tsk, fools thought the mist would shield them!" Erick couldn''t suppress a mirthless chuckle as the rotary barrel of his machine gun glowed an ominous red.


    Behind him, he hauled a hefty backpack, its depths an arsenal of endless bullets.


    As the gun''s barrel smoked and cooled, Erick raised his hands, signaling a halt.


    He pivoted toward Commander Raj. "Commander, are you alright?" His voice cut through the eerie silence, but Raj remained unnervingly still.


    Erick''s intuition screamed danger. He nced around, his eyes widening in sudden realization. "Everyone, fall back! Spread out now!" he barked, his toneced with urgent fear.


    It was tragically toote.


    Boooooom!

 Chapter 339: Rivers of Blood, Splitting the Land!

    Erick''s intuition screamed in anger, "Everyone, fall back! Spread out now!" he barked, his toneced with urgent fear.


    Yet ¡ª It was tragically toote.


    Boooooom!


    Raj''s head swelled like a balloon, his body inting before bursting with the ferocity of a missile strike.


    And this horror was just the prelude.


    Boooooom!


    Boooooom!


    Boooooom!


    Boooooom!


    One by one, hundreds of spectral hell spirits surged through the mist.


    They infiltrated deviants and soldiers alike, seizing their corporeal forms and turning them into living bombs.


    Sergeant Li grabbed his radio, shouting into it as explosions continued around him. "Command! It''s not an attack¡ªit''s an invasion! We need backup!"


    Private Chen crouched behind a shattered wall, whispering to herself in a mix of fear and awe, "This is a nightmare... Are these even alive?"


    Meanwhile, Lieutenant Maya, trying to rally her unit, yelled, "Hold the line! Do not let these thing get near you! Use everything you''ve got!"


    As the chaos unfolded, Helena regrouped with a handful of survivors, her face grim. "Listen up! We didn''t sign up for an easy fight. This is where we stand our ground. For Victory!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Yet¡ª The realization dawned painfully on all:


    They had misjudged the situation gravely.


    They were not facing an army.


    Gabrial had not summoned mere soldiers.


    They were in a battle against something far more dreadful, a relentless, inescapable doom.


    On this dark night, the Frostholm massacre imed lives indiscriminately, ughtering the brave and the fearful alike without granting any a chance to strike back.


    _________


    "Everyone of you will pay!"


    "All my years of work!"


    "You''ve destroyed it all!"


    Mary stood at the edge of a colossal crater, one fifty meters in diameter and nearly a hundred meters deep.


    Her eyes, previously bleeding, suddenly morphed back to their usual fiery red glow, though the bloodstains lingered on her cheeks like war paint.


    Her gaze pierced the far end of the crater where the tunnel to the heavens began¡ªmiraculously unscathed by the st and mes.


    Around hery the debris of what was once a towering facility, now reduced to rubble.


    The protective walls that once shielded the entrance to the tunnel were gone.


    Everything was exposed, visible to the naked eye.


    From above, her figure appeared minuscule against the backdrop of the massive crater.


    Mary''s body trembled with barely contained rage.


    "All my research, all my databases¡ªeverything is burned!" Her voice cracked with fury and despair. "The dream of my mother, Project Transcendenc ¡ª is now in ruins, crumbling before my eyes!"


    She clenched her fists, feeling the raw, anger coursing through her veins.


    Her body trembled with uncontrolled rage, the anger coursing through her veins like wildfire.


    Unbeknownst to Mary, a non-corporeal figure was silently approaching her from behind.


    It twisted its form, shaping what resembled a sinister smile, ready to ensnare her.


    "!!"


    At that critical moment, Mary''s eyes snapped open wide.


    Crack!


    She stood in a small, cleared area, but her hand whipped around unnaturally fast, as if seizing the hell spirit''s incorporeal body within her very grasp.


    Squeak!


    The spirit emitted a high-pitched squeal, contorting in agony under her grip.


    Mary''s hand moved in ways no human''s should, her movements sharp and jarring.


    Then, in a more horrifying turn, her head rotated aplete one hundred and eighty degrees.


    Her eyes began to bleed anew, streams of blood pouring out like an endless river. "It''s you!"


    "YOU ALL DID THIS!"


    As her head spun back, she caught sight of Luna and Gabrial, who had crashed onto thend, their battle raging on unabated.


    In front of her, the chaos intensified further as an army of Deviants was thrown into disarray, each one being assaulted by simr hellish spirits.


    ''These creatures!''


    ''They all are responsible for it!''


    ''They have destroyed everything! EVERYTHING!''


    ''AHHHHHHH¡ª''


    ''I WILL KILL YOU ALL!''


    Mary''s inward scream, filled with despair, set the stage for something even more horrifying.


    SCREEEEEEEECHHH...


    In the next second, her head dissolved into a mist-like substance, propelling itself forward toward the hell spirit she had captured within her hands.


    The mist enveloped the spirit entirely, merging with it.


    The hell spirit produced a high-pitched scream.


    Once a spirit possesses a host, their souls merge, and leaving the body bes impossible for them¡ªthey are condemned to die like any mortal being.


    However, under Gabrial''smand, the hell spirits had been forced to abandon their hosts, leaving this particr spirit in a vulnerable, ephemeral form.


    In this state, it could survive only briefly; attempting to possess another host would destabilize it further, inevitably leading to its explosive demise.


    The spirit''s scream intensified, a harrowing music that filled the air, until it abruptly faded into silence.


    Mary''s now headless body stood unmoved, like a tree trunk rooted in the ground.


    Whoosh!


    From her severed neck, a stream of ethereal, red sand-like substance spurted forth, swirling into the air.


    This ethereal red glowing sand spread out, nketing the area and forming what seemed like a protective barrier, ast stand against the unseen enemy that had consumed everything she had worked to build.


    ____


    As the crimson sand-like mist spread across the northern region, a chilling silence began to fill the air, broken abruptly by the desperate cries and screams of those caught in its deadly embrace, mixed with the horrifying screeches of hell spirits being destroyed.


    SCREEEEEEEECHHH!


    "Arghhhhh!"


    Their eerie, high-pitched cries filled the air, loud enough to cause physical pain, making the ears of anyone nearby bleed.


    "Cover your ears!" Commander Hne screamed over her voice, as she and her troops clutched their heads in agony.


    "Ahhhh¡ª! This burns! Fuck! Fuck!"


    The screeches  and screams seemed to resonate at a frequency that was almost tangible, vibrating through the very air.


    "It''s like they know they''re dying!" shouted another soldier, his voice barely audible over thebined screams of spirits and humans.


    The psychological toll was immense, with each screech etching a mark of horror on the survivors'' minds.


    "No, get back! It''s everywhere!" screamed one of the soldiers, his voice edged with panic as he desperately tried to retreat from the advancing mist.


    "Keep your masks on! Don''t let it touch you! Cover your bodies!" Suggested Commander Takashi, his voice straining over the chaos as he rallied the remaining troops to maintain some semnce of order.

 Chapter 340: Deviant: A Paradoxical Existence (1)

    The sand seeped through every crevice and corner, indiscriminate in its fury.


    Whoosh!


    "Ah! No, It got me!"


    "Fuck¡ªaahhhhh"


    "Someone give me a shield¡ªahhhhh"


    Whoosh!


    It swirled around deviants and soldiers alike, suffocating rogue hell spirits and any living being in its path.


    The screams grew louder, a melody of terror and pain as the mist imed more victims.


    "I can''t breathe... It''s burning!" a deviant howled, copsing under the weight of the ethereal assault.


    Thud!


    His body shook before lying eerily still with a thud on the ground.


    Themanders, encased in their advanced armor, watched in horror as their ranks thinned dramatically.


    The armor, thankfully, isted them from direct contact with the evil mist, sparing them from the fate of theirrades.


    "Commander Takashi, Commander Erick, any of you ¡ª are you with me!?" First Commander Ericka shouted, her voice echoing through the destion, tinged with a mix of bewilderment, frustration, and growing fear.


    She scanned the devastated area, her eyes darting in despair behind the visor of her helmet, desperately seeking any signs of life.


    "Affirmative! I''m alive, at least for now!" Erick''s voice echoed from her left, slightly muffled as he struggled from beneath a heap of lifeless bodies.


    "Hahaha, Third Commander, how about you and Helena go on a date after this?" Commander Takashi quipped as he strode towards Erick, offering a hand to help him stand.


    The weight of the ammunition in his backpack made it a cumbersome effort to rise on his own.


    "Ah... Finally free. Is anyone else alive?" Erick exhaled a heavy sigh of relief as he regained his footing.


    Helena approached, her features etched with grim determination. "No, the mist is corrosive; it''s imed almost everyone. Only we three seem to have survived." She joined them, and all three instinctively positioned their backs against each other, forming a defensive triangle to maintain a 360-degree view.


    "Understood!" Erick nodded sharply.


    "What happened to Commander Raj?" Takashi asked, his voiceden with concern as his gaze swept the eeriendscape.


    "Commander Raj is no more," Erick replied, his chuckle hollow and self-deprecating.


    "Enough chatter, team! We need to retreat now," Helena interjected, her smile tinged with irony.


    Despite the dire circumstances, herrades'' ability to jest in the face of death struck a chord within her.


    ''Everywhere I look, it''s a nightmare¡ªas if the world itself is weeping blood.''


    "Retreating? Abandoning the mission?" Erick''s voice cracked with surprise.


    "There''s nothing left for us to protect," Takashi murmured somberly, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Helena nodded firmly. "Maintain the formation, and let''s make it out alive!"


    Erick and Takashi responded in unison, "Roger!"


    _______


    Crash!


    Gabrial staggered to his feet, spitting out blood and chuckling with a ragged breath.


    "Hahaha¡ªspit¡ªdidn''t expect you to be stronger this time¡ªcough," he coughed, the metallic taste of blood staining his lips as he clutched his chest, probing for the depth of his internal injuries.


    He cut a haggard figure, his once-neat short red hair now disheveled and his charming blue eyes clouded with pain.


    Despite the fierce skirmish, his clothes had somehow held together, shielded during Luna''s brutal assault by the supernatural wings he had unfurled protectively.


    Behind him, four pairs of long ck wings arched, each feather singed and scarred from the battle.


    The remnants of what were once twelve majestic wings were evident; two were noticeably smaller and still regrowing from a past injury, while six bore fresh scorch marks to the core from Luna''s recent attack.


    As he regained his footing, the harsh light of battle revealed his ruggedly handsome face, stained by a long scar that shed from his cheek across his torso in a jagged, tilted line¡ªa brutal souvenir from a previous sh.


    Across from him, Luna stood weakly, her ck suit torn in several ces, exposing skin stained by fresh cuts.


    Blood trickled from multiple cuts on her face, adding a stark red contrast to her muddy, shoulder-length white hair.


    "Tch, do you think you could even take another one of those sts?" Luna taunted, a chuckle escaping her bloodied lips even as the crimson stain hinted at her internal injuries.


    "Haha, so why don''t you just finish me already?" Gabrial retorted, rising into the air with an effortless grace that contrasted the stillness of his battered wings.


    Luna''s face twisted into a grimace as Gabrial noticed her legs trembling slightly.


    Hisughter rang out, cold and mocking. "ept it, you can''t even stand on your feet any longer! Pledge your allegiance to me, and I might just leave your skin intact!"


    Licking her lips, tasting the blood, Luna''s voice hardened. "Not until I see you dead!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Despite her battered state, her ability to recover was bolstered by an earlier encounter with Maliketh, lending her resilience.


    Gabrial''s frown deepened, seeing her stubborn refusal to surrender. "Why are you even doing all this? I know you aren''t fighting for their side!"


    "You ¡ª cough ¡ª won''t understand," Luna coughed lightly, a sinister smile ying on her lips as more blood trickled out, her condition visibly deteriorating.


    "Hm?" Gabrial''s brow furrowed in confusion, struggling to grasp the depths of Luna''s motivations and the personal vendetta that drove her to self destruction.


    His gaze remained fixed on her beautiful form, searching for any sign of the conviction behind her eyes, the unwavering determination that made her a strong opponent even at her weakest.


    Little did he realize, Luna''s motivations were never about heroism; her drive was born from a darker, a more stronger storm within her soul.


    She sought not to save, but to find a target for her seething rage, someone capable of withstanding the full force of her wrath.


    She had been eagerly pursuing this precise moment, a moment so intense that it sent every vein in her body throbbing with fierce anticipation.


    This was the moment that would make her blood ignite, a fierce, boiling surge that demanded release.


    The idea of seeing herself outmatched and falling in battle brought a twisted smile to her lips¡ªa grim satisfaction in facing her own downfall.


    Yet, she harbored no intentions of facing her demise in solitude¡ªa sinister grin crept across her face as she envisioned her final, devastating act; she was destined to self-detonate today!


    Perhaps this was an urge she had always carried deep within her subconscious...


    The deviants, those eerie offspring of the Graveyard of Gods, lived in a paradoxical existence, simultaneously alive yet dead inside.


    And Luna was indistinguishable from them in this regard; the thrill of something potent enough to make her feel vividly alive had kept her clinging to existence.


    Now, as the pressure built and her veins started to burst from the internal pressure, she felt the exciting, terrifying climax was imminent.

 Chapter 341: Deviant: A Paradoxical Existence (2)

    A few minutester!


    Thud!


    "Arghhh..." Erick''s groan echoed through the frozen wastnd, his body sprawled against the unforgiving ice.


    Arge, heavy boot was firmly nted on his back, forcing him to kiss the frost-covered ground.


    "Xerxes, why don''t you start with his head?" The voice, cold andmanding, belonged to a woman draped in a long, crimson hoodie.


    Despite her slight frame, she stood with an aura of power.


    At her feety the unconscious bodies of Helena, her form partially obscured by the ice.


    Electricity crackled around her, a warning to any who dared to approach.


    The woman''s face was mostly hidden by the hood, but glimpses of pale, porcin skin and strands of blonde hair peeked out.


    Her piercing blue eyes glowed faintly in the night light, adding to her eerie presence.


    She was Lilith, second of the four generals of Gabrial''s army, a figure both terrifying and mesmerizing in the bleak, icy expanse.


    The man shemanded, Xerxes, was a giant among men, third among the generals.


    Towering at an imposing 7''8", his muscr frame and bald head made him look even more intimidating.


    Weighing over 180 kgs, he seemed almost invincible.


    His features were harsh, with a face that bore countless scars from battles past.


    His dark, prating eyes were fixed on Erick, a malicious grin spreading across his lips at Lilith''s words.


    The ice beneath them reflected the moon light, creating a ghostly glow that added to the haunting atmosphere.


    The cold was biting, with the air so frigid it seemed to eat through flesh and bone.


    Every breath taken in this environment was a struggle, each exhale visible as a cloud of vapor.


    Xerxes'' massive foot covered most of Erick''s head, despite Erick himself being over six feet tall.


    The pressure increased slowly, deliberately.


    Crash!


    A sickening splurt followed, the sound of bones beginning to crack under the immense weight.


    "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..." Erick''s scream pierced the air, a primal howl of agony.


    He desperately tried to shield his head with his hands, but they were already fractured, the bones splintering under the massive force.


    Splurt...


    Blood gushed from Erick''s nose, his eyes bulging from their sockets.


    The ice around him was stained crimson, a beautiful contrast to its pristine whiteness.


    Boom!


    With a final, horrifying crunch, Erick''s skull gave way.


    The explosion of bone and brain matter was another beautiful spectacle, painting the ice with a pattern of red and white.


    "!!!"


    Takashi''s eyes fluttered open wide in horror.


    Just moments ago, they had been fleeing, only to be intercepted by these three ominous figures.


    The humiliation that followed was unbearable.


    They were defeated like ragdolls, now held captive by another figure, smaller than Xerxes but still massive enough to be considered a giant.


    "You two, stop ying around," Zhao Yangmanded, his voice as cold as the icyndscape surrounding them.


    He gripped Takashi''s neck and lifted him into the air, causing him to shiver and tremble. "We''re on a mission, remember?"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Takashi''s eyes shook in terror, and then¡ª


    Crash!


    Zhao Yang hurled him tens of meters away. Turning towards Lilith and Xerxes, he barked, "Don''t waste time. Don''t forget the task!"


    Xerxes and Lilith exchanged nces before nodding in unison.


    They followed Zhao Yang, all three entering the red mist zone created by Mary.


    The corrosive damage of the mist was growing, but their mission demanded self-sacrifice, making it the least of their concerns.


    As the trio disappeared into the mist, Takashi groaned, his eyes slowly opening.


    He watched them leave and couldn''t help but sigh in relief.


    "Wh... What were those monsters? What is even happening in the world?" he whispered to himself, the weight of their ordeal sinking in.


    The briefing they had received made no mention of facing invincible monsters, ghosts, and beings far beyond their strength.


    Tears welled up in his eyes, a sign of his despair.


    In the past, Takashi had been a hero, his strategies leading them to numerous victories.


    But today, he realized a bitter truth: sometimes, strategies don''t matter.


    Cleverness is a tool for the weak to cope, but against overwhelming power, it bes insignificant.


    "How did ite to this?" Takashi muttered, his voice shaking. "We were supposed to be the best. We were supposed to save the world, not be crushed by it."


    He nced at the ice beneath him, now stained with blood. "What kind of world breeds such monsters? How are we supposed to fight against beings like them?"


    He struggled to his feet, every movement a reminder of his broken state. "I used to believe that with enough nning, we could win any battle. But now... now I see how naive I was."


    Takashi''s gaze hardened, despite the tears streaming down his face.


    Takashi''s determination faded, and he began to crawl across the icy ground, each movement sending waves of pain through his battered body.


    His breath came in ragged gasps, the frigid air burning his lungs.


    He had to reach Helena.


    He had to know if she was still alive.


    With each pull of his arms, the rough ice scraped against his skin, leaving a trail of blood behind him.


    The cold seeped into his bones, but he pushed forward, driven by a desperate hope.


    "Commander... please be okay," he muttered through gritted teeth.


    As he drew closer, he could see her form lying motionless on the ice, her face pale face and her eyes closed.


    ______


    [What are you waiting for... Jump ?????]


    Standing on the icy rim of Crater Base F1D99, Wang Xiao was enveloped in silence.


    He had note here to engage in battle, but to delve into the enigmatic graveyard of gods.


    He nced over at Mary, whose upper body had already disintegrated into dust, the remnants of her form slowly fading into the frigid air.


    He wasn''t sure if she had been trying to create some sort of protective domain, but he had sessfully shielded himself from harm using the same techniques he employed for deep-sea diving.


    Particles swirled menacingly around him, attempting to breach the invisible barrier he had erected. Yet, they failed, dissipating as he peered into the abyss that marked the entrance to the graveyard of gods.


    Despite the yful tone of Yin Yue, a trace of nervousness tinged her voice, revealing her underlying concern.


    "Do you have any idea what''s inside?" he asked, his voice echoing slightly against the icy walls of the crater.

 Chapter 342: Aegis Reincarnation!

    [We came directly to this world. I don''t know about any ce known as the Graveyard of Gods, or maybe I just don''t remember,] Yin Yue replied, her voice filled with uncertainty as she struggled to recall any details.


    Wang Xiao nodded solemnly.


    Yin Yue then asked, [Aren''t you going to fight a few people before going in?]


    "Wouldn''t it be best to enter in the best state possible to conserve energy?" Wang Xiao responded, his gaze drifting towards where Gabriel and Luna were locked in a tense stand-off.


    He wasn''t overly concerned about Luna''s ability to escape; given her light-speed capabilities, she could undoubtedly flee if necessary.


    As for Gabriel''s reasons for being here, Wang Xiao had lost all interest.


    From start to finish, he perceived that everything had been manipted, a staged y in a grander scheme.


    Now, he even questioned the authenticity of Gabriel himself.


    Was he genuinely acting on his own motives?


    Or was someone else orchestrating these events?


    A dark premonition clouded his thoughts.


    He vowed to himself, if he discovered Aurora was behind the creation of Hell''s ve and the day''s events, he would take drastic action upon his return.


    Because if their meeting in Icevale itself was a setup, that woman, Aurora, would be too dangerous and scheming, too sinister to leave alive.


    Wang Xiao stood hesitantly on the threshold of the Graveyard of Gods, his mind upied with confusion and doubt.


    All of this chaos in his mind, he realized, could have been avoided if Aurora had not spoken to him about Aegis, soul, and rebirth.


    Perhaps she had even mentioned it with purpose.


    He increasingly felt that uncovering the full truth was impossible until he surpassed her.


    Yet, the notion of being controlled repulsed him deeply.


    The idea of control was just a facade, a surface concern masking the deeper, more existential crisis swirling in his mind about his own identity.


    Ever since his mysterious encounter with Valen, Wang Xiao had felt adrift, consumed by a nagging question: Could Aegis still be alive?


    Aurora had hinted that Aegis was stronger than her current form.


    If she, an immortal, could not die, how could Aegis have died?


    And if Aegis was indeed alive, where could he possibly be hiding?


    This thought seeded a deep-rooted identity crisis within Wang Xiao.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As he reflected on his interactions with Naomi¡ªher inexplicable rescues, the benefits he seemed to continually receive from Aurora¡ªhe realized he had always been the beneficiary.


    Aurora had gone to extraordinary lengths, even concocting the idea of having children with him as a pretext to remain by his side.


    If she had maintained her pride and abstained from physical rtionships for millennia, what had suddenly changed?


    Was he still truly himself?


    Did Aurora see something within him that he himself could not perceive?


    What if he was the reincarnation of Aegis?


    This possibility, terrifying in its implications, seemed the worst yet.


    What if a part of Aegis resided within him?


    If this were true, the chaotic snippets of his life suddenly coalesced into a coherent narrative, fitting together like the missing piece of a vast andplex puzzle.


    But with this reality, Wang Xiao felt utterly lost...


    He simply had no idea how to proceed if this staggering possibility proved to be true.


    "Hey, look, an ant is standing there!"


    The sound of multiple footsteps crunched on the icy ground behind Wang Xiao.


    Without turning, his voice cut through the cold air, calm and threatening, "I would have kept my mouth shut if I were you."


    From the footsteps alone, he could tell there were three individuals approaching.


    The distinct heaviness of each step gave away their number and hinted at their strong presence.


    Wang Xiao''s unyielding stance, his back turned yet clearly ready for confrontation, momentarily stunned Xerxes.


    Therge man paused, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.


    "Okay, big guy. You can leave this one to me." Lilith''s voice was light but carried an undercurrent of steel.


    She patted Xerxes on the back sympathetically as she moved past him to take the lead.


    Wang Xiao finally turned around, his gaze sweeping over the trio now standing before him.


    ''Zhao Yang?''


    His eyes narrowed slightly as he recognized the towering figure of Xerxes and, to his mild surprise, Zhao Yang, whom he knew well.


    The realization clicked into ce quietly in his mind.


    ''He, too, is one of the four generals... This just got more interesting,'' Wang Xiao thought, a spark of challenge lighting up his eyes.


    Then his attention shifted to the blonde woman, her features sharp and bitchy.


    With a provocatively casual demeanor, he taunted, "You, looking like bitch in the flesh, are you going to make the first move or should we keep chatting here?"


    His hand remained nonchntly behind his back as he spoke, his smile broadening slightly.


    "Oh, this one is a bit interesting. How about you be my ve, and in return, I''ll let you keep your life?" Lilith''s voice dripped with amusement and a sharp, calcted surprise as she regarded Wang Xiao, her gaze predatory.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s face, however, clouded over, his light humor vanishing into a deep, controlled anger.


    The muscles along his jaw tensed visibly as he braced himself for what mighte next.


    Before he could react¡ª


    Ssh!


    "Sorry, my old enemy, but you can take care of the other one."


    "Y... you..." Lilith''s confident advance halted abruptly.


    A look of shock contorted her face as she stared down at the gaping hole in her chest.


    Splurt!


    Her hands trembled as they hovered over the wound, disbelief and pain etched across her features.


    Her voice, oncemanding and sure, cracked as she whispered, "Zhao Yang... why?"


    Behind her, Zhao Yang stood with a rxed, almost nonchnt expression, his fist still glistening with her blood.


    He had struck swiftly and without warning, the betrayal stark against the cold, harshndscape.


    "!"


    Xerxes, witnessing the scene, was visibly shaken.


    His usual stoic demeanor cracked slightly, his brow furrowing as he took in the betrayal of his teammate.


    Hisrge frame tensed, a growl rumbling deep within his throat as he stared at Zhao Yang with a mix of anger and disbelief.


    Zhao Yang, meanwhile, seemed unfazed by the chaos he had ignited.


    His smile was cool and collected as he pulled his hand back, watching Lilith stagger.


    Lilith, grappling with the reality of her betrayal, began to falter.


    Thud!


    Her knees buckled, and she struggled to maintain her bnce. "How... could you betray Gabrial?" she gasped out, her voice a mix of agony and fury.

 Chapter 343: Betrayal!

    Thud!


    "How... could you betray Gabrial?" Lilith gasped out, her voice a mix of agony and fury.


    She staggered forward, each step more uncertain than thest, her blood spilling onto the icy surface, creating a beautiful red against the white.


    As she fell, her eyes locked on Zhao Yang, filled with a haunting mix of betrayal and unasked questions.


    Her copse was slow, almost graceful, as she surrendered to her wounds, her body finally hitting the ground with a soft thud that echoed ominously around them.


    Bam!


    Wang Xiao watched the scene, his initial shock giving way to a strategic calction. "You were never with them, right?" he said, his voice low and controlled, masking the underlying tension.


    "Indeed," Zhao Yang replied smoothly, wiping his bloodied hand on his pants. "In this world, it''s every man for himself. To forge your path, you must sometimes sever past ties. It''s not personal, just survival."


    Xerxes finally broke his silence, his voice booming with a mixture of wrath and confusion.


    "You''ve crossed a line, Zhao Yang. This isn''t just survival¡ªit''s betrayal!"


    "Betrayal... it''s a fascinating choice," Wang Xiao mused aloud, his voice amused.


    Zhao Yang simply shrugged, his eyes scanning the horizon, already calcting his next move in the deadly chess game they were in, "Gabrial was merely using us as his chess pieces if you haven''t realized it yet," he stated tly, his eyes sweeping the horizon where Gabrial was engaged in a fierce battle with Luna.


    His gaze was piercing, challenging each of them to acknowledge the invisible chains that bound them to another''s will.


    "He wanted us, and everyone else, to sacrifice ourselves for something he believed in, while he himself would live to see his dream fulfilled, and we would be erased." As he spoke, Zhao Yang''s eyes flickered with a calcting light mixed with burgeoning fury. He turned back to face Wang Xiao and Xerxes, his gaze intense and focused.


    "I simply didn''t want to self-sacrifice for someone else''s gain. I''ve started to like this life I am living. We could have been coexisting in silence, like the beings they call Deviants. There''s no need for us to follow Gabrial or any other leader. We should be independent and capable of making our own choices," Zhao Yang continued, his voice calm yet carrying an undercurrent of deep conviction.


    As he spoke, Wang Xiao noticed Zhao Yang''s fists clenched tightly at his sides, the knuckles whitening¡ªa small but telling sign of the internal battle he was fighting.


    It was clear that despite his outward calm, Zhao Yang was struggling mightily to override the instincts ingrained in him as a hell spirit.


    Wang Xiao, observing this subtle disy of tension, nodded slowly, "Even if you aren''t with them, it doesn''t mean I would let you be alive forever. Today you can go, but better not show your face again to me."


    Zhao Yang''s nod was one of firm resolution, his face set in an expression of grim determination. "If the dayes, I need to die for the person I am," he whispered, his voice barely audible as he turned to leave.


    His figure slowly blended into the swirling red mist, a visual echo of his departure from the old allegiances.


    "Wait! You can''t just leave like this! I would kill you for betraying us!" Xerxes roared, his voice thunderous against the eerie silence that followed Zhao Yang''s departure.


    He made to chase after Zhao Yang, his massive frame a blur of motion, but Wang Xiao intervened with amanding presence.


    "Enough of yelling, you can''t leave until I am here," Wang Xiao dered, his tone sharp, halting Xerxes in his tracks and drawing a scowl from the giant.


    Whooooosh!


    "Ant, shut up!" In a sudden re of rage, Xerxes spun around and lunged toward Wang Xiao, his fist,rger than Wang Xiao''s torso, slicing through the cold air, aimed directly at him.


    Boooooom!


    The fist made contact, but not with Wang Xiao.


    Instead, there was a small smile on Wang Xiao''s face as Xerxes''s punch halted abruptly, stopped by an invisible barrier.


    "H... how?" Xerxes''s eyes widened in disbelief as his hand thudded against something unseen, the force of his blow unexpectedly halted.


    Next moment!


    Boooooom!


    With the same monumental force he had attempted to deliver, Xerxes was thrown backward, repelled as if by a rubber wall.


    His body hurtled through the air,nding with a heavy crash in the distance.


    Wang Xiao stood calm and unscathed, as if the master of his own fate, embodying the very independence and strength that Zhao Yang had advocated.


    Crash!


    As Xerxes crashed into the ice, creating a web of cracks that spread outward, Wang Xiao maintained his unusual calm stance, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched the giant struggle to regain his footing.


    "Is that all you have?" He taunted, his voice echoing, mingling with the sharp, biting wind.


    The red mist swirled around them, adding a surreal quality to the battlefield.


    "Arghhh!"


    Xerxes, his face contorted with rage, pushed himself up, ice and snow clumping to his massive form.


    "I''m not done with you!" he roared, lunging forward again with renewed fury.


    Swoooosh! Thud!


    His feet pounded the ground, each step a miniature earthquake, as he charged like a bull.


    Wang Xiao, serene and unbothered, prepared to counter.


    His eyes, sharp and focused, calcted the iing trajectory.


    "You should have learned, brute force isn''t enough," Wang Xiao murmured, almost to himself.


    As Xerxes swung another colossal fist at him, Wang Xiao pivoted gracefully, his movements fluid and precise.


    Swooooop!


    Wang Xiao''s form blurred, moving with the blue.


    He sidestepped the punch with ease, his hand reaching out to tap a pressure point on Xerxes''s arm as it whooshed past.


    "Wha¡ª?" Xerxes grunted, his arm suddenly numb, the force of his own punch carrying him forward and throwing him off bnce.


    Crashhh!


    Xerxes stumbled, hisrge body crashing into a nearby ice mound, sending shards flying into the air like a burst of icy fireworks.


    Wang Xiao didn''t pause. "It''s not just about strength. It''s about how you use it," he called out, his voice steady andmanding.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Xerxes, shaking off the impact, red at Wang Xiao, his eyes burning with a mix of frustration and disbelief.


    "ANTTTTTT!"


    He roared, not ready to concede.

 Chapter 344: Kinetic Energy Absorption & Redirection!

    Gathering his strength, he surged up again, his movements slightly slower but still incredibly powerful.


    Whammm!


    This time, he tried a different tactic, sweeping his arm in a wide arc to catch Wang Xiao off guard.


    But Wang Xiao was already steps ahead, anticipating the move.


    Twisting his body, Wang Xiao avoided the sweeping arm and closed the distance between them, his own fists now glowing with a subtle energy, as if coated by wind itself.


    "Poor choice," Wang Xiao whispered, almost pityingly.


    Boom! Pow!


    With two swift, precise strikes, Wang Xiao targeted vital points on Xerxes''s torso, unleashing a burst of kic energy that knocked the wind out of the giant.


    Ughhh!


    Xerxes grunted, his breath escaping him in visible puffs of vapor, his knees buckling under the sudden assault.


    Thud!


    As he fell to his knees, the realization of defeat finally dawned on him, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.


    Wang Xiao stood back, watching calmly. "Learn when to fight, and when to surrender. Survival would keep you alive, not the victory," he stated, his tone now devoid of mockery.


    As the red mist settled around them, Xerxes looked up, his expression a mixture of pain and disbelief.


    Wang Xiao nced at Xerxes, his face an unreadable mask, but inwardly, he marveled at the effectiveness of his efforts.


    After hisst battle with Asmodeus, a foe stronger than Xerxes who wielded physical strength and absorption abilities, Wang Xiao knew he needed a counter.


    He had spent countless hours refining a new technique, one that harnessed thews of physics to turn his enemies'' strength against them.


    Wang Xiao''s ability relied on a principle he had long studied: kic redirection.


    By using his barrier as a form of stic membrane, he could absorb iing kic energy and then release it back with equal or greater force.


    The key was in the precise control of the barrier''s sticity and tension, allowing it to act like rubber.


    When Xerxes attacked with his immense force, Wang Xiao''s barrier absorbed the kic energy of the blow.


    The energy was stored momentarily within the barrier, and then, like apressed spring, it rebounded, sending the force back at Xerxes with devastating effect.


    This redirection caused Xerxes to be thrown backward by his own strength, without Wang Xiao needing to exert much effort.


    In his offensive strategy, Wang Xiao used a simr approach.


    When delivering a blow, the reverse force typically experienced by the attacker was channeled back through his fist.


    By aligning the direction and timing of this reverse force with his strike, he amplified the impact significantly.


    This not only increased the power of his punches but also ensured that his own energy was used more efficiently.


    The practical application of this technique was akin to mastering a martial art thatbined physics withbat.


    Wang Xiao had to understand the exact moment to release the stored energy and the precise angle at which to deliver his strikes.


    It was the precise timing and power, making him feel almost invincible.


    He wondered on the potential of refining this technique further, manipting it at a molecr level.


    If he could transform kic energy into other forms of energy, such as thermal or electrical, and regte its absorption and redirection at a molecr scale, hisbat effectiveness would increase exponentially.


    This could allow him to match, or even surpass, the speed and power of opponents like Luna.


    Today marked the first time he had put his theoretical technique into a real battle, and he was pleased with the results.


    What he considered a minor achievement would typically take others years to master.


    With further refinement, he believed he could elevate his abilities to unprecedented levels.


    Standing over Xerxes, Wang Xiao allowed himself a brief moment of internal satisfaction.


    This was just the beginning. With each battle, he would grow stronger, more adept at turning theoretical knowledge into devastating practical application.


    Xerxes, now kneeling and breathing heavily, looked up at Wang Xiao with a mixture of pain and begrudging respect. "What... what are you?" he managed to gasp out, still trying toprehend the rapid defeat he had suffered.


    Wang Xiao looked down at him, his expression calm andposed. "Just someone who refuses to be a pawn," he replied, echoing Zhao Yang''s earlier sentiments. "Someone who learns, adapts, and never stops growing."


    "..."


    Xerxes nced down, his fists clenching tightly before he gritted his teeth, a deadly determination lighting up his eyes.


    "I won''t go down alone..." he muttered, his voice low and filled with resolve.


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed as he noticed the ominous glow enveloping Xerxes''s body, his form starting to expand unnaturally. "Are you nning to self-explode?"


    A manicugh erupted from Xerxes, echoing through the icy expanse.


    "Hahaha..." His eyes were red, brimming with tears and a twisted satisfaction as he watched the flicker of panic cross Wang Xiao''s face. "Yes, that''s right. As long as I explode, I can eradicate everything within a one-kilometer radius!"


    Wang Xiao''s mind raced, calcting the potential destruction.


    The energy building within Xerxes was immense, a ticking bomb threatening to obliterate everything around them.


    He knew he had to act quickly, but the situation demanded precision and calm.


    "Think, Wang Xiao, think..." he muttered under his breath, his eyes darting around for a solution.


    His barrier technique could deflect kic energy, but this was a different challenge entirely new.


    Xerxes''sughter grew louder, more unhinged. "You''re toote! This is the end for both of us!" His body continued to swell, the glow intensifying.


    "Idiot, I''m just thinking of how to make use of your energy," Wang Xiao snapped back, scolding him sharply.


    "What?" Xerxes couldn''t believe it, looking at Wang Xiao in disbelief.


    But Wang Xiaopletely ignored him, his mind working for a solution.


    Wang Xiao took a deep breath, centering himself. His mind shed back to his studies of energy maniption.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    If he could create a barrier strong enough to contain the explosion, he might save the area from total destruction.


    But then, what to do with that energy?


    Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck him!


    With a swift movement, Wang Xiao raised his hands, focusing his energy into creating a dome around Xerxes. "This has to work..."


    The barrier formed, shimmering with a translucent light, encapsting the expanding Xerxes within. The ground trembled as the energy reached its peak.


    "You''re wasting your time!" Xerxes roared, his voice muffled by the barrier. "Nothing can stop this!"


    Wang Xiao merely smiled in return. He wasn''t trying to stop it; he was trying to harness it.


    The moments stretched into eternity, then¡ª


    BOOOOOOM!

 Chapter 345: Another Betrayal!

    The explosion erupted, a blinding sh of light and a deafening roar.


    The barrier shuddered violently, cracks spiderwebbing across its surface.


    Wang Xiao''s muscles strained, his mind focused solely on containing the catastrophic energy.


    For a second, it seemed the barrier would fail, but then Wang Xiao opened a small hole in the barrier himself.


    Whooooosh!


    In the next moment, all the energy gushed out of that small hole like aser beam, reaching unbearable temperatures.


    The intense heat caused the ice beneath the surface to melt and scorch, the radiation emitted by the concentrated energy beam scorching everything in its path.


    The shockwave rippled out around it, making the air tremble and the ground crack.


    Wang Xiao barely managed to hold his ground against the massive force of the st.


    _________


    "Eight Prince... Huh..." Zhao Yang muttered as he turned back, his eyes catching the brilliant light of the massiveser beam that illuminated the entire battlefield.


    A spark of fascination flickered in his gaze.


    This was the same person who had unknowingly given him the idea of freedom.


    To outsiders like him, the Eight Prince, another hell spirit, was considered a traitor, an enemy to their kind.


    He had defied the highest order ofmand, an act unthinkable among hell spirits.


    In their rigid hierarchy, ranks were everything, and every hell spirit was bound to obey the leader of their monarch.


    But Wang Xiao had been the first to defy that order.


    Such rebellion was against the natural instincts of hell spirits, making Zhao Yang increasingly curious about the Eight Prince and the person behind the name.


    Little did he realize, that person was the enemy of the original host of his body.


    Wang Xiao, unknowingly, had inspired the first hell spirit to betray the monarch.


    This unprecedented act of rebellion had nted the seeds of curiosity and doubt in Zhao Yang''s mind.


    "The anxiety of freedom forever keeps us ves of others..." Zhao Yang murmured, a subtle smile ying on his lips.


    He began to walk away, not bothering to look back at the oue of the fight.


    For the first time, he wasn''t afraid of whaty ahead.


    He realized he could do whatever he wanted.


    There was no need to follow others or convince himself of their ideas or ideologies merely because he was anxious about the uncertainties of freedom.


    The chains of fear and obedience had been shattered.


    "I might as well create my own path," Zhao Yang thought, his resolve hardening with each step. "Why follow someone else''s religion when I can forge my own?"


    As he disappeared into the mist, the aftermath of the battle behind him, Zhao Yang felt a profound sense of liberation.


    The concept of freedom, once a source of anxiety, had transformed into a beacon of endless possibilities.


    He was no longer bound by the expectations andmands of others.


    Instead, he was free to shape his destiny, guided only by his will and ambition.


    In fact, even Zhao Yang himself was blissfully ignorant of his own depth, but his intuitive rejection of others'' dominion over his will signaled an intelligence far beyond the ordinary.


    This insight was not merely an act of rebellion¡ªit was the core of his self-preservation...


    Hell Spirits, those eerie, parasitic shadows, typicallyck the instinct for self-preservation as solitary entities.


    They arepelled instead by the overarching will of their swarm.


    Thus, the exceptional spectacle of a Hell Spirit daring to assert its individual will marked a momentous leap in cognition, effectively smudging the clear lines that had long separated humans from spirits.


    For Zhao Yang, this marked the beginning of a new era, and thus for this world...


    ________


    On the other side!


    "Your time has expired," Gabrial dered, his grin widening as he observed Luna, still paralyzed by indecision.


    Frustration etched deep into her face, Luna furrowed her brows as Gabrial''s eyes began to radiate an intense silver light.


    "What!?"


    Confusion tightened her gaze as Gabrial proimed ominously, "Escape is futile. Now that you''ve dared to defy me, prepare to endure the dire consequences."


    His eyes intensified, shimmering more fiercely, as all four of his majestic wings unfurled dramatically.


    Whup-whup


    Whup-whup


    For the first time, the wings began to pulsate powerfully, and Luna sensed the air around her constricting, as if the very space were copsing inward.


    Gabrial, ascending with regal grace, thundered, "Today, the world shall witness the might of¡ª!!"


    Suddenly, his promation was cut short by a bone-chilling sensation that overwhelmed him.


    Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom!


    In the blink of an eye, the world before Luna dissolved into a blinding white void.


    She blinked in astonishment, murmuring, with a dry chuckle, "Did he just get roasted...?"


    Though theser before her stole her sight rapidly melting the surrounding ice into oblivion.


    Thud!


    Gabrial plummeted to the ground, the fury etched into his expression unmistakable.


    Two of his wings had been seared away by the fierce st, leaving only two remaining, smoldering remnants trailing behind him.


    As he hit the earth, Wang Xiao disguised as Valen rushed to his side, offering a steadying hand.


    Gabrial''s lips twitched, a mix of rage and exhration quivering through him as he regained his footing.


    His eyes, now bloodshot, locked onto Luna with an intensity that made the air around them seem to crackle.


    "You think you have won?" Gabrial spat out, his voice a low growl as Valen supported him.


    He straightened up, brushing off Valen''s hands, standing on his own despite his injuries. "This is merely the beginning. You''ve unleashed a storm you cannot contain."


    Valen, his voice a soothing whisper meant only for Gabrial. "Gabrial, perhaps we should¡ª"


    "Silence, Valen!" Gabrial snapped, his re never leaving Luna.


    He took a staggering step forward, his voice rising. "You will regret your insolence, Humans. I will teach you the true meaning of power and pain."


    As he spoke, the remaining wings fluttered weakly, making Wang Xiao raise his brows.


    ''Could he still possess so much strength?'' Wang Xiao, masked as Valen, marveled internally.


    Despite enduring such a devastating st, only two of Gabrial''s wings had sumbed, leaving him surprisingly formidable.


    Whoosh!


    A towering pir of light surged around Gabrial, its power swelling with each passing moment.


    Luna''s brow furrowed, a strange unease creeping over her as she peered into the luminous column.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    What was this peculiar sensation as she beheld the light?


    It was undoubtedly light, yet it seemed not to beposed of photons...


    Crash!


    Before Gabrial could unleash his intended strike, his features twisted into an expression of rage mixed with betrayal. "Valen... You..."

 Chapter 346: The Great Reset! (1)

    "Valen... You..."


    Gabrial spun around, only to find Valen, gripping hisst two wings, preventing them from fluttering.


    Without a word, right before Gabrial''s horrified eyes, Valen ripped the wings from his body.


    Tear!


    "Argghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...."


    A primal scream of pain echoed as the wings were torn away, blood gushing from the fresh wounds.


    Crack... Crack...


    His body started to fissure, cracks spider-webbing across his skin, from which an even more intense light leaked.


    "Not good..." Luna murmured, her voice tinged with rm as she observed Gabrial''s form beginning to shatter, his eyes now zing with beams of light.


    She cast a wary nce behind and took a deep breath, steeling herself.


    Whooooosh!


    In a sh, like aet streaking across the sky, Luna disappeared from the scene.


    Whooooosh!


    Whooooosh!


    Whooooosh!


    As the cracks in Gabrial''s form deepened, rm etched into Wang Xiao''s features.


    A dreadful premonition washed over him¡ªhe might not escape in time.


    [QUICKLY LEAVE!] Yin Yue''s voice shattered the tense silence, her words tinged with panic, confirming the threat.


    [RUN TOWARDS THE TUNNEL!] She directed urgently.


    Atst, Wang Xiao exhaled a heavy sigh, a mix of resignation and determination fueling his actions¡ª


    Swoosh!


    With every ounce of his speed, he pivoted and flew towards the crater.


    The glowing portalbefore him, its radiance whispering irresistibly.


    Without a moment''s hesitation, he leaped forward, diving into the shimmering gateway.


    Right at that instant¡ª


    Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom!


    The explosion was colossal, as if a nuclear arsenal had been unleashed beneath their feet.


    The ground shook violently, sending tremors that could be felt thousands of kilometers away.


    Even the rescue ships, already stationed far within the safety zone, glimpsed the massive pir of light ascending into the heavens.


    It soared upward, climbing endlessly, until abruptly, it dissipated into the ether, leaving behind only nothingness.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ___________


    Aboard the rescue ship!


    Drifting on the open sea away from Frostholm, the crew members watched in awe as the blinding light that had erupted on the distantnd began its descent toward the earth.


    As the light touched the horizon and seemed to sink slowly toward the sea, a hush fell over the deck.


    Gasp!


    "It''s like the descent of a god..." whispered one crew member, her voice barely audible over the gentlep of waves against the ship''s hull.


    "Could it be a sign?" another pondered aloud, his eyes fixed on the mesmerizing glow.


    The murmurs spread like ripples through the ship as the crew knelt one by one, their faces illuminated by the celestial glow.


    Hands sped, eyes wet with tears of fear and reverence, they seemed to find sce in their collective prayer.


    "Forgive us, for we have witnessed the divine," another sailor murmured as he dropped to his knees, his gaze locked on the radiant spectacle.


    The general, initially bewildered by the unfolding scene, attempted to restore order. "On your feet, soldiers! This is no time for superstition¡ª"


    But hismand broke off as he caught the full impact of the light now touching the Frostholm, its reflection shimmering like a pathway to eternity.


    Plop!


    His disciplined demeanor crumbled as he saw even his most hardened soldiers overwhelmed by the sight, their eyes trembling with emotion before they too knelt, their faces turned skyward.


    "Perhaps it''s a message, or a warning," a young private whispered, echoing the thoughts of many.


    "Are we being judged?" another voice chimed in, tinged with existential dread.


    As the murmurs grew louder, the general''s resolve faltered.


    With a deep, involuntary sigh, he bowed his head and finally knelt alongside his crew, surrendering to the moment.


    As the ship bobbed gently on the waves, the light enveloped them, bathing everything in a serene, holy glow.


    It felt as though time had stopped, and they were suspended in a moment of apocalyptic beauty.


    Around them, the sea whispered against the hull, the sky above stretched vast and unending, a witness to their humility and awe.


    _______


    One weekter!


    January 27, 2027!


    The District, Country M!


    New World Order, aka Zero HQ.


    The headquarters of the New World Order, also known as Zero HQ, stood like a modern fortress in the heart of The District.


    Its newly constructed building was a marvel of contemporary architecture, featuring sleek lines and expansive ss panels that reflected the morning sun in dazzling patterns.


    Inside, the atmosphere was equally imposing, with state-of-the-art technology and minimalist decor that echoed the organization''s cutting-edge ethos.


    In one of the high-ceilinged offices, a middle-aged man sat brooding behind a massive oak desk.


    His hair, once dark, was now streaked with white, as if each strand marked a battle with stress.


    His hands, weathered from years of service, massaged his temples in a futile attempt to ward off an impending headache.


    Behind him, the rhythmic shuffle of papers punctuated the silence.


    A woman of Japanese origin meticulously arranged files in a towering cab.


    Her long, straight hair fell like a ck waterfall down her back, a stark contrast to the sterile whiteness of the room.


    Before him stood a tall woman, her powerful presence amplified by a soldier''s uniform that clung to her athletic frame.


    Her striking blue hair was pulled back into a single, tight ponytail, highlighting the white ster bandaged across her neck.


    She ced a thick stash of paper on the desk with a resolute thud, her expression unreadable yet charged with determination.


    "Helena Krajci, officially the First Commander of Valkyrie Command¡ªthis is my resignation, sir!" Her voice resounded with firmness and determination.


    "Hm?" Li Zhiming nced up, his eyes closing briefly in a silent resignation before he sighed deeply. "Helena, my te is already overflowing. Can you please hold off on these matters until the world finds its footing again?" He pleaded, weariness etched into his tone.


    Li Zhiming, having survived the cataclysm known as the seconding, had been permanently appointed to helm Zero.


    Since then, the world had spiraled into utter chaos.


    Across the globe, people were dying, yet the outcry was curiously muted; many seemed to ept this disaster as the prophesied seconding, likening it to the rebirth of Jesus¡ªa day of reckoning.


    Others proimed it the dawn of a new Yuga.


    Yet others celebrated the emergence of the ''Messiah.''


    In this lstrom of global crisis, concerns about Helena''s departure were a distant priority for Li Zhiming.


    As he sifted through her resignation letter, a stack of additional documents caught his eye beneath it.


    He opened them, his voice carrying a trace of exhaustion, "What''s this now?"


    Helena responded, her voice steady, "General, that''s the rmendation letter."

 Chapter 347: The Great Reset! (2)

    Helena responded, her voice steady, "General, that''s the rmendation letter."


    Li Zhiming, his curiosity piqued, inquired, "Rmendation for whom?"


    "For Takashi, sir," Helena responded confidently. "I truly believe in his capabilities to lead the Pantheon Network."


    Li Zhiming paused, his gaze lifting thoughtfully. "Helena, you must realize that this is highly irregr. What then of Valkyrie Command?"


    Helena''s tone was resolute. "Sir, as we''ve discussed, Valkyrie Command has already lost two generals. With my resignation, only one general will remain. Under the rules ofmand establishment, if more than half of the generals are lost in any capacity, Valkyrie Command must be automatically disbanded."


    Li Zhiming fell into a troubled silence, pondering over her words.


    After a heavy sigh, he waved his hand wearily, signaling her to depart.


    Helena allowed herself a small, inward smile. "I apologize for the inconvenience, General."


    Li Zhiming''s voice took on a sharper edge. "Enough, Helena. Leave before I rescind your resignation and double my troubles!"


    As Helena turned to leave, Li Zhiming called out, halting her steps. "Wait, have you been checked for radiation?"


    ??


    A shadow of past horrors flickered across Helena''s face, but she nodded affirmatively.


    Li Zhiming gave a final, dismissive wave, and she exited.


    After their dangerous mission in Frostholm, it was mandatory for all returnees to spend a full day at Gaia''s Facility, undergoing thorough examinations for radiation and other hazardous contaminants.


    Bang!


    "What''s this now?" Li Zhiming was about to copse into his chair and rest when Amaya ced yet another file in front of him.


    He opened the first page of the file and frowned.


    =====


    Project Name: Project Transcendence


    Project Lead: Mary Rockefeller


    Project Status: Failed


    Reason: External Interference


    Project Objective: Achieve a state of transcendence for humanity by the year 2247 by integrating ¡ªgically enhanced test subjects¡ªinto the general poption, ensuring that their superior traits are disseminated throughout humanity.


    Project Objective Status: Achieved


    Remark: Due to the unexpected influx of the ''God Particle'', external interference forced an abrupt halt to the project, prematurely achieving its objective.


    ========


    Seeing the project name, Li Zhiming''s frown deepened, and he rubbed his temples wearily.


    This was the worst problem in the world currently¡ªthe ''God Particle.''


    Click!


    He turned on the screen fixed to the right wall and tilted his seat to better view thetest news, with Amaya leaning in to focus on the screen as well.


    The screen flickered to life, casting a bluish glow across Li Zhiming''s and Amaya''s intent faces.


    On the disy, a TV reporter stood solemnly in the bustling emergency ward of a major hospital, her expression grave as she prepared to deliver her report.


    "Good evening," she began, her voice steady despite the chaos behind her. "We''re live from St. Michael''s Medical Center, one of the many hospitals worldwide fighting with the escting crisis of God Particle Poisoning.


    This global phenomenon has already imed over 20 million lives and continues to devastate poptions as this mysterious substance, originating from Frostholm, spreads across the globe."


    The camera panned slightly, capturing the fric activity of medical staff rushing to attend to patients.


    The reporter continued, "The effects of the God Particle are not only lethal but bizarre. Across the world, strange events are happening: wildlife is exhibiting unnatural behaviors, trees are hardening to the consistency of concrete, and we''re seeing extreme weather patterns, including abnormal tsunamis triggered by unprecedented rises in sea levels."


    She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in, then turned to interview a harried doctor who had just paused for a brief moment. "Dr. Harris, can you tell us more about what you''re seeing here?"


    The doctor, looking exhausted but resolute, nced at the camera. "The symptoms of God Particle Poisoning are unlike anything we''ve encountered. Rapid cellr mutation, severe neurological disruptions... It''s overwhelming our healthcare systems. We''re doing all we can, but the scale of this crisis is unlike any other."


    The reporter nodded solemnly and turned back to the camera. "As the world grapples with this unprecedented threat, questions about its origin and how tobat it are growing more desperate. From Frostholm, where the particle was first detected, to here in the heart of our cities, the impact is both catastrophic and confounding."


    The reporter then turned back to Dr. Harris, her expression curious amid the panicked state of the hospital. "Dr. Harris, there are rumors equating this phenomenon with a ''God''s Judgment,'' following reports of an immense pir of light seen briefly in the skies over Frostholm. What are your thoughts on this being possibly divine punishment for our actions towards the Earth?"


    Dr. Harris chuckled, a brief, humorless sound amidst the dire surroundings. "If this is the divine will, then there really isn''t much we can do, is there?" he replied, his face returning to its previously grim expression.


    The reporter nodded, taking in his words, then the broadcast smoothly transitioned to scenes outside various religious sanctuaries, now visibly overflowing with people.


    The camera swept over faces marked by a strange calm and eptance as she continued her narration.


    "Inbetween this unprecedented global crisis, religious sites have be refuges for millions seeking answers or sce. At this rate, experts predict that by the end of this year, half of humanity could be wiped out."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    She approached a group of believers gathered outside arge cathedral, her microphone extended towards them. "Many here speak of this as the price for our sins, an unavoidable punishment. What are your thoughts?"


    One after another, the faithful shared their convictions, all echoing a simr sentiment: it was a reckoning, an inevitable oue for humanity''s misdemeanors, and they must face it.


    "We cannot escape our fate," one woman said, her voice resolute, "It''s divine will."


    The reporter''s face returned to the screen, her expression thoughtful as she concluded, "Despite the staggering death toll, there is a pervasive calm, almost as if the enormity of the crisis has fortified the belief in a divine n. Across the world, as we face this cmity, many findfort in faith, viewing these events not as random but as part of arger, cosmic judgment."


    The camera lingered for a moment on the serene faces of the crowd, an unusual contrast to the earlier scenes of medical panic, before fading out, leaving viewers with much to ponder about the nature of human belief in times of crisis.


    The reporter signed off with a call for vignce. "Stay tuned, stay informed, and most importantly, stay safe. This is a developing story, and we will continue to bring you thetest updates as they happen. Back to you."


    The screen switched back to the news studio, leaving Li Zhiming and Amaya in a reflective silence, the severity of the global crisis pressing upon them.

 Chapter 348: Arrest! (1)

    "Should we really allow the rumors to spread unchecked?" Amaya questioned, her voice tinged with skepticism, well aware that this catastrophe wasn''t an act of divine retribution.


    Li Zhiming shook his head, his expression somber. "It''s better this way. As long as people have a belief to cling to, believing they are powerless to change it, the panic will be minimized."


    Amaya nodded slowly, concern etching her features. "But eventually, the truth will surface..."


    Li Zhiming offered a dry chuckle, his tone tinged with resignation. "That''s not my burden to bear. In one week, the Mount Olympus meeting will be broadcast live. We''ll see what ns the old foxes there have concocted."


    Amaya fell silent, her thoughts heavy.


    This would be the first time all the guardians assembled to reveal their existence to the world on live television.


    The global reaction was unpredictable.


    Yet, considering the apocalyptic horrors the world had already endured, she wondered that perhaps the shock would be less than expected.


    Her curiosity lingered on how the Guardians would address the lingering threats from Frostholm.


    ______


    Frostholm!


    Back in the country, a week had passed since the nuclear incident, and its effects were more clearly visible.


    The sky above was perpetually overcast, nketed with a dense, ashen haze that suffocated the light, plunging thendscape into a perpetual dusk.


    The once brilliant Arctic sunlight now struggled to filter through the murky veil, casting only weak, diffused beams that barely touched the ravaged earth below.


    Thend itself bore the scars of nuclear wrath.


    Miles of tundra, once nketed in pristine snow, nowy barren and discolored.


    The snow, tainted with a grimy residue from the radioactive fallout, clung to the ground in dirty, yellowed patches.


    In areas closest to the sts, the earth was scorched and ssy, a desert of vitrified sand and melted ice that stretched eerily into the distance.


    Vegetation was devastated.


    Trees that had stood for centuries were now mere skeletons, their branches stripped bare, ckened by the intense heat.


    Lower shrubs and nts had vanished entirely, leaving behind a charred carpet that crunched underfoot.


    The few leaves that clung stubbornly to life were sickly and pale, drooping under the weight of toxic dust.


    The impact on wildlife was heartbreakingly evident.


    Birds, typically vibrant and full of song,y silent and still on the ground, their feathers matted with ash.


    Larger animals, those that had not been vaporized by the initial sts, roamed disoriented and visibly sick, their fur patchy and eyes clouded.


    The human presence, once a vibrantponent of Greend''s small settlements, had all but vanished.


    Towns and viges were ghostly silent, abandoned hastily as residents fled the nuclear threat.


    Homes stood empty, doors swinging on hinges, windows shattered.


    The possessions left behind by fleeing families were scattered and buried underyers of dust and ash.


    The silence was overwhelming, an oppressive nket that smothered any sound more substantial than the whisper of radioactive particles settling over the deste terrain.


    asionally, the silence was broken by the distant rumble of copsing structures or the sharp crack of ice.


    Warning signs about radiation hazards were sporadically ced, often skewered into the frozen ground or tied to the skeletal remains of trees.


    These signs, pping weakly in the icy breeze.


    In the northern reaches of Greend, the devastation reached its wrost.


    A vast expanse ofnd, covering 31,415.93 square kilometers, had beenpletely obliterated.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Nothing remained in this area, which had been directly beneath the eerie pir of light witnessed during the disaster.


    The radiation levels here had skyrocketed, making it dangerous for any form of life to approach.


    The entire zone was now covered in snow and dust storms that seemed to emerge from the void, effectively concealing the extent of the destruction from the outside world.


    Yet, within this forsakenndscape, a bizarre and beautiful anomaly persisted.


    The whole area was suffused with mystical, luminous lights that danced through the destion like spirits.


    These lights¡ªvivid auroras of green, purple, and red¡ªswirled around in an almost fantastical disy, as if heaven itself had descended to Earth.


    At the heart of this spectral light show, the phenomenon was most intense, emanating from a specific location.


    There, suspended in midair where thend had once been, floated a portal.


    It seemed to be a gateway, an ethereal tunnel to another realm, now marked by fractures in its structure from which the mystical light spilled into the world.


    This was, in fact, Aether¡ªleaking from the other side of the portal into this dimension.


    Dubbed the ''God Particle'' for its mysterious and seemingly divine properties, Aether was now gradually enveloping the Earth once more, drawn through the cracks in the portal.


    As this celestial substance spread, it transformed the blightedndscape into a zone of otherworldly beauty and mystery, contrast to the surrounding devastation.


    Roaaaaarr!


    Whooooosh!


    The air itself seemed to tremble as a majestic creature soared above the deste yet radiantndscape.


    Plucked from the pages of Western mythology, this dragon boasted scales that shimmered like crystals under the mystical lights of the aurora.


    Its eyes, a deep and majestic yellow, surveyed thend with ancient wisdom.


    With four powerful legs and wings that spanned vast distances with each powerful beat, the dragon''s tail alone stretched tens of meters, trailing behind like a regal banner.


    Roaaaaarr!


    Its mighty jaws gaped wide, unleashing a torrential st of ice that cascaded toward the vast crater below.


    Whooooosh!


    The frigid assault began to freeze everything it touched, gradually restoring the ravagednd to its original level, as if mending the wounds inflicted by cmity.


    This dragon, known as Aura, served as the mount of Aurora.


    Compared to itsst sighting, Aura seemed revitalized, invigorated by the dense Aether permeating the area.


    After millions of years, it bathed in the celestial energies, drawing life and vigor from the mystical surroundings.


    Having repaired the enormous crater, Aura descended gracefully onto the newly formed ice surface.


    Thud!


    Its four massive ws touched down, sending awork of fine cracks radiating across the icy expanse, yet the ice held firm under its immense weight.


    The dragon''s presence, powerful yet serene, marked a moment of profound change, hinting at new beginnings in a world reborn from destruction.

 Chapter 349: Arrest! (2)

    "Good work," Aurora murmured, her gaze fixed on the spectral portal in the distance, known ominously as the graveyard of Gods.


    She watched Aura, the dragon, with a mixture of pride and relief. "You''ve done more than just freeze over thend; you''ve preserved a path to the mysteries beyond."


    Aura let out a low, resonant growl, its breath misting in the chilled air, acknowledging Aurora''s approval without needing words.


    The path it had left, a deliberate trail leading to the portal.


    Aurora turned her attention back to the portal, wondering its eerie suspension in the air like a dimensional fracture.


    "Even if we wanted to hide it, the truth is, such a thing refuses to be hidden," she whispered aloud. "It''s not just a crack in our world but in all understanding. People wille seeking it, no matter the dangers."


    She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. "And yet, now that the nation has be this wastnd, perhaps it will deter the casual seeker. This destion... it serves as a guardian in its own right."


    Aura shifted its massive form, the ice beneath its ws creaking slightly.


    The dragon''s intelligent eyes seemed to follow her train of thought, adding a silent agreement to her observations.


    "Project Transcendence is another matter," Aurora continued, a hint of disdain coloring her tone. "Its interruption may well be a blessing. To think they aimed to weave the fabric of the gods into human affairs was a sin."


    The dragon snorted, sending a small whirl of snow spiraling up into the air.


    "Indeed, it''s ended, and let''s hope, never to be resumed," she dered firmly, her voice echoing slightly against the vast, icy expanses. "The arrogance of thinking we could control such power... it''s as if they never understood the essence of transcendence at all."


    "And you understood it...?"


    The sudden, ethereal voice made Aurora''s expression tighten, her brows knitting together in mild annoyance.


    "Why do you have to always interrupt my main character arc?" she grumbled under her breath, her voice a blend of irritation and resignation.


    "I should ask the same of you," the voice retorted, clear and unforgiving. "Why did you need to do all of this? Destroy a whole nation, interfere in human affairs so unnaturally, cause mass conflicts, aid one side in a war that wasn''t yours to influence, and ultimately cause the death of more than a billion people, all within the span of thirty days?"


    From the mist, the sound of wooden sandals cracking against the ice punctuated each usation.


    Slender, white legs appeared first, slicing through the fog like a ghost emerging from another world.


    Then, Yuriko revealed herself fully, her presence asmanding as the icy winds around them.


    Aurora turned to face her, her expressionposed yet cold. "Yuriko, you of all should understand the necessity of what was done. The portal, the Aether¡ªthese are not mere myth. They are powers that could redefine existence."


    Yuriko stepped closer, her gaze sharp and searching. "Redefine, or ruin? There''s a fine line, Aurora."


    Aurora met her gaze unflinchingly. "Sometimes, to safeguard the future, one must reshape the present, even if it means wielding powers that are almost beyond ourprehension."


    Yuriko''s eyes narrowed slightly, assessing. "And what of the aftermath? The lives lost, the chaos sown?"


    "The world is no stranger to chaos," Aurora replied, her voice steady. "But it is also resilient, adaptive. It will heal, and in time, it will even grow stronger from what it has endured."


    Yuriko sighed, the sound mingling with the soft whisper of the icy wind. "Perhaps. Or perhaps we''ve only hastened our own end."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Aurora''s expression shifted subtly as she listened to Yuriko''s usations, her lips forming a nonchnt pout. "We are not escaping this prison if we adhere vishly to these rules. You may choose to rot here, but I refuse. I aim to confront those who cast us into this forsaken ce and see the paradise they''ve crafted for themselves," she dered, her voice imbued with a fierce determination.


    "Being prisoners doesn''t mean we must resign ourselves to perpetual captivity," she continued, her tone impassioned. "They''ve drained our entire dimension, Yuriko. There''s nothing left for them back here. They won''t return to check on the remnants they left behind."


    "We were doomed to istion¡ªuntil today."


    Yuriko''s expression darkened, her silence heavy as she pondered Aurora''s words. After a moment, she asked, "What proof do you have of this?"


    Aurora hesitated, her lips pressed tightly together as she searched for an answer.


    Seeing Aurora''s silence, Yuriko''s voice grew stern. "On a mere whim, you''ve upturned the entire world, encroached upon territories that were not yours to meddle with, and caused more destruction than Naomi ever did in her lifetime."


    She stepped closer, her voice rising with emotion. "And yet here you stand, without a shred of guilt, shamelessly justifying your actions. Do you not think before you act? I thought you were wiser than this!"


    If anything, Yuriko was more troubled by her struggle to understand her own kin than by her efforts toprehend the wider world.


    Aurora''s lips parted hesitantly. She wanted to dismiss Yuriko''s concerns with a, ''People die and people are born, no difference,'' but she sensed such a remark might only bruise the little woman''s ego further.


    Instead, she held back, a mischievous smile ying subtly at the corners of her mouth.


    As for acting on a whim, she could merely shrug in response.


    If Yuriko thought her actions were impulsive, she clearly hadn''t met individuals like Wang Xiao, whose decisions were the epitome of spontaneity.


    Noticing Aurora''s self-satisfied grin, Yuriko frowned, irritation lining her features. "What are you thinking about now?"


    Aurora shook her head, feigning annoyance, "Just waiting for my husband toe and rescue me, maybe knock out a few of your white teeth in the process."


    "Hm?" Yuriko''s eyebrows knitted together in confusion as she scanned their surroundings, finding no one else present.


    Aurora sighed, her voiceced with a mix of sarcasm and sincerity. "Forget it, you wouldn''t be able to see him."


    "Why not?" Yuriko''s frown deepened.


    ncing downward, Aurora sighed again and gave a slight kick into the air, as if trying to disperse her frustrations. "Because he exists only in my delusion."


    Yuriko''s eye narrowed, her eyelid twitching as she regarded Aurora with a bewildered and somewhat judgmental stare.


    "Enough of your fantasies,e with me now." Yuriko''s voice carried an undeniablemand, resonating with a strange power that seemed to ripple through the air.


    "Ugh..." Aurora recoiled slightly, a look of distaste crossing her face. "Don''t use that weird ability of yours on me... I don''t like how your voice feels."


    Yuriko''s eyes narrowed, her surprise evident at Aurora''s unexpectedpliance today, showing through her typically impassive demeanor.


    As she turned to leave, Yuriko threw a nce over her shoulder, her voice sharp, "Athene, you too have things to answer for."


    In the next moment, the ethereal surroundings seemed to respond to her call.


    Thousands of swords materialized from the hazy mist, each de gleaming with an otherworldly light.


    Whooooosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The swordsunched in a formidable wall, hurtling towards Yuriko with deadly intent.


    Aurora, caught in the middle, felt a surge of twitch in her eyes. ''I am here, too idiot!'' she thought frantically, wanting to remind Athene of her presence in the line of fire.


    "¦¨¦Á¦Ë?¦Ñ," Yuriko whispered calmly, the strange word flowing from her lips with a serenity that contrasted sharply with the chaos around them.


    Swoosh!


    At hermand, the swords halted mid-air, their forms beginning to disintegrate as if they were mere constructs of dust.


    Within seconds, they crumbledpletely, disappearing into the air like particles carried away by the wind.

 Chapter 350: Graveyard of Gods (1)

    In an unknown mysticalnd!


    A ce steeped in ancient magic and shrouded in an ethereal glow.


    Thendscape is lush, almost overwhelmingly vibrant.


    An ancient cobblestone path winds through the heart of this enchanted forest, bordered by an explosion of colorful, luminescent flora.


    The flowers and nts glow softly in hues of blue, pink, and green, casting a dreamlike radiance that lights up the underbrush and the moss-covered statues that stand sentinel along the path.


    Towering trees with gnarled, twisting branches reach up into a misty canopy, their leaves dripping with moisture that reflects the mystical light, creating a shimmering effect that dances across the air.


    Statues of forgotten deities,rge and imposing, are scattered throughout thendscape, half-consumed by the verdant foliage, suggesting the ancient power and forgotten lore that still lingers in this sacred ce.


    The air here is filled with the scent of moist earth and exotic flowers, a heady aroma that enhances the surreal beauty of the ce.


    The gentle sound of a nearby waterfall adds to the ambiance, its waters sparkling as they catch the ethereal light, flowing into a small, clear pool that mirrors the vibrant colors of its surroundings.


    This sacred grove, untouched by time, resonates with the whispers of the old gods, their stories imbued in every stone and every leaf, creating a sanctuary not just of natural beauty, but of profound, pulsing power.


    It is a ce of peace and reflection, yet also a repository of immense, untapped energies, as if the very air is charged with the potential for both creation and destruction.


    "... Ummm ... Where is it ...?" Wang Xiaoy sprawled across the cobblestone path, his chest heaving as he struggled for breath.


    His vision blurred and head spinning, he slowly pulled himself up to a sitting position, gazing around in bewildered awe.


    "This... Is... Heaven?" he murmured to himself, the words tinged with disbelief.


    Pushing himself to his feet, Wang Xiao took a moment to steady himself, his senses gradually adjusting to the otherworldly surroundings.


    He drew a deep breath, the air filling his lungs not only felt purer but seemed imbued with a mystical quality¡ªa feeling that went beyond the mere physical.


    [I have never sensed such a dense aura in my entire existence...] The voice of Yin Yue, his spiritualpanion, echoed in his mind, filled with the same wonder.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    [It''s Aether, and it''s everywhere, so much... It''s like an endless sea...] she continued, her tone reverent.


    Wang Xiao acknowledged her observation with a small nod, his curiosity piqued.


    He began to walk along the cobblestone path, each step taking him further into the enchanting environment.


    After a few paces, the path abruptly ended, and he found himself at the edge of a cliff.


    Peering over the edge, he saw that the cliff dropped off into a lush, vibrant abyss that stretched out into infinity.


    The air here shimmered with the energy of Aether, making the entire scene appear as though it were a living, breathing painting.


    Below, the canopies of enormous, ancient trees swayed gently, their leaves glinting with droplets of Aether that caught the light, sparkling like countless tiny stars.


    The scene was breathtaking, not just in its beauty but also in its sheer magical power.


    This was a ce untouched by time, a sanctuary where the divine seemed to linger in every leaf and stone.


    Wang Xiao stood there, at the edge of the unknown, his heart captivated by the mystic beauty of the Graveyard of Gods.


    This was a realm of gods and spirits, and he, a mere mortal, had stumbled upon its secrets.


    Standing at the cliff''s edge, Wang Xiao gazed out across the valley, an expanse that defied all notions of natural order.


    Above, the sky boasted three suns, each casting its own warm glow, painting the valley in shades of gold and amber.


    To his right, what initially seemed like moons hung in the sky, but upon closer inspection, they weres¡ªvividly colored in shades of faint orange, blue, and more, numbering nine in total.


    Each orb was distinctly visible to the naked eye, an awe-inspiring sight that drew his attention and stirred his curiosity.


    Then, directing his gaze straight ahead towards the heart of the valley, he beheld a sight of monumental grandeur.


    Towering trees, each hundreds of meters tall, stood as ancient sentinels guarding the mystical realm.


    Farther in the distance, the sky appeared to be pierced by a colossal tornado, spiraling upwards into the heavens.


    This tornado was unlike any natural phenomenon Wang Xiao had ever seen¡ªit looked as though it was a crafted pathway, climbing toward a destination unknown.


    At its peak, a small luminous white core glimmered, encircled by winds that shimmered with a faint bluish hue.


    Suddenly, a sharp warning echoed in his mind. [DON''T GO NEAR THAT THING, EVER!] It was Yin Yue, her voice tinged with unmistakable urgency and fear.


    !?


    Wang Xiao, taken aback by the intensity of her warning, responded, "What''s that?"


    Yin Yue''s reply came tinged with dread. [It''s a Soul Eater! I have seen those back in my world. It would tear your soul and body apart, and there is no way to save yourself. Even spirits are torn apart by it. That''s used for giving capital punishment back in my world!]


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened in surprise. "Your world... Is it advanced?"


    Yin Yue''s response came with a touch of nostalgia. [It''s more ancient, to be precise.]


    Wang Xiao nodded slowly, taking in the surrounding beauty with a deep breath. "Does it look like this?" he asked, his voice tinged with wonder.


    [Nowhere close,] Yin Yue replied, her tone suggesting a clear difference between her world and the vibrant vista before them.


    Wang Xiao offered a wry smile, his gaze sweeping over the lush valley.


    Despite Aurora''s description of it as a graveyard, he found it hard to view it as such. "It should be called Paradise instead," he muttered under his breath. "I can already feel my vision and body improved multiple times just by existing here..."


    [It''s the aether that''s prating your body already; if nothing goes wrong, you are actually being poisoned,] Yin Yue interjected, her voice cutting through his reverie and snapping him back to reality.


    "Poisoned?" Wang Xiao echoed, his brow furrowing in disbelief.


    He continued to walk around the cliff''s edge, exploring the perimeter carefully without touching anything.


    His journey revealed that there was no way to descend except by jumping¡ªthe cliff was steep and seemingly insurmountable, like the remnants of a once-tall majestic mountain now crumbled away, leaving only this small teau intact.


    The teau itself was dotted with cobblestones and statues that seemed artificially made, hinting at a once-thriving existence.


    These statues, eroded by time yet still standing, symbolized life that once animated this mystical ce.


    As Wang Xiao absorbed these details, the realization that he was standing on a fragment of a lost world sank in.


    This ce, though brimming with life''s vigor thanks to the pervasive aether, also whispered tales of ancient civilizations and cataclysms that might have once rocked this hidden corner of the universe.

 Chapter 351: Graveyard of Gods (2)

    [These Monuments Are Alive...]


    As Wang Xiao roamed the ancient site, attempting to recognize any familiar shapes among the monuments, a soft, cautious whisper from Yin Yue fluttered to his ears like a hesitant butterfly.


    "?"


    Rooted to the spot, he spun around to gaze upon the statues¡ªenormous and imposing¡ªarrayed like silent sentinels along the cobblestone pathway.


    "Alive...?"


    Compelled by a mixture of curiosity and dread, Wang Xiao approached the towering figures.


    Each statue, cold and immovable, betrayed no hint of life, as if each were merely a prisoner of stone.


    He tapped, and listened at their bases, but each test returned the same silent rebuke.


    There was no life to be found, or so it seemed.


    Until a subtle oddity caught his eye.


    "??? ¦®?¦Ð¦Í¦Á!" ¡ª "Har-thu Xypna!"


    "!!"


    His eyes snapped open wide, pierced by the eerie, melodious chant that seemed to rise from the very stones beneath his feet, and he recoiled, a shiver racing down his spine.


    "??? ¦¡?¦È¦Å¦Ñ!" ¡ª "Ba-sen Kha Wes Aither!"


    "What!?" Wang Xiao whispered, his voiceced with disbelief, as the ghostly words continued to resonate within his mind long after he had walked away.


    These were the very words he had encountered back on Earth, words that Aurora had ominously described as the sinister call of death!


    A sudden chill coursed through his veins, a sense that this eerie moment was only the beginning of something far darker.


    "!"


    "??? ?¦Í¦Å¦Ì¦Ï?!" ¡ª "Djed-Sen Azr Anemos!"


    "!"


    "?????? ?¦Ñ¦Á!" ¡ª "Ankh-mer Ingwaz Hora!"


    "!"


    As each ancient chant begin, the sounds became more profound and haunting, echoing continuously in Wang Xiao''s head.


    He intended to retreat, yet his feet were trapped by the cold cobblestones, as if rooted by unseen forces.


    Arrayed before him, four colossal stone statues grew ominously, their presence overwhelming.


    They seemed to scrutinize him, their impassive stone faces peering into the depths of his soul, sending a shiver of dread down his spine.


    Though his back was turned to the path behind, he felt the oppressive aura of four simr, yet distinct monuments arrayed like silent sentinels.


    Each exuded a growing intensity, wrapping Wang Xiao in a cloak of cold sweat and apprehension, as if they too were watching, waiting.


    "??? ¦®?¦Ð¦Í¦Á!" ¡ª "Har-thu Xypna!"


    "Aither!"


    "Aither!"


    "Aither!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes snapped wide open; he clutched at his head, staggering backwards as if pushed by an unseen force.


    Suddenly, the world around him plunged into darkness, and he could sense eight pairs of eyes encircling him in that void, darting around like ghosts in the night.


    "Aither!"


    "Aither!"


    "Aither!"


    It felt as if thousands of tons of invisible pressure were crushing him.


    Yin Yue''s voice tried to go through the darkness, her calls urgent as she tried to rouse him.


    Yet, she sensed nothing amiss herself.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao seemed utterly possessed¡ªoverwhelmed by the force seizing him.


    His veins protruded starkly, his muscles tensed to their limits, and sweat drenched his entire body, painting a picture of a man caught in the throes of a terrifying and unseen battle.


    Thud!


    "Huh?"


    Wang Xiao abruptly woke up, unconciously taking deep breaths, his eyes quivering, as he felt something strike against his back, he turned around his heart beating loudly muting all other sounds.


    "!!"


    There he saw it!


    Among the bushes, there were smaller monuments.


    Half broken and disfigured, with the eyes still vivid, the rest of monuments as if carved out of white marble, yet the eyes vivid and moving, bleeding, as the red blood seemed to flood down, and ncing down he found the blood continuing to flood, until half of his foot was submerged.


    "!!"


    Thud!


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao gasped, snapping awake.


    He drew deep, shuddering breaths, his eyes flickering with panic.


    A sudden, forceful impact against his back had jerked him from the darkness of his nightmare.


    Turning around, his heart pounded furiously, its beats muting all other sounds.


    Thump! Thump! Thump!


    "!!"


    Hidden among the dense underbrush, he found an array of smaller, forsaken monuments.


    These statues were not only broken and disfigured but carried an aura of ancient divinity, each resembling deities revered back on Earth and some even beyond his recognition.


    The first, with serene,passionate eyes and a tranquil demeanor, clearly mirrored the visage of Buddha.


    Beside it, a robust figure with a mighty beard and a countenance full of stormy judgment could be none other than Zeus with hismanding presence, and Shiva with his intricate dance posture, all half-broken yet imposing.


    A nearby figure bore the thorn-crowned, sorrowful face of Jesus, his expression one of profound forgiveness mixed with deep suffering.


    Amid these familiar icons stood figures Wang Xiao couldn''t ce¡ªancient deities whose names were lost to time.


    One statue, with a lion''s head and a warrior''s body, might have been Maahes, an ancient Egyptian lion-god of war.


    Another depicted a figure draped in exotic, flowing robes, adorned with symbols that suggested it might represent Anahita, the Persian goddess of fertility and water.


    As he watched, the statues'' eyes¡ªcrafted from what appeared to be pristine white marble¡ªshifted subtly, unnervingly alive.


    Then, tears began to form, welling up in their carved eyes before spilling over.


    These were not ordinary tears but blood, thick and crimson, that streamed down their cheeks in streams, staining their marble skin.


    The scene became even more haunting as the statues cried their bloody tears, the fluid gathering and flowing eerily across the ground.


    The blood pooled around Wang Xiao''s feet, rising slowly to submerge half of his shoe in a chilling embrace.


    "!!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Yin Yue''s voice, soft yet tinged with urgency, broke through his shock. "Wang Xiao, what is happening? You screamed..."


    He turned to her, his face ashen, unable to tear his gaze away from the bleeding effigies. "These statues... they''re alive! And they''re crying, can you see?"


    Yin Yue''s voice broke through Wang Xiao''s trance, tinged with confusion. [W... Which statues, where!?]


    She felt a peculiar chill in the air, yet her eyes saw nothing out of the ordinary: Wang Xiao staring nkly at some vines twining around a small, broken fountain, from which a naked angel statue gently spouted water.


    The origin of the water was obscure, its destination even more so. The fountain bore a resemnce to arger one near the Asmodeus mansion in Romania¡ªa link to another world, perhaps.


    Yet, for Wang Xiao, the reality was starkly different.


    The blood from the statues'' eyes continued to seep across the cobblestones, spreading out to form a reflective, crimson pool that shimmered under the subdued light, like a haunting mirror reflecting a forgotten celestial struggle.


    Before long, the bloodied mirror at his feet began to swirl with visions of battle.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t recognize any of the figures reflected in the crimson pool, but each image portrayed battles so grand they surpassed even the grandest of Earth''s legends.


    "These battles... are they from past, or warnings of what''s toe?" Wang Xiao whispered, half to himself, half hoping the statues might offer an answer.


    The blood continued to flow, more profuse with each passing moment, as if the gods themselves were bleeding out their ancient grief and rage onto the earth below.

 Chapter 352: Graveyard of Gods (3)

    Yin Yue, still unable to see the blood or the statues, whispered louder, her own voiceced with concern. [Wang Xiao, what do you see?]


    As the reflections in the pool intensified, Wang Xiao''s actions became more erratic, more desperate.


    With a sudden, harrowing resolve, he reached up to his own face, his fingers trembling.


    Squish... squish...


    In a horrific moment, he gouged out his own eyes, the blood from his wounds mingling with the crimson pool at his feet.


    Yin Yue screamed, her voice a mix of horror and disbelief, as she wanted to stop him. [Wang Xiao! What are you doing?!]


    But Wang Xiao was beyond her reach, his consciousness submerged in a vision that transcended the reality.


    He staggered forward, holding his eyes in his outstretched hands as if offering them to the angel statue spouting the mysterious water.


    His face was a mask of serene agony, his actions dictated by a force unseen.


    In his mind, the scene shifted through the cosmos.


    He found himself standing in front of a colossal building, bustling with activity.


    People moved around him, their faces a blur, their hands holding devices that shimmered with an eerie, advanced technology.


    Before him stood seven statues of women, cast in bronze, their beauty otherworldly, haunting.


    Visitors circled the statues, capturing their images with the strange devices, oblivious to the profound aura of sorrow that Wang Xiao felt emanating from them.


    The reality of his brutal self-muttion seemed a distant echo to the visions flooding his senses.


    His physical eyes were gone, but his spiritual sight was awash with these vivid, unsettling scenes.


    As if guided by an ancient ritual, his actions felt both sacrificial and necessary, a plea for understanding or perhaps an invocation for a deeper connection to the divine tragedies he witnessed.


    Yin Yue, still reeling from the shock, [Please,e back to me, Wang Xiao. Whatever you''re seeing, whatever you''re doing, this isn''t the way,] she pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion.


    Yet, even as she spoke, a subtle change began to ur around the fountain.


    The angel''s eyes, previously just another carved feature, began to glow softly, responding to the offering in a way that defied earthly logic.


    The water flowing from its mouth started to shimmer with a luminescent quality, the pool''s surface rippling with energy as if reacting to Wang Xiao''s sacrifice.


    ______


    Kekeke... Kekekkekekeke...


    "W...what!?"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flew open in shock. He found himself eerily suspended in midair, enveloped by the same green, luminescent world he had glimpsed before.


    But now, an unsettling feeling crept over him.


    He nced downward and realized that he was indeed floating, high above the earth.


    Below him, the vast expanse of the world stretched out, but something was disturbingly off.


    "My... skin..."


    His voice trailed off in horror as he observed his skin, which appeared unusually saggy and frail.


    His legs seemed to have aged decades in moments.


    Then, with a hesitant turn, he inspected his hands¡ªthey were unnaturally stretched out horizontally.


    Surrounding him were small, strange beings the size of a fist.


    These creatures, though seemingly adorable, had faces twisted into sinister smiles, emitting eerieughter as they pecked at his skin.


    Something was deeply wrong, and a chill of recognition swept through him.


    [X... XIAO?]


    Yin Yue''s voice, fragile and trembling, echoed through the strange luminescence, sounding distant yet filled with urgent fear.


    Wang Xiao frantically shook his head, his voice tinged with confusion and fear, "What''s happening, Yue? What happened to me? What are these tiny,ughing creatures?"


    Yin Yue, startled, asked, [You can see?]


    "Why wouldn''t I?" Wang Xiao''s tone deepened with bewilderment.


    [....]


    Yin Yue paused, her silence stretching into a heavy, thoughtful void before she spoke, her voice barely a whisper, [You don''t have eyes anymore...]


    "Huh?" His heart skipped as her words struck him like a cold ssh of reality, sharpening his perception.


    He realized that he was indeed suspended in the air, directly in front of the tornado he had seen from afar upon entering this surrealnd.


    This tornado, a swirling vortex of blue mist, mirrored the essence of the small creatures nibbling at him, which were also crafted from the same ethereal blue mist.


    Observing his own body, he saw the drastic changes.


    Fragile...n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Feeble...


    A deeply wrinkled face...


    It was as though centuries had folded into mere moments, aging him beyond measure.


    His hair, now long and flowing, spilled beyond his feet, its strands kissed with silver.


    A thick, white beard flowed majestically down to his abdomen.


    Strangest of all was his sight¡ªdespite the darkness where his eyes should have been, he could see everything around him with unnatural rity.


    [Wang Xiao, y-you... have been hanging here for one hundred and seven years...] Yin Yue''s voice broke through, tinged with fear and a profound sadness, revealing the shocking span of time he had been lost to this strange, timeless void.


    "!!!"


    Wang Xiao felt a bizarre sensation as his eyes seemed to widen in shock, an eerie experience since he no longer had them.


    "One...one hundred years," he murmured, his voice shaking as the words left his trembling lips.


    From somewhere close, yet seemingly distant, Yin Yue''s voice emerged, filled with a mixture of relief and urgency. [Yes... I thought you would never wake up...]


    "B-But..." Wang Xiao''s voice faltered, his mind reeling from the sheer magnitude of time that had psed.


    Yin Yue spoke with increased intensity, breaking through his confusion, [I don''t have much time... Listen closely. These creatures are using you to refine Aether... Your body is absorbing Aether, which they feast upon to strengthen the soul eater... They''ve turned you into some sort of purifier since they can''t directly absorb Aether themselves.]


    [This process has drained you so deeply, you''ve absorbed more Aether than anyone could over tens of thousands of years... You''re literally breaking apart.]


    "..."


    Wang Xiao was struck dumb, words failing him as the grim reality set in.


    Yin Yue continued, her voice a lifeline thrown in the darkness, [You have to break free! Wang Xiao, muster whatever strength you still possess and break these bonds. Remember the technique you learned from Eleanor for repairing the ss?]


    [It''s exactly the same method she uses to regenerate her own body at the cellr level. Repairing broken ss, healing the cracks¡ªit wasn''t just a repetitive task; she was preparing you for immortality.]


    [I should have told you sooner but never imagined this would happen... Try your best, and you might restore your youth!]

 Chapter 353: Graveyard of Gods (4)

    Following Yin Yue''s urgent words, Wang Xiao''s expression grew dim.


    Not from what she had said, but because he felt utterly drained, as if not a shred of strength remained within his worn frame.


    "Why... don''t you have much time? And how did I end up here?" Wang Xiao mumbled, his thoughts drifting away from the dire state of his physical form, seeking answers to the deeper mysteries that had led them to this moment.


    Yin Yue replied with a sense of urgencycing her voice, [Ugh... just listen to me. The soul eater behind us, it''s been constantly exerting pressure on our souls. It''s almost done separating them. You understand? It will consume both our souls if you don''t free yourself.


    We hell Spirits are extremely vulnerable in our spirit form¡ªI won''tst a second, you... still... have ti¡ª!]


    "Huh? Yue!?" Wang Xiao''s voice cracked with sudden panic as her voice abruptly cut off.


    [...]


    Silence followed. No voice returned, leaving Wang Xiao suspended in the void.


    "Yue! Are you there?!" Wang Xiao called out into the nothingness, his voice echoing unanswered in the chilling expanse.


    His heart pounded against the eerie stillness, a lone drum in the vast silence.


    "..."


    As the oppressive silence stretched on, Wang Xiao''s expression, once clouded with despair, began to harden into a resolute mask.


    Days melded into one another unnoticed as he continued his attempts to heal.


    With each effort, he sensed his veins pulsing with a strange force, an uncontroble power that defied hismands.


    Just when he thought he had harnessed it, the Aether within would surge erratically, slipping from his grasp yet again.


    In truth, he felt drained, as though hecked the essential strength needed for the task at hand.


    An even more perplexing thought struck him: How was he still alive without food or water after all these years?


    The answery in the very Aether he sought to expel.


    It was this substance that sustained him, paradoxically offering life while binding him to this torment.


    Each attempt to rid himself of it resulted in his body reacting involuntarily to retain it, a never-ending internal tug-of-war.


    As he gazed at the three setting suns, his eyes half-closed from exhaustion, a wry smile touched his lips.


    "You better kill me now... Else... Hehe..." he murmured, a faint, weary chuckle escaping him.


    The target of his words was an imaginary enemy he dubbed ''God.''


    Wang Xiao made a silent vow to himself: if he survived, he would find this god and ce a statue of it in this very graveyard.


    He fantasized about stripping everything this celestial being ever owned, burning it, subjecting it to horrors unfathomable even to devils...


    Yet, all he could truly do in that moment was vent.


    He needed an outlet for his anger and frustration, a focal point for the rage that simmered within him.


    Anger is a canceling emotion; it is life-preserving.


    It mutes and overwrites all other feelings, offering a shield against despair.


    However, as Wang Xiao''s eyes finally closed, darkness enveloped him once more, drawing him back into the void where his monumental struggle continued silently, unseen and unheard.


    Darkness enveloped everything...


    It was a profound, imprable dark...


    He couldn''t see a thing...


    As if he were cocooned in a sanctuary...


    Far removed from the burdens of existence...


    Time drifted by, unmeasured and indistinct...


    He knew not how long had passed...


    In fact, he understood nothing at all...


    It was a state beyond description...


    Like the quiet void that exists before birth...


    It was as if he had never existed at all...


    Until¡ª


    Ssh!


    Suddenly, the stillness shattered with jarring abruptness.


    "Gasp!¡ªhaaa... Where is it!?"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes snapped open in an instant.


    He looked around, finding himselfpletely drenched and stark naked, standing waist-deep in ake shimmering with a mysterious dark blue liquid.


    Positioned in the heart of an enormouske, he surveyed his surroundings¡ªthe glowing forest encircled him, isting him in what seemed like an otherworldly realm.


    Above, the three suns zed brilliantly, casting a surreal light over the scene.


    Whooooosh!


    At that precise moment, from the murky depths below, a colossal beast surged upward.


    A serpent, its body massive and undting, broke the surface.


    It bore shimmering yellow eyes and scales of a deep, iridescent blue, which glinted menacingly in the light from the triple suns.


    The creature towered over Wang Xiao, reaching an intimidating height of more than twenty feet.


    Hiss!


    Its massive jaws parted, releasing a thunderous hiss. Instead of the expected fangs, rows of sharp, beast-like teeth filled its gaping maw, poised to rend flesh from bone.


    "Don''t scream in front of me!" Wang Xiao yelled, his voice echoing over the waters.


    His disorientation from awakening in this strange ce had already touched his nerves, and the appearance of this surreal entity pushed his temper to its limit.


    "!!"


    The blue serpent barely had a moment to register its opponent''s when when driven by an unseen force, it''s body floated upwards¡ªand then¡ª


    Hiiisssaaah!


    The serpent let out a scream of terror, a sound that was half-hiss, half-shriek, as its body was violently rent in two.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Ssh!


    Green blood erupted into the air, showering theke and tainting the water with its alien hue.


    Wang Xiao grimaced, his expression twisting with disgust.


    Thud! Thud!


    With a mental shove, he flung the torn halves of the serpent towards the forest, his actions swift and decisive.


    As the heavy thuds of the serpent''s body parts hitting the forest floor resonated through the air, Wang Xiao steadied himself, nting his feet more firmly in the muddyke bed.


    "Was this your guardian? Some sort of test?" Wang Xiao muttered to himself, scanning the horizon for any more surprises. "If so, your guardian is no more."


    He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging within him. "This ce... what even is this realm? Am I still caught in a dream, or is this anotheryer of reality?" Wang Xiao pondered aloud, his gaze fixed on the luminous forest and the eerie tranquility that seemed to have settled once more.


    As he stood there, the remnants of his anger slowly faded away, reced by a wary curiosity about his strange surroundings and the potential dangers they harbored.


    "Whatever this ce is, it''s not done with me yet," he concluded, squaring his shoulders as he prepared for whatever came next.


    "Yue!? Are you there?" Wang Xiao called out, his voice tinged with desperation as he tried to reconnect with Yin Yue.


    Memories of their recent conversation weighed heavily on him.


    "Yue!?"


    "Hey!"


    After several fruitless attempts, he paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself.


    Slowly, he turned toward the water, his gaze falling on his own reflection mirrored in the dark blue liquid.


    To his astonishment, he appeared young again, as youthful as he had been before this entering this damned ce.

 Chapter 354: Graveyard of Gods (5)

    Wang Xiao might have believed it all to be just a surreal dream, except for one ring confirmation of reality¡ªthe hollow voids where his eyes once were.


    Instead of eyes, there was only darkness, an eerie absence that filled him with unease.


    That sight left a bitter taste in his mouth.


    In fact, he felt very weird.


    The sensation was unsettling, a mixture of relief at his restored youth and horror at the loss that seemed permanent.


    He reached up instinctively to touch his face, his fingers tracing the skin where his eyes should have been, only to confirm again that they were not there.


    Hiiiiiiiiisssss!


    At that instant, Wang Xiao''s face twisted in sudden rm as the earth beneath him vibrated ominously.


    He was peering into his own unsettling reflection when the tranquility of the moment shattered.


    Whooooosh!


    Without warning, the water beneath his feet erupted as an enormous serpent, far more massive than its predecessor, surged upward and swallowed him whole.


    Only then did Wang Xiaoprehend the reality ¡ª he had been standing atop the serpent''s vast, submerged body.


    Gulp!


    The serpent, an immense behemoth stretching hundreds of feet, rose fully from the dark waters.


    Its ring yellow eyes burned with fury as they focused on the remnants of its in sibling.


    The beast''s anger, far from being quelled by consuming Wang Xiao, seemed only to intensify.


    Its scales shimmered omniously in the light of the three suns, its body tensing for a devastating retaliation.


    However, just as it reared back, its fangs exposed in a fearsome snarl¡ª


    Bang!


    Wang Xiao burst explosively from within the serpent.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Hisssssssss!


    Tearing through its scales and flesh, he emerged, an ant like figure.against the monstrous predator.


    "Spit..." he growled, spitting contemptuously at the serpent''s twitching form as it thrashed in a futile attempt to destroy him and die in a ze of mutual destruction.


    The serpent''s eyes, filled with an undying hatred and a thirst for vengeance, shimmered with a deadly light.


    They bore into Wang Xiao, reflecting the depth of its primal rage, promising that this battle was far from over.


    Sssskkreee!


    However, every time the serpent lunged to attack, Wang Xiao cleverly dodged, weaving through the air with agility until the serpent, drained of all its strength, finally copsed and died.


    Wang Xiao, now hovering above the area, surveyed the dead body of the serpent, which floated limply on the water''s surface.


    He felt a stir of unease as he realized that theke was not truly ake, but rather a vast pond!


    Tremble... Tremble...


    In that moment, a sinking feeling hit Wang Xiao¡ªsomething was terribly wrong.


    The pond began to churn violently, and the surrounding forest shook with it.


    From his aerial view, it appeared that the ''pond'' was actually nestled within a massive mountainous structure.


    HISSS!


    But in the next instant, water surged everywhere as the true form of the beast revealed itself.


    The serpent, once coiled in deceptive stillness, was of a monstrous scale¡ªhundreds of meters wide and tens of kilometers long, it had been encircling this ce for ages.


    Above the serpent''s body, the forest had grown, camouging its immense form.


    The pond in the middle was merely water that had been trapped by its massive coils.


    As a chilling hiss echoed through the air, Wang Xiao''s first instinct was to flee.


    Whoosh!


    But even faster, an eye¡ªvast, impossiblyrge,rger even than his entire body¡ªappeared before him, ring down with palpable fury.


    Hissss!


    Wang Xiao mped his hands over his ears, his body erupting in goosebumps, as the serpent hissed ominously.


    And before he could react further, darkness engulfed him once again.


    Once again, darkness enveloped everything...


    It stretched on indefinitely...


    Perhaps for a year... Perhaps for a century...


    Time lost all meaning...


    Until, suddenly¡ª


    "Gasp!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes, or where they should have been, snapped open in shock.


    "W... What?" He stammered, his voice thick with confusion.


    "What''s... going on?" His words tumbled out, muddled by his inability to grasp the situation.


    These experiences couldn''t be dreams. He was certain of it.


    He remembered dying distinctly, so what was this now?


    As he surveyed his surroundings, he noticed he was encircled by towering, ancient trees. Something felt amiss.


    He realized he was lying on the damp forest floor.


    "..."


    Shaking off his bewilderment, Wang Xiao stood up, his senses tingling with a strange chill, as if death''s shadow still clung to him.


    A wave of anxiety washed over him.


    Despite his unease, he began to cautiously explore the dense forest around him.


    This time, he found himself stranded in an unknown ce, unable to determine his exact location.


    He attempted to take flight to gain a better vantage point, but above him stretched only the unending canopy of the forest, obscuring any view beyond.


    His physical eyes were gone, yet mysteriously, he could still see.


    As he moved carefully through the woods, Wang Xiao wrestled with the presence of Aether that was growing dense, weaving its way persistently into his being.


    "Except for my eyes... Everything else seems to have been restored to the state when I first arrived..." Wang Xiao mused, but this realization also brought a grim acknowledgment: if he didn''t act, his body would continue to be poisoned by Aether.


    After finding a safe spot, he sat down to meditate, aiming to deepen his understanding of Aether and explore if he could repair his cells to achieve eternal youth, much like Eleanor had.


    However, within a month...


    Grumble...


    His stomach churned unexpectedly.


    Looking around, he realized he couldn''t simply sit for years and cultivate as he had initially nned.


    In fact, he was surprised he had managed this long without food and water.


    Perhaps his body had been unconsciously absorbing a bit of Aether for energy.


    After wandering through the forest, he soon spotted an apple tree.


    After ensuring everything was safe, he carefully plucked an apple and took a bite.


    Crunch!


    Given his immunity to most poisons, Wang Xiao hadn''t considered the possibility of being harmed.


    Yet he had failed to ount for the fact that things in this world might be drastically different from the outside world.


    "!!"


    "Vomit¡ª"


    The next moment, he coughed up blood and vomited.


    Thud!


    His body slowly fell backward, his eyelids fluttered shut as his body twitched desperately, struggling to survive.

 Chapter 355: Graveyard of Gods (6)

    Snap!


    "Fuck, not again..." Wang Xiao''s eyes snapped open, and instinctively, he knew he was alive yet again.


    Naked!


    Stranded in an unfamiliar ce!


    It was ufortably rigid to lie there, so he quickly scanned his surroundings, his expression freezing almost immediately.


    SCREEEEEEEECHHH!


    A giant bird screeched omniously just in front of him, and before he could fully grasp the situation, he found himself being fed to her hungry chicks.


    "..."


    At this moment, Wang Xiao wasn''t even surprised.


    Instead, he felt a deep, numbing trauma.


    This was the thirty-eighth time he had died ande back!


    He hade to realize that in this bizarre ce, dying was an impossibility!


    Every time he died, he would respawn like a character in a video game, maintaining the same physique he had upon his initial arrival, except for his eyes, which seemed irrevocably lost.


    Nevertheless, he had resolved to turn this neverending cycle to his advantage!


    With each revival, he would consolidate all his umted knowledge, growing stronger each time.


    Then, he would strategize new ways to extend his survival.


    His record so far had spanned a few decades without facing death!


    However, the solitude and the endless cycle of death and rebirth had worsened his temper, leaving him increasingly irritable and quick to anger.


    Now Wang Xiao understood why none of those who had went into the graveyard of gods ever spoke of their experiences within its confines.


    It was fucking terrible!


    Nevertheless, Wang Xiao himself hadn''t anticipated that on his sixty-seventh revival, after surviving a full century for the first time...


    Roaaaaarr!


    Before him stood a huge tiger, its two elongated fangs each stretching over ten meters, issuing a thunderous roar.


    d merely in a rough animal skin, Wang Xiao was perched atop a stone, lost in deep meditation.


    Through countless trials and tribtions, he had atst unlocked the secret to the grasp of old age.


    And this ferocious beast had chosen the perfect moment to appear!


    "Hehe..."


    A soft chuckle slipped from Wang Xiao''s lips.


    To the monstrous tiger, Wang Xiao must have seemed insignificant, akin to an ant.


    Yet, in a breathtaking disy of agility and strength, that ''ant'' suddenly sprang forward, seizing the beast''s massive fangs and plucking them apart with nothing but his hands.


    "!"


    Seizing the dislodged teeth as weapons, Wang Xiao turned the tables on the beast, initiating a chase that spanned hundreds of kilometers.


    It became a game of cat and mouse, with Wang Xiao pushing the fearsome creature to its limits before finally delivering the killing blow.


    The once-frequent re-ups of his temper had dissipated.


    Now, amidst the wild and untamed dangers of this godly graveyard, Wang Xiao was now starting to finally have fun...


    "Huff... He was so incredibly fast..." Wang Xiao chuckled, standing triumphantly in front of the lifeless carcass, pondering whether he resembled an ancient caveman.


    In fact, during this period, Wang Xiao had been simultaneously delving into the mysteries of Aether, mastering its foundational principles.


    However, his primary pursuit remained Psychokinesis, which he had honed to a remarkable level¡ª


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, his once diminutive hands swelled to an immense size, allowing him to dissect the tiger¡ªnot for sustenance, but for enlightenment!


    He aimed to uncover how these strange beasts harnessed Aether.


    As for his hands, Wang Xiao, having survived numerous deadly experiments, had learned to morph his body to extraordinary extents.


    Slightly altering his form was no longer a challenge; indeed, he considered the possibility of reconstructing his own eyes, though he acknowledged his experience was stillcking.


    Just as Wang Xiao bathing in his victory¡ª


    Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom!


    "..."


    His expression darkened. Far in the distance, a colossal mountain, stretching across hundreds of kilometers, revealed itself to be a volcano that had violently erupted!


    Lava surged into the sky, engulfing everything in its path, leaving no avenue for escape!


    He instantly realized theva was no ordinary molten rock.


    Whoosh!


    Ultimately, he plunged downward, eager to test his endurance against the searingva¡ªwithout sumbing to death and without the aid of Aether!


    "Grr..."


    He gritted his teeth as the searingva began to scorch his flesh; the sensation of pain gradually dimmed until he felt almost nothing.


    It was natural, for everything had plunged into darkness once again.


    In that deste ce, nothing remained but a charred human carcass and bones, eerily burning alive.


    The cycle repeated thousands of times.


    Skills umted,yer uponyer...


    But gradually, the thrill evaporated.


    In fact, there came an era when, even after living for nearly a thousand years, Wang Xiao had barely uttered a single word.


    He sensed he was gradually losing grasp of his ownnguage.


    His past became a blur, fading slowly from memory...


    He developed an instinctual flinch from certain elements.


    Like water!


    Because thest time, he had emerged in an eternal sea, where he endured torment for millennia!


    And that was merely the beginning!


    Each time he was reborn, he would not die by conventional means.


    Instead, he faced profoundly traumatic ends.


    And he was never reborn in the same ce; each rebirth urred in a different ne, utterly devoid of any human or humanoid life, a deste expanse stretching into eternity.


    No matter how desperately he tried to solve the mystery of this ce, he could not decipher its mechanics.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He himself was unaware of the extent of strength he had amassed or what he was truly aplishing...


    It had be an innate instinct for him...


    To be born anew, endure as long as he could... and then begin anew.


    He had ceased to count the years and the countless deaths a long time ago...


    Ssh!


    Standing at the edge of the shore, Wang Xiao offered a faint smile upon seeing his reflection ripple in the water.


    Two vibrant pairs of blue eyes sparkled back at him, stunningly alive in what had once been hollow sockets.


    Indeed, he could have fashioned another eye much earlier, but he had been experimenting, testing whether he could restore the natural function of his eyes, which seemed an almost impossible challenge.


    After countless trials and continuous adjustments to his own brain, he finally achieved a breakthrough.


    Now, he could effortlessly toggle between using his natural eyesight and his heightened sixth sense.


    The pursuit of physical strength?


    Wang Xiao had long abandoned such concerns.


    Such thoughts no longer upied his mind...


    In fact, his mind was clear of everything...


    Whoosh!


    He ascended swiftly into the sky, casting a nce backward at the endless, golden wheat fields sprawling before him.


    They stretched to the horizon, insignificant in the grand scale of his existence.


    He turned his gaze back, observing the endless sea mirroring the wheat fields from behind the shore.


    With a subtle smile ying on his lips, he lifted his hand and¡ª


    Whooooosh!


    The sea surged up like a colossal wave, crashing destructively against the expansive wheat fields.

 Chapter 356: Graveyard of Gods (7)

    The sea surged up like a colossal wave, crashing destructively against the expansive wheat fields.


    Crash!


    Wang Xiao pressed on with his experiment to see which would sumb first¡ªthe vast sea or the endless wheat fields.


    He intended to either drain the entire sea or obliterate all the wheat fields!


    To add a twist, he ignited the fields, letting the mes spread wildly, and observed to see if the oing tsunami could quench the roaring inferno in this epic contest.


    "Haha..."


    The sight of the fire burning everything down had be one of his most entertaining diversions; however, his eyes suddenly jolted in shock.


    Ssh!


    Turning back, Wang Xiao frowned as a horde of sharks burst forth from the depths of the sea.


    These were no ordinary sharks but colossal beasts that effortlessly tore through the water.


    The smallest were hundreds of meters in length, led by a monstrous shark that stretched over tens of kilometers.


    It was a leviathan.


    Before such a creature, Wang Xiao felt no more significant than a grain of sand.


    "T... Tiam... Tiamat?"


    His eyes widened, uttering perhaps the first word he had spoken in millennia, for there had never been a need before.


    But the shock was overwhelming!


    The entity before him was Tiamat, vastlyrger than usual, yet the optical illusion made it challenging to discern, as Wang Xiao had grown ustomed to such gigantic sights!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    While initially filled with relief, happiness, and a surge of emotion that nearly brought him to tears, Wang Xiao thought he had found something familiar to connect with, yet¡ª


    Roaaaaarr!


    A tremendous roar erupted from the water, and the beasts were indeeding to shred him to pieces, stunning Wang Xiao.


    Splurt!


    Splurt!


    His body was viciously torn apart, the sharks exhibiting some kind of telekic prowess as well.


    His form disintegrated in mid-air, apanied by a warm spray of blood.


    However, every droplet halted in its trajectory, and the blood reversed direction.


    Whoosh!


    Everything reformed, coalescing back into human form, as Wang Xiao regained hisposure, his eyes now zing with a fierce re.


    He noticed thousands of predatory gazes fixed upon him.


    His eyes, too, flickered with rage, the earlier feelings of relief vanishing as a new massacremenced.


    The endless wave of beasts seemed infinite and was set to finally overwhelm Wang Xiao.


    Not because he was defeated!


    In fact, he had nearly vanquished Tiamat''s army!


    He died because a massive asteroid, altered from its path by the gravitational anomalies caused by his attempts to empty the sea, plummeted from the heavens, obliterating everything in its path!


    And before long, as the asteroids rained down, he met his end.


    In the enveloping darkness...


    Wang Xiao found himself adrift once more...


    Anticipating the familiar surge of rebirth...


    Yet this time, it never arrived...


    A tinge of panic fluttered in his chest as he snapped his eyes open.


    Snap!


    "!!!"


    He attempted to stand, but the world seemed to twist under him, as if he were caught in a vast optical illusion, standing on something ostensibly solid.


    Still, he could discern nothing.


    It was pitch ck...


    Profoundly dark...


    Whoosh!


    "Huh?"


    Out of the gloom, he spotted several small blinking lights.


    Like stars spontaneously igniting across the cosmos.


    These celestial mimics were minuscule¡ªsome the size of a fist, others as tiny as grains of sand¡ªall seemingly adrift in this void.


    Yet Wang Xiao felt an inexplicable tie to these luminous specks...


    As if...


    As if...


    They were fragments of his own essence...


    He nced downward and noticed his abdomen glowing intensely, a beacon in the abyss.


    Among these astral imitations, one star stood out, pulsating differently...


    It seemed to harbor something within!


    "!!!"


    Seized by a sudden impulse, Wang Xiao leaped towards it, but in that moment, he realized he was soaring effortlessly, as if the shackles of gravity had dissolved!


    But this newfound freedom was the least of his concerns!


    Whoosh!


    As Wang Xiao approached the star, the size of his head, the star inexplicably vanished.


    "Huh?"


    As if maically drawn by the glowing orb within his abdomen, the star was swiftly absorbed, yet not without relinquishing something tangible.


    Thud!


    It tumbled into Wang Xiao''s outstretched hands, which closed around it instinctively.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s lips parted, an attempt to speak that yielded no sound.


    It was an odd artifact...


    His memory was murky, but as he thumbed through its pages, the item revealed its ancient character, with pages that were brittle and dustden...


    The object was a book,pact enough to fit in his palm, resembling a diary...


    Emzoned on the cover was a symbol consisting of poppies inteced with wings...


    A grand circle with wings sprawling outward, its interior aplex maze of patterns.


    Ignoring its mystique, Wang Xiao opened the tome and fixated on it for what seemed like ages...


    It was filled with indecipherable script...


    Yet as he continued to stare, lost in the endless loop of flipping pages, a flicker ofprehension began to emerge.


    Slowly, he started to piece together a few words...


    This process continued gradually, allowing him to connect more words and symbols that resonated with vague echoes from his past.


    With a dim recollection, he recognized some of the symbols...


    Echoes of how these things once appeared...


    From a realm buried deep in his forgotten past.


    Without hesitation, Wang Xiao settled down to pore over the ancient text.


    His eyes, wide and open, radiated a near-manic intensity.


    Indeed, after what felt like eons, Wang Xiao had stumbled upon something that piqued his profound interest.


    Had anyone else witnessed him, absorbed with such obsessive concentration, their eyes bulging as they devoured each word, they might have deemed him mad.


    "?¦Í¦Å¦É¦Ñ¦Ï..." (Dream...)


    "¦¡¦Ô¦Ó¦Á¦Ð?¦Ó¦Ç ¦Ó¦Ï¦Ô ¦¥¦Ã¦Ê¦Å¦Õ?¦Ë¦Ï¦Ô..." (Soul... Illusion...)


    "¦¥?¦Í¦Á¦É ¦Ç¦Ó¦Á ¦Ó¦Ø¦Í ¦Ò¦Ê?¦×¦Å?¦Í ¦Ò¦Ï¦Ô..." (It is the reality of thoughts...)


    Deciphering the book took ages, and even then, Wang Xiao grasped only fragments of its meaning.


    Yet he waspelled to read it over and over, driven by an insatiable curiosity...


    In this quest, he unearthed another startling discovery:


    This realm contained no Aether.


    Absolutely none.


    His psychokinesis still functioned, albeit strangely, not as it once had.


    Something was unmistakably amiss.


    For the first time, he found himself in a domain utterly devoid of Aether.


    He probed the inner workings of his own body, finding nothing inside yet discovered he could manipte his form with mere thought¡ªas if he merely needed to desire a change and it would materialize.


    As if he were the master of this reality...


    After countless revisits to the mysterious text, a realization dawned upon Wang Xiao¡ªit was authored by an entity known as.


    "¦¬¦Ï¦Ñ¦Õ?¦Á?."

 Chapter 357: Graveyard of Gods (8)

    "¦¬¦Ï¦Ñ¦Õ?¦Á?."


    The manuscript detailed the use of dreams as weapons, the ability to peer into people''s minds, influence their perceptions of reality, or even trap them in illusions indefinitely.


    Initially, Wang Xiao was thrilled by the notion that he might also be trapped in a dream.


    If he could only awaken himself, he reasoned, he would escape this surreal existence.


    However, his excitement quickly faded as attempt after attempt failed.


    Through repeated tests and verifications, he confronted the reality: he was not in a dream.


    Nor was he truly alive...


    Indeed, this realm was profoundly bizarre...


    Having dismissed the idea of being in a dream, Wang Xiao shifted his focus to the glowing orbs scattered around him.


    Methodically, he approached each luminous point, gathering them one after another...


    Until none remained...


    "..."


    Still, nothing changed.


    The radiant light in his abdomen intensified, yet the pervasive darkness remained unaltered.


    Eventually, Wang Xiao resigned himself to waiting.


    Strangely, he felt no thirst or hunger.


    This would have made sense if he were deriving sustenance through some alternative means, but at that moment, he was utterly inactive.


    He couldn''t even discern if he possessed a physical body.


    It was surreal...


    But he continued to sit...


    For an infinite period...


    An eternity, it seemed...


    Nothing urred...


    Absolutely nothing...


    Periodically, his eyes would snap open, sparked by the fleeting hope of a breakthrough...


    Yet, nothing ever happened...


    "Ahhh..."


    In the end, ovee with frustration, Wang Xiao sprang to his feet and started running across the strange expanse.


    He hadn''t even realized before that this ce had zero gravity when he attempted to fly.


    But when he tried to run, surprisingly, he found he could.


    It was an odd, disorienting experience.


    He ran without destination, his strides unending.


    Until, exhausted and disheartened, he copsed again.


    And he sat down, overwhelmed by frustration...


    Once again, for a seemingly eternal stretch...


    Yet, soon after, a stark realization dawned on him¡ªnothing was going to change...N?v(el)B\\jnn


    And he needed to take matters into his own hands!


    With a newfound resolve, he stood up, drawing a deep, yet unfeeling, breath.


    It was strange¡ªhe could take in air, but couldn''t feel the breath filling his lungs.


    This time, he walked with deliberate normalcy.


    He soared upward...


    To the very top...


    Finding nothing, he chose a direction and propelled himself forward...


    He continued flying...


    For so long that time lost all meaning...


    But he held onto the belief that there must be an end...


    As long as he persisted in one direction...


    Surely, it would eventually lead to an end...


    And indeed, it finally dide to an end...


    "!!!"


    In front of Wang Xiao, there finally materialized what seemed unmistakably to be a portal!


    ''Yes,'' he thought, feeling an instinctual recognition. ''It''s definitely a portal!''


    "Huh!?"


    However, without warning, his body began to be irresistibly sucked toward it.


    As he was drawn in, he nced to his left and right and spotted additional portals, though they were spaced far apart.


    Yet, they were definitely there!


    He strained his eyes to see through the portal he was hurtling towards.


    "!!!"


    His eyes quivered as he glimpsed the scene thaty beyond the portal.


    There was life there!


    But it was far from the kind he had been seeking.


    Red-skinned creatures, burdened with colossal stones on their backs, trudged along like weary ves, their expressions one of eternal torment.


    "!!!"


    Realizing this grim scene was not his intended destination, Wang Xiao felt a surge of desperation.


    But no matter how fiercely he fought against the pull, the portal''s suction was too powerful.


    It was inescapable!


    He didn''t want this!


    He yearned to explore and inspect the other portals!


    But it was impossible!


    In the end, he clenched his teeth, closed his eyes tight, and¡ª


    Boom!


    It exploded!


    There was an explosion!


    He self-destructed!


    He killed himself!


    Yet this wasn''t the end!


    Snap!


    "Haaaaaa!" Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Wang Xiao woke up once more.


    Darkness enveloped everything again!


    He recognized his surroundings instantly.


    He scanned the area.


    The familiar small glowing dots were still present!


    Relief washed over him, bringing a smile to his face.


    He roamed around, gathering all the dots once again; nestled among them was the book.


    For now, he dismissed it, casting it aside.


    Then, having collected everyst dot, he embarked on an endless flight.


    Why didn''t he simply fly away without collecting the glowing lights?


    Instinctively!


    An inner voice urged that he needed them.


    Once again, Wang Xiao found himself before a portal, its force pulling him in.


    But this time, what awaited him on the other side was a barren wastnd!


    Wang Xiao''s heart raced with panic.


    Boom!


    Without a moment''s hesitation, he detonated himself.


    Snap!


    Once again, his eyes flickered open, and the familiar glowing dots hovered in the darkness.


    Without dy, Wang Xiao gathered them and moved toward the portal.


    Upon seeing that the other side of the portal was not his desired destination...


    Boom!


    He obliterated himself once more.


    There was no body or blood, but he was capable of self-destructing.


    And he repeated this cycle.


    The routine persisted endlessly...


    Until a startling anomaly emerged.


    The number of glowing lights began to multiply!


    Undeterred, Wang Xiao scooped up everyst one, maintaining the relentless cycle.


    However, as the glowing lights continued to proliferate, and he faced death repeatedly...


    He unearthed a bizarre discovery!


    There were two of him!


    Yes, one of the glowing lights now showed two of him!


    He couldn''tprehend how, but he suddenly realized that one of the glowing lights pulsated with an intensity mirroring the luminescence within his abdomen, and astonishingly, he could see from both locations simultaneously.


    It was as if his presence was bifurcated, existing here and elsewhere at once.


    Theplexity was dizzying.


    This wasn''t a duplicate of himself...


    But another fiercely glowing orb.


    It was him, and shockingly, he could see his own form from that distant perspective.


    Despite the surreal nature of this discovery, he continued the cycle of gathering all the glowing dots.


    And dying repeatedly.


    This peculiar orb, like a second consciousness, behaved not as an outsider but seamlessly integrated with him, like the other collected dots.


    Yet, its influence only intensified.


    The anomaly continued.


    What began as an additional consciousness within a single dot expanded exponentially.


    Until¡ª


    "!!"


    Each and every glowing dot!


    He felt a profound connection with all of them!


    They were all extensions of himself!


    He experienced the sensation of being omnipresent, stationed at thousands of points simultaneously, each viewpoint gazing back at him through countless eyes.


    Over time¡ª

 Chapter 358: Eliminating Frostholm from Globe?

    Over time¡ª


    Wang Xiao began to perceive the mysterious darkness around him...


    It was not as unresponsive as he had initially presumed...


    Remarkably, it began to react to Wang Xiao''smands...


    Understanding it was a bizarre andplex endeavor, as its essence was vtile, constantly shifting in nature.


    Yet, as he persisted, his grasp of this shadowy substance deepened...


    It bore a resemnce to Aether...


    But it was fundamentally altered...


    It was as if all the life-sustaining qualities of Aether had been siphoned off, leaving behind only a dense, dark residue...


    As if it was the remnants after everything vital had been extracted...


    After navigating through tens of thousands of portals, the process became increasingly straightforward, as Wang Xiao found he could influence the dark matter.


    He could glide effortlessly to the portals, parting the dark expanse before him with ease!


    The journey became quicker and more intuitive!


    In fact, he even stumbled upon some portals that sparked recognition in his memory!


    Like one of that Bastard Serpant!


    He ventured inside andid waste to that world until his rage was spent, yet he felt only emptiness, prompting him to end his existence and return here...


    Then, he discovered that ursed ce where he first appeared, those eerie statues and the soul eater...


    He incinerated the area beyond recognition...


    He even set the sun itself aze...


    He devoured the Aether of the entire ce, confirming his theory.


    This dark matter was indeed the remnants of Aether!


    However, he couldn''t eradicate everything, because the Aether was limitless, and it was taking an immense amount of time to deplete it!


    He had long since scorched everything...


    He felt nothing...


    Neither satisfaction nor any other emotion...


    Those monuments of gods, he dismantled them.


    Nothing happened...


    The soul eater, he absorbed it.


    He tried to find someone...


    He knew there was someone else with him when he first arrived...


    But he couldn''t find her, even after a lengthy search.


    So, eventually, he ended his life again and continued to investigate the portals.


    As long as it wasn''t the portal he was seeking, Wang Xiao didn''t bother to enter.


    He also found that portal of therge bird, and went inside to feed her own children to her and then roast her alive...


    Regardless, Wang Xiao wasn''t short on time.


    He knew, one day, he would definitely reach his destination!


    Whatever it was!


    ______


    5th February, 2027!


    Today was day, everyone has been routing for all around the world!


    Whether it was day or night in there country, that was irrelevant, all the televisions were switched on, people carrying there foldable phones and using them if they instead, if they didn''t have televisions.


    All the screens switched on.


    Waiting for one crucial live broadcast!


    The live broadcast flickered into view, revealing a setting that seemed to be lifted straight from ancient mythology yet tinged with an air of modern solemnity.


    The camera panned slowly over a huge room inside Mount Olympus, where the rough, stony walls of an old cave framed the scene.


    At the center, an old-fashioned wooden table stood, its surface worn by time and echoing stories untold.


    On either side of the table sat three figures, their postures rigid with the weight of the moment.


    Each person''s face was deliberately blurred by the camera, adding an aura of mystery and weight to the assembly.


    Despite their obscured features, the tension and significance of the meeting were evident.


    At the head of the table, elevated slightly above the others, sat a man with distinctive Asian features.


    His hair, shoulder-length and a striking shade of green, flowed down in waves, setting him apart visually and symbolically from the others.


    His presence wasmanding, and even through the digital distortion, one could sense his pivotal role in the proceedings.


    As the hushed murmur of anticipation settled over the global audience, the man at the head of the table cleared his throat, the sound echoing slightly in the space.


    He leaned forward, his voice resonant and carrying a weight of authority that matched his title.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to address you today as the Guardian of thergest continent in the world," he began, his tone imbued with a sobering gravity. "Seated beside me are the guardians of the remaining continents, each of us bound by our duty to protect our realms from the mystical forces that weave through our world."


    The camera subtly shifted, capturing the silhouetted figures on either side of the table, their faces still blurred, maintaining their mysterious presence.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Returning focus to the man with the green hair, he continued, his words painting a picture of urgency.


    "Today, we convene under extraordinary circumstances. The realm of Frostholm, a territory rich in heritage and mystical significance, faces a grave threat. Recent movements of an otherworldly force have caused disruptions and damage that, I regret to say, may be irreceable."


    He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in, his eyes scanning the documents arrayed before him.


    "For ''centuries'', we guardians have stood vignt against the natural and supernatural elements that sought to disturb the bnce of our continents. However, this time, we confront a foreign enemy. An entity not of our Earth has infiltrated Frostholm, wielding powers that challenge the very fabric of our existence."


    The room fell into a tense silence as the Guardian let the implications of his statement sink in, global audience, bound by the gravity of the moment, watched as a n of action began.


    The Guardian''s voice softened momentarily as he addressed the global audience directly, aforting assurance threading through his words. "I urge everyone watching today not to panic. The immediate threat has been neutralized, and there is nothing to worry about at this moment. Your safety and well-being remain our utmost priority."


    He paused, allowing his reassurance to resonate across the countless viewers before his expression hardened with the weight of the decision he was about to disclose.


    "However," he continued, his voice steady, "to address the root of the ''God Particle'' issue and to prevent any future threats of a simr nature, we, the guardians of all continents, have reached a unanimous decision."


    The camera panned slightly, capturing the serious faces of the other guardians, their blurred visages adding an air of solemnity to the proceedings.


    "It is with a heavy heart that we have decided to eliminate Frostholm from the world map. This drastic action is deemed necessary to safeguard the lives of billions and to maintain the stability of our''s mystical and natural bnce."


    The statement¡ª a deration that no doubt stirred a panic of reactions worldwide.

 Chapter 359: Anti-Matter Explosives!

    "To ensure that this decision does not adversely affect our global climate or lead to furtherplications," he added, "an executivemittee, which I will lead, has been established. We are tasked with overseeing this operation, implementing measures to mitigate any environmental impact, and ensuring that the removal of Frostholm is conducted with precision and care."


    He concluded, "This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but it is one made with the consideration of all life on Earth in mind. We ask for your understanding and trust as we move forward with this resolution."


    Switch!


    As quickly as it had begun, the broadcast from Mount Olympus ended, and the screen momentarily went dark before flickering back to life.


    This time, viewers were shown a satellite view from high above Frostholm.


    The camera focused sharply on thendscape below, revealing the extensive dire situation.


    The whole northern and eastern regions were obscured by thick clouds of dust, the fallout from recent nuclear strikes rendering the terrain below nearly invisible.


    At that precise moment, the broadcast shifted again, and a woman appeared on the screen.


    She was dressed in ab coat, her long red hair flowing dramatically behind her, signaling her authority and expertise.


    The graphic on the screen identified her as the Queen of Norhaven, a dual role that piqued the curiosity of many.


    Her sudden appearance on television following such a critical announcement caused another uproar among the viewers.


    Those familiar with her not only as a queen but also in her professional capacity as a scientist were particrly eager to hear her perspective, wondering how these drastic measures aligned with her knownmitments to science and governance.


    The Queen of Norhaven appearedposed but visibly burdened by the seriousness of her message.


    She began to describe the dire state of thend, exining its condition with a clear and scientific preciseness.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Thend, as we now view it, is beyond salvageable," she dered solemnly. "During the recent conflict on the 22nd of January, a squadron tasked with delivering a nuclear payload to neutralize the enemy waspromised. Two of the F-35s, equipped with nuclear payloads, were taken down and detonated upon crashing in the northeastern region of Frostholm.


    If no action is taken, the situation will only worsen."


    She paused to clear her throat, a brief moment of vulnerability that humanized the urgency of her speech.


    "In just a moment," she continued, "we will be unveiling a new existence to the world¡ªan antimatter explosive, developed with the assistance of the Guardian Maliketh of the North American continent. This device is capable of neutralizing everything in its vicinity. It has been designed specifically to address our current crisis."


    The Queen''s next words were delivered with a mix of hope and anxiety: "Within one minute, thousands of aircraft and bombers from allied nations will deploy this new payload to demonstrate its effectiveness. If all goes ording to n, the God Particle will cease to multiply, and the radioactive dust from the nuclear fallout will also be eradicated."


    The camera panned slightly, capturing the serious expressions of military officials and scientific advisors standing by.


    The world watched, holding its breath, as the countdown began, marking a world changing moment that promised either a groundbreaking solution or a monumental disaster.


    "This operation," the Queen concluded, "represents ourmitment to restoring safety and stability to our world. Thank you for your trust and patience as we navigate these troubled times together."


    The broadcast shifted abruptly from the solemn atmosphere of the Queen''s address to the high-stakes action unfolding at various military bases.


    Viewers around the world held their breath in anticipation  as the camera captured jets roaring to life, their engines thundering a call to action.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The rhythmic thunder of the jet engines resonated through the airwaves as one by one, the aircraft sprinted down the runways, rapidly gaining speed before lifting into the air.


    Within seconds, the skies teemed with thousands of aircraft converging over the skies of Frostholm, forming an armada visible even from space.


    In the cockpits, pilots adjusted their headsets, their faces set with determination under their visors.


    One pilot, his voice crackling over thems, spoke with focused intensity, "All units, maintain formation and proceed to target coordinates."


    The view from one cockpit showed a pilot''s eyes scanning the horizon, a mix of resolve and anticipation mirrored in his gaze as he piloted his craft towards the impending operation.


    The tactical disys beeped intermittently, locking onto the designated areas within Frostholm.


    Back on the ground, the crowd watching the broadcast could be heard gasping and murmuring, their reactions a mix of awe and fear.


    Gasp!


    Parents hugged their children a little tighter, couples exchanged worried nces, and friends held onto each other, united in their hope for a positive oue.


    The camera zoomed in on the faces in the crowd¡ªeyes wide, mouths agape¡ªas the first missiles detached from the underbellies of the lead aircraft with a deafening roar.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The missiles streaked across the sky, leaving behind trails of white smoke as they arched toward their target.


    The scene was both terrifying and mesmerizing, a disy of military might and scientific wonder aimed at sealing the fate of an entire region.


    As the missiles neared their impact, the broadcast held the world in a silent grip, everyone waiting for the moment of truth.


    Would this bold strategy restore safety, or would it usher in unforeseen consequences?


    Only time would tell.


    _______


    Northern Region, Frostholm!


    In the ce where once stood the mighty F1D99 base, hailed as the bunker of humanity''s future!


    Tremble...


    From the very heart of the crater, a figure emerged.


    Devoid of any clothes, his presence was bothmanding and mystifying against the icy sheet.


    Where echoes of the past mingled with the reality of the present, stood a man whose appearance seemed untouched by time.


    His skin was fair, almost luminescent, his eyes, deep pools of serene blue, held a prating gaze that seemed to see beyond the immediate chaos into a deeper realm of understanding.


    His hair, a rich, flowing ck, cascaded down his back to his waist, each strand reflecting a silken sheen that moved fluidly with each subtle breeze.


    The hair framed a face with sharply defined features: high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and a straight nose, all contributing to a visage of ssical beauty.


    His brows, dark and well-defined, were knitted together in concentration, adding an intensity to his already striking appearance.

 Chapter 360: Freezing the World in Shock!

    Despite his nudity, there was an inherent dignity about him, an unspokenmand that emanated from his bearing.


    His posture was upright, muscles well-defined across his chest and arms, suggesting strength both physical and beyond the ordinary.


    The way he scanned the horizon, a mix of wariness and wonder, hinted at a deep connection to this ce, as if each stone and whisper of wind held a line in the story he was part of.


    After taking in the entirety of his surroundings and sensing a deep, familiar connection to the ce, Wang Xiao''s features softened, a slight smile beginning to curl at the edges of his lips.


    "Hmm?"


    But this fleeting moment of tranquility was abruptly disrupted as a sharp tingle of danger prickled at the back of his mind, the air around him quivering with tension.


    Whoosh!


    In an instant, he propelled himself skyward, his eyes narrowing as he beheld a surreal and rming sight: an array of lethal weapons cutting through the air, hurtling directly toward him.


    His brow furrowed deeply in annoyance at this hostile reception.


    Was this the wee his own people had prepared for him?


    Insolent fools!


    ______


    North Antic Ocean!


    A news helicopter hovering at a safe distance high above the sea, from which a live broadcast was being transmitted.


    Inside the helicopter, the broadcaster, a young woman named L, with shoulder length hair tied back in a sleek ponytail and eyes alight with the thrill of live reporting, was narrating the events with growing excitement.


    "Missiles will hit the surface in 3...2...1..." L counted down energetically, her voice filled with anticipation.


    "Boom!"


    Yet, following her emphatic countdown, nothing happened.


    Confusion clouded her face as she turned to see a simrly bewildered expression on her cameraman''s face.


    !?


    She spun around, her eyes widening in shock.


    "!!"


    The entirendscape of Frostholm, as if shielded by some greater force, was now covered by a dark barrier.


    It was so dense that not even light could prate it; the missiles, seemingly robust and destructive moments before, were silently engulfed by this ominous darkness.


    "Um,dies and gentlemen," L stammered, her usually enthusiasticmentary faltering as she struggled toprehend the scene before her. "It appears that... well, uh, we have some trouble here..."


    She urgently gestured to the cameraman to halt the broadcast for a moment and quickly dialed HQ to verify the unfolding events.


    This wasn''t supposed to happen, right?


    She pondered.


    "Don''t stop the broadcast! L, this is your moment¡ªyour poprity will skyrocket," herpany''s director eximed over the phone, his voice a mix of excitement andmand.


    With a heavy sigh, L ended the call and gave a decisive nod to the cameramen, signaling them to resume the broadcast.


    Click!


    As L appeared on screen again, her presence was maic.


    With herrge, expressive eyes and dark, flowing shoulder length darkhair, she radiated a charm and vibrancy that was instantly captivating.


    Dressed impably in summer clothes, she seemed to glow against the background of sea, her appearance perfectly attuned to the idol-like enthusiasm she was known for.


    Her voice instantly grew animated and infused with an infectious energy, captured the attention of viewers worldwide. "Folks, what we''re seeing here is absolutely unprecedented! The entire Frostholm nation, shielded by what appears to be an imprable dark barrier. Our missiles, designed to neutralize the threat, have beenpletely absorbed!"


    She moved gracefully in front of the camera, her gestures animated and her tone filled with a mix of awe and excitement. "This barrier, whatever it is, has changed the game. We''re not just talking about military tactics anymore; this is something straight out of a sci-fi movie!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    L''s enthusiasm was growing, and her ability to convey the dramatic nature of these events made the broadcast not only informative but also deeply engaging. "Stay tuned as we continue to monitor this situation. Whatever happens next, you can count on us to bring you the verytest. This is L, live above Frostholm, where history is being made right before our eyes!"


    Then, the camera shifted topletely, disy the current state of Frostholm.


    The dark matter, after eating all the missiles, recided, and took back the radioactive dust with it, effectively cleansing the radioactive dust, and stopped it from spreading.


    Yet thend of Frostholm have long been turned radioactive, and even for centuries, normal person wouldn''t dare approach it.


    Then, the camera panned across to fully capture the eeriendscape of Frostholm.


    The dark matter, after devouring all the missiles, began to recede slowly, dragging the radioactive dust back into its shadowy depths, cleansing thend and halting the spread of contamination.


    Yet the scars of radiation had destroyed Frostholm foundation for too long.


    Thend, deste and glowing faintly with an unnatural hue, remained a forbidden zone.


    Even for centuries toe, no ordinary person would dare tread here.


    "Can you believe what we''re seeing?" whispered one onlooker, eyes wide with a mix of fear and fascination.


    "It''s like... like the hand of a god intervened," another eximed, unable to hide his awe.


    "Who or what could possibly stop so many missiles? This is beyond any human capability," a woman said, her voice shaking as she clutched her chest.


    A man nearby chimed in, his tone a mixture of reverence and fear, "This must be divine protection; nothing else makes sense."


    As murmurs grew among the crowd, a consensus began to form, fueled by the mysterious events. "They should rename it... the Land of the Divine," suggested someone in the back, a suggestion that quickly gained approval.


    "I never thought I''d live to see Frostholm like this... It''s both terrifying and mesmerizing," murmured another, capturing the moment on her phone, unsure if anyone would believe the transformation without proof.


    ______


    Due to a single action, the whole world was frozen in shock!


    Little did they realize, the perpetrator of all this was, in fact, a small speck of dust-like person, hovering alone over the nation''snd.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes glowed ominously and narrowed toward the aircrafts that were now making a hasty exit.


    Then, his gaze shifted and locked onto a news helicopter nearby, its host peering out of the open entrance.


    _____


    "Close the door! We are leaving the airspace!"


    The pilot''s shout echoed sharply in the cramped cabin, causing L to nod, flustered.


    "T... This is jammed!" She grappled with the door, her efforts futile as it stubbornly resisted.


    "Damn it!" The pilot cursed under his breath, his frustration growing as he signaled to the second pilot, who doubled as a cameraman, to assist her.


    However, at that very moment¡ª


    Whoosh!


    "What!?"


    L''s heart skipped a beat as, shockingly, a naked man materialized before her.


    Gasp!


    "Monster..." she whispered, her gaze inadvertently locked not on his eyes, but on the daring disy below his waist, which seemed to cheekily wave ''Hi.''

 Chapter 361: Serial Knidnapper: Wang Xiao!

    L''s heart skipped a beat as, shockingly, a naked man materialized before her.


    Gasp!


    "Monster..." she whispered, her gaze inadvertently locked not on his eyes, but on the daring disy below his waist, which seemed to cheekily wave ''Hi.''


    Thud!


    Heat rushed to L''s cheeks, painting them a deep shade of red.


    Swoosh!


    Just as her knees buckled, threatening to plunge her into darkness, a strong hand reached out, seizing hers thin waist, and in a blink, they vanished from the spot.


    As for whether it was Wang Xiao''s startling appearance or the might of his ''little brother'' that caused her faint, the answer remained ambiguous.


    "Woah!" erupted from living rooms to bars around the globe as stunned viewers pointed at their screens, where a flying man hovered in the sky,pletely exposed.


    "So big..." some whispered, eyebrows raised in a mix of awe and disbelief.


    Instantly, parents shielded their children''s eyes or scrambled for the remote to switch off the television, eager to protect their innocence from the unexpected disy.


    "Did anyone see his face?" someone else asked, leaning closer to the screen, trying to make out the identity of the man attached to the shocking monster.


    Yet, the camera''s frame stubbornly was unable to capture the full might, only from his neck downward.


    In a bar,ughter mixed with shock as a man nudged his friend, saying, "Brother, I suddenly feel I am Gae." His friend, unamused by the joke, promptly kicked him away with a resounding boom.


    Meanwhile, on social media, the jokes multiplied. "Was the hostess kidnapped? Our diva was kidnapped!?" one tweet read, sparking a thread of spection and memes.


    "Is there some ''serial kidnapper'' out there abducting our beloved TV stars?"


    "Does she have a fan following in heaven?" another chimed in, thements section erupting with theories andughter.


    The world was abuzz with reactions, ranging from shock and scandal to disbelief and amusement, as they processed the surreal spectacle before them.


    The moment was bizarre, unexpected, and for many, strangelyedic.


    ___


    As the image of the flying man went viral, the world buzzed with a mix of awe and curiosity.


    This was the first time a flying man had been seen in the sky, and the searches began all over the globe to uncover his origins.


    Seizing the moment, women from various corners of the world stepped forward to im they had knowledge of the man¡ªasserting they could recognize him merely from his size.


    They went so far as to suggest he was a secret superhero whose identity they could not disclose.


    "He''s the angel from my dreams," some romantically imed, adding a mythicalyer to the growing legend.


    Yet, amidst the frenzied excitement and wild conjectures, not everyone was amused.


    Crash!


    "Who is this bastard!" Maliketh''s hand mmed against the table, causing it to tremble with the force of his anger.


    His eyes glowed with a mist of darkness, a deep obsidian that shimmered with malice and power.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Pfft...


    "Someone''s not too happy his n fell through, huh?" Luna quipped, elegantly seated across the table, her signature ck suit sharply contrasting with the crisp white of her shirt.


    She crossed one leg over the other, her gaze shot directly towards Maliketh.


    "Shut up¡ªyou ant! You have no voice in front of me!" Maliketh couldn''t contain his fury as he stood up, his voice booming across the room.


    The other upants of the room couldn''t help but smirk, their hands covering chuckles, reveling in the unexpected diversion.


    For them, the thrill of the spectacle outweighed any danger; they would dly trade their safety for a moment''s entertainment.


    "Humph! You and your lover¡ªdid you forget what happenedst time, girl?" Maliketh''s menacing tone switched to a wicked grin as he taunted her.


    Luna''s smile faltered for just a split second before returning even brighter. "Want to test if I would die faster than everyone here or not?" she challenged, her voice steady and provocative.


    Behind her, a faint light began to emanate, growing steadily brighter with each passing second, hinting at the gathering storm of her power.


    "Fuck..."


    "Are you going insane??" One of the guardians, visibly stunned, stood up and eximed.


    "Luna, stop this!"


    "Luna!"


    Their shouts, though fervent, went unheard by Luna as she continued to smile, her confidence increased by her mastery of the attack ''Eclipse''¡ªimproved since itsst deployment.


    Even though it wasn''t enough to kill Maliketh, to scare him?


    Hehe.


    Maliketh''s frown deepened.


    Seeing his slight worry, Luna''s smile widened.


    She turned to the assembled crowd, her voice ringing clear andmanding, "You all really thought your little n would work? Are you scared that your position in this world would be questioned once everyone in the legion gets ess to the ''God Particle''?"


    "Till now, our ranks and strength were determined by who best adapted to this world without this god''s energy. We don''t even know the real strength of each other."


    "Now are you all scared that with this, the deviants in the legion would start to challenge you to test if you are still worthy?"


    "Or are you scared of giving the ess of power to everyone else?"


    "Or should I believe, after the Project Leader is gone, you all finally started to show your true fangs and don''t even want the world to ever receive Transcendence?"


    Her words,ced with biting usations and a knowing smile, rendered everyone silent, their expressions darkening as if she hadid all their thoughts bare for the world to see.


    Tap!


    At that moment, a sharp knock echoed on the table. "Okay, enough everyone," Renji dered, breaking the escting tension.


    The guardian, distinguished by his shoulder-length green hair and mystical orange eyes, stood resolute as he addressed the room.


    "We initially aimed to halt the rising death toll, as the God Particle is not suitable for everyone in this world. However, given the emergence of a foreign enemy, let''s resolve that issue before making any further decisions."


    "As for Luna, we were chosen as guardians not merely because we adapted best, but because our excellence allowed us to excel in adapting to this world."


    "If some foolhardy Deviants wish to challenge, let them; such contests were never forbidden within the legion."


    "It''s their right to fight for the position of faction leader, and your right to defend it."


    "Our allegiance to Project Leader Mary remains unwavering, not diminished by her absence."


    "We will fulfill her vision, one way or another."


    "Humph..." Luna chuckled darkly, rising to her feet. "Faith, my ass. You were all just too frightened to oppose her."


    "Guarding the continent for ''Centuries,'' haha..." Herughter was scornful as she turned to leave, cleverly unveiling another of Renji''s fabrications, leaving him visibly perturbed.


    Thud!


    Maliketh was the next to stand, his departure marked by a stormy expression.


    ''These disgusting bugs! I should have exterminated them all!'' he seethed internally, his fists clenched in fury and frustration.

 Chapter 362: *Mr. Knidnapper?* (1)

    "Umm... Sir?"


    L whispered hesitantly, her voice barely audible as she perched on the edge of a plush bed.


    Her cheeks were tinged with a rosy blush, entuated by the sheer, thin blue gown she wore today.


    After being kidnapped, her memories were fuzzy; she only recalled suddenly appearing in thisrge room, her senses overwhelmed by its luxuriousness yet contemporary architecture.


    Her embarrassment intensified as she observed the man before her.


    He stood naked, his serious expression inconsistent with his state of undress.


    L, usuallyposed, found her ears burning red¡ªshe wasn''t ustomed to such a bold disy.


    Standing at a modest 5''6", she felt decidedly smallpared to the man''s imposing frame of over six feet.


    The sight of him was overwhelming, particrly the aspect of his anatomy that seemed as thick as her wrist, swinging slightly between his legs.


    Presently, he stood close, his eyes shut as he ced a hand gently atop her head.


    The unexpected intimacy of his touch sent a flurry of butterflies through her stomach, leaving her flustered and bewildered about his intentions.


    Snap!


    Wang Xiao''s eyes snapped open, suddenly alight with a piercing gaze that seemed to bore straight into L.


    Whoosh!


    In response, L''s own gaze grew vacant, her eyes transforming into clear, reflective pools that mirrored a deeper voyage.


    Plunging into the depths of L''s eyes, transitioning into a surreal visual pathway.


    This pathway, shimmering with ethereal light, twisted and turned, leading directly to the intricatework of her brain.


    The walls of this neural pathway sparkled, dotted with pulses of light speeding along likemuters in a bustling subway, each pulse a fragment of memory.


    Navigating to her cerebralbyrinth, it would fast-y highlights from L''s past.


    It starts with her childhood,ughter echoing as a younger L chases fireflies in a twilight garden.


    Born in the vibrant city of Miami, L was a Korean-American girl with an infectious smile and an energetic spirit.


    The scenes begin with her childhoodughing as she sshes in the ocean waves, ying tag under the Florida sun, and exploring the diverse neighborhoods of her hometown.


    As she grew, L found herself drawn to the world of performance.


    A local talent show marked her first step onto the stage, her voice carrying a blend of nervousness and excitement.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The camera lingers on the apuse and the joy in young L''s eyes¡ªa moment of pure tion that defines her path forward.


    Her journey took her across the globe to United Kingdom, where the newly found idol industry was booming.


    Eager and ambitious, L threw herself into this new world, quickly capturing hearts with her unique blend of charm and mix heritage.


    The footage speeds through auditions, rehearsals, and performances, showcasing her rise in the pop culture pantheon.


    However, not all was bright in L''s ascent.


    The sight slowed down as it approached a more somber chapter.


    At a high-profile industry party, L, still naive to the intricate politics of fame, identally offended a powerful and influential old man.


    She had unknowingly refused his subtle advances during a private dinner, a misstep that would alter her trajectory.


    Cast aside from the idol scene she loved, L found herself isted in a foreign country.


    But fate wasn''t finished with her yet. Through connections from her earlier days, a lifeline appeared in the form of a job offer¡ªthis time as a host for a news channel.


    Grasping it with both hands, L reinvented herself, channeling her performative talents into journalism.


    Each memory flickered by, vivid and brief, like the frames of an old film reel, until the sequence slowed, zooming back out to the present where L sat, vulnerable and exposed, under Wang Xiao''s intense gaze.


    His hand remained stretched above her head, channeling or perhaps searching, a silent architect of this memory excavation.


    ___


    L''s expressions shifted fluidly¡ªfrom tears streaming down her cheeks to bursts ofughter, to gentle smiles, and finally to quiet sniffles.


    After an hour of this emotional cascade, her eyelids slowly fluttered open.


    Her eyes were still moist, her breathingbored as she gazed hazily at Wang Xiao, who was busy disrobing someone else.


    The rightful owner of this hotel roomy unconscious on the floor, sprawled in a disheveled heap.


    Wang Xiao, examining the man''s clothes he had just removed, appeared satisfied. The fabric was of high quality, smooth and fine under his touch.


    "Tsk, what a weak person... Can''t even defend his own honor," Wang Xiao remarked with a smirk, dripping with irony as he himself stood naked.


    But just as he began to slip into the stolen clothes, a warm sensation enveloped his waist.


    "Huh?"


    Looking down, he saw a pair of slender hands with delicate fingers entwined around him¡ªit was L, who had somehow found the strength to rush over and grab him.


    "Girl, leave me alone," Wang Xiao muttered, his tone carrying a subtle warning.


    But in the next instant¡ª


    Thud!


    With surprising force, L pushed him down.


    As Wang Xiao twisted in mid-air to regain his bnce, she reached out and grasped his face between her hands.


    Then, without hesitation, she pressed her red lips firmly against his, sealing the chaotic moment with a kiss.


    "Huh?!"


    Wang Xiao was taken aback as L, flushed with arousal, giggled softly and began to delicately loosen her dress from her shoulders, letting it cascade effortlessly down her legs.


    His eyes sharpened, tracing the curve of her ivory shoulders down to the striking violet bra trimmed with ckce.


    Thump!


    Based on the vivid memories he had glimpsed, he knew exactly how to respond in this moment.


    With a swift, fluid motion, he flipped her over, pressing her back firmly against the cool floor.


    He then started to kiss her deeply, his lips eagerly iming hers as he savored the sweet, intense vour.


    "Mmmmgnh..."


    L''s response was quick, her lips eagerly meeting his, her breath mingling with his in a heated dance.


    Her slender, pale hands traveled up his back, her touch exploring every corner as her nails gently dug into his skin, leaving her mark.


    "Ahnnnn¡ª!"


    Her knees instinctively drew together, her entire body soft with desire.


    As her soft, tender breasts made contact with his hands, each touch, each caress, elicited a melodic whistle from her parted lips.

 Chapter 363: *Mr. Knidnapper* (2)

    "mnggghh¡ª"


    Pressed against the floor-to-ceiling ss of the room, L felt the cool surface mold against her skin, her breasts ttening slightly as the ss chilled her heated body.


    Every movement sent shivers through her as the intense sensation of being filled again and again overwhelmed her senses.


    Her eyes zed over, a distant look clouding her gaze as Wang Xiao firmly grasped her hips from behind.


    He, who had always found sheer delight in chaos and destruction, now discovered an unexpected thrill in this carnal engagement.


    He was still engaging in destruction¡ªbut of apletely different kind.


    L''s abdomen subtly bulged with each deep thrust, each deeper than thest.


    Her nipples, once a soft pink, were now a bruised, vivid red.


    They left no corner untouched¡ªfrom the plush cushions of the living room sofa to the intimacy of the bedroom, and even the secluded corners of the private kitchen.


    "Ahhhhnnnn~"


    "S-slow down..."


    In the intimacy of the bedroom, L nced upwards, her body rhythmically moving atop his abdomen in the cowgirl position.


    Pakh! Pakh! Pakh!


    Her waist shook with each motion, the control in her hands, yet her voice ironically quivered with a plea for gentleness.


    His hands gripped her buttocks firmly, kneading the soft flesh even as she dictated the pace.


    Despite the control being hers, his size alone made her beg him to slow down.


    A sheen of sweat glistened on the nape of her neck, despite the cold air sting from the conditioner.


    Her flushed face was marked with the impressions of his fingers on her trembling breasts and slender abdomen, each imprint a symbol of it''s own.


    "Ah!?"


    A gasp of surprise escaped L''s lips as two strong hands suddenly grasped her waist, spinning her around effortlessly.


    "Mmmghhhhhh~"


    Before she could react, he had pulled her close, his hands moving from her shoulders to firmly press against her back.


    His lips captured hers, sealing them in a deep, silencing kiss.


    Tears pooled in her eyes, sparked not just by the physical intensity but the overwhelming blend of pain and pleasure.


    This experience was unforgettable.


    Each powerful thrust plunged into her deepest core, eliciting a response from her very being.


    Even in the brief moments when he withdrew, her body ached for his return, her inner muscles clenching in anticipation and desire with each pration.


    The mingling of deep addictive pleasure and the sharp twinges of pain created aplex sensation that she was desperate to cling to, afraid to lose even a single moment of this deep connection.


    _____


    6th February, 2027!


    "Ugh..."


    L stirred from her sleep with azy yawn, stretchingnguidly under the soft, morning light that filtered through the window.


    Herrge, expressive eyes blinked slowly as they adjusted to the brightness, taking in her surroundings and the man standing at the edge of the bed.


    Wang Xiao was fully dressed, his figure enveloped in a perfectly fitting ck suit that he had appropriated from the still unconscious man on the floor.


    The suit hugged his form in all the right ces, emphasizing his lean, muscr build.


    His back was to her as he adjusted the cuffs of his shirt, seemingly preparing to leave.


    Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, appreciating the sharp figure.


    She pushed herself up, her dark hair tousled and framing her delicate face, the sheer white quilt clinging softly to her upper body, revealing the gentle curves beneath.


    "Leaving so soon?" she called out softly, her voice tinged with a mix of sleepiness and curiosity, as she watched him through half-lidded eyes.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao paused, his hand on the doorknob, turning slightly to meet her gaze with a hint of confusion. "Else?"


    ''That''s it?'' L thought, momentarily taken aback by his curt response, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features.


    "What else do you want?" he asked, his tone somewhat detached, catching her off guard.


    She hadn''t truly considered what she wanted from him beyond the immediate aftermath of their situation.


    During the process of extracting her memories, Wang Xiao hadn''t anticipated the emotional repercussions that would follow.


    He hadn''t expected that peering so deeply into her psyche would leave her emotionally raw, driven by impulses that even she couldn''t fully understand.


    Which led to their current situation.


    As for Wang Xiao''s own memories, they were a different story altogether.


    They existed, dense and shadowed, but he deliberately chose not to delve into them.


    To search his memories was to revisit endless years of suffering in the Graveyard of Gods¡ªa ce so bleak and torturous that even the thought of it could fracture the mind.


    That''s why his memories remained consciously blocked, a self-imposed amnesia that wasn''t unique to him.


    Many of the Deviants chose to suppress their pasts for simr reasons, knowing all too well that uncovering those memories could render them unstable.


    Bing unstable was a risk not just for them but for the world around them.


    An unstable Deviant was a catastrophe waiting to happen, capable of wreaking havoc on a scale unimaginable to most, potentially destroying everything in their path.


    "Y... You were my first man! I don''t know, just be responsible," L''s voice broke the long silence, her tone tinged with frustration.


    "Didn''t you have two boyfriends already?" Wang Xiao blinked, skeptical of her im.


    "..."


    L''s face darkened.


    True, she had dated before, but the stringent rules of the idol industry had severely restricted any real intimacy, to avoid any scandals from being caught on camera.


    How could those even count?


    "Then... Then teach me flying!" L shot back, her eyes bright with a flicker of hope.


    "Impossible," Wang Xiao replied tly.


    "Why?" L''s voice carried a note of grievance.


    "I don''t want to," he answered simply.


    L fell silent, her frustration mounting.


    "Then... Compensate me! I don''t know how, but you have topensate me!" She demanded, folding her arms across her chest, seemingly unaware that she wasn''t wearing anything as the quilt slipped away.


    Her hands inadvertently pressed against her breasts, squeezing them slightly.


    "I already have proof you forced me! Your back should be full of scratches! As long as they do a DNA test, it would be proved! So,pensate me, quick!" She thought smugly, her lips curling into a triumphant smile.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes twitched. ''Should I erase her?'' he considered momentarily.


    This creature seemed to be nothing but troublesome to him, yet her boldness and unpredictability stirred a different sentiment within him.

 Chapter 364: Humanity — A foolish race!

    10:00 am, Monaco!


    "Wow, you''re even more impressive up close!" one girl eximed, her eyes wide with unabashed admiration.


    She leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear. "Do you have any secrets to looking this good?"


    Another girl, biting her lip seductively, slid her hand over his chest without hesitation.


    "How often do you work out? Because whatever you''re doing, it''s working," she purred.


    "Can I touch your abs?" a bolder one asked, already tracing her fingers over his muscles. "They''re so firm, I can''t believe it."


    "You must work out every day," another girl spected, her eyes roving over his body with open lust. "Do you have any tips for us?"


    "Ehehe¡ªsmooch," One girl giggled and pressed a kiss to his cheek, leaving a bright red lipstick mark. "You''re just too handsome to resist~" she whispered yfully, her lips lingering near his.


    The girls continued to shower him with attention, their curiosity seemingly endless. "Tell us about your wildest adventure," one demanded, her hand sliding up his arm.


    "Yeah, we want to know everything," another chimed in, her voice dripping with desire as she pressed another kiss to his jawline.


    Wang Xiao smiled, his face now adorned with lipstick marks, the girls showed no signs of slowing down.


    One girl wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. "You''re like a dreame true," she breathed, her lips barely an inch from his.


    The yacht sailed smoothly over the sparkling waters, its pristine white hull cutting effortlessly through the gentle waves.


    The deck was alive with the sounds ofughter and music, an atmosphere of carefree revelry.


    The sun cast a golden glow over the scene, adding to the beauty of the moment.


    Standing near the bow, the man exuded an air of effortless charisma.


    His chiseled physique, an evidence to hours spent at the gym, was on full disy.


    His blemish free perfect skin glistened under the sun, drawing the attention of every passerby.


    The girls in vibrant bikinis surrounded him, their eyes wide with admiration and unabashed lust.


    "Your muscles are incredible," one of them said, her fingers tracing the edge of his chest. Another girl giggled, brushing her hand over his bicep. "How do you stay so fit? Why don''t you show me some tricks inside?" She bit her lips and signaled with her eyes.


    "Jeanne! You can''t steal him alone like this!" another girl protested, her tone yful yet insistent.


    "Right! Jeanne, it''s unfair! And don''t you already have a boyfriend?" a third chimed in, crossing her arms with mock indignation.


    "Shut up, Maria, you are already married!" Jeanne shot back, her eyes sparkling with mischief.


    "Humph! So what!?" Maria retorted, flipping her hair defiantly. "A little fun never hurt anyone!"


    While a dozen girls bickered and bantered, their voices blending into annoying high pitched girlish chatter.


    A short distance away, another figure, visibly exhausted, let out a long, weary sigh.


    Click!


    Camera in hand, L captured another photo, her voice carrying a mix of fatigue and plea, "Mr. Kidnapper! I''ve already clicked dozens of pictures; can I take a break now?" Her breath was ragged, sweat droplets meandering beautifully down her cheeks, an to her continuous effort.


    "Wait!" Wang Xiao shouted, his arm raised to gain visibility as more than a dozen girls crowded around him, nearly engulfing him in their enthusiasm. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Ugh..." L murmured in frustration as Wang Xiao, undeterred, popped open a champagne bottle and spontaneously initiated his own celebration.


    Indeed, she regretted it deeply.


    He had inquired whether she was familiar with the city and the local forms of entertainment.


    Obligingly, L had shared details about the extravagant activities favored by the wealthy.


    Capitalizing on this information, Wang Xiao had thenvishly rented a yacht with a stolen credit card.


    The girls had flocked to them, drawn by the promise of luxury and excitement, each arriving independently while they were docked.


    Now, L found herself unwittingly transformed into a full-time photographer.


    As for why she remained alive?


    Wang Xiao had concluded that unleashing global military destruction over this girl simply wasn''t worthwhile.


    Thus, he decided to spare her, allowing this intriguing creature to live and guide him through the city''s elite ygrounds.


    Though...


    This world and its race¡ªWang Xiao felt, they were a bit foolish.


    Just participants in a grand farce.


    They obediently adhered to rules crafted by anonymous figures, sanctioned by a vague consensus they never actively endorsed...


    They required passports and visas to step beyond their borders, a bureaucratic shackle just to explore the world they were naturally born into, even as they loudly championed the cause of freedom...


    They mandated licenses for foreigners to engage inmerce within their domains, contradicting their loud promations against racial discrimination...


    Their bureaucratic and legal frameworks systematically discriminated against individuals based on their nationality and origin, subtly perpetuating inequality under the guise of order.


    They imed tobat discrimination by imposing more discrimination, a circr logic that only perpetuated the issues it vowed to solve...


    They yearned for equality while simultaneously pursuing development, oblivious to the inherent contradiction in these aims.


    The ideal of ''equality'' wasn''t originally theirs but was introduced by those who understood its conflict with personal incentives¡ªyet it was manipted to serve the interests of powerful groups...


    They espoused democracy, fully aware that majority portion of the popcecked the wisdom necessary for such; thus, empowering everyone with equal voting rights ironically led to the election of foolish leaders by a foolish majority...


    The courts dered a stand against the objectification of women...


    Yet paradoxically, in divorce settlements, theypensated women for the ''youth'' they supposedly lost, as if reaffirming those very stereotypes.


    They vocally rejected the notion of treating women merely as vessels for procreation...


    Yet in times of crisis, they prioritized women''s safety above all, effectively emphasizing their reproductive value above their individuality...


    Educational institutions, both schools and universities, rendered students handicapped rather than empowered.


    They produced graduates so unprepared for real-world challenges that the absence of conventional employment left them panicked, devoid of any understanding of how to secure resources¡ªmoney¡ªwithout the structure of a job to guide them.


    They ouwed killing, branding it a crime and a sin across nations, yet paradoxically, they maintained and revered military forces whose primary role was to kill...

 Chapter 365: Changing World (1)

    Ssh...


    Ssh...


    Perched at the edge of the dock, Wang Xiao gazed pensively at the distant horizon, his eyes flickering with curiosity.


    It was already the 9th of February, and after spending a few days in Monaco with L, he was contemting their next destination.


    "Did you want toe with me?..." He had noticed her earlier, emerging from the water to sit beside him, her legs swinging yfully.


    Her cheeks were irresistibly pinchable, her expression endearing, and her legs were slender and delicate.


    "Uh-uh..." She shook her head, seemingly in refusal, but Wang Xiao''s tone suggested it wasn''t a question but a directive.


    "You seem strong." His lips twisted into a smirk, amused by her apparent defiance.


    "Mmm..." She pressed her lips together, emitting a nomittal murmur that neither confirmed nor denied his observation.


    "Want to arm wrestle to decide who is stronger?" His eye twinkled with mischief as he made the challenge.


    "Huh?"


    Naomi was momentarily taken aback, her wide, oceanic eyes blinking in surprise as she raised her hand, examining her small wrist and the delicate fingers of her right hand.


    "!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes twitched slightly; he wondered if understood his hidden motives?


    He was really just looking for an excuse to scoop a feel of the softness of her hand, but asking directly seemed awkward.


    "Mm."


    With a determined nod, Naomi turned and propped her elbow on the rough wooden surface of the dock, steeling herself for the challenge.


    ?????


    A broad smile spread across Wang Xiao''s face, delighted by her spirited response.


    A few minutester...


    Bam!


    "Heh..." Naomi let out a triumphant smile, her eyes sparkling as she reveled in what she perceived as victory, blissfully unaware that she had been cleverly manipted to being taken advantage of.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes twitched with amusement.


    He was merely toying with her; did she genuinely believe he could be so easily defeated?


    "Let''s go for another..." His voice trailed off, a yful smirk on his lips, just as he was about to give her a memorable lesson.


    But at that moment, Naomi rose gracefully from her seat.


    "Huh?"


    As Wang Xiao observed her, he felt as if a gentle breeze had brushed past him, her white gown flowing around her like something out of a celestial dream.


    Yet, it wasn''t just her ethereal presence that disarmed him, but the moment she reached out, cing her finger delicately against his forehead.


    "!"


    In an instant, a deluge of forgotten memories surged through his mind, overwhelming him.


    He shook his head, a trace of disbelief shadowing his features. "Such an embarrassment..."


    He muttered under his breath, not over the present mishap but haunted by the echoes of his former self.


    Ssh!


    Before he could even blink, Naomi had leaped into the water and vanished beneath its surface.


    "Why is she in such a hurry...?"


    He puzzled over her haste but felt nopelling urge to pursue her.


    After all, if his memory served him right, she too had only recently tasted freedom after an extended captivity.


    That thought jogged another memory...


    "Aurora!?"


    What had happened to her?


    It had been merely a few weeks; the world couldn''t have changed so drastically in such a short span.


    Nevertheless, Wang Xiao''s figure began to be enveloped by an omnious, swirling mass resembling dark sand before hepletely disappeared from the spot.


    In truth, it was not dark sand but dark matter.


    It exists everywhere; it''s just typically invisible to human eyes.


    A residual byproduct left behind after the utilization of Aether.


    And it wasn''t solitary; the dark matter held myriad other elements within its depths, including fragments of souls that twinkled like stars in a night sky, all coexisting yet concealed from human sight.


    Under normal circumstances, neither Wang Xiao nor anyone else could surpass the speed of light.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But within Dark Matter, omnipresent as air... traveling through it rendered the concept of speed irrelevant.


    He could simply traverse to wherever it existed.


    Of course, Wang Xiao was in a rush!


    But his urgency stemmed from entirely different reasons!


    A sudden recollection hit him like a bolt: Amelia was about to give birth.


    If he missed this momentous asion again, that woman would hold a grudge for an eternity.


    It was already the second week of February!


    Fortunately, the passage of time within the Graveyard of Gods was distorted; otherwise, he feared that by the time he returned, this universe might be on the brink of copse.


    "Huh? Where is he?"


    L, returning to find Wang Xiao, who had been d in brown shorts and a sheer, white shirt with a bikini peeking through, was shocked to find the ce deserted.


    "Mr. Kidnapper!"


    She called out for him, but there was no response, and her bewilderment deepened.


    Typically, he always reappeared, even if she summoned him into the void.


    As for his real name, he had never shared it, and she hadn''t pressed the issue.


    Indeed, L was relishing a delightful vacation.


    Little did she know, the world around her was about to shatter.


    And it wasn''t just her world at stake.


    The following day, an announcement swept across the inte: "Frostholm" was now under the dominion of the Eighth Prince, and any intruders would be repelled with force.


    The "God Particle" was dered a crucial alteration to the world order, asserting that even the destruction of thend would not halt its pervasive spread.


    An ominous deration followed, proiming that those sumbing to God Particle Poisoning were, in fact, the chosen ones destined for heaven.


    Caught in storm of despair, the people could only reluctantly submit to this new reality, praying that they might be among the blessed destined for celestial ascension.


    Many attempted to discredit the Guardians and this newly emerged Eighth Prince as mere fabrications, but such dissenting voices were quickly silenced or censored.


    The popce had witnessed firsthand the awe-inspiring might of the Eighth Prince, leading some to elevate him to a divine status, akin to the son of God.


    Understandably, Wang Xiao was filled with fury over these absurd ims...


    Except that nearly his entire physique, including embarrassingly personal details, had been sshed across the inte, rendering him helplessly exposed.


    In desperation, he turned to Luna, relying on her vastwork to manage the fallout.

 Chapter 366: Changing World (2)

    Luna promptly passed the task to Sakura, who was already juggling responsibilities at Athena''s dome beneath the sea and overseeing the X-fileswork.


    Meanwhile, a new guardian had been appointed over Europe following Asmodeus''s demise, a development that irked Wang Xiao, who saw himself as the rightful heir to that position.


    Lunaid out the official pathway to bing a Guardian, but Wang Xiao scoffed at the idea of participating in trivial tournaments.


    His ambitions soared higher; he contemted obliterating all the Guardians and seizing the ultimate authority for himself.


    However, his own actions had inadvertently disrupted the usuallyzy Guardians into action, now frequently convening inmittees and meetings.


    Moreover, the existence of the Eighth Continent and the mysterious Pandora Ind was disclosed, though their precise locations remained hidden in secrecy.


    With his appointment as the Guardian of the Eighth Continent publicly dered, Wang Xiao anticipated confrontation from the other Guardians, whose ns he had disrupted.


    But, to his disappointment, they remained overly cautious and amodating.


    They refrained from direct confrontation, choosing instead to gauge his powers from afar.


    This reluctance on the part of the Guardians only further cemented the myths of Wang Xiao as the Divine Son, as their amodating stance appeared to validate his celestial heritage in the eyes of the public.


    Amid a slew of fictional titles like "Serial Kidnapper," L reemerged on the inte to assure the world of her safety.


    However, she mistakenly referred to him as "Mr. Kidnapper," inadvertently transforming the slip-up into asting nickname.


    Rumors about the Eighth Prince swirled with increasing intensity.


    One tale spoke of an assassinmission mission posted on the dark web bearing his name.


    Many dismissed it as a hoax since the description portrayed him as a boy with red eyes.


    However, this figure was a full-grown man, and ording to L''s ounts, his eyes were a deep blue.


    As censorship tightened, blocking any mention of "Eighth Prince," the situation deteriorated.


    Unable to use his title, people resorted to the nicknames, and overnight, Wang Xiao became an inte sensation.


    Myths of his prowess flourished wildly.


    "He defeated a kraken in another world and saved us? What nonsense is this now?" Wang Xiao, perched on a chair in some secluded corner, scoffed as he read these lines and ripped the magazine apart in disgust.


    The guardians, too, were secretly pleased as the spotlight shifted, providing them an opportunity to deflect all me onto this newfound scapegoat.


    Associates of Wang Xiao, such as Li Zhiming, L, Seraphina, and Ericka, found their status elevated significantly over time.


    Ericka''s mentor, a scientist named Isabe, sought an audience with him.


    Yet, she was disheartened to learn he had long since departed from this world.


    Her confusion deepened¡ªhow could someone simply leave the world?


    Yet, even in her prominent role as the leader of Prometheus, she found herself unable to question those in higher authority.


    "Damn... It''s like a fairy tale..."


    Li Zhiming whispered in awe, standing at the gateway of Xianthera.


    The realm itself shimmered with an inherent magic, even devoid of Aether.


    "Okay, uncle, leave before I have to kick you out. Your subscription only covered up to here."


    He had journeyed here to leave his daughter, but Anran, aware of their rtion, showed little interest.


    In fact, she was too busy boasting to others about Wang Xiao day and night.


    Feeling helpless and disheartened, Li Zhiming turned away and departed.


    The primary reason for venturing to Xianthera was the rampant issue of Aether poisoning; its rapid infusion into human bloodstreams was catastrophic.


    If people were allowed time to limate, the death toll might have been drastically reduced.


    Wang Xiao was well aware of this fact, yet his actions suggested a chilling indifference.


    Either he didn''t care, or he desired a drastic reduction in the global poption, as he took no steps to mitigate or slow the infusion of Aether.


    By the end of 2027, over four billion lives were lost, leading to vast expenditures on corpse disposal and the creation of new graveyards.


    This grim scenario turned funeral home operators into millionaires and multimillionaires almost overnight.


    Penelope from Italy was one such visionary. She foresaw the surge in demand and amassed a colossal fortune, bing the first billionaire in the funeral home industry.


    Sheter retired, mysteriously disappearing from the public sphere in the subsequent years.


    Amidst this chaos, the stock market copsed, societal order was upended, and the very foundations of science had to be rethought.


    The flora and fauna of the world began to mutate, and neither domestic nor wild animals were spared.


    These mutations sometimes proved perilous, driving creatures into cities to hunt humans.


    In response, the Deviants were introduced.


    The surviving human poption received tremendous benefits from Aether, akin to a life-saving drug, which extended the average human lifespan beyond a hundred years.


    But with these benefits came drawbacks. The trees, the stones¡ªnearly everything in the natural world¡ªgrew stronger, effectively neutralizing the enhanced strength of humans in one aspect.


    It was as if everything in the world had suddenly received an upgrade.


    Aether truly seemed magical, but it also corrupted many living beings who then needed to be managed.


    To address this, the Deviants took on the role of special forces worldwide.


    Existing Deviants trained select individuals from various special forces on how to harness Aether.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    In return, the Deviants received not only fortune but also power and fame.


    They secured high positions within special forces and were granted a significant degree of autonomy.


    The Deviants were a breed apart, and even those who learned to use Aether could never match their powers.


    The reason was that these Deviants had encountered death repeatedly throughout their lifetimes, experiencing it so often that they had transformed into something beyond mere monsters¡ªto call them such would be an understatement.


    Regardless, the Deviants evolved into mysterious figures, and it was decided that no further members would be added to their legion.


    After all, adding more members meant sending more people to the Graveyard of Gods, which was now impossible since ity in forbidden territory.


    If the Deviants were mythical figures, akin to soulless monsters, then the Ghosts were like nameless spectral entities¡ªmonsters of a different kind.


    The inte buzzed with talk of such beings, often described as if they were soulless.


    The world was affected but began to heal and adapt quickly, this time far better than before.


    Prometheus began to release some of its technology to the world, spurring rapid technological progress.


    People also started to harness Aether for energy, resulting in significantly reduced pollution levels.


    The world and society were changing, and in this new era, the major yer became the Qing Dynasty!


    The country formerly known as the second highest GDP nation in the world decided to return to its roots and renamed itself the Qing Dynasty.

 Chapter 367: Changed World (3)

    Rumors swirled about the Obsidian Library; it was said that they had gained ess to techniques that allowed them to understand Aether better than the rest of the world.


    In fact, the library housed ancient scrolls that had belonged to a past tribe that once lived in those mountains.


    Aether had neverpletely vanished but had gradually thinned.


    In one area in China, there once existed a tribe thousands of years ago that had lived within such thin pocket of Aether.


    However, as the Aether disappeared, so did the tribe, and their knowledge faded into obscurity.


    Nestled discreetly, the location of the Obsidian Library was kept in secrecy, propelling the country to a leading position in the global race for Aether mastery.


    In response, universities quickly adapted, rolling out dedicated curriculums that taught about the ''God Particle'' in a systematic and controlled manner.


    This period, known as the Great Reset, was etched into history, offering those who had lost loved ones a glimmer of hope to foster positive changes in the world.


    By the year 2031, life hadrgely returned to normal.


    Aether had be an essential element, seamlessly integrated into daily life as people learned to harness its benefits and navigate its challenges.


    Indeed, the advantages of this new normal far outweighed the initial upheavals.


    Space exploration had decelerated, as Earth''s resources now seemed boundless.


    The catastrophic reduction in the global poption had unexpectedly eased the pressure on resources, ensuring that in the near future, humanity would not face shortages again.


    The tragic loss of four billion lives was an immense blow, yet the Earth and its inhabitants had found a way to heal.


    Humanity had absorbed a hard lesson on the impacts of unchecked growth and consumption.


    As people wandered through their now spacious, bustling capital cities¡ªremarkably less congested and significantly cleaner¡ªthey realized that many of their prior issues had stemmed from overpoption, a problem they had long refused to confront.


    The paradigm had shifted.


    The focus was no longer solely on developing vast urban capitals but on cultivating multiple sustainably developed zones throughout each country, fostering a bnced, resilient future.


    The need for skyscrapers diminished dramatically, allowing almost everyone to afford their own homes instead of squeezing into cramped luxury apartments justified by the scarcity ofnd.


    Amidst these changes, global warming also began to recede, and temperatures near the Equator became more sustainable.


    Back in 2027, the maximum temperature onnd had soared to a scorching 57¡ãC¡ªnot in some remote desert but in ordinary cities, causing even cars parked in the sun to melt.


    Now, temperatures had stabilized, rarely exceeding 39¡ãC even in regions that previously experienced extreme heat.


    Areas once abandoned by humans slowly reverted to forests, expanding the green canopy.


    The surviving poption realized that tough measures were necessary¡ªmeasures that couldn''t always be implemented through consensus or democracy.


    It required the intervention of a near-divine force.


    And such interventions had already been made.


    Societal norms evolved significantly during this period, and the once-copsed healthcare system began to rejuvenate itself.


    The cure for cancer was finally unveiled in the 2030s, developed using nanotechnology by Prometheus.


    In fact, the cure had been discovered a decade earlier but was deliberately withheld from publication, with all me conveniently shifted to those who had perished.


    With no outlet for their frustration, the people reluctantly epted a few hard truths and moved forward, adapting to a radically transformed world.


    Until August of 2031, an entire nation was thrown into chaos by the Eighth Prince.


    He enveloped the country in darkness, triggering multiple flight crashes and idents, indirectly leading to the deaths of millions.


    The streets of the Nethends were filled with protestors waving banners against him!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But how did it alle to this?


    One must revisit the past...


    Four years earlier, in February of 2027!


    "Teacher, why have you brought me here?" asked a young girl, her voice tinged with anxiety as she stood in the dimly lit corridor of a facility that radiated an almost sinister aura.


    She darted nervous nces around the dark sinister space.


    Her hand was gripped tightly by another woman, who sternly advised, "Just keep walking, and don''t speak too much! I need to confirm something. Remember, you failed your grades; if not for my intervention, they would have expelled you from the school."


    The woman leading her was Dr. Isabe Mercer, distinguishable in herck ofb coat or safety gear, her white scarf elegantly draped across her back, contrasting sharply with the sterile environment.


    The girl trailing behind her was Wang Xueying, who peered apprehensively at the imposing metallic doors they approached.


    "The woman behind this door," Dr. Mercer cautioned as they neared the threshold, "remember not to touch her¡ªnot even a handshake, okay?" Her tone was firm, leaving no room for disobedience.


    "Why not?" Xueying''s curiosity piqued, her eyebrows arching in intrigue.


    "You would die," Dr. Mercer replied, her voice faint yet tinged with a mysterious smile that sent a chilling goosebumps through Wang Xueying from head to toe.


    Crash!


    As the metallic door slid upwards, Wang Xueying''s eyes sparkled with surprise.


    The interior contrasted sharply with the ominous exterior¡ªit was luminous and exuded a professional ambiance.


    In the room, there were several individuals, but with just a nce, Xueying could discern who was the most important among them.


    A woman, draped in an ancient ck robe that covered her entire body below the neck, stood out clearly.


    It was surreal to see such attire in real life.


    Despite her cold expression, her face was strikingly beautiful.


    However, after just a few exchanges, Dr. Isabe Mercer''s expression darkened. "Left the world? How is that possible?" she murmured in disbelief, staring at the woman in front of her.


    ra only nodded, offering no further rification.


    The existence of Xianthera wasn''t even known to her.


    Currently, she was in Prometheus for official business, representing Wang Xiao.


    Her task was to ensure that the Oraclework did not interfere with the functioning of the X-Fileswork, for which she had the authorization of both Luna and Wang Xiao.


    Wang Xiao didn''t want his identity to be revealed, ensuring that no matter if his photo was captured on camera, CCTV, or anywhere in the world, his identity would remain secure.


    Of course, he wasn''t doing this just to prevent a repeat incident where nude photos surfaced on the web, leading to spective gossip about his ''little brother.''

 Chapter 368: Turning the Strongest Deviant into Maid!

    "Here you are..."


    "While the world mourns you as dead... Have youe here to find sce?"


    A question floated in the air, where cherry blossoms fluttered gently to the earth, painting the scene in shades of pale pink.


    On a carpet of lush, vibrant green, a solitary woman sat, her gaze piercing the distant horizon as if searching for answers in the unfathomable depths.


    Her attire was a striking mix of red and ck, a gothic gown that flowed around her.


    Her hair, long and lustrous, cascaded like stary sky, and her eyes glowed a deep, unsettling red.


    She is Mary, officially pronounced dead.


    Yet, Wang Xiao was certain she had not died.


    Given her strength, it was inconceivable that Gabrial''s st could have extinguished her life.


    He stood beside her as Mary cracked a dry, somewhat detached smile. "I''ve surrendered the world, my mission isplete. Leave me in peace now..."


    Humanity had indeed reached transcendence, though it happened in a manner far different from what she had envisioned, yet it urred nheless.


    Wang Xiao spoke, his voice cold and calcted, "Or I could simply capture you and surrender you to the authorities outside. You must have sacrificed numerous innocent lives to fulfill your ambitions by now, don''t you think?"


    Mary''s expression darkened. "What do you need?" she demanded sharply.


    "Have you seen any women with cream-white hair on the battlefield after the explosion?" he inquired, his tone urgent yet controlled.


    Mary''s expression tensed, a flicker of recognition crossing her features. "There were two," she murmured, "One had cream-white hair, the other silver-white. Now, leave me alone."


    Wang Xiao clicked his tongue, not ready to let the matter drop. "Not so soon. What about them? What happened?" he pressed.


    Mary''s face darkened, a sense of ominous feeling enveloping her as if invisible forces had sealed off all escape routes.


    She scoffed, her disdain palpable. "The girl with silver hair took the one with white away. That''s all I saw."


    "I see..." Wang Xiao muttered under his breath, frustration simmering within him.


    How was he supposed to track down this woman with silver hair?


    He had indeed sought out Athene, but the results were far from what he had hoped. The woman hadn''t even shown herself.


    As for the others, Wang Xiao was at a loss. He had no idea who they were or where they might be.


    It had been a year since he had started his search for Aurora.


    But that woman had seemingly vanished into thin air.


    If anything, his frustration was only growing.


    Tremble... Tremble...


    The earth trembled beneath them, its vibrations a sudden intrusion.


    Mary spun around, her gazeplex and tinged with astonishment as she faced Wang Xiao.


    Her eyes, filled with an unspoken anxiety, betrayed her shock.


    She hadn''t anticipated that anyone would dare venture into the Graveyard of God a second time.


    "Wait!" she eximed.


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao turned to her, his expression a mix of confusion and curiosity.


    "Don''t destroy this ce," Mary pleaded, her voice earnest.


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed in bewilderment. "Why would I?" he asked, genuinely perplexed by her request.


    Mary''s look of uncertainty deepened. Was he really not nning to destroy it?


    "How do you even know about this ce?" Wang Xiao pressed, his curiosity piqued.


    Outside the sprawling metropolis of Silvertide, the capital of Xianthera,y many small viges and beyond those, many uninhabited hills.


    Wang Xiao was taken aback by the thought that Mary would seek refuge within Xianthera itself.


    The fact that she knew of this particr spot was startling, especially since even Luna was oblivious to it.


    "I found it, in 1989..." Mary''s voice trailed off, her lips curling into a mncholic smile.


    Wang Xiao nodded, his gaze narrowing. "You didn''t bother to destroy it?" he asked suspiciously.


    Considering her character and those haunting, hollow blood red eyes, he remained skeptical.


    "I wanted refuge... a ce to retreat if things go wrong..." Mary murmured, a trace of mncholy shadowing her features as her lips downturned slightly. "This spot seemed perfect... secluded from the world, beyond the reach of any prying eyes."


    Wang Xiao nodded thoughtfully. "You''re not entirely off base, but if you wish to remain here, there are conditions you must meet."


    Mary fixed her gaze on him, unblinking. "What are your conditions?"


    Wang Xiao presented her with an outfit. "Wear this uniform and assist me in monitoring two girls."


    Mary examined the garment¡ªa maid''s uniform¡ªand a flicker of disgust crossed her expression.


    Clearly, it was not to her liking.


    "That''s all?" she queried, skepticismcing her tone.


    "Yes," Wang Xiao affirmed.


    A heavy silence fell between them as Mary stared nkly, her eyes piercing into him. Wang Xiao felt a chill crawl over his skin.


    Her eyes, deeply hollow and chilling, seemed to gaze through him...


    Her skin was ashen, almost ghostly pale, as though she had not seen the light of day for ages...


    Her shoulders, delicate and seemingly untouched by time...


    "Why did you choose to go back into the tunnel?" Mary finally broke the silence, voicing the question that had lingered in her mind for far too long.


    Wang Xiao''s face registered suprise. "Again? That was actually my first time."


    Mary looked genuinely stunned. "??" She hadn''t expected this.


    He wasn''t a Deviant then?


    This exined her ignorance about him.


    But her query inadvertently sparked Wang Xiao''s own curiosity. "How many attempts did it take you before you found the portal to Earth?" he inquired.


    "How many times?" Mary''s brow creased in perplexity.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Did I say something incorrect? Or perhaps you don''t recall? I can find out for myself." He moved to step closer, as if to probe her memories, but Mary quickly extended her hand, halting his advance.


    "Why would it take multiple attempts? Do you keep dying until, by some fluke, you stumble upon the portal on the outside?" she posed the question as if it were the only conceivable exnation.


    "The people who failed to find the portal probably never made it to this world. They might be lost in some other world, most likely dead by now." She added, observing Wang Xiao''s increasingly somber demeanor.


    Silence enveloped them.


    The more Mary spoke, the more grim Wang Xiao''s expression became.


    He vividly recalled the first portal encounter¡ªthere were living entities, yet they were distinctly not human.


    Was he somehow destined to go into that portal?


    And what exactly was that mysterious ce¡ªcould it be Hell?

 Chapter 369: Little Terrifying Creatures! Wang Xiao terrified?

    ¡ªcould it be Hell?


    At this moment, Wang Xiao desperately wished he could consult Yin Yue for confirmation.


    But for now, he had only himself to rely on. He shook his head, a wry smile ying at his lips.


    "You didn''t find more portals? Like a wholework of them within that darkened space?" he queried.


    Mary dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand. "How does it even matter? The portal would just suck you in, leaving no chance to escape."


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened. "Can''t you escape by dying again?"


    Mary''s expression faltered, a mix of confusion and disbelief clouding her features.


    Who in their right mind would consider such a drastic escape?


    She clearly didn''t know...


    That Wang Xiao had done exactly that, and not just once.


    Her words sparked a realization in him.


    Initially, in those other worlds, each death would send him spiraling into yet another realm.


    So, when he had willingly ended his life in that dark ce, what if he had actually respawned back in the world?


    What if he was dooming himself to an endless cycle, forever forfeiting his only chance of escape¡ªeven if it meant reaching another world?


    In fact, he had gone as far as to enter some of those portals of familiar worldster for revenge, and after ending his own life, he would find himself back in that dark expanse.


    It didn''t make sense, logically speaking...


    Had he just been incredibly lucky?


    Wang Xiao struggled to understand the mystery of why he hadn''t respawned back in that world, or why that dark ce seemed to defy the usual rules.


    But then it struck him...


    What exactly was that dark ce?


    Dark matter...


    A ce devoid of other elements, where only dark matter remained...


    Indeed, there had been other shimmering stars...


    Wang Xiao recalled a conversation he had with Aurora.


    People like Eveline, possess a single soul core that enables them to be reborn as long as the core remains intact...


    But people like Aurora were different; each part of their soul acted as a core in itself...


    He then remembered seeing reflections of himself within each core, and the sensation of omnipresence that apanied it...


    Could it mean... he was developing immortality?


    And what about those smaller sparkling entities that approached his soul shards?


    What were they?


    If not his, then whose?


    Up until now, one thing became clearer to him: he hadn''t really respawned in the dark ce...


    Rather, it was his default view after death...


    A realm or state beyond the ordinary understanding of life and death, anchored in the expanse of void...


    He had developed a core after dying countless times...


    This development allowed him to maintain consciousness even after rebirth...


    That''s why he felt apelling urge to reunite the fragmented parts of his soul...


    Thus, each time he died after his core had formed, he retained consciousness throughout the rebirth process, his soul meandering aimlessly across the vast emptiness of the universe...


    Then there were those other shimmering entities, those sparkling stars that didn''t belong to him...


    Could they be fragments of someone else''s soul?


    Merely adrift in the cosmos?


    This thought deeply unsettled Wang Xiao; a chill spread across his skin as he realized he was witnessing the genesis of life...


    And not merely that, but individuals themselves were amalgams of countless other lives converged...


    A soul must navigate through million existences before it might align with the chance to inhabit a human form...


    Was there a connection there? Wang Xiao pondered, his mind racing through the extensive lore he had absorbed.


    And he was astounded by the precision with which some ancient wisdom aligned with his experiences.


    There was an old saying that when people die, they transform into stars...


    And consciousness? It''s akin to numerous fractured stars scattered across this dark expanse...


    Upon death, as a person''s soul core shatters, all the borrowed soul fragments disintegrate into fine, dust-like particles, leaving the body to join the vast ocean of lives already adrift in this dark void...


    Until some other core draws them in...


    So, in this vast, interconnected cosmos, is there any individuality even left?


    There were many questions, indeed, too many that Wang Xiao didn''t even want to ask himself.


    Before everything, he wondered if within his soul resided fragments from countless other beings...


    So, what defined him as himself?


    Was this why Aurora suspected he might possess a fragment of Aegis as well?


    Had she known about this all along?


    Overwhelmed by the flood of inquiries, he felt his mind might explode if he didn''t locate that witch quickly.


    What did she even want?


    Would there evere a time when he could unveil the stories behind each of these soul particles?


    If so, what would he discover?


    Would he then even need to learn anything else?


    With the life experiences of potentially billions of lives?


    What was this phenomenon?


    Is this what they meant by understanding consciousness?


    Omnipotence?


    Omniscience?


    Wang Xiao felt he was very close to a breakthrough, yet simultaneously far from grasping it.


    And thend thaty before him instilled terror.


    Yes, terror...


    Not the fear of death, but a profound dread of losing something he currently possessed¡ªa fear of losing a part of what made him, him.


    _________


    As Wang Xiao and Mary approached the castle, nestled a discreet distance from the bustling Silvertide City, its gleaming white stone walls standing sentinel, Mary''s voice broke the silence.


    "By the way, who do you want me to monitor?" she asked, her gaze sweeping the grandeur of their surroundings.


    This majestic castle had once been the domain of Victoria, but ever since Wang Xiao took residence, Victoria, unwilling to share her space, had disappeared into obscurity.


    Wang Xiao, burdened with more pressing concerns than tracking down a disgruntled noblewoman, waved dismissively at the thought.


    "Those two," he said, as they ascended to the balcony.


    He pointed straightforwardly ahead, his gesture mechanical, as if he had rehearsed this moment.


    "Daddy!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Daddy."


    The air was suddenly filled with these excited cries.


    Wang Xiao''s expression nked for a moment as two energetic children bolted towards him, their tiny hands clutching and pulling at his clothes with unrestrained joy.


    "..."


    Mary stood dumbstruck by the sudden eruption of energy.


    Without missing a beat, he scooped up the two little whirlwinds, holding them up before him.


    As their big, curious eyes scanned Mary, Wang Xiao chuckled, "No more daddy little creatures. Trouble your Nanny now."


    He swung them gently in the air, theirughter mingling with the breeze, barely a moment to register Mary''s startled look before he presented them to her with a mischievous grin.


    "Now they are your problem," he dered, his tone half yful, half serious, as he passed the baton of responsibility to Mary.

 Chapter 370: Anran — Most responsibile woman in the World?

    "Are they asleep?"


    Wang Xiao, reclining against a chair woven from bamboo strands on the balcony, posed the question casually, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers.


    Beside him, Mary sat in a simrly crafted chair, her gaze empty and distant, her expression indifferent.


    Cradled in her arms, his twin daughters, now a year old, slumbered peacefully.


    "It appears so," Mary responded quietly, her voice tinged with mechanical detachment as she nced down at the sleeping children.


    "Good job, you''re officially hired," Wang Xiao dered, his lips curving into an evil grin as he let out a dry chuckle.


    Mary raised her head, her nk stare fixed on him, unsure how to react to hisment.


    "Why did you choose to relocate here? It''s so isted, hardly ideal for raising children," she inquired, her tone remaining neutral yetced with curiosity.


    Wang Xiao''s response was a soft, mockingugh. "Isn''t it ironic? The woman known for the ughter of millions of children is now a nanny and offering me parenting advice?" he quipped, his voice dripping with irony as he watched her reaction.


    "..."


    Mary maintained her silence, undisturbed by Wang Xiao''s words.


    To her, they were mere facts, unworthy of emotional investment.


    Why should she care about the judgments of others?


    If she believed an action was right, she would pursue it without hesitation.


    Leaning back, Mary''s eyes were drawn to the setting sun, its dying light casting fiery reflections in her hollow gaze.


    Observing her quiet demeanor, Wang Xiao chose his words with precision. "You''ve handled children for centuries, even if it was through maniption. That''s the least of my concerns¡ªafter all, from a certain perspective, isn''t everything maniption? The fact that Luna harbors no life and death hate towards you suggests you''re capable," he exined his rationale for choosing her.


    Wang Xiao exhaled a deep sigh, "This ce is optimal for us right now. I will ensure that Aether doesn''t infiltrate,pelling everyone here to focus on mastering the elements themselves rather than relying on Aether to solve their problems. It''s a slower process, but it fosters genuine skill and independence."


    He nced around the secluded setting. "There''s no social media, no inte¡ªno conduits for external influences to corrupt their thoughts or dilute their focus."


    Turning to face him, Mary blinked slowly, processing his intentions. "So, you intend to raise thempletely isted from the outside world?"


    Her voice held a trace of irony, mirroring the methods she herself had employed.


    Why did his n sound so strikingly familiar to her own past actions?


    Wang Xiao responded with a knowing smile. "That''s correct."


    Indeed, that was the true reason behind his actions; the rest was just window dressing.


    "You have the potential to be worse than me," Marymented tly, her face devoid of emotion as she made her observation.


    Wang Xiao simply smiled in response, choosing to keep his thoughts to himself.


    He knew that even if he shared his ideas, others might not understand.


    He inhaled deeply from the cigarette that was lightly burning between his fingers¡ªan essory rather than a habit.


    He had taken up smoking not for himself but as a deterrent; his daughters disliked the smell, and it served as a useful tool to give him some space when needed.


    Without it, they would cling to him all day.


    He couldn''t help but think of Anran, whose behaviors the girls had begun to emte. He felt a twinge of annoyance at Anran''s influence on them.


    It had been a year since they began living in this isted ce.


    Alongside him were Anran, their daughters Wang Xiaoyue and Wang Xiaoxi.


    Reba, the doctor he had kidnapped, also resided here, mainly coordinating with Amelia and Bing Xueli to further develop the area.


    Luna was here as well.


    Before settling here, Wang Xiao had extended an invitation to Sera, but she declined, citing her daughter Josephine''s education in the States as the ''Excuse''.


    Aisha was with Josephine, providingpany and support, while ra, known for her poisonous body, remained busy handling external affairs.


    Eveline, too, was part of this secludedmunity, living independently in her own space as per her preference.


    Currently, she was expecting her second child, stirring in Wang Xiao a mix of concern and disbelief over her thoughts and ns.


    There had been someplications with Amelia''s delivery.


    Fortunately, Wang Xiao''s timely intervention resolved them, albeit the whole situation endowed her daughter with some rather unique abilities.


    Bing Xueli''s dilemma of finding a suitable sessor was another matter Wang Xiao addressed ''creatively''.


    He not only solved it but also granted her the freedom to manage the development of this remote haven ording to her desires.


    Upon discovering that Naomi had relocated to China, now known by the name Qing Dynasty, and was overseeing his remaining family affairs, Wang Xiao''s attention drifted away from external matters.


    Athene, another mysterious and distant figure, made rare visits.


    She seemed solely interested in his daughters, scarcely acknowledging Wang Xiao.


    Perhaps she doubted his parenting skills, but he gave little thought to her suspicions.


    If she ever crossed a line, he was ready to put her in her ce, though he knew well that any conflict between them could escte disastrously, potentially world to rubble.


    "Where is their mother?" Mary''s casual question pulled Wang Xiao from his reverie.


    "She is responsible," he blurted out without thinking.


    "What?" Mary repeated, clearly puzzled.


    How did her being responsible exin her whereabouts?


    Wang Xiao fixed Mary with a serious gaze, as if about to divulge a profound truth that exined the current circumstances.


    "She is the most responsible woman in the world," he dered, his wordsden with a depth that seemed to transcend their ordinary meaning.


    "!"


    Even Mary looked taken aback by his solemn deration.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Meanwhile, in a different location, a womany sleeping, her abdomen exposed to the cool breeze of a table fan sting directly at her.


    Such daring sleep habits could only belong to Anran.


    She had be ustomed to sleeping with just a table fan and no air conditioning after spending several years in war-torn countries on missions, turning it into a habit.


    Wang Xiao felt a certain helplessness when it came to this peculiar creature.


    In fact, an incident six months ago had crystallized his need for a nanny.


    In one such moment, half a year earlier, Wang Xiao had encountered a sight so startling that it hadpelled him to take action.

 Chapter 371: Anran — Turned Responsible!

    Six months ago!


    "What... are you doing?"


    Wang Xiao found Anran in an unusual setup, sitting on a plush.


    Lounging on a plush, single circr couch while simultaneously holding both babies, one in each arm.


    Her bra strap was carelessly pulled down, exposing more than intended.


    Had that been all, he might not have been startled, but instead of simply feeding the children, Anran was manipting her own nipple, her expression one of deep concentration and curiosity.


    "..."


    Noticing Wang Xiao''s astonished gaze, Anran quickly set the twins down on the soft carpet and bounded toward him with a mischievous grin. "Xiao, check this!"


    "!!"


    "Hehe... Sweet, isn''t it?"


    Before he had time to react, she pressed his head between her breasts, shoving her nipple into his mouth to demonstrate hertest ''invention'' ¡ª breast milk.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened, his voice trembling slightly as he called out her name.


    "Anran!" He nced down to see both babies crawling toward him.


    "..."


    This woman was truly ''responsible''¡ªif her unconventional methods could be called that.


    So this was her idea of child care, huh?


    He still remembered her assurances, how she had confidently told him she could be responsible and raise them herself after her unexpected pregnancy had been revealed.


    But this behavior¡ªridiculous and utterly Anran!


    He felt almost powerless to object, knowing well that anyint he voiced would simply be countered with her audacious retort, "We can make more of them!"


    What sort of justification was that?


    Wang Xiao had never faced such issues with Amelia or Eveline.


    They were responsible and knew exactly how to nurture their daughters independently.


    But today, Wang Xiao realized that if he didn''t intervene personally, Anran, with her ''responsible'' facade, was likely to cause irreparable ptsd to his daughters.


    Thus began the journey of an exceptionally powerful individual, a borderline psychotic nanny, and a ''responsible'' mother to two unfortunate souls....


    _____


    Inside Xianthera, five yearster since Wang Xiao and other shifted in...


    Bang!


    "Where are those two troublemakers!?"


    In the tranquility of his bedroom, Wang Xiao was savoring a rare moment of peaceful slumber when the abrupt mor jolted his eyelids open.


    Annoyance flickered across his face as he glimpsed the source of the disturbance.


    Anran stood framed in the doorway, wielding a flip-flop like a weapon, her stance menacing enough to make Wang Xiao''s eyes twitch involuntarily.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "What did they do to you now?" His voice carried a resigned sigh, already bracing for thetest episode of chaos.


    Anran, not missing a beat, stormed around the room with a mission.


    She flipped back curtains, peered under the bed, and scanned the bathroom in a frenzied search before pausing to catch her breath and exin. "Today, I only left them alone downstairs for fifteen minutes, and now the kitchen is in mes."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s frown deepened into a scowl. "You mean, like an actual fire?"


    Anran nodded vigorously, her face set in grim determination. "Yes, an actual fire! I better not find them today! Else¡ª" Her voice trailed off as she clenched her jaw, leaving the threat ominously in the air.


    With her cheeks puffed in anger, she spun around and stormed out of the room, leaving Wang Xiao to process the inferno that awaited his attention.


    "..."


    Seeing her leave, Wang Xiao was struck by a peculiar feeling.


    This woman really knew how to change faces!


    He would never have believed, even if beaten with a stick four years ago, that Anran could turn responsible.


    Yet, as Yue and Xi''er grew older, Anran had indeed transformed.


    She had even begun disciplining them to a degree that sometimes made Wang Xiao feel a twinge of pity for the two young souls.


    "Maybe, if it wasn''t for you, she wouldn''t have to be this strict," Marymented, materializing as if carried by the breeze from the open windows.


    Her tone was in, her presence almost ethereal.


    She hadpletely adapted to her new role, though she still clung to her old ways, wearing her original uniform.


    The maid clothes were a thing of the past, burnt after she first saw her reflection in them.


    "It''s just a kitchen," Wang Xiao shrugged off her observation, unwilling to admit that hisx parenting had perhaps encouraged the twins'' bold and daring antics, which in turn forced Anran to adopt a stricter demeanor, leading to headaches thatsted all day.


    After all, she could discipline them, but not Wang Xiao.


    Indeed, Wang Xiao''s thinking was vastly different from Anran''s.


    To him, burning a few countries was no significant issue.


    As long as they returned alive and unscathed, he hardly cared what chaos they wrought.


    In fact, there were times when Wang Xiao felt that even being alive was optional.


    Indeed, he thought it might be time to teach the girls how to face death.


    Ahem, however, once Athene caught wind of his musings and gave him a look that could only be described as deeply concerned, he had to reconsider his approach.


    Whoosh!


    As he flung the nket off, he discovered a pair of soft small bodies on either side of him, each girl tucked away carefully, hiding close to him.


    The first twin, Wenxi cautiously raised her head, her voice a sweet yet anxious soft whisper, "Is... She gone?" Herrge, innocent blue eyes shimmered with a hint of mischief as she peered around.


    Strands of long silvery hair, soft and lustrous, tumbled over her forehead, partially veiling her delicate features.


    Her cheeks were rosy against her fair skin, adding a touch of ethereal innocence.


    Her small, slender neck and fragile shoulders were barely visible above her pale blue nightgown adorned with tiny rabbits, enhancing her youthful charm.


    "It seems so." The response came from her sister Yue, who cautiously lifted herself up beside her.


    Her eyes a clear, identical crystalline blue, shimmered with a mixture curiousity and wonder.


    Light blonde hair, soft and flowing, framed her porcin face and cascaded down her back, lending her an air of graceful charm.


    She wore a in white nightgown, its simplicity highlighting her innocent allure.


    The garment hung delicately from her small, rounded shoulders, flowing over her slender form like a gentle cascade.


    A silver bracelet, delicate and fine, encircled her tiny wrist, twinkling softly as it caught the morning light.


    Her small, graceful hands rested lightly againstp, the very picture of serenity.


    "Ah!¡ª"


    "No¡ª"


    Simultaneously, sharp, startled yelps escaped from Wenxi and Yue''s small lips, their voices blending into a singr echo of surprise.

 Chapter 372: Finding Aurora!

    "Dad! It hurts!"


    Both twins spun around, their big, tear-filled eyes shimmering with distress as they faced Wang Xiao.


    He had been yfully twisting their ears, but perhaps a bit too firmly, for the lobes had turned a bright shade of red.


    The girls pressed their small hands against his chest in a futile attempt to push him away.


    Their fingers fluttered weakly, merely tickling Wang Xiao rather than halting his admonishment.


    Turning his attention to the girl with silvery hair, he raised an eyebrow. "Wenxi, why do you keep destroying things? I won''t be able to shield you if your motheres storming in again."


    "B-but... it''s not me!" Wenxi stammered, her voice quivering with a mix of fear and injustice.


    She felt aggrieved, wronged without cause, and now chastised on top of it.


    She couldn''t understand why she was always the first to be med, her small form shrinking slightly under the weight of usation.


    Wang Xiao softened, his curiosity getting the better of him.


    He reached out and cupped her cheeks, feeling the soft, fluffy texture that invited a small smile.


    "Really?" he queried gently, his fingers squeezing a tad as if to coax the truth from her chubby face.


    Inside, he chuckled lightly; there really was no need for an excuse to squeeze those cheeks.


    "Hm! This time it''s Yue!" Wenxi suddenly dered, pointing an usatory finger at her sister, her inner innocence shifting into a mischievous glee.


    Wang Xiao turned, his expression registering surprise as he faced Yue. "You did that, Yue?" His voice held a blend of skepticism and subtle disbelief.


    "..."


    Yue, tenderly nursing her reddish ear, flinched, whispering weakly, "It... It was an ident..." Her eyes cast downward, already bracing for the disappointment she expected to hear in her father''s voice.


    "Hm!" Wenxi, on the other hand, was quietly reveling in her relief; this time, the trouble wasn''t hers.


    "Ah!? Dad!" But her celebration was short-lived as she flinched under another pinch to her face, tears welling up in her eyes. "Why punish me! It''s not even my fault this time!"


    Her small, adorable legs kicked against the quilt in a fit of protest, her lips pursed lightly and her hands balled tightly into fists.


    Wang Xiao lifted Wenxi by her waist and gently nted a kiss on her cheek, trying to soothe her.


    "Okay, now?" he asked softly.


    "No! More!" She demanded, looking up at him while extending three tiny fingers, clearly stating her terms.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but smile; indulging her wasn''t a disadvantage for him anyway, and he happilyplied with her request.


    Yet, the same couldn''t be said for Mary, who experienced a mini heart attack every time.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    She was acutely aware of the immense power Wang Xiao possessed.


    Having once witnessed him parry an attack from the Athene, Mary had since concocted thousands of contingency ns to escape should anything ever go awry and Wang Xiao''s temper be provoked.


    After all, Mary knew all too well the consequences of a powerful deviant losing even a shred of control.


    The stronger they were, the greater the potential for destruction.


    ''If only these two little ones understood whom they''re dealing with...'' she thought, a bitter smile touching her lips as she watched Wenxi bound toward Wang Xiao, triggering another surge of anxiety within her.


    Yet, in a fluid motion, Wang Xiao caught Wenxi effortlessly.


    "Hehe..."


    Herughter, light and carefree, filled the air as she clung to his neck, hugging him tightly.


    This sight made Mary''s eyes twitch with difort.


    Such a toxic rtionship, she thought, unlike anything she had ever witnessed.


    While one child snuggled up to Wang Xiao, radiating joy, the other fidgeted nervously with her fingers, clearly still processing the earlier tension.


    Wang Xiao shifted Wenxi to one side and gently picked up Yue, turning her around to nestle her against his chest.


    He wrapped his arm around her in aforting embrace, like a protective shield.


    "It was just an ident... If you had told your mom that directly, she wouldn''t really have gotten angry," he said, his voice carrying a tone of unexpected diplomacy.


    "But... Mommy is already angry," Yue murmured, her face downturned, her small voice tinged with worry.


    Wang Xiao had deliberately turned her to face away from him, knowing well that when people aren''t forced to make eye contact and feel as though they''re speaking more to themselves, they tend to be more honest and feel secure.


    "She''s angry because you ran away. That makes you look like a guilty culprit," he suggested gently, his words designed to teach rather than reprimand.


    Yue''s eyes widened suddenly with realization.


    This was right!


    "So... If I tell her everything, it would be alright!" Yue''s face blossomed into a hopeful smile.


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, tempering her optimism with a dose of reality. "No, she would still whoop your ass."


    Pftt...


    Wenxi, who had been listening intently up until then, couldn''t contain herself and broke into a fit ofughter, her hand quickly covering her mouth being red by Yue.


    Yue''s face darkened momentarily, but she wasn''t deterred.


    She turned around, her legs swinging lightly, her resolve firming. "Dad, why don''t you exin to her? She would definitely understand!"


    "Hey!" Wenxi suddenly interjected, tightening her grip around Wang Xiao''s neck, "Dad is mine today, get away shoo!"


    "Huh? When did that happen?" Yue retorted, feeling a mix of confusion and defiance.


    Wenxi stuck out her tongue mischievously. "Today!"


    "No, he is mine as well!" Yue lunged forward, her voice filled with disbelief and determination, sparking a struggle over his attention.


    Their giggles and squabbles filled the air until both were ruthlessly kicked out of the room by Wang Xiao.


    After the scuffle with his daughters, Wang Xiao gracefully swung himself out of the window, setting his course towards the heart of Silvertide City.


    He had pressing matters to attend to¡ªhe needed to make sure Amelia and Eleanor were well, as he was preparing to depart once again.


    The urgency of his journey was fueled by a recent breakthrough; he had finally obtained a promising lead on Aurora''s whereabouts.


    The anticipation of the chase added a briskness to his step as he disappeared into the vibrant autumn streets of the city.

 Chapter 373: Eleanor Probelm Solved!

    "sigh..."


    A wistful sigh floated through the air, breaking the silence of the quaint, antiquated room.


    The space bore a timeless charm, clean and orderly, with a small tatami table at its heart, its surface polished to a mirror-like sheen and cluttered with scattered papers.


    Nearby, a woman of striking beauty rested beside the table.


    Her skin was as white as driven snow, a clear contrast to the simplicity around her.


    Each breath she took seemed to stir the air, sending her hair dancing gracefully in the gentle breeze that slipped through arge sliding ss door.


    This portal to the outside world stood ajar, revealing a serene mini courtyard that invited the outside in, mingling fresh breezes with the quiet interior.


    Her presence was almost otherworldly; an ethereal aura enhanced by the snow-like color of her fluttering hair and the elegant white dress she wore.


    The garment was tastefully daring, with a cutout at the chest that revealed a glimpse of her graceful bosom.


    Her intense eyes, clear and crystalline, were asionally clouded by a fleeting, lost expression.


    The dress, finely crafted, featured daring slits along each leg, exposing her smooth thighs and well-formed calves.


    She sat positioned above her knees, an elegant statue in repose.


    Beneath her gaze, Wang Xiaoy with his head resting just above her knees, his own eyes gently closed.


    In this moment, he seemed utterly detached from the world around him, including Eleanor''s charm, lost in his own world.


    "Didn''t find anything again?" After a brief flicker of hesitation shone in her eyes, Eleanor gathered her courage and posed the question, her voice tinged with a mix of hope and skepticism.


    She wondered if he had unearthed any clues about the mysterious woman named Aurora this time.


    Her gaze pierced through the calm as she studied Wang Xiao, whose eyes slowly opened, unveiling a soft smile that caressed her face like a gentle breeze.


    "Why must you rub salt in the wound, Eleanor? Or.... Perhaps myst present not to your liking?" His words were sharp, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint as his lips twisted into a mocking smile.


    Eleanor''s features tensed, her voice a whisper barely escaping her lips, "You forced me."


    "Haha..." Wang Xiao''sughter cascaded around them, warm and inviting like a spring breeze. "Yet, I''ve resolved two of your biggest concerns."


    He extended his hand, his fingers delicately tracing her soft, snow-like skin before gently pinching her cheek.


    Eleanor''s eyshes quivered fiercely, her heartbeat thundered in her ears, and a blush tinted her cheeks¡ªa sight seldom seen.


    Since Wang Xiao had made his home in Xianthera, he would asionally visit Eleanor, perhapsing to meet someone truly special.


    And who, indeed, could deem themselves special enough to warrant a personal visit from Wang Xiao?


    There was only one answer...


    "Whoosh!"


    As if propelled by the wind, the door swung open abruptly on the left.


    A figure, scarcely half Eleanor''s height, slipped into the room.


    Eleanor turned, her smile tight and tinged with dissatisfaction. "Xun, why have you arrived sote?" Her gaze then flickered towards Wang Xiao, who affected an air of nonchnce.


    With a pause that betrayed her inner thoughts, she added, "Your father has been waiting for you."


    "Father?"


    Xun''s soft cherry lips formed a small ''o'' of surprise.


    She stood by the door, her delicate frame making her appear almost like a porcin doll¡ªso wless and still that one might doubt she was a living being, if not for the charming gestures she made while removing her shoes.


    Her face, as adorable as a doll''s, eyes as deep as the ocean, and slender, fragile hands defined her as the daughter of Wang Xiao and Eleanor, born a year after Yue and Wenxi.


    This was the surprise Wang Xiao had offered Eleanor.


    From that moment, the grown woman''s spirits had dipped...


    She had envisioned Wang Xiao inheriting her position, but instead, he had gifted her with this presence.


    How could she not feel a sting of displeasure?


    Though this irritation never touched her interactions with Xun, towards Wang Xiao?


    She harbored a simmering resentment...


    "Lan, did someone trouble you at school today?" As Xun''s soft footsteps echoed gently against the wooden floor, she drew nearer to where Wang Xiaoy resting in her mother''sp.


    Her expression might have seemed indifferent, but her eyes sparkled with joy, and her arms were already reaching out.


    With a warm smile, Wang Xiao swiftly drew her in, lifting her onto his chest and expertly removing her school bag to set it aside on the table.


    At just four years old, Xun seemed to melt into Wang Xiao''s embrace, her cheeks coloring with a tender blush. "It was... Aunt Amelia..." she whispered, her voice tinged with a hint of embarrassment.


    Wang Xiao had noticed something was amiss the moment he saw her.


    Her dress bore stains, a clear sign that not all had gone well at school, and her demeanor was somber.


    Wang Xiao ¡ª extremely sensitive to the expressions of those around him, even if he doesn''t always show it.


    And now, seeing Xune in with dirty clothes, he appeared ready to spill some blood today.


    "Amelia beat you?" His voice rose in surprise as he looked into Xun''s soft, tender eyes.


    Beside them, Bing Xueli''s curiosity piqued. Her eyes flickered¡ªthe previous sh of anger dissolving into a mix of deep curiosity and concern.


    Confronted by two pairs of scrutinizing eyes, Xun felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. She buried her face in Wang Xiao''s chest, seeking refuge from their gaze.


    "I... failed one of the physical tests and fell..." Her voice, muffled and tinged with embarrassment, seeped out from her hiding spot.


    Upon hearing this, Wang Xiao, who had been holding his breath in anticipation, finally exhaled in relief, his tension melting away.


    Eleanor, too, visibly rxed, her posture easing.


    "Mother..." Xun suddenly lifted her head, her eyes wide with childlike curiosity as she nced at Eleanor.


    Her words, sweet and innocent, tumbled out earnestly, "I heard from friends that you are too scary and father is scared of you. Is that why father doesn''te home often and stays away in the mountains?"


    "!?"N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Eleanor''s expression darkened, her eyes narrowing slightly as she turned to Wang Xiao, who was struggling to suppress a grin.


    "Haha... Lan, your friends are probably right. Your mother is so scary¡ªlook how she''s ring at me now." Wang Xiao whispered conspiratorially into Xun''s ear, eliciting a brief giggle from her before she faced Eleanor again.


    "Mother... Is it true?" she asked, her voice carrying a note of wariness.


    She tightened her grip protectively around Wang Xiao''s neck, her small hands surprising him with their strength.

 Chapter 374: Changes in Xianthera!

    "Mother... Is it true?"


    "..."


    Eleanor''s face went nk again. Why was she being med yet again?


    Noticing her daughter''s wary expression and Wang Xiao''s smiling face, she felt a surge of annoyance.


    This father and daughter duo had really decided to team up against her today.


    "Xun, who is spreading these false rumors? When did your mother be scary?" Her smile faltered as she spoke, a hint of resentment coloring her tone, her eyes piercing.


    "Gasp!"


    Xun didn''t reply under her scrutinizing gaze.


    Instead, she shrank back and sought refuge under Wang Xiao''s arms.


    Eleanor gritted her teeth; she was usually the epitome of calm, but around her daughter, she inexplicably transformed into someone else, a reaction she couldn''t quite understand.


    And now, watching Xun flee toward Wang Xiao after essentially insulting her, Eleanor felt as if she had been pped across the face yet again.


    In fact, the root of this tension was a bet.


    Wang Xiao and she had wagered that if Xun showed a greater affection for her, Wang Xiao would take the seat of the ethicsmittee leader and lead the vige in the future.


    Eleanor had never anticipated losing, confident in her vast experience.


    But the stark reality was now staring her in the face!


    However, Xun''s next words stopped Eleanor cold.


    "Mother... Why have I never seen you and father together? Aren''t you two supposed to be closer!" Xun grumbled.


    Normally, she was quiet and obedient, but being near Wang Xiao seemed to multiply her boldness exponentially.


    ''You troublesome girl! Just wait until he''s gone, and I''ll show you!'' Eleanor''s face burned bright with shame, but she maintained a calm voice, even as it quivered slightly. "Xun... How can a mother get closer to a father?"


    "Kiss!" Xun''s tiny mouth opened, and the word burst forth.


    Eleanor''s expression soured, but Xun remained unfazed.


    For a child of her age, adult concerns held little significance.


    What they saw and heard was their reality, and Xun had read that when two people are close, they kiss.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but smile, struggling to suppress hisughter.


    "Haha..." His gentle chuckle pricked Eleanor, prompting her eyes to narrow at him.


    Yet, in the next moment, she noticed Xun, perched on Wang Xiao''s chest, staring at her with wide eyes, creating a sense of unease within her.


    ''Did she truly expect me to kiss him in front of her?'' Eleanor observed the hopeful look in Xun''s eyes and considered that the situation could have been far less awkward.


    Yet Wang Xiao seemed intent on making things awkward for her byughing at her!


    Eleanor, infact, possesses a wealth of experience in raising children.


    Despite it being her first time raising her own, she had nurtured many others in the past, including Amelia, whom she rescued and subsequently raised single-handedly.


    Victoria was also, in a sense, molded by Eleanor''s careful guidance.


    Eleanor meticulously ensured that all key positions within her circle were upied by individuals she had personally mentored.


    This approach, however, emerged as a significant drawback in the societal framework she had constructed.


    With Xianthera harboring numerous dark secrets, Eleanor needed to make certain that those in positions of power were adept at maintaining these secrets.


    Since Wang Xiao''s arrival, she had initiated gradual reforms, though they proved less effective than hoped.


    Where could she begin?


    The progression of technology and science continued apace, with Reba coborating with Amelia, but as for revolutionizing the societal norms?


    Eleanor found herself struggling mightily.


    Children who failed to manifest psychokinesis by a certain age were no longer pursued by demon cats, a practice once overseen by the department of education.


    Instead, these children had their memories erased and were relocated to orphanages beyond the sacred barrier.


    Wang Xiao still aspired for amunityposed solely of ''pure breeds,'' individuals capable of wielding psychokinesis.


    Until now, the region was ostensibly governed by various organizations with publicly elected officials, yet the true authority rested with the Ethics Committee, helmed by Eleanor herself.


    Another prominent organization was the Security Council, headed by Shin, once the strongest man in Xianthera.


    During Wang Xiao''s absence, he was defeated by Chris, a former ssmate of Wang Xiao and the crush of Emma.


    Reflecting on it, Wang Xiao hadn''t anticipated such an event during his absence.


    Eleanorter informed him about the incident, which led to Chris disappearing forever.


    Shin has now chosen Ray to train as his sessor, but Ray is struggling with the responsibility.


    Emma upies the chair of the Foreign Affairs Council, which is in charge of maintaining rtions withmunities of ratwalkers.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Interestingly, she has no recollection of any man named ''Chris.''


    As it turns out, the memories of ''Chris'' have been erased from everyone''s mind.


    Other councils like the Board of Education, upation Council, and Agricultural Council also y significant roles.


    In fact, many of Wang Xiao''s former ssmates are now upying these crucial positions.


    This realization struck Wang Xiao profoundly, highlighting how much time has truly passed since he first arrived in thisnd...


    He first arrived here at the age of twelve...


    After spending five years lost in aa, followed by another five years rigorously training, he departed...


    His year outside¡ªowing to the curious nature of time dtion within Xianthera¡ªtranted into an additional five years passing within its borders.


    Then he returned, and now another five years have slipped by...


    For the inhabitants of Xianthera, a full twenty years have passed...


    Both Amelia''s and Eleanor''s daughters were blossoming into young women.


    Reflecting on the days when he once addressed Eleanor respectfully as ''Senior,'' Wang Xiao couldn''t help but offer a wry smile.


    Time had indeed brought profound changes.


    Now, Eleanor begs him not to instigate their daughter against her.


    She had long since conceded defeat and abandoned the notion of Wang Xiao taking the helm of thisnd.


    Xun, in particr, demonstrated remarkable promise; her insistence on starting school at the age of three was driven solely by her desire to ess the library, an evidence to her keen intellect.


    Wang Xiao believed that if she harnessed and trained her psychokinesis, she could be a prodigy.


    Yet, she chose to bury herself in books instead, rendering him somewhat exasperated.


    It wasn''t just her¡ªnone of his daughters took much interest in training, leading Wang Xiao to adopt aissez-faire attitude.


    They would pursue training if they wished, and if not, so be it.


    He supposed that was the privilege afforded to them as his daughters.


    Thus, they could do as they pleased.

 Chapter 375: The Old Lady is Angry!

    Year 2029, 1st July!


    On the first day of month, the sun cast a warm and crisp glow over Sylvergard.


    The sky''s clear light bathed the stoned marble walls of the newly restored royal pce in a golden hue.


    Within the Queen''s chamber, a womany enveloped in the soft embrace of sleep, clutching arge pillow tenderly.


    Her hair, pristine and as white as winter''s first snow, contrasted beautifully with her creamy, smooth skin.


    Undisturbed, she was the picture of charm and serene beauty.


    However, the moment Seraphina awoke, the spell broke.


    With a flick of disdain, she cast the pillow to the ground, disgusted, as if dering theirpanionship over with the dawn.


    Fortuitously, the royal chamber was devoid of witnesses to the Queen''s morning temper.


    "Eh?"


    Or so she believed. As she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, her lush eyshes fluttering like the delicate wings of a butterfly, she noticed two dolls positioned ominously before her.


    "Who ced these here? Elina!" Seraphina''s voice echoed unanswered in the spacious chamber, leading her to mutter a curse under her breath before she gathered herself and rose from her bed.


    "Did they move?" A shiver of illusion tickled her spine, making her question if the dolls'' eyes had shifted. She rubbed her eyes again for rity.


    Dismissing the eerie thought, she shrugged and reasoned, ''It must be my imagination.'' Indeed, her delicate hands, paired with her voluptuous hips and ample bosom, sculpted a figure that moved with an enchanting grace as she approached the dolls.


    Standing before the diminutive figures, which were hardly the size of twelve-year-old children, Seraphina bent down in her flowing violet nightdress.


    As she leaned over, her buttocks stood out prominently, charming the unseen ghosts in the room.


    Squeeze...


    "Quite remarkable... Who crafted these?" Seraphina was tinged with amusement as she gently pinched their cheeks, only to discover they were mere lifelike imitations.


    "Don''t touch." Suddenly, the girl she was handling frowned deeply, her petite crimson lips parting to whisper a warning.


    "!!"


    "What!?"


    Startled, Seraphina jumped two steps back in rm. "You... You two are alive?"


    "Mm." The girl, her light blonde hair shimmering like spun gold, gave a demure nod, then began to wander around the room with a curious grace.


    "Hey! It''s improper to roam about a stranger''s room like this!" Seraphina''s cheeks flushed a delicate pink, both embarrassed and helpless, as Yue flung open her wardrobe to reveal an array of delicate lingerie.


    Crash!


    "What! Not that vase! It''s exceedingly precious!" Seraphina eximed as she heard the cmitous sound.


    Turning, she saw the girl with snowy white hair, previously distant, now examining a vase just as it slipped from her grasp and shattered.


    Seraphina''s brow furrowed in annoyance, and she sprang onto the bed, crossing the room to scold her, but at that moment, Yue had already slipped into the bathroom, her azure eyes scanning its contents with innocent curiosity.


    "Ugh! Won''t you two listen my words at all!?"


    "Who brought you here?"


    "This is not a yground for children!"


    A throbbing headache began to cloud Seraphina''s thoughts. ''Whose children are they? How dare Elina leave these strangers in my chamber! N-no! Not that vase too!''


    Her heart raced with sudden fear as Wenxi reached for another,rger vase adorned with customary grass, dangerously bncing it in her small hands.


    "Stop right there!"


    Seraphina''smand echoed through the chamber, but it was already toote¡ªWenxi had recklessly pulled the nt from its roots.


    "Ugh!"


    "The hell!"


    "Elina!"


    "Elina! Take these two away! I''ve had enough of these pranks, and you are dismissed!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her voice, sharp and piercing, called out for her head maid, but Elina was conspicuously absent.


    Ovee with irritation, Seraphina couldn''t restrain her exasperation any longer.


    "You! Stop or I swear I will beat you down!" She thrust her slender hand forward, pointing usingly at Yue, who was innocently perusing the paintings adorning the walls.


    Her chest rose and fell rapidly, fueled by a tempest of rage, her voice rough and tinged with the heat of her anger, her cheeks ame with a fierce scarlet.


    Yet, just as her fury reached its peak, another voice cut through the tension, smooth and unwavering.


    "You want to beat my daughters? You''ve really grown daring, Sera."


    Boom!


    In that fraught moment, Seraphina''s eyes snapped shut, a curse whispered against her clenched teeth, as a chilling realization struck her.


    "These two are your daughters!? That''s impossible!"


    With agility born of shock, she leapt from the plush expanse of her bed, her eyes narrowing on the figure standing near her doorway¡ªWang Xiao, hauntingly standing just to her left.


    Despite his im, disbelief haunted within her.


    She scrutinized the man cloaked in a ck robe, who stood with an unsettling stillness.


    His gaze was devoid of any discernible emotion, yet his aura was undeniably otherworldly, as though he were a spectator on this earth.


    ''This man, he changes as if by some dark magic. Freak,'' Seraphina cursed silently.


    She had known Wang Xiao long before his ventures into the mysticalnds of Xianthera, yet each return seemed to reveal a stranger before her.


    She couldn''t exactly pinpoint what it was, but he looked different¡ªintimidatingly so¡ªand that difference sent a cascade of butterflies fluttering through her weak heart.


    "Stupid woman..." Wenxi muttered, her eyes glinting with a peculiar light as she observed Seraphina frozen in shock.


    "You¡ª! What did you dare say?" Seraphina''s trance shattered, her voice sharp as a whip as she red at Wenxi, her body tensing to spring forward and deliver a beating.


    ''Shit!''


    Wenxi, her face turned pale as if caught in some evil, she quickly darted behind Wang Xiao, Yue trailing calmly behind her.


    "Wang Xiao! Your daughters show no respect for their elders!" Seraphina eximed, her tone a mix of disbelief and indignation, as she pointed a usatory finger towards him.


    Her inner thoughts in mess¡ªhow could Wang Xiao, the man she once knew, suddenly have daughters fully grown?


    Her breath shook, her thoughts filled in web of disbelief and annoyance.


    "Wang Xiao, exin yourself! How is it that these young women im you as their father? And since when did you decide to return without a word to this olddy?" Seraphina demanded, her voice echoing with a mixture of fury andin.

 Chapter 376: Taking Daughters on Stroll?

    "Sigh..." Wang Xiao shook his head, his gaze inadvertentlynding on Seraphina''s heaving chest. Turning away, hemanded, "You two, go and y outside."


    "Mm," Wenxi acknowledged, promptly turning to open the door and leaving without hesitation. Yue followed, but not before her eyes lingered on Seraphina, as if measuring her up.


    Once both had left, Seraphina could no longer contain herself.


    She moved back and sat on her bed, clicking her tongue in annoyance. "Why have youe back to bother this old woman? Shouldn''t you have abandoned her by now? She was enjoying a peaceful life!"


    Her words tumbled out more like a grumble, as Wang Xiao absentmindedly cleaned his ears, already ringing from herints.


    "Are you done?" he asked.


    "You¡ª!" Seraphina couldn''t believe it; he wasn''t taking her seriously at all!


    Curses flowed from Seraphina''s mouth like a torrential rain. "Bastard, I knew you were like this! Finally decided to show your true colors, huh!...Mmph... Mmmph!"


    Her voice was abruptly cut off, her eyes widened in shock as her lips met something cold, and her fists clenched in frustration.


    "Ugh! Leave this olddy alone!"


    Serpahina shook her head vigorously, attempting to free herself from his grasp.


    Her face turned as red as a ripe tomato, her neck tinted reddish, despite the anger etched on her face.


    "Shut up."


    "!!"


    Wang Xiao''s voice was firm, and the woman flinched in fear.


    "Humph!"


    However, this seemed to break another dam within her.


    "Why should I shut up!? Its my own home! You should shut¡ªoh guess right, you haven''t even been speaking for years! Haha..." Her lips quivered as a new torrent of words burst forth, even more venomous than before.


    "You strut in here like some lord of silence, Wang Xiao! Dictating what I can and cannot say in my own chambers? Preposterous!"


    Her voice grew louder, each word dripping with disdain. "And you¡ªwielding authority over me? The audacity! You vanish for ages, then waltz back expecting deference? Ha! The day I bow to your whims is the day the seas run dry!"


    Serpahina''s face contorted with anger as her words continued to flow effortlessly, "So tell me, oh great prince, what pearls of wisdom do you deign to bestow upon us today? Or should we all just feel blessed in your dictatorship!..."


    Wang Xiao watched the frustrated woman before him and, in the end, chose to say nothing.


    Instead, he turned her around.


    "Ah!"


    Serpahina was caught off guard, but when she felt a stinging pain on her back apanied by a tearing noise, her eyes widened in disbelief and filled with shame.


    This man really dared to do it again¡ªin her own home!


    "Hah! Ridiculous!"


    However, the next moment, she shivered as the grumbling quieted down, reced by the voice of a woman begging, as if she were being ughtered mercilessly.


    _____


    Several hourster


    Amidst the bustling crowds of Sylveria, the vibrant capital of Sylvergard.


    "Fuck you!" Seraphina''s voice cracked as she stumbled slightly, her legs shaky.


    She clung to Wang Xiao, her smile strained and brittle, her face flushed a deep crimson.


    Her eyes, however, zed with silent usation as they darted towards Wang Xiao.


    Noticing her swollen, red lips parting to speak, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but be amused. "Why have you adopted such vulgarnguage today?"


    "Am I vulgar? Well, perhaps you should leave me alone then¡ªah, no!" Her protest ended in a sharp yelp as Wang Xiao unexpectedly increased his pace.


    Gripping his arm weakly, Seraphina nearly copsed onto the cobblestone street.


    Her eyes shot open in sheer panic, her face draining of color as she teetered on the edge of falling.


    Whoosh!


    In an instant, his hand swooped in to steady her, gripping her waist firmly.


    As he pulled her upright, his lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Still think I should leave?" He raised his eyebrows, a look of amused superiority etched across his face.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Damn you... I would press charges of r*pe against you!" Seraphina hissed through clenched teeth, her anger simmering just below the surface.


    Nevertheless, sheposed herself and continued to walk beside him, albeit cautiously.


    She dared not make any abrupt movements now.


    The backshots had been too much today!


    She couldn''t ask him to stay seated!


    Now, the best course of action was to keep walking!


    Seraphina nced behind her, noticing with a start that the two girls who had been following them had vanished, only to reappear some distance ahead, standing in front of a cafe entrance.


    Her brow furrowed with concern. "Is it okay to leave them alone...?" she asked.


    Wang Xiao had already revealed the identity of these two girls; in fact, Seraphina was still recovering from the shock.


    Thest time she saw them, they were barely a year old.


    Now, barely two yearster, they looked like young girls, a sight that bewildered Seraphina.


    Fortunately, she had recently witnessed her fair share of anomalies, so the concept of time dtion¡ªwhile perplexing¡ªwas something she could momentarily set aside without much concern.


    However, the streets of the city posed a different problem; they were quite unsafe now, which was the root of her worry.


    The ''God Particle'' had enveloped the entire world, and ever since its emergence, people had been going berserk.


    Supernatural powers and fantastical events had be the norm.


    The city''s administration had evolved and strengthened considerably in response, yet the situation seemed perpetually on the brink of chaos.


    Beasts rampaged through the streets, and despite advancements in technology, subduing them remained a formidable challenge.


    The Deviants, spread across the globe, had trained more individuals to harness the ''Aether.''


    Unfortunately, this initiative had backfired, adding to the chaos rather than quelling it.


    As the people learned new techniques and their power grew, the world, once a safe haven, slowly morphed into a brutal dog-eat-dogndscape where the strong ruled with impunity.


    Many nations that failed to integrate these powerful warriors into their security forces perished, descending into war zones where the mighty roamed the streets unchecked.


    Fortunately, Sylvergard was faring better, bolstered by substantial support from a legion of Deviants. Despite this, Seraphina''s anxiety lingered.


    "It''s alright, they are ustomed to roaming alone," Wang Xiao dismissed with a casual wave of his hand, seemingly indifferent to her concerns.


    Seraphina felt that he didn''t take her seriously at all; her face soured as she murmured, "That''s not what I meant..."


    Wang Xiao lightly patted her backside, a non-verbal cue for her to not meddle.


    Hiss!


    Seraphina felt the sting and grimaced, shooting a re at the unfazed Wang Xiao and cursing to herself.


    "Why have youe now? Surely, you weren''t just here to take your daughters for a stroll?" she shot back, her tone sharp.


    Wang Xiao nodded lightly, acknowledging her insight. "You''re not wrong; they did want to see the world outside. But that''s not the primary reason for my visit this time. Do you remember the icy cier we explored with Ericka?"


    "That..." Seraphina paused, diving into her memories, "Yes, I remember it. What about it?"


    Wang Xiao''s voice carried a hint of seriousness, "Arrange for someone to take us there."

 Chapter 377: Serpahina having another daughter?

    "Arrange for someone to take us there."


    Serpahina pursed her lips, irked by the way he seemed to be ordering her around again.


    "Okay... Anything else, Mr. Prince?" she asked with a tinge of resentment coloring her voice.


    Wang Xiao''s eyebrow arched yfully. "If you keep up with the weird nicknames, I might just take you back with me."


    Serpahina''s response was instant, her toneced with rm. "No!"


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but chuckle. "Is living with me that terrifying?"


    Her eyes glistened, a mix of humor and genuine concern evident. "Yes, very scary! Your people would drive me insane!"


    "Well, that''s alright then. How about a daughter, would you want that?" Wang Xiao asked, his face lit up with curiosity.


    "Huh?"


    No sooner had he spoken than Seraphina found herself pulling away, quickening her pace as if trying to escape from the weight of his words.


    To an onlooker, it might appear as though she was simply a woman walking briskly with her eyes closed and cheeks flushed.


    "What happened, you don''t want?" Wang Xiao quickened his pace and caught up to her, reaching out just in time to prevent her from stumbling.


    ''How can he discuss such a thing with a straight face!'' Seraphina''s face was a portrait of embarrassment as she nced down.


    Though she allowed him to hold her once more, the topic was clearly too sensitive for her.


    She had never personally experienced carrying a child, and the very mention of it stirred a series of emotions within her.


    "I...I Don''t want!" Seraphina finally blurted out, her teeth clenched as she felt his hands tighten around her waist,pelling her to speak. "You would just vanish after making my belly big, heh! Do you take me for an idiot!?"


    In fact, the idea of having a daughter with him was tempting¡ªdirectly linking her to his considerable influence.


    His status as the Eighth Prince carried significant weight, and possessing that connection would allow her to wield power over others.


    But¡ª


    Serpahina had harbored grand ambitions in the past.


    She had once yearned to rule andmand authority.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Now, if anyone suggested such a thing, she would run for the hills.


    The reality of power was a mess, too much work, and it left her with scarcely any time to sleep.


    Wang Xiao had indeed given her the authority to manage Sylvergard, and although it wasn''t officially his territory, the absence of any challenge from the new European guardian¡ªwho had neither sought a feud nor issuedmands to any country¡ªmeant that Wang Xiao still held effective control.


    The motives of this man were murky at best; until Wang Xiao personally met with him, nothing could be certain.


    "Then do you want something else?" Wang Xiao asked, sensing that she genuinely did not want another child, and knowing that Josephine was already enough of a headache for her.


    He tactfully changed the subject.


    Serpahina, now silent, shook her head. "I don''t want anything... But why are you being so generous today?" She turned to him, her eyes mocking¡ªsuggesting he never truly cared about anyone.


    Yet beneath her sarcasm, curiosity bubbled.


    This man, as she remembered, might have changed his face to be more charming, but she knew his heart was still dark.


    As these two bickered, many eyes were drawn their way¡ªthe allure of Seraphina''s figure alone was enough to capture attention, but when paired with Wang Xiao''s unique attire and the unmistakable aura of power he exuded, it was impossible for them not to be the center of attention.


    "Well, I am just giving you an option," Wang Xiao shrugged, puzzled by the apprehension his kindness evoked. "Why do people get scared when I''m being kind?"


    "What option?" Seraphina bit her lip and nced at him, intrigued yet wary of falling into what she perceived might be a trap.


    Wang Xiao caught the cautious look on her face and was torn betweenughter and frustration.


    Why was she so persistently wary of him?


    If he truly wanted something, could she even stop him?


    Without responding, he suddenly grabbed her hand upon spotting an ancient pavilion along the street and pulled her toward it.


    Serpahina was stunned and slightly awkward being led by him so abruptly, her hand softening in his grip as if boneless.


    The effects of Aether, which granted everyone enhanced vitality, had made her appear several years younger.


    Her rejuvenated appearance now surpassed others easily; Wang Xiao thought she looked the best he had ever seen her¡ªyouthful, with skin as soft as a baby''s.


    He felt like he could squeeze her soft hand forever.


    However, Seraphina''s mood shifted to annoyance as they approached the pavilion.


    Contrary to her expectations of a typical western restaurant, it was styled like a traditional eastern eatery where all the tables were low-raised.


    They would have to sit on their knees around the table to eat, a prospect she found less than appealing.


    Serpahina wanted to sit alone, but Wang Xiao had other ideas. He pulled her down to sit between his legs as he sat cross-legged on the side.


    Hiss!


    A scornful expression crossed her face as she settled onto the surface; it stung like a thousand bees, forcing her to shift ufortably, which caused her backside to rub against his crotch.


    And before she fully realized what was happening, she felt his hard erection.


    Turning around, her eyes became moist as she looked at him pleadingly.


    Despite her age, no one could easily guess that this woman was already a mother.


    "Haha," Wang Xiao chuckled upon seeing her eyes, finding her reaction rather adorable. "Dare to move again, and I''ll fix you right here," he warned with a stern re.


    "!!"


    In the next moment, Seraphina froze, too scared to move.


    She nced around; although the pavilion was empty, the fear that he might do something shameful to her right there was evident.


    In fact, the real reason behind her behavior was her uncertainty about her importance in his life.


    She felt that this ck-hearted man wouldn''t hesitate to harm her if she displeased him.


    Yet, despite his ruthless streak, his casual easygoing demeanor left her deeply conflicted.


    She knew she could joke around with him, but there was a line she dared not cross.


    When the food arrived, instead of eating himself, he began feeding her, which nearly made her heart leap in surprise.


    After a few moments, however, she settled into the situation, a blissful smile spreading across her face.


    No way¡ªright after waking up, he had made her engage in such strenuous exercises!


    Now her stomach was grumbling, clearly voicing its need for nourishment.

 Chapter 378: Changes in Wang Xiao!

    As Seraphina ate with a contented smile, Wang Xiao''s voice suddenly broke thefortable silence, a brief smile ying on his lips.


    "You tried to plot against me with another guardian the first time we met..."


    "!!"


    "Cough... Cough... What!?" Seraphina choked on her food, her heart racing, a chill running down her spine.


    Unperturbed, Wang Xiao reached for a napkin and gently wiped her face while Seraphina stared back with pale, bewildered eyes, wondering if she was like a pig being fattened for the ughter.


    "Don''t fret, I took my revenge for that on the same day ..." Wang Xiao said with a smile, his eyes twinkling at her evident fright.


    Memories from three years ago shed through Seraphina''s mind.


    She had indeed tried to manipte him, but once her scheme was exposed, she not only suffered a severe bacsh but also became entangled in other dangerous affairs that she had initially avoided.


    An attack even destroyed her royal pce, necessitating more than a year of repairs.


    Her heart felt heavy as she mulled over these memories, increasingly uncertain about Wang Xiao''s true motives.


    "We''ve settled that score, but afterwards, you became involved with Gabrial and suffered greatly, yet you chose to keep us close and allowed us to live, if I recall correctly?" Wang Xiao spoke again, his tone slightly amused as he observed the array of emotions ying across Seraphina''s face.


    "...Do I even have another choice?" Seraphina spoke bitterly.


    Could she have asked him to leave back then?


    Would he have wreaked havoc if she had?


    "Haha... Actually, after your pce was destroyed and you moved to another home, if you had asked, I would have taken Anran and moved somewhere else." Wang Xiao''sughter, warm and unexpected, rang in her ears, catching her off guard.


    She turned to face him, her expression one of surprise.


    She hadn''t known he couldugh so genuinely.


    Why had he suddenly be so mysterious?


    Wang Xiao caught her questioning gaze and nodded. "A lot of people died, many of them yours, including Marcus and his entire crew. You never came to protest or make a scene. Whatever your reasons, Sera, I remember both the good and the bad equally."


    "The timing wasn''t right back then, but now, if there''s anything you want, just say it. As long as it''s within my power, I can make it happen for you."


    "Gasp!!"


    The sharp intake of breath came not just from Seraphina, but from a hidden shadow that had been following Wang Xiao as well.


    ''As long as I ask, I could have it?'' Seraphina''s lips parted slightly in hesitation, her teeth gently nibbling her lower lip as she contemted the offer.


    The proposition was overwhelmingly tempting.


    But what did she truly want?


    That''s the curious part¡ªeveryone thinks they want many things, but when presented with the opportunity, what do they actually choose?


    Serpahina''s heart pounded with anxiety, yet Wang Xiao remained patient, a calm presence by her side.


    "You can take your time... Whether you ask for something or not, it won''t affect the lives of you or your daughter," he reassured her, casually holding chopsticks in one hand and stuffing a piece of meat into her mouth forcing it to shut.


    "Mmm..." Seraphina nodded, her gaze drifting to the food in front of her with a sense of relief.


    Though she often appeared as a grumbling, annoyed woman, in truth, she harbored a deep fear.


    She worried that if she asked for something, their ounts would be settled and Wang Xiao would then have no further obligation to her and Josephine.


    But his reassuring words had soothed her. However, as calm as she felt on the surface, a new chaos began to stir within her...


    The irritable woman of moments ago seemed to vanish, reced by a more subdued and youthful demeanor.


    Her face now flushed, she looked more like a girl bashfully contemting a proposal of marriage.


    She feared that if he spoke further, the butterflies in her stomach might burst free.


    Her lips parted only weakly to ept the food, but after a few minutes, Seraphina regained herposure and snatched the chopsticks from his hand.


    "Hm?"


    "I can eat by myself," she dered, a hint of aloofness in her voice.


    She grabbed the bowl of rice and began to eat at double speed.


    "..."


    "Why¡ªgulp¡ªdid you suddenly decide to¡ªcough¡ª t¡ªcough¡ªto...change..." Seraphina choked on some rice as she swallowed it too hastily and asked, her eyes watering from the effort.


    "Change like how?" Wang Xiao''s eyes blinked with genuine curiosity.


    Yet, whenever he spoke, there was a subtle calmness about him that might seem natural to him, but to those around him, it marked a significant transformation.


    "Ummm... change like..." Seraphina hesitated, unsure whether to speak her mind.


    After a brief moment, she shrugged, deciding to go ahead and potentially offend him anyway. "Change like, before you were some bossy thug kid! But now, it''s different."


    After dropping this bombshell, she quickly pretended to focus on her food, half-expecting to be scolded for her blunt observation.


    Yet Wang Xiao''s eyes closed, rather reflecting on his own history, which felt as if it had been sandwiched between different eras of his life.


    He recalled the memories from his birth up to his entry into the Graveyard of Gods, followed by the vivid experiences within the Graveyard, and then another set that restarted from his birth and concluded once again at the entrance to the Graveyard.


    This segmentation was necessary to prevent catastrophic consequences that might arise from fully essing his memories of the Graveyard of Gods while attempting to recall anything from his earlier life.


    As he pondered over the personality he had before entering the Graveyard, everything became clear to Wang Xiao.


    Compared to his past self, he was indeed far more seasoned now.


    Very few things in the world could unsettle him, an evidence to the profound experiences that had shaped him into theposed figure he was today.


    He nodded, reminiscing about the once determined person who had entered the Graveyard of Gods. "Sera."


    "Eh?" Seraphina paused midway through a bite, waiting for him to continue.


    "The person you knew growing up always felt something was missing..." Wang Xiao began, his voice tinged with a reflective somberness. "He didn''t have anyone behind him to say, ''Go do whatever you want, and even if you fall, it doesn''t matter.'' There was no one standing beside him, no one there at all..."


    Images of people shed through his mind¡ªfrom his family to the new family he had formed here, and even the lost Aurora.


    None had given him that assurance.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    So, he decided that he needed to find that Person.


    Curiosity sparked in Seraphina''s eyes. "So, you found that person finally?"


    Wang Xiao smiled, a knowing look in his eyes, but he offered no answer, which made her pout in annoyance.


    "If you didn''t want to tell, why hype my curiosity?" she grumbled, but Wang Xiao paid her no mind.


    He had indeed found that person, but it wasn''t anyone else but¡ª


    Whoosh!


    The conversation was abruptly interrupted by a gust of wind that swept through the pavilion, rustling the papers and small items on the table, pulling both of their attention away from the deeply personal moment.


    The door to the pavilion swung open with a cheerful jingle of the bell as three guys strode in, followed closely by two girls.


    The two guys yfully encircled their friend in the middle, their hands resting on his shoulders as they erupted intoughter, their camaraderie filling the air.


    Trailing behind, the girls wore soft, subtle smiles that hinted at shared secrets.


    "William, do you remember that girl from school? She''s apparently now... Haha."


    "That one, hehe, Jamie, how could William forget? He and she..."


    "You guys¡ª" William''s face flushed with a mix of amusement and embarrassment from their teasing, but his attention was abruptly diverted when he spotted a familiar figure.


    "Mom!"

 Chapter 379: Literal m*therfucker

    "Mom?" William''s voice cracked as it carried across the pavilion, echoing off the quaint walls.


    His face froze, an expression of sheer disbelief etched upon it, resembling a ghostly figure from ancient monastery tales.


    His friends halted in their tracks behind him, their mirth reced by a tense unease.


    They all stared, their eyes wide with difort, at the sight of William''s mother sat in thep of an unfamiliar man.


    The group knew all too well that William''s father was no longer alive; the implications of this man''s presence were unsettling.


    Olivia, with her sharp, short brown hair, watched the scene unfold with a keen analytical gaze, her mind racing to piece together the puzzle.


    Next to her, Snow shifted ufortably, her gaze flicking between William and the couple.


    Jamie, who was midway through a joke, faltered, his words trailing off as he took in his friend''s shock. "William, man, is everything... okay?"


    ''What on earth is this man doing with my mother!?'' William''s thoughts churned with revulsion and confusion, his face twisting as if he''d swallowed an ugly bug.


    If it had been anyone else beside his mother, the shock wouldn''t have been so profound.


    ''Wasn''t he supposed to be with big sis? What''s happening here?'' William''s mind scrambled for answers, his heart pounding in his chest.


    Olivia leaned closer to Jamie, whispering urgently, "Something''s not right here, look at William, he''s totally lost it."


    Jamie, after a quick, uneasy chuckle, nudged William slightly, trying to lighten the mood with a dark joke. "Hey, Will, do you... uh, need to talk or something? Hehe, maybe about your new dad?"


    Xavier, who had been silent up to this point, pped William on the back, his toneced with a mix of concern and awkward humor. "Looks like a plot twist in your family."


    Snow shot Xavier a disapproving look, but she remained silent, not wanting to interfere in others matters.


    William barely heard his friends; his focus was entirely on the man whose arm was nonchntly draped around his mother''s waist.


    He felt a bitter taste in his mouth as he struggled to process the sight before him.


    "Mom, what''s going on?" William''s voice finally rose, a mix of demand and desperation coloring his tone as he sought answers that he wasn''t sure he wanted to hear.


    Serpahina flinched for a second, her eyes shimmering with a guilty conscience as she nced behind him, and bit her lips pleadingly, silently begging Wang Xiao to release her.


    At that moment, Wang Xiao was grinning broadly, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Seraphina shivered at the sight of his cunning smile.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Wang Xiao... I will be the enemy of your eighteen generations if you say something stupid now!" Seraphina''s eyes widened in panic, yet she kept her voice low, whispering urgently with a look of begging eyes and a face flushed with shame.


    However, Wang Xiao did not release her; instead, he tightened his grip, causing her to grit her teeth in anger and frustration.


    "What are they doing... Are they flirting in front of us?" From Olivia''s perspective and that of the others, all they could see was a woman turning around and whispering to her lover, her cheeks tinted with a blush as delicate as cherry bloom on a snowy canvas.


    William, too, was stunned. He felt ignored and couldn''t believe the audacity.


    But what came next was even more brazen.


    Wang Xiao, with a deliberate loudness, rubbed Seraphina''s stomach gently and announced, "Sera, it seems the baby is already big enough... Was that a kick just now?"


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    The room fell into a sudden hush, every pair of eyes now fixed on Seraphina and Wang Xiao, the earlier family drama momentarily forgotten.


    Boom!


    ''Scoundral! I am going to kill you today!'' Seraphina''s outcry echoed across the pavilion as she faced the bewildered stares from the crowd.


    Her face flushed a deep shade of crimson, and she lost herposurepletely.


    She stood abruptly, her lips parting but no sound emerging at first, her trembling finger pointing usingly at Wang Xiao.


    "Mom... is... pregnant? It''s all over... Everything, it''s all over..." At that moment, William copsed into the floor, his entire body covered with a sheen of cold sweat.


    ''It has happened... Nothing can be undone now...'' His thoughts spiraled into despair.


    These tangled rtionships were all toomon here, yet the crowd didn''t know that Josephine had already started dating Wang Xiao, effectively creating a bizarre love triangle that bordered on a familial scandal.


    Blissfully ignorant of theplex backstory, Jamie crouched next to William, his grin spreading wide. "Congrats, buddy. Looks like your new daddy has made his grand entrance! And he''s already hunting for your property."


    "Tch, you can''t even curse this man now... He''s your literal ''motherfucker'' now! Tsk-tsk"


    Xavier too, shook his head, leaning in, his voice dripping with sympathy. "Well, fuck me, man. You''ve got a whole new definition of ''daddy issues'' to deal with now. Maybe you should start a blog."


    Despite their words, their eyes were glued to Seraphina''s back, just admiring that sexy figure; in fact, they were quite envious of Wang Xiao.


    "William!" At that moment, Seraphina''s voice boomed across the pavilion, causing a hush to fall over the gathered crowd.


    Her eyes zed with a mix of frustration and resolution as she turned to address her son, her jaw clenched tightly.


    She mentally bookmarked her grievances with Wang Xiao for ater day; her focus now was entirely on William.


    At the sight of Seraphina''s towering figure, the group of friends behind William instantly silenced their chatter.


    ''Damn... she still majestic like a real queen...'' Jamie thought, a chill running down his spine as he remembered her formidable authority.


    A cold, almost suffocating aura emanated from Seraphina, causing William to stiffen up.


    He gritted his teeth and managed a strained, "Y-Yes, mother!" His posture corrected almost instinctively, a reaction born of years under her stern gaze.


    "Why are you here at this time!? Have you been skipping your lectures again?" Seraphina''s voice cut sharp, each word filled with disappointment andmand.


    "Do you have any idea how much effort I expended to persuade the Dean to give you a chance? Have you even nced at your gradestely?" Her tone escted with each question, her disappointment unmistakable.


    "And now, instead of studying, you''re here squadering with your friends!" she continued, her voice rising in both volume and intensity.


    William swallowed hard, his face a mask of difort. ''Obviously, it was her who was caught.. why am I being scolded?...''he thought despairingly.

 Chapter 380: Ancient Sun Dynasty!

    William swallowed hard, his face a mask of difort. ''Obviously, it was her who was caught.. why am I being scolded?...''he thought despairingly.


    "I... I was just..." He stammered, trying to formte a response that might diffuse his mother''s growing anger.


    Sensing his struggle, Jamie whispered under his breath to the others, "Retreat might be wise about now..."


    Seraphina, without missing a beat, turned her steely gaze upon each of William''s friends. "Aren''t you the daughter of Minister Charles?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing as they settled on Olivia, who visibly flinched under the intensity of the scrutiny.


    Her sharp gaze then shifted to Xavier and Snow. "And you two, aren''t you here on a foreign exchange from the Sun Dynasty?" The authority in her voice made it clear that this was no casual inquiry but a reminder of their status, before they go around spreading rumours.


    Finally, Seraphina''s teeth clenched as she turned to Jamie, who had gone as mute as a puppy caught stealing food. "And you, Jamie!"


    Though she knew she was projecting her anger and using their backgrounds as leverage, Seraphina felt trapped by the need to exert control, to protect her reputation.


    "Y-Yes, ma''am!" Jamie responded, snapping to attention, his casual demeanor reced by rigid formality.


    "Is the Duke aware of where you took my sonst weekend? The All Pleasure shop, do you think I am oblivious to that?" Seraphina''s voice was icy, each word dripping with disdain.


    At this moment, Jamie internally cursed, his thoughts racing. ''Damn it, son of a b*tch, why did you spill everything to your mother!'' He shot a re at William, his frustration barely contained.


    William, for his part, was equally shocked. ''She knows about that too?'' His mind reeled as he realized the extent of his mother''s knowledge.


    At this moment all of them nodded mutely, their earlier voice drained by the icy seriousness of her interrogation.


    They all knew too well that it was simply a matter of being in the wrong ce at the wrong time. As long as they didn''t spill the beans, nothing would happen.


    These aristocratic children were wise and quick to understand, bing tamed and nodding like hens.


    "Why are you bullying the juniors?" At this moment, Wang Xiao interjected, barely suppressing a smile. "They surely didn''t mean any harm."


    "Y-You!" Seraphina whirled around, stunned and infuriated.


    Why was this infuriating man always undermining her?


    She was wrong about him.


    He had only be more ruthless!


    Her face, already flushed with shame, reddened even further when Jamie added, with a hint of mischief, "Yes, Aunt... We definitely didn''t see anything..."


    "What did you say!?" Seraphina''s gaze turned icy, her neck reddening further.


    Did they mean she had something to hide?


    Were these punks dared to make fun of her?


    Gasp!


    "Can''t you keep your mouth shut!?" William snapped.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Jamie realized toote that he had misspoken, especially as William jabbed him sharply in the ribs.


    But the damage was done.


    His face turned pale, realizing his deadly mistake.


    If all his misdeeds wereid bare, ''Heck, even my old man would disown me!'' he thought in panic.


    He was secretly supporting a child he had identally fathered with a girl; if that scandal came to light, he was finished.


    Such things were not tolerated in his circles.


    He had no intention of marrying that girl¡ªit had been an ident¡ªbut if the old Duke found out, escaping responsibility would be impossible.


    Serpahina''s chest heaved up and down, each breath a testament to her mounting anger, yet this disy only served to make her look more beautiful Wang Xiao''s observant eyes.


    He was deliberately stirring her emotions, intrigued by her unique reaction. ''She has affinity with the cold,'' he thought with a fascinated smirk.


    The Aether had deepened connection to otherworldly forces, and he was now certain that Seraphina was unconsciously manipting the room''s temperature.


    Just as he prepared to step in and smooth over the escting tensions, his brow furrowed, his face darkened by a sudden burst of anger.


    Whooooosh!


    "W-what''s going on here?" Jamie''s voice trembled as he wrapped his arms around himself.


    "This cold is unnatural..." Snow murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "I can''t see anything, it''s pitch ck!" Xavier eximed, panic edging into his tone as he reached out blindly.


    A chilling darkness swiftly enveloped the room, thick and oppressive, trapping them in a seemingly endless void.


    Everyone shivered in unison, their faces draining of color.


    An ancient, primal chill crawled up their spines, whispering of their utter insignificance in this suddenly hostile environment.


    Even Seraphina, normallyposed andmanding, found herself caught off guard.


    Her face paled, her lips quivering uncontrobly as she hugged her arms tightly to her chest.


    ''What is this ce? What''s happening?'' Her mind raced as she spun around, trying to make sense of the sudden darkness.


    Amidst the fear, a part of her couldn''t help but feel as though countless unseen eyes were piercing through her, observing her every move.


    The sensation was unsettling, as if thousands of tiny bugs were crawling across her skin, each step they took sending goosebumps down her back.


    "Why does it feel like we''re being watched?" Olivia''s voice cracked, the strain evident as she clung to Jamie.


    Finally, as suddenly as it had descended, the darkness lifted, and light seeped back into the room, casting long, eerie shadows that slowly receded.


    The group exhaled collectively, the relief but the confusion only grew.


    "Is everyone okay?" William''s voice broke through the residual silence, his toneced with concern as he scanned the faces of his friends and his mother.


    Serpahina, still visibly shaken, straightened up as she regained herposure.


    With a voice still tinged with fear, she called out, "Wang Xiao, did you feel that to¡ªhuh?" She reached out to grasp Wang Xiao''s hand for reassurance, but her trembling, fragile hand closed on nothing but air.


    Turning in confusion, she realized that he was no longer beside her.


    Her eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of him among the shadows.


    "Where did he go?" she murmured to herself, stunned, confused, and more than anything scared.


    The room felt colder now, emptier somehow, as if Wang Xiao''s departure had taken the warmth with him.


    Her heart raced, not just from fear of the supernatural chill but also from the sudden disappearance of someone she had not realized she hade to rely on so heavily in moments of crisis.

 Chapter 381: Ancient Sun Dynasty (2)

    "What on earth... happened here?"


    In the brilliance of the afternoon sun, Wang Xiao materialized high above the town square, levitating with an unearthly grace.


    Below him, the remains of over ten shops were reduced to rubble, their fragments scattered across the cobblestones like the aftermath of a disaster.


    On the sunlit ground below, a woman stood rooted in ce, her face etched with deep concern.


    She lifted her eyes to the sky, shielding them against the harsh light where two spectral figures hovered ominously.


    "Mary? What are you doing?" Wang Xiao''s voice boomed across the open space, tinged with a mixture of anger and disbelief.


    Floating in the sky, his daughters, Yue and Wenxi, were suspended with a disturbing stillness.


    Their eyes, once full of life and warmth, now appeared empty, devoid of soul or sentiment.


    "I-I didn''t do this..." Mary''s voice was a faint murmur, barely audible over the gentle hum of the afternoon breeze.


    "It happened on its own. The young misses... they suddenly emanated a strange aura and lifted into the air without any warning." Her hands shook slightly, betraying her bewildered state.


    Narrowing his eyes, Wang Xiao surveyed the destruction below.


    Near the entrance, among the debris,y signs of a fierce battle¡ªmore than five corpses indicated the aftermath of battle.


    But who was the adversary aloft?


    Above them, a dark aura surrounded the stranger, dense and dark.


    Yet, this aura was dwarfed by the even more sinister energies pulsating from Yue and Wenxi.


    The stranger seemed merely to observe from afar, his outline blurred against the bright sky.


    From the sisters, a misty, prismatic light radiated outward, casting strange, elongated shadows on the ground.


    Although Wang Xiao was puzzled by its nature, he recognized its deadly potential¡ªit seemed capable of mincing through the bodies of any ordinary mortal who ventured too close.


    "I can''t get near them; that mist is too strong, and they seem unable to control it," Mary admitted, her expression grim.


    While the mysterious man in the air posed a manageable threat, Yue and Wenxi were clearly in a state beyond her reach.


    Wang Xiao let out a deep sigh, his broad chest rising and falling, "We''ll leave the exnations forter."


    With a steady, measured rise, he began his ascent towards the hovering conflict, his figure a small dot against the background of the afternoon sky.


    ____


    "Tch, what is this weird thing..." muttered Sariel, his short orange dyed hair fluttering slightly as he hovered in the air.


    Behind him unfurled eight massive wings, dark green in color, radiating an intense aura that seemed to be the source of his strength.


    At a closer nce, these wings appeared to be a mimicry of those belonging to Gabriel, against whom Wang Xiao and Luna had once fought.


    Sariel''s eyes narrowed as he focused on the distance¡ªa kilometer away, two small figures could be discerned. "Girls, stop your resistance. Your friend have already killed the diplomat from the Sun Dynasty. Until I present your heads to the Ancient Sun Dynasty, their anger will not be quenched!" he proimed, his voice booming, amplified by the vibrations in the air.


    Were it not for the dangerous mist surrounding them, Sariel would have already closed the distance.


    For now, he maintained a respectful distance.


    "!"


    Suddenly, a cold shiver raced down his spine, making his hair stand on end.


    Before he realized it, everything around him plunged into darkness. He swallowed hard as, one by one, eyes asrge as humans opened around him.


    Large, red, predatory eyes¡ªthousands of them¡ªstared at him all at once.


    Hiss!


    He took a sharp, cold breath, his lips trembling.


    "No... this can''t be real. This isn''t happening," he whispered to himself, voice quivering with dread.


    The air felt suffocating him with the sheer weight of unseen watchers.


    Thud!


    The next moment, he lost bnce fell through the air, which felt as solid as rock beneath him, into a dark void below.


    ''Wh¡ªWhat is going on!?''


    His mind screamed internally, struggling to make sense of the surreal nightmare around him.


    "This is wrong... so very wrong," he gasped out loud, trying to steady his breathing.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Hisplexion turned ghostly pale as his blood seemed to freeze in fear. "I must escape... must get away and report it to the church.." he muttered under his breath, his eyes darting wildly in search of an exit from this hellish vision.


    But the staring eyes continued to multiply, closing in, leaving no room for escape.


    "Please... no more," Sariel begged, his voice barely more than a hoarse whisper.


    His pants were already soaked, a slightly yellow liquid seeping from his crotch.


    As one of the first Archangels established by the order of the Vatican, his condition was utterly disgraceful.


    Yet, in front of the looming shadow of mortality, these were the least of his concerns.


    ___


    While Sariel trembled, enveloped by terror in the haunting darkness, the scene happened differently at a distance.


    The dark matter had surged forward, enveloping and devouring the dangerous mist emitted by Yue and Wenxi.


    Grasp!


    "Caught it," Wang Xiao dered, moving with swiftness as he arrived just in time to catch his daughters.


    Their bodies had begun to fall when he reached them, securing each one in his arms.


    He exhaled in relief, a heavy burden lifted from his heart.


    As he held them, a faint sweet fragrance emanated from each daughter, distinct andforting, which helped to soothe the lingering edge of anger within him.


    "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...."


    In the distance, a haunting wailing echoed like a siren.


    Wang Xiao raised his head and spotted Sariel, who was now plucking at his own hair, slowly being driven to the brink of insanity.


    The sight of Sariel''s descent into madness momentarily ignited a re of hatred in Wang Xiao''s eyes, but it quickly dissipated, returning to his usual calm demeanor.


    He gentlyid both daughters down on the seemingly solid dark void, ensuring their safety first. He then turned his attention back to Sariel, contemting the next move in thisplex tableau, his mind strategizing amidst the chaos.


    Wang Xiao carefullyid his daughters down on the solid expanse of the dark void, their faces pale and cold.


    As he gently caressed their face, trying to impart some warmth with his touch, their eyes fluttered open almost simultaneously.


    Whoosh!


    They sat up sharply, gasping for air with desperate, audible inhales.


    "Inhale... inhale..."


    They each drew in ragged breaths, their hands iling in the air as if grasping for something tangible in the mist of their confusion and fear.

 Chapter 382: Ancient Sun Dynasty (3)

    "Cold... it''s so cold..." Wenxi whispered, her voice trembling as her fingers finally found something solid¡ªWang Xiao''s clothing.


    She gripped it tightly, pulling herself closer to him.


    Yue echoed her sister, her voice a scared murmur as she clutched at her father''s sleeve, "Freezing... It''s freezing."


    Both girlstched onto Wang Xiao, their bodies shivering as they buried themselves into his embrace.


    They clung to him, their hands clutching his clothes as anchors to reality.


    Wang Xiao felt their bodies were as cold as ice and immediately circted warmth through them using his internal strength.


    He enveloped them in his strong arms, his hands gently rubbing their backs in soothing circles. "Hey, hey... It''s alright, I am here now," he reassured them, his voice a soothing elixir against the echoes of their fear. "You''re both safe. That cold, that darkness¡ªit''s over."


    As he held them close, Wang Xiao felt a surge of protective resolve.


    As they continued to shiver and cling, Wang Xiao extended a slender wisp of his own spiritual energy, a thread of glowing essence that flowed from his palms into the bodies of his daughters.


    This energy, light as a feather yet potent, searched through their beings for any remnants of hidden dangers.


    With a furrowed brow, Wang Xiao delved deeper, his consciousness mingling with theirs, probing the remnants of sword intent that lingered like a stormcloud.


    It was an intent fierce and vast, reminiscent of the legendary techniques used by the Athene¡ªa sea of swords, raging and sharp, embedded within their young minds.


    This discovery, both wondrous and daunting, was akin to a Domain; given mastery, they could wield this mist as an arsenal of ethereal des.


    Yet, such profound knowledge had never passed from his lips to their ears, casting a shadow of mystery and deepening his concern.


    As vitality returned to their limbs, painting their pale cheeks with the bloom of health, Wenxi clung to him more tightly, shivering.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Her small frame trembled against his, her face buried in the safety of his chest.


    "Dad... what happened to us?" Her voice, muffled and edged with a blend of fear and confusion, vibrated against his heart.


    Lowering his gaze, Wang Xiao peered into her eyes¡ªclear and crystalline, set strikingly against her hair as though frosted snow had been caught in silk.


    Drawing a slow, measured breath, he allowed a moment''s pause.


    "How am I supposed to exin that, Xi''er? Shouldn''t you be telling Dad what chaos you''ve managed to summon now?" His voice, lightly teasing yet warm, broke the tension, a smile ying at the corners of his lips.


    After confirming their safety, the stern mask of concern that Wang Xiao had worn dissolved, reced by a carefree grin that crinkled the corners of his eye.


    "I... I didn''t do anything..." Wenxi''s cheeks colored slightly under his intense scrutiny.


    As her gaze shifted past him, a shiver caught her attention¡ªYue was still trembling, clutching at their father for warmth.


    Gasp!


    A wave of panic washed over Wenxi''s face as she abruptly stood, covering his mouth with her small, delicate hand.


    "Dad! It''s Wenxi, not Xi''er!" Her voice carried a mix of embarrassment and mild reprimand, her eyes darting to Yue to check if she had overheard the slip.


    "Mmphh..." Wang Xiao''s eyes twinkled in mild surprise, his words stifled, the soft brush of her hand against his lips muffling his response.


    Normally, such an audacious act would not be tolerated, but these spirited little creatures always seemed to push the boundaries of decorum in his presence.


    Wenxi''s eyes scanned Yue anxiously; seeing her sister still distracted, she exhaled a breath of relief.


    "Dad... Please, call me Wenxi when others are near! No Xi''er!" she pleaded, her eyes shimmering with an innocent earnestness.


    "Mmmokayhh..." His voice muffled, Wang Xiao nodded, signaling his acquiescence.


    As she withdrew her hand, his expression softened into a knowing smile, and a touch of amusement at her distress.


    Wenxi, catching the hidden meaning in his smile that only both of them can understand, felt a sudden urge to vanish into the earth, her face glowing red as if touched by the first light of dawn.


    A faint redness spread to her neck as Wang Xiao, with a yful grin, scooped her face into his hand. "Just a little bigger and already so rebellious... Sigh..." He feigned a pitiful expression, shaking his head in mock despair.


    "Daddy!"


    Wenxi''s voice rose in protest after seeing his exaggerated sulk.


    Then, with a burst of energy, she climbed up his body. Wang Xiao caught her effortlessly, falling back slightly as he received her weight, holding her close.


    "Ah¡ªno!"


    "It will leave marks! Dad! No..." Wenxi''s protests soon came in quick session.


    A few momentster, Wenxi was rubbing her face aggrievedly, while Wang Xiao''s smile only broadened.


    "Hateful..." She murmered.


    "Still want to fight me?" he teased, his voice rich with amusement.


    Wenxi shook her head instantly, her fear of further punishment evident.


    She traced the faint imprints on her face, her eyes swelling with the threat of tears.


    Any mark on her wless skin was distress to her; she cherished her clearplexion above all.


    Her attire mirrored this preference for purity¡ªshe always dressed in light colors, favoring white most of all.


    Her jewelry, too, was an evidence to her taste for cleanliness: every piece, including the amulet she wore, was made of shining silver set with a brilliant sapphire gem.


    With such a penchant for cleanliness, Wang Xiao knew precisely how to handle her.


    "Heal it!" Wenxi demanded, her tone urgent as she touched the faint marks on her face.


    Wang Xiao shrugged, adopting an innocent expression. "It will heal on its own."


    Wenxi was momentarily speechless, her frustration evident as she huffed, "..."


    She then diverted her attention, scanning their surroundings.


    Although visibility was clear, the range was limited; the dark, dense matter had enveloped an area with a ten-kilometer radius.


    The only other visible figure was the earlier ''bird man,'' now shrinking and crying at a distance.


    Choosing to ignore him, Wenxi turned her attention back to Wang Xiao, her eyes lighting up with excitement.


    "Are we in the air, flying?" She couldn''t pinpoint why, but she sensed they weren''t on solid ground.

 Chapter 383: Ancient Sun Dynasty (4)

    The dark domain of Wang Xiao, potent enough to make even Mary tremble, didn''t seem to phase Wenxi; instead, it sparked her curiosity and excitement.


    Wang Xiao understood the typical human instinctual fear of dark matter, but these two were different.


    They had been exposed to it from birth, which altered their perception of what was normal.


    To rify her question about why they seemed to be airborne rather than on solid ground¡ªtypically, when Wang Xiao activated his domain, the ground beneath them remained visible and tangible, only bing enveloped when there was no ground to begin with.


    "Yes," Wang Xiao replied.


    As he spoke, the void beneath them turned translucent, revealing the stunningndscape spread out below them.


    The sudden visibility of the earthly beauty beneath the swirling dark matter only added to the magical feeling of floating in a boundless sky.


    "Woah..." Wenxi gasped, her eyes wide with wonder as she beheld the world from their elevated vantage point.


    "Dad, teach me to fly as well; it''s so beautiful from up here."


    As Wang Xiao''s eyelids fluttered shut momentarily, strands of Wenxi''s hair brushed against his face.


    He breathed in deeply, the delicate fragrance of fresh white roses, carrying the essence of early morning dew, enveloping his senses.


    It was a scent so tender and subtly sweet that it momentarily swept him away from the conversation.


    "Dad!"


    "Dad!"


    Her voice, persistently calling him back to reality, was apanied by the insistent tugging and shaking of his robe by her small tender hands.


    Wang Xiao gave his head a gentle shake to dispel the floral reverie and opened his eyes, meeting her expectant gaze.


    "What?" he asked, a hint of confusion dancing in his voice.


    "Teach me flying," Wenxi repeated, her eyes shining with a decisive spark.


    There was a quiet strength in her voice, a determination that seemed to echo the legends of old.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but feel a twinge of reluctance.


    He had always been conservative with them concerning the secrets of his powers, scarcely imparting the deeper mysteries.


    "Nope," he responded instinctively, dismissing the idea before it could take root.


    Wenxi''s eyebrow lifted inquisitively, her lips curling into a pout that would have melted the resolve of lesser men.


    "Why not?" she challenged, her voiceced with a mixture of disappointment and curiosity.


    "You would fly away, leaving Dad all alone," Wang Xiao replied, his voice carrying a yful, teasing tone, yet carried by a thread of genuine concern.


    "Heh?" Wenxi''s response was a mixture of amusement and disbelief.


    She knew her father well enough to recognize a fa?ade when she saw one.


    Even at her young age, she understood the nuances of adult conversations, especially her father''s tendency to weave ridiculous excuses.


    "Dad, I promise I won''t fly away for too long. I''ll alwayse back!" she bargained, her voice earnest and pleading, her hands sped together as if in prayer.


    Wang Xiao''s heart melted further as he watched the joy light up Wenxi''s face.


    "Okay," he conceded with a gentle nod, his reluctance still flickering in his eyes.


    "Yay! Daddy, you''re the best!" Wenxi cheered, her enthusiasm bubbling over as she leaned in and snuggled closer to him.


    Wang Xiao felt the soft rub of her cheek against his, a tender gesture that brought a smile to his face despite his reservations.


    "Hm! Hmm... Keep bribing Dad, but don''t think it will work until you convince your mother to give her permission," he teased, his tone yful yet firm, hinting at the impossible hurdle yet to be cleared.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Huh?"


    Wenxi''s excitement paused, her body tensing slightly as if a ssh of cold water had doused her dreams of flight.


    _______


    As Wang Xiao immersed himself in what he considered ''productive'' endeavors, the sudden appearance of a vast ck expanse in the sky drew the eyes of everyone around.


    The area around Mary became increasingly crowded as more and more onlookers gathered, their faces etched with confusion and concern.


    ''It''s not going to be peaceful anytime soon...'' Mary thought grimly.


    Knowing Wang Xiao''s character well, she understood that he was not one to easily grant mercy.


    _____


    "What... happened to you two?" Yue''s voice cut through the tension as she woke up, feeling dizzy.


    Her eyes blinked three times, trying to make sense of the scene before her.


    Wang Xiao and Wenxi were sitting apart, the space between them charged with an unspoken discord.


    "Ask him!" Wenxi huffed, her patience worn thin.


    She felt she was always the one trying to be the bigger person, while her father could be, in her eyes, quite petty.


    Yue, taken aback by the stark atmosphere, merely shook her head in disbelief.


    She adjusted her clothes, standing up to better survey her surroundings.


    Her expression darkened as she pieced together the potential causes of the rift, her mind racing to analyze the little information she had.


    As Yue pieced together the circumstances of their current environment¡ªtheir cement within Wang Xiao''s dark domain, the mysterious expanse that seemed to separate reality from an eerie unknown¡ªshe noted the distant wails of the winged man they had encountered earlier.


    It all clicked together in her mind; she must have been saved by him.


    Yue tiptoed through the delicate bnce of emotions between her father and sister, her movements graceful and gentle, reminiscent of a porcin doll.


    The ambient light of the dark domain seemed to gather around her, emphasizing her youthful features and the inherent sweetness in her demeanor.


    "Dad," Yue began, her voice as tender, and innocent, "It seems we''re within your domain... and that man¡ªthe one with wings¡ªis still out there."


    She gestured with a finger towards the distance, her small hand pointing toward the faint cries of the winged man, which seemed both near and far in the vast expanse of the dark domain.


    Turning to Wang Xiao with eyes wide and earnest, Yue''s expression was one of pure gratitude, her cheeks flushed with relief and appreciation. "I believe you saved us. For that, we are thankful," she said, her voice carrying the soft chime of sincerity.


    She bowed her head gracefully, her long hair cascading like silk, catching the subtle shifts of light within the darkness.

 Chapter 384: Ancient Sun Dynasty (5)

    Yue bowed her head gracefully, her long hair cascading like silk, catching the subtle shifts of light within the darkness.


    Wang Xiao, stirred by the gentle innocence of Yue''s thanks, allowed a softness to touch his features that had been absent moments before.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao nced over at Wenxi, whose cheeks were puffed out in a mix of frustration and defiance.


    With her teeth gritted, she retorted sharply, "What, thanks, it''s his job to protect us!" Her words were brisk, revealing her annoyance at Yue''s formal gratitude.


    Almost immediately, Wenxi''s expression panicked slightly, a hint of regret showing as she realized her outburst might have been uncalled for.


    Bonk!


    Yue, surprisingly agile, reacted quickly.


    With a swift, p on Wenxi''s head, she scolded, "You¡ª!?" Wenxi''s indignant start was cut short as Yue firmly guided her into a bow simr to her own.


    "Wenxi!" Yue''s voice, usually gentle and melodious, took on a stern edge, her eyes narrowing into a re that brooked no argument.


    It was a rare disy of authority from Yue, reminding Wenxi of a specific ''incident'' fromst year, which caused her expression to change.


    Reluctantly, Wenxi acquiesced, her posture softening under Yue''s firm hand.


    She mimicked her sister''s earlier gesture of respect, though somewhat stiffly, her head bowed in a somewhat grudging acknowledgment.


    [A/N: The incident fromst year mentioned by Wenxi, as well as Eleanor''s first time and many other scenes, will be revealedter through memories. For now, the focus is on him reuniting with his family.]


    ________


    After half an hour of uneasy quiet, the thundering skies above the Vatican, nestled in the heart of the Roman Catholic Church, began to darken ominously.


    Below, congregants had gathered around the central spear, a pir where many came to offer prayers and seek divinefort.


    After the Holy Church unveiled the existence of Archangels to the world, it quickly became a beacon of admiration and drew countless new followers.


    This revtion also provided an alternative justification for those who remained skeptical of or distrusted the Guardians.


    "Ahhhhhhh!"


    Suddenly, a chilling scream tore through the sky, drawing the eyes of the gathered faithful upward.


    From the clouds descended a horrifying sight¡ªa severed head with gouged-out eyes, the face, pale as if drained of blood, contorted in a grimace of pain and terror.


    It was Sariel''s head, unmistakable even in its terrible state.


    Squish!


    With a grotesque, squelching sound, the head impaled itself on the spear at the center of the za.


    "..."


    "..."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "..."


    As the severed head of Archangel Sariel impaled itself on the central spear, a deep silence fell over the crowd, soon shattered by a collective gasp.


    The identity of the head, now recognized, sent shockwaves through the congregation at the Vatican.


    "Oh, Lord, that''s Archangel Sariel!" an elderly priest eximed, his voice cracking with the weight of his words.


    The sacred site, once a haven of prayer and peace, now mirrored a scene from a horror film, with the ghastly severed headmanding the horrified attention of all.


    As flies began to gather around it, the sense of horror deepened, turning the air thick with disgust and fear.


    People clutched their rosaries, praying fervently, while others couldn''t hold back their screams and cries of despair.


    From an elevated vantage point atop the nearby Apostolic Pce, another figure watched the scene.


    His long, beautiful blue hair fluttered slightly in the breeze, and as he recognized the head, a surprised gasp escaped his lips.


    "Sariel?" he murmured in disbelief, his eyes narrowing as he processed the shocking sight.


    As the reality of what he was witnessing settled in, a series of sixteen blue majestic wings unfurled behind him, casting an imposing silhouette against the sky.


    ________


    South American Continent!


    In the heart of a lush, sprawling rainforest, where the dense foliage seemed to whisper ancient secrets, stood the majestic Sun Pce.


    Built in this Age of Gods, it radiated an ethereal brilliance, its golden spires and ornate carvings catching the light of the sun as if holding a fragment of its power.


    The pce was a beacon of might and splendor, so many changes have came to existence, one of which was the formation of three dynasties, all across the globe.


    All announced themselves as independent regions, with there own Emperor, by joining the parts of the existing countries.


    On of such great Dynasties, was Ancient sun Dynasty of the South American Continent.


    Inside the grandeur of the Emperor''s chamber, which was adorned with intricate murals depicting celestial battles and divine ascensions.


    Heavy silk curtains in shades of gold and crimson draped the windows, softening the morning light that filtered through and bathed the room in a warm, inviting glow.


    On a vast bed, crafted from the rarest redwood and veiled with gossamer fabrics,y the Emperor.


    He was a man of striking appearance, with a strong jaw and sharp, discerning eyes that mirrored the untamed wilderness outside.


    His hair, as dark as the raven''s wing, was syed across his pillow, and his bare chest revealed the sculpted physique of a warrior.


    At his side, two women¡ªhis wives¡ªadorned in flowing robes that echoed the colors of the forest, catered to him with a yful affection that belied their regal bearing.


    One, with cascading curls the color of autumn leaves, offered him a grape, cing it delicately to his lips with a smile that sparked warmth in his eyes.


    "Your Majesty, must we always rise at dawn?" she teased gently, her voice a melodious harmony that filled the air with lightness.


    The other wife, her hair a brilliant cascade of midnight blue, leaned closer, her hand brushing against his as she offered another grape.


    "Indeed, my lord, allow the sun to rise without you just this once," she chimed in, her toneced with humor and affection.


    The Emperor chuckled, a sound deep and resonant, and epted the grape with a yful nip at her fingers. "And let the sun think it can begin the day without my blessing?" he replied, his voice rich and arrogant.


    "Ah!?"


    "Your Majesty¡ªno!"


    He descended, his hands grasping the slender, soft legs of both women. As he drew in a deep breath, both women flushed a deep, aroused crimson.


    Gasp!


    He licked and sucked, coating their toes in his warm saliva, causing their bodies to melt with pleasure.

 Chapter 385: Ancient Sun Dynasty: Fallen!

    As the Emperor was enjoying his new profound dynasty, a shadow fell across the Sun Pce, subtle at first but growing rapidly with an rmingly fast pace.


    Outside, the pce''s sentinels stood rigid, their eyes scanning the horizon where an unnatural darkness began to coalesce, swirling like a tempest of pitch-ck tar.


    The first sentinel turned, his voice tight with urgency. "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!" he called, but his words barely breached the thick walls of the chamber.


    Inside, the Emperor continued, oblivious to the creeping danger, hisughter mingling with the soft giggles of his consorts.


    It was a perfect morning, or so it seemed, until the first shadow fell across the sunlit threshold.


    The darkness spilled like ink across thend, swift and silent.


    It touched the flora, and within moments, the vibrant greens turned to ashen gray, their life force sucked dry.


    Animals caught in the path of the tar screamed in agony, their bodies freezing before shattering into fragments, leaving flesh and blood.


    Back in the pce, the sentinel''s voice finally pierced the veil of indulgence. "My lord, please¡ªsomething terrible descends upon us!" he shouted, breaking into the chamber.


    "What!?"


    The Emperor''s eyes flicked toward the window, his brow furrowing as he witnessed the dark tide engulfing his domain.


    "Huh?" The women at his side clung to each other, their faces pale with dread.


    The Emperor rose, his authority undiminished even as fear wed at his heart. "To arms!" he yelled, but hismand fell on deaf ears.


    His guards, once ready to defend, were now statues of ice, their expressions etched in eternal terror.


    The dark tar seeped through the pce walls, unstoppable and corrupting.


    It slithered across the floors, climbing up the legs of unsuspecting servants and nobles alike.


    Screams filled the air, a symphony of despair, as each person it touched convulsed violently, their heads bursting in fountains of blood, painting the floor with their lifeblood.


    "Squelch!" The vile noise echoed through the halls as another servant''s head exploded, a geyser of blood spurting from the neck, drenching the walls in scarlet.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Inside the throne room, the Emperor stood frozen, not with the tar''s touch but with horror, as he watched his empire crumble into chaos.


    His wives, now gripped by the foul substance, turned their pleading eyes towards him, their bodies beginning to stiffen.


    "My love, forgive us..." whispered one, before her head exploded, showering him with blood and remnants of what once was.


    "Squish!" Her head burst open, the sound loud in the still air, followed by the sickening ssh of her lifeblood hitting the floor.


    "NNOOOO!!!" The Emperor, now alone amidst the carnage, fell to his knees.


    His pce, once a beacon of power and beauty, was now a mausoleum of his failures.


    As the tar enveloped him, hisst thoughts were of despair and disbelief.


    "Squish!"


    Outside, the once-mighty Sun Pce stood silent, a dark monument to the night''s horror.


    Thend around it was no longer golden but a chilling ck, with rivers of blood flowing like the very veins of the earth.


    The Ancient Sun Dynasty, known across the continents for its might and splendor, had fallen.


    News spread like wildfire, the tales growing darker with each telling¡ªovernight, an entire empire had been erased, covered by a mysterious dark substance that left behind onlykes of blood as a curse to its existence.


    ___________


    "Squish!"


    As the Emperor''s head burst like a ripe peach under the celestial wheel, Wang Xiao, aloft and observing from the skies, permitted a faint smile to grace his face.


    nking him stood his daughters, their faces as pale as the moonlight against the now darkened sky.


    When he had whispered promises of showing them a sight of profound interest, they had not envisioned this¡ªa dynasty fading into the abyss at his mere whim.


    "It is so ugly..." Wenxi murmured, turning her face away, her delicate features twisted in distaste.


    Yue, her gazeplicated and clouded with thoughts unspoken, beheld the carnage with eyes wide.


    Confusion etched her usually serene expression as she pondered Wang Xiao''s intentions.


    Why subject them to this disy?


    They had long since understood the nature of their father¡ªa man far removed from the path of righteousness, a detail neither daughter found troubling.


    For them, the measure of the man was not his goodness to the world but to them.


    This was the doctrine of their upbringing.


    They had witnessed, not without a mix of horror and fascination, their father use his enemies as subjects in live dark experiments¡ªmerging the ancient arts of healing with the brutal new science of surgery and modern medicine.


    That chamber of horrors, from which even Eveline recoiled, had once been peeped Yue in a moment of curiosity, leading her to throw up without a next moment''s thought.


    Thus, to bring them here¡ªwas it to showcase his might?


    Or perhaps to impart a lesson in the stark realities of power?


    The weight of his legacy was heavy; the consequences of their existence far-reaching.


    Yue came to grasp that this spectacle was a method of schooling them in the responsibilities that their positions hold.


    In the dance of the future, they must tread lightly, lest the innocent pay in blood for their missteps.


    Perhaps it was merely a quarrel sparked by a careless word with a young master¡ªyet they must master the art of defusing such sparks.


    For should ''he'' descend for their help, the devastation following would be the endgame.


    It was not merely a warning to the world, but a y written for them, to understand or not¡ªit was their choice.


    As for the sacrifice of millions of innocent lives, from the perspective of Wang Xiao, they simply merged with the cosmos, earlier perhaps than fate intended.


    Soon, new souls would emerge in this eternal cycle; those who aspire to etch their names into legend often forget that every saga must find its twilight.


    Stories end...


    Yet they overlook that with each conclusion springs a new beginning¡ªan infinite loop where only the enlightened grasp the profundity of such cycles.


    Their souls, now free, would nourish the nascent generations, the spilled blood enriching the soil beneath their feet.


    In this grand universe, nothing is truly lost, for in the cosmos''s vast library, nothing can be destroyed¡ªonly transformed.


    ______


    Back in the Ancient Pavilion, the atmosphere was thick with the rich aroma of spices and the gentle murmur of conversation.


    Less than an hour had passed since Wang Xiao had erased an entire dynasty from existence, unbeknownst to those gathered here.


    Seraphina, engaged in a deep discussion with Olivia, paused mid-sentence as the melodious jingle of the doorbell echoed through the space.


    William and Jamie, seated to the side, nced up briefly before returning their attention to their quiet chat.


    Snow and Xavier, the twin royals of the fallen Sun Dynasty, were savoring their meals, their participation in the conversation minimal but present.


    Jingle... Jingle...


    As the door swung open, it announced Mary''s arrival with cheerful, clinking bells.

 Chapter 386: Cutting the Roots!

    Jingle... Jingle...


    As the door swung open, it announced Mary''s arrival with cheerful, clinking bells.


    The waiter stepped forward to greet her, but his words caught in his throat as he met her hollow, haunting gaze.


    Gasp!


    His face drained of color, and he stumbled back slightly, a low murmur of "Oh..." escaping his lips.


    "Who is this now?" Seraphina set down her chopsticks with a tter, her interest piqued by the disturbance.


    The restaurant, styled like an ancient pavilion, hummed with the quiet sounds of dining¡ªchopsticks clicking against bowls, soft sips of tea.


    Mary stood still at the threshold, her eyes sweeping across the room until theynded on the twins.


    In a voice that carried over the soft din, she asked, "Which one of you alles from the Sun Dynasty?"


    "..."


    "..."


    The room fell silent, the only sounds the soft rustle of fabric as everyone turned to look at Snow and Xavier.


    "Uhhh....." Snow, her lips parting slightly, looked to her brother, a flicker of apprehension crossing her delicate features.


    Xavier, swallowing hard, met her gaze with a steady one of his own, his hand reaching out to grasp hers under the table.


    "Us," Snow''s voice was a whisper, yet it resonated in the sudden silence of the pavilion. "We are of the Sun Dynasty."


    Xavier nodded, his voice stronger, steadier. "We are the children of the dynasty you speak of. Why are you searching for us?" His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Mary, trying to gauge her intentions.


    Mary stepped forward, "I have a news that concerns you directly," she dered, her eyes locked onto theirs. "The Sun Dynasty... your homnd has suffered a catastrophe."


    Snow, "What!?"


    Xavier, "How is this possible?"


    A gasp rippled through the room, chopsticks paused mid-air, and the sound of breathing seemed loud in the hushed atmosphere.


    Seraphina leaned forward, her interest now fully captured. "What kind of catastrophe?" Her voice was a mix of concern and curiosity.


    Mary''s next words were heavy, "Your dynasty was cursed by a powerful being. Everyone¡ªevery living soul¡ªwas extinguished. Lakes of blood now flow where your cities stood."


    "Powerful beings.... who..." Snow''s face went pale, her grip on Xavier tightening.


    A stifled sob escaped her as she bowed her head, her other hand covering her mouth.


    Xavier remained stoic, but his eyes, brimming with sudden grief, betrayed his anguish.


    "Destroyed? All of it?" he managed to keep his voice suspicious of Mar''s im, yet his voice cracked with the strain of his emotions.


    Mary nodded solemnly. "Yes,pletely annihted. For now, you must consider yourselves thest of the Sun Dynasty."


    The pavilion, once a bastion of light-hearted dining and conversation, descended into silence by the words that had just been delivered.


    Seraphina''s gaze shifted worriedly towards Snow and Xavier, who seemed to be silently pleading for her help.


    Despite her fear of the mysterious bloody aura around Mary, Seraphina didn''t falter.


    With Wang Xiao still in the city, she found a reserve of courage and sighed resolutely, "Don''t you know spreading false news in mynd can get you into jail? How can a dynasty be erased so easily?"


    Mary nced at Seraphina, sizing her up.


    Her eyes lingered with a subtle tremor on Seraphina''s hips, pondering if this woman was destined to bear more heirs for her master.


    She replied coolly, "It was destroyed by the Eighth Prince. If you have any questions, ask him directly. For now, I am here to conclude my business."


    Since Seraphina was Wang Xiao''s consort, Mary chose not to make things difficult for her directly but instead focused her attention on the siblings.


    Whoosh!


    With a swift motion, Mary waved her hand, and Xavier''s head was severed from his body.


    His eyes widened in shock as he toppled forward, his head crashing into the soup bowl with a ssh and a crash, sending droplets and shards flying, freezing Snow in sheer horror.


    Ssh! Crash!


    "You have toe with me; he is in need of experimental subjects," Mary stated bluntly, her tone devoid of emotion.


    Without waiting for a response or allowing anyone time to intervene, she grabbed Snow by the wrist and dragged her towards the exit.


    "You! Leave me! My father will kill you all!" Snow''s voice broke through the chaos, her resistance futile as tears welled up in her eyes, sparkling like crystals of fallen snow.


    At the entrance, Snow''s sobs grew louder, her resistance more desperate.


    The situation had passed so swiftly that no one in the pavilion had been able to fully grasp what was happening.


    "M-Mom?"


    William''s voice broke through the silence, his eyes wide as he stared at the now headless body of Xavier.


    He shivered, unable to reconcile the scene with the memories of their time at university, all of them batchmates in the same department.


    How could things have ended like this?


    "I... I am going¡ªugh!" Olivia gasped, her face twisted as she struggled to suppress the urge to vomit.


    mping her hand over her mouth, she darted towards the washroom.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Jamie''s face had drained of all color, his eyes fixed on the spot where Xavier hadst stood.


    Seraphina, witnessing the horror unfold in her establishment, turned sharply to the waiter. "Can you call someone to clear this mess?" she demanded, her voice trembling slightly.


    The waiter, obviously bewildered by the request¡ªthey had never dealt with anything remotely like this before¡ªstuttered, "W-we... we don''t have¡ª"


    "Sigh... Just go outside, and grab the nearest guard!" Seraphina interrupted, her tone firm.


    She expected the guards who secretly protected her to be nearby, ready to intervene.


    Confused but understanding the urgency, the waiter nodded and hurried out.


    Meanwhile, other staff members were frantically calling the police, their hands shaking as they dialed.


    Still shaken by the sight of the head lying grotesquely apart from its body, Seraphina turned back to her son, her voice soft but fraught with tension. "William, I need to tell you something."


    "W-What?" William''s voice quivered, sensing the grave tone in his mother''s words.


    His heart pounded with fear.


    Were they going to die too?


    What was happening?


    Seraphina''s eyes were steely as she spoke in a serious tone, "First, as I told you earlier, I am not pregnant. Second, Wang Xiao... you saw him earlier. He and I¡ªnevermind that. Just don''t breathe a word about it to anyone, or you could be lying dead next. Also, try not to speak much around him."


    "Huh?" William was visibly stunned.


    How was Wang Xiao involved in all of this?


    Seraphina had always moved cautiously, especially given Wang Xiao''s unpredictable nature.


    To avoid conflicts, William had been conveniently sent away during Wang Xiao''s stays, particrly after Josephine recounted how William''s first meeting with Wang Xiao had ended unfavorably.


    Consequently, William remained oblivious to the true nature and identity of Wang Xiao.


    "What happened... Did you tell someone?" Seraphina''s voice was sharp, her gaze piercing as she noticed William''s uneasy nce towards his phone.


    "I... I texted Josephine."

 Chapter 387: Execution Order of Holy Church!

    "I... I texted Josephine," William admitted, his voice faltering under the weight of his mother''s intense stare.


    Seraphina''s frown deepened, her earlier words forgotten as she snatched his phone to check the messages.


    "It''s over..."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Her face drained of color as she read the texts. William had not only spilled details about Wang Xiao but had also falsely imed she was pregnant.


    Buzz...


    ''Damnit!'' Seraphina''s thoughts were interrupted by her phone vibrating with a new message, her expression darkening further.


    William, still in the dark about the full extent of the situation, watched his mother''s reaction with growing dread.


    It was onlyter, when Seraphina reluctantly disclosed that Wang Xiao was the Eighth Prince, that truly hit him.


    Suddenly, he understood why his mother had been so different around Wang Xiao, but that understanding didn''t bring approval.


    While he internally disapproved of their rtionship, he knew better than to express his concerns openly, especially now that he realized the danger of crossing Wang Xiao.


    In the age that nketed the world, the lines between Guardians and Gods had blurred into indistinguishability.


    Yet, beneath this surface of supposed divine equilibrium, a faction of powerful dissenters stirred the waters of discontent.


    This faction, consisting of entities like the Holy Church and remnants of the once-mighty Ancient Sun Dynasty, championed alternative powers.


    They represented a counter-narrative to the prevailing dominance of the Guardians, positioning themselves as bastions of a different kind of strength.


    The news of the Eight Prince, Wang Xiao,mitting a mass ughter, however, set the world''s stage with a infamous spotlight.


    The Church twisted this narrative effectively, painting him as a devil incarnate.


    Rather than deterring his influence, this portrayal backfired.


    Archangel Michael, seizing the moral high ground, publicly announced an arrest order for the Eight Prince, branding him a sinner and cing a bounty on his head.


    Yet, this dramatic decree was met with skepticism by the popce.


    The people, having witnessed the unmatched powers of the Eight Prince, perceived the Church''s actions as desperate attempts to remain relevant.


    They questioned the reality of the charges, pondering a provocative thought: Have a God ever been tried by mortals?


    While Wang Xiao''s reputation suffered under these damning usations, the other Guardians seized the moment to bolster their own standing.


    Across the globe, they engaged in heroic battles against outbreaks of mutated beasts, enhancing their reputation as protectors of humanity.


    Some even stepped into the limelight, revealing their identities to the public and bing celebrity figures overnight.


    ______


    Chop-chop-chop!


    As dawn''s dazzling sunlight bathed thendscape, an advanced military-grade helicopter tore through the air.


    Unlike any traditional helicopter, its wings resembled those of a butterfly.


    Tucked neatly at the rear was apact module featuring four agile tail rotors, spinning in perfect synchrony.


    This marvel of engineering boasted capabilities such as super cruising and immunity to conventional armaments like bullets and missiles.


    In a world where technology advanced at a breathtaking pace, this aircraft stood as an evidence to the fusion of traditional fuel-driven mechanisms and the innovative aether-based technology.


    Aether itself, once refined into shimmering crystals through a meticulous process, transformed into highly coveted ''Aether crystals''.


    Despite their steep price, their unmatched efficiency made them a preferred choice among the affluent.


    Those with extensiveworks mored for ess to this revolutionary technology.


    Although production initiallygged due to abor shortage following the great reset, the rapid establishment of autonomous manufacturing units soon filled the gap.


    This shift minimized the need for humanbor in mundane tasks, freeing people to engage in more significant endeavors.


    Normally, such technological shifts sparked protests over job losses, but the current economy had rebounded to twice its previous peak.


    With soaring per capita ie, the world''s priorities had evolved dramatically.


    Increasing numbers of individuals yearned to tap into this mystical energy of heaven and heart, drawn by its mysterious nature.


    Warriors rose from every corner of the globe, those who had mastered the use of Aether.


    As tensions red between these empowered beings and ordinary mortals, governments found themselves at a loss.


    Amidst this chaos, Wang Xiao chose a life of seclusion, well aware that his previous actions had stirred the turbulent world outside his haven.


    As they flew toward the Volcanic Ind¡ªthe same one where Ericka, Seraphina, and Wang Xiao had once trekked, the very ce where he first met Aurora and was pinched to death by Asmodeus¡ªWang Xiao couldn''t help but sport a wry smile.


    Reflecting on those times, he realized how much had changed; now, beings like Asmodeus didn''t even register in his eyes.


    "That''s strange..."


    Inside the cabin, Seraphina, d in a tiger fur coat, radiated beauty despite the small frown creasing her forehead.


    Sitting across from her, Wang Xiao appeared indifferent to the chilly environment, not bothering with clothing suited for the cold.


    Seraphina didn''t think the cold would affect him; after all, his resilience was legendary.


    Next to Wang Xiao sat Wenxi, slightly apart, immersed in her headphones, exploring the new technology of modern mobile phones.


    She too was dressed lightly, her sleeves rolled back to reveal skin as white and delicate as fresh snow, eliciting a hint of pity in Seraphina.


    Yet, she knew that despite Wenxi''s fragile appearance, she should be safe.


    Her gaze then drifted to the another creature curled up peacefully on Wang Xiao''sp, covered with a soft silk cloth¡ªit was Yue.


    Seraphina''s expression turned peculiar as she nced between Wang Xiao and Yue.


    "What''s strange?" Wang Xiao''s eyes blinked open.


    Seraphina hesitated. "I thought you two... Had some distance," she remarked, treading lightly around the subject.


    ''It''s a taboo,'' she reminded herself quickly. Whenever his daughters were mentioned, Wang Xiao might seemposed, but Seraphina felt a chill run down her spine as if broaching a forbidden topic could lead to dire consequences.


    "You mean her?" Wang Xiao expressed surprise, ncing down at the serene, purring face of Yue as she slept beautifully in hisp.


    In fact, it was the nightmares and anger that had kept her from sleeping, not the first time they had seen Wang Xiao engage in ughter, but the first time they witnessed live reporting.


    Millions had med the ''Eight Prince,'' and the news channels had broadcasted the grim aftermath of Sun Dynasty tragedy.


    Such profound public condemnation had deeply unsettled the little soul, and since Wang Xiao had spent the previous night with Seraphina, Yue hadn''t slept well.


    Wenxi, on the other hand, didn''t seem to care as much.


    Wang Xiao had pieced it all together himself, quite familiar with the workings of each of his daughters'' minds.


    ''Hm? Are they talking about me?'' Noticing the sudden silence, Wenxi sneakily slid off her headphones and paused the movie ying on her phone to eavesdrop on their conversation.


    Wang Xiao nced at Seraphina and then at the sleeping Yue in his arms, before reaching out to gently caress her face, as fine as jade and lustrous white.

 Chapter 388: Star Map! (1)

    Wang Xiao nced at Seraphina and then at the sleeping Yue in his arms, before reaching out to gently caress her face, as fine as jade and lustrous white.


    He pinched her cheek a few times, a gesture of contentment, then spoke without looking up.


    "Sera, what you see is not always the whole truth. You think this one is not as close to me, and might be superficial on the surface? But why then is she sleeping in such an unguarded manner?" His voice carried no hint of anger or suspicion, just a calm assertion of misunderstood situation.


    "!"


    Seraphina felt a stir of fear. Had she inadvertently revealed something she shouldn''t have?


    Especially since her understanding of Wang Xiao''s true strength was limited.


    Even from their first meeting, she believed he could crush her effortlessly, and only yesterday had she realized her previous assessments were wildly underestimated.


    His power had soared beyond the expectations of the world.


    It wasn''t just her; a pervasive sense of crisis loomed globally.


    Even some Guardians found it hard to ept that he had obliterated an entire dynasty in the span of ten breaths, without any prior nning or external assistance.


    "I..." Seraphina''s lips, pale from the cold as they approached the cier, quivered. ''It''s so hard to see through him...'' she thought inwardly. He seemed so calm, so why did she feel this instinctual fear again?


    "Poof... Aunt Sera, you don''t understand Yue at all." Wenxi, who had been eavesdropping, broke into a small smile, finding it unusual to see Seraphina act like a stranger and appear anxious.


    Her father might have a fearsome reputation, but he wasn''t easily provoked.


    You could speak freely around him without fear of offense.


    Otherwise, with his temper and the antics of her mother, she thought that her mother would have met the king of the underworld a thousand times over by now.


    Seraphina''s re hardened at Wenxi''s audacious remark. "Little girl, just because he is sitting here, you think you can nder me and get away with it?"


    The idea of not even being taken seriously by the younger generation was utterly uneptable to her.


    The true reason behind her hesitation was deeper, a matter weighing on her heart that she struggled to articte.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    And now, Wenxi''s teasing had driven Seraphina to her limits, her teeth gritted as she leaned in to impart a stern lesson.


    "Dad..." Wenxi''s voice trembled slightly, her face draining of color as Seraphina advanced.


    Unlike her father, she and her sister were mere mortals with only a basic mastery of psychokinesis.


    At that moment, Seraphina radiated a chilling aura, both powerful and intimidating.


    Wenxi cast a desperate look at Wang Xiao, hoping for a rescue.


    But noticing his serene, Buddha-like demeanor, with no intention to intervene, her hope quickly turned to dismay.


    To Seraphina''s satisfaction¡ªand slightly delighted by Wang Xiao''s nonchnce¡ªit seemed a perfect moment to remind these girls of her seniority.


    "Beautiful aunt, please spare me," Wenxi pleaded, her voice quivering slightly. "I promise not to trouble you in the future, and I''ll even help you with an ice technique!" Her plea, though sounding sincere, was clearly crafted to bribe.


    "Huh?" Seraphina paused mid-gesture, visibly taken aback.


    Her cheeks reddened slightly, a mix of surprise and mild embarrassment washing over her as she was called ''beautiful''¡ªapliment that felt oddly ttering at her age.


    She instinctively turned to Wang Xiao, seeking his reaction.


    "Humph! It''s not suitable for me to discipline juniors... What about the ice technique?" Seraphina huffed, letting go of Wenxi.


    Her earlier menacing aura dissipated, reced by a twinge of disappointment that Wang Xiao hadn''t reacted to thepliment.


    Yet, the prospect of learning an ice technique lured her deeply.


    In a world where the ways to cultivate and utilize Aether were shrouded in mystery, controlled and regted by the likes of Mount Olympus, acquiring genuine teachings was a hard task.


    The ck market, though rife with offerings from Deviants or their kin, was notoriously unreliable.


    A single misstep in these forbidden arts could lead to disaster.


    Specific elemental techniques were especially rare and coveted.


    Seraphina knew about these techniques but recognized her own limitations; without Wang Xiao''s support, securing such valuable knowledge was very hard for her.


    Facing Seraphina''s expectant gaze, Wenxi felt a surge of responsibility.


    "Dad! I want an ice technique!" She turned to Wang Xiao, tugging at his sleeve for support, her expression a mix of determination and lingering resentment for his earlier inaction.


    Wang Xiao finally directed his attention to his daughter, noticing her puffed cheeks and earnest expression. "Do you even know what an ice technique is?" he asked, his voice filled with amusement.


    The girl, who had barely interacted with Aether until now, seemed overly confident about the existence of such techniquesm?


    Wenxi''s smile widened as she showed Wang Xiao the movie she was watching, eximing with youthful enthusiasm, "Obviously, it''s about Mages!"


    Seraphina''s expression darkened, her teeth clenching in frustration. ''I was yed by this little girl!'' she realized, annoyed at the mischief.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, surprised and slightly bemused. "These people have already started making movies about this stuff. It seems someone is very desperate for the world to ept the existence of mages."


    "Here, keep this." Wang Xiao then pulled a scroll from his sleeves and handed it to Seraphina, startling her.


    "Huh? Is this real?" Seraphina unfurled the scroll, her eyes widening in surprise.


    Wenxi, watching the exchange, felt a pang of injustice¡ªthere really was such a thing?


    Then why did they have tobor so diligently at psychokinesis?


    Psychokinesis was significantly more challenging without Aether!


    Seeing Seraphina with the scroll made Wenxi grit her teeth in determination. "Dad! I also need a few!"


    Wang Xiao patted her head soothingly, "Once you master psychokinesis, we can talk about this."


    "Eh?" Wenxi was stunned. Master psychokinesis?


    Would that not take decades?


    And even then, would it truly be enough?


    Wang Xiao''s attention shifted back to Seraphina. "When did you be a mage?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.


    In their world, where new terms and techniques were continually emerging, there were multiple methods to refine and utilize Aether.


    One such method involved the star map: as long as a person could visualize the star map in their consciousness, they were deemed qualified to be a mage.


    For each element, different stars corresponded, and at least one dot within a star needed to be activated to practice that element.


    Upon awakening a single dot, an individual could perceive a blurred outline of a star-shaped seal in their consciousness and were thus entitled to be called a ''Novice Mage'' at the first level.

 Chapter 389: Star Map! (2)

    When a practitioner awakens two dots within the Star Map and connects them, their strength increases exponentially.


    As more dots are connected and the entire Star Map begins to glow, the practitioner ascends to the next level of mastery.


    This intricate process is one of several methods to harness and manipte Aether, each offering unique paths to power.


    The technique of the Mage, specifically, was not the only path; there were numerous others.


    However, the ''Star Map'' held a special ce as it was a gift from Athene to Wang Xiao when he first began to explore the possibilities of Aether.


    Despite his already superior strength, Wang Xiao was surprised by the potential of Aether and wished to explore its capabilities, having no pressing engagements.


    Athene advised that it would be wiser for the world to adopt a structured approach to Aether, rather than a haphazard exploration.


    Although such explorations posed no risk to a freak like Wang Xiao, they could lead to corruption or worse oues if pursued carelessly by the general popce.


    The Star Map technique, introduced globally in 2027 by Wang Xiao through various channels, became one of the most prominent methods due to its structured nature.


    He entrusted Li Zhiming with the technique, allowing him to decide whether to disseminate it further.


    Over time, Wang Xiao provided Li with numerous techniques and methods for refining Aether, granting him the discretion to release them to the world or withhold them as he saw fit.


    For beings like Athene, and simrly for Wang Xiao, these techniques were essentially obsolete; both had transcended the need for Aether and were no longer dependent on it.


    These methods belonged to an era long past, yet they held relevance for those still bound to the physical and energetic constraints of their world.


    Regarding the concept of the ''sea of consciousness,'' it rted less to the human notion of consciousness and more directly to Aether.


    This mystical sea was not merely a psychic or mentalndscape but the literal presence of Aether within the practitioner, which granted transcendent powers to humanity.


    The sea of consciousness was a profound and mystical phenomenon, yet Wang Xiao understood it as a manifestation of people''s conciousness  of Aether flowing through their bodies.


    All those who had sessfully harnessed this power shared a certain affinity with Aether.


    While it was normally impossible to converse directly with Aether, once it resided within one''s body, an individual could feel its presence and interact with it, giving rise to what was perceived as a ''sea of consciousness.''


    As Wang Xiao observed Seraphina''s sea of consciousness, he noted that she had awakened a dot within it, which emitted a chilling aura.


    The Aether in her body was naturally drawing in the elements of ice, indicating a strong affinity for them.


    This ability was not only unique but also held significant potential for development through the Star Map and rted techniques.


    Despite her powers, the deeper mysteries of the Star Map and the techniques to harness this strength were stillrgely unknown to Seraphina.


    She had once sought more knowledge from ra, but her inquiry had been met with a cold refusal, stating that without the ''Eight Prince''s'' express permission, no assistance would be forting.


    Wang Xiao, currently in seclusion in Xianthera, was beyond her reach for direct contact, leaving Seraphina with limited options: either wait patiently or rely on the techniques now distributed among various institutions, which she suspected to be inferior and unstable.


    "Thank you." Seraphina''s voice was thick with gratitude as she epted the scroll from Wang Xiao.


    Yet, almost immediately, her expression shifted, and she snorted with a mix of annoyance and resentment. "You should have given this to me sooner!"


    Her grumbling stemmed from a feeling of imbnce in their rtionship¡ªdespite having surrendered so much to him, she felt she had received little in return.


    In fact, she even felt somewhat victimized by the loss of control over her own body.


    Wang Xiao, observing her reaction, smiled faintly. He understood the roots of her resentment, but such matters held little significance to him.


    He had never intended to monopolize these powers or keep them hidden from his people.


    "If you need anything more, ask ra."


    "ra?" Seraphina''s frown deepened, and she rolled the scroll back up, putting it away with a swift motion.


    She looked at Wang Xiao, her eyes reflecting a mix of animosity and exasperation. "Why do you want to push me into the fire pit? .... That woman obviously doesn''t take me seriously at all, even threatening me with her poisonous body."


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao''s expression shifted to one of genuine surprise upon seeing the aggrieved look on Seraphina''s face.


    "Did something happen between you two?" he inquired, aware of ra''s generally obedient demeanor in his presence, yet also recognizing her potential to be less than kind to others.


    "I... Forget it." Seraphina''s lips quivered with hesitation, her sigh betraying her reluctance to stir trouble or create discord.


    Clearly, she was unsure of ra''s standing with Wang Xiao and felt intimidated by the other woman''s importance to him.


    Little did she know, ra''s primary role as Wang Xiao''s intermediary with the outside world stemmed not from her significance to him personally but rather from her unique poisonous capabilities.


    "Tell me." Wang Xiao extended a hand, gently grasping Seraphina''s, which were soft as dough, her fingers slender and delicate.


    Caught off-guard by his sudden gesture, Seraphina''s cheeks flushed with a blush.


    With some reluctance, she recounted the incident that had happened between her and ra.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    As she spoke, Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed¡ªSeraphina''s tone revealed her reluctance and underlying fear of ra.


    After hearing the details, Wang Xiao reassured her, "Don''t worry about ra from now on. She won''t do anything without my permission, including harming you."


    Though Wang Xiao had reassured Seraphina, he resolved to visit the troublesome ra before returning to Xianthera.


    Her recent disy of attitude had not gone unnoticed, and it was clear she might need a reminder of her ce.


    Seraphina shivered as she caught the look in Wang Xiao''s eyes¡ªa look reminiscent of a past that promised swift and decisive action.


    She knew that ra was likely to face some ''consequences'' soon.

 Chapter 390: DRAGON!

    "You haven''t answered me yet, when did you be a mage?" Wang Xiao probed again, his interest piqued.


    Seraphina shrugged, her understanding vague, "I don''t remember exactly... It started with a strange feeling in my body after the outbreak two years ago. I felt an unusual coldness, and took medical advice, but no doctor could pinpoint any issue."


    "Then, a few monthster, I dreamt of a glowing dot in a freezing part of my consciousness. This happened a few days after I first heard about the Star Map."


    While Seraphina recounted her experience casually, Wang Xiao listened with a bitter smile.


    Indeed, the Star Map was not the end-all of their powers.


    It served as a visual framework, helping practitioners structure and understand their abilities.


    Since learning of the Star Map, Seraphina had unconsciously chosen to follow its path.


    Wang Xiao had experimented with it himself, altering the shape of the star at will and awakening hundreds of dots¡ªactions that, ording to Athene, should have been impossible.


    But Athene had exined that such a technique was merely a tool, and given Wang Xiao''s immense strength, he could manipte it without repercussions.


    For the average person, connecting even five dots was a significant challenge.


    Wang Xiao, however, could manipte multiple elements in his sea of consciousness effortlessly, though it offered him no additional advantage.


    When he discussed this with Athene, she had reacted with irritation, questioning what more he could possibly gain.


    He already had mastery over the elements¡ªwhat more could there be?


    Reflecting on this, Wang Xiao realized she might be right.


    Whether it was fire or ice, for him, the distinction was negligible.


    Ultimately, what others deemed precious and powerful techniques were for Wang Xiao merely ornamental.


    They added aesthetic value to his sea of consciousness but held no practical benefit, serving only as decorative elements in his vast repertoire of abilities.


    Wang Xiao''s interesty more in the ''sea of swords'' used by Athene, a technique filled with mystery and power.


    He might have gone as far as to beat her to uncover all her secrets, were it not for the delicate situation involving ''Aurora''s daughter.''


    Aurora had ced her trust in Athene, but Wang Xiao harbored deep reservations.


    Given the slightest chance, he would reim his daughter from Athene''s grasp without hesitation.


    His restraint was only due to the potential inadvertent harm his actions could cause.


    If not for this, he would have scoured the heavens to pinpoint her whereabouts.


    The unknowns surrounding Athene were troubling; she might still hold some hidden aces.


    Even more distressing was that he did not yet know his daughter''s name, a fact that soured him.


    Athene typically avoided casual interactions with him, maintaining a demeanor too aloof for trivial conversations.


    She only made appearances to interact with his other daughters, adding anotheryer of surprise to their rtionship.


    Through various information, Wang Xiao had learned that Athene and Eveline were acquainted and had past connections, which was surprising considering they were from different eras.


    It appeared that Eveline was the link between Aurora and Athene, a connection that baffled him.


    Despite these perplexing alliances, what Athene had done to his daughters Wenxi and Yue was unforgivable.


    Her sword energy now lingered in their sea of consciousness, a powerful force that they were ill-equipped to handle.


    If not for pressing matters demanding his attention today, Athene would have been his primary target.


    "Are... we there yet?"


    His thoughts of retribution were interrupted by Yue''s sleepy voice.


    She gently rubbed her eyes, her movements delicate and unhurried.


    She lifted her head slightly, her gaze slowly taking in her surroundings with a soft curiosity.


    With a small yawn, she stretchedfortably, then nestled closer, finding even morefort in her position.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Her actions conveyed a quiet trust and contentment, subtly catching Seraphina off guard and prompting her to raise her eyebrows in mild curiousity.


    Initially, Yue and the others were mildly curious about the device known as a ''Helicopter,'' but their fascination evaporated quickly.


    Within a few minutes, boredom overtook them; the aircraft was painfully slow.


    Compared to the exciting speed of flying with Wang Xiao or Eleanor, this ''mechanical bird'' seemed to crawl through the air.


    Disenchanted, Yue decided to continue her nap, her interest in the mundane drone of the helicopter''s des entirely lost.


    Wang Xiao observed Yue''s disinterest, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought.


    He reached out and gently pinched her cheek, his tone shifting to one of unexpected sternness. "Yue, your actions might lead others to misunderstand our rtionship," he said, a trace of fake concern in his words. "Now even Sera is under the impression that I favor Wenxi, that I''m harsh with you, and that you resent me for it."


    "Huh?" Yue''s mouth formed a small ''o'' of surprise, her brows knitting together in confusion.


    She was still groggy from sleep but tried to process her father''s words. "...Why would I ever hate Dad?" she whispered, her voice soft and tinged with sleep and protectiveness.


    ''Who is weaving such deceptive tales?'' she thought, a slight irritation pricking at her drowsy consciousness.


    As the fog of sleep cleared and she realized it was Seraphina who held these misconceptions¡ªnot an usation from him¡ªYue''s tense expression eased into one of mild curiosity and concern.


    She turned her head slowly, scanning the cabin for Seraphina.


    "..."


    Seraphina hesitated, her words catching in her throat. "Uhhh... those weren''t exactly my words..." she murmured, caught between an impulse to whetherugh or cry.


    It seemed Wang Xiao was intentionally fanning the mes of misunderstanding between her and Yue.


    In response, Yue''s grip on her father''s clothes tightened momentarily as she recalibrated her assessment of Seraphina, now categorizing her under ''Vignt'' in her mental ledger.


    The rest of the journey passed uneventfully, and as they drew closer to the ind, a dense, mist enveloped everything in an ethereal shroud.


    _____


    Jan Mayen Ind, Dragon Canyon!


    Thendscape atop Dragon Canyon had transformed dramatically; the grassy expanse was now a crystal sheet, encased in ice as if by divine decree.


    Below, the massive ocean crashed against the jagged rocks, sending plumes of salty spray into the frosty air with each crash.


    "Purrr..."


    Perched at the edge, a colossal dragony in repose, its form so vast that each eye was the size of a human.


    Its scales were the purest white, shimmering like the heart of winter under a full moon, while its eyes glinted with flecks of gold.


    Underneath its massive frame, the scales emitted a bone-chilling aura that seemed to warp the very air around it.


    Despite the icy exterior, the dragon was a nexus of aether, drawing the mystical energy into itself not merely as a refuge but as a sanctuary of healing.


    The confluence of heaven and earth''s energies around the beast was so intense that it manifested as visible spectral light, casting an otherworldly glow that wove through the mist, creating a scene of surreal beauty and power.


    The dragon, a sentinel between the realms of the ethereal and the earthly,y there,manding the elemental forces to knit its wounds, as if choreographing the dance of the cosmos itself.

 Chapter 391: The Talking Dragon!

    "Dad... Are you sure it''s a good idea to go near it?"


    When everyone expected Wang Xiao to lead them to the volcano for sightseeing, he instead took them to a cliff, now frozen in ice and veiled in a ghostly mist.


    The mist, however, parted as if fearing to approach Wang Xiao, revealing the majestic dragon resting at the edge.


    Wenxi felt a chill of and spoke up. She didn''t doubt Wang Xiao''s ability to deal with the dragon, but she sensed it wasn''t wise to provoke such a mighty creature with unknown strength.


    "Is that a real dragon?" Yue blinked twice, her eyes widening with astonishment.


    She hadn''t expected to see such a mythical being.


    Even in Xianthera, dragons were only whispered of in ancient legends.


    Seraphina stood two steps behind Wang Xiao, her gaze sweeping the surroundings with cautious awe, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and wonder.


    "It''s size and strength both have increased..." Wang Xiao muttered, his eyes narrowing with interest. He hadn''t anticipated that the dragon near Aurora would be evenrger and more powerful.


    ''It makes sense... This creature originally belonged to Aether...'' Wang Xiao mused, the realization crystallizing in his mind.


    This dragon, ording to Aurora''s descriptions, hailed from her time, and its power was intimately tied to Aether.


    With the influx of Aether, it was inevitable that it would grow more formidable.


    Crack...


    The ice beneath their feet was dangerously thin, splintering into cracks as the group approached the dragon''sir.


    "Grrrr...."


    The dragon, alerted, turned its massive head, its colossal eyes blinking slowly.


    Everyone felt their blood run cold as its gaze swept over them.


    Its eyes moved from the frozen Seraphina, to Yue and Wenxi, and finally rested on Wang Xiao, who stood there unbothered, matching the dragon''s gaze with a slight smile.


    "!"


    The dragon, visibly angered and slightly stunned, increased its aura, filling the air with a sense of dread.


    Boooooom!


    A shockwave erupted from its gaze, shattering the ice and sending shards flying in all directions.


    "Ah!?"


    Seraphina gasped as the ice shards flew like a tornado, hurtling toward her.


    Crash!


    Crash!


    Crash!


    Everything happened in milliseconds. Before the shards could cause any harm, a small shield erupted from the ground, enveloping everyone in a protective barrier.


    The dragon''s voice echoed in their minds, deep and resonant. ''Who dares to disturb my slumber?''


    ''It can use telepathy?'' Wang Xiao was slightly surprised, feeling the dragon''s mental presence through the Aether.


    He stepped forward, "Ie here for your master. If she is here, bring her out. Otherwise, I will make you bring her out."


    The dragon''s eyes narrowed, glowing with ancient power. ''You dare threaten me?''


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed to slits, the veins in his temples pulsating as he contemted crushing the dragon before him like an insignificant insect.


    With a dismissive shake of his head, he dered, "You saved my life once, so I''ll spare yours today. But if you withhold information, know that I can dug it from the depths of your mind myself."


    "!"


    The dragon, Aura, stared in shock.


    Wang Xiao''s capacity for telepathy was unexpected.


    ''He looks... familiar,'' she thought, her confusion mounting as Wang Xiao''s aura have gone multiple transformations.


    Centuries of life had taught Aura to recognize beings by their auras, not their faces.


    Yet Wang Xiao had undergone countless reincarnations of flesh and spirit, rendering his aura untraceable¡ªa ghostly veil masking his true essence.


    As Aura tried to ce his familiar presence, a flicker of danger sparked in her ancient eyes.


    Boom!


    Wang Xiao''s aura exploded outward in a cataclysmic surge.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "What¡ª"


    The force was so overwhelming that Seraphina stumbled back, clutching at Wang Xiao''s clothes for stability, her eyes squeezed shut to block the swirling debris.


    "Dad! We are also here!" Wenxi''s voice cautionary, her small hand clutching his as she fought to stay grounded, while Yue clung to him with equal desperation.


    The atmosphere grew dark, with a deadly silence.


    Aura, primed for battle, now sported a grim expression.


    It wasn''t merely Wang Xiao''s intimidating presence; the Aether that suffused the ind had vanished¡ªutterly andpletely.


    The ind was now a secluded fortress, its Aether expelled, a great barrier encasing thend.


    ''Impossible... How can a human wield such colossal power?'' Aura stunned, as she refused the reality of her adversary''s might.


    Wang Xiao''s voice, firm and upromising, ''I want only answers, and I will obtain them¡ªby any means necessary. Where is your master, Aurora?''


    A subtle desperationced his words, but he made no attempt to conceal it.


    Aurora could be said to be directly responsible for the man he had be, and he was desperate to understand why.


    The Wang Xiao of today was a far cry from his former self; he now easily wove through the intricate webs of maniption to piece together therger picture.


    He held a mix of fondness and subtle gratitude towards Aurora, yet it was tainted with a sharp sting of hate every time he pondered the name ''Aegis.''


    If she was expecting him to return as Aegis, she was in for a profound disappointment!


    Aura''s eyes narrowed, her initial confusion solidifying into stark bewilderment. ''Aurora? But she is not my master...?''


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao''s eyebrows furrowed deeply. "Then what is she to you?"


    "..."


    The dragon, Aura, paused, her thoughts swirling as she contemted how this man knew Aurora, before replying with a hint of pride, "She is my partner."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened. Dispensing with the subtleties of telepathy, he challenged, "You wanna die?"


    The storm, already fierce, suddenly intensified, growing ten times stronger.


    Boom!


    The very ind began to crack under the immense force, and Yue, Wenxi, and Seraphina felt as if they might be swept into the air at any moment.


    "Ugh!"


    "Girls, it''s time for you to leave.. " From behind them, Mary appeared, chuckling bitterly.


    She quickly grabbed Yue and Wenxi, then turned into a swirl of red dust, vanishing with Seraphina into thin air.


    As the ind quivered under the storm, Aura, now sweating, quickly rified, ''By partner, I mean we are equals, not in a master-ve rtionship!''


    Wang Xiao''s eyes regained their calm.


    Aura, seizing the moment of peace, ventured a question, puzzled by his familiar appearance. ''Why do you look so much like Aurora''s man?''


    Wang Xiao''s eyes twitched slightly at the question.


    He replied firmly, "She is my woman, not the other way around."


    ''So it''s like this...'' Aura felt a wave of confusion wash over her but soon shook her head, deciding it wasn''t her ce to delve into such personal matters.


    Still, she couldn''t help but be stunned by Wang Xiao''s evident growth.


    Recognizing the deep connection between him and Aurora, sheter answered all his questions truthfully, now fully aware that Aurora was his wife.

 Chapter 392: Tricked to Antartica?

    "You don''t know where she is?" Wang Xiao finally asked, with a mix of frustration and disbelief, after realizing that although the dragon knew about a woman named ''Yuriko'' and what had transpired that day, as she had witnessed it, she had no clue where Aurora might be.


    ''I can find her; she must be somewhere on the Tibetan teau,'' Aura replied earnestly, her eyes reflecting a spark of hope.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze sharpened as he nodded slowly. "Why haven''t you found her until now, then?" He couldn''t mask his surprise at the apparent hypocrisy; on one hand, she professed that Aurora was her only friend, yet on the other, years had passed without her making any real attempt to rescue her.


    The dragon, sensing his skepticism, snorted indignantly. ''If I go there alone, I''d be killed before I evenid eyes on her.''


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed further, calcting.


    This Yuriko seemed strong, but he remained unfazed.


    At her strongest, she might match Athene''s level, or even if she was several times stronger than Athene, it would certainly pose a challenge for Wang Xiao, but not an insurmountable one.


    His primary concern was that exerting his full power might risk fracturing the very itself.


    He suddenly understood why these immortal beings restrained themselves in their conflicts; for them, the Earth was too fragile a stage to bear the full brunt of their might.


    "We can go now. Take me there, and I will deal with Yuriko. You focus on rescuing her," Wang Xiaomanded with resolute authority, leaping onto the dragon''s broad back and linking with her mind through telepathy.


    "Rrrr..."


    Aura hesitated as Wang Xiao mounted her.


    Once stripped of Aether, she had grown more docile, and when Aurora used her as a mount, she hadn''t resisted, even with the additional burden of Wang Xiao.


    But that was a memory from a quieter past.


    Now, her strength fully restored, a trace of her old pride flickered in her eyes.


    Yet it quickly dissolved into a resigned eptance as she acknowledged the vast gap between her power and Wang Xiao''s.


    Despite this, reassured by Wang Xiao''s overwhelming strength, she acquiesced to his n.


    With a vigorous thrust of her massive wings, Aura lifted off, ascending swiftly into the sky.


    The sheer force of her wings split the air, casting giant, shifting shadows over thendscape below.


    Bam!


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened as the eleration pushed them forward, breaking the sound barrier in a thunderous boom.


    "ROAAAAR!"


    Aura''s jaws opened wide, and she released a ferocious roar, channeling it into a beam of light that pierced the transparent air ahead.


    Wang Xiao, initially baffled by her actions, his thoughts racing, "What is she targeting?" His confusion cleared when he saw a crack form in the fabric of space where the beam collided.


    Crack... Crack...


    The crack widened, rapidly evolving into a vast chasm that birthed a small wormhole, warping the space and time around it.


    Wang Xiao gripped Aura''s scales tightly, his mind filled with anticipation and strategy.


    ''Hold tight,'' shemanded through their telepathic link.


    Whoosh!


    With a surge of raw power, Aura dove into the wormhole.


    Colors and lights blurred around them, streaking past like paint flung across a cosmic canvas.


    ________


    Whoosh!


    Above the Pr teau, the air was bitingly cold, and a massive snowstorm raged, swirling blizzards of ice and snow that obscured the world below.


    High above this raging storm, where the chill seemed to pierce through to the very bones of the earth, a small tear in the fabric of the sky flickered like the mouth of a dragon¡ªan ethereal portal to the other side of the Earth.


    From this shimmering rift, a majestic white dragon emerged.


    Aura unfurled her wings fully, stretching them wide against the stormy skies.


    The motion was so powerful and graceful it seemed as though she was screaming with excitement, reveling in the freedom and the energy of the ice elements around her.


    The cold air whipped past them, making Wang Xiao''s eyes flutter open, his hair whipping wildly around his face.


    "I thought we were going to Tibet?" he questioned, his voiceced with confusion.


    Thendscape below seemed more like Antarctica than anywhere near Tibet. Everywhere he looked, there was only ice.


    ''I need your help first,'' Aura conveyed without further exnation, and then dived straight toward the icy ground, causing Wang Xiao to shake his head in bemusement.


    Five minutester...


    "This is the help you need?" Wang Xiao stood on the frigid ice sheet, the cold biting into his bones. No human could survive here without protection, but what caught his attention was a small crater holding tworge, fist-sized eggs.


    Aura, slightly embarrassed, exined her request. ''Use your energy to fasten their growth, even by a few years. It would save me a lot of time.''  Her voice carried an unintentional tone of arrogance, as if it were ingrained in her very nature.


    Normally, dragon eggs took a decade to hatch, but with Wang Xiao''s help, she believed the process could be halved.


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened. "I didn''t know there was another of your kind alive..." He muttered, his grin spreading across his face in a way that made Aura recoil slightly.


    ''We dragons are capable of parthenogenesis; this is what has saved our species through hundreds of millions of years. And now I am thest hope for my kind!'' she rified urgently. She didn''t want Wang Xiao to take any liberties with her children.


    Giving birth required an immense amount of strength, and afterying eggs, dragons would enter an infertile period for the next thousand years.


    This made each opportunity to propagate their species incredibly precious and rare.


    Wang Xiao shook his head.


    He could easily refuse, citing the very valid concern that exhausting his strength before the main event could be dangerous.


    Yet, as his gaze settled on the towering dragon, her massive frame slightly bowed and herrge eyes filled with a intive, almost whimpering plea, a spark of "inspiration" struck him.


    "Okay, I will help you this once," he dered, his voice carrying a blend of determination and a reluctant eptance.


    Turning back to face the dragon eggs, he observed them with renewed interest.


    One egg boasted a delicate violet shell dotted with tiny, darker specks, giving it an almost celestial appearance.


    The other was a deep, glowing white, its surface etched with strange, mysterious patterns that seemed to pulse faintly with hidden life.


    With measured steps, Wang Xiao approached the eggs, each footfall resonating softly against the icy crust beneath him.


    Behind him, Aura, the dragon, watched with bated breath.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her immense body, usually a symbol of strength and power, now seemed to quiver with nervous anticipation.


    Her breaths came in thick clouds of steam that fogged the frigid air, each puff echoing her anxious heartbeat.


    As Wang Xiao extended his hands towards the eggs, the air around them seemed to quiver around him.


    Aura''s eyes remained unblinkingly fixed on his every move, her colossal wings adjusting subtly to maintain her bnce.

 Chapter 393: Accidental Fortune? White Snow and Blueberry!

    Crack... Crack...


    As Wang Xiao focused his energy on the dragon eggs, the violet shell speckled with dots began to show the first signs of life.


    Cracks spread like a delicate spider web across its surface, the shell giving way to reveal the creature within.


    "Squeee~!"


    From this egg emerged a small ck dragon, its scales dark as the night sky.


    Tiny horns protruded from its head, curving back with a hint of deep red, matching the vibrant red membranes of its wings that fluttered slightly as it took its first breaths.


    Crack!


    Simultaneously, the deep white egg with golden patterns also began to fracture.


    The intricate designs seemed to glow even brighter as the cracks expanded, finally parting to unveil a beautiful white dragon cub.


    "Squeeeee..."


    This dragon''s scales shimmered like fresh snow under light, and its eyes sparkled with a fiery orange.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Its wings, tinged with a soft peach, unfolded gracefully, casting a warm light around the icy surface beneath it.


    The two newborn dragons blinked into the world, their gazes curious and alert.


    The ck dragon let out a tentative hiss, testing its voice, while the white dragon cooed softly, a gentle sound that resonated softly in the cold air.


    "Squeee!" The ck dragon cub suddenly squawked, its voice a mixture of surprise and delight as it explored its new surroundings.


    Wang Xiao watched them both with a mixture of surprise and relief, he didn''t expect them to hatch directly.


    Aura, having watched the entire process with bated breath, now exhaled deeply, her massive form rxing as she observed the young dragons.


    Her voice, filled with a mother''s warmth, echoed in Wang Xiao''s mind. ''Thank you. You''ve not only saved time; you''ve brought new hope to my lineage.''


    Aura was visibly shaken by the raw surge of power that Wang Xiao demonstrated.


    Her expectations had been set far lower; she had hoped at best he might elerate the dragons'' hatching by a few years.


    ''I have greatly underestimated him...''


    She reflected bitterly, the corners of her eyes tightening as she watched the interaction between the human and her newborns.


    "Squeeeee~!"


    "Squee!"


    The dragon cubs, named White Snow and Blueberry by Wang Xiao on a sudden impulse, mbered onto his shoulders, their eyes gleaming with mischief and delight.


    Their tiny wings buzzed erratically, struggling for bnce but brimming with youthful energy.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but smile at his choice of names, thinking to himself,


    Thankfully, his daughters aren''t here to criticize his spontaneous naming skills yet again.


    As the cubs frolicked, Aura''s eyes widened in confusion and a slight hint of hurt. ''Why do they seem to bond with him more than with me? Their own mother?''


    Seeing her puzzled expression, Wang Xiao exined gently, "It''s typical for newborns. They often bond with the first figure they interact with closely, seeing them as a parent."


    "??"


    Aura tilted her head, her massive eyes flickering between Wang Xiao and the yful cubs on his shoulders.


    A pang of loss stabbed at her heart, making her feel strangely alienated.


    Sensing her distress, Wang Xiao quickly offered apromise, "Let''s strike a deal. I''ll ensure they''re safe, but they''ll be raised alongside my daughters."


    "!"


    Aura''s gaze sharpened, her maternal instincts now ring with a mix of indignation and protectiveness.


    "Roaaaar!"


    ''Audacious human!'' The thought roared through her mind louder than her physical roar, echoing her fierce protectiveness.


    Wang Xiao stood his ground, his face set with determination. "Consider this, Aura: if your existence bes known, you and your cubs would be targeted endlessly. With demonic beasts running wild and mages and warriors on the hunt, your family would be in constant danger. My protection is not just an offer¡ªit''s a necessity for your survival in this world."


    ''Threat?''


    Aura was staggered by his forthrightness.


    She struggled to digest his words.


    ''Is he manipting me, or genuinely offering help?''


    The internal conflict was growing every second.


    In the ultimate resolution of their parley, it was decreed that Wang Xiao would assume guardianship over both nascent dragons, whilst Aura would imprint upon them a mystical essence, enabling her to continuously perceive their condition and whereabouts.


    Wang Xiao''s intent was simple; he sought charmingpanions for his daughters, indifferent to the dragon''s deeper desires as long as the younglings remained under his protection.


    His mind, ever strategic, harbored contingency measures should the ancient dragon renegade on their ord.


    Once the matter of the cubs was settled, Wang Xiao mounted Aura, and they headed directly towards the Tibetan teau.


    Whoosh!


    Upon reaching the Tibetan teau, Wang Xiao sat patiently as Aura began her search for the energy signature of Aurora.


    Days passed in their quest, testing Wang Xiao''s patience.


    "Are you sure she''s here?" he asked with a frown, his frustration evident.


    Aura snorted, her own temper ring. ''The energy signature is definitely from here, but something is deliberately obscuring it, as if the location is shifting its essence like sands in the wind, masking her true whereabouts. There''s some kind of formation concealing her.''


    Wang Xiao''s expression turned sour. "How much more time do you need?"


    ''It could take a few years,'' Aura responded matter-of-factly.


    Wang Xiao was momentarily speechless, then took a deep breath. "Then continue searching for her. Once you find the whereabouts, seek me."


    "?"


    Aura was stunned.


    Was she now expected to not only locate Aurora but also to track down Wang Xiao afterward?


    Couldn''t he wait a few years?


    For Aura, a few years were but a blink in her long life, but Wang Xiao needed to return to Xianthera to be with his daughters.


    His sole reason for venturing out was to find Aurora.


    Whoosh!


    Without waiting for Aura''s response, Wang Xiao carefully scooped both dragon cubs from his shoulders into his hands and leaped from her back, determined to return to his daughters and resume his life, leaving Aura to her monumental task.


    As Wang Xiao descended through the air, his thoughts veered eastward, towards thends governed by the current Qing Dynasty, the realm once known as China.


    After a moment of hesitation, a decision crystalized within him, and his body shot forward, transforming into a zing ray of light.


    Whoosh!


    Propelled by a profound internal force, he tore through the barriers of speed, one after another, his figure streaking across the sky like aet.


    Thendscape below blurred into mere whispers of color as he crossed vast distances with celestial swiftness, bridging the gap between the mystical and the mundane.

 Chapter 394: Fate?

    July 10th, 2029.


    The Magic City ¡ª Shanghai.


    Wang Xiao had spent more than a week scouring the Tibetan teau for Aurora.


    Now, standing above the Huangpu River in his old home, he found himself caught between the pulsing heartbeats of the city''s two halves: Pudong and Puxi.


    It was summer, and the river flowed unobscured by the typical mists, resembling a celestial deity thatid a clear, shimmering divide between the contrasting worlds of Pudong and Puxi.


    To the east, Pudong was a forest of towering skyscrapers, each one wing at the heavens in a show of modern might.


    Turning westward, Puxi exuded a calmer presence, its aura tinged with the ancient, the air subtly perfumed with the scent of herbs and traditional medicines.


    Shanghai, serving as the financial capital of the Dynasty, had undergone transformations both subtle and significant.


    The streets below buzzed with the silent hum of electric cars, weaving through a cityscape where the greenery seemed to have proliferated, painting the urban environment with vibrant strokes of life.


    "Five years..."


    Wang Xiao''s gaze drifted.


    The sky was clear, yet paradoxically dark and heavy with clouds, setting the stage for a pleasant yet introspective night.


    There was a faint scent of nostalgia in the air, tingling his senses with the familiarity of an almost unrecognizablend.


    The city''s structural changes were minimal; indeed, Shanghai seemed less congested than he remembered.


    In his reflections, he realized a crucial oversight: the poption of the Qing Dynasty, including Magic City, had been halved, a direct consequence of his own far-reaching decisions and actions.


    As Wang Xiao gracefully descended to the ground, an approaching car screeched rmingly, narrowly avoiding him.


    He offered a rueful smile in response to the near-miss and then made his way toward the sidewalk.


    "Is this motherfucker an idiot!?" the driver, old Ning, blurted out in exasperation as he jerked his car to the curb.


    Shaking his head, he shouted from the window, "Hey!"


    But Wang Xiao, lost in his thoughts, gave no response and continued walking in the opposite direction.


    "Humph! Drunkards!" Old Ning grumbled under his breath.


    Frustrated by his overtime and his wife''s nagging about histe returns, he had no patience for distractions.


    He briefly checked his car for any damage, relieved to find none, then drove away with a relieved sigh.


    The faint golden glow from the streetmps bathed Wang Xiao''s face as he paused in front of a luminous signboard.


    "Squee!"


    The ck dragon cub, Lanmei, expressed its delight with a bright squeal upon seeing the glowing sign of ''The Lost Heaven.'' This riverside restaurant, with its slightly foggy ss walls, held a mysterious charm.


    Inside, it appeared half-empty. Wang Xiao stared at it for a moment, his thoughts veiled and distant, before he turned to wander down darker, quieter streets.


    The recent rain had left the ground slightly muddy, the fresh, heartwarming scent permeating the air, reviving memories of past rainy days.


    Passersby shot curious nces at the two dragon cubs perched on his shoulders.


    While initially eye-catching, their interest quickly waned¡ªafter all, in a world where strange creatures had be the norm, two dragon cubs resembling fancy lizards barely registered a second nce.


    Baixue, the white cub, observed the world quietly, absorbing its myriad forms and colors.


    Lanmei, on the other hand, was a bundle of energy, reacting enthusiastically to every new sight and sound, embodying the purest form of childlike wonder.


    Wang Xiao gently stroked their heads, his fingers brushing softly against their scales, providing a moment of soothing contact as he reached another familiar location.


    "Huh? Empty?"


    Surprise etched itself on his face as he surveyed the Velvet Shadows building.


    The structure stood deste and partially broken, a ghost of its former self, seemingly untouched by human presence for years.


    "Did she abandon this ce?" Wang Xiao mused aloud, his voice tinged with disbelief. He had hoped to surprise Lin Xue, but it seemed she had long since moved on.


    The emptiness of the building served as a reminder of the transitory nature of connections in a rapidly changing world.


    Though taken aback, Wang Xiao was not one to dwell on what could have been.


    "People drift apart, just as leaves are carried away by the autumn wind," Wang Xiao thought, a wistful smile ying upon his lips.


    But his contemtive moment was abruptly interrupted as a shadow whisked past him like a cool gust on an autumn day.


    "Careful!"


    "Protect the people, and catch it quickly! Don''t let the death toll increase!" Voices called out urgently in session.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    One after another, two more shadows zipped past Wang Xiao, who stood unbothered, his eyes reflecting a spark of curiosity.


    "Stop staring, and leave! We have a shadow wolf on the loose!" A shout reached him, followed by a firm nudge at his back just before a third shadow rushed by.


    "Inhale..." Wang Xiao closed his eyes, inhaling a sweet, beautiful fragrance that enveloped him briefly before dissipating into a fleeting mist.


    As he reopened his eyes, he spotted a shadowy creature with three heads moving agilely across the rooftops.


    Its six ferocious eyes glowed ominously, and its teeth were stained with fresh blood.


    Chasing after it were three warriors, their movements swift and determined as they hunted the beast down.


    "Demon beast?" Wang Xiao muttered to himself, his interest piqued.


    In Xianthera, there were also different versions of mutated beasts, but under Elenaor''s vignt control andck of Aether, such urrences were managed efficiently.


    Here, however, the world outside seemed gued with Aether and these mutated demonic creatures.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Warriors and mages hunted them, perceived by the world as wielding distinct powers, but Wang Xiao, who had once distributed many techniques, knew better.


    These were merely two different paths of the same mystical discipline, much like the path of Psychokinesis he followed.


    If his guess was right, this demonic beast had recently killed and was now being pursued by a group of warriors adept in the mystical art of Aether, tapping into the profound energies of heaven and earth.


    These warriors treated Wang Xiao as they would any ordinary mortal.


    He emitted no breath of Aether, blending seamlessly into the background as they rushed past him without a second nce.


    In their eyes, he was just another face in the crowd¡ªunremarkable, uninvolved, and unworthy of further attention as they focused on their deadly quarry above.


    ______


    Pudong, Century park!


    As twilight descended upon Pudong, Century Park became a haven of glowing lights and the evocative scents of evening cuisine.


    At a bustling street stand near the park''s wide paths, a vendor expertly maneuvered stir-fried noodles on a sizzling pan.


    With a practiced hand, hedled them into a rich beef soup, creating an aroma that filled the air with mouthwatering promise.


    The sizzling sound was music to the ears of hungry passersby.


    "Thank you," expressed a young woman, epting the steaming bowl with a polite nod.

 Chapter 395: Fate? (2)

    "Thank you," expressed a young woman, epting the steaming bowl with a polite nod.


    Her steps hastened as she navigated through the evening crowd, her heart lighter as she spotted her daughter, Zhenxi, safely where she had left her¡ªon a secluded park bench, contentedly swinging her small feet.


    Under the park''s softly glowingmps, Zhenxi sat with the grace of a young princess.


    Her glossy ck hair, secured in yful pigtails with pink ribbons, bobbed gently as she sensed her mother''s approach.


    Thevender dress adorned with tiny daisies fluttered in the gentle breeze, adding to her childlike enchantment.


    "Zi''er, don''t run around, okay? Mommy will be right back," Fu Yuxin cautioned, her voice a tender melody of care and caution as she crouched to Zhenxi''s level.


    Her smile, radiant and warm, with lips brushed with a shade of charming red lipstick, softened the cool air around them as she moved a stray lock of hair from Zhenxi''s forehead.


    "Okay!" Zhenxi chirped back, her voice sweet and pleasing to the ears.


    Her smile widened, reaching her sparkling eyes, reflecting the simple happiness of her mother''s presence.


    "Good girl," Fu Yuxin affirmed with a gentle nod, her eyes lingering on her daughter with a mixture of pride and a hint of mncholy.


    She then turned to leave, her elegant ck top revealing a graceful line of her shoulder, catching the glint of the park lights.


    Despite her youthful appearance, Fu Yuxin carried the aura of a seasoned soul, admired and somewhat envied by those in hermunity.


    Her swift departure left a trail of whispered spections among nearby onlookers who often mistook her for an older sister or a young aunt rather than a mother.


    As she disappeared into the crowd, Zhenxi focused on the task at hand.


    "Num... num...." she vocalized her delight, the sound mingling with the rustle of leaves and the distantughter of other park-goers.


    Her little feet, dressed in pristine white socks and shiny ck shoes, danced inches above the ground, keeping time with her joyful munching.


    In her small hands, she held the bowl with a reverent care, picking at the tender pieces of meat, each bite savored, each moment a treasure.


    To a simingly normal person, her current appearance would be quite unsettling, as her eyes, although beautiful gray,cked a pupil, it was frosted by ayer of white, obscuring her vision.


    Sometimes, it scared people, sometimes, it aroused pity, regardless of it, one thing was clear, it made her live a life, different than one destined for.


    Having just starting the preschool, it was nightmare, and often caused inferiorityplex, the ray of light was a Teacher Feifei, for Zhenxi, which made her days in the school more bearable.


    Suddenly, the peaceful night air was pierced by a scream that echoed ominously through the park.


    "Gasp! Oh my God, what''s that?" a woman''s voice rang out, tinged with terror.


    "It''s a demon beast, run!" another voice shouted, spurring a wave of panic among the crowd.


    "Someone, please save my child! No!" The desperate cry of a mother filled the air, adding to the chaos.


    From the terrifying sounds, the beast''s howl dominated: "Awooooooo-ooo-ooo!" It was deep, chilling, and seemed to shake the very ground.


    Right before Zhenxi''s eyes, the shadow wolf with its three ghastly heads descended upon a nearby boy.


    The shadow wolf with a blur of motion and terror, mercilessly attacking a child barely nine years of age.


    "Ahhhhhhh¡ª!"


    Crunch!


    One savage maw mped down on the boy''s stomach, ripping into the flesh with brutal force, while another head lunged at his neck, its fangs sinking deep.


    The third head, in a gruesome spectacle, mauled the child''s face, leaving behind a scene of unspeakable horror.


    "!!"


    Zhenxi''s tiny body stiffened, her small hands quivering as they clung to her bowl of soup.


    "M-mama?" Her voice was a frightened whisper, barely audible over themotion. Her wide eyes searched the chaos for a sign of her mother.


    She looked around in panic, her face turning ghostly pale as her tears began to flow, mixing with her fearful sobs.


    "Awoooooo!"


    "Ah¡ª!?" The beast''s howl startled her once again, causing her to jerk nervously.


    In a frantic attempt to escape, Zhenxi tried to jump off the bench. Her movements were clumsy and rushed, driven by sheer panic.


    Crash!


    The bowl slipped from her trembling hands and shattered on the ground. Scalding soup sshed onto her pale face and her prettyvender dress, prompting a sharp cry of pain.


    "Owie!"


    "Hot... Hot..." Zhenxi sobbed, her voice choked by tears as she frantically rubbed her face, trying to ease the sizzling pain.


    Her small hands, trembling and unsure, smeared the tears mixed with the soup that burned her delicate skin.


    "Mama, where are you? I''m scared!" she wailed, her voice transforming into desperate cries as she felt increasingly isted amidst the chaos.


    Her knees wobbled beneath her, and she faltered, the once pale doll-like face now marred by red burns, tears streaking through the soot and grime.


    Each sob etched a path down her cheeks, tracing lines of clear skin through the dirt.


    "Awoooooo!"


    Another terrifying howl sliced through the air, causing Zhenxi to stiffen.


    Gathering her courage, she stood up, her small body shaking as she wiped her tear-streaked face.


    With hesitant steps, she moved in the opposite direction of the terrifying screams, her hands stretched out in front of her, groping for something, anything, to guide her through the unseen world.


    "Mamma..." Her voice trembled with each step, her fear growing in the heavy air as she slowly navigated the unfamiliar terrain, blind and afraid.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The soft cries for help that had once filled her ears now faded into the background, bing fainter as her tiny legs carried her further away, her small hands brushing against a wall which she followed, hoping it would lead to safety.


    She continued this way until she found herself outside, still walking forward, trying to put as much distance as possible between herself and the nightmarish sounds.


    "Ma-mama...? Where are you¡ªsniff¡ª... Mama? You promised you wouldn''t leave me like Daddy... Sniff..." Her voice was small and fragile, breaking with each step she took in her aimless journey.


    The pain from the burns was now joined by the sharp sting from her scraped knees, which began to bleed, their bright red a painful contrast to her white pale skin.


    Overwhelmed, Zhenxi pressed her tiny hands over her ears, trying to block out the relentless screams and howls chasing her from behind.


    Her small form trembled uncontrobly as she stumbled forward, guided only by the instinct to find her mother and the hope that she would be there to make everything safe again.

 Chapter 396: Fate (3)

    "Zi''er!"


    Meanwhile, amidst the panic and chaos, Fu Yuxin''s heart was seized with terror as she darted through the crowd, her eyes wildly searching for her daughter Zhenxi.


    Her instincts were in overdrive, pushing her through the mass of fleeing people, every fiber of her being strained in the desperate search for her child.


    As she weaved through the panicked crowd, a firm hand suddenly sped her shoulder. Spinning around, Fu Yuxin faced a warrior, his gear emzoned with the symbols of the demon hunters, his expression stern yet concerned.


    "It''s too dangerous here!" the warrior shouted over, trying to steer her to safety.


    "No, you don''t understand¡ªmy daughter, she''s still out there!" Fu Yuxin cried out, her voiceced with panic and desperation. "I have to find her, please!"


    The warrior''s eyes, hardened by countless battles, softened momentarily as he nced back at his teammates who were struggling to subdue the shadow wolf.


    His gaze then returned to Fu Yuxin, resolute and calm. "If she is alive, I will find her," he vowed.


    He swiftly keyed hismunicator, speaking rapidly. "Alert¡ªall units, we have a missing child, likely in the immediate danger zone. Initiating search."


    Fu Yuxin''s heart skipped a beat, torn between relief and escting worry. "Please... you have to save her," she pleaded, her hands clenched in front of her, the very picture of on the brink of despair.


    ______


    Meanwhile ¡ªAs Wang Xiao departed the shadowed embrace of the Velvet Shadows, his path meandered towards the serene Green Oasis Garden, a ce where memories of bygone days lingered like morning mist.


    His journey often led him through the bustling Century Park, a ce that bridged his past to his present.


    Lost in the depths of his reverie, a sudden soft collision and a intive cry brought him sharply back to the moment.


    "Oww!"


    At the sound, Wang Xiao instinctively paused and looked down, his eyes widening in mild surprise.


    Before him, a small figure had materialized as if conjured by the soft breeze.


    A little girl, with tears glistening on her delicate cheeks like dewdrops on morning blooms, had stumbled and now clung to his robe, her tiny hands gripping the fabric with a desperation born of fright.


    "Eh?" Wang Xiao uttered softly, his voice a gentle murmur in the twilight chaos.


    He stooped gracefully to the child''s level, his movements as fluid as falling petals.


    His gaze, warm and concerned, met hers¡ªa pair of eyes as wide and luminous as the autumn moon, filled with the innocent bewilderment of youth.


    "Oh, hey there, little one... are you looking for someone?" His inquiry was tender, the timbre of his voice soothing.


    He noted how her small, tear-stained face, framed by wisps of ebony hair, could evoke a heartache in even the stoniest of souls.


    The girl looked up at him, her eyes pools of moonlight marred by the shadows of fear.


    She seemed for a moment to hesitate between continuing her tears and embracing the sce offered by this kind stranger.


    "M-mama?" Her voice was a quivering whisper, as delicate as the first frost of winter, revealing her longing and her helplessness.


    Wang Xiao''s heart melted further, his expression softening as a tender smile graced his lips.


    With a voice as soothing as a gentle stream, he reassured the tiny soul creature him, "Uh, I may not know your mama, but if she possesses even a fraction of your charm, I will spare no effort in helping you find her."


    His grin momentarily lit up his face, but concern quickly clouded his features as he sensed her shuddering.


    Zhenxi''s small form trembled like a leaf in the wind, and she instinctively nestled closer into Wang Xiao''s embrace, seeking a sanctuary in the storm that had be her world.


    Her actions tugged at the strings of his heart, evoking a sense of protectiveness that softened his expression.


    In the fading light, Wang Xiao''s face carried a shadow of somber thought.


    Known among the realms for his powers that could vanquish night devils and spar with the gods under the sun, he was a figure carved from the legends of old, invincible and steadfast.


    Yet, in this moment, the innocence and trust in the eyes of this small child revealed his seldom-seen weakness¡ªa tender spot for the young creatures, especially those who reminded him of his own daughters.


    This little girl, with her wide, fearful eyes, mirrored the faces of his own cherished daughters, melting the edges of his resolve.


    Nevertheless, Wang Xiao, a stalwart guardian of old tales, would scarcely admit to such sentiments, not even if the truth were to be pried from him with the mightiest of spears.


    He chuckled lightly, a sound as soft as falling petals, breaking the somber mood. "Okay, okay, I understand¡ª it seems like your mommy has left you alone, and now you''ve chosen me, of all people, to be your savior," he murmured, half to himself as he scratched his neck in a rare disy of awkwardness.


    Suddenly, a stern voice followed after, "Careful!"


    The warning came from the direction the child had appeared.


    "Hm?"


    Wang Xiao''s gaze snapped up to see the figure of a warrior, the same one who had earlier advised caution to a frantic Fu Yuxin.


    The warrior was in hot pursuit of the tree headed beast, a creature of nightmares, now eyeing Wang Xiao and the little girl with a predatory re.


    Its six eyes, bloodshot and frenzied, locked onto them with a murderous re, each head dripping with fresh, viscous blood.


    "Grol...."


    The beast''s three heads snarled menacingly, their gazes fixated on the tiny form of Zhenxi, who clung to Wang Xiao, seeking refuge in his shadow.


    The air around them filled with the sudden stench of blood.


    Wang Xiao, his expression hardened into a mask of resolve, unconsciously shielded Zhenxi with his hand atop her head.


    "!"


    Zhenxi, feeling the unexpected warmth and safety of his hand, looked up with eyes wide and shimmering with a mix of awe and fear.


    Her small fingers reached up, grasping at his hand, trying to drawfort from his presence.


    "Awoooooo!"


    With a deafening roar, the shadow wolf lunged toward them, its massive form soaring two meters into the air, propelled by primal ferocity.


    The warriors in pursuit gasped in horror, recognizing the immediate danger but powerless to intervene in time.


    Wang Xiao, however, remained unfazed. With a sereneposure that contrasted the violence of the moment, he raised his hand and spoke a single,manding word.


    "Stop."


    Whoosh!


    Time seemed to suspend as the shadow wolf froze mid-leap, its fierce momentum arrested by an invisible force.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Confusion and terror flickered in its six wild eyes as its fur bristled unnaturally.


    "Whimper..."


    Now, the once fearsome predator''s eyes swiveled toward Wang Xiao, filled with fear and pleading.


    Its ferocious snarls turned to whimpers as it instinctively bowed its heads in submission, recognizing the supremacy of the force that held it captive.


    Wang Xiao''s hand clenched into a fist, a subtle but powerful gesture.


    Whoosh!


    In an instant, the flesh of the shadow wolf began to dissolve, stripping from its bones in a horrifying spectacle.


    It streamed toward Wang Xiao''s fist, transforming into a gruesome vortex of disintegrating matter.


    The flesh disintegrated into an ethereal mist, vanishing before it could sully Wang Xiao''s hand.


    Thud!


    The skeleton of the beast copsed onto the concrete, bone by bone.


    The skull hit first, creating a chilling echo, followed by the spine and the ribs, eachnding with a heavy, hollow sound.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!

 Chapter 397: The Calamity!

    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    As the bones of the three-headed shadow wolf ttered to the ground in a symphony, the spell of suspended time seemed to break.


    The air, once filled with tension and terror, began to stir gently as if awakening from a deep slumber.


    Gasp!


    Wan Yang, the leader of the warrior trio, drew in a sharp breath as his eyes met those of Wang Xiao.


    A chill, subtle yet pervasive, crawled down his spine.


    Never in his varied encounters with beasts, mages, and warriors had he felt such a profound and otherworldly aura.


    It was as if he stood in the presence of an ancient divinity, whose power was vast and unfathomable as the ocean''s depths.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze was serene, deep, and calm, mirroring the stillness of a vast sea untouched by wind.


    This tranquility, the immense power thaty beneath, as hidden and potent as the currents that swirled in the ocean''s dark heart.


    Summoning his courage, Wan Yang ventured, his voice faltering slightly under awe, "V-venerable senior... May we know your name?"


    With a simplicity that contrasted sharply with theplexity of his aura, Wang Xiao replied, "Eight Prince," his voice carrying a quiet finality.


    He then turned his attention to the small figure at his feet¡ªZhenxi.


    As he gently lifted her, Zhenxi, startled yet intrigued by the sudden closeness to this mysterious protector, reached out tentatively towards his face.


    Her small, pale hands moved through the air, guided by the innocence of a child and the deep need to understand through touch.


    Her fingers, delicate and unsure, hovered near his features, exploring the space where his voice¡ªa soothing, melodious sound¡ªemanated from.


    "Don''t poke my eyes," Wang Xiao murmured with a light chuckle, his tone warm and flecked with amusement, causing Zhenxi to withdraw her hand quickly.


    "O-oh, sorry," she whispered, her voice tinged with innocent embarassment caught in an act. She lowered her gaze, her longshes casting featherlike shadows over her flushed cheeks.


    Wang Xiao''s examination of her became more intense as he noted the burns on her face¡ªred and angry marks that would soon blister.


    Her dress, once vibrant and neat, now bore the stains of the mud, soiling the fabric.


    "Do you want toe with me... or go with them?" Wang Xiao''s question was soft, almost tender, as he gave Zhenxi a choice.


    His gaze shifted between her and the warriors, who remained stunned by his name.


    Eight Prince!


    In the eyes of the warriors, he was a figure from legends, a dragon among men.


    "..."


    No reply came from the little creature in his arms, but she instinctively nestled closer into Wang Xiao, her small form curling up within the safety of his arms like a delicate blossom seeking shelter from a storm.


    With a solemn nod, Wang Xiao understood her unspoken plea.


    In an instant, he transformed into a wisp of ck smoke, disappearing into the night with the speed of a fleeting shadow.


    Whizz...


    As he vanished, the overwhelming aura that had enveloped the area lifted, allowing the tension to fade away.


    The three warriors, left in the wake of his departure, found their legs trembling, their bodies suddenly light without the crushing presence of such immense power.


    "Terrible...!"


    "It was inhumane!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    These exhaled sighs of relief and disbelief came from behind Wan Yang, his twopanions visibly shaken, their faces glistening with sweat under the night sky.


    Except for Wan Yang, bothpanions wore devices that obscured their faces and voices, adding an element of mystery and anonymity to their figures.


    To Wan Yang''s right stood a particrly slender, almost delicate figure.


    The warrior''s form, more feminine in its grace, was draped in a cloak that fluttered softly with each cold breath.


    "Was it really the Eight Prince? The imperial son of Evil?" her voice, though muffled, carried a note of both suprise and bewilderment.


    The mask could hide her face but not the flicker of recognition that danced briefly in her eyes, a silent question lingering in the cool night air.


    Her thoughts fluttered like disturbed butterflies.


    ''Why did he look so familiar...'' she pondered, a mix of dread and curiosity swirling within her.


    "The cmity seems to havee uninvited to our tranquil Qing Dynasty, The wind, once gentle, now blows in the opposite direction..." added the burlier, more masculine figure to Wan Yang''s left, his voiceden with a grim eptance.


    Once celebrated as the Divine Son, Wang Xiao was now feared and known as ''The Imperial Son of Evil'' after his actions led to the copse of the Sun Dynasty.


    Dubbed ''The Cmity,'' his very presence had be an omen of disaster.


    Wan Yang exhaled a deep sigh, the reality of their encounter settling heavily upon him. "That''s the gap between mortals and gods..."


    He had earnestly hoped to stop Wang Xiao, to fulfill his promise to a mother by ensuring her daughter''s safety.


    However, standing before such a divine entity, he recognized the stark futility of mortal efforts against celestial might.


    The lessons from the warrior training academy echoed mockingly in his mind¡ªtales of bravado iming that mortals could rival the gods, protectors of the eight continents.


    Such boasts had seemed usible within the academy''s walls.


    But now, faced with a true Transcendent being, Wan Yang understood the profound futility of those ims.


    The gulf between mortal bravado and divine reality was not just wide; it was insurmountable.


    The difference was not merely of strength but of an entirely different essence of existence.


    _____


    "Shit... Not now," Wang Xiao murmured, a veil of frustration clouding his features as his form began to blur unexpectedly, resembling an image faltering on an old, flickering television screen.


    Compelled by urgency, he swiftly made his way to the Huangpu River, his silhouette a blur against the city.


    Under the expansive bridge that connected the realms of Pudong and Puxi, he found a moment''s refuge, the cool shadows cloaking them both from the chaos of the world above.


    "Are you... alright?" The tiny, innocent voice from his arms tugged at the edges of his concentration.


    Zhenxi, nestled closely against him, peered up with eyes clouded with concern, her small brow furrowed as she witnessed Wang Xiao''s sudden change.

 Chapter 398: Unknown Disease?

    "Are you... alright?" The tiny, innocent voice from his arms tugged at the edges of his concentration.


    Zhenxi, nestled closely against him, peered up with eyes clouded with concern, her small brow furrowed as she witnessed Wang Xiao''s sudden change.


    Gently, Wang Xiao reclined against a sturdy pir beneath the bridge, the rough concrete a clear opposite to the softness of the creature in his care.


    Carefully setting Zhenxi down, he cradled her face in his hands, his touch as gentle as falling petals, yet imbued with a potent healing warmth.


    "??" At first, Zhenxi blinked in puzzlement, uprehending the magic at y.


    But as the warmth seeped deeper, her expression blossomed into one of relief and wonder.


    The angry red marks that had marred her delicate features began to fade under the soothing influence of Wang Xiao''s powers.


    The burns dissolved into nothingness, leaving her skin as pristine and luminous as a jade sculpture bathed in moonlight.


    The transformation was not just physical. As the scars of her ordeal disappeared, so too did the shadows of pain and fear that had lingered in her eyes.


    Now, looking up at Wang Xiao, her gaze held a new light, one of deep gratitude and trust.


    Her tiny hands reached up, tentatively touching the air near his face, as if to confirm the reality of her guardian ¡ª her savior in this unexpected chapter of her life.


    "Don''t move on your own, got it? I just need to take a nap for a few minutes here," Wang Xiao instructed, his voice steady despite the strange blurring of his form, which flickered left and right as if caught in a dimensionalg.


    "...mhm~" Zhenxi, though hesitant, nodded in understanding. Carefully, Wang Xiao reached over his shoulders and lifted the two dragon cubs, cing them gently into her waiting hands.


    "Keep them," he said softly.


    ""Squee!"" The dragon cubs spoke their mild protest, turning their heads to look at Wang Xiao with a hint of indignation.


    It seemed they too wished to stay by his side.


    However, Wang Xiao, ignoring their small rebuke, closed his eyes, and his body stilled, entering a state of rest necessary to stabilize his flickering presence.


    "Gasp!" Zhenxi gasped softly, surprised by the sudden stillness of her protector.


    She took a deep breath to calm her nerves and then tightened her grip on the dragon cubs, drawing them closer into her embrace.


    Although she could not see them, she felt their soft scales under her fingertips, surprisingly smooth and not at all prickly as she might have expected.


    "Squee! Squee!" The cubs continued to express their mild discontent, wriggling slightly in her grasp.


    Zhenxi, misinterpreting their sounds as yful affection, couldn''t help but smile.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The warmth of their small bodies and the softness of their scales brought aforting presence to her side.


    Looking down, she imagined their tiny forms, just slightlyrger than her little fists, and their big, bright eyes filled with life and curiosity.


    In this quiet moment under the bridge, with the cool air swirling around them and the soft murmur of the river nearby, Zhenxi felt a fleeting sense of peace.


    Under the quiet shade of the bridge, Zhenxi clutched the dragon cubs to her chest, their tiny bodies a source of warmth andfort.


    Her delicate eyshes fluttered like the wings of a butterfly as she endured the slow passage of time.


    Minutes stretched into what seemed like hours, the soft whisper of the river nearby the only sound amplifying the sound.


    "Yawn~~"


    Fatigue began to weave its gentle spell over her, pulling her eyelids heavier with each passing moment.


    She nced back at Wang Xiao, who remained as motionless as a statue.


    With the innocence of a child seekingfort, she adjusted his hands to cradle her more securely and nestled closer.


    "Squee!"


    The dragon cubs chirped, their soft sounds blending into the muted ambiance of their hidden refuge.


    As sleep finally overcame her, Zhenxiid her head against Wang Xiao''s chest, finding an unlikelyfort in his unmoving form.


    There, in the cool embrace of the underbridge, her small body rxed fully against him.


    His chest provided no heartbeat, no rise and fall of breath¡ªjust the cold, unnerving stillness of a figure seemingly carved from stone.


    Her vision blurred, and soon, sleep enveloped her, drawing her into its peaceful depths.


    Her head rested lightly against him, her breaths slow and even, in stark contrast to the absolute stillness of the figure she leaned upon.


    At this moment, Wang Xiao was devoid of all signs of life, presenting the eerie semnce of a corpse preserved in time.


    11 July, 8:00 am!


    The Magic City!


    What was intended to be a brief nap had stretched into hours.


    As the early morning light filtered through the city, stirring the daily bustle of life, a distinct groan echoed under the bridge.


    "Groan~~"


    Wang Xiao''s body, which hadin motionless throughout the night, finally began to stir. He pressed a hand to his head, a frown creasing his forehead as he awakened from his enforced rest. His eyes fluttered open, the celestial light within them shining anew, reflecting a depth of ancient wisdom and timeless power.


    "This girl really didn''t take me seriously at all..." he murmured with a bitter smile. As he sat up, he scanned his surroundings¡ªquiet, with no one nearby, just the shadow of the bridge providing a cool refuge from the bright sun shining just outside.


    He wasn''t surprised to find that Zhenxi was no longer beside him.


    In fact, his expression held a knowing calm, as if he had anticipated her departure.


    With the grace of one ustomed to solitary journeys, he stepped out from the shelter of the bridge and climbed the slope of lush green grass that led to the concrete road above.


    As he ascended, each step was measured and sure, betraying an awareness that seemed to extend beyond his immediate senses.


    It was as though he knew each and every event that had transpired while he had been immobilized, every leaf that had turned in his absence, and every breath the city had taken.


    _____


    As the morning sun cast its golden veil over the bustling street, a quaint scene appeared by the roadside.


    An elderly ice cream vendor, whose gentle demeanor echoed that of a sage from ancient stories, paused his cartden with sweet treasures.


    Before him stood Zhenxi, a small figure holding an ice cream cone in each hand.


    The sunlight filtered through the leaves above, dappling Zhenxi''s face with patterns of light and shadow. It illuminated her like a celestial being, highlighting her pure, unguarded excitement over the simple joys of vani and chocte swirls.


    "Eat one quickly before both are melted," the vendor advised with a chuckle.


    Zhenxi, her eyes wide with the serious business of choosing her first taste, finally decided. "Vani first," she dered with the solemnity of a sage deciding matters of state, then paused, her expression thoughtful.


    "Or maybe chocte?" Her small face was a canvas of innocent indecision.

 Chapter 399: Grandmaster!

    The old vendor watched her, "Why not a little of both? A bite of each, one after the other," he suggested.


    "Mmm, yes!" Zhenxi beamed at the suggestion, her earlier dilemma resolved by this sage counsel.


    She took an experimental lick from the vani cone, her face lighting up with delight. "Delicious!"


    As she alternated between the two vors, her joy was infectious, drawing smiles from passing pedestrians who momentarily forgot the morning rush.


    They watched as this small girl, in her soiledvender dress, found a paradise in her ice cream, her happiness a balm to the hurried souls around her.


    The vendor leaned casually against his cart, his experienced eyes watching the young girl''s delight in her ice creams.


    As the moment extended, a thoughtful look crossed his face, and finally, he broke thefortable silence. "Kid, are you lost? How about following this old man...?" he ventured with a gentle tone.


    "Eh... Follow the old man?" Zhenxi''s eyes blinked in innocent perplexity as she nced upwards toward the source of the voice.


    The old man nodded encouragingly. "This old man can teach you magic!" he offered, sensing an opportunity to ignite her interest.


    "Magic!" Zhenxi''s eyes sparkled with excitement, the concept instantly captivating her imagination.


    Seeing the pure enthusiasm on her face, the vendor couldn''t help but smile inwardly.


    ''I didn''t expect to find such a potential seedling this morning,'' he muttered with amusement.


    He was merely going undercover for the day but hadn''t anticipated encountering such a promising disciple.


    ''Her sixth senses are sharp enough to inherit my Shadow Sword Art,'' he thought excitedly.


    He saw herck of eyesight not as a disadvantage but as a potential strength for the mystical arts he mastered.


    Just as he was reveling in his fortuitous discovery, a stern voice shattered the peaceful scene. "And this old man can break your bones!"


    "Ah~!" Startled, Zhenxi jumped, the voice booming unexpectedly right behind her, followed by a gentle but firm twist of her ear.


    "Little creature, I told you not to move on your own. You don''t take my words seriously at all?" Wang Xiao''s imposing shadow now covered Zhenxi, who flinched with a guilty expression.


    Her expression fell, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and regret. "I... I''m sorry," she murmured, her guilt making her voice small and meek.


    The old man''s eyes twitched in annoyance, his thoughts interrupted by this sudden interloper. ''Who is this young man, ruining my good deeds?'' he wondered, his gaze scrutinizing the neer.


    Wang Xiao stood there, draped in a ck robe adorned with golden patterns¡ªgarments that spoke of high status.


    The material alone made the old vendor regard Wang Xiao with wariness, realizing that this man was no ordinary passerby but someone of significant stature and potentially, a major obstacle to his ns.


    "Who might you be, sir, to speak of breaking bones so freely? The Qing Dynasty doesn''t take misuse of Martial arts lightly!" the old man warned, his tone a mix of wariness and defensiveness, masking his irritation with a polite veneer.


    Wang Xiao''s response was a blend of disdain and impatience. He nced at the old man, his eyes narrowing into slits of contempt. "Qing Dynasty?" he sneered, his voice dripping with derision. "I really am not in the mood to destroy another dynasty today," he mocked coldly, "Take your dynasty and get the fuck out of my sight."


    The old man''s face turned a shade darker, his features tightening with a sh of anger. "Young man, you are courting death!" he spat out.


    He could stomach insults to himself¡ªafter all, one does not walk the earth so long without a thick skin.


    But an affront to the Qing Dynasty, to the very foundation of the martial traditions he upheld, that was beyond forgiveness.


    The old man''s hands clenched involuntarily, ''Presumptuous! A frog in a well, unaware of the vast ocean!''


    As the confrontation escted, Wang Xiao''s demeanor remained unperturbed, his lips curling into a faint, mocking smile. "Go and fuck yourself," he responded coolly, disdaining in the crisp morning air.


    "!!"


    The old man trembled with indignation, his entire being vibrating with the wrath of a seasoned grandmaster provoked.


    "Dare you act so impudently before this grandmaster!" he thundered, his voice echoing off the nearby buildings.


    "You have eyes but fail to recognize greatness! ¡ª Your ignorance will be your downfall!" he shouted, his words a mix of prophecy and warning, with the authority of one who had walked the martial path for decades.


    Wang Xiao merely raised an eyebrow, amused by the old man''s theatrics. "Seeking death by challenging me?" he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with resignation. "Even ants know their limits."


    The old man''s face turned a deeper shade of red, his anger reaching a boiling point. "Shut up! Do you really think you can cover the sky with your hand?" he challenged.


    "Can," Wang Xiao replied after a moment of contemtion.


    The old man was taken aback, his fury momentarily reced by disbelief. "Challenging the heaven! ¡ª Know your limits, you insignificant fool!" he eximed, unable to fathom the audacity of the younger man before him.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "You dare overestimate your abilities!"


    "Just a puny existence daring to act supreme?"


    "You''re a mere speck of dust in my eyes!¡ªRefusing to recognize the Mount Tai before him!" His words were hissed out, each syble dripping with venom as he pointed an using finger at Wang Xiao.


    "Such arrogance from a small fry..." Wang Xiao, genuinely taken aback by the audacity of the old man, responded with a hint of amusement.


    He nced down at Zhenxi, who stood beside him, "Little creature, have you ever heard of the old man in the sky?" he asked her softly.


    "Nuh-uh." Zhenxi shook her head, her expression one of confusion mixed with curiosity.


    "Good!" Wang Xiao nodded, somewhat relieved. His gaze hardened as he turned back to the old man, his patience wearing thin.


    He couldn''t fathom how this old man, with half foot inside the grave, dared to disy such arrogance in his presence.


    Boooom!


    "Ahhhhhhh ¡ª you will regret this!"


    The old man''s shout was cut short as he suddenly found himself hurtling through the air, propelled by a swift, dismissive kick from Wang Xiao.


    The force of the kick sent him flying like aet expelled from its orbit.


    "Quite tenacious..." Wang Xiao muttered in disgust as he watched the old man''s form recede into the distance.


    "Cough!" The old man''snding was less than dignified, as he found himself unceremoniously dumped into a dustbin some distance away from where the confrontation had urred.


    The impact jostled him roughly, causing him to cough blood, his mouth tainted with the taste of blood.


    As he struggled to right himself amidst the refuse, a grim realization dawned upon him.


    "Damn that impudent youth!"


    It wasn''t just his pride that had taken a hit from Wang Xiao''s powerful kick; he suddenly remembered the chest of treasures he had cunningly hidden beneath the guise of his ice cream cart¡ªa collection of artifacts and scrolls of considerable value and power.


    The embarrassment of his physical defeat was one thing, but the potential loss of his treasures added a sharp sting of panic to his injuries.

 Chapter 400: Adopting a Daughter?

    "Now it''s your turn."


    With a casual wave of his hand, Wang Xiao caused the ice cream cart to vanish into thin air, leaving behind only Zhenxi clutching her two ice cream cones.


    A troubled expression clouded her youthful face as she absorbed the sudden change in her environment.


    "What do you think your punishment should be? What would you do if you were in my ce?" Wang Xiao posed the question, observing the little girl closely.


    His approach to discipline was unconventional.


    "..."


    Zhenxi''s eyes,rge and luminescent, blinked slowly, her gaze shifting between the ice cream cones cradled in her tiny hands.


    A moment of hesitation danced across her features, her lips parting slightly as if to speak, yet no words came.


    Finally, with a tentative grace, she extended her right hand, offering the vani cone to Wang Xiao¡ªan act of sharing, her small face a canvas of sincerity and hope.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s features twitched with a suppressed smile as he epted the cone, his demeanor teasing yet touched by her gesture. "Very good. Bribing already and not even ten!"


    Grumble...


    "Huh?"


    At that moment, the quaint silence between them was broken by the innocent grumble of Zhenxi''s stomach, causing her cheeks to flush with a soft pink, the color of spring peonies.


    The embarrassment was evident in her small frame, giving a endearing blossom to her cheeks.


    Seeing her difort, Wang Xiao''s demeanor softened further. He gently handed the ice cream back to her, ensuring her tiny fingers gripped it securely.


    The imposing shadow faded, reced by a light-hearted chuckle.


    "Since you have already decided on your punishment with food, I suppose I''ll have to feed you until you can''t eat anymore," he dered with mock severity, lifting her into his arms with a careful ease.


    He dusted off hervender dress, the fabric whispering against his hands like the rustle of autumn leaves.


    Wang Xiao shook his head wryly, a faint smile touching his lips as he observed the girl in his arms, seemingly devoid of any instinct for self-preservation.


    "This girl has negative survival instincts..." he mused quietly, somewhat amused by how effortlessly she had been tamed, making no attempt to escape his embrace.


    He contemted taking her to Xianthera, his thoughts not sinister¡ªhe appreciated fresh meals, not the raw ones.


    It was Wang Xiao''s nature to act on his whims.


    Desiring to take her along, he resolved that he would, regardless of the customs of the mortal world where such actions were disdainfullybeled as ''kidnapping.''


    The fierce Eighth Prince, now oddly entangled in such a trivial usation, led her to a nearby restaurant named Lost Heaven.


    The establishment was still cloaked in the quiet of the morning, its doors yet to open until ten.


    Wang Xiao, treating the closed door as mere air, entered with the grace of a specter.


    Inside, he ced Zhenxi delicately on a wooden bench, as if she were the finest porcin. He then drew a chair opposite hers, settling into it with a fluid ease.


    As Zhenxi finished her ice cream, the faint trace of a struggle flickered across her delicate features, her inability to see lending her an air of innocence. "Such a skill issue..." Wang Xiao pondered with a hint of mockery, yet a twinge of unintended concern crept into his heart.


    He couldn''t quite take this ethereal creature seriously, her fragile form invoking an involuntary protectiveness.


    Lightly, he tapped her forehead with his finger, causing her to lift her gaze, her eyes wide with bewilderment.


    "Huh?"


    "Do you want to see again?" Wang Xiao asked, the words escaping him before he could grasp their full weight, his voice softer than intended.


    Zhenxi, unfazed by her blindness, shook her head gently. "Mommy said not seeing is a blessing," she whispered, her voice soft and ethereal.


    Wang Xiao, intrigued, arched an eyebrow. "A blessing indeed, but doesn''t it make you bump into walls?" he inquired with a half-smile.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "How do you know that?" Zhenxi''s voice rose slightly in surprise, her delicate features crinkling in confusion.


    He noticed the subtle hardness of her forehead, evidence of her unseen struggles, but chose not to share this observation. "I know magic," Wang Xiao whispered, a mysterious lilt coloring his words.


    "Really?" Zhenxi''s eyes widened, the sparkle of wonder recing her initial hesitation.


    "Really, really. Do you want to learn?" he asked, his voice low and enticing.


    Zhenxi bit her lip, pondering. "But...Mom said magic is dangerous," she confessed, a trace of fear threading through her words.


    "Who is your mother? She sounds quite jealous," Wang Xiao said, his tone light, teasing a smile from Zhenxi.


    "She is always jealous of Zi''er~!" she chuckled, herughter like the tinkling of silver bells.


    "So, what is your name, little Zi''er?" he continued, gently wiping her fingers with a tissue as she finished her ice cream, treating her with the care one might use with the most delicate jade.


    Zhenxi murmured, her guilt evident in her hesitant voice, "Can''t talk to strangers..."


    Realization dawned on her.


    Though she had shared more than intended, her innocent mind reasoned that since this man didn''t seem bad, perhaps it was okay to talk.


    In the world of children, trust is absolute; it is either freely given orpletely withheld, shaping their delicate perceptions of the world around them.


    "Where is... Squishy?" Zhenxi suddenly asked, her small face turning from side to side, her unseeing eyes searching the air around her.


    "Squishy?" Wang Xiao echoed, his confusion evident.


    His gaze then fell on the two dragon cubs perchedfortably on his shoulders. "You mean these two?" He gently lifted them and ced them into her waiting hands.


    The dragon cubs, rather than stirring, continued their peaceful slumber.


    Zhenxi''s face brightened with a joy that lit up the room, even though she could not see them.


    Wang Xiao, touched by her delight, took her tiny hand in his and guided it to the ck dragon cub. "This one isn''t Squishy; her name is Lanmei," he exined softly, and then moved her hand to rest on the white dragon cub. "And this is Baixue."


    "Squeee!"


    Lanmei gave a soft squeal as if in greeting, while Baixue remained serenely indifferent.


    Wang Xiao watched, a smile ying at the corners of his mouth, as Zhenxi''s fingers gently explored the tiny creatures, her face alight with wonder and a smile that spoke of pure, unadulterated happiness.


    Wang Xiao spoke with a tender tone tinged with regret, his voice a soft murmur, "You can''t keep them."


    Zhenxi''s small face fell, a shadow of disappointment flickering across her delicate features.


    "Why?" she asked, her voice a soft echo of hope.


    "They are gifts for my daughters," Wang Xiao exined.


    He shrugged slightly, his expression conveying that his hands were tied.


    But Zhenxi, quick-witted and not easily deterred, her lips quivering as she mulled over her next words, suddenly brightened.


    "Then... then Zi''er will also be your daughter!" she dered boldly, her cheeks puffed in defiance, unwilling to part with the two creatures she had swiftly grown fond of.

 Chapter 401: Baby Producing Factory?

    Wang Xiao, ustomed to the fantastical whims of children¡ªhe had more than a handful of his own¡ªcouldn''t help but smile at her audacity.


    "It''s not entirely impossible, but that depends on your mother," he said, reaching out to gently pinch her cheek, marveling at its softness.


    "Hm! Mommy is the most beautiful!" Zhenxi asserted stoutly, pouting as she gently set the dragon cubs down and rubbed the spot where Wang Xiao had pinched, her face a portrait of solemn dignity.


    Wang Xiao observed her, his amusement mingled with wonder.


    How could this blind girl hold such firm convictions about her mother''s beauty?


    She could not even see.


    Yet, he thought, if the ''product'' was this delightful and pure, surely the ''factory'' must be equally wondrous.


    "So... Will you be Zi''er''s daddy?" Zhenxi''s question, imbued with both hope and a trembling nervousness, floated gently towards Wang Xiao.


    Her eyes, wide and earnest, were pools of anticipation as they sought his face, seeking an answer.


    At that precise moment, the quiet intimacy of their exchange was pierced by a sharp knock.


    Knock! Knock! Knock!


    Wang Xiao''s expression shifted subtly, a slight crease forming between his brows as he turned toward the sound.


    Through the restaurant''s ss wall, a silhouette loomed, tapping lightly yet insistently on the ss.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Huh?" Zhenxi, too, pivoted toward the noise, her delicate face clouded with confusion.


    Her small hands paused in mid-air, her body tensing as she tried to make sense of the disturbance.


    As Wang Xiao prepared to rise and address the unexpected visitor, a small hand tugged gently at his clothes.


    He paused, turning back to see Zhenxi''s tentative grasp, her face marked with a quiet plea for reassurance.


    With a soft, understanding smile, Wang Xiao leaned down, his faceing close to hers, their cheeks brushing lightly.


    The intimate gesture drew a delightful giggle from Zhenxi.


    "It''s ticklish!" she eximed, herughter like the clear chime of a small bell.


    Wang Xiao''s smile widened, and he nted a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Stay here. I''ll be back in just a moment," he murmured.


    "Promise?" Zhenxi''s voice was small, filled with the hope that he would indeed return.


    "Promise," Wang Xiao affirmed.


    Reluctantly, he pulled away, her fingers sliding off his clothing as he stood.


    As he walked towards the door, he cast a nce back.


    This time, with the doors securely locked, he had no concerns about her wandering off.


    ______


    Outside, a woman stood bathed in the soft morning light, her light blonde hair cascading like sunlit threads.


    She was cloaked in a thin yellow overcoat, which fluttered slightly in the gentle breeze, paired elegantly with white leggings that outlined her graceful figure.


    Her hands were slender, her skin as smooth as jade, and her eyes, soft and deep, held the tranquility of still waters.


    She exuded an air of serene patience.


    Wang Xiao, upon seeing her, might have been captivated by her celestial beauty had he not known her well.


    He eyed her with a mixture of amusement and resignation. "Which one is this?" he inquired, his gaze subtly drifting to her abdomen, a wry expression forming on his face.


    "Eleventh," Eveline replied, her lips a delicate shade of pink, barely moving as she spoke.


    Her voice was like a gentle murmur, almost lost in the breeze.


    Wang Xiao''s response was a dry chuckle, the sound carrying a mix of admiration and b amusement. "You really are a baby-producing factory," he remarked lightly, though his heart was heavy with unspoken thoughts.


    Eveline''s smile remained unchanging, a serene mask that hid the sharp intellect behind it.


    Their exchange was yful on the surface, yet beneathy a sea ofplex emotions and strategic thoughts.


    As Wang Xiao reached out to touch her face, his fingers tracing the smoothness that reminded him of polished jade, he pondered their tangled history.


    Despite countless shared moments, Eveline''s stubborn nature had never wavered.


    She still harbored the hope that the sight of so many children might one day dissuade him from returning to her.


    Yet, Wang Xiao, as stubborn as she, knew better.


    If she believed this tactic would work, she was mistaken.


    He had ensured she was well cared for, with a separate mansion in Xianthera, recognizing her unique ability to nurture their children.


    These children, raised under her watchful eye, possessed values that seemed elevated, almost divine¡ªreflecting not just her teachings but the inherent virtues she held, which drew him back, time and again, despite everything.


    "I didn''t know you had a thing for lolis..." Eveline remarked, turning her head to nce at the little girl perched on the chair. "Even if you wish to devour her raw, there are physical limitations... unless you intend to¡ªhuh?"


    Her words halted midway as Wang Xiao pinched her cheeks between his fingers. "You truly have the heart of a venomous serpent. When did I ever say she was to be eaten?"


    "It''s... not?" Eveline''s voice was muffled, her lips puckered. With a face as radiant as a celestial maiden, she felt deeply aggrieved by his rough treatment, yet she couldn''t control her own provocative words, which seemed to invite cmity.


    Wang Xiao''s re lingered on her for a moment before shifting to her waist.


    Though covered by a yellow overcoat, her sexy shape was still evident, a dangerous temptation to any man''s eyes.


    Such a perfect figure, sculpted as if by the hands of a deity.


    Whenever Wang Xiao nced at her cold, enchanting face, a sadistic urge welled up within him, like a storm brewing in his heart.


    Seeing her glistening pink lips, delicate as a newborn rose, he felt an overwhelming desire to im them.


    Not to mention, she was provoking him without reason, stoking the fires of his ire.


    He had to return the favor.


    Physical beatings had grown tiresome to Wang Xiao. To him, showing her ce through more subtle means was far more satisfying.


    He truly wondered where Aurora had found such a masterpiece.


    "..."


    Seeing his intense gaze, Eveline remained silent, though, raged behind her tranquil eyes.


    Thump! Thump! Thump!


    Her chest shuddered inwardly, the rhythm of her heartbeat betraying her nervousness.

 Chapter 402: *The woman and man who crossed their limits (1)*

    Seeing his prey nervous was one of the most exciting feelings for a man''s heart.


    Wang Xiao smiled faintly before seizing her hand and pulling her in a seemingly random direction.


    "Where are you taking me?" she asked, her voice trembling.


    After giving a squeeze to her soft, delicate boneless hand, his hand snaked up to her waist, like a serpent, slowly caressing the supple flesh of her buttocks before giving it a firm squeeze to sate his desire.


    A faint blush crept up to Eveline''s cheeks as she realized their destination.


    They were still in the open, and the morning sun bathed the world in light.


    "Do you not care about your reputation?" she hissed in panic. Wang Xiao had brought her down to the bridge where he and Zhenxi had been earlier.


    The shadow enveloped them under its veil, and a cold chill gave Eveline goosebumps.


    From left to right, the area was entirely exposed. If he did something to her here, wouldn''t she be humiliated for her entire lifetime?


    "Ah!?"


    Eveline thought her deterrence was enough, but the next moment, Wang Xiao pushed her face against the cold pir before taking off her overcoat, revealing the milky white skin across her shoulders.


    "Do you want to leave your children without a mother?" Eveline frowned, feeling the cold against her cheeks, and warned.


    Wang Xiao was used to her suicidal threats. He saw a charming figure in front of him, with puckered buttocks, a sleeveless white top, and fragile hands pressing against the pir.


    If his heart wouldn''t race for excitement now, then when?


    He had gained an eternity''s worth of experience, but when it came to human rtions, he was like a starving beast emerging from the graveyard of gods.


    He rolled up the top until he reached the underside of her hands.


    Then, he put his warm hands against her waist before his fingers ran down inside her leggings from both left and right.


    "!!"


    Eveline was stunned, feeling his fingers crawling against her waist and then down her hips as they moved inside her leggings towards her buttocks.


    He slowly pulled the leggings down, pressed his lips against both of her buttocks, rubbed his face against them, and continued to rub his hands across her thighs and then down her legs, making them weak and shiver.


    Eveline gritted her teeth, her neck reddening in embarrassment. "Wang Xiao... You are crossing the limits."


    Her gaze locked onto a small dog, its inquisitive eyes peering at them from a distance, curiosity shimmering in its own gaze.


    Before they could fullyprehend the sight, a young child appeared and stood in wonderment at the breathtaking spring scene unfolding before him.


    His eyes widened, his disbelief growing as he rubbed his eyes, trying to confirm the reality of the mesmerizing scene before him.


    A celestial maiden caught in an awkward pose - the sheer spectacle unfurling beneath the heavens was nothing short of a celestial marvel.


    Puchi!


    Punchi!N?v(el)B\\jnn


    In a fleeting moment, both the dog and the child brust into a mist of crimson, seamlessly melding into the waters of the Huangpu River.


    "What...?" Eveline gasped in astonishment, her senses reeling from the surreal turn of events, only to find Wang Xiao came at her side.


    With a surprising tenderness, he pressed his lips to her stunned cheeks before trailing a lick along them.


    "!"


    A ripple of goosebumps surged through Eveline, causing her body to instinctively stiffen like a bowstring.


    "Let them see, I would just gauge thier eyes out," Wang Xiao whispered, knowing how to ensure this woman doesn''t kill herself out of humiliation.


    His touch on her abdomen was delicate yet firm, as he explored the softness and warmth within her.


    Feeling the subtle movements of life beneath his fingers, a rush of tenderness flooded his being,pelling him to gently squeeze the supple flesh.


    Eveline''s cheeks zed crimson as she heard the soft jingle of his belt being undone, her face flushing with a mix of embarrassment and anticipation.


    "Gulp..." She gulped, her silhouette seemingly untouched despite bringing ten daughters into the world for him.


    Almost everyone was awkward and embarrassed facing her in Xianthera, as they didn''t know where the stubborn heart inside her came from.


    "Mmmmnn....." Her lips pressed tightly together as a warm hand slipped between her thighs, tracing the delicate skin of her most intimate realm.


    "Oh, why is it wet?" Wang Xiao''s taunting voice echoing through the silence, eliciting a gnashing of teeth from Eveline in response.


    "H-husband... Stop using your magic on me! It''s unfair!" She hissed, only to be met with a surge of electricity coursing through her body, causing her legs to tremble uncontrobly.


    "Unfair and fair?" Wang Xiao''sughter danced, astonished that she still clung to the role she had yed in their prior night.


    Pakh!


    He withdrew his fingers, now coated with a shimmering liquid. With a swift motion, he delivered a stinging p to her rear, reveling in the soft jiggle that followed.


    Swoosh!


    "''Husband'', is boring andcks excitement. Why not regard me as a Godfather... Your own father has passed, I could take you into my care..." Wang Xiao''s voice slightly with possessiveness as he seized her waist, twirling her around before pressing her firmly against the icy pir.


    She had disrupted him at a critical moment, and he was determined not to let it pass without retribution.


    "Inahle.... Inahle..."


    As Eveline stood there, her fists clenched in anger, her beautiful face contorted with a rare disy of fury.


    It trembled with emotion as she repeated, "You don''t dare speak his name in front of me!"


    Wang Xiao boldly pressed his body closer to hers, daring to bring their faces almost too near, his naked lower body and the undeniable presence of his arousal against her thighs.


    In response, Eveline''s eyes zed with an intense mix of hatred and anger.


    She had never anticipated that he would find the very nerve within her that caused the deepest pain.


    Even now, the mere mention of her father by anyone was like a dagger that plunged into her heart, triggering a storm of agony and rage within her.


    Amused by her reaction, Wang Xiao proposed mockingly, "Tell me everything about your past, and I promise to refrain from ever mentioning him again." His attempts to breach her mental defenses and invade her dreams had been in vain, for her mind remained shielded, even in the dead of night.


    To pierce that shield would surely awaken her, so he sought a different approach ¨C a more peaceful agreement.


    "Humph! Impossible! If you want to y daughter and father, go and pick up any of your daughters, don''t use me as your tool to vent!" Eveline spat out, her wordsced with contempt.


    Wang Xiao could feel his anger rising as he narrowed his eyes at her.


    She shed a sly smile, clearly enjoying getting under his skin.


    The daily dilemma he grappled with¡ªhow could she be so oblivious to it?


    She had nted that seed in his mind, and now it was taking root.


    "Ha-ha..." Herughter rang out, melodious and captivating, causing Wang Xiao to involuntarily shut his eyes in surprise.


    The sound was so beautiful, yet in that moment, he harbored a fierce desire to wipe that smile off her face.

 Chapter 403: *The woman and men who crossed all limits (2)*

    The fury within him could find no proper outlet, and in a moment of impulsiveness, he turned his gaze to her shimmering lips, pressing his own against them.


    "Slurp... Slurp..."


    His actions were impulsive as he sucked and nipped at them, his intensity never waning.


    To an onlooker, his behavior might have appeared harsh, but this woman was no ordinary mortal¡ªher superhuman physique boasted a remarkable self-healing ability.


    Even so, as he finally drew away, her lips were tainted by bleeding, a fine mist clouding her eyes in response to the pain.


    "Have you never seen a beautiful woman before?" she asked, her toneced with a slight difort.


    But then, hadn''t she provoked him first?


    "Not all women can endure this," Wang Xiao retorted, his voice cold, as if resisting a heartyugh.


    He had grown ustomed to her sweet-tasting tongue, and her body exuded an aroma as delicate and alluring as cherry blossoms freshly burst into bloom.


    Yet, the words that flowed from those lips wereced with venom.


    ra was known for her poisonous essence, but this woman¡ªshe wielded her strengths in more ingeniously creative ways.


    He then slowly unwrapped the thick, white cloth that veiled her breasts, a remnant of a bygone medieval era.


    The act of uncovering her was an exquisite pleasure in itself.


    Beneath the fabricy her graceful neck and milky-white shoulders, leading down to breasts that were sculpted to perfection, making her seem like a living sculpture of divine femininity.


    Her breasts, pale as the driven snow, were crowned with small cherries that hinted at blossoming flowers, adding a touch of innocent allure.


    Yet, at that moment, those delicate cherries were each adorned with a singr drop of snow¡ªa drop that was, more precisely, a drop of milk.


    "Ugh..."


    Eveline felt a wave of disgust as his tongue quivered momentarily before he aggressivelytched onto her breasts, squeezing them harshly as if to forcibly extract the milk.


    After consecutive pregnancies, she had unwittingly be his inexhaustible source of milk.


    "Gulp... Gulp..."


    The sweet taste of the milk slid down his throat.


    Over time, once humans have experienced and explored enough, all bes mundane, leading them to stray from their partners and seek out others to fill the ensuing void.


    Yet, even the thrill of pursuing new conquests couldn''tpletely fill the deep, restless void in the heart of immortal beings like Wang Xiao, whose pleasures evolved into kinks far beyond the grasp of ordinary human understanding.


    Eveline''s face turned a deep shade of red, her breathing intensified, and her legs weakened, trembling with arousal.


    However, at this moment, Wang Xiao''s grip tightened around her waist, his other hand boldly caressing her buttocks.


    Pak!


    Pak!


    Pak!


    "Mgh!"


    Eveline, overwhelmed by the stinging sensations, eventually couldn''t hold back her tears as his relentless hand turned her back red and swollen, rendering her skin soft and tender to the touch.


    "Haaa.. stop~!" She feared she might soon develop tastes as ''entric'' as his if this continued.


    Pak!


    Pak!


    Wang Xiao''s intent remained unaltered: to coax her into the pain and to demean her untouched heart.


    Eveline found herself exposed beneath the bridge, her dignity stripped away as her breasts were crudely mishandled, and his hand relentlessly dealt p after p upon her back.


    A faint blend of painful groans and peculiar pleasure caused her neck to re with a vivid crimson, marking her embarrassment and shame.


    Momentster...


    "Ahhhhnnnn~~!"


    "Mmmgh! Wang Xiao~~~ there are people watching~~~!"


    Eveline''s face deepened to an intense shade of red, her hands braced against the pir, her buttocks arched invitingly towards him as his manhood found her, plunging deeply with each powerful thrust.


    Her once wless back, now imed by his touch, received his lips and the affectionate rub of his face, as if he werepletely enchanted.


    His hands wandered asionally, yfully teasing her breasts or smoothly gliding over her waist.


    Puchi!


    Puchi!


    The people who stumbled upon them identally met a grim fate.


    Eveline''s chest heaved with every breath, her whole body aze with a fiery red glow.


    Every woman is one of a kind, but she was truly exceptional.


    Her entire being flushed crimson with arousal, presenting an irresistible delight to Wang Xiao.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Whenever he found himself with time to spare in Xianthera, he sought in her chambers, his passion driving him to ravish her.


    The sensation of her soft flesh caressing his manhood brought pleasure, yet it paled inparison to the pleasure of her entirety.


    And as for their ten daughters...


    They were not merely human; they seemed to embody characters from a dramatic Greek mythology, crafted by Eveline''s upbringing.


    Beyond their years, they disyed an uncanny understanding of rtionships between the sexes.


    Their upbringingcked traditional moral values, resulting in them embracing a culture distinct from the norm.


    The most shocking moment for Wang Xiao arrived when his eldest daughter, borne of Eveline, expressed a desire to engage in intimate activities with him.


    This incited a deep resentment within him, a potent emotion that lingered with every passing thought.


    The most troubling part was their nonchnt eptance of the situation, finding no fault in their desires.


    Eveline had imparted upon them the logic of the divine, leaving Wang Xiao torn between his sense of moral and his desires.


    From that moment on, he made a conscious effort to steer clear of Eveline''s daughters, limiting his interactions to the bare minimum.


    However, as if to further twist the knife, Eveline insisted he secretly enjoyed the thrill of the taboo, and since her daughters didn''t evoke this thrill in him anymore, he restrained himself.


    To underscore her argument, Eveline overstepped when, one day, their second eldest daughter expressed a desire to emte her father''s harem, evidently swayed by Eveline''s influence.


    At that point, Wang Xiao snapped.


    Eveline intended merely to make a point, but she failed to recognize that she had crossed lines that should have remained invible.


    The woman who dared too much needed strict discipline.


    Perhaps it was one of the rare instances where he punished her so severely that she couldn''t walk for a month, even with her supernatural ability to heal¡ªafter all, his daughters were no mere pawns, and Eveline was using them as tools in her vendetta against him.


    Yet, she survived.


    Could it mean that somewhere deep inside, he believed there was truth in her words?


    Why do people seek power?


    For freedom.


    If your beliefs still shackle you, are you truly free?


    Wang Xiao was at a stage where he possessed enough power to enact any will, as long as he decided upon it.


    But deciding¡ª''the mind''¡ªwas the most formidable challenge; his interpersonal rtionships had stagnated in the so-called graveyard of gods.


    He had grown calmer and more mature, but that didn''t mean he viewed people differently.


    Moreover, their daughters were still young, and Eveline''s maniptions, coaxing them into provocative derations, inmed his temper.


    He needed to consider how to reverse her indoctrination, but doing so would effectively reset their progress to zero,pelling him to make a definitive choice.


    Even if ordinary people attempted to grasp his thoughts, they would falter; his mind ventured into the future, meticulously calcting every conceivable oue.


    Having reached the stage of transcendence, he began to perceive the forces of fate. While directly seeing the future was impossible, deducing the myriad possibilities of a given situation was well within his capabilities.

 Chapter 404: Call your daddy for help?

    "...How can you use me in front of everyone..."


    Lying on the ground amidst the dewy grass, Eveline''s butt was swollen and throbbing.


    She couldn''t help but voice her indignation, feeling she had been too lenient with him the past few days, mistakenly thinking he wouldn''t dare to humiliate her so openly.


    Wang Xiao didn''t take her words to heart. "What are you going to do now then?" He tightened his belt and then conjured a cigarette from thin air, taking a leisurely puff.


    "Call your daddy for help?" He winked at the already furious woman, his mocking tone making her tremble with rage.


    For this heartless woman, he felt no pity.


    He had once thought she was still a good woman when Aurora threw her to him, but she had been plotting against him all along.


    Eveline didn''t me Aurora but Wang Xiao for everything. If not for Wang Xiao, she wouldn''t have been sacrificed like a maidservant to him by Aurora.


    She dared not go against Aurora, being indebted to her, but for Wang Xiao, she didn''t care.


    At most, she would lose her life.


    This was precisely why Wang Xiao didn''t kill her.


    Death was too easy for some people.


    Wang Xiao raised his leg, removing it from his shoe, and pressed it against her swollen butt.


    "!"


    "Hiss..."


    Eveline sucked in a cold breath, instantly pulling herself up and ring at him, but Wang Xiao chuckled.


    "Where is that girl? Is she still waiting?" he asked while exhaling a cloud of smoke.


    It wasn''t his habit, but after returning, he had started to enjoy worldly pleasures.


    Although furious, Eveline answered, "The owner of the restaurant arrived and recognized her. She has left with her."


    Wang Xiao nodded.


    She had two little dragons.


    If the dragons were hurt, Aura herself would tear through space toe to their aid, so he didn''t care much.


    Besides, he had no desire to bebeled a loli kidnapper.


    In fact, Eveline was right.


    The Hidden Heaven and the bakery run by Chen Meili were not far apart, and the owners knew each other well.


    At this moment, Zhenxi was with Chen Meili and Fu Yuxin.


    "Oh... Keep an eye on her," Wang Xiao nodded in acknowledgment after carefully scanning the surroundings for himself, before he took a deliberate step and vanished into the void.


    The girl was clearly too young for him, and given that she had parents, he dismissed the idea of adopting her outright; doing so would necessitate eliminating her father, and then dealing with her mother would be an even more troublesome task.


    Unbeknownst to Wang Xiao, the true circumstances surrounding Zhenxi were far moreplex than he realized.


    "What type of ability is that?" Eveline frowned, puzzled as she watched him flicker in and out of existence like a phantom.


    None of his powers could be grasped by conventional understanding.


    The reality was that Wang Xiao harnessed dark matter, a substance that coexists alongside other elements including aether.


    Even as the world suffered a scarcity of aether, dark matter continued to saturate the cosmos.


    In essence, he wasn''t actually traveling; he was simply manifesting instantaneously in another location.


    _____


    Nestled beside the tranquil Huangpu River stood an elegant riverside abode, its windows aglow with soft, inviting light.


    Inside, young Zhenxi, her eyes wide with wonder, clutched two mythical dragon cubs, pausing at the threshold.


    The room''s gentle illumination cast yful shadows that danced upon the walls, enveloping the space in a cozy, inviting warmth.


    On the plush sofa, a woman sat with rigid posture, her hands interlocked tightly in herp, betraying her inner turmoil.


    Time had sketched fine lines of worry around her eyes, which now shimmered with the glint of unshed tears.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    This was Fu Yuxin, d in a sleeveless ck top, her gaze vacant.


    She had been without her daughter since Zhenxi''s mysterious disappearance just a day prior.


    Upon Zhenxi''s cautious entry, Fu Yuxin surged to her feet, her breath hitching sharply.


    "Zi''er?" Her voice quivered, barely above a whisper.


    The little girl nodded, her eyes now brimming with tears.


    With a surge of emotion, mother and daughter closed the distance between them, locking in a tight, soulful embrace that mended the brief, painful separation.


    Fu Yuxin ran her fingers through Zhenxi''s hair, murmuring tender derations and sighs of relief. "I thought I''d lost you forever," she whispered.


    Zhenxi, seekingfort, pressed closer, enveloped by the familiar warmth and scent of her mother¡ªa fragrance of home and safety.


    Outside, the atmosphere carried a different, though no less intense, energy.


    Chen Meili, elegantly attired in a flowing gown and her brown curls cascading down her shoulders, concluded her discussions with the local police.


    Wan Yang, listened intently, absorbing every detail of Zhenxi''s subsequent recovery.


    Nearby, Mr. Zhang, proprietor of the Lost Heaven restaurant, observed the scene with a look of quiet satisfaction.


    He had yed a pivotal role in Zhenxi''s return; his staff had discovered the girl locked inside the restaurant early in the morning, prompting him to act swiftly upon recognizing her as the daughter of the nearby proprietress.


    "Thank you, Officer Wan, and thank you, Mr. Zhang, for everything," Chen Meili said, slightly relieved.


    Wan Yang nodded, his gaze lingering on the closed front door of the residence. "It''s always a good day when we can bring a family back together," he replied, his voice low and sincere.


    However, the case left him perplexed.


    He had already reported to the higher-ups about the existence of the Eight Prince, but they had instructed him to keep silent, choosing to sacrifice a branch to save the entire tree.


    Since the girl had returned on her own, he could only sigh in relief and close the case.


    As the police and Mr. Zhang departed, the door to the residence closed softly behind them.


    Mr. Zhang was slightly disappointed, as he had hoped the beautiful Chen Meili might invite him to dinner, but she, discerning his intentions and aware of his marital status, chose to maintain a professional distance.


    Inside, Fu Yuxin and Zhenxi sat together on the sofa, talking quietly.


    Fu Yuxin was eager to learn everything about her daughter''s situation, but she tempered her curiosity with patience, giving Zhenxi the space to share at her own pace as she noticed her fidgeting with the dragon cubs in her hand.


    Zhenxi, seemingly searching for someone, looked around anxiously. "Mom, where is Daddy?" she asked, her eyes wide with nervous expectation.


    "Huh?" Fu Yuxin crouched in front of her daughter, surprised by the question. "What Daddy, Zi''er?" she asked, confused.


    At that moment, Chen Meili, who had entered coincidentally, was stunned by the conversation. "Yuxin, Zi''er is right! It''s time you find a father for her. How about Mr. Zhang outside?"


    "You...!" Fu Yuxin turned around with a flushed face. "Don''t throw your problems onto me!"

 Chapter 405: Potest in Netherlands?

    "You...!" Fu Yuxin turned around with a flushed face. "Don''t throw your problems onto me!"


    Chen Meili couldn''t help but chuckle at her partner''s reaction.


    "Mommy..." Zhenxi tugged at her mother''s clothes with pleading eyes.


    Fu Yuxin, about to retort, softened her expression as she looked down at Zhenxi, choosing to ignore Chen Meili''s teasing.


    In her heart, she plotted a yful revenge forter that evening.


    "Daddy!" Zhenxi''s persistent murmurs grew louder, each repetition of "I need Daddy"


    "Huh?" Fu Yuxin, her brows furrowed in confusion, began listing names of potential figures Zhenxi might be referring to.


    Zhenxi''s insistence grew more fervent as she repeated her plea for her daddy.


    Fu Yuxin, her confusion mounting, began to list names of potential father figures she thought her daughter might be referring to.


    "If not Hao, then Is it Uncle Chen? Or Mr. Li from next door?" Fu Yuxin asked, hoping to appease her daughter''s sudden demand.


    Zhenxi shook her head vigorously at each name, her voice rising in desperation. "I need Daddy! I want Daddy!" she wailed, her small fists beginning to pummel her mother''s arms as tears streamed down her cheeks.


    "!"


    Fu Yuxin, caught off guard by her daughter''s emotional outburst, felt a pang of helplessness.


    She grasped Zhenxi''s hands, trying to calm her. "Zi''er, please, baby, help Mommy understand. Who are you talking about?" she pleaded, her voiceced with concern.


    But Zhenxi only continued to cry harder, repeating her plea amidst sobs. "Daddy, Daddy, I need my Daddy!"


    The sight of her daughter''s distress and the need in her voice finally cracked Fu Yuxin''sposure.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Zi''er...I..." Tears welled up in her eyes as she pulled Zhenxi into a tight embrace, her own sobs mingling with her daughter''s.


    She stroked Zhenxi''s hair, whispering soothing words, yet her mind raced with confusion and sorrow.


    "Why... now? Why this.... sudden need..


    for a father?" Fu Yuxin wondered silently, her heart aching.


    She had always been both mother and father to Zhenxi, never feeling the absence of another.


    The sudden urgency of her daughter''s demands was bewildering and painful, touching a dormant fear in her heart¡ªthat she might not be enough.


    "..."


    Chen Meili''s face paled at the sight. She had always felt that Fu Yuxin was too young to take care of Zhenxi effectively, but thetter simply didn''t heed her concerns.


    "Mom...?" Zhenxi''s voice trailed off as she gasped in surprise, seeing her mother crying along with her.


    The little girl''s sobs ceased abruptly, reced by a moment of thoughtful silence.


    With quiet steps, she slipped away, returning shortly with a ss of water.


    "!?"


    Her actions startled Fu Yuxin, who was sitting slumped and defeated on the sofa.


    Fu Yuxin let out a sniffle and a soft chuckle as she took the ss from Zhenxi''s tiny hands.


    "..."


    Chen Meili shook her head, her eyes reflecting a mix of amusement and concern; she always felt that little Zhenxi had matured far beyond her years.


    Meanwhile, the world had resumed its chaotic rhythm after Wang Xiao''s mysterious departure.


    His appearances were rare, and invariably, each visitation seemed to unleash a fresh disaster.


    The year was 2031.


    On the 14th of August, a sea of discontent washed over the streets of Europe and beyond.


    Protesters, fueled by recent cmities and armed with wit and determination, raised their voices and cards high:


    "Evil tyrants need hugs too¡ªjust not from us!"


    "Keep calm and banish the tyrant!"


    "Who elected the evil? Not us!"


    "Ditch the despot, save our souls!"


    "Evil''s retirement n: Exile!"


    "Despots should be despised, not elected!"


    "Out with the ogre, in with the light!"


    "Can''t stand the heat? Out of the throne!"


    "Overthrow the overlord!"


    "Dictators deliver disaster!"


    "No more nightmares, it''s time for a new dawn!"


    "Tyrants are temporary, freedom is forever!"


    These vibrant slogans, tinged with humor, rippled through the bustling streets of the Nethends, particrly resonant just days after the country had been victim of an ominous ckout.


    The entire nation had been engulfed in darkness, a sudden void that caused nes to plummet and vehicles to veer off course.


    The machinery of daily life had faltered, and the chaos imed thousands of lives.


    Fuelled by grief and anger, the protests against the tyranny of the Eight Prince erupted with renewed vigor today.


    Crowds thronged outside the parliamentary building in the Nethends, their chants sharp and their demands clear: they called for the government to take decisive action against the prince, to restore justice and light to their darkened lives.


    "Freedom!"


    "We need freedom from tyranny!"


    Amid the bustling crowd of protesters, two girls stood out, their delicate features and poised demeanor adding a serene beauty to the calls for freedom.


    The first girl, with her silver-white hair styled in an elegant updo, crowned with delicate silver adornments, exuded an ethereal charm.


    Her gown, a flowing cascade of pale blue silk, was ented with intricate silver embroidery that seemed to shimmer with the light.


    Her eyes, a deep, clear blue, were alive with a fierce determination as she held up a sign that boldly dered, "Freedom!"


    Beside her, the second girl, also striking, had long, flowing light blonde hair that gently framed her face, adding a softness to her determined expression.


    She wore a simple, white dress adorned with subtle floral embellishments, giving her a look of innocent defiance.


    Her bright blue eyes sparkled with the same resolve as her sister''s, as she too raised a card high, echoing the cry, "We need freedom from tyranny!"


    Together, they stood as symbols of hope, until¡ª


    "What are they up to now?" A voice came from a little behind them.


    Wang Xiao, d in a ck leather jacket despite the sun, strode forward, his arm wrapped around the slender waist of a woman exuding royal charm.


    Her long, curly brown hair cascaded down her back, and she wore a short top that appeared slightly awkward on her.


    She was Juliana, one of the Princesses of the Nethends, who had been presented to Wang Xiao back in 2027 when he took princesses from across Europe to Asmodeus''s castle.


    Next to her, adding to the surprise, was another woman who bore a striking resemnce to Juliana but was much plumper, with far more ample curves, barely contained by her single-piece green dress.


    This was Queen Lisa, Juliana''s mother.


    ''When did he hook up with my mother?'' Juliana thought sulking, her curiosity piqued, but she kept herposure.


    They had resided in a mansion in Romania, nominally, as Wang Xiao rarely returned. Instead, they took turns visiting their homnds, where their status had been elevated significantly.


    This arrangement had brought some relief to their attendants.


    However, everything changed in early February of this year when Wang Xiao dramatically re-entered Earth''s atmosphere, bringing his daughters with him.


    This time, Wang Xiao''s presence was extended far beyond the usual fleeting visits.


    The unsettling darkness that had recently enveloped the Nethends was a direct result of actions by him and the enchanting Queen Lisa.


    "Darling, are these ethereal beings truly your daughters? They radiate such beauty..." Lisa murmured, her voice a melodious whisper that stirred the air, her lips a vivid shade of crimson that arched into a mesmerizing smile.


    A shiver of dismay ran through Princess Juliana as she overheard her mother''s flirtatious tone¡ªa manner of speech she had never witnessed directed towards her own father.


    ''Mother, this could shatter our family,'' she thought anxiously, her heart fluttering with heat.


    "They have been my daughters, cherished and nurtured, until this moment.." Wang Xiao replied, his gaze thoughtful as he contemted the unexpected situation.


    He had anticipated a day of ying ''horse¡ªriding''  between the two royal women but had not foreseen his own daughters rising in protest against him.


    ''Is it now time to sever the ties with these delicate cabbages I have so painstakingly cultivated?'' he pondered silently.


    Observing their slender figures and the graceful arcs of their long, radiant legs, it was clear they were no longer the small sprouts he had once sheltered.


    Their true ages approached the verge of two decades, yet due to celestial time spent outside the mystical realms of Xianthera, their appearance and spirit resonated with the age of between eighteen and neen.


    Wang Xiao had never been one for meticulous record-keeping; he celebrated their eighteen year with a grand festivity, marking the asion when he finally loosened his protective grip, allowing them to venture into the mortal world ording to their whims.


    Just when these blossoming maidens believed they had tasted the sweet nectar of liberty, Wang Xiao descended upon them, shattering their nascent dreams of independence.


    Yet, they had previously consented to an agreement that acknowledged his potential intervention.


    So why, he wondered, were these charming creatures now stirring the air with their delicate uproar?


    What newfound grievances had led them to raise their voices in such enchanting dissent?

 Chapter 406: Qian Ruixins marriage? (1)

    "So, what do we have here? Unfilial daughters plotting against their father for inheritance...?" Wang Xiao teased as he approached, his arms opening wide in a dramatic gesture before he gently encircled both girls with a warm embrace from behind.


    A faint, fresh fragrance wafted from his left, mingling with another sweet scent from his right, prompting a blissful smile to dance across his face.


    "I had not anticipated my own flowers  one day would rally with the enemy against their father," he mused softly, his voice a tender murmur as he peered down at the pair, his hands resting lightly on their delicate shoulders.


    The world seemed to hold its breath for a moment.


    "..."


    "..."


    Two pairs of eyes, brimming with a mix of resolve and gentle turmoil, nced back at him¡ªone set quietly, the other softly apprehensive.


    "Dad, this disy of melodrama is unnecessary... We are not aligning with your enemies," Yue murmured from his right, her voice reserved yetced with an undeniable firmness. Her demure nature held by the strength clearly etched in her stance.


    "Oh? And what might this be?" Wang Xiao''s gaze shifted to the signboard sped in her hand.


    With a serene grace, Yue blinked slowly, her eyes reflecting the clear blue of a tranquilke. "These are our demand..."


    "They¡ªand¡ªwe are distinct, separate from your conflicts. Different people, different demands." She lowered the signboard with a grace that seemed to paint the air with strokes of dignity, pointing gently yet definitively towards the crowd ahead.


    Observing her elegant actions and the subtle gesture of her hand, as if she were severing ties with gentle precision, Wang Xiao felt a wave of warmth wash over him.


    The quiet intensity of her resolve was as enchanting as it was impressive.


    Yet, he could not simply step out of his role yet.


    "Oh, what new demands do you have now?" Wang Xiao inquired, his eyebrow arching with a yful curiosity as he gazed upon Yue''s exquisitely sculpted features.


    The sun''s golden rays bathed her face, illuminating her gem-like blue eyes with a celestial shimmer that seemed to draw himpletely.


    Even as he stood there, he found himself entranced, listening yet not fully grasping the words of the moment, lost in the smile.


    Yue hesitated, her lips¡ªa pair of delicate cherry blossoms¡ªpressed together in thoughtful contemtion.


    After a moment of silent debate, her voice, soft yet resolute, "It concerns mypany... You promised to not interfere."


    Wang Xiao, pulled abruptly from his reverie, adopted a more serious demeanor. "It''s merely a single marriage, and aren''t you already hosting events? Just ept it," he said with a nonchnt shrug, his voice light yet dismissive of her deeper concerns.


    "It''s not even here... It''s in Icevale..." Yue''s voice trailed off, her expression clouding with a mix of frustration and resignation.


    The event was scheduled for the first week of September, and with such short notice, preparations seemed an impossible task, especially considering its location in a foreignnd.


    This endeavor was supposed to be her own empire, apany built from the ethereal dreams of managing exquisite events, a symbol to her independence and creative spirit.


    But now, Wang Xiao had usurped even her right to choose the inaugural event of her own enterprise.


    Just the day before, as she sifted through prospective events with the meticulous care of a seasoned artisan, selecting from those likely sent by acquaintances aware of her fledgling undertaking, her desire to forge a unique legacy was evident.


    Yet, Wang Xiao, in a move as swift as a gust of wind, had nonchntly reviewed the proposals, instantly selecting one and cing it before her.


    His decision left her stunned¡ªnot merely due to its abruptness but because his choice implied a preordained n, robbing her of the autonomy she cherished.


    This realization¡ªthat her debut, meant to showcase her capabilities, was orchestrated by her father¡ªweighed heavily on her heart, like a delicate flower under the early frost, threatening to stifle the fiery ambition that had driven her to embark on this path.


    As the usatory nces of his daughters bore into him, Wang Xiao''s eyes betrayed a flicker of difort. "I assure you, that proposal wasn''t of my doing... You can confirm with Juliana," he dered.


    From the periphery, Juliana, adorned in elegant ck heels that clicked softly against the cobblestones, stepped forward with a flutter of her silken dress, her sudden movement nearly causing her to stumble.


    "Ah¡ªyes! It was dispatched by our agents," she confirmed hastily, her voice a delicate tremble.


    "!"


    Yue, her celestial features tightened in a delicate frown, allowed her gaze to linger usingly on Juliana for a brief moment, a silent warning glimmering in her deep, azure eyes.


    She then turned back to Wang Xiao, her voice soft yet piercing as she delivered her query like a veiled sword thrust.


    "Isn''t she your girlfriend?" she inquired with a trace of frost.


    "Obviously not," Wang Xiao replied instantly, his expression clearing, though inwardly he reveled in the strategic acumen they were beginning to show.


    ''They now use threats against others! Good! Good!'' he celebrated silently.


    Still unsatisfied, Yue''s voice dropped to a grumble, herint filled with threads of silver disappointment. "... You cleverly introduced your agent under the guise of our assistant... If she is not your spy, then what, my dear dad, is she?"


    Yue''s memories fluttered back to the day they had sought an assistant.


    Juliana had appeared before them, willing to work for a modest stipend and boasting impressive academic achievements.


    Their meeting had seemed like fate, too perfect in its coincidence, and they had weed her without suspicion, not realizing she was a chess piece ced by Wang Xiao.


    But the truth, like the slow blooming of a night-blooming flower, had revealed itself in mere months, exposing Wang Xiao''s intricate strategy.


    He had assured them that he was not apanying them outside Xianthera, preferring instead to enjoy some solitary time.


    But it had all been a well-crafted lie!


    He was merely keeping an eye on them, monitoring their every move.


    To Yue, this was utterly uneptable!


    How are they supposed to grow if they are constantly shielded?


    If they don''t mature, who will support him in the future?


    If Wang Xiao could peer into her thoughts, he would immediately grab his lovely daughter in a instant hug and promptly assign her a much deserved solo journey through the Amazon rainforests to supply her growth.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Regrettably, neither possessed the ability to read minds.


    Yue, realizing that contesting her stubborn father was futile, channeled her frustration elsewhere.


    She cast a suspicious nce toward the woman standing near Juliana and queried, "Who is she now?"


    Her inquiry prompted Juliana to also look toward her mother, her own curiosity piqued about why she was present.


    Lisa remained unruffled, exuding charm and grace, even as Wenxi, who had been quiet until then, looked over her shoulder and caught sight of her.


    A flicker of surprise danced in Wenxi''s eyes as she swiftly connected the dots between Juliana and Lisa.


    She couldn''t help but direct a sharp, somewhat bitter nce at Wang Xiao, ''Did he grabbed both sisters?'' she wondered, a touch of astonishment coloring her thoughts.


    "Is it another... aunt?" Yue asked, her voice tinged with resignation and a hint of weariness, as she contemted the task of keeping track of the seemingly endless list of aunts.


    "Oh, don''t mind her; she''s just assisting me with some chores," Wang Xiao said, brushing off any concerns.


    He would never admit to his debauchery in front of his daughters¡ªnot because he couldn''t, but because he enjoyed watching their anger.


    "Definitely..." Yue thought, her gaze drifting to Lisa''s graceful swaying waist.


    With such a figure, Lisa could certainly lend her father a hand with many chores.


    Yue had ''no intention'' of expanding the list of aunts, given Wang Xiao''s habits.


    He would take any beautiful woman in sight to his bed.


    "Are you drunk?" Yue''s delicate nose wrinkled as she caught the faint scent of alcohol from his breath.

 Chapter 407: Qian Ruixin? Marriage? (2)

    "Are you drunk?" Yue''s delicate nose wrinkled as she caught the faint scent of alcohol from his breath.


    Her voice was smooth and soothing, yet her eyes revealed a hint of displeasure.


    "Ah-uh..." Wenxi, who had been letting him hold her, stepped away with a graceful motion.


    She carefully used a white handkerchief to delicately brush off the spot where his fingers had touched her shoulders.


    ''Who drinks in the morning?'' Yue thought, bewildered.


    She nced at Juliana, who was not known for drinking, and then turned her attention to Lisa.


    "Ahem, we''re¡ªhup¡ªnot drunk at all, pretty girls!" Lisa smiled enchantingly, her charming eyes shimmering like morning dew as she waved her hands with a carefree gesture, urging them to disregard her state and continue as if nothing were amiss.


    "Mother... you..." Juliana couldn''t help but clutch her temples, her voice a mix of disbelief and exasperation.


    "Mother?"


    Wenxi and Yue exchanged nces, their expressions filled with astonishment.


    They had assumed the pair were sisters, but the discovery of a mother-daughter rtionship shifted their gazes inevitably towards Wang Xiao.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flickered uneasily. "Alright, alright, I said not to disrupt any homes... She is the final one," he confessed, his voice carrying a tone of resigned finality.


    "Just like the seventeen ''final ones'' that emerged in the past four months..." Wenxi murmured under her breath, a delicate blush blooming across her snow-white cheeks, reminiscent of an apricot flower flourishing amidst the winter snow.


    "You are not aiding me at all, Wenxi..." Wang Xiao''s voice carried a strained melody, his smile tight as he turned his gaze upon Yue.


    "The marriage is from one of my friends. If you wish to host it, affirm with a nod now, or I shall find another," he dered with an air of finality.


    In truth, he had not orchestrated any deep schemes; the proposal had simply appeared, as if by fate, on her desk.


    "Your friend?" Yue''s eyes blinked twice, reflecting a ripple of surprise in the still waters of her mind.


    "Why can it not be so?" he countered smoothly.


    Yue''s voice softened into a whisper, "Qian Ruixin... Is this not the name of a woman?"


    "And she is indeed my friend. Do you see an issue with that?" Wang Xiao''s reply was seamless, lying effortlessly.


    "Oh," Yue''s expression shifted to one of puzzled surprise.


    She could hardly imagine that any woman close to her father would not be captivated by his charm, unless she was as unassuming as a caterpir.


    A female friend ¡ª Yue had always harbored doubts that her father could sustain a purely tonic rtionship.


    "Okay, I would do it," she resolved, her hand lifting gracefully into the air as if to set forth a condition. Yet, before she could articte her terms¡ª


    "Perfect."


    Wang Xiao reached out, his fingers gently cupping her face, and bestowed upon her a kiss as tender as a petal''s touch.


    The fleeting sweetness lingered like the taste of spring dew.


    Yue''s cheeks flushed a delicate rose, her words momentarily lost in the swirl of emotions before she regained herposure.


    "I will need help; I cannot manage this alone," she stated, her gaze clear and determined, fully aware of her limitations yet unafraid to voice them.


    Wang Xiao, prepared, responded smoothly, "That is precisely what Lisa is here for; feel free to utilize her at will."


    Lisa, as if perfectly timed to the scene, swayed her waist gracefully into the mix and approached, "Greetings, I am Lisa, mother to Juliana. You may address me as Aunt Lisa," she dered with a warm smile, her voice as inviting as a spring breeze.


    She refrained from mentioning her royal title as the Queen of the Nethends, for in the presence of these figures, such distinctions held little weight¡ªthey were mere whispers against the roar of their own legacies.


    As the enchanting woman in verdant silk approached, a subtle, seductive fragrance wafted through the air, wrapping around Yue like a gentle mist.


    Yue, momentarily captivated, introduced herself with a hint of caution, "Xiaoyue," her gaze inadvertently drawn to the majestic breasts on Lisa''s chest.


    Lisa harbored hopes of being warmly embraced as ''aunt'' on this day, yet the lofty heights of familial eptance within their crystalline pce seemed remote, making her sigh in disappointment.


    Unbeknownst to her, the daughters of Wang Xiao were not easily swayed to bestow the title of ''aunt''¡ªa sacred term reserved for those who earned a special ce in their father''s alliances and affections, regardless of Lisa''s earnest efforts.


    Indeed, Wang Xiao often wielded his daughters'' selective eptance as a strategic pretext, yet the truthy in the silent agreement that only his explicit nod could bestow the honorific ''aunt'' upon any individual.


    It was merely a y between father and daughters, leaving bystanders perplexed.


    "Okay, let the preparationsmence, girls!" Wang Xiao dered, feeling as though he had smoothed over the situation. However, he then remembered Wenxi and turned to address her.


    Adorned in ethereal light blue attire that seemed to repel the dust of the mortal world, Wenxi stood with an air of untouched grace, her hair mirroring the pristine whiteness of winter frost.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "What are your demands?" he inquired with a stern voice.


    "Oh..." Wenxi suddenly recalled she was still holding the signboard and, with a flick of disdain, discarded it as if shedding an unwanted burden.


    Bam!


    The signboard struck the ground, and she meticulously cleaned her fingers, each swipe as precise as a calligrapher''s brush, though her hands already gleamed with an otherworldly whiteness.


    Observing his daughter''s meticulous cleanliness habbits, Wang Xiao didn''t knew whether tough or cry.


    Once finished, she nonchntly shrugged. "I was only apanying her," she gestured towards Yue, her voice carrying the innocence of a fresh spring breeze.


    "Do you... want a ride?" she then inquired, her eyes twinkling mischievously as she brandished the keys to a BMW.


    Wang Xiao, pondering the offer, nodded with thoughtful approval.


    "Mm..." Wenxi acknowledged, dismissing any further discussion as she led the way to the parking lot, with Wang Xiao in tow.


    As for Yue, her arrival had been in thepany of Mary.


    Upon reaching the parking lot, Wang Xiao''s gaze was drawn by a white BMW adorned with blue stripes.


    At first nce, the machine radiated a charm and strength that didn''t quite match its form¡ªnot a car, but a sports bike.


    "Where should I drop you?" Wenxi inquired, her voice as melodious as flowing water, after she donned her helmet and ignited the bike''s engine.


    "Wherever you are going," Wang Xiao responded with a casual shrug, mounting the bike behind her.

 Chapter 408: Tiger that ate its own cub!

    As the bike roared to life, its engine humming with the deep resonance of ancient earth spirits, they embarked upon a path that wove through majestic mountains, each curve a brushstroke of nature''s grand design.


    The sun draped the peaks in golden robes, and the skies, a canvas of orange and purple hues, seemed to bow in reverence to the evening''s serenity.


    Wenxi, her ethereal white hair cascading behind her like a banner of light, was the very image of celestial grace.


    Her light blue attire, whispering tales of the sky and sea, fluttered elegantly against the wind, mirroring the tranquil yet vibrant spirit of the world above.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her eyes, wide and luminous, drank in the sublime beauty of the verdant mountainscape enveloping them, a scene worthy of the heavenly realms.


    As they glided along a particrly bend, Wang Xiao, seated securely behind his daughter, reached forward with the stealth and gently removed her helmet.


    Whizz!


    The wind immediately swept through Wenxi''s hair, allowing it to dance freely around her face, ying to the tune of the rushing air.


    "Dad... what are you doing...?" Wenxi''s voice rose yfully, a mix of surprise and mild reproach threading through her words.


    "It''s better like this," Wang Xiao responded, his voice a calm echo over the song of the wind, carrying the wisdom of ''sages''.


    "What about the safety then...What if we crash?" The concern in Wenxi''s voice was evident, her hands gripping the handlebars tightly.


    Wang Xiao''s nod was solemn, his features momentarily clouded by the shadows of a past memory¡ªof a deadly sh with destiny when a truck, driven by the dark hand of Maliketh, had threatened to end his earthly journey.


    Yet, that chapter was behind him.


    He reassured her with a confident tone, "The mountain would copse, not us."


    "Sigh..." Wenxi was left speechless, caught between a chuckle and a tear.


    Why did her dad always have to be so theatrical?


    Had she really asked him to showcase his powers like this?


    Is following the rules simply too mundane for him?


    Swoosh! Swoosh!


    The sound of the wind echoed their swift passage through the mountain paths.


    As they navigated the winding mountain path, the once-clear skies began to shift, cloaking the afternoon in an increasingly somber mood.


    Gradually, clouds amassed above them like ancient guardians whispering secrets across the heavens, their gray forms swelling.


    The sun, previously bathing thendscape in golden hues, retreated behind these gathering storm-sentinels, casting the world beneath in a dim, silvery light.


    Ka¡ªboom!


    The sudden roar of thunder shattered the tranquility, echoing through the mountain corridors with the authority of celestial drums.


    It was a primal sound, resonating deep within their chests, as if the heavens themselves were announcing the arrival of the rain.


    Pat-pat-pat... the first drops fell, tentative at first, like the hesitant steps of a wandering spirit.


    Soon, the rhythm increased, a steady drumming on their bodies and the bike''s body.


    The road beneath them glistened, each stone and leaf washed anew in the downpour, the world transformed into a realm of liquid silver.


    "the rain..." Wenxi''s voice broke through the din, her words carrying a mix of wonder and concern. The droplets clung to hershes, each one a prism reflecting the storm''s muted light.


    "Did you summon it?" Wenxi''s eyes flickered towards the road, her gaze questioning as she pondered whether the chill droplets sshing upon them were his doing.


    Wang Xiao offered a casual shrug, his voiceced with a hint ofughter, "If I couldmand the rain at will, I might as well be an immortal."


    Wenxi pursed her lips thoughtfully. ''Is it a yes or a no, then?'' she wondered silently, her head tilting ever so slightly as Wang Xiao''s grip tightened around her waist, drawing a slight frown from her.


    "Now, my mysophobic daughter need not worry about the dirt," he hummed, his breath warm against her neck, sending a shiver through her despite the cold rain.


    "What mysophobia... I only like cleanliness," Wenxi countered, her voice slightly strained as the fabric of her dress clung to her form.


    His hand rested on her waist¡ªseemingly inert, yet evoking a sensation as if a thousand subtle touches were exploring her.


    A blush of embarrassment tinted her neck, her voice emerging shyly, the pale luminescence of her skin unable to conceal her flush.


    "Yeah... Yeah..." Wang Xiao responded, clearly unconvinced.


    "Dad... you are so..." Wenxi found herself at a loss for words, her embarrassment evident as she shook her head dismissively. "Whatever... You should feel happy," she added somewhat proudly.


    "Eh, happy? For what?" Wang Xiao''s voice carried a note of genuine surprise, his curiosity piqued by her cryptic statement.


    Wenxi''s lips curled into a delicate pout, her cheeks blooming with a soft radiance as she confessed, "I don''t even allow others to touch me; it''s only you and mother."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, his voice tinted with curiosity, "Is it so? Then what about Yue?"


    "Obviously, she''s included," Wenxi responded, her initial speechlessness giving way to a soft chuckle, herughter weaving through the air like a gentle breeze through willow leaves.


    She knew well that evading her sister''s touch was as impossible as escaping the pull of the moon on the tides.


    Herughter, both gentle and melodious, resonated in Wang Xiao''s mind like the clear ring of a temple bell, momentarily stunning him with its rity and sweetness.


    He harbored no desire tomit crimes, yet he felt as if their actions continually forced his hand.


    Wasn''t that, in itself, a form of crime?


    Thump... thump...


    The bike''s engine roared beneath them, or perhaps it was their hearts beating in unison; in that moment, the distinction blurred.


    Just then, Wenxi felt a gentle brush against her back, causing her to stiffen momentarily.


    "So... I am allowed to touch," Wang Xiao''s voice murmured, his breath warm against her skin as he nestled closer, his face finding a sanctuary between her shoulder and neck.


    She gasped softly...


    He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, the fragrance of white roses mingled with the fresh rain assaulting his senses, a blend of natural purity and the ethereal.


    "Mmmm..." Wenxi''s hum returned, filled with a mix of astonishment and a trace of bashfulness.


    Her words hung suspended, her lips pressed tightly together, her face flushed¡ªa delicate flower bathed in the soft glow of light, her expression beautifully awkward in the intimate silence.


    He had never been so forthright before, yet perhap the storm had stirred the air with unexpected instigator.


    His hands wandered with an uncharacteristic boldness to the bare skin of her waist, lifting her top ever so slightly to deliver a tender caress.


    This touch ignited a warmth that spread rapidly across her abdomen, rendering her breaths deep and ragged, her eyelids heavy with a sudden flush of warmth.


    After a moment that seemed to stretch like the timeless mist, Wang Xiao withdrew his hand and gently ced it over hers on the handlebars.


    "You would crash the bike like this," he cautioned, his voice a low rumble against the symphony of the rain.


    Yet, Wenxi''s cheeks zed a crimson hue, her breathing in heavy torrents.


    Her vision blurred with the gathering mist and the sshing rain made it difficult to keep her eyes open.


    But his actions had rendered it utterly impossible to focus ahead.


    "Huh?"


    When she felt the firm, securing grasp over her hands, her eyes snapped open, only to discover they had narrowly missed a dangerous curve.


    Had it not been for his intervention, they might have met with the cold embrace of the barrier.


    Embarrassed yet touched, Wenxi''sint emerged as a melodious grumble, her voice carrying the fragility of cherry blossoms in the wind, "Dad... even a tiger doesn''t eat its own cub~!"


    Wang Xiao''sughter was soft, he retorted, "That''s why we are not tigers."


    Wenxi, momentarily speechless, couldn''t suppress a smile that blossomed like a lotus in the mud, the earlier awkwardness dissipating into the ether.


    "You are so evil, Dad~!" she eximed.

 Chapter 409: Come and Blow Me!

    The bike halted gracefully before a sprawling mansion, perched atop an isted mountain peak.


    This modern abode,plete with a crystalline pool, glistened with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.


    It served as the temporary home for Wang Xiao and his daughters during their stay in the Nethends.


    A delicate fragrance wafted through the air as Wenxi, with the elegance of a celestial being, gathered her long tresses into a lofty bun atop her head.


    Her voice, soft yet clear, "I would go and take a bath."


    Her eyes lowered to her dress, now thoroughly soaked.


    The fabric, pale and ethereal, clung embarrassingly to her form, revealing the white straps beneath in an unintended disy of innocence.


    "Get out of my sight before I kick your ass away," Wang Xiao dered, his gaze sharp yet weary.


    Perceiving her thoughts to be exposed, Wenxi, with a yful giggle, hastened her retreat, her departure causing Wang Xiao to shake his head in mild exasperation outside, reminiscing of the fleeting fragrance.


    "This girl..."


    Her thoughts were simple: to wash away the lingering touch of his upon her waist and hands.


    How had such a habbit for cleanliness blossomed within her?


    Now, the mere brush of his hand stirred fears of inciting her mysophobia, a condition as absurd as it was mystifying.


    With a heavy sigh, Wang Xiao leaned back against the bike seat. In a moment of profound solitude, he disregarded the sweeping trees around him, lowered his trousers, and allowed the mountain breeze to cool his little brother.


    Lighting a cigarette, he sought a moment''s peace in the simple act, his thoughts adrift in the smoke spirals, until¡ª


    "Come and blow me."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Hismand, sharp and sudden, dispersed into the ether, directed at Eveline, who always followed him like a shadow.


    "Eh?"


    ''Fuck.... Not her!'' Wang Xiao''s face darkened; he inwardly uttered an oath, his eyes shifting mechanically to his right.


    "..."


    Wenxi now stood there, wide eyes, her bare feet gracing the ground.


    Her delicate feet, like lotus blooms untouched by mud, inadvertently reminded Wang Xiao of an old memory before he realized that she had already misunderstood the situation.


    "Would you believe me if I said it wasn''t meant for you?" he inquired, his voiceced with an unspoken plea.


    "Um..." Wenxi''s cheeks med with color as she shook her head, quickly averting her gaze to embrace the lush forest and vibrant greenery around her.


    She had returned merely to inform him that she was warming water for him as well, but s, such details now seemed trivial.


    Swoosh!


    In the next instant, her bare feet pattered against the cool tiles as she made a swift retreat from the embarrassing scene, softly muttering curses that fluttered away with the breeze.


    ''Bah... To utter such a request so abruptly, in such an open space? Has he lost his mind?'' Wenxi pouted, her disbelief evident in the gentle furrow of her brow.


    Even though she knew it must be as he said, likely intended for Mary or Eveline, the shadow of doubt lingered persistenty.


    ''Did dad and Mary have some secret rtionship?'' As her cheeks bloomed with a deeper red and fleeting images danced through her mind, she wondered if their nanny, Mary, and Wang Xiao harbored some improper rtionship as well.


    Indeed, not only Wenxi, but Anran and Yue also harbored their doubts.


    They had never witnessed Mary in such a role with him, yet they had conferred upon her this dubious ''honor'' without a second thought.


    If Wang Xiao were aware of their thoughts, he wouldn''t know whether tough or cry.


    For once¡ª he really was innocent and had never done anything with Mary.


    "Pfft..."


    Eveline glided toward Wang Xiao, a rareugh blossoming at the corner of her lips, enhancing her mysterious charm.


    Whoosh!


    A shadow crossed Wang Xiao''s face, his expression turning stormy.


    In a swift motion, he sped her head and firmly pressed her face between his legs.


    "Gwuag!"


    Shock widened Eveline''s eyes, a mix of confusion and surprise flickering within them, as Wang Xiao drew a deep breath.


    What was happening to him?


    He shook his head, attempting to dispel the intrusive thoughts that clouded his mind.


    ______


    August 18th, 2031!


    Pudong, Shanghai.


    Inside the Wang Family Abode.


    It was dinner time, and although the table was adorned with an array of gourmet dishes, the room felt oddly vacant, with only two chairs upied.


    From the kitchen emerged a mature woman whose beauty radiated even in the simplicity of her attire.


    She wore a silk blouse beneath a stylish apron, which clung to her slender figure, highlighting the grace of her form.


    Her dark ck hair, like a cascade of midnight, framed her face in soft waves, enhancing the charm of her sparkling eyes that held both warmth and authority.


    "Jiarong, did you check the flight tickets?" she asked, her voice as smooth as flowing water, yet carrying the firmness of a mother''smand.


    At that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the stairs.


    "Mom, how do I look?" A vision of youthful beauty appeared, descending the stairs with a grace that seemed almost ethereal.


    A beautiful girl, in her early twenties, wore a light blue off-the-shoulder cocktail dress that clung to her figure, the fabric shimmering like the surface of a tranquilke.


    The delicate embroidery on her dress caught the light, enhancing her natural elegance.


    The hem of the dress ended just above her knees, revealing her long, shapely legs, and her high heels clicked softly on the polished floor.


    Her dark hair, styled in loose, flowing waves, cascaded over one shoulder, adding to her beautiful presence.


    Xinyue Zhn''s gaze softened with a mixture of amusement and concern. "Xueying, can''t you wear something less revealing? I just checked the weather in Frostgard¡ªit''s snowing. You''ll freeze in that," she reminded gently, shaking her head with a wry smile.


    She untied her apron, revealing the soft flesh of her waist beneath her blouse, and moved toward the dining table with a fluid grace, though her movements hinted at the weariness of the day.


    "Okay," Wang Xueying sighed, nodding before spinning on her heel and gliding back upstairs, her dress swishing softly around her legs like a gentle breeze.


    "Wait!" Xinyue Zhn called out.


    Wang Xueying paused, turning back with a curious look in her shimmering eyes. "What is it?"


    "Help your brother pack his things as well," Xinyue Zhn instructed, her voiceced with a subtle seriousness.


    "But Mom, I''m busy¡ª" Wang Xueying began, her expression darkening in frustration.


    She bit her lip, her gaze drifting to the two figures seated at the dining table.


    One was a young woman of eighteen, her beauty understated yet undeniable.


    Wang Mei, with her long, lustrous ck hair cascading down her back like a silken waterfall, sat quietly, her delicate features serene as she ate.


    Her movements were precise and graceful, reflecting an inner calm that didn''t quite match her youth.


    The other figure was a young man, tall and quiet, with an aura thatmanded attention even in his silence.


    His long ck hair flowed past his shoulders, contrasting sharply with his pale skin.


    His eyes, a deep crimson, seemed to glow with an inner fire, yet his expression was distant, almost detached.

 Chapter 410: Imposter?

    The other figure was a young man, tall and quiet, with an aura thatmanded attention even in his silence.


    His long ck hair flowed past his shoulders, contrasting sharply with his pale skin.


    His eyes, a deep crimson, seemed to glow with an inner fire, yet his expression was distant, almost detached.


    He ate methodically, his movements precise and controlled, as though lost in a world of his own.


    It was Wang Xiao!


    Despite the unusual scene, Wang Xueying, after a moment of hesitation, shook her head and hurried back upstairs, the rhythmic tapping of heels against the stairs echoing through the house.


    Xinyue Zhn''s expression hardened. "Xueying,e back here!" she called out, but her voice fell on deaf ears.


    "Sigh.." With a heavy sigh, she turned her gaze towards Wang Mei, still seated at the table. "...Mei, could you help your brother pack?"


    Wang Mei, who had been quietly observing the exchange, nodded without hesitation, her long hair flowing softly as she moved. "Okay." She paused, her voice softening as she asked, "...Will Father being as well?"


    Xinyue Zhn stiffened, her eyes narrowing like a de.


    "Why would he? It''s my niece''s wedding, not his business. What right does he have toe?" she replied, her tone sharp,ced with a hint of bitterness.


    "I just thought... he might cause trouble," Wang Mei murmured, her eyes lowering slightly, though her expression remainedposed, revealing only the faintest trace of sorrow.


    What Wang Jiahao did two years ago had spiraled into a catastrophe, costing him not only his children and wife but also the majority of his wealth and property.


    It had been more than a year since the divorce, yet Xinyue Zhn''s hatred had not dimmed.


    Wang Mei remained silent on the matter, feeling that her father deserved the consequences of his ''actions''.


    Nevertheless, he was still her father, and this left her with a tangle ofplicated emotions.


    "I''m done." At that moment, a distinct clink resonated through the room as Wang Xiao, the youth who had mysteriously returned to them, ced his te down and stood up, his movements cold and distant.


    Xinyue Zhn nced at his te, still half-full, and asked hesitantly, "Xiao Wang, was the food not to your liking?"


    "No, it was delicious," the young man replied, his tone t and emotionless, before he turned and left the room, leaving Xinyue Zhn frowning.


    Wang Mei watched his retreating figure, then shifted her gaze to her mother''s increasingly despondent expression.


    She lowered her eyes, not daring to say a word.


    "What''s wrong with his attitude?" came a voice from the stairs.


    Wang Xueying had returned, her face darkening as she noticed Wang Xiao brushing past her without acknowledgment, his shoulder grazing hers as if she were merely an obstacle in his path.


    She frowned at hisck of care, her irritation growing.


    "Xueying, leave him be... The doctor said we should wait for three months," Xinyue Zhn turned around and advised, her voice tinged with concern.


    Wang Xueying narrowed her eyes but nodded nheless, though a sigh of frustration escaped her lips.


    It had been two months since the day a youth, who bore an uncanny  resemnce to an older version of Wang Xiao, had suddenly appeared at their doorstep, startling everyone.


    He imed to remember that this was his home, but little else.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Xinyue Zhn had immediately taken him to the hospital, and after extensive tests confirmed that he was indeed Wang Xiao, he was diagnosed with amnesia.


    The doctors had advised that no major treatments could be performed on his brain for at least three months, hoping that familiar surroundings might trigger a natural recovery.


    As for what had happened during the seven years of his disappearance, only he could have revealed the truth¡ªif only he could remember.


    This uncertainty filled Xinyue Zhn''s concerns, leaving her deeply depressed.


    For a fleeting moment, she had entertained the unsettling thought that this might not be her son at all.


    Yet, as she gazed at him standing right in front of her, with every fact confirming his identity, she forced herself to ept it.


    Her daughters, however, had note to terms so easily.


    Initially excited at his return, they were now growing increasingly frustrated with his distant and cold attitude.


    Despite Xinyue Zhn''s stern warnings to be patient, the tension within the household continued to rise, with no resolution in sight.


    _________


    Frostgard, the capital of Icevale, gleamed under a pale sky on the 22nd of August, 2031.


    Time seemed to have frozen for Wang Xiao since the day he vanished again, leaving a void filled only by lingering memories.


    The preparations for the marriage ceremony progressed at an astounding pace.


    In the bustling heart of Icevale, a new floor was leased within one of the towering buildings, the ns meticulouslyid out, and every detail reviewed by Yue.


    Although these arrangements deviated from her initial vision, the pressing timeline forced her to adapt.


    It was a significant event, after all. Upon receiving the consent of both the bride and groom that the core rituals would be preserved, Yue felt empowered to weave elements of Icevale''s local customs into the ceremony.


    To her surprise, her research into the Qing Dynasty''s cultural practices revealed a rigidity she hadn''t anticipated.


    However, she soon realized that much of what she read had been greatly exaggerated.


    Chinese culture traditionally held its customs and elder respect in high regard. Yet, the situation had evolved distinctly; a significant portion of the poption had ventured abroad, seeking cultural exchange and opportunities, altering the social fabric.


    Many had returned after China''s transformation into a new dynasty, ushering in an era of change that continued to shape the societal norms.


    Over the past five years, the world had transformed so rapidly that even the vast expanse of the inte struggled to document these changes urately.


    Yue, unfamiliar with navigating the digital world, found it challenging to sift through the overstated narratives online.


    "Why isn''t Dad here when I need him the most?" she sighed, her frustration evident as she tossed her phone aside and tapped her fingers against the cool ss, her gaze lost in the wintryndscape.


    The car moved smoothly over the icy roads, insted from the harsh environment outside.


    The interior of the vehicle boasted the luxurious trappings of a Rolls Royce, enveloping her infort.


    Yet, the car had an almost magical quality, floating slightly above the snowy terrain, powered by a blend of ethereal crystals¡ªa rare technology that set it apart in a world still adapting to such advancements.


    People from outside, curious about the rare sight, peered eagerly as the car passed.


    Other vehicles, their tires chained for better traction against the snow, turned to watch the ethereal machine glide by effortlessly.


    Despite the widespread applications of ether, its full integration into everyday life remained limited, making any disy of its use a spectacle that drew eyes and sparked conversations about the societal divisions that such technologies reinforced.


    Only those in the highest echelons of society enjoyed the luxury and exclusivity of ether-powered innovations.


    Though it was a technological marvel beyond doubt, the girl inside cared little for such wonders.


    She gazed out the window at the highway, observing the city nketed in snow¡ªa rare sight in the middle of the year.


    Since Frostholm was enveloped in radiation, its aftereffects were manifest, including a rapid cooling of the earth.


    The skyscrapers, covered in mist and nked by snow, cast an enchanting silhouette against the modern city.

 Chapter 411: Suprise?

    Mary, at the wheel, navigated the car wlessly.


    In the back seat, Yue picked up her phone again; with a tap, it expanded to the size of a tablet, and she began to review the wedding arrangements.


    "Mary... What is this ''worshiping heaven and earth'' about?" Yue asked, her lips trembling slightly with confusion.


    This was one of the essential rituals that couldn''t be omitted.


    Juliana and her mother, Lisa, were handling the groundwork, leveraging their extensive local connections.


    Thus, the n they devised seemed quite perplexing to Yue.


    "It''s a ceremony, same as exchanging vows," Mary exined.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "What are ''exchanging vows''?" Yue inquired, her eyes wide with curiosity as she nced at Mary through the side mirror.


    Mary paused, momentarily stunned, then remembered that marriage concepts in Xianthera were markedly different.


    Marriages in Xianthera needed to pass through an ethics department, which evaluated whether the individuals werepatible.


    Most marriages were proposed by the ethics department itself, and individuals could ept if they wished.


    It was akin to a registration process, as bearing children outside of marriage was prohibited in Xianthera.


    Eleanor maintained strict control over each new soul born in Xianthera''s soil, ensuring they had the highest likelihood of awakening psychokic abilities.


    She strategically paired families with high-quality genes with those of lower quality to optimize gic diversity and potential.


    Pairing two individuals with poor-quality genes could result in offspring unable to awaken psychokic abilities, necessitating their exclusion due to Xianthera''s limited resources.


    Of course, Eleanor didn''t manage these intricacies alone; a vast ethicsmittee aided her, but only matters of utmost importance reached her ears.


    As for the marriage ceremony, it was neither fancy nor brief, typically adhering to the family''s traditions, which included a feast and sacrificial offerings reminiscent of ancient Greek rituals.


    Mary, though familiar with the Western traditions of her own family, found herself at a loss when trying to exin this to Yue, whose innocent eyes were fixed on her with growing curiosity.


    Despite her role, Mary had never delved deeply into the marital customs of Xianthera.


    Yue, genuinely clueless and seeing Mary''s prolonged silence, grew increasingly inquisitive.


    Suddenly, Mary thought to herself that Yue''s sister, Wenxi, was easier to manage than Yue.


    Wenxi was keen on mastering aether and integrating it into her sword style, a technique taught by Athene, areas where Mary could offer substantial guidance.


    But Yue, uninterested in swords or simr pursuits, presented a more challenging subject for Mary.


    "Miss, why don''t you ask your father? Hees from the Qing Dynasty; he should have a better understanding of this," Mary suggested, deferring the matter to Wang Xiao.


    Yue''s lips quivered slightly, like a petal in the breeze, she responded with a mix of reverence and mild frustration.


    "Do you think I have not considered that?" she replied, her voice a tender whisper.


    Folding her hands in herp, the tablet set aside like a forgotten scroll, she added, "It has been a week since he vanished, likely entrusting all to me while he have fun elsewhere."


    "Child, speak not in curses of your father; the winds may carry your words to his ears," Mary cautioned, her smile tinged with mncholy, briefly breaking the veil of her usually stern demeanor


    "I''m not cursing him. But if it''s his friend''s marriage, he should be here with us!" Yue eximed, her eyes sparkling with a mix of frustration and determination.


    She then grabbed the tablet again and shuffled through the gallery.


    "Mary, do you know her?" she suddenly asked, turning the tablet around to show Mary a picture.


    Mary caught the image reflected in the side mirror: a beautiful woman looking toward the camera, her delicate white shoulders draped with a pink scarf. In the back, petals of cherry blossoms added a tender touch, their petals seeming to flutter like a soft breeze, caressing the woman''s hair which cascaded gracefully around her face.


    Her eyes, deep and sorrowful, mirrored the sadness of a midnight pool, striking a chord of mncholy in the viewer.


    A flicker of surprise shed through Mary''s eyes before she shook her head in denial.


    Yue''s surprise morphed into a bitter smile. "How can you not recognize her, Mary? Do you even pay attention when you are around me? She is the bride!"


    Mary blinked, unapologetically. "My duty is to ensure your safety, Miss. It does not concern me with the affairs of those you associate with."


    "Oh, yet you are quite quick to report everything to our father, for someone who only concerns herself with our safety and not our business?" Yue pointed out the inconsistency with a sharp tone.


    Mary remained unfazed. "Your father has employed me to look after you both."


    Her words were crisp, underlining her allegiance to Wang Xiao over anyone else.


    Yue pouted, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "Mary, you were much more cute when we were children. Now, you''ve be as stern as mom. Growing up is such a burden!"


    "Cute?" Mary nearlyughed out loud as she glimpsed her own reflection in the side mirror¡ªbright, wide red eyes and a pale face that looked as if it hadn''t seen sunlight in centuries.


    How could the woman in the mirror be considered cute?


    She shook her head with a trace of bitterness. "I know you want more information about the woman in the picture, but trust me, Miss, not just me¡ªno one, including your mother, will divulge anything unless your father permits it."


    "Such a controlling father..." Yue muttered under her breath, her attempt to gather more information failed.


    She nced down at her own attire: a short ck professional skirt paired with a white half-sleeve top.


    On her, the outfit looked effortlessly charming.


    Yue wondered that if Wenxi, with her fiery temperament, were to wear it, she might well have scandalized half the city by now.


    Yue often felt she was the only voice of reason in their family.


    As the car came to a halt, Mary opened the door with a smile that irked Yue, yet she couldn''t find it in herself to me Mary either.


    She stepped out of the car, with Mary following closely behind, and turned towards the towering skyscraper.


    Along the way, Yue''s striking appearance drew many curious nces, all of which she brushed of with a polite smile as she entered the elevator and sighed heavily in tiredness.


    The elevator would take her directly to the sixteenth floor¡ªhome to their new office.


    Inside the quiet of the elevator, Yue adjusted her dress and straightened her appearance, while Mary stood beside her, observing silently and shaking her head in subtle disapproval.


    Navigating life''s path was undeniably challenging, a truth Mary understood deeply after her own ambitions toplete Project Transcendence had copsed, leaving her with a profound sense of emptiness.


    Had it not been for Wang Xiao''s intervention, offering her a new purpose, she might have been lost.


    For the twins, having Wang Xiao as a father was both a blessing and a curse.


    Eleanor''s daughter pursued her own distinct goals, while Amelia embraced an entric path, diverging sharply from traditional expectations.


    Mary, despite her close connection to the family, had only encountered Amelia''s daughter on a mere two asions, reflecting the unusual and isted life.


    Unlike the defined paths of others, the lives of the twins seemed adrift, belonging neither to the outside world nor fully to Xianthera, much like the younger days of Wang Xiao.


    While one twin appeared to have found her direction, Yue still confused with her identity, facing a daily crisis that Mary, having watched them grow, understood all too well.


    Wang Xiao might not have taken seriously the event managementpany started by Yue, but for her, it was a crucial endeavor to carve out her identity.


    She resented how her father seemed to dismiss her efforts, as if the struggles of mortals were beneath his consideration, unlike his supportive approach to Wenxi, who was  learning to integrate aether into the sword arts taught by Athene.


    Yue harbored a twinge of envy; she had never taken to the sword or its philosophies, despite the residual energies of the sea of swords embedded within their collective consciousness¡ªa defensive formation instilled by Athene.


    Gradually, Yue had learned to manipte this energy, but the thought of transforming it into swords and learning offensive techniques felt tedious and uninteresting.


    It wasn''t that she found it entirely dull; rather, it seemed pointless, especially with Mary''s constant protection.


    As long as any trouble could be resolved with Mary''s formidable strength, Yue saw little reason to embrace the way of the sword.


    Whoosh!


    Gasp!


    As Yue pushed open the door to the CEO''s office, her eyes widened in disbelief, trembling slightly with shock.


    Beside her, Mary''s hand flew to her mouth, covering a gasp as both women were taken aback by the unexpected scene that greeted them.

 Chapter 412: "C-E-O?"

    Pakh! Pakh! Pakh!


    In the bright office chamber, the sunlight glowed warmly, the table centrally positioned tomand a view of the entrance.


    A ss wall stood proudly behind the presidential chair, with additional seats arrayed for guests.


    Off to one side, a plush couch rested under the soft light.


    The luxury was enchanced by a collection of exquisite paintings that adorned the right wall.


    Yet, inbetween this serenity, a disturbing mor echoed¡ªa sound of flesh striking flesh, mingled with a heavy breathing, pungent aroma.


    Pak!


    The stately table trembled under the weight of a tragic figure.


    Atop its polished surfacey a woman of ethereal beauty, her eyes brimming with unspoken grievances and her lips slightly parted in silent suffering, the subtle trickle of blood bearing witness to screams.


    Her face, framed by finely arched eyebrows, radiated an allure reminiscent of mist-shrouded peach blossoms after a spring rain.


    Her spectaclesy abandoned to one side, as her unclothed body pressed against the cold table, disyed the porcin whiteness of her skin.


    The delicate curves of her body, contrasted against the hard surface, painted a picture of captivating distress.


    "Ahhhnn..." Her moans broke the eerie silence just as the door swung open, her ample form subtly shaking, in the intensy pounding from behind.


    "Oh, godddd....ahhhh?" she whispered, half to herself, her voice a blend of despair and lost carnal pleasure.


    "CEO!"


    "Help me¡ªmmmghh," she murmured, her thoughts adrift in a sea of confusion and sorrow.


    Her faint cries for help, like the distant call of a lone phoenix, echoed softly in the vastness of her golden cage.


    The events paused momentarily, only to plunge deeper, eliciting a sharp, quivering gasp from her as she endured the overwhelming sensations.


    Thud!


    In a heartrending moment, her form copsed to the pristine, white-tiled floor, a sacred essence trickling forth, marking her thighs with its beautiful stain.


    "C-E-O?"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flickered as his gaze fell upon the doorway, where two women stood, their expressions frozen in shock.


    A soft tremor seemed to ripple through the air...


    Both women blushed deeply, their cheeks glowing like petals kissed by the morning sun, trembling under his intense gaze.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Dad?"


    Yue, the younger of the two, was momentarily stunned.


    A delicate smile, as fleeting as a butterfly''s wings, graced her lips as she beheld the tall, naked man before her.


    But realization quickly set in, and she gave a small shake of her head, stepping towards him with the hesitant grace of a deer approaching a calm stream.


    "Huh?"


    At that instant, Charlotte, the elder woman, crumpled to the floor, her breath catching in her throat. She looked up at the man with wide, disbelieving eyes.


    This was the CEO''s father?


    ''What in the hell is happening?''


    Today was supposed to be her first day reporting for duty, yet she found herself faced with a stranger who was apparently the CEO''s father, who forced her on the very first day!


    "Umm... could you please put on some clothes first?"


    Yue initially approached with a gentle smile, but she froze a step away from Wang Xiao, her delicate hand extended in mid-air, hesitant to touch him.


    Her words reminded him of his current state. ncing down, he noticed his "little brother" boldly greeting the world.


    A twitch of irritation crossed his face before he calmly waved his hand, summoning a white robe that draped over him, concealing his entire form.


    "Good," he muttered, a hint of relief in his voice.


    The redness in Yue''s cheeks gradually faded as she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him in a warm embrace,pletely ignoring the other woman, who stilly stunned on the ground.


    As Yue nestled into Wang Xiao''s embrace, thetter felt a twinge of sweetness into his nose.


    Yet the same can''t be said for the fallen woman, Charlotte, who began to stir and tremble with rage.


    With trembling legs, she forced herself upright, her face a mix of shock and seething rage.


    Her movements were unsteady, awkward, like a newborn deer struggling to find its footing, yet the fire in her eyes burned fiercely.


    Hiss!


    Desperation wed at her as she reached for a nearby curtain, yanking it down with a sharp tear to shield her exposed body.


    Her breath came in ragged gasps, her flushed face heavy with humiliation and fury.


    "You¡ªyou bastards!" she screeched, her voice quivering with both anger and the sting of her numb limbs.


    Her awkward, half-limping steps only added to her fury. "I''ll have both of you locked up! Do you think you can get away with this? I''ll see your entirepany burn to the ground!"


    Yue''s face remained calm and serene as she took a step forward, her voice gentle yet firm. "Please, Charlotte, let''s not escte this. It''s not what it seems. If you''d just¡ª"


    But Charlotte cut her off with a venomous hiss. "You disgusting piece of shit!" she spat at Wang Xiao, then turned her scornful gaze back to Yue. "You spineless slut! Letting him do whatever he pleases, like you''re some kind of whore!"


    Yue''s eyes softened, and she tried again, reaching out a hand. "Charlotte, I understand you''re upset, but if you would just listen¡ª"


    "Shut the fuck up!" Charlotte''s voice rose to a shriek, raw with fury. "I don''t want to hear a single word from either of you! I''ll have your sorry asses dragged through the courts before the day''s over, and I''llugh as I watch your empire fall!"


    Her legs nearly buckled beneath her as she snatched her sses from the table, the curtain clutched desperately around her shivering form.


    Her walk was erratic, her steps exaggerated as if the ground beneath her had turned to hot coals.


    Without another word, she stumbled out of the room, her voice echoing through the halls with unrelenting venom.


    Themotion in the hallway outside the CEO''s room was impossible to ignore.


    As Charlotte burst through the door, still clutching the curtain around her and half-tripping over her own feet, the entire office seemed to freeze.


    The usual hum of work ground to a halt, reced by hushed whispers and startled gasps.


    Employees exchanged confused and nervous nces, unsure of what to make of the sight before them.


    Papers fluttered to the ground, phones hung forgotten in mid-conversation, and all eyes were on the disheveled woman making her chaotic exit.


    Charlotte''s face was a mask of fury, flushed and contorted with rage, as she staggered down the corridor, shouting obscenities that reverberated off the walls.


    "Bastards! You think you''re untouchable? I''ll ruin you! I''ll ruin all of you!"


    Her voice, shrill and full of venom, cut through the silence like a knife.


    Those who had not yet witnessed the spectacle peeked over their cubicles or craned their necks to catch a glimpse, their curiosity piqued by the bizarre scene before them.


    Just as Charlotte''s tirade reached a fever pitch, a door at the end of the hallway creaked open.


    A woman in her mid-thirties, sharply dressed in a tailored suit with her hair neatly tied back, cautiously poked her head out.

 Chapter 413: Roleplay?

    This was Manager Li, known for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to maintain order within the office.


    Her normallyposed expression faltered for a moment as she took in the sight of Charlotte, barely holding the curtain together, her sses perched on the edge of her red nose.


    Manager Li''s eyes widened in disbelief, but she quickly schooled her features into a mask of professionalism.


    She stepped out into the hallway, her heels clicking on the polished floor as she approached the scene with a mix of concern and authority.


    "Charlotte," she began, her tone carefully measured, "is everything alright? What''s happened here?"


    Charlotte, still trembling with rage, shot a venomous re at Manager Li. "Alright? Alright? Do I look alright to you? I was assaulted by that¡ªthat beast in there!" She jabbed a shaking finger back toward the CEO''s office, her voice rising again. "I''ll make sure this entirepany is shut down!


    You''ll all be out on the streets!"


    Manager Li''s eyes flickered with rm, but she maintained her calm demeanor.


    She nced down the hallway, noticing the crowd of employees gathering, their faces a mix of shock and fear.


    With a quick, decisive motion, she gestured for them to return to their work, her voice firm.


    "Everyone, back to your stations. This is a private matter and will be handled ordingly."


    The employees hesitated, exchanging nces, but the authority in Manager Li''s voice left little room for argument.


    One by one, they reluctantly returned to their desks.


    Turning back to Charlotte, Manager Li softened her tone, attempting to diffuse the situation. "Charlotte, why don''t we step into my office and discuss this privately? I assure you, we take these matters very seriously."


    But Charlotte was having none of it. "Discuss? There''s nothing to discuss! You''ll be hearing from mywyer, and don''t think for a second that you''ll get away with this!"


    With that final outburst, Charlotte spun on her heel¡ªor at least attempted to, given her unsteady gait¡ªand stormed down the hallway, leaving behind a trail of stunned silence.


    Manager Li watched her go, a frown creasing her brow.


    She hesitated for a moment, then sighed and turned towards the CEO''s office, straightening her jacket as she prepared to face whatever awaited her inside.


    With a quick,posed knock, she slowly pushed the door open, peering inside with cautious eyes.


    "Sir? Miss Yue?" she called softly, stepping into the room. "Is everything alright in here? Should I... should I call security?"


    Manager Li was a woman seasoned by the fires of corporate life, having spent a decade navigating the politics of the business world.


    Events like this, while rare & chaotic, were far from enough to rattle herposure.


    She had been baptized in the mes of high-stakes deals, cutthroat negotiations, and office politics.


    The scene that had just passed, shocking as it was, only deepened her resolve to maintain order.


    Frost & me Events International Ltd., thepany she managed, had been acquired overnight by a mysterious entity.


    Though not publicly listed, thepany boasted a worth in the hundreds of millions of dors and spanned over ten locations globally.


    The new owner, a young woman, had mysterious background , but her young age suggested an immensely powerful financial backing.


    Manager Li knew better than to underestimate such power.


    Not daring to show the slightest negligence, Manager Li adjusted her sses, her gaze shifting between the strikingly handsome man, who appeared to be in his mid-twenties at most, and Yue, who stood awkwardly beside him.


    The two were standing rather close, and with Manager Li''s sharp instincts, she quickly deduced that this man might be the financial force behind Yue.


    Her mind raced, and she decided to address them with a polite, measured smile.


    Wang Xiao, observing the mature, plump woman before him, raised an eyebrow in surprise.


    "Another one? Are all the women in yourpany this beautiful?" His tone was casual, as if he were making an offhanded observation, but his words carried an undercurrent that made Yue tense up.


    "Dad! She''s the general manager! You can''ty your hands on her, she''s important!" Yue blurted out, her voice a mix of exasperation and urgency.


    Manager Li''s eye twitched slightly at the exchange but quickly regained herposure.


    ''Dad? Interesting... So they''re into roley,'' Manager Li thought, her mind whirling with assumptions, but her face remained a mask of professional courtesy, a rigid smile fixed in ce.


    Yue turned to Manager Li with an apologetic smile, trying to defuse the situation. "Miss Li, please don''t pay any attention to my father. He won''t do anything to you!" She then shot Wang Xiao a pleading look, silently begging him to behave.


    Wang Xiao merely shrugged, a faint smirk ying on his lips. "I have better girls at home," he muttered, dismissing the matter with a wave of his hand.


    The only reason he''d acted on impulse with Charlotte was because of her curvaceous figure, wrapped in the ssic secretary uniform he''d seen so often in movies.


    When he found her alone in the room, he couldn''t resist pressing his advantage.


    ''Is he really her father?'' Manager Li''s thoughts churned with uncertainty.


    Her earlier assumptions were being swiftly dismantled by the strange rtionship she was witnessing.


    Yue, sensing the tension, gestured towards a chair. "Please, Manager Li, have a seat." Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Manager Li obliged, knowing that what followed would likely be some form of interrogation.


    She sat down with as much dignity as she could muster, prepared for whatever mighte next.


    Wang Xiao, meanwhile, seemed wholly unconcerned with the proceedings.


    He wandered over to therge ss wall, gazing out at the bustling traffic below.


    A subtle smile yed on his lips as he watched the flow of cars and people, lost in thoughts known only to him.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    He had no interest in the discussions taking ce behind him; his mind was already miles away.


    Manager Li, now seated, straightened her back, preparing to answer any questions, all the while trying to make sense of the bizarre scene she had walked into.

 Chapter 414: Uproot all nine generations!

    "Manager Li, you rmended Charlotte. Do you have more information about her?" Yue asked, her voice firm as she settled into the plush seat, trying to project the authority she now wielded.


    Manager Li bit her lip, then nodded cautiously. "She''s the daughter of the new mayor of the city. She recently returned afterpleting her master''s degree in the States. Dealing with her could be...plicated. Should I contact the heads of the legal and PR departments?" Her tone, professional.


    Yue''s face darkened, a headache already forming at the thought of the potential fallout. "The mayor''s daughter..." she muttered under her breath.


    A legal battle was thest thing she needed right after taking over thepany.


    She shot a sour look at Wang Xiao''s back, frustration bubbling within her.


    He always seemed to have a way ofplicating things for her!


    But Wang Xiao, simply stood with his back turned, unfazed by her silent reproach.


    He believed in a higher path, in the calm teachings of Buddha, and so he didn''t bother to respond to her re.


    Instead, he chuckled dryly, as if the situation amused him more than it concerned him. "You probably won''t need that," he remarked, his voice light, almost dismissive.


    "Huh?" Both Yue and Manager Li turned to him in surprise, their confusion mirrored in their expressions.


    At this moment, Manager Li, though startled, began to ept the reality of Wang Xiao''s identity.


    Despite his appearance, there was a strange aura about him, something that hinted at powers beyond the ordinary.


    Perhaps he was a mage, or perhaps his vitality was preserved through some supernatural means¡ªan aether-infused body, or some other mystical secret.


    In a world where the rich and powerful can tap into the unknown, it wasn''t impossible.


    Manager Li quickly deduced that if this man had purchased such argepany merely as a ything for his inexperienced daughter, then the financial and political backing behind him must far exceed that of a mere mayor.


    The implications were staggering, and inwardly, she knew her choices were bing clearer.


    Wang Xiao broke the silence with a shrug, his tone casual, almost indifferent, as he nced down at the traffic below. "Because a dead man can''t fight a case."


    Hiss!


    Manager Li''s heart turned cold.


    The casual threat in Wang Xiao''s words sent a shiver down her spine.


    She couldn''t believe what she had just heard and instinctively nced towards the CCTV cameras¡ªonly to realize they were nowhere to be found.


    A wave of relief washed over her as she remembered that Yue had ordered the cameras removed after taking over thepany, citing the need for privacy.


    Additionally, she had requested a new secretary after the previous one resigned, leaving with thest CEO.


    In the corporate world, it wasn''t umon for secretaries to follow their CEOs.


    Often, they were more than just assistants¡ªmistresses, bound by their illicit rtionships.


    And without the backing of a powerful CEO, a secretary''s life could quickly spiral into a living hell.


    "Dad, speak clearly," Yue demanded, pursing her lips, her unease evident.


    The idea of killing someone so casually was something she found normal, but¡ª


    Was he really going to kill Charlotte?


    And if so, what would that mean for thepany?


    Everyone had seen Charlotte storm out¡ªwouldn''t her sudden disappearance bring even greater problems, especially with the important uing event on the horizon?


    "Tch¡­ What''s there to rify? Good people die young, don''t they?" Wang Xiao replied, his tone almost bored as he pointed downwards while still gazing out at the road below. "Didn''t your secretary have an ident this morning?"


    "Huh?"


    Yue and Manager Li exchanged hesitant nces before rising to their feet, their curiosity oveing their fear.


    Slowly, they moved to Wang Xiao''s side, and what they saw below made their jaws drop in shock.


    There, on the street below, was a scene of chaos.


    An ambnce had just arrived, lights shing, as a small crowd gathered around a crumpled form lying on the pavement.


    It didn''t take long for them to realize that the unfortunate victim was Charlotte.


    Her body was bloody and motionless, a twisted figure amidst the wreckage of a car that had mmed into her with brutal force.


    Yue''s breath caught in her throat as she processed the scene.


    Manager Li, equally stunned, felt the color drain from her face.


    What they were witnessing were chilling.


    "Dad... did you...?" Yue''s voice was barely above a whisper, her mind struggling to keep up with the reality before her.


    Wang Xiao merely shrugged, a ghost of a smile ying on his lips. "I told you, didn''t I? A dead man¡ªor woman¡ªcan''t fight a case."


    The casual tone of his words contrasted with the horror of what they have just witnessed.


    It was as if he wasmenting on the weather rather than acknowledging the death of a person.


    Manager Li  felt a deep chill settle into her bones.


    She had long known that the world of business was ruthless, but this... this was something else entirely.


    Manager Li shivered, realizing she had gravely underestimated the true power behind him!


    Her eyes flicked to Wang Xiao''s back, a cold dread settling deep in her bones.


    When he finally turned around, a warm smile spread across his face, but instead of offeringfort, it sent her heart plummeting into an abyss.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The dissonance between his gentle expression and the chilling events left her feeling as if she were walking on the edge of a knife.


    Yue, on the other hand, seemed only mildly irritated.


    She slumped back into her chair, her posture weary, as if already ustomed to the unpredictability of her father''s decisions.


    "Mary, go and uproot all nine generations of her lineage. Without the sky, there''s no need for stars to shine," Wang Xiaomanded, his voice calm and matter-of-fact, as if ordering a mundane task rather than the eradication of an entire family line.


    A secondter, his another order came through, and Yue sighed, almost as if she had foreseen it.


    But there was still a hint of surprise in her eyes. "Isn''t nine generations too much?" she asked, pursing her lips in contemtion.


    Wang Xiao shrugged nonchntly. "You heard her, didn''t you? How could she be allowed to die so easily? She just had an ident¡ªit doesn''t mean she''s dead yet."


    Yue''s face grew grim, and she bit her lips, understanding the implications.


    Charlotte was in for a fate far worse than death¡ªa drawn-out torture that would make her beg for an end.


    Aplicated mix of emotions yed across Yue''s face as she nced at her father.


    Finally, she muttered, "I was the one who interviewed her and selected her..."


    Wang Xiao''s response was dismissive. "There''s no shortage of people in this world."


    "Huh? But I thought you cleared half of them already?" Yue''s eyes sparkled with a strange curiosity, her irritation momentarily forgotten.


    Wang Xiao looked at her with mild surprise, a smile tugging at his lips. "Who told you that?"


    Yue chuckled, the solemn mood lifting from her. "The inte! Can''t we have something like that at home as well?"


    Wang Xiao considered it briefly before shaking his head. "Xianthera would use different technology. It''s not something we can just replicate."


    "Oh," Yue nodded, the details of whatever Wang Xiao was talking about lost on her, but she epted it without further question. Manager Li, however, was utterly bewildered by the conversation.


    Yet despite her confusion, she didn''t dare blink, her back soaked in cold sweat as she struggled to keep up with the bizarre exchange.


    What was happening?


    How had the situation escted so quickly to discussions of wiping out nine generations?

 Chapter 415: Heartless Wang Xiao?

    "Manager Li, you can leave now," Wang Xiao''s voice was calm but firm, a subtlemand that brooked no argument.


    He had noticed the pale look on the manager''s face, a clear sign that she had reached her limit.


    Manager Li, grateful for the dismissal, quickly collected herself and hurried out of the room.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Her steps were quick and light, as if she feared that lingering too long might cause her to vomit blood from the pressure.


    Once outside, she closed the door behind her with a soft click, leaving Yue seated in therge chair, her usually bright eyes now clouded with a rare hint of frustration, while Wang Xiao approached her with an easy, unhurried grace.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but smile as he looked at Yue, her delicate features now tinged with a sulking expression that made her look even more endearing.


    An idea sparked in his mind, a bit of mischief ying at the edges of his thoughts.


    With a quick, fluid motion, he crouched down beside her, his presence warm andforting, as he gently pinched her small, button-like nose between his fingers. "Cutie, I think I''ve seen you somewhere before¡­" he teased, his tone light and yful.


    "Ugh¡­ Dad, don''t ever use that word again!" Yue groaned, though there was a subtle sparkle in her eyes as she rolled them dramatically.


    Her soft lips curved into a reluctant smile, though she tried to keep herposure, feigning irritation.


    Wang Xiao feigned a look of helplessness, releasing her nose and standing up with a theatrical sigh. "Well, if my dear daughter didn''t act so heartlessly and let her old dad stand around all day, I wouldn''t have to resort to such desperate measures."


    Yue''s eyes twitched as she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest in a pout.


    Her slender figure looked even more graceful as she did so, the slight puff of her cheeks giving her an almost ethereal charm. "No daughter privileges for you today! You''re always causing trouble for me. What kind of dad tortures his daughter like this?"


    Wang Xiao chuckled, the sound deep and warm, as he reached out to smooth a strand of hair that had fallen across her forehead.


    "Only the kind who wants to make sure his daughter is strong enough to handle anything thates her way," he said, his voice gentle, his eyes softening with affection.


    Yue''s annoyance melted away at his words, though she tried to maintain her stance.


    Herrge eyes, so full of spirit, softened as she looked at him. "You say that, but it still feels like you enjoy making my life harder."


    "Perhaps," Wang Xiao admitted with a yful glint in his eye, his smile growing.


    Yue, £Ü?(?¡ã?o?¡ã?)?£¯


    "This time, you might be wrong," came Mary''s voice, soft yet carrying a resonance that seemed to still the air itself.


    She had returned, her presence filling the room like a gentle breeze carrying the scent of withering dark roses, her every movement graceful and precise.


    "Hm?" Yue''s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she nced at Mary, suspicion flickering in her bright eyes. "Mary? Of course, you would take his side."


    Yue knew Mary well¡ªthere was a certain hobby of Mary.


    Killing!


    So obviously, she loved it when she is provided with the opportunity of merciless ughter!


    Mary shrugged with an effortless elegance, her eyes shimmering like the surface of a tranquilke. "Manager Li was like a wolf in sheep''s clothing. She needed to be reminded of the consequences, to ward off any harmful thoughts that might have taken root."


    Yue''s eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting slightly. "Manager Li?"


    A subtle, almost yful smile tugged at the corners of Mary''s lips. "She had a once in a century opportunity before her. It would be strange for someone like her not to try and seize it. Your father merely killed a chicken to frighten the monkeys. Now, no one will dare scheme behind your back."


    Yue blinked, her longshes fluttering as she tried to grasp the full extent of what Mary was saying. "What...?" She straightened in her chair, her petite figure tense with a mix of disbelief and concern. "You called him?"


    Mary hesitated for a moment, her gaze softening as she looked at Wang Xiao.


    With a approving nod from him, she continued, "Manager Li''s intentions were not as pure as they seemed. You''ve just taken over thepany, and she likely viewed you as a naive girl, someone easy to manipte for her own gain."


    What Mary left unsaid was that Manager Li had been scheming to disrupt the very marriage event Yue had poured her heart into.


    The n was to create chaos and then swoop in as the savior, solidifying her position by gaining Yue''s trust.


    But such lessons, Mary believed, were better learned through experience.


    Yue''s expression turnedplicated, her rosy lips pressing into a thin line. "I could have handled it myself," she muttered, her voice tinged with a hint of stubbornness, though the protest was faint, like thest breath of a summer breeze.


    She nced up at Wang Xiao, herrge eyes reflecting her inner conflict. "You want me to grow, so why do you keep stepping in? Let me handle things on my own."


    Despite her words, there was a soft warmth in her heart, knowing that everything had been done out of care for her.


    Yet, the core of the matter remained clear: if she continued to receive such help, how could she ever truly stand on her own?


    Mary, sensing the reluctant Yue, spoke gently before Wang Xiao could respond. "In such a short time, it would have been impossible for you to act. It''s important to recognize your limitations. Don''t doubt your father¡ªhe does everything for you, always." With a final, fleeting smile, Mary excused herself, her movements as light as a drifting petal, leaving as if to escape the meaning of her own words.


    "Hm?" Yue noticed the subtle surprise on Wang Xiao''s face, realizing that Mary had spoken on her own ord.


    She couldn''t help but think how adorable her father looked at that moment¡ªsomething only she could find cute, while others might find it terrifying.


    The contrast between his calm demeanor and his underlying power was something she had grown used to, even if it still caught her off guard now and then.


    Pursing her lips, she hesitated for a moment, then stood up, pointing awkwardly at the chair she had been sitting on. "...Ummm... You can use this one," she offered, her tone shy as she avoided his gaze.

 Chapter 416: Hiding a secret family?

    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, amused by her sudden embarrassment.


    He didn''t know whether tough or cry as he watched his daughter vacate her seat with such bashfulness. "Alright, then," he said with a soft chuckle, taking the seat she had offered.


    As he settled into the chair, a lingering sweetness filled the air, a subtle fragrance that reminded him of delicate flowers.


    He couldn''t help but look at Yue, his gaze lingering on her soft cheeks.


    They looked like the most tempting white peaches, perfectly smooth and inviting.


    The thought crossed his mind that they would taste as sweet as they looked¡ªa thought that made him smile inwardly.


    Yue noticed his gaze, recognizing the glint in his eyes. ''He''s thinking of something not so good again,'' she thought, a light blush creeping up her neck.


    To distract herself, she moved to the side, where a small silk-colored handbag was kept.


    She opened it with delicate fingers, taking out a small, intricately designed circr container.


    Wang Xiao''s curiosity was piqued. "What''s that?" he asked, watching her closely.


    "Violet cake," Yue replied, her voice gentle as she nced at him, her eyes shimmering with excitement.


    "Violet, like the flowers?" Wang Xiao asked, a subtle surprise flickering across his features.


    It wasn''t often that something caught him off guard, but the idea of a cake made from flowers intrigued him.


    Yue nodded, her cheeks dimpling with a small, proud smile. "Try it," she said, cing the small violet cake, perfectly cut into a circle, in front of him.


    She watched him expectantly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.


    Wang Xiao looked at the delicate cake, its pale purple hue almost too beautiful to eat.


    But the look in Yue''s eyes¡ªthose shimmering, expectant eyes¡ªwas impossible to resist.


    He picked up the small cake, its texture soft and airy, and took a bite.


    The vor was as exquisite as the cake itself. The subtle sweetness of the violet flowers mixed with the light, fluffy texture, melting in his mouth like a gentle spring breeze.


    Wang Xiao closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the taste, letting the sweetness linger on his tongue.


    When he opened his eyes, Yue was watching him intently, her own eyes wide with hope. "How is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as if the answer was of the utmost importance.


    Wang Xiao smiled, a genuine, warm smile that reached his eyes. "It''s good," he said softly, seeing the happiness that lit up her face.


    Yue''s smile blossomed like a flower in full bloom, her joy as delicate as the first morning dew on lotus petals. "Only good... Not perfect?" she questioned, her voice lilting with a mix of relief and happiness. "I made it especially for you, so I was worried it wouldn''t turn out well."


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with a satisfied light. "Well, it would have been perfect if it were made from soft white peaches instead."


    "Peaches?" Yue''s eyes widened, blinking with a look of sincere consideration as if she were genuinely contemting the idea.


    She pursed her lips, her expression taking on a slight pout, like a kitten suddenly met with an unexpected puzzle. "How could I get you that instantly? You''ll have to wait... At least... one day... No...


    ummm... maybe eight hours... I think six! Yes, six hours!"


    In truth, Yue had been carrying the violet cake with her for days, crafting a fresh one each morning in the hopes of sharing it with him.


    But for the past week, her father had disappeared, leaving her both anxious and slightly pouty, as if he had been avoiding her on purpose.


    Wang Xiao''s expression softened as he gazed at her, his smile holding a quiet affection. "You don''t need to make anything," he said, his tone gentle yet full of meaning.


    Yue blinked in confusion, her heart fluttering as he reached out, his hands warm against hers.


    Before she could fully process what was happening, he pulled her onto hisp, wrapping his arms around her waist in a firm and tight hold.


    His head rested against her shoulder, the closeness making her heart skip like a pebble over a still pond.


    "Here is my peach cake," he murmured breathing warmly into her neck, leaning in to press his lips gently against her cheek, as if savoring the sweetness of the moment.


    "!"


    Yue''s breath caught in her throat, her body tensing for just a second before softening against him.


    She could feel her cheeks warm, and she let out a small sigh, her earlier irritation dissipating like mist, "Dad, do you think I''m a cake?" she asked, her voice as soft as a breeze rustling through cherry blossoms.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her longshes fluttered slightly, adding a touch of innocent charm to her expression as she nced up at him.


    Wang Xiao pulled back slightly, just enough to meet her gaze, a warm smile curving his lips. "Well, you''re sweet enough to be one," he added.


    Yue''s lips curled into a small smile, her heart settling into a gentle rhythm as she leaned into him, resting her head against his chest. "You''re so careless¡­" she muttered softly, her breath light against his skin.


    "Careless?" Wang Xiao''s eyebrows lifted in surprise, her words catching him off guard. What brought that on?


    He looked down at the delicate figure in his arms, feeling as though he was holding something precious yet unfamiliar.


    Yue had grown so much, blossoming into someone he could no longer entirely see through.


    It made him realize that even in his caution, he might have missed something.


    Yue tilted her head up, her smile charming and just a touch mischievous, making Wang Xiao''s heart skip a beat as if her smile had lightly pecked at it.


    "We''ve received the guest list for the uing event," she began, her voice light and yful. "It''s up to us to arrange their stay, and guess what? There are several names that start with ''Wang.'' And one of them¡­" Her eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief. "One of them is named Wang Xiao."


    Her words have a usation hidden behind her bright gaze.


    Wang Xiao''s expression froze.


    He released her gently, taking a step back as if he needed a moment to process this unexpected twist.


    "Dad¡­" Yue''s voice turned more serious, her eyes narrowing in suspicion as she looked up at him. "Are you hiding a secret family somewhere?" There was a mix of genuine curiosity and yful usation in her tone.


    Bonk!


    Wang Xiao lightly flicked her forehead, both to snap her out of her thoughts and because he was stunned by the question himself.


    "Don''t speak as if I don''t already have enough to handle," he said, though his tone was more teasing than defensive.


    "Hmph! But you didn''t tell us about this one!" Yue pouted, lifting her chin with a feigned air of indignation.


    Her serious expression was quickly overtaken by a yful glint in her eyes as she reached for her handbag.


    She pulled out her phone, her slender fingers softly tapping the screen as she navigated through her gallery. "See! We even have pictures!" she dered triumphantly, holding the phone out to him.

 Chapter 417: Predators Playbook: Daddys Little Secret

    Yue pulled out her phone, her slender fingers softly tapping the screen as she navigated through her gallery. "See! We even have pictures!" she dered triumphantly, holding the phone out to him.


    Wang Xiao leaned in, his curiosity piqued. The photo she showed him was of a man who bore a striking resemnce to him¡ªso much so that anyone could easily be fooled.


    The differences were subtle: a different eye color, a slight change in the shape of the maturity of face, but they were distinctions Wang Xiao could have altered with ease, as effortlessly as changing his clothes.


    For a moment, Wang Xiao studied the photo in silence, then looked back at Yue, who was watching him expectantly, her eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and genuine intrigue.


    He hid his suprise, and chuckled softly, shaking his head. "So, you think I''m out there, running a secret life, hmm?"


    Yue puffed her cheeks slightly, her pout deepening. "It wouldn''t be that surprising if you were," she countered, though the twinkle in her eyes showed she wasn''t entirely serious. "You''ve been disappearing a lottely¡­"


    Wang Xiao leaned back slightly, folding his arms as if carefully considering her words. "Perhaps," he mused, ying along with her suspicions. "But if I were living a secret life, do you think I''d get caught so easily?" He raised an eyebrow, a smirk curling at the edges of his lips.


    Yue opened her mouth to respond, but found herself tongue-tied. "Well..." she hesitated, before falling silent. Wang Xiao shook his head, amused by her struggle to find the right words.


    "I was with Lan for the week," he exined, his tone turning casual. "She needed Aether for something she''s been working on, so Eleanor and I were setting up a small conduit to allow the Aether to sweep into Xianthera. It''s time to expose the people there to it as well."


    "Hmmm¡­" Yue nodded, though her surprise was evident. "Lan was able to tolerate you for a month?" She tilted her head, her expression curious.


    Considering the time dtion, didn''t that mean he spent a full month there?


    Wang Xiao felt his face twitch at herment. "What do you mean, tolerate?" he asked, half-indignant.


    Yue nced at him, herrge eyes shimmering with a mix of mischief and innocence.


    She rolled her eyes yfully, a sweet fragrance seeming to follow her every movement, like a breeze through a blossoming orchard. "I mean, you''re not exactly the easiest person to be around for that long," she spoke calmly, her voice light and airy.


    She reached into her handbag and pulled out her phone, showing him her saved reading list. "I''m not as clueless as you think¡­" she said, folding her arms proudly and pushing her chest out slightly, the motion inadvertently emphasizing her figure.


    There was a confident, almost haughty tilt to her chin, as if she was dering victory.


    Wang Xiao nced at her reading list, his eyes scanning the titles. His expression quickly turned from curious to speechless.


    The reading list consisted of:


    "Predators'' ybook: How Not to Get Caught"


    "Daddy''s Little Secret"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "The Family ybook: How to Raise a Perfect Victim"


    "Pretty Lies: A Father''s Guide to Twisted Affection"


    "Training Day: Grooming Your Daughter the Wrong Way"


    "Trust Me, I''m Lying"


    "A ybook for Predators"


    "Daddy Knows Best: Maniption Behind Closed Doors"


    "Shadows in the Nursery: Daddy''s Little Girl"


    "Sweet Talk, Dark Deeds: A Father''s Sinister Handbook"


    "Grooming for Dummies: A Father''s Guide to Grooming and Deceit"


    "Damn¡­" Even Wang Xiao couldn''t help but sigh in awe at such titles hidden in her library.


    He nced at Yue, a mixture of amusement and disbelief coloring his expression."Didn''t know you had such taste, Yue."


    "Eh?" Yue was stunned, her eyes widening in shock as she processed his words.


    Her hands instinctively formed into fists, and she hammered them against his chest, her face turning a deep shade of red from both embarrassment and shame,"Huh! What taste? It''s obviously you with such dirty thoughts! Don''t think I don''t know what you and Wenxi do at night! Humph!"


    Her voice wavered slightly as she continued to berate him, but as the words left her mouth, she realized she might have said too much.


    ''Oops¡­'' she thought, panic creeping into her expression as she saw Wang Xiao''s eyes narrow suspiciously, one eyebrow raised.


    Wang Xiao looked at her with one eye half-closed, his gaze sharp but not unkind.


    Yue''s face burned with shame, the flush spreading to her ears. "You''re quite clever," he remarked unexpectedly, his tone carrying no anger but rather a hint of admiration.


    "Of course I am," Yue huffed, her chest puffing up with a sudden sense of pride."But don''t mistake me for Wenxi! I''m Yue!"


    Wang Xiao couldn''t suppress the smile that tugged at his lips, amusement dancing in his eyes.


    Watching her puff up with pride, seemingly out of nowhere, was both endearing and entertaining.


    "I wouldn''t dare," he replied with a soft chuckle, shaking his head at her sudden shift in demeanor. "You''ve made that abundantly clear."


    Yue''s indignation slowly gave way to a small, satisfied smile as her earlier embarrassment faded. "Just so you know¡­ Lan doesn''t like it one bit when you behave unruly with her. She might just break your nose."


    Wang Xiao didn''t know whether tough or cry.


    Obviously, Lan was more like her mother¡ªcalm andposed¡ªnot at all like the fierce picture Yue was painting.


    But seeing Yue''s calm demeanor, as if she were unaffected, Wang Xiao''s curiosity was piqued. "And what about Yue, then?" he asked lightly, pulling her closer to him.


    He noticed how much she had grown since thest time he held her like this.


    Now, just having her on hisp seemed to be a bit heavy, and warmed his whole body.


    Yue shifted around in hisp, folding her legs and turning to face him, her innocent eyes blinking up at him.


    But Wang Xiao knew better than to take her lightly.


    Her innocent facade often masked a sharper wit than most would expect.


    A small smile formed on her lips as she noticed his cautious expression.


    "Yue listens to Dad," she said calmly, her tone sweet and obedient.


    Her ears turned red as she spoke, but she kept her faceposed, revealing no other emotions.


    Wang Xiao, seeing the hidden meaning behind her subtle smile, felt a subtle of disappointment.


    She meant that she would obey him, but that wasn''t what he was asking.


    After all, there was no real power that could stop him if he wanted something¡ªhe was asking what she wanted, not what he could do.


    But Yue''s beautiful, serene expression was unreadable, and Wang Xiao hesitated, sensing that any rash actions might not end well for him.


    "What do you think Wenxi would say?" he suddenly asked, curiositycing his voice.

 Chapter 418: Forbidden?

    The rtionship between Yue and Wang Xiao, as Wenxi once exined to Seraphina, defied the boundaries ofmon understanding.


    Those who saw their interactions as mere shes of wills were gravely mistaken.


    Yue held her father in the highest regard, revering him with a devotion that bordered on worship.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Her demeanor toward Wang Xiao was often formal, with a touch of distance, as if she maintained a respectful space between them.


    Wang Xiao understood the ''reason'' behind it, though he chose not to bring it to light.


    Some truths were better left under the graveyard.


    Yue''s longshes fluttered gently as she spoke, her voice calm yetced with a sweet, almost melodic quality. "From the moment we draw our first breath, we are shaped by the world around us¡ªits views, its culture, its ideals... So many strangers leave their marks on that nk canvas we start with. But I would rather have it be you, Dad, who turns that nk canvas into a beautiful painting."


    In her eyes, all beings manipte; it was an inescapable truth of existence.


    But if someone were to shape her, she would prefer it to be the one she trusted most¡ªthe one whose influence she weed.


    At least then, she knew it would not harm her. Anger never took root in her heart because Wang Xiao had never concealed his intent.


    His actions were as clear as the morning dew on a lotus leaf.


    To Yue, ''maniption'' was not the nefarious force that others might see it as.


    Where most would perceive maniption as a dark tool wielded with selfish intent, Yue saw it as an intrinsic part of life.


    Wang Xiao had taught her and her siblings that all forms ofmunication are designed to influence.


    At its core, the world itself is a grand intery of influences¡ªa vast, intricate dance of subtle maniptions, both benevolent and malevolent.


    Even parenting, as Wang Xiao had imparted to her, was a form of cultivation¡ªa careful grooming of the mind and spirit, shaping them ording to the parent''s vision.


    If her father guided her path, she believed he did so with the utmost care and wisdom, always choosing the best course for her and her siblings.


    As for anything beyond that¡­ Yue wasn''t entirely sure. If her father ever sought to influence her in deeper ways, she knew she wouldn''t resist. But whether she truly desired such influence¡­ that was a matter she had yet to fully contemte...


    Sometimes, her heart would beat with a rhythm that felt foreign, a flutter that she knew she shouldn''t feel for her.


    Yet, there were other times when, even sitting so close to him, looking directly into his eyes, not a single wicked thought crossed her mind.


    In those moments, her eyes were as clear as still water, reflecting only the purity of her affection.


    It was a mystery¡ªa riddle she couldn''t quite solve.


    No matter how hard she tried to understand it, she could find no guidance in the teachings she had read, no wisdom from the sages to exin this contradiction within her heart.


    What was it?


    This duality of feeling, this strange oscition between the forbidden and the innocent?


    Naturally, Yue didn''t mention that she knew¡ªknew that in the deep of night, when the world was quiet and the stars hungzily in the sky, his hands would sometimes leave Wenxi''s side and wander towards her own.


    It was in those moments that she felt an indescribable fluttering, a sensation that both thrilled and confused her.


    So why not now?


    Why, when they were so close, did her heart not stir in the same way?


    It was all so mysterious.


    As Yue gazed into Wang Xiao''s eyes, he couldn''t help but blink, sensing that same strangeness within himself.


    It was as though they both hovered on the edge of something undefined, yet neither was willing to cross that invisible boundary.


    Even so, they both respected the lines that had been drawn


    Yue eventually turned away, resting her back against his chest, afortable silence settling between them as she pulled up the ns for the marriage event on her tablet.


    The screen glowed softly as she ran her fingers over it, reviewing the details that had already beenid out by Lisa.


    There was little left for her to add, but the routine of it brought her some peace.


    Wang Xiao, however, couldn''t fully let go of the thoughts that had been stirred.


    His brow furrowed slightly as he contemted the matter she had mentioned earlier.


    Another Wang Xiao?


    Imposter?


    The very idea was unsettling.


    He thought Naomi was keeping a close watch on his family, ensuring that no threats would slip through unnoticed.


    So what had gone wrong?


    What was really happening?


    As his thoughts churned, Yue''s voice broke through the silence, her tone light but inquisitive. "By the way, about Charlotte ... wasn''t there a better way to solve problems than killing?" She asked, her attention wandering from the tablet as she remembered Charlotte.


    The event nning had exhausted her, and her mind drifted back to that incident.


    She had been the one to hire Charlotte, after all, and naturally, she''d felt a certain fondness for her.


    But when those feelings were weighed against her loyalty to Wang Xiao, they didn''t stand a chance.


    She hadn''t hesitated to discard them.


    Wang Xiao''s response was almost a murmur, as if the answer were too simple to warrant much thought. "Who said that? Killing is the fastest solution."


    "Fastest, but not the wisest," Yue repeated thoughtfully, her voice gentle, as if she were trying to reconcile the two ideas in her mind.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze remained steady as he responded, his tone patient yet firm. "Who told you to look at the world in such ck and white? You should see only what benefits you and what harms you. And who said it''s not the wisest?"


    Yue''s eyes blinked slowly, her mind processing his words. "I just think... it often brings more enemies. Being wise is important."


    Wang Xiao shook his head slightly, a knowing smile ying on his lips. "Being wise is indeed a type of strength, but strength itself surpasses wisdom. As long as you''re more powerful than others, you shouldn''t concern yourself with what they say. Do not let the words of mortals dictate how you, an immortal, should feel or act."


    He paused, letting his words settle before continuing. "Only the words of those who have walked the same path, who have achieved the same heights, can truly be trusted. The weak should not presume to instruct the strong on how to live. If they knew, wouldn''t they be strong themselves? Asking mortals about the way of immortality is as senseless as asking the blind to describe the dawn."


    "As for enemies," he added, his tone growing firmer, "if you can''t deal with them, it only means you aren''t strong enough yet."

 Chapter 419: Story?

    When a god kills, it''s only the mortals who suggest there are better ways


    It''s disadvantageous to them.


    But for a god, it''s often the simplest, most effective path.


    Mortals see things from their limited perspective and wish the world would bend to their desires.


    He looked at Yue with a blend of affection and sternness. "Everyone has their own selfish desires...Listen to the opinions and ideas of those below you, but never let them cloud your mind. They don''t stand where you stand, they don''t wield the power you hold. Their viewpoints are limited by their own experiences and fears."


    Yue nodded slowly, absorbing the wisdom in his words.


    This was precisely why she revered Wang Xiao.


    Others might scream and argue, but the voices of those who had achieved greatness, who had truly transcended, were the ones that mattered.


    They spoke from a ce of understanding, of having conquered the very challenges that those beneath them could only specte about.


    The people at the bottom of the chain might bark, but their mindset would never take them to the top.


    It was like a poor man, who, despite trading away his health, dignity, and time¡ªthings far more precious than money¡ªstill stubbornly ims that wealth is unimportant.


    It''s a mindset that forever keeps him in poverty.


    Yue''s thoughts swirled like autumn leaves caught in a gentle breeze, her heart resonating with the wisdom just imparted.


    People who have achieved strength, she mused, have done so through a mindset forged by their experiences and convictions.


    If she began to listen to the opinions and ideas of the weak, wouldn''t she be left just as weak as they were?


    The being in front of her, was the strongest person in the world.


    Who then could be more correct¡ªthose who merely spoke or the one whose power forced the world to listen?


    If the world were truly correct, why did they still bow before him?


    He was right. Power is everything.


    Wang Xiao had erased the Sun Dynasty in the past, wiping them from existence with a mere wave of his hand.


    Yet, he continued to send people to reincarnation openly, even announcing the address of his vi in Romania, daring anyone to cross its gates if they sought an exnation.


    Did anyone dare?


    No, they remained silent, their voices choked by the sheer force of his might.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The world may say that killing produces enemies, but what did that matter if you were stronger than them?


    If you could crush them underfoot like the insects they were?


    People confuse good and evil, ck and white, but should the confused ramblings of the masses be trusted over the words of her father, a man who had achieved transcendence?


    Who is wiser¡ªthe one who rises above or the many who grovel below?


    All schemes, all plots, fail when faced with absolute strength.


    Even those at Eveline''s level, at the threshold of immortality, didn''t see incest as anything special.


    They had long since transcended the boundaries that mortals cling to so fiercely.


    If you listen to ants, you be like one. The opinions of such insignificant beings¡ªhow could they possibly matter to her?


    Wang Xiao, for all his power, had not yet progressed as far in understanding the nuances of social rtionships, which was why he still harbored doubts deep in his heart.


    But for a being like Eveline, who had lived among quasi-immortal beings for thousands of years, her mindset had evolved far beyond the ordinary.


    She had seen more, experienced more, and her understanding of the world had grown as vast as the heavens themselves.


    Yes, incest is taboo, and for a mortal, it should never be followed.


    Wang Xiao would agree with this wholeheartedly.


    There are biological, sociological, and psychologicalplications that could unravel the very fabric of society, even if the pair did not choose to have children.


    These are the chains that bind mortals, the rules that hold their fragile societies together.


    But none of these limitations bound Wang Xiao anymore.


    He had ascended beyond the reach of such concerns, existing in a realm where the rules of mortals no longer applied.


    Even if Wang Xiao were to announce an improper rtionship with his daughter, the world would murmur and gossip for a time, but eventually, they would forget, dismissing it as something beyond their concern.


    As for respect?


    He couldmand it with the tip of his sword, forcing the entire world to bow before him.


    He possessed enough strength to walk openly, hand in hand with his daughters, and they would still look at him with reverence and fear.


    To many, they would be like the gods of ancient myths, beings who wielded power so absolute that their actions were beyond question, beyond reproach.


    People listen to religion because they believe it speaks with the voice of the divine.


    But for Yue, her god was right in front of her¡ªflesh and blood, invincible and immortal.


    She and her father were gods in their own right, having ascended far beyond the limitations of mere mortals.


    Being raised amomg immortals and beyond, Yue hade to see mortal excuses as little more than foolishness.


    The more she interacted with those bound by mortality, the more she realized that most of them would remain trapped in their limited existence, unable to break free from the chains of their own making...


    until they realized the truth.


    Huh?


    Suddenly, her mind went nk, as if struck by a moment of bottleneck.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t quite decipher what was running through Yue''s mind, but a sudden thought struck him, and he asked softly, "Do you want to hear a story?"


    "A story?" Yue blinked, her eyes clearing from their momentary haze.


    She nodded, a faint smile touching her lips.


    Although she had long since outgrown the age for stories, she would never deny him anything.


    If her father wished to share something with her, she would listen, no matter how simple.


    "It''s about a man who fell from the heavens..." Wang Xiao began, his voice weaving the scene with careful precision, as if painting a beautiful picture with his words.


    On a stormy night, beneath a sky ripped apart by violent clouds, two women¡ªa master and her disciple¡ªwere bathing in a secluded pool.


    The storm raged above, the winds howling and the rain pouring down in torrents.


    Suddenly, the heavens seemed to tear open, and from the breach, a man plummeted to the earth, crashing into their world like a fallen star.


    This man was no ordinary mortal.


    Though he had no cultivation, no knowledge of the mystical forces that governed this world, his body harbored a poisonous physique¡ªone so potent that even the master, a being of immense power, frowned at the threat of bringing epidemics.


    Yet, despite this dangerous gift, the man was otherwise unremarkable, a mere mortal with no strength to call his own.


    But this was no ordinary world...

 Chapter 420: Man from another world

    It was a realm of cultivation, where people drew power from the very essence of the universe, bending mystical forces to their will.


    The master and her disciple were not mere mortals either; they were from the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, the most powerful sect in the nation.


    The master herself was the strongest existence in the entire world, a force that couldmand the elements and shatter mountains with a thought.


    When they spotted the man, both master and disciple were filled with rage.


    Their eyes red with deadly intent, for their sacred bodies had been seen by this lowly mortal.


    They considered killing him on the spot, for such an offense was unforgivable.


    But the man, blessed¡ªor perhaps cursed¡ªby the heavens, survived.


    When the man awoke, the master offered him a position as a servant within the sect.


    To be a servant to the strongest being in the world was more than a mortal could hope for, a fortune beyond his wildest dreams.


    The disciple, moved by something she didn''t fully understand, had pleaded for his life, convincing her master to spare him.


    The man, upon learning this, was deeply grateful, his heart unknowingly lighting a spark of affection for the disciple who had saved him.


    Although the man bore the poisons in his body, the master believed they were only dangerous to mortals without strength.


    Little did they know, the man hade from another world¡ªa ce where cultivation did not exist, where such powers were the stuff of legends and myths.


    He was terrified at first, overwhelmed by the strange and dangerous world he had fallen into.


    As time passed, and the man began to serve within the sect, he started to notice things that troubled him.


    The Hundred Flowers Pavilion, though the strongest sect in thend, was not without its struggles.


    Even a powerful sect needed wealth and resources to survive.


    The master, for all her strength, could sustain herself, but the sect was faltering.


    Their businesses were not thriving, and the sect''s influence was waning.


    Despite her immense power, the master could not simply rob others or defy the world without consequence.


    The sect was considered an "evil" sect, and though they were powerful, they were isted.


    The righteous sects were united against them, and the other evil sects, though formidable, were fractured and disunited.


    The bnce of power was important, and should the Hundred Flowers Pavilion grow weak, it would be crushed by its enemies.


    But she needed resources for the cultivation of her hundreds of disciples.


    She was unmatched in strength, but when it came to managing the affairs of the sect, she struggled. Business and strategy were not her strong suits.


    In the end, the man she had initially deemed worthless revealed his true value.


    His mind was sharp and strategic, and he managed to solve the problems that had gued the sect.


    The master, despite her initial doubts, found herself relying on his cleverness more and more.


    During this time, the disciple¡ªwho was only thirteen¡ªbegan to develop strong feelings for the man.


    He would tell her stories, bring joy into her life, and most importantly, solve the sect''s problems.


    The bond between them grew deeper with each passing day.


    This disciple was no ordinary girl.


    She was destined to inherit the sect in the future, and her talent in cultivation surpassed even that of her master.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The master, however, was deeply concerned.


    She knew that if her disciple lost herself to love, her cultivation could go astray, leading to potentially disastrous consequences.


    Both the disciple and the man were aware of this risk.


    The disciple understood that her master would not hesitate to kill the man if his presence jeopardized her path to cultivation.


    The stakes were high, and the disciple made a difficult decision: she chose to leave the sect to protect both her cultivation and the man she loved.


    The master, though stern, was not withoutpassion.


    She offered her disciple a choice: as long as she could reach the peak of cultivation, there would be no further worries about her love causing her cultivation to falter.


    Her disciple could then return without fear of her path being disrupted.


    The man, helpless in the face of this decision, could do nothing but watch as his first love departed on a separate journey.


    The parting was filled with tears and sorrow, and he was left with a deep sense of guilt.


    He had fallen in love with a girl half his age, a mere thirteen years old, while he himself was twenty-six.


    Though his feelings were genuine, he couldn''t stop her, knowing that her departure was necessary to protect them both.


    After the disciple left, the master turned her attention back to the man.


    She saw potential in him, even with his strange physique, and decided to help him cultivate it.


    With her guidance, he was able to harness the poisons in his body, turning them into a source of strength.


    He sessfully cultivated a poisonous physique, but his mind was elsewhere, still preupied with thoughts of how to be more useful to the sect and to her.


    The master, wise and perceptive, knew of his little secret.


    She knew that he not only harbored feelings for her disciple but also for her.


    It was a daring thought, indeed, for a mere mortal to develop such feelings for the most powerful woman in the world.


    But rather than anger, she felt amusement.


    The man had dared to confess his feelings to her face, an audacity that intrigued her.


    Being the sect master of an "evil" sect, she held different views on such matters.


    They believed in freedom, in following one''s desires without the constraints of conventional morality.


    So, she did not kill the man for his feelings.


    She was at the peak of cultivation, beyond the concerns of bottlenecks or distractions that might derail her path.


    Unlike her disciple, she had no need to fear that love or attachment would weaken her.


    But it was precisely her strength that made her feel lonely.


    There was no one to share her burdens.


    That little man, though clever and resourceful, was not even strong enough to truly be her equal.


    He might not even be powerful enough to tear her hymen, a detail that showed the gap between them.


    Yet, despite hisck of physical strength, the man began to solve all her problems with his wisdom.


    He became dependable, reliable¡ªa source of support she hadn''t realized she needed.


    Slowly, she found herself depending on him more and more.


    But even as he gained her trust, the final barrier between them remained unbroken.


    He was too weak for her in the ways that mattered, and because of that, she never fully epted him.


    The man, for his part, continued to help the sect grow stronger, resisting the imperial power and the righteous factions.


    But one day, he was sent on a mission, where he unexpectedly reunited with his first love.


    She was fourteen now, her beauty blossoming, and with no master to stop them, their reunion was charged with emotion.


    The girl, overjoyed, threw herself into his arms, tears of happiness streaming down her face.


    In that moment, she didn''t care about cultivation or strength¡ªshe only wanted to be with him.


    But even then, the man couldn''t bring himself to break that final barrier.


    He hesitated, feeling that she was still too young, despite the fact that girls in this world often married at sixteen.

 Chapter 421: Journey to Immortality (1)

    In the end, the man couldn''t bring himself to break that final barrier.


    He hesitated, feeling that she was still too young, despite the fact that girls in this world often married at sixteen.


    From her eyes, she was ready, mature enough in body and mind.


    But he couldn''tmit what he saw as a sin, and so they parted once again, leaving both their hearts in pain.


    Years passed, and one day, a demon appeared¡ªa force so powerful that it took everything from him.


    His first love, the master, the sect¡ªeverything was destroyed before his eyes.


    He was crushed to the ground, powerless to stop the destruction.


    In the end, he died filled with regret, haunted by the choices he had made and the paths he hadn''t taken.


    "Huh? The story ended?" Yue''s voice was filled with disbelief. "Everything was fine until he couldn''t bring himself tomit that sin. Why did it end so abruptly?" She was clearly unsettled by the unexpected conclusion, the story''s sudden turn leaving her dissatisfied.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, a small, knowing smile ying on his lips. "Why do you think the man died without achieving what he wanted in life? He was clever, politically blessed, yet he still failed."


    Yue blinked, trying to grasp the deeper meaning behind the story. "He was foolish," she finally said, her tone carrying a hint of frustration. "He should have listened to his first love and followed the culture of that world. If he had, he might not have died with regrets. Even then, if the demon was so powerful, he would have been killed in the end regardless."


    She was excited about the story, but the ending didn''t sit well with her. It felt wrong, as if something crucial had been left unresolved.


    Wang Xiao''s smile deepened, seeing her reaction.


    The man''s downfall wasn''t just his failure to follow the customs of the world he found himself in.


    It was his inability to ept the reality of the world around him.


    He was too caught up in his own beliefs, in what he thought was right or wrong, to fully embrace the life he was living.


    He was clever, yes, but wisdom isn''t just about strategy or politics¡ªit''s about understanding the world you live in and adapting to it.


    The world was one of strength, where only the powerful ruled!


    "Don''t you have another story?" Yue asked, her eyes still gleaming with the curiosity and excitement from thest tale.


    Wang Xiao nodded, "Alright, then. Let me tell you another one. This time, it''s about a man named Shen, who was on a journey to immortality...."


    As Wang Xiao began, Yue settled in, her full attention on him, eager to immerse herself in the new story.


    "In this world," Wang Xiao continued, "the rules were the same¡ªpeople could cultivate to the top, bing powerful enough to transcend the limits of mortal life."


    "But Shen was born with a terrible disadvantage. His talent for cultivation was abysmally low. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t cultivate at all. But Shen was not a man to let his hopes die easily."


    Despite hisck of talent, Shen built one of thergest business empires in the country.


    He became the richest man, using his wealth to buy rare pills and elixirs that could push him further along the path of cultivation.


    Yet, despite all his efforts, his progress was slow and limited.


    During this time, Shen met his first love, a beautiful woman named Bai.


    They married and built a life together.


    But one day, a powerful evil cultivator, seeking the souls of girls born on a specific day to concoct a technique for predicting fate, came to their door.


    Unfortunately, Bai was born on that very day.


    Without mercy, the cultivator killed Bai before Shen''s eyes and took her soul away, leaving him devastated and burning with a desire for revenge.


    Furious and determined, Shen swore he would find a way to avenge his beloved.


    He poured all his efforts into expanding his empire, hoping to amass enough power and resources to challenge the cultivators who had wronged him.


    But no matter how vast his empire grew, he remained just a mortal, powerless against beings who could tear mountains apart with a single sh.


    On his journey toward revenge, Shen met another woman, his second wife, Ning.


    Ning was a powerful cultivator at the fourth stage, while Shen, through his perseverance and the use of countless pills, had managed to reach the second stage of cultivation.


    But Ning was different¡ªshe was born talented, and her progress in cultivation was as natural as breathing.


    Despite their differences, they grew close, and Shen found himself falling in love once again.


    Ning promised to return to him, to stand by his side in his quest for vengeance.


    Years passed, and Shen''s life began to slip away.


    He was already eighty-two by this day, and his time running out.


    If he didn''t act soon, he would die without ever seeing his wife again, or without avenging Bai''s death.


    Desperate, Shen sold everything he had, his entire fortune, to obtain onest pill.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    This time, he reached the third stage of cultivation and was filled with renewed hope and joy.


    He remembered a favor he had done long ago¡ªa time when he had helped a powerful cultivator who was injured.


    In return, that cultivator had given him an identity token, a promise that if Shen ever reached the third stage of cultivation, he could use the token to join a high-grade immortal sect.


    With newfound determination, Shen clutched the token tightly, his heart filled with the hope that he could finally take the next step in his journey.


    Not only would he be able to reunite with Ning, but he might also find the strength he needed to avenge Bai.


    The knowledge of cultivation was sparse in the mortal world.


    But the immortal sects were different¡ªa world apart.


    For Shen, finding even a single cultivation technique among mortals had been a near-impossible task.


    But once he joined the sect, he was granted ess to a vast library filled with thousands of techniques, each one more profound than thest.


    With ess to these ancient teachings, Shen managed to fix his constitution, transforming his once-weak body into one capable of cultivating at an astonishing pace.


    People within the sect were astonished, unable to believe that the man they had initially epted only because of his identity token¡ªa token once belonging to a revered elder¡ªwas now outpacing even the most talented disciples.


    The sect master himself was pleased.


    Not only did Shen possess a kind heart, but he also had a shrewd mind, one that could navigate the treacherous waters of sect politics and external threats with ease.


    The sect master''s daughter, however, was a different story.

 Chapter 422: Journey to Immortality (2)

    The sect master''s daughter, however, was a different story.


    Though she was much stronger in cultivation than Shen, she was naive, having never left the sect in the sixteen years since she had begun her training.


    The sect master, concerned for her well-being, needed someone he could trust to guard her on a journey to the mortal world.


    He hired Shen, entrusting him with the task of apanying his daughter for one year.


    During this time, as they faced tribtions and challenges together, the man and the girl began to develop deep feelings for each other.


    Shen, though weaker in cultivation, had lived nearly a century and possessed a wisdom and experience far beyond his years.


    His keen insight allowed him to see through plots and schemes, protecting the girl on multiple asions.


    When they returned to the sect after their year-long journey, the sect master did not oppose their budding love.


    In fact, he supported it, seeing the bond they had forged through trials as something worthy of his blessing.


    But not everyone in the sect was so epting.


    The sect master''s sister-inw, a woman of strong opinions and even stronger ambitions, disapproved of the match.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    She felt that Shen''s talent, while impressive, was nowhere near enough to match her niece''s potential.


    She believed that he would only bring disaster upon her, unable to protect her when the time came.


    Nevertheless, the sect master silenced his sister-inw, insisting that Shen''s worthy not just in his cultivation, but in his character and cunning.


    But the path of love and cultivation is never smooth. Shen soon embarked on a mission alone, leaving the sect for nine long months.


    During his absence, Ning, his second wife, was finally released by her master.


    Ning''s master had discovered that her disciple had fallen in love with a mere mortal¡ªa discovery that filled her with both fear and disapproval.


    For years, she had kept Ning confined, not allowing her to leave.


    But the master''s time was running out. Suffering from a grave injury, she knew she had little time left.


    Despite her initial resistance, in her final days, she gave everything she had to Ning¡ªher teachings, her treasures, even the sect itself.


    Ning was devastated by her master''s death, weeping for three nights and days without rest.


    For so many years, she had been trapped, unable to seek out the man she loved.


    Now, freed but filled with sorrow, she wondered if Shen was even still alive, or if time and fate had taken him from her as well.


    Shen, unaware of the trials Ning had faced or the events that had happened in his absence, returned from his mission with a sense of aplishment.


    As he approached the sect, he was taken aback to see the sect master''s daughter standing at the entrance, her eyes brightening as she spotted him.


    For nine long months, she had waited for him there, every single day, at the same spot, even in the heavy rain... hoping for his return.


    The devotion in her eyes was unmistakable, and it struck Shen deeply.


    As he gazed at her, Shen felt as though he was falling in love all over again.


    The guilt he had carried for his two wives¡ªBai, whom he had lost tragically, and Ning, whom he had been separated from for so long¡ªseemed to melt away in the face of the girl''s sincerity.


    Ovee with emotion, he decided in that moment that he would marry her.


    How could he not, when her love was so pure, so unwavering?


    But just as she flew toward him, her arms outstretched in joy, an enemy of Shen''s appeared from the shadows,unching a deadly strike aimed at his back.


    Normally, Shen''s keen senses would have detected the threat, but he was so overwhelmed by his emotions, so eager to embrace the girl, that he failed to notice the danger.


    It was only when she screamed in terror that Shen realized the peril behind him.


    He clicked his tongue in frustration, but it was toote to defend himself.


    To his astonishment, the girl, Ling''er, threw herself between him and the enemy, taking the full force of the blow meant for him.


    The enemy quickly fled, leaving Shen holding Ling''er as she began to slip away. Her life force was fading fast.


    For the first time in his long life, Shen cried.


    The tears flowed freely as he cradled her in his arms, his heart breaking with each passing second.


    The sect master and the rest of the sect rushed to the scene, stunned by the sight before them.


    Even the sect master''s sister-inw, who had always opposed their union, arrived, her powerful aura filling the air.


    The sect master checked his daughter''s condition, but the prognosis was grim.


    Ling''er was beyond saving, her life slipping through their fingers like sand.


    Desperate and heartbroken, Shen turned to the sister-inw, who was known for her mysterious and powerful background.


    He no longer cared about her disapproval or the fact that she had always wanted to keep him and Ling''er apart.


    In this moment, he was willing to do anything, sacrifice anything, as long as Ling''er could be saved.


    He begged, his voice cracking with anguish.


    He cried, his tears an evidence to the depth of his love and desperation.


    The sister-inw, after a long silence, agreed to save Ling''er, but only on one condition: Shen must vow never toe near Ling''er again.


    Ling''er, whose name meant "little bell," had be the bell that rang through his soul, and Shen didn''t hesitate.


    Without a second thought, he agreed, swearing the oath with no reservations.


    As long as she could live, he would sacrifice his own happiness.


    But in his grief, Shen failed to notice the fleeting look of surprise that crossed the sister-inw''s face.


    She had already intended to save Ling''er, even without his desperate pleas.


    Normally, the shrewd Shen would have seen through her act, but in his current state, overwhelmed by sadness, he was unable to think clearly.


    His only concern was not losing Ling''er.


    After the oath was sworn, the sister-inw took Ling''er to the Phoenix Pce, a sacred ce where she would be reborn through the mes.


    It was a ce of great power, where the cycle of life and death could be defied, if only for those strong enough to endure the process.


    Dayster, as Shen''s sorrow began to subside, he realized the gravity of the vow he had taken.


    He had been tricked by the sister-inw into swearing an oath that would forever keep him apart from Ling''er, even after she was saved.


    Yet, despite the bitterness of the realization, Shen could only sigh.


    He did not regret it.


    He had saved Ling''er, and that was all that mattered.


    But there was still one matter that consumed him¡ªrevenge.


    He med the enemy who had attacked him outside the sect for everything that had gone wrong.


    He poured all his energy into tracking down this enemy, determined to kill him and finally settle the score.


    However, fate was not kind. When Shen finally found the enemy and cornered him, the man took his own life, denying Shen the satisfaction ofpleting his revenge.


    The enemy''s final act of suicide left Shen with a hollow victory, his quest for vengeance unfulfilled.

 Chapter 423: Suffering and Pain

    Shen,after the loss of Ling''er and the hollow victory of his enemy''s suicide, turned his heart fully toward cultivation.


    He knew he still needed to avenge the death of his first wife, Bai, a task that seemed impossible given that her murderer was a level nine cultivator.


    Shen, at his current level, was no match for such a foe.


    Determined and driven by the desire for revenge, Shen began to plot meticulously.


    He knew he needed to grow stronger, to rise through the ranks of cultivation if he ever hoped to face his enemy.


    In the midst of his preparations, his second wife, Ning, returned to him.


    She was stunned to find him alive after all these years, and seeing his unyielding determination, she lent him her strength, offering him not just her support, but her entire sect.


    The sect had considerable power and resources, and under Shen''s leadership, they maderge movements that soon caught the attention of the evil cultivator¡ªthe very one who had taken Bai''s soul all those years ago.


    But tragedy struck again.


    The evil cultivator, sensing the growing threat, kidnapped Ning, just as he had once taken Bai.


    Shan was furious, driven to the brink of madness by the thought of losing another wife to the same enemy.


    He waged war against the evil cultivator, but despite his best efforts, he was defeated.


    His level six cultivation was no match for the overwhelming power of his enemy.


    Ning''s sect was destroyed, leaving nothing but ashes.


    As Sheny on the battlefield, bloodied and broken, it seemed his end had finallye.


    But at thest moment, he was saved¡ªby none other than Ling''er, his third wife.


    Shen could hardly believe it. Ling''er, the girl who had once taken a deadly blow meant for him, had returned.


    She hade for him.


    Under the guidance of the Phoenix Pce, she had reached level eight in her cultivation.


    But she had been forbidden to leave the sect until she reached ninth level, and all she could do was wait, honing her skills until the day she could return to him.


    When she learned that Shan was in mortal danger, she broke the rules of the Phoenix Pce and came to his aid.


    But in protecting him, she herself was gravely injured.


    Together, they fled the battlefield, seeking refuge in the Phoenix Pce, where they hoped to find safety and a chance to recover.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But as Wang Xiao reached this point in the story, he suddenly fell silent.


    Wang Xiao''s silence left her on the edge of her seat, her mind racing with questions.


    What would happen to Shan and Ling''er?


    Would they find a way to ovee the evil cultivator?


    Would Ning be saved?


    The story had drawn her inpletely, and the abrupt pause left her yearning for answers.


    "Why did you stop? What happened to Ning? And what about that demon? Did Ling''er survive?" Yue''s curiosity was growing, her heart beating wildly in excitement , and her eyes shining with anxiety.


    Love stories, especially ones filled with such intensity, captivated her.


    The idea of dying for love, of an unbreakable bond, was something that touched her deeply.


    Wang Xiao smiled softly as he reached out to rub her head affectionately. "Do you think it matters?" he asked, his tone gentle but probing.


    Yue blinked, taken aback by the question. "Why wouldn''t it matter?" she responded, genuinely confused.


    Wang Xiao''s expression remained calm as he continued. "What if I told you that they both healed, and together they fought the demon? What if they defeated the demon, but in the process, Shan discovered that Ning had been raped by the demon long before and had alreadymitted suicide in despair? And what if Ling''er, despite her strength, died fighting alongside Shan against the demon?"


    "Booo~ you obviously have something against love! Why do you always mess with the endings?" Yue couldn''t help but smile faintly, a mixture of exasperation and affection in her voice.


    She knew her father well enough to recognize when he was doing something on purpose.


    He always had a way of turning things upside down, especially when it came to stories with happy endings.


    Wang Xiao sighed, looking at her with a mix of tenderness and seriousness. "People suffer, not because they want to suffer, but because they remain unaware of what causes their suffering in the first ce. They keep making the same mistakes, trapped in a cycle of pain, repeating it over and over again."


    He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "They get too engrossed in their suffering, or lost in moments of fleeting joy, that they fail to see the bigger picture¡ªjust like you didn''t see the reasons behind the suffering in the stories I told you." He smiled softly at her, knowing that she needed guidance, a nudge in the right direction, to help her avoid unnecessary pain.


    Suffering was unavoidable...


    But pain¡ªpain can be avoided.


    Yue murmured, "Hmm... don''t speak in circles," a trace of confusion in her voice as she tried to follow through.


    With Wang Xiao, sometimes she would forget her calm,posed self and revert to the child she once was¡ªseeking warmth andfort in his presence, feeling safe enough to let down her guard.


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, the sound warm and soothing. "Why do you think, in the first story, the man who came from another world suffered and endured pain?"


    Yue tilted her head slightly, thinking back to the story. "Because... the demon who took everything from him!" she answered, her voice hesitant yet firm in her belief.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, his expression gentle but serious. "You can''t control what others do... Could you?... The man suffered because of hisck of strength."


    He paused, "He had a poisonous physique, a rare gift, but instead of cultivating it for supreme strength, he did everything else. The master would never have opposed him being with her disciple if he had been strong enough to protect her sect, to seed her. She doubted him, not because hecked wisdom, but because hecked the power to back it up."


    "If the man had been strong, the master would have seen him as a worthy partner¡ªboth for herself and for her disciple. She would have chosen him without hesitation, seeing his strength as the assurance she needed."


    "The man would never have needed to be a servant when he fell into the new world if he had been strong. He wouldn''t have needed to rack his brain to win the master''s favor or solve her problems. Strength would havemanded respect from the start."


    "The master herself was strong individually, but even she was weak when facing the collective forces of the world. She feared offending the world because she knew her strength alone wasn''t enough to protect her sect."

 Chapter 424: Its not a sin to have selfish desires. But it is a sin to be incompetent

    "As for the demon," Wang Xiao continued, "he indeed killed them, but could they control the demon?"


    "If they had been strong, they would have survived."


    "If they had been truly powerful, nothing would have happened from the very beginning."


    "Just being wise isn''t enough; being the most powerful is the key. It doesn''t matter how you achieve it¡ªwhether through wisdom or sheer might¡ªwhat matters is that you be the strongest."


    "The man was wise, yes," Wang Xiao conceded, "but not wise enough to be the most powerful. His sin was in being weak."


    Yue felt the weight in his words, sensing the truth in them.


    But something still nagged at her, a question that needed answering. "Then what about the disciple girl?" she asked.


    Wang Xiao smiled, as if anticipating her question. "The disciple girl, too, was weak," he replied, "too weak to refute her master or change her fate. And the man, for all his supposed wisdom, was still shackled by the small worldview he brought with him. He thought he was wise, but was he really?"


    "In our world," Wang Xiao continued, "marriages are allowed after eighteen, but is it the same everywhere? In some ces, it''s sixteen, in others, it''s even eleven or twenty-four. The man came from a world, from a country, where eighteen or higher was the norm. He couldn''t help but have a rigid mindset, viewing a rtionship with the younger girl as a sin."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "He followed the rules set by his old world, rules made by a society of weaklings. Does he need to care about their rules if he is strong? He was bound by rules created by those stronger than him, and that shaped his early mindset."


    "It was a mindset of never recognizing the true need for strength, of not understanding the importance of reigning supreme above all."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes seemed to glow with the intensity of his convictions.


    "The demon could do whatever he wanted because he had strength! People bow to the heavens because the heavens are powerful!"


    "It''s not a sin to have selfish desires. But it is a sin to be ipetent."


    "The weak suffer because theyck the power to get what they seek, to fulfill their desires. Strength is the only true path to freedom from suffering."


    Yue listened intently, absorbing his words.


    She could feel the depth of his experience, the hard-won lessons that had shaped his worldview.


    Wang Xiao wasn''t just imparting wisdom; he was sharing the truths that had guided him through countless trials, and that he hoped would guide her as well.


    In that moment, Yue understood that her father wasn''t just telling stories or giving lectures¡ªhe was preparing her for the harsh realities of the new age of gods, the world they lived in, where strength was the only true currency and where even the purest love could be crushed if not protected by power.


    Even with Aurora¡ªone of the strongest beings on the¡ªby his side, Wang Xiao never saw her as his ticket to everything he desired.


    He understood deeply that if he didn''t reign supreme, he could lose even her.


    Power was his hunger, his drive, and it still consumed him.


    He had grown stronger over the years, but he knew that if he were even more powerful, there would be no limits to what he could achieve.


    With all his current strength, he could locate Aurora in an instant, but doing so would fracture the very they lived.


    It was hisck of overwhelming strength that forced him to hold back, to be cautious.


    If he were stronger, he could have achieved it all¡ªwithoutpromise, without restraint.


    As he nced down at Yue, a faint smile formed on his lips.


    He thought of the many worlds he hade across, ces where humanoid creatures roamed¡ªworlds that were as alien as they were dangerous.


    He had a chance to visit those ces, to explore the depths of hell and beyond.


    But he had never dared to enter them fully.


    He wasn''t a dog chasing after every bone thrown his way.


    No, Wang Xiao had be strong, and he wanted to savor that strength, to bask in it.


    The feeling of power was addictive, and he hade back to rule the well he had once thought so small.


    He was the frog in the well, but now he was the emperor of that well.


    To him, it was better to be the emperor of a small nation than a ve in a vast continent.


    Wang Xiao understood the meaning of power better than anyone else.


    It wasn''t just about conquering the world¡ªit was about controlling your own destiny, about having the time to wait, to n, to live as you chose.


    He had time now because he was strong.


    He could afford to wait for his daughters to grow, to be powerful in their own right.


    He could wait because he had earned that privilege, after enduring death and humiliation so many times.


    He had suffered, as all must suffer, because the world is designed in such a way that only through suffering can one truly grow.


    But Wang Xiao had avoided pain¡ªthe kind of pain thates from losing everything.


    He hadn''t lost anyone... except, perhaps, one.


    Yin Yue...


    The memory of her surfaced, unbidden. Her voice had once filled his mind¡ªsometimes sarcastic, sometimes nagging, but always helpful.


    He remembered the moment he gave her a name.


    She had sacrificed him once, because he was weak, because he hadn''t been strong enough to protect her, to keep her by his side.


    A faint sadness flickered across Wang Xiao''s face, one that Yue, lost in her own thoughts, couldn''t see.


    If she had looked up, she might have noticed the rare weakness in his eyes, the shadow of a past loss that still haunted him.


    "Umm¡­ what about the second story?" Yue''s voice broke the silence, her curiosity pulling her back to the present.


    She hadn''t noticed his expression, only the long pause in his words.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes returned to their usual calm, the fleeting sadness fading like mist in the morning sun. "The second one?" he echoed, his voice steady once more. "He was an utter idiot."

 Chapter 425: Stories... that are meant to end...

    "Huh? But didn''t he sacrifice his dignity for his love?" Yue asked, her voice soft, clearly touched by the story of Shen.


    To her, it seemed a tale of tragic love, of a man who gave up everything for the ones he cared about.


    Wang Xiao sneered, a sharp edge cutting through the warmth that had filled the room just moments before. "Sacrificed? Did he even have a choice?" His voice dripped with disdain, the words carrying the weight of hard-earned truths.


    "First, his wife Bai died because he was weak. He dreamed of revenge, but never truly understood that it all happened because of hisck of strength. If he had been strong, none of it would have urred. He med the demon, sought revenge, but never once did he realize¡ªor perhaps he refused to admit¡ªthat his own weakness was the root cause."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, his gaze intense. "Maybe he did realize it, but he never epted it as the main issue. He continued to chase revenge, but he failed to grasp the fundamental truth that strength is everything"


    "When Ning left him to seek help from her master, what was that if not a direct consequence of his weakness? If he had been strong enough, would she have needed to go at all?"


    "And when his sister-inw opposed him being with Ling''er, would she have dared if he had possessed real power?"


    Wang Xiao continued, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and conviction. "He was so focused on revenge that he forgot the most crucial aspect: without strength, nothing else matters."


    "He thought he was being wise, calm, and strategic¡ªwaiting to umte power."


    "But what did he do when faced with real challenges? He cried, he med others for being strong while he remained weak."


    "When Ling''er sacrificed herself to save him, it was because he was too weak to protect her in the first ce. His emotions clouded his judgment, and it nearly cost him everything."


    "People often im that keeping control of emotions turns you into a robot, but do they really understand what it means to be in control?"


    "To truly harness your emotions, not suppress them, is to wield a power that others can only dream of."


    "Immortals are not judged by the standards of mortals, and those who do are blind to the realities of true power."


    Wang Xiao''s voice grew sharper. "Shen was tricked by the sister-inw of the sect master because he couldn''t control his emotions. He let his despair and love cloud his judgment, and it cost him dearly. Ling''er was injured¡ªdid crying or begging heal her wounds? No. Instead of finding a way to save her, he drowned himself in despair, losing precious time and focus."


    "When Ling''er was taken away by the sister-inw, what did Shen do? Nothing! Because he was too weak."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Time and again, his weakness led to the suffering of everyone around him."


    "Ning was captured by her master andter by the demon because she, too, was weak."


    "They were all caught in a cycle of suffering because none of them had the strength to break free."


    "And then, when Ning was raped andmitted suicide, who was to me? The demon, because he was strong?"


    "What did Shen do? What did Ning do? Nothing, because they were too weak to prevent it."


    "When Ling''er was injured and eventually died fighting the evil cultivator, it was again because of Shen''s weakness. They acted out of revenge, out of emotion, without the strength to see it through. Their suffering was inevitable, and they brought it upon themselves."


    Wang Xiao''s voice softened, but the intensity of his words did not diminish. "Shen survived, but did he ever realize that it was his ownck of strength that caused everything? No. He spent his life ming others, never once looking inward to see the true cause of his misery."


    "People in our world are no different. They me corruption, crime, pollution, theirck of love, money, and strength. But do they ever stop to think that these problems stem from their own inaction, their own weakness? Most never realize it, and they spend their lives in a cycle of suffering."


    "Both the man from the other world and Shen were wise, but they weren''t wise enough. Being wise can only get you so far."


    "Wisdom is valuable, but it must lead to power. If it doesn''t, then wisdom alone will never get you what you want."


    As Wang Xiao spoke, his eyes lit up with a fierce intensity, mes of fury igniting in their depths.


    Yue turned around, her eyes meeting Wang Xiao''s intense, determined gaze.


    She bit her lower lip, her expression conflicted.


    She knew deep down that they, as his daughters, enjoyed the freedom to do whatever they wanted because of his strength.


    His power granted them privileges that others could only dream of.


    Anran, her mother, had once pped Wenxi for not understanding this truth.


    Yue had been there, overhearing the harsh yet revealing conversation.


    It had happened when she was just eleven, a year before the Sun Dynasty fell.


    From that moment on, Yue''s perception of her father had shifted, transforming her childish love into something deeper, almost reverential.


    Anran''s words had been clear: it wasn''t that her father was merely kind or indulgent; it was that he recognized his own power, and he chose to treat them well because they were his daughters.


    If he ever decided otherwise, who in the world could oppose him?


    The thought chilled Yue to the bone, and she was unwilling to imagine such a day evering.


    She thought back to her little project in event management, realizing that Wang Xiao hadn''t taken it seriously.


    But was it really even important?


    She had the luxury to choose her own path, but did that mean she was truly using her time wisely?


    Wenxi, her sister, had understood this and was building her strength.


    But what was she doing?


    A profound sense of loss filled her as she reflected on her own actions.


    Yet, even as these thoughts weighed on her, she couldn''t shake the feeling that something about the stories Wang Xiao had told was off.


    His demeanor was strange, almost as if he was reliving old memories rather than just spinning tales.


    "Was it only the stories... Why do I feel like it''s all so real, like it actually happened?" Yue asked, her voice tinged with confusion and suspicion.


    In her heart, she felt that if these events were real, her father might be the very demon and evil cultivator in the tales.


    And if that were true, would the evil cultivator ever be defeated?


    Wang Xiaoughed, a deep, resonant sound that echoed through the room. "If it were true, then I would be the demon!" he said, his voice tinged with irony. "It seems I really do have something against happy endings."


    Yue was stunned by how easily he had voiced what had been lingering in her mind. "What about our story?" she asked, her voice soft, almost hesitant.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze softened as he looked at her. "Story? Stories are meant to end. Legends are destined to crumble and be forgotten. Don''t aspire to be such a limited being."


    His words were a warning, urging her to think beyond the confines of a simple words, to see life not as a story with a beginning and an end.


    Yue fell silent, digesting his words. What could she do now?


    Go and throw her fists at the dragons of the world?


    The weight of his expectations pressed down on her, leaving her feeling small and uncertain.


    She could only sigh, the sound heavy with unspoken doubts and fears.


    But as she stood there, Wang Xiao''s mind drifted back to the tales he had told.


    Indeed, it was time to give closure to the first story, a story that perhaps held more truths than anyone could yet understand.

 Chapter 426: Astral Plane (1)

    "Eh...?"


    "Dad?"


    Yue''s soft, melodic voice trembled with surprise as she watched Wang Xiao, suddenly drift into slumber without uttering a single word.


    Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, adding a hint of innocence to her otherwise serene expression.


    His chest remained still¡ªno sign of breath¡ªbut Yue, with her past experiences, believed it to be nothing more than another of his deep sleeps.


    What she couldn''t have known, however, was that in this very moment, Wang Xiao''s soul had quietly slipped from his body.


    Now, he hovered above, gazing down not just at his beloved daughter but also at his own form, whichy peacefully below.


    "Astral ne, huh..."


    Wang Xiao mused softly, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips as he floated effortlessly in the air.


    The world around him was unchanged, yet eerily distant, for in this ethereal state, no one could hear him or witness his presence.


    This was the same unstable state he had experienced since returning from the dreaded Graveyard of Gods.


    In truth, Wang Xiao had long identified the root of his problem: his soul had grown so powerful that his mortal body could scarcely contain it.


    Often, it would be violently ejected, leaving him in this spectral state.


    All he could do now was patiently wait for his spirit to stabilize before merging back with his physical form.


    Drifting through the air, Wang Xiao noticed that his astral self retained all the abilities of his physical body.


    In fact, he felt even more liberated, as though he no longer required a body at all.


    Perhaps this was why his soul sought to escape so often.


    "Hmmm...."


    His attention was suddenly drawn to Yue, whoserge, doe-like eyes were fixed on his slumbering form.


    Puchi!


    Her delicate hand, as soft as a snowke, instinctively reached out, her fingers gently poking his cheek.


    Her rosy lips pouted slightly in concentration, making her look all the more endearing.


    Wang Xiao felt an inexplicable sense of vition.


    A slightughter crept up his ghostly face as he watched her, coughing awkwardly to regain hisposure.


    He then began to focus, gradually mastering the control of his astral form, though those troublesome, forced ejections still notpletely under hismand.


    Whoosh!


    Without a moment''s hesitation, a tear in the fabric of space appeared before him, and his soul slipped through, leaving the physical world behind once more.


    ______


    Frostholm.


    The Abandoned Lands.


    Whoosh!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    A biting wind howled across the deste expanse, its icy breath chilling the very earth, causing even the stones to shiver.


    From a small, flickering tear in the fabric of space, Wang Xiao emerged, his eyes narrowing as they fixed upon the massive rift that stretched for tens of kilometers across the frozen wastnd.


    Though the tear appeared sealed to most, Wang Xiao''s keen gaze pierced through the illusion, revealing the faint outline of a lingering portal just beyond the veil of reality.


    He had always been intrigued by the Hell Spirits¡ªhow did they traverse the Graveyard of Gods unscathed?


    What dark secrets allowed them to pass through its otherworldly energies?


    The answer came to him swiftly: souls weren''t truly blocked by the Graveyard of Gods, and this hidden portal was the key, a gateway to other worlds.


    The very thought was both exciting and terrifying.


    Whaty on the other side?


    Would he find himself in a realm of untold horrors or one of unimaginable beauty?


    The first time he ventured through, a question gued his mind¡ªwhat if time flowed differently?


    What if a single moment spent there would result in thousands of years passing in his world?


    To his relief, no such time dtion existed, though its absence was unsettling in its own way.


    Resolving himself, Wang Xiao plunged into the portal, the air around him rippling as he crossed the threshold.


    Whoosh!


    "Not this one..."


    In an instant, he reappeared, his body trembling uncontrobly.


    He had entered the wrong world yet again, and this one was a realm of unforgiving frost, so cold that even his cultivation couldn''t shield him from its icy grasp.


    Indeed, controlling which world he entered was beyond him.


    All he could do was repeat the process, diving into the unknown again and again, emerging each time only to be thrust back into the merciless cold of Frostholm.


    After what felt like an eternity¡ªthousands of attempts¡ªthe portal finally closed, leaving thend as empty and lifeless as before.


    Frostholm, once again, became devoid of any soul.


    ______


    Boom!


    The sky split open with a thunderous roar, the storm raging as if reflecting the turmoil in the hearts below.


    Lightning illuminated the dark forest, casting fleeting, eerie light on the battlefield strewn with the remnants of a vicious struggle.


    Pat-pat-pat!


    Rain poured down in relentless sheets, turning the earth into a mire of mud and blood.


    Near the bloodstained chariot, a man stood still, his robes soaked and heavy, his eyes misty with emotion as he looked upon the young girl before him.


    She was no longer the child he had known, but a beautiful, blossoming young girl, her silver hair stered to her face, her eyes bright with unshed tears.


    When she saw him, all the pain and longing she had held back came rushing to the surface.


    Without a second thought, she ran to him, throwing herself into his arms, her voice trembling as she cried out, "Senior Brother! I''ve missed you so much!"


    He caught her instinctively, his arms wrapping around her slender frame, pulling her close as if she might disappear if he let go.


    Her warmth against him was overwhelming, bringing with it a flood of memories¡ªof the days they had spent together, of herughter, her smiles, of the quiet moments they had shared under the vast sky of their sect.


    His heart ached with the weight of those memories, of the bond they had formed.


    But as he held her, the pain only deepened.


    He had made a promise, one that now bound him like chains.


    He had vowed to her master that he would protect her, that he would not let anythinge between her and her path to greatness.


    "Junior Sister..." he began, his voice thick with emotion as he gently tried to pull away. "I... I promised your master..."


    The moment the words left his lips, her expression changed, the joy and relief in her eyes giving way to anger and hurt.


    "Promised my master?" she repeated, her voice trembling, but this time with a different emotion. "Is that all you care about?...A promise?"

 Chapter 427: Astral Plane (2)

    "Is that all you care about?...A promise?"


    "..."


    He opened his mouth to speak, to exin, but the words wouldn''te.


    How could he tell her that it wasn''t just the promise that held him back?


    How could he exin the fears that haunted at him, the doubts, the guilt?


    Before he could say anything, she pped him, the sound sharp even over the storm.


    Her hand stung against his cheek, but the pain was nothingpared to the chaos inside him.


    He stood there, stunned, as she red at him, tears now flowing freely down her face.


    She cried, her voice breaking as she hit him again, her fists pounding weakly against his chest. "You promised my master, but what about me?.... What about us?"


    He didn''t resist, didn''t try to stop her.


    Each blow was a reflection of his own self-loathing, of the guilt that had been eating away at him.


    He had thought he was doing the right thing, protecting her from a future she wasn''t ready for, but now, seeing the pain in her eyes, he wasn''t so sure.


    "I..." he started, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he reached out, his hand trembling as he touched her cheek, wiping away the tears that mingled with the rain.


    "I''m sorry," he whispered, his voice almost lost in the storm.


    Her anger melted away as quickly as it hade. With a broken sob, she threw herself against him again, her arms wrapping around his neck as she buried her face in his chest. "I don''t care about the promise," she sobbed, her voice muffled against his soaked robes. "I just want to be with you."


    He stood there, holding her as she cried, his heart torn between duty and desire.


    He wanted to tell her that he felt the same, that he had wanted nothing more than to be with her, to protect her, to love her.


    But the promise... the promise he had made to her master loomed over him like a dark cloud.


    After what felt like an eternity, she looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen from crying. "I understand," she said softly, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I understand why you''re doing this... but it doesn''t make it any less painful."


    He nodded, not trusting himself to speak.


    He wanted to tell her that it hurt him too, that every moment spent without her was like a knife twisting in his heart.


    But he couldn''t. He had to endure, for her sake.


    He can''t be a thorn in her path.


    As she clung to him, the storm finally began to abate, the rain easing into a gentle drizzle.


    The sky, once so full of rage, seemed to mourn with them, its fury spent, leaving only the quiet aftermath of what had been.


    "I''ll wait for you," she said finally, her voice trembling but resolute. "No matter how long it takes... I''ll wait."


    Boom!


    A final roll of thunder echoed in the distance as the storm moved on, leaving behind the man and the girl, locked in an embrace that neither of them was ready to let go.


    But eventually, they did.


    Wang Xiao hovered above, his figure shrouded in the raging storm, the winds howling around him as if they were trying to pull him into the tempest.


    His eyes, calm and calcting, observed the scene below with detached interest.


    The man and the girl walked away from each other, their paths diverging, under unspoken emotions and unfulfilled desires.


    "If it''s going as I thought..." Wang Xiao murmured to himself, a faint smirk ying on his lips.


    The scene below was eerily familiar, almost a mirror image of the first story he had told Yue.


    Yet, there was an emptiness in his eyes, a distance that suggested he was thinking of something far beyond the simple drama beneath him.


    He had told Yue many stories, weaving them from fragments of truth and imagination.


    But in reality, this world¡ªthe world of Yolong Dou¡ªwas still a mystery to him, a ce he had only visited once before, a year ago.


    His predictions were based on limited knowledge, yet they often proved urate, an evidence to his growing understanding of the cosmos and the forces that governed it.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    This world was different.


    Thenguage, the culture¡ªprimitive in some ways, yet intricate in its own right.


    The people here cultivated dou, a form of energy Wang Xiao recognized as aether, despite that he found the beings in this world quaintpared to the vast power levels he had encountered in his own world.


    Thend itself was immense, farrger than the Earth he once knew, but the power levels of its inhabitants wereparatively low.


    The strongest being in this world, a sage, was barely equivalent to Eleanor.


    Wang Xiao tried to recall his own strength before he entered the Graveyard of Gods.


    He had been either a quasi-sage or a sage, but now, his power had transcended even those ssifications.


    He had be something far greater, existing beyond the limitations of the system he had helped define.


    In his world, beings like Luna were considered Demigods, powerful yet still bound by the mortal realm.


    Then there were the Quasi-Immortals¡ªbeings like Eveline and Morpheus¡ªwho had unlocked the secrets of Nirvana, capable of reincarnation, lingering on the edge of true immortality.


    Above them were the Immortals, like Aurora and Athene, whose souls had transcended death itself, grasping the secret of the spirit and existing in a state of eternal life.


    But even they were not the pinnacle.


    Maliketh, a being Wang Xiao had encountered briefly, stood on the brink of bing a Quasi-Transcendent, a force that transcended reality itself.


    Once a beingpleted this transformation, they no longer required a physical form, bing a true force of nature, impossible to destroy because they were woven into the very fabric of the cosmos.


    Wang Xiao''s understanding of these realms had evolved over time, but he was well aware that it might still be wed, a system he had crafted from his own experiences and insights.


    He hade so far that there was no one left to guide him; he was now the creator of his own path, the architect of his own understanding of the universe.


    He had studied thenguage of Yolong Dou, using this world as a testing ground for his abilities.


    More specifically, he had honed his power of foresight, refining his understanding of the Transcendent level, where beings could no longer be ssified as human.


    They were forces of nature, inseparable from the cosmic order.


    The dark matter Wang Xiao once wielded as a source of strength had be something more¡ªan intrinsic part of his being.


    He no longer drew upon it; he was it.


    "How unfortunate..." Wang Xiao muttered as he watched the girl and the man part ways, their emotions heavy in the air.


    He had hoped to enjoy their story a bit longer, to see how their fates would twist and turn.


    But he had already told his daughter the story, hadn''t he?


    He couldn''t change it now.


    The tale had to unfold exactly as Yue knew it¡ªor at least, close enough to satisfy the threads of fate he had woven.


    As he pondered this, a shift in the atmosphere caught the world''s attention.

 Chapter 428: Astral plane (3)

    The strongest being in this world, Xie Yuanqui, emerged from her chambers, her eyes scanning the turbulent skies with a mixture of fear and confusion.


    The heavens were not merely raging¡ªthey were mourning, the rain falling like the tears of an unseen entity.


    "What''s happening...?" Xie Yuanqui whispered, her voice barely audible as her heart filled with dread.


    This was no ordinary storm.


    The heavens themselves were weeping, and she could feel it in her bones¡ªsomething was terribly wrong.


    Crack!


    The sky itself split open with a deafening sound, and Xie Yuanqui''s eyes widened in horror.


    Above her, the fabric of reality tore apart, and from the crack emerged a hand, vast as a mountain,posed entirely of gleaming white bones.


    Her breath caught in her throat as the skeletal hand descended toward her sect, its presence suffocating, its power unimaginable.


    She had never encountered anything like this in her entire life.


    For the first time, the mighty Xie Yuanqui, the sage who had never known fear, felt a cold terror grip her heart.


    Her legs trembled, her feet frozen in ce as the hand drew closer, blotting out the sky.


    She could not move, could not even think as the realization of her helplessness overwhelmed her.


    This was no mere adversary.


    This was something beyond her understanding, beyond her power to resist.


    "I won''t let this thing destroy everything I''ve built!" she whispered fiercely to herself. Summoning all the dou within her, sheunched herself into the air, her body glowing with a brilliant aura as she streaked toward the monstrous hand.


    She had faced countless enemies in her life, but this... this was different.


    Yet, if she had to perish, she would do so fighting, and she would take this abomination down with her.


    The wind roared in her ears as she soared upward, her eyes locked on the skeletal hand.


    She could feel its immense power, a force that felt as though it was reaching out from another world entirely.


    But she didn''t falter. Gathering the full force of her cultivation, she prepared to unleash an attack that would either annihte her enemy or destroy herpletely.


    "Die with me!" she screamed, her voice filled with both fury and desperation.


    Her hand extended forward, the energy around her coalescing into a zing spear of energy aimed directly at the center of the skeletal hand.


    But before she could strike, the hand moved with an eerie speed, faster than she could anticipate.


    In an instant, it closed around her, its bony fingers curling with a vice-like grip.


    "Argh¡ª"


    The impact was like being crushed by a mountain; the force of it knocked the breath from her lungs and shattered her ribs.


    Her spear of energy dissipated into nothingness, the dou scattered by the overwhelming power of the skeletal hand.


    "No...!" Xie Yuanqui gasped, struggling against the grip, but it was futile.


    The hand held her effortlessly, as though she were nothing more than an insect in its grasp.


    For the first time in her life, Xie Yuanqui felt utterly powerless.


    Below, the disciples and elders of the sect rushed out of their chambers, their faces pale with fear and disbelief as they beheld the sight above.


    Xie Yuanqui was like a good to them!


    But the god was bleeding at this moment?


    Their leader, the most powerful being in their world, was being taken by something beyond theirprehension.


    "Master!" one of the disciples screamed, tears streaming down her face as she watched Xie Yuanqui being lifted into the sky.


    The others followed, their voices a chorus of despair and rage. "We must help her!"


    The elders, who had lived long enough to know the weight of their leader''s power, exchanged worried nces.


    They were strong, yes, butpared to Xie Yuanqui, they were like candles in the wind.


    And yet, they had to try.


    They couldn''t let their master be taken without a fight.


    With a collective roar, they unleashed theirbined might, shooting torrents of aether toward the skeletal hand.


    Whoosh! Woosh! Whooosh!


    Beams of light, fire, and ice surged upward, crackling through the stormy skies as they raced to intercept the monstrous avatar.


    But it was toote.


    Before the attacks could reach the hand, the sky above them fractured further, the crack in space widening as the hand began to retract.


    The disciples and elders watched in horror as the hand, still clutching Xie Yuanqui, pulled back into the tear in reality, the dark energy surrounding it seeming to swallow the world whole.


    "No! Don''t take her!" another elder cried, his voice breaking as he unleashed onest, desperate attack.


    BAM!


    But the energy dissipated harmlessly against the edges of the spatial rift, as though it had never existed.


    In a final, dreadful moment, the hand and Xie Yuanqui disappeared into the tear, and with a crack, the sky sealed itself shut, leaving nothing but the howling wind and the pounding rain in its wake.


    Silence fell over the sect, broken only by the sobs of the disciples and the stunned disbelief of the elders.


    They stood frozen, staring at the spot where their master had been taken, their minds struggling toprehend what had just happened.


    _____


    As the skeletal avatar retreated into the void, Wang Xiao vanished from the stormy skies above Yolong Dou, his presence dissipating like a wisp of smoke.


    He reappeared deep within a secluded mountain peak, a ce covered in ancient darkness where the air was filled with the scent of earth and cold stone.


    The silence here was oppressive, broken only by the faint sound of dripping water echoing from somewhere deep within the caverns.


    In the heart of this deste ce, Xie Yuanquiy chained to a cold stone wall, her wrists and ankles bound by thick, dark iron shackles that pulsed with a faint, sinister energy.


    Despite the pain from her broken ribs and the cold that seemed to seep into her very bones, her beauty remained untarnished, her figure radiating an ethereal fragrance even in her current state of captivity.


    Her eyes, though filled with pain, zed with an unyielding spirit¡ªthe gaze of a woman who had never known defeat, who hadmanded the power of a world at her fingertips.


    "Cough... Cough..." She choked on the cold air, her breath ragged but her resolve unbroken.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    As she struggled to breathe, she became aware of a presence in the room¡ªsomething dark, chilling, and utterly foreign to her.


    A figure began to materialize from the shadows, a formposed entirely of swirling ck mist.


    Two deep red eyes gleamed from within the darkness, piercing through the gloom with an unsettling intensity.


    The mist roiled and shifted as the figure approached her, the air growing colder with every passing moment.


    Xie Yuanqui narrowed her eyes, suppressing the pain that wracked her body as she stared angrily at the figure before her.

 Chapter 429: Astral Plane (4)

    "Who are you? How dare you attack me in such a despicable way!" Her voice was sharp, filled with a mix of fury and indignation.


    She had faced many enemies in her life, but never had she been taken so easily, so utterly without understanding her foe.


    Wang Xiao, in his mist form, regarded her with a quiet amusement.


    He had seen that look before¡ªmany times, in fact.


    The look of someone who was once untouchable, now brought low by forces they couldn''tprehend.


    Infact, he found this looks quite charming to destroy.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    He drifted closer, the swirling mist forming into a shadowy hand that reached out to caress her face.


    Rustle....


    The touch was cold, colder than anything she had ever felt, and it sent a shiver down her spine despite her best efforts to resist.


    Her body betrayed her, a slight shudder running through her as the misty hand traced the curve of her cheek.


    She clenched her jaw, her eyes never leaving his, even as her body trembled.


    The unbreakable spirit within her refused to yield, even in the face of such overwhelming power.


    Die, but not surrender was the one of the principles Xie Yuanqui lived by!


    Wang Xiao''s thoughts were far away, though.


    His mind wasn''t on the powerful sage before him, but on the mysteries of this world that had drawn him here in the first ce.


    He had no particr interest in Yolong Dou itself¡ªit was the man they had found that piqued his curiosity.


    That man, an anomaly, an outsider from another world... How had hee here?


    Wang Xiao pondered this as he observed Xie Yuanqui''s determined eyes.


    The man wasn''t a Transcendent like himself, nor did he possess the kind of power that should allow for such a journey.


    And yet, he was here.


    Even now, with all his knowledge and power, Wang Xiao could not simply step into another world with his physical body.


    So how?


    There were too many unanswered questions, too many things that didn''t fit into the logical structure of power and reality as Wang Xiao understood it.


    The weeping angels within the Graveyard of Gods, the anamoly of fountain of Knowledge...


    None of these phenomena made sense, not even to him.


    It was as though some force¡ªsomething far beyond hisprehension¡ªwas at work, guiding events in ways that he could not predict or control.


    Could there be a higher power, an unseen hand that governed these events?


    Had the man been destined toe to this world, perhaps as part of some grand design that Wang Xiao was now interfering with?


    The thought sent a ripple of uncertainty through him, something he was unustomed to feeling.


    "Tell me..." Xie Yuanqui''s voice broke through his reverie, drawing his attention back to the present.


    She was ring at him, her breathbored but her eyes still fierce. "What do you want from me? Why have you brought me here?"


    Wang Xiao''s misty form shifted, the red eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded her.


    There was no immediate answer¡ªonly the cold silence of the mountain''s depths and the distant echo of water dripping from unseen cracks in the stone.


    He knew why he had taken her, though perhaps not in the way she expected.


    Even though he admired her strength, she was able to achieve the strength of a Sage at twenty-eight.


    "You are strong," Wang Xiao finally said, his voice a low, whispering hiss that seemed toe from all directions at once. "But your strength alone is not enough to grasp the truth of the world. There are forces in y that even you, in all your power, cannot hope toprehend."


    Xie Yuanqui''s eyes widened slightly at his words, but she refused to show fear. "What truth? What are you talking about?"


    Wang Xiao didn''t answer directly.


    Instead, the misty hand moved from her face to her neck, his touch as cold as death itself. "You will learn in time," he said cryptically. "For now, rest. Your world... your power... is but a small piece in a muchrger puzzle."


    With that, the swirling mist began to retract, leaving Xie Yuanqui alone in the cold darkness, her mind filled with questions and fears she couldn''t suppress.


    She tried to struggle against her bonds, but they held fast, unyielding to even her considerable strength.


    The mountain fell silent once more, the storm outside having passed, leaving behind only the distant sound of thunder echoing through the peaks and the slow, deliberate breathing of Xie Yuanqui, who was left to ponder the terrifying encounter and what it might mean for her, her sect, and the very fabric of her world.


    Xie Yuanqui hung in the darkness, the cold seeping into her bones, her body wracked with pain.


    Despite the overwhelming situation, her mind unconciously drifted, reaching out for something, anything, to hold onto.


    It was then that an unexpected face came to her mind.


    It was him¡ªthe man she had once thought of as reliable. He was no warrior, no powerful cultivator, but he had always been there, steadfast and dependable.


    In the shadow of her despair, she thought of him... the one who had managed the affairs of the sect with a calm, strategic mind.


    But what good would that do her now?


    He had no strength, no power that could match what she faced here.


    She let out a soft, bitterugh, the sound echoing weakly in the cavern. "What a foolish dream," she murmured to herself, "to think he could save me now."


    Yet, as much as she tried to dismiss it, the thought lingered.


    Despite everything, she found herself clinging to the hope that maybe, just maybe, he could find a way...


    She imagined himing for her, not with overwhelming force, but with the cleverness that had always surprised her..


    He would think of something... wouldn''t he?


    But even as she allowed herself that fleeting hope, she knew it was impossible.


    He was just a man with a strategic mind. He couldn''t stand against a power like Wang Xiao''s.


    The idea of him rescuing her was absurd...


    And yet...


    She closed her eyes, a single tear slipping down her cheek, mingling with the cold sweat on her skin.


    In that moment, she was forced to acknowledge weakness she had long denied.


    For the first time, she felt truly alone, with no one to rely on but a hope she knew was futile.


    But still, it lingered, a tiny spark in the dark.


    Maybe, just maybe...


    Exhaustion finally imed her, and as she drifted into a restless sleep, she dreamed of him.


    In the dream, he was there, standing before her, his hand outstretched to pull her from the darkness.


    She reached for him, her heart aching with a need she had never known before...


    But as her fingers brushed against his, the dream faded, leaving her alone in the cold darkness once more...

 Chapter 430: The Imposter

    24th August, 2031


    Whoosh!


    The engines roared to life as the massive airliner soared into the sky, leaving the bustling city of Shanghai far below.


    The skies were an endless expanse of deep blue, unmarred by clouds, as the ne carved its path toward Frostgard, the icy capital of Icevale.


    Inside the first-ss cabin, the atmosphere was serene, and quiet.


    The spacious seats, wrapped in rich, fine leather, exuded luxury andfort.


    Each one was equipped with thetest technology, ensuring that every passenger was cocooned in warmth and ease.


    Soft, golden lighting bathed the cabin, contrasting with the cold, azure light streaming through the windows.


    On the right side of the ne, a family of four upied their seats, nestled in thep of luxury.


    The business-ss cabin was nearly deserted, with only a couple of other passengers scattered throughout, either resting with shades drawn or immersed in the glow of theirptop screens.


    A faint, alluring fragrance began to fill the cabin as two flight attendants approached from either side.


    The attendant on the left, a woman with a distinctly Scottish appearance, bowed gracefully, her long, chestnut hair meticulously styled into a tight bun.


    On the right, the other flight attendant moved with a poised elegance, her smile as polished as the gleaming floors beneath her heels.


    Each step was a soft tap, her knee-length skirt swaying gently with her movement, the subtle slit revealing glimpses of her perfectly toned legs.


    Her fitted red jacket, finished by crisp white cors, highlighted her slender figure.


    Her lips, tinted a delicate red, curled into a professional yet inviting smile, pale blue eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, framed by long, flutteringshes that cast delicate shadows on her cheeks.


    The tinum hair was styled into a sleek bun, giving her an air of sophistication.


    As she moved from seat to seat, her smile brightened, revealing a set of wless, pearly white teeth as she approached the window seat.


    "Good morning," she greeted, her voice as smooth as silk. "I just wanted to check if everything is to your satisfaction. Can I get you anything before we begin our in-flight service?"


    "Thank you, we''re fine," responded Xinyue Zhn, her voice warm andposed as she sat gracefully in her seat.


    Her long, raven hair cascaded over her shoulders in soft waves, perfectlyplementing her sharp, intelligent eyes, which were entuated by subtle, elegant makeup.


    She turned slightly to nce at her daughters, each lost in their own world, before shifting her gaze to the man seated beside her. "Xiao Wang, do you need anything?" she asked, a brief flicker of hesitation passing through her eyes.


    The flight attendant''s eyes briefly flickered with curiosity as she turned her attention to the man beside her, though she quickly masked it with her practiced, polite smile.


    "Warm water," Wang Xiao¡ªor the man posing as him¡ªreplied, his voice calm.


    "Certainly, I''ll get that right away," the flight attendant responded with a nod, turning swiftly on her heel to fulfill the request.


    Momentster, she returned, carrying a ss of warm water with practiced grace. But as she extended it toward him, her fingers faltered, and the ss slipped from her delicate hands.


    "Oops."


    Ssh!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The warm water sshed over his head, soaking his hair and dripping down his face.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    For a moment, the cabin fell into a stunned silence, the tranquil atmosphere disrupted by the sudden mishap.


    The flight attendant''s eyes widened in horror, her polishedposure cracking as she realized what had happened.


    "I-I am so sorry!" she stammered, her face flushing with embarrassment.


    She immediately reached for a cloth napkin from her service tray, frantically dabbing at the water on Wang Xiao''s face and shoulders. "I didn''t mean to¡ªI''m so clumsy today!"


    Wang Xiao¡ªor the man impersonating him¡ªremained silent for a beat, his expression unreadable as the water continued to drip down his face.


    His eyes, however, flickered with anger as he stared at the flight attendant. He raised a hand, gently but firmly pushing away her attempts to dry him off.


    "It''s fine," he said, his voice calm, almost too calm. "idents happen."


    But as he spoke, his gaze drifted toward Xinyue Zhn.


    She had turned her head slightly, watching him with a subtle, curious expression.


    The water was definitely warm, did it not burn him at all?


    There was something in her eyes¡ªa sh of suspicion, perhaps?


    Or was it simply concern?


    The flight attendant, still mortified by her mistake, bowed her head repeatedly. "I''ll get you another ss right away. Let me make it up to you!"


    Wang Xiao¡ªif that was truly who he was¡ªsighed softly, his fingers brushing the remaining water from his hair. "That won''t be necessary," he replied, his toneced with a gentleness that almost felt out of ce. "Just... take care next time."


    The flight attendant nodded fervently, mumbling more apologies before quickly retreating down the aisle, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.


    The soft click of her heels gradually faded, leaving behind the ambient hum of the ne and the faint rustle of the other passengers.


    Xinyue Zhn turned her attention back to him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of difort or irritation. "Are you sure you''re alright, Xiao Wang?" she asked, her voiceced with a warmth that contrasted with the cool suspicion she tried to suppress.


    He nodded, offering a faint, almost mechanical smile. "Yes, just a minor inconvenience," he said, his tone too smooth, too practiced.


    Xinyue Zhn watched him closely, her instincts as sharp as ever.


    The water had been warm, but the way he reacted... it was as if it didn''t affect him at all.


    ______


    "Xiao!"


    Thud!


    The door to the first-ss cabin slid open with a soft whoosh, and Wang Xiao, sitting calmly and flipping through a magazine, barely had time to register what was happening before a whirlwind of energy in the form of Anran burst into the room, throwing herself above him.


    Dressed in a tight, form-fitting flight attendant''s uniform, she moved with a yful, seductive grace.


    Her smile was wide and mischievous, her eyes twinkling with a familiar, teasing light.


    The sudden impact knocked the magazine from his hands, sending it fluttering to the floor as she pressed her soft curves against him.


    Without a word, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her face inches from his as she grinned, the scent of her perfume¡ªa mix of flowers and something more yfully sweet¡ªenveloping him.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s expression twitched, a mix of amusement and exasperation crossing his features as he caught her.


    The feeling of her warm, supple body against his was familiar, yet still sent a jolt of suprise through him. "Can''t you act more like ady?" he asked.


    "Ah-uh! I am perfectlydylike!" Anran shot back, puffing out her chest proudly and punching the air as if to emphasize her point.


    Her body shifted in hisp, her hips pressing down in a way that was anything but innocent.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao shook his head, a small sigh escaping him.


    She had indeed be more responsible over the years, especially when it came to their daughters, but at times like this, it felt like she had regressed.


    He let his gaze travel down her body, appreciating how the uniform clung to her curves, every line and dip.

 Chapter 431: The Imposter faces Anrans Judgement! Crime against perfection!

    "Why don''t you wear more clothes like this?" Wang Xiao asked, tilting his head slightly.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    He had always felt she looked younger than her years, like a sixteen-year-old girl trapped in time, but today, with her hair neatly styled and her uniform hugging her form, she appeared as though she was in her early twenties,pletely like a women acting yful, which was actually quite charming.


    "Consider it done!" Anran giggled, winking at him as she gave a yful thumbs-up. She leaned in closer, her breath warm against his ear as she whispered, "I knew you had a uniform fetish."


    "Anyway, did you find anything?" Wang Xiao shook his head smiling wryly, and asked, steering the conversation back to the matter at hand, his tone bing more serious.


    "Here!" Anran replied, suddenly unbuttoning her red jacket.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, momentarily wondering if she had taken some wrong medicine that morning, and but his curiosity quickly turned to understanding as she carefully retrieved a small button camera and a USB cable from within the lining of her uniform.


    With meticulous care, she untied the cable that had been cleverly hidden in her hair, allowing her locks to cascade down, framing her face in a way that made her look even more youthful and carefree.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but watch in mild surprise as she transformed right before his eyes¡ªfrom a confident woman to a yful girl.


    He had always known she was beautiful, but moments like this reminded him just how versatile she can be.


    Suddenly an uniform fetish didn''t seem like a bad thing...


    Anran quickly plugged one end of the cable into the button camera and the other into the iPad embedded in the seat. Instantly, the screen flickered to life, disying the photos she had discreetly taken.


    "It''s definitely an imposter!" she dered, her eyes narrowing as she pointed angrily at the screen. "We should hang him upside down and beat him until there isn''t a hair left on his body!"


    But Wang Xiao was less concerned with the imposter on the screen and more intrigued by Anran''s wless execution of her role as a flight attendant.


    He had watched the entire interaction unfold through his divine senses, but seeing it up close like this made him question everything he thought he knew about her.


    Could she really pull off such a convincing act?


    Could she really pass as a professional, all the while hiding a camera in her uniform?


    The thought was both impressive and slightly unnerving.


    As he looked at her now, so close that he could see the mischievous sparkle in her eyes, he couldn''t help but blink in disbelief.


    Not to mention, how had she hidden the camera so effectively?


    And what other secrets was she keeping?


    A sudden, irrational worry crossed his mind. What if, one day, she decided to take this charade a step further?


    What if she suddenly slit his throat in the dead of night, her usual yful smile on her lips? The thought made him shudder.


    "Are you sure you weren''t an undercover assassin in a past life?" he asked, half-joking, but with a touch of genuine concern in his voice.


    "Huh¡ª"


    Anran froze for a split second, her yful demeanor faltering as if a gust of cold wind had swept over her.


    "..."


    Whoosh!


    She grabbed his cor, her eyes wide and brimming with crocodile tears that appeared in an instant.


    "..You forgot again?" she asked dramatically sad.


    Wang Xiao blinked, caught off guard.


    What was he forgetting?


    Was it something significant?


    Seeing the confusion in his eyes, Anran''s expression turned from yful to upset, her lower lip trembling as she fought back real tears.


    Plop!


    "Are spies so forgettable in the plot now...?" she muttered to herself, her shoulders slumping as she sat on her knees on top of him, drawing small circles on his thighs with her finger.


    Her petite frame made the scene almostical, but Wang Xiao couldn''t help but question.


    She was a spy?


    Really?


    The thought spun in Wang Xiao''s mind, making him reconsider everything he knew about her.


    Indeed, when they first met, she was a spy.


    That was no act.


    The realization settled into his thoughts like a missing piece of a puzzle, fitting perfectly into the chaotic mosaic.


    Still, she did asionally make him question his sanity...


    His thoughts were interrupted by her yful humming as she sat beside him, her fingers still drawing idle patterns on his thigh.


    "What should we do with him?" Wang Xiao asked, still amused by her antics.


    He pointed to the screen showing the image of the imposter, his eyes sparkling with a mischievous light.


    Today, he was in a good mood, and he was curious to see where her imagination would take them.


    ?????


    Anran''s eyes lit up at the question, her mind already racing with possibilities.


    She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, as if they were plotting the downfall of an arch-nemesis. "Oh, I have so many ideas," she began, her tone wickedly giggling.


    She tapped her chin thoughtfully, then grinned. "First, we tie him up, nice and tight, and hang him upside down from the highest tree we can find. Leave him there just long enough for the blood to rush to his head... then we bring out the honey. Cover him from head to toe and leave him for the ants."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, both amused and slightly concerned. "That''s a bit medieval, don''t you think?"


    Anran shrugged, unfazed. "He deserves it! How dare he try to impersonate you? That''s a crime against perfection!" She giggled, clearly having way too much fun with her ideas. "Or, we could go more traditional. Strip him down, toss him into a pit with a few friendly snakes...


    or scorpions! Maybe both! See how long it takes him to beg for mercy."


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help butugh at the sheer ridiculousness of it.


    Anran''s smile only widened, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, you''ve seen nothing yet. How about we dye him pink? Every inch of him, so he can never wash it off. Then drop him in the middle of a crowded market and let everyone take a good look at the pretty little imposter!"


    Wang Xiao snorted, shaking his head in disbelief. "Pink, huh? You really want to make sure he stands out."


    "Of course!" Anran nodded enthusiastically. "But that''s just for fun. If we really want to teach him a lesson, we can take him to that mountain ''you'' hate¡ªthe one with all those jagged rocks. Dangle him over the edge by his ankles until he admits what a fool he is."


    "Why stop there?" Wang Xiao nodded, leaning back in his seat, enjoying her wild suggestion. "Why not just throw him off and see if he can fly?"


    Anran''sughter filled the cabin, light and carefree. "Oh, you''re right! But only after we''ve broken his legs. And if he survives, we can make him dig his own grave."

 Chapter 432: The first Encounter!

    Seeing the chatterbox in full swing, Wang Xiao''s amusement began to give way to suspicion.


    Her over-the-top enthusiasm was starting to seem just a little too genuine.


    He narrowed his eyes, leaning slightly toward her. "Are you sure you''re not just using this imposter as an excuse to vent all the things you actually want to do to me?"


    "!"


    Anran visibly flinched, her vibrant smile freezing in ce.


    For a moment, she was silent, her eyes widening as if she''d been caught red-handed.


    "Hehe~" Then, she forced an awkwardugh, one that was just a bit too suspicious. "How could it be? I wouldn''t dare!" she stammered, her voice a touch higher than usual.


    Wang Xiao''s expression softened into a mix of amusement and disbelief.


    He gave her a look that said really? as he shook his head, a faint smirk on his lips.


    "Just checking," he said, not entirely convinced, but willing to let it slide for now.


    His tone then shifted, bing more serious as he gave her a new directive. "Anyway, I need you to check something for me. Look into how many people around the world have returned from the dead recently."


    ??


    Anran''s curiosity immediately piqued, her mind filled with questions.


    Why would he ask about something so strange?


    But she also knew better than to press for details.


    Curiosity kills the cat, she reminded herself.


    And she wasn''t about to y the role of the cat today.


    Instead, she nodded dutifully, her earlier yfulness momentarily subdued as she jotted down his instructions.


    "Got it," she replied, slipping back into her more serious mode.


    She would simply pass on the task to Luna, who could handle the digging without raising too many eyebrows.


    ___


    7:00 PM, Frostgard International Airport*


    "Mom, over there."


    Xinyue Zhn nced up as her eldest daughter pointed ahead, directing her attention to the sleek, modern lines of Frostgard International Airport''s main terminal.


    The evening sky was dark, casting long shadows across the snow-dustedndscape.


    The airport was a marvel of futuristic architecture, with its towering ss walls and angr steel beams reflecting the cold beauty of the capital city.


    "Are... they waiting for us?" Wang Xueying asked groggily, rubbing her eyes as if she had just woken up from a nap.


    Still yawning, she spotted something and pointed toward the left.


    Her hair fluttered in the cold wind, partially obscuring her face as she hugged herself to fend off the chill.


    Without a second thought, she reached out and snatched the scarf from her sister, Wang Mei, who looked visibly annoyed at the theft.


    "Hm?" Xinyue Zhn, unfazed by her daughters'' bickering, raised her head to see what Xueying was pointing at.


    Her sharp eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the scene before them. "It seems so..." she murmured, though confusion flickered across her features.


    Before them were two sleek, ck Rolls-Royce cars, both thetest models, lined up in a neat row.


    It wasn''t the luxurious cars themselves that caused her to hesitate¡ªafter all, in Frostgard, wealth was often on full disy¡ªbut the fact that a woman stood beside them holding a signboard with her name on it.


    That was unexpected.


    "Even the driver is so beautiful," Wang Xueying remarked, her voice tinged with yful mischief. "Are you sure Sister Rui didn''t mistakenly hire someone from the wrong industry to arrange the event?"


    Her gaze was fixed on the distance, where the driver¡ªa tall, elegantly dressed woman with striking features¡ªstood waiting.


    "Xueying, don''t speak nonsense," Xinyue Zhn admonished her daughter with a frown, her voice taking on a more serious tone.


    Years of experience had taught her to be wary of situations that seemed too good to be true.


    There was something off about this.


    She had thoroughly investigated the background of the man Qian Ruixin was marrying; there was no way he could afford such extravagance, especially not for everyone.


    She nced at the two Rolls-Royces again.


    Justst month, Xinyue Zhn had been promoted to partner at herw firm, a position that brought significant ie¡ªtens of millions of yuan in a good year with profit-sharing.


    Even with her wealth and connections, she could easily distinguish between genuine hosts and hired actors.


    The two individuals standing before them did not fit the profile of typical drivers or event staff.


    As Xinyue Zhn and her daughters approached the two figures, her surprise deepened with every step.


    The closer they got, the more she began to realize that the two young women before them were not just polished professionals¡ªthey had the bearing of aristocraticdies, exuding a presence that was almost like... indescribable divinity.


    ''Are my eyes deceiving me?'' she wondered, her sharp instincts questioning what she was seeing.


    Despite their tall figures, with long legs that could easily rival any model''s, there were unmistakable signs of youthfulness in their faces.


    They could hardly be more than teenagers, yet their demeanor and elegance spoke of maturity far beyond their years.


    The first girl, standing with a cold, aloof expression, was strikingly beautiful, almost transcendent aura.


    She wore a long, white fur coat that draped over her slender form, her pale skin contrasting sharply with the pure whiteness of her attire.


    Her hair, as white as freshly fallen snow, framed a perfectly sculpted face that seemed carved from ice itself.


    There was something ethereal about her, as if she belonged to a different realm entirely.


    Her lips, pressed into a subtle line, were a deep red¡ªlike a ripe peach nestled in the snow, inviting yet untouchable.


    Beneath the hem of her coat, her legs were exposed from just above the knees, revealing skin that was almost unnaturally white, with round smooth calves that led down to ck heels.


    Xinyue Zhn couldn''t help but wonder if this girl had ever seen the sun?


    She radiated a cold, distant beauty that felt simultaneously charming and intimidating, as though she was something to be admired from afar, but never touched.


    An inexplicable emotion stirred within Xinyue Zhn, a mix of awe and caution.


    Even as a woman herself, she found it difficult to look at this girl for too long; the attraction was almost overwhelming, like staring at something too bright to fullyprehend.


    Her attention then shifted to the second girl, the one holding the sign with her name on it.


    They appeared to be sisters, their resemnce striking, yet distinct.


    This one had chosen a thin brown overcoat, its simplicity only emphasizing the delicate beauty of the girl beneath.


    The vibrant red shade of her lipstick, paired with matching red heels, created a striking and captivating look.


    Her light blonde hair cascaded down her face like a waterfall, the soft waves framing her features in a way that made her look both ethereal and mncholic.


    Her eyes, a shade of blue so deep they seemed to hold the sky itself, were filled with a quiet, almost sorrowful beauty.


    They gave off the impression of a fairy caught in the mortal world, a creature of grace and elegance who seemed slightly out of ce.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Xinyue Zhn found herself entranced, though a small part of her was wary.


    This was no definitely ordinary reception.

 Chapter 433: Back from Mines!

    This was no ordinary reception.


    The girls before her seemed too perfect, too refined, for such a simple task as meeting them at the airport.


    But there was no turning back now.


    "Good evening, Madam Xinyue," Xiao Yue began, her tone both professional and friendly, yet sweet, like a ripe fruit. "I''m Xiao Yue, CEO of Frost & mes Events International. This is our first event here in Frostgard, and I wanted to personally ensure that everything is perfect."


    She gestured to the girl beside her, hesitating for a brief moment. "This is my sister, Xiao Xi. She doesn''t talk much, but she''s here to help..."


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    The air around them seemed to still as the seconds stretched into silence.


    Xiao Xi stood there, her cold expression making her look like a statue carved from ice.


    The chill in the atmosphere only heightened the tension, as if the frost around them was seeping into the air.


    But then, in the biting cold, Wenxi''s cheeks flushed a soft pink, and her icy demeanor slowly morphed into a small smile.


    It was a smile that, though subtle, was like a refreshing cold breeze on a hot day¡ªsatisfying and pleasant.


    The smile was delicate, almost shy, but it didn''t quite reach her eyes.


    Other than a polite nod, she remained silent, her gaze drifting over the group, her eyes sharp and curious as they scanned the crowd with a hint of caution.


    "Wenxi..." Xiao Yue''s voice crackled slightly, her expression twitching with exasperation.


    She couldn''t help but scold her cold sister internally.


    Would it hurt her to once grace these mortals with her voice?


    Yue was really helpless when it came to Wenxi.


    Her sister''s interest in anyone other than Wang Xiao was almost nonexistent¡ªnot even worth her words.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Yet, at this moment, Yue was unsure of the identities of the people before them.


    She knew they were rted to Wang Xiao, and that alone meant she had to give some face.


    Xinyue Zhn quickly picked up on the tension and, with a practiced ease, stepped in to smooth over the awkwardness. "Thank you, Miss Xiao Yue. It''s a pleasure to meet you both. I appreciate the personal attention," she said, her tone warm and polite.


    But even as she spoke, Xinyue Zhn couldn''t shake the ufortable feeling of being scrutinized.


    She nced over at Wenxi, who was staring directly at her son with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.


    Wenxi''s eyes were like daggers, piercing with a frosty sharpness that made Zhn uneasy.


    "Could we please proceed to the designated amodation?" Xinyue Zhn quickly added, her voice taking on a slightly nervous edge. "My daughters and son aren''t used to this cold weather, and we might as well be popsicles if we stay out here much longer."


    She ended with a charmingugh, attempting to ease the tension.


    "Hm." Yue nodded as she caught sight of two more figures emerging from the ne ramp in the distance.


    Her sharp eyes, trained to see with remarkable rity, recognized the familiar faces instantly.


    "Ummm... Wenxi, guide the guests to the cars. I need to go and greet Dad¡ªuh?" She started to instruct her sister, but when she turned around, she found that Wenxi had already taken off.


    All Yue could see were the back of Wenxi''s legs, walking briskly with small, subtle steps that hinted at an unusual joy.


    "..."


    Yue didn''t know whether tough or cry.


    The only time she had ever seen Wenxi this excited was when Wang Xiao was nearby.


    That thought alone made her nce quickly at the man who had been pretending to be her father.


    Earlier, she had been suspicious, but now she was certain¡ªthis wasn''t him.


    But then, if the real Wang Xiao was just nowing out of the ne, who was this imposter?


    ''Who is this cheapskate imposter?'' she wondered, her mind already working to piece together the puzzle.


    The others standing nearby were more surprised, having witnessed Wenxi''s sudden change in demeanor firsthand.


    However, Yue''s words quickly cleared up their confusion, and all eyes turned in unison toward the ne, straining to see the figures that Yue had mentioned.


    Most of them couldn''t make out the details with their naked eyes, except for one.


    The imposter Wang Xiao stood there, his eyes wide and his face drained of all color.


    His expression was one of pure disbelief and growing dread.


    He seemed frozen in ce, as if the ground beneath him had suddenly be unstable.


    And then, something even more bizarre happened.


    A charming flight attendant, recognizable by her fluttering tinum blonde hair, leaped from the ne ramp with a wide, joyful grin.


    "Hehe~!"


    Her jump was high and effortless, covering several meters in a single bound.


    Gasp!


    Xinyue Zhn covered her mouth in surprise as she watched the flight attendant soar through the air, her expression one of pure shock.


    "Wohoo~!" the woman cheered, her voice filled with excitement. Shended gracefully just a few meters away, her arms immediately wrapping around the neck of the man who had stepped out of the ne before her.


    (?-?_?-?¥á?), Yue groaned, grabbing her head and covering her eyes as if trying to shield herself from the embarrassment.


    She pointed weakly in the direction of the spectacle. "That''s... our mom. Please don''t mind her," she mumbled, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her whole.


    "We for sure don''t..." Wang Xueying spoke up, her eyes sparkling with amusement.


    "Ah?" Yue''s ears perked up at Xueying''s words, but before she could react, Wang Jiarong grabbed Xueying''s hand hard, causing her to wince in pain.


    "Ow! What was that for?" Xueyingined, rubbing her hand.


    But Jiarong''s expression was dead serious.


    Yue, however, was more curious than embarrassed now. "When did Mom return from the mines?" she wondered aloud, her curiosity piqued.


    "Mines?"


    "Mines?"


    Multiple surprised nces were cast toward Yue.


    The idea of owning apany was one thing, but owning a mine?


    That was a whole different level of wealth.


    One could go bankrupt with a failing business, but a mine could feed generations.


    Yue didn''t bother to rify, though.


    She knew the truth¡ªthat her father indeed owned multiple mines across the world.


    But exining the details wasn''t necessary. Instead, she turned and started walking toward Anran and Wang Xiao, who were now the center of attention.


    It was true; Anran had been sent to work at one of those mines.


    After leaving Xianthera, thier mother had been causing too much trouble, so Wang Xiao had dispatched Anran to a mine in Africa with a daunting task¡ªto harvest an entire mountain.


    Yue had been surprised, perhaps even impressed, when Anran had managed to do it in under a month.


    It made her realize that, despite her mother''s entricities, she was indeed capable!


    But as Yue approached them, her cheeks flushed with shame.


    Anran had not released Wang Xiao''s neck; instead, she had somehow managed to keep her grip while spinning her body around in a circr motion, as if using her Wang Xiao as a human carousel.


    "Embarrassing..." Yue muttered under her breath, feeling the overwhelming urge to hide her face and disappear.


    The sight of her mother treating their father like a joyride was mortifying, to say the least.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes were closed in subtle annoyance, his expression one of long-suffering patience as Anran swung around him,pletely oblivious to the spectacle she was creating.


    It was clear he was used to her, but that didn''t make it any less irritating.


    Wenxi stood nearby, her usualposure shaken as she hesitated, her lips opening and closing as if trying to find the right words.


    She awkwardly shifted her position, carefully avoiding Anran''s spinning form to prevent getting hit.

 Chapter 434: Woman wanted to pretend, could she pretend more than Anran?

    "Ehehe~!"


    Only Anran''s delightedugh echoed in the frosty night air, quickly followed by the frustrated voices of her daughters.


    But she didn''t care; she was too busy enjoying in her newfound freedom.


    Hopping down to the ground, she stretched her arms high above her head as if a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders.


    "You two are already adults! Finally, I don''t need to take care of you! Hehe!" she announced, her voice brimming with excitement.


    She ¡ª had been growing bored of acting responsible.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Now, she could finally let loose and y around without worrying about her daughters.


    This was her moment, and she was going to enjoy it.


    "Mom?" Yue and Wenxi exchanged nces, both of them at a loss.


    Had they really been that bad?


    Their puppy-like eyes, full of confusion and hurt.


    Wang Xiao, seeing the distress on his daughters'' faces, sighed and lightly smacked Anran on the head, scolding her with a firm tone. "Don''t be so irresponsible, Anran. You''re still their mother."


    Anran pouted, rubbing the top of her head where he had smacked her, but she didn''t argue.


    Instead, she gave her daughters a yful wink, as if to say she was only kidding¡ªsort of.


    "Wow..." Wang Xueying, who had been watching the exchange with wide eyes, finally let out a softugh, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle the sound.


    Anran''s antics were amusing, but seeing someone behave so freely was a rare treat.


    Xinyue Zhn, on the other hand, stood frozen in ce, unsure of what to do.


    A strange, inexplicable sense of loss washed over her as she watched the cheerful interaction between the family.


    This kind of easy, joyful family had once been part of her life too, and seeing it now brought a wave of nostalgia she hadn''t expected.


    Wang Jiarong, standing a little to the side, also found herself smiling.


    Unlike her younger sisters, she had grown into a more refined,dylike demeanor, carrying herself with the grace of someone much older.


    But even she couldn''t help but feel a pang of longing for the simpler, carefree days of the past.


    This moment reminded her of those times, and it made her heart ache just a little.


    Only the imposter Wang Xiao remained apart from the warm scene, his expression darkening as if he were considering something deeply troubling.


    ______


    "Hm...? They''re leaving already?"


    Yue turned around, noticing that the two Rolls-Royces her team had brought were already gone.


    Her surprise was short-lived as Wang Xiao, still trying to extricate himself from Anran''s grasp, spoke up.


    "Mary will show them to the amodations. You two areing with us."


    "Okay," Yue replied, though she was still slightly puzzled.


    Momentster, a sleek ck Lexus approached them.


    But rather than stopping, it drove right past. Another Lexus followed, also passing by.


    It wasn''t until an imposing Bentley pulled up in front of them, followed by a series of four ck Land Rovers, that Yue and Wenxi stopped in their tracks, confused.


    By now, their group had attracted considerable attention from crowd.


    "Are they here to attack us?" Wenxi asked, her voice calm and pleasant, as though she were simply considering the prospect of a fight.


    She had noticed that everyone inside the convoy was an armed guard in a ck suit.


    Whoosh!


    Anran, sensing the tension, finally stopped teasing Wang Xiao and turned to the group with a grand gesture. "Ahem, these are your bodyguards from now on! Feel free to use them as you want. Your grandpa arranged it all anyway."


    "Guards?"


    "Grandpa?"


    The words were surprising, raising even more questions, but Anran didn''t bother to exin further.


    She casually swung open the door of the Bentley''s co-pilot seat.


    The driver, a woman with straight hair and Asian features, handed over a handgun, which Anran checked with a practiced eye before returning it.


    Satisfied, she settled into the seat, stretching outfortably.


    Once Wang Xiao was seated between Yue and Wenxi in the back, the convoy began to move.


    However, the sisters couldn''t shake their difort¡ªnot because of their seating arrangement, but because of the conspicuous attention the convoy was drawing.


    Onlookers stared openly, trying to catch a glimpse of the VIPs inside.


    The convoy''s lead car cleared traffic ahead, allowing the procession to speed through the streets with ease.


    *Whoosh!*


    *Whoosh!*


    *Whoosh!*


    The convoy even sped past the two Rolls-Royces, which had pulled over into the rightne.


    A crowd had gathered around the vehicles, and something seemed amiss.


    Mary was outside one of the Rolls, engaged in a dispute with another woman who looked foreign.


    Amaya, driving the Bentley, noticed the scene and pulled over, bringing the convoy to a halt.


    She rolled down her window, her expression stoic as she took in the situation.


    She recognized Mary and was momentarily surprised to see her still alive, but her focus quickly returned to the task at hand.


    "What happened here?" Amaya asked, her tone t but authoritative.


    The two Rolls had indeed stopped, and there was quite a scene on the road.


    A group of people had gathered, and on the other side of the Rolls, some seemed to be causing trouble.


    A woman, appearing specifically hurt, sat on the ground with her ankle twisted, her face contorted in pain.


    Although Amaya had a general idea of what was going on, she needed to confirm the details.


    Mary, standing beside the Rolls, offered a rare smile in Amaya''s direction before exining.


    "It''s nothing major," Mary said calmly. "The girl here identally fell on the road and is now ming us."


    Yue, suspicious, rolled down her own window to get a better look at the situation.


    She saw the blonde-haired woman on the ground, her ankle clearly twisted, and her face showing obvious pain.


    "I''m ming you?" the woman spat, her voice thick with indignation. "Do you think I''m stupid? You people were obviously speeding! And don''t think your fancy cars will intimidate me. I''m the director of Lockheed Martin, and believe me, I can have you all thrown behind bars right now!"


    Amaya and Yue frowned in unison. Mary wouldn''t possibly lie about a situation like this¡ªshe had no reason to.


    In fact, they didn''t care much about the woman''s status or origin.


    But Anran, who had been itching for some mischief, saw things differently.


    If this woman wanted to pretend, could she pretend more than Anran?


    Anran poked her head out of the car window, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Heh, if you''re the director, then I''m the president of your country¡ªMmph... Mmmph!" Before she could finish, Wang Xiao swiftly covered her mouth and pulled her back inside the car.


    "Humph! Why stop me? I was really thinking of running for office this time!" Anran grumbled, her tone half-serious, half-teasing. But Wang Xiao knew better¡ªif he didn''t stop her, she might actually follow through with her wild idea to run for office in Country M.


    Amaya sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. It was her first day on this new mission, and already she was dealing with such a headache. "Just give her somepensation," she instructed, her tone cold and practical. "If she doesn''t ept... run over her."


    The woman on the road sneered, incredulous at what she was hearing.


    Did they think they could just run over anyone they wanted?


    But Mary, who had been calmly observing the entire exchange, simply smiled back, a serene expression on her face.


    She wasn''t worried¡ªthis was a small matter, and she could handle it easily.


    Amaya nodded in acknowledgment, and the convoy continued on its way, leaving the flustered woman behind.

 Chapter 435: Promiscuous? Xinyue Zhilan terrified!

    In the backseat of one of the vehicles, Wang Mei and Xinyue Zhn sat quietly, watching the scene with caution and curiousity.


    They had been intrigued by the passing convoy and the confident girl, Yue, who had introduced herself as the CEO. Their curiosity only grew as they observed the situation.


    Wang Mei turned to her mother, a hint of doubt in her voice. "Are we really going to run over them?" She didn''t quite believe it.


    Xinyue Zhn shook her head, a bitter smile on her lips. "Probably not," she replied, still in shock from the day''s events.


    She felt a bit uneasy and worried, and earlier she had wanted to exchange business cards with the young CEO, but now... her aspirations seemed less certain.


    Wang Mei''s eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Such a young CEO... Mom, what do you think? Is she older than me?" The idea of someone her age or younger being in such a powerful position intrigued her.


    Xinyue Zhn considered the question, nodding slightly. "She should be around your age."


    "Really?" Wang Mei asked, her eyes widening in surprise.


    "Yes," Xinyue Zhn confirmed. "But they''re not ordinary people. Their wealth isn''t just from thispany. It''s likely that thepany is just a small part of a muchrger business. Be careful in the future¡ªthey''re not necessarily ''good'' people."


    Mary, overhearing the conversation from the front seat, smiled slightly as she nced at them through the rearview mirror.


    The matter had already been settled, and the convoy was moving forward smoothly.


    "It''s true," Mary remarked, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Thepany is more like a toy for the young miss to manage. Their real business is much more expansive."


    Xinyue Zhn and Wang Mei were suddenly reminded that they were still in someone else''s car, making the situation slightly awkward.


    However, Xinyue Zhn quicklyposed herself, choosing not to dwell on it.


    Feeling a bit yful, Mary added with a meaningful nce toward Xinyue Zhn, "The Master is a bit of a... promiscuous person. I''d advise the madam to be careful."


    "What¡ª" Wang Mei turned to her mother in shock, her face filled with surprise, while Xinyue Zhn felt a shiver run down her spine, her thoughts momentarily thrown into disarray.


    Without hesitation, she instinctively reached for her dress, subtly but quickly pulling it up to cover the bit of cleavage that had been exposed earlier.


    _____


    "You have a grandpa, not me!"


    Anran quickly rified inside the Bentley, her tone sharp.


    It was clear she didn''t recognize Li Zhiming as her father, and she wanted no misunderstandings on the matter.


    In fact, if that man hadn''te begging to see her daughters, she wouldn''t have cared at all.


    Wenxi and Yue exchanged nces, both a bit taken aback.


    They hadn''t known their mother had such a temper, especially when it came to her past.


    "But we don''t need bodyguards..." Wenxi muttered, clearly unwilling to ept the added security.


    "It''s alright, just keep them and deploy them as security for the event," Wang Xiao said with a slight smile, gently cing a reassuring hand on Wenxi''s shoulder.


    Wenxi hesitated for a moment, then pursed her lips and nodded. "Mmm... okay."


    Yue, on the other hand, wasn''t as concerned about the guards themselves.


    What bothered her was how much attention they were suddenly attracting.


    "I think, Mom just feels we''re unneeded and wants to discard us, so she brought the guards," she said, folding her arms with a hint of dramatic eyes.


    Wenxi nodded slightly in agreement, her expression solemn.


    Anran''s eye twitched at the usation. "Did-you-say-something-punks...?"


    Her voice was dangerously sweet, the kind that preceded something terrible.


    "Ah!?"


    "Mom... no violence!"


    Both Wenxi and Yue were instantly frightened, grabbing onto Wang Xiao tightly for protection.


    Anran had turned around in her seat, smiling widely, but the ck heel in her hand made her threat all too real.


    Wang Xiao, caught between his daughters clinging to him and Anran''s threat, found himself in a rare moment of bliss.


    Holding onto the two soft, fragrant bodies pressed against him, he couldn''t help but feel a deep sense of contentment.


    After a brief moment, he chuckled and decided to reveal a little secret. "Actually, you wouldn''t believe it, but your mother ran away from me when she was pregnant, wanting to raise you both on her own."


    "What!?"


    Both Wenxi and Yue gasped, their eyes widening in shock as they turned to look at their mother, who was now smiling smugly.


    "See? It''s him who''s the culprit, not me," Anran said with a triumphant grin, clearly pleased with herself for shifting the me.


    The girls, who had looked like lost puppies a moment before, turned their emotional gazes on Wang Xiao.


    Their eyes seemed to ask, ''You didn''t want us?''


    Wang Xiao, never one to back down from such an adorable disy of powers, quickly shook his head. "Don''t believe her," he said, his voice warm as he pulled them both closer into a protective embrace.


    He could lie with a straight face, especially when it came to keeping his daughters happy.


    The truth was, he had never been fond of the idea of children, but he wasn''t about to admit that now.


    Both Wenxi and Yue''s faces lit up with joy, their earlier worries evaporating.


    They turned back to Anran, their chins held high with newfound confidence, as if to provocatively say, We have Dad, what do you have, little woman?


    Anran rolled her eyes, still holding the ck heel in her delicate hand. She was slightly shorter than her daughters, which often made her look more like their sister than their mother¡ªa fact that never failed to irk her just a little.


    The scene was almostical, this petite yet fiery woman facing off against her taller, beautiful daughters.


    She was probably the first mother to feel jealousy toward her own daughters.


    "Humph! You know nothing," Anran huffed, her lips curling into a yful smirk. "He revived me from the dead!"


    It was her trump card, something she knew they couldn''t easily top, and she yed it with relish.


    "Huh?"


    "Really?"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The girls'' eyes widened in surprise, their earlier smugness reced by a mix of awe and curiosity.


    Their longshes fluttered as they exchanged nces, and then turned to their father with wide, expectant eyes.


    Wang Xiao, now cornered by their adorable, yet slightly calcting expressions, sighed deeply.


    He couldn''t resist them when they looked at him like that, full of trust and expectation.


    "Don''t tell me... you both want to die just so I can revive you?" he chuckled, though there was a note of disbelief in his voice.


    But when he saw the determination in their eyes, he realized they might actually be considering it.


    He shot Anran a re for twisting the facts just to stir up trouble.


    Anran simply shrugged, her smirk widening.


    She might not win his favor against them, but she had her ways of getting under their skin.


    Seeing that his daughters weren''t going to back down, Wang Xiao pulled them close, one in each arm.


    Their soft, fragrant bodies pressed against him, their warmth making him smile, "Alright, alright," he conceded, his voice soothing as he promised, "I''ll spend a full day with each of you, just us, no interruptions. How does that sound?"


    "Okay!"


    Their faces lit up, the earlier tension melting away as they snuggled closer to him, their eyes sparkling with joy.


    The atmosphere inside the car shifted back to one of closeness.


    But not everyone shared in this happiness.


    ''Disgusting...'' Amaya, who had been silently observing the interaction from the front seat, clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white.


    Her heart twisted with anger and resentment.


    She had been reluctant to ept this assignment from the Eighth Prince, but duty and necessity had forced her hand.


    Now, as she sat mere feet away from the man who had taken everything from her¡ªher brother, her family¡ªshe could only sneer at the hypocrisy.


    Here they were,ughing and basking in their affection, while she was left with nothing but the cold ashes of her past.


    The injustice of it all boiled within her, threatening to consume her entirely.


    How dare they be so carefree?


    How dare he sit there, so unguarded, as if she is too weak to do anything?


    Her thoughts darkened, resentment building with each passing moment.


    Little did she know, Wang Xiao didn''t even remember her properly.


    To him, she was just another face among many, a detail so insignificant it barely registered in his mind.


    Amaya''s eyes narrowed, her determination hardening into something colder, more dangerous.


    She hade on this mission with a purpose, and while she couldn''t allow her personal vendetta to interfere with her duties, she couldn''t ignore the simmering rage inside her.


    She would have her chance¡ªshe just had to be patient.

 Chapter 436: Sin... Forgiven and Forgetten (1)

    Four Leaves Hotel!


    On the top floor, within the grand presidential suite.


    The room was upied by Wang Xiao, positioned directly above the 26th-floor rooms assigned to Xinyue Zhn and others.


    The 26th floor, a realm of luxury, housed the other guests who had sensed an air of unease but dismissed it as an oddity rted to thepany''s inaugural event under new ownership.


    Everyone, it seemed, considered themselves fortunate.


    Except for Wang Xiao, who sat on the edge of the grand bed in the presidential suite, his ears straining to detect any sounds from the floor below, especially from his imposter''s room.


    "The body structure is not human at all..." Despite his supernatural hearing yielding little, activating his divine sense unveiled the full extent of the imposter''s unnatural physique.


    "A new species?" Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed in surprise.


    The world was growing increasingly mysterious.


    He swiftly scanned the premises for more of this new species.


    His search on the 26th floor proved fruitless, a small relief indicating only one imposter was present.


    But driven by curiosity, he extended his investigation across the city, a grim frown forming on his face.


    "That''s... far too many!"


    He detected over a hundred of them, signaling a dire need for widespread containment.


    "If the news of this leaks, it would cause mass panic..." Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a wry smile.


    He wondered about the man whoy beside his wife, a monster in disguise.


    Surely, that would make headlines?


    Shaking off the thought, he retracted his divine senses.


    Yet, as he did, his gaze drifted involuntarily toward the bathroom in his suite.


    "Cough..." He cut off the divine sense abruptly and feigned interest in his phone, scanning for updates on the Qing Dynasty.


    "Warriors vs. mages... Huh..." The headline zed across his screen, seizing his immediate attention.


    Fifteen minutester...


    Click!


    The bathroom door creaked open, drawing Wang Xiao''s gaze like a moth to me.


    "Um, how is it?" A soft, trembling, yet slightly shy voice greeted him, and his eyes were immediately captivated by a pair of crystalline orbs, shimmering with bit of nervousness and shyness, as if hiding an unspoken longing.


    Her cheeks, tinged with a delicate blush, radiated an intense charm, the soft pink hue standing out like the first bloom of spring against the porcin smoothness of her skin.


    It was as if the bath had washed away all the day''s impurities, leaving her with an ethereal glow, like moonlight gently caressing the surface of a stillke.


    Wenxi''s delicate fingers hesitated on the door handle, her grip soft and unsure, betraying a mix of innocence and restrained desire.


    She stood there, a vision of pure temptation, her silken white hair cascading around her enchanting face, framing it like a masterpiece on disy.


    Her slender shoulders and arms were wrapped in a soft, light pink full-sleeve cotton top that clung to her curves, teasingly hinting at the softness beneath.


    Matching pajama pants clung to her hips, the fabric outlining the gentle lines of her long and slender legs, offering just enough to ignite the imagination.


    Her skin, as wless and milky as the finest jade, glistened with a delicate sheen from the steamy bath, making her seem almost otherworldly.


    Wang Xiao found himself unexpectedly charmed by her ''mysophobia,'' realizing it was not such a bad thing at all.


    As she moved toward him, her bare feet tapped softly against the floor, the gentle rhythm echoing in the quiet room.


    With each step, a wave of fresh, flowery fragrance drifted toward Wang Xiao, enveloping him in her sweet, intoxicating scent.


    It was a fragrance that stirred his senses, teasing him with its delicate waves.


    "Your sister and mom haven''te yet?" he asked, his voice tinged with an edge of unease.


    Wenxi halted in her tracks, her long, delicateshes fluttering as she shook her head.


    "They won''te tonight," she replied, her voice soft but with a sweet tone that made Wang Xiao''s pulse quicken.


    "Oh," he muttered, as a dangerous idea began to unfurl in his mind, a thought so tempting to awaken the devils in his mind.


    Wenxi''s gaze wandered the room, her slender neck turning as her eyes searched for something.


    Finally, she spotted her phone on the nightstand and picked it up.


    Without a word, she switched off the overhead lights, plunging the room into darkness, save for the warm, gentle glow of thempshade she turned on.


    The soft light bathed the room in a golden hue, creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere.


    Rustle...


    With a quiet rustle, she lifted the quilt and slipped beneath it, her soft, warm body nestling close to him.


    The sensation of her heat, the delicate brush of her cotton pajamas against his skin, sent a thrill through Wang Xiao.


    Both pillows were pressed together, their faces close, sharing the same breath.


    He was ustomed to sleeping like this, the closeness, the warmth, the intoxicating fragrance of her presence.


    But tonight, the familiarity did nothing to ease the tension building within him.


    Wenxi, seemingly cold and restrained in her demeanor, was actually quite clingy, a trait she shared with her sister.


    It had be a habit¡ªno, an addiction¡ªthat they couldn''t sleep without him.


    And so, night after night, they woulde to him, seekingfort, seeking closeness, a routine that had woven itself into their lives.


    As shey beside him, her soft fingers tapping against the phone screen, Wang Xiao found himself tempted.


    Not because he was evil, at least not in the way others, like Eveline, tried to portray him.


    But any man, even a saint, would struggle to resist the pull of two grown girls, blossoming into their womanhood, slipping into bed with him each night.


    The world seemed to be forcing him into a role he hadn''t sought but couldn''t entirely reject either.


    Each night, as those two soft bodies pressed against him, an internal war raged within his mind, a battle between restraint and desire.


    Even the strongest of cages would eventually crack under pressure, and Wang Xiao couldn''t help but wonder how he''d managed to hold out for so long without losing his mind¡ªor his self-control.


    "Dad?" Wenxi''s soft voice interrupted his thoughts, her face turning toward him with a look that made him sit up a little straighter.


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao blinked, taken off guard, as he turned to meet her gaze.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The soft yellow glow of themp highlighted her features, giving her an beautiful fairy look, but her expression was all business.


    "Who are the people downstairs? And who''s this grandpa Mom keeps mentioning?" she asked, her tone serious.


    Her eyes seemed to pierce through him, as if she was trying to solve the tangled web of secrets that surrounded their family.


    Wenxi paused for a moment, clearly debating whether to push further.


    Deep down, she wanted to ask about the man who shared her father''s name and face¡ªthe mysterious figure that seemed to cast a shadow over their lives.


    But she knew better.


    If he didn''t want to spill the beans, trying to pry the truth out of him would be like trying to squeeze water from a stone.

 Chapter 437: Sin... Forgiven and Forgetten? (2)

    Wang Xiao sighed, the silence stretching between them as his thoughts drifted to Xianthera, the realm that felt more like home than the mortal world he was stuck in.


    If it were up to him, he''d be lounging in Xianthera right now, living like a god, far away from all the mortal messes.


    Frankly, this whole living-among-humans thing was a bit overrated.


    But life had its quirks, and one of them was that his soul had a nasty habit of trying to eject itself into the astral realm.


    The only way to reduce the times his soul was automatically ejecting itself was to indulge in the very things that should have sent him there faster¡ªsmoking, drinking, indulging in the asional debauchery, even a bit of mayhem on the side.


    It was like the universe had decided to y a cosmic joke on him, forcing him to y by rules that made no sense for a Transcendent like him.


    "The grandpa Anran mentioned? Allegedly is her biological father," Wang Xiao finally answered, his tone almost nonchnt. "Though she doesn''t really recognize him. You''d have to ask her for the full story, I wouldn''t rmend it unless you''ve got a lot of time on your hands."


    "Mm," Wenxi nodded, though she couldn''t shake the feeling that they were like characters from a drama series¡ªfull of twists, secrets, and plotlines that made her head spin.


    It was almost funny how little she actually knew about them, despite living under the same roof.


    "The people downstairs¡­ they''re probably my biological mother and sisters," Wang Xiao added, dropping the information like a casual afterthought.


    He couldn''t help but feel a little strange saying it out loud, like he''d just revealed the plot twist of a reallyplicated soap opera.


    "Eh?"


    Wenxi''s brain seemed to freeze for a moment, as if it couldn''t quitepute what she''d just heard.


    Her thoughts collided in a spectacr crash, leaving her wondering if she was secretly living in some bizarre si where nothing made sense but you just had to roll with it.


    As she tried to process thetest information, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but chuckle internally.


    If his life were a movie, this would definitely be the part where the audience groaned at how ridiculous things had be.


    "Like... the real mother and sisters?" Wenxi repeated, her eyes blinking rapidly, as if the concept needed a moment to fully settle in.


    Wang Xiao shrugged casually, "Biological means real, I guess."


    Wenxi''s brow furrowed as she processed this. "What about... the other guy with them? Brother?"


    Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a smirk. "An imposter. Nothing more."


    "!"


    Her face grew serious, and without another word, she started to slide out from under the quilt, determination radiating from her every move.


    "Hm? Where are you going?" Wang Xiao asked, more curious than concerned.


    She turned to him, her voice steady and nonchnt. "To kill him."


    Wang Xiao resisted the urge tough out loud. It wasn''t cute at all, but then again, they weren''t exactly kids anymore.


    Gone were the days when such derations could be dismissed as childish.


    She was really going to spill some serious blood this time!


    With a swift motion, he grabbed her wrist and gently pushed her back under the quilt. "Hold on. Do you really think I won''t kill him myself?"


    Wenxi paused, staring at him with a look that was equal parts suspicion and disbelief.


    Wang Xiao met her gaze, raising an eyebrow. "What, you really think I won''t?"


    She shook her head, "Believe."


    Then why the look earlier?


    Wang Xiao wondered, amused.


    He couldn''t help but chuckle softly. Reaching out, he pinched her soft cheeks between his fingers, squeezing them tightly. "Stop pouting already. Get some sleep. You can meet them tomorrow, but for now, keep quiet about your identity."


    Wenxi nodded, her expression softening as she settled back into the bed, though the fire in her eyes hadn''t quite dimmed.


    Silently, she turned away from Wang Xiao, her back facing him as she reached over to switch off themp.


    The room was instantly swallowed by darkness, thick and dark, like a nket of tension that pressed down on the world.


    But darkness wasn''t a barrier for Wang Xiao.


    His eyes see through it with ease, and when he saw what she was doing, a surge of irritation mixed with desire red within him.


    She thought she was being discreet, but nothing escaped his notice.


    From the nightstand, she quietly pulled out a pack of wet wipes, dabbing at her wrist and cheeks as if cleansing herself of him.


    Did she really believe that with the lights off, he couldn''t see her?


    The very idea made his blood boil, and yet, it also stirred something deeper, something darker.


    The room was now steeped in an intense darkness that magnified every sensation.


    In this night, the line between right and wrong blurred dangerously.


    The night amplified everything¡ªthe heat, the lust, the primal urges that wed at the surface of control.


    And Wang Xiao, despite his usual irond restraint, felt that control slipping, inch by inch.


    "!?"


    Without warning, he reached out and gently lifted her head, sliding his hand beneath it, cradling her as if she were something precious, yet fragile.


    But his other hand moved with a different intent, slipping down her body, tracing her waist with deliberate, soft strokes.


    His fingers curled around her, pulling her back against him, feeling her warmth seep into him, her soft curves fitting perfectly against the hard lines of his body.


    Rustle...


    The sound of fabric shifting was the only noise in the otherwise silent room as he pressed her tighter against him.


    His breath, hot and heavy, ghosted across the nape of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.


    He could feel her stiffen, her breathing quickening, the way her body instinctively responded to his touch, despite the resistance she tried to muster.


    "Inhale..."


    "Inhale..."


    In the quiet of the night, his breath became a whisper of temptation, warm and insistent against her skin.


    She squirmed slightly, her body betraying her even as her mind tried to pretend to be asleep.


    There was no Yue on the other side tonight, no buffer to shield her.


    It was just the two of them...


    Every touch, every breath was charged with electricity, each movement sending jolts of arousal through her body, her nerves alight with the anticipation of what mighte next?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 438: *Professional Bully: Wang Xiao!*

    This was a regr routine, implicitly agreed upon that neither of them would breathe a word of it upon waking up.


    As long as the lights are off, every sin is forgiven and forgotten..


    Wang Xiao''s restraint was naturally long broken; it''s just not enough to be in the light yet.


    He would be foolish not to acknowledge that his daughter was unaware of his idental brushes against her body at night.


    Like primal creatures, people would continue to repeat epted behaviors.


    There was nothing sexier and more tempting to him than his growing teenage daughter.


    Some embraced their desires, while others buried them deep within.


    Wang Xiao''s daughters were particrly clingy, sleeping together every night; the idental touch, when turned into deliberate, was unknown to anyone...


    The soft brush of the hand against the skin, when turned into a warm hold, was disregarded by both.


    A silent agreement existed between them, allowing him to take advantage of her under the veil of night.


    For her, it was merely a longing to be held by him while she slept.


    Although she sensed the impropriety, it remained subtle, notpelling enough for her to resist.


    Anran never separated her daughters into different rooms.


    As they grew up, they were able to do whatever they wanted, and natural desires transcended all boundaries.


    It all stemmed from Wang Xiao''s experience with his first daughters and the fear of almost losing them.


    The moment was crystal clear, like ice, but the aftermath left a deep,sting scar.


    He treated his daughters, especially these two with a special care, causing them to be increasingly dependent on him, leading to an unhealthy level of clinginess.


    When they were little, they wouldn''t leave his side for months on end...


    As they grew, the clinginess evolved into something moreplex...


    Thud...


    Thud...


    Wenxi''s heart pounded with anxiety.


    She felt the warm caress of the sun on her back, the sudden heat beneath her pajamas making her absentmindedly bite her plump, crimson lips in the darkness of the night.


    Every pair of blood siblings share a unique bond that includes a natural attraction.


    In their youth, they may explore each other''s bodies, much like Wang Xiao and Wang Mei did.


    However, as they mature, a sense of repulsion develops, preventing them from crossing certain boundaries.


    This defense mechanism manifests itself in their interactions, as siblings be more sarcastic and distant as they age.


    This protective mechanism is not present in rtionships between long-distance cousins, leading to many of them developing romantic feelings for one another.


    Wang Xiao now realizes that the connection between him and his daughter is far more close and ''terrible'' than that between siblings.


    With no natural or artificial defense mechanisms between them, he steadfastly maintained his approach to dealing with his daughters, unchanged by time or age.


    He allowed them to remain childlike in his presence, permitting them to sleep beside him, always treating them with tenderness and refusing to adopt the cynical or bitter persona of a protective father.


    Without this shield of defense, there was no rationale for his daughters to harbor animosity towards him; instead, they held him in even higher regard, their admiration bordering on possessiveness.


    Their bond grew so strong that they felt as fiercely protective of him as he did of them.


    Wenxi had never entertained the idea of him as a romantic partner; to her, he was simply her father, and that was all that mattered and more.


    She let him have his way.


    As the ufortable tingle in her body persisted, her heart pounded with anticipation, her desire mounting.


    Her face flushed with heat, more scorching than the sun.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Yet, despite these sensations, a steadfast resolve within her refused to allow her to reach for his hand and deny him anything.


    She just couldn''t.


    Even if he did the worst to them, they wouldn''t hold it against him.


    So what if she let him explore her body? If not him, who else was worthy?


    He would never harm them¡ªthat was a trust they could never ce in another man.


    A chain of events, all sparked by that fateful ident with Maliketh, was now blooming into something like a forbidden flower.


    What would it be?


    Would it wither?


    Neither of them thought about it.


    The flower was blossoming, and until it reached full bloom, the oue would remain uncertain.


    But tonight, there was something different in the air, something unsettling.


    Wang Xiao tightened his grip, his hand sliding further down, fingers grazing the edge of her pajama pants before slipping between her thighs, caressing her tender skin with deliberate care.


    "Gasp...!"


    Her breath hitched as the heat between them intensified, their bodies unconsciously starting to rub against each other, creating a friction that made her pulse quicken.


    A warm, almost electric sensation spread from her thighs, creeping toward the center of her being, brushing dangerously close to her forbidden region.


    Her breathing became erratic, her face flushed with a hot, overwhelming feeling that she couldn''t quite control.


    A shiver ran down her spine as she felt him inhale deeply, savoring the fresh fragrance of soap that clung to her silky long hair.


    His nose brushed lightly against her back, sending another ripple of heat through her body, while his warm hand slid back from her thighs, moving upwards toward her waist.


    With a subtle motion, he lifted her top, his fingers finally making contact with the smooth, bare skin of her abdomen.


    Rustle...


    He couldn''t resist gently caressing her abdomen, feeling the warmth that radiated from her skin.


    It was a sensation he could never tire of, a need that burned deep within him.


    The thought of losing this feeling was unbearable; he would rather burn the world down than let it slip away.


    His hand tightened, gripping the soft skin of her abdomen possessively as his lips grazed against her back, leaving a trail of warmth.


    "!"


    Hisrge, warm hand slid down slowly, slipping beneath the waistband of her pajamas with a soft, whispering sound as the fabric clung to her skin.


    The sensation was electrifying, each inch he traveled sending a shiver through her.


    His fingers grazed the tender skin of her belly, before continuing their descent, brushing against her inner thighs with a gentle sigh of fabric against tender flesh.


    Shhhk... shhhk...


    His fingers pressed into the supple skin of her thighs, kneading the soft flesh with a possessive grip, leaving behind red marks that quickly faded into her warmth.


    Each movement was apanied by a quiet, intimate rustling that echoed in the silence, muted only by the sound of their shared, heavy breathing.


    *Hhhh... hhhh...*


    Her eyes began to ze over, tears gathering at the corners as his hand inched closer to her most intimate region.


    When his fingers finally made contact, brushing against her forbidden spot, her breath hitched audibly, and her eyelids fluttered shut.


    Fffft...


    His fingers traced the delicate outline of her secret flower, exploring the smooth, untouched skin that trembled beneath his touch.


    The warmth of her body contrasted sharply with the coolness of his hand, heightening the sensations.


    He teased the sensitive petals, his touch light and deliberate, rubbing gently against the heavenly crevice that had never known such close touch.


    Shhh... shhh...


    Hershes flickered violently, her eyes squeezing shut even tighter as she tried to brace herself against the waves of pleasure that threatened to overwhelm her.


    "mm..." A soft whimper escaped her lips as she finally exhaled, her body trembling as the warmth of his hand retreated.


    But the emptiness didn''tst long.


    He returned almost immediately, his hand sliding back up to her smooth abdomen, his grip tightening possessively around her.


    He pulled her closer, their bodies pressing together in the darkness, the heat between them almost unbearable.


    Ffft...


    His fingers climbed higher, like ws searching for the next ce to im, each movement apanied by the soft sound of fabric and the faint whisper of skin against skin.


    Wenxi had no idea until now that ''he'' was a professional bully in every sense.

 Chapter 439: Taking Anran as Wife? [Bridge Story] [Skip]

    [A/N: This chapter was posted early by error and bridges Wang Xiao''s return from the Graveyard of Gods to Xianthera. Skip it and the uing chapter to continue with the main story. You can read themter if you wish.]


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    9th Feb, 2027!


    Switzend, Binntal Valley.


    The headquarters of the Pantheon Network pulsed with a heavy, somber atmosphere.


    Beneath its sleek, angr exteriory Gaia''s facility, a maze of secrets housed within a rectangr, two-story structure.


    On the second floor, Wang Xiao stood, his piercing gaze fixed on the world beyond the ss.


    The vast expanse of the facility hummed in his ears, a whisper of life and industry.


    "Hey, what do you think the new Eighth Prince is like?"


    "I heard he''s already here. Think we could catch a glimpse of him?"


    "Uh-huh, but you''ll probably have to beg the general for that!"


    "Sheesh, such a letdown..."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes, now shimmering with a faint, ethereal blue, glowed as a sly smile curled his lips.


    The hushed whispers echoing through the facility fed his amusement.


    Just a few days ago, he had shaken the heavens above Frostholm, defending the skies from a barrage of antimatter missiles.


    His deration of Aether, a force that was here to stay, had left the world in awe.


    But the voices¡ªthose endless murmurs¡ªdid not stop.


    They drifted beyond the facility, carried on the winds through the vast, untouched valleys.


    Every buzz, the delicate fall of leaves, even the faintest rustle in the wind¡­


    All of it echoed within him, yet this was only a fraction of his true strength.


    At first, he had been unable to silence the noise, the ceaseless buzzing that haunted his senses.


    This strange power had awakened after he lost his eyes in the graveyard of gods, a result of that eerie, mysterious fountain he had encountered.


    The haunting faces of angel statues, their expressions frozen in eternal sorrow, still flickered in his memory.


    As Wang Xiao dwelled on these thoughts, the soft click of approaching footsteps reached his ears.


    Tap...


    Tap...


    Tap...


    "Sir?"


    After several attempts to draw his attention, a blonde-haired woman, dressed in ab coat that clung to her hourss figure, sighed softly, her ruby-red sexy lips parting in frustration.


    Wang Xiao remained as still as a statue, hands sped behind his back, his auramanding.


    To be frank, he cut a striking figure, and Reba, the lead scientist and doctor overseeing Gaia''s facility, found herself irresistibly drawn to him.


    Her golden locks cascaded down her shoulders, framing a face of delicate beauty, while her eyes sparkled with intelligence and maturity.


    Yet, it was his aura¡ªan almost divine presence¡ªthat set him apart from mere mortals, making her pulse quicken in ways she couldn''t quite understand.


    The previous Eighth Prince, as Reba recalled, had been someone she could challenge, someone she could debate with. But this one... this one left her utterly subdued.


    Her towering scientific achievements felt insignificant in his presence.


    "Umm... Prince?" After a long moment of hesitation, she finally extended a pale, trembling hand and gently touched his shoulder, her touch light as a feather.


    "Yeah...?" Wang Xiao blinked, his gaze shifting as he turned around.


    The moment he noticed Reba, memories of their brief conflictst December over Anran''s matter surfaced, but he brushed them aside.


    Such trivial disputes were of little consequence to him.


    Reba, shorter than Wang Xiao by several inches, stood before him with her wavy blonde hair cascading around her shoulders.


    Though she typically exuded a slightly bossy aura, it seemed to shrink in his presence, leaving her appearing almost meek.


    "The General is calling you back," Reba said, her tone more measured as she adjusted her mood.


    Wang Xiao gave a brief nod, beginning to leave before suddenly pausing mid-step.


    He nced back, a thought lingering in his mind. "Reba, was it... Do you have any family members you miss?"


    "Ah?" Reba, surprised by the unexpected question, hesitated before shaking her head. "No, sir."


    She had long since sacrificed everything for her work at Gaia''s facility.


    "Alright," Wang Xiao replied with a fleeting smile.


    For a brief moment, Reba felt an inexplicable chill run down her spine, as if she had made a grave mistake in answering.


    But before she could react, Wang Xiao had vanished, leaving only an unsettling silence.


    _____


    Outside the interrogation room, a few female guards stood on duty, their posture stiff with professionalism.


    But as soon as they saw Wang Xiao approaching, they stepped aside, giving him a respectful, almost hurried, nod.


    It was as if they were trying to avoid getting caught in the crossfire of whatever serious business was going on inside.


    However, the "serious business" under such tight security turned out to be two adorable babies, sound asleep in a cozy crib, wrapped snugly in a small white nket.


    Wang Xiao paused, his typically stern expression softening as heid eyes on his descendants for the first time in what felt like ages.


    A series of emotions passed through him, though his face barely betrayed anything beyond a raised eyebrow.


    Both babies had the same snow-white hair, a feature that made them look like they''d been kissed by winter itself.


    Of course, Wang Xiao didn''t knew that in a few years, the one on the right¡ªYue¡ªwould insist on dyeing her hair to match her mother''s.


    The result?


    Everyone would think she was a natural.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Everyone except him, that is.


    Only he knew the truth: his daughters'' true hair color was white as freshly fallen snow, a secret that gave him no small amount of amusement.


    He couldn''t help but chuckle softly at the sight of their tiny hands, smaller than even his fingers.


    The babies seemed to be enjoying their dreams, smiling contentedly as if the weight of the world meant nothing to them.


    Secretly, Wang Xiao had a hidden talent that no one in this world knew about: the ability to control dreams.


    Morpheus, the God of Dreams, hadn''t just handed over an amulet of protection to him¡ª he''d also slipped Wang Xiao a hefty chunk of dream-rted wisdom condensed into a book.


    All of it was tucked away in a corner of his soul, like a book he didn''t know he owned until one day he stumbled upon it while tidying up.


    Why Morpheus decided to gift him this particr skill set was anyone''s guess, but Wang Xiao wasn''tining.


    Now, he was effectively the new God of Dreams, capable of not only shaping dreams but also¡ªif he felt like it¡ªknocking someone off while they snoozed.


    A rather convenient, if not slightly terrifying, power.


    With a final nce at the peacefully slumbering babies, Wang Xiao turned his attention to the interrogation room.


    The scene inside, however, was anything but peaceful.


    On one side of the room, Li Zhiming sat looking as if he''d rather be anywhere else.


    On the other, Anran was in full dramatic mode, flinging retorts at him like they were daggers.


    Wang Xiao didn''t even need his divine sense to know what was going on.


    Anran, her foot boldly propped on the table, was jabbing an usatory finger at Li Zhiming.


    The poor man looked like a kicked puppy, nodding feebly as she tore into him.


    Wang Xiao stifled a grin.


    Li Zhiming had just revealed his true identity, and Anran was having none of it.


    She was in the middle of a tirade about how, instead of living the cushy life of a princess, she''d been thrown into a military camp.


    And did he have any idea how grueling the training was?


    Li Zhiming, for his part, looked like he''d prefer to melt into the floor.


    He nodded along, clearly outmatched.


    Wang Xiao found the whole thing rather funny, but judging by the fire in Anran''s eyes, it was clear she wasn''t letting Li Zhiming off the hook anytime soon.


    There was a lingering resentment in Anran''s heart.


    If Li Zhiming had nevere back into her mother''s life, maybe her family wouldn''t have been sted in that attack.


    But all those thoughts vanished the moment she spotted Wang Xiao standing in the doorway.


    Her face lit up with a bright smile, and she began jumping around like a child, eagerly waving him in.


    In fact, she had convinced herself that her parents almost deserved to be bombed.


    After all, if they hadn''t been, how else would she have met Wang Xiao?


    Her young mind had be a bit obsessed with him recently since waking up, but then again, she wasn''t exactly all that mature.


    At an age when most girls were just graduating high school, Anran was already daydreaming about sending her own daughters to school.


    Her attachment to the parents she barely remembered was nothingpared to the man who had saved her from death.


    In her mind, it was clear as day¡ªWang Xiao loved her!


    Of course, this was a conclusion that Anran had arrived at entirely on her own.


    Wang Xiao, for his part, had no idea of her feelings, and if he did, he might very well have sent her flying through the air again just to shake some sense into her.


    As he stepped into the room, Wang Xiao exchanged a few brief words with Li Zhiming about the existence of Fairy Ind, the mysterious ce they had been searching for over half a decade.


    When he asked Li Zhiming if he wanted to see it, the older man''s eyes lit up with excitement.


    He quickly excused himself to go prepare, nearly tripping over his own feet in his hurry.


    "Humph..." Anran pouted, crossing her arms as she wondered what role this old man yed that Wang Xiao would actually invite him along.


    But the moment Wang Xiao patted her head, the sulking cat turned into a purring kitten, smiling and forgetting all about it.


    Even Wang Xiao was taken aback by the sudden change.


    Had she¡­ evolved?


    He couldn''t help but wonder.


    They chatted for a while, Wang Xiao lounging in a nearby chair as Anran sat beside him, practically glowing with happiness.


    Out of the blue, he asked her, "So, why don''t you ever ask me about things like marriage or stuff? Don''t most women with kids push for that?"


    Anran smiled mischievously and shook her head.


    Without missing a beat, she stretched out her hand to grab a grape from the bowl of fruit in the center of the table.


    As she popped it into her mouth, savoring its sweetness, she dered with a blissful grin, "They''re foolish! The life of a wife is too hard! The life of a concubine is easy ¡ª eat, sleep and repeat!"


    "!"


    Wang Xiao nearly choked on his own breath.


    He couldn''t tell if she was a genius or simply a product of her wild imagination.


    "Oh," Wang Xiao finally nodded, then casually ced a piece of paper on the table. "Then it shouldn''t be needed."


    Anran''s eyes followed his every move, and when she nced at the paper, her heart nearly skipped a beat.


    "!"


    The heading read Marriage Certificate.


    To Wang Xiao, this was just a trivial document¡ªsomething he could easily acquire with his status, and frankly, he didn''t care much for such formalities.


    He figured that mortals ced some importance on these things, so he had grabbed one for her, thinking it might help her exin things to others.


    After all, he understood how the mortal world operated.


    His daughters shouldn''t live without their mother''s name, especially in a world where identity mattered.


    In Xianthera, Amelia hadn''t bothered with this, since everything operated under Eleanor''smand.


    But this world was different, and Wang Xiao knew his daughters would need proper identities in the future.


    However, since Anran herself had said she didn''t care, he shrugged and was about to put the certificate back when¡ª


    "!!"


    Whoosh!


    Anran, her eyes wide with excitement, snatched the pen and paper from the table with the speed of a jet.


    With a mischievous giggle, she scribbled her name down in record time. "Ehehe~ it''s already done!"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao was momentarily speechless.


    "Anran...Didn''t you just say you didn''t care?" he asked, shaking his head in disbelief.


    Anran, still grinning, shook her head so vigorously her hair bounced. "Obviously, the life of a concubine is easy, but do you think thisdy is a cker? Absolutely not! I''m a hard worker, you know! Now that I''ve signed this, I can officially make your life easier. I''m very reliable!"


    She struck a pose, standing on the chair and flexing her non-existent biceps as if to prove her point.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, more out of curiosity than concern. "Reliable? You? So, signing this makes you reliable now?"


    "Of course!" Anran nodded enthusiastically, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Think about it! Now that we''re married, I can officially take care of you. You won''t have to worry about a thing! Need someone to n your day? Done!


    Need someone to make sure your socks match? I''m on it!"


    "Socks?" Wang Xiao echoed, struggling to follow her logic. "I don''t even wear socks."


    "Exactly! See how much I''ve already lightened your load? You''re wee!" Anran beamed, clearly proud of her reasoning.


    Wang Xiao sighed, rubbing his temples. "But didn''t you just say being a concubine was better because it''s easier?"


    "Well, yes," Anran said, her tone turning a bit more defensive, "but that''s only because wives are supposed to do all the boring stuff. But if I''m your wife ¡ª and ¡ª I do the easy stuff, then it''s like getting the best of both worlds! Plus, imagine the bragging rights! ''Oh, yes, I''m married to the great Prince, no big deal!'' Everyone will be so jealous!"


    Wang Xiao blinked, trying to process her increasingly convoluted logic. "So¡­ you want to be my wife to avoid work and for bragging rights?"


    "No, no, no!" Anran waved her hands dismissively. "It''s not just that! It''s also because, well, I love you!" She dered thisst part with such a sudden burst of sincerity that Wang Xiao actually paused for a moment.


    "And you''re sure that''s not just because I saved your life?" he asked, half-expecting another round of nonsensical reasoning.


    "Well¡­" Anran tilted her head, thinking. "Maybe a little, but that''s just proof that you''re a good husband material, right? You save lives, you''re super powerful, and you''ve got this whole mysterious, brooding thing going on. Who wouldn''t fall for that? Plus, I need someone to me if anything goes wrong. ''Oh no, my husband didn''t protect me properly!'' It''s perfect!"


    Wang Xiao could only stare at her, utterly baffled by the leap in logic. "So, let me get this straight¡ªyou want to marry me because you can do less work, brag about it, and me me for any problems?"


    "Exactly!" Anran pped her hands, delighted that he was finally getting it. "See, it''s a win-win! You get a reliable wife, and I get to do everything I want!"


    Wang Xiao sighed, feeling the weight of her words settling in.


    But before he could respond, Anran, without missing a beat, continued with renewed enthusiasm. "And that''s not all! If I''m your wife, I can oversee all the concubines, making sure they''re doing their job properly! Someone''s got to keep things in order, right?"


    Wang Xiao rubbed his temples again, feeling a headache forming. ''Oversee the concubines?''


    "Anran, that doesn''t really¡ª"


    "And!" she interrupted, clearly on a roll, "As your wife, I can negotiate better deals for us! Imagine how much stronger we''ll be as a team! You can go off being the powerful, invincible Wang Xiao, and I''ll handle all the boring stuff like paperwork and¡­ and managing household affairs!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyebrow twitched. "But you said you didn''t care about marriage because it was too much trouble¡­"


    "Exactly!" she eximed, her reasoning bing even more ridiculousness. "That''s why I''m doing this! I''m saving you from all the trouble! If I''m your wife, then you won''t have to worry about anything! I''ll handle it all! You just have to be awesome like you always are!"


    Wang Xiao watched her as she hopped down from the chair, looking way too pleased with herself.


    This¡­ this girl¡­


    He sighed inwardly, finally epting that trying to understand her logic was like trying to catch smoke with bare hands.


    "So¡­ you signed it because¡­?"


    "Because I''m not a cker!" Anran dered, as if that exined everything. She beamed up at him charmingly, proud as ever. "And because I''m going to make your life super easy, just like I said! Trust me, you''ll see! This was the best decision ever!"


    Wang Xiao stared at the new self-proimed wife of his, and for the first time, he genuinely wondered if he had made a bad decision.


    ____


    "This... is amazing..." Li Zhiming muttered in awe as he stood at the entrance of Silvertide City, his eyes wide with wonder.


    He had never seen anything like it in his life. Xianthera was truly a fairytale realm. Everywhere he looked, thendscape seemed to exist in a harmonious blend of seasons.


    To the north, icyndscapes glittered like crystal; to the south, the warm hues of autumn leaves danced in the breeze.


    Even the very ground beneath his feet defied normalcy¡ªchildren floated effortlessly in the air, and ethereal creatures of various species mingled in the vibrant streets.


    The air was crisp and pure, the clouds bright and fluffy, as if the sky itself had been painted by a divine hand.


    Not once during their journey had he seen a single act of violence.


    *After all,* Li Zhiming reminded himself, *the people of Xianthera are cursed¡ªthey can''t harm each other.*


    "Okay, Old Man, your ticket''s up! Move along now!" Anran''s voice cut through his thoughts. She waved her hand dismissively, clearly unimpressed with his lingering amazement.


    Li Zhiming sighed, feeling a pang of reluctance, but he obediently turned to leave.


    He knew Wang Xiao had brought him here for a reason¡ªto familiarize him with this incredible ce so they could coordinate more effectively in the future.


    As Li Zhiming departed, Luna, who had been silently observing everything with wide, smiling eyes, continued to take in the wonders of Xianthera.


    "Mmph... Mmmph!"


    Meanwhile, Reba stood nearby, her hands bound and her mouth sealed with tape.


    Wang Xiao had kidnapped her.


    Why?


    Because he needed someone who could help this ce grow, and naturally, someone to keep an eye on Anran, who was still under medication.


    Reba, at this moment, regretted every decision that had led her here.


    Wang Xiao, after ensuring everyone was settled at Amelia''s, prepared to leave. There were still a few days left until Amelia''s delivery, and his next destination was clear: the house of the Ethics Committee Chairman!

 Chapter 440: *Elenaors Fate* [Bridge Story] [Skip]

    [A/N: This chapter was posted early by error and bridges Wang Xiao''s return from the Graveyard of Gods to Xianthera. Skip it and the previous chapter to continue with the main story. You can read themter if you wish.]


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    In another ce!


    A woman sat gracefully on the floor of her study, her legs folded beneath her as she sipped tea from a delicate porcin cup.


    The soft light from the evening sun streamed through the open balcony, casting a warm glow on her silver hair, which cascaded like a river of light over her shoulders and down her back.


    She was a vision of elegance¡ªethereal, with beautiful eyes that carried a distant mncholy, as if she were forever lost in thoughts of a world beyond this one.


    Wang Xiao watched her from the shadows near the entrance, momentarily captivated by the sight before him.


    ''She''s still as beautiful... doesn''t looked aged at all,'' he thought, unable to help himself.


    The years had only refined her beauty, making her appear both timeless and untouchable.


    In fact, this was the first time he had seen timeless beauty.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Previously, he had only met others briefly, but with Eleanor, he had stayed for years. For her, it had been nearly two decades, while for him, it had been over a decade.


    People often treasure what they can''t easily obtain.


    Her gown, a flowing piece of fabric that clung perfectly to her hourss figure, left a impression over him.


    The majestic twin mountain peaks over her chest, the smoothness of her slender waist, and the soft, delicate skin of her long legs that peeked out from beneath the fabric.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but let his eyes linger, trailing from her graceful neck down to the bare skin of her thighs, imagining¡ªjust for a moment¡ªhow she would look in ckce.


    The image of her dressed like that, the contrast of dark, sensual fabric against her porcin skin, stirred something within him, something primal.


    A grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. ''She would look perfect.''


    He stepped into the room, his presence finally announced by the soft rustle of his clothes.


    Eleanor, without turning, spoke softly, her voice like a gentle breeze, "You are back."


    "Miss me?" Wang Xiao replied, a teasing edge to his voice as he approached her, though his mind was still half-lost in the image of her in thatce.


    But then again, it wasn''t the first time such thoughts had crossed his mind.


    He''d always found Eleanor to be more than just another pretty face.


    There was an untouchable quality to her that made her even more desirable.


    "A bit," she answered, finally turning her gaze toward him.


    Her crystal eyes met his, cool and distant, yet there was a flicker of something warmer beneath the surface.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a slight smile. "Surprised that I brought guests? How about it¡ªdo some of your weird rules say you must kill the outsiders?"


    Her expression didn''t change, but there was a glint of amusement in her eyes. "It does," she replied calmly, as though discussing the weather.


    "Oh?" Wang Xiao arched an eyebrow, truly entertained by the idea.


    "It doesn''t matter," Eleanor continued, "It''s your home as much as it''s mine... If you want to bring people, it''s your wish."


    Wang Xiao paused, his eyes studying her, a bitter feeling creeping into his chest. "You haven''t changed at all..." he murmured, his voice carrying a mix of nostalgia and bitterness.


    Eleanor''s eyes held his steadily, a myriad of emotions swirling beneath that calm exterior. "Change isn''t always necessary," she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Some things are meant to remain as they are."


    Wang Xiao didn''t respond immediately, instead allowing his gaze to sweep over her, taking in every detail¡ªthe way her gown hugged her curves, the way her silver hair shimmered in the soft light, the way she held herself with such unshakableposure.


    Without a word, he moved further into the room, his eyes wandering before finallynding on her bed.


    It was the same as he remembered¡ªsoft, inviting, with sheets that carried the scent of cherry blossoms.


    Without ceremony, he dropped onto it, letting himself sink into the plush mattress.


    "The bed is quite soft... Ah... Even the fragrance is good," he remarked, lifting the sheets to his nose and inhaling deeply.


    The scent, sweet and delicate, was unmistakably hers.


    "..."


    Eleanor''s smile turned stiff, a faint awkwardness creeping into her otherwise serene demeanor.


    This was new, even for him¡ªboldly smelling her sheets, acting as if he owned the ce.


    But she said nothing, herposed mask slipping back into ce as she watched him.


    Wang Xiao chuckled internally, knowing exactly what she was thinking.


    That''s right, Eleanor. He isn''t the same anymore.


    He almost wanted to tease her more, but he held back, his mind still reying that image of her in ckce, her pale skin barely hidden beneath, with the graceful and swaying waist.


    ''¡­ what''s gotten into me?'' he wondered, though he wasn''t sure if he really wanted the answer.


    Eleanor finally stood and approached him, her movements graceful, as if she were floating rather than walking.


    Her long hair flowed around her, curved brows, straight and small nose, the lips bright red and inviting, as her eyes now more guarded, as if she were bracing herself for what mighte next.


    "Are you here to take over me?" she asked, her voice as melodic as ever, yet carrying something darker¡ªresignation, perhaps.


    Wang Xiao shook his head slightly, still holding the sheet close, the cherry blossom scent filling his senses.


    He could read her thoughts easily¡ªshe hadn''t changed at all.


    Her entire existence still revolved around Xianthera.


    The thought brought a faint smile to his lips, tinged with both fondness and frustration.


    Still the same¡­ still everything is about Xianthera?


    Eleanor, mistaking his expression, continued, "Take good care of this ce after me..." She spoke as though his actions were inevitable, her voice gentle, epting of whatever fate awaited her.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help butugh inwardly.


    This woman¡­ still, her whole life is just Xianthera¡­ Xianthera and Xianthera.


    He almost pitied her, stuck in the same mindset, unable to break free.


    A sudden thought crossed his mind¡ªmaybe she needed a wake-up call, a good beating, just like Aurora.


    Perhaps she wouldn''t understand anything until faced with a more direct approach.


    ''I always wondered if these old women don''t understand anything until after a good beating,'' heughed internally, the idea of pushing Eleanor out of herfort zone growing more tempting by the second.


    But instead of acting on that impulse, Wang Xiao simply rxed into the bed, letting thefort wash over him.


    "..."


    Eleanor stood there with a lost expression, her usual calm facade wavering for the first time in what felt like centuries.


    He wasn''t ying ording to the routine at all, and it threw her off bnce.


    For a moment, she stood in silence, her face a nk mask, her thoughts racing to catch up.


    Wang Xiao, noticing her hesitation, sat up on the bed, his eyes on her wide hips as he spoke, "Eleanor, you still don''t get it¡­ Your session rules have nothing to do with me."


    "Hm?" Eleanor''s violet eyes, usually soposed, blinked in confusion.


    This was not the response she had expected.


    The session of the Ethics Committee head¡ªalso known as the chairman¡ªwas supposed to be a rigid process, one that she had adhered to with unwavering dedication.


    She might very well be the longest-serving head in history, having served for nearly fifteen hundred years.


    To seed the position, the process was painstakingly clear.


    The current head must choose their sessor personally, and that sessor must not only be capable of leading but must also possess immense power.


    There was an additional stiption: the sessor must have no living parents, effectively making them an orphan¡ªsomeone detached from the ties of family that could create conflict orpromise.


    There were no restrictions regarding gender, age, or even origin.


    The only thing that mattered was worthiness.


    Once a sessor was chosen, the transition of power would begin¡ªa gradual handover of control.


    Only when the head was fully satisfied with their sessor would they relinquish all authority and enter a state of deep meditation, a vegetative existence, essentially burying themselves alive to prevent any potential conflict.


    As part of these stringent rules, the head must not have a family of their own¡ªa rule Eleanor had always considered irrelevant, because for her, Wang Xiao had always been the perfect candidate.


    He was powerful, capable, and in her eyes, destined to take over.


    He was the culmination of her life''s purpose, the one who would carry on the legacy she had upheld for so long.


    But now, hearing him dismiss her carefullyid ns so casually, she couldn''t help but feel a surge of anxiety.


    What had all these years been for?


    It was as if the sole purpose for which she was born¡ªthe role she had devoted her entire existence to¡ªwas slipping through her fingers.


    A trace of panic flickered in her beautiful eyes, her longshes trembling as they struggled to hold back the uncertainty she felt.


    For once, her calm was shattered, and she felt the weight of doubt pressing down on her. "Xiao... What do you mean?" she asked, her voice betraying the unease she tried so hard to hide.


    "What I mean is..." Wang Xiao lifted his head, his eyes locking onto hers, catching the faint tremor of nerves in Eleanor''s usuallyposed gaze.


    And then, in the blink of an eye¡ª


    *Whoosh!*


    Eleanor gasped, her eyes widening in shock as an unseen force pulled her towards him.


    She barely had time to react before she found herself pressed against his firm chest, hisrge hands gripping her waist with overpowering strength.


    Wang Xiao''s hand slowly slid down from her waist, tracing the curve of her hip and moving with deliberate intention toward her legs, as if tracing her shape.


    His touch was unsettling,  "I don''t need to negotiate with you," he murmured, his voice a low, dangerous growl, "because you no longer have any bargaining power."


    Eleanor''s breath hitched, her mind spinning as she struggled to grasp what was happening.


    But Wang Xiao didn''t give her a moment''s respite.


    With a swift, decisive movement, he pushed her back onto the bed.


    Thud!


    Shended on the soft mattress, her body sinking into it, her heart racing.


    Panic flickered in her usually calm eyes as she looked up at him, only to see his dark, intense gaze boring into her.


    Wang Xiao moved over her.


    He leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear as he spoke, "You wanted your punishment? I''ll give you that¡­ From now on, you will be my ve." His words were as final as a death sentence, leaving her utterly stunned.


    Eleanor''s mind struggled to process his abrupt words, the realization slowly dawning on her.


    ve¡­?


    She had never imagined this¡ªhad never imagined that he, of all people, would say this?


    Unknowingly to her, by making her his ve, he was doing more than just iming her¡ªhe was binding her to him in a way that meant she couldn''t escape, not even through death.


    The issue of her sessor?


    He had something else in mind.


    His gaze dropped to her full, fragnant inviting lips, and he exhaled slowly.


    Eleanor''s breath caught in her throat as she felt the weight of his body pressing down on her.


    His fingers, rough and warm, brushed lightly against her trembling lips, sending a shiver down her spine.


    "Let''s give you a sessor," he murmured.


    And before she could react, he closed the distance, his lips crashing down on hers.


    "Mmph!¡ª"


    Eleanor''s eyes flew wide open, shock and confusion rose in her mind as Wang Xiao''s lips moved against hers.


    What is he doing?


    Panic surged through her, her thoughts scattering as his hands roamed her body, holding her firmly in ce, leaving her no room to escape.


    Wang Xiao''s grip tightened on Eleanor as he forcefully pried her mouth open, his cold tongue plunging inside, beginning to suck fiercely.


    "!"


    A soft gasp escaped Eleanor as her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, but she remained outwardly unmoved, her body betraying her only through the slight curling of her legs, pulling them closer to her body as if seeking more control.


    Splurp... Splurp...


    He tasted the sweetness of her mouth, fragrant like ripe cherries, and found himself instantly addicted.


    His hunger grew with every passing second, his tongue delving deeper, exploring each part of her fragnant mouth, dominating, until she was left panting, her breathsing in short, desperate gasps.


    "Hahhh....!"


    Finally, he pulled away, his lips leaving hers with a wet, lingering sound.


    He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, staring down at her flushed face with a smug, almost cold smile.


    "You can feel shame... Huh?" he murmured, noticing how she averted her gaze, her eyes filled with a mix of confusion and something else¡ªsomething he hadn''t seen in her before.


    That sight alone made something primal inside him snap.


    With deliberate movement, he tilted her chin upward with the back of his hand, forcing her to look at him.


    The delicate look in her eyes only fueled the darkness growing within him.


    He rose slightly, his gaze trailing down her slender neck, to the soft curves of her shoulders, the swell of her perfectly shaped breasts, and the delicate curve of her abdomen.


    His hands moved with a steady purpose as he began to unbutton the top of her robe, revealing more of her smooth, pale skin with each undone button.


    His breath hitched as he took in the sight of her, his fingers working their way down her chest.


    "Remember thest time," he whispered, his voice tinged with dark amusement, "when you acted as my mother..."


    He chuckled low in his throat, the sound sending Eleanor into past as he removed thest button, his hands sliding down to her waist.


    With a quick motion, he slipped the small belt free from her wide hips, and instantly, the robe fell away, pooling at her sides like a delicate flower unfurling its petals.


    But this flower was not just beautiful¡ªit was intoxicatingly, irresistibly sexy.


    Eleanory beneath him, her robe now syed open, betraying her as it revealed the full expanse of her body to him.


    Her anxious eyes flickered with uncertainty as they darted between his intense gaze and the state she found herself in.


    She was no longer theposed, distant figure she had been moments ago¡ªnow, she was exposed, both physically and emotionally, andpletely at his mercy.


    In all her fifteen hundred years of life, Eleanor had never experienced anything like this.


    "ck?" Wang Xiao''s voice held a note of surprise, but there was no hesitation in his gaze as he devoured the sight of her body.


    He had no intention of offering her the courtesy of modesty.


    Her pale, delicate shoulders were bare, and below them, her magnificent proud breasts were encased in a ck bra¡ªa choice that caught him off guard.


    It was daring, far bolder than he ever imagined she would dare to wear.


    His eyes traveled downward, lingering on her waist¡ªslender, almost fragile, yet it held a quiet strength to support her whole body, which was very mysterious.


    It red out into her wide hips, creating a sexy curve that made his breath catch.


    Without a moment''s dy, Wang Xiao leaned over her, his breath hot and heavy against her neck.


    One hand moved with purpose, seizing her ample breast through the fabric of her bra, the softness filling his hand as if it had been made for his touch.


    Her body responded instinctively, a shiver running through her as he squeezed, feeling the fullness, the warmth of her.


    His other hand, equallymanding, slipped behind her back, lifting her slightly as his fingers skillfully unsped the bra.


    Click!


    The sound echoed in the quiet room, a prelude to main dish.


    She felt the tension leave her body as the bra loosened.


    Slowly, deliberately, he slid the straps off her shoulders, the fabric gliding down her arms until it fell away entirely.


    Her instincts screamed to look away, to hide from his intense gaze, and she turned her head to the side, her cheeks flushed with a mix of shame and an emotion she couldn''t fully grasp.


    Wang Xiao wasn''t about to let her retreat into herself.


    He leaned in, his lips capturing her cheek in a fierce, possessive kiss.


    The heat of his mouth seared her skin, and then, with deliberate intent, he dragged his tongue slowly across her cheek, tasting the sweetness of her flushed skin.


    His face twisted into a wicked grin, staring into her confused eyes, "You know, I''ve wanted to fuck my mother for a long time."


    As his eyes roamed over her majestic, snow-white breasts, now fully exposed with the bra removed, he was mesmerized.


    They were breathtaking¡ªpale, supple, and perfect.


    Just the slightest touch of his fingers made them yield, sinking into her flesh and leaving faint red marks.


    Her delicate, light pink nipples, like untouched cherries, shivered under his gaze.


    When he flicked them gently, they trembled even more, a reaction that sent a thrill through him before he grasped both of her breasts with one hand, feeling their weight and softness.


    Gasp!


    Eleanor drew in a sharp breath as he buried his face between her breasts.


    "Hold them tight against me," he instructed.


    "!"


    "Like this...?" Eleanor asked, her voiceced with awkwardness as she followed hismand.


    Her hands, trembling slightly, moved to her breasts, pressing them together to sandwich his face between them.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a satisfied smirk as he shook his head slightly, inhaling her scent, savoring the warmth and softness surrounding him.


    Eleanor''s embarrassment grew, her cheeks flushed a deep red.


    She hadn''t realized he was this perverted.


    "Do that steam thing..." he whispered, his voice thick with anticipation.


    "Hm? Steam...?" She was caught off guard, her mind momentarily nk until the realization dawned on her, her eyes widening in understanding.


    She nced to the side, her face burning with shame, but her body responded instinctively.


    Her skin, once pale, began to flush a deep, heated red, growing warmer to the touch, almost feverish.


    Wang Xiao inhaled deeply, satisfied by the change, his grip tightening around her breasts.


    Squeeze...


    He squeezed them firmly near the nipples, his fingers digging into her soft flesh.


    Eleanor bit down on her lip, her emotions a confusing tinge of humiliation over her aloof proudness and a strange, unfamiliar sensation.


    Her body felt incredibly sensitive, reacting to every movement, every touch.


    Then Wang Xiao noticed a small drop of milk forming at her nipple.


    He nearlyughed out loud, the sight both surprising and arousing him further.


    Without hesitation, he leaned down, his mouth closing over her nipple, sucking it directly from the source.


    Her delicate pink nipple turned a deep, bruised red under his attention, and her body quivered uncontrobly, the sensations overwhelming her.


    He kneaded her breasts, molding them into different shapes, savoring the heavenly feeling of her warm, soft flesh in his hands.


    The faintly sweet and seductive fragrance of her body filled his senses, driving him to continue, to take more, as if he could never get enough.


    Eleanor''s body responded to his every touch, her skin flushed and heated, her breathing in short, ragged gasps as she tried to make sense of the intense sensations overwhelming her.


    Rustle...


    In a swift motion, he shed his clothes, revealing his throbbing manhood.


    Eleanor''s gaze lingered on it, her eyes locked in a moment of stillness, captivated and yet unmoving.


    From the beginning, she had never once stopped his advances.


    In fact, even if he had forced her onto the bed decades ago, she doubted she would have resisted.


    She had spoiled Wang Xiao like a mother spoiling her own son, allowing him liberties that defied her usual pride.


    Now, though difort pricked at her conscience and a faint unease stirred within her, anger was notably absent.


    Hershes fluttered as he settled atop her breasts, her mind in chaos at what he intended to do next.


    "Hold them like this and rub," hemanded, a devilish grin ying on his lips, leaving Eleanor bewildered and unsure.


    Her heart raced as she took in his wicked smile, her breath catching at the sight of his manhood wedged between her soft heavenly breasts, its musky scent drifting up to her nose, the tip nearly grazing her wless face.


    This isn''t how it''s supposed to be...


    She thought, blinking rapidly.


    Even after all these years, she knew precisely where such a thing belonged¡ªdeep between her legs, not almost ready to explode against her face.


    Wang Xiao''s grin deepened with a sinister satisfaction; this had been a long-standing to-do-list of his.


    "Mhm." A soft hum escaped her lips as she extended her delicate hand, her fingers gently wrapping around it.


    As she did, he exhaled a deep sigh, shuddering at the tender caress of her touch.


    "Grab your breasts and rub them against it," he suggested.


    With subtle hesitation, she obeyed, pressing her warm, supple breasts against his manhood.


    The friction was subtle but intensely pleasurable, as his hardness sank deeper into the plush softness of her bosom.


    A trickle of milk began to seep from her delicate nipples, the warm liquid spilling over her chest, leaving her skin damp and slick.


    Suddenly, his hands mped onto her breasts, taking control and quickening the pace with a increased intensity.


    Puchi!


    "!?"


    In the next instant, Eleanor''s wide eyes watched in shock as the tip of his manhood throbbed violently, releasing a torrent of whitish liquid that sttered across her beautiful face.


    "Perfect..." Wang Xiao murmured, admiring his handiwork with a satisfied grin.


    For the first time, a flicker of anger shed in Eleanor''s eyes, hershes trembling as she red at him.


    Her eyes, already misty, might have looked on the verge of tears, but he couldn''t be sure¡ªhe didn''t know her heart well enough.


    "Turn around," hemanded next, his hand gripping her fleshy buttocks firmly as he maneuvered her onto all fours.


    Riding her like a horse was another twisted fantasy of his.


    A wicked thrill surged through him as Eleanor, without a word,plied, her face still unwashed as she positioned herself on all fours, ready for whatever else he had in mind.


    He slowly peeled away her ck panties, revealing the glistening petals of her moist flower, smooth and pink, like the blush of dawn.


    His manhood brushed against her, slipping effortlessly between her soft thighs, her natural warmth and wetness making any need for further lubrication unnecessary.


    With a deliberate movement, he positioned himself at her entrance, feeling the tender folds part like the wings of a delicate butterfly, inviting him into the red plush depths that awaited him.


    The sensation of her tight, warm flesh encasing him made him grip her firm buttocks, his hands digging in as he began to thrust, each motion drawing a sigh from his lips.


    "Mmmngh!"


    Eleanor''s hands clenched the sheets, her fingers curling tightly as a groan escaped her lips.


    The tip of his manhood probed her sacred cave, inching deeper until it met the fragile barrier within.


    A momentter, she felt the tender flesh stretch to amodate him, her tight, small passage enveloping his length despite the tempting curves of her body.


    The pressure built until, with a sharp and sudden thrust, the barrier was breached.


    Pakh!


    "Ahhh..."


    Her flesh pped against his, and a loud moan burst from her lips as he pierced her hymen.


    A single, beautiful drop of blood welled from her entrance, staining the sheets below, followed by more as her womanhood surrendered fully.


    Her face flushed crimson, the sound of her own moan echoing in her ears, enchanting and unfamiliar, as if awakening a side of herself she never knew existed.


    Her body responded instinctively, the tightness of her flesh pulling him deeper, wrapping around him like a vice, refusing to let go.


    The sensation overwhelmed Wang Xiao, his restraint slipping as he sunk deeper in the fresh, unimed flesh he had longed for.


    Pakh!


    "Ngh!"


    Pakh!


    Pakh!


    Her night of self-exploration had only just begun as he endlessly pounded into her, hisrge manhood forcing its way through her tight entrance with no restraint, stretching her beyond her limits.


    Pak! Pak! Pak!


    Each thrust elicited a symphony of moans and groans from her lips, her teeth sinking into her lower lip as tears welled up in her eyes, giving her a charm that could melt the heart of the coldest man alive.


    Creak! Creak!


    The bed trembled violently under the force of his assault, her breasts swaying seductively with every movement, her entire body following rhythm to his powerful thrusts.


    But the bed could not withstand the intensity¡ªit copsed beneath them with a loud crash.


    BAM!


    Undeterred, Wang Xiao scooped her up, carrying her to the window.


    He pressed her against it, her trembling legs barely supporting her weight as she clung to the frame for bnce.


    He resumed his pounding, the sound of flesh meeting flesh echoing through the room.


    Again and again, he filled her, from dusk until dawn, a storm that showed no sign of abating.


    This was the first woman he had truly desired but had been unable to im for a whole long decade.


    Now, she was hispletely andpletely his!


    No outsider could everprehend the depth of emotion he harbored for her.


    Just the sight of her now¡ªweak, trembling, her voluptuous body quivering before him¡ªwas enough to make him want to copse into her embrace.


    He could just bury his head between her heaving breasts, holding her tightly.


    The urge to sleep, wrapped in her warmth, was overwhelming, and he could just give in, clinging to her as if she were his lifeline.


    In the end, he didn''t leave her house for an entire week.


    It wasn''t until Amelia''s delivery drew near that he finally departed, leaving behind his faint presence that clung to the air.


    Eleanor stood at the door, watching him leave, her gazeplex and filled with emotions.


    As she ced a hand over her abdomen, a soft glow emanated from her face, a beauty that seemed to deepen with the knowledge of the life growing within her.


    A woman like her needed to be nourished to reveal her full, radiant beauty, and even in her simple attire, a single nce at her was enough to ignite desire in anyone who saw her.


    Her eyes, however, were conflicted.


    The love she held for him was born of deep adoration, but now it was filled with the realization that he had impregnated her.


    She had never refused him, always willing to share his bed, so long as it brought him happiness.


    She had willingly endured every shameful posture he had asked of her, cooked for him, and tended to his every need¡ªderiving a strange pleasure from her servitude.


    But when she finally understood that he had nted his seed within her, she realized with startling rity that she did not wee this pregnancy.


    She was a woman of honesty, and she could not deny the strange, unsettling feeling in her mind.


    She would have preferred to remain as a motherly figure in his life, rather than be his lover.


    But he had given her no choice.


    As for her role as the Head of the Ethics Committee, she had long since forgotten about it.


    With her endless lifespan, she had centuries ahead of her, enough time to reconsider her duties, perhaps even to ask him about them again.


    It was only yearster that she woulde to understand¡ªWang Xiao had impregnated her with the intent of giving her a sessor.


    At that moment, Eleanor felt lost....


    Events seemed to y on their own, beyond her control.


    The daughter she had initially felt distant from had unexpectedly be her family, and everything began slipping from her grasp.


    It was as if everything was happening ording to Wang Xiao''s desires, leaving her with no control over the situation.


    Yet, strangely, she didn''t dislike it at all.


    For the first time in her long life, she felt she could simply do as she pleased, without the burden of responsibility, without worrying about the vige or anything else.


    She could be with him, make him happy, and satisfy him whenever he came to her.


    That was one of her few true joys.


    From beginning to end, Wang Xiao was never able to change her.


    She continued to see him as she had a decade ago¡ªa cherished figure she nurtured and cared for, but never as a lover.


    And he didn''t mind; in fact, he might have been unsettled if she suddenly began acting like one.


    He truly agreed with her words, ''Not everything needs to be changed...''


    The motherly affection she showed him gave Wang Xiao a sense of quietfort, akin to the simple pleasures of a peaceful home.


    He often joked that she was his "sugar mommy," a yful smile on his lips.


    "Mhm." She would nod in agreement, never realizing he was joking.


    Seeing the faint blush on her cheeks, Wang Xiao knew that this woman didn''t understand how to take a joke.


    She took everything literally and seriously, her sincerity unmatched to any other.


    As time passed, their daughter, Wang Xun, began to grow, and what formed between them could only be described as a very normal family.


    When Wang Xiao visited, Eleanor would care for him, he would spend time with his daughter, and their interactions were calm and ordinary¡ªunlike the chaotic family he had with Anran and Amelia.


    Their treatment of Xun was that of a cherished daughter, with respect and affection.


    Much of this was due to Lan herself; though not fierce, she had a quiet strength and didn''t take kindly to being teased by her father.


    Their little family was a peaceful ind on their own world of Xianthera.

 Chapter 441: *Beast attack!*

    Wenxi had no idea until now that ''he'' was a professional bully in every sense.


    Her body twitched with a mix of resentment and reluctant anticipation.


    Her eyes snapped open in shock as his hands boldly grasped the perfectly round mounds of flesh on her chest.


    "Fuu¡­"


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but exhale, his breath hot against her now reddened ears.


    The sensation of her mounds, which seemed to have grown fuller in his hands, sent a surge of pleasure through him.


    His fingers sank into the warmth, each soft squeeze feeling like he was floating in heaven.


    Shhhhhh...


    His two fingers found the soft, sensitive cherry at the peak of her breast, and a strange sensation welled up inside him, a tension that was ready to explode.


    His arousal was exploding, his hardness pressing firmly against her back, the pressure building with every passing second, threatening to burst.


    He continued to caress and y with the soft mounds, kneading them like the most delicate of treasures.


    What felt like hours to him was, in reality, only a few minutes, but time seemed to stretch in that heated moment.


    Finally, he let out a deep breath and turned his gaze toward the ceiling, a strange, almost overwhelming satisfaction washing over him.


    Wenxi was left in a daze, her mind nk from the experience.


    As the sensation slowly receded, her hands instinctively moved to adjust her clothes, as if to restore some semnce of normalcy.


    The absence of undergarments now felt like a grave mistake today, leaving her vulnerable to his touch.


    Even as she tried to pull away, his other hand, the one her head rested on, seemed to have a mind of its own.


    It moved to grab her breasts even through the fabric of her nightclothes.


    The sensation of his touch was different now, softer but no less addicting.


    The material of her clothes added ayer of friction that made each squeeze feel like she was holding a soft water balloon filled with warmth, the pressure building with each gentle grasp.


    "Ah¡ªdad?"


    Wenxi gasped,pletely caught off guard as he grabbed her and effortlessly flipped her over, cing her on top of him.


    For a brief moment, her body turned cold with instinctive fear, but that fear quickly dissolved when she saw him feigning sleep, his eyes closed as if nothing had happened.


    She was left speechless, her heart racing, torn between frustration and something else entirely.


    He grabbed her waist with both hands, pulling her closer with a satisfied sigh.


    The feel of her body, clothed only in her soft pajamas without any undergarments, was an indulgence he couldn''t resist.


    The thin silky cotton fabric against her skin gave him the perfect amount of resistance, making the sensation of holding her all the more pleasurable.


    Wenxi, after a minute of tense silence, sighed as well, her lips pressed together in a thought she kept to herself.


    Resigned, she rested her head against his chest, trying to find some semnce of peace and drift back to sleep.


    But deep down, she knew that tonight, sleep would be impossible.


    The absence of her sister made him bolder tonight, more daring.


    After a moment, his hands slipped lower once again, this time settling on her back before descending further to cup her soft buttocks.


    The sensation was heavenly, her warmth and softness perfectly filling his hands, a new level of intimacy that he savored.


    "umm....mmnh.."


    Only faint whimpers escaped her lips as her face flushed a deep crimson, the torturous session continuing for what felt like an eternity.


    Each squeeze, each touch was a reminder that the line between them was growing thinner, as he explored her with a boldness that left her breathless and trembling in his arms.


    ____


    25th August, 2031


    "Xi''er... huh?" Wang Xiao, initially in a good mood, nced at the clock.


    It was already eleven in the morning, and the soft body he had been squeezing all night had vanished.


    The bed beside him was empty, the white sheets perfectly smoothed out, the quilt neatly arranged as if he had been sleeping alone, making him question whether everything had been just a dream.


    ROAR!


    Suddenly, the piercing sound of screams and roars echoed from outside the hotel, jarring him from his thoughts.


    "..."


    His mood soured instantly.


    "Bastards, I didn''t ask from you!" he muttered angrily, turning around to yank open the curtains.


    His eyes widened at the sight outside¡ªarge, monstrous crow, no, more like a fantasy creature wyvern, was staring directly at him.


    Its enormous, beastly eyes were fixated on him, and its mouth was stuffed with humans, limbs dangling from it.


    Whoosh!


    In the next instant, thousands of des materialized in the air around the ck flying beast.


    Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!


    The des sliced through the air like a meat grinder, reducing the wyvern to nothing more than a bloody paste that sttered against the hotel windows.


    Wang Xiao rubbed his head in confusion, still disoriented from his abrupt return to reality. "Mary!"


    "Reporting." Mary entered the room, her demeanor calm as ever, though Wang Xiao could sense a flicker of surprise in her eyes as she nced at the mess outside.


    The flesh and blood of the beast dripped down the windows, creating a curtain of red.


    "What the hell is going on? Why all the noise this morning?" Wang Xiao asked, still slightly disoriented, especially since his soul had just returned from the astral realm.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Mary raised her eyes slightly, thinking.


    He really doesn''t know anything, does he?


    She was a bit worried.


    Even she never let her guard down this much.


    Was he genuinely so overconfident that no one could harm him, that he dared to fall into such a deep sleep?


    Regardless, it wasn''t her ce to question him.


    "A small horde of mutated beasts attacked the city and the surrounding areas¡ª" she began, only to be cut off by Wang Xiao''s irritated voice.


    "I didn''t ask about the beasts!" he snapped.


    "Oh," Mary nodded as if she''d expected his reaction and was just ying with him,"Miss Wenxi left with Athene early this morning," she replied again, her tone measured at the moment.


    This was the real reason she was worried.


    If Athene decided to attack Wang Xiao while he was in such a deep sleep, it wouldn''t be the same as dealing with that wyvern, which had been easily neutralized.


    Athene was a different level of threat, especially after thest encounter when Wang Xiao had brutally beaten her down over some unknown dispute between them.


    Mary couldn''t help but feel a bit wary.


    To her surprise, Wang Xiao simply nodded, stretching his arms above his head and rubbing his eyeszily.


    The chaos outside didn''t seem to faze him in the least.


    "Where is Yue?" he asked, his tone indifferent, as if he wasn''t standing in the middle of a potential disaster.


    Mary hesitated. "She hasn''t returned yet¡­ along with Anran."


    "Both left together." Wang Xiao''s mood darkened instantly.


    To him, "both" meant his daughters¡ªso why the hell had they left him alone?


    Hepletely disregarded his actions from the previous night, which had left Wenxi so ashamed she couldn''t face him in the morning.


    That was why she had taken the first flight to Athene''s training, eager to put some distance between them.


    Having suddenly lost his two grown-up cabbages Wang Xiao''s mood soured even further.


    And now, with these beasts causing havoc outside, it felt like the universe wasughing at him.


    The frustration bubbled up inside him, and the thought of those creatures roaming the skies and tearing through the city only made things worse.


    With a scowl, Wang Xiao turned back to the window, his fingers twitching with the desire to unleash some of his pent-up anger on the nearest threat. "Find Anran," he ordered Mary, his voice cold and clipped. "And make sure these damned beasts outside the city are dealt with."


    Mary nodded and turned to leave, a mixture of concern and relief in her eyes.


    Even as she moved to carry out his orders, she couldn''t shake the feeling that today''s chaos was nned, and something muchrger brewing on the horizon.

 Chapter 442: Beast Horde! (1)

    Frostgard, Central za


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    A small light barrier shimmered in the cold air, barely holding back the chaos that reigned outside.


    Inside the glowing shield, four figures stood close together, their faces etched with anxiety.


    "Stay behind me!" Xinyue Zhn''s anxious voice broke through the chaotic storm, her tone firm yet filled with concern.


    She turned briefly to the girls huddled behind her¡ªher long ck hair whipping in the chilly wind, her dark blue qipao hugging her slender form.


    "Don''t leave this barrier!" she ordered, her hand outstretched as if she could physically hold them back from the inferno outside.


    Boom!


    The ground shook violently as another explosion rocked the za, sending debris raining down.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    mes wed at the sky, consuming everything in their path.


    The burning cars ahead of them, twisted and melting, were little more than molten husks, their metal frames shrieking under the heat.


    Skyscrapers crumbled, copsing into heaps of stone and steel, their once proud forms now reduced to smoldering ruins.


    "What¡­ What is happening?" Wang Xueying whispered, her voice trembling.


    Dressed in a white fur-lined coat that covered her delicate features, she clutched Wang Mei''s arm, her grip tight with fear. "We were just supposed to visit the city¡­ why are there so many beasts...?"


    They appeared as if they had been on a simple outing, perhaps exploring the city, only to be caught in the midst of a terrifying beast horde attack.


    Now, they stood in the heart of Frostholm, trapped inside the barrier while a war raged on just beyond its fragile protection.


    "Focus!" Wang Jiarong behind her snapped, her voice tense.


    She adjusted her tight ck leather jacket, her hair cascading over her shoulders. "We have to stay calm¡­ There''s no way this barrier will hold forever!"


    Above them, the sky was a swirling mass of terror, filled with Minions.


    Hundreds of Commander-ss beasts, Minions filled the air, their scaled, light blue bodies glinting menacingly in the firelight.


    Their spindly, wed limbs shed through the air with deadly precision, and from their mouths, they spewed streams of searing fire vomit that ignited everything they touched.


    A dozen soldiers encircled the protective barrier, their numbers pitifully small against the overwhelming force.


    Each soldier was armed with a highly advanced photon gun, but despite their best efforts, the beasts kepting, their numbers seemingly endless.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The beasts moved with terrifying speed, their small forms darting through the sky like living missiles.


    The soldiers on the ground fought back desperately, their photon guns shing with each shot.


    But for every creature they felled, two more seemed to rise in its ce.


    "Damn it! They just keeping!" one soldier cursed, his voice hoarse with exhaustion.


    His hands shook as he reloaded, sweat pouring down his face despite the cold air. "We''re running out of time!"


    Within the barrier, the four women stood in tense silence, the sounds of battle pressing in on them from all sides.


    Xinyue Zhn''s trembled, her eyes scanning the battlefield. ''There''s too many of them. This isn''t just an attack¡­ it''s an invasion.''


    She suddenly regretteding to Frostholm with her whole family at the wrong time!


    "We need to find a way out of here," she muttered to herself, her gaze hardening. "If the barrier falls, we''re as good as dead."


    "Ah¡ª! No¡ªNo.....ahhhh"


    A piercing scream erupted from just outside the barrier.


    One of the soldiers, his uniform torn and bloodied, was suddenly snatched by a three-headed shadow wolf.


    The beast was a nightmare made flesh¡ªits fur as dark as midnight, its eyes glowing with a demonic red light.


    The soldier''s scream was cut short as the wolf''s middle head lunged forward, its fangs sinking into his neck.


    Splurt! Splurt! Splurt!


    Blood sprayed in a gruesome arc as the other two heads tore into his body, ripping him apart easily.


    Kacha!


    The sickening sound of crunching bone and tearing flesh filled the air, mingling with the soldier''s dying gurgles.


    "Gasp!" Wang Mei shrieked, her hair falling in disarray as she covered her mouth.


    Her eyes opened as she backed away, her long pastel pink dress swaying as she trembled.


    The shadow wolf, its three heads now dripping with blood, turned its gaze toward the barrier.


    "Grrrr..."


    The beast snarled, a low, growling sound that sent a shiver down their spines.


    It pawed at the ground, preparing to strike.


    "Mom, it''s looking right at us..." Wang Jiarong''s voice quivered with fear, her eyes darting around for an escape. "What do we do? What do we¡ª"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Quiet!" Xinyue snapped, her voice like steel. "Stay calm and keep your eyes on me. I won''t let anything happen to you."


    But even as she spoke, doubt filled at the edges of her mind.


    Can I really protect them? Can I protect myself?


    The barrier flickered, and Xinyue''s heart sank.


    The soldiers outside were falling one by one, and the horde showed no signs of stopping.


    And now, the three-headed shadow wolf was inches away from the barrier, its jaws dripping with the blood of the fallen soldier.


    "Please¡­ someone help us¡­" she closed her eyes and prayed.


    But no help wasing.


    They were alone in a sea of destruction, with only the faint hope that the barrier would hold a little longer.


    Crack!


    A small fracture appeared in the barrier, the glowing energy sputtering as the beast''s ws raked across its surface.


    The end was drawing near, and the war outside seemed to pale inparison to the terror that now stood at their doorstep.


    Gasp!


    The four women within the barrier were frozen in shock, their breaths caught in their throats as the shadow wolf prepared to final strike.


    But before the beast could tear through the fragile shield, a blinding sh sliced through the air.


    Shhhh-crack!


    Krrrrrr!


    In the blink of an eye, the shadow wolf was reduced to thousands of pieces, its body disintegrating in a shower of dark, blood-soaked fragments.


    The rain of flesh fell to the ground with wet thuds, the beast annihted before it could evenprehend its demise.


    Standing where the wolf had once loomed was Amaya.


    Her dark jacket flew behind her like a cape, and her long midnight hair cascaded down her back, flowing as if touched by an unseen wind.


    Her eyes were sharp, glowing with an intense focus as they locked onto the sky above.


    She exuded an aura of deadly calm, every muscle in her body coiled and ready to strike.

 Chapter 443: Beast Horde (2)

    "Don''t let theme close to the barrier, and request reinforcements to HQ!" Amaya shouted loudly, her voice like the crack of a whip.


    There was no time for hesitation¡ªonly action.


    "Roger!"


    The soldiers around her snapped to attention, galvanized by hermanding presence.


    Despite the reinforcements from the Pantheonwork and the Guardians, the situation was dire.


    They had cutting-edge technology at their disposal¡ªguns and shields capable of taking down a Commander-ss beast with a single shot¡ªbut it wasn''t enough.


    The sheer number of beasts was overwhelming.


    Hundreds of minions blotted out the sky, their ugly forms a constant reminder of the impending doom.


    Below, a horde of shadow wolves tore into anything they could reach, their jaws ripping flesh and bone with savage grin.


    The ground was littered with the remains of those unfortunate enough to be caught in their path.


    "These beasts¡­ there''s just too many of them!" Amaya muttered under her breath, her mind in chaos as she surveyed the battlefield.


    Commander-ss beasts were very strong, often requiring two master martial artists to suppress.


    But today, there were far worse threats among them¡ªGeneral-ss Venomwing Reapers.


    The Venomwing Reapers were nightmares given form.


    Ten feet long, these terrifying creatures had ck, razor-sharp ws and piercing purple eyes that glowed with malevolent intelligence.


    Resembling mutated wyverns, these beasts were in fact a twisted evolution of crows, capable of single-handedly taking down multiple Great-Grandmasters.


    Their bodies were covered in thick, imprable scales, and they had a deadly arsenal at their disposal.


    They could shoot their poisonous feathers like a barrage of des and emit a toxic, green mist that could dissolve flesh in seconds.


    "Six of them¡­" Amaya''s eyes narrowed as she counted the Venomwing Reapers hovering ominously above the city.


    Her heart sank. ''Even for me, taking on one is a challenge, but six?''


    Normally, Amaya would have had no problem dealing with a single Venomwing Reaper.


    As a deviant, her strength was already great, but the introduction of Aether had elevated her abilities further, allowing her to break into the Great-Grandmaster ss of strength.


    However, this wasn''t a normal day.


    The city''s skies were teeming with death, and she couldn''t take them all on alone.


    ''How the hell did these General-ss beasts infiltrate the capital?''


    Amaya thought, bewildered and pale faced, ''Commander-ss beasts are rare enough, but General-ss? They''re supposed to dwell deep within the darkest forests, far from human cities. This shouldn''t be happening!''


    "Ah¡ª!"


    Her thoughts were interrupted as a minion swooped in from above, its ws raking across her arm, tearing through the fabric of her sleeve and leaving a shallow cut.


    Splurt!


    Blood welled up from the wound, and Amaya hissed in pain.


    Hiss!


    "Ugh! Damn you all!" Amaya growled, her eyes zing with fury.


    In an instant, her hands morphed into razor-sharp ws, glinting with a dark scales.


    She moved, and the world blurred around her as she unleashed her wrath upon the horde.


    SHHHHK! SHHHHK!


    In a flurry of motion, Amaya tore through dozens of minions and shadow wolves, her ws slicing through their bodies like a hot knife through butter.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The beasts fell in droves, their blood painting the ground red.


    The soldiers behind her could only watch in awe, their amazement growing with each beast that fell at her feet.


    "Don''t just stand there, shoot them!" Amaya yelled, her voice snapping the soldiers out of their stupor.


    The men and women around her scrambled to obey, raising their photon guns and firing into the oing wave of beasts.


    What''s happening in this city?


    She thought, her frustration mounting with each passing second. "This is the capital, the most secure region in the entire nation. How could so many beasts appear at once?.."


    She shed through another wave of minions, her movements growing more frantic.


    ''Damn it! This shouldn''t be happening!''


    Overhead, the Venomwing Reapers circled like vultures, their purple eyes gleaming with killing intent.


    The situation was growing more desperate by the second, and the skies showed no sign of clearing.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Ka¡ªboom!


    Rumble... Rumble...


    As if answering Amaya''s question, the sky itself suddenly tore open, the once ominous clouds parting like a curtain to reveal something far worse.


    A colossal creature, its sheer size spanning tens of kilometers in length and five kilometers in width, descended upon the city, covering the entire sky with its monstrous form.


    The air sted itself with an overpowering sense of dread, as if the heavens themselves had unleashed a nightmare.


    The creature''s body was transparent like a jelly fish, a ghostly leviathan that defied the natural order.


    From its massive frame extended spiky tendrils thatshed out with devastating force, smashing buildings to rubble in an instant.


    BAM! BAM! BAM!


    But it wasn''t just its size that sent waves of terror through those who witnessed it¡ªit was the eyes.


    Hundreds, perhaps thousands of enormous, eerie eyes, each one different from the other, covered its body, staring down at the city as if staring at ants.


    The sight of it sent a chill through the very marrow of those who beheld it.


    It was a terror that defiedprehension, freezing the blood in their veins.


    "W-What''s that...?" a soldier whispered, his voice trembling, as he dropped to his knees.


    The creature''s aura was so overwhelming that many around him followed suit, unable to stand under its oppressive presence.


    The sky darkened further, as if the creature''s enormous body had swallowed the sun, casting the entire city into shadow.


    "Mom... Look at that..." Wang Xueying muttered, her voice barely a whisper.


    Her fingers clutched Xinyue Zhn''s sleeve, her terrified gaze locked on the monstrous being above.


    Xinyue''s face was pale, her heart hammering in her chest as she stared up at the abomination.


    ''This... this isn''t possible. How could something like this even exist?''


    Back in Shanghai, they had rarely encountered even Commander-level beasts, creatures that were formidable but ultimately manageable.


    But this... this thing that now loomed over them was on an entirely different scale.


    It was beyond anything they had ever imagined, a creature that made even the mightiest of Commanders seem like ants.


    "What the fuck is that!" one of the soldiers outside the barrier shouted, his voice tinged with panic.


    He and hisrades had been tasked with guarding the VIPs, but now they were cursing and swearing, their will shattered by the horror that had appeared before them.


    Amaya, who had been holding her ground against the minions and shadow wolves, suddenly froze.


    Her usually sharp, confident eyes widened in disbelief. "T-Thats..." she stammered, unable to form a coherent thought.


    The sheer terror of the creature''s presence had struck her dumb.


    What... what is that?


    She searched for any exnation, but there was nothing.


    There were no records, no legends, no warnings of such a creature existing in the world.


    Even her instincts, honed through countless battles, screamed that this being was at least two sses higher than her¡ªpossibly even a Sovereign-ss Beast.


    But that was impossible.

 Chapter 444: Beast Horde (3)

    A sovereign ss beast!


    It was impossible for it to exist here!


    Above the general ss, there was emperor ss beasts, and then only the sovereign ss!


    There were only three known Sovereign-ss Beasts in the world, each one a cataclysmic threat that had required thebined might of the Guardians¡ªbeings akin to demigods¡ªto neutralize.


    Yet here, above Frostholm, was something that dwarfed those threats, a creature whose very existence defied all logic and reason.


    A Sovereign-ss Beast was equivalent to a human Sage, who stood at the pinnacle of power.


    Even then, it typically took multiple Sages to bring down just one of these beasts.


    And now, this creature...


    This... thing shadowed above them, an unprecedented horror that no one was prepared to face.


    Amaya''s hands clenched into fists, her nails digging so deeply into her palms that blood began to seep through her fingers. "I-I need to tell this to the Prince..." she whispered, her voice quivering with a mix of fear and urgency.


    It was her only option, her only hope in this seemingly hopeless situation.


    Even if she despised that man, even if his very name made her blood boil, she couldn''t deny the truth: only he had the power, to solve this catastrophe.


    ''Only he can face this monstrosity... and maybe, just maybe, save us all.''


    Shua! Shua!


    At that very moment, two of the Venomwing Reapers broke away from the swarm above and dove toward Amaya, their massive wings pping with such force that the ground beneath them trembled.


    Their terrifying purple eyes locked onto her, promising death.


    "Careful!" voices screamed from behind, the soldiers and bystanders shouting in panic as the monstrous creatures stared down on her.


    Amaya barely managed to dodge the first Reaper, its wingtip brushing past her with a gust of wind that nearly knocked her off her feet.


    But before she could regain her bnce, the second Reaper struck from behind, its wed foot smashing into her back.


    "Argh...!" she cried out in pain as the force of the blow sent her hurtling through the air.


    BAM!


    KACHA¡ª!


    She crashed into the side of a building, the impact so powerful that the wall crumbled around her.


    The sickening sound of bones breaking echoed through the za, a hole formed in the building.


    Dust and debris filled the air as Amaya copsed to the ground, her body trembling from the shock.


    "Cough... Cough..."


    She coughed violently, blood sttering the pavement as she struggled to stand.


    ''This can''t be happening...'' she thought, her vision blurring as she forced herself to look up.


    Her heart sank as she saw three of the Venomwing Reapers now turning their attention toward the barrier, where Xinyue Zhn and her daughters were trapped.


    "No... Stop them!!" Amaya screamed, her eyes widening in terror as she clutched her broken hand.


    The pain was excruciating, but she couldn''t let it stop her.


    She had to protect them¡ªshe had to do something.


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    The soldiers outside the barrier opened fire, their photon guns shing as they aimed at the approaching Reapers.


    But their efforts were in vain.


    The powerful beams of energy barely fazed the monstrous beasts, their thick, scaled hides deflecting the shots as if they were nothing more than raindrops.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The soldiers'' faces paled as the realization sank in¡ªnothing they did was working.


    Inside the barrier, the situation was growing more desperate by the second.


    "Mom¡­" Wang Xueying whimpered, her voice trembling as she clung to Xinyue Zhn. "What do we do? We can''t¡ª"


    But Xinyue could only watch in horror, her heart pounding in her chest as the Reapers bore down on them.


    She had no words offort, no n of escape.


    All she could do was pray that the barrier would hold.


    "Stay away from them!" Amaya, still shaking from the pain, pushed herself up again, her vision swimming.


    She knew she was outmatched, but she couldn''t just stand by and watch them die.


    With a pained grunt, she began to move, hoping against hope that she could still make a difference.


    At that moment, the three Venomwing Reapers hovering ominously in front of the barrier opened their massive jaws in unison, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.


    Their purple eyes glew as they prepared to unleash their most deadly attack.


    The air seemed to ripple as the creatures inhaled deeply, their chests expanding, before they released a torrent of poisonous green breath¡ªa noxious cloud that spread out, ready to engulf everything in its path.


    Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!


    The soldiers surrounding the barrier looked at each other in dismay, their eyes wide with the realization that there was no escaping this.


    The thick, toxic green mist was only moments away from reaching them, and the inevitability of death sank in.


    "Well, shit..." one soldier muttered, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Guess this is it, boys... anyone got anyst confessions?"


    There was a brief, stunned silence before another soldier, a wiry guy with a crooked grin, chuckled darkly. "Alright, I''ll go first! I, uh... I kinda hooked up with your sisterst weekend," he said, pointing at the guy next to him. "Sorry, bro, but she was really into me!"


    The guy he pointed at just stared in shock before bursting intoughter. "What the hell, man? My sister? I knew she had weird taste, but you?!"


    Another soldier raised his hand, grinning sheepishly. "I identally shot Captain''s catst month and pretended it ran away... sorry!"


    "I''ve been secretly eating the rations stash in the armory!" another blurted out, causing the group to snicker despite the dire situation.


    The soldiers continued tough.


    The poisonous breath was just seconds away, and they were preparing to die with whatever scraps of dignity.


    But just as the deadly mist was about to envelop them, a sudden ssh of water erupted from the sky, forming a shimmering curtain that blocked the poison in its tracks.


    "What!?"


    "Huh?"


    "Is this for real?"


    The soldiers blinked in surprise as the green mist dissipated harmlessly against the watery barrier.


    "Holy shit, we''re saved!" one of them shouted, his voice filled with disbelief.


    "Ha! I''m not dying today!" another cheered, grabbing hisrades in a bear hug.


    The soldiers, who had been on the brink of despair, now found themselvesughing and celebrating their unexpected salvation, embracing each other like old friends at a reunion.


    The water curtain, now solidified and glistening like a wall of liquid crystal, suddenly surged forward with tremendous force.


    It mmed directly into the three Venomwing Reapers, who had barely a moment to react before being crushed beneath its weight.


    SSCREEECH¡ª!

 Chapter 445: Endless Strength!

    SCREEEECH¡ª


    The sound of the Reapers'' dying whimpers was brief, cut off as their enormous bodies were pulverized into blood mist.


    Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!


    The once terrifying creatures were obliterated in an instant, their remains scattering across the battlefield as a red haze.


    The soldiers stared in awe at the sight, their faces split into wide grins.


    "That''s right, who''s the king now?! Bow before daddy, bitch! Just you wait¡ª this daddy would fuck your whole species sideways!" one of the soldiers shouted, pumping his fist into the air, his voice dripping with triumph.


    Hearing him, the others couldn''t help butugh bitterly, theirughter tinged with disbelief at their survival.


    The absurdity of the situation had them clutching their sides, while some even wiped tears from their eyes.


    Amaya, however, looked utterly confused, her brow furrowing as she tried to make sense of what had just happened.


    "What was that...? Where did thate out from?" she muttered, her eyes scanning the battlefield.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The water curtain had appeared out of nowhere, obliterating the three Venomwing Reapers like they were mere insects, but the source of this miraculous intervention remained a mystery.


    Before she could process any further, a sudden, chilling sensation swept over her.


    All the hairs on her body stood on end, a primal instinct warning her of danger.


    Hiss!


    A cold, ominous hiss filled the air, and Amaya''s eyes snapped to the blue sky.


    Her breath caught in her throat as she realized what had happened.


    All the eyes of the colossal Sovereign beast, which had been scattered and unfocused moments before, were now locked onto them.


    Each massive, eerie eye red down at them with a hatred that turned their blood to ice.


    Theughter died abruptly as the soldiers, sensing the shift, looked up in horror.


    The oppressive aura of the beast pressed down on them like a weight of thousand elephants, making it hard to breathe.


    The Sovereign had finally noticed them, its vast consciousness now fully aware of their presence.


    It''s over...


    Amaya thought, her heart sinking into despair.


    The realization hit her like a blow¡ªthere was no escape from this.


    The Sovereign-ss Beast, a creature of unimaginable power, had marked them.


    The soldiers who had been celebrating moments ago now stood frozen in fear,


    The air was filled with a suffocating dread, and no one dared move a muscle.


    The Sovereign''s gaze was like the gaze of death itself, inevitable and absolute.


    There was no running from this.


    No fighting it.


    The beast above was more than just a creature¡ªit was a sovereign, and they were all at its mercy.


    SCREEECH!


    Right at that moment, the colossal tendrils extending toward them suddenly froze mid-air, as if an invisible force had paralyzed them.


    The monstrous appendages, which had been poised to strike, hung motionless, their terrible power halted in an instant.


    "What''s that?" a soldier whispered, his voice filled with disbelief.


    "Is that... a person?" another murmured, squinting at the strange sight before them.


    Hearing the hushed murmurs, everyone turned their eyes skyward, straining to see what had caused the terrifying beast to pause.


    In front of the massive, writhing tendrils, there hovered a single, tiny dot¡ªalmost insignificant against the vastness of the beast.


    The figure was suspended in the air,pletely still, and at first nce, it seemed utterly unremarkable.


    "No way... That can''t be a person, right?" one onlooker muttered, his voice tinged with fear.


    "There''s no Aethering from him... How is he just floating there?" another added, frowning in confusion.


    Even those skilled in sensing Aether felt nothing¡ªno power, no energy¡ªjust a in man floating in the sky as if he were weightless.


    The crowd below buzzed with spection, their minds unable to grasp the reality of what they were witnessing.


    Amaya, too, was stunned. Her sharp eyes were locked onto the figure, trying toprehend what she was seeing.


    ''Who is that? Is it him...?'' she thought, her mind racing.


    There was no trace of power, no overwhelming aura, and yet... the presence of this person was overwhelming.


    It was as if an endless wave of force surged from him, invisible yet suffocating.


    Just the thought of approaching him sent shivers down her spine.


    Squeeelllll...!


    The beast suddenly let out a high-pitched, earsplitting screech.


    "Argh! My ears!" one soldier cried out, clutching his head as the sonic wave hit him like a hammer.


    "Damnit! It''s like nails on a chalkboard!" another shouted, his voice filled with pain as he pressed his hands over his ears, trying to block out the deafening noise.


    The beast, its countless eyes now fixed on the tiny figure before it, was filled with a rage born of arrogance.


    It saw no threat in the dot that had dared to obstruct its path¡ªonly a mere ant.


    With a roar, itshed out, all its tendrils converging on the spot where the figure floated, intent on obliterating the obstruction with a single, devastating strike.


    Ssh!


    The tendrils whipped through the air, moving with enough force to fracture the earth itself, but just as they reached their target, a sudden burst of mes erupted from the figure in the sky.


    Whoosh!


    The mes roared to life, surging outward in a ze of searing heat that engulfed the tendrilspletely.


    The beast let out a blood-curdling scream as its tendrils were consumed by the inferno.


    Sqeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel!


    The sound shook the heavens as the mes licked at the tendrils, turning their once indestructible forms into charred remnants.


    The crowd below could only watch in stunned silence, their mouths agape as the impossible before their eyes.


    "What the hell...?" a soldier gasped, his voice barely audible over the roar of the mes. "How is he doing that?"


    "Is he... some kind of god?" another whispered, awe mixing with fear in his tone.


    The beast, now desperate and enraged, began to emit a poisonous, corrosive gas¡ªa final, desperate attempt to fight back.


    The toxic fog rolled out, darkening the sky and filling the air with the stench of death.


    The beast''s minions, hearing their master''s cry for help, turned their attention toward Wang Xiao, readying themselves to attack.


    Swish...


    In the next moment, the sky above Frostholm darkenedpletely, as if a thick, imprable ck mist had covered the city.


    The crowd below gasped in horror as the sun vanished, reced by an eerie, unnatural darkness.


    "It''s like the end of the world..." someone muttered, their voice trembling with fear.


    "Are we all going to die here?" another whispered, clutching at a friend''s arm as they watched the sky.


    The mes continued to roar, crackling loudly as they spread across the beast''s body, while the mist above began to swirl, isting the city from the rest of the world.


    Swish! Swish! Swish!


    Suddenly, sharp, gleaming spikes began to rain down from the mist, each one as ck as obsidian and tearing through the air with deadly precision.


    "Grrr...!"


    "Squeel!"


    "Squeeek!"


    The spikes impaled the beast''s minions one after another, their sharp edges piercing through flesh and bone with ease.


    The beasts let out pained cries, their bodies convulsing as the spikes drove deep into their necks.


    But the horror didn''t end there.

 Chapter 446: Knidnapp hundreds of virgin maidens each year...?

    "Grrr...!"


    "Squeel!"


    "Squeeek!"


    The spikes impaled the beast''s minions one after another, their sharp edges piercing through flesh and bone with ease.


    The beasts let out pained cries, their bodies convulsing as the spikes drove deep into their necks.


    But the horror didn''t end there.


    The moment the spikes struck, they unleashed a burning force that incinerated the beasts from the inside out, leaving nothing behind¡ªnot even ashes.


    "It''s... It''s killing them all...!" a soldier whispered, his voice filled with disbelief as he watched the miracle.


    "It''s like a divine judgment... None of them are being spared..." another murmured, his eyes wide with awe and terror.


    The Nether spikes, with their otherworldly power, turned the battlefield into a scene of absolute carnage, erasing every trace of the monsters that had once terrorized the city.


    It was like watching an execution ordered by a deity¡ªprecise, unyielding, and inescapable.


    Everyone who witnessed it could only stare in stunned silence, their minds struggling toprehend what they had just seen.


    It was effortless.


    It was magical.


    It was divine.


    As they gazed at the sky, the ck mist began to dissipate, revealing the bright blue sky once more.


    The sun shone down on the city, its warm rays a stark contrast to the nightmare that had just passed.


    But by the time they looked up, the figure¡ªthe in man who had brought such devastation¡ªwas gone, leaving behind nothing but the memory of his impossible power.


    Everything had happened so quickly, so seamlessly, that it felt like a dream.


    And yet, the destroyed buildings, the ming vehicles, and the blood-soaked pathways were all too real.


    If not for the lingering devastation, they might have mistaken it all for an illusion.


    As the sky cleared and thest remnants of the battle faded into the ether, a stunned silence fell over the crowd.


    The devastation was still fresh, the destroyed buildings and the smoldering wreckage.


    But then, from the back of the crowd, a voice rang out, breaking the silence.


    "That domain... I''ve seen it before!" someone shouted, his voice filled with a mix of shock and recognition.


    All eyes turned to the man¡ªa soldier, his armor stained with dirt and blood.


    He was trembling, his face pale as if he had just seen a ghost. "That was the Eight Prince''s domain! I saw it in the Nethends a few weeks ago!"


    "Really?"


    "Was it Prince?"


    "Who is this Prince?"


    "Wait you mean the Infamous Eight Prince?"


    "The tyrant?"


    The crowd buzzed with sudden energy, the name instantly igniting a firestorm of whispers and murmurs.


    "The Eight Prince? Are you sure?!" a woman gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    "Yes, yes! I saw it with my own eyes!" the soldier insisted, his voice rising with urgency. "That ck domain ... it''s exactly what happened there! He''s the one who did this!"


    More cheers erupted from the soldiers and onlookers who had been on the brink of despair just moments ago.


    They began to shout in triumph, relief washing over them as they realized they had been saved.


    "The Prince saved us! We''re alive because of him!" one soldier cried, his voice thick with emotion.


    "For the first time, the Prince has saved lives instead of destroying nations!" another eximedughing loudly, throwing his hands into the air in jubtion.


    The crowd, which had moments ago been gripped by terror, now surged with excitement.


    The name of the Eight Prince, once spoken only in whispers of fear and contempt, was now being chanted with awe and admiration.


    "But¡­ isn''t he supposed to be the Devil incarnate?" one man muttered, his brow furrowing in confusion. "The Tyrant Emperor¡­ the one who leaves nothing but ruins?"


    "Doesn''t he Knidnapp hundreds of virgin maidens each year?"


    "Is he the same Pre on which hundreds of cases are filed for being involved with minors and witchcraft?"


    "Yeah, I heard the Holy Church dered him the world''s most wanted!" another added, shaking his head as if trying to reconcile the stories he had heard with what he had just witnessed.


    "Could it all have been rumors? Lies spread by those who fear him?" a young woman asked, her voice tinged with wonder. "After all, how could someone who just saved an entire city be as evil as they say?"


    "It makes you wonder, doesn''t it?" an older man mused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Maybe the stories were exaggerated¡­ or maybe those who spread them had something to gain by making us fear him."


    "But why would the Holy Church call him an enemy if he''s capable of such miracles?" another person interjected, skepticism still lingering in their voice. "They wouldn''t do that without a reason, would they?"


    "Who knows?" someone else replied, shaking their head. "Maybe he''s moreplicated than we''ve been led to believe. A devil to his enemies, but a savior to those who need him¡­"


    The murmurs continued to spread through the crowd, growing in intensity as more people voiced their thoughts.


    Spection ran wild, the tales of the Eight Prince now being questioned and dissected in the light of what had just transpired.


    "Could he really be a hero in disguise? A misunderstood savior?" one man wondered aloud, earning nods from those around him.


    "Or maybe he''s both," a woman suggested, her voice low and contemtive. "A devil when he needs to be, and a guardian when the world calls for one."


    "Either way, we owe him our lives today," another soldier said, his voice carrying a note of finality. "That''s all that matters to me."


    As the crowd continued to debate and specte, one thing was certain¡ªtheir perceptions of the Eight Prince had been irrevocably altered.


    In the days that followed the events at Frostgard, news of the battle spread across the globe like wildfire.


    The entire world was shaken, struggling to believe the incredible reports that had emerged from the chaos.


    What shocked people even more than the sheer scale of the beast attack was the identity of their unexpected savior¡ªnone other than the infamous Eight Prince.


    The inte quickly became a battleground, with two factions emerging.


    On one side were those who supported the prince, hailing him as a hero who had saved countless lives.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    They argued that whatever his past might hold, his actions at Frostgard proved that he was capable of great good.


    "Finally, people see him for who he truly is¡ªa protector, not just a destroyer!" one supporter posted, theirment liked by thousands.


    "He''s not the monster the Church says he is," another agreed. "He saved that entire city when no one else could. Give the man some credit!"


    But the other side was just as vocal, insisting that the Eight Prince''s intervention was nothing more than a calcted move to rehabilitate his tarnished image.

 Chapter 447: Bathe and Sleep Together?

    "Don''t be fooled!" a detractor wrote. "This was all staged to make him look like a hero after those protests in the Nethends. It''s nothing but a PR stunt!"


    "Yeah, right. He''s just trying to fix his reputation. He''s still the same ruthless tyrant," another added, theirment sparking a heated debate.


    Spection ran rampant, and amidst the chaos, questions swirled.


    Why was the Eight Prince allowed to roam freely on European soil?


    Why had the European Guardian remained silent during the entire ordeal?


    Does the gaurdians fear Prince?


    Why no action against Prince tyranny?


    And most perplexing of all, what had caused the sudden beast attack in the first ce?n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    However, the events at Frostholm proved to be just the beginning.


    In the days that followed, simr hordes of beasts began to appear across multiple locations worldwide.


    Entire cities were overrun, and in some cases, smaller nations fell to the onught.


    The frequency and ferocity of the attacks escted, sending the world into a state of panic.


    In response, the Archangels of the Holy Church decided to step in, offering their aid to the beleaguered nations.


    Their actions quickly won them widespread admiration and support from the public, who saw the Church as a beacon of hope in these dark times.


    "The Archangels are our only salvation," people said, their faith in the Church renewed as they watched the heavenly warriors descend to battle the monstrous hordes.


    But while the Church gained favor, the Guardians¡ªthe ancient protectors of humanity¡ªchose to maintain a neutral stance, their reasons covered in mystery.


    This neutrality only fueled further spection and distrust, with some questioning the Guardians'' true intentions.


    Despite the Church''s efforts, many human cities, and even entire smaller nations, were lost to the beast hordes.


    The world was changing rapidly, and fear of the unknown gripped the hearts of millions.


    Back in Frostgard, amidst the aftermath of the battle, Amaya stood on the scorched earth, watching as the reinforcements arrived.


    She smiled bitterly to herself, her mind swirling with conflicted emotions.


    "I am not his opponent at all..." she whispered, the words heavy with resignation.


    Deep down, she had always known this, but every time she witnessed the Eight Prince''s overwhelming power, it felt like a dagger to her pride.


    Her dreams of revenge, once burning so brightly, now seemed foolish and unattainable.


    Should I give up?


    She wondered, the question staring at her as she limped toward the soldiers.


    The weight of her realization pressed down on her, leaving her feeling small and powerless.


    As she reached the soldiers, she issued instructions, her voice calm but firm. "Get Miss Zhn and the others into the cars. We''re leaving."


    Xinyue Zhn, her expression filled with concern, hesitated before asking, "Will it be safe...?"


    Amaya shook her head slightly but offered a reassuring smile. "The Prince will be staying in Frostgard for a while. There''s no safer ce in the world right now."


    Zhn''s eyes widened at Amaya''s confidence, and she exchanged nces with her daughters, suspicion and curiosity flickering in their eyes.


    Thenguage barrier was no issue¡ªZhn and her daughters, highly educated from elite schools, understood English perfectly¡ªbut their lives in far-off China had kept them rtively sheltered from the intense opinions surrounding the Eight Prince.


    To them, he was more of a myth than a reality, his reputation not as deeply ingrained as it was in Europe.


    As they climbed into the bulletproof SUVs, two in each vehicle, Zhn and Jiarong chose one, while Xueying and Mei took the other. In the backseat, Wang Xueying patted her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.


    "That was so thrilling¡­ Mei, I swear," Xueying said with a shakyugh, still recovering from the adrenaline rush. "If we make it back home alive, I''m going to marry you off to Brother."


    "Huh?"


    Wang Mei, wrapped in a soft, skin-colored scarf that delicately framed her elegant neck, turned sharply, her usually calm demeanor giving way to a sh of irritation.


    Her gray eyes, deep and expressive, narrowed as she shot a re at Xueying, her lips parting slightly in disbelief.


    Mei''s smooth, porcin-like skin contrasted beautifully with the dark fabric of her coat, making her appear almost ethereal beauty the car.


    She quickly nced at the driver, who was studiously focused on the road, pretending not to hear their conversation.


    With a quiet sigh of relief, she rxed back into her seat.


    "Don''t speak nonsense... I was thinking about something else," she muttered, her voice carrying a soft, almost melodic tone as she turned her gaze back toward the window, her longshes casting delicate shadows on her cheeks.


    She always felt that the man, the Eighth Prince, looked a bit familiar...


    Even though it was mostly pictures of his back, she seemed to have seen it somewhere before.


    "Something else... Was it the Prince?" Xueying''s ears perked up mischievously, her yful smile widening as she leaned closer to her sister. "Did you develop a crush on him? Leave it, Mei. He''s way out of your league. If you could even get him to notice you, I might as well¡ªnever mind.


    Even if you just get his signature, I''ll give you my entire year''s worth of pocket money."


    Wang Mei remained silent, her expression unchanging as she stared out the window, the city lights reflecting off her clear, gray eyes.


    Xueying, always the lively one, often spoke more than Mei did, and their contrasting personalities were evident.


    Mei was the calmest of the family, her reserved nature clear opposite to Xueying''s energetic and teasing demeanor.


    After a moment, Mei turned her head slightly, her glossy hair slipping over her shoulder like a silken veil. "Xueying," she began, her voice steady and firm, "you''d better not run your mouth without thinking. There''s nothing immoral between Brother and me¡ªthere''s nothing."


    Xueying smirked knowingly, her dark eyes sparkling with amusement. "What? Really? Then why do you keep helping him all the time?" she teased, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.


    Mei shook her head gently, her soft lips pressing into a thin line.


    ''It''s useless to exin,'' she thought.


    Even if she tried to rify, Xueying would just twist her words.


    Mei''s actions were simple¡ªshe did what their mother asked of her, nothing more.


    She was neutral, almost detached, from any of the drama that seemed to surround their family as they grew older.


    Things change...


    Mei pursed her delicate lips and folded her arms across her chest, her thoughts drifting.


    She looked contemtive yet beautiful at the same time.


    Even if there was ambiguity in the past, it''s just that¡ªthe past....


    Now, it''s nothing more than a memory, and the thought of it...


    She suppressed a shudder, feeling a slight sense of disgust and disturbance at the notion.


    "C''mon, weren''t you the one who used to bathe and sleep together with him?" Xueying''s voice broke into her thoughts as she yfully grabbed Mei''s shoulder, her fingers brushing against the soft fabric of Mei''s coat.


    "!"

 Chapter 448: Degenerate Xueying!

    "C''mon, weren''t you the one who used to bathe together with him?" Xueying''s voice broke into her thoughts as she yfully grabbed Mei''s shoulder, her fingers brushing against the soft fabric of Mei''s coat.


    "!"


    Mei''s eyes widened, a sh of anger crossing her face as she quickly nced at the driver again.


    This time, she noticed the man''s eyes flickering toward the rearview mirror, his expression a mix of curiosity and surprise.


    A deep flush spread across her cheeks, making her feel mortified.


    She pped Xueying''s hand away, her voice firm andced with irritation. "Don''t speak useless things! You''re twisting right and wrong... How does bathing as children make it the same?" she hissed, her cheeks still burning with embarrassment.


    Xueying simply chuckled, shaking her head as she leaned back, her fingers tapping rhythmically against her temple. "Well, whatever," she sighed, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "If you don''t want to go forward and grab the opportunity, I will."


    Wang Mei stared at Xueying, her gray eyes wide with disbelief.


    Has she lost her mind?


    Mei thought, her delicate brows furrowing in concern.


    The mere idea of what her sister was suggesting made her stomach churn.


    Fucking her own brother... Just how degenerate does someone have to be to even consider that?


    "Are you serious?" Mei asked, her voice tinged with genuine worry as she searched her sister''s face for any sign that this was all just a twisted joke.


    Xueying, however, remained nonchnt, shrugging her slender shoulders as if discussing the weather. "Well, let him recover his memories. If that bastard doesn''t take responsibility, strip him down and push him." Her tone was casual, almost flippant, as if the suggestion was the most natural thing in the world.


    Mei''s jaw dropped, her pink lips forming a perfect "O" of shock.


    Take responsibility?


    Her mind raced, trying to process the implications.


    Did Xueying mean the deed had already been done?


    Wait...


    Her heart skipped a beat.


    Does this mean she did it seven years ago?


    A sudden wave of difort washed over Mei, and she instinctively shifted away from Xueying, putting some distance between them.


    The thought of her sister crossing such a line was both disturbing and bewildering.


    ''You''re an idiot,'' she thought, her mind swirling with confusion and unease.


    "You''re an idiot," she said aloud, pressing her lips together in a tight line.


    Her voice was t, devoid of the usual warmth she reserved for her sister.


    Xueying just shrugged again, her expression unbothered.


    The casual way she dismissed Mei''s concerns left Mei feeling even more unsettled.


    "If you''re serious..." Mei began, her voice a bit more strained now, "then Mom would kill you."


    Xueying leaned back in her seat, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "We could just escape the country or keep it secret," she replied, as if it were a simple matter of packing their bags and leaving.


    Mei shook her head, too tired to continue the argument. ''She''s deliberately teasing me,'' Mei realized, though the tension in her chest didn''t fully dissipate.


    Xueying had always been the more daring, more reckless of the two, but this... this was beyond even her usual character.


    Xueying, however, didn''t seem fazed by Mei''s disbelief.


    Instead, she smiled mischievously, her dark eyes gleaming with a hidden confidence. "I have support," she said cryptically.


    Mei didn''t bother to respond, dismissing thement as more of Xueying''s yful banter.


    Support?


    She didn''t care to ask, convinced that her sister was just trying to get a rise out of her.


    But even as she tried to brush it off, Mei couldn''t help but feel a small pang of unease.


    Is leaving the country that easy?


    She wondered.


    Their mother was no longer the same woman she had been in the past.


    Now, she was rich, powerful, and well-connected. If she wanted to find Xueying, she had a hundred ways to do so.


    But Xueying, seemingly unconcerned, continued to smile to herself, her thoughts drifting to her teacher, Isabelle.


    Isabelle, a woman of mysterious charm and sharp intellect, had always been more than just a teacher.


    Years ago, she had harbored suspicions that Wang Xiao might be the infamous Eight Prince, and it was this curiosity that had led her to embed herself in the school where he once studied.


    It was there that she first encountered Wang Xueying, Wang Xiao''s sister.


    Recognizing an opportunity, Isabelle took Xueying under her wing, training her as an apprentice under the guise of a devoted mentor.


    The intense sessions with Isabelle transformed Xueying''s outlook on life.


    What others saw as strict academia, Xueying treated as mere y¡ªtime to pass between the rigorous training Isabelle put her through.


    The traditional subjects became trivial in her eyes; her real education was the one Isabelle provided, filled with lessons that delved far beyond the ssroom.


    Isabelle''s influence over Xueying grew stronger with each passing day.


    She took exceptional care of the girl, earning her trust and affection.


    Yet, unbeknownst to Xueying, there was more to Isabelle''s nurturing than met the eye.


    Under the guise of a concerned teacher, Isabelle had skillfully extracted all kinds of information from Xueying, including details about her personal life and family affairs.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Every secret, every confession, was stored away, feeding Isabelle''s deeper ambitions.


    The idea was simple¡ªIsabelle would support Xueying and her family, provided they could lead her to the Eight Prince in future.


    It was a pretext, of course, a carefully constructed ruse designed to get Isabelle closer to her true goal: a meeting with the Eight Prince himself.


    But when an imposter arrived in the form of a memoryless Wang Xiao, Isabelle''s hopes were dashed.


    The imposter, though bearing the right name,cked the presence, the aura, and most importantly, he wasn''t the eight prince she was looking for.


    The deception was clear to her, and with a heavy heart, Isabelle gave up her pursuit, resigning herself to the fact that Wang Xiao was not the man she sought.


    Still, Xueying''s natural talent could not be overlooked.


    The girl had a brilliant mind for science, and Isabelle saw in her the potential for greatness.


    So, she proposed an offer¡ªan invitation for Xueying to leave the mundanity of her current life behind and join her in a ce unlike any other.


    Isabelle was vague about the destination, revealing only that it was a mysterious, secluded location, cut off from the rest of the world.


    Xueying, captivated by the idea of a grand adventure, hadn''t yet shared this proposal with anyone, not even her closest family.


    The thought of leaving everything behind was scary, yet the thrill of the unknown was too powerful to resist.l


    Little did she know that the ce Isabelle was nning to take her was none other than the legendary Eight Continent, Antia¡ª known to only a select few.


    But with the real Wang Xiao''s unexpected return, the future suddenly seemed uncertain.


    The dynamic between Isabelle, Xueying, and the entire Wang family was bound to change in ways no one could predict.


    Isabelle, confident in her ns, was unknowingly walking into a situation far moreplicated than she had anticipated.


    She was in for a surprise, one that would shake the very foundations of her carefullyid schemes.


    And she wasn''t the only one.


    Everyone, from Xueying to the entire Wang family, was about to be swept up in a series of events that would challenge their destiny...

 Chapter 449: Dress Up Doll!

    In the Unknown Void!


    Within a castle that shimmered with an eerie, otherworldly light, Wang Xiao moved with silent grace through the shadowed corridors.


    As he approached a door, the air seemed to whizzle with ancient secrets.


    He opened it, stepping into a chamber where darkness clung to every corner like a jealous lover.


    After a few deliberate footsteps, he halted.


    "You maye out with me," hemanded, his voice resonating with a quiet authority, directed toward the obscured depths of the room.


    A breath passed, and then, like a whisper on the wind, a figure began to coalesce from the shadows.


    She emerged with a beauty that could make the moon weep with envy, yet her beautiful face was marred by a ghostly paleness that clung to her like a shadow.


    Her eyes, once brilliant as autumn stars, were now dimmed, holding a sorrowful depth that stirred the heart.


    Her once radiant skin had faded to an baster hue, tinged with a sickly hue, as if life itself was slowly abandoning her.


    Despite her frailty, there was an undeniable elegance in her movements, a lingering trace of the enchanting woman she had once been.


    But now, she was a fallen flower, her petals wilted by the cruel hand of fate.


    Her lips, pale and trembling, curved into a faint, mocking smile as she spoke, her voiceced with a fragile contempt, "You do not fear taking me out with you...?"


    Wang Xiao''s gaze remained on her fragile yet beautiful figure. "You and your daughters are still under house arrest. Only you will apany me outside. You need only follow mymands." He paused, his voice growing colder. "And if you try anything extra, I will kill you this time."


    Eveline''s eyes flickered with a glimmer of old defiance, yet it quickly dissolved into a look of quiet resignation.


    She was a bird with clipped wings, her spirit dulled by years of captivity.


    Once, Eveline had been a woman of great charm and power.


    But a single misstep had cast her into the abyss.


    For years, she and her daughters had been confined within the cold walls of this castle, never again feeling the warmth of the sun.


    But today, Wang Xiao had sensed a disturbance in the world beyond, and with Mary watching over his daughters, he saw a use for Eveline once more.


    In the realm of Xianthera, Eveline was of no use; he could make better use of her as his assistant.


    The thought of her betraying him again wasughable.


    She was far too weakened, her once formidable strength now but a memory, doomed to fail as she had before.


    The event that led to her downfall had also mercifully halted her once-unstoppable breeding spree.


    Now, Eveline was left with only fourteen children, and no new life had stirred within her for the past six years.


    She was a faded beauty, a broken reed swaying in the wind¡ªpitiful, yet still retaining a tragic charm that could stir even the coldest of hearts.


    _______


    28th August, 2031, Frostgard!


    dic View Resort!


    The wedding guests, who had initially settled within the city, were hastily relocated to a secluded resort after a sudden attack.


    What was meant to be a calm transition turned into a rushed exodus.


    The resort''s perimeter, now heavily guarded, was patrolled by elite deviants, recing the usual security.


    Despite the ongoing investigation, Wang Xiao was determined not to let the event be ruined.


    Special forces vans were parked strategically around the area, with a military base only a few kilometers away, providing a sense of security.


    The resort itself was a luxurious haven, with each vi boasting a private pool, merging traditional woodwork with modern elegance.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Palm trees lined the private beach, their leaves rustling softly as the wedding preparations were underway.


    The sprawling grounds could easily amodate thousands, though the guest list was much smaller, just a few hundred.


    Inside the bride''s vi, chaos reigned supreme!


    Dresses were scattered across the floor, and chatter filled the air with an air of temptation, lightly dressed girls sprawled all across showing their long legs and beautiful bodies.


    Amidst this scene, Wang Jiarong sat on a wooden stool in front of arge mirror, exuding an aura of casualness


    Her long, slender legs were crossed seductively, one leg draped over the other, creating an effortless yet provocative pose.


    The subtle shift of her legs caused the hem of her outfit to rise slightly, revealing a tempting glimpse of her creamy, smooth thighs.


    Her dark hair was styled in a loose, artful bun, with a few strands rebelliously framing her exquisite face. The white, form-fitting top clung to her voluptuous figure, emphasizing the generous curve of her small waist.


    The fabric wrapped tightly around her soft, full breasts, pushing them upwards just enough to make them irresistibly inviting, a sight that could steal the breath of anyone who nced her way.


    Her skin, wless and radiant, contrasted beautifully with the white fabric, glowing with a warmth that seemed to invite a touch.


    As she bit into an apple, her rose-tinted lips curled into a slight pout, a gesture that made her look both innocent and temptingly dangerous. "Not good at all... too tight," she murmured, her voice soft yet decisive.


    "Mmm..." Her juicy lips, slightly parted, were enough to make anyone crave a taste.


    The room, filled exclusively with women, was suffused with a seductive fragrance with every breath.


    In the absence of men, everyone was dressed casually, their defenses lowered, creating an atmosphere of sweetness.


    "Rui, try this one!" called out Lingling, a petite beauty with a lively spirit, sitting causally above a plush white sheets of the bed.


    Standing at just 160 cm, Lingling had a striking presence despite her small stature.


    She was a true legal loli, with a cute round face andrge, expressive eyes that sparkled with mischief.


    Her long, silky hair cascaded down her back, framing her slender waist and petite frame.


    But it was her most impressive bust, which contrasted with her otherwise delicate appearance, that often left people in awe.


    She was a perfect blend of innocence and sensuality, her figure curvaceous yet petite, making her a truly captivating sight.


    As Lingling tossed the red dress to Qian Ruixin, she teased, her voice yful and light, "Come on, Rui! You''ll look stunning in this one!"


    Qian Ruixin,ing out of the dressing room, stared around the plush bed and couch, scattered clothes all around, her friends cousins just scattered across casually sitting one at each corner.


    She sighed as she bent her waist to pick up the dress.


    Unlike Jiarong''s overt sensuality, Ruixin possessed an ethereal beauty that grew more captivating the longer one gazed at her.


    Her figure was elegant and perfectly proportioned, with gentle curves that went along with her grace and slender body.


    She had the kind of beauty that wasn''t just about physical appearance; it was in the way she moved, the way she smiled.


    Her skin was like the finest jade¡ªsmooth, cool to the touch, and glowing with a natural radiance.


    Her hair, long and lustrous, was tied loosely in a cloud bun, with a few strands escaping to frame her delicate face.


    As she bent to pick up the dress that hadnded on her smooth toes, all eyes were drawn to her.


    "Hah... You''re guys really treating me like a dress-up doll," she muttered with a yful smile, her voice soft but tinged with amusement.

 Chapter 450: Find a Rich man and Marry? Loveless Marriage!

    "Hah... You''re guys really treating me like a dress-up doll," muttered, Qian Ruixin with a yful smile, her voice soft but tinged with amusement.


    Her lips, full and pink, curved in a way that made them irresistibly kissable.


    "It''s just a wedding¡­" she sighed again, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the attention.


    The tight, red one-piece dress she wore currently clung tightly over her waist, highlighting her smooth curves.


    Paired with ck heels, the outfit made her look even more stunning, though she clearly felt ufortable walking in it.


    The dress, while undeniably beautiful, felt too revealing for such an asion, and she knew it wasn''t appropriate for a wedding¡ªit was simply too provocative.


    As Qian Ruixin picked up the dress, Lingling hopped down from the bed, her small frame bouncing with a mix of energy and urgency. "Hey, hey¡­ What do you mean by ''just a wedding''? It''s ''your'' wedding, okay! The flower of Michengin can''t afford to be casual, right, girls?" Her voice was yful, but her eyes gleamed with a determination that left no room for argument.


    She turned to face their two ''stic'' sisters, Zou Lin and Cao Lei, who were lounging on the bed, propped up by plush pillows.


    They exchanged a nce, their smiles tight as they nodded in agreement.


    "Of course," Zou Lin said, her tone sweet but with an edge of insincerity. "You can''t just brush this off, Rui. It''s the most important day of your life."


    Cao Lei chimed in, her voice syrupy, "You''vee so far, Rui. We''re all so proud of you." Proud¡ªbut not without a tinge of resentment. Her eyes flicked to Lingling, who was clearly enjoying this little power y


    Qian Ruixin smiled faintly, but inside, her thoughts were a storm.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Perfect,'' she thought, her grip tightening slightly on the dress. ''Is that what you really want for me? Or are you just waiting to see if I stumble?''


    Zou Lin and Cao Lei¡ªher so-called ''stic sisters''¡ªhad always been supportive, but Ruixin wasn''t naive.


    She knew their type well.


    They were the kind of friends who cheered for your sess as long as it didn''t outshine theirs.


    They were like flowers¡ªbeautiful to look at but with thorns hidden just beneath the surface.


    They had always treated her kindly enough, but that kindness had alwayse with strings attached.


    The sudden shift in their attitudes since her engagement had been hard to miss.


    Before, they had treated her like the beautiful but lesser flower, content to bask in their own superiority due to her modest background.


    Now, that she was marrying an official, she could feel the thin veneer of friendship starting to crack.


    Lingling, with her round, cute face and childlike energy, was the only one who remained truly genuine.


    Standing at just 160 cm, with a figure that was both petite and curvaceous, Lingling looked like a dolle to life.


    But despite her innocent appearance, she had a fierce loyalty to Ruixin that was as strong as steel.


    "Come on, Rui!" Lingling urged, her voice taking on a teasing lilt. "Don''t let these two fools make you nervous. We both know you''ll outshine everyone, as always."


    Ruixin sighed, a small smile ying on her lips as she nced at the red dress in her hands. "It''s just a wedding, Lingling¡­" she muttered, though there was an underlying meaning didn''t go unnoticed.


    Lingling rolled her eyes, cing her hands on her hips, looking very adorable. "Don''t ''just a wedding'' me! This is your big day! You''re marrying into one of the most powerful families in the country, for heaven''s sake. Do you want to walk down the aisle looking like you don''t care?"


    Zou Lin leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing just a fraction. "Lingling''s right, Rui. What do you mean by ''just a wedding''? Don''t tell me it''s a loveless marriage."


    Cao Lei, lounging next to Zou Lin, quickly cut in with a smile that didn''t quite reach her eyes. "Linlin, shut up. Do you really think there''s a man out there who wouldn''t fall in love with our flower?"


    Her tone was light, but there was a subtle meaning to her words, a hidden meaning that only those close to them would notice.


    ''Beauty like Qian Ruixin''s is rare,'' Cao Lei thought, ''but only among ordinary people. For powerful figures like Murong Shan, a country official, women like her are disposable.''


    She and Zou Lin had always believed that Qian Ruixin had just gotten lucky this time.


    Ruixin forced a smile, knowing that Zou Lin and Cao Lei weren''t just being curious¡ªthey were probing, looking for cracks in the perfect facade she presented to the world.


    ''They want to see if I''m really as fortunate as they think.''


    She smiled inwardly, her heart hardening against the subtle barbs in their words.


    The Murong family had approached her with a marriage proposal, arranging blind dates and ensuring everything seemed perfect on the surface.


    To her surprise, Murong Shan, a man of immense power and influence, had treated her with respect and courtesy from the very beginning.


    Her mother had been ecstatic, insisting that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "If there''s nothing wrong with his character, you should seize this chance," she had urged.


    But there was one thing that had nagged at Ruixin ever since¡ªthe distance Murong Shan maintained.


    Except for their engagement and that single blind date, he had rarely taken the initiative to contact her personally over thest two years.


    Sure, there were the regr gifts¡ªextravagant flowers, luxurious items¡ªbut no personal interactions.


    His reasoning?


    A family tradition of not meeting the bride until the wedding day.


    On one hand, Ruixin had appreciated the respect, but on the other, she couldn''t help but feel a growing bitterness.


    Which young girl doesn''t dream of... love?


    The ache in her heart deepening.


    But as we grow older, our desires change.


    Finding a stable man to build a life with bes more important.


    She had discreetly investigated Murong Shan.


    He hadn''t been involved in any affairs recently, and hisst rtionship had ended two years ago.


    Despite the distance, Murong Shan had shown goodwill by helping her family in significant ways.


    He hasn''t met her often, but he''s done more than most men ever would.


    Ruixin''s gaze shifted to Zou Lin and Cao Lei, her so-called ''stic sisters.''


    She knew that if they had the same opportunity, they would snatch it up without hesitation.


    Their words, though seemingly supportive, wereced with envy and a desire to see her stumble.


    Lingling, sensing the shift in the room, moved closer to Ruixin.


    Her big, round eyes softened with concern, her voice gentle yet firm. "Rui... you know we''re just looking out for you, right? But Linlin''s right, even if she''s being blunt. This marriage isn''t just about love. It''s about your happiness.


    Love can grow after marriage, and honestly, which of us here has found true love yet?"


    She turned and red at Zou Lin and Cao Lei, who immediately pursed their lips and fell silent.


    ''Lingling always knows how to put them in their ce,'' Ruixin thought suppressing a smile with a small flicker of gratitude.


    Jiarong, lounging casually while eating her apple, shook her head dismissively. "You guys really take these things too seriously."


    "Hm?" Ruixin, who shared a closer bond with Jiarong than with the others, turned to her, raising an eyebrow in question.


    Jiarong shrugged, her expression carefree, "Just find a rich man to marry and settle your life. Why overthink it? In the end, it''s all aboutfort, not fantasy."

 Chapter 451: Aunt Meifang!

    Jiarong, "Just find a rich man to marry and settle your life. Why overthink it? In the end, it''s all aboutfort, not fantasy."


    Ruixin''s curious expression slowly morphed into a bitter smile.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    She shook her head slightly, her eyes reflecting a mixture of amusement and sorrow. "Then why don''t you marry already, Rong Er? Aren''t you nearing the age of a ''Sheng Nu''?" The teasing note in her voice was light, but the truth hit its mark.


    Wang Jiarong''s lips twitched.


    Suddenly, the apple in her mouth tasted bitter.


    She huffed, turning her attention away from the group, clearly annoyed. "It''s not that simple, Rui. You of all people should know that."


    ''Maybe I should be taking things more seriously,'' she thought internally, though she''d never admit it out loud.


    The room fell into a brief silence.


    Ruixin sighed internally, knowing Jiarong had a point


    But this is how the world works.


    People with money have the luxury of looking beyond it for other things.


    Those without it?


    They must first secure their foundation before they can dream of more.


    Society still hasn''tpletely shifted to Aether.


    Money is still the primary foundation for achieving strength and status for ordinary people.


    Ordinary people don''t interact with mages and warriors every day.


    Needs flow from bottom to top.


    A frog at the bottom of the well cannot dream of roaming the world without growing legs.


    Qian Ruixin nced at Lingling, the only person in the room who seemed genuinely concerned for her well-being. "Thank you, Lingling," she said, her voice soft but sincere. Then, turning to the other two, she added with a sudden smile, "And you two, Linlin and Leilei."


    "eh!?"


    Zou Lin and Cao Lei were caught off guard by the unexpected warmth in her smile.


    They exchanged awkward nces before nodding in response.


    Women wouldn''t break rtionships openly or sever ties forever, no matter how much they might dislike someone.


    Ruixin smiled, watching their reactions.


    They are diplomatic by nature, knowing when to smile and when to keep distance.


    But even then, the gratitude in her smile was genuine, catching them off guard.


    stic sisters are sisters after all.


    They can be quite dependable when it matters.


    Men often wonder why women maintain these ''stic'' friendships, but the answer is simple: they''re helpful when they need to be, and in unfamiliar territory, they''re often the only ones you can rely on.


    Women''s friendships might seemplicated to others, but they''re actually straightforward¡ªeveryone understands the unspoken rules, the boundaries, and the roles they y.


    You can trust them for certain matters without hesitation, knowing they''ll have your back.


    But you also know where not to trust them¡ªlike with a man, because they might just steal him away.


    Being aware of these dynamics makes life easier.


    Men, on the other hand, often blur boundaries, acting frank on the surface but keeping hidden intentions.


    One day, a man might discover his best friend stole his girl, and he''ll be left wondering,


    How could this happen?


    He was my true friend.


    They forget to set limits, and the result is often heartbreak.


    A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Rui, have you chosen the dress?" The voice was firm, yet pleasing to hear.


    Ruixin hesitated before opening the door. "Ummm... Mom, we''re still deciding."


    Xin Meifang stood in the doorway, instantlymanding everyone''s attention.


    She wore a sleek, dark silk cheongsam that clung to her curves, wrapping her generous bosom, narrow waist, and the smooth re of her hips. A high slit revealed her long, toned legs. A delicate gold ne adorned her neck, drawing attention to her corbones, while jade earrings swayed gently with each movement.


    Her sharp amber eyes were piercing, both intimidating and captivating, framed by raven-ck hair that cascaded down her back. Her deep red lips curled into a knowing smile, exuding confidence and mature sensuality.


    She had an aura of authority that silenced the room¡ªmajestic, powerful, and tempting.


    "Take your time," Meifang said, her voice pleasing and smooth butmanding. "It''s important to make the right choice for tomorrow when receiving Xiao Shan''s family. Don''t embarrass us! And for the final wedding, wear this." She pulled a dress from the bag, revealing it to Qian Ruixin.


    The dress was a masterpiece¡ªan elegant gown of deep red silk, adorned with intricate golden embroidery depicting phoenixes and peonies.


    The luxurious fabric shimmered under the light, designed to perfectly emphasize Ruixin''s slender waist and enhance her graceful figure more.


    Qian Ruixin nced at the dress, knowing it was meant for the final wedding on September 5th¡ªthe ancestral dress, as tradition dictated.


    ''The ancestral dress...'' she thought, feeling the weight of responsibility and tradition press down on her.


    Satisfied with Ruixin''s reaction, Meifang''s sharp gaze shifted to Wang Jiarong, who had been trying to blend into the background. "Rong Er," Meifang said, her tone brooking no argument, "make sure Rui is well-prepared. We can''t afford any mistakes."


    Jiarong blinked, slightly taken aback by her aunt''smanding presence. She quickly straightened her back, feeling the need to stand taller under that piercing gaze. "Yes, Aunty. I''ll take care of it," she replied, her voice tinged with nervousness despite her best efforts.


    Meifang''s eyes lingered on her niece''s figure for a moment before she gave a curt nod. Just as she turned to leave, she paused and looked back at Jiarong. "By the way, Rong Er, were you present during the attack three days ago?"


    "!"


    The room fell into a sudden silence as everyone turned to look at Jiarong, their curiosity piqued.


    Most of them hadn''t caught the English news headlines that detailed the attack, and with flight dys keeping many guests away until yesterday, details were scarce.


    All they knew was that there had been an incident, which was swiftly dealt with unknowing of the sheer scale that was censored.


    Jiarong nodded, her expression darkening as the memory resurfaced. "Yes, Aunty... I was there."


    Meifang''s sharp eyes narrowed slightly, assessing her niece''s reaction. "Did you know personally what happened?" she inquired, her tone a bit more probing.


    Jiarong hesitated, feeling a flicker of unease under her aunt''s intense gaze. "I... I only know that there was chaos, but..." Her voice trailed off, unsure of how much to reveal.


    Meifang''s expression softened, but her curiosity remained. She changed her approach, asking, "Did you see the Prince?"


    "!"


    Jiarong''s eyes suddenly brightened, a stark contrast to her previous demeanor. She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I did! He was incredible! He subdued all the beasts within just a few seconds!"


    Despite being already ady, there was a childlike shine in her eyes as she spoke about the Prince, a clear admiration that made her momentarily forget the fear she had felt during the attack.


    Ruixin and the others exchanged nces, noting the awe in Jiarong''s voice.


    It was impossible not to be impressed by the Prince, especially after hearing what he had done.


    Who wouldn''t admire someone so powerful?


    They thought, feeling a mix of awe and wariness themselves.


    But they all knew that the Prince was far beyond their reach, an untouchable figure that no one dared to casuallyment about.


    Even a mere mention of him on social media could lead to your posts being swiftly taken down.


    He was truly untouchable.


    People had to resort to using different acronyms to discuss him, or instead of daring to say ''Eighth Prince,'' they would simply refer to him as ''Prince.''


    Jiarong continued, her voice filled with confidence. "As long as the Prince is in the city, there''s no need to worry about anything. He''s... he''s just too strong. And besides, the event managementpany handling everything has a very strong background. We''re in safe hands."


    Meifang nodded approvingly, pleased with Jiarong''s response. "Good. It''s important to know where we stand," she said, her tone final.


    With that, she turned and left the room, her departure asmanding as her entrance.

 Chapter 452: Meeting Grandmother!

    Thud!


    As soon as the door closed behind her, Jiarong let out a long, relieved sigh. "Oh my god... What happened to her...?" she whispered, almost to herself, before looking at Ruixin with wide eyes. "When did she be so... imposing?"


    Ruixin shook her head, still holding the dress. "It started a few years ago. I remembering back home during my sophomore year... and it was like she''d turned into apletely different person."


    Everyone was wise enough not to inquire about the attacks.


    They were happening across the world¡ªin Europe and both American continents¡ªand people anticipated they would soon spread to other regions.


    Meanwhile, the Holy Church was swiftly taking action to locate the source and contain the threat


    Jiarong frowned, trying to reconcile the image of the fierce,manding woman who had just left with the memory of the once-haggard woman she vaguely remembered. "Yeah... Thest time I saw her before that, she was so different¡ªexhausted, like life had worn her down. But now... she''s like a queen or something."


    Ruixin nodded, her thoughts drifting back to that visit home. "I was shocked when I saw her. The way she carried herself, the way she spoke... It was like she had shed her old self entirely. There was no trace of the woman who used to be overwhelmed by everything. Instead, she was strong, confident, like she''d built this wall around herself.


    I still don''t know what caused it."


    Jiarong gave a low whistle, still processing. "Whatever it was, it turned her into someone pretty...manding."


    Ruixin gave a small, humorlessugh. "Yeah,manding...."


    [A/N: Xinyue Zhn and Xin Meifang are sisters ¡ª With Xin Meifang being the elder sister! ^?_?^]


    _________n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Crash... Crash...


    The waves crashed against the cold, rocky shore, their rhythmic pounding a constant reminder of the vast, dark abyss that was the night sea.


    Lines of bonfires flickered along the beach, their warm glow fighting against the biting chill in the air.


    The mes danced in the wind, casting long shadows and bathing the gathering in an eerie, yet beautiful light.


    Despite the cold, many guests shivered but stubbornly refused to put on jackets.


    They had spent hours preparing for the event, selecting the perfect outfits to showcase.


    To cover them up now, even with the icy wind biting at their skin, seemed unthinkable.


    A typical vanity-driven affair, where appearances were everything.


    The dinner area was lively, almost chaotic, filled with the hum of conversation and the clinking of sses.


    But the noise level spiked when Mary made her entrance.


    Dressed in a stunning white gown with open shoulders, she immediately drew attention.


    Her straight ck bangs nearly obscured her crimson eyes, giving her a mysterious, almost haunting look.


    From a distance, her pale skin and delicate features made her appear angelic, but anyone who met her gaze was quickly unsettled by the devil blood-red eyes.


    People whispered, exchanging uneasy nces, before quickly looking away, as if her eyes might trap them in some unspeakable horror.


    Mary was not alone.


    She followed two figures who were even more captivating¡ªWang Xiao''s favored twin daughters, Wenxi and Yue.


    Their entrance caused an immediate stir.


    Whispers filled the air, some admiring, others skeptical, as they walked with the kind of grace that demanded attention.


    Yue, in particr, held a distinct air of authority¡ªunsurprising, given that she was the owner of thepany organizing the event.


    Her sharp gaze swept the crowd, taking note of everything, every detail, every face.


    As they moved through the crowd, the murmurs died down, especially when Xinyue Zhn and Xin Meifang, stepped forward to recieve them, although the former curious about their sudden appearance.


    Her warm reception quickly smoothed over any lingering skepticism, and soon, the guests were distracted by the flowing wine, drinks and the promise of a good time.


    They blended into the party, their presence bing just another part of the night.


    On a small tform to the right, a show was in full swing.


    Six models dressed in traditional Hawaiian attire performed me stunts, their exotic beauty and daring moves instantly captivating the men in the audience.


    The women, however, weren''t as impressed.


    Some red, others simply sighed in resignation, their expressions a mix of annoyance and eptance.


    "Typical," one woman muttered under her breath, crossing her arms tighter against the cold but refusing to cover her meticulously chosen dress. "They bring in these foreign beauties to unt around, and we''re just supposed to smile and watch?"


    Another woman beside her nodded in agreement, her eyes flicking disdainfully toward the models. "Just another reminder of how disposable we are at these things. But what can you do? Let them have their fun."


    Despite the simmering tension, the night continued, with most guests gradually surrendering to the festive atmosphere.


    "Miss Yue, thank you for joining us," Xinyue Zhn greeted politely, making sure to keep her tone respectful without prying into why they were there.


    Yue, after all, was the owner of thepany organizing the event, and even if her arrival was unexpected, she was still a guest¡ªsomeone who, ording to tradition, should be treated with utmost respect.


    Xin Meifang, standing beside Zhn, quickly recognized Yue but kept her acknowledgment subtle, offering only a nod.


    Her attention, however, was drawn to the mysterious young woman trailing behind Yue.


    Mary''s presence was quiet but intense, her red eyes partially hidden by dark bangs, giving her an eerie, almost spectral aura.


    ''Why is she here!?'' Meifang wondered, panicked inwardly but cautious outside.


    "It''s no trouble," Yue replied, her gaze steady as she met Zhn''s eyes. "We just wanted to look around. I hope we''re not intruding." She nced briefly at Meifang, who was still studying Mary.


    Yue''s sharp eyes missed nothing, and she made a mental note of Meifang''s curiosity.


    But now wasn''t the time to address it.


    Xinyue Zhn noticed the way Yue''s eyes briefly flickered to Meifang before returning to her. ''She''s observant,'' Zhn thought. ''Not just a pretty face, but someone with sharp instincts.''


    Wenxi, standing beside Yue, remained silent, but her icy curious gaze lingered on Xinyue Zhn.


    The way Wenxi stared made Zhn uneasy, though she couldn''t quite ce why.


    Finally, Zhn turned her attention back to Yue, hoping to ease the tension.


    Sensing the awkwardness, Yue offered a polite smile. "By the way, just call me Yue. It feels strange to be addressed so formally by someone of your stature." She remembered Wenxi mentioning that Xinyue Zhn was her father''s mother, though they had never been close. Still, having Zhn call her ''Miss'' felt too distant, almost ufortable.


    Zhn seemed relieved by the suggestion and nodded. "Alright, Yue," she said, the name rolling off her tongue with more ease now.

 Chapter 453: Possessed Xin Meifang!

    "Cough, I heard there was an attack on guests recently. Miss Xin, could we discuss some future security measures... alone?" Mary''s abrupt voice was sweet, almost too sweet, like honeyced with something darker.


    The sound of it sent a shiver down Xinyue Zhn''s spine¡ªgoosebumps prickling her skin as she heard Mary speak for the first time.


    But Mary''s attention was fixed on Xin Meifang, whose smile faltered under the intensity of Mary''s gaze.


    There was something undeniably uneasy about Mary¡ªher beauty sharp, almost dangerous.


    "Yes, of course," Meifang replied, quickly regaining herposure.


    Her smile was smooth as she reached for a ss of wine, her movements fluid and graceful. "Follow me," she added, leading Mary to a secluded corner of the beach.


    Her hips swayed subtly as she walked, confidence returning with each step.


    Mary nodded, her lips curling into a slight, approving smile. "Enjoy your evening, Miss Yue, Miss Zhn," she said, her voice soft and teasing, with a knowing nce at Yue.


    The look lingered, a yful glint in her eyes, as if she could see right through Yue''s unease.


    Yue caught the hint, feeling her cheeks warm under Mary''s gaze.


    She red back, but it was half-hearted, and Mary''s light charmingughter followed her as she lightly walked away, leaving Yue feeling oddly exposed.


    ''She knows,'' Yue thought, unsettled by how easily Mary had seen through her awkward attempts or trying to know Xinyue Zhn.


    Mary''s steps were deliberate as she approached Xin Meifang, who stood alone by the shore, her figure framed by the soft light of the moon.


    There was a quiet elegance in the way Meifang waited, her posture straight but with a hint of mncholy, as if she were lost in thought.


    Does Mary know her?


    Wenxi wondered, her sharp eyes narrowing with curiosity.


    This was new¡ªMary, usually so reserved, taking the lead, and with someone unfamiliar.


    With Mary gone, Xinyue Zhn felt the tension in the air lift.


    She turned back to Yue and Wenxi, her posture rxing as she smiled. "It''s good to see you both here," she said warmly, her voice carrying a subtle charm.


    "Yes, it''s been... interesting," Yue replied, her tone polite, though her mind was still on Mary. ''What is she nning?'' she wondered, but for now, she pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the conversation.


    _______


    "You wouldn''t want to cause a scene here, and neither of us wants our identities revealed, do we?" Xin Meifang''s voice was smooth, her red lips brushing the rim of her ss as she spoke.


    The words rolled off her tongue with a casual confidence,ced with an unsettling familiarity.


    Mary stopped a few steps behind her, her posture graceful yet tense, hands folded demurely in front of her. "I didn''t know someone as strong as you existed among deviants," she said, her tone polite but her eyes sharp, hinting at violence. "Who are you?"


    The wrong answer, and Mary was ready to strike.


    Her role was to protect Yue and Wenxi, and this woman''s power made her a potential threat. ''I can''t afford to take chances.''


    Xin Meifang tilted her head slightly, as if puzzled. "Deviant?" she repeated, her eyes flickering with confusion. "You think I''m... what? You''re not with Pantheon?"


    "Pantheon?" Mary''s brow furrowed as she tilted her head, eyes narrowing. "Is that what you call yourselves? Some new organization? If you''re targeting Miss Yue and Wenxi, I suggest you retreat now before it''s toote. The people backing them aren''t ones you''d want to cross."


    Xin Meifang slowly turned her head, her golden eyes glowing as they met Mary''s. "We''re having a misunderstanding," she said, her voice steady, almost soothing. "I''m not here for those two. I''m only here to oversee my daughter''s marriage. Nothing more."


    Mary''s eyes widened slightly, her breath catching.


    ''Daughter? Wait... she was mother of Miss Ruixin,'' she thought, surprise flickering through her.


    ''Why is someone in Wang Xiao''s family this powerful?''


    If it weren''t for the family connection, Mary would have neutralized the threat immediately.


    ''It can''t be... those hell spirits again,'' she thought worried, realizing she needed to alert Wang Xiao. ''Something''s not right here.''


    Xin Meifang took a slow step closer, her gaze never leaving Mary''s. Her eyes sparkled with a strange, almost seductive delight, as if she could see deep into Mary''s soul.


    "Your soul... it''s so tainted," she murmured, her voice a soft, dangerous smile. "So much blood, guilt... pain... the suffering you''ve caused...."


    "Wh¡ª!?"


    Mary''s pulse quickened, and she instinctively stepped back, a shiver running down her spine.


    "Who are you?" she whispered, unable to mask the unease in her voice.


    Xin Meifang''s lips curled into a slow, knowing smile, her touch light as she ced a hand on Mary''s shoulder. "It''s better we don''t engage in conflict for now," she said, her tone intimate. "Your retribution wille... but not today."


    "What...?" Mary''s mind raced, trying to grasp the meaning behind her words, but Xin Meifang had already turned away, walking off with a graceful ease, leaving behind her seductive trail of frganace, as if nothing had happened.


    The chilling smile lingered on her lips, a crimson sh in the moonlight.


    Retribution?


    Mary echoed in her thoughts, unsettled. She shook her head, trying to clear the confusion, but the unease only deepened.


    Hurrying back to Yue and Wenxi, she couldn''t shake the image of Xin Meifang''s smile, her blood-red lipstick vivid against her pale skin. ''She saw right through me. How?''


    ______N?v(el)B\\jnn


    As the bonfire intensified, casting a brighter glow across the beach, the lively music filled the air, blending with the sound of crashing waves.


    Despite the festive atmosphere, one person felt isted¡ªWang Mei.


    She sat quietly on a wooden bench, her eyes asionally blinking as she looked at the boy beside her, Wang Xiao''s imposter, who remained silent and distant.


    Neither of them was allowed to drink, and under normal circumstances, Wang Mei wouldn''t have minded.


    Buttely, after contemting Wang Xueying''s words, she couldn''t shake the feeling that she had be a mere babysitter to him.


    Her difort grew with each passing moment, her toes curling in her heels.


    Finally, she stood up, the tension in her body begging for release. "I''m going to take a walk. Don''t move," she said, her voice soft but slightly strained.


    Without waiting for a response, she headed towards the seashore, needing to escape the awkwardness.


    As she walked away, a few younger boys who had been watching her from a nearby table sighed in disappointment.


    They had lingered, hoping for a chance to talk to Wang Mei, but with her departure, they too left, leaving the imposter alone on the bench.

 Chapter 454: Breaking rules for the first time!

    Crash...


    The waves greeted her as she reached the shore, the cool sand weing her feet.


    She exhaled deeply, a wave of relief washing over her as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.


    Her heart pounded with anxious energy.


    ''This is the first time I''ve broken the rules,'' she thought, a mixture of excitement and fear bubbling inside her. Known for her perfect grades and good-girl attitude, Wang Mei had never defied her responsibilities before.


    Her legs trembled slightly, the night air cool against her skin.


    She slipped off her heels, sinking her slender toes into the cold, smooth sand.


    A smile of pure delight crossed her face as the earlier tension melted away.


    What if Mom finds out?


    The thought briefly crossed her mind, but she pushed it aside, feeling the soothing sensation of the sand between her toes.


    For now, she was just Wang Mei, not the perfect daughter, not the babysitter¡ªjust a girl enjoying a stolen moment of peace by the sea.


    The cool sand weed her bare feet, the grains slipping between her toes and instantly easing the tension that had weighed on her.


    She exhaled deeply with a lost gaze at the dark sky, her breath mingling with the ocean breeze.


    Her long, flowing dress¡ªa delicate shade of blush pink adorned with intricate floral embroidery¡ªswayed gently around her ankles. The fabric shimmered in the soft glow of the bonfire, making the embroidered petals appear as though they wereing to life in the flickering light.


    Her slender waist, beaded sash that drew the eye upward along her graceful figure. The dress clung lightly to her form, the embroidered blossoms trailing up toward her chest, where they framed a delicate, pearl-like ornament resting just above her heart.


    Around her neck, a simple ne with a small, glimmering pendant added a touch of understated elegance.


    Her fingers, adorned with thin, ntinum rings, gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.


    The long, dark locks cascaded down her back, catching the moonlight and shimmering like a waterfall of silk.


    The cool breeze yed with her hair, revealing glimpses of intricate hairpins nestled among the strands¡ªdelicate pink jewels and pearls that glinted with each movement.


    Wang Mei''s eyes were a soft, enchanting gray, deep and mysterious like the mist that hovers over the sky.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    They were framed by long, flutteringshes that added to her ethereal charm.


    The gray of her eyes held a certain depth, a quiet mncholy that contrasted beautifully with the subtle warmth of her soft, rose-colored lips.


    A light floral, yet seductive hint of jasmine lingered around her, carried by the night air¡ªa fragrance both alluring and gentle, with a trace of sweetness that hinted at mystery and grace.


    It was the kind of scent that made one pause, noticing her presence before she was even seen, leaving a lingering impression of elegance.


    As she stood by the shore, gazing out at the endless horizon, Wang Mei exuded a quiet elegance, her beauty undeniable and captivating.


    She looked like a figure from a dream, a vision of serenity and grace against the dark, rolling waves.


    Someone who could bring peace and calmness, yet remained unconquerable¡ªa presence that felt both close and distant, like the gentle nature of a breeze, drifting further and further away from the reach of humanity.


    As Wang Mei reveled in this newfound sense of freedom, something caught her eye. "Hm?" She turned to her right and noticed, off in the distance, a small shadow¡ªmore urately, a silhouette.


    Her lips parted in hesitation. "That is...?"


    Near the exit of one of the vis, in the garden where the trees stood tall, a lone figure lingered beneath their leafy canopy.


    The figure was partially obscured by the shadows, yet there was something unmistakably familiar about it that tugged at the back of her mind.


    Wang Mei nced back, confirming that Wang Xiao was still seated where she had left him.


    The sight of him reassured her, but the pull of that distant figure was stronger, tempting her curiosity.


    After a moment of internal struggle, she finally made up her mind.


    The seduction of the unknown was too strong to resist.


    Barefoot, she began to walk toward the mysterious figure, the cool sand slipping through her toes with each step.


    The closer she got, the more the cold winds seemed to push her toward him, as if the world itself was leading her.


    Her heart skipped a beat, pounding with a mix of anxiety and anticipation.


    A quick sh of memories from the events of August 25th reyed in her mind, and she suddenly recognized the back she was approaching¡ªit was the same figure she had seen in the sky that day.


    Her head thudded with nervousness.


    "Ummm...hi..." she managed to say, reaching out hesitantly. But before she could say more, the figure turned around, and Wang Mei froze in ce, as if turned to stone.


    "!"


    Her eyes trembled as she took in the sight before her. The shoulders were broader and stronger, not frail like those of the imposter, but healthy, tall, andmanding. His straight brows framed eyes as deep as the ocean.


    But there was no mistaking it¡ªthis was her brother.


    Except... he looked different.


    Much more handsome, and far from sickly.


    He waspletely healthy, exuding a strength and presence that seemed almost otherworldly.


    The longer she stared at him, the less he seemed like an ordinary mortal.


    Wang Xiao saw her lost expression and moved swiftly. "Don''t make a noise. Follow me quietly," he instructed, his voice firm yet gentle.


    He grabbed her waist lightly, his touch barely grazing her clothes, and gave her a subtle push, urging her to walk so they wouldn''t appear suspicious from a distance.


    "Oh..." Wang Mei nodded, still in shock. As she moved, she took a deep breath, the scent of his masculine fragrance enveloping her senses.


    It was rich, intoxicating, and so close that it made her head spin.


    She nced back at the other Wang Xiao, still seated on the bench, then returned her gaze to the one beside her, staring up at him like a lost child.


    ''Two of them?'' Her mind brust in confusion. ''How?


    "Your survival instincts are reallycking..." Wang Xiao remarked, not even ncing at her while she stared at him nkly. "What were you thinking before following a strange shadow in the dark?"


    If he hadn''t guided her, she would have walked straight into a wall, which made him chuckle softly.


    He couldn''t help but think her fragrance was sweet, but her mind... not so sharp.

 Chapter 455: Good girls are harmed first by the bad boys!

    Seeing Mei mute and overwhelmed, he added, "You still don''t speak up. Isn''t it time you started resisting bullies like me? Won''t everyone just keep pushing you around if you don''t stand up for yourself, Mei?" His voice carried a hint of disappointment, followed by a sigh.


    "Huh?" Mei snapped out of her daze, blinking in disbelief at his words.


    How could someone insult her so many times in one breath? "Y-You¡ª!"


    "Don''t ''you'' me," Wang Xiao interrupted, causing her frustration to boil over.


    Thud!


    The moment he released his support, she stumbled and fell,nding in the sand with a painful thud against her knees.


    "Ow¡ª!" A cry of pain escaped her lips as she winced, and Wang Xiao shook his head, watching her with mild exasperation.


    "So careless..." Wang Xiao murmured, a hint of amusement in his tone. "I told you to stand up for yourself, but not like this."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    He could have prevented her fall, but every move Wang Xiao made was deliberate, driven by motives unseen.


    In truth, he knew much more than he let on¡ªabout the Holy Church, the attack in Frostgard, everything.


    It wasn''t ignorance that guided him, but strategy.


    People like him, who feigned simplicity, often hid the sharpest minds, already mapping out the weaknesses and strengths of those around them long before showing their own hand.


    Wang Meiy crumpled on the sand, her delicate form trembling like a fallen blossom caught in a cold breeze.


    She didn''t even attempt to rise, her eyes tightly shut, as if by not seeing, she could somehow deny the reality before her.


    Yet, in her heart, she knew¡ªthis was her brother.


    The person sitting on the bench?


    She had no idea who that was, but this one... this one was definitely him.


    Her small hands clenched into fists, gathering the sand beneath her fingers as though grasping for something solid to hold onto.


    Her face, usually pale and porcin,  flushed with a deep crimson, and tears¡ªpure, unbidden¡ªbegan to slip from her eyes, trailing down her cheeks like the first dew on morning petals.


    Tip... Tip... Tip...


    The sound of her quiet sobs reached Wang Xiao, startling him.


    He knelt beside her, his touch surprisingly gentle as he helped her to her feet.


    "Alright, alright... Don''t make me out to be a bully. I don''t bully women," he chided softly, effortlessly raping hypocrisy with his words alone, making her blush and tremble in shame.


    In truth, he had been prepared to tease her, to push her just enough to see her flustered.


    There was something almost endearing in watching her struggle to find her footing.


    But seeing her now, so fragile, her tears like pearls scattered on the sand, he felt an unexpected tinge of regret.


    When Wang Xiao was in the mood to bully, he could be terrifying¡ªso much so that his daughters often joked he might bully someone to death.


    But tonight, Wang Mei''s tears had spared her from that side of him.


    Her innocence, had unknowingly disarmed him.


    Her trembling form, the way she seemed so small and lost, stirred something deep within him¡ªan urge to protect rather than provoke.


    He noticed the pearl bracelet around her slender wrist, the delicate beads cool against his fingers as he held her.


    With a soft smile, he brushed away thest of her tears and steadied her on her feet. "Come," he said, guiding her away from the crowd, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. "Let''s go somewhere quiet."


    As they walked, her small, hesitant steps beside his, there was an unspoken understanding between them.


    She looked up at him with wide, tear-stained eyes, a gaze that would melt the hardest of hearts.


    Wang Mei was like a gentle stream¡ªunguarded, easy to disturb, but with a quiet strength beneath the surface.


    And in that moment, Wang Xiao knew¡ªno matter how much he wanted to tease or bully her today, he should not break that delicate spirit.


    _______


    "Mei?"


    Wang Xueying''s voice quivered with surprise as she took a tentative sip of her first drink, the taste of alcohol still unfamiliar on her tongue.


    Her eyes locked onto a distant figure on the beach¡ªMei, unmistakably, walking toward the lonely shore, a man''s arm wrapped intimately around her waist.


    Her heart thudded in her chest, a sudden wave of concern washing over her.


    She quickly nudged her sister, Jiarong, who was engaged in animated conversation with a few other girls.


    Annoyed at the interruption, Jiarong turned, her irritation evident. "What is it?"


    "There¡ªlook at Mei!" Xueying urged, her voiceced with worry. Jiarong''s gaze followed her sister''s pointed finger, her eyes narrowing as she recognized the unfamiliar silhouette. "That''s..."


    Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them.


    Without another word, they both spun on their heels and hurried toward their mother, their movements brisk and anxious.


    "What is it now?" Xinyue Zhn''s tone mirrored her daughters'' earlier irritation, her focus still on her conversation with Yue.


    The atmosphere around them, once lively, now felt suddenly heavy.


    "Mom, look over there," Jiarong said, her voice urgent as she pointed with a long, elegant finger, her transparent nail catching the light.


    "What...?" Xinyue Zhn squinted, her initial reaction one of dismissal. But as Xueying added, "That''s Mei, Mom," her eyes widened in shock, realization dawning on her. "Who''s the man?"


    "We don''t know," they both responded in unison, their voices tinged with growing anxiety.


    The sight of their youngest sister with a stranger, in such an intimate manner, set their nerves on edge.


    Xinyue Zhn''s expression darkened, a fierce maternal protectiveness ring within her. ''How could this happen under my watch? I am so careless!''


    Mary, sensing the rising tension, smoothly interjected. "Don''t worry everyone," she said, her voice calm and reassuring. "Our resort is heavily secured. We''ve taken every measure to ensure safety¡ªno idents will happen." She kept her tone polite, but inwardly, she felt a sense of relief.


    With Wang Xiao here, the potential threat posed by Xin Meifang was no longer a concern.


    But Zhn was not so easily appeased. Her eyes remained fixed on the distant figures. "If it''s so safe, then exin that," she snapped, her voice sharp with a mix of anger and fear as she pointed at Mei and the unknown man.


    Mary''s smile remained steady, her response measured. "Miss Zhn, I assure you, you''re assuming too much. The resort is secure, but if your daughter chooses to wander off with someone, there''s little we can do to stop her. They are all adults now¡ªchildren naturally grow beyond their parents'' grasp." She paused, letting her words pierce their hearts.


    "Rest assured, nothing will happen to her, but I''ll send someone to check on them, just in case."


    Despite her reassurances, Mary inwardly had no idea whether Wang Mei would return tonight at all.


    After all, Wang Xiao''s true nature was a mystery even to her.


    The thought amused her, and she couldn''t help but stifle augh, her mind wandering to the possibility of just how far things might go.


    If he actually fucks his sister... well, that would be something to celebrate by bursting some firecrackers.


    Xinyue Zhn''s hand tightened around her ss, her knuckles whitening as she processed Mary''s words.


    ''They''re all adults.''


    The phrase echoed in her mind, hitting her like a cold wave.


    ''I''m just trying to protect them,'' she thought, a storm of frustration brewing within her. ''Why does everyone see it as control?''


    For a long moment, she said nothing, her thoughts filled with worry and resignation.


    Then, with a deep breath, she forced herself to exhale, trying to regain herposure. "Leave it," she finally said, her voice firm, though tinged with a deep sadness. "She''s an adult now and can make her own decisions."


    Wang Xueying and Jiarong exchanged uncertain nces, the meaning of their mother''s words pressing heavily on them.


    ''Maybe Mother''s right,'' they thought, but the unease lingered.


    Mei was an adult, true¡ªbut the implications of her actions were daunting.


    ''As long as she wasn''t drugged or coerced...'' But the thought brought littlefort. ''What can we even do?''


    A somber atmosphere settled over the group, the feeling of helplessness sinking in their hearts.


    For the first time, they all felt the sting of powerlessness¡ªrealizing that some battles, must be fought alone.


    ''It seems the old saying is true,'' Zhn thought bitterly, ''the good girls are harmed first by the bad boys.''

 Chapter 456: Hisarlik!

    Out of all her daughters, Wang Mei was undoubtedly the epitome of a "good girl"¡ªno bad habits, no rebellious streaks.


    So, watching her walk off toward an isted spot with a strange man filled Xinyue Zhn with an overwhelming stung of difort.


    She trusted Wang Mei''s character, believed that her daughter woulde back soon and wouldn''t do anything "excessive" that might cause her to lose something precious in such a strange ce.


    "Tomorrow..." Rather than making a scene tonight, Zhn resolved, "Tomorrow morning...I''ll have a serious talk with my ''good'' daughter and teach her a few things about ''good'' men.''


    She frowned slightly. ''If I don''t, she might really be tricked into bed one day.''


    Yet, she had no idea that her good Wang Mei was on the path of disappointing her¡ªand doing exactly that "excessive" thing she feared.


    Half an hourter, Wang Mei returned, her steps soft on the sand as she approached the gathering.


    Xinyue Zhn''s eyes locked onto her, a fierce gaze that held a mixture of relief and reprimand.


    She said nothing, but the fierceness of her stare spoke her deep disappointment.


    Wang Mei blinked in confusion, unaware of what had sparked her mother''s silent wrath.


    Her eyes were slightly swollen and red, as though she''d been crying.


    Seeing this, Wang Xueying and Wang Jiarong immediately assumed the worst.


    She was bullied!


    They hurried over instantly.


    Before Mei could ask what was wrong, Wang Xueying and Jiarong quickly pulled her aside, dragging her to a secluded corner.


    "Mei, do you know what you just did?" Jiarong supressed her anger, her voice low but urgent.


    The concern in her eyes was clear as she and Jiarong took turns exining everything that had happened in her absence.


    Xinyue Zhn, meanwhile, couldn''t shake the unsettling feeling in her chest.


    For the entire thirty minutes Wang Mei had been gone, she had stared at the direction her daughter had disappeared, her mind churning with worry and frustration.


    As Wang Mei listened to her sisters'' frantic exnations, the realization of what had been misunderstood became clear on her.


    She wasn''t worried, but she couldn''t exin anything to them now.


    Instead, she simply offered a faint smile¡ªa smile that sent Xueying and Jiarong into a panic.


    "Oh no, she''s definitely been tricked!" Xueying muttered, smacking her forehead in disbelief. "He must have sweet-talked her!"


    "Mei, you need to listen to us," Jiarong insisted, her voice rising with desperation. "Men have all kinds of ways to deceive women! Once they''ve gotten what they want, they just disappear, leaving you heartbroken and abandoned!"


    "Eh?"


    Wang Mei could barely contain her amusement, her lips twitching as she fought back augh.


    Seeing her reaction, her sisters grew even more desperate.


    "She''s definitely brainwashed!" Xueying insisted, her eyes wide with rm


    "That man must be a professional yboy!" She dered, her eyes wide filled with concern.


    But as her sisters continued their frantic warnings, Wang Mei''s soft, nearly imperceptibleughter finally broke through.


    The absurdity of the situation was too much¡ªhow worried they were for her, how convinced they were that she had been seduced by some rogue.


    Little did they know, the truth was far moreplicated than their imaginations could grasp.


    ______


    30th August, 2031!


    Hisarlik, the Ancient Land of Legends - Modern-Day Turkey!


    The city of Hisarliky sprawled atop a gentle hill, overlooking the endless ins and distant mountains.


    The ruins of this once-great city bore the scars of time, yet there was an undeniable grandeur in the weathered stones and crumbling walls.


    The remnants of ancient structures dotted thendscape, their foundations half-buried in the earth, while broken columns and shattered statues stood as silent sentinels to a forgotten era.


    Once, this city had thrived, its streets bustling with life and its temples echoing with the prayers of thousands.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Now, only the winds whispered through the desertednes, carrying with them the scent of earth and the distant sea.


    The city''s appearance was a reminder of a time when gods and men shared the same space, and legends were born in every corner.


    Unknowingly, another era of the gods have begin, where the mortals and gods share the same breath.


    From a distance, the city seemed almost peaceful, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.


    But up close, one could feel the history pressing down, a sense of mncholy that lingered in the air like the aftertaste of a long-forgotten memory.


    Thend around Hisarlik was dotted with fragments of pottery, rusted weapons, and the asional bone, hinting at the lives that had once thrived here.


    Whoosh!


    As the futuristic jet descended with a whispering hum, its single thruster pulsing with a deep azure glow, it hovered momentarily before touching down gracefully on a field of emerald grass just outside the ancient ruins.


    The sleek craft, an epitome of cutting-edge technology, gleamed under the midday sun.


    Its matte ck alloy skin seemed to drink in the light, revealing the intricate lines of its design¡ªpart avian, part machine, with the capacity to reach a breathtaking speed of Mach 10.


    This was no ordinary aircraft; it was a marvel of modern engineering, worth more than 2.5 billion dors and inessible to even the wealthiest of private buyers.


    The ramp extended with a soft hiss, and series of people stepped out onto the ancient soil, the first one a girl, her light green gown flowing around her like a whisper of spring wind.


    Her eyes, wide with curiosity, took in the sight before her.


    The ruins, now closer, were even more imposing.


    Stones that had once been carved with meticulous care were now worn smooth by the passage of time.


    "What is this ce?" she asked, her voice barely above a murmur, as if afraid to disturb the ancient spirits that might still linger.


    Her gaze swept over the crumbling walls and shattered pirs, her heart stirring with a sense of awe.


    This was no ordinary destination; it was a ce where every stone might hold a story of gods and heroes, of battles fought and lost.


    Behind her, the jet, a symbol of another age of gods, this time, the mortals far advanced already starting to tap into the mythical wonders to create technology far apart the time.


    While gods.... What happened to them?


    To explore the same, Wang Xiao, in front of him was Wang Mei, behind him, came two more striking women, Yue and Anran, and after a long time, thesting was Eveline, with long white dress at her legs, her gaze piercing towards everything around her.


    Behind her, the jet stood like a sleek, futuristic monolith¡ªa symbol of a new age of gods, but these gods were mortals who had harnessed the powers of mythical wonders to create technology beyond their time.


    Yet, what had be of the true gods of old?


    Wang Xiao led the group with a steady pace, his presencemanding, while Wang Mei walked just ahead of him, her light green gown fluttering softly in the breeze.


    Behind them, two striking women, Yue and Anran, followed closely, their beauty as captivating as the ancient ruins around them.


    Bringing up the rear was Eveline, her long white dress flowing like a river of time around her legs, her gaze sharp and unyielding as she surveyed the ancientnd with a sense of mncholy.


    "It''s Turkey," Wang Xiao replied in a low, thoughtful tone, inhaling deeply as he closed his eyes, allowing the scents and energy of the ce to form a map within his mind.


    "Eh?" Wang Mei''s eyes widened in disbelief. She turned sharply to face him. "Turkey? We''re this far?"


    *p!*


    "Hehe~ I told you, this baddie is as fast as ever!" Anranughed, pping the jet''s sleek exterior with a force that shook through the air, making everyone momentarily freeze at her boldness.


    "..."


    Mei shot a bewildered nce at Wang Xiao, her thoughts racing.


    Where on earth did he find this woman?


    He had asked her to meet him today, but she never imagined they''d whisk her away in a jet and fly her halfway across the world.


    How did they even get their hands on such a machine?


    "Yue,e with me! It''s time to kick some ass!" Anran''s eyes gleamed with excitement as she grabbed Yue''s hand, pulling her toward the ruins.


    Before themy a broken entrance, debris scattered across the ground.


    Crash!


    With surprising strength, Anran lifted the heavy stones aside and led Yue down a staircase that seemed to spiral into the earth itself.


    Yue nced back at Wang Xiao, her eyes full of apology, before she disappeared into the depths.


    This might be the only family where the daughter apologizes for her mother''s outrageous behavior.


    "..."


    Eveline remained perfectly still.

 Chapter 457: Helen — Most beautiful woman of Greece!

    "Brother, she¡ª" Wang Mei began, her voice soft with concern, but before she could finish, Wang Xiao gently pinched her lips shut.


    "She''s Anran¡ªand a spy. Just keep that in mind. Also, she''s quite a wealthy woman," he added, pausing as if weighing his words.


    "Oh," Wang Mei whispered, her gaze drifting back to the jet. "She seems a lot more than just ''quite wealthy''... and a bit strange, too."


    Wang Xiao sighed, "Her ''adoptive'' father is the leader of some powerful shadow organization. It runs in the family."


    "..."


    Wang Mei was stunned, the pieces of the puzzle falling into ce in her mind.


    Wang Xiao''s hands rested lightly on Mei''s slender shoulders as they walked through the lush grass, the soft earth yielding beneath their feet.


    Vines crept along the weathered stones, and the scent of wildflowers mingled with the faint sea breeze.


    Mei''s longshes fluttered as she nced up at him, her gaze filled with unspoken questions.


    She was like a delicate lotus in a storm, caught between bewilderment and trust.


    "Are these the people you''ve been with all these years...?" Her voice was soft, almost trembling, as if the answer might shatter her fragile understanding of the world.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flickered with a hint of mncholy. "Somehow, yes," he replied, his toneced with a cryptic message that only deepened the mystery surrounding him.


    Mei nodded, her thoughts falling like autumn leaves.


    She couldn''t quite grasp the truth, yet a teasing smile suddenly curled her lips. "But she said she was your wife."


    "!"


    "Th¡ª" Wang Xiao''s usually calm demeanor shattered for a moment.


    His steps faltered, and he nearly stumbled, catching himself just in time.


    "That''s¡­ unfortunately true," he muttered, his voice tinged with a mix of exasperation and reluctant eptance.


    The memory of the paperwork shed through his mind.


    Seeing him flustered, Mei''s heart stirred with a strange mix of amusement and pity.


    How had her brother, once so carefree, ended up like this?


    "How did you end up like this?" she asked, her eyes searching his face for answers.


    "It''s a long story," Wang Xiao sighed, his tone evasive. "If I told you, you wouldn''t make it back in time, and then Mom would fry you in oil."


    Mei bit her lip, sensing his reluctance but unable to suppress her curiosity. "And¡­ how do you have a daughter as old as me?"


    Her voice wasced with confusion, her brows furrowing as she tried to make sense of the impossible.


    Yue had called Anran ''Mom''¡ªcould her brother have really fallen so far as to be a gigolo?


    "..."


    Wang Xiao reached out and hit her on the forehead.


    "Ow!" Mei winced, more from surprise than pain, her eyes wide and shimmering like dew-kissed lotus petals.


    "It''s better when you don''t speak," Wang Xiao scolded, seeing through her thoughts.


    Mei pouted, her lips forming a delicate pout as she stared at him with a mix of resentment and helplessness.


    "So you can all keep bullying me?" she muttered to herself, though the slight quiver in her voice betrayed her fear.


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly. "Yue is my daughter, and Anran¡­ is her mother. They just¡­ grew up overnight, somehow."


    Mei''s eyes widened, "Was it because of the Great Reset?" she ventured, recalling the strange urrences that had followed the introduction of Aether.


    "Yeah, because of that," Wang Xiao nodded, not bothering to correct her.


    If it weren''t for the Great Reset, so many things wouldn''t have happened, and his life would still be his own¡ªor so he liked to think.


    Wang Xiao hade here solely to protect his daughter.


    Just days ago, he learned that Anran and Yue had attended an auction in Monaco, where relics from an unearthed underground city were being sold.


    They purchased an ancient-looking stone, and when they showed it to Eveline, she revealed that more of these relics could be found in the ruins here.


    Fearing potential traps tied to the Greek gods, Wang Xiao insisted oning himself, bringing Wang Mei along.


    As they walked through the ruins, Mei finally broke the silence. "Will you being back with us?" Her voice was soft, her gaze hopeful, though she knew she had no right to ask.


    She understood how difficult the past seven years must have been for him, given his journey from the mountains of China to Europe.


    But she needed to know.


    The thought of that imposter, whose lifeless face mimicked Wang Xiao''s, always infuriated her.


    But this man¡ªher true brother¡ªwas different.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curved into a teasing smile. "Depends on your ''present.'' If it''s good enough, I might consider it."


    Eveline, following behind, snorted. "Still deceiving children¡­" she muttered, dismissing Mei as a child despite her tall size and eighteen years.


    "Present? For what?" Mei asked, puzzled.


    "Tomorrow''s my birthday," Wang Xiao said, his grin widening. "You''ll need to give me something."


    Mei blinked, realization dawning. Her mind raced for ideas.


    How could she know what he''d like after seven years apart?


    After a moment, she smiled, a solution forming.


    "I''ll give you any ''one'' thing, as long as it''s within my budget."


    Wang Xiao nodded, surprise touching his eyes.


    She was bing more and more charming in his eyes suddenly!


    Just then, Mei spotted a cluster of stones and skipped toward them, deftly avoiding obstacles.


    She crouched down, examining the carvings on the stone pirs with curiosity.


    Wang Xiao followed, intrigued. "Can you understand this?" he asked.


    Mei shook her head, her hair swaying gently.


    Eveline frowned, her eyes narrowing as she nced at the carvings. "That''s Helen," she muttered, then quickly turned away, realizing she''d spoken aloud.


    "You mean Helen of Troy?" Mei asked, surprised.


    Eveline turned back, her gaze sharpening.


    "We''ve been studying a lot about godstely," Mei exined. "They say it helps us understand the changes in the world."


    Eveline frowned. "Just nonsense," she dismissed.


    Wang Xiao, sensing the tension, interjected. "What are you two talking about?"


    Mei stood up, exhaling softly as she smoothed out her dress. "It''s¡­ the name of the most beautiful woman in Greek mythology who caused the infamous Trojan War."


    Eveline couldn''t help butugh, her radiant face suddenly glowing like the morning sun. "Just an ugly horse," she remarked with a hint of sarcasm.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Mei''s face flushed instantly, her pale cheeks turning a deep shade of red.


    Wang Xiao noticed the subtle shift in Eveline''s demeanor since they had arrived, and he realized this might be a good opportunity to learn more about this enigmatic woman. Wasn''t she from the same era? He turned to Mei, "What''s Eveline talking about?"


    Mei hesitated, her gaze flickering nervously. "It''s¡­"


    "It''s what?" Wang Xiao pressed.


    Mei took a deep breath, her voice softening as she exined. "It''s about the origin story of Helen¡­ It''s sad, really. Back in those days, Zeus, the god notorious for his promiscuous behavior, pursued every beautiful woman in Greece¡ªwhether mortal or divine. One of his targets was Nemesis."


    "Nemesis, the goddess of retribution, was known for maintaining bnce by punishing hubris and ensuring that no one escaped justice," Mei continued, her voice trembling slightly. "She was also famous for resisting romantic advances, even from gods."


    "One day, Zeus began chasing her. To escape, Nemesis transformed into various animals¡ªlike a goose, a bird, and others¡ªbut Zeus managed to catch her each time¡­ until¡­"


    Mei''s cheeks turned a deeper red, embarrassed under Wang Xiao''s curious gaze as she neared the most inappropriate part of the story.


    "And what?" Wang Xiao urged.


    Mei bit her lower lip, trying to muster the courage. "In some versions of the myth¡­ she was a swan when Zeus¡­ caught her¡­ In others, she was¡­ a mare¡­"


    "!"


    Mei''s face was now bright red, her voice barely audible by the end.


    Wang Xiao burst outughing, genuinely surprised. "He fucked a horse?" He couldn''t believe what he was hearing, even though he was familiar with the promiscuity of Zeus and Greek mythology in general.


    "What hasn''t that bastard tried? Trees? Rocks? And now horses?"


    He shook his head, finding the ancient stories both amusing and bizarre.


    At least, he thought to himself with a smile, he knew where to aim his ''spear.''


    Mei pouted, turning away in embarrassment, her cheeks still ame.


    Wang Xiao suddenly recalled the beginning of their conversation. "What about Helen?" he asked, bringing the focus back.


    Mei murmured in quiet resentment, "What happened? Some idiots wrote such weird stuff¡­ It''s said that in one version, Zeus turned into a swan, and they¡­ did it. Later, Nemesis¡­id an egg."


    ''Ah!'' Mei''s eyes widened in horror as she realized how much she had said.

 Chapter 458: Zeus stabbed his own son?

    She wanted to smack herself, but seeing Wang Xiao''s curiosity piqued, she hesitantly continued, "Later, that¡­ egg¡­ was raised by the Queen of Sparta, Leda, who was also a beautiful woman. And it''s said that she too was seduced by the swan''s charm, and¡­ she got¡ª"


    Mei''s words froze in her throat when she realized she had gone too far.


    "Fucked too and that egg ¡ªter hatched into a beautiful woman named Helen?" Wang Xiao finished her sentence, a slight smirk tugging at his lips.


    Mei bit her lip and nodded, her eyes misty with embarrassment.


    What were they even talking about?


    "Did he¡­ you know¡­ with her too?" Wang Xiao''s interest deepened as he leaned in.


    Mei quickly shook her head, her face burning with embarrassment.


    Wang Xiao was genuinely surprised. "The most beautiful woman in Greece, and Zeus left her alone?"


    Mei looked away, her cheeks still flushed. "Brother, what are you even thinking? Helen was his daughter!" she eximed, her voice barely concealing her exasperation.


    Wang Xiao shrugged casually. "I don''t remember gods caring about such things."


    Mei sighed deeply, deciding to remain silent.


    If she kept talking, he might press for more, and Greek mythology was already bizarre and embarrassing enough to exin.


    Greek mythology had always struck her as strange, filled with stories that made her ufortable.


    LGBTQ+ themes, which people now considered modern, were already present back then.


    She thought about Zeus, a being with overwhelming power, who likely grew bored of his conquests and eventually lost all restraint, indulging in whatever or whomever he pleased¡ªregardless of gender.


    Wang Xiao, meanwhile, couldn''t help but reflect on how Greek myths seemed like an honest portrayal of what gods might really be like.


    After all, when people spoke of gods, they often referred to beings who were simply above mortals, not an all-powerful, benevolent deity.


    His current strength likely surpassed that of Zeus, and he, too, had done many questionable things.


    But at least, he thought with a smirk, his conquests had all been in the ''right'' ces.


    He could understand why people were ufortable with Greek mythology.


    It shattered the noble image of gods that religions and cultures often promoted¡ªa tool to manipt¡ª*ahem*¡ª inspire people to act righteously by setting an idealized example.


    In his mind, he reasoned that most religions likely fabricated only the good deeds of their gods, while omitting the darker truths.


    But Greek mythology, written after the fall of its civilization, with its believers long gone, captured everything¡ªgood, bad, and ugly.


    Wang Xiao noticed that Mei might share some traits with his daughter, Lan.


    Both seemed to have a soft spot for books and a curiosity that went beyond the norm.


    He doubted the typical schools in the Qing Dynasty would have taught such things, so his sister must have picked them up from her own reading.


    "You''ve got so many things wrong..." Eveline suddenly sneered, her beautiful face twisted with an almost unimaginable disbelief.


    It was as if the mere thought of such historical inuracies was too much for her to bear.


    "Hm?" Mei nced at her, noting Eveline''s striking beauty¡ªperhaps one of the most stunning women she''d ever seen.


    But her demeanor?


    Like an old hag with a grudge.


    Mei shot a questioning look at Wang Xiao, silently asking, Who is she?


    Wang Xiao didn''t bother to exin, sensing that Eveline was on the verge of spilling something juicy, he provoked her futher, "What''s wrong? Everything sounds perfectly fine to me."


    Eveline''s eyes twitched, as if she couldn''t decide whether tough or rage. "Perfectly fine? First, how could a woman like Nemesis not spend her entire life just to kill Zeus, even if he seeded? And second, how did he always manage to find her?"


    Wang Xiao shrugged with exaggerated nonchnce. "Maybe he begged someone for help? Felt guilty? Apologized?"


    Eveline''s expression darkened as she fought to keep a straight face. "Zeus? Beg? Feel guilty? He''s never done such a thing in his entire existence. Apologize to Nemesis?


    Not in a million years! It was that blind Tyche, born on the day of eternal night, when the wheel of fortune finally decided to spin again, who helped him. With her foresight, Zeus tracked down anyone trying to hide from him."


    Mei''s eyes widened as Eveline went on, her tone dripping with disdain. "The day Nemesis tried to escape, she was lured by a Stallion King who promised to protect her in his stable. But that ''king'' was none other than Hermes in disguise, one of Zeus'' most trustedckeys."


    Mei''s jaw dropped slightly as Eveline continued, her words flowing with the ease of someone recounting an old, yet utterly ridiculous, tale. "Nemesis, like so many before her, was tricked and turned into a mare. But then, Hermes'' little lover, Aphrodite, saw through the disguise."


    "She thought Nemesis and Hermes were having an affair, and¡ªbeing the jealous bitch¡ªdecided to teach them a lesson. Disguising herself, she threw an elixir made from siren blood at Hermes. The whole stable went berserk. Hermes, still in stallion form, lost his mind, along with the other horses."


    "Nemesis, realizing things had gone south, turned back into her true form and bolted. Zeus, knowing where she was, transformed into a stallion himself and entered the stable. But, unfortunately¡ªor perhaps fortunately¡ªhe was caught by the elixir too. The two of them ended up¡­ well, you get the idea."


    Wang Xiao''s eyebrows shot up, struggling to stifle augh as Eveline kept going. "When the chaos finally settled, Zeus realized what had happened. Horrified by the ''offspring,'' he turned the ugly horse into a beautiful baby, hid it inside an egg, and had Hermes¡ªstill nursing his bruised ego¡ªdeliver it to some clueless human."


    "Hermes, ever the faithful servant, disguised himself as a beautiful swan and dropped the egg near Leda, Queen of Sparta. She found the egg, and when it hatched, out came Helen¡ªthe so-called most beautiful woman in Greece."


    "Yet no ''god'' wanted to take her... Leaving her for mortals..."


    "Who would want to marry a cursed horse?"


    Mei''s mouth hung open in shock, her mind in shock from the absurdity of what she was hearing.


    "That''s the true story behind Helen of Troy, yet ¡ª you humans have bad habbit of romanticising everything, there is no ¡ª their love bled into the battlefield, a crimson dance of passion and pain, it''s all just blood, fight and defeat, no rains fall, no sky thunders!"


    "A war is a war, defeat is defeat and victory a victory, it''s not all a poetry..."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Eveline concluded with a smirk. "Helen wasn''t some divine beauty, if she was Odysseus would have not stopped chasing her inbetween and asked the king to marry her cousin Penelope instead!"


    "Just a cursed horse that somehow managed to stir up a war among mortals....Ridiculous, isn''t it?"


    Mei stood frozen, struggling to process the outrageous tale.


    Eveline''s version was even more bizarre than the myths she''d studied.


    But¡­ it oddly made sense. It exined the strange variations in the myths¡ªwhy some mentioned a swan, others a horse, and why Leda was seduced by a swan.


    History, it seemed, had a way of getting its wires crossed.


    "B-But¡­" Mei stammered, her lips trembling in disbelief.


    "But what?" Wang Xiao asked, his tone a mix of amusement and curiosity.


    "Hermes¡­ he''s one of Zeus'' sons with Maia!" Mei blurted out, flustered. "What does that even mean!? Wasn''t he both father and son?!"


    The sheer absurdity of it all was too much for Mei to handle.


    Eveline''s face turned a deep shade of red as she realized the implications.


    She snorted in embarrassment, quickly turning away as if the conversation had never happened.


    Even Wang Xiao was momentarily at a loss. He quickly grabbed Mei by the shoulders and started to lead her away. "Mei, let''s go check out the ruins."


    "Mhm," Mei nodded eagerly, not needing to be told twice.


    She had no desire to linger near Eveline any longer.


    Eveline watched them walk off, her fists clenching as she realized they were deliberately ignoring her.


    "Ugh!" she muttered, her frustration bubbling over as they left her standing alone.

 Chapter 459: Harpies!

    Screech¡­!


    "Did you hear that?" Wang Xiao''s voice broke through the peaceful silence as the unsettling sound echoed around them.


    He had been showing Mei around when a small, eyeless creature resembling a rabbit hopped toward them.


    Mei had been gently petting it when the ground beneath them began to tremble, a deep rumble that sent ripples of unease through the air.


    "What?" Mei straightened, her hand falling away as the rabbit-like creature scurried off, its instincts warning it of the uing danger.


    She nced at Wang Xiao, who was already scanning their surroundings, his gaze sharp and alert.


    "It''s harpies," Eveline muttered, her tone carrying an edge of disdain as she turned her attention toward the entrance where Yue and Anran had disappeared.


    The air charged with an ominous energy, as if the very atmosphere was bracing for something terrible.


    "Stay here. I''ll go and get them," Eveline ordered, her voice firm.


    She hadn''t forgotten the reason for her release, and now was the time to fulfill her role.


    Without hesitation, she began to move.


    Wang Xiao nodded, a spark of anticipation in his eyes.


    He had long wondered how Eveline fought¡ªnow he would see for himself.


    Screech¡­ Screech¡­


    The harpies'' cries grew louder, their voices merging into a cry of bloodlust.


    The ground beneath the ruins shook violently as shadows began to pour out from the underground passage.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!


    Out of the darkness, a horde of harpies emerged¡ªmonstrous creatures with the bodies of eagles and the heads of savage women.


    SCRECCHHHHHHHH!


    Their talons gleamed like razors, and their eyes, filled with murderous intent, locked onto their prey.


    "Those are¡ª" Mei gasped, her voice trembling as she witnessed the terrifying horrendous sight.


    More than fifteen harpies had already burst from the stairway, their numbers multiplying with each heartbeat, like a swarm from the depths of hell.


    Wang Xiao turned to Eveline, half-expecting her to spring into action.


    But she stood still, her golden hair gleaming like threads of sunlight woven into a crown.


    Her eyes narrowed, a fierce light kindling within them.


    Then, in one smooth, graceful motion, Eveline extended her hand.


    Tremble¡­


    The very air around them seemed to ripple as a golden bow materialized in her grasp, shimmering with an ethereal glow.


    As she drew the string back, an arrow of pure azure energy took form, crackling with an intense, barely-contained power.


    The atmosphere buzzed with electricity, as if the world itself was holding its breath.


    SCREECH!


    The harpies, sensing the immense danger, screeched in fury and lunged forward, a chaotic, bloodthirsty swarm.


    Mei instinctively clung to Wang Xiao, her heart pounding in her chest.


    "A single bow and arrow?" Wang Xiao muttered, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "How could that possibly be enough¡­?"


    But Eveline remainedposed, her expression serene, almost divine, as she released the arrow.


    Swoooooosh!


    The moment it left the bowstring, the arrow transformed into a streak of blinding light, aet of searing blue energy that ripped through the air with a sound like a roaring inferno.


    CRACK!


    BOOM!


    The first harpy''s head was obliterated in a violent explosion of blood and brain matter, the sheer impact sending shockwaves that shook the ground.


    The creature''s body disintegrated into a spray of blood, its remains scattering across the grass field, painting it red.


    But the arrow didn''t stop.


    Siwhs!


    It tore through the horde with the speed and precision of a lightning bolt, changing direction in an instant, targeting harpy after harpy with deadly uracy.


    Screech¡ª!


    Screech¡ª!


    Screech¡ª!


    Each harpy was struck down in the same brutal fashion, their heads exploding in a shower of blood and flesh.


    The arrow zed through them, leaving nothing but dismembered limbs and stters of dark red staining the ancient ground.


    The air was filled instantly filled with the sickening stench of burning flesh and the metallic tang of blood.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes were wide with awe and something akin to understanding.


    Eveline wasn''t just fighting¡ªshe was annihting.


    The arrow was a deadly weapon like spear, but rather than hand she using the bow tounch it.


    The ease with which she unleashed such devastating power, the grace in her movements as she wielded the bow, was nothing short of divine.


    As thest harpy was torn apart, its body reduced to a smear of blood on the ground, the arrow finally dissipated with a thunderous boom, echoing through the ruins like a final, triumphant note.


    The once-crowded passage was now eerily silent, the harpies gone as if they had never existed.


    Eveline didn''t pause to admire her handiwork.


    Her golden hair flowed behind her like a river of molten gold as she rushed toward the entrance where Yue and Anran had gone, her figure a blur of speed and precision.


    Within seconds, she was gone, swallowed by the darkness beyond.


    Wang Xiao and Mei stood silent, still processing what they had just witnessed.


    Mei''s hands trembled, the intensity of the scene leaving her shaken, while Wang Xiao''s thoughts raced, trying to grasp the full extent of Eveline''s power.


    She wasn''t just great¡ªshe was a force of nature, a living embodiment of divine wrath.


    Compared to the Deviants he had shed with in the past, these techniques were on an entirely different level¡ªpolished and honed to near perfection.


    Each movement flowed like a masterful brushstroke on a canvas, executed with an almost divine precision.


    This wasn''t justbat; it was an art form, an art of hunting where not a drop of strength was wasted.


    Every strike was deliberate, calcted, and efficient. No energy was expended in vain; every ounce of power was harnessed with ruthless intent.


    "Cough¡­ Cough¡­ Why is it so dark down there?" a sudden voice from behind them broke the silence, frustration evident in her tone.


    Crash!


    Then, there was a loud crack as the pir behind them copsed.


    From within the rubble, Anran emerged, her breath ragged.


    She wiped soot from her brow and forced a smile. "It''s not as bad as it looks," she said, though her voice wavered slightly.


    Behind her, Yue stumbled out, her once pristine cheeks now marred by streaks of charcoal, giving her a surprisingly bashful appearance.


    "Oh, you''re back," Wang Xiao muttered absentmindedly, barely ncing their way. His eyes were focused on something else entirely.


    He wasn''t really worried about thier safety, afterall, the exit is in the opposite direction.


    "Look at this!" Anran eximed, pulling a thick rope taut as she heaved something into view.


    With a heavy thud, arge stone rolled onto the ground, its surface covered in intricate patterns that seemed to shimmer in the dim light.


    Yue peered over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing in curiosity. "This¡­ what is it? Some sort of ancient device?"


    Wang Xiao, who had been silently observing the stone until now, stepped closer. "I can''t decipher these patterns. But there''s no doubt¡ªit''s not just any stone. It''s a mechanism of some sort."


    Anran nodded. "That''s what I thought too. It''s circr, like that artifact we saw at the auction. But look here¡ªthese patterns are different. They''re¡­ moreplex."


    Wang Xiao finally turned his gaze towards the stone, his brow furrowing in contemtion.


    He reached out, tracing a finger over the intricate lines.


    They were cold to the touch, yet there was a faint hum of energy beneath the surface, like a heartbeat waiting to be awakened.


    But the stone remained silent, as if something crucial was missing?

 Chapter 460: Dinner? escaping!

    "You want to study it?" Wang Xiao asked, lifting his gaze toward Yue.


    "Yes." Yue nodded, her resolve clear. She wouldn''t have asked him toe if she wasn''t serious about it.


    Wang Xiao sighed but agreed, "Alright, let''s take Eveline and¡ª"


    BOOOOOM!


    Suddenly, the earth beneath them roared with an explosive force, sending tremors through the ground as if it had turned to liquid. Without hesitation, Wang Xiao reacted, pulling everyone close to him. In the blink of an eye, they shot into the sky, escaping the chaos below.


    Crash!


    A split secondter, the ground where they had stood erupted in a violent explosion.


    The shockwave carved out a massive crater, stretching for tens of kilometers, its edge reaching the main city and destroying a significant portion of it.


    In the center of the devastationy the enormous body of a purple-skinned snake, now lifeless, its blood pooling around it.


    The creature was monstrous, its length spanning several kilometers and its body as thick as a fortress wall.


    "Cough...alive...h¡ªhe''s alive¡ªcough!"


    Eveline suddenly appeared above them, hovering weakly in the sky, as if she would fall any second.


    Her clothes were shredded and soaked with blood, her face pale as she coughed violently, spitting blood.


    Plop!


    She began to copse, but a small, shimmering sphere of dark tform materialized beneath her, cradling her body to prevent her from falling.


    "What?" Wang Xiao''s eyes widened in shock and confusion.


    He knew about the giant snake¡ªit had already been in by Eveline and was hardly a match for her.


    So who was she talking about?


    And who had hurt her this badly?


    ______


    30th August, 2031 - 8:00 pm, Icevale


    Back at the resort, the night had settled in, bringing a quiet calm over the ce.


    The soft glow of the bedsidemp created a warm, intimate atmosphere in the room.


    "Are you leaving again?" Xueying''s voice broke the silence, a hint of curiosity in her tone.


    She was sitting on the bed, knees tucked under her, leaning against a pillow as she watched Mei, who had only returned a few hours earlier but was already getting ready to head out once more.


    "Mhm," Mei nodded, perched on a stool by the vanity.


    She carefully applied a nude lipstick, her reflection in the mirror showing aposed yet focused expression.


    Now dressed in a sleek dark blue dress that hugged her figure, silver earrings dangled from her ears, catching the light, and a delicate pearl bracelet adorned her wrist.


    "Will you be back tonight?" Xueying asked, her chin resting on the pillow, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. ''She''s really dressing up for this... What''s going on with her? She is not even listening to what mom told her yesterday...''


    Mei paused, ncing at Xueying in the mirror. "Yes, I''ll be back tonight. It''s just dinner," she replied, keeping her tone casual.


    ''Why does she always sound like so sexual...?''


    Xueying wasn''t convinced. "Dinner? All dressed up like that? You''re not fooling me, Mei," she teased, raising an eyebrow. "Who''s the guy? I''ve never seen you put on earrings just for a meal."


    Mei fumbled with the lipstick cap, nearly dropping it in her flustered state. "It''s just dinner with my friend! There''s no ''lucky guy''," she insisted, trying to keep her cool.


    Before Mei could say more, Xueying slid off the bed and quietly snuck up behind her, nearly making her jump out of her seat.


    With a mischievous grin, Xueying gently patted Mei''s face. "Your friend, huh? So, what''s with the fancy dress? And the makeup? He''s not some greasy old uncle trying to impress you, is he? If you need money, I can always ask Mom."


    Mei''s blush deepened as she pushed Xueying''s hand away, though a small smile crept onto her lips.


    As she stood to leave, an idea popped into her head, and she couldn''t resist saying. "He isn''t an old man, but maybe you''d like him more than I do."


    "Huh?"


    Xueying blinked in surprise, her mouth hanging open. "Impossible..."


    Mei smiled, enjoying the brief moment of confusion.


    Without another word, she slipped on her heels, ready to head out, when Xueying''s voice rang out again.


    "Wait! Mom was asking where you disappeared to this morning, so I told her everything."


    "!"


    Mei froze mid-step, turning back to Xueying with wide eyes. "You didn''t¡ª"


    Xueying shed a sweet, innocent smile. "Yep! And guess what? She gave me some money. We can split it fifty-fifty!"


    "..."


    Mei was at a loss for words, her mind spinning as she tried to process what Xueying had just said.


    She shook her head, muttering something under her breath, and reached for the door. But as soon as she opened it, she came to an abrupt halt.


    Standing there, as if she had all the time in the world, was her mother, Xinyue Zhn.


    Her smile was warm, but the glint in her eyes was anything but.


    "Going somewhere, sweetie?" her mother asked, her voiceced with that too-friendly tone that only moms can pull off when they know something''s up.


    Mei''s heart skipped a beat.


    ''This is bad.''


    She scrambled for an excuse, but nothing seemed convincing enough.


    Behind her, Xueying''s softugh filled the room,pletely unconcerned. "Oops, almost forgot to mention¡ªMom promised me a bonus if I stopped you from doing anything stupid, like sneaking out at night. Just protecting you from the wolves, sis!"


    Mei shot a look over her shoulder at Xueying, who was clearly enjoying herself far too much.


    But there was no time to argue.


    Surprisingly, Xinyue Zhn''s imposing figure shifted aside, as if clearing the way.


    She dangled a set of car keys in front of Mei. "Take this. The car is downstairs, and you''re to be back before midnight. Do whatever you want, but don''t drink with strangers¡ªwhether it''s a friend or a boyfriend. Remember, this isn''t home, it''s another country. People can pretend to be nice, but don''t take unnecessary risks."


    "Huh?"


    Wang Mei''sshes fluttered in surprise as she stared at the keys, barely processing what was happening.


    "Also," Zhn continued, "Susie and Kari will be going with you. They won''t disturb you, and you''re not allowed to go anywhere alone. And don''t worry¡ªthey''re not my spies. They''re with the Frostgard Crime Department.


    I''m not interested in finding out who your secret guy is." She gestured toward the two women standing downstairs, both in bulletproof vests, their no-nonsense demeanor giving away their identities as guards.


    Zhn had gone all out, securing trusted personnel for her daughter.


    She could have used the resort''s security or the ones who came with Murong Shan, but she found them unreliable.


    Xueying, who had been expecting Mei to get a good scolding and maybe even grounded, was left stunned by the turn of events.


    Their mother seemed unusually calm and not nearly as scary today.


    As Mei prepared to leave, Zhn called out with a hint of hesitation, "Don''t do anything you''ll regretter!" Mei only gave a short nod before heading out.


    In fact, Zhn knew that if she tried to stop her daughter, Mei might hold it against her forever.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    It was better to let her go with some precautions in ce.


    Watching the scene, Xueying stood there, her mouth hanging open in disbelief.


    As Mei left, Zhn turned to her with a sharp look. "What, do you have a date tonight too? Don''t even think about it!"


    "..."


    Bang!


    The door closed behind Mei, leaving Xueying utterly stunned.


    "How does this even make sense?..."


    Her younger sister got the royal treatment, while she got scolded on the spot.


    And she didn''t even have a date nned!


    But deep down, Xueying knew the truth.


    Her mother treated them differently for a reason.


    Zhn knew that Xueying could handle herself¡ªshe was sharp, skeptical, and not easily fooled.


    If a scammer crossed paths with her, they''d likely regret it.


    But Mei... Mei was different.


    Zhn''s concern for her was genuine, especially in a foreignnd.


    Thest time she let her children wander off on their own, she nearly lost her only son.


    She wasn''t about to take any more chances.


    Zhn sighed as she reflected on her decisions.


    She knew that trying to control Mei too tightly would only push her away, so she opted for apromise.


    She let her go, but under watchful eyes.


    And then there was her ex-husband.


    Zhn''s opinion of men had soured after he failed in business and squandered the money she had given him to start over, wasting it on other women.


    Her anger had led her to divorce him, using her influence as awyer to squeeze most of his wealth out of sheer spite.


    She didn''t need the money¡ªshe just wanted revenge.

 Chapter 461: A big Problem!

    10:30 pm, Frostgard


    "Still thinking about what happened at noon?" Wang Xiao''s voice was gentle, like a breeze passing through willow leaves, as he looked across the table at Mei.


    They were seated in an elegant, private dining area of a luxurious restaurant, the glittering cityscape beyond the ss wall casting a soft glow over the room.


    Mei sat quietly, her posture demure, her head slightly bowed as if burdened by thoughts too heavy to share.


    She had been unusually silent, her delicate features tinged with an air of mncholy that did not escape Wang Xiao''s notice.


    "Mhm, we''re just ordinary people..." Mei''s voice was barely above a whisper, like a fragile leaf trembling in the wind.


    She nced down at her te, her hand moving almost mechanically as she picked at her food, though her appetite had long deserted her.


    The vibrant dishes before her seemed to pale inparison.


    Her life, so different from his, felt small and distant¡ªmere ripples in a vast ocean.


    Even after the great reset, the world of warriors and the lives of ordinary folk like her remained as separate as heaven and earth.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze softened as it fell upon her.


    In the low light, Mei''s fair skin seemed to glow with an ethereal softness.


    The dress she wore, a gentle shade of blue, curved gracefully around her slender figure, subtly revealing the delicate lines of her corbone and the soft slope of her shoulders.


    The sight stirred something within him¡ªhow fragile she seemed, like a plum blossom just beginning to bloom, against the harsh winds of the world.


    Without a word, he reached for the wine bottle and poured a ss for her, the rich liquid shimmering.


    "I... don''t drink," Mei murmured, her voice hesitant.


    She looked at the ss as if it were a strange, foreign object, her lips pressed together in a faint line of indecision.


    Her gaze flickered toward the entrance of the cabin, where she knew the two women who had apanied her were standing watch.


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, a lightness to his tone. "Are you worried about your two newpanions? They''re not so bad¡ªquite cute, don''t you think?"


    Mei blinked, herrge, doe-like eyes widening in surprise.


    Cute?


    The thought almost made herugh¡ªif only she had the heart for it.


    The women outside were more like stone statues, all muscle and bodybuilders.


    The idea of calling them ''cute'' seemed absurd.


    Just then, Wang Xiao extended his hand across the table, gently taking hers in his grasp.


    His touch was abrupt, his fingers wrapping around her own with a hold that caught her off guard.


    !?


    Mei stiffened slightly, unsure of how to respond, her heart fluttering like a startled bird.


    "The bracelet," Wang Xiao said, his voiceced with curiosity as he traced a finger over the smooth pearls adorning her wrist. "Did someone gift this to you?"


    Mei nced down, realizing he was focused on the small piece of jewelry. "Y-Yes..." she replied softly, her voice trembling with uncertainty.


    She wondered how long he intended to hold her hand, a faint blush coloring her pale cheeks.


    In their culture, even such innocent touches between siblings were rare.


    Though the modern world had loosened such traditions.... She still felt both flustered and shy, the simple gesture stirring emotions she wasn''t sure how to handle.


    The way Wang Xiao held her hand, so gently, so protectively, made her feel small and fragile¡ªlike a delicate flower in need of shelter from the storm.


    A faint emptiness stirred within Mei''s heart, as if a part of her long-forgotten memories was being filled in this fleeting moment.


    "Mmm... so bitter..." she murmured, trying to escape the awkwardness that had crept in.


    Using her free hand, she picked up the wine ss and took a tentative sip.


    The moment the liquid touched her lips, she couldn''t help but furrow her brows in distaste. "Why do people even drink this?" she muttered, her delicate features scrunching up in a rare disy of disgust.


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, amused by the unfamiliar expression on her face.


    It was the first time he had seen her react this way, and it struck him as oddly endearing.


    "People don''t really drink it for the taste," Wang Xiao exined, finally releasing her hand and leaning back in his seat. "They use it to hide the bitterness within themselves. Or, sometimes, when there''s a big bad guy trying to trick someone."


    Mei tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued. "How can it be used to trick someone?"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes gleamed with a touch of mischief as he answered, "It''s quite simple, really. Imagine a man and a woman, both slightly drunk. If a few ''idents'' happen during the night, by morning, the wine can be used to trick them¡ªsometimes they deceive themselves, sometimes others... and sometimes even the courts."


    "!"


    Mei, who had been raising her ss for another sip, froze in ce.


    A slight shiver ran down her spine as she slowly put the ss back on the table, her fingers trembling just a bit. She grumbled weakly, her voice barely above a whisper, "Why do you always talk about blood and crime?"


    Her heart pounded anxiously in her chest, an inexplicable unease taking hold of her.


    They were blood siblings, after all.


    The mistakes of childhood might be forgotten, but as adults, one should be more responsible with their words and actions.


    Yet, despite this, there was a strange fluttering in her heart, a feeling she couldn''t quite shake.


    Mei wasn''t like Xueying, who had became ''Budda'' in her own way after Wang Xiao''s disappearance.


    Growing up, Mei had often felt they had crossed lines that shouldn''t have been crossed, leaving her with a lingering sense of guilt.


    But as the years passed, and after learning that such things weren''t as umon as she once thought, she had tried to let it go.


    ''After all,'' she had reasoned, ''the person involved is gone. There''s no point in holding on to me.''


    She had resolved that if he ever returned, she would forget everything, bury the past, and never speak of it to anyone.


    But now, with Wang Xiao sitting right in front of her, Mei found herself questioning the sudden brightness in his face.


    The night was still dark beyond the ss walls, so why did he seem to glow when she looked at him?


    And why was her heart beating so erratically?


    A fluttering sense of nervousness welled up inside her.


    They were siblings¡ªthis was undeniable.


    But they were also strangers in a way, having not seen each other for years, almost like distant cousins.


    He had been absent during her formative years, and now, with his return, she felt an unfamiliar pull, a biological attraction that she could not quite exin.


    Though Mei didn''t fully understand theplexities of these feelings, she knew one thing for certain: she must not let her thoughts stray into dangerous territory and spoil the sacred bond between them.


    She had heard stories¡ªstories of brothers who, through mere instinct, sometimes crossed boundaries, their innocent affection turning into something it should not.


    But it was the sister''s responsibility to ensure that the line was never crossed.


    In the past, she had been unaware, but now, she was more vignt.


    Girls are never as clueless as people think..


    In fact, those who act the most clueless often understand the most.


    Wang Xiao noticed the difort flickering across her delicate features.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He had no intention of disrupting their rtionship.


    She was undeniably beautiful, but if she wanted to keep things strictly familial, he would let it be for now.


    However, there was a problem...


    A big problem¡ª

 Chapter 462: Cold Poison!

    A big problem¡ª


    "I''ve already apanied you for dinner," Mei began, her voice firm as she sought to escape the growing tension between them. "Are youing back with us now or not?" She held his gaze, determined to get a clear answer.


    She had braved countless odds toe here, driven by a single purpose: to ensure that he would return with them, back to the safety of their family.


    Seeing his silence, her resolve only hardened. "I''ll talk with Mom... and we can deal with that fake... together."


    For some reason, referring to it as "fake" left an odd taste in her mouth, a sensation she couldn''t quite shake.


    Wang Xiao, sensing the shift in her demeanor, chuckled softly.


    The days when he could easily bully her seemed to be slipping away as she grew into her own.


    Yet, her seriousness only made him more curious. "So, how are we going to deal with him then?" he asked, a spark of mischief dancing in his eyes.


    Anran had given him all sorts of strange answers when he asked her opinion.


    Now, he was eager to see what his little sister¡ªwho had grown up so much¡ªhad in mind.


    "??"


    Mei''s mind stopped working as she tried to gather her thoughts.


    Confronted by Wang Xiao''s question, she found herself at a loss, the fluttering unease in her chest making it difficult to focus.


    Deal with imposter?


    "We should... report it to the authorities," Mei finally said, her voice steadying as she found her footing in familiar territory. "If there''s a fraud involved, then it''s a legal matter. We can file aint, gather evidence, and let the courts handle it. It''s the safest and most effective way to ensure justice is served."


    Wang Xiao''s expression faltered, the spark in his eyes dimming as he listened to her pragmatic response.


    Legal solutions?


    It wasn''t what he had hoped to hear.


    He had expected something more...decessive.


    He sighed inwardly, masking his disappointment with a faint smile. "The courts, huh?" he repeated, leaning back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "I suppose that makes sense..."


    Mei nodded, missing the flicker of disillusionment in his gaze. "Yes, it''s the right thing to do. We don''t want to act rashly and end up in more trouble ourselves. If we handle this carefully, we can expose the imposter without putting anyone at risk."


    Wang Xiao nodded, his expression thoughtful, before cing his phone on the table.


    Swoosh!


    With a flick of his fingers, a soft glow illuminated the room as a hologram projected into the air, shimmering faintly. "What if the judge is part of them?" he asked quietly, his voice quiet, "In thest five years, over twenty million people have returned from the dead... What are we going to do now?"


    "Gasp!"


    Mei''s eyes widened, her breath hitching as she stared at the flickering images before her.


    The hologram disyed a tangled web of faces¡ªjudges, high-ranking executives,mon folk, andw enforcement officers¡ªall interconnected in ways that sent a chill down her spine.


    The sheer magnitude of it overwhelmed her, like a mountain casting a shadow over a lone traveler.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "T-They all are...?" she stammered, her voice trembling like a fragile leaf caught in a gust of wind.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze darkened as he nodded. "Yes, they''re all people who should have been dead."


    The color drained from Mei''s cheeks as the situation settled upon her, heavy and suffocating.


    Her delicate frame seemed to shrink under the weight of the realization.


    This was no simple threat; it was a monstrous conspiracy, rooted deep within their world¡ªsomething ancient and terrible that defied understanding.


    Seeing the light fade from her eyes, Wang Xiao quickly turned off the hologram, the room plunging back into its gentle, ambient glow.


    He forced augh, trying to dispel the darkness that had crept into her heart. "You really shouldn''t worry about it," he said, his tone light yet filled with a subtle warning. "At this rate, you''ll give yourself a heart attack within the hour."


    "Huh¡ª?" Mei''s voice was barely more than a whisper, herrge eyes gazing up at him in confusion. "Heart attack... me?"


    Wang Xiao''s smile was gentle, yet there was a trace of something deeper in his eyes¡ªsomething sad. "There''s a slow-acting cold poison in your body," he exined softly, as if speaking too loudly might shatter her. "It gradually cools your blood, making it sluggish. It''s not usually meant to kill, though it can, if ignored. It''s more of a tool for extortion or ckmail.


    You''ve probably had it in your system for over a year now."


    Mei''s lips parted in shock, her hand instinctively moving to her chest as if trying to feel the coldness spreading within her.


    Her skin, usually so fair, now appeared almost translucent, tinged with a faint, unnatural blue.


    This struck her like a bolt of lightning, sending tremors through her heart.


    Was this poison the reason for the difort I''ve felt all year?


    Wang Xiao''s chuckle was soft, but it carried a note of mncholy. "Actually, the target wasn''t meant to be you. If this poison was used, it''s likely to scare Mother intopliance, to force her to act against her will. Who''s behind it... that ¡ª I don''t know."


    Mei''s heart raced, the fear growing within her like a storm.


    With trembling hands, she reached for her phone, ready to call their mother, her mind spinning with panic.


    "W-What should we do!?" she cried, her voice cracking under the pressure.


    Wang Xiao''sughter, warm and reassuring, filled the room. "There''s nothing to do," he said, pointing to the wine ss she had sipped from earlier. "The antidote was in the wine. If your heart is beating loudly now, it means the poison is being neutralized. The antidote is working."


    "!"


    Mei''s eyes widened, her gaze darting to the ss.


    Relief washed over her like a gentle wave, her tension slowly ebbing away.


    She looked up at Wang Xiao, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, the weakness in her expression making her seem smaller, more fragile.

 Chapter 463: Acting Bully? Present!

    Wang Xiao''s smile softened as he watched the fear slowly fade from Mei''s eyes, reced by a shy calmness. "You see?" he said gently, his voice steadying her like a warm breeze. "Ordinary people don''t just get poisoned. Now, isn''t it time you show me what you''ve been hiding down there?"


    "Mm..." Mei blinked, momentarily caught off guard. She would have forgotten if not for his reminder.


    A nce at the clock told her it was still only eleven o''clock at night, but she knew she needed to return before midnight.


    Her hands, small and graceful, reached for the package resting beside her chair.


    With delicate movements, she pulled it into herp, then hesitated for a moment before offering it to him.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flickered with curiosity as he took the package, his fingers brushing against the soft white fabric of the bag.


    There was a hint of confusion in his gaze as he looked at it, the faintest crease forming between his brows.


    "It''s... your birthday present," Mei said softly, her voice tinged with shyness.


    Her gaze lowered, and she fidgeted slightly, the tips of her ears turning a delicate pink. "I didn''t know what you''d like, so... I thought you could have two presents¡ªthis one from me, and another of your choice."


    Her words wereced with uncertainty, her heart fluttering like a trapped bird.


    She had agonized over what to get him, struggling to find something that would make up for the years they had lost.


    In the end, she could only offer this, hoping it would be to his liking.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes softened as he looked at the gift, then back at her beautiful face.


    Slowly, he unwrapped the package, revealing a sleek ck box with the unmistakable crown logo etched in gold¡ªRolex.


    His heart skipped a beat as he opened it, revealing the timeless beauty of a Rolex Oyster Perpetual.


    The watch was a masterpiece of elegance and precision.


    Its silver stainless steel case gleamed under the dim lighting, perfectlyplemented by the smooth, polished bezel.


    The dial was a striking shade of blue, with hour markers that caught the light just so, reflecting a subtle, almost ethereal glow.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The second hand swept smoothly across the dial, an evidence to the watch''s impable craftsmanship.


    "This is... perfect," Wang Xiao finally said, he looked up at Mei, his eyes shining with appreciation. "Thank you, Mei."


    Mei''s heart fluttered as she saw the appreciation in his eyes, a soft smile tugging at her lips.


    She felt a wave of relief wash over her, knowing that her choice had been the right one


    As Wang Xiao carefully fastened the watch around his wrist, Mei watched with a sense of quiet satisfaction.


    "Every time I look at it," Wang Xiao said, his voice soft but full of meaning, "I''ll think of you."


    Mei''s smile deepened, a mixture of joy and contentment filling her heart.


    The night felt a little less cold, the world a little less vast, knowing that this small act had brought them closer together.


    Mei''s heart fluttered as Wang Xiao fastened the watch around his wrist, his words echoing in her ears, ''Every time I look at it, I''ll think of you.''


    The sentiment behind them was sincere, but there was something about the way he said it that caused a small flush to rise on her delicate face.


    Her cheeks tinged pink, and she quickly averted her gaze, feeling a wave of shyness wash over her.


    Just then, Wang Xiao''s phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him back to the present. He nced at the screen, where his Discord group¡ªhiswork of secret spies scattered across the world¡ªwas active with messages.


    The group, simply named "Deviants," wasposed of individuals who had once been powerful and feared, but now moved in the shadows, using aliases like Lazyangel, Turtle, and Immortal Soul.


    The names were peculiar, but they held deep significance in the circles they moved in.


    Despite the flurry of notifications, Wang Xiao''s sharp eyes quickly scanned the messages.


    Finding nothing of immediate importance, he dismissed them for now, focusing on the next step in his n.


    "Okay," he said, breaking the silence and drawing Mei''s attention back to him. "Now it''s time for my second gift, I suppose."


    He stood up, his movement smooth and deliberate, a slight smile ying on his lips.


    "Huh?" Mei blinked, her confusion evident as she looked up at him. She had promised to buy him anything within her budget, but the sudden shift in the atmosphere left her uncertain.


    She had saved diligently over the past years, keeping her expenses minimal.


    Despite her ample savings, she couldn''t shake the lingering worry.


    What if what he asked for was beyond her means?


    She had even borrowed some extra money from her friends, just to be safe.


    Thest thing she wanted was to disappoint him.


    As she watched him, standing there with that unreadable expression, her heart was worried.


    What could he possibly want?


    And why did it feel like this moment was about to change everything?


    ______


    "Umm... Brother... Are we there yet?" Mei''s voice quivered slightly, betraying the nervousness that had been building within her.


    "Not yet," Wang Xiao replied calmly, his voice steady.


    "Oh..." Mei''s worry deepened, but she followed his lead obediently.


    Blindfolded, she was acutely aware of every sensation¡ªthe sound of their footsteps on the ground, the cool night air brushing against her skin, and the warm, reassuring presence of Wang Xiao beside her.


    His hand rested lightly on her exposed shoulder, guiding her with a touch that sent shivers down her spine.


    Susie, Kari, and the other officers followed at a respectful distance, their presence a silent reassurance.


    But it was Wang Xiao''s touch, guiding her with a light press on her shoulder, that she focused on.


    His hand was warm against her soft, jade-like skin, a contrast to the cool air that brushed against them.


    Finally, Wang Xiao''s voice broke the silence. "We''re here," he said softly, his tone carrying a sense of anticipation. "Don''t remove the blindfold yet¡ªthere''s onest step."


    "Okay," Mei whispered, her voice barely audible as her heart began to race.


    Wang Xiao crouched down beside her, his movements slow and deliberate. "No footwear is allowed inside," he murmured, his voice dropping lower, almost intimate.


    Without waiting for her response, he reached for her feet.


    Hiss!


    Mei''s breath hitched as she felt his hands slide along her ankles, his fingers wrapping around her smooth legs with a gentleness that was both reassuring and unsettling.


    The touch was intimate, more so than she had expected, and a rush of heat flooded her face.


    As he began to remove her heels, his fingers brushed against the sensitive skin of her calves, sending a wave of unfamiliar sensations coursing through her.


    Her legs trembled slightly, betraying the mixture of emotions swirling within her¡ªconfusion, embarrassment, and a hint of shame.


    The way he handled her, so deliberate and squeezed her skin, made her feel shameful of her own thoughts, in a way that both frightened and intrigued her.


    Wang Xiao took his time, his fingers lingering just a moment longer than necessary as he slid the heels off her feet.


    The sensation was electric, her skin tingling where his fingers had been.


    Mei''s breath quickened, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to process the insanity of the moment.


    The cool air against her now bare feet was differentpared to the heat that flushed her cheeks.


    As Wang Xiao stood back up, Mei felt a profound sense of disorientation.


    She couldn''t see him, couldn''t predict his next move, and that uncertainty only heightened her awareness.


    She felt acutely aware of her own body, of the way her dress touched against her skin, of the lingering sensation of his touch on her legs.


    Wang Xiao''s voice was a low murmur as he spoke again, "You can remove the blindfold now."


    Mei hesitated, her hands trembling slightly as she reached up to untie the blindfold.


    As the fabric fell away, she blinked, her eyes adjusting to the dim light.


    The room before her was softly lit, the atmosphere intimate and enclosed, with the scent of rose subtly filling the air.


    Her mood instantly plummeted to wrost.

 Chapter 464: The Courageous Little Sister who was trapped!

    "Suprise!"


    The room before her was bathed in a gentle, almost ethereal light, the soft glow casting long shadows that clung to the corners.


    The air was thick with the delicate scent of roses, a fragrance that hinted at both love and danger, wrapping the space in an intimate, almost suffocating embrace.


    Her mood plummeted, sinking like a stone in deep water.


    "¡­"


    Her expression darkened, a storm brewing behind her eyes.


    She was young, but far from naive.


    Click!


    She snapped her head around at the sharp sound, her pulse quickening as she saw Wang Xiao calmly locking the door.


    He moved with a deliberate slowness, a faint smirk ying on his lips as he nonchntly tossed the keys through the narrow gap beneath the door, sealing their fate with a casual flick of his wrist.


    Mei''s breath caught in her throat, shock and confusion gripping her like a vice, rendering her motionless.


    The ease with which he had trapped them, the way he discarded the key as though it were nothing¡ªevery action spoke volumes, a silent message that sent her heart racing with a wild mix of fear and disbelief.


    "Brother... what are you doing?" Her voice was barely a whisper, trembling with unspoken dread.


    His eyes locked onto hers, darkening with a sinister gleam as his lips curled into a malicious smile. "Don''t worry," he murmured, his tone dripping with cold assurance. "I just wanted to ensure we wouldn''t be disturbed."


    He didn''t approach her, instead, he drifted past her like a shadow.


    The room was modest in size, but the luxury was subtle.


    A transparent wall dominated the front, revealing the darkened world beyond.


    To the left, a pristine white bedy neatly made, its crisp sheets untouched, while further left, a door led to the washroom, a silent witness to whatever was about to...


    He halted at the edge of the bed, turning slowly to face her, his gaze lingering on her like a predator sizing up its prey.


    "!"


    Mei stood there trembling, feeling as though the ground beneath her feet had vanished.


    Her face, usually so full of life, drained of color as fear tightened its grip around her heart.


    "Don''t... do this," she whispered, barely recognizing her own voice.


    Her hands balled into fists at her sides, the sharp pain from her nails digging into her palms a bitter reminder that this was all too real.


    She forced herself to meet his gaze, but her resolve wavered as she watched him unbuckle his belt with a maddeningly calm expression.


    Why is this happening? He can''t really mean to... But the cold, predatory look in his eyes told her everything she needed to know.


    "Do this?" Wang Xiao echoed, a cruel smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "It''s not up to you to decide, little Mei."


    Her heart pounded painfully as he began unbuttoning his shirt, each click of the buttons like the ticking of a clock counting down to something... Terrible.


    She tried to force her feet to move, to do anything, but it was as if they were rooted to the ground.


    No, this isn''t right. He can''t do this. I have to stop him.


    As he shrugged off his shirt, revealing a chiseled form that should have inspired admiration, all Mei felt was dread.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Her gaze fell to the floor, her voice trembling as she forced the words out. "I won''t let you... I won''t let you do this!"


    She had made up her mind¡ªshe would stop him, somehow.


    Even if she was terrified, even if her body was frozen with fear, she couldn''t let him take this from her.


    "Won''t let me?" Wang Xiao chuckled darkly, stepping closer, his presence overwhelming. "And how exactly do you n to stop me, Mei?"


    Her mind raced, searching for something, anything that might reach him and he woulde back to his senses. "You already have a wife... and a daughter," she blurted out, her voice cracking. "Don''t you think this is wrong? Don''t you care about them?"


    His eyes shed with something unreadable, but he didn''t stop.


    He moved closer, until he was nearly upon her.


    The scent of jasmine, her scent, filled the air between them, intoxicating and dangerous.


    "Wrong?" he repeated, as if the word amused him. "You think morality can stop me? I fear nothing. I can do anything I want, to anyone, at any time. So tell me¡ªwhy should I care about right or wrong?"


    Panic surged through her, but she tried to stand her ground. "Because this isn''t who you are," she said, desperationcing her words. "The brother I know wouldn''t do this. He wouldn''t need to."


    "Is that so?" He was so close now that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. If she turned her head even slightly, their faces would touch.


    Her breath hitched, fear mixing with the scent of jasmine in the air.


    No, no, no. I can''t let this happen. I have to do something. Anything.


    But as he shadowed over her, she realized just how small, how powerless she was against him.


    Her heart hammered in her chest, each beat louder and more frantic than thest, like a wild rabbit trapped with no way out.


    And still, she didn''t dare look at him, knowing that if she did, she might lose whatever courage she had left.


    He traced a finger slowly over her face, the touch deceptively gentle, as if he were savoring the moment.


    Leaning in closer, his breath ghosted over her skin, sending goosebumps down her skin. "The brother you know...?" His voice was a low murmur, filled with mockery. "Then... I think you''ll only find disappointment."


    In an instant, his hand shot up to grip her chin, his fingers digging into her skin as he prepared to force her to turn her head toward him. His intent was clear¡ªhe was going to take what he wanted, starting with her lips.


    "Susie!" Mei cried out, desperation lending her speed and strength.


    Like a gust of wind, she twisted free from his grasp, her movement fluid and panicked.


    She dashed to the door, her heart pounding as her fists collided with the wood, each beat against the door a frantic plea.


    "Kari!" she screamed again, her voice raw as she hammered against the door, hoping, praying that someone would hear her.


    Wang Xiao stood there, momentarily stunned, his hand still hovering where it had been gripping her moments before.


    The Mei he remembered¡ªthe girl who had once been so obedient, so fragile¡ªwould never have dared to defy him like this.


    He could have done anything to her without facing consequences.


    But this... this tall, grown woman, fiercely pounding on the door, calling for help without hesitation¡ªdid she not realize the danger she was inviting by making so much noise?


    Was she so blinded by fear or had she truly grown this bold?


    His gaze flicked down to her long legs, a sigh escaping his lips as he watched her futile struggle. "It seems she''s really grown... even in courage," he muttered to himself, a strange admiration in his voice.

 Chapter 465: *Painfully Beautiful Moonlight* (1)

    At this moment!


    Outside the door, in the lobby, Kari and Susie stood guard, their expressions stoic.


    The thumping noises from inside the room made them frown, but they exchanged a quick nce and pretended not to notice.


    "Hey, what''s all that noise?"


    A door nearby creaked open, and a worried guest poked his head out, looking in their direction. "Who''s making all that noise?"


    "Darling, go and check," a woman urged from another doorway.


    One by one, more doors on the floor started to open, curious and anxious guests stepping into the hallway.


    They moved toward Susie and Kari, demanding answers.


    The two women exchanged another nce, silentlymunicating their next move as the crowd pressed closer.


    "Hey, open the door!" one man shouted, his voice tinged with panic.


    "Someone''s asking for help in there!" another added, his concern mirrored by the others.


    "Open the door!" they chorused, their insistence growing louder.


    Hearing the escting demands, Susie and Kari finally sighed, realizing that the situation was spiraling out of control.


    Click! Click!


    In unison, they drew their arms together, each of them pointing a Glock at the crowd. "Our boss is inside in a covert mission," Susie said coolly, her voice cutting through the noise like a knife. "You need something?"


    Hiss!


    The crowd fell silent, their collective breath hitching in fear.


    For a moment, the hallway was eerily still.


    But just as the crowd began to retreat in terror, the wail of sirens echoed down the street, and police cars screeched to a halt outside the hotel.


    Momentster, the hotel manager appeared, leading a contingent of police officers up to the floor.


    But instead of approaching the room where themotion originated, they began evacuating the guests, sealing off the entire floor and ensuring no one could get near.


    The director of the Crime Branch, a man with sharp eyes and an even sharper sense of self-preservation, stood at the entrance to the sealed floor.


    His phone buzzed incessantly in his pocket, and with a sigh, he answered.


    "Miss Zhn, you need to understand that I am not in Icevale," he said, his tone measured and detached. "I have already entrusted two of my most important subordinates with your daughter''s protection. Until twelve hours have passed, we can''t formally file aint¡ªyou should know this already."


    "But¡ª"


    Beep!


    He ended the call before she could finish, a cold smile ying on his lips. He couldn''t help butugh inwardly.


    On one hand, it was a small favor his department owed to aw firm; on the other, it was ten million dors.


    Back at the resort, Zhn stared at her phone, fury bubbling up inside her until she couldn''t contain it anymore.


    With a frustrated yell, she hurled the phone across the room, watching as it shattered against the wall.


    Everything was going wrong.


    Why was everything going wrong?


    She massaged her temples, a sense of despair creeping over her as she struggled to figure out her next move.


    _____


    "Haha..."


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, watching Mei bang desperately against the door.


    He wasn''t in any hurry.


    Instead, he took a few steps back and casually sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes following her every move as she violently beat her fists against the unyielding wood.


    There was something oddly fascinating about this sudden burst of determination in his usually quiet and meek little sister.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He had always seen her through the lens of the timid girl he remembered, but now, it was clear¡ªpainfully clear¡ªthat she had grown up, and she had changed in ways he was only beginning to understand.


    For ten long minutes, he observed her struggle.


    Her fists pounded against the door until the sound of flesh striking wood began to weaken, reced by the quiet, anguished sobs that finally broke through.


    Only then did he notice the bruises forming on her delicate hands, the skin bleeding and swollen from the repeated impact.


    Why is she so resistant? he wondered, genuinely puzzled.


    She wasn''t like this before... or was she?


    Memories surfaced, hazy but persistent, of a time when she had nearly sold him out to their mother in a moment of panic.


    Perhaps he never truly understood her.


    Shaking his head, he pushed the thoughts aside and rose from the bed, moving silently toward her trembling form.


    "Don''t..." Mei''s voice was barely a whisper, a plea as he came up behind her.


    He inhaled deeply, the sweet scent of her body mingling with the jasmine perfume, filling his senses.


    His hands moved to support her, wrapping around her as she began to slump down, her strength finally giving out.


    She shivered under his touch, her body wracked with silent sobs, and he felt the warm, wet tears fall onto his hands.


    For a moment, something unfamiliar tugged at him¡ªa sense of unease, perhaps?¡ªbut it was quickly dismissed.


    "Why do you fight me?" he murmured, almost to himself, his grip tightening slightly as he held her close.


    The girl she had been was gone, reced by this stubborn one.


    And yet, he still couldn''t quite grasp why she resisted him so fiercely.


    Seeing her silence and trembling form, Wang Xiao shook his head, amused.


    It wasn''t until he nced down that he realized his hands were gripping her underarms, his fingers inadvertently pressing against her chest.


    Curiosity and arrogance intertwined as he decided to test what he was feeling.


    He gave a deliberate squeeze, expecting little, but what he felt made his eyes widen in surprise.


    Boing¡ª!


    Soft and full, her body had changed far more than he had anticipated.


    She had truly grown¡ªeverywhere.


    Mei''s face was a mask of shock and shame.


    Without another word, Wang Xiao yanked her away from the door and threw her onto the bed with a careless motion.


    Just as he began to climb over her, intent on asserting his control, Mei moved with a sudden burst of energy.


    Bang!


    She swung her head, aiming to strike him, hoping for any chance to escape.


    But he was quicker.


    His hand caught her head mid-swing, halting her attack effortlessly.


    "Sigh... You really don''t understand anything at all," Wang Xiao muttered, a mix of frustration and condescension in his tone as her head trembled within his grasp.


    With a forceful yet controlled motion, he pushed her head back against the pillow, his gaze lingering on her conflicted expression.


    Her beautiful face, framed by scattered strands of hair, was glowing with the sheer panic in her eyes¡ªthose once-bright eyes now misted with tears.


    Her tremblingshes and the heavy breaths she took made her look almost painfully adorable.


    "You''ve grown into such a beauty," he mused, his voice softening as he grasped a thin quilt and used it to wipe away the dark marks beneath her eyes left by her tears. "But you don''t seem to know how to take care of yourself at all..."

 Chapter 466: *Painfully Beautiful Moonlight* (2)

    Mei shivered violently under his touch, her body tensing with every breath. "I... I don''t want to," she whispered, her voice shaking but her eyes hardening with resolve.


    She managed to summon the strength to continue, "I''ll scream and bite... if you force me."


    Wang Xiao''s brow arched, "You want to bite me?" he taunted, but there was a hint of curiosity in his voice.


    Was she really serious?


    But Mei wasn''t joking.


    He traced her soft, moist lips with his thumb, his touch lingering as if savoring the sensation.


    Mei didn''t resist¡ªshe knew that brute force wouldn''t work against him.


    She was preparing herself to try something else, just as she had threatened.


    "Since you want to bite me, I''ll bite you too," he murmured, leaning closer to her face.


    Panic shed in her eyes, and she instinctively tried to push him away, her hands grabbing at his shoulders, desperately trying to throw him off.


    But his weight was like a mountain, immovable.


    His scent, a mixture of something dark and intoxicating, clouded her senses, making it hard to think clearly.


    She knew he was too close, and with a surge of fear, she shook her head violently, trying to escape.


    "Mmmph!... Mmmph!" Her muffled protests were cut short as he gripped her chin firmly, forcing her to stay still.


    He leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a rough, biting kiss.


    "!!!"


    Mei was stunned, her mind reeling as she felt his tongue trace the outline of her lips, tasting them with an almost obsessive manner.


    Her lips, which had once been her own, now felt vited under his control.


    The sweetness of her lips, something he enoyed even more knowing they belonged to his ''little sister,'' made him like a beast out of control.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He closed his eyes, his hands cupping her cheeks as he sucked on her lips, his actions both forceful and disturbingly intimate.


    Mei''s face flushed a deep red¡ªwhether from embarrassment orck of air, it was impossible to tell.


    His thumb slipped into her mouth with ease, and she hadn''t even thought to close her lips against him.


    Perhaps she was too shocked, too overwhelmed to react.


    "Oh, you want to suck on my finger?" he smiled, a cruelugh escaping his lips.


    "You¡ª" Mei gasped, her lips parting in shock.


    The shame and helplessness that flooded her only deepened as he seized the opportunity.


    His hands tightened around her cheeks, and his tongue forced its way into her mouth, tasting her sweetness with a deep, almost sinister satisfaction.


    Mei''s face turned pale.


    The cold intrusion of his tongue froze her mind with despair, and tears began to flow freely down her cheeks, wetting his hands as he continued to ravage her.


    Wang Xiao, lost in the heady sweetness of her taste, seemed unable to stop himself.


    He licked her face, biting and sucking on her skin as if she were some rare sweet, his mind awash with rare perverted thoughts.


    The sweetness of her lips had led him down a dark path, and he wondered, with a twisted sense of curiosity, how much sweeter the rest of her would be.


    But then, something changed.


    His eyes flickered with realization, his thoughts pausing mid-descent.


    "So that''s it¡­" he muttered to himself, his lips pulling away slightly as his gaze turned thoughtful.


    This was his ''little sister,'' and the sweetness that intoxicated him was a reflection of that bond¡ªor at least, that''s how his twisted mind saw it.


    But as he looked down at Mei, who was ring at him with a mixture of shame and anger, he felt an even darker thought creeping into his mind.


    If his ''little sister'' was this sweet, how sweet would it be to taste his ''dear daughter''?


    The idea sent goosebumps down his skin, and he chuckled bitterly, shaking his head as if trying to clear it.


    "What the hell is wrong with me today?" he muttered, confused by his own thoughts. "Someone hit my head please¡­"


    "Not you!" he snapped suddenly, ncing down at Mei, who looked bewildered and even more frightened by his self-talk.


    Without warning, he grabbed her hands, pinning them above her head before she could react.


    She struggled, her body thrashing beneath him, but he was far too strong.


    Within minutes, he had her pinned in ce, her arms stretched above her in a position that left her utterly vulnerable.


    Mei''s resistance was frantic, but futile.


    Wang Xiao had herpletely under his control, and the look in his eyes told her that he was far from done.


    She writhed beneath him, her breathing in short, heated gasps as her body betrayed her with every tremble.


    Her teeth sank into her lower lip, trying to stifle the voice threatening to escape, while her wide eyes locked onto his, reflecting a mix of fear and undeniable attraction.


    She looked more beautiful than ever, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight.


    With a swift, practiced motion, Wang Xiao seized the delicate straps of her dark blue dress, his fingers brushing against her warm skin. "You''re not getting away this time, Mei," he murmured, smiling in satisfaction.


    The fabric slid down her body in one fluid movement, pooling around her waist.


    "Ah¡ªdamn it, Mei... Whether you believe it or not, the more you hit me, the rougher I would be with you..." Wang Xiao hissed.


    His gaze roamed over her now-exposed creamy shoulders and her impossibly slender waist.


    ''She can grow even more beautiful,'' he thought.


    Her fists beat against his back in a futile attempt to resist, but he felt the heat of her skin, her pulse racing beneath his touch.


    "Why... Why are you doing this?" Mei''s voice was shaky, a mixture of fear and disbelief.


    It was too sudden, he was behaving perfectly normal, so why did he suddenly turned into this?


    She refused to believe he was the same person.


    But even as she questioned him, her body arched towards his touch, betraying her own confusion.


    His response was a dark chuckle. "Why? Because, Mei, you drove me to madness with those teasing looks today."


    He was indeed tempted when she dressed up for him.


    But that wouldn''t change the oue anyways.


    As she attempted to kick her legs free, he pinned them down with one strong hand, his other hand busy peeling away thest remnants of her modesty. "Stop struggling, or it''ll only make things worse," he warned, his voicemanding.


    "Now... Enough of this," hemanded, leaning closer until his breath brushed against her ear.


    Crash!


    "Agh..." Mei''s body tensed, her hands clenched into fists as he captured her wrists and pinned them above her head.

 Chapter 467: *Painfully Beautiful Moonlight* (3)

    Mei braced herself, expecting his lips to im hers once more, ready to bite his toungue this time and make him feel some pain as well, but instead, he descended upon her neck, his breath hot against her skin, his mouth warm as he tasted the delicate flesh there.


    Wang Xiao''s lips hovered just above her skin, sucking over, "Your neck is just as tempting..." he murmured before pressing his lips to the delicate skin of her neck, inhaling deeply as if to memorize her scent.


    "Mmmmnn... Brother... Stop...this right now..." Her voice wasced with desperation, but her body betrayed her, shivering beneath his touch.


    She shook her head, trying to clear her mind, but it was no use.


    She tried to resist, to push him away, but his relentless assault on her senses left her helpless.


    "Why were you so prepared, Mei? Did you already bathe? Dress so perfectly for me?" Wang Xiao''s voice was teasing as he trailed his lips down to her shoulder, his hands exploring further.


    His fingers brushed against her breasts, feeling their fullness, and he couldn''t suppress a smile, "Tell me, Mei... Were you expecting me today?"


    "N-no... I didn''t¡ª" She started, but her words were cut off as he squeezed her breasts.


    "Then why does your body tell a different story?" Wang Xiao taunted, "Your mouth says no, but your body says yes. Which should I believe, Mei?"


    Desperation took hold, and she bent forward, sinking her teeth into his shoulder as he fumbled with her bra.


    The sharp sting of pain only made him smirk.


    ''She still has some fight in her... Good,'' he thought,ughing inwardly.


    For now, he would let her believe she had the upper hand.


    His vengeance could wait.


    Finally, the bra slipped away, and her breasts were revealed, supple and round, with delicate pink peaks that stood proudly against her porcin skin.


    He paused for a moment, his breath catching at the sight. "Beautiful," he whispered, more to himself than to her, mesmerized by the sight.


    "Stop..." Mei''s voice was barely an angered murmer, her hands moving to shield herself.


    But Wang Xiao was having none of it.


    "Don''t hide from me, Mei. You''re mine now," he dered, removing her hands and recing them with his own.


    His fingers pressed into the soft flesh, his desire evident in his every touch.


    "Aaanggh~~!"


    Mei gasped, her voice unexpectedly sultry, mature, and undeniably seductive.


    The sound sent a thrill down Wang Xiao''s spine, igniting rage within him.


    ''This... This is the real Mei,'' he thought, his mind surprised just as him as he tried to reconcile the innocent girl he once knew with the woman beneath him now.


    "You sound so different, Mei. Not the shy, innocent girl I remember," Wang Xiao teased, chuckling, "But this... this is much better."


    "Mmmngh!~"


    Her moan reverberated through the room, but Wang Xiao, with his selective hearing, focused only on the parts that stoked his anger further.


    He took one of her breasts into his mouth, his tongue flicking over the sensitive nipple. "You taste divine, Mei. If only you could feed me like Eleanor..." he murmured against her skin, his mind drifting to the thought of her nourishing him in a more primal way.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her skin was sweet, her flesh tender, and he lost himself in the pleasure of devouring her, ignoring the objects she half-heartedly hurled at him in a desperate,st-ditch effort to resist.


    "Why... Why don''t you stop...? I am your... No-no..It''s so wrong... Why are you so..." Mei''s voice was a broken whisper, her resolve crumbling with each passing moment.


    Her eyes glistened with flowing tears, each drop falling like precious pearls.


    As if mirroring her shattered spirit, the delicate pearl bracelet on her wrist snapped, the tiny orbs scattering across the room, lost and broken, much like her will.


    Her wrists were swollen, evidence of her struggle, of the battle between her duty and her desperate yearning for escape.


    "I used to trust you brother... please, stop... Let''s forget everything..." she cried out, her voice trembling as he ignored her pleas, his lips trailing down to her abdomen, leaving a path of heated kisses that made her tremble.


    His hands moved with possessive intent, slipping between her soft, supple thighs, rubbing her most intimate region with a familiarity that both terrified and thrilled her.


    Her thighs, smooth and perfect like those of a model, paled inparison to the intoxicating taste she possessed.


    She was a forbidden fruit, more addictive to his senses than he could ever admit.


    "She''s so pure... so perfect... How could she think I would stop now?" Wang Xiao thought, his mind focused solely on the conquest before him.


    Her words fell on deaf ears, drowned out by the pounding of his own desire.


    He had watched her from the shadows for so many days, studying her, learning her every habit, her every thought.


    She was strong-willed, determined to maintain the sacred bond between them, to keep him at arm''s length.


    But now, faced with her, he knew that her determination was no match for his resolve.


    ''Little girl...this is the only way,'' he thought coldly, steeling himself against the sound of her cries.


    Even if it meant breaking her spirit, he was determined to have her.


    Once he had tasted her, the rest woulde easily.


    She would grow ustomed to him, to his touch, and eventually, she would ept the inevitable and no longer stick to maintaining distance between them.


    ''She doesn''t understand yet, but she will. Once I close this door, she''ll see the others that await her... with me.'' He justified his actions to himself, knowing that any exnation would be lost on her now.


    His only recourse was brute force, to shatter the protective shell she had built around herself.


    As her legs parted, he stripped away thest piece of clothing, the final barrier between them.


    "Gasp!" Mei''s breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in a mixture of fear and disbelief as she realized there was no escape.


    She waspletely exposed.


    "... please... I beg¡ªmmmgh!?"


    Mei''s plea was abruptly cut off, her words dissolving into a sea of overwhelming sensations as his tongue brushed against her slightly dry, yet exquisitely beautiful flower, waiting to be nourished by him.


    The delicate petals, guarding the faintly blushing flesh within, held a beauty that was both innocent and intoxicating.


    He had yearned to taste this forbidden flower for so long, a desire that had consumed his thoughts for long.


    Now, as he finally indulged, he found it even more tender and soft than he remembered¡ªgrown more plump, softer and more inviting.

 Chapter 468: *Scream for the morning to come, let your tears and voice run dry...*

    It was even more tender and soft than he remembered¡ªgrown more plump, softer and more inviting.


    "Anngh... d-don''t... mmmgh~..."


    Her voice turned into a strained mixture of protest and surrender, her body betraying her with every word.


    Her waist arched instinctively, again and again, as a warm undercurrent surged from her belly down between her legs.


    The sensation was foreign, overwhelming, something she had never experienced before, as his mouth worked against her most sensitive ce, sucking and licking with a deliberate hunger.


    Her mind struggled toprehend the intensity of the feelings flooding her, but it was no use¡ªher thoughts scattered, exploding in a haze of pleasure that left her trembling.


    "no-b-brother... You can''t...t-touch me...there..mmm.." she thought, her body quaking with a heat that seemed to consume her from the inside out.


    Her face flushed as red as if she were trapped in a sauna, beads of sweat forming on her skin as she writhed beneath him.


    "Haaa... Haaa... s-stop~~" she gasped, her voice weak and trembling.


    "Agh...!"


    Her hands reached for his head, fingers tangling in his hair in a desperate attempt to push him away, but her grip was feeble, powerless to separate him from his prize.


    Wang Xiao felt her weak attempts at resistance, but they only fueled his determination.


    He continued to ravish her, savoring the taste that he had craved for so long.


    Every tremor of her body, every gasp, every desperate plea only spurred him on, driving him deeper into his own obsession.


    Her legs trembled uncontrobly as the waves of pleasure grew stronger, her body betraying thest shreds of her will.


    The warmth between her legs increased, and she could no longer hold back the sweet and seductive moans that escaped her lips.


    Wang Xiao''s hands gripped her thighs firmly, holding her in ce as his tongue continued its endless assault.


    Mei''s eyes fluttered shut as another wave of mental agony and pleasure crashed over her.


    Agony gripped as she realized the meaning of what was happening¡ªwhat she was allowing to happen.


    A deep sense of guilt crashed at her heart, the feeling of doing something she shouldn''t, something irreversible.


    She turned her head to the side, two lines of tears slipping down her flushed cheeks as she bit her lips, trying to suppress the wave of despair washing over her.


    But then, the warmth between her legs suddenly vanished, reced by a moment of empty anticipation that sent a shiver of dread through her.


    She barely had time to process the absence before something searing hot pressed against her wet entrance, drawing her attention back instantly.


    Hiss!


    Her legs instinctively tried to mp shut, her body recoiling in fear as he positioned his scalding manhood against her.


    The sheer size of it was terrifying, a menacing presence that seemed as though it would pierce through her and reach her very core.


    Mei couldn''t help the tears that welled up, her gaze pleading and pitiful as she shook her head frantically, silently begging for mercy.


    "Brother please¡­ don''t¡­ not this¡­" her mind screamed, but the words never left her lips.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes darkened with determination as he met her tearful gaze.


    Without a word, he grabbed an additional pillow from beside them, thrusting it towards her. "Bite on it," he ordered.


    Crash!


    But Mei''s response was instant.


    She grabbed the pillow and hurled it back at him, the soft object colliding with his face, briefly obscuring his features.


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened with irritation.


    This little nizi didn''t understand that he was offering her a way to soften the inevitable pain, to keep her screams from alerting everyone on the floor.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    But if she wanted to cry out, to announce her suffering to the world, so be it.


    He had no intention of stopping now.


    "Since you won''t take the easy way¡­ keep screaming... Scream for the morning toe, let your tears and voice run dry..." he smiled, his resolve hardening as he used his knees to part her trembling legs, holding them firmly in ce while rubbing his searing manhood against her delicate, wet folds.


    He savored the feeling of her softness against him, rubbing a few times before beginning to slide in, the tightness of her entrance squeezing against him.


    "Ugh..."


    Mei''s body shuddered violently, her hands clutching the sheets as she felt a suffocating pain spreading through her lower body.


    The sensation of something so big, so hot, invading her sent shockwaves of pain through her, her tender skin struggling to resist and yet yielding at the same time, trying to repel what was inevitable.


    In that moment of pain, Wang Xiao grabbed her chin with a firm hand, tilting her face towards his.


    Her eyes widened in surprise, and before she could utter a word, his mouth descended on hers, mping down with a force that stifled any protest.


    "Mmmph!?¡ªahhhh¡­" Her muffled cry escaped against his lips, a mixture of pain and helplessness, as he pierced her slowly, his long, unyielding rod driving deeper inside her.


    The sensation was agonizing, as though she were being split apart from within, her entire being resisting the intrusion.


    Squish!


    A tearing, searing pain erupted between her legs as he fully broke through herst defense, the protective wall of her hymen tearing under the pressure.


    Mei felt something deep within her shatter, a piece of her innocence, something sacred and precious, lost in that moment.


    Droplets of blood stained the pristine white sheets, a stark reminder of the irreversible change that had just urred.


    Her eyes shut tight, a pained expression etched onto her face, filled with long-held resentment and deep sorrow.


    She could feel the loss keenly, as though something irreceable had been ripped away from her.


    The realization sank in like a stone, heavy and cold: there was no turning back now.


    A few minutester, the bed began to shake violently, the rhythmic creaking filling the room as Mei''s groans grew louder.


    Her body quivered beneath him, overwhelmed by the painful pleasure that coursed through her.


    Desperate to muffle her cries, she grabbed the quilt, biting down hard, her teeth sinking into the fabric as tears welled in her swollen red yet beautiful eyes.


    Wang Xiao with the mix of pain and ecstasy was almost having too much to bear, if didn''t went in his manhood would have broken through his clothes.


    But now, with finally inside her, he allowed himself to focus entirely on the sensation of their connection, the feeling of being close to this fragnant body his little sister, the sensations alone sent his manhood throbbing.


    She was so tight, her body mping down on him with a force that bordered on pain, but it only added to the pleasure, making the moment all the more unforgettable.


    *Creak¡­*


    *Pak!*


    *Pak!*


    *Pak!*


    The hotel bed groaned under the strain, its sturdy frame tested by their movements.


    Wang Xiao half-expected it to give way beneath them, the force of their union threatening to break it at any moment.


    But somehow, the bed held firm, enduring hour after hour as he lost himself in the primal rhythm of their bodies.

 Chapter 469: Escorting Back!

    6:00 AM, 31st August, 2031.


    The hotel room was cloaked in darkness, the heavy curtains shutting out the early morning light.


    Outside, the world was still and quiet, with the sun not expected to rise until 8 o''clock.


    Inside, however, the atmosphere was one of heavy intimacy, filled with the remnants of a night that had reshaped their lives.


    Wang Xiaoy in the faint light, his gaze fixed on the sleeping beauty resting atop him.


    Mei''s eyes were swollen and red, the aftereffects of tears and exhaustion, her longshes flickering subtly, as though even in sleep she couldn''t escape the echoes of what had happened.


    Her body, warm and soft, rose and fell gently with her breaths, her chest pressed against his.


    Despite all she had endured, there was a quiet glow to her face, a subtle brightness that only enhanced her beauty, even in her helplessness.


    He watched her lips, still bruised and trembling, moving in sleep as though she were begging for him to stop, her subconscious mind trapped in the night.


    And yet, despite everything, she remained radiant, an ethereal beauty that stirred something deep within him.


    A sense of conquest stirred within Wang Xiao as he ran his hand along her back, savoring the warmth of her skin, before squeezing her firm and soft buttocks beneath the quilt that covered them both.


    This was his little sister, bound by blood, yet now imed by him in a way that defied all societal norms.


    "If someone had asked me seven years ago¡ªback when life was simpler, when time moved at a human pace¡ªwhether this would ever be possible," he thought, his mind drifting to the past, "I would have said no, without hesitation."


    But time had changed everything, twisting their fates in ways he could never have anticipated.


    Now, here she was, lying naked above him, her body melded with his, the boundaries that once separated them obliterated.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He didn''t dare wake her, not wanting to risk the unexpected p that mighte his way if she woke up suddenly.


    Despite the shamelessness he had developed over the years¡ªan essential survival trait in a world that demanded thick skin¡ªthere was still a sense of modesty within him.


    It was a strange contradiction, this feeling of possession mixed with a lingering respect for the girl she once was.


    "Um¡­" Mei''s delicate body stirred, responding instinctively to the intensity of Wang Xiao''s gaze.


    Her long, darkshes fluttered like the wings of a butterfly caught in a storm, and then, with a sudden, sharp intake of breath, her eyes flew open, their once-bright luster now clouded with confusion and pain.


    She gasped softly, her chest rising as if trying to draw in air but finding it difficult, her breaths shallow and strained.


    "Haaaa¡­"


    Her voice, usually as sweet and clear as a flowing stream, was now choked with emotion, barely more than a whisper.


    Her gaze, soft and wide like a frightened doe, locked onto Wang Xiao, bewilderment mingling with a deep, aching sorrow. "Why does it hurt so much... to breathe?" she wondered, her thoughts in a sea of confusion.


    As herrge, round-shaped eyes wandered around the room, taking in the disarray¡ªthe rumpled sheets, the oppressive darkness still lingering in the early morning hours¡ªunderstanding slowly dawned.


    Her lips, soft and bruised, trembled as memories of the night came flooding back, each one a stab to her heart.


    The realization was like a de slicing through her, leaving her breathless, her expression growing more downcast with each passing moment.


    "No¡­ no, this can''t be real," her mind screamed, the reality of what had happened crashing down upon her like a mountain copsing under its own weight.


    She blinked rapidly, tears welling up in her eyes, her once-rosy cheeks now pale as a winter''s dawn.


    "Brother¡­" Her voice was a trembling whisper, fragile as a single petal caught in the wind. "Why¡­ why did you do this?"


    Her eyes, like pools of dark, endless sorrow, searched his, looking for a hint of remorse, some sign that he regretted.


    But in his gaze, she found only cold resolve, the very same that had driven him through the night.


    He remained silent, his piercing eyes locked onto her, unyielding as the mountains.


    The absence of an answer, of even a flicker of guilt, cut deeper than any sword could have. Mei''s heart clenched painfully, a storm of emotions raging within her, yet her voice was too weak to carry them.


    She turned her head away, tears streaming down her soft, pale cheeks like pearls slipping from a broken strand.


    "What am I supposed to do now?" she thought desperately, her heart heavy with despair. "How can I live with this... after what you have done? Can you give me my life back?"


    A bitterugh rose up inside her, but it dissolved into a sob, her shoulders shaking as she tried to suppress it. "I trusted you¡­" she whispered, her words barely audible, more to herself than to him. "I trusted you¡­ How could you¡­?"


    Her small hands, which once held the gentleness of spring blossoms, now clenched the sheets beneath her with a desperation born of grief.


    Her knuckles turned white, contrasting sharply with the redness of her swollen eyes.


    She wanted to scream, to cry out against the injustice of it all, but her voice had abandoned her, leaving only the hollow emptiness of a heart shattered beyond repair.


    "What do I do now?" Mei murmured weakly, her voice barely more than a breath, as if the weight of her sorrow was too much to bear.


    The once-bright spirit that had always shone within her was now dimmed, heavy with despair.


    She gazed ahead, her eyes unfocused and filled with tears, as she whispered, "How am I supposed to face Mom¡­ face everyone¡­ after everything?"


    Wang Xiao stared at her tear-streaked face, his mind wrestling with her words.


    Face whom?


    He wondered. ''Who is going to say anything, anyway? Who dares?''


    In his mind, there was no one to judge her, no one to care¡ªbut as he opened his mouth to voice this, he hesitated.


    A rare moment of restraint held him back, as if some unseen gods from the heavens might curse him for being the insensitive bastard he knew himself to be.


    He swallowed his sharp words, forcing himself to soften his approach.


    With a sigh, he reached out, his hand moving gently down her back, trying to offer some semnce offort.


    His fingers traced soothing circles on her skin, while his other hand cradled her head, pressing it against his chest.


    "You can cry now¡­" he said softly, his voice unexpectedly tender.

 Chapter 470: Anran is a bully!

    "You can cry now¡­" he said softly, his voice unexpectedly tender.


    He didn''t expect much of a response, thinking her tears had already run dry.


    But his words seemed to tap into a deep well of emotion within her, releasing the flood she had been holding back.


    Mei''s body stiffened, and then, as if a dam had burst, she broke downpletely.


    "Ah¡­ ahhh¡­ mmm¡­" she whimpered, the sound catching in her throat as her body began to tremble.


    Her sobs came in waves, heavy and raw, shaking her small frame as she clung to him, desperate for something to hold onto.


    "Hnnn¡­ ahh¡­ I-I can''t¡­," she sobbed, her voice muffled against his chest, the sound of her despair cutting through the quiet of the room.


    Each breath was a struggle, her tears flowing freely, soaking into his skin as she buried her face against him. "¡­ why¡­"


    He could feel her pain in every sob, every broken cry that escaped her lips.


    Her body shook uncontrobly as she cried, the sound of her whimpers like tiny cracks in the wall he had built around his own heart.


    "Mmm¡­ it h-hurts¡­," she whimpered again, her voice small and broken, each wordced with the kind of pain that twisted his insides in a way he hadn''t expected.


    Wang Xiao held her tighter.


    "Shhh¡­ it''s¡­ it''s okay," he whispered, though even he knew the words were hollow. "I''m here¡­ just let it out¡­"


    _____


    Fifteen minutester!


    Wang Xiao''s chest was soaked from Mei''s tears, but she remained draped over him, her body finally still as her breathing grew more even.


    He didn''t dare move, not wanting to disturb the fragile calm that had settled over them, though the difort of the dampness pressed against his skin.


    He hesitated before speaking, his voice gentle, "Do you want to go back today... or stay with me?"


    Either choice was eptable to him.


    Mei was silent, her thoughts a tangled mess.


    The idea of returning resort, of facing the world outside, felt overwhelming.


    But staying here, with him, brought its own set ofplications.


    After a moment, she whispered, "Go back¡­" Her voice was soft, hesitant, as if she were unsure of the decision even as she made it.


    Wang Xiao nodded, understanding her reluctance.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Just as she began to push herself up from the mattress, her hands trembling slightly as they pressed against the bed, a sudden wave of difort washed over her.


    Her brows furrowed, and a soft, involuntary groan escaped her swollen lips, "Mmmmnn ~~"


    She nced at Wang Xiao, her eyes wide with surprise and embarrassment as her face flushed a deep shade of red.


    She could hardly believe that she was still joined with him.


    Wang Xiao offered a bitter smile, of shamelessness has a face, he would top the charts.


    He gently eased himself away from her, pulling his manhood out of her.


    Mei groaned softly, her body trembling as she felt the fluids begin to leave her, a sensation that left her dazed and confused.


    Before she could steady herself, her strength gave out, and she copsed against him once more, her body too weak to resist the exhaustion that had overtaken her.


    Wang Xiao held her close, his hand smoothing over her back, offering silentfort as shey against him.


    Before Mei knew it, she had drifted off to sleep again.


    The exhaustion from the night before, when she had barely managed two hours of restless slumber, finally overtook her.


    When she awoke three hourster, she was surprised to find a curious creature gazing at her with unusual intensity.


    Dressed in a simple yet modest pair of ck clothes, Mei blinked in confusion as Anran, with her ever-present energy, circled her like a predator inspecting its prey.


    Anran finally stopped, giving a nod of approval. "It''s good!" she dered, shing a thumbs up and patting Mei on the back with surprising enthusiasm. "You''re the first person Wenxi ever lent her clothes to... huh, you should be proud!"


    Mei''s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.


    ''Why is she here?'' she wondered, her mind spinning.


    And why did it seem like Anran wasn''t the least bit perturbed by the situation she had walked into?


    Wang Xiao, who had been quietly observing the exchange from behind them, raised an eyebrow.


    "Wenxi has ck clothes?" he asked, genuinely surprised.


    The idea that his mysophobic daughter, who was practically obsessed with cleanliness and light-colored clothing, owned something as stark as ck was news to him.


    "Nope," Anran replied with a shrug, "I bought it for her, but she never wore it. Your little girl is just too picky."


    Mei, caught between their banter, felt even more out of ce.


    She was lost in their conversation, her thoughts drifting away, when Anran suddenly turned to her with a mischievous grin. "So, what should I call you now? Sister or sister-inw?"


    "!"


    Mei''s eyes widened in shock, her expression a mixture of surprise and embarrassment.


    What!?


    Her lips curved into a strained smile, and she nced at Wang Xiao, silently pleading for his help.


    Anran''s personality was simply too overwhelming for her to handle.


    Wang Xiao met her gaze and smiled, signaling her to bear with it.


    ''It''s just Anran,'' his look seemed to say.


    Throughout breakfast, Mei felt as though she had died a thousand deaths, the yful jabs and knowing looks from Anran pushing her to the brink of mortification.


    She wanted nothing more than to escape, to leave Anran''s teasing presence and never face this dazzling of a woman again.


    Finally, as Anran closed the car door with a satisfied grin, Mei shivered, relieved to be free from her continuous teasing.


    Wang Xiao chuckled beside her, amused by how Anran had somehow managed to lift the weight off Mei''s shoulders.


    ''At least she seems more like herself now,'' he thought, observing Mei''s more rxed demeanor, despite the earlier embarrassment.


    In the front, Susie was driving, with Kari beside her. Mei, still shocked from the morning''s events, wanted nothing more than to avoid any further interaction.


    She sat quietly in the back, her mind a jumble of emotions, as the car rolled forward.

 Chapter 471: Youre the... Prince?

    Mei couldn''t understand why Wang Xiao insisted on apanying her, nor could she grasp the events that led Susie and Kari to abandon her in her time of need.


    The wheel of fate had already turned, leaving behind irreversible consequences.


    She attempted to muster a smile, but it faltered as Wang Xiao, who had been brooding in silence, suddenly broke it with an unsettling question. "Hey, seven years ago... why did you suddenly im, in front of mom, that I touched and cleaned your ***** while bathing you?"


    "Eh?"


    Mei froze, her heart skipping a beat, as his words struck her like a thunderbolt.


    Her cheeks flushed with heat, embarrassment flooding her senses.


    What on earth was he talking about?


    Wang Xiao''s eyes bore into hers as he recounted the incident in excruciating detail.


    As the memories resurfaced, Mei''s face turned crimson, the color of blooming peonies.


    "I... I don''t know..." she murmured, her voice barely audible, like the rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze.


    Her gaze dropped to the ground, her mind swirling in confusion.


    She herself didn''t even understand why she had uttered those words back then.


    But why?


    Why would she do such a thing?


    It was a moment born of impulsive youth, a mistake as inexplicable as it was sudden¡ªa beautiful yet bewildering error of the heart.


    She was just a eleven years old child, na?ve and unknowing.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze softened as he nodded, realizing he might have been tormenting himself over nothing. "And when you suddenly stopped sneaking into my room at night... what about that?"


    "!"


    Mei''s eyes widened in shock, a mixture of anger and embarrassment shing through them.


    Why was he dredging up these buried memories now?


    She nced over at Susie and Kari, who stood by, their expressions frozen in disbelief, unable toprehend the weight of this conversation.


    But Wang Xiao merely noted the flicker of displeasure in Mei''s eyes when she looked at Susie and Kari. He resolved silently that they deserved a lesson, and that was the only conclusion he reached.


    ''Is he interrogating me...'' Mei thought as she nced at Wang Xiao.


    His expression left little doubt.


    Finally, she shifted nervously, leaning closer to him, her cheeks flushing a deep red as she whispered into his ear.


    She desperately didn''t want Susie and Kari to overhear.


    "It was your period?" Wang Xiao, unconstrained by her embarrassment, blurted out loud enough to make her want to sink into the ground from shame.


    "Don''t speak!" she gasped, quickly covering her face with her hands.


    Wang Xiao nodded, still staring at her as she grabbed his hand and leaned against it, hiding her face from view.


    She couldn''t bear to look at him.


    The humiliation was too much¡ªwho would even ask about something so personal?


    ''So it was her first period...'' Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a small, amused smile.


    He had finally solved the years-long mystery.


    So she wasn''t the cunning, secretive beauty he had imagined, plotting behind that innocent face.


    Now, he wanted to smack himself¡ªwhy hadn''t he thought of this sooner?


    Naturally, Mei hadn''t told him that it was only her period for the first few days.


    Afterward, she had noticed Xueying sneaking into his room and, consumed by jealousy, had stopped visiting altogether, never mentioning the reason.


    That same jealousy had taken root deep within her, and even after Wang Xiao had disappeared, she struggled to suppress her feelings, trying to convince herself that what she felt was simply sibling affection.


    Yet she failed miserably. Xueying''s constant talk about her rtionship with him only fueled Mei''s resolve to keep their bond strictly within the boundaries of siblings.


    As for the time she had told their mother about their shared bathing moments, it was out of a misguided sense of pride¡ªshe wanted to brag but hadn''t anticipated the consequences.


    Some secrets, she thought, were better left unspoken.


    It was amusing to watch him piece it together, his expression shifting as he finally understood.


    "Are you two done staring...?" Wang Xiao''s voice, calm yet chilling, broke the silence.


    He turned to face Susie and Kari, who had been fixated on him and Mei for far too long, their attention dangerously diverted from the road ahead.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Both women flinched at his sudden address, their faces paling.


    Susie stammered, trying to regain herposure. "We were just¡ª"


    "Just what?" Wang Xiao''s smile was cold, his eyes narrowing. "Enjoying the view? Or perhaps you''ve forgotten the purpose of those eyes of yours?"


    Kari swallowed hard, her heart pounding. "We didn''t mean to... We just..."


    "Didn''t mean to?" Wang Xiao interrupted, his tone growing darker. "If you''re not going to use your eyes for their proper purpose, why don''t you give them to someone who will?" His smile widened, but there was no warmth in it, only a sinister warning.


    "W-What are you¡ª" Kari began, but her words caught in her throat as Wang Xiao extended his hand, palm open and waiting.


    In that horrifying moment¡ª


    "Ah!?"


    Squish!


    Squish!


    Their screams filled the car as their eyes wrenched themselves free from their sockets, a sickening sound apanying the bloody sight.


    The eyeballs floated through the air, almost as if they had a will of their own, beforending in Wang Xiao''s waiting hand.


    The flesh squirmed for a moment before they were absorbed into his palm, disappearing without a trace.


    Susie''s mind went nk, her body reacting on instinct as she mmed on the brakes, the car screeching to a halt.


    "NO! NO! THIS CAN''T BE REAL!" she shrieked, her voice cracking with terror.


    Kari was no better, her hands trembling uncontrobly as she wed at her empty eye sockets, trying toprehend the nightmare.


    "Give them back! GIVE THEM BACK!" she wailed, tears streaming down her face even though she could no longer see.


    Wang Xiao merely watched them, his expression unreadable. ''So pitiful,'' heughed silently, ''and yet they brought this upon themselves. Such is the price of curiosity.''


    Mei, still leaning against him, trembled looking at Wang Xiao with expression of shock.


    Susie, her voice barely a whisper now, pleaded, "Lord... please... I''m sorry... just give them back..."


    But Wang Xiao''s gaze was already elsewhere, indifferent to their suffering. "You should have been more careful with what you stared at," he said, his voice devoid of sympathy. "Now, you''ll have to learn to live without them."


    As Susie and Kari sobbed uncontrobly, Wang Xiao nced at Mei, who was still huddled against him. "Shall we continue?" he asked, as if nothing had happened.


    Mei''s expression wasplicated. If she hadn''t experienced the bloodshed during the beast horde attack, she might have looked as pale as Susie and Kari.


    "Are you the... person who saved us from the beast horde a few days ago?" she asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.


    Wang Xiao smiled, ruffling her hair as if she were a child. "Such a small brain, taking so long to figure it out. You need to drink more milk and eat almonds."


    "..." Mei was stunned, left speechless by his teasing.


    "You''re the... Prince?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, still reconciling with the possibility.


    He might be powerful, but could he really be the prince?


    Yet, something deep within her insisted that it was true.

 Chapter 472: Twin Blindfolded Warriors! Heros of Frostgard!

    "You''re the... Prince?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, still reconciling with the possibility.


    He might be powerful, but could he really be the prince?


    Yet, something deep within her insisted that it was true.


    Wang Xiao chuckled at the bewilderment in her eyes. "And if I am? Would it have changed anything? Would you have thrown yourself over my bedst night?"


    "!"


    Mei pursed her lips, hiding her shock. "So it really is you!" she eximed.


    Wang Xiao shrugged, a smirk ying on his lips. "Do you think I''d stoop to tricking girls by using a false name?"


    "Mm..." Mei nodded almost reflexively, before quickly shaking her head.


    That wasn''t the point.


    "But how?" she asked, her mind filled with question marks.


    The prince was like a god to them, a figure of legend.


    How could her brother be the same person as Prince, he was the same ¡ª who had been with them seven years ago?


    How much had changed during those years?


    A wave of realization washed over her¡ªif he had endured so much, perhaps he had suffered more than she could imagine.


    The thought pained her, leaving her momentarily lost for words.


    Wang Xiao, unaware of her thoughts¡ªor perhaps simply indifferent¡ªremarked, "Just like how you found the courage to speak up now."


    Mei fell silent, while Susie and Kari, overhearing the conversation, began to tremble. ''This is the Prince!?''


    Regret filled them.


    If they had known who he was, they would never have dared to open their mouths, let alone challenge him.


    Mei bit her lip, her gaze turning to Susie and Kari with a mix of emotions. "Why did you take their eyes?" she asked, her voice soft yet firm.


    "To save them from the harshness of the world," Wang Xiao replied simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    Mei was left speechless.


    Since when did he be so righteous?


    "Can''t you give them... back?" she asked hesitantly.


    Despite everything, she didn''t want Susie and Kari to lose their sight, to be cursed with blindness forever.


    Wang Xiao scratched his neck, ncing at Mei, then at Susie and Kari, who looked at him with expectant eyes.


    He wasn''t one to reverse his decisions, especially when it came to punishment.


    "Well... you two feel the world again, even without your eyes. Consider it a blessing, abuse it again and it would disappear forever," he said casually.


    At that very moment, Kari and Susie''s darkened vision began to clear, the world slowlying back into focus.


    They gasped in disbelief.


    "Thank you for your mercy!"


    "Lord! Thank you for sparing us!"


    They both turned in their seats, bowing deeply toward Wang Xiao, who waved them off as if it were nothing.


    Unbeknownst to him, his casual blessing would shape their futures. They would be known as the "Twin Blindfolded Warriors," feared on the battlefield for their uncanny precision and unmatched skill.


    Even without eyes, they never missed a target, their strikes as deadly as any sighted warrior''s.


    But such mortal affairs were beneath Wang Xiao''s notice, mere trifles in the grand scheme of things.


    Wang Mei, who had witnessed the entire process, was left in awe.


    He had spoken, and it had been done¡ªjust like that.


    What kind of power was this?


    Was reality itself still intact, or had she stepped into a world of impossibilities?


    It was all too much toprehend.


    Yet, as she recalled how he had single-handedly protected the city, selectively annihting the beasts while sparing the people, she realized that he had been holding back even then.


    But there was one lingering question in her mind: what about that woman, Eveline?


    The thought of delving into his affairs made her feel small and powerless.


    She wasn''t ready for such truths, and perhaps, she never would be.


    All of a sudden, it all made sense¡ªwhy he seemed so different now, so detached, as if the concerns of the world barely touched him.


    He had ascended to a level where mortal worries were mere specks of dust in the grand cosmos.


    But understanding this didn''t ease the fear that gripped at her mind.


    She wasn''t the prince; she was just Wang Mei, an ordinary girl caught in the extraordinary events.


    And if their mother, Xinyue Zhn, ever discovered what she had done¡ªhow could she possibly face her?


    The thought alone made her heart race, her chest tighten with dread.


    What would their mother say?


    Would she be disappointed, or worse, ashamed?


    The fear of disappointing her mother weighed heavily on Wang Mei, making her feel smaller than ever.


    She wasn''t ready to confront that reality, to see the look in her mother''s eyes if the truth ever came out.


    _______


    "11 o''clock!"


    "¡­"


    Wang Mei was momentarily stunned as she noticed the numerous military vehicles parked around the resort.


    A wave of panic washed over her¡ªshe was supposed to be back before midnight!


    "Ah¡ª"


    She tried to run, but the sharp pain in her side reminded her that her idiot brother had ''stabbed'' her where he shouldn''t have, leaving her limping awkwardly toward her assigned vi.


    Click!


    "Huh?"


    As she opened the door to her sister''s room, she was surprised to find Xueying in the middle of getting ready, clearly preparing to go somewhere.


    The shock on Xueying''s face mirrored Mei''s own.


    "You''re back?" Xueying asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "What happened to you?"


    Mei bit her lip, trying to hide the pain and embarrassment. "I, uh... had a bit of an ident."


    Xueying''s eyes scanned her sister from top to bottom, noting the way Mei stood there, silent and awkward.


    The situation felt beyond her pay grade to handle, but as the older sister, she had no choice.


    It was her responsibility, whether she liked it or not.


    Mei''s dress had been changed, but the way she avoided eye contact, her entire demeanor, screamed that something bad had happened. Xueying''s heart tightened with concern.


    "Did he force... you?" she asked softly, stepping closer and grabbing Mei''s shoulders, her voice barely a whisper as if to not break Mei down.


    Mei remained silent, staring at the floor.


    Her first instinct was to nod, but then she quickly shook her head, the conflicting emotions clear on her face.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "..."


    Xueying was stunned.


    For a moment, she just stood there, trying to process what her sister was struggling to say.


    Then, without another word, she pulled Mei into a tight hug, holding her close.


    "It''s okay," Xueying whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Idiot... you don''t need to defend anyone or be scared of him. If he forced you, he''ll pay for it."


    Mei buried her face in her sister''s shoulder, her body shaking with a storm of emotions she couldn''t fully understand, let alone express.


    She had no words to exin what had happened or how she truly felt.


    Despite her efforts to hold it in, tears began to spill down her cheeks, her silent sobs betraying her.


    She didn''t want to cry, didn''t want to appear weak, but she couldn''t stop herself.

 Chapter 473: Justice — in itself — was upheld by strength alone!

    Seeing her little sister break down like this filled Wang Xueying with dread.


    ''Did it really happen?'' Wang Xueying''s thoughts spiraled into panic, her face twisting with bitterness at the possibility.


    The idea that Mei might have been forced or hurt in some unimaginable way was almost too much to bear.


    A few minutester, the door swung open, and Xinyue Zhn rushed in, her face lined with worry.


    Wang Xueying stood by the door, having been the one to call their mother, her earlier resolve crumbling under the situation.


    "Mom, she won''t say anything. It''s bad..." Wang Xueying''s voice was thick with guilt and fear.


    She had assured their mother just yesterday that there was nothing to worry about, that everything was under control.


    But now, it was clear that nothing could be further from the truth.


    Xinyue Zhn''s heart sank as she looked at Mei, curled up on the bed, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.


    The sight of her daughter in such a state was like a knife to the heart.


    She rushed to Mei''s side, gently sitting down beside her and wrapping her arms around her fragile form.


    "Mei, please... tell me what happened," Xinyue Zhn pleaded softly, her voice filled with a mother''s desperate concern.


    But Mei only curled up tighter, as if trying to shield herself from the world.


    "It''s... okay," Wang Mei muttered, slightly startled and scared when she realized Xueying had called their mother so quick.


    She quickly wiped away her tears, trying topose herself.


    All she had wanted was some time alone, but now, faced with the person she had been avoiding, she felt a surge of fear.


    Misinterpreting the situation, Xinyue Zhn''s face darkened.


    Though she wanted to scold her daughters, she held back, focusing instead on coaxing more information from Mei. "Baby, it''s okay if you don''t want to talk... But can you tell me his name? Who was it? Where does he live? Anything you remember?"


    "..."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Wang Mei''s lips quivered as she realized the tight corner she was in.


    If she didn''t give a name, she was done for.


    But if she admitted that it was her brother, the consequences would be even worse.


    She could almost picture their mother''s fury, and it terrified her.


    She knew she was overthinking¡ªWang Xiao, getting beaten?


    The idea was absurd. So many people wanted to harm him, yet none had ever seeded.


    But to protect Wang Xiao, she decided to lie. "Prince..." she muttered under her breath.


    "What?" Xinyue Zhn asked, not quite catching the word.


    "It''s... P-Prince," Wang Mei repeated, her voice barely louder, trembling under the pressure of intense gaze.


    "Huh?" Xinyue Zhn''s suspicions deepened.


    Something didn''t add up.


    "Sweetie, can you say that again? Mother didn''t hear it clearly."


    "P-Prince," Wang Mei forced herself to repeat, her voice honest and clear.


    She kept her eyes downcast, terrified that if she met her mother''s gaze, she would break and spill everything.


    Wang Xiao had been clear¡ªthis was not something she could reveal to them.


    "..."


    Xinyue Zhn felt her legs weaken as she stood from the bed, rubbing her temples as she processed this.


    She looked over at Xueying, hoping for some confirmation, and found her elder daughter equally stunned, staring at Mei in shock.


    "You mean the person who saved the city from the beast attack a few days ago?" Xinyue Zhn asked, needing to be absolutely sure.


    "Mhm..." Wang Mei nodded weakly, barely able to keep herposure.


    "..."


    Both Xinyue Zhn and Wang Xueying''s expressions darkened.


    "Was it really him? Are you sure?" Xinyue Zhn pressed, her voice low and intense.


    "Mhm." Wang Mei nodded again, this time more firmly.


    She was a hundred percent sure.


    Seeing Wang Mei''s confident nod, Wang Xueying turned to their mother, her voice tinged with desperation. "Mom, is it really that bad? Can we do nothing against him?"


    Even if it''s the Prince, he''s still just a prince, right?


    Haven''t even emperors been executed throughout history?


    Wang Xueying''s mind whirled with these thoughts, trying to grasp the situation.


    But little did she know, for Wang Xiao, the title of ''Prince'' was merely a formality¡ªhis power was more akin to that of a god than an emperor.


    Xinyue Zhn understood the seriousness of the situation better than her daughters ever could.


    She knew that Mei and Xueying weren''t aware of the full extent of the powers surrounding the Eighth Prince.


    Cases against him surfaced almost daily.


    Even within their own Qing Dynasty, countless victims suffered each year because of him.


    Yet, despite the overwhelming evidence and the countless cries for justice, nothing ever came of it.


    Those who opposed him either disappeared or found themselves powerless against his overwhelming might.


    The legal system, once so revered and respected, was rendered impotent; judges became eunuchs the moment his name was mentioned, pushing the date to next year and beyond.


    A small country from the southern African continent once attempted to crusade against him by sending all their forces to Romania.


    The Romanian government, wanting to test the prince''s abilities, allowed it to happen.


    The result was catastrophic: not a single soldier managed to breach the boundary wall of his mansion before being killed and annihted.


    Those who fled to other parts of the world were hunted down, and their bodies were brought back, only to be hanged in the capital of their country¡ªnaked and nailed to the walls of the parliament.


    To this day, no one has dared to remove the carcasses.


    The prince warned that if the nation''s rulers were not executed in the same manner as the order they had passed against him, he would burn the country to the ground within two days.


    The very next day, a coup took ce, led by those who had initially supported the government''s decision.


    They turned against it, and the government was overthrown.


    All the former executives and rulers were executed the following day.


    Xinyue Zhn''s heart ached as she looked at Mei, who sat curled up on the bed, still too young and innocent to understand the monstrous reality.


    She knew they were up against something far beyond a simple prince or even an emperor.


    Prosecuting a god?


    But how could she protect her daughters from someone like Eight Prince, who held the power of a god?


    Her mind filled with the potential consequences.


    Should she risk everything to go against him, or would that only invite greater disaster?


    The fear of what might happen if they defied him made her hesitate.


    She wanted to believe in justice, but the reality was that justice was often a fleeting concept when faced with absolute power.


    Justice ¡ª in itself ¡ª was upheld by strength alone, with the stronger imposing their version of justice upon the weaker.

 Chapter 474: The Little Sister who married on a whim?

    Xinyue Zhn shook her head, sinking back onto the bed and rubbing her forehead in frustration. "It''s bad... I don''t know what we can do or what we can''t..." She nced toward Mei, the weight of the situation bearing down on her.


    The "Prince" Mei referred to could only mean the Eight Prince, the sole ruler of the most mysterious and hidden continent in the world¡ªAntia.


    If her daughter had truly been harmed by him, the situation was far moreplicated than she could have imagined.


    They would need to gather significant support to stand against him, and even then, sess was far from guaranteed.


    She knew there were many who harbored grudges against the Eight Prince, who would leap at the chance to oppose him.


    But to do that, Mei would have to reveal everything that had happened to her¡ªa burden that would be crushing for her to bear.


    Even then, dealing with the Eight Prince would be almost impossible.


    His arrogance knew no bounds.


    He had openly invited those who wished to kill him to enter his vi, unting his power and disdain for thew.


    He was above the rules that governed others, and thew only held power because there was someone to enforce it.


    But who would dare execute justice on one of the world''s rulers?


    Their only hope might lie with the Guardian of Asia, but even then, it was uncertain whether they could bring the Eight Prince to justice.


    But the road ahead was uncertain, and the thought of dragging Mei into such a dangerous conflict tore at Zhn''s heart.


    "You two... Calm down," Wang Mei urged, her voice firm yet gentle as she watched the mounting panic in her mother and sister''s eyes.


    Their frantic talk of defying the Eighth Prince was spiraling out of control, and she couldn''t let their fears lead them to do something reckless.


    Xinyue Zhn and Wang Xueying, both striking in their own right, exchanged worried nces.


    Xueying, with her delicate features and soft, her beauty marred by the worry creasing her smooth brow.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Mei, slightly younger with soft, glowing cheeks and a naturally youthful charm, felt her heart thud with anxiety.


    She knew her mother and sister meant well, but their concerns were misced.


    Was her mother, the ever-charming Xinyue Zhn, truly considering going against the Eighth Prince?


    Her mother''s beauty had a mature voice, a mix of elegance and seduction that made her seem unshakable.


    But now, even Zhn''s usually confident demeanor was filled by the tension tightening her full lips.


    Mei''s fear grew as she realized that every word they spoke against the Prince felt like a curse directed at Wang Xiao.


    And that was something she simply couldn''t bear.


    "Huh?" Both Xinyue Zhn and Wang Xueying turned to Mei in surprise, their worried expressions softening slightly at the calm resolve in her voice.


    "Mei... he''s not going toe back," Xueying said softly, her voice tinged with sadness as she tried to prepare her sister for what she believed was the inevitable truth.


    She didn''t know how to exin that the Prince had likely used Mei, that after getting what he wanted, he would simply vanish from her life.


    Especially now that they knew his true identity.


    Xueying''s mind buzzed with understanding.


    Her sister, so sweet and naive, had fallen into a trap that many young women did¡ªthe ssic hero saves beauty tale.


    Xueying could picture it clearly: Mei, with her wide, trusting eyes and delicate features, had probably been enchanted by the Prince after he saved her.


    It was the kind of story that always captivated the innocent, drawing them in with promises of safety and protection.


    But Mei wasn''t defending the Eighth Prince out of gratitude or naivety.


    She was defending him because he was Wang Xiao¡ªher brother, and her first man.


    And despite everything that had happened, she couldn''t bring herself to turn against him.


    She couldn''t undo the past, but she could try to protect him from her family''s wrath.


    Earlier, Mei had been overwhelmed with fear.


    But after learning Wang Xiao''s true identity, she found herself relying on him again, trusting that he had reasons for his actions, reasons she didn''t yet understand.


    Despite her fear, there was afort in knowing that Wang Xiao, with his unfathomable power, was still looking out for them.


    Determined to calm the storm brewing between her mother and sister, Mei moved to her handbag, her soft and slender fingers trembling slightly as she pulled out a folded piece of paper.


    When Wang Xiao had given it to her earlier, she hadn''t understood its significance.


    But now, as she looked at her family, she felt certain that he had anticipated this moment, knowing they would need reassurance.


    "Here... take this," she muttered softly, holding out the certificate toward Xueying and Xinyue Zhn.


    Both women, their beauty only heightened by the seriousness in their expressions, exchanged puzzled looks before stepping closer to examine the paper.


    As they unfolded it, their eyes widened in disbelief.


    "What is this...?" Wang Xueying whispered, her voice faltering as she stared at the document in her hand.


    Her usuallyposed, delicate features now showed a mixture of confusion and disbelief.


    "You''ve... married?" she asked, her voice tinged with exhaustion and exasperation, as if she couldn''t deal with any more surprises.


    The thought seemed so absurd that she struggled to wrap her mind around it, desperately needing to rest from this barrage of shocks.


    "..."


    Xinyue Zhn''s eyes were also fixed on the paper, her expression mirroring her daughter''s disbelief.


    It was a marriage certificate, officially registered under the jurisdiction of the Qing Dynasty, and bearing the signatures of both Wang Mei and the Eighth Prince.


    For a moment, Zhn was too stunned to react.


    How could this be?


    She had no way of verifying the Eighth Prince''s signature herself, but she knew that no one would dare to forge it.


    The consequences of impersonating him were severe¡ªsuch fools never met a good end.


    Wang Mei, feeling the weight of their gazes, bit her lip and shook her head. "The document still needs to be submitted to the civil affairs bureau," she exined quietly. In truth, she hadn''t even signed it herself.


    Somehow, Wang Xiao had obtained a perfect replica of her signature and had everything ready, anticipating this exact situation.


    He hadn''t offered any exnation when he handed it to her.


    At the time, she had been too overwhelmed to question it.


    But now, as everything started to fall into ce, the pieces of the puzzle came together.


    Wang Xiao had foreseen this, nned it all out, and now she was caught in the web of his ns.


    Xinyue Zhn slowly sank onto the edge of the bed, the reality of the situation beginning to settle in.


    She looked at Mei, then at the certificate, and back at Mei, as if hoping the pieces would somehow make more sense. "Why didn''t you tell us...?"

 Chapter 475: The Elder Sister has a crush?

    "Why didn''t you tell us...?"


    Wang Mei hesitated, her fingers nervously twisting in the soft fabric of her dress. "I didn''t know how..." she muttered, her voice barely audible.


    Wang Xueying, who had been on the verge of a full-blown panic just moments ago, suddenly let out a long, exasperated sigh.


    "So, we were worried for nothing... He didn''t force you, then?" she asked, a mix of relief and frustration coloring her tone.


    Wang Mei bit her lip, avoiding eye contact. She couldn''t exactly say he forced her, but the truth wasn''t so simple either.


    So, she did what she could¡ªshe shook her head.


    A small, almost reluctant nod might have slipped in there too.


    Wang Xueying narrowed her eyes, fighting the urge to smack Wang Mei''s butt and teach her a lesson.


    Here she was, having almost given their mother a heart attack, and now it turned out to be nothing¡ªor at least, nothing as dramatic as they''d feared.


    She wanted to be mad, but Mei''s guilty expression made it impossible.


    Well, almost impossible.


    Xinyue Zhn, on the other hand, was holding it together¡ªbarely.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her internal worry meter was off the charts, but outwardly, she kept her cool.


    "So... will hee back? And you''re not even of legal age for marriage..."


    Her tone was calm, but the subtext was clear: Who exactly is this Eighth Prince, and what''s his deal with my daughter?


    She couldn''t help but wonder if Mei was caught up in some evil stuff, or worse, if she was just a pawn.


    Her thoughts spiraled¡ªwhat kind of prince marries someone so young?


    Then again, if Eight Prince was anything like what people said, marriagews were probably the least of his concerns.


    The man could probably marry a vige and still sleep soundly.


    "Mmm... He would definitelye back," Mei said with a confidence she didn''t entirely feel.


    She nced at the certificate, trying to piece together a coherent exnation. "He said it would work, but... it''s better not to register it, or the whole world would know."


    In reality, Wang Xiao hadn''t said that¡ªshe just threw it in, hoping to avoid attracting too much attention.


    If it came from him, it should be valid. As for making it official, she figured their family could do without the front-page headlines.


    Xinyue Zhn studied her daughter with a critical eye, still wrestling with disbelief. "You two, stay inside," she instructed, her voice firm but with a hint of exhaustion.


    After a deep sigh, she stepped out, leaving Mei and Xueying to process the situation.


    A few minutester, Xinyue Zhn returned, clutching her phone like it was some ancient relic of wisdom.


    Her expression was a mix of relief and, oddly enough, the look of someone who had just crossed a burning bridge.


    "Don''t tell this to anyone," she warned, ncing at Mei with a motherly mix of concern and the distinct suspicion that Mei might, in a moment of weakness, brag to her friends about identally getting hitched to a prince.


    She didn''t want to think about how that conversation might go.


    Until she saw the Eighth Prince herself, she wasn''t convinced that tying their family''s name to his would bring anything but trouble.


    As for the legality of the document, well, it was technically valid. The "Treaty of Guardians" granted Wang Xiao and his kind all sorts of ridiculous privileges¡ªlike immunity from humanws.


    Xinyue Zhn hadn''t even known this treaty existed, which probably exined why no one ever took the guardians to court.


    It wasn''t just one-sided¡ªit was practically written in crayon by the guardians themselves.


    Apparently, the guardians could pick and choose whichws applied to them, changing the rules whenever it suited them.


    Zhn couldn''t help but imagine a group of them sitting around a table,ughing as they scribbled down outrageous terms like, "Humans can only address us as ''Oh Mighty Gods'' on Summits."


    Sure, there was technically a way to bring a guardian to justice, but it involved taking the case to the yearly Mount Olympus meeting, which was as exclusive as it sounded.


    Even then, the guardians handled their issues internally, with the efficiency of a corporate pic.


    It was all too one-sided, like a joke that no one was in on but them.


    As she nced at her daughters, Zhn couldn''t help but think, ''In a world where the rules are made up and the points don''t matter.''


    All she could do now was try to keep them out of trouble, and hope that this was thest time any of her daughter identally marries a prince.


    Xinyue Zhn''s heart twisted with an all-too-familiar fear: the dread of losing yet another daughter to the mysterious and dangerously charming Prince.


    The thought made her want to scream into a pillow.


    Wang Mei was already defending that prince like some sort of old, devoted wife, and Xinyue Zhn could barely stand it.


    Her sweet, obedient daughter had been stolen¡ªswept up by that Eighth Prince.


    Xinyue Zhn''s gaze drifted over to Wang Xueying, silently pleading with the universe to keep her second daughter far, far away from that man.


    She couldn''t bear the thought of another one of her girls getting tangled up with him.


    As for her oldest, Wang Jiarong, Zhn had already made up her mind: she wasn''t going to breathe a word of this mess to her.


    The less Jiarong knew, the better.


    That one still had a chance at a normal life¡ªat least, that was the n.


    Little did Xinyue Zhn know, one of her daughters had already gone way off script.


    Wang Xueying, who had once been so focused on achieving inner peace¡ªgoing so far as to practically be a ''Buddha'' after Wang Xiao''s disappearance¡ªhad now decided to go in a rather different direction.


    With Wang Xiao back in the picture, she was cooking up a new n: drug him, sneak into his bed, and force him to take responsibility.


    So much for enlightenment.


    Meanwhile, Wang Jiarong was having a hard time getting any sleep at all.


    The image of a figure flying through the sky, spitting mes from his hands, had her tossing and turning.


    It was like something out of a fantasy movie, and she couldn''t stop thinking about it.


    Who knew she''d be the one fantasizing about finding a hero like that?


    The real kicker?


    It wasn''t the youngest and most impressionable daughter who had fallen for the heroic fantasy, but Jiarong¡ªthe oldest, the one who was supposed to be the most sensible and mature.


    Now, she was daydreaming about a fiery romance with a sky-soaring hero, blissfully unaware that the figure she was obsessing over was actually her long-lost brother.


    And amen, then there was Wang Xiao,pletely clueless that his Eighth Prince persona had captured the imagination of the very sister he''d always considered the hardest to talk with.


    To him, Jiarong had always been the serious sibling, no-nonsense type.


    Little did he know, she was mentally casting herself as the lead in a romantic drama, with him as the unwitting star.


    So, while Xinyue Zhn fretted over losing her daughters to the Prince, the reality was far more chaotic and ridiculous than she could have ever imagined.


    Each of her daughters was off on their own wild journey, and she had no idea that her well-meaning attempts at protection were like trying to catch water in a sieve.

 Chapter 476: Marriage! Completed!

    5th September, 2031!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    dic View Resort!


    As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, the sky painted itself in hues of deep violet and indigo, casting a serene twilight over the Icevale.


    A crisp, cold breeze swept in from the ocean, rustling the lush palm leaves and carrying the faint scent of salt and distant pine.


    The world seemed to pause, caught between the fading warmth of day and the encroaching chill of night.


    Beneath the shelter of a grand marquee set by the shore, soft golden lights flickered, illuminating the elegant banquet tables adorned with tropical flowers and fine china.


    Guests, wrapped in the warmth of their evening attire, huddled closer as the cool air whispered of the approaching winter.


    The low murmur of conversation mingled with the soothing sounds of waves gently kissing the shoreline, creating a symphony of serenity and anticipation.


    It was a night when secrets could be exchanged over wine and lost in the cold wind, never to be heard again.


    The union of two souls had beenpleted, with only a few ceremonial rites left to fulfill.


    The banquet was in full swing, a lively affair filled withughter and clinking sses.


    On a small stage, famous celebrities from the Qing Dynasty¡ªnew age China¡ªhad gathered, their presence adding an air of prestige to the event.


    At the center of it all were the main guests: a woman dressed in a stunning red bridal dress, her every step apanied by a man d in a traditional purple hanfu adorned with intricate golden embroidery.


    They moved through the crowd like royalty, receiving warm congrattions and adoring nces.


    This was the celebration of Murong Shan, the sicon of the great Murong Family, and the event''s security reflected his status¡ªover a hundreds of armed guards, all from the Qing Dynasty, discreetly kept watch, ensuring the event''s safety.


    Despite the grandeur and the seemingly perfect evening, not everything was as it appeared.


    In thest five days, Wang Mei had not seen Wang Xiao, though the imposter wearing his face still lingered, now with an unusual smile that reced his once dull expression.


    The imposter joined in the congrattions, chatting with Qian Ruixin, while her friends yfully teased her about the uing wedding night.


    It was a picture of joy and celebration, but Mei knew better.


    Happiness rarelyes without its shadow, sadness.


    Up in one of the balconies of the vi, the curtains were drawn open, revealing a scene that sharply contrasted the festive atmosphere below.


    Standing by therge floor-to-ceiling ss doors were a few figures, each absorbed in their own thoughts.


    A girl with her hair tied back in a rare single ponytail stared quietly out at the view, her lips pressed into an awkward line. "Uhhh... Dad?" she finally said, her voice tinged with confusion.


    Turning toward the bed, she saw Wang Xiao lounging there, wearing nothing but a bathrobe.


    Anran, ever diligent, was massaging his back with practiced ease.


    On the couch outside, on the balcony, Wenxi was curled up in a soft, circr cotton bag,pletely absorbed in her phone.


    She had be quite the phone addict, her long, slender legs dangling off the side of the couch as she scrolled through her screen, oblivious to the scene inside.


    The soundproof ss doors separated her from the quiet chaos within.


    But Yue, standing inside, couldn''t help but feel bewildered.


    Here was her father,pletely at ease, while Mary, ever the silent warrior, stood by the bed, silent and ready to turn the scene outside into a bloodbath at a moment''s notice.


    And yet, there was no violence, no upheaval¡ªjust Wang Xiao enjoying a massage.


    It was almost...anticlimactic.


    "No fight?" Yue muttered under her breath, puzzled.


    She had fully expected her father to be plotting something grand for this marriage, especially since it involved his cousin, who was quite a beauty herself.


    The girls had heard thetest gossip, that Wang Xiao had supposedly "stabbed" his own little sister¡ªan act they figured ran in the family, given their father''s nature.


    But instead of a grand scheme or a vengeful plot, here he was, as rxed as could be.


    It left Yue feeling oddly deted. She had braced herself for something big, something dramatic.


    Instead, all she got was a scene of surprising domesticity.


    As she stood there, watching her father luxuriate in the massage, she couldn''t help but wonder: Was this really it?


    Was their dad simply enjoying a quiet moment before the storm?


    Or was the real chaos still lurking just out of sight, waiting to descend upon the unsuspecting guests below?


    Whatever the case, Yue was certain of one thing¡ªwhen it came to Wang Xiao, nothing was ever as simple as it seemed.


    "You need something...?" Wang Xiao asked, motioning for Anran to stop.


    As he got off the bed, Mary gracefully moved to pick up a ck robe with red borders, helping him into it with practiced efficiency, all while maintaining her usual stoic expression.


    She removed the bathrobe with a straight face, as if this was just another routine task in her day.


    Yue stood there, feeling a strange sense of loss.


    What was she supposed to ask for?


    Should she tell him to go outside and start a ughter?


    Part of her was a little excited at the thought¡ªit was rare for her father to take action, but whenever he did, it was nothing short of spectacr.


    But she also didn''t knew that if she actually asked him to go and ughter, he probably would.


    Before she could figure out what to say, Wang Xiao walked past her, leaving her standing there, mute and uncertain.


    He slid open the ss door, revealing Wenxi, who looked up from her phone, her brows rising in confusion as her father suddenly appeared before her.


    Her soft, supple glowing cheeks practically begged to be pinched, and Wang Xiao, never one to resist, bent down and grabbed them between his hands.


    "Such a cute creature," he mused, squeezing her cheeks tightly , rubbing them between his palms, "Why don''t you talk more to your daddy instead of this grumbling evil mechanical equipment capable of transcontinentalmunication?"


    "Huh?"


    Wenxi waspletely stunned.


    One moment she was peacefully scrolling through her phone, and the next, he had barged in, destroyed her tranquility, and was now squishing her face.


    Before she could react, he leaned in and kissed her forehead a few times, leaving herpletely flustered.


    Her ears turned a deep shade of red as she tried to process what had just happened.


    Quickly, she pulled out a few wet wipes from a nearby table to clean her now flushed face, pretending to nce back at her phone as if nothing had happened.


    ''If you didn''t bully me every time you saw me, I might actually talk to you more¡­''


    Wenxi thought to herself, half amused and half embarrassed, trying her best to maintain a cold, aloof expression.


    Inside, though, she was flustered, desperately hiding it beneath her cool exterior.


    "..."


    Yue, who had witnessed the whole scene, felt her body stiffen as Wang Xiao''s gaze shifted back to her.


    She turned to stone, pretending she hadn''t seen anything and wasn''t the least bit jealous.


    Thest thing she wanted was to receive the same mortifying treatment in front of everyone.


    "Good," Wang Xiao nodded, satisfied that everything was in order.


    While his daughters were left confused by his actions, he was already ncing toward the door, as if expecting something¡ªor someone.


    Click.


    The door opened, and in stepped a woman with a slightly voluptuous figure, her curvy red hair cascading down her shoulders, and her fair skin glowing softly in the light. "It''s just as I thought," she said, her voice smooth but tinged with concern. "But there are more people here than I expected."

 Chapter 477: The Misfits: Mary & Elenaor!

    "But there are more people here than I expected..."


    "??"


    Everyone''s gaze sharpened with confusion. Who was this mysterious woman?


    Could Wang Xiao have been hiding another beauty in the shadows all this time?


    In the blink of an eye, the woman''s form shimmered like a mirage on a scorching desert day.


    Her once modest appearance transformed with ethereal grace¡ªgolden hair cascading like rivers of sunlight, framing a face as cold and wless as a winter moon.


    "Eveline...?" Wenxi''s breath caught in her throat, her longshes fluttering in surprise.


    ''You let her out?'' Her gaze flickered toward Wang Xiao''s broad back, her eyes narrowing in quiet usation.


    Mary, wide-eyed and startled, fumbled with her thoughts.


    But Yue and Anran exchanged knowing nces.


    They already knew Eveline''s presence long before this moment; their curiosity now piqued, wondering what sharp words would fall from her lips.


    "You may speak in humannguage..." Wang Xiao sighed, sensing Eveline''s deliberate use of lofty, iprehensible phrases.


    Ever the magnanimous ruler, he gave her a princely nod, as if bestowing upon her the great privilege of... basic conversation.


    Eveline''s lips curved into a faint, cold smile, her golden eyes narrowing.


    When had she even started exining anything to this fool?


    Was he taunting her?


    "It''s fate, fortune, and retribution¡ªall three have entwined," she said, her voice smooth and clear.


    Wang Xiao,£Ü?(?¡ã?o?¡ã?)?£¯


    "You understood that?" Eveline blinked, her icy demeanor cracking with genuine surprise.


    Wang Xiao shook his head solemnly, his face as serious as the night sky. "No, but it sounded cool."


    "..."


    For a fleeting moment, Wang Xiao felt a surge of satisfaction¡ªpretending to understand something grandiose.


    So this was why Aurora loved speaking cryptically all the time.


    Eveline''s perfectly arched brow twitched in frustration, dark lines forming at her temples.


    Yet, sheposed herself with a sigh. "Samsara''s Knot... that''s what it''s called." Her voice softened into a melody, drawing everyone''s attention. "Beings like me can reincarnate while retaining the pure essence of the soul during the Samsara cycle. We form a soul core, which anchors our consciousness, even after the destruction of our mortal shells."


    "Oh," Wang Xiao muttered, his eyes widening in ''genuine'' astonishment this time.


    Seeing his baffled look, Eveline''s eye twitched.


    Didn''t he already know this?


    Why the hell was he acting surprised?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She drew a deep, calming breath. "...For other beings who have not yet formed their core, who are still iplete... they will vanish upon death."


    "Mm." Wang Xiao nodded thoughtfully, his gaze now falling upon Mary.


    Mary, her delicate brows furrowing, felt a shiver run down her spine.


    She still hadn''t fully grasped what they were talking about, but one thing was clear¡ªWang Xiao was staring at her now, and that couldn''t be a good sign.


    Why was he looking at her now?


    This was the first time she''d heard any of this mystical nonsense, yet a growing unease filled her, as if she was the only one who''d missed a critical plot twist in a novel everyone else had already read.


    Wang Xiao, of course, had long simplified the vastplexities of power into neat little boxes.


    That made things easier to exin¡ªuntil the boxes exploded


    He knew full well that the truth was far more chaotic, like trying to organize a storm into tidy categories.


    Take Luna, for example¡ªa ''Demigod'' on paper, sure.


    But she wielded abilities that, for brief, terrifying moments, rivaled the might of quasi-immortals like Eveline.


    Her ''Eclipse,'' a devastating technique, could tten entire nations, releasing enough energy to rival a dying star.


    But even the most broken abilities had limits.


    A Demigod could shake their fists at the heavens, but against a Transcendent like Wang Xiao, it was like trying to blow over a mountain¡ªpointless, unless he felt like being blown over.


    So, despite her grand disys of power, Luna was still bound by her rank.


    Her brilliance, as dazzling as it was, would eventually fade.


    She could burn like the sun all she wanted, but the sun sets eventually, doesn''t it?


    Mary, on the other hand, was a walking paradox.


    She straddled the line between mortality and godhood, her strength rivaling that of quasi-immortal beings.


    Her domain could envelop entire kingdoms.


    Pretty impressive for someone who looked so fragile as if haven''t seen the sun for ages.


    Frostholm had been a witness to her subtle menace when she transformed into a cloud of red granules¡ªeach grain a potential weapon or poison, spreading death with an elegance Wang Xiao found almost¡­ beautiful.


    Deadly beauty, of course.


    The best kind.


    Sure, Wang Xiao could replicate such feats on a grander scale, if he felt like it, but even he had to admit¡ªhis control wasn''t as refined as hers. His power?


    Massive. His finesse? A little less so.


    As Aurora often said, power wasn''t just about brute strength; it was about mastery. Wang Xiao had to grudgingly admit, as annoying as that was, she had a point.


    Each individual''s domain was an extension of their very existence, as unique and untouchable as the person themselves.


    Wang Xiao knew that by wielding dark matter as his primary weapon, he could obliterate immortals if the mood struck him.


    But wielding someone else''s domain?


    That was a whole different game.


    He wouldn''t even attempt to challenge Aurora using her own power. Messing with someone''s domain was like trying to wear their shoes¡ªawkward and a guaranteed misstep.


    Domains wereplex, deeply woven into the fabric of one''s being, demanding years, if not centuries, to master.


    That''s why only Deviants¡ªthose soul less straight faced beings who had honed their skills over countless cycles in the time-dted graveyards of gods¡ªcould truly perfect them.


    And who in their right mind had time for that?


    There were still mysteries beyond Wang Xiao''sprehension, and none was more perplexing than Mary.


    Mary''s soul was utterly... unremarkable. It was ordinary, indistinct, no different from the countless beings who, upon death, would simply cease to exist, their essence dissipating like smoke in the wind.


    Yet, standing opposite her, with equal potential for destruction, was Eveline¡ªapletely different creature.


    Eveline''s soul was anchored by a core, a brilliant beacon that would pull the scattered fragments of her being back into one, ensuring that even in death, she would rise again, her individuality fully intact.


    For her, death wasn''t the end¡ªjust a minor inconvenience, like hitting pause on an otherwise eternal existence.


    And then, of course, there were the Immortals, whose souls were so powerful, so decentralised, that each fragment could function autonomously, like shards of a celestial gem, radiating their own brilliance.


    Wang Xiao had categorized them as ''Immortals'' because, honestly, what else could you call beings who, in the truest sense, could not be killed?


    Destroying their physical form was one thing, but trapping their souls?


    Now that was the real trick.


    Even then, Wang Xiao wasn''t sure it would work.


    The universe had a way of bending the rules for beings like that.


    Eveline and Aurora?


    They fit neatly into his well-crafted ssifications:


    Possess a soul core? Quasi-Immortal.


    Possess an immortal soul? True Immortal.


    Simple. Clean. Logical.


    But then there was Mary. And Mary, as usual, defied all logic.


    Despite wielding power on par with Eveline''s, Mary had no soul core, no anchor to tether her existence to the cycle of samsara.


    She was a walking paradox, and Wang Xiao found himself wondering if perhaps the soul wasn''t the best measure of one''s strength after all.


    And then there was Eleanor¡ªa sage by destructive standards, yet on the brink of forming her own soul core.


    If she seeded, she would gain the ability to reincarnate while retaining her essence.


    Her ability to wreak havoc, though?


    That would stay the same¡ªno fancy upgrades there.


    Could he then consider Eleanor a Quasi-Immortal, cing her among beings like Eveline or Luna?


    The answer was obvious: no. She wouldn''tst five minutes against them.

 Chapter 478: Revive the dead? possible?

    Eleanor was young, at least inparison¡ªjust a mere fifteen hundred years under her belt.


    Yet, she''d delved into the mysteries of the soul with insight far beyond her years.


    She had mastered healing¡ªnot just of the body, but of the very essence that sustained it.


    Wang Xiao still recalled a conversation with Eleanor where she likened a cracked ss bottle to a fractured body.


    The analogy had struck him, revealing deeper truths about the fragility and resilience of existence.


    And if Eleanor hadn''t grasped that concept within her first hundred years of life, well, she wouldn''t be here now.


    But after a millennium of study, she had ventured into even deeper mysteries¡ªthe healing of a shattered soul, a challenge that few had the nerve to even consider.


    Because when a person dies, the body that holds the soul together crumbles.


    The soul shatters along with it, fragments scattering into the boundless universe, losing their sense of self, like raindrops merging into the ocean.


    It''s tempting to believe that, with enough effort, those fragments could be gathered, and the person could be revived.


    But that''s aforting lie.


    Souls, by their nature, transcend dimensions.


    It''s this very transcendence that allows Wang Xiao to travel across dimensions in the astral ne with the ease of a traveler crossing through an open gate.


    At his level of Transcendence, such feats were child''s y.


    For someone like Aurora, though? Not so much.


    Attempting the same would be a gamble¡ªher soul fragments could scatter across infinite dimensions, each piece trapped in a different reality.


    In effect, it would erase her from existence, scattering her like cosmic confetti.


    So, what would happen to someone like Mary?


    Without a soul core to anchor her, her death would mean total dissolution.


    Her soul fragments would scatter into the void, her existence nullified, dissolving into the ether without a trace.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    And if those fragments were to find new vessels, new bodies to inhabit, they would be part of something new, losing all connection to who Mary once was.


    Her past, her power, her very essence would fade away, bing one with the new soul they joined¡ªpoof, gone, like she had never existed at all.


    To sessfully revive someone, one had to act with the speed and precision of a lightning strike, ensuring not a single fragment of the soul slipped away into the vast, web of dimensions.


    Even one stray piece, lost or merged with another existence, would forever alter the revived being.


    They wouldn''t be the same¡ªnever again.


    Imagine bringing someone back only for them to return as something less than themselves.


    Wang Xiao refused to tolerate such failure.


    Perfection was the only oue.


    This was why, when his daughters suggested that they could die and he could just revive themter, heughed.


    Not because the idea was impossible¡ªnothing was impossible for him¡ªbut because they said it so casually.


    Death, to them, seemed like a brief nap, as if Wang Xiao could pluck them from the jaws of death with the same ease he flicked away a fly.


    Anran''s revival had been an exception, a rare alignment of perfect circumstances.


    Her body had remained untouched by decay, and Eveline¡ªhad stitched her wounds, holding her essence together like a weaver preserving the final thread of life.


    Wang Xiao had spent days sifting through Amelia''s dry research reports, confirming that only if the body was fresh, and the death recent, was revival even an option.


    And even then, it was a coin toss.


    Maybe the person woulde back.


    Maybe they''de back weird.


    The word "might" popped up a lot in Amelia''s findings, and no one understood the catastrophic possibilities of that word better than Wang Xiao.


    Where others saw risk, Wang Xiao saw only inevitability.


    Yet ¡ª He would shape the oue, as always.


    Because in the grand scheme of things, existence itself was his tomand.


    Even the so-called "Divinews of the cosmos" bent under the weight of his will.


    Mortals could hardly grasp the truth that wasid bare before him.


    Take the delicate bnce of poption, for example.


    In any given world, there was a threshold beyond which the poption couldn''t grow.


    Fertility rates would plummet, and souls would scatter to other dimensions, seeking bnce.


    An immutablew?


    For them, maybe.


    But Wang Xiao?


    If he wished, that bnce would shatter.


    Killing? That was nothing.


    The deaths of four billion people alongside Aether?


    A footnote in his legacy.


    If anything, he had done them a favor.


    He had elerated their demise, sparing them the agonizing slowness of fate''s hand.


    They were bound to die anyway. Wang Xiao had simply decided when.


    The heavens themselves had rules¡ªrules that Wang Xiao had broken time and time again.


    But if the heavens dared to stop him, they shall cease to exist.


    That was the difference between him and the rest of the universe: where others saw limits, he saw obstacles to be obliterated.


    The cosmos didn''t dictate his path he dictated the cosmos.


    He wouldn''t allow his daughters to be raised in a world riddled with imbnce, so he had taken them to Xianthera, a realm untouched by the filth of lesser beings.


    There, they could grow in purity, without the taint of mediocrity.


    ''He'' had ''groomed'' them, yes, but his guidance was far superior to the pathetic conditioning society would have imposed.


    How could mere mortals, who barely understood thews governing their own miserable existence, presume to lecture him¡ªa true Transcendent¡ªon what was right or wrong?


    These mortals, who crumbled under the weight of their own weakness, copsing under emotions they couldn''t control, dared to judge him?


    Laughable.


    Where was their justice when he ughtered thousands?


    Justice, in the truest sense, was power.


    Strength dictated what was right, not some fragile system ofws that cracked under the first real challenge.


    Governments ruled through strength, enforcing theirws with armies, not ideals.


    Courts?


    Mere ornaments, symbols of authority that only held meaning when backed by force.


    When nations shed, it was military power¡ªnot diplomacy¡ªthat decided the oue.


    Strength was justice, and Wang Xiao?


    He "was" strength.


    Mortals bickered over trivialities while his people¡ªthose he had raised¡ªunderstood the real truth: strength alone guarantees one''s rights.


    Without it, rights were nothing more than wishful thinking.


    Of course, even that had itsyers.


    Yue, his daughter, hade to understand something more.


    With Wang Xiao as her shield, she could afford to look beyond the pursuit of power.


    She had the luxury to seek enlightenment in other ways because "he" would annihte anything that threatened her.


    And she was right.


    Wang Xiao wouldn''t argue with her choice.


    She had the privilege to explore the world beyond force, but only because of his protection.


    He had allowed it.


    No matter what anyone else thought, Wang Xiao saw through the hollow principles that governed the weak, pounding them for their lifetime.


    He had spent a lifetime tearing down the illusions that mortals clung to, shattering their fragile realities.


    And he did it without hesitation, because unlike them, he saw the truth of existence:


    Power is all that matters.


    Eleanor, for all her differences, hade to simr conclusions.


    She had taken a different path, one less soaked in blood, but still arrived at the same destination.


    She understood the fabric of existence, the weaving of souls, the deeper mysteries that mortals dared not contemte.


    But make no mistake: while Eleanor explored the body & soul, Wang Xiao was more than willing to burn the very heavens if they so much as thought of standing in his way.

 Chapter 479: Samsaras Knot! Fate, Fortune and Retribution! Reincarnated Gods?

    Eleanor''s unique understanding of the soul stemmed from a lifetime of dedication, not to shy techniques orbat powers, but to the soul''s deepest mysteries.


    Her focus had always been on the essence of existence itself, rather than the battlefield, where others like Wang Xiao thrived.


    Unlike her, Wang Xiao, before his infamous descent into the graveyard of gods, might have ssified himself as a Quasi-Sage.


    His strength had been honed through countless shes with hell spirits, his fists doing the talking, his power growing with each life threatening encounter.


    It was only after surviving those soul-crushing battles that Wang Xiao could even begin to rival Eleanor.


    Their paths had diverged so sharply¡ªshe, the quiet schr of the soul; he, the brute warrior.


    Yet, through their stark differences, Wang Xiao hade to grasp the full weight of Aurora''s words: each person''s path was unique, shaped by their choices, their experiences, their struggles.


    In this vast, chaotic world, he had encountered two such anomalies¡ªMary and Eleanor.


    Both women defied his well-constructed system of ssification, standing out like zing stars in an otherwise orderly sky.


    But if there were two such outliers, surely there were more out there, each beyond simple categorization.


    Despite these outliers, Wang Xiao clung firmly to his system, which was grounded in one thing he could always rely on: raw, destructive capability.


    It had served him well and would continue to do so.


    There was no need to throw everything away just because a few exceptions existed.


    If a person understood Samsara, he thought, just call them a God and be done with it.


    Constructing a reliable system was no small feat when faced with the dynamic and unpredictable nature of individual abilities.


    Wang Xiao still remembered the days when he had turned to novels and games, searching for inspiration¡ªlooking for a power system that could be adapted to reality.


    That experience had left him thoroughly disgusted.


    The thought of reducing the intricacies ofbat to something so simplistic wasughable to him now.


    A system where a Grade Seven warrior stood no chance against a Grade Eight simply because of their rank?


    Ludicrous.


    The reality ofbat was far moreplex than arbitrary numbers.


    There were always trump cards, hidden techniques, years of experience, and the sheer will of the fighter to factor in.


    And of course, there was the greatest factor of all: a sharp mind.


    No amount of cultivation could cure stupidity.


    Wang Xiao''s mind raced, reviewing these thoughts within mere moments.


    He never left room for error, especially in front of those like Eveline, who would pounce on the slightest weakness.


    There was no way he''d let himself be outdone or, worse, embarrassed by something as trivial asck of knowledge.


    Which is why, when Eveline mentioned the "Samsara Knot," he had to pause.


    The concept was unfamiliar, and that alone bothered him deeply.


    For all his immense knowledge, for all his encounters with gods, immortals, and beings beyond, he had nevere across anything like it.


    That was enough to make him take notice, enough to make him ''actually'' think.


    Perhaps there was more to Samsara than he had initially believed.


    It was rare for him to be caught off guard, but in this case, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but feel a flicker of curiosity¡ªand irritation.


    After all, how could something like this slip past him?


    "Samsara''s Knot... it''s something we don''t fully understand." Eveline took a deep breath, her golden eyes narrowing as if recalling distant, confusing memories.


    "What we do know is that, during the rebirth of gods in our era, strange phenomena would ur."


    "Even gods who hadn''t yet achieved an immortal core¡ªstill in the process of forming one¡ªwould somehow reincarnate. But they wouldn''t reincarnate fully; only fragments of their souls wouldtch onto nearby bodies."


    "They would cluster together, forming chains."


    "Only small parts of their essence would stick, not theplete soul."


    She paused for a moment, letting the weight of her words sink in. "To put it simply, imagine a family of three people, and each of them carries a fragment of a god''s soul¡ªfragments belonging to gods from the past who practiced simr divine arts. For instance, Fate, Fortune, and Retribution. The gods who mastered these divine arts could all choose to reincarnate within the same family."


    "These aren''t true reincarnations, as the gods haven''t formed their immortal cores. Instead, it''s more like inheritance. As long as the individual awakens the fragment of the god''s soul within them, they''d gain all the memories and possibly the powers of that god."


    Wang Xiao''s expression remained unreadable, but Mary was quick to catch on. "So, you''re saying... three gods from the past, possessing the powers of Fate, Fortune, and Retribution, have been reborn in fragments?" Her gaze sharpened.


    Eveline nodded, surprised by how quickly Mary understood. "Exactly. The woman who awakened the memories of Nemesis¡ªthe goddess of Retribution¡ªhas already reimed her past. The girl with Fate''s abilities remains in the dark for now. But the man... the King of Yaksha, the god of Fortune, has passively awakened, without realizing it."


    Mary''s eyes widened. "You''re talking about a convergence paradox."


    Eveline''s brows furrowed. "A what?"


    Mary shrugged. "It''s nothing. Just something a student of mine was researching obsessively. But doesn''t this imply that all of us might carry fragments of other souls, gods or beings who lived countless lives before us? Could we awaken *their* memories, too?"


    For a brief moment, Eveline looked genuinely stunned. "That... shouldn''t be possible," she muttered, though her hesitation suggested that Mary had touched on something deeper, something not even Eveline could fully deny.


    "Why?" Mary questioned.


    All eyes turned to Eveline, waiting.


    But Eveline had no answers. It wasn''t that it had never happened before¡ªit was just so rare that nobody had imed to have "infinite" past lives.


    At best, they remembered only a handful.


    Wang Xiao smiled bitterly, breaking the awkward tension. "If that were to happen, that person would have enough knowledge to tap into the universal sea of wisdom.


    "Huh?" Mary blinked, her confusion mirrored by everyone else in the room as they turned to face him.


    Wang Xiao had long considered this paradox, and the answer was simple.


    Individual soul fragments¡ªthose that weren''t cultivated by stronger beings¡ªdon''t retain anything at all.


    They''re just scattered pieces, nk tes.


    "That''s why they lose their individuality after death," Wang Xiao continued, as if he were exining basic arithmetic. "Samsara is a cleansing process. Souls are wiped clean, like shaking an Etch A Sketch. The only reason a Samsara''s Knot could happen is because the fragments were from gods who were already in the process of forming soul cores.


    Not fullyplete, but strong enough to stay together, forming an invisible knot that keeps them from being erased during the cycle."


    Eveline nodded, her face thoughtful. "Right... normally, even if those fragments existed, they wouldn''t awaken unless..."


    "Unless there was external interference," Wang Xiao finished, his tone casual, but his eyes glinting with a knowing look.


    At that, Eveline and Mary''s gazes shot to him, intense and questioning.


    It was as if they were suddenly considering *who* might''ve been meddling.


    Meanwhile, Yue and Wenxi, Wang Xiao''s two "grown-up cabbages," exchanged nces, their expressions shifting into quiet defense mode.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Why were these two women staring at *him* like he was responsible for all this?


    And even if he *was*, what gave them the right to look at him like that?


    Especially Eveline.


    She should be counting her blessings for still being alive after almost killing them all before.


    If Wang Xiao had any idea his cabbages were silently standing guard over him like this, he''d beughing his head off.


    But for now, he remained blissfully unaware, facing down Eveline and Mary with the calm confidence of a being who''d seen¡ªand caused¡ªfar worse storms than this.

 Chapter 480: Zeus is alive?

    "You brought Aether back into the world..." Mary whispered, as if a sudden realization had hit her like a brick.


    Wang Xiao nodded, his expression calm. Yes, he had.


    And, naturally, there were going to be consequences.


    There always were.


    Mary, ever quick to connect the dots, asked, "Shouldn''t this be happening all over the world, then?"


    Eveline nodded in agreement. "It is. But the gods are still rtively... well, ''decent''pared to the demons he''s awakened. Even I haven''t seen some of the horrors roaming out there now."


    As if on cue, the room plunged into darkness, and the wall flickered to life, projecting an eerie scene.


    The timestamp in the corner read 31st August, 2:00 AM.


    It was a recording from one of the resort''s blind spots, where even the surveince rarely reached.


    Suddenly, the sound of a blood-curdling scream echoed from the video.


    "Aaaaahhhhhhh..."


    A figure moved through the night, more beast than man, viciously grabbing a soldier on guard duty.


    The next moment, the creature tore him apart like a toy, limbs and blood spraying in every direction.


    Blip!


    The lights returned, the room now silent except for the hum of tension.


    Wang Xiao turned to Eveline, his voice steady, "Is this the work of that imposter pretending to be me?..."


    Mary was curious too.


    She had, after all, called in the military to investigate the missing soldier, but she hadn''t expected this level of brutality.


    Eveline nodded her head slightly, a thoughtful frown tugging at her lips. "This is something I''ve never seen before. The strength is... impressive, but still just an ant. A powerful one, but an ant nheless. The real issue is the sheer numbers.


    If enough of these ants unite, they could be a real problem. And they seem to being from deep within south pole."


    Wang Xiao, raised an eyebrow. "Anything else you found?"


    Eveline leaned back, considering. "Nothing substantial, but it seems these creatures have been trying to resurface for a long time. The world hasn''t seen this much Aether in ages. I''d wager most of their race was dormant, waiting for the right moment. When the scouts found the Aether-rich environment favorable again, they awakened."


    Wang Xiao nodded, but a flicker of doubt crossed his mind.


    He didn''t believe for a second that the world had never seen this much Aether before.


    During the Pangean Era, Aether had been far more abundant than now.


    This was powerful, sure¡ªbut still a pale echo of the past.


    And yet, these creatures were responding to it like it was a buffet.


    "Let them gather," he thought to himself, a slight smirk forming. "When the timees, even an army of ants can be crushed underfoot." But for now, he''d let them y their little games.


    Wang Xiao didn''t buy for a second that everything happening was just because of Aether''s return.


    No, someone was deliberately provoking him, trying to coax a reaction.


    And he could feel it deep in his bones.


    Why?


    Because the enemy, whoever they were, didn''t have the courage to face him directly.


    Instead, they were poking him from the shadows, desperate to analyze him before making a move.


    The cowardice was almost insulting.


    Wang Xiao wasn''t concerned in the slightest.


    If it were someone like Maliketh from his past, charging at him head-on with full confidence, aiming for total destruction, then maybe¡ªmaybe¡ªhe''d raise an eyebrow.


    Because that would mean his opponent believed they had already won.


    But these tiptoeing fools?


    Checking the waters before jumping in?


    They were just lining themselves up to be obliterated.


    Sooner orter, he would crush them underfoot like the insignificant ants they were.


    He already had a few ideas about who it might be.


    "What about your attacker?" he asked, turning sharply toward Eveline, who had been standing in silence.


    He hadn''t bothered asking her before¡ªafter he healed her, she wasn''t in any shape to give useful answers.


    But now, she seemed perfectly fine.


    Eveline''s face darkened instantly, her lips drawing into a tight line.


    Clearly, it was not a topic she wanted to revisit.


    Wang Xiao shrugged, already losing interest in her unspoken trauma.


    His attention shifted to Wenxi, who was lounging on the couch, eyes wide and innocent like she had nothing to do with the chaos around her.


    She was so caught off guard when Wang Xiao suddenly kicked her off the couch that she hit the floor with a yelp.


    She blinked up at him, utterly bewildered, like a cabbage that had just been abandoned in the garden.


    Without a word, Wang Xiao grabbed her and pulled her back up, nting her on hisp.


    There was only one couch, and if she didn''t want to get kicked off again, she had no other option but to sit on him?


    Wenxi shook her head, her cheeks red with embarrassment as she red at him, eyes zing with a fire that Wang Xiao found more amusing than threatening.


    Her rebellion was cute, but pointless.


    The cabbage had been cut down and served¡ªthere was no escaping now.


    If anyone had dared tell Wang Xiao this little show wasn''t amusing, he would have crushed them on the spot.


    He leaned back, inhaling the sweet scent of his familiar soft little ''padded jacket'', utterly content.


    Turning back to Eveline, he spoke with the same casual tone he would use to order tea. "Still thinking?"


    "Shouldn''t you have already guessed?" Eveline snorted, her tone evasive but smug.


    Wang Xiao blinked, twice.


    Guessed?


    What was there to guess? He knew everything¡ªor so he liked to think.


    But this?


    He waspletely in the dark.


    Boop!


    "Ah¡ª"


    Wenxi shivered, her porcin face flushed red like a tomato, her ears twitching.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    She was stunned as she felt her father''s hand casually and stealthily press against the softness on her chest, only for him to retreat as if he''d done nothing evil at all.


    "..."


    She really wanted to jump off the balcony.


    "Something wrong baby?" Wang Xiao asked innocently, as if he hadn''t just casually molested her ''little'' babies.


    "..."


    If anyone else had seen, she might have started a fight.


    But, other than Wang Xiao and her, no one had a clue about the... incident.


    Eveline, catching Wenxi''s nk stare, immediately knew that this so-called dignified man was up to his usual tricks.


    He always managed to look so righteous on the surface, but she could smell the perversion from a mile away.


    Ignoring it, she took a deep breath and dropped the real bomb. "It''s Zeus. He''s alive... and stronger than ever."


    "??"


    Mary, Anran, and even Wang Xiao''s cabbages all stared at her, wide-eyed. Zeus?


    That Zeus?


    The famous perver¡ªgod, the myth, the legend?


    And she was saying he''s alive?


    Wang Xiao blinked again¡ªthree times this time, as if processing all the possibilities in those blinks. "He''s dead. It can''t be him," he said, with the quiet arrogance of someone who''d personally buried the guy centuries ago.


    Because, really, if Zeus had dared return, he''d have to deal with Wang Xiao.


    And if the heavens themselves couldn''t stop him, some long-forgotten god certainly wasn''t going to.


    "..."


    Eveline''s frown deepened, her voice firm. "Impossible. I saw it myself. I confirmed it."


    Wang Xiao''s expression hardened, his tone leaving no room for argument. "If I say he''s dead, then he''s dead."


    He had seen Zeus, imprisoned in the graveyard of gods, his soul shattered beyond recovery.


    There was no way he could still be alive.


    Not even a shadow of a chance.


    The essence of the once-mighty god was gone, dissolved into nothingness.


    Of course, Wang Xiao entertained the faintest possibility that he might be wrong.


    Perhaps Zeus had found some way to w back into existence, but even that was highly unlikely.


    The graveyard of gods had always felt... off to him, as if it were an artificial creation of some higher force.


    But despite these small doubts, his instincts told him with certainty: Zeus was dead.

 Chapter 481: Hiding from Daddy! Teaches a lesson!

    The gods inside that cursed ce had long been reduced to hollow statues, their souls lost to oblivion.


    Eveline hesitated, lips parting, as if she wanted to challenge him, but no words came.


    His sheer confidence was suffocating, his certainty unshakable.


    ''Let him suffer,'' she thought bitterly. If he wanted to ignore her warnings, so be it.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao''s gaze slid toward Anran, who caught his look and tilted her head in confusion.


    Then, in a sh of realization, her eyes sparkled with mischief.


    Without warning, she grabbed a nearby vase, her wicked grin widening as a n formed in her mind.


    With an evil chuckle, Anran hurled the vase directly at Wenxi, who was shifting ufortably on Wang Xiao''sp, still unaware of the danger.


    "What¡ª?"


    Wenxi felt a sudden change in the air and instinctively turned, but it was already toote.


    Her wide eyes caught sight of her mother, Anran,unching the vase at her with an evil smile.


    Wenxi was filled with disbelief!


    What in the world was her mother doing?


    Was she seriously trying to kill her own daughter?


    Mary and Eveline were equally shocked, frozen in ce, trying to process the sudden shift.


    Even Yue, always ready to react, was caught off guard, unable to move in time.


    Swoosh!


    Just as the vase was about to make impact, only a meter from crashing into Wenxi, it shattered in the air with an icy burst.


    Crash!


    A thick, icy mist filled the room as Wenxi''s eyes red with a sharp, cial blue light.


    The temperature dropped rapidly, the air growing thick with cold, biting the skin.


    Where the vase had once been, a magnificent sword of pure ice now hovered.


    The sword was ethereal, like a shard of a frozen star, shimmering with a faint glow.


    Its de, sharp and crystalline, was forged from impossibly smooth, translucent ice.


    The edges glinted with a faint blue hue, deadly in its cold beauty.


    Frost curled around the hilt, delicate but unyielding, and cold mist poured from the sword as if it were alive, breathing frost into the air around it.


    The room was silent, frozen in awe at the sight of the de.


    Wenxi''s voice filled with hostility broke the silence. "Mom? Are you serious...? Do you actually want to hurt him?"


    She red at Anran, her ice-blue eyes glowing with anger.


    Anran, standing there with a smug grin, looked entirely too pleased with herself, as though she had just pulled off the perfect prank.


    The others exchanged nces, each silently pitying Wenxi for falling into such an obvious trap.


    But as for Wang Xiao?


    He merely smirked and gave Anran a discreet thumbs-up for her performance!


    Anran''s eyes twinkled with satisfaction.


    Mission aplished.


    "So, ''this'' is what you''ve been working on with that gloomy goddess," Wang Xiao muttered with a spark of interest as he rose from the couch.


    Wenxi, who had been standing nearby with a slight pout, ring at Anran, suddenly sensed something was wrong.


    Whoosh!


    Before she could even react, Wang Xiao moved with a speed that left the air trembling, his hand effortlessly seizing the hilt of the icy sword.


    Wenxi''s eyes widened in disbelief as her connection to the sword was severed.


    It no longer responded to her will, slipping out of her control like a disobedient pet.


    "What¡­?" Wenxi''s soft voice trembled, her crimson lips parting slightly in surprise.


    How could the sword not obey her?


    Swish! Swish!


    Wang Xiao, his movements fluid like a passing breeze, waved the sword with effortless grace, the cold de slicing through the air with a sharp hum.


    "Interesting," he muttered, clearly intrigued, his tone casual.


    Wenxi, her cheeks flushed, circled around him in a flurry of soft robes, trying to snatch the sword back.


    Her slender hands reached for the de, but Wang Xiao danced away each time, evading her effortlessly.


    "Dad, give it back to me!" Wenxi''s voice,ced with frustration, was sweet, almost melodic.


    "Dad, please!" Herrge eyes glistened as she tried again, her lips trembling with the faintest hint of a pout.


    "Daddy!" She called out, her voice softening into an almost childish plea, yet Wang Xiao remained unmoved, evading her with a faint, amused smile.


    He twirled the sword, inspecting it closely. "This is different from Athene''s ''sea of swords,'' isn''t it?" he asked thoughtfully, ignoring Wenxi''s attempts. "You no longer need the aura she left in your sea of consciousness?"


    Wenxi''s chest rose and fell, her breathsing quicker, her silk light blue dress flowing as she darted around him, her every move graceful despite her frustration.


    Her delicate features, framed by loose strands of snow-white hair, were tinged with the faintest hue of red from her exertion.


    The sword she had created was nothing like the ones left behind by Athene.


    Wang Xiao admired its craftsmanship¡ªa de of pure ice, gleaming under the light like a crystal forged in the heart of winter.


    The edges shimmered with an ethereal blue, as though infused with the very essence of a frozen storm.


    Frost curled from the hilt, and the cold mist it emitted seemed almost alive, swirling gently as if breathing the chill of its creator''s soul.


    Athene''s swords had always been raw and unrefined, merely manifestations of brute force.


    But this sword?


    It had form, it had elegance.


    It was firm, yet fluid, capable of elemental power Athene''s creationscked.


    Wenxi had grown, far more than he had realized.


    Wenxi, her face now flushed with both frustration and effort, circled him onest time, her lips quivering.


    "Dad¡­ I only have one¡­ please don''t break it¡­" Her voice had softened, turning almost pleading.


    Her eyes shimmered like pools of moonlight, filled with quiet desperation as she looked up at him.


    The adorable expression¡ªthe slight tremble in her voice¡ªwas impossible to ignore.


    Wenxi, normallyposed and sharp, was now like a delicate flower caught in the cold wind.


    Her slender and tall frame, usually filled with the grace of a swan, now seemed fragile, as if a single touch could make her crumble.


    She gazed at her father with wide, tear-filled eyes, her lips parted in a breathless, silent plea for mercy.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze softened for just a moment, though he quickly masked it. "Can''t you just create more?" he asked, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone, his curiosity piqued.


    Wenxi shook her head, her hair falling over her shoulders like a cloud, "It''s not that easy, Dad¡­ It takes months just to create a few basic ones. An array like this would take years!"


    Watching her, Wang Xiao found it amusing, yet endearing.


    This girl, hiding her abilities, thinking she could keep such talent from him.


    What did she expect?


    He was her father, and in this world, nothing escaped his sight.


    "Umm¡­ Dad, can you give it back to her?" Yue''s voice interrupted the moment, stepping forward, her eyes soft with concern.


    She could see her sister was on the verge of tears, the frustration and helplessness welling up inside her.


    The once-tough exterior of Wenxi was crumbling, revealing the rare softer side beneath.


    The room fell silent, everyone except Anran casting sympathetic nces toward Wenxi.


    She had always been strong, always in control, yet now, in front of Wang Xiao, she looked like a fragile normal child on the edge of breaking.


    No one had ever seen her like this¡ªso normal.


    Anran, however, was grinning like a mischievous fox, clearly enjoying the scene.


    "Dad¡­ please¡­" Wenxi''s voice was barely above a whisper now, her eyes misting over, glistening like dewdrops in the early morning light.


    She looked up at Wang Xiao with the expression of someone who had given up everything but hope.


    If he broke this sword, her years of effort would be ruined.


    The delicate threads of her heart seemed tied to that de, and if it shattered¡­ so would she.

 Chapter 482: Athena!

    Wang Xiao smirked, ncing down at the sword in his hand. "Alright," he said finally, offering her a sliver of mercy. "But let me y with it a bit first."


    "What?" Wenxi''s heart nearly stopped.


    ''y with it?''


    Wasn''t that just another way of saying he''d break it?


    Her eyes widened in panic, her voice trembling, but she couldn''t get the words out fast enough.


    In a swift, fluid motion, Wang Xiao gripped the de and moved gracefully through the air with it.


    Whooosh!


    The next second, the entire icy de ignited with shimmering blue mes, casting an ethereal glow across the room.


    The cold, crystalline sword now burned with a fire that defied its icy nature.


    "How...?" Wenxi gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    How did he do that?


    Swish! Swish!


    Wang Xiao swung the sword effortlessly a few more times, the blue mes dancing along the de, giving it an otherworldly aura.


    He then ran his hand along the length of the sword, and in an instant, the mes vanished, leaving the de pristine, untouched by even a trace of damage.


    A satisfied smile tugged at Wang Xiao''s lips. "It''s good enough to take down a few great-grandmasters," he said, admiring the craftsmanship.


    Wenxi looked at him in sheer astonishment. "How did you set it on fire without melting the ice?" she blurted out. "And since when do you use a sword?"


    She had never known him to wield any weapon, let alone something as contradictory as fire and ice.


    And yet, here he was, effortlessly making her hard-won creation look like an old toy in his hands.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Just some basic physics, Quantum freezing field, simr to Bose-Einstein condensate effect," he said, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. "If I really used a sword, your master would fall in a single strike. She hasn''t even taught you the basics, has she?


    Why don''t you just abandon her ande learn from me?" He raised an eyebrow yfully, poaching like a shameless boss.


    Wenxi''s lips pressed into a pout, her delicate features full of silent protest.


    ''Teach her?'' As if.


    She knew him too well¡ªhe''d probably just mess with her the entire time, dragging out her lessons for fun.


    That was why she had turned to Athene in the first ce.


    Her father was far too petty when it came to teaching her anything.


    She cast a sideways nce at him, her pout deepening.


    "I have no problem with that..."


    Suddenly, a soft mist gathered in the corner of the balcony, and from it emerged a figure cloaked in ck.


    Her presence was subtle, yetmanding, and her voice¡ªthough feminine¡ªwas t, devoid of warmth or coldness, but oddly pleasing to the ear.


    "Athene!" Wenxi gasped, eyes widening in surprise.


    How had she appeared here so suddenly?


    But as usual, Athene was unreadable, her face hidden beneath the dark hood.


    She didn''t seem particrly bothered by the idea of Wang Xiao teaching Wenxi¡ªif he could, that is.


    She doubted he had much to offer when it came to swordsmanship.


    However, the air shifted dangerously.


    Whoosh!


    Without warning, Wang Xiao''s gaze darkened, his eyes turning ice-cold.


    In a sh, his figure blurred, flipping through the air like a shadow, and before anyone could react, the sword in his hand was shing directly toward Athene''s neck.


    "!!"


    Puchi!


    The de cut through her neck effortlessly, severing it cleanly.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    Everyone froze, stunned by the sudden brutality.


    The calm air of mere moments ago had turned violent in an instant.


    Why had Wang Xiao be so ferocious so quickly?


    But Wang Xiao onlyughed, the coldness in his eyes reced by a mocking smile. "You can''t even show yourself in front of me now? Hiding behind avatars..."


    His voice wasced with disdain, aimed at the illusion of Athene.


    The de had passed through her neck as if slicing through air.


    She was nothing more than an incorporeal form, a mere projection.


    The room fell silent, every eye on Wang Xiao in disbelief.


    They hadn''t even realized it was an illusion, but Wang Xiao had seen through it in an instant, as if the trick was beneath him.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Wenxi blinked in astonishment, her thoughts filled with surprise. ''He... really is on apletely different level.''


    Athene snorted. If she showed up in her real body, she would be a fool¡ªespecially when he only wanted to fight her for no reason.


    She finally removed her dark robe.


    Beneath the flowing shadows, her form emerged, elegant yet ethereal, exuding a presence that chilled the room.


    Her long, raven-ck hair cascaded down her back, barely contained by the intricately designed silver hairpiece that glimmered faintly.


    The hairpiece, woven with delicate strands of metal resembling ancient vines and thorns, caught the flickering mes of her aura, casting fleeting shadows across her pale, wless white skin.


    Her eyes, cold yet clear as ss, held the wisdom of millennia, devoid of warmth but captivating, with a hint of something far too ancient to fullyprehend.


    A faint glow emitted from the sigil etched onto her forehead, resembling a pair of wings, as though they belonged to some forgotten deity.


    Despite her seemingly indifferent demeanor, there was a fragile beauty in her features¡ªsharp and delicate, yet with an underlying strength that made her beauty appear untouchable.


    Her robe, once covering her entire form, now revealed a figure that bnced grace with the dangerous charm of power.


    The dress beneath, made of flowing ck silk that hugged to her slender frame, was woven from the threads of night itself, giving her an almost unreal aura.


    Around her, small flickers of energy danced like fireflies, casting a faint glow on her shoulders, and the fabric seemed to shimmer with a life of its own.


    But what stood out most was the ethereal grace that moved with her¡ªeach gesture was precise, every step as silent as falling snow.


    "I spoke with someone regarding your idea," she began, her voice as smooth as water flowing over stones, devoid of emotion butmanding attention. "She is willing to help, as long as you stop cursing her every day. It unsettles her spirit..."


    Her words were straightforward, but the slight tightening of her lips hinted at her disapproval.


    Even the gods, it seemed, found Wang Xiao''s arrogance exhausting at times.

 Chapter 483: Old Witch turns Murder Witch!

    "Who is this ''she'' now?" Wang Xiao asked, an amused glint in his eyes.


    The others, still in slight shock from Athene''s appearance, exchanged nces.


    Most of them had never seen her before, except for Wenxi and Yue, who were silently watching the exchange.


    They didn''t say they were disappointed, though. Athene was exactly what they had imagined¡ªcold as ice and as emotionally engaging as a rock.


    Athene''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Yuriko. She''s the only one capable of manipting fate in such a way. But your constant cursing has been disturbing her mental state."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, looking thoroughly unimpressed. "I didn''t realize my casual remarks could mess someone up that badly."


    Athene''s face twitched, the closest thing to an eye-roll she would allow herself.


    Talking to Wang Xiao was like arguing with a mountain¡ªan immovable force of arrogance and obstinance.


    Of course, he was doing it on purpose.


    In his mind, she and her kind were beneath him, nothing more than pests he tolerated because Aurora asked him to.


    If it weren''t for Aurora''s request to spare these "creatures," the world would''ve already been drenched in blood by now, courtesy of his impatience.


    "For once," Athene began, her voice tight with exasperation, "respect your status as a Transcendent. Your words carry more weight than you think."


    Wang Xiao scoffed, crossing his arms. "I am respecting it. I''m simply using it as I see fit."


    Being a Transcendent wasn''t just about living forever.


    It was about being woven into the very fabric of the cosmos itself.


    If Wang Xiao cursed someone long enough¡ªand bothered to actually care¡ªhe could warp their fate, sending waves of misfortune crashing down upon them.


    Their lives would worsen, bad luck hounding them like a shadow until they found themselves facing an inevitable and untimely death.


    Of course, Wang Xiao had never really bothered to look into that side of his powers.


    Cursing people just wasn''t that interesting to him.


    But Yuriko, the one Athene mentioned, seemed to have reached a Quasi-Transcendent state where she understood the subtle art of fate maniption¡ªand apparently, Wang Xiao''s careless words were messing with her enough to cough up blood.


    Some time ago, Wang Xiao had asked Athene to help him curse someone''s luck¡ª''Just for fun'', really.


    Athene, being the dutiful go-between, asked Yuriko for assistance.


    Buttely, Yuriko had been suffering thanks to Wang Xiao''s constant and unintended curses.


    Sometimes, she''d be minding her own business and suddenly find herself coughing up blood, as if fate itself had pped her across the face.


    Athene sighed. "She''s been suffering because of your little curses," she continued, her tone t. "So she''s willing to help you¡ªif you stop cursing her. Apparently, she''d like to survive."


    Wang Xiao chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "If she can''t handle a few careless words, maybe she''s not fit to deal with fate after all." He nced at Athene, his smirk widening. "But fine, I''ll stop¡ªfor now. I can''t be bothered with such weaklings."


    Athene''s lips thinned, trying and failing to suppress her annoyance.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze flicked toward Athene, roaming slowly down to her waist, his mind wandering into mischievous thoughts.


    ''Would she moan or scream in bed?'' Not that he had any real interest in keeping her.


    No, this was more about torturing her a ''little'', ying with the prey he almost capturedst time¡ªif not for her narrow escape.


    Athene had learned to be wary of him, and now, she didn''t dare send her real body anymore.


    Her caution was amusing.


    "Hey," Wang Xiao began, his voice dripping with amusement, "weren''t you some sort of goddess in the past? What was your role? Grumpy old woman, perhaps?" His eyes sparkled with mischief as he openly provoked her.


    Athene''s frown deepened, clearly unimpressed by his provocation.


    But Wang Xiao wasn''t finished. "Why don''t you set up a meeting between me and Yuriko? Maybe I could get some ''guidance'' from her," he said, barely containing his grin.


    Athene almost coughed blood, herposure faltering for a split second.


    ''Guidance?'' Him?


    More like he wanted to torment the poor girl.


    She couldn''t believe his words¡ªhe truly thought too highly of himself.


    "Don''t tter yourself," Athene snapped, trying to regain her bnce. "Yuriko is the first witch of the world. This is her 999th reincarnation, and she will reach perfection in her 1000th. When that happens, even you might not be able to defeat her."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes gleamed with amusement, though inwardly he thought she was an idiot for revealing such information.


    If Yuriko could one day pose a threat to him, shouldn''t she have kept that little detail to herself?


    Now that he knew, he could just eliminate Yuriko before she reached that all-important final form.


    "This Yuriko... why did she imprison Aurora? Shouldn''t you all be friends, at least?" Wang Xiao asked, his tone deceptively casual, but his sharp eyes never left Athene.


    Athene''s expression darkened at the question. "Yuriko is no friend of ours. The first-generation Yuriko was the one we knew, but she cast a spell upon herself to reincarnate a thousand times. Each new version ispletely different from thest, and each one grows stronger. She only remembers us as distant memories now. She''s not the same person."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flickered with suprise.


    That made sense.


    Athene continued, her tone growing more serious. "And your precious Aurora? She''s no saint, no matter how she presents herself. There have been many geniuses far greater than her in the world. You shouldn''t underestimate anyone¡ªleast of all that ''innocent-looking'' woman. She''s sent more people to the graveyard than you can count, and not just enemies¡ªanyone who posed even a potential threat."


    Wang Xiao was stunned, momentarily speechless.


    His innocent, sweet wife, being ''ndered'' like this?


    Absolutely uneptable!


    He had always been curious about Aurora''s past, though, and despite his indignation, he gestured for Athene to continue.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Athene snorted, crossing her arms. "Ask the daughter of that Skyfather. He was one of the many who died thanks to your Aurora. She befriended the killer of her own kin. You think she''s pure? Hah!"


    Wang Xiao''s face twitched, a mixture of confusion and frustration.


    His beloved wife... a little ''murder witch''?


    This... this needed further investigation.


    "??"


    Wang Xiao noticed Athene''s subtle look of disgust aimed at Eveline, and Eveline, usuallyposed, was visibly flustered.


    For a moment, Wang Xiao was confused, then the realization dawned on him.


    "So that''s it¡­" he muttered under his breath.


    Eveline''s face flushed a rare shade of red, her eyes darting away in embarrassment before she frowned and shot back at Athene, "He would have raped me if it weren''t for Hes¡ªAurora who saved me! Unlike you who just¡ª"


    Eveline cut herself off as Athene''s re sharpened over her.


    Wang Xiao, however, felt like he''d gathered a lot of information today.


    No wonder Eveline was so sensitive about his rtionship with his daughters, always prepared to offer them up to him if he so much as hinted at it.


    There wereyers to this situation he hadn''t even considered.


    Part of him wanted to let these creatures continue arguing and spilling more secrets, but unfortunately, neither of them spoke again.


    Breaking the silence, Wang Xiao asked, "Did Aurora really kill Zeus?" His tone was casual, but the curiosity in his eyes was unmistakable.


    Athene''s lips curled into a cryptic smile, as if she were talking about a cunning viin, not his supposedly innocent wife. "Not just him¡­ Aurora couldn''t tolerate the existence of any geniuses who threatened her."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow and turned to Eveline, seeking confirmation.

 Chapter 484: Aurora plotting Wang Xiaos death?

    Eveline hesitated before frowning and nodding reluctantly. "Zeus was a genius. He was the pinnacle of his era."


    "He singlehandedly brought an entire era of Titans to an end. His brute strength was unmatched¡ªhe was clever, but relied on his sheer power to break free of any situation. Dumb schemes couldn''t hold him for long because of his raw might."


    Eveline continued, her expression a mixture of admiration and something more distant. "He slept with hundreds of women in a week, drank like a god, lived as if nothing could touch him. He was unparalleled. In my time, he was the peak of what it meant to be a man."


    Wang Xiao internally winced.


    Fucking rocks doesn''t make you ''the peak of man,''


    He thought, holding his tongue for the sake of gathering more information.


    Eveline''s eyes darkened as she spoke, "But it was Aurora who feared Zeus might achieve true immortality. He was the youngest to form a soul core and had begun to understand rebirth on his own. He even used Tartarus to refine souls¡ªboth those who worshipped them and their enemies¡ªgranting immortality and endless life to all the Olympians."


    Athene cut in with a smile that barely concealed her amusement. "Your wife, Aurora, felt Zeus was too dangerous to the rest of us¡ªthe remaining Pangeans. She allowed him to run wild, only to trap him in her schemes. She turned nearly everyone against him, effectively making him an enemy of the world. That''s how she managed to cast him into the graveyard of gods, ensuring his death."


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed as Eveline nodded in agreement. "That''s why he suddenly disappeared from history. The era of Titans ended, and with Zeus gone, so did ours."


    Wang Xiao was stunned.


    His innocent Aurora, who he had always seen as a sweet, pure wife, had orchestrated the downfall of one of the most powerful beings in history.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It was hard to reconcile the image of the loving woman he knew with the ruthless tactician they were describing.


    But even so, Wang Xiao found a small smirk tugging at his lips. ''Maybe my little trophy wife is more wicked than I thought.''


    Athene continued, her voice calm butced with usation. "That era''s Yuriko couldn''t interfere. The entire world wanted Zeus dead¡ªhe had caused more destruction than good. But all of that? It was guided by your ''innocent'' wife, who ensured his downfall."


    Wang Xiao''s face lit up with awe rather than concern, clearly impressed by Aurora''s cunning.


    Athene sighed, shaking her head. ''Instead of being worried, this man''s actually impressed,'' she thought.


    Determined to make him see the full picture, Athene pressed further. "You should know, that wasn''t the first time Aurora orchestrated someone''s demise. Sooner orter, she will face retribution for all she''s done. She''s the sole reason no one on this earth has ever achieved true immortality like us. Every genius who came close?


    She manipted them, snuffed them out before they could reach their prime. If history is filled with darkness, your wife is the one who painted it."


    Wang Xiao''s expression shifted slightly, though he quickly sneered. "You''re trying to frame my wife and sow discord between us."


    Of course, Wang Xiao didn''t think Aurora was as innocent as she appeared¡ªshe was clever, dangerous even, and that''s exactly what made her appealing to him.


    So what if she manipted people?


    It was only natural for someone as powerful as her to get rid of potential threats.


    It was a game of survival, and she yed it masterfully.


    Athene smiled thinly. "You don''t understand, do you? Not only did she not stop you, but she actively sent you to the graveyard of gods. Are you sure she wasn''t nning to kill you too? After all, she has a history of killing geniuses."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened slightly at the suggestion, but he quickly suppressed his surprise.


    Aurora, wanting to kill him?


    It seemed unlikely, but still, the idea red at him.


    He couldn''t shake the feeling that something wasn''t right, but he couldn''t quite put his finger on it.


    Athene''s smile deepened as she continued. "Yuriko sacrificed herself to maintain bnce in the world. She''s always been the force keeping things in check. But you? You''re the one who broke that bnce. And if you can reach these heights after returning from the graveyard of gods, imagine what level Zeus has reached by now."


    Wang Xiao frowned.


    If Zeus had been a quasi-Immortal before he was sent to the graveyard, on the very brink of true immortality, then logically, his current power could be beyond anything he''d faced before.


    If Zeus had survived.


    But Wang Xiao''s confidence remained unshaken. "Zeus is dead," he said firmly.


    Both Athene and Eveline frowned, exchanging nces.


    Why wasn''t he listening to them?


    Wang Xiao simply could not believe Zeus was alive.


    He had seen his lifeless body, a mere shell with no soul left in it.


    He wasn''t just confident; he was sure of it.


    How could anyone return from that?


    It was impossible.


    At that moment, chaos erupted in the banquet hall.


    One of the elderly men at the far end of the room suddenly began to convulse, his body swelling.


    His skin turned bronze, bulging as if his muscles were trying to rip through it.


    His head inted, growingrger and more monstrous by the second, twisting into an ugly, distorted version of itself.


    "Ahhhhh!" His scream echoed, piercing through the hall.


    Panic spread like wildfire as guests scrambled to get away.


    Soldiers grouped together, trying to contain the situation, but the bronze-skinned man had already gone berserk, swatting them away like insects.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Bodies hit the ground, but not because of the rampaging bronze-skinned man.


    Another figure had transformed, adding to the chaos, killing from behind.


    The crowd erupted into further panic, and soldiers struggled to contain the growing madness.


    Athene''s expression shifted from cold detachment to surprise.


    She nced at Wang Xiao bitterly, as if casting him a nce of pity. "Someone is indeed trying to force your hand, to drag you into this," she murmured.


    Wang Xiao only nodded, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement.


    "I knew it..." He had intended to crash this marriage himself, not let it proceed smoothly.


    But someone else had beaten him to it, creating this chaos as a deliberate attempt to lure him out.


    When Wang Xiao had mentioned to Athene that even thest beast outbreak was part of a carefully orchestrated n, she had dismissed it at the time.


    But when the beast attacks spread worldwide the very next day, her doubts began to fade.


    It had all been a smokescreen.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a dangerous smile. "If someone''s trying to lure me out, let hime and face me." His confidence was absolute.


    Turning to Wenxi, who was clutching the sword like it was her most prized possession, he held out his hand.


    She pouted slightly, hugging it tighter as if protecting her own child.


    She had cleaned it meticulously after thest time he used it, but with a resigned sigh, she handed it over obediently.


    "Don''t break it," she grumbled, her pout deepening.


    Wang Xiao chuckled.


    Despite how protective she was, Wenxi knew when to y and when to step aside.


    She understood the stakes¡ªnow wasn''t the time to be stubborn.


    She could feel the bloodlust radiating from her father, and she wasn''t about to get in the way.


    Wang Xiao turned to Athene, his gaze sharp and mocking. "Athene, you''re always going on about how I have tremendous power with no control, right?" His voice dropped, a dangerous warning creeping into it, "Today, I''ll show you the ''true'' meaning of control. Watch closely¡ªkeep both eyes intact, unless you want me to pluck them out the next time you bring it up."


    Without waiting for a reply, he ced a hand on the sword. Instantly, the entire de ignited in a ze of blue mes, flickering like a wild inferno.


    Whooosh!


    He jumped from the balcony, restricting his power to the level of a mere grandmaster.


    As he fell through the air, his figure shifted.


    His robe turned a deep crimson, his face obscured by an ethereal ck mask, the very image of a death god descending onto the battlefield.

 Chapter 485: Ugly Monk and Red Boy!

    "Kekeke¡­"


    The twisted, high-pitchedughter rang out, as if a spoiled child had been given far too much power.


    The corrupted monk, towering at ten meters tall, stomped through the beach with his oversized head bobbing like an overinted balloon.


    His chubby limbs iled wildly, and his once-golden body¡ªnow a shinning bronze¡ªglimmered in the flickering light of chaos, barely held together by erratic bursts of demonic energy.


    His every movement was childish, unstable, like a tantrum-throwing child with the strength to shatter mountains.


    Crash!


    Wherever his fists and feetnded, guests were reduced to mere blood mist.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The banquet, once adorned with silk banners and golden ornaments for the grand wedding, was now a bloody battleground.


    The monk''sughter was coupled by the crack of bones and the screams of the guests.


    "Stay behind me!" Xin Meifang cried, her heart pounding as she pulled Qian Ruixin, now pale and trembling in her crimson bridal dress, further back behind the stage. ''What is happening? This was supposed to be in the n!''


    The rest of the Wang family stood nearby, their faces locked in varying shades of horror.


    It was as though they were stuck in a nightmare, and frankly, it was starting to feel a little unfair to them.


    Who signs up for a wedding and ends up in the middle of a demonic monk''s rampage twice?


    Nearby, a lone figure stood out. A man with rugged features and dark brown hair, appearing no older than histe twenties, was dressed in a faded green tuxedo, seemingly out of ce.


    His brow was furrowed with worry, yet his stance was firm, his protective arm ced around a younger girl.


    Qian Yifan, the elder brother of Qian Ruixin, guarded his youngest sister, Yaoyao, who clung to him with trembling hands.


    ''How can this be happening at the wedding banquet?'' His mind spun with disbelief, yet his gaze remained sharp, focused on any threat that mighte their way.


    As Xin Meifang''s gaze swept over the scene, itnded on Murong Shan.


    The man, d in his resplendent golden-embroidered Hanfu, stood rigid, his once-calm demeanor now cracking under the weight of frustration and fury.


    His sharp, straight brows furrowed as he looked toward Qian Ruixin, the one person who was supposed to be the key to his freedom.


    "This is not supposed to happen¡­" Murong Shan seethed through gritted teeth.


    ''The day I finally lift the curse, and now a tantrum-throwing giant decides to crash my wedding!'' His mind swirled with venomous thoughts, and his knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists. "Uncle Long, must you wait until I''m buried under rubble before you act?"


    Uncle Long, standing a few paces away, appeared almost meditative, as though the chaos was nothing more than a mild distraction.


    His long white beard swayed peacefully as he leaned on his cane, his eyes closed as if he were listening to a distant, more soothing melody.


    It was hard to tell if he was ignoring the destruction or genuinely waiting for something to amuse him enough to warrant his attention.


    "Calm yourself, young boy," Uncle Long said calmly, his voice deep and timeless, "you must learn patience. The Dragon''s Gate Dojo has seen worse than arge child throwing a fit."


    Murong Shan sneered. "Patience? If I wanted a lesson in patience, I wouldn''t have arranged your dojo for protection, now would I?"


    Uncle Long finally opened his eyes, casting a long, thoughtful look at the rampaging monk.


    He gave a slow, deliberate nod. "Xiao Lu, Xiao Chen, Xiao Feng, Xiao Lin. Handle this."


    From the shadows, four disciples emerged. Their ck robes fluttered in the wind, each adorned with the symbol of the Dragon''s Gate Dojo.


    Their expressions were serene, yet beneath their calmy a pride that bordered on arrogance.


    The corrupted monk, noticing their approach, bared his yellow ugly teeths in a  grin.


    "Pests...!" he screamed, his voice cracking like a petnt child denied a toy.


    Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!


    His enormous arms iled as he attempted to squash the disciples like bugs.


    The ground quaked with each of his clumsy swings, but the four figures were already gone, darting through the air like specters.


    His attacks hit nothing but dust.


    Xiao Lu, the tallest, let out an exaggerated sigh. "Honestly, they never make these things tough anymore, do they?" He shook his head, forming a hand seal with one hand as if he were bored. "Let''s end this quickly. My tea''s getting cold."


    But before Xiao Lu could strike, the corrupted monk''s wildughter cut through the air again. "Pests¡­ You¡­ all die!" he roared, his rage boiling over.


    Staggering back to his feet, the monk stomped on the ground with such force that the entire hall quaked.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The entire ground trembled like a leaf in a storm, sending people scrambling to keep their footing.


    Suddenly, a voice boomed from the sky. "Hey, kid, stop making such a scene!


    From the sky descended a red-skinned boy, barely a meter tall, his chubby body gleaming with a strange, fiery light.


    His appearance was that of a child, but his eyes carried the arrogance of a king.


    In his hands, he held a spear adorned with golden embroidery, its sharp edge glinting ominously.


    The irony of the scene was not lost on anyone.


    The red boy, smaller than most mortals, was addressing the towering monk like a misbehaving child.


    "Arghhhhh! Pests! Pests! I hate pests!" The monk''s eyes widened, his unstable energy ring as the red boy''s words seemed to ignite his fury even further.


    His entire body trembled with barely restrained madness as he started crushing everything around him with reckless abandon.


    The red boy raised an eyebrow, then sighed dramatically. "Right, right. Big bad tantrum. We''ve all seen it before." Hezily pointed his spear at the guards trembling nearby. "You lot,e at me all at once! Let''s get this over with.


    I''ve got a nap scheduled."


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The guards opened fire, their bullets slicing through the air like rain, but the red boy moved as fast as the wind, his body a blur.


    He danced through the bullets effortlessly, each strike of his spear knocking down armed and unarmed men alike.


    "So weak!" he cackled as he leaped from one guard to the next, his spear spinning in a blur of red light. "Trash! Absolute trash! Your little toys are useless!"


    "Hehe¡­" The boy''s voice turned manic as he began to cut down the guards, each kill apanied by his disturbingly childishughter.


    A scream tore through the air as a guest was split in half, blood sttering across the ruined hall.


    Puchi! Puchi! Puchi!


    The red boy didn''t pause, continuing his massacre without hesitation, each kill more brutal than thest.


    The scene was beyondprehension. What had once been a festive wedding banquet had devolved into a blood-soaked nightmare.


    ''Do I have to deal with this myself¡­?'' Xin Meifang and Murong Shan exchanged tired nces, both realizing that they were rapidly running out of options.


    And just as the blood-thirsty Red boy prepared to charge toward them, something astonishing happened.

 Chapter 486: First Strike: Head Severing Cut!

    Clink!


    "Not so soon, little brother!"


    The sound of metal against metal echoed as Master Long, who had spent the entire battle appearing as little more than a fragile old man, leaning on his cane like a senile bystander, suddenly moved with startling speed.


    Swoosh!


    He flew into the air, his long beard flowing behind him as he intercepted the Red boy''s spear with his cane, a sharp gleam shing in his once-closed eyes.


    "Tsk!"


    The Red boy clicked his tongue in frustration, his spear, which had been aimed straight for Murong Shan, halted mid-thrust by Master Long''s seemingly ordinary cane.


    Annoyance flickered across the boy''s face as he took a step back, his red skin shimmering with faint heat as if he were holding back a ze.


    Shua! Shua! Shua!


    In an instant, the red boy leaped backward with a burst of speed, but no sooner had he retreated than three identical illusions of Master Long materialized in front of him, each one holding the same cane and grinning mischievously.


    The sight was uncanny¡ªfour versions of the same elderly figure, all exuding the same powerful aura, blocking every possible escape route.


    "You''ve crashed the wrong party, junior," the illusions spoke in unison, their voicesyered, filling the air with a growing sense of authority. "Allow this senior to teach you some manners."


    For a brief moment, the red boy stood there, his expression frozen in disbelief.


    But then, suddenly, his childlikeughter rang out, high-pitched and eerily cheerful. "Good! Good! It''s been so long since I''ve had any real fun!"


    The unsettling difference between his small, chubby body and his menacing aura was chilling.


    He twirled his spear with ease, his excitement only fueling the intense heat that radiated from him.


    Master Long smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Neither have I."


    With a subtle flick of his wrist, all of Master Long''s illusions encircled the red boy in the blink of an eye.


    They shot upwards, their canes glowing with ancient aura, each one pointing directly toward the red boy at the center.


    The four Master Longs moved in perfect synchronization, their attacks converging on the red boy in a precise and deadly formation.


    Whoosh!


    The air trembled as the canes descended, their tips glowing like shooting stars, all aimed at one single point¡ªthe heart of the grinning red boy.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    CRASH!


    The impact was deafening.


    A shockwave exploded from the point of contact, sending waves of energy rippling through the battlefield.


    Several nearby palm trees splintered and copsed from the sheer force of the sh.


    Despite the power behind the attack, the red boy stood at the center of the storm, his small form seemingly unfazed.


    His lips curved into a wider smile, as if the deadly assault had merely been part of a game.


    Around the battlefield, there were some who had opted for an even more foolish course of action than standing still¡ªthey were filming.


    A few spectators who had been too shocked to flee had pulled out their devices, recording and even streaming the battle live, clearly oblivious to the danger.


    They had no idea how close they were to bing coteral damage in a fight between beings far beyond mortalprehension.


    As clips of the battle spread, the fight quickly garnered attention across the region.


    Discussions of the sh between Great-Grandmasters exploded online, thements lighting up like fireworks.


    "The ugly monk''s a ''Great-Grandmaster'' at least, look at the way he''s crushing everyone!"


    "That kid in red is insane¡­ is he a Great-Grandmaster too?"


    "Wait, isn''t that ''Master Long'' from the Dragon''s Gate Dojo?! This is amazing!"


    Master Long, the venerable head of the Dragon''s Gate Dojo, was a known figure across the Qing Dynasty.


    Though he''d spent years in silence, stories of his incredible strength and mastery of techniques had made him something of a living legend inst five years.


    His current strength, still at the Great-Grandmaster level, was revered far and wide.


    Yet here he was, being pushed back by a pint-sized boy whose appearancepletely defied the power he held.


    People sucked in cold breaths as they watched the red boy effortlessly deflect blows that could tten mountains.


    Meanwhile, the four disciples¡ªXiao Lu, Xiao Chen, Xiao Feng, and Xiao Lin¡ªwere locked in a desperate struggle against the rampaging giant monk.


    Though each of them was a Grandmaster in their own right, they were vastly outssed.


    The monk''s wild, unstable energy made him nearly impossible to predict.


    Every time they closed in, his massive limbs swept through the air like wrecking balls, pping them aside as if they were flies.


    Xiao Chen gritted his teeth, his face contorted in frustration as he narrowly avoided being ttened. "This¡­ This thing''s brute strength is unreal!"


    "We can''t get close without getting smashed!" Xiao Feng shouted, flipping backward as the monk''s fist came crashing down where he''d stood a second earlier.


    The force of the blow sent cracks racing through the ground beneath them.


    A few other masters had attempted to help.


    They rushed in, trying to assist Master Long''s disciples in containing the monk''s madness.


    Unfortunately, they quickly learned the price of underestimating the beast.


    One by one, they were swatted down, their bodies crushed into blood mist by the monk''s wild, childlike tantrums.


    "Fall back!" one of the surviving masters screamed. "We can''t handle this!"


    The soldiers standing at the perimeter of the battlefield, armed with rifles, hesitated.


    Their fingers hovered over their triggers as they watched the chaos unfold, but none dared to fire.


    Each bullet could just as easily hit their allies or Master Long himself.


    They were paralyzed by indecision, not knowing whether to shoot or retreat.


    "What¡­ What should we do?" one of the soldiers muttered under his breath, eyes wide as he watched the red boy casually tear through a group of guards like they were nothing.


    "Stay put," hismanding officer barked, though the uncertainty in his voice was unmistakable. "We wait for orders. If we shoot the wrong person, we''re dead either way."


    "Wait, look there!" one of the soldiers shouted, drawing attention to a figure approaching from the edge of the battlefield.


    Draped in a crimson robe and with his face obscured by shadow, the mysterious figure moved with an eerie calm.


    "Who... who is that?" one of the soldiers stammered, panic spreading as the figure''s approach became clearer.


    From behind the wreckage of the stage, several guests¡ªwho had managed to avoid the worst of the carnage¡ªhad taken out their devices, trembling hands gripping their phones as they streamed the battle live.


    Cowering behind walls and debris, they whispered urgently to each other, the tension rising.


    "Bro¡­ bro, are you seeing this?" one guy whispered to his phone''s camera, his voice shaky, yet tinged with excitement. "This is crazy¡­ there''s a new guying in! And he''s got a¡­ a sword on fire? What the hell is that?"


    "I don''t know, man," his friend muttered in reply, also speaking into his phone. "But if that''s a third Great-Grandmaster, we''re all screwed."


    "Yeah, no kidding! This whole ind''s toast," another added, peeking out nervously from behind a toppled pir. "Shouldn''t we be running?! Why are we still here?!"


    As the figure neared the battlefield, their expressions soured even further.


    An ominous blue sword in his hand shimmered with silent mes, the light flickering.


    Every step he took seemed to pull the breath from the air.


    The viewers watching the livestream gasped audibly in thements.


    user123: "Holy crap, what''s with the blue sword??"


    battleFanatic: "That''s so cool but also¡­ I think we''re about to watch something bad happen."


    qi_Warrior_Fanboy: "That''s gotta be a Grandmaster-level technique, no question."


    Puchi!


    The first strike was so fast that the livestreamgged for a second, and then¡­


    With a single strike, the crimson-robed figure severed a soldier''s head clean from his shoulders.


    Blood spurted into the air, and the man''s lifeless body crumpled to the ground.

 Chapter 487: Eight Strike: Thousand Cuts of Purgatory!

    Puchi!


    "Wait¡­ holy sh¡ªdid his head just¡­?" one of thementators stuttered, voice cracking.


    The screen caught up, and the camera zoomed in shakily on a severed head rolling across the ground.


    "Bro, no way¡­ this guy just took someone''s head off like it was NOTHING!"


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Bullets rang out in rapid session, but the figure didn''t stop. With the second strike, limbs from over a dozen soldiers were severed in an instant.


    Blood sprayed into the air like a crimson fountain, sshing across the screen.


    The viewers gasped.


    "Did you see that?!" the guy streaming live whispered frantically. "He just cut off, like, twenty arms in one swing!"


    "Twenty? It''s more like thirty! And they didn''t even touch him!" his friend added, pushing his phone closer to the chaos.


    From somewhere in the distance, screams echoed through the battlefield.


    "Ahhhhhh¡ªmy hands!"


    "Pfft, dude, I would NOT want to be that guy right now," onementator muttered, half in horror, half in awe, while nervously trying to zoom in on the suffering soldiers.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The crimson-robed figure made his way through the battlefield, moving like a reaper.


    The third strike came, slicing men in half at the torso, bodies falling like discarded marites, their upper halves sliding off in grotesque fashion.


    "Yo, look at that! The dude just¡ªhe just cut, like, five people in HALF! Are we even safe here?" one of the streamers asked, his voice rising in panic.


    "We''re not," someone whispered behind him. "Definitely not."


    Puchi!


    The fourth strike came with a sickening sound as the crimson figure ripped the heart out of a soldier''s chest with his bare hands, raising it to the air like a grim trophy.


    "Okay, okay¡ªthis guy is seriously messed up! That''s not a sword move! He just¡ªHE PULLED THAT DUDE''S HEART OUT!" the streamer nearly shrieked, his voice cracking from terror. "WHO IS THIS GUY?!"


    In the livestream chat,ments poured in.


    user456: "Yo, who''s the guy in red? He''s OP!"


    cultivationfan99: "That''s no normal Grandmaster. Did you SEE how fast he moved?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    martirts_nut: "He''s wiping them out like they''re nothing! How is he not a Great-Grandmaster?!"


    Meanwhile, the martial artists and soldiers on the battlefield rallied, trying to gather their strength to confront the crimson figure.


    "H-He''s just a Grandmaster!" one of the soldiers shouted, though his voice wavered. "Attack together! We can take him!"


    "Yeah, good luck with that," one of the guys hiding whispered into his phone. "You''ve got no chance, man."


    The crimson-robed figure responded with another blur of motion.


    The fifth strike came, and in one sweep, he tore the spines out of over twenty masters, their bodies crumpling to the ground like broken dolls.


    "OH MY GOD!" the camera shook violently as one of the streamers recoiled. "SPINES¡ªHE JUST RIPPED OUT THEIR SPINES!!"


    The chat exploded.


    jadebeautylover_6969: "WHAT THE F¡ª?! Did he just Fatality them?!"


    virginloli_47: "That was straight out of a horror movie. WTF!!"


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    "RUN!" came the panicked scream of another soldier, but it was far toote.


    The sixth strike followed, and the figure moved like a shadow, slicing throats as he went, more than a dozen men copsing into lifeless heaps.


    Their blood sprayed high into the air, painting the battlefield in waves of red.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Puchi!


    Heads rolled across the battlefield, blood flowing like rivers, staining the once-pristine banquet grounds.


    "H-Heads are just¡­ rolling," the guy filming stammered, voice thin and terrified. "This¡­ this is insane¡­!"


    By now, even the giant monk and the red boy¡ªwho had been locked in their own deadly fight against Master Long¡ªpaused and turned to look at the figure standing amidst the carnage.


    The crimson-robed man had made quick work of dozens, if not hundreds, in mere minutes, his sword glowing ominously under the blood-soaked sky.


    "Is¡­ is that guy even human?" one of thementators murmured into his phone. "I thought the Great-Grandmasters were terrifying, but this¡­"


    The livestream chat buzzed withments.


    mama_Bitch54: "Bro''s built different. No way he''s just a Grandmaster!"


    irondick_f90: "I can''t believe I''m watching this live¡­ I hope they don''t ban the stream!"


    Master Long, seeing his disciples and the soldiers of the dojo butchered without mercy, finally snapped.


    His eyes burned with fury as his voice thundered, "Junior! You will be the first to die by my hand!"


    Without hesitation, Master Long summoned the wind to hismand, forming a violent tornado that carried him toward the crimson-robed figure.


    The old master flew with lightning speed, his body propelled by the fierce winds.


    Wang Xiao, however, barely reacted, save for a slow, almostzy smile. "Eight Strike: Thousand Cuts of Purgatory."


    "Huh?" Master Long blinked, confused for a moment.


    Then, CRASH!


    Master Long mmed into the ground, sending dust and debris flying everywhere.


    But Wang Xiao was already gone, having passed him in the blink of an eye.


    His body glided effortlessly across the battlefield, wind swirling beneath his feet, propelling him forward as though thews of nature bent to his will.


    With each graceful movement, he cut down soldiers and masters alike, leaving nothing but a mist of blood and dismembered bodies in his wake.


    The livestream feed trembled as the camera struggled to keep up.


    "D-Did you see that?! He''s not even running! He''s¡ªhe''s sliding across the ground like a freakin'' phantom!" one of the streamers gasped.


    Master Long, now on his feet, turned around slowly¡ªhis heart sinking as he took in the sight before him.


    And then, like a machine of death, Wang Xiao descended upon the remaining soldiers and martial artists.


    His de moved like grim reaper, shing through flesh and bone with terrifying precision.


    Blood sprayed in every direction as bodies were torn apart in a mist of crimson.


    By the time Master Long turned around, the battlefield was unrecognizable.


    The once-great gathering of martial artists, soldiers, and masters had been reduced to nothing more than a red mist hanging in the air.


    The beach, once pristine and serene, was now painted with the blood and brains of the fallen, the waves washing over the remains of those who had once been alive.


    Wang Xiao stood at the center of it all, calm and collected, as if the ughter had been a casual afternoon stroll.


    His bloodstained robe fluttered in the wind, and his eyes glinted with the quiet satisfaction of a job well done.


    "Eight Strike: Thousand Cuts of Purgatory," Wang Xiao muttered to himself, admiring his handiwork.


    He had just created the technique on the spot, but anyone who had witnessed it would''ve thought he had mastered it over thousands of years.


    The battlefield had been transformed into a sea of red.


    Blood flowed freely, washing over the sandy beach, and except for the four disciples still struggling against the giant monk and the Red boy, everyone else had been reduced to blood mist.


    The livestream buzzed with reactions:


    xXyerFanXx: "Is there even anyone LEFT? This guy''s unstoppable!"


    AzureKing: "Bro just turned a wedding banquet into a horror show. Holy crap."


    The wedding banquet, which had begun with pomp and ceremony, had now be a sea of blood.


    An ind meant for celebration was now an arena of death, with the ocean itself trying to wash away the horrors of what had urred.


    Master Long clenched his fists, his body trembling with rage and disbelief. "You¡­ You will pay for this," he growled, his voice shaking.


    Wang Xiao didn''t even look at him.


    He simply flicked his sword, cleaning the blood from its edge as he gazed at the now quiet battlefield.


    His smile, calm and unbothered, remained.


    "Is that so?" Wang Xiao said, his voice carrying no weight, as if he found Master Long''s threat amusing. "Thene. Let''s see if the winds favor you today..."

 Chapter 488: True Clone Technique!

    "..."


    Master Long''s expression darkened, his brow furrowed as he assessed the crimson-robed man before him.


    Though Wang Xiao''s aura seemed less imposing than his own, there was something deeper¡ªsomething unfathomable.


    I mustn''t underestimate him.


    Master Long thought.


    In this world of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, the most dangerous foes are often the ones who conceal their true strength.


    But before Master Long could act, the red boy stepped forward, his childish voice cutting through the tension. "Feel free to kill each other, but this guy¡­" he sneered, pointing his spear toward the stage, "¡­is ours!"


    The crowd hiding behind the debris froze in terror.


    They could feel the red boy''s killing intent, and a gasp rippled through the survivors as they realized whom he was pointing at.


    It was none other than the imposter Wang Xiao.


    The cowering man, who had been pretending to be Wang Xiao, looked up in suprsie "Huh?!"


    Wang Xiao, still standing amidst the blood-soaked battlefield, tilted his head toward the red boy, a slow, amused smile spreading across his face.


    He chuckled¡ªa deep, rxed sound¡ªas if everything that had happened was beneath his notice. "You''ve got to be kidding me," he said, ncing at the imposter with a raised eyebrow. "So now people are hiring children and red-ass monkeys to do their dirty work?"


    His gaze shifted toward the giant monk, still toying with Master Long''s four disciples like a bored child crushing ants. "This is who they sent?"


    The red boy''s eyes burned with fury, his knuckles turning white as he tightened his grip on the spear. "You dare mock me, worm?!" he shouted, his voice rising in anger.


    Wang Xiao didn''t even blink. "Mock you? I barely even noticed you." He waved his hand dismissively. "Come back when you''ve grown a few inches."


    For a moment, the battlefield fell silent, save for the distant crashing of waves and the soft crackling of the blood-soaked fires.


    The red boy''s face flushed with rage, his energy ring around him as he prepared to attack.


    Master Long, meanwhile, saw an opportunity. "You¡­" he began, his voice softening. "You''re not here to kill Murong Shan, are you?" He nced at Wang Xiao, the wheels in his mind turning quickly.


    If this man had no quarrel with Murong, perhaps a deal could be made.


    After all, Master Long had seen enough to recognize that recruiting someone like Wang Xiao could turn the tide in his favor.


    "There''s no need for us to fight, fellow warrior," Master Long continued, his tone growing diplomatic. "You are, after all, a son of the Qing Dynasty. Why waste your energy fighting against your own people?


    If you side with us and help defeat these two monsters, the Dragon''s Gate will reward you handsomely." He nodded toward the red boy and the giant monk, hoping to appeal to Wang Xiao''s self-interest. "Our resources are vast, and we value talent like yours. Think of the prestige, the power¡ª"


    Wang Xiao cut him off with a snort. "Prestige? Power?" He let out a lowugh, shaking his head as if he had heard the most absurd thing in the world. "You really think you can give that?"


    Master Long''s eyes narrowed, but he remained silent as Wang Xiao took a step forward.


    His aura expanded¡ªnot the brute force of energy like the others, but something far more refined, far more deadly.


    It was the kind of aura that made the heavens pause in respect.


    Wang Xiao raised his swordzily, pointing it at the red boy first. "You, red monkey¡ªdon''t overestimate yourself." Then he turned, pointing his other hand toward Master Long. "And you¡ªdo you really think you can buy someone like me with with your little strength?"


    The crowd behind the stage shivered at Wang Xiao''s casual dominance.


    One of the livestreamers whispered into his phone, "Holy¡­ this guy just challenged both Master Long and that red kid at the same time. No fear at all!"


    user6969: "Bro''s talking like he''s already won. What a beast."


    cultivationlord888: "He''s got that main character energy. This dude''s on another level."


    Wang Xiao''s voice broke through the murmurs. "You two idiots¡­ juste at me already. I don''t have time to waste on this nonsense."


    Master Long''s expression turned cold. ''So arrogant,'' he thought, his pride wounded. "Very well, boy. Let''s see if you can back up that mouth of yours!" His aura asurged once more, the winds howling as a tornado formed beneath him, sending his robes billowing out like a storm.


    The red boy twirled his spear, mes suddenly erupting from his body, wrapping him in the fiery red glow of hellish mes.


    His lips curled in excitement as he licked them in anticipation. "Finally! Let''s see if you''re as tough as you act, worm!" His whole figure was now a towering ze, his demonic energy ring wildly as he lunged forward with his spear aimed straight at Wang Xiao''s heart.


    Wang Xiao cast an interested nce at the spectacle, unbothered by the inferno bearing down on him.


    Master Long, however, had no intention of waiting.


    He summoned his four clones, each one identical to his real self, wielding the same cane and circling around Wang Xiao with perfect precision.


    From one side, the red boy came roaring forward, his spear zing, while from the other side, the Master Long clones closed in, moving in perfect unison.


    Kacha!


    Clink! Clink! Clink!


    In an instant, the battlefield exploded into a whirlwind of shes.


    The sound of weapons striking against each other echoed like thunder as the fight elerated into a blur of movement.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Clink! Clink! Clink!


    Wang Xiao, limited to the level of a Grandmaster in this fight, had to move with blinding speed, blocking their attacks with swift parries.


    The air crackled as his sword met the assault, but despite his best efforts, the tide was pressing against him. ''If I don''t attack soon''  he thought, ''I''ll lose the initiative.''


    Master Long''s clones were bing a nuisance, each one mirroring the real Master Long''s movements perfectly.


    Their constant attacks prevented Wang Xiao fromunching his own strikes, forcing him into a defensive stance.


    Crash!


    "Ugh¡ª"


    With a sudden burst of power, Wang Xiao kicked the red boy across the battlefield, sending him crashing into the ground, mes sputtering from his body.


    Without wasting a second, Wang Xiao leaped backward, distancing himself from the red boy and ring at Master Long.


    "You dare use my own clone technique against me?" He let out a mockingugh as five identical Master Longs stood in front of him, all sneering in unison.


    "You''ve already lost!" The five Master Longs shouted, their voices blending as theyunched themselves toward Wang Xiao, their canes glinting with deadly intent.


    Wang Xiao shook his head with a smirk. "Finding the real one might be hard for anyone else, but for me? It''s child''s y." His eyes flicked toward the ground, where he instantly spotted the real Master Long through the shadow that betrayed him.


    Whoosh!


    In the next instant, Wang Xiao vanished, his body bing a blur as he shed directly with the real Master Long.


    The clones froze mid-strike as the real Master Long''s cane met Wang Xiao''s de.


    KRRRRRR¡ª


    There was a sickening sound of sword slicing through hardened flesh.


    For a split second, time seemed to stop.


    The air grew heavy, and the battlefield fell silent.


    Thud!


    Master Long''s hand, still gripping the cane, fell to the ground, severed at the wrist.


    His eyes quivered with disbelief, his mind struggling toprehend what had just happened. "H-How¡­" he stammered, his voice weak as blood poured from his shoulder.


    Puchi! Puchi! Puchi!


    Blood spurted from the deep wounds, spraying the ground in crimson.


    Wang Xiao stood before him, a smile ying on his lips as he watched the Great-Grandmaster tremble in agony.


    "Let me show you what a true clone technique looks like," Wang Xiao said calmly, his tone dripping with superiority.

 Chapter 489: Eating Alive!

    "Let me show you what a true clone technique looks like," Wang Xiao said calmly, his tone dripping with superiority.


    With a single tap of his foot, the ground beneath them trembled violently.


    Tremble¡­


    Tremble¡­


    The earth around Wang Xiao began to shake as the dust and sand swirled upward, gathering around him in a cyclone of energy.


    In mere moments, the dust took shape, forming identical copies of Wang Xiao.


    Each clone stood tall, wielding an exact replica of his ming cier sword.


    There weren''t just two or three clones¡ªthere were eight.


    The battlefield now held eight Wang Xiaos, each exuding the same chilling presence, their swords glowing with a cold, murderous light.


    "No¡­ no way!" The red boy''s face paled as he struggled to identify the real Wang Xiao.


    His eyes darted from one clone to the next, panic rising within him. "This guy is insane! Which one''s real?!"


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    In a blink, all eight Wang Xiaos lunged forward, their movements synchronized in perfect harmony.


    Five of them targeted the red boy, surrounding him from all sides, while the other three advanced on the injured Master Long, whose face had gone ghostly white with fear.


    Clink! Clink! Clink!


    "Argh¡­!" The red boy screamed as the clones attacked him from every angle, each strike deadly and precise. "How can you attack from all directions¡ªARGH!" His spear barely managed to block a few strikes, but the relentless onught was overwhelming.


    Blood spurted from his mouth as he staggered backward, his mes flickering weakly. "These¡­ these aren''t just illusions!"


    Wang Xiao''s clones moved like a perfectly synchronized death squad, their attacks wless.


    Unlike Master Long''s illusory clones, each of Wang Xiao''s shadows was solid¡ªeach one capable ofnding real, devastating blows.


    The battlefield had shifted in an instant. Where Wang Xiao had once been on the defensive, he now heldplete control.


    His clones pressed the red boy and Master Long with terrifying efficiency, cutting through their defenses as if they were nothing more than paper.


    "Impossible!" Master Long spat, his cane trembling as he tried to fend off the three clones closing in on him.


    His body shook with pain, his arm useless and blood dripping onto the ground. ''How is this Grandmaster-level warrior overpowering me and this red monkey at the same time?'' His mind raced in disbelief as the clones advanced, their swords glinting like death itself.


    By now, even the hidden onlookers couldn''t believe their eyes.


    One of the livestreamers, still trembling behind the stage, whispered into his phone. "Guys¡­ he''s not just holding his own¡­ He''s winning! He''s actually pushing back two Great-Grandmasters!"


    immortal_de: "Damn! The Red Robe guy is crushing them! How is this even possible??"


    dragonlord234: "Bro''s built different. This isn''t normal for a Grandmaster!"


    heavenly_sword: "Look at the red monkey! He''s getting shredded!"


    ____


    On the other side of the battlefield, chaos reigned.


    The Giant Monk, towering like a twisted deity of destruction, had his attention on Master Long''s disciples.


    His figure radiated an aura of madness, his eyes gleaming with an insatiable hunger for violence.


    Puchi!


    Xiao Lin, the weakest of the four, was caught under the giant''s massive foot.


    His eyes trembled for just a second before he braced for the inevitable.


    A disgusting squelch echoed across the battlefield as the Giant Monk pressed down, and in an instant, Xiao Lin''s body burst into a mist of blood.


    His life was snuffed out as if it had never existed.


    "No!"


    "Xiao Lin!"


    Xiao Lu and Xiao Chen screamed in shock and rage, their voices trembling with disbelief at the sudden and brutal death of theirrade.


    The Giant Monk''s massive belly shook, quaking like a storm ready to unleash its fury.


    He roared with a twisted grin, "Enough of games! *Second Form¡ªEighteen Hands of Buddha!*"


    "Wha¡ªwhat the hell is that?!"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Dodge!" Xiao Feng shouted, his voice barely audible over the monk''s ear-splitting roar.


    But it was toote.


    The monk''s massive hands blurred into motion, as if the air itself trembled to his gigantic presence.


    A giant palm struck Xiao Feng squarely in the face, his body flung like a rag doll.


    He coughed up blood, his vision fading as he soared through the air, crashing into the sea with a loud ssh!


    The ripples of his impact faded as quickly as his consciousness.


    Xiao Lu and Xiao Chen barely managed to dodge the iing strikes, but the Giant Monk''s speed increased a thousandfold.


    His blood-red eyes gleamed with terrifying bloodlust as he moved, his body a symbol of destruction.


    BOOM!


    CRASH!


    Wherever his fistsnded, the ground shattered, leaving behind craters the size of small ponds.


    The very earth trembled under the fury of his wrath.


    "No¡­!" Xiao Chen shouted as he tried to retreat, but the monk was faster.


    His massive hands reached out with terrifying speed, grabbing Xiao Chen before he could react.


    His body was pulled taut in the monk''s enormous grip, the pressure building.


    "AHHHH!" Xiao Chen screamed, his voice high and desperate as both of the monk''s colossal hands closed in on him.


    The disciple''s bones cracked like twigs under the immense force, and with a sickening tear, the Giant Monk ripped Xiao Chen''s body in half.


    Puchi!


    Blood sprayed in all directions, painting the battlefield in red.


    "Xiao Chen! NO!" Xiao Lu cried out, his voice breaking with both pain and fury.


    He charged forward recklessly, but the monk was already moving.


    In one swift motion, he grabbed Xiao Lu by the waist and raised him to his mouth.


    "No! NO! STOP!" Xiao Lu screamed in horror as the monk''s jaws opened wide, revealing rows of sharp, jagged yellowish teeth.


    CRUNCH.


    The monk bit down, chewing casually as blood sshed wildly from his mouth.


    Puff!


    Xiao Lu''s muffled cries of agony echoed through the battlefield for only a moment before fading into silence.


    The horrifying sight was too much for the few spectators hiding and watching.


    Some of the people filming had dropped their devices, covering their mouths as they vomited in disgust.


    One of the livestreamers, pale and shaking, could barely whisper into his phone, "He¡­ He just¡­ ate him. The monster ate him¡­"


    The chat exploded with reactions.


    user123: "Did he just eat him ALIVE?! What the hell is going on?!"


    Milf_hunter: "I''m done, I can''t watch this. This is too much¡­"


    monk_ughter: "That monk''s a freaking demon! How are these people supposed to fight THAT?"


    With two of Master Long''s disciples dead and another one unconscious, the battlefield had be a bloodbath.


    The Giant Monk, his hunger and bloodlust fully awakened, looked around for more prey, his chest heaving with satisfaction as his eyes glowed a deep, demonic red.


    "Kekkekekekeke~!"


    Heughed, his voice echoing like a twisted gong across the devastatedndscape.

 Chapter 490: Survived when he shouldnt have...

    "How is he¡­ able to do it?" Wenxi murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she watched from the balcony of the vi.


    Her eyes were wide with disbelief, fixed on the battlefield where Wang Xiao was holding his own against three Great-Grandmasters, despite restricting himself to Grandmaster-level strength.


    Each of his clones, crafted from sand and controlled with pinpoint precision, moved with deadly grace, matching the overwhelming force of his opponents blow for blow.


    Mini-earthquakes rippled across the battlefield, and the air seemed to tremble with his might.


    Athene stood next on the balcony, her eyes calm and distant as she gazed at the battlefield below.


    From the way she held herself¡ªstill,posed, her posture wless¡ªthere was something about her that made the air itself seem colder, more controlled.


    There was no trace of emotion on her face, not even a flicker of concern for the blood-soaked chaos beneath her.


    And yet, when she spoke, her voice was soft, almost musical, every word flowing with an unsettling grace that made it impossible not to listen.


    "Don''t focus on him too much..." Her words were gentle, like silk brushing against bare skin, but beneath that softness was a chill that sent even the air shivering, "He has always been¡­ exceptional. But also predictable in his own way. When he was young, all he relied on was brute force. Now¡­" She nced down at the battlefield again, her eyes narrowing slightly. "He''s finally learning refinement."


    Though her expression remained cold, devoid of any real warmth, there was an elegance in how she spoke that made it difficult to look away.


    She wasn''t simply dismissing Wang Xiao; she was analyzing him, and in doing so, she gave the impression of someone who saw the world from above, far removed from the emotions and struggles of lesser beings.


    Wenxi blinked, startled by the appraisal of Athene''s words.


    She had never heard Athene praise someone...


    Even though she, too, was a Great-Grandmaster, standing next to Athene made her feel small, insignificant, like she was a step behind in understanding the true depths of the world.


    There was something about Athene''s presence that was almost intoxicating¡ªa subtle allure, as if being in her shadow made you question your own worth.


    Wenxi couldn''t help but steal a nce at her, wondering how someone could exude such effortless power while seeming so untouched by it.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    In fact, Wang Xiao radiates the same powerful aura that leaves Athena and beings like Eveline in awe and astonishment every time they gaze upon him.


    However, his daughters, having spent so many years by his side, have grown ustomed to it and are no longer fazed.


    Athene''s voice continued, every word as smooth as ss, yet somehow sharper than a de. "He''s still holding back," she said, her tone measured, as if it were a simple fact of nature. "A master can crush walls. A grandmaster, buildings. But a Great-Grandmaster¡­" She paused for a moment, "can bring down entire skyscrapers. He has that potential.


    The others¡­ haven''t even realized it yet."


    There was no pride in her voice, no excitement or boastfulness¡ªonly a detached certainty, as if everything she said was inevitable.


    It was that kind of certainty that made men uneasy, as though being in her presence meant you could never meet her expectations.


    Athene was the type of woman who would make a man feel nervous, not because she was intimidating in the traditional sense, but because she seemed so utterly out of reach.


    And that was what made her desirable...


    The cold, emotionless aura she carried made it easy to believe she was untamable, untouchable¡ªsomething to be admired from afar but never truly approached.


    She gave off the impression of a goddess, distant and indifferent, with a beauty so refined it bordered on dangerous.


    Yet the more you looked at her, the more you wanted to be the one to reach her, to see if you could tame the frost that froze her heart.


    Wenxi hesitated, pursing her lips together, "So¡­ you''re saying I should be able to destroy skyscrapers at my current level if I reach my full potential?"


    Athene''s gaze was piercing, and though she spoke kindly, it was the kind of kindness that made you feel uneasy. "Yes. But not yet. He is showing you how it''s done. And even then, he''s toying with them."


    Wenxi felt a small thrill of unease crawl up her spine. "But even with all that strength," she said slowly, "to be fighting three Great-Grandmasters at once¡­"


    Athene tilted her head slightly, a gesture so subtle it felt calcted. "He''s more than capable," she replied, her voice as cool and steady as before. "He''s always had a talent for surviving, even when he doesn''t deserve to."


    There was a faint edge of amusement in her words, but it was so delicate that Wenxi couldn''t tell if it was a joke or just another cold truth.


    Her eyes gleamed slightly, but there was no warmth in them. "He used to be crude, back when he was nothing more than a brute. He couldn''t even construct or store his own weapons when he was a Quasi-Sage."


    Athene''s lips curved ever so slightly, not into a smile, but into something more like a knowing contempt, "He relied too much on raw power then. But that''s what makes him unique. His ego doesn''t allow him to learn from others¡­ and yet, it''s that same ego that forces him to innovate, to create things no one else has even thought possible."


    Wenxi nodded slowly, letting the words sink in.


    Everyone says her father has an ego, but who doesn''t?


    Doesn''t Athene have her own as well?


    Whether men or women, both carry egos as they rise to power.


    That''s why, for most men, it''s nearly impossible to bed a woman like Athene or make her fall in love¡ªher pride simply won''t allow it.


    Only by using sheer strength to suppress that pride can love blossom, after you''ve made her feel truly subdued and hopeless.


    "There''s a beauty in it, in a way," Athene continued, her voice so smooth it almost made you forget how chilling her presence was. "He doesn''t allow himself to be tied down by tradition. He learns in the most ''inefficient'' way possible¡ªthrough trial and error, through battles where most would fall.


    But it''s precisely because he refuses to be taught that he''s able to create techniques¡ª midbattle¡ªthat even immortals can''t fathom."


    She turned her gaze back toward Wenxi, and for a brief moment, their eyes met.


    Wenxi felt her heart skip a beat, not out of fear, but out of a strange, unfamiliar tension.


    Athene''s gaze was so direct, so piercing, that it made you question your own worth.


    The way she looked at you, as if you were something she was deciding whether or not to care about, was both unsettling and thrilling.


    "Don''t worry too much about him," Athene finally said, her voice softening, though still cold. "He''s always been a step ahead. He''s survived things that should have broken him. This is no different."


    And with that, Athene turned back toward the battlefield, her expression unreadable once again.


    Wenxi stood silently beside Athene, her emotions a mix of admiration and unease.


    Watching Wang Xiao on the battlefield, it felt like she was discovering a different side of her father¡ªone he never spoke of.


    He had always told her to avoid chasing after anyone in the world, that chasing someone would only make you feel inferior.


    That was why she didn''t want strength to chase him but to protect him¡ªa secret she would never share with anyone.


    Yet, even without chasing him, the sheer amazement of his deeds was undeniable.


    Wang Xiao had never viewed his previous life as something remarkable.


    To him, it had been about survival, nothing more.


    But to everyone else¡­ he was a force unlike any other.


    Suddenly, the air shifted.


    Those watching the battle from the vi and those hiding behind ruins covered their mouths in shock.


    Puff!


    "You..." Master Long gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief. He had been fighting Wang Xiao''s clones, engaged in a desperate struggle to fend off the continuous attacks.

 Chapter 491: Brutal Killings! Skinwalker?

    Puff!


    "You..." Master Long gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief.


    He had been fighting Wang Xiao''s clones, engaged in a desperate struggle to fend off the continuous attacks.


    But in the blink of an eye, his clones vanished, and the real Wang Xiao was upon him.


    Master Long''s body trembled as Wang Xiao held something in his hand, something wet, red, and still alive¡ªa kidney, freshly pulled from Master Long''s chest.


    Puchi!


    With a sickening squelch, Wang Xiao crushed the kidney in his palm, letting the blood and tissue drip through his fingers.


    Thud!


    Master Long fell to the ground, his body twisted at unnatural angles, brutally severed.


    He never even registered how fast it had happened¡ªone moment, he was fighting, and the next, his body was sliced apart, his life slipping away before he even understood.


    Wenxi''s heart stopped for a second as she watched the deadly scene.


    Her father hadn''t just killed Master Long; he had made it look effortless, brutal, but precise.


    The battlefield went quiet for a moment¡ªtoo quiet.


    But the silence didn''tst.


    "Ughhh!" Red Boy, still struggling with the clones, howled in frustration.


    He had beenpletely overwhelmed¡ªnot by Wang Xiao himself, but by his mere copies.


    Desperation clouded his judgment.


    His eyes burned with rage as he saw Wang Xiao turn his back.


    In a final, reckless attempt, Red Boy raised his spear, aiming for Wang Xiao''s back.


    He poured every ounce of his demonic energy into the strike.


    Swish!


    Wang Xiao stood calm, as Red Boy desperately shot his spear toward him, pouring everything he had into a final, reckless strike.


    The spear glowed fiercely as it morphed into a chinese mythological dragon mid-air, its white scales shimmering like molten silver.


    With a thunderous roar, the dragon hurtled toward Wang Xiao, teeth bared, its serpentine body cutting through the air like a de.


    ROAR!


    Wang Xiao didn''t flinch. In one fluid motion, he extended his hand and grabbed the dragon by the neck, halting it mid-flight with a single grip.


    CRASH!


    The creature''s immense energy faltered, and as Wang Xiao tightened his hold, the once-mighty dragon dissolved into sand, slipping between his fingers.


    Red Boy''s eyes widened in terror.


    "No¡­ impossible!"


    Before Red Boy could react, Wang Xiao vanished from his sight, reappearing behind him with chilling speed.


    The clones around Red Boy suddenly dissipated, their purpose fulfilled.


    With a flick of his wrist, Wang Xiao manipted the remnants of the dragon''s energy, coiling its ethereal form around Red Boy''s neck


    "Ugh!I-I" Red Boy gasped, struggling as the dragon-like energy constricted, tightening around Red Boy''s throat, its scales digging into his flesh, suffocating him slowly.


    His feet kicked helplessly, wing at Wang Xiao''s wrist. "Y-you¡­ can''t¡­ kill¡­ me¡­!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, "Weaklings like you¡­ shouldn''t shout before you''ve won."


    Puchi! Puchi! Puchi!


    The white scales constricted, tightening around his windpipe, strangling him slowly.


    Red Boy''s eyes bulged as he gasped for breath, but the force was merciless.


    KACHA¡ª!


    The sound of his throat copsing echoed as Wang Xiao twisted his hand.


    Red Boy''s body convulsed, his limbs twitching as life drained from his eyes.


    With a final, sickening gurgle, Red Boy''s body went limp, hanging lifeless in Wang Xiao''s grip.


    THUD!


    Wang Xiao threw the boy''s corpse to the ground without a second nce, his face emotionless.


    He stepped forward, raising his foot.


    CRUNCH!


    With a single stomp, he crushed Red Boy''s skull beneath his boot, brain matter and blood sttering across the ground.


    The battlefield was eerily silent, but the livestream exploded in shock.


    user349: "HE JUST¡ªHE JUST KILLED RED MONKEY!"


    bloodmoon_warrior: "HA-HA-HA-HE CRUSHED HIS HEAD LIKE A DAMN FRUIT!"


    godhunter23: "That''s¡­ That''s INSANE!! Who IS this guy?!"


    The people watching were stunned, barely able toprehend the brutal means with which Wang Xiao had ended Red Boy''s life.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Suddenly, a scream tore through the air.


    The Giant Monk, witnessing hispanion''s death, let out a cry of rage.


    His childlike voice was twisted with fury, echoing across the battlefield. "YOU KILLED HIM! YOU KILLED MY FRIEND!"


    Wang Xiao looked up, seeing therge baby-faced monk charging toward him.


    The monk''s skin shone with a golden, otherworldly hue, his massive feet crushing the earth beneath him as he ran, each step shaking the ground.


    THUD! THUD! THUD!


    The monk''s grotesque smile was gone, reced with an expression of pure fury.


    His giant hands were outstretched, ready to crush Wang Xiao like an insect.


    But Wang Xiao''s gaze remained cold, almost bored.


    "You''re next," he murmured.


    The ground beneath the monk suddenly trembled.


    The sea floor, where the battle had stretched, gave way beneath the monk''s massive weight.


    CRUMBLE!


    With a loud crack, the ground copsed, and the Giant Monk fell into a deep crater, his legs trapped in the broken earth.


    "ROAR!" The monk screamed, thrashing as he tried to pull himself free, but his immense size worked against him.


    Wang Xiao leaped into the air, his sword zing with blue fire, its edge gleaming like the ice of the deepest winter.


    He soared high above the trapped monk, looking down on him as though he were nothing more than prey caught in a trap.


    "Die," Wang Xiao said, his voice devoid of any emotion.


    With a powerful strike, he brought the sword down.


    *BOOM!*


    The sword cleaved through the air, and as it connected with the Giant Monk''s skull, a deafening *CRACK* echoed through the battlefield.


    The bluish fire exploded from the de, severing the monk''s body clean in half from head to waist.


    SLASH!


    Blood erupted like a geyser, gushing from the monk''s split torso.


    The force of the strike sent shockwaves across the battlefield, rattling the very earth.


    The once towering, golden figure of the Giant Monk copsed in a bloody heap, his blood pooling around him like a crimson sea.


    The battlefield fell into a dead silence.


    Even the livestreamments froze, unable to react to the sheer destruction that had happened before their eyes.


    Wang Xiao stood amidst the carnage, his sword still glowing with blue mes, the blood of his enemies dripping from its edge.


    Wang Xiao nced down at the lifeless body of the monk, the battlefield now nothing but ruin.


    His expression remained unchanged, cold and distant, as if he had simplypleted a mundane task.


    In the livestream, someone finally typed, voice filled with awe.


    celestial_yer: "He¡­ He killed them all. Like they were nothing."


    The livestream exploded once more withments, disbelief and fear spreading among those watching.


    user111: "KE-KE-KE-WHO IS THIS MONSTER?!"


    warrior_of_shadows: "I''ve never seen anyone this powerful! He just¡­ cut the monk IN HALF!"


    dragonheart: "Forget Great-Grandmaster, this guy''s beyond human¡­"


    Wang Xiao, indifferent to the stunned crowd and those watching from the shadows, wiped his sword clean with a flick, the mes extinguishing as he turned away.


    No one dared to challenge him now.

 Chapter 492: Skinwalkers! A Failed Experiment!

    "What¡ª!?"


    "Run!"


    "Get away!"


    "What''s going on?!"


    Rumble¡­


    Rumble¡­


    The ground quaked violently as if the earth itself were tearing apart, and the entire shoreline trembled under the force.


    Panicked screams filled the air as people scattered in every direction.


    The sandstorm erupted with sudden fury, violently shaking, obscuring vision with a thick veil of sand.


    "Turn off your phones, we need to go!"


    "Get out of here¡ªnow!"


    As the storm intensified, blinding anyone caught in its path, people fumbled for safety, the livestreams blinking offline one by one, leaving confused and frustrated viewers.


    user324: "Where''s the feed?!"


    gilfhunter_401: "It just went dark¡ªwhat''s happening?"


    pussybreaker_69: "Damn it, I was watching!"


    Through the chaos, Wang Xiao leaped from the crater, his form seeing through the storm with ease.


    His eyes narrowed as he spotted a figure slipping away in the chaotic sand.


    With a casual flick of his wrist, he sent his sword sailing through the air, glowing with that familiar blue fire.


    It sliced through the storm like aet, flying back toward Wenxi at the vi.


    The dended perfectly in her hand, as though it had always belonged there.


    Wang Xiao vanished, his form blurring into the storm as he reappeared directly in front of the fleeing figure¡ªblocking his escape with an effortless calm.


    "Going somewhere?" Wang Xiao''s voice was cold, his eyes gleaming with disdain.


    The imposter, who bore an eerie resemnce to Wang Xiao, froze in ce, his red eyes wide with shock.


    "Who¡­ who are you?" the imposter barked, his voice trembling.


    Wang Xiao''s form shifted, returning to his true appearance.


    His aura red¡ªdominating, suffocating, a force that could crush souls with its sheer presence.


    The imposter''s face drained of color as he stuttered, his voice barely a whisper.


    "Y-You¡­ you''re the real one¡­"


    Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a mocking smirk. "You only just figured that out?" His voice wasced with arrogance, as if the very question was beneath him. "There''s only one of me. And you? Just a pitiful imitation."


    With a wave of his hand, the ground beneath him shifted.


    Sand swirled and reformed into a grand throne, rising from the earth as though the world itself obeyed his will.


    He sat down casually, his gaze cold and dismissive, looking at the imposter as though he were a mere insect.


    "I have to say," Wang Xiao continued, his voice dripping with disdain, "I''m disappointed. This is the best they coulde up with? Some knockoff pretending to be me?" He let out a dryugh. "Pathetic."


    The imposter trembled, his body weak under the crushing weight of Wang Xiao''s aura.


    He looked exactly like Wang Xiao would have at neen¡ªred eyes, youthful features¡ªyet there was none of the depth, none of the power.


    A hollow shell.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes glinted with cold amusement as he gazed at the imposter. "Look at you," he sneered, his voice cold like ice. "Just a cheap imitation, living by copying the lives of the dead... Give me one reason why I shouldn''t erase your entire species from existence."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "!"


    The imposter shivered, its red eyes narrowing into slits, cold fury bubbling beneath the surface. "You think you have the right to decide which species live or die?" it hissed. "Don''t overestimate yourself, human! Every species has a right to survive! We aren''t causing harm; we''re just peacefully coexisting¡­"


    Wang Xiao tilted his head slightly, as if considering the words.


    Then, with a casual shrug, he nodded. "That''s a good reason. Fine, I''ll spare your kind."


    The imposter blinked, utterly stunned.


    It had never expected a human to ept the existence of their species¡ªespecially not one as powerful as Wang Xiao.


    After all, they ate humans.


    But Wang Xiao wasn''t exactly human anymore.


    His gaze was dispassionate, treating the conflict between humans and skinwalkers as nothing more than a natural struggle for survival.


    To him, it was simply part of the cycle of existence.


    Humans ate lower species for sustenance; skinwalkers ate humans.


    In the end, it was just anotherpetition for energy between creatures of a lower existence.


    "The fight for survival between your kind and humanity has nothing to do with me," Wang Xiao said calmly. Then, his eyes darkened, voice dropping to a near whisper. "But¡­ you made a mistake."


    The imposter stiffened, feeling an unnatural chill creep down its spine. "W-What mistake?"


    Wang Xiao''s expression remained detached. "Skinwalkers¡­ Huli Jing, Rakshasas, P¨²ca, Doppelg?ngers. These are all names your kind has gone by, aren''t they?"


    The imposter''s body tensed, its eyes narrowing further as it hissed, "Notpletely¡­"


    Wang Xiao nodded slowly, as if already knowing the answer. "Right, you''re only a fragment of what your kind used to be. Your species has appeared in human history more times than I care to count. Beasts capable of shape-shifting, living in the shadows of this world for millennia."


    The imposter, now called Moying, could only re at him, though the fear was growing in its eyes.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze remained cold, but his curiosity was piqued. "Do you even know the origin of your species?"


    Moying hesitated, then shook its head. "No," it growled, eyes glinting with determination. "But you won''t live to find out! I''ll kill you here!"


    Wang Xiao chuckled darkly. "Oh? You? A failed experiment thinks it can kill me?"


    Moying''s eyes trembled. "W-What do you mean, ''failed experiment''?"


    Wang Xiao smiled knowingly. "You weren''t born naturally. You were an attempt¡ªan experiment by someone in the distant past to create a superior species. But you failed and were discarded. You and your kind are nothing more than remnants of a failed creation."


    "Impossible!" Moying roared, rage flooding its voice.


    "Believe what you want." Wang Xiao sighed, standing from his sand throne. "You could have lived quietly, but you made the mistake of imitating me. Now, I have no choice but to kill you."


    Moying''s body trembled as rage twisted its form.


    The skin of its hands began to shift unnaturally, turning a disgusting green as its fingers extended into sharp, lizard-like ws.


    Its body rippled with monstrous energy. "Thene and try!" it spat, lunging at Wang Xiao, ws ready to tear him apart.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, unimpressed. "Sigh..."


    BOOM!


    Before Moying even got close, its head exploded with a deafening burst.


    Ssh! Ssh! Ssh!


    The greenish flesh of its skull scattered across the sand, spraying the ground with acidic blood.


    The remnants of its skull hung limp, twitching as the body staggered forward, headless.


    Thud!


    Wang Xiao didn''t even flinch.


    He cast a nce at the headless corpse, now reverting to its true, ugly form.


    Its green flesh began to bubble and contort, bing a hideous, slimy creature that no longer resembled a human in any way.


    "Disgusting," Wang Xiao muttered, waving his hand.


    The sand around the corpse shifted, moving as if alive, devouring the remains until there was nothing left but smooth ground.


    The entire body was swallowed by the earth, leaving no trace of the creature that had once stood there.


    Wang Xiao nced at the scene, his eyes calm, emotionless. "Next time," he said softly to no one in particr, "send something worth killing."

 Chapter 493: Going back to Qing Dynasty! Another Daughter?

    "Xiao Wang? Where is he?"


    As the dust began to settle, Xinyue Zhn''s sharp eyes scanned the chaotic scene, her heart heavy with concern.


    She was relieved to find Wang Mei standing beside her, but there was no sign of her other two daughters or Wang Xiao.


    "Xueying? Jiarong?" she called out, her voice rising in panic as she searched the crumblingndscape.


    "Mom, we''re here!"


    From the side, a voice called out, and Xinyue Zhn exhaled in relief.


    It was Jiarong, clutching and shielding her younger sister, Xueying, who looked shaken but unharmed.


    With a brief sigh of relief, Xinyue Zhn''s eyes immediately began scanning the area again, searching for her son.


    "Where''s Xiao Wang?" she muttered under her breath, worry knitting her brow.


    As the dust swirled around them, the ground beneath their feet still trembling, Xinyue Zhn''s eyes darted across the battlefield.


    Her heart pounded as she searched desperately for any sign of her son.


    The air was thick with debris, and visibility was almost nonexistent.


    Suddenly, a shadow emerged from the duststorm¡ªtall, calm, and unmistakable.


    "Xiao Wang, here!" she gasped, her lips trembling as relief flooded through her.


    Her daughters, standing beside her, screamed in rm, but Xinyue Zhn didn''t hesitate.


    Without a second thought, she leaped forward, pushing through the swirling dust with a fierce determination.


    "Xiao ¡ª Look here!" she called again.


    Wang Xiao''s figure solidified before her eyes, his silhouette sharp against the dying storm.


    He seemed unaffected by the chaos around him, his expression cold, his eyes glowing with that familiar icy blue slowly turning red.


    Xinyue Zhn bit her lip, her heart pounding in concern.


    She surged forward, reaching out to him. With a sharp movement, she caught his hand in hers, gripping it tightly.


    "Don''t just stand there! You''reing with me," Xinyue Zhnmanded, her voice breathless but firm.


    Her curvaceous body, trembled slightly as she pulled Wang Xiao from the storm with determination.


    The sway of her wide hips, the fluid grace of her movements, and the way her chest rose and fell with each breath lent her a mature, captivating charm that couldn''t be ignored.


    Behind them, her daughters'' voices echoed in fear, but Xinyue''s attention was solely on Wang Xiao.


    Her grip on his arm was tight, her soft, delicate fingers pressing firmly into his skin as she dragged him along.


    Wang Xiao, everposed, allowed himself to be led, a faint softness crossing his usually cold gaze.


    Her scent, dark and sweet, surrounded him¡ªa fragrance that seemed to cling to her like a second skin, rich and feminine.


    For a brief moment, everything faded¡ªthe raging storm, the chaos of battle¡ªleaving just the two of them.


    A mother, fiercely protective, and her son, a man whose strength could shape worlds.


    They stumbled into a quieter part of the battlefield, the dust finally beginning to settle behind them.


    Xinyue Zhn exhaled, her full chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath, yet she refused to release his hand.


    Her wide, swaying waist,bined with the delicate curves of her figure, made her presence almost hypnotic.


    She stood close to him, face flushed with fatigue, her eyes filled with relief.


    Before Wang Xiao could react, she pulled him into her embrace.


    His head pressed into her soft, ample breasts, the warmth of her body enveloping him.


    The familiar, intoxicating fragrance of her skin surrounded him as his hands instinctively found the small of her back, pulling her closer.


    For a moment, he closed his eyes, savoring the contact, the softness of her figure pressed against him.


    ''Naomi is in her body¡­'' The thought crossed his mind, startling him.


    He hadn''t realized until now that Naomi, the mysterious loli, had been residing in his mother''s form.


    Xinyue''s voice, soft yet filled with concern, brought him back to the moment. "Are you alright?" Her full lips parted slightly as she looked up at him, her usually sharp features softened by the worry in her eyes.


    Her breasts, pressed against his chest, rose and fell with her breathing, drawing his attention, though his expression remained calm.


    Wang Xiao blinked, quickly masking his moment of surprise.


    He changed his eye color back to red, ensuring nothing about his presence raised suspicion.


    Now, standing so close to her, he couldn''t help but admire how different she looked from her usualmanding self.


    The curves of her body, the softness in her gaze, the worry that only a mother could feel¡ªit all made her seem vulnerable, and yet, undeniably beautiful.


    He smiled slightly, the usual arrogance on his face melting away.


    Xinyue Zhn, sensing the change in his demeanor, felt her heartbeat quicken, though she couldn''t quite understand why.


    She smiled back, feeling oddly reassured.


    "Let''s get out of here," she murmured, her voice gentler now, though still filled with the strength that defined her.


    With a final nce, she informed her elder sister, Xin Meifang, that they would be leaving.


    Xin Meifang didn''t question it¡ªshe too was ready to put this day behind her.


    The guests were being hurried away, the chaos of the day still fresh in everyone''s minds.


    Xinyue Zhn, however, couldn''t wait.


    She quickly arranged for an early morning flight back to the Qing Dynasty, eager to return to a ce where she had control, where her strength meant something.


    Here, in this foreignnd, she felt powerless, but back home, she could protect her family.


    She looked at Wang Xiao, her eyes lingering on him, a sense of pride swelling within her.


    ______


    6th September, 2031 ¡ª 6:00 AM, Frostgard International Airport


    The early morning light bathed the airstrip in a soft glow, and the hum of distant nes filled the air.


    Wang Xiao stood calmly, his expression as unreadable as ever.


    In front of him, Anran, her big, shimmering eyes on the verge of tears, nced up at him with a pout that could melt hearts.


    "You''re leaving?" she asked, her voice filled with an exaggerated sadness.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But then, her eyes darted to something else. "What are they doing here then?"


    She pointed dramatically at the two tall and elegant figures standing just behind Wang Xiao.


    His daughters, Wenxi and Yue, blinked their wide eyes, sharing a nce with each other, already prepared for whatever drama their mother was about to pull.


    They were used to this¡ªAnran acting like a stranger to them whenever it involved Wang Xiao.


    Wang Xiao shrugged lightly, unfazed. "They''reing with me."


    "Huh?!" Anran''s cheeks puffed out indignantly.


    Her hands flew into the air, waving as if the heavens themselves were being unjust.


    "They get toe, and I don''t?! Why?! That''spletely unfair!"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao nced over his shoulder, catching the helpless looks from his daughters.


    They waved their hands subtly, pleading silently, ''Don''t bring her, please¡ªshe''s too much.''


    "They''re my daughters," Wang Xiao reasoned, as if that exined everything.


    Anran crossed her arms, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "That''s it?" Her confidence seemed to grow in an instant.


    Suddenly, an evil grin spread across her face, and Wang Xiao felt a chill run down his spine, sensing the trouble brewing.


    His gaze darkened slightly. ''Don''t even think about it,'' his eyes silently warned her.


    But Anran wasn''t the type to back down.


    With a swift move, she dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms tightly around his leg, clinging to him like a child refusing to let go of their favorite person.


    (?????????)


    Wang Xiao''s face turned visibly darker, a faint sigh escaping his lips as he looked down at the creature now firmly attached to his leg.


    "Daddy!" Anran chirped, smiling up at him with an impossibly sweet expression, her wide eyes sparkling with mischief.


    "!"


    Wenxi and Yue, their faces flushed with embarrassment, exchanged mortified nces.


    "Mom, we''re in public..." Yue whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.


    But Anran, only tightened her grip on Wang Xiao''s leg, her smile bright and delightful as she looked up at him.


    "Daddy!" she repeated, her tone even more yful, as if daring him to not bring her!

 Chapter 494: Are you on Menopause?

    30th September, 2031


    Global Institute of Scientific Research, Shanghai


    Inside the Center for Advanced Scientific Research (SCASR), Wang Xiaoy on a floating bed, his head slightly elevated as mechanical arms whirred around him with a metallic hum.


    His body was exposed, naked, vulnerable under the cold, clinical lights of theb.


    A woman in a whiteb coat circled him, clearly unsettled by the sight of his twitching manhood.


    This wasn''t part of her usual duties.


    Normally, she worked behind the scenes, her hands immersed in data and calctions, but at the request of her ''apprentice'', she had made an exception.


    Still, her eyes lingered on his sculpted abdomen and powerful physique, a subtle admiration flickering beneath her difort.


    ''This man¡­ a warrior to his core,'' she thought, her gaze drifting to the dragon''s might pulsating between his legs.


    But Wang Xiao''s attention was fully captured by her presence.


    The woman before him seemed too ethereal, too unreal for this sterile cold environment.


    Her wavy brown hair framed her face like a cascade of shadows, rich and deep, more akin to midnight petals than anything of this world.


    Her skin was pale but warm, like the faint glow of dusk just before night overtakes the sky.


    What drew his eyes immediately was the mark on her forehead¡ªan intricately carved tree leaf, etched into her skin as if it had grown there.


    The symbol pulsed softly, giving her an otherworldly aura, as if she were connected to some dark society.


    Most striking were her ssy eyes¡ªutterly unique.


    They were not merely brown but a soft mix of amber and deep earth, like polished gems streaked with veins of gold.


    Beneath her calm exterior, there was something wild, something primal¡ªan energy that simmered just beneath the surface.


    Her lips were full and crimson, their soft curve both seductive and dangerous, like the petals of a deadly nightshade.


    The air around her carried a subtle, intoxicating scent, rich and sweet like dark chocte, with an edge of something floral and elusive¡ªperhaps jasmine or an dark orchid blooming in the shadows.


    It drew him in, making his senses swirl with every breath he took.


    Her presence was a slow intoxication, the kind that made one forget the world and focus solely on her.


    Despite her wless skin and youthful appearance, Wang Xiao knew better.


    She was no mere girl, but a woman who had lived far longer than her perfect, smooth skin suggested.


    Her exposed shoulders gleamed with a subtle glow, not from youth but from something far more potent¡ªpower, ageless and eternal.


    Even her delicate hands, which seemed fragile at first nce, were skilled and precise, honed by decades of practice.


    Isabelle, despite her youthful appearance, had perfected her craft over a long career.


    Yet even the most seasoned could face frustration.


    "Why isn''t it working?" she muttered, her toneced with irritation.


    After several minutes of adjusting settings and circling the machine, she finally activated it with a sharp click, the hum of technology filling the sterile air.


    However, something was clearly wrong¡ªthe scans failed to reveal anything.


    Where there should have been the intricate details of Wang Xiao''s internal organs and brain, there was only an ominous ck void.


    It was as though the machine couldn''t prate him, as if his body was hollow or shielded from the scans.


    Her frustration grew, and her calmposure began to crack.


    Her eyes narrowed into a sharp re as she continued to tap buttons with increasing speed, trying to force the machine intopliance.


    Wang Xiao remained still, aware that this woman was tasked with restoring his memories¡ªmemories lost or distorted over the past seven years.


    Now, all he had to do was pretend to regain them, seamlessly reintegrating himself into his former life.


    Isabelle was supposed to facilitate this recovery, but the more the scans failed, the more her temper frayed.


    Wang Xiao, however, smiled inwardly, taking a quiet satisfaction in her growing irritation.


    After a few more minutes of struggle, the machine finally began disying the data, scans of his brain flickering to life on the screen.


    "Sigh¡­" Isabelle exhaled, her relief evident.


    For a moment, she had feared that one of her most advanced creations had been destroyed.


    The machine was designed to peer into a person''s memories, to delve into the very essence of their mind.


    If it had broken, it would have been a tremendous setback.


    The process took an hour, during which Wang Xiao deliberately fed the machine select memories.


    He allowed her to see some of his more favorable moments¡ªintimate memories with Lin Xue, Wang Mei, and Wang Xueying, as well as glimpses of his more debauched actions in his younger years.


    His time spent in perverse pursuits, indulging his basest desires, shed across the screen.


    Isabelle, her irritation now fully returned, nearly mmed her fist into the machine.


    She forced herself to stop watching, deciding it was best to let the deviceplete its work without scrutinizing every unnecessary detail.


    While the machine could heal the brain and treat conditions like amnesia¡ªmiracles by most standards¡ªits ability to disy memories visually was still prone to malfunction.


    The deeper and darker the memories, the more unstable the system became.


    As the final minutes ticked by, Isabelle sat impatiently, tapping her heels against the floor in frustration.


    Eventually, the procedure concluded with a soft beep, signaling sess.


    She let out another long sigh, her tension draining.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Without a word, she turned to Wang Xiao and mechanically asked him a few standard questions,paring his responses to the notes on the paper in her hand.


    With each answer, she checked off the corresponding box, confirming that the procedure had, at the very least, restored his memories.


    What surprised Wang Xiao was how unfazed Isabelle seemed, even after seeing some of his most shameful past actions¡ªthings that might have horrified others.


    But not her.


    Over her long career as a scientist, Isabelle had grown desensitized to the darker sides of human nature.


    After all, she''d seen more than enough.


    A man using a close family member underwear to pleasure himself?


    Unknowingly assaulting his sisters during childhood?


    These things, while repugnant to many, were far moremon than people cared to admit.


    For Isabelle, they were simply the symptoms of a ''damaged mind'', nothing more.


    "So, you don''t remember anything from the past seven years, but you do recall the memories from before that¡­" Isabelle concluded, her eyes scanning the data as if seeking something deeper.


    Wang Xiao blinked, a yful smile tugging at his lips. "Are you on menopause?" he asked abruptly, his tone innocent yet teasing.


    "Mm?" Isabelle''s brows arched dangerously, her eyes narrowing in warning.


    "Such an adorable round face," Wang Xiao continued, undeterred. "Smiling more wouldn''t hurt the body, you know."


    Her frown eased slightly, shifting into a calm, detached expression. "Save yourpliments for your future wife. If it wasn''t for your sister bringing you in, I wouldn''t have bothered helping you at all."


    To her, he was just a teenager attempting to flirt. It didn''t stir her in the slightest.


    Wang Xiao''s smile widened. "You aren''t worthy to be my wife either. Too old for my taste." His eyes blinked, wondering why she seemed to overestimate herself.


    She was well past the age for marriage, in his eyes.


    Youthful looks weren''t enough to hide the truth.


    Isabelle''s face darkened, her thoughts brewing, ''Are teens these days this rude?''


    "Aren''t you already old enough to be my grandmother?" Wang Xiao asked, his curiosity piqued. "Why do you look so young?"


    It couldn''t possibly be just because of Aether''s resurgence in the world.


    Isabelle''s mood softened slightly. "Do you really know nothing about me?" she asked, more intrigued by the opportunity to exin science than his impudent remarks.

 Chapter 495: Wang Xiao drugged? Evil Xueying

    Isabelle''s mood softened slightly. "Do you really know nothing about me?" she asked, more intrigued by the opportunity to exin science than his impudent remarks.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, prompting her to continue.


    "I''m an expert in microbiology and regenerative medicine," Isabelle exined, her voice taking on a passionate edge. "We''re working on a regenerative treatment, and if it seeds, your sister''s name will be on the front page of every newspaper."


    Wang Xiao nodded, absorbing her words.


    Isabelle, now in her element, became more talkative. "The machine you saw earlier, the one we used on you, is designed to heal all kinds of mental disorders and illnesses that were previously incurable. We''re also developing an elixir that could grant eternal life."


    She paused, her mind drifting toward the core of their current challenge. They had already created the elixir of immortality, but it wasn''t without itsplications.


    The problemy with the scarcity of Tiamat''s blood, a refineable substance used to create the elixir.


    Ever since Aether reentered the world, they had expected to mass-produce the elixir, but the raw Aether was incredibly difficult to refine into something stable.


    Consuming too much would cause the user to burst like a balloon, overloaded with uncontrolled power.


    Only minuscule, diluted amounts could be taken, and even that wasn''t enough to sustain true immortality.


    Wang Xiao''s brows rose, slightly amused. "Why go through all that trouble? Just increase your strength and cultivate. That''s the easiest path to immortality."


    Isabelle nodded, though her expression hinted at skepticism. "Not everyone can cultivate Aether."


    "Not everyone deserves eternal life," Wang Xiao countered, his voice steady. "They wouldn''t be able to face the consequences."


    Eternal life wasn''t some grand reward, at least not to him.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    With his power, he could easily grant it to people as a blessing.


    Even Eleanor could alter the human structure to bestow such longevity.


    But that wasn''t immortality¡ªit was merely a prolonging of existence, and to him, it wasn''t particrly impressive.


    Prolonged eternal existence through unsustainable means was dangerous.


    Those granted eternal life oftencked the mental fortitude to endure it.


    Sooner orter, they''d either break under the weight of endless time or be unstable, driven mad by the very gift they had sought.


    ''Following the traditional path of strength,'' Wang Xiao continued, ''you don''t just forge your body; you forge your mind as well. That''s why Eleanor never gave me eternal life directly, even though she could. Same goes for Aurora.''


    They both could have easily granted him eternal life, but they didn''t.


    And now, as a transcendent, Wang Xiao understood why.


    His perspective had shifted, bing far more farsighted, as though he could see the ripple effects of decisions far into the future.


    Like a god, he could glimpse the oues of actions, understanding that short-term gains often led to long-term consequences.


    Immortality was one thing.


    Eternal life, bestowed without understanding or discipline, was another.


    "We won''t know the consequences until we achieve it¡­" Isabelle suddenly smiled, her tone almost teasing, as if enjoying the intellectual conversation they were engaged in.


    For some reason, this conversation was far more stimting than she expected, especially since she had already pegged Wang Xiao as just another hormone-driven teenager.


    Wang Xiao shrugged, indifferent to her amusement. "By the way, I also know a scientist. She''s written a few books on microbiology too¡­" His voice was casual, as if this weremon knowledge.


    Isabelle raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. "Oh? What are the names of the books?" Maybe, just maybe, there was more to him than she had initially assumed.


    "Don''t remember," Wang Xiao replied with azy grin, as if the details weren''t important at all.


    Isabelle''s face fell t, staring at him in silence.


    ''This kid¡­ seriously?'' She sighed inwardly, annoyed at herself for expecting more.


    "Fine," she said, her patience wearing thin. "What''s your friend''s name, then?"


    "Ericka," Wang Xiao said casually, his mind already drifting to the woman in question.


    Ericka¡ªthe fiery, voluptuous woman he had privately dubbed the "milf scientist" for reasons entirely personal.


    She was like two of Seraphinabined, both in figure and fiery personality.


    Thinking of her, Wang Xiao briefly entertained the idea of paying her a visit.


    She could be a great source of entertainment for him¡­ or rather, a good "mattress," as he crudely thought to himself.


    "Ericka?" Isabelle''s eyebrow twitched.


    The name struck her like a p.


    That was the name of her deputy at Prometheus, hired by her.


    But¡­ no, that couldn''t be right.


    There was no way this brat knew the same Ericka she did.


    Still, her curiosity got the better of her. ''Could it be the same woman?'' She dismissed the thought quickly, shaking her head. "You''re lying, aren''t you..?"


    Wang Xiao smiled, as if enjoying her dilusion, "Believe what you want."


    Isabelle just gave him a long, hard look, her face unreadable. ''This kid is either delusional or he''s telling the truth, and I don''t know which one is worse.''


    Suddenly, Isabelle seemed to remember something. "Your sister gave this to me," she said, walking over to a nearby counter. She picked up a small paper cup, the kind used for quick drinks, and handed it to him.


    "Here, drink this. It''s supposed to help with the recovery process."


    Wang Xiao took the cup, ncing at the bubbling liquid inside.


    His eyes narrowed.


    What the hell is this?


    As he nced at the popping bubbles of the soda, a wave of suspicion crossed his mind.


    ''Does she want to drug me?''


    ''Xueying¡­'' He clenched his fist, feeling a sudden surge of frustration.


    He wanted to smash something¡ªor someone, more specifically, his sister!


    What kind of nonsense was this?


    The drink in the paper cup wasn''t normal.


    It wasced with a drug that could leave a normal person in a state worse than being drunk.


    His sister really thought she could slip this past him?


    He made a firm decision then and there. ''I''ll deal with that woman today.'' He was done pretending to be the obedient little brother.


    Wang Xiao had overheard something suspicious before, but he didn''t believe Wang Xueying would go this far.


    Yet here he was, staring at a drugged drink, the proof of her intentions right before him.


    But what was her endgame?


    Was she trying to kill him?


    She had always been cold toward his current self, never fully trusting or showing affection, but he hadn''t thought she would stoop to this level.


    The thought crossed his mind: she might really be capable of slitting his throat while he slept.


    Even though he was ying the part of someone with amnesia, she was treating him like an enemy. Was she truly that heartless? Did she see him as a threat that needed to be eliminated, despite their blood ties?


    ''This has gone too far,'' Wang Xiao thought darkly.


    Something had to be done.

 Chapter 496: Wang Xueying — A lawless holligon!

    1:00 PM, 30th September


    The sky above was a shroud of dark clouds, shadowing with rain, as if heaven itself hesitated before letting its tears fall to the earth.


    The air carried the crisp scent of impending rain, mingling with the sweet fragrance of autumn leaves as they driftedzily to the ground.


    Since the great reset, the world''s climate had shifted in strange, wondrous ways. The once scorching sun of summer now shone gently, no longer burning the skin. The typhoons that once threatened to tear apart the city of Shanghai had grown docile, their power tamed.


    Winters had deepened, their chill biting and fogs thickening, while autumn bloomed into a season of unparalleled beauty¡ªmore vivid, more serene than ever before.


    It was as if nature had been reborn, each season weaving itself seamlessly into the next.


    The golden skies of autumn now bathed thend, the soft rustle of rain kissing the earth in greeting. The towering Ginkgo trees that lined the campus swayed under the cool breeze, their golden-yellow leaves dancing like butterflies, floating in a graceful, rhythmic descent.


    The air was alive with the sweet aroma of moist earth, like the scent of peonies after a fresh rain, drawing all who wandered near into a tranquil spell.


    Inbetween this serene beauty, a single leaf, cradled by the wind, drifted andnded gently in the dark, flowing hair of a young woman seated outside a small coffeehouse, a book cradled in her hands.


    Her hair, rich and silky like ck ink brushed across rice paper, framed a delicate face that seemed carved from porcin. The ends of her hair curled slightly, reminiscent of the winding vines of wisteria, soft yet untamed. Her lips, the shade of early spring blossoms, curved slightly in focus as she quietly absorbed herself in the book before her.


    She sat alone on the balcony of the caf¨¦, where wooden tables and chairs were arranged, her presence like a lotus blooming in a quiet pond, untouched by the noise of the world.


    Dressed in a white, full-sleeved turtleneck sweater, she was like the winter plum¡ªelegant in her simplicity, exuding both grace and quiet strength.The fabric clung gently to her form, outlining her slender figure, yet modestly concealing it, as if wrapped in the purity of snow.


    Her hands, delicate as jade leaves, turned the pages of the book with a softness that matched the quiet fall of the leaves around her.


    Despite the asional gusts of wind that sent the leaves swirling, she sat unbothered, her poise unshaken, as if the autumn breeze merely danced in reverence around her. The scene around her felt frozen in time, as though nature itself had paused to admire her presence, like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens, serene and unattainable.


    This coffeehouse, nestled in the heart of the campus, was situated just outside the Center for Advanced Scientific Research.


    The ce, a sanctuary for schrs and researchers,y in a restricted area, where students of the academy could not easily enter.


    Inside, a few researchers shared quiet conversation over their meals, but she remained the lone figure outside, surrounded by the rustling leaves and the soft murmurs of nature.


    Wang Xiao stood at a distance, his gaze locked onto the young woman.


    To his disbelief, it was his sister, Wang Xueying. He could scarcely recognize her.


    The girl who once hated books with a passion, whose wild spirit mirrored the untamed wind, was now here, serene and absorbed in her reading.


    It was as if she had transformed into a rare orchid, blossoming in the shadows of her past self.


    ''How could this be the same girl?'' he wondered, unable to digest the change before him.


    Not only had she recently graduated with her bachelor''s degree, but she was now in her first year of her master''s program, working as a research assistant alongside Isabelle.


    It was something he never would have believed possible¡ªWang Xueying, the girl who had once lived as shut-in neet and unrestrained by structure, now immersed in the world of science and research.


    As he watched her, her attire struck him as well.


    She was dressed with effortless elegance, her long, flowing sweater resembling the soft, untainted petals of a magnolia flower, gentle yet captivating.


    Gone was the introvert nature she once wore like a crown, reced by an air of quiet confidence, like a willow bending gracefully with the wind, unbothered by its force.


    She sat in her chair,posed, her presence as natural as the falling leaves, as though she had be one with the serene beauty of the autumn around her.


    The Wang Xueying he remembered was wild, rebellious, unrestrained by the world''s rules.


    But now, as she sat there, serene like a lotus blooming in the heart of autumn, it was as if time had tempered her spirit, smoothing the rough edges and molding her into something far more refined.


    At this moment, Wang Xueying gently turned her wrist, her smooth, jade-like skin blemish-free, glowing under the soft light.


    A small, elegant circr watch rested on her wrist, its hands ticking in harmony with her thoughts.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The time disyed confirmed her expectation.


    "It should be now..." she murmered, her lips curving into a barely noticeable smile.


    Her smooth, pale cheeks flushed lightly, like cherry blossoms touched by the morning sun, her thoughts wandering to the unthinkable as nervousness welled within her.


    With a soft exhale, she closed her book and ced it on the circr table in front of her, preparing herself to act.


    Just then, her phone buzzed, pulling her back into the moment.


    She nced at the screen and saw a message from Isabelle.


    Her brows furrowed slightly, a hint of worry passing over her usually calm face. ''What could have gone wrong?''


    Before she could read the message¡ªwhich warned her that Wang Xiao had escaped from theb¡ªa cold, firm hand suddenly grabbed her from behind, locking her in a tight rear-naked choke.


    "What¡ª" her voice barely escaped, her lips parting in shocked disbelief.


    "You little prick, haven''t you gotten boldtely?" came a familiar voice from behind, sending a wave of shock through her.


    ''Who dares¡ª!'' Her mind spun, but before she could process the situation, the voice continued, and this time it filled her with cold dread.


    "You really tried to drug me, huh? Xueying, when did you be awless hooligan? Killing your brother,mitting manughter!"


    Wang Xiao''s voice was sharp with fury as he tightened his grip slightly, his breath hot against her ear. "Believe me or not, I''ll report you to the authorities, sue you into oblivion, and send your ass straight to prison!"


    "!"


    Wang Xueying''s body stiffened.


    At first, she was bewildered, unsure of who dared toy hands on her.


    Her initial instinct was to beat whoever this fool was, but when he mentioned ''drugging,'' her heart skipped a beat.


    Only one person had been the target of her n today.


    Wang Xiao¡­


    Her body trembled, a mixture of surprise and anger surging through her veins.


    Without hesitation, she twisted her body and swung her fist upward, aiming for his face.


    "!?"


    Wang Xiao barely dodged, stepping back just in time as her fist whizzed past.


    "I don''t care!" she shouted, her voice filled with sudden fury. "You scoundrel! How dare you confront me like this? Do I need to remind you who''s older?"


    Her eyes zed with resentment as she continued, her voice escting with each word. "I drugged you, and what about ''you''ing back and pretending to be this almighty mute? Do you think you can just do whatever you want, and I''ll just ept it?"


    Her breathing became ragged as her emotions spilled out uncontrobly. "Are you pretending to be fool to escape responsibility? Believe me or not, I''ll scream right now and tell everyone what you did that night! Don''t you dare think I can''t¡ª Mphhh!¡ªYou¡ªMppph!"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened at her sudden outburst, realizing where her rage was heading.


    In an instant, he mped a hand over her mouth to stop her from revealing something she shouldn''t.


    "Shut up!" he hissed, but Wang Xueying wasn''t done.


    She bit into his hand, hard, and tried to speak again, her muffled words barely escaping before he covered her mouth once more.


    From inside the caf¨¦, a few researchers and colleagues of Wang Xueying peeked out, stunned by the unfolding scene on the balcony.


    "Did you hear that?" one of the women whispered, eyes wide with excitement.


    "Did she say that night?"


    "Wait¡­ is that Wang Xueying? The new beautiful research assistant?" another gasped.

 Chapter 497: Scandalous!

    "Wait¡­ is that Wang Xueying? The new beautiful research assistant?" another gasped.


    The gossip spread like wildfire.


    The women inside couldn''t help but listen more intently, their minds already spinning with wild imaginations.


    Some exchanged nces, their whispers growing as they spected about the nature of the scene before them.


    Instantly, they began weaving borate scenarios in their minds.


    The way Wang Xueying had shouted, the restrained cry in her voice¡ªit didn''t take long for them to jump to conclusions.


    "Do you think that guy is the one who got her pregnant and then ran away?" one whispered eagerly, her eyes glued to Wang Xiao. "Now he''s back after all this time!"


    Another nodded, eyes sparkling. "It''s like a scene out of a novel! He must''ve escaped responsibility back then, and now, look! He''s returned to confront her."


    Wang Xiao could feel the weight of their gazes from inside the caf¨¦, their eyes filled with intrigue and scandal.


    The embarrassment settled over him like a dark cloud. ''Great¡­ now they think I''m some deadbeat who ran off after knocking her up.''


    As he looked at the amused, knowing nces being exchanged by the women inside, he could practically see their thoughts.


    His face darkened.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xueying, still seething and struggling under his grip, tried to bite his hand again, her muffled curses vibrating against his palm.


    But Wang Xiao held firm, desperately trying to silence her before she made things even worse.


    ''This wasn''t how I nned things at all,'' Wang Xiao thought bitterly, the absurdity of the situation sinking in.


    Wang Xiao nced at Wang Xueying, who was biting into his hand like an angry cat, her eyes zing with the kind of fury that felt like it spanned seven lifetimes of resentment.


    She struggled against him, her re sharp and fierce, as if she hadn''t eaten in days and now wanted nothing more than to tear him apart.


    But Wang Xiao, undeterred, began dragging her away like a kidnapper.


    Wang Xueying fought back with everything she had, twisting, pushing, and throwing weak punches, yet he held her firmly, pulling her along without slowing down.


    "Mmphhh!" Her muffled protests grew more desperate, her eyes wide with confusion and panic.


    There was something in her expression¡ªa flicker of realization that began to creep in.


    ''Why is he here?'' she thought, her heart pounding. ''Wasn''t he supposed to be drugged?''


    Tears welled up in her eyes from the strain of her struggling.


    Her breath came in ragged gasps as a terrifying thought crossed her mind¡ªHe''s out of amnesia!


    This realization hit her like a thunderbolt, fueling her fight to a new level.


    She thrashed even more violently, her body shaking with fear and desperation.


    The fact that he wasn''t under the effects of the drug, that he had seen through her n didn''t matter anymore.


    Wang Xiao, however, simply tightened his grip, dragging her toward a secluded area.


    He didn''t stop until they were far enough from prying eyes, somewhere he could deal with her without interruption.


    Meanwhile, inside the caf¨¦, the researchers and staff stared out the window in a state of confusion and disbelief.


    A few exchanged worried nces, unsure of what they had just witnessed.


    "Should we call security?" one of them asked, their voice tinged with concern.


    "Leave it," someone else said with a dismissive wave of their hand. "It''s probably just a lover''s quarrel. They''ll fight fiercely like this, and the moment you call for help, they''ll turn around and me ''you'' for interfering."


    Another researcher nodded in agreement. "Yeah, youngsters these days¡­ they fight like this all the time. It''s probably nothing."


    After a brief discussion, they all seemed to reach a consensus¡ªbest to stay out of it.


    They went back to their work, deciding it was none of their business, while asionally casting curious nces toward the window.


    Outside, Wang Xiao continued to drag Wang Xueying, her resistance gradually fading as exhaustion overtook her.


    Tears still streaked down her face, but her strength was waning.


    He didn''t stop, his expression calm but determined.


    He had no intention of letting her go, not until they had settled things.


    ____


    After dragging Wang Xueying beneath the shelter of a secluded maple tree on the student campus, Wang Xiao nced around to make sure they were alone.


    The nearby trees, their amber leaves fluttering like dying mes, stood spaced apart, creating small pockets of privacy.


    A bench stood in front of him, and the long boundary of bushes behind the trees stretched tall, enough to hide secrets and sins alike.


    In the quiet, he knew three pairs of lovers hidden in the shade, but his focus remained on the furious girl he had just dragged there.


    Without another word, Wang Xiao leaned against the tree, crossing his arms as Wang Xueying, eyes swollen and red, red at him with the intensity of a cornered tiger.


    Her face was flushed, her breaths ragged, as if the rage within her was eating her alive.


    "What''s wrong with you?" he asked, eyeing her swollen red eyes, her face flushed with both anger and something else.


    She red at him with such gaze that he could practically feel her rage vibrating in the air.


    He didn''t understand why she was looking at him so dangerously.


    Then, in the blink of an eye, he found his answer.


    BAM!


    "Ow¡ª!"


    Wang Xueying sprang to her feet, her small fist flying straight toward his face with surprising strength, aimed to knock him out cold.


    Wang Xiao dodged at thest moment, his body tilting just enough for her punch to miss him and m into the tree behind him.


    The force of her blow reverberated through the bark, and Wang Xueying immediately yelped in pain, clutching her hand.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Leaves rained down around them like golden petals, rustling softly in the cool breeze, but the atmosphere between them was anything but serene.


    From the nearby maple trees came astonished gasps, as those hidden couples, temporarily distracted from their "activities," assumed the brother beneath the fourth tree must be ''quite mighty.''


    Wang Xiao was speechless, watching his sister cry in pain and fume in anger simultaneously, her face a strange mix of rage and tears.


    ''Even Seraphina isn''t this violent,'' he thought, unable to suppress a faint smirk.


    Well, if it had been Seraphina, she wouldn''t have bothered trying to punch him.


    She would have cursed the whole ocean by now, drowning him in a sea of insults.


    Seraphina knew words could cut deeper than fists, and she''d ''grumble'' them with deadly precision.


    But Wang Xueying?


    Wang Xiao stood frozen for a moment, speechless.


    His sister''s fury was like a wild storm, her body trembling with frustration, her cheeks stained with tears that she stubbornly tried to hold back.


    Her eyes, like the rippling surface of a storm-tossedke, were brimming with unshed tears, glistening under the pale autumn light.


    "You... you bastard!" she seethed, her voice trembling as she clutched her aching hand. Tears finally broke free, streaming down her flushed cheeks, like spring rain falling from cherry blossoms. "What kind of brother drags his sister out like this?"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes softened slightly, but he didn''t move from his spot. "One who''s trying to figure out why his sister is drugging him," he said, his voice calm, yet beneath ity a sharp, unspoken question. "Care to exin that?"


    "!"


    Wang Xueying''s breathing hitched, her shoulders shaking as more tears welled up in her eyes.


    "You were supposed to be asleep, drugged, and out of my life for a while! Why are you even awake?!" Her voice rose, choking on the flood of emotions pouring from her. "And why are you suddenly talking like nothing ever happened?"


    She wiped her tears furiously, but they kepting, falling faster, like petals shedding from a wilted lotus.


    In that moment, her tough exterior copsed.


    Why now?


    Why did he have to gain his memories back right now? she thought bitterly, her heart a storm of confusion.


    Wang Xiao''s expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as he pieced together her words. ''She really thought I''d be out cold.''

 Chapter 498: Only Idiots fight fair!

    Wang Xiao''s expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as he pieced together her words. ''She really thought I''d be out cold.''


    "Do I look like someone who''d be taken down by some amateur drug?" he asked, his voice sharp as the chill of early winter.


    The weight of his words made her flinch, even if just for a moment.


    "You think this is funny?" she shot back, ignoring the pain in her hand as she red at him, her eyes like storm clouds threatening to break. "Youe back, pretending like nothing''s wrong, and now you''re using me of¡ªwhat, murder? Manughter? You''ve got some nerve."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes remained fixed on her, his gaze as cold as the northern wind.


    "You''re not exactly innocent either, Xueying. Drugging me? For what? To get rid of me, or something worse?" His tone was cold now, sharp as a de. "So don''t stand there acting like the victim."


    Her lips quivered as she met his gaze, her body trembling under the weight of emotions too strong to contain. "You don''t understand anything!" she cried, her voice breaking as more tears spilled over. Her body shook like the branches of a tree caught in a fierce gale. "You disappeared for years! Do you even know what that did to us?"


    Wang Xiao was quiet for a moment, his expression unreadable. He didn''t respond immediately, letting the silence stretch between them, filled only by the rustling of leaves and the distant murmurs of hidden couples.


    Finally, he sighed, his voice softening just a little. "I know I wasn''t here. But drugging me isn''t how you solve that."


    Wang Xueying red at him, but her voice wavered, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "You wouldn''t understand. You''ve been gone too long. Everything''s changed. I''ve* changed."


    "And you think this is how you deal with it?" he asked, his voice low but pointed. "Bycing my drink and knocking me out? What were you nning after that, Xueying? Seriously."


    "!"


    For a moment, Wang Xueying didn''t respond.


    She stared at the ground, her chest heaving withbored breaths, emotions tangled within her like a web she couldn''t escape.


    "Just¡­ just leave me alone!" she finally snapped, her finger trembling as she pointed it at him, her voice a fragile mix of hurt and anger, like thest leaf of autumn clinging to a dying branch.


    Tears continued to stream down her face, their descent endless, like rain that couldn''t be stopped, as if the weight of all her pent-up frustration and sorrow had finally burst free.


    Wang Xiao leaned back against the tree again, watching her, not quite sure if he should press the issue further.


    His eyes shed with a sudden decision, his patience snapping like a soft string.


    In one swift movement, he seized Wang Xueying, ignoring her shocked gasp, and mmed her onto the soft ground beneath the maple tree.


    Thud!


    Her body hit the earth, the fallen leaves crunching beneath her with a rustling sound, as the cool scent of damp soil filled the air.


    "You... What are you doing?!" Wang Xueying screamed, her voice rising in both panic and fury, her limbs iling against the ground as she struggled to free herself.


    But before she could get up, Wang Xiao had already settled himself on her back, his weight pressing her into the earth.


    The dry rustle of leaves apanied her squirming beneath him.


    "Hey! Get off me!" she shrieked, her voice muffled by the ground, her hands wing at the dirt.


    Wang Xiao leaned down slightly, his voice dripping with cold amusement. "If I don''t remind you, Xueying, you''ll forget I can still handle you," he muttered, his tone sharp like a sword edge.


    His words made her freeze for a second, realization dawning that she was helpless against his strength¡ªwhich triggered another set of memories.


    "You¡ªyou jerk!" Wang Xueying screamed, her fists pounding the earth, *thump thump*, sending dry leaves flying around them. "Get off me right now! What do you think you''re doing?!"


    Wang Xiao let out a low chuckle. "You thought you could drug me, manipte me, and I''d just take it? You''re not as clever as you think, Xueying. Did you really forget who you''re dealing with?"


    ''Why is he so strong?!'' Wang Xueying thought frantically, her body writhing under his weight.


    Her mind raced, heart pounding in her chest like a trapped bird as she struggled to breathe under his heavy hold.


    "This isn''t fair!" she shouted, her voice tinged with both desperation and anger.


    Her arms stretched out, wing at the dirt in vain, the ground beneath her crumbling beneath her fingers as if it, too, had betrayed her. "Get off! You¡ªyou''re just a bully! NO-You were always a bully, first Mei then me!"


    Wang Xiao''s grip tightened slightly, pinning her down even more firmly, his smirk evident even though she couldn''t see his face. "A bully? I call it justice," His tone was mocking, but beneath it, there was an edge of frustration. "You think you can drug me, control me, and then just walk away like nothing happened? Not happening."


    Wang Xueying''s gritted her teeth, tears prickling her eyes as she struggled even harder, her body twisting beneath him. "You think this will make me listen to you?! You think sitting on me like some¡ªsome barbarian will change anything?!" she spat out, her voice trembling.


    Wang Xiao leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear, causing her to freeze. "You might hate me now," he murmured, his voice softer but no less dangerous, "but you''ll thank meter when you understand."


    "Thank you?" she gasped, her voice shaking with disbelief, "You''re out of your mind! This isn''t how you¡ª"


    Before she could finish her protest, Wang Xiao cut her off with a sharp tone. "If you had just been honest instead of sneaking around like a coward, maybe we wouldn''t be here."


    Without hesitation, he grabbed both of her hands and pinned them behind her back in one swift motion.


    Snap!


    Her wrists were locked in ce, and Wang Xueying''s body froze, a shiver running through her as shey pinned to the ground.


    She gasped, eyes widening in shock at the sudden dominance, her breath hitching in her throat.


    "!" Her body trembled beneath him, the fight draining from her limbs as his weight pressed her deeper into the cool, earthy ground.


    The rustling of fallen leaves around them felt deafening in the silence that followed.


    At that very moment, a boy appeared nearby, walking hand in hand with his girlfriend.


    His eyes widened as he caught sight of the scene unfolding in front of him¡ªa beautiful girl, on the ground, tears in her eyes, struggling beneath the weight of another man.


    The sight lit a spark of righteous anger in him.


    "Hey! Get off her!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the maple trees.


    He let go of his girlfriend''s hand, rolling up his sleeves with the kind of bravery only found in the na?ve and foolish. "Why don''t you fight someone your own size, huh?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao, still sittingfortably on Wang Xueying''s back, turned his head and let out augh, a sound dripping with both amusement and disdain. "Only idiots fight fair fights."


    The boy''s eyes burned with indignation as he prepared to step in, but just as he clenched his fists and took a step forward, a surprising voice rang out.


    "Get away!" It was Wang Xueying who shouted, her voice sharp and desperate. "I don''t need your help!" Her words sharp, making both Wang Xiao and the boy freeze for a moment.

 Chapter 499: Speechless and Embarrased! Xueying going out of limits!

    "Huh?" The boy stood there, stunned andpletely bewildered.


    His good intentions had been utterly rejected¡ªnot just by Wang Xiao, but by the very person he thought he was rescuing.


    The world suddenly felt unfair, twisted.


    He nced at Wang Xueying, confusion clouding his face. "Are you serious?!" He looked at her tear-streaked face, and for a moment, something nagged at him¡ªshe seemed familiar, like he''d seen her before.


    But where?


    "Baby, let''s go," his girlfriend said softly, tugging at his sleeve.


    Her eyes darted nervously between the two siblings, sensing there was more to this than met the eye.


    He hesitated for a second, still unsure, but eventually nodded and let her pull him away.


    As they walked off, he couldn''t help but steal onest nce at Wang Xueying''s face, trying to ce where he''d seen her. ''That kind of beauty¡­ how could I not know about her?''


    In a campus like this, where student groups often tracked the campus beauties like some absurd ranking system¡ªsuch a girl should definitely have been on that list.


    Unless she was from a new freshman batch that had just joined. ''How did someone like her fly under the radar?''


    As the couple disappeared, leaving Wang Xiao and Wang Xueying alone once more, the fight between them restarted.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, shaking his head. "You really don''t want help from anyone?"


    Wang Xueying gritted her teeth, her body still trembling beneath his grip. "I don''t."


    "Answer my questions honestly, and I might let you go," Wang Xiao said, his voice low and controlled, though there was a clear warning in his tone.


    "..."


    Wang Xueying remained silent.


    She wanted to knock him out, to turn the tables, but the difference in their strength was too great.


    Diplomacy, as much as she hated it, seemed to be the only option left.


    "Why were you so angry?" Wang Xiao pressed.


    Wang Xueying clenched her jaw, her lips tightening.


    She wasn''t ready to answer that.


    Her pride fought with her guilt, making her feel cornered.


    "Let me rephrase," Wang Xiao said, a hint of exasperation creeping into his voice. "I didn''t even know anything until thest three months. How could I possibly be responsible for all this?"


    Wang Xueying bit her lips, the sharp sting of guilt flickering in her eyes.


    Of course, he wasn''t responsible.


    ''It was me,'' she thought bitterly.


    She knew better than anyone.


    It all started when she involved Wang Xiao in dealing with that vile man, Hao Zemin.


    She had asked him to handle it, and things had spiraled out of control¡ªwhat began as a request for help turned into something much worse.


    Hao Zemin had sought revenge, and the consequences had grownrger than she ever imagined.


    When Wang Xiao had returned, after everyone assumed him gone, she waspletely thrown off.


    She wasn''t prepared to face him again.


    She wasn''t prepared for any of it.


    "I didn''t like you acting like a fool.." she muttered in frustration, her words bursting out in a broken rush.


    The memory of seeing him behaving mechanically, not remembering anything from their shared past, had shattered her.


    The brother who had once been so sharp, so alive, was now an empty shell of what he used to be.


    Tears welled up unconsciously in her eyes.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze softened momentarily, but he didn''t let her off the hook. "And what about the drug?" he asked, his voice turning firm again. "Do you even know what it could''ve done?"


    Wang Xueying''s eyes narrowed slightly, feeling cornered again. "It was just to knock you out," she said quickly, trying to sound indifferent.


    "Knock me out?" Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, augh escaping his lips. "And what were you nning to do after that, huh?"


    Her eyes widened, the full weight of her n crashing down on her.


    ''What was I going to do?'' Her lips trembled, opening and closing as she tried to form an answer. "I-I¡­"


    Her face flushed bright red, a deep crimson like the petals of a peony in full bloom.


    The truth was too shameful, too absurd to say out loud.


    She hade up with something so diabolical in her desperation that now, faced with her his interrogation, it seemed utterly insane.


    Wang Xiao''s suspicions grew.


    He leaned closer, his grip tightening ever so slightly. "If you don''t tell me, don''t even think about leaving."


    Wang Xueying panicked.


    She was trapped, embarrassed beyond reason.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Why did I even think of such a thing?'' The madness of her own actions was sinking in, but it was toote to backtrack now.


    Desperation had driven her to a point she didn''t recognize herself anymore.


    "To make sure you''re responsible..." she whispered cryptically, her voice barely above a murmur, her eyes lowering to the ground in shame.


    "Responsible for what?" Wang Xiao asked, his brows furrowing in confusion.


    Wang Xueying''s cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red, her face now resembling cherry blossoms in the spring.


    She avoided his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest.


    This was mortifying.


    "For me..." she muttered weakly, barely audible.


    "??" Wang Xiao blinked, dumbfounded. For a moment, he thought he had misheard.


    He wasn''t slow to catch on, but what she had just implied was outrageous.


    Responsible for... her?


    It hit him suddenly.


    Wait, she can''t mean...


    His thoughts trailed off, and his own face turned embarrassed slightly, realizing what she had been plotting.


    In a mix of both frustration and embarrassment, Wang Xiao raised his hand and smacked the back of her head. "Have you lost your mind?"


    Wang Xueying, though still reeling from her own embarrassment, instinctively snapped back, "No, it''s you!" But she instantly regretted it, feeling a twinge of guilt.


    She knew it was all her doing, but admitting it aloud was another matter entirely.


    Wang Xiao, shaking his head in disbelief, finally stood up and released her. "You''d better not try that kind of stupidity again, or I''ll lock you in your room."


    He didn''t care that he wasn''t the master of the household, not in his mother''s home at least, but keeping his sister in check was something he could do without a second thought.


    To him, locking her up would be as easy as breathing.


    Wang Xueying sat up slowly, rubbing her wrists, which had turned red and slightly scratched from the pressure.


    She winced, letting out a quiet hiss of pain, before casting Wang Xiao a faint smile¡ªa smile that made no sense to him.


    Her eyes, now misty, held an unreadable look as she gazed at him, her lips quirking up in the smallest of smirks.


    "What are you smiling about?" Wang Xiao asked, genuinely puzzled.


    She wasn''t just nning to drug him.


    That much was clear.


    She had even intended to take him to the ind Isabelle had mentioned, a ce where things could''ve gone far beyond what he imagined.


    But she remained silent, knowing that if she revealed that part of her n, she''d likely earn another scolding¡ªor worse, a beating.


    "Nothing," she whispered, casting a sideways nce toward the distant trees, her mind still swirling with thoughts.


    ''How did it get to this point?'' she wondered.

 Chapter 500: Discharge!

    "..."


    "Everything seems fine, except your eyes¡ªwhat happened to them suddenly?" Isabelle asked, her face unusually close to Wang Xiao''s.


    He could smell the dark, intoxicating fragrance of ck orchid emanating from her.


    It was a deep, dark, yet sweet scent that clung to the air around her, contrasting with the sharp, almost terrifying presence of Mary, whose gothic aura was straight out of a horror film.


    Isabelle''s expression remained calm, her usual straight-lipped look oddly adorable as she leaned in.


    Even the small, intricate leaf symbol on her forehead seemed to glow faintly, her long darkshes fluttering with subtle grace.


    Her ssy, dark eyes reflected the sterile lights above them, almost too perfect.


    From the slight gap in herb coat, he could glimpse her cleavage¡ªsmooth, milky white skin that hinted at the heavenly softness beneath, drawing attention effortlessly.


    But Wang Xiao, lying on the stretcher, wasn''t truly focused on what she was checking.


    No, his thoughts were wandering. He was simply admiring her beauty, his mind detached from the situation.


    If he wanted, he could burn down the whole academy in a moment.


    The thought lingered, but his expression remained innocent, betraying none of the wickedness swirling in his mind.


    His gaze, calm and disinterested, gave nothing away.


    Isabelle''s proximity only added to the strange mood of the moment.


    He didn''t care about her examination¡ªwhat was she even checking for?


    Not that it mattered.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xueying stood quietly in the corner, trying to shrink into herself.


    She couldn''t meet Wang Xiao''s gaze, not after everything that had just happened.


    She had practically confessed that her n was¡­ vile.


    Just thinking about it made her face flush with both embarrassment and shame. It was as if she had revealed her darkest, most twisted thoughts, and now she couldn''t shake the feeling that she looked desperate, hungry for something that was never hers to take.


    She bit her lip, resisting the urge to flee from the room.


    But escape was impossible, especially now that Xinyue Zhn and Wang Mei had both arrived, their eyes sharp as they observed Wang Xiao''s condition.


    Wang Mei, had been suspicious for a while.


    She''d noticed something was off when the imposter had returned¡ªsomething about his mannerisms hadn''t added up.


    But now, seeing the glint in Wang Xiao''s eyes, the blue irises that had returned to their original shade, she knew.


    This was the real Wang Xiao.


    The one she had always trusted.


    She couldn''t help but get slightly defensive and unconsciously nce toward Wang Xueying, who had nned to drug and bed Wang Xiao.


    Wang Xueying, sensing Wang Mei''s silent scrutiny, had no choice but to act the part of the properdy.


    She stood still, her rebellious spirit quelled for the moment.


    The amused glint in Wang Xiao''s eyes only made her more flustered.


    He knew, and worse, he wasn''t letting her forget it.


    Like a flower forced to bend under the weight of a storm, Wang Xueying behaved herself in front of everyone, her earlier wildness now reced by a calm, subdued air.


    It was an amusing sight for Wang Xiao.


    Seeing her acting like a properdy when not long ago she had nearly dered her twisted n aloud was something he couldn''t help but find ironic.


    Wang Xueying''s thoughts were a mess, her mind spinning with emotions she didn''t want to confront.


    Her n had always been clear¡ªif Wang Xiao never recovered, she''d bed him and fly away with him, giving him a life where he wouldn''t have to worry about his lost memories.


    It was all a contingency n, a way to care for him.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ''It wasn''t anything sexual, definitely!'' she convinced herself, biting her lower lip unconsciously.


    But deep down, she knew that wasn''t entirely true.


    Seven years ago, Wang Xiao had with his all seriousness mentioned that he was her "boyfriend" and said he loved her.


    Those words, spoken at such a tender age, had left a mark on her heart.


    For a girl of her age now, it might have been easier to brush off such emotions, but when said in youth¡ªwhen innocence shaped every interaction¡ªthose words became powerful, a seed nted in the heart that would grow over time.


    First loves were a strange thing, and she wasn''t immune to the deep effect they could have, especially when it was Wang Xiao, her first and most important bond.


    Her feelings, once buried, had taken root.


    The way he had looked at her back then, the way he chose her over Wang Mei¡­ she had clung to those moments, unable to let them go.


    Some girls would sell their jewelry to save their husband''s business.


    She thought, her mind flickering to the rare devotion that existed in some women. ''I guess I''m worse...''


    But this wasn''t just loyalty to Wang Xiao¡ªit was her deep-rooted affection, something she had held on to since childhood.


    Wang Mei had always been their mother Xinyue Zhn''s favorite daughter, while Wang Jiarong was the apple of their father''s eye.


    That left Wang Xiao and Wang Xueying, often overlooked, though the dynamic was different when it came to their mother.


    Mothers often treated sons differently, and Xinyue Zhn was no exception.


    Though she cherished Wang Mei, there was a special ce reserved for Wang Xiao, her son.


    He had always been a step above in her eyes, not necessarily inparison but simply because he was the male heir.


    This had left Wang Xueying feeling cornered and neglected at times, like an afterthought.


    But Wang Xiao had always been the one to take care of her, to make her feel special.


    Not only had he told her he loved her, but he had made it clear he chose her, not Wang Mei.


    She didn''t know it back then, but even at that young age, Wang Xiao had been a bit of a scumbag.


    The nervous flutter in her chest now was something she couldn''t control.


    She was anxious, scared he might think of her as a bad girl for what she had tried to do.


    Girls only feel that kind of nervousness in front of men they like¡ªand she strangely didn''t hate how much power he had over her.


    Meanwhile, that *bastard* wasn''t even paying attention.


    Wang Xiao''s mind had wandered off, utterly disinterested in her for the moment.


    Instead, he was busy inspecting Isabelle.


    He followed her instructions on the stretcher, his gaze asionally slipping toward her as she worked.


    The darkshes framing her eyes, the sharp beauty of her features¡ªit was all being silently rated by him.


    Even as their mother, Xinyue Zhn, cast anxious nces toward him, worrying about his sudden eye color change, Wang Xiao wasn''t concerned.


    His thoughts were too upied with other things.


    He had seen his fair share of voluptuous women over time, but Isabelle, while attractive, didn''t exactly rank higher than Seraphina or Eleanor, let alone Victoria maybe she was more like his sister Jiarong in terms of curves.


    To his surprise, Jiarong had begun to take after their mother.


    Her figure had grown fuller, more curvaceous, something Wang Xiao had noticed with a mix of curiosity and surprise.


    Has Xueying also be a bit curvier?


    He mused, his gaze briefly flicking in her direction, though his thoughts were fleeting.


    As for Wang Mei, she remained slender¡ªsomething Wang Xiao oddly preferred.


    Her delicate figure seemed easier to hold and bully, and he liked that idea.


    "Alright, it''s okay to discharge him," Isabelle finally said, her voice cool and decisive, marking the end of her examination.

 Chapter 501: The Mother who spoils her son like Crazy? (1)

    "Alright, it''s okay to discharge him," Isabelle finally said, her voice cool and decisive, marking the end of her examination.


    She was still puzzled by the malfunctioning metallic doors of herboratory earlier but pushed the thought aside.


    There were more pressing matters.


    Wang Xiao sat up on the stretcher, feeling the gazes of everyone around him.


    Xinyue Zhn let out a breath of relief at the news, her earlier concern easing.


    As long as Wang Xiao''s body was fine, she didn''t care much about the rest.


    Wang Xueying, on the other hand, remained quiet, her face still flushed with with shame of everything that had happened.


    She had wanted to take him away, protect him, even if it meant doing something reckless.


    But now, with all eyes on her, she had no choice but to retreat into herself, pretending that everything was fine.


    ''What a stupid n¡­'' she thought bitterly, wondering how she''d let things spiral so out of control.


    Xinyue Zhn finally expressed her gratitude to Isabelle for her diligent work, presenting her with a red envelope¡ªa token of appreciation with a cheque inside.


    Isabelle, however, politely refused the gesture.


    "Just donate it to the academy''s charity funds," she said simply, her tone professional yet soft.


    Xinyue Zhn nodded, her respect for Isabelle growing as she took the envelope back.


    She gathered her children, ready to leave.


    Inside the car, Wang Xiao sat in the backseat with Wang Xueying beside him, while Wang Mei sat up front with their mother.


    Wang Jiarong had already left for Beijing, which was somewhat of a relief for Wang Xiao.


    Despite his usual mischievous tendencies, he found himself a bit restrained around Jiarong.


    As long as she wasn''t around, he could freely tease his other two sisters.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The car ride was mostly quiet, though Xinyue Zhn asked Wang Xiao a few casual questions, her tone more formal than usual.


    Wang Xiao answered them easily, his voice steady, though his sisters, Wang Mei and Wang Xueying, exchanged confused nces.


    Why was their mother testing him like this?


    The truth was, the girls hadn''t seen enough of the world to understand.


    Xinyue Zhn, however, had experienced more than enough frauds and imposters in her time.


    She wasn''t about to be fooled so easily, not when it came to something as important as her son''s return.


    But after Wang Xiao answered several questions with details only the real Wang Xiao would know, her suspicions melted away.


    A soft, genuine smile touched her lips¡ªa smile her children hadn''t seen in a long time.


    They arrived home shortly after, and as they gathered around the dining table, the food was set, and everyone picked up their chopsticks to eat.


    The room was filled with theforting clinks of chopsticks and bowls, a familiar rhythm that settled over them.


    Suddenly, Xinyue Zhn excused herself, standing up and heading towards the stairs.


    "I''ll be back in a moment," she said, her voice calm as always.


    She disappeared into her room, leaving the siblings to nce at one another, silently wondering what was going on.


    Wang Xueying and Wang Mei exchanged puzzled looks, but Wang Xiao, ever observant, caught something the others didn''t.


    The rhythm of her steps¡ªhe had seen it before.


    It was the same hurried, light-footed pace that Wenxi would adopt whenever she spotted him, that excited, almost joyful manner as if she were about to reunite with her favorite person.


    Wang Xiao had always found it adorable.


    Now, watching Xinyue Zhn move in the same way, he couldn''t help but smile unconsciously.


    Yet, at the same time, a different thought crept into his mind.


    Who could be plotting against her?


    Xinyue Zhn had risen in status far too quickly, surely making enemies along the way.


    The world of high society andw was littered with shadowy figures, jealous rivals, and those who coveted power.


    But poison?


    That was a step too far.


    ''A bit excessive for mortals, isn''t it?'' Wang Xiao mused.


    ''Doesn''t matter,'' he decided.


    Since he was here now, all he had to do was find out who was behind it and uproot their entire family.


    He didn''t care if his mother had made a misstep or two along the way.


    The world ofw was paved withpromises and dark deals, but none of that mattered to him.


    To Wang Xiao, the lines of morality were nonexistent.


    Touch anyone close to him, and he would ensure that no trace of the offender''s bloodline remained.


    He had done it before.


    Years ago, when he caught wind of a conflict involving Wenxi and Yue with a diplomat from the Sun Dynasty, he hadn''t cared whether his daughters had provoked the situation first.


    He hadn''t even bothered to ask Mary, who oversaw the matter, for details.


    Instead, he simply obliterated the dynasty. It didn''t matter who was right or wrong¡ªhis only focus was erasing anyone who dared toy a hand on the people he cared about.


    Sure, he had subtly taught Wenxi and Yue to be mindful of their actions, but his methods were implicit.


    If they were clever enough, they''d understand.


    But as for anyone who offended them?


    They were met with only death.


    Instilling fear was an effective way to maintain control.


    It was fine to be the devil¡ªat least the devil was never merciful, and people knew better than to touch those under his protection.


    He had no need to impress anyone.


    If power could be gained by devouring the souls innocents, he would have done it without hesitation, just like Zeus.


    But hecked those means.


    Now, as he stood on the cusp of something more, he realized that to increase his strength further, he might need to refine the entire¡ªa task that was both troublesome and impractical.


    Wang Xiao''s thoughts drifted back to the present as a faint smile yed on his lips.


    ''I''ll worry about the restter,'' he decided, leaving theplexities of power and strength aside.


    His eyes flicked back to Xinyue Zhn, who was now returning down the stairs.


    Her expression had shifted, a subtle tension in her steps that only he would notice.


    She was definitely up to something.


    ''She''s nning something big,'' Wang Xiao mused with a knowing smile.


    Even after confirming his identity beyond doubt, she had maintained a distance, her thoughts clearly preupied with somethingrger.


    Perhaps she was preparing a surprise for him¡ªsomething grand, something fitting of the reunion between a mother and her long-lost son.


    Whatever it was, Wang Xiao knew it would be revealed soon enough.


    Until then, he could only wait and watch.

 Chapter 502: The Mother who spoils her son like Crazy? (2)

    When Xinyue Zhn returned, there was a sense of curiosity among her children.


    But as she stepped back to her seat, her expression stiffened slightly, as though the decision she was about to make weighed heavily on her.


    There was a hint of embarrassment in her straight-faced demeanor, almost like she was about to do something she knew was unfair but was too proud to back down from.


    "Here, take this," she said, her voice firm as she passed something to Wang Xiao.


    "???"


    Wang Xiao blinked, momentarily confused, as he reached out to take what looked like a sleek ck card with a tinum metallic design.


    All three siblings leaned forward, trying to get a closer look.


    As he examined it, Wang Xiao quickly recognized it¡ªan ICBC diamond card.


    ''This is a credit card¡­?'' Wang Xiao thought, ncing up at Xinyue Zhn, his eyes full of question marks.


    "It''s capped at 1 million yuan," Xinyue Zhn said, her voice matter-of-fact. "Keep your monthly spending within 100,000 yuan. It''s registered in your name, so I won''t know what you spend it on."


    Wang Xiao stared at her, still processing the sudden generosity.


    Seeing his expression, Xinyue Zhn hesitated for a moment, adding, "You can use it on anything¡­ just make sure it''s not something illegal." She had almost said something more lenient but caught herself, worried that too much freedom might lead him down a bad path.


    "Mom, what?" Wang Xueying''s voice broke out, filled with disbelief.


    Her face flushed as she hit the table with both hands, the sudden outburst startling everyone.


    Xinyue Zhn, however, acted as though she hadn''t heard a thing, maintaining herposed facade.


    "I only get 20,000 yuan a month! And he''s getting five times that? This ispletely unfair!" Wang Xueying protested, her voice rising with indignation.


    She red at their mother, her disbelief evident.


    Even Wang Mei, who had been silent until now, exchanged a look with Wang Xueying, her own surprise clear on her face.


    Wang Mei''s monthly allowance was only 10,000 yuan, which had always seemed reasonable for her age.


    But now, hearing that Wang Xiao was going to receive 100,000 yuan per month, she couldn''t help but wonder if their mother was finally revealing a long-held bias.


    Wang Xueying continued, her surprise barely contained. "You''re just outright showing favoritism now! Even Jiarong doesn''t get anywhere near this amount..."


    Xinyue Zhn pursed her lips, clearly feeling the stare of her daughters'' judgment.


    Wang Xiao''s sisters stared at their mother in disbelief, as though they had finally glimpsed the unspoken truth¡ªthis wasn''t just favoritism; this was outright patriarchy.


    Wang Mei''s brow furrowed.


    Her mother had always been subtle about her favoritism toward Wang Xiao, but this?


    This wasying it out openly, almost as if she were dering that, as the son, he was entitled to more.


    ''Mom''s ying favorites in broad daylight now,'' Wang Mei thought, feeling a strange mix of confusion and resignation.


    Wang Xiao, meanwhile, remained calm, though the situation amused him.


    He could feel the tension radiating from his sisters, but to him, it was just another example of the dynamics that had always existed in their family¡ªhis mother had always treated him differently, more delicately, because he was her son.


    Now, though, it seemed she was no longer trying to hide it.


    Wang Xueying, on the other hand, seethed. ''How is this fair?'' she thought, ring at Wang Xiao, who sat there, his face calm as ever.


    Her mother had always favored him, but this tant disy of bias was too much to handle.


    "You still get your sry, don''t you? In fact, I''m starting to think I shouldn''t give you any pocket money at all¡­" Xinyue Zhn''s voice was firm, cold as she turned to address Wang Xueying, her decision clear.


    "!"


    "That''s..." Wang Xueying was stunned into silence.


    She pressed her lips together, feeling a wave of disbelief.


    Her sry as a research assistant was only 10,000 yuan a month. Combining that with the 20,000 yuan she received in pocket money, her total ie of 30,000 yuan was more than enough for her usual spending.


    But if her mother were to suddenly cut her allowance, she would be practically broke.


    "..."


    Across the table, Wang Mei pretended to focus on her noodles, silently eating to avoid getting involved.


    She could feel the unfairness of it all, but what could she do?


    Xinyue Zhn clearly had no ns to disguise the favoritism she was showing toward Wang Xiao, and there was a sense that this was her way ofpensating for the seven years Wang Xiao had been away.


    Wang Xiao remained calm, observing the increasing tension.


    He knew his mother had a very high sry¡ªaround ten million yuan annually as a partner in aw firm, even after adjusting for intion.


    It wasn''t out of the ordinary for someone in her position, but seeing her openly favor him made him pause.


    For a brief second, he entertained the absurd idea that Xinyue Zhn might be using him as a tool for some sort of tax evasion.


    ''No¡­ that''s ridiculous,'' he thought, shaking the notion away.


    But still, something about the way she was handling all of this made him uneasy.


    As he looked at his mother now, something felt different.


    Usually, it was Eleanor who spoiled him with favors and wealth, but now, Xinyue Zhn seemed to be ying her own hand, revealing her cards piece by piece.


    And something told him she wasn''t finished yet.


    The air in the room grew tense, but Xinyue Zhn remainedposed, as though her decision was already made, regardless of anyone''s feelings.


    Wang Xueying stared down at her te, frustrated but unwilling to argue further. S


    he knew better than to push back when her mother was in this mood.


    Wang Xiao, for his part, simply leaned back, a faint smile ying on his lips. ''So this is how Xi''er feels...being favoured unfairly..''


    Wang Xiao couldn''t suppress the urge tough.


    Everything felt so absurd¡ªsitting in his own home, surrounded by the familiar yet distant.


    It was his house, his family, and yet, after being away for so long, everything felt strangely foreign.


    He noticed the faint fragrance lingering in the vi, something delicate and floral.


    The house had been renovated since he''dst seen it¡ªthe chandelier had been reced with golden candlelight designs, the flooring swapped forrger white tiles.


    So many small changes, little touches he hadn''t been there to witness.


    The third floor, once unused, now seemed well-maintained.


    His mother likely spent time there, unwinding after work, gathering the family whenever she had a moment to spare.


    Her workload was unpredictable, but it was clear she did her best to make time for them.


    Wang Xiao leaned back, observing his surroundings with narrowed eyes, taking in all the details.


    But as his gaze flickered to his mother, he noticed something odd.


    Her eyes seemed slightly wet as she looked at him, not in the usual way, but as if she had been crying earlier.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Whether it was tears of joy or pain, he couldn''t tell.


    ''That exins why she took so longing back, he thought. ''She must have been emotional.''


    A sudden wave of guilt hit him, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a twinge of respect for her.


    Maybe, just maybe, she was turning into a good mother after all.


    Buzz...


    Her phone vibrated, snapping him out of his thoughts. Xinyue Zhn picked it up and spoke mechanically, "Hmmm, stay outside, we''reing." She cut the call swiftly, her expression calm, though her cheeks flushed slightly, betraying her embarrassment.


    Everyone stared at her, sensing something was off.


    Wang Mei and Wang Xueying exchanged confused nces, their minds running wild.


    ''Could this get any more absurd?'' they wondered.


    Suddenly, Xinyue Zhn stood up. "Xiao Wang,e with me outside," she said with a smile, her voice unusually pleasant. Then, turning to her daughters, she added, "You two, as well."


    "??"


    Wang Xiao nodded, slipping the card into his pocket before standing.


    As they followed Xinyue Zhn toward the door, Wang Xueying sidled up to him, shing him a mischievous smile.


    "Brother ~!" she cooed sweetly.

 Chapter 503: The Mother who spoils her son like Crazy? (3)

    "Brother ~!" she cooed sweetly.


    Hearing her voice like that sent a shiver down Wang Xiao''s spine.


    He shot her a wary nce.


    Wang Xueying nudged him with her elbow, her tone soft. "Why don''t you lend me some money? I''ll pay it back soon..." she said, tugging on his arm with affection.


    Wang Mei''s eyes twitched, watching her sister act so shamelessly.


    ''What does she need so much money for anyway?'' she thought, baffled by the whole exchange.


    Wang Xiao, however, didn''t hesitate.


    He pulled out the ck card and handed it to her. "Just don''t tell Mother," he advised lightly.


    Money wasn''t something Wang Xiaocked.


    In fact, he hardly knew how much he spent on things anymore¡ªit all felt like meaningless numbers.


    After handing over the card, he nced at Wang Mei, noticing her blinking in confusion. "You need anything too?" he asked, offering casually.


    Wang Mei blinked again, then shook her head softly. "Uh¡­ No, I''m fine."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao chuckled inwardly. Wang Mei had always been low-maintenance, not one for extravagant things.


    ''Whoever marries her will be lucky,''  he thought.


    She was the kind of girl who didn''t demand much, content with what she had.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xueying''s lips pressed into a pout, her expression unconsciously souring as she watched her brother interact with Wang Mei.


    ''Why does he always make her smile?'' she thought, feeling a wave of irritation she couldn''t quite understand.


    At that moment, Xinyue Zhn, already outside, called back to them impatiently, "Where are you all? Hurry up ande outside already!"


    _______


    Outside, as they stepped into the cool air, Wang Xiao''s eyes immediately caught sight of a truck parked in front of their vi.


    Two workers were busy unloading what looked like a car, and both Wang Xueying and Wang Mei froze, gasping in shock.


    The workers carefully pulled off the red cloth covering the vehicle, revealing the unmistakable sleek curves of a Porsche 911 Turbo S, hybrid edition.


    Its gleaming body ck sparkled under the fading light, the car''s aggressive design exuding both elegance and raw power.


    Wang Xueying''s jaw dropped, and even Wang Mei, who was usuallyposed, couldn''t hide her surprise.


    The 911 was a car they had only seen in magazines or on racing circuits¡ªnot in their driveway.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, intrigued, as he stepped closer to examine the car.


    The Porsche wasn''t just any car¡ªit was a hybrid model, part of the newer generation of supercars that had shifted toward hybrid engines.


    The car utilized electricity for its electronic systems, but the real marvel was the engine.


    It ran on refined ''Aether fuel'', a cutting-edge resource that was both incredibly powerful and incredibly expensive.


    Aether fuel had be the gold standard for high-performance vehicles, offering unparalleled speed and efficiency, though it was only essible to the wealthy elite.


    Of course, the car could still run on normal gasoline if Aether fuel wasn''t avable¡ªhandy for those venturing into remote locations.


    But the real beauty of this machiney in the Aether-enhanced engine that roared like a mythical beast, offering power beyond anything a conventional electric car could produce.


    Wang Xueying could barely stammer, "M-Mom?" as she stared in disbelief at the gleaming Porsche 911 Turbo S.


    She wasn''t alone¡ªWang Mei''s eyes widened too, but she quicklyposed herself.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao remained silent, speechless as their mother, Xinyue Zhn, handed him the keys.


    "It''s your birthday present," Xinyue Zhn said calmly, though there was a hint of excitement in her tone.


    She handed the paperwork over to the delivery man with one hand and then turned back to her son. "The delivery got dyed, but if you don''t like it, you can always exchange it for another car. I''m not sure what you youngsters are into these days." Her voice was steady, but her words carried an almost forced casualness.


    Wang Xiao blinked, taking the keys into his hand. ''A Porsche as gift?''


    He could tell the ''dyed delivery'' was just an excuse¡ªXinyue Zhn had likely been waiting for the moment to confirm his identity before presenting him with the gift.


    Now that she was certain, she seemed eager to celebrate his return.


    Wang Xueying, meanwhile, couldn''t help but feel conflicted.


    Part of her was jealous¡ªthis was a car that anyone would envy.


    But another part of her was happy, knowing it hadnded in Wang Xiao''s hands.


    She had been nning to get him a car as well for a gift, butpared to this¡­ it felt unnecessary now.


    Wang Mei, who had been quietly observing, suddenly smiled, but Wang Xiao noticed the subtle shift in her mother''s behavior.


    ''She''s sharp, always calcting. But this excitement... she''s really happy,'' he thought, sensing the emotions his mother was holding back.


    For a moment, Wang Xiao found himself seeing Xinyue Zhn in a new light.


    ''She''s not so bad after all.''


    The thought lingered as he nced at her, noticing the small flicker of joy in her eyes.


    "I''ll get you your license and other documents within a week," Xinyue Zhn continued, her voice slipping back into a more formal tone. "Until then, just keep your driving within limits. If you run into any trouble, call the number I sent you¡ªhe''s the director at the bureau." She sounded like she was casually suggesting he get away with anything, just as long as he had the right connections.


    That was when Wang Xiao, without a word, stepped forward and hugged her.


    His arms wrapped around her soft body, and for the first time, he felt like rewarding her a little for her efforts.


    "!?"


    Xinyue Zhn froze.


    It had been a long time since he''d embraced her like that.


    She didn''t realize until now how much he had grown¡ªhe was taller than her, his presencemanding in a way that felt both unfamiliar andforting.


    For a moment, she felt awkward, her hand gently pushing him away, though not too forcefully.


    She didn''t know how to handle this newfound closeness between them.


    She quickly urged him, "Go on, try driving it."


    But Wang Xueying, her protective instincts kicking in, interrupted.


    "Mom, wait! Does he even know how to drive...?" Her eyes widened in concern, realizing that Xinyue Zhn had been so swept up in the moment that she hadn''t even asked if Wang Xiao knew how to operate the car.


    Wang Xiao chuckled inwardly, letting them exin the basics.


    He knew how to drive, but he couldn''t break the character he was ying.


    If he admitted his skills now, it would open a floodgate of questions¡ªquestions he wasn''t prepared to answer.


    Besides, Wang Xiao had his own reasons for sticking closer to the mortal world.


    He needed to figure out a solution for the instability in his soul.


    Recently, his soul had developed a tendency to eject itself from his body without warning¡ªa dangerous condition that, if left unchecked, could spell disaster.


    He didn''t know the cause, but the symptoms were serious enough to demand his attention.


    Strangely enough, immersing himself in mortal vices¡ªsmoking, drinking, debauchery¡ªseemed to slow down the frequency of these episodes.


    It was as if living a normal life was keeping the dangerous condition in check.


    Over the past month, he had only experienced one soul ejection.


    ''For now, it''s better to y along,'' Wang Xiao thought as he took the driver''s seat.


    The car''s interior felt luxurious, the leather seats hugging him infort, while the dashboard gleamed with cutting-edge technology.


    The car hummed softly as he started it up, and the Aether-powered engine purred like a beast waiting to be unleashed.


    Meanwhile, the two siblings were still bickering over who would im the coveted co-pilot seat when, out of nowhere, two small creatures slipped in through the open car windows.


    "Squeee~!"


    "Squeee~!"


    Their joyful cries filled the air, instantly drawing everyone''s attention.


    The creatures pped their tiny wings frantically, darting about with surprising agility.


    They were each about the size of a small football, zipping around as if the air itself was their yground.


    Wang Xiao, Xinyue Zhn, and his sisters froze, their eyes widening as they took in the sight.


    "Lizards?" Xinyue Zhn muttered, squinting slightly as one of the creatures flew in circles above her head.


    She looked genuinely confused, trying to figure out when lizards had be airborne¡ªand thisrge.


    "Squee..." One of the creatures, a dark-scaled dragon cub, zipped down and gently nudged her, as if offended by theparison.


    The little dragon seemed almost insulted, its glossy ck scales shimmering like a gemstone in the fading sunlight.


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, recognizing the mischievous dragon instantly.

 Chapter 504: The girl who doesnt fear Gods and Demons!

    "That''s Lanmei..." he said under his breath, unable to stop a wry smile from tugging at his lips.


    He had almost forgotten about these two.


    Baixue, the white dragon cub, had already imed the co-pilot seat, sitting calmly like royalty.


    It was clear she had no intention of moving, her snow-white scales reflecting a soft glow, as if the moonlight itself had kissed her skin.


    The two cubs were the children of Aura, a dragon Wang Xiao had crossed paths with in the past.


    Somehow, they had tracked him all the way here, likely drawn to the faint aura he gave off even while attempting to blend into the mortal world.


    Lanmei spun yfully around Wang Mei, her ck scales shimmering as she danced through the air.


    Wang Mei flinched, clearly uneasy. "Why is it¡­ circling me?" she muttered, a little overwhelmed by the lively little creature.


    Lanmei, however, seemed to be having the time of her life, joyfully flying around her head in tight, excited loops.


    Baixue, meanwhile, sat dignified in her spot, as if she were the true owner of the car, her presence regal and unbothered.


    Wang Xiao leaned back against the car, crossing his arms as a knowing smile crept across his face.


    "If they''re here¡­" he mused, ncing out toward the distance.


    His gaze sharpened as he looked beyond the creatures, confirming his suspicion.


    In the distance, a young girl was walking toward them, her steps slow and hesitant.


    She was clutching the hem of her robe nervously, her fingers twisting at the fabric as if trying to ease her anxiety.


    Her appearance was hard to miss¡ªher cheeks were dusted with a delicate blush, like peach blossoms blooming in early spring.


    Wang Xiao recognized her instantly, a wave of memories hitting him.


    ''Zhenxi¡­'' He almost chuckled to himself. ''How does she always end up near me?'' He watched as she approached, her anxious expression softening as she noticed the dragon cubs.


    "Who''s that?" Xinyue Zhn asked, raising an eyebrow as she noticed the young girl making her way toward them.


    "Hm?" Wang Mei and Wang Xueying both exchanged curious nces, wondering why this girl seemed so intent on reaching them.


    As Zhenxi came closer, her wide eyes sparkled with an innocent joy, and the nervousness from before seemed to melt away. Her hair, loosely tied up in a messy bun, swayed with each step, a few loose strands framing her face like soft willow leaves.


    Her jade hairpins twinkled in the light, catching the attention of Wang Mei, who unconsciously admired them for their simple beauty.


    The girl''s green robe, though simple, flowed gracefully around her, the fabric fluttering like bamboo leaves in a gentle breeze.


    Every step she took carried a natural charm, though she was clearly shy.


    Zhenxi''s gaze locked onto Lanmei, her eyes lighting up as she broke into a small run, her excitement finally getting the better of her.


    "Meimei~!" she called out with a giggle, her voice filled with childlike joy.


    Wang Mei blinked, her mind racing in confusion. "Me?" she muttered under her breath, looking around to confirm.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ''What does this little girl want with me?'' She shot a nce toward Wang Xiao, who was simply watching the scene, his amusement barely contained.


    But Zhenxi wasn''t referring to Wang Mei.


    She darted toward Lanmei, the ck dragon cub, who immediately flew into her waiting arms, squealing in delight.


    Zhenxi caught Lanmei easily, her small hands cradling the dragon with the care one might give a fragile flower.


    Despite her earlier nervousness, she now lookedpletely at ease, as if this was where she belonged.


    Wang Xiao watched, leaning back with a smile. ''She''s always been like this¡­ easily flustered, but never scared when ites to these little ones.''


    "Hey, there..." He remarked casually, catching Zhenxi''s attention instantly.


    "!"


    Her eyes brightened at the familiar sound, but she began looking around, her gaze unfocused as if she couldn''t quite pinpoint where it wasing from.


    Wang Xiao knew¡ªherck of eyesight contributed to this small moment of confusion, a fleeting misery she carried with her.


    Wang Xueying raised an eyebrow, watching the girl and then ncing over at Wang Xiao. "You know her?"


    Wang Xiao shrugged nonchntly. "Nope."


    "Daddy~!"


    The moment he spoke again, Zhenxi perked up, her ears locking onto his voice.


    She immediately headed in his direction, her small legs carrying her toward the sound with determination.


    Unfortunately, shepletely misjudged the distance and¡ª


    Bam!


    "..."


    "..."


    Wang Mei and Wang Xueying exchanged nces of shock and confusion.


    Daddy?


    They both thought simultaneously.


    Wang Xiao was only neen, there was no way he could have a daughter this old¡ªfive or six years, at least.


    Xinyue Zhn, meanwhile, appeared calm though curious, watching as little Zhenxi clutched her head in pain, tears welling up in herrge, doe-like eyes.


    Without a word, she bent down and gently scooped the girl up into her arms.


    Click!


    At that moment, Wang Xiao casually opened the car door and stepped out, looking down at the little creature that was now rubbing her forehead and squirming slightly from the embarrassment and pain.


    "You know her?" Xinyue Zhn asked, her curiosity piqued as she nced between Wang Xiao and the girl clinging to her.


    Wang Xiao nodded, offering a simple exnation. "Met her a few weeks ago in the neighborhood¡­ I don''t know much else. She just roams around aimlessly. I''m guessing she''s run away from home."


    "Oh..." Xinyue Zhn''s eyes softened as she looked down at Zhenxi.


    She didn''t seem at all phased by the fact the girl had called her son ''daddy.''


    Children often attached themselves to adults they liked, and this seemed no different in her mind.


    If anything, it made her look at Wang Xiao with a newfound sense of approval.


    ''If he''s good with kids, maybe grandchildren won''t be too far off¡­'' she thought, her hopes for a future generation resting firmly on his shoulders.


    Her daughters, still unmarried, had left her with little hope for the time being.


    But Wang Xiao? He was already showing promise.


    Wang Xiao, on the other hand, was far from entertained by the idea.


    While his mother''s thoughts drifted to grandchildren, he was thinking about how much he disliked children¡ªunless, of course, they were his own and incredibly cute daughters.


    Without a word, he scooped up Zhenxi and gently ced her in the co-pilot seat of the car.


    Her small body fit perfectly as he carefully strapped her in, the seatbelt clicking into ce. "Let''s give you a ride," he said with a teasing smile, then closed the door and got back into the driver''s seat.


    Wang Mei and Wang Xueying, standing outside the car, were left blinking in confusion.


    "That happened too fast..." Wang Xueying muttered, ncing at her sister, who could only nod in agreement.


    They had beenpletely ignored.


    "Yay~!" Zhenxi''s gleeful cheer echoed through the car as they sped off, leaving the rest of the family behind.


    As they drove further from the house, Wang Xiao''s simple driving turned a bit more reckless.


    He hit the gas, causing the car to zoom forward, nearly grazing pedestrians and cars.


    The Porsche roared like a beast on the open road, weaving through traffic with ease.


    But while Wang Xiao expected Zhenxi to be scared or at least startled, her reaction surprised him.


    She wasughing¡ªloudly.


    The sudden eleration seemed to thrill her, her innocent giggles filling the car.


    "Guess this girl doesn''t fear demons or gods," Wang Xiao muttered under his breath, ncing sideways at her.

 Chapter 505: Eternal eyes beyond time! (1)

    "Guess this girl doesn''t fear demons or gods," Wang Xiao muttered under his breath, ncing sideways at her.


    He had intended to scare her, but seeing her pure enjoyment, he simply sighed and slowed the car down, his previous n abandoned.


    Instead, he reached over and casually unbuckled her seatbelt.


    Zhenxi stood up on her seat, her small hands holding onto the dashboard as she curiously looked around, her hair bouncing lightly with her movements.


    Wang Xiao chuckled. "Little girl, it''s been two years, and you still haven''t regained your eyesight. Are you sure it''s not just a skill issue?"


    "Huh?" Zhenxi puffed up her cheeks, a look of indignation crossing her face as she huffed, "Don''t bully Zi''er! Or she''ll tell mommy!~"


    "??" Wang Xiao blinked, his curiosity instantly piqued. "Oh? And what''s your mom going to do?"


    Zhenxi stuck her tongue out at him. "She''ll punish you!" she dered confidently, her voice brimming with certainty.


    Wang Xiao narrowed his eyes with a smirk, leaning over to grab her tongue between his fingers.


    Zhenxi gasped, flustered and slightly scared as she squirmed in her seat. "I''d like to see how your mom dares to punish me," he said teasingly, releasing her tongue.


    "Humph!" Zhenxi crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks even more, sulking as she sat back down in her seat, her legs swinging.


    "Do you even know the way back to your home?" Wang Xiao asked, amusementcing his voice as he nced at the girl.


    "Nuh-uh!" Zhenxi huffed, crossing her arms tighter. "Zi''er''s not going home! I had a fight with mom!" she announced, pouting stubbornly.


    "..." Wang Xiao''s eyes twitched slightly.


    ''Does she think I''m some kind of free estate for runaway kids?'' he thought, his patience thinning.


    He swore that if this continued, he might just toss the girl out of the car.


    But, his actions betrayed his thoughts. "Alright then," he muttered, a resigned sigh escaping his lips.


    Seeing the two little dragon cubs curled up inside the car, Wang Xiao''s mind wandered.


    He hadn''t checked in with Aura, the mother of these two mischievous creatures, for updates about Aurora''s whereabouts.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    It had been a while, and maybe it was time to look into it again.


    The thought nagged at him.


    Casually, he shifted his focus to the girl sitting beside him. "By the way, how about I heal your eyes?" he asked, his tone light yet tinged with a hint of mischief. "But, of course, I don''t work for free."


    Zhenxi''s head turned toward him, her expression one of innocent confusion.


    "Huh?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.


    "You won''t bump into walls anymore," Wang Xiao exined with a teasing smirk. "But the question is, what can you pay for my service?"


    He slowed the car to a halt just before the bridge leading to Puxi, turning fully to look at her, awaiting her response.


    Zhenxi, sitting quietly, pressed her index finger against her soft, pink lips, her brows furrowed in thought.


    "What can I pay...?" she muttered, her wide, unseeing eyes blinking as she tried to grasp his meaning.


    Wang Xiao''s eye twitched.


    He had nearly forgotten¡ªhis devil-like bargains were beyond this girl''s understanding.


    He sighed, resigning himself to the fact that Zhenxi probably didn''t even know the value of a deal, let aloneprehend the stakes involved.


    "Guess being adorable is enough of a payment," he chuckled, reaching over to gently lift her from the seat and ce her on hisp.


    Her petite form settledfortably against him as he carefully observed her face.


    Her skin was soft and pale, as delicate as white lotus petals, and her eyes¡ªthough unseeing¡ªshone with a natural innocence, framed by thick, darkshes.


    He gently flicked her forehead, eliciting a small, startled sound from her.


    "Why did you run away from home this time?" he asked casually, his fingers resting lightly on her forehead.


    "Mom doesn''t believe Zhenxi!" she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. Her face flushed with frustration as she continued, "When I told her about you, she said I''m making things up!" Her pout deepened, clearly upset that her words had been dismissed so easily.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes twitched again. ''Not that her mother shouldn''t believe her,'' he wondered inwardly.


    More than likely, her mother simply wanted her to learn the difference between reality and fantasy.


    After all, how many mothers would believe their child had befriended someone like him?


    Still, it surprised him that the conversation between Zhenxi and her mother had stayed for this long¡ªtwo years had passed, yet the topic hadn''t died down.


    ''Stubborn girl,'' he thought with a smirk, flicking her forehead once more, this time more gently.


    As his gaze flickered back toward the two dragon cubs nestled in the backseat, a thought tugged at him.


    They would have been a perfect gift for his daughters, their lively nature and innocent eyes making them idealpanions.


    But Wang Xiao wasn''t the type to take back what he had given.


    ''No point regretting it now,'' he thought, leaning back against the seat as he continued to observe Zhenxi.


    She was still sulking, her lips pursed into a pout as if the world itself had wronged her.


    After some thought, Wang Xiao nced at Zhenxi, his expression shifting. "Open your mouth."


    "Ah~!" Zhenxi obediently opened her small mouth, her voice light and carefree, trusting him without question.


    Wang Xiao peered inside, his gaze narrowing as he observed her.


    After a brief moment, he told her to close it again, letting out a quiet sigh.


    Then, without a word, he gently grabbed her face, his touch unexpectedly tender. "Don''t close your eyes," he instructed, his voice soft but firm.


    "Huh?" Zhenxi blinked, confused, but did as she was told, her wide, unseeing eyes staring up at him.


    Tip...


    All of a sudden, a droplet of something warm fell onto her eye.


    Zhenxi flinched slightly, but the sensation was strange. It wasn''t water¡ªit was thick and carried a warmth that spread through her like a gentle me.


    It was Wang Xiao''s blood. A single droplet, drawn from the tip of his finger, shone like a trail of light the moment it left his body, its divine energy almost growing in the air.


    The droplet shimmered, like aet streaking through the heavens, before sinking into her eye, disappearing without a trace.


    Tip!


    With the same careful precision, Wang Xiao allowed another drop to fall into her other eye, his hand steady and deliberate.


    Zhenxi''s eyes widened, blinking rapidly as the fog in her vision began to clear.


    She felt a tingling sensation, as though her world¡ªonce muted and dim¡ªwas slowly being painted with vibrant colors she had never known.


    The confusion on her face deepened as the haze lifted bit by bit.


    Wang Xiao, observing her silently, knew that two drops were more than enough.


    Each droplet of his divine blood held the essence of centuries of cultivation¡ªenough power to surpass lifetimes of effort.


    But for him, it was a small offering.


    Merely a drop in the ocean of his strength.


    Zhenxi blinked several more times, her small hands instinctively rubbing her eyes.


    "What¡­ what''s happening?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion as if the world was shifting in ways she couldn''t understand.


    Wang Xiao smiled faintly.


    This time, he had decided to give her something real.


    Not a fleeting blessing, but a gift that would transform her fate itself.


    Eternal Eyes.


    Eyes that could see through any illusion, break through the veil of lies, and pierce the truth hidden beneath the surface of all things.


    Eyes that even the flow of time couldn''t restrict.


    They were beyond what any mortal could hope to possess.


    They could endure the ravages of time itself, something even gods and demons had fallen to in the past.


    These eyes had the power to defy fate, to escape death''s grip, and to see beyond the boundaries of life and existence.


    What Wang Xiao had given her wasn''t just a blessing¡ªit was a curse and a power so grand that even the most ancient immortals would covet it, would fight to possess it.


    Why had he done it? Simple. Because he could.


    If, after all this time, he still needed a reason to do the things he did, then the countless years of his past would have been wasted.


    Besides, carelessly bestowing blessings upon the unsuspecting wasn''t a trait exclusive to him.


    Gods in the past had often been just as reckless with their gifts. He was merely following the pattern, though his reasons were his own.


    As Zhenxi blinked again, her hands slowly lowered. The once-cloudy world she had known since childhood was now vibrant, full of light.


    The colors dazzled her, and she could finally see the face of the one she had blindly trusted all this time.


    And her first glimpse was Wang Xiao''s faint smile, illuminated by the soft glow of the bright sun.

 Chapter 506: Eternal Eyes beyond Time (2)

    Zhenxi blinked several times, her wide eyes adjusting as the world around her came into focus for the first time.


    Her small hands, trembling slightly, fell away from her face as she stared forward, her breath catching in her throat.


    For a moment, everything seemed impossibly vivid.


    The light of the setting sun bathed the world in hues of gold and crimson, casting long shadows over thendscape.


    The leaves of the trees shimmered with life, their delicate edges now so clear to her.


    And there, right in front of her, was Wang Xiao.


    She saw him.


    For the first time, her gaze locked onto his face, and Zhenxi felt her heart skip a beat.


    His features were sharp, but not harsh¡ªmore like those of a figure from a forgotten legend.


    His eyes, deep and blue, held a glint of something she couldn''t quite name, a quiet strength that seemed to ripple just beneath the surface.


    His expression was calm, but there was a trace of amusement in the curve of his lips, as if he found the moment more amusing than anything else.


    Zhenxi''s mouth opened, but no words came out at first.


    She blinked again, her small hands gripping the fabric of her robe as if to anchor herself in the moment. The warmth that had spread through her eyes now settled in her chest, creating a mixture of awe and confusion.


    "Wow¡­You," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, "¡­this is you?"


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, noticing the way her eyes had widened, now full of wonder and disbelief. "What? Expecting someone else?" he teased, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.


    Zhenxi shook her head quickly, her dark hair bouncing with the motion. "No¡­"


    Her eyes drifted over his face again, studying him like a lost traveler seeing the stars for the first time.


    She looked as though she were memorizing every detail¡ªthe sharp lines of his jaw, the casual tilt of his head, the way his hair caught the light in soft waves.


    She looked down for a moment, her small voice barely above a whisper. "I thought you would look... scarier."


    Wang Xiao smirked, the corners of his lips curling upward. "Sorry to disappoint."


    Zhenxi''s head shot back up, her eyes widening even more, flustered. "N-No! You don''t look bad at all! You''re¡­" Her cheeks flushed a deep red, words escaping her as she fumbled for an exnation. "You''re¡­ you''re¡­ very handsome."


    The words tumbled out before she could stop them, and the moment they did, her hands flew to her mouth, covering it as if trying to take back what she had just said.


    Her face was now a brilliant shade of pink, and she couldn''t meet his gaze anymore.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, leaning in closer as he teased, "Oh? Handsome, am I?" His voice dropped into a soft murmur, filled with amusement. "That''s the first time I''ve heard that. How do you even know who''s handsome and who''s ugly?"


    Zhenxi puffed up her cheeks, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Hmmm¡­ Zhenxi''s daddy is the most handsome man in the world!"


    Before Wang Xiao could react, the little girl suddenly sprang to her feet, wobbling slightly on the seat before throwing herself at him.


    Her small arms wrapped around his neck, tightening with all her might as she clung to him like a small, stubborn vine.


    Her cheek pressed into his shoulder, her warm breath tickling his neck as she squeezed tighter, as if afraid he might vanish if she let go.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao blinked, momentarily at a loss.


    ''Have I gained a new pet?'' he wondered silently, feeling her small hands grip him even more tightly.


    "Zhenxi?" he asked, gently prying her hands from around his neck.


    But the moment he loosened her grip, her lip quivered, and her small body trembled slightly as though something deep inside was threatening to break.


    "I-I won''t leave," Zhenxi stammered, her voice cracking.


    Herrge eyes welled up with tears, shimmering like dew on fragile petals.


    She buried her face deeper into his shoulder, her grip tightening once more as her voice became shaky. "I don''t want to leave¡­ don''t make me go¡­"


    Wang Xiao''s heart twinged, a strange, unfamiliar feeling creeping in.


    He let out a quiet sigh, his hand hovering above her back for a moment before gently resting there.


    "Zi''er, calm down," he said softly, his voice lower now, trying to soothe her. "No one''s making you go anywhere."


    But Zhenxi didn''t seem to hear him, her small body starting to shake as her sobs grew more insistent. "No¡­ no, don''t send me back¡­ Please¡­ I don''t want to go¡­ I don''t want to¡­"


    Her words came out in broken, choked cries, each one tugging at something deep inside Wang Xiao.


    For a brief moment, his usual aloofness wavered.


    He wasn''t ustomed toforting others, much less dealing with a crying child, but Zhenxi''s tears had an unexpected effect.


    "Hey, hey, enough of that," Wang Xiao said, his tone softer than before. His hand gently stroked her back, trying to calm her down. "I''m not sending you anywhere, okay? You''re not going anywhere unless you want to."


    Zhenxi huped, her sobs slowing but her grip on him remained strong, like she was holding onto a lifeline. Her small frame, trembling with emotion, seemed so fragile in his arms, and Wang Xiao felt a faint sense of responsibility blooming in his chest¡ªone that he didn''t entirely want, but couldn''t bring himself to shake off.


    "I promise," he added, his voice a little gentler, "I won''t send you away."


    Zhenxi sniffled, slowly raising her head, her eyes puffy and red from crying.


    Her lips wobbled as she stared up at him, her expression one of pure, desperate hope.


    "Really?" she whispered, her voice small and shaky.


    Wang Xiao sighed, his hand still resting on her back. "Really. Now stop crying. You''re making me look bad."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He suddenly felt as if he had been tricked.


    Zhenxi rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands, sniffling again as she tried to hold back the rest of her tears.


    But she didn''t let go of him, her grip still tight around his neck, her face buried in his shoulder once more, as though afraid if she let go, the world would pull her away from him.


    Wang Xiao could feel her tiny heartbeat against his chest, erratic and unsteady.


    He looked down at her, a strange mix of exasperation and affection tugging at him.


    ''What am I going to do with you?''


    For a moment, they sat like that, the sound of Zhenxi''s sniffles the only thing breaking the silence.


    Wang Xiao nced at the horizon, the golden light of the sunset casting long shadows over thendscape.


    The moment felt oddly peaceful, despite the little bundle of softness clinging to him.


    Wang Xiao sighed again, his usual teasing demeanor fading into something quieter.


    "Alright, alright," he muttered softly, gently patting her back. "You can stay. But no more crying, got it?"


    Zhenxi nodded quickly, still holding onto him as if he were the only safe ce in the world. "Promise¡­" she whispered again, her voice softer now, as though seeking confirmation.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes softened for just a moment, a fleeting tenderness crossing his features before he quickly masked it. "Promise," he repeated.


    And for the first time, Zhenxi smiled¡ªa small, genuine smile as her tears finally dried.


    She stayed where she was, resting against him, her grip loosening just slightly but never fully letting go.

 Chapter 507: Monitor? Monitor my foot!

    Perched atop a watchtower in the heart of a National Wildlife Park, two figures huddled together in hushed conversation.


    The air was filled with tension, broken only by the asional rustling of leaves and the distant calls of wildlife.


    Inside the watchtower, the bulkier of the two figures¡ªan imposing man with broad shoulders and a perpetually furrowed brow¡ªwas speaking in a low, urgent tone.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    His name was Wan Yang, a warrior who had once guarded Shanghai from supernatural forces two years ago, and now held a position of authority in the special forces, tasked with protecting the country from catastrophic supernatural threats.


    "You see that figure?" Wan Yang pointed down toward the valley, his voice a quiet growl. "You need to keep an eye on him. We absolutely can''t afford a war breaking out inside the dynasty."


    The other figure, a slender young woman with binocrs in hand, nced sideways at him, raising an eyebrow. Her tone was light, almost teasing. "Hm? But weren''t we still confirming his identity?"


    Wan Yang snorted, shaking his head as if the question itself annoyed him. "Confirming identity? What confirming identity? Just take a photo and upload it to the inte. If it gets deleted on its own, then we know it''s him." He spoke with the confidence of a man who had seen it all. "I''ve already escted the situation to the higher-ups.


    Until theye up with a n, it''s your job to make sure the country remains intact."


    The woman¡ªck Lotus¡ªcouldn''t help but sulk. She pouted, lowering her binocrs as she muttered under her breath, "Are you really sure it''s him?"


    "Of course!" Wan Yang''s tone was firm. "With your identity, you can easily get closer to him, gather more information. You''re the best one for the job."


    ck Lotus pursed her lips, clearly unenthused about the whole situation.


    ''The best one for the job,'' she thought sarcastically. ''Or the best sacrificialmb.''


    She crossed her arms and stared down at the mysterious figure they were supposed to be monitoring.


    What if this n backfired, and she ended up the one getting ughtered?


    "Just monitor him, don''t engage in any hostility," Wan Yang continued, his voice righteous and full of purpose. "It shouldn''t be that hard for you."


    ck Lotus wasn''t convinced. In her mind, this task felt like a death sentence.


    The Eighth Prince wasn''t known for his mercy.


    In fact, thest person who tried to get close to him ended up¡­ well, they didn''t end up in one piece, that was for sure.


    She sighed inwardly. "I feel like I''m being used as a sacrificial pawn¡­" she muttered under her breath.


    Wan Yang, oblivious to her difort, continued to scan the horizon.


    But before either of them could say another word, a soft sound echoed up the stairs leading to the watchtower. Footsteps¡ªlight and careful¡ªcrept toward them.


    ck Lotus sharp eyes darted to the stairwell, and before she could alert Wan Yang, a sweet voice chimed in from behind them.


    "You want to monitor him?"


    Wan Yang, who was in full tactical mode, didn''t bother turning around. "Yes! That''s your mission," he replied instinctively, his focus still on the valley below.


    But then, realization hit him like a cold gust of wind.


    Both he and ck Lotus froze, a shiver running down their spines.


    Something was very wrong.


    "Heh, monitor my foot," came a smug voice from directly behind them.


    They spun around, eyes wide.


    Standing there, camera in hand, was none other than Anran.


    The young woman grinned, holding the small camera up as if she''d just captured the most scandalous footage of the year.


    "Hehe¡­ with this, I could earn some serious favors from him!" Anran giggled, her eyes gleaming with mischief.


    She twirled the camera in her hand, clearly pleased with herself. "You two really thought you could spy on him? Amateurs."


    Wan Yang''s face drained of color. "What!?"


    "Huh!?" ck Lotus gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.


    The entire situation was faster than she could process.


    Anran winked at them before effortlessly jumping off the side of the watchtower.


    Wan Yang''s instincts kicked in, his face contorting with panic. "Grab her! We can''t let the information leak!" he yelled, already moving toward the stairs.


    But before either of them could act, Anran, with a gleefulugh, grabbed onto the rails of the tower and slid down the stairs as if it were a yground slide.


    In a matter of seconds, she was gone¡ªdisappearing into the dense darkness below, leaving nothing but the faint echo of herughter behind.


    "..."


    Wan Yang and Li Mei stood there,pletely stunned.


    Wan Yang''s mouth twitched. "I swear¡­ she''s going to get us all killed."


    ck Lotus rubbed her temples, clearly frustrated. "You think... But who the hell is she?" she muttered.


    ____


    Roar...


    As Wang Xiao drove back to his vi, the engine growled like a sleeping beast.


    The evening sun was casting long shadows over thendscape, and the once vibrant sky had faded into a soft orange hue.


    He had spent the whole day indulging Zhenxi''s endless requests to y, and despite his reluctance, he''d given in to her whims.


    After all, raising so many daughters had given him a grudging patience with little girls, though he wasn''t exactly thrilled about it.


    But as much as Zhenxi tugged at him for more fun, a message from his mother, Xinyue Zhn, changed his course.


    ''Zhenxi''s mother is at the house.''


    That piqued his interest.


    Wang Xiao had long been curious about the origin of the girl who''d attached herself to him so firmly.


    Now, he had a chance to finally meet the "creature factory" responsible for it.


    As he neared the vi, he slowed down, his senses tingling. Something was off.


    He spotted the unusual crowd gathered outside his home, his eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion.


    "Hm? What''s happening there?" Wang Xiao muttered to himself.


    Outside the vi, the scene was chaotic.


    There were armed guards, his mother standing among them with a tense expression, and a small group of what appeared to be civilians¡ªperhaps municipal workers.


    But the oddest part? A fleet of excavators stood ready, along with a demolition team.


    It looked as if someone was nning to tear something down.


    His brows furrowed in confusion. "Why would a demolition team be here?" Wang Xiao asked himself, slowing the car to a halt.


    There was something strange about the way the armed forces apanied the municipality workers.


    Was this for his house?


    With a quick mental sweep, he activated his divine senses, effortlessly picking up the murmured conversations of the crowd.


    "...this is the ce?"


    "Yeah, orders came straight from the top. We''re supposed to demolish it, but¡­"


    "Wait, is the owner some bigshot? Why''s the military involved?"


    "The higher-ups said to follow orders, no questions asked."


    Wang Xiao blinked, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he pieced together the situation. ''Someone''s trying to demolish my house?''


    He let out a soft chuckle.


    The sheer audacity of it amused him more than anything.


    As he pulled up to the front gate, the gathered crowd turned their heads.


    There was a brief moment of silence as they watched him step out of the car, Zhenxi still clinging to his side, her eyes wide and curious.


    Honk!


    The ring sound of the car''s horn cut through the tense atmosphere, drawing all eyes to him.


    Wang Xiao sauntered over, his expression calm but with a mischievous glint in his eyes.


    He wavedzily at his mother before turning to face the demolition team and the guards, his voice casual, yet carrying a certain weight.


    "So, who exactly is nning to knock down my house?"

 Chapter 508: Forming a Zoo!

    Wang Xiao leaned back against his seat, his hand casually resting on the car horn.


    Honk!


    The sharp sound echoed through the air, causing the crowd outside to flinch.


    Xinyue Zhn, the guards, and the workers all turned their heads, ring at the source of the noise.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Honk! Honk! Honk!


    Wang Xiao smirked, watching as irritation spread across the faces of the people gathered in front of his vi.


    The demolition crew exchanged nces, their brows furrowing in frustration, while the guards shifted uneasily, clearly unsure how to handle the situation.


    "Hey! What''s your problem?!" one of the workers shouted, waving his arms. "Stop honking!"


    Another man, clearly fed up, shouted louder, "Who the hell do you think you are?! We''ve got work to do!"


    But Wang Xiao just sat there,pletely ignoring their outbursts, his fingers tapping the horn in a slow, deliberate rhythm.


    Honk... Honk...


    The workers'' faces were turning red with anger, and even some of the guards looked ready to step in.


    "I said, STOP HONKING!" a municipal officer yelled, his voice cracking from the strain.


    Wang Xiao''s smirk grew wider, his hand still resting on the horn.


    His eyes flickered toward his mother, who stood nearby, her arms crossed and her brow raised.


    She looked conflicted, though she made no move to stop him.


    Then, without a word of warning, Wang Xiao floored the gas.


    Vroooom!


    The car surged forward, and the crowd in front of him scattered like startled birds.


    Shouts erupted as workers and guards alike dove out of the way, barely avoiding the car as it barreled toward them.


    "Wha¡ª?!"


    "Move! MOVE!"


    Panicked voices rose in a frenzy as Wang Xiao drove straight through the gap they created, not even bothering to slow down. He caught sight of several workers staring at him in pure shock, their eyes wide, jaws hanging open.


    The car skidded slightly as he turned into the driveway, the tires kicking up a cloud of dust. With a final screech, he parked the car directly in front of the vi, as if nothing had happened.


    Silence fell over the yard.


    For a long moment, no one moved.


    The demolition crew stood frozen, their minds struggling to catch up with what had just happened.


    The guards stared in disbelief, some of them blinking rapidly as if trying to process whether they had just witnessed what they thought they had.


    Zhenxi, still seated beside him, let out a small giggle. "That was fun!" she eximed,pletely unfazed by the chaos they had just caused.


    Wang Xiao casually stepped out of the car, brushing the dust from his clothes as if nothing was amiss.


    He nced around at the stunned faces, his smile as easy as ever.


    One of the municipal officers finally regained hisposure, his voice shaking with anger. "What¡­ what the hell was that?! You almost ran us over!"


    Wang Xiao gave him azy nce. "I did run you over," he corrected, his tone calm but with a mocking edge. "You were just too slow to notice."


    The man''s face flushed red with fury, but before he could reply, Xinyue Zhn stepped forward, her posture calm butmanding. "That''s enough," she said coolly, her eyes sweeping over the group. "I suggest you exin yourselves before making any more noise on my property."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, ncing at the armed soldiers stationed behind the demolition crew.


    He crossed his arms behind, his gaze calm but sharp. "Doesn''t seem like typical municipality work," he remarked, his voice carrying just the right amount of sarcasm.


    Before anyone could answer, the captain of the armed squadron stepped forward, his yellow hair slightly disheveled but his posture rigid, radiating a certain authority.


    He wore a dark green military uniform, but unlike the others, he wasn''t armed.


    His aura, however, suggested he didn''t need a weapon.


    There was something in his stance¡ªa faint presence of martial powers¡ªthat exined his confidence.


    "If it weren''t for unruly people like you," the captain began, his voiceced with disdain, "we wouldn''t need to get involved. This house is built illegally. So scram and let us do our work."


    Wang Xiao turned to face him fully, his eyes narrowing.


    The captain was certainly brimming with confidence, but Wang Xiao couldn''t help but feel amused. ''Of all the houses they could''ve chosen to mess with, they had to pick this one.''


    "Illegally built, you say?" Wang Xiao''s tone was light, almost teasing, but there was a sharp warning beneath it.


    His mind briefly flickered with thoughts.


    If something was going to be demolished today, it certainly wasn''t going to be his house. ''Perhaps the Ministry of Urban Development, instead,'' heughed internally thinking about sending a message to the powers above Qing Dynasty.


    The captain''s confidence wasn''t misced¡ªhe had the bearing of someone who had climbed the ranks, likely through martial powers.


    He was probably one of those who felt that power could bend anyone''s will.


    But he forget there are mountains above mountains, a heaven above heavens.


    Just as the situation was escting, the demolition officer¡ªvisibly sweating¡ªreceived a call on his phone.


    His expression shifted dramatically the moment he answered.


    He turned away, listening intently as his face grew pale.


    A momentter, the officer turned back to his team, his voice shaky but loud enough for all to hear. "Pull back. We''ve got the wrong house."


    There was a sudden flurry of movement as the workers hurriedly began pulling away the excavators and other demolition equipment.


    It was as if they couldn''t leave fast enough, each one avoiding eye contact as they packed up.


    The captain''s smug expression vanished instantly, reced with confusion and frustration. "What do you mean, wrong house?" he demanded, his voice filled with disbelief. "We''ve been ordered by garrison¡ª"


    "I said pull back," the officer repeated, more firmly this time. He nced toward the captain, his eyes silently pleading for him to drop it. "It was¡­ a misunderstanding."


    Wang Xiao stood by the vi, eyes narrowing in mild confusion as the demolition crew and armed forces hurriedly pulled away.


    ''What just happened?'' He had been seconds away from erasing their existence, but now they were scurrying off like frightened ants.


    ''Well, no rush,'' he thought darkly. ''I''ll let them get home, light some incense, maybe pray to Buddha¡ªbefore I send their souls off as a sacrifice to myself.''


    Behind him, Wang Xueying and Xinyue Zhn watched his back, their expressions shifting from shock to something closer to awe.


    The weight of his presence¡ªhis aura¡ªwas iparably vast for someone his age.


    The realization struck them both: the importance of a man like him in the household.


    Wang Xueying swallowed, ''This isn''t just my neen-year-old brother¡­ He''s something else.''


    Even Wang Mei, who usually maintained herposure, felt a wave of worry creep in.


    Not for Wang Xiao, but for the killings he might unleash.


    ''Is he really going to start a war?'' She clenched her fists, only to quickly remind herself.


    ''If he wanted to erase the Qing Dynasty, he would''ve done it already.'' Nations, to him, were nothing more than temporary markers on a map.


    They rose and fell like the tides, and it was only mortals who clung so desperately to emperors and borders.


    Click!


    The sound of the car door opening jolted everyone from their thoughts.


    Zhenxi stepped out, her tiny form drawing all eyes. Wang Xiao turned his head, along with the rest of the family, who collectively froze.


    "Is that¡­ a panda?" Xinyue Zhn whispered, her brow furrowing in disbelief.


    Wang Xueying and Wang Mei exchanged bewildered nces.


    Behind Zhenxi, the two dragon cubs, Lanmei and Baixue, hovered yfully, but now there was something new¡ªa small, round panda cub clutched in her arms, its ck-and-white fur making it look almost out of ce.


    "She''s forming her own zoo..." Wang Mei whispered under her breath.

 Chapter 509: Killing People with Shock!

    "She''s forming her own zoo..." Wang Mei whispered under her breath, slightly in awe and helplessness.


    Wang Xiao just shrugged, entirely unbothered. "She liked it," he said as if acquiring a baby panda was the simplest thing in the world. "So I got it for her."


    Ignoring the stupefied stares from his family, Wang Xiao bent down and scooped up Zhenxi, who giggled happily, the panda cub nestledfortably in her arms.


    She snuggled into his chest,pletely oblivious to the chaos that had happened moments earlier.


    "Where''s her mother?" Wang Xiao asked, his tone casual as though the day had been nothing out of the ordinary.


    Xinyue Zhn blinked, shaking herself free of the shock. "She''s inside, waiting¡­" she said, her voice carrying the slightest edge of uncertainty as she pursed her lips.


    The scene from earlier was still fresh in her mind, and she wasn''t sure how to process it all just yet.


    As they made their way into the vi, Xinyue Zhn spoke again, her tone now soft and almost motherly. "You shouldn''t be so reckless," she said, casting a nce at her son. "If you ran over someone, it would''ve been trouble."


    Wang Xiao didn''t even bother looking back, his expression as calm as ever. "If you don''t push back when someone bullies you, the world just keeps pushing harder," he replied, his voice tinged with confidence and authority.


    Xinyue Zhn sighed, shaking her head slightly. "You can''t fight the world¡­" she muttered, the voice of a woman who had seen enough of life to know that some battles weren''t worth fighting.


    Youth, after all, was always hot-blooded.


    Wang Xiao smiled faintly, though it was more thoughtful than before.


    He could sense that she knew why the demolition team had shown up, but for now, he let it slide.


    Instead, he turned his attention to the little troublemaker in his arms.


    With a sly grin, he reached out and gently pinched Zhenxi''s soft cheeks, pulling them until her face puffed up.


    "You didn''t even get out of the car when the fight started," he teased, his fingers still pinching her cheeks.


    The girl let out a small, annoyed sound, squirming in his grip. "Mmm! Zhenxi wasn''t scared!" she protested, her words muffled as she tried to free herself from his hands. "Zhenxi was just¡­ being smart!"


    Wang Xiao chuckled, clearly amused by her attempt at justifying her actions. "Oh? Smart, were you?" he teased, his fingers still tugging at her cheeks. "Hiding in the car the whole time while I dealt with the situation, huh?"


    Zhenxi huffed, her tiny face still scrunched up from his grip. "Mhm! Zhenxi didn''t want to get in the way!" she dered proudly, though her puffed cheeks and the baby panda in her arms made the whole deration more adorable than serious.


    Wang Xiao released her cheeks with a yful shake of his head, still smiling. ''Looks like she''s upgraded her survival instincts,'' he thought, ''from negative to¡­ well, something a bit more functional.''


    He ruffled her hair gently, causing Zhenxi to pout even more. "Alright, alright," he said with a soft chuckle. "At least you''re learning."


    Zhenxi grinned triumphantly, clearly pleased with herself, though she still held onto the panda cub tightly.


    Wang Xiao, despite his usual indifference, couldn''t help but feel a bit of warmth from the scene. ''Well¡­ if anything, she''s cute and.... Smart.''


    ______


    "It''s you!"


    Wang Xiao paused as he stepped into his home, his gaze locking onto the girl sitting in his living room.


    She had curly brown hair that cascaded down her shoulders, red plump lips, and a light brown dress that clung modestly to her figure.


    Her almond-shaped eyes and fair skin immediately reminded him of someone¡ªa younger version of an old acquaintance.


    The girl¡ªChen Meili¡ªsmiled, but the smile was strained, a mixture of disbelief and nerves written all over her face.


    She gave a slight nod, murmuring, "Mm."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed slightly, studying her.


    ''Chen Meili? The proprietress of Velvet shadow?'' He hadn''t seen her in years, and yet here she was, sitting in his home like it was the most natural thing in the world.


    But what caught his attention more than anything was the look on her face¡ªthe look of someone who had just seen a ghost.


    ''She thought I was dead.'' Wang Xiao mused inwardly, watching her stiff posture and the way her fingers twisted in herp.


    Her eyes darted nervously between him and the little girl he was holding¡ªZhenxi.


    Chen Meili''s heart pounded in her chest, the sound deafening in her ears.


    ''How is he alive? Didn''t he die?'' But more than that, her gaze flickered to Zhenxi, and her pulse quickened.


    ''He doesn''t know, does he?'' Her mind raced.


    If Wang Xiao found out Zhenxi was his daughter, it could be bad.


    The thought sent a wave of panic through her, and she struggled to maintain herposure.


    "Are you her mother?" Wang Xiao''s voice cut through her spiraling thoughts, calm but probing.


    He sat down on the couch, still holding Zhenxi as if trying to reconcile the girl in his arms with the woman sitting across from him.


    Their features didn''t seem to match, and Zhenxi, now seeing a stranger for the first time, blinked up in confusion.


    ''Is this my mother?'' Zhenxi''s little mind whirled as she looked at Chen Meili, trying to make sense of the situation.


    Something didn''t feel right.


    Chen Meili forced a smile, her voice steady but carrying a hint of tension. "I live with her mother," she replied, the words carefully measured. "She''s my tenant."


    Wang Xiao''s sharp eyes flicked from Chen Meili to Zhenxi, who was studying her in silence.


    It was clear from Zhenxi''s expression that she didn''t recognize the woman sitting before them.


    Suddenly, Zhenxi''s eyes lit up in recognition, her small hands waving excitedly. "Meili!" she chirped, her voice full of excitement. "You look so beautiful, Meili!"


    Wang Xiao''s brow twitched in response, ncing at the girl in surprise.


    ''Already buttering people up?'' He hadn''t realized how sharp Zhenxi was, even at her age.


    She was more clever than he''d given her credit for.


    Chen Meili''s smile faltered slightly, but she managed to hold it together. "Thank you, Zhenxi," she said softly, her voiceced with a mix of affection and nerves.


    However, her unease only deepened as she saw Zhenxi hop down from Wang Xiao''sp, still clutching the panda cub in her tiny arms.


    "Zhenxi!" Chen Meili''s eyes widened in panic.


    Up until that moment, she had assumed the panda was some kind of stuffed toy¡ªuntil it moved.


    The sight of the living creature nearly made her jump out of her seat. "Careful!" she called out, her voice filled with concern.


    But Zhenxi, unfazed, walked confidently toward her, holding the panda effortlessly as if it weighed nothing. "Look, Meili! Isn''t he cute?" she said proudly, her small arms easily supporting the weight of the panda, which seemed far heavier than her small frame should''ve been able to handle.


    "What!?"


    Chen Meili, still standing in shock, could only stare as Zhenxi ced the panda right in front of her, the creature looking up at her with sleepy eyes.


    The room grew silent for a moment, filled only with the soft breathing of the panda and the rapid heartbeat thumping in Chen Meili''s chest.


    Wang Xiao, couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow, his lips twitching in amusement. "Well, killing people with shock," he said dryly, leaning back in his seat. "She certainly takes after me."


    Chen Meili, still frozen, slowly turned her gaze to Wang Xiao, ''Takes after him?'' Her heart pounded louder.

 Chapter 510: Wang Xiao received warning?

    As Zhenxi proudly disyed the panda cub, its soft, round face nuzzling against her arms, she turned her sparkling eyes toward Chen Meili with pure delight. "Look, Meili! Isn''t he cute?"


    Chen Meili, still in shock from realizing the panda was very much alive, barely managed to nod, her hands nervously gripping the edge of her dress.


    "Y-Yes¡­ very cute, Zhenxi," she stammered, trying to keep herposure.


    But her eyes kept darting to Wang Xiao, and the growing unease in her chest was impossible to ignore.


    Suddenly, without warning, Zhenxi ced the panda down and darted forward, grabbing Chen Meili''s hand with both of her tiny ones.


    Her grip was surprisingly firm for a child. "Meili, look!" she eximed, pointing enthusiastically toward Wang Xiao. "I didn''t lie! He''s here!"


    Chen Meili''s heart skipped a beat. "W-Who?" she managed to ask, her voice shaky as she tried to make sense of what Zhenxi was saying.


    The girl''s sudden excitement only fueled her own rising panic.


    Zhenxi beamed, her face lighting up with a mixture of joy and pride. "Zhenxi''s daddy, of course!" she dered with absolute certainty. "He healed my eyes! Now I can see everything!"


    "!"


    The world seemed to stop for Chen Meili.


    Her face paled, her heart pounding in her chest as the weight of Zhenxi''s words sank in.


    Her knees almost gave way, and she stood there, frozen, staring at Wang Xiao with wide, disbelieving eyes.


    Wang Xiao leaned back into the couch, his arms crossed, observing the scene with an unreadable expression.


    He didn''t say anything, but his gaze stayed fixed on Chen Meili, his eyes gleaming with a hint of surprise.


    "Zhenxi, you can''t just call anyone your dad, okay?" Chen Meili crouched down, her voice gentle yet strained, forcing a smile that didn''t quite reach her eyes. "Your mom would be sad."


    Zhenxi blinked, her innocent face showing a flicker of confusion. She clearly didn''t want to understand Chen Meili''s words, but she pouted, displeased with being told otherwise.


    On the side, Wang Xueying and Wang Mei had already settled on the couch in the side, watching the scene unfold with thinly veiled amusement.


    Wang Xueying nced at Wang Xiao, a small relieved smile ying on her lips.


    ''He''s different now,'' she thought, slightly mncholic.


    The change in him since his return was evident, but it made her happy to see him acting normal again, as if the burden he once carried had lightened.


    Meanwhile, Xinyue Zhn moved closer to Wang Xiao, her expression curious.


    In a low voice, she asked, "You know her?"


    Wang Xiao gave a slight nod. "She worked at Chen Li''s shop for a while."


    He couldn''t exactly tell his mother that Chen Meili was once a receptionist at Velvet Shadows, a rather unconventional establishment, so he opted for the safer answer.


    "Oh." Xinyue Zhn nodded thoughtfully. She had met Chen Li before, and knowing that Chen Meili had some connection to him seemed to ease her concerns.


    ncing over at the young woman who still looked panicked, she smiled a little. "She''s beautiful," she said meaningfully, her voice carrying a slight edge of mischief.


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened almost immediately. ''Is my mother seriously trying to set me up with every beautiful woman she sees?'' The thought made him inwardly groan.


    "She is," he replied curtly, clearly giving a perfunctory response, trying to dismiss his mother''s matchmaking instincts.


    Xinyue Zhn, however, was quietly pleased, her cheeks flushing slightly.


    She realized she was enjoying herself by annoying him for no reason.


    She nced away, a bit embarrassed by her own behavior, but the smile remained on her lips.


    At that very moment, Zhenxi''s broke free from Chen Meili''s grasp.


    "Humph! I don''t want to meet my mom! I want to stay with him only!" she dered, her small voice filled with determination.


    She huffed and grabbed the panda cub from Chen Meili''s hands before trotting back toward Wang Xiao, her eyes fierce with rebellion.


    Chen Meili''s face paled further as Zhenxi clung to the panda and Wang Xiao.


    This girl wasn''t making things easy.


    If Fu Yuxines, things will be chaotic.


    As far as she remembers, Fu Yuxin hated Wang Xiao to the core, and for very good reasons.


    Xinyue Zhn''s sharp eyes caught the oddity immediately.


    ''Are pandas really so light?* She thought, watching Zhenxi lift it effortlessly as if it weighed nothing.


    The realization slowly causing a slight headache to form. ''Did my son¡­ steal a panda from zoo?''


    Her lips twitched as she thought about the legal consequences of harboring a protected species.


    Wang Xiao didn''t seem the least bit concerned, but she knew better.


    ''If nothing else, we''re going to receive a very unpleasant legal notice soon,'' she sighed inwardly.


    Trying to mask her growing headache, Xinyue Zhn leaned closer to Wang Xiao, whispering, "Did you really take a panda? You do remember they''re a protected species, right?"


    Wang Xiao,pletely unbothered, gave her a sideways nce and shrugged. "She liked it."


    Xinyue Zhn massaged her temples, her mind ying out all kinds of absurd headlines: "Young Man Steals Endangered Panda Cub¡ªAuthorities Shocked!" She could already picture biologists fainting on live television while reporters hounded the vi.


    The potential scandal was enough to give her a headache.


    Little did she know, no one could even post his face online.


    Thanks toyers of censors, anything that involved him would mysteriously vanish from the inte unless it was posted directly from his personal ounts¡ªwhich, of course, he hadn''t used in ages.


    Even if they seeded in catching him in the act, what could they do?


    Just because the government was powerful didn''t mean it had control over everything.


    And if they tried iming sovereignty over him... He  could just im sovereignty over the entire nation.


    Governments were only seen as untouchable because people epted them as superior to them.


    "..."


    Xinyue Zhn stared at her son, her lips pursed in exasperation, but before she could voice her concerns, Wang Xiao casually interrupted. "She even named it," he said, his tone low-key proud.


    "Hm! Little Fattie!" Zhenxi dered with pride, her tiny hands patting the back of the poor panda cub, which was currently being strangled in her overenthusiastic grip.


    The panda squirmed helplessly, trying to wriggle free as Zhenxi''s arms tightened around it.


    Xinyue Zhn blinked. "..." She didn''t even know how to respond to that.


    Chen Meili, standing nearby, was equally speechless.


    She had seen and heard a lot of things today, but watching Zhenxi casually manhandle a protected species while her mother fretted about the consequences¡ªwell, this was beyond what she had prepared herself for.


    After a long bout of negotiation, Chen Meili finally managed to convince Zhenxi to leave with her for the day, promising that she could return tomorrow to y with Wang Xiao again.


    The little girl pouted but reluctantly agreed after extracting a solemn promise from Wang Xiao.


    Before leaving, however, Zhenxi had the audacity to wag her finger at him and warn, "If you leave again, I won''t talk to you anymore!"


    Wang Xiao, leaning against the doorframe, could only shake his head, feeling a mix of amusement and resignation.


    ''Out of all the misfortunes of my eighteen generations,'' he mused, ''I had to find and bless this rebellious creature..''


    As Zhenxi marched away, dragging the reluctant "Little Fattie" along with her, Chen Meili hurriedly followed, her face flushed from the entire situation.


    No one paid much attention to where the panda came from or how Zhenxi had gotten it¡ªno one wanted to open that can of worms just yet.


    Chen Meili was far too focused on getting Zhenxi out of the house before another disaster struck.


    Before she left, Wang Xiao asked for her contact information.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He wasn''t particrly interested in Chen Meili herself, but he had a few questions about Velvet Shadows.


    Suspiciously, she gave him the address of her shop, rather than her home, but he didn''t push.


    They exchanged contacts before she hurried out the door, her steps quickened by a mixture of nerves and relief.

 Chapter 511: Slaughtering the Garrison!

    Only when they were safely tucked inside the taxi, did the reality finally hit Chen Meili.


    Her heart pounded as she nced down at Zhenxi, her hands trembling slightly.


    "Z-Zhenxi!?" Her voice shook as she turned toward the child, eyes wide with disbelief. "Your eyes¡­ you said he healed them?"


    Zhenxi, happily hugging Little Fattie on herp, blinked up at her,pletely oblivious to the situation. "Mm! He did!" she chirped with a bright smile, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.


    "???"


    Chen Meili''s breath caught in her throat, her mind racing. ''Healed her? How could that be possible? The doctors said it was impossible, that nothing could fix her blindness!''


    Her eyes flickered in disbelief as they darted from Zhenxi''s now-clear eyes to the world outside the taxi. ''How did this happen? How is this even real?''


    She felt what had just urred settle over her like a heavy fog, leaving her both speechless and terrified.


    Chen Meili''s hands trembled as she fumbled with her phone.


    Rather than taking Zhenxi home, she dialed a familiar number. Her breath hitched, heart pounding in her chest as she made the call.


    "Xinxin?" Her voice was tense, almost breathless. "I need you to meet me at the city hospital. It''s urgent."


    There was a brief pause on the other end. "What''s going on?"


    "I''ll exin when I get there," Chen Meili replied, her tone sharp, betraying her usual calm. "Please¡­ just meet me. It''s about Zhenxi."


    After hanging up, she leaned back, her eyes flickering over to Zhenxi, who sat innocently with her panda cub in herp.


    The little girl nced up, her bright, clear eyes blinking in curiosity.


    Chen Meili stared at her, ''Can she really see everything now?''


    It still didn''t feel real.


    Her mind kept reying Zhenxi''s words, trying to grasp the impossible.


    "Meili, why are we going to the hospital? I can already see, we don''t need to visit there anymore..?" Zhenxi asked, her tone light, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.


    Chen Meili''s hands tightened in herp.


    She couldn''t answer, not until she knew exactly what had happened¡ªuntil she saw the truth with her own eyes.


    ___


    At night, the world seemed still, but Wang Xiao moved with quiet purpose, tracing the aura of the captain who hade to his home earlier.


    His steps were soundless as he drifted through the night, the faint shimmer of his presence resembling a ghostly mist, two sharp eyes gleaming from within the fog.


    The captain''s trail carried him far to the outskirts of the city, where the faint glow of a barricaded, steel-wired establishment came into view.


    Wang Xiao hovered effortlessly in the air, surveying the area with a nce that missed nothing.


    "A garrison?" he murmured to himself, his voice no more than a whisper on the wind.


    Below himy a heavily armed facility, surrounded by steel barriers and barbed wire.


    Seven hundred soldiers patrolled the grounds, all armed to the teeth.


    Yet, what caught his attention was the second facility inside thepound.


    This one housed two hundred more soldiers, and as Wang Xiao''s divine sense swept over them, he couldn''t help but frown in disdain.


    "Only ten years of lifespan left?"


    The soldiers in this inner facility, though muscr and powerful, had the faint marks of death clinging to them.


    Their lifespans had been cut short, no doubt from the use of gically modified drugs designed to enhance their physical abilities.


    Their auras screamed of strength¡ªsome even at the Grandmaster and Great-grandmaster levels¡ªbut it came at a cost.


    With only ten years left to live, they were nothing more than tools¡ªmindless puppets trapped in the twilight of their existence.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze shifted across the garrison.


    Hundreds of staff manned the control centers, which oversaw the armory packed with tanks, helicopters, and advanced jets.


    Even the walls were lined with unmanned thermal machine guns, anti-aircraft guns, and electronic field barriers designed to protect against aerial threats.


    It was an impressive show of force, fitting for Magic City¡ªthe financial hub of the Qing Dynasty¡ªbut the soldiers'' fates left him with a sour taste.


    ''To sacrifice one''s life to be a puppet for some fleeting power? Worthless.''


    Whoosh!


    In an instant, Wang Xiao descended from the sky, his form shifting through the air like a dark cloud.


    Hended silently atop the head of an anti-aircraft gun, his aura barely detectable as he surveyed the garrison below.


    BOOM!


    Without warning, the anti-aircraft gun exploded beneath his feet, ripped apart like paper.


    Wang Xiao tossed the torn nozzle casually toward another gun, sending it crashing into the weaponry with an earth-shattering explosion.


    Sirens red!


    The entire facility was drenched in the shing red lights of rms, loud enough to wake the dead.


    Soldiers scrambled to their posts, confused and panicked as they tried to make sense of what had just happened.


    But Wang Xiao wasn''t finished.


    BAM! BAM! BAM!


    The unmanned guns roared to life, unleashing a torrent of bullets at Wang Xiao. The rounds struck his body, but to no avail¡ªthey crumpled like paper before falling uselessly to the ground.


    BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!


    Explosions echoed as anti-aircraft guns fired, sending plumes of smoke into the night.


    The garrison was a scene of utter chaos, red lights shing and rms ring.


    "Target on the left square! First Squad¡ªengage immediately!" barked an officer into his radio. "Kill on sight!"


    The barracks erupted with movement as battalions of soldiers flooded out, boots mming against the ground in perfect unison.


    The rhythmic thud, thud, thud of their march blended with the deafening hum of helicopters as they took to the sky, des slicing through the air.


    Yet, as the soldiers neared the site of the destruction, they were met with a terrifying sight¡ªone side of the facility had been obliterated.


    Buildingsy in ruins, shattered in the span of just a minute.


    In the center of the carnage, stood Wang Xiao, nonchnt as he ripped the head off a soldier with terrifying ease.


    His hand clenched, and the sound of tearing flesh echoed in the still air.


    Blood sprayed in arcs as he smiled¡ªa cold smile.


    SMASH!


    With a flick of his wrist, he hurled the severed head at the steel fence, and it exploded into a fine mist of blood and bone upon impact.


    Gasp!


    Three battalions, each with sixty soldiers, had gathered before him, but their presence did little to faze him.


    His eyes scanned themzily before they fell on a particr figure¡ªthe captain of the second squad.


    The same one who had spoken to him earlier at his home.


    Wang Xiao''s grin widened, dark and mocking.


    He stepped forward, each step sending the hearts of these man to deepest chamber of hell.


    "You," he said, his tone deceptively casual, "You were going to make me pay, Captain?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The captain visibly paled, but his grip on his weapon tightened.


    Wang Xiao tilted his head slightly, his eyes gleaming with a terrifying calmness. "How about it?" he continued, his voice soft but deadly. "I''m already here. Why don''t you make me pay... now?"

 Chapter 512: Slaughtering the Garrison (2)

    "I''m already here. Why don''t you make me pay... now?"


    Wang Xiao''s voice carried through the air like a death sentence.


    His words froze the soldiers where they stood, their bodies stiffening in fear.


    Even the helicopters circling above hesitated, the whirring des slowing as if waiting for orders.


    The captain, his face ashen and drenched in sweat, snapped out of his terror. His voice trembled as he barked, "Fire! Fire! What are you waiting for?!"


    Bam-Bam-Bam!


    The helicopters roared to life, unleashing a barrage of gunfire toward Wang Xiao.


    Bullets screamed through the air, cutting through the night. Dust and debris erupted into the sky as the earth around Wang Xiao exploded from the impact.


    The battalions stood frozen, their weapons raised but fingers hesitant on the triggers.


    They watched, their hearts pounding, as the dust and smoke engulfed everything.


    For a brief moment, the entire garrison held its breath, the world seeming to slow as they waited to see the aftermath.


    "Is he dead¡ª" one of the soldiers started, his voiceced with disbelief.


    Puff!


    As the dust cleared, Wang Xiao stood there, untouched.


    Everything around him had been obliterated, but not a single scratch marred his body. And the bullets¡ªthey hadn''t reached him.


    Instead, they swirled around him in a perfect circle, spinningzily in midair as if caught in some invisible vortex.


    The soldiers stared, eyes wide with shock and horror. This was beyond anything they had ever seen.


    With a mere thought, Wang Xiao''s eyes shed.


    Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!


    The bullets reversed their path,unching themselves straight into the heads of the soldiers in front of him.


    Puchi! Puchi! Puchi!


    Blood sprayed into the air as one after another fell, lifeless, before they even realized what had happened.


    The helicopters above faltered, the pilots hesitating as they witnessed the massacre below.


    The captain''s voice, which had once carried authority, nowy lifeless.


    Wang Xiao looked at the remaining soldiers with disinterest, his voice cold. "Was that your best shot?"


    Silence fell, broken only by the distant hum of the helicopter des, but even those seemed to grow quieter, as if the very machines had sensed that the end was near.


    _______


    "Commander! Commander! Something terrible has happened!"


    A soldier burst into themand center, gasping for breath, his chest heaving as if he''d sprinted the entire way.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Mao Xiang, the Garrison Commander, wasn''t seated. His gaze was locked on the fires raging outside his office.


    The once-strong barracks were crumbling, smoke rising ominously into the night sky.


    "I can see that, you idiot!" Mao Xiang barked, turning sharply to face his panicked deputy, Li Bao. "Why haven''t you unleashed the elite units already?" His voice carried a sharp, cold edge, eyes narrowing with fury.


    Li Bao stood there, his forehead glistening with sweat, visibly trembling. "W-We already did it, Commander..." he stammered, his words barely audible.


    Mao Xiang''s frown deepened, confusion shing across his face. "And?"


    He had been the Garrison Commander for over a decade. In that time, he''d seen the rise of the Ascendant Serum, the government''s secret weapon¡ªa serum that pushed human bodies beyond their limits, forcing aether into their veins to create monstrous super-soldiers.


    These soldiers, enhanced beyond recognition, could destroy a military helicopter with their bare hands.


    They were the most terrifying force under hismand, elite and seemingly invincible.


    But the look on Li Bao''s face told a different story.


    "They... they''re all dead!" Li Bao hissed, his voice cracking with terror.


    His face was ghostly pale, as if he had seen something beyondprehension.


    "What!?" Mao Xiang''s voice wavered for the first time, disbelief cutting through his anger. His mind refused to process what he was hearing. ''Three minutes.. It had barely been three minutes since the elite units were dispatched. And now¡­ they were gone? All of them?


    ''


    "Are you insane, Deputy Li?" Mao Xiang''s eyes narrowed dangerously, now slits of fury and confusion. "How could anyone¡ª"


    Before he could finish his sentence, the door to the room suddenly burst open with a deafening ¡ª BOOM!


    The heavy metallic door flew off its hinges, crashing into Li Bao with such force that it carried him across the room, mming him into the far wall.


    CRASH!


    SPLURT! SPLURT!


    The sound of metal crunching against bone was sickening, and before Mao Xiang could even react, blood sttered across the walls, coating the room in a mist.


    Puff!


    Li Bao''s body crumpled like a ragdoll, his life snuffed out in an instant.


    Blood and flesh smeared the wall behind him, his wide, lifeless eyes staring nkly at nothing.


    Mao Xiang stood frozen in ce, his heart pounding in his chest, his breath shallow.


    Fear, cold seemed to have clutched his legs, gripping him like a reaper.


    His wide eyes shifted slowly from the blood-soaked wall to the figure now standing in the doorway.


    Wang Xiao stepped inside, his expression calm, as if he had merely strolled into a meeting, not into a room where death had just swept through.


    His eyes, dark and glinting, fell on Mao Xiang.


    "So," Wang Xiao said, his voice as casual as if he were discussing the weather, "you were the one giving the orders." His gaze flickered briefly to Li Bao''s broken body before settling back on Mao Xiang.


    Mao Xiang''s body trembled involuntarily, his throat dry, words caught somewhere between terror and disbelief.


    Five minutester.


    The once-arrogant Commander Mao Xiang sat slumped in his own chair, his body unrecognizable from the man who had confidentlymanded an entire garrison just moments ago.


    His fingernails were scraped down to raw flesh, his eyes gouged out, leaving only empty sockets.


    His skin, or what remained of it, hung in patches, as if peeled awayyer byyer.


    He no longer looked human, more a twisted, frail husk glued to the seat, held captive by the very thing that had once symbolized his authority.


    Wang Xiao, standing before him, spoke calmly, his voice devoid of emotion. "Below your chair, I''ve ced a spike. It will increase in size by one centimeter every hour. Leaving your seat is impossible, and so is destroying the spike. You''ll remain like this... forever, until death ims you."


    "Whimper..."


    Mao Xiang''s lips trembled, but he didn''t even dare beg for mercy.


    His mind had already shattered beyond repair, crushed by the terror that radiated from the man in front of him.


    Even if he wanted to, no plea could have saved him now.


    His face, peeled of flesh and dripping with blood, was a scream of agony.


    Silent tears and snot mixed with the red stains on his face, though his empty eyes could shed no more.


    Wang Xiao turned, unbothered by the horror he left behind. "Evangeline Technologies..." he muttered, a name drawn from the dyingmander''s broken whispers.


    As he walked away, leaving the burning garrison, the mes cast eerie res that danced in the destruction around him.


    The entire facility had been torn apart, reduced to rubble and ash.


    But themand center¡ªthe heart of it all¡ªremained intact.


    Wang Xiao had ensured it wouldn''t burn, standing as a monument to what had happened.


    He wanted the authorities, the government, the so-called elites who dared meddle in his affairs, toe and witness the spectacle he had created.


    He imagined their terrified faces as they realized just what sin they havemitted.


    A grin tugged at his lips as he disappeared into the night. ''Let theme. Let them see the fear that now rules their hearts...''

 Chapter 513: Clingy Daughter (1)

    In an unknown ind,


    The night was dark with illusionary.


    Inside a nightclub, smoke twisted like mist in the heavens, a heavy cloud of coke and weed drifting across the dance floor.


    The air was filled with corruption, as the pounding music disconnected the patrons from reality, drowning their senses in alcohol and narcotics.


    They sought escape, sce in the loud beats that numbed them to their own misery.


    Behind the stage, two figures stood, separated from the chaos by arge ss wall.


    The people in the club couldn''t see through from the outside, oblivious to the observers above them.


    "Anything catch your eye?" asked a woman beside him.


    She was striking¡ªPrincess Selina of Monaco, with long, slightly curled auburn-red hair that gave her a regal, yet sophistication.


    Her voice was smooth, but the question was casual, as if she had asked this many times before.


    Beside her, Wang Xiao remained silent for a moment, his gaze scanning the crowd below.


    Women of all shapes and sizes danced on the floor, some barely clothed, their bodies moving rhythmically to the beat. Long legs, thick thighs, big breasts, slender waists¡ªthere was a variety to satisfy almost any desire.


    But his eyes moved over them indifferently. "Nothing." He turned away, his interest absent.


    He shifted to face another ss wall, this one looking out over another room¡ªdifferent from the pulsating nightclub.


    Rows of women sat on stools, all dressed provocatively in red, their clothes designed to show off their curves.


    Each of them wore a number tag pinned to their chests, collected from every corner of the world, all waiting to be chosen.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flickered across their faces, one by one. Still, none held his interest.


    He shook his head. "Forget it," he muttered. "I''ve already killed enough people today."


    His figure disappeared into the shadows before Selina could respond.


    "Okay..." Selina blinked, used to his abrupt exits.


    Over thest few years, she had grown ustomed to Wang Xiao''s unpredictable nature.


    He was easy to speak to, in his way, but asionally, he would show up and ask her to gather women for him¡ªunbothered about anything else as long as they were beautiful.


    She didn''t knew why.


    Wang Xiao needed these women to stabilize his spirit, a strangepulsion tied to the bnce of his power. But today, something had shifted. Perhaps he had taken enough lives to steady himself. Today, these women¡ªvirgins or not¡ªdidn''t interest him.


    He seemed disgusted, if anything, by the sight of them.


    Selina sighed softly as she watched him vanish. She wasn''t surprised. Whether he took the women or not, her job remained the same: to ensure there was always a fresh supply for him.


    She was, after all, just another tool.


    A princess, but little more than a maid to Wang Xiao.


    Still, she respected him.


    Perhaps feared him a little.


    She knew she wasn''t alone in that.


    After a moment of lingering, Selina left the room as well.


    She knew that the other princesses who stayed in the castle in Romania shared her caution. They rotated in shifts¡ªhalf staying in Romania while the others returned to the outside world, pretending to live normal lives with their families. It was a delicate bnce.


    Yet, even if all the princesses left, Wang Xiao wouldn''t care. He rarely visited the castle, but the fear never left their eyes, the bloody rain of the Romania, would never be forgotten.


    They knew that if he ever arrived and didn''t find what he wanted, their nations could fall into ruin at his whim.


    Just one bad day, and it would be gone..


    Not that he had to enforce it himself.


    That task fell to ra, the poisonous woman who kept tight control over everything in Romania.


    She was the one who made sure everything ran smoothly while Wang Xiao indulged in his whims, moving unchecked through the world, leaving the aftermath for others to clean up.


    Wang Xiao''s mind wandered briefly to ra, the poisonous woman who ruled Europe like a queen.


    She was loyal and obedient to him, yes, but her arrogance and venomous nature toward others had always been something of an issue.


    He had thought of dealing with it many times, but other matters always took precedence.


    As Selina wondered over what type of woman might catch Wang Xiao''s interest next time, he had already arrived back in the Qing Dynasty, transported in the blink of an eye.


    The cool, familiar yet distant atmosphere of his room greeted him, though it felt more like a resting ce than home.


    Without a second thought, he headed to the bathroom, his clothes stained with the blood of the night''s earlier events.


    Click!


    Wang Xiao stepped out of the bathroom, water droplets glistening on his skin, his lower half wrapped in a towel.


    The room was softly lit by yellowmps, casting long shadows across the floor.


    His familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings in the Qing Dynasty felt oddly distant despite his return. He moved towards the bed, his body aching with exhaustion after the chaos of the day.


    His eyes swept over the room, but all he truly wanted was to copse into sleep.


    The stains of blood on his discarded clothes were the only evidence left of the life he''d taken.


    ''I''ve forgotten the time already.'' He sighed inwardly.


    Living with his family had been taxing¡ªintegrating into the mundane routine of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.


    For Wang Xiao, food was rarely a necessity, more of a social tool when he was with his women and daughters. But here, in the mortal world, following their routines was¡­ exhausting.


    He sank onto the bed, the soft fabric cushioning his tired body. ''Maybe just a few hours...'' he thought, letting his guard down.


    But just as his eyes began to close, he felt something shift¡ªsomething crawling over him, starting from his legs and moving upward.


    His brow furrowed slightly, and as the warm sensation spread, a weight pressed against him.


    A pair of soft, warm hands slid over his chest, and something heavy and full settled atop him.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Before he could react, a quilt was gently pulled over the both of them, and he heard a soft, familiar voice whisper near his ear, "Daddy..."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes slowly opened, and his gaze fell on the woman now nestled against him.


    ''So, she''s here...''


    An unconscious smile bloomed across Wang Xiao''s face, as serene as the rising moon over a quiet mountainke.


    Beneath the soft quilt, resting like a delicate flower upon his chest, was Wenxi, her red lips adorably curved into a pout.


    Her head was nestled against him, as if she were a sleeping lotus resting upon a calm, eternal river.


    Wenxi''s slender hand, pale as snow and soft as petals, slipped out from beneath the quilt. She waved it in front of his face, her small fingers spread wide, except for her thumb.


    "Four!" she dered, the number appearing as delicate as a plum blossom in spring.


    "It''s been four days!" she added, her voice sweet yetced with a yful grievance, more akin to theint of a mischievous breeze than any true anger. "You haven''te to visit us in four days!"


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help butugh.


    Her familiar fragrance, light and sweet as the first bloom of jasmine after rain, filled his senses, lifting his mood effortlessly. They said he was addicted to his daughters, but in truth, they were like flowers that sought the sunlight of his presence.


    "Four days and already using me ofmitting a grave crime?" he teased, gently lifting the edge of the quilt to reveal her delicate, sulking face.


    "Mmm..." Her cheeks were like soft peach blossoms kissed by the morning sun, her expression making her both adorable and enchanting.


    He reached out, his hand moving as if to gently cradle a rare blossom, and pulled her closer, bringing her nearer to him.


    "Hmph! It is a crime!" Wenxi muttered, her gaze drifting away as a subtle flush bloomed on her cheeks.


    Wang Xiao chuckled again, his voice softer now, "If you can''t live four days without me, how will you handle longer absences?" he asked, his tone carrying a warmth, yet teasing her like the sun flirting with the petals of a wilting flower.


    Wenxi''s eyes, as bright and fierce as the clearest of mountain springs, red at him "Not living!" she dered with conviction, her voice sharp and defiant as if she had already made up her mind.


    Wang Xiao smiled gently, amused by her resolve. "That serious, hm?"

 Chapter 514: Clingy Daughter (2)

    "That serious, hm?"


    Wenxi''s face flushed slightly as embarrassment flickered in her eyes.


    ''Grown-ups shouldn''t act like this,'' she thought, but that didn''t stop her from puffing her cheeks, her pout deepening like a stubborn flower refusing to bloom.


    Despite her inner thoughts, she snuggled closer, her delicate form nestling into Wang Xiao''s chest as if seeking shelter from a strong breeze.


    "Yes!" she huffed indignantly. "You visit so many women every day, but have no time for us? Hmm¡­ you''re so biased!" Her small hands clenched, fingers tightening as if she were grasping onto thest of her patience.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but chuckle. Since his return, most of his time had been spent attending to matters outside, and it was clear that Wenxi wasn''t happy about it.


    "Oh?" he asked teasingly, his tone light but mischievous. "So, you want to rece my women?"


    Wenxi blinked, her lips pressing together in thought, a glimmer of cunning sparking in her eyes. "No," she finally replied, a slow smile creeping across her face, showing her pearly white teeth. "It''s a downgrade."


    Her sudden smile took Wang Xiao by surprise, and he raised an eyebrow, curious as to what she was nning.


    Before he could react, Wenxi had already grabbed a tube of lipstick from the bedside table, her movements quick and determined.


    Her smile widened as she uncapped the lipstick, the faint scent of dark red tempting roses filling the air. Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued as he watched her smear the crimson shade across her already plump lips.


    "What are you doing?" he asked, though he made no move to stop her.


    Her eyes sparkled with determination, and without answering, she leaned in close¡ªso close he could feel the warmth of her breath against his skin.


    Her lips pressed firmly against his cheek, leaving behind a bright red mark like the imprint of a blooming flower.


    Wang Xiao blinked in surprise, but before he could react, she moved again, this time nting a kiss on his forehead. Another mark. Another bloom.


    She smiled softly, her eyes gleaming as she continued. She kissed the tip of his nose, her lips leaving behind yet another vivid mark, then moved to his jaw, her lips brushing lightly against his skin, like petals falling gently in a spring breeze.


    With each kiss, Wenxi became more animated, smiling between each one as she meticulously covered every inch of his face. His cheeks, his chin, his temples¡ªno spot was left untouched. She pressed her lips to his skin over and over again, her small hands gripping his shoulders as if to steady herself, determined to leave no nk space behind.


    Wang Xiao watched her with a bewildered expression.


    He could feel the softness of her lips, the delicate pressure with each kiss, like raindrops falling on a calm pond.


    Despite the absurdity of it, he couldn''t help but smile.


    As she leaned back to inspect her work, her eyes sparkled with satisfaction.


    But she wasn''t finished. She leaned in again, pressing her lips to his chin, then along his jawline, her small frame almost clinging to him as she continued her little harmless assault.


    By the time she finally pulled away, Wang Xiao''s face was a canvas of lipstick marks, a riot of red that covered his skin in a array.


    Wenxi giggled, clearly proud of herself, her cheeks flushed with excitement.


    "There!" she dered triumphantly, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "Now you look perfect!"


    Wang Xiao sighed, though the twinkle in his eyes betrayed his amusement. "I suppose this means you''ve imed me, huh?" he teased.


    Wenxi puffed her cheeks, crossing her arms with a triumphant pout. "Of course! Now everyone will know you''re ours." But as the moment lingered, her face flushed slightly in embarrassment.


    She hadn''t really thought through what she was doing, and now her heart thudded in her chest, unsure how he would react.


    She was daring today, braver than usual, and her mind buzzed with the possible consequences.


    Wang Xiao, observing the mix of excitement and embarrassment that lit up her expression, decided to push her just a little further. "You forget a ce," he said, his voice soft, but carrying a yful edge.


    "Huh? Which ce?" Wenxi blinked in surprise, immediately turning her head to look around, her eyes scanning his face as if trying to figure out where she had missed. Her brows furrowed in genuine confusion¡ª''How could I forget something?''


    Seeing her panic over something so small made Wang Xiao chuckle softly. He reached out and gently grabbed a handful of her silky, soft hair, running his fingers through the smooth strands as if they were the finest silk.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The moonlight filtering through the window cast a soft glow over her white hair, making it shine like a waterfall of light.


    Wang Xiao brought her hair to his lips, brushing it gently, before speaking in a low murmur. "Here."


    "!"


    The moment his words reached her ears, Wenxi''s eyes widened in shock.


    Her heart skipped a beat, her lips parting slightly as the weight of his yful words sank in.


    She stared at him, wide-eyed, her earlier boldness crumbling under the moment.


    Her lips parted, but no words came out. The air between them felt filled with something she couldn''t quite ce, and her heartbeat seemed to echo in her ears.


    Wang Xiao''s fingers continued to weave through her hair, the strands slipping effortlessly through his grasp like the finest silk. He watched her reaction, amused by the shift in her demeanor, that delicate bnce between embarrassment and curiosity.


    "You were so confident just a moment ago," he teased, his voice low and smooth, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "What happened to all that?"


    Wenxi felt her cheeks burn, the warmth creeping down her neck.


    ''What did happen to it?'' She had been so daring, so sure of herself, but now, with his eyes locked on her, all that boldness had evaporated like mist in the morning sun. Her fingers fidgeted in herp, unsure of what to do with themselves.


    "I didn''t forget on purpose..." she mumbled, trying to regain some of her earlier confidence but failing miserably.


    Wang Xiao smirked, his grip on her hair loosening as he let it cascade back down around her shoulders. "Mm-hmm, sure," he said, his tone dripping with yful skepticism. "I think you just needed me to remind you."


    Her blush deepened, and she looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment. "I wasn''t trying to..." she started, but her voice trailed off. She could still feel the ghost of his touch on her hair, and her thoughts were a jumbled mess.


    Wang Xiao leaned closer, his presence overwhelming as he brought his face near hers. "You know, Xi''er," he murmured, his lips hovering just near her ear, "you shouldn''t start something if you''re not ready to finish it."


    "..."


    His words sent another shiver through her, and she bit her lip, unsure of how to respond.


    She gathered what little courage she had left and turned her head to face him, though her heart was still pounding. "Who said I wasn''t ready?" she whispered, her voice wavering but steady enough to hold some weight.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, surprised at her reply.


    For a moment, the room was silent, except for their breathing.


    Then, with a smirk ying on his lips, he leaned back slightly, giving her a little space but keeping his eyes firmly on hers.


    "Is that so?" he asked, his voice still teasing, but now there was a hint of curiosity in his gaze. "Then prove it."


    Wenxi blinked, caught off guard by the challenge. Her mind raced, trying to figure out what he meant, what he wanted from her. She swallowed hard, her eyes darting away from his piercing gaze for just a second before returning.


    ''Prove it?'' She wasn''t sure what that meant exactly, but the thrill of the moment¡ªof being so close to him, of the way his presence made her feel both nervous and secure¡ªmade her want to...

 Chapter 515: Saving it for the last...

    Wenxi took a deep breath, gathering every ounce of courage she had, and leaned forward until her face was just inches from Wang Xiao''s.


    Her lips trembled, but her gaze remained steady, locked with his. She wasn''t going to back down now. Not after everything. "Fine," she whispered softly, her voice barely audible. "I''ll prove it... I was just saving it forst.."


    Her fingers shook slightly as she fumbled with the lipstick, but she managed to reapply it to her lips, her movements deliberate despite her trembling.


    "Close your eyes," she murmured, her voice barely hiding the nervous excitement coursing through her.


    Wang Xiao, amused, could hear her heart pounding like a frightened deer, but he obliged, closing his eyes without protest.


    The room felt still, the only sound the soft rustle of fabric as Wenxi leaned closer.


    Then, he felt it¡ªa soft, moist peck against his lips. So light, like the touch of a butterfly''s wings. His eyes shot open in surprise, and there she was, staring at him innocently, her face inches from his.


    Her elbow restedzily on his chest, her palm supporting her chin, her head tilted.


    Her eyes blinked at him with a look of pure mischief, her lips slightly parted as she calmly asked, "What happened, ''dad''?" Her voice was sweet, but her intent unmistakable.


    "..." Wang Xiao''s face darkened with irritation.


    He had been prepared to catch her, maybe even tease her further, but Wenxi had moved too quickly, catching him off guard. Now, she had the audacity to look innocent, like she hadn''t just turned the tables on him.


    "You evil spirit..." Wang Xiao growled yfully. Without a second thought, he grabbed a handful of her soft flesh, patting her on the butt with a swift, firm motion.


    Then suddenly, his face closed in on her. Sensing his intentions, she panicked.


    "Ah!" Her body jerked at the sudden sensation, her eyes widening in shock as her cheeks flushed crimson. Without thinking, she leaned forward with a startled yelp, her teeth sinking into his shoulder in a panicked, instinctive bite.


    "??"


    Wang Xiao was stunned, his body going rigid as the sharp pain registered. For a moment, all he could do was stare at her, bewildered by the sudden turn of events. Wenxi, realizing what she had done, froze, her eyes widening in horror.


    Her lips remained pressed to his shoulder, her face only inches away from his as she slowly, carefully pulled back, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.


    She bit him.


    ''I-I actually bit him!'' Her mind raced with a million thoughts, and she wished she could disappear into the ground. Her teeth had sunk into his flesh, and now, she couldn''t even bear to look at him.


    But when she finally did¡ªseeing his wide, shocked eyes and the growing smirk on his face¡ªWenxi''s expression became conflicted, shy, and mortified all at once.


    "I¡­ didn''t mean¡­" she mumbled, her voice barely audible. Her face was a shade of red deeper than any lipstick could achieve, and she couldn''t meet his gaze, too flustered.


    Wang Xiao, still stunned, blinked once before a slow smile spread across his lips. "I see... So, this is how you retaliate?"


    He couldn''t resistughing at the situation¡ªher adorable, embarrassed state was too much.


    As Wenxi shyly lowered her gaze, her delicateshes fluttering like butterfly wings, Wang Xiao''s face drew closer, drawn by her ethereal presence.


    The air between them seemed to shimmer with an intoxicating sweetness.


    He inhaled deeply, savoring her fragrance¡ªa mix of soft blossoms and the innocence of untouched spring mornings.


    Unable to resist, he gently pressed his face against hers, the warmth of her skin igniting a storm of emotions within him.


    "!"


    Wenxi''s eyes widened in surprise, her grip weakening as she softly copsed onto him, her tender body molding against his.


    Her breath came in slow, uneven waves as her chest rose and fell against him, her head tilting to one side, avoiding his gaze, as though she couldn''t bear.


    His hand moved like a whisper across her slender back, tracing the curves of her body with the reverence one might show to fragile porcin.


    He caressed her milky-white shoulders, skin like the surface of untouched jade, before his hand journeyed lower, finding the softness of her flesh.


    "Why aren''t you wearing anything?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, yet heavy with desire.


    Wenxi''s voice trembled as she muttered weakly, "I am¡­"


    "Hmm?" Wang Xiao, curious, lifted the edge of the quilt. When his eyes fell upon what she was wearing, his breath caught in his throat. His mind struck by a bolt of lightning.


    "!"


    Wenxi''s face flushed a deep, burning red, her cheeks glowing as she dared not look at him.


    "Mom said¡­ you wanted me to wear ck..." she muttered, her voice barely audible, trembling like the first snowke falling from a winter sky.


    The memory returned to Wang Xiao like a hazy dream¡ªthe conversation between him, Wang Mei, and Anran. He had asked Anran if she had ck clothes, but he never imagined this! The sheerce clinging to her like shadows at dusk...


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s feeling as though Anran had set up his innocentmb, fanning the mes of fire.


    His hand trembled slightly as he let the quilt cover her again, as if the very walls held unseen eyes, watching their every move.


    "Don''t wear such things again," he murmured, his lips brushing against her cheek before gently nibbling on her skin, a teasing touch that sent a ripple of warmth through both of them.


    "Hm¡­" Wenxi hummed, feeling a strange happiness wash over her.


    But when she felt the hot, wet trail of his saliva on her cheeks, she shivered involuntarily. His tongue moved withnguid precision, tracing circles, tasting her as if savoring the finest delicacy.


    Her breathing quickened, her chest rising and falling with an increasing rhythm.


    She felt like a fragile dessert, one that Wang Xiao couldn''t help but devour with all the restrained passion that had been locked inside him.


    Desire surged through him, burning like a wildfire that refused to be contained.


    He could hardly believe the depth of his feelings, the hunger that overtook him. As his lips moved over her, Wenxi''s legs shifted restlessly, rubbing against each other as though trying to flee the storm of sensations flooding her body.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Her whole being tingled, as if thousands of tiny ants danced across her skin, every nerve set aze by his touch.


    His hands, now more daring, slid over her back and thighs, adding fuel to the fire within her, making it impossible for her to escape the overwhelming emotions.

 Chapter 516: *Captured Bird*

    Wang Xiao looked down at Wenxi, her face flushed, breathing in soft, rapid bursts like the flutter of a butterfly''s wings.


    His lips curled into a gentle smile.


    There was an untainted purity in her, a beauty that had never been touched by the world''s corruption, much like a snow lotus blooming on the highest peaks, far above the dust of the mortal realm.


    He had always believed that not every soul needed to be stained by the world''s ugliness.


    As long as he stood by their side, they would remain as untouched as the jade-like waters of a hidden spring.


    He had not taught them the ways of the world for the very reason that they were not of this world. They were above it. He had cultivated them to see the world as distant, as one gazes upon ants scattered across the earth below a towering mountain.


    He had kept them within Xianthera, where the chaos of the mortal realm could not reach, ensuring they saw those beyond as lesser beings, like the dragon views the snake.


    Just as the phoenix does not mourn the passing of clouds, they would not shed tears for nations that fell or lives that vanished into the river of time.


    "The sea of stars is vast; who can count the falling leaves?"


    Their hearts remained as still as a windless autumn night.


    Athene had trained them well. Her gaze, cold and distant like the stars, saw the world as nothing more than a fleeting shadow.


    She taught them to be above the mundane, like the moon reflected on a thousandkes, serene and untouchable. It was this very grace, this otherworldly detachment, that made them all the more charming to Wang Xiao.


    How could one not adore such a being, untouched by the dirt of the earth?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Just seeing her ears twitch slightly in the stillness of the room, his heart filled with a warmth, like sunlight filtering through bamboo groves after a long winter.


    She was his celestial treasure, and though her aura spoke of realms above to others, she was his to cherish.


    "I suppose it''s time I im you as mine," he murmured, his voice as soft as the wind in early spring, carrying the first scent of blooming plum blossoms.


    He picked up the discarded lipstick, his fingers light as a brushstroke. With slow, deliberate care, he lifted her chin and gently traced the lipstick across her lips, like a poet writing the final stroke of a perfect verse on the purest parchment.


    "Eh??"


    Wenxi''s eyes widened in surprise, her breath catching like the final note of a song lingering in the twilight air.


    She stared at Wang Xiao''s face, her heart pounding as he cupped her soft cheeks in his hands.


    He discarded the lipstick with a flick of his wrist, like an artist casting aside an unnecessary brush, his gaze now fixed on her delicate, trembling features.


    Her eyes, usually as calm as still waters, now rippled with confusion and anticipation, like a sereneke disturbed by a sudden breeze.


    The moment she sensed him drawing closer, her hands, drained of strength, pressed gently but helplessly against his chest.


    "D-Dad¡­!?" she whispered, her voice trembling, half-formed words lost in the growing heat between them.


    Her eyes fluttered shut in panic as he closed the distance, her mind spinning like a leaf caught in a fierce wind.


    She could feel the intensity of his hunger¡ªlike a wanderer in the desert, who had not tasted water for days, desperate and thirsty.


    He did not give her a chance to retreat, his lips crashing against hers with the force of a sudden storm.


    "!"


    In that instant, a small blemish appeared on her once untainted blossom, but as he began to kiss her deeply, it faded away, reced by a rush of sweetness.


    Her lips were soft and fragrant, carrying a taste that defied words. It was intoxicating¡ªlike the scent of blooming flowers in the night or the first sip of spring wine.


    He could not get enough, his senses overwhelmed.


    Wenxi''s body trembled beneath his, overwhelmed by the heat surging through her lips.


    His tongue brushed gently against her closed lips, parting them ever so slightly as it met the delicate resistance of her teeth, which had opened just enough to grant him entry.


    With careful persistence, his tongue slipped into her mouth, exploring its depths with the hunger of someone savoring a rare and forbidden delicacy. Every corner of her mouth was tasted, cherished, as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.


    His intensity startled her. The girl who had never been touched, let alone kissed, found herself drowning in a wave of emotions she didn''t know how to handle.


    Her vision blurred, tears welling in her eyes, though she wasn''t sure if they were from confusion, panic, or something else althougher.


    Her heart fluttered like the wings of a captured bird, caught between the unfamiliar storm tempting her closer and the reluctance pulling her back.


    Slurp... Slurp...


    Once their lips met, it was as though their bodies acted on instinct alone.


    Her hands, seemingly of their own will, began to explore his firm chest, while his hands moved over her, tracing every curve with a hunger he could no longer suppress.


    Words had no ce here¡ªonly the primal, unspokennguage of their bodies, bing increasingly wild.


    Wenxi''s body heated rapidly, each touch sending ripples of warmth through her.


    She pressed her trembling hands against his chest, struggling to catch her breath, as realization slowly dawned on her.


    ''What am I doing?''


    She hade to him like this, wearing something so revealing.


    She hadn''t thought it through¡ªwhat had she been thinking, appearing before him in the night?


    She couldn''t believe it, guilt creeping into her heart.


    She only wanted some attention from him, not beid bare on the ughter board.


    The mes fanned by her had started to burn her back, now impossible to ignore.


    "D-Dad¡­ this is... I¡­" she stammered, her voice soft and hesitant.


    Wang Xiao''s body, however, betrayed his own conflicted mind.


    He wanted to stop, to regain control, but his hands and heart had long since taken over.


    He couldn''t pull back now.


    The air grew fragnant in tension, the line between affection and something more blurring rapidly.


    "You... Should leave..." he whispered, more to himself than her, his breath hot and unsteady.


    Before he knew it, he had turned her gently onto her back, pressing her into the bed.


    His eyes met hers, conflicted but full of need.


    Wenxi''s breath came in shallow gasps, her chest rising and falling with the weight of their shared emotions.


    "Haa... haa..." she breathed, her eyes wide, her lips wet and swollen from their kiss.


    A drop of saliva glistened at the corner of her mouth, but neither of them noticed.


    Her gaze flickered, panic shing in her eyes. "D-Dad¡­ Mary... Mary is watching...mmmgh..." she whimpered, her voice trembling.

 Chapter 517: *Only touch?*

    Her gaze flickered, panic shing in her eyes. "D-Dad¡­ Mary... Mary is watching...mmmgh..." she whimpered, her voice trembling.


    Wang Xiao''s control snapped, her words only fueling the fire. He leaned down, pressing his lips to her cheeks, biting and nibbling gently, his lips trailing down her neck.


    Each touch made her shiver, goosebumps spreading across her skin like ripples on water. He tasted her skin, the warmth intoxicating.


    "Mary doesn''t see anything... she''s blind..." he muttered between heated breaths, his lips brushing the sensitive curve of her neck.


    Wenxi gasped, her hands gripping his arms as her body trembled beneath him. "D-Dad... it''s strange... this feels... stop..." Her voice was soft, but her body betrayed her as it leaned into his touch, seeking warmth even as her words resisted.


    Wenxi''s lips quivered, her body betraying her resolve. She wanted to deny it, to push him away, but her heart pounded in her chest, and her breaths came quicker.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes wandered down, resting on the soft swell of her chest just beneath her slender shoulders. The ck fabric clung to her body, tempting her gentle curves, and his breath quickened as he slowly slid the fabric down, revealing her pale, jade-like skin.


    His fingers brushed lightly against her, causing her to tremble.


    His gaze fell upon her exposed chest¡ªround, soft, and wless, her pale skin glowing in the dim light.


    At the center, a delicate bud with a soft pink hue trembled slightly, as if seducing him closer, like a shy flower waiting to bloom in the moonlight.


    "D... don''t look at me like that..." she whispered, her voice faltering as her hands weakly tried to cover herself.


    But even in her resistance, her body responded to his touch, unable to deny the affection between them.


    "I can''t help it¡­" he murmured, his voice low and filled with desire for her. "You''re too beautiful¡­"


    Wenxi''s breath hitched, her heart racing as his hands explored her, sending shivers down her spine.


    She couldn''t stop the heat that flooded her body, or the way her chest tightened in response to his words.


    "I-I never thought¡­ it would be like this¡­" she whispered, her eyes shimmering with a mix of fear and curiosity.


    Wang Xiao leaned closer, his lips brushing against her neck, sending waves of warmth through her. "Neither did I," he admitted softly.


    "... w-we shouldn''t..." she stammered, her voice trembling with both desire and fear. She could barely speak, her mind clouded with confusion. "I... I wasn''t thinking..."


    Wenxi shivered, her body betraying her confusion and guilt. "¡­ I''m scared¡­" She looked up at him, her eyes wide and ssy with tears she hadn''t realized had welled up.


    Seeing the tears, Wang Xiao paused for a brief moment, his face conflicted. His hand hovered over her chest, hesitating as his own feelings warred within him. "Xi''er... I don''t want to hurt you..." His voice softened.


    "You won''t... but... this feels... too much..." Wenxi''s voice was shaky, but her hands, which had been pushing against him, now grasped his arms, as though caught between pulling him closer or pushing him away.


    He exhaled deeply, trying to regain some semnce of control, but his eyes couldn''t look away from the beautiful, untouched skin before him. "I won''t hurt you," he whispered again, his hand slowly moving down her side, tracing the slender waist of her body.


    Wenxi trembled beneath him, her breaths shallow, "Dad... I..."


    "Shh¡­" Wang Xiao leaned in, pressing his lips softly against hers once more. "Let me... just this once."


    "!"


    Seeing Wang Xiao before her, Wenxi''s heart couldn''t help but beat harder.


    She had stopped him countless times before, always holding him at the edge of restraint. If it had been anyone else in her ce, she knew their fate would not have been kind.


    Her hesitation had been forgiven, and even she could tell why.


    As she used one hand to cover her chest, the other ced firmly between her thighs, her resistance wavered. This was the first time he had pushed so far, openly, in the light.


    "You''ll... only touch?" she asked, her voice soft butced with uncertainty. The words felt like a lie the moment they left her lips.


    For a moment, Wang Xiao''s face darkened, a brief flicker of frustration, but it quickly returned to a smile, as if nothing had changed. "Okay," he replied, though both of them knew they were deceiving themselves.


    Wenxi caught the fleeting shift in his expression and felt a pang of crisis swell within her.


    She would likely regret saying thister... but not for the reasons she originally feared.


    There were consequences hidden in the quiet moments, waiting to reveal themselves.


    This, she realized, was the difference between her and Yue.


    Yue would never hesitate, would never refuse Wang Xiao, no matter the circumstance. She would submit, even if she didn''t like it, without question.


    Wenxi''s heart tightened at the thought.


    That unwavering loyalty was something shecked, and in this moment, it was both a strength and a curse. Yet, Wang Xiao did not have the mind to dwell on such things now. His focus, his desires, were elsewhere¡ªon her, and only her.


    "Mary will make sure I only touch," Wang Xiao added, his voice steady. At his words, Wenxi fell silent, but her gaze shifted to the corner of the room.


    Mary, who had been nothing more than a shadow in the background, stepped forward slightly, keeping her eyes averted, standing at a respectful distance from the bed.


    She kept her head bowed, refusing to look directly at them. It was clear¡ªWang Xiao''s ''daughters'' were a taboo subject, and he despised them being seen unclothed, even by women.


    Mary wore a faint, anxious smile beneath her calm exterior. After all, she had been their Nanny for over eighteen years, almost like a mother to them. To witness this moment was strange, yet it did not disturb her.


    As for the possibility of Wang Xiao turning on one of his kin, Mary did not flinch.


    She knew what he was capable of, knew the path he walked.


    If anything, she was more surprised that they hadn''t already been led to ughter by his hand. In her eyes, it was inevitable.


    Wenxi''s face flushed a deep red as her eyes lingered on Mary''s quiet form, but somehow, knowing she was there brought a strange sense of reassurance. "You said... she wasn''t watching," Wenxi muttered, looking back at Wang Xiao with usation.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but nce down, peeking through the gaps in her fingers at the soft breasts she was hiding. He remembered how they felt at night¡ªgentle, soft beneath his touch.


    Now, all he wanted was to explore them with his own hands.


    "She''s not watching. Or... should I take her eyes?" he whispered, his voice low and teasing as he pressed his face against the crook of her neck, rubbing against her soft, fragrant skin.


    Wenxi shivered at his touch, feeling the heat from his body intensify. His manhood, already hardened like tempered steel, pressed against her thigh, even through the thickyer of towel separating them.


    The warmth of it was undeniable.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "... Don''t take her eyes," Wenxi stammered, panic rising in her chest. "Mary... Mary is a good person."


    Wang Xiao nodded, though it was clear he cared little about whether Mary was good or not.


    Her fate mattered little to him.


    But Mary, standing silently at the edge of the room, flinched as if struck by a bolt of lightning.


    Her eyes, which had seen so much over the years, suddenly felt hollow.


    A grim expression crossed her face, and for the first time in what felt like a century, her emotions stirred.


    ''Good person?'' The words echoed in her mind, and she couldn''t help but feel a strange numbness creep into her heart.


    In all her long years of service, through the bloodshed, the secrets, and the betrayals, she had never once considered herself ''good.''


    Protecting Wang Xiao''s daughters wasn''t merely out of fear or duty¡ªit had be something more over time, something she couldn''t quite exin.


    Slowly, without realizing it, she had grown attached to them.


    Taking on this job had been the best decision of her life, but it also carried with it the weight of impossible choices, choices she would carry forever.


    And now, watching Wenxi''s trembling figure, Mary couldn''t help but wonder¡ªwhat would be of them all in the end?

 Chapter 518: Kick Anran to Amazon Rainforests!

    Back on the bed, Wang Xiao gently grasped Wenxi''s wrist, slowly removing the hand that was shielding her chest.


    Wenxi averted her gaze, staring off in another direction, her face flushed with both embarrassment and conflict.


    A wave of satisfaction washed over Wang Xiao as he finallyid his eyes on her body, unguarded.


    It had been two years since he hadst seen her like this, and yet, her soft, plush form had only grown more enticing.


    The sight stirred something deep within him, and he couldn''t help but marvel at how delicate and full she seemed.


    His hands moved instinctively, cupping her breasts with reverence, as if they were treasures he had long coveted but had been denied for so long.


    Wenxi flinched slightly at his touch, her breath hitching as his hot breath skimmed over her chest.


    She shivered, feeling a strange warmth coursing down her legs, spreading through her body like wildfire. His hands, firm yet careful, grasped her gently, the warmth of his palms sending ripples of sensation through her.


    Wang Xiao, feeling her trembling beneath him, pressed his face between her breasts, burying himself in the soft, supple flesh.


    His breath came out in a slow exhale, contentment flooding his senses as if her very essence soothed something deep within him.


    Wenxi''s entire body tensed, heat rising uncontrobly within her as she felt him so close, his hands iming what had always been her guarded, most precious possession.


    Her mind spun, barely able to process what was happening.


    Just as Wang Xiao''s lips hovered, ready to take a bite of the treasures before him, a voice suddenly shattered the heavy tension in the room like thunder splitting a silent sky.


    "Tada~! See what I got!"


    "..."


    "..."


    Both Wang Xiao and Wenxi froze instantly.


    Whoosh!


    Anran appeared, stepping into the room unannounced, a wide grin on her face that quickly faltered when she noticed the strange atmosphere hanging between everyone.


    Her eyes darted around, sensing the growing tension.


    ''Did Ie at the wrong time?'' she thought, her eye twitching at the sheer awkwardness.


    Wang Xiao was lying on the bed, expression unreadable, as if nothing were amiss, though there was an unmistakable bulge under the covers beside him, as if someone was desperately trying to hide.


    Mary, standing quietly nearby, stared at Anran in wide-eyed shock, as though the girl hadmitted some unspeakable sin and was about to be struck down by heavenly retribution.


    Wang Xiao''s face remained grim as he red at Anran, his tone low and threatening. "You better have something ''very'' good to show me, or I''ll send you to the Amazon rainforests for a century."


    The threat caused Anran to stiffen.


    She nced nervously at Mary, hoping for some exnation. ''What happened here?'' her eyes seemed to ask.


    Mary, however, only red back, shaking her head in silent resignation, her expression that of someone mourning a fool who had unknowingly walked straight into disaster.


    "..."


    Anran shifted awkwardly, her excitement from moments before deting as she realized she had undoubtedly interrupted something she shouldn''t have.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze darkened as he reclined on the bed, his voice low butmanding. "What do you want to show? Come and show me." Ignoring the stunned look on Anran''s face, he gestured for her to approach.


    With hesitant steps, Anran moved closer, holding out the camera. As the video yed, Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, his expression shifting from mild disinterest to surprise.


    "They''ve found me?" His eyes shed with disbelief, not at being discovered, but at the boldness of someone in this nation managing to unearth his identity and even daring to spy on him.


    Anran couldn''t contain the smug grin that spread across her face. "Not just found, when the crew came to demolish the house earlier today, the girl in this video made a call. After that, the urban development officer was scared off and left immediately. It seems like they''re trying to protect the dynasty from you," she said, her toneced with amusement.


    She clearly enjoyed the idea of people fearing him so profoundly.


    "Shall I tie them up and present them to you?" Anran asked tentatively, watching his reaction closely.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flickered over her face, measuring her. He knew she was a spy¡ªeven if her personality betrayed her identity¡ªbut the fact that she could spy on the special forces of the Qing Dynasty without being detected was... impressive.


    This girl was more than capable. In fact, Anran''s level of espionage far surpassed most operatives, having been trained from childhood by the elite of the elite.


    Even Li Zhiming, a former top-level spy, couldn''tpare to her cunning.


    But his focus shifted. This was not his immediate concern.


    "You told Wenxi I wanted her to wear ckce?" His tone was sharp, suspicion evident in his voice.


    Anran blinked rapidly, momentarily caught off guard. "Nope, I just told her you asked if she had any ck clothes. Why are you even asking about that now? It''s been a month..." Her eyes suddenly darted toward the bundle of sheets on the bed, and a slow realization dawned on her.


    "Mom!" Wenxi''s voice broke through, as she popped her head out from under the covers, her face flushed a deep crimson. "Why are you telling him everything?!"


    "!?"


    Anran''s face froze in surprise, then flickered between amusement and disbelief. She nced at Wang Xiao, then back at Wenxi, whose bare shoulder peeked out from the sheets.


    Anran''s eyes widened, then narrowed mischievously as she pieced it together, her gaze darting between the two, her expression bing more entertained by the second.


    Wang Xiao, catching her dramatic head movements, felt his temper re. His patience was already thin, and her yful nces weren''t helping. "Stop it," he growled.


    Wenxi was just as stunned, her face burning with embarrassment. She had worn the ckce outfit because Wang Xiao hadn''t visited her in four days¡ªan entire ''four days''. In fact, he had been distant for the past month, and she had agonized over whether to wear it for him or not, hoping to catch his attention.


    When he hadn''t shown up for days, she had finally decided to take the risk, to tempt him with something she thought he might like. But now, with Anran revealing everything, it became painfully obvious that Wang Xiao would know she had been thinking about it for an entire month.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The shame hit her like a tidal wave.


    Wenxi''s voice trembled with indignation internally, ''How could she just tell him everything without thinking twice?!''


    Anran''s teasing smile widened even further as she watched Wenxi grow flustered. "Sorry for disturbing you two! Carry on!" She gave a dramatic thumbs-up before bolting towards the window, leaping through it with an agility that left the room in stunned silence.


    "¡­"


    Wang Xiao rubbed his forehead, feeling a pulse of irritation re through him.


    "Carry on, my foot¡­" he muttered, ncing toward the now-open window. Not only had Anran vanished, but his ''little cotton ball,'' had somehow slipped away as well.


    He didn''t think she could run so fast.


    His eyes narrowed. "Did you send her away?" he asked, his gaze sharp and cold as it turned to Mary.


    Without flinching, Mary met his eyes with her usual unbothered calm. "You''ve instructed me to obey everything they ask of me. I couldn''t disobey her."


    "¡­"


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened at her response. It was true he had given thatmand, but it wasn''t meant to be followed so blindly.


    Mary, with her keen awareness, should have known when to ignore trivial orders. Hearing her excuse only deepened his displeasure.


    "Should I teleport her back?" Mary asked, her tone as t as ever.


    "Leave it," Wang Xiao replied tersely.


    Mary hesitated for a brief moment, sensing the shift in his mood, before adding cautiously, "She didn''t mean to upset you. Perhaps¡­ you shouldn''t take it to heart."


    Wang Xiao''s gaze flicked back to her, surprise tinging his voice. "Are you advocating for her over me?"

 Chapter 519: Unfamiliary familiar!

    Wang Xiao''s gaze flicked back to her, surprise tinging his voice. "Are you advocating for her over me?"


    "!"


    A sudden pressure filled the room, descending upon Mary like a weight, and her face paled immediately, color draining from her face.


    She couldn''t dare to meet his eyes any longer. His anger needed an outlet, and speaking out of turn at this moment was risky¡ªshe knew all too well what could happen if she pushed him too far.


    He had vaporized others for less.


    "Come here," he ordered.


    "..."


    Without a word, Mary moved toward him, her movements graceful but tense.


    Wang Xiao reached out, grabbing her chin and lifting her face so he could look at her directly. Her eyes were dark and hollow, ck with a blood-red hue, like the remnants of a nightmare.


    Her skin, pale and untouched by sunlight, gave her the appearance of someone locked away for centuries¡ªcold, untouchable, like a statue grown in the depths of a forgotten basement.


    Wang Xiao''s expression twisted into a smirk. "If I cover your face with a cloth," he said, his hand moving down to grasp her firmly, "your body would still be worth a try¡­"


    His fingers dug into her flesh, testing the softness of her skin.


    Mary''s body had remained unnaturally supple over the years, a result of the experiments and her time in theboratory, her skin more sensitive than most.


    She winced as his fingers pushed further, slipping between the gap of her buttocks.


    Even through the thick fabric of her gothic attire, the difort was clear. Her face betrayed a brief flicker of pain as he pressed harder.


    Wang Xiao, unimpressed by her reaction, removed the quilt from hisp with his free hand.


    "Give me a head," hemanded.


    Mary''s face turned grim, her eyes narrowing in surprise.


    In all the time she had served him, Wang Xiao had never once asked her for something like this, nor had he shown any inclination toward harassing her.


    Despite the rumors that circted among his followers, insinuating that she was his lover, she knew the truth.


    Their rtionship was far from intimate.


    Years ago, her project had caused his kidnapping. She had sent millions of children to their deaths through her experiments¡ªone of whom could have been him. Wang Xiao had never forgiven her for it.


    His tolerance of her presence, despite everything, was nothing more than necessity.


    Her eyes, hollow and devoid of pupils, gave away none of her thoughts, but deep inside, a sense of fear took root.


    This was new. This was dangerous.


    She feared it wasn''t the act itself, but the implication of it. Women who slept with Wang Xiao often considered it a blessing, but for her¡­


    She feared bing just another body in hisboratory, discarded once her usefulness had expired.


    "¡­ I¡­" she began, her voice faltering.


    "Do as I say," he growled, his patience thinning.


    Mary pursed her lips, a moment of hesitation flickering in her gaze, before gracefully moving to squat near his legs.


    With delicate fingers, she pulled away the towel that veiled his lower body, revealing the proud, throbbing length of his hardened manhood as it sprang forth, pulsing with heat and desire.


    Her pale, fragile hands, trembling slightly, seemed almost childlike inparison to its girth.


    Yet as she wrapped her fingers around it, she felt the searing heat coursing through her palms, her heart quivering with an unfamiliar feeling.


    She leaned closer, parting her soft moist lips, her breath warm against him, as her tongue flicked out teasingly, grazing the tip.


    "Mmm..." Wang Xiao''s eyes fluttered shut as he released a low sigh of satisfaction.


    His gaze lowered, watching her with hooded eyes, while her dark, silky hair cascaded forward, falling like a curtain to obscure her face, the strands glimmering with a lustrous sheen in the dim light.


    Gently, he ced his hand atop her head, guiding her rhythm as it bobbed up and down, her lips tightly wrapped around his manhood. "Lick lower," he murmured, his voice thick withmand.


    She paused, her breath hitching, before obediently moving downward.


    Her lips found their way to his balls, enveloping them as she nibbled and sucked, her tongue swirling, while her hands continued to stroke his shaft, slick with her wetness, creating a rhythm.


    Knock! Knock!


    A few minutester, there was a soft knock on the door. Wang Xiao, without losing hisposure, signaled to Mary not to be bothered by the interruption. "Come in," he said, his voice calm, yet authoritative.


    The door creaked open, revealing Wang Mei in her nightdress, a tray of food bnced carefully in her hands. Her eyes widened in surprise as the scene before her.


    "Close the door," Wang Xiaomanded, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.


    Wang Mei hesitated for just a second, her gaze lingering on Mary, whose face was flushed with concentration, awkwardness flickering in her own expression. But she obeyed, shutting the door behind her with a soft click.


    "I... I brought food for you," Wang Mei finally spoke, her voice strained as her eyes darted from Mary, still kneeling and attending to him, to Wang Xiao, whoy bare before her.


    The situation felt impossibly intimate, yet strangely familiar.


    Wang Xiao gave a curt nod, gesturing toward the study table. "Take the chair."


    Her feet moved almost mechanically as she walked towards his study, her mind upied with the oppressive weight of the atmosphere.


    She grabbed the chair and ced it near the head of the bed, while setting the tray of food behind thempshade.


    The dim light cast shadows that only deepened the strangeness of the scene.


    Every so often, her eyes flickered toward Mary.


    Slurp¡­ slurp¡­


    The wet, rhythmic sounds filled the room, causing Wang Mei to shift ufortably.


    The tension gnawed at her, a peculiar mix of embarrassment and confusion.


    Mary''s continued unabated, her soft groans mingling with Wang Xiao''s steady breathing.


    Wang Mei''s thoughts tangled as she sat there, watching.


    This wasn''t unfamiliar to her. She herself had already shared the bed with him, yet now, in this moment, the reality of his power hit her like a wave.


    Two women¡­ both his, in a sense.


    Such a scene might have been normal for Wang Xiao, who wore it with the ease of someone born tomand, but for Wang Mei, the strangeness was almost suffocating.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

 Chapter 520: The sister who covered for him!

    Her eyes flickered toward the digital clock by thempshade. It was already 11 p.m.


    Almost unconsciously, Wang Mei spoke, her voice subdued, as if she felt the need to justify her presence. "Mom was worried when you didn''te for dinner. You weren''t in your room, so I told her you''d eatter." Her words came out mechanically, as though rehearsed, her mind clearly elsewhere.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes softened slightly, his usualmanding aura tempered with amusement.


    He reached out, pinching her cheek gently between his thumb and finger. "You covered for me?" A faint chuckle escaped his lips, though there was something almost teasing in his tone.


    "...Mm..." Wang Mei forced a smile, her lips pressed together in a thin line.


    The ambiguous air in the room, made it hard to breathe.


    Her thoughts, already in disarray, left her uncertain, her mind spinning.


    Wang Xiao tilted his head slightly, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "Then why don''t you feed me as well?" His voice was soft but held an edge of yfulmand, drawing her attention back to him.


    For a brief moment, Wang Mei forgot about Mary, who knelt silently at his side, her focus clear as she continued her task.


    Instead, Wang Mei nodded, her smile bing a little more natural as she picked up the tray and the chopsticks.


    With quiet care, she started to feed him, offering small bites at a slow, deliberate pace.


    Yet, just as she reached to give him another piece of food, her hand froze mid-air, her thoughts slipping into the past.


    Wang Xiao noticed instantly. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched her. "What is it?" he asked, his tone calm but edged with curiosity. His gaze searched her face, trying to read her expression.


    Wang Mei blinked,ing back to the present, but the shadows of the memories still lingered in her eyes. "It''s nothing... just..." She hesitated, her gaze shifting toward Mary, still busy in her quiet servitude. "I remember when you were injured... and something simr happened."


    Her voice was soft,ced with nostalgia.


    For a moment, she was no longer in the present but reliving a distant memory.


    Wang Xiao''s eyebrow arched slightly, the corner of his lips curving into a smirk. "Ah, so you remember the times I bullied you?" His voice was light, teasing, but there was a glimmer in his eyes that held her captive.


    Wang Mei''s heart raced as she nced down, her fingers trembling as they held the chopsticks.


    Her face flushed under his gaze, her pulse quickening.


    She could feel the heat from his eyes.


    She didn''t need to be reminded¡ªthose memories were etched deeply in her mind. She could still see him clearly in her thoughts, lying on the bed, injured after the motorbike ident, his head wrapped in bandages.


    She hade, anxious, to wish him a quick recovery. She hadn''t expected him to pull her close, his hands firm and unyielding as he forced her to feed him. He had smiled, that same knowing smile he wore now, as if he enjoyed watching her flustered reactions.


    ''I didn''t even want to stay long,'' she thought bitterly, her chest tightening as she recalled the moment. ''I just wanted to see if he was okay, not... not to get caught up in his games.''


    Her mind swirled, torn between those memories and the present. ''Back then... it was just me,'' she thought, her gaze flickering over to Mary once more. ''Now, things are different. There''s always someone else. He''s changed...''n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The oppressive weight of those thoughts pressed down on her, making the air feel heavy, stifling.


    She felt like she couldn''t breathe, her chest tightening painfully as though she was holding back something heavy.


    A burning sensation spread across her nose, making her eyes sting, as if a flood of emotions was trapped just beneath the surface, waiting to break free


    "I still remember how you grabbed me," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, though she hadn''t meant to say the words out loud.


    Wang Xiao''s smile widened, his eyes dark with amusement. "Oh? You remember that too? How could I forget the look on your face? You were so flustered, like a startled rabbit."


    Her cheeks flushed a deep red. She hadn''t meant to bring it up, but now that she had, the memory became evenrger.


    His teasing tone, only made it worse.


    "I just wanted you to get better," she said quietly, lowering her gaze, her hands trembling slightly as she offered another bite of food. "It wasn''t... it wasn''t like that."


    Wang Xiao leaned back, watching her intently. "And yet, you stayed."


    She swallowed, forcing herself to look up at him. "Back then, things were simpler," she thought, though she couldn''t bring herself to say it aloud.


    Now, everything felt heavier, moreplicated.


    And sitting here, with Mary still kneeling between them, only reminded her of how far they''d drifted from the simplicity of the past.


    Wang Mei''s eyes darted to her for a moment before she looked away, her throat tightening.


    The longer she stayed near him, the further their worlds seemed to drift apart.


    Wang Mei couldn''t shake the feeling that she didn''t quite belong in the same realm as Wang Xiao anymore.


    Compared to her, someone like Wang Xueying would have just smacked him upside the head if he tried to im there was a difference in their worlds.


    Naturally, Wang Xiao wouldn''t let her get away with it, but Xueying''s casual personality was in stark contrast to Wang Mei''s quiet difort.


    As for Wang Jiarong, he didn''t know her well enough to say how she''d react. Butpared to them, his ties with Wang Mei and Wang Xueying still felt close¡ªifplicated.


    Breaking the silence, Wang Xiao asked casually, "Do you know anything about Evangelion Technologies? Or any of the cases mother is working on?"


    Wang Mei shook her head. "I don''t know much. You should ask Xueying. She''d probably know more."


    Wang Xiao nodded in acknowledgment, but as she stood up to leave after feeding him, his hand shot out and grabbed her wrist firmly. "Where are you going?"


    She froze under his gaze, stunned.


    They say the first time is the hardest, but the second time is easier, and the third time, even more so.


    The first had already passed, and just from the way he looked at her, Wang Mei could tell exactly what he wanted.


    The hot gaze made her body shiver.


    "Brother... There are people downstairs," she said with a small re, trying to suppress the tension rising in her chest.


    But Wang Xiao ignored her protest, his grip still firm as he pulled her to sit on the edge of the bed. He wrapped his arm around her small waist, resting his head against her.


    The closeness made her stiffen.


    Wang Mei was stunned. "Can''t you... be more patient? Just a few months..."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Why a few months?"


    A sh of bitterness appeared in Wang Mei''s gaze. She hesitated, her voice faltering as she struggled to find the words. "I... I thought... everything happened so abruptly. I can''t undo what you''ve done, but...


    it feels strange. Every time you touch me... it''s like I don''t even know you anymore."

 Chapter 521: Blessing in Disguise!

    Her wordsyered with the burden of her conflicting emotions.


    She could feel his hands against her waist, but the sensation felt foreign¡ªlike she was experiencing it for the first time, even though this wasn''t their first time.


    The more he touched her, the more confused she became.


    Wang Xiao''s smile widened, his predatory gaze fixed on her.


    Normally, he would have teased and toyed with her, like he always did. But tonight, he had already let one of his "prey" go, and he wasn''t in the mood to let another escape so easily.


    With a wave of his hand, he signaled for Mary, who had been quietly working for half an hour, to leave. Her jaw tightened as she stood, her body stiff from the effort she had exerted. But just as she was about to leave, Wang Xiao stopped her.


    "Take this," he said, tossing a scroll toward her. "It''ll help you build your Immortal Soul Core. Also, from now on, don''t report anything to me about Wenxi and Yue unless it''s absolutely necessary. You''ll be working solely for them from now on."


    Mary was taken aback, staring at him in disbelief.


    She hadn''t expected such a development. Her hands trembled as she caught the scroll, the weight of his words slowly sinking in. "Thank you..." she whispered, her voice uncertain, still processing the sudden shift.


    After a brief pause, Mary turned and left the room, the tension in the air dissipating slightly as she exited.


    Wang Mei watched her go, her eyes narrowing.


    ''So, that was the same woman who had been guarding the two girls in Icevale...''


    Wang Xiao had two daughters, and this woman had been their protector.


    Her thoughts spiraled.


    ''Does that mean those two girls are indeed his daughters?'' The more she thought about it, the more her heart pounded in her chest.


    Her face flushed hot with embarrassment as the pieces of the puzzle slowly fell into ce.


    ''All this time... they were my nieces...'' The realization made her feel a strange mix of emotions¡ªconfusion, disbelief, and something else she couldn''t quite ce.


    Wang Xiao, sensing her distraction, tightened his grip on her waist slightly, pulling her back into the present.


    Wang Xiao''s voice was soft but teasing, "I could handle Xueying, but if you can''t control your voice, mother will know¡­"


    The words made Wang Mei stiffen, her face flushing a deep red.


    She clenched her fists, but Wang Xiao caught them, pinning her hands gently against the bed. His eyes locked onto hers before he leaned in, iming her lips in a deep kiss. Slowly, deliberately, he began undressing her as heid her down on the bed.


    "You''re on top today," he whispered, a mischievous smile on his lips. He flipped them over, pulling her atop him before plunging deep into her, making her groan in a mix of pleasure and difort.


    Her hands flew to her mouth, stifling any sound that might betray them.


    Wang Mei''s face soon became drenched in sweat, her body trembling from the effort.


    Thirty minutes passed, and she held on longer than Wang Xiao had expected. But when she finally began to falter, he took control, shifting their positions once more, driving into her with rhythm.


    For two hours, the bed groaned beneath them, its remarkable strength holding steady despite the pace.


    When she finally fainted, copsing against his chest, Wang Xiao turned on the air conditioner, cooling the room that had be stifling from their heated bodies.


    Even in the cold weather outside, the air inside was thick with warmth. He grabbed her limp hand and ced it over his still-hard manhood, a smirk crossing his lips as he whispered, "Just keep it there... It''s easier to sleep this way."


    Wang Mei, too exhausted to care, rolled her eyes but didn''t resist, her consciousness slipping as darkness imed her vision.


    ''I told him so many times I have to be up early... why doesn''t he ever listen?''


    Her thoughts drifted as shey against him, her mind shing to the morning ahead.


    She''d begged him to finish quicker, knowing she had sses in just a few hours. But as always, Wang Xiao pushed her past her limits.


    Wang Xiao gazed at her peaceful, flushed face, her body still sticking to his. He reached out and brushed her hair away, which had clung to her damp skin.


    She looked so fragile in her sleep, but the sight of her face stirred something inside him. Leaning down, he bit her shoulder gently, eliciting a sleepy groan from Wang Mei.


    "Bother¡­ let me sleep¡­ I really have sses tomorrow¡­" she mumbled, her voiceced with fatigue.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, his fingers tracing the curve of her waist. "Then what about after sses?"


    Her eyes fluttered open briefly, a gasp escaping her lips as she blushed. "It''ll be evening..." she said, exhaling in annoyance.


    Wang Xiaoughed softly, teasing, "Idiot... If you can eat three times a day, why worry about doing other things three times a day?" His words made Wang Mei purse her lips, flustered at his constant provocations.


    ''He''s just too much of a pervert,'' she thought, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation.


    More than that, she worried about how her legs would feel by morning. If they wobbled, she''d be aughing stock at university in her very first month. And the thought of making an embarrassing trip to the pharmacy for preventive drugs in the morning made her groan inwardly.


    All because of him!


    Herints echoed in her mind, but despite it all, she fell into a peaceful sleep, her body finally surrendering to exhaustion.


    When morning came, the light barely seeping through the curtains, Wang Mei woke with a start. It was still early, just past 6 a.m., and she hurried to gather herself.


    I need to leave before he starts again...


    But just as she thought she could slip away, Wang Xiao''s hand gripped her wrist once more, pulling her back into the bed.


    "Where do you think you''re going?" he teased, his morning wood pressing against her. Reluctantly, she dealt with him once more, her protests swallowed by her need to leave quickly.


    After brushing her teeth in his bathroom, Wang Mei stared at herself in the mirror, annoyed beyond words.


    She examined her teeth carefully for any trace of residue, silently fuming at the state of things.


    Her eyes then caught the faint bloodstains on Wang Xiao''s discarded clothes inundry bucket, and her frown deepened.


    She wasn''t sure but grabbed the clothes anyway, taking them with her tounder in her own room.


    As she finally slipped out of his room, she realized with a sigh that she was likely the first person awake in the entire house.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It wasn''t even 6:30 a.m. yet, and the house was still dark and silent.


    Wang Xiao watched her leave, his expression softening. "This girl... if she keeps overexerting herself, she might really copse on road one day like some drunkard...." Despite his teasing, there was a hint of worry in his eyes as hey back in the bed, the faint scent of her lingering in the air.

 Chapter 522: Little Cotton Ball!

    "This is good!"


    Behind the wheel sat a girl, her lips curled in a slight, knowing smile. Her face seemed to glow in the soft morning light¡ªradiant and ethereal, like a lotus blooming at dawn, untouched by the world''s dust.


    Yet Wang Xiao, seated beside her in the passenger seat, could not share her excitement.


    He cast a nce at her, noticing how striking she looked today. Her attire, though modest with full sleeves, seemed to cling in all the right ces, forming her graceful curves. It wasn''t revealing, but it drew attention nheless.


    Something about it was¡­ uncharacteristic.


    She was never one to seek eyes on her.


    At that moment, they were on their way to Wang Xueying''s university¡ªor more urately, she was driving herself, eager to unt the new sports car.


    The first they''d ever owned.


    She handled the vehicle with an ease that belied her usual calm demeanor, taking swift detours and racing down less-traveled roads.


    Wang Xiao, brow furrowing, finally spoke. "Aren''t you runningte for work?"


    Wang Xueying''s lips tightened briefly, her longshes fluttering as if lost in thought.


    Then, she smiled¡ªa smile so effortless it seemed to melt the air around them. "Isabelle isn''ting in today," she saidzily yawning. "She''s off for a week. I could skip work, and I''d still get paid..."


    The faint scent of peonies clung filled the car interiors.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    It was intoxicating, andbined with her radiant charm, it made Wang Xiao uneasy. He studied her once more. "When did you start... studying?"


    More urately, what in the world had changed her?


    When Wang Xiao first learned she was working as a researcher, it had struck him like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky.


    As far as he remembered, Xueying had always struggled with the simplest of exams. Yet now she was a researcher in nanobiotechnology, a field that sounded far too refined and advanced for someone who once fought to stay awake in ss.


    Moreover, a position in a globalb wasn''t something you simply ''fell into.'' One needed skill¡ªserious skill.


    He couldn''t help but ask.


    "Hm?" Wang Xueying turned, her gaze sharp but yful, a single brow arched in suspicion. "How much do you really know?"


    Wang Xiao blinked, his confusion deepening.


    Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a soft whisper. "You think you can leave me behind, bother? Let me tell you, that''s impossible."


    Wang Xiao sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Impossible? What''s the point of even trying? I''d have to start from middle school again..."


    He wasn''t exaggerating. Even Xinyue Zhn had told him to rx, enjoy life, spend his family''s wealth, and live like any other second-generation heir.


    He had been stunned by how leniently life seemed to be treating him.


    Wang Xueying smiled with a quiet smugness, her beauty almost otherworldly as she spoke. "Even if you started now, ten years wouldn''t be enough to catch up. By the time I''m famous, I''ll ''support'' you¡ª"


    Her voice faltered, a sudden blush rising to her cheeks, as if she had spoken more than she intended.


    "Then what?" Wang Xiao''s eyes darkened, his gaze sharp enough to pierce through her.


    His stare was a silent threat¡ªif she dared utter another word, he wouldn''t hesitate to put her in her ce.


    ''Support him?''


    The sheer audacity!


    That was a phrase men of wealth used when they kept women under their wings, treating them like fragile, ornamental treasures.


    And here she was, throwing it back at him, brazen and unrestrained.


    Commendable? Perhaps. But she had no idea who she was dealing with.


    Wang Xueying''s confident fa?ade cracked for a moment, her smile turning awkward as a light flush crept up her cheeks.


    Her thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind, and her tongue, usually sharp, fumbled.


    She coughed softly, trying to regain control of the situation. "Even so," she began, her voice smoothing out, "you''ll never catch up. I received the ''Golden Schr Award'', the first in the academy''s history. And I have three bachelor''s degrees. Face it, brother, unless you start working harder, there''s no way you''ll ever close the gap."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao cast a sideways nce at her, his lips twitching slightly. The look in his eyes said it all: ''What a joke.''


    "You don''t believe me?" Wang Xueying''s expression shifted, her delicate brows knitting together in irritation. Her small fists clenched in herp, and her smile became strained, as if barely holding back her desire to knock him off his high horse.


    Wang Xiao sighed, dismissing her as if swatting away a bothersome fly. "Try harder next time."


    "..." Wang Xueying stared at him, stunned by his indifference. Her frustration simmered beneath her calm exterior.


    ''Where''s the praise?''


    Shouldn''t he be surprised?


    Maybe even a little disappointed that she had raced so far ahead?


    That would have been her chance to offer himfort, suggest *private tutoring* like in those romantic dramas she secretly indulged in.


    The genius girl tutors the clueless guy, and, naturally, they fall in love!


    The thought alone made her heart hug itself with excitement, but this guy¡ª


    He wasn''t following the script at all!


    Wang Xiao wasn''t being cruel, but after years of seeing women like Ericka win every prestigious award and Freya¡ªher equally fearsome daughter¡ªoutshine thepetition, his standards were impossibly high.


    But he wasn''t about to give his smug sister the satisfaction she craved.


    You want to show off?


    Nice try.


    Seeing him ignore her so tantly, Wang Xueying was struck dumb.


    ''A beauty like me, sitting right beside him, and he''s scrolling through his phone?''


    She might not be the next Yang Guifei, but she had held the title of campus beauty for four consecutive years!


    That had to count for something, right?


    ''At least do something evil¡­ maybe a hand on my thigh, just a little?''


    But no.


    Wang Xiao remained unmoved, as righteous as a mountain monk who''d sworn off worldly temptations.


    ''What kind of purification retreat did he attend?''


    It was giving her a headache.


    But even so, Wang Xueying was not one to give up easily!


    "Who are you texting~?" She pouted, switching the car tone assist with a flick of her slender fingers.


    With a sly grin, she leaned in closer, her perfume swirling like a seductive spell around them.


    Surely, this would catch his attention, right?


    Wang Xiao, catching the subtle wave of fragrance, remained as stoic as ever, not even bothering to lift his gaze.


    His voice came out t, as if he were lecturing a child. "Focus on the road."


    "!"


    Wang Xueying''s face burned with both embarrassment and frustration.


    ''H-He ignored me. Again!''


    ''Is this guy made of stone?''


    She had practically draped herself over him, served up on a silver tter, and all she got in return was a cold rejection.


    ''Is this man blind?''


    But no, this couldn''t be right.


    He couldn''t be immune to her charms.


    She didn''t believe it for a second!


    He had to crack eventually.


    She was sure of it.


    Of course, she had no idea her behavior was falling into the realm of the ssic "licking dog."


    And for people like her, there was one sacred mantra: If you tell them, stop licking the other party, the more you lick, the harder they get.


    They would confidently reply, ''If you lick hard enough, wouldn''t it soften one day?''


    With that in mind, Wang Xueying steeled her resolve and shamelessly peeked over his shoulder, her curiosity piqued by his phone.


    Her eyesnded on the screen, and suddenly, the universe tilted off bnce¡ª


    Little Cotton Ball?


    "..."


    ''What in the world is this?!''


    ''I''m right here, about to gift-wrap myself, and this guy''s texting to... t-to some cotton ball?!''


    She leaned in closer, squinting at the most recent message.


    And when she saw it, her soul nearly left her body:


    ''Good morning, Daddy~''

 Chapter 523: Cotton ball is soft and sweet!

    ''Good morning, Daddy~''


    "!"


    Wang Xueying''s mouth hung open, her brain short-circuiting.


    Even ''she'' felt embarrassed by the shamelessness of it all!


    Whoever this Little Cotton Ball was, they weren''t just licking¡ªthey were practically a grandmaster of groveling.


    She couldn''t evenpete!


    She''s ying a whole different game!N?v(el)B\\jnn


    This wasn''t a student-teacher scenario; this was a disciple begging their sect master for favor!


    Suddenly, everything clicked into ce, and Wang Xueying''s internal monologue went into overdrive.


    It wasn''t that Wang Xiao was immune to temptation¡ªit was that someone else had already filled that role!


    That damn cotton ball was trying to suck up to her candy!


    For the first time, Wang Xueying felt like a green hat had appeared over her head, and a deep sense of defeat settled into her chest. What nonsense is this?


    It was nonsense. Absolute nonsense.


    She''d been trying to hand herself over on a silver tter, and here he was, busy being licked by someone else. Wasn''t this the ultimate betrayal?


    Then, she saw the next flurry of texts, and her jaw practically hit the floor.


    Little Cotton Ball:  "Good morning, Daddy~ why are you not replying already? Are you angry with Xi''er? ¨®?¨q?¨r?¨°"


    Little Cotton Ball: "Did you eat breakfast? (?????)"


    Little Cotton Ball*:  "Make sure you stay healthy for me! (????)"


    Little Cotton Ball:  "Daddy, do you want to see what I''m wearing today? (???)"


    Wang Xueying''s eyes bulged, but before she could fullyprehend the level of shamelessness, more messages flooded in:


    Little Cotton Ball:  "I miss your cuddles already~ (? ???¦Ø??? ?)"


    Little Cotton Ball:  "When are you taking me out to y? I''ll be good girl, I promise! (¨R?¨Q)"


    Wang Xueying felt like she had been hit by a meteor. ''This¡­ this is demonic!''


    She stared at the screen, her mind in chaos. ''What kind of sorcery was this? Who on earth sends messages like these with such shameless lines?''


    Little Cotton Ball: "I can''t wait to see you, Daddy~ (¤Å??????)¤Å"


    Wang Xueying''s world shattered. She had been leaning in, thinking she''d catch him in some mundane conversation, but instead, she stumbled upon a scene out of some twisted romance novel.


    This... this was a licking technique beyond herprehension!


    The messages kepting, each one like a dagger straight to her pride:


    Little Cotton Ball:  "You better stay rested for me, or I''ll be so sad~ (???¦ä???)"


    Little Cotton Ball:  "Maybe I shoulde over and make sure you''re eating properly? (?>?<?)"


    At this point, Wang Xueying''s soul was floating somewhere outside her body. ''How can someone lick this hard without their tongue falling off?!''


    She clutched her head, feeling as though a massive green hat had been firmly nted on top of her.


    ''This is nonsense! Absolute nonsense!''


    She had been ready to throw herself at him, and meanwhile, this was the battle she had been up against?!


    This Little Cotton Ball is a licking grandmaster!


    And Wang Xiao,pletely unfazed, was just casually scrolling through, as if this absurd affection was part of his daily routine.


    "S-She is?" Wang Xueying forced a smile, though it wavered as her face flushed red, the heat creeping up her neck like blooming cherry blossoms.


    Shame, rather than blood, seemed to be running through her veins now.


    Even as a woman, her heart couldn''t help but race from those wild, shameless words.


    Who on earth could send those messages without melting from embarrassment?!


    If that''s how Little Cotton Ball talks to him, how could any man survive!


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao had a faint smile on his face,pletely oblivious to her inner chaos.


    His daughter, Wenxi, had always been shy in person, her head ducked down in front of him or anyone else.


    But over text?


    She became an entirely different creature¡ªbold, sweet, and sometimes a little too cheeky.


    In contrast, his other daughter, Yue, was theplete opposite. Yue only texted him for important matters, always keeping a formal tone, like she was handling a business deal.


    But today¡­ Wenxi was a bit more unscrupulous than usual.


    He nced over at Wang Xueying and, for a second, his thoughts stalled.


    Gorgeous¡­


    Her face was just inches from his, her seductive fragrance teasing his senses. Strands of her hair brushed against his cheek as she leaned in closer, and her red lips, pressed tightly together, were practically calling for attention.


    But then he noticed her flushed expression, and it hit him¡ªshe had been peeking at his texts.


    He sighed internally.


    "She''s Xi''er, a friend of mine," he said, keeping it causal.


    "A friend who calls you daddy?" Wang Xueying''s eyes twitched as she forced her smile wider. "And how did you make this ''friend'' in a single day....?" Her hands itched, ready to throttle him if necessary.


    Didn''t he just get his memories yesterday?


    Already started his debauchery?


    Wang Xiao shrugged, oblivious to the danger lurking beside him. "Met her yesterday at the park when I went to test drive the car. Why are you acting so unnatural?"


    "I''m acting unnatural?!" Wang Xueying''s head snapped toward him, her voice rising in disbelief. Her mind was spinning, but she couldn''t hold it in any longer. "Brother, are you serious? You fell for her words? Let me tell you, she''s definitely coveting your wealth! Don''t fall for gold diggers like that!"


    She looked at him with exasperation, her heart racing as she mentally prepared to break down the absolute nonsense he was spewing.


    Wang Xiao''s lips twitched, forcing a smile. "A gold digger? Really?"


    Wang Xueying nodded firmly, her expression as stern as an elder lecturing naive child about the ways of the world. "Yes, really! Do you think calling someone ''Daddy'' is a normal greeting? Open your eyes! She''s practically waving a neon sign that says, ''I''m after your money! Total gold digger alert!''"


    She crossed her arms, leveling him with a look of pure exasperation. "Brother, you''re the sole inheritor of our family fortune! Can you ''please'' be a little more careful...?"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened as the realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.


    His daughter... a gold digger?


    BAM!


    "What¡ª"


    Wang Xueying blinked in confusion, her train of thought suddenly derailed as he reached over and flicked her on the head.


    "You... You dare hit me for your cotton ball...?" she cried out, rubbing her head in disbelief.


    She felt an overwhelming urge to burst into tears.


    ''He really hit me! Over this?!''


    Wang Xiao''s tone was dry as he replied, "Cotton ball is soft and sweet. You are neither."


    Wang Xueying''s face flushed, and she couldn''t hold back the sudden challenge that slipped from her lips. "If you haven''t tried, how would you know if I''m soft and sweet or not...?"


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao raised a brow, his eyes narrowing slightly in amusement.


    "I-I mean..." Wang Xueying stammered, realizing the absurdity of what she''d just said.


    Her mind screamed, ''OMG, why can''t I control my mouth around him?!''


    Her face turned even redder, and seeing her shameful and shy expression, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but smirk.


    His gaze drifted to her light brown sweater, a seemingly innocent garment that hugged her body in all the right ces.


    The subtle curve of her chest was¡­ undeniably tempting.


    She had hidden it well, but he couldn''t shake the feeling that she was hiding something *


    more than just her modesty.


    "It''s indeed soft..." he mused aloud, reaching out to lightly poke her chest with his finger.


    Boing!


    "Ah!" Wang Xueying yelped, pping his hand away in shock as she grabbed the steering wheel with both hands, her heart thundering in her chest like a rabbit caught in a snare.


    "Don''t surprise me like that!" she muttered, closing her eyes briefly to calm the overwhelming heat rising in her chest.


    Wang Xiao, caught off guard by her swift reaction, blinked in surprise, an amused smirk tugging at his lips.


    Peeking through one eye, Wang Xueying bit her lip unconsciously, her voice barely above a whisper as she asked, "Do you really¡­ want to touch them?"


    The words tumbled out before she could stop them, her heart hammering like a drum in her ears.


    Her cheeks med even hotter, and she cursed herself internally. ''Why am I saying these things?''


    Memories shed through her mind. Thest time she hadn''t let him touch her, and that had left a small feeling of sadness and guilt.


    Everyone knew what happened after that moment¡ªhe walked away from their lives.


    This time, if he wanted to¡­ just a bit wouldn''t hurt, right?


    Maybe a small squeeze¡­ or two¡­ that''s it.


    If he tried for more, she''d stop him!

 Chapter 524: *Got demands? Bring it on!*

    With determination steeling her, Wang Xueying turned to nce at him, her eyes misty and ssy as she bit her lower lip, a mix of nervousness and longing within her.


    She could only hope he didn''t misunderstand her for being loose or shameless.


    But what else could she do? She was already too far down this path.


    Seeing her eyes shimmer with mist, her lips quivering, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but feel a surge of temptation rise within him.


    He gulped unconsciously, his eyes drifting down to the soft bulge of her chest, the sight now even more charming with the silent invitation in her gaze.


    Up until now, he hadn''t thoroughly inspected this ''sister'' of his.


    For Mei, he had long explored every inch of her body¡ªso much so that even when they were together in bed, it no longer carried the thrill of discovery.


    In truth, Mei had always been his...


    But this one¡­ was different.


    She was someone he had almost had, someone who had slipped away due to that ill-timed ident. Aside from some light kisses, they hadn''t progressed at all.


    Watching him stare at her like this, Wang Xueying felt a confusing mix of happiness and shame.


    Her heart was thudding so loudly she feared he might hear it.


    The car was still onne assist, and she nervously nced at him, then around at the empty road. With a bit of hesitation, she whispered, "Do it quickly..." Her voice was barely audible, like they were about tomit a crime.


    She double-checked the road to make sure there was no traffic in sight.


    But Wang Xiao frowned bitterly. "Not like this."


    She blinked, surprised. Not like this?


    She thought he''d be satisfied with a quick touch, but here he was, putting up demands?


    "Then how?" Wang Xueying was stunned, her heart racing.


    He''s got demands now?


    Of course, the more demands, the better¡ªit meant he wanted her. Her pulse quickened at the thought.


    "I want to feel it," he said bluntly, without a trace of shame.


    "!"


    Wang Xueying''s heart skipped a beat, and she shut her eyes tightly, face burning red as she processed his demand. "You¡­"


    Shaking her head, she nced around once more, confirming they were still alone on the road. Then, biting her lip harder, she extended her hand behind her back.


    Click!


    The sound of the hook snapping open sent a rush of heat straight to her face. She could practically feel steam rising from her skin, her entire body flush with embarrassment.


    Trembling slightly, she nced at him, her breath shallow and quick.


    "I-I won''t lift it for you," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "But¡­ I''ve removed the undergarment..."


    Her entire body felt like it was on fire. No matter how daring she was, there was no way she could bring herself to lift her shirt and fully expose herself.


    But she hade this far... and now the rest was in his hands.


    Wang Xiao smiled, intrigued by how far she had let herself fall into this temptation, willing toply with his shameless requests.


    Her confidence was fading, reced by nervousness, and it only turned him on.


    He saw through her facade. She might''ve been bold on the surface, but her wide, ssy eyes betrayed her nerves.


    Without hesitation, he reached out, his hand wrapping around her waist, fingers cold against her warm skin.


    "Ah!" Wang Xueying gasped, her body stiffening at the sudden contact.


    His hands were freezing, sending shivers through her, and her difort only grew as his hand slipped under her clothes, resting on her waist.


    He didn''t rush; instead, he caressed her slowly, teasing her as his fingers lightly traced her skin.


    Her breath hitched. "W-what are you...?" she tried to ask, but her voice came out in shaky whispers, her face flushed with shame.


    Her body was betraying her, the heat rising in her chest despite her embarrassment.


    Wang Xiao''s hand finally moved upward, fingers brushing against the loosened fabric of her bra. He slowly lifted it and cupped her breasts in both hands, feeling the softness beneath his fingers.


    "Ahh...!" Wang Xueying gasped again, her eyes fluttering closed as her breath caught in her throat. His touch was firm yet gentle, and her body quivered under his grasp.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened slightly, surprised by how soft and full she was. He gave a light squeeze, his fingers kneading the warm, soft flesh. "You''re softer than I imagined," he murmured, his voice low and teasing.


    "Nngh..." Wang Xueying let out a soft moan, her head tilting back involuntarily. She could feel her chest tighten, heat flooding her body as his hands continued to explore her.


    "Are you... done?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper as she struggled to maintain herposure. Her breathing was bing more ragged, and her body felt like it was on fire.


    Wang Xiao didn''t answer immediately. Instead, he continued, squeezing her breasts more firmly, his fingers brushing against her sensitive skin. He was clearly enjoying himself, and Wang Xueying couldn''t stop the soft moans escaping her lips.


    "Ahh... Mmm... stop...!" she tried to protest, but her voice was weak, filled with both frustration and desire. Her body arched slightly, pushing against his hands despite her words.


    Wang Xiao smirked, his hands still moving, ying with her as if testing her limits. "You don''t sound like you want me to stop," he teased, his voiceced with amusement.


    "Nngh... I... I..." Wang Xueying bit her lip, unable to form a coherent sentence. Her heart was racing, her mind clouded with the overwhelming sensations coursing through her. Every touch made her squirm in her seat, her body betraying herpletely.


    "Mmmmmmnnn~" she moaned softly again, her chest heaving as she struggled to control herself. Despite the embarrassment and the heat building inside her, she couldn''t help but lean into his touch, as if seeking more.


    Finally, she managed to whisper, "S-stop... please..." But her plea was half-hearted, and they both knew it.


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly. "Not yet... It''s soft, but I still need to check for sweetness," he murmured, giving one final, slow squeeze before pulling his hands away.


    "Check... for what...?" Wang Xueying sighed, breathless, her chest heaving as confusion mixed with anticipation. A bewildered look crossed her face as she gasped, "W-What are you doing!?"


    Before she could fully process what was happening, Wang Xiao lifted her top and slipped his head underneath, his hot breath brushing against her bare skin. "Brother...! Ahh!" she gasped, her voice shaking as his lips made contact with her abdomen, sending electric shivers up her spine.


    "Stop! What are you¡ª" she tried to protest, but the words died on her lips the moment she felt his mouthtch onto her hardened nipple. "Mnnnh...! Ahh...!" Her moans escaped without restraint as the sensation overwhelmed her, his mouth warm, sucking her breast with surprising intensity.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Her body reacted instinctively, her back arching as if drawn toward him, her hands gripping the back of his head, pushing him deeper into her. "Brother... nnngh... you''re¡ªahh¡ªstop!" she whimpered, her voice betraying the way her body craved the attention.


    He ignored her protests, his tongue teasing her sensitive skin. "You''re... mmm... so shameless..." she moaned, her voice trembling with both embarrassment and reluctant pleasure.


    "Mmm... Brother...!" She gasped again, her hands tightening their grip on his hair as he continued to suck, her breasts throbbing with every pull.


    "Y-you...!" she tried again, but the next moan came out louder than she intended. "Ahhh...!" Her entire body felt like it was on fire, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.


    Each movement of his mouth sent jolts of heat through her, making her legs tremble.

 Chapter 525: Asking Nudes from Cotton Ball?

    Fortunately, modern technology had madene assist advanced enough to practically function as autopilot, but due to regtory hurdles, they had to call it by different names.


    As Wang Xueying''s face burned hot with embarrassment, her eyes fell on Wang Xiao''s still-active phone screen, where texts from that vixen ''Little Cotton Ball'' continued to pour in.


    A surge of jealousy hit her like a tidal wave. Without a second thought, she grabbed his phone and swiftly typed something in response before putting it back down, her heart thudding with a mix of satisfaction and happiness.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Just as she felt another wave of pleasure ripple through her, a small smile tugged at her lips.


    ______


    Twin Towers, Imperial Capital


    The Twin Towers, a pair of futuristic, wine-ss-shaped buildings intertwined in a way that made them an engineering marvel, stood tall over the Imperial Capital.


    Inside one of the upper floors was an exclusive tea house, where tea was served in the most traditional manner¡ªprivate rooms, delicate porcin, and serene ambiance. It was a high-ss meeting spot, more forworking than for truly savoring tea.


    In one of these private rooms, five young women sat in a circle around a low table, discussing something that seemed important.


    Or at least, they should have been discussing something important. Instead, one of the girls, Wenxi, was glued to her phone,pletely disconnected from the conversation.


    The other girls were used to Wenxi''s inattentive behavior, but today was different¡ªshe was far too engrossed.


    Sitting next to her, Yue furrowed her brow and couldn''t resist pinching Wenxi''s leg, trying to get her attention. "Pay attention, will you?"


    "!" Wenxi jerked in surprise, rolling her eyes and shooting Yue a re before quickly returning to her phone, ignoring herpletely.


    But in truth, Wenxi wasn''t ignoring her out of stubbornness¡ªshe was in a state of panic.


    After fleeing from Wang Xiao yesterday, she feared he was angry, especially since he hadn''t replied to any of her texts since then.


    Desperately, she had been spamming his inbox, hoping for any sort of response.


    Yue massaged her temples, feeling a headache brewing from her sister''s behaviour.


    But just as she was about to reprimand her again, Wenxi suddenly froze, her eyes glued to the screen. Her face flushed bright red in an instant.


    "I-I''ll be back..." Wenxi stammered, standing up hastily, her hands shaking as she clutched her phone.


    She needed to hide¡ªimmediately.


    "Where are you going?" Yue asked, raising an eyebrow, curious about her strange behavior.


    "The washroom," Wenxi blurted, pointing to the door before quickly making her exit.


    Yue watched her dash off, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. ''Something''s definitely wrong.''


    Wenxi, practically tripping over herself, rushed toward the restroom, her heart racing.


    She mmed the door behind her and quickly unlocked her phone to reread the message that had just made her face turn beet red.


    _______


    "Hah! We''d get fined if you keep doing these things while driving..." Wang Xueying, face flushed and heart racing, hastily pushed Wang Xiao away, adjusting her clothes.


    She shot him an annoyed look, half-irritated, half-embarrassed.


    For a second, she had genuinely believed he had turned righteous, but now she realized¡ªhe was just pretending to be a harmless pig, only to devour the tigerter!


    Wang Xiao chuckled, amused by her reaction and about to make a sly remark when his phone caught his attention. "What the...?"


    He picked it up, and his eyes widened in horror. There was a new text on the screen, one he hadn''t sent at all:


    [Send nudes]


    Just reading it made his head spin.


    Wang Xueying sat nearby, watching his reaction with a satisfied smile.


    ''Serves him right.'' In her mind, it was a game¡ªthis ''Little Cotton Ball'' was just a gold digger, someone who wouldn''t stick around without some financial incentive.


    And if Wang Xiao, the gullible fool, directly asked for nudes, she was sure he''d get blocked faster than a creditor during New Year''s.


    But little did she know, Wang Xiao''s expression had turned as if he''d just swallowed a bug.


    He felt the blood drain from his face, his fingers frozen as the reality of the situation sank in.


    He wanted to delete it.


    Oh, how desperately he wanted to delete it, but it was toote¡ªthe other party had already seen it.


    Just imagining how his daughter would interpret that message sent a cold chill down his spine.


    How do you even exin something like this?!


    Wang Xiao groaned internally. His mind raced, but no thought could make this situation any better.


    All he could imagine was his daughter''s response¡ªdistraught, bewildered, and worse... confused.


    Wang Xueying, noticing his stricken expression, raised an eyebrow. "What''s with your face? You look like you''ve just seen a ghost."


    Wang Xiao didn''t respond immediately, his eyes narrowing as he turned to her. "You sent this?" His voice was low, controlled, but there was a clear edge of irritation.


    Wang Xueying gave him a cheeky smile, not bothering to reply, her expression practically screaming ''What do you think?''


    Just as Wang Xiao was about to teach her a lesson, his phone buzzed again. He nced at the screen, expecting outrage or confusion¡ªbut what he saw made his brain short-circuit.


    "??!"


    His eyes widened in disbelief.


    ''She actually sent pictures.'' And not just any pictures¡ªthey weren''tpletely nude, but they were far, ''far'' more revealing than anything he could''ve expected.


    Wang Xiao quickly shut off his phone, his heart racing as a strained smile stretched across his face.


    He didn''t know whether tough or cry.


    His little cotton ball had sent him... That.


    ''What kind of messed-up situation is this?!''


    He had no idea that this would only be the beginning. The next morning, he would wake up to a "morning snap" from Wenxi, followed by a sweet text¡ªall thanks to Wang Xueying''s meddling.


    Wang Xueying, standing there stunned, could hardly believe it herself. "She actually sent it?" she muttered in disbelief, blinking as if trying to process the unexpected oue.


    Had her n... failed?


    She had been banking on Wenxi being too embarrassed or blocking him outright.


    But now, seeing the tension in Wang Xiao''s strained smile, she wasn''t sure whether to feel victorious or horrified.


    Did she just cucked herself?

 Chapter 526: Role-playing Emperor!

    Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Puxi


    Wang Xiao and Wang Xueying were en route to the Global Institute of Scientific Research, nestled on the far side of the bustling metropolis of Puxi. The sun hungzily in the sky, its golden rays weaving through the towering skyscrapers, casting long shadows across the streets.


    Normally, Xueying would take the subway, swiftly arriving within thirty minutes. But today, the hum of the city''s traffic and the asional re of car horns reminded her that driving would take longer. She nced at her brother, whose arms were crossed, staring out the window, his thoughts clearly drifting far from the road.


    As they weaved through the congested streets of Puxi, Xueying''s keen eyes suddenly narrowed, locking onto something unusual.


    "This road... it''s blocked?" she muttered, her voice carrying a note of disbelief.


    Indeed, the road ahead was closed offpletely, barricaded by military vans and soldiers standing at attention. Her fingers tightened around the steering wheel as her brow furrowed in confusion. What could warrant such heavy security?


    Wang Xiao leaned forward, his sharp gaze scanning the scene with interest. "Hmph, some foreign leader must be visiting. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is just up ahead."


    Xueying''s heart skipped a beat.


    The entire area was on lockdown, a rare urrence in Puxi. Cars behind them were already beginning to turn around, drivers muttering under their breath as they altered their routes.


    A sense of unease crept into her thoughts.


    "It''s rare to see the whole area shut down like this..." she murmured, half to herself. "It must be someone incredibly important."


    Her gaze swept over the scene once more, catching sight of soldiers¡ªstoic and unmoving¡ªstationed at various points, their eyes scanning the crowd.


    Military vehicles lined the street like silent watchers, and the presence of so many guards unsettled her. ''Who could be so important visiting?''


    "What are you doing?" Wang Xiao''s voice broke through her thoughts as she shifted the car into reverse, preparing to turn around like everyone else.


    "Reversing?" she responded, blinking in confusion. What else was she supposed to do? They couldn''t pass through, after all.


    Wang Xiao shook his head with a slight smirk. "No, not yet. Let''s take a closer look."


    Xueying stared at him in disbelief, her mouth falling slightly open.


    "Are you alright? Don''t create trouble," she cautioned, her voice lowering to a whisper.


    She nced nervously at the soldiers ahead, already turning away countless onlookers with a firm gesture or a curt nod.


    Even from here, she could sense the subtle powerful aura in their discipline, the way they scanned each passerby as if each might pose a threat.


    ''If they see us snooping around, who knows what they might do...''


    But Wang Xiao, in typical fashion, waved off her concerns. "Just a quick look. If they don''t allow it, we''ll turn back. What''s the harm?"


    Xueying''s pulse quickened, panic shing across her face as she saw him already stepping out of the car.


    "Brother ¡ª Wait for me!" she called, scrambling to engage the handbrake before hurrying after him.


    ''Ugh!Can''t he see the dozens of soldiers right in front of us, sending everyone away?''


    She rushed to his side, grabbing his arm. "Bother, seriously, this isn''t some kind of game. If we make a scene, we''re done for! Mom won''t help us here."


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "Rx... I''m not going to cause a scene. I just want to see who it is. Besides..." He paused, casting a sly sideways nce at her beforeughing in a teasing tone. "Who says I''m afraid of some foreign dignitary?


    I, Wang Xiao, am the emperor of this world..."


    "You..." Wang Xueying sighed, resisting the urge to bang her head against the dashboard.


    ''If he wants to roley as the emperor, fine, but at least do it in private.... not here!'' Her cheeks flushed slightly at the thought.


    Before she could voice another protest, he grabbed her hand, pulling her forward with that unshakable confidence of his.


    Despite herself, she blushed at his touch, her resolve to stop him slipping away.


    ''Let him make a fool of himself. Once the soldiers scold him, maybe he''ll finally learn his lesson,'' she thought, giving in to his reckless curiosity.


    As they neared the military barricade, her eyes were drawn to a single imposing figure standing by a tank¡ªa soldier dressed in a green military uniform with no visible stars of rank.


    His presence exuded a quiet, dangerous aura, suggesting he wasn''t just any soldier.


    Special forces?


    The soldier''s stern gaze met theirs as they approached, his expression hardening into a frown. "The road ahead is blocked. Turn around and leave instantly!"


    Bam!


    Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind surged toward them, forcing Wang Xiao and Xueying to stagger back. Wang Xiao blinked in surprise, his sharp instincts ring. "A mage...?"


    The realization struck him like lightning.


    ''Mages are rarely deployed like this...''


    Normally, they were either hunting the wild beasts that gued the world or working directly for the government in secret missions. Mages earned fortunes with ease, but a single mistake on a dangerous mission could spell their death.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed, focusing on the ethereal energy in the air. The wind had been no ordinary gust. His sharp perception caught the faint glimmer of star-like patterns forming in the aether around them, swirling as the spell took shape.


    Unlike warriors, who channeled their raw qi through their bodies, mages crafted intricate spells, each one a carefully constructed assault on reality itself.


    ''That pattern... it''s like a woven constetion,'' he thought, his curiosity deepening. ''So, this is the power of a spellcaster...''


    Wang Xueying, recovering from the shock of the wind, clutched his arm whispering in unease, "Brother, you don''t want to provoke them... This isn''t some street fight!"


    But Wang Xiao''s eyes gleamed with excitement. ''A mage guarding the Ministry? What are they hiding?'' He couldn''t resist pushing just a little further. He straightened himself, dusting off his jacket as though brushing off the invisible weight of the wind''s assault.


    "Impressive," he muttered to himself, then turned to the soldier with a grin. "My apologies for the curiosity," he said, hands raised in mock surrender, "but such a grand disy of power makes me wonder... who exactly are you protecting with all this?"


    The soldier''s expression darkened. "This is your final warning. Turn around now, or you will face consequences beyond your understanding." His tone left no room for further disobedience.


    But Wang Xiao, ever the self-proimed emperor of his world, felt his blood boiling with anticipation.


    His eyes glinted with amusement as he tilted his head mockingly. "What consequences? You mean that car parked right in front of the building¡ªAS1S00001? Seriously, what could that mean? Who even uses such an obvious number te for high-level security?"


    He nearly burst outughing at the absurdity of it. The entire situation felt too staged, as though the officials wanted to unt their importance.


    "..."


    The soldier''s frown deepened, his brow furrowing in confusion.


    ''How could this guy see the license te from here?'' Even he couldn''t make it out from such a distance.


    Yet, the fact that Wang Xiao had not only spotted it but recited it so casually set rm bells ringing in the soldier''s mind.


    Caution.


    The word screamed in the soldier''s mind.


    This wasn''t just some ordinary civilian.


    Before Xueying could protest, Wang Xiao nudged her lightly and reached for the ID card she kept hidden beneath her sweater.


    With a swift movement, he pulled it out, presenting it with a sly smile. "She is the researcher personally requested by Sir Renji himself. You really want to be the one who obstructs her path, do you?"


    "!"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The shift in the air was immediate, an invisible pressure radiating from Wang Xiao that made the soldier''s face pale for just a fraction of a second.


    ''What!''


    The soldier''s eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, his hands instinctively moving toward the hilt of his weapon, though he hesitated.


    For that brief moment, Wang Xiao''s presence felt like a storm about to descend¡ªas if the whole city would be blown to dust in a blink of an eye.

 Chapter 527: Renji Hayashi!

    The soldier could feel the shift, as if something about this man wasn''t bound by the ordinary rules of this world.


    His gaze shifted to Wang Xueying, who had been quiet throughout the exchange. She blinked in surprise, her face flushed with confusion as she realized what her brother had just done.


    The soldier''s eyes searched hers, trying to discern the truth behind the im, all while gritting his teeth. ''Sir Renji?'' The name held supreme weight, but he couldn''t act recklessly, not in a situation this delicate.


    Wang Xueying shot a re at Wang Xiao.


    ''This idiot! Does he think throwing out names like Sir Renji will get us out of this?''


    Yet, she could feel the tension in the air shift as the soldier struggled to decide his next move.


    "You¡ª" she started, but Wang Xiao cut her off with a raised hand.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "It''s simple," Wang Xiao said smoothly, his voice calm but dripping with authority. "Let us pass. If you don''t, then you can exin to your superiors why Sir Renji''s guest was held up. We wouldn''t want that now, would we?"


    The soldier''s expression hardened, but there was doubt in his eyes now, his posture rigid as if caught between conflicting orders.


    He turned on his walkie-talkie, his voice stern but cautious. "Requesting confirmation¡ªhas anyone requested a researcher from the Center for Advanced Scientific Research Lab?"


    The other side fell into an uneasy silence. There was no record of anyone being called by Sir Renji today. Yet, hearing Renji''s name invoked so confidently made the response hesitant. The voice crackled back, cautious. "No official request from Renji... Confirm identities of the individuals."


    The soldier''s eyes shifted back to Wang Xiao and Wang Xueying, suspicion flickering. Before he could say anything, Wang Xiao stepped forward with a grin, as if already anticipating the question. "Tell them: Miss Marquez."


    The soldier blinked, his brow furrowing.


    The name didn''t match the ID card he had just nced at, which clearly said "Wang Xueying."


    What is this guy ying at?


    Wang Xueying''s face flushed with embarrassment, rolling her eyes at her brother''s brazen fabrication.


    ''Miss Marquez? Who''s she?'' She could only assume he was pulling names out of thin air again, like he often did during their childhood games.


    ''Isn''t that the name of his ridiculous cotton ball?'' She inwardly sighed, wondering if her brother was in trap of some foreign breed witch.


    But before she could protest or correct the situation, something unexpected happened.


    The soldier froze, his posture straightening with a sudden jolt. His face stiffened as if some hidden recognition clicked in his mind. Without another word, he turned sharply, saluting toward Wang Xueying with crisp precision. "Ma''am," he said, voice rigid with newfound respect.


    Wang Xueying''s heart skipped a beat, her mind scrambling to make sense of the sudden shift. "Uh¡­" She stammered, ncing at her brother in confusion.


    ''What just happened?'' Unsure of what else to do, she awkwardly raised her hand and saluted back, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.


    Wang Xiao, fighting the urge tough, felt his eye twitch as he watched the scene unfold. His sister, ever the innocent, had no idea how ridiculous she looked saluting like that.


    Gently, he lowered her hand, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Easy there, General," he whispered, stifling his amusement. "Let''s not overdo it."


    Wang Xueying''s eyes shot daggers at him, her frustration barely contained as her mind raced with questions. ''How on earth did that work?''


    Wang Xiao, meanwhile, couldn''t help but marvel at the strange situation he''d found himself in.


    ''Luna... haha...Who knew your name would actually work?'' But now, with the soldier stiff as a board in front of them, it seemed the gamble had paid off.


    What mattered now was keeping the illusion intact.


    The soldier, still saluting, turned slightly, his voice more formal than before. "You''re clear to proceed. We had no prior notification, but... it seems there was some oversight."


    Wang Xiao''s grin widened, his eyes shing with barely restrained mischief. "Oversight, indeed," he muttered under his breath.


    Wang Xueying, still reeling from the sudden change, felt her heart racing as they were waved through.


    Her mind filled with questions, but all she could do was follow her brother''s lead. ''What just happened? Who does he think I am?''


    As they walked past the soldier, Wang Xiao leaned closer, his voice a soft whisper meant only for her. "See? No harm in a little curiosity."


    She shot him a withering re, but there was no denying it¡ªsomehow, against all logic, they had passed through unscathed.


    As they passed through the checkpoint, Wang Xiao casually tossed a cigarette behind him, and itnded with precision in the soldier''s hand. "Good work, Captain," he said with a smug grin.


    The captain felt his soul leaving his body in embarrassment. ''Is this guy serious?'' If he truly had connections to the big boss, why put him through this whole charade?


    Wang Xiao''s yful arrogance only made the situation worse, leaving the soldier standing there with a cigarette, feeling as if he was being toyed with.


    Wang Xueying, meanwhile, was still in shock from the absurdity of it all. She shot a quick nce at her brother. "Since when do you carry cigarettes? Do you smoke now?"


    Wang Xiao chuckled but didn''t respond, striding forward with a confidence that made her even more nervous.


    Her heart pounded as they moved down the eerily empty road, her steps hurried and tense. Soldiers stationed along the path gave them curious nces, their eyes filled with scrutiny.


    Wang Xueying forced an awkward smile at them, trying her best not to look suspicious, though inside she felt as if they were walking straight into the lion''s den.


    Suddenly, she felt Wang Xiao''s arm wrap confidently around her waist, pulling her closer as if they were strolling through a park.


    She stiffened, feelingpletely out of ce. "What are you doing?!" she hissed under her breath, ncing up at him in disbelief.


    This was no time for such theatrics.


    He acted as if he hadn''t just impersonated someone important¡ªsomeone who could get them both arrested, or worse.


    "Rx," Wang Xiao whispered with a grin, his voice carrying that infuriating calmness. "Act like you belong, and no one will question you."


    ''He definitely impersonated someone! It''s so cool!'' Wang Xueying''s mind screamed, but she was too flustered to pull away, especially under the soldiers'' watchful eyes.


    As they reached closer to the entrance, more soldiers appeared, but instead of stopping them, they began to escort them inside. Wang Xueying''s heart pounded even faster. ''How far are we going to act?''


    It was then that something caught her eye¡ªa line of armored vehicles parked nearby.


    Her gazended on one in particr, and her breath hitched when she saw the number te: AS1A00001


    She didn''t understand the meaning, but the way it was disyed felt important, like it carried a heavy weight of authority.


    But Wang Xiao had seen that te before. His lips curled into a knowing smile.


    Asia''s number one authority.


    There was only one person who could possess such a vehicle¡ªRenji Hayashi, the legendary guardian of Asia.


    His eyes gleamed with excitement.


    This wasn''t just about curiosity anymore.


    They were on the verge of meeting someone who stood at the very pinnacle of the continent''s power.


    Wang Xueying, oblivious to the significance of the te, looked at her brother''s growing smile with rising concern. ''What has he dragged us into this time?''

 Chapter 528: If you act like thief, people would think you are thief!

    "Phew... They didn''t catch us..."


    Wang Xiao and Wang Xueying slipped past the guards, moving like shadows beneath the fading light.


    Wang Xiao''s sharp gaze flickered to his sister, urging her to remain calm. The guards, distracted and on edge, didn''t so much as nce in their direction. Their heightened alertness seemed to work in the siblings'' favor.


    Ahead of them loomed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs¡ªa massive, circr structure that gleamed with a translucent sheen.


    The entire building seemed to pulse with energy, its ss walls glowing softly in the sun.


    Wang Xueying''s breath hitched as the grandeur of the ce struck her. Unable to contain herself, she grabbed Wang Xiao''s shoulders, her hands trembling with excitement.


    "Hey, I can''t believe it¡ªwe tricked them!" she whispered, herughter bubbling just beneath the surface.


    Her eyes, wide with awe, darted between the towering building and the people rushing inside.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a knowing smile, nodding. Although it was he who had nned their escape from detection, seeing his sister''s joy was satisfying.


    "Calm down. We''re not out of the woods yet," he said softly, but his tone remained casual, as if nothing could disturb his confidence.


    As they neared the massive entrance, Wang Xueying straightened, squaring her shoulders as though she belonged among the elite officials streaming into the building.


    She adopted a professional air, striding forward with the grace of someone ustomed to power.


    Wang Xiao hid a smile, knowing she had no idea their invisibility wasn''t due to her acting, but his hidden techniques.


    He let her believe in her own cleverness, for now.


    Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with urgency. Ministry staff hustled past in hurried strides, whispers and murmurs filling the air with subtle tension.


    It was as if the very walls of the building were vibrating with a sense of importance, though Wang Xueying couldn''t quite grasp what was happening.


    Two employees, both d in dark, neatly pressed uniforms, walked past the siblings. Their faces were pale with stress, and they spoke in low, urgent tones.


    "Did you hear what the security team''s saying? All units on high alert... they''ve doubled the patrols around the north wing," the first man muttered.


    The woman next to him frowned, casting a wary nce around the room. "Of course. This is no ordinary day... You''d better not make a mistake, not with everything that''s happening. They''re watching everyone."


    Wang Xueying, who had been stealing nces at the building''svish interiors, suddenly furrowed her brow. "... What''s going on? Why is everyone acting so strange?" she whispered, a note of concern creeping into her voice.


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, his voice calm. "Don''t worry about it. Officals always act stressed and busy for no reason." He offered no further exnation, though his eyes gleamed with hidden knowledge.


    The staff''s hurried movements became more frantic the deeper they ventured into the facility. Security teams stood at attention, their eyes sweeping over every corner. Wang Xueying, still oblivious to the real cause, shrugged and let it go, focusing instead on their destination.


    They stepped into the ss lift, the walls reflecting the glowing cityscape outside.


    Wang Xueying''s mood lifted once again as she pressed herself against the ss, admiring the view.


    "Look at this ce! It''s even more incredible than I imagined!" she eximed, her excitement returning full force.


    Wang Xiao smirked, leaning casually against the side of the lift. "You act like you''ve never seen a fancy building before."


    As the elevator ascended, their reflections mirrored back at them, perfectlyposed, appearing no different from the high-ranking officials they passed.


    But beneath Wang Xiao''s calm exterior, his mind worked swiftly.


    There were certain names, certain presences here that had to remain unspoken.


    The lift doors slid open, revealing a grand hallway bathed in soft lighting. A few officials stood nearby, their faces tight with concern.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "I just saw the Foreign Minister rush to the north wing," one official muttered, his hand hovering over hismunicator. "He didn''t look pleased. Something serious must be going on."


    "Of course, he''s not pleased," another added, her voice sharp. "Do you know the weight of what''s happening today? We can''t repeat the Seoul''s tradegy...Everyone''s nerves are frayed. Just stay sharp and do your job."


    Wang Xueying tilted her head, clearly puzzled. "What are they talking about?" she whispered to Wang Xiao, casting a quick nce at the officials as they passed.


    Wang Xiao gave her a reassuring smile, though his eyes were sharp. "Nothing for you to worry about. We''re just here to have a look around, remember?"


    They continued down the corridor, Wang Xueying still stealing nces at the imposing architecture while Wang Xiao kept his senses on high alert.


    The deeper they went, the more staff they passed¡ªeach one moving with a quiet urgency, heads bowed, some even casting nces toward the northern wing of the building.


    A young clerk approached them, a courteous smile on his face despite the tension in the air. "Pardon me, are you part of the delegation? If you need directions to the briefing room, I''d be happy to assist."


    Wang Xiao didn''t hesitate, waving a hand dismissively. "No need. We know where we''re headed."


    The clerk bowed slightly, then hurried off, ncing nervously at hismunicator as it buzzed in his hand.


    Once they were alone, Wang Xueying''s beautiful eyes glimmered with curiosity. "Brother, don''t you think it''s strange? Everyone''s acting like something really big is happening today¡­ Do you think we''d be in trouble if they found us?"


    Wang Xiao smirked, shaking his headzily. "If you act like a thief, people will think you''re a thief. And if we get caught? At best, they''ll throw us in a cell and interrogate us until we''re bored to death."


    "..."


    Wang Xueying''s crimson lips curled into a tight frown, and without hesitation, she pinched him sharply on the arm. "Why do you always say such ominous things!" she huffed, her voice barely above a whisper but brimming with indignation.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Ominous? I''m just being practical." He shrugged as if the possibility of being jailed was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.


    Then, without warning, his expression turned serious. His gaze flickered briefly towards something unseen. "Wait here. I''ll be back in a moment," he said suddenly, stepping away.


    "Huh? What¡ªwhere are you going?" Wang Xueying asked, her voice rising in surprise. Her slim fingers instinctively caught the sleeve of his clothes, but the motion drew too much attention.


    She froze, her grip faltering as several nearby officials nced in her direction.


    Wang Xiao cast her a sidelong nce. "Just stay calm, stroll around. And if anyone bothers you, beat them up. If beating them doesn''t work ¡ª throw them out of window, it usually shuts them up." His tone was maddeningly calm, as though violence was the simplest solution to everything.


    "I''ll find a washroom," he added, disappearing into the crowd with practiced ease.


    "Eh?" Wang Xueying stood there, stunned. Her heart raced as her brother vanished into the sea of people.

 Chapter 529: The Obsidian Library!

    Wang Xueying wanted to follow him, but her feet stayed rooted to the ground. Alone, in this grand hall, surrounded by serious-looking officials and heavily armed guards, the walls seemed to close in on her.


    Her soft, delicate features¡ªusually the picture of calm elegance¡ªnow reflected growing anxiety.


    The once majestic hall now seemed far too imposing, the officials'' nces far too piercing. She nced down at her own figure¡ªher jade-like limbs and flowing robes¡ªwhich now felt entirely out of ce in such a tense atmosphere.


    ''Ugh... why would he leave me here like this?'' she whispered under her breath, trying to suppress the urge to flee.


    In the distance, two staff members whispered, their eyes flicking in her direction.


    "... Is she new hire?"


    "Shhh¡­ Probably from Diplomat''s side, don''t point fingers.."


    Wang Xueying''s face flushed. Her smile twitched awkwardly as she forced herself to keep walking. Her steps, usually so graceful, now faltered as if she were walking through quicksand. The more she tried to act natural, the more she felt like a rabbit trapped in a tiger''s den.


    "This is fine¡­" Wang Xueying thought to herself, forcing a too-sweet smile to grace her lips. "Just walk normally¡­"


    She tried to move with grace, but her legs felt stiff, her steps too awkward. Each attempt atposure only made her more self-conscious.


    "Ugh! Why is this harder than calculus? Quantum mechanics was easier than this!" she groaned inwardly, her smile tightening as she caught a glimpse of more officials ncing her way.


    Her movements betrayed her, too quick, too stiff. Her hips swayed too much in her flustered attempt at elegance, only making her stand out more.


    Her presence, once like a serene lotus in a calm pond, now seemed to shout, "I''m definitely not supposed to be here!"


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao slipped through the corridors like a breeze, unnoticed by everyone.


    If he had known just how disastrously his tall and mighty ''Golden Schr'' was failing to blend in, he might''ve reconsidered his choice to leave her alone.


    She cursed him silently as she continued down the hall, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. ''Beat them up? Throw them out of window?'' she thought, gritting her teeth. ''What kind of advice is that? Am I some kind of juggernaut!''


    __________


    The Obsidian Library!


    A ce steeped in legend,y nestled deep within the Kunlun Mountains, once the cradle of Taoist wisdom and spiritual enlightenment.


    The monastery, perched atop the heart of the mountain, had once trained only the finest¡ªthose destined to be pirs of Taoist teachings, guiding the world toward bnce and harmony.


    But now, the world had changed.


    The sacred library, once a sanctuary of quiet contemtion, had transformed into a crucible for power.


    Young monks, once focused solely on enlightenment, now practiced ancient Taoist teachings to gain supernatural strength.


    The halls that echoed with wisdom now resounded with the ng of weapons and the pulse of battle energy.


    In the vast training grounds surrounding the monastery, every monk held a spear, their grips tight, bodies tense, as though ready to face a life-and-death struggle.


    The air crackled with tension, and their eyes were fixed on the horizon.


    Suddenly¡ª


    ROARRRRR!


    A bone-shaking cry tore through the sky.


    CRASH!


    Far off in the distance, a towering mountain range shattered like ss, crumbling under the devastating force of a colossal beast.


    Its serpentine body stretched for tens of kilometers, its scales gleaming like ck jade under the sun. The creature, a sovereign-ss worm, gaped its massive maw and swallowed the mountains whole, its body writhing and coiling like a serpent of destruction.


    It was a beast of ancient myth, its power equal to that of a human Sage¡ªvast, unfathomable, enough to crush peaks and shake the very earth beneath it.


    The air itself seemed to be suffocating in it''s presence.


    Panic rippled through the ranks of the young monks.


    "The Abbot is here!"


    A voice rang out through the crowd, sharp and clear.


    "The Abbot is here!"


    A surge of relief flooded the monks as whispers of "Finally!" echoed through the ranks.


    Their gazes turned upwards, toward the monastery''s towering gate.


    The Abbot¡ªtheirst hope, a man whose strength rivaled the greatest of human cultivators¡ªwas about to step forth.


    At the towering gates of the monastery, a figure emerged.


    His robes, a deep shade of crimson, flowed like a river of blood.


    His eyes, ancient and wise, glinted like polished jade, reflecting the calm of one who had seen countless battles. His steps were measured, slow yet deliberate, as if the chaos around him was of no consequence.


    Shi Xin, the current revered Abbot of the Obsidian Library, had finallye.


    Behind him, three senior disciples followed closely, their faces resolute but shadowed by the weight of whaty before them.


    Among them were Jiang Tian, a monk known for his unmatched spear technique, and Mei Lian, whose mastery over physicalbat was second only to the Abbot.


    The third was Wu Ren, silent and stoic.


    Jiang Tian couldn''t hold back any longer. "Master Shi, that creature... it''s like nothing we''ve faced before. A Sovereign-ss beast? Are we truly prepared for this?"


    Shi Xin nced at the distant, rampaging worm, its gargantuan body coiling and uncoiling like a dragon of destruction.


    His gaze remained unreadable, his voice calm. "Tian, you fear its size, its power. But tell me, what is a mountain before the will of a person?"


    Jiang Tian hesitated. "Nothing... if the will is strong enough."


    Shi Xin nodded slowly, his hands sped behind his back as if they weren''t facing imminent doom. "Remember that. The Tao flows through all of us, whether we stand on solid ground or face cmity. Fear will only cloud your spirit."


    As if to punctuate his words, the ground shook again, this time more violently.


    Another distant peak crumbled into dust as the beast continued its relentless advance.


    Its massive form darkened the horizon, blotting out the sun as it moved closer.


    Mei Lian''s usually calm face twitched with worry. "Abbot Shi Xin, this creature... it''s drawn to something. Its movements are too deliberate. It''s heading straight for the monastery!"


    Shi Xin''s eyes narrowed. "Indeed. This beast is a servant of something far darker. There are forces beyond what we see."


    He stepped forward, raising his hand, and the air around him shimmered with a golden light, casting a wave of soothing energy that rippled across the battlefield. Yet, nothing happened beyond that.


    "What''s up, little baldie..." A voice, smooth and casual.


    A shiloutte stepped forward, cing a hand on Shi Xin''s shoulder with a familiarity that seemed out of ce.


    "What!?"


    "Huh?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Mei Lian and Wu Ren''s eyes widened in shock, their bodies stiffening as they wondered how this stranger had approached without a single soul noticing.


    "Identity yourself!"


    Jiang Tian, ever the protective disciple, didn''t hesitate¡ªhis spear shot forward, aimed squarely at the man''s back.


    But Wang Xiao, the stranger, didn''t flinch. His smile was almost yful as he nced over his shoulder.


    Swoosh!


    "!!"


    SPLURT!


    Jiang Tian''s spear never met its mark. Instead, it twisted in mid-air, backfiring as if an invisible force had bent it to the attacker''s will.


    The sharp tip drove straight into Jiang Tian''s own abdomen. His eyes widened in disbelief as the cold steel pierced his flesh.


    "S-So strong¡­ will¡­" he muttered, blood bubbling at his lips. For a fleeting moment, his spirit energy shed against Wang Xiao''s¡ªbut it was like a pebble striking against an ocean. Wang Xiao''s power, vast and unyielding, crushed his resistance with ease.


    "Senior Brother!"


    "Brother Tian!"

 Chapter 530: Talisman & Formations (1)

    "Senior Brother!"


    "Brother Tian!"


    Wu Ren and Mei Lian''s voices cracked with horror as they rushed forward, but Wang Xiao didn''t even nce at them. Instead, he flicked his wrist with casual indifference toward the colossal creature approaching in the distance.


    SCREEEECH!


    In the blink of an eye, a distant mountain range trembled and lifted from the earth, the entire range uprooted as though it weighed no more than a feather.


    CRASH!


    The monstrous worm let out one final roar before the mountain descended, smashing down upon its body with unimaginable force.


    The creature, once towering and invincible, was crushed beneath the weight of thend itself, reduced to nothing more than a smear of greenish flesh and sttered blood.


    Wang Xiao frowned, clearly unimpressed by the carnage. "Such a disgusting creature on par with men... Women are better," he muttered under his breath, wrinkling his nose at the foul sight of the worm''s remains sttered across the horizon.


    Shi Xin could only offer a bitter smile.


    This was the same Wang Xiao who had once walked the path of the Bodhi Matrix, a fellow monk who had trained for enlightenment.


    Yet, those days felt distant now, as if from a different lifetime. Since the Obsidian Library had be a hub for Taoism and cultivation, Shi Xin had taken up the role of Abbot, guarding the vast knowledge hidden within its walls.


    In a world without Aether, the texts and techniques had been nothing more than relics of fantasy. But after the shift in the world''s spiritual energy, those ancient texts had be some of the most valuable resources on Earth.


    Wang Xiao nced at Wu Ren and Mei Lian, both frozen in shock and fear, as if their minds struggled to process the feat they had just witnessed.


    "Your disciples don''t seem to like me," he remarked with casual amusement, his tone almost teasing.


    Shi Xin sighed softly. "They are¡­ unprepared for your ways."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes gleamed, his voice taking on an ominous edge. "I hope you didn''t call me here just to handle a petty problem like this worm. If you did, I might just decide to level this ce down." His gaze darkened, flickering.


    Shi Xin raised a hand, his voice calm but firm. "Not at all. I called you for more important matters. We have located the information you requested."


    At this, Wang Xiao''s yful expression faded, reced with keen interest. "Go on."


    Shi Xin continued, his tone steady. "The first person you spoke of¡ªthe one known as ''Red Boy''¡ªis connected to the myth of the Ancient Bull Sage. His origins lie deep in the legends of the past, and he seems to have resurfaced in this era. The second one you mentioned appears to be a Luohan monk, based on his fist technique. But there''s no doubt¡ªhe has been corrupted, tainted during his ascension.


    His actions, killing innocent people¡­ he is no longer aligned with the path of righteousness."


    "Neither of them belong to this era," Shi Xin concluded, his voice heavy with finality.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed as he processed the information. One eye half-closed, he seemed to be deep in thought. The name ''Red Boy'' and the mention of a corrupted ''Luohan'' fit too perfectly with the chaotic events that had begun recently.


    "I see..." Wang Xiao murmured, his tone low, as if everything was finally falling into ce.


    Shi Xin smiled bitterly, the weight of his decision heavy on his shoulders. He had called Wang Xiao knowing the price they would have to pay if Wang Xiao used his strength to deal with this cmity.


    The strike on Jiang Tian was that price, a blow Shi Xin had expected.


    In a way, it was like cutting off a finger to save the limb.


    Sacrifices had to be made.


    The price we pay for being weak oftenes in form of sacrifices.


    "Someone is awakening the forces of the past," Shi Xin said quietly, his voice steady but carrying the weight of the truth. "It''s not a good omen. Prince, you should be careful. In this world, you are a target. Some will hunt you to prove their strength, others seek revenge. If the whole world is your enemy, be prepared to face it."


    Wang Xiao''s expression remained unreadable, but Shi Xin could sense the danger that surrounded him.


    Even the beast that had appeared today felt tied to Wang Xiao''s presence. ''Was someone orchestrating all this?'' Shi Xin thought. The notion of someone anticipating Wang Xiao''s every move was unsettling.


    But how? Such profound calctions were beyond his understanding.


    Wang Xiao yawned, unimpressed by the warning. How many times had he heard these same words?


    First, there was the beast attack, then the incident with Red Boy and the corrupted Luohan monk. The attack on Eveline followed, and now, this Sovereign-ss worm. It was too much to be a mere coincidence.


    He leaned back, his eyes narrowing in thought.


    ''Who was pulling the strings? Was it Zeus, as Eveline had imed?'' He quickly dismissed the idea. Zeus was powerful, but this... this felt different, like someone methodically preparing the board for the final game, teasing him with every move.


    It was as if a predator were ying with its prey, revealing its presence but never fully striking.


    The disciples nearby stirred when they heard the word Prince¡ªmany baffled, exchanging looks of confusion.


    They had been secluded here for so long, unaware of the world outside.


    Most of them had never heard of the Eighth Prince. But after today, that name would ripple through the halls of the Obsidian Library, bing a whispered secret none could ignore.


    Wang Xiao''s attention drifted as he turned his gaze toward Mei Lian. Her palm held a glowing jade talisman, shimmering with ethereal energy, as if ready to release its power at any moment. He raised an eyebrow, intrigued.


    "What''s that?" Wang Xiao asked, his voice casual but his eyes locked onto the object.


    Shi Xin followed his gaze, noticing the talisman glowing in Mei Lian''s hand. "That," he began, "is a sacred talisman. We began crafting them using the ancient teachings left behind by the Buddha. It''s created using special brushes and ink infused with divine essence(aether), allowing us to write the will of the heavens onto paper."


    Wang Xiao blinked, his mind flickering to a memory of something simr.


    His daughter, Lan, had used something almost identical¡ªbooks that contained traces of divine essence.


    His eyes darkened with a faint trace of nostalgia before he broke from his reverie.


    "Get me a few of those," Wang Xiao said, his tonemanding but calm.


    Shi Xin nodded without hesitation. He gestured to one of the monks, who quickly hurried off to retrieve the requested talismans.


    The Abbot had long since made copies of these sacred texts, hiding them in secret chambers to ensure their survival. His foresight had proven useful in times like these, where preserving knowledge meant survival.


    Mei Lian''s eyes widened in disbelief. These talismans¡ªthis knowledge¡ªwere not meant for outsiders. It was a closely guarded treasure of the Obsidian Library, a culmination of their ancient wisdom.


    Yet, before she could voice her objection, she caught Shi Xin''s calm gaze.


    The Abbot''s decision had already been made.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 531: Talisman & Formations (2)

    Wang Xiao''s eyes shifted, scanning the monastery''s surroundings. His sharp senses caught onto something¡ªthe entire monastery was enveloped in a sacred golden barrier.


    It wasn''t just any barrier; it was intricately designed, pulsing with divine energy. He could''ve walked through it easily, but its strength was immense.


    The barrier was not only for defense¡ªit also hid the monastery from prying eyes, its presence masked in the world.


    His eyes narrowed further, tracing the energy points that sustained the barrier. They formed a distinct pattern, awork of interconnected nodes. Something about it tugged at his memory, reminding him of something he had encountered just months ago. The pattern was too familiar to be ignored.


    "What is this?'' Wang Xiao mused. The arrangement of the barrier''s critical points aligned with something he had seen before, something that had been bothering him ever since.


    His mind raced, connecting pieces of a puzzle he hadn''t even realized he was solving.


    It was old, but functional¡ªalmost elegant in its simplicity.


    He turned to Shi Xin and spoke with a tone of casualmand, "This barrier...? How did you create it? Bring out the books on that as well."


    Shi Xin nodded, not questioning the request, and motioned for a disciple to retrieve the copies. Before long, dozens of ancient tomesy at Wang Xiao''s feet.


    The sheer number of them would have overwhelmed any normal person, but Wang Xiao merely waved his hand, and in an instant, they disappeared into thin air. The monks around him gasped in shock.


    Wang Xiao noticed their stares but remained unbothered. He could feel Shi Xin watching him with cautious skepticism, so the Abbot spoke, "This formation isplex. The principle is the same as invoking the will of the heavens, but the arrangement channels the energy in a way that suits the barrier''s purpose."


    Wang Xiao had alreadyprehended the essence of the formation by just a nce. "The talisman," he said, his tone thoughtful, "is a sacredmand to the world itself. The Aether-infused ink simply guides it."


    Shi Xin''s eyes widened in disbelief. ''How had he grasped the core of their teachings so quickly?''


    It had taken his monks years to understand the subtleties of Aether, yet Wang Xiao absorbed it as if it were second nature.


    For Wang Xiao, it was simply another method of interacting with the world. He had always used his own strength, his will. The world around him bent to hismand¡ªnot because of any talisman, but because of the force of his mind and spirit.


    He could curse someone with a thought, and the world wouldply.


    What difference was there between a talisman and his will?


    The only difference was that the monks wrote theirmands on paper, while his will echoed directly into the world.


    Random scribbling wouldn''t work, of course. The symbols had to resonate with the forces around them, just as his thoughts did when hemanded reality to shift.


    It reminded him of Eveline''s enchantments, though her methods were less flexible, relying on strict patterns.


    This, however, was more versatile, more in line with how he operated.


    As for the barrier, he had quickly deduced its structure. It was nothing more than a basic arrangement of Aether that formed an intricate web, linking specific points of energy to mask the monastery''s presence and provide protection.


    It was effective but rudimentary in concept.


    Swoosh!


    Suddenly, Wang Xiao disappeared with a breeze. The heavy tension in the air dissipated instantly, leaving everyone behind in stunned silence.


    "M-Master, who was that senior?" Jiang Tian''s voice was weak, but he managed to stand, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.


    His confusion was evident as he looked around, still dazed from the encounter.


    Shi Xin turned in surprise. "Jiang Tian...?" He blinked, stunned to see him alive and standing. ''The spear hadn''t killed him?'' He had fully expected Wang Xiao''s attack to take his life.


    Wang Xiao could have killed him. The truth was, Jiang Tian had been nothing more than an example, a means to Wang Xiao''s end.


    Shi Xin realized what had happened: Wang Xiao had wanted to instill fear¡ªbut not at the cost ofpletely destroying Shi Xin''s authority.


    If Wang Xiao had killed Jiang Tian, it would have undermined Shi Xin''s leadership. The Abbot was still the figurehead of this monastery, and if his guest had killed one of his disciples, the monks would have lost confidence in him as a leader.


    But Wang Xiao was clever.


    He had shown his ruthlessness by attacking Jiang Tian, ensuring that the monks understood his power. And then, by sparing Jiang Tian and allowing him to heal, Wang Xiao achieved two things: he left an indelible mark of fear and awe in their hearts, but also let Shi Xin maintain his authority.


    The bnce between respect and fear was subtly preserved.


    Shi Xin took a deep breath, reflecting on this. People often assumed Wang Xiao acted on arrogance, that his sheer strength made him careless.


    But Shi Xin now understood that Wang Xiao calcted every move, even if he never exined himself. Every action was deliberate, a part of arger n that only Wang Xiao seemed to see.


    He sees everything, hears everything, and waits until it is time to act.


    The air around the monastery felt lighter, yet the atmosphere remained thick with the uncertainty of what had just transpired. The monks still stood in stunned silence, trying toprehend what had happened.


    Some, like Mei Lian, remained frozen, too shaken by Wang Xiao''s casual dismissal of power. Others, like Jiang Tian, struggled to recover from their shock and awe.


    "Master... I didn''t understand," Jiang Tian said quietly, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and confusion.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Shi Xin smiled faintly, his hand resting gently on Jiang Tian''s shoulder. "It is not meant for us to understand everything, Jiang Tian. What you experienced was a glimpse into something beyond ourprehension. Be grateful that you survived. Wang Xiao is not a man to be trifled with."


    Jiang Tian nodded weakly, still shaken by the encounter.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao moved through the mountain pass, his mind piecing together the events that had led him here.


    Whoever was manipting things from the shadows was getting bolder, setting up traps, sending forces against him. The attack on Eveline, Red Boy, the Luohan monk, and now this beast¡ªthey were all connected, threads of a web being woven around him.


    Someone was hunting him, but not just to kill. No, they were ying with him first.


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened. Whoever was behind this had miscalcted if they thought they could toy with him.


    If they wanted to kill him, they shoulde at him directly.


    He let out a low chuckle, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Come head-on," he whispered to himself.


    When the time came, the battlefield would be his.


    And on that day, he would crush them all.

 Chapter 532: Caught!

    Back in the north wing meeting room in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in uproar.


    The polished floors and dignified atmosphere could do nothing to suppress the tension crackling in the air.


    Wang Xueying stood in the middle, her wrists bound as two burly guards tightened their grip on her arms.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Across the room, Foreign Minister Gao Liang''s face was red with fury, his hands clenched as he paced back and forth like a predator ready to strike.


    "Who the hell let her into the north wing?!" Gao Liang''s voice boomed through the room, "This is a high-level meeting with Federation dignitaries, and you imbeciles let her¡ª" he jabbed a finger in Wang Xueying''s direction, "¡ªwander into one of the most sensitive areas of this goddamn building! How ipetent can you be?!"


    Wang Xueying smiled awkwardly, trying to maintain herposure despite the growing pit of fear in her stomach.


    She could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on her, and every second of silence was like a dagger pressing into her chest.


    ''How did this escte so quickly? And why is this idiot speaking so loudly?''


    Gao Liang''s eyes narrowed as he sized her up. "Just because she looks like a damn flower doesn''t mean she can''t have thorns," he spat. "I don''t care how sweet or innocent she looks¡ªtake her for interrogation. For all we know, she could be a spy, snooping around where she doesn''t belong."


    "..."


    Wang Xueying''s smile disappeared instantly, reced by a wide-eyed look of shock. "I''m not a spy." she eximed, her voice rising with panic as the guards pulled her towards the door.


    She struggled to find the right words, her expression conflicted. "I''m Wang Xueying! A researcher at CASR, My teacher is Isabelle Mercer! I wasn''t spying¡ªI was just exploring, I swear!"


    Gao Liang''s face twisted into a sneer. "Isabelle Mercer?" he repeated with venom. "So you admit you''re in cahoots with a foreigner! You''ve probably been collecting information to hand over to her, haven''t you? Thought you could sneak in here and y us for fools? What are you¡ªa little diplomat, huh?


    Or maybe you''re just good at making eyes at people and hoping they don''t notice what you''re really up to?"


    Wang Xueying was stunned, speechless.


    She had no idea how things had gone so wrong, so fast. ''Is this pig serious?'' She couldn''t believe what she was hearing. "No! That''s not¡ª"


    "Shut up!" Gao Liang barked. "Take her out of here. Lock her up in the holding room. We''ll figure out what the hell she''s really doing here. She''s got foreign connections¡ªshe''s a threat." His voice was cold, dripping with disdain.


    As the guards tightened their grip, Wang Xueying''s heart skipped a beat in panic.


    ''A threat?'' She could barely process what was happening. "Wait! No, I''m not¡ª" But her protests were ignored as she was dragged toward the door.


    Just then, the heavy door swung open, and the room filled with a sudden fragnant air.


    In stepped Liu Yanmei, the Deputy Foreign Minister, her curvaceous sexy figure fitted by a dress that hugged her body like a silken river. Her steps were slow, deliberate, and every head in the room turned toward her. Her dark hair flowed down her back, and her eyes, sharp as a de, scanned the room with practiced calm.


    "Minister Gao," she said, her juicy crimson lips moving, her voice low and smooth, dispite the tense situation, "What is happening here? Why are we making so much noise?"


    Her hips swayed subtly as she moved toward the center of the room, the soft rustle of her dress filling the silence.


    Gao Liang''s scowl deepened as he turned to face her. "Yanmei, this isn''t the time to ask questions. This girl was found trespassing in the north wing! We''re in the middle of a highly ssified meeting with Federation dignitaries, and she¡ª" he pointed at Wang Xueying again, "¡ªwas snooping around, sticking her nose where it doesn''t belong!"


    Liu Yanmei''s lips curved slightly, though the calm in her eyes didn''t waver. "Minister Gao, I understand your concern. But surely this is a misunderstanding. She doesn''t look like a threat."


    Gao Liang let out a harshugh, his eyes narrowing with disdain. "You think I''m a fool, Yanmei? Just because she looks harmless doesn''t mean she''s innocent. You want to take the risk of trusting her? Today of all days?"


    Liu Yanmei''s gaze flicked to Wang Xueying, who still wore a stunned expression, her hands bound.


    There was something in her eyes¡ªfear, yes¡ªbut also an innocence that seemed genuine. "Minister Gao," Yanmei began, her voice soft but firm, "there''s no need to jump to conclusions. We can question her, yes, but perhaps we don''t need to treat her like a criminal just yet."


    Gao Liang''s fists clenched as he red at her. "And what if she is a criminal, Yanmei? Can you afford to take that risk if things go south? If something goes wrong because of your soft heart?" His words were sharp, biting through the tension like a whip. "Do you really want to stake your reputation on that gamble?"


    Liu Yanmei''s expression remainedposed, but her lips pressed together tightly.


    She sighed, "I''m not asking for leniency, Minister. I''m asking for caution. We interrogate her properly, but we do it without causing unnecessary damage."


    Wang Xueying, still reeling from the usations, finally found her voice again. "Please, I''m not here to cause trouble. I really didn''t know this was a restricted area. I-I just got lost, I swear!" She looked to Liu Yanmei, hoping for even a sliver of understanding.


    The atmosphere in the room was almost too suffocating.


    Liu Yanmei''s sharp eyes softened slightly, but her mind sighed in defeat.


    Got lost? How could she have gotten lost and ended up here? It didn''t make sense.


    Wang Xueying could have imed curiosity, but lost? No way.


    Minister Gao snorted, his patience having reached its limit. "You idiots just get soft whenever a pretty face walks into the room!" His voice was drenched in contempt, his lips curling into a sneer. "Let me teach this rat a lesson."


    Liu Yanmei frowned deeply, her body tensing as she met his gaze. "Minister, mind yournguage¡ª!"


    Gao''s eyes flickered with something dark and ugly, though he quickly swallowed his words under her re.


    He didn''t fear Liu Yanmei; to him, she was just another woman. He could have easily had her in his bed¡ªthose wide, luscious lips, and her massive breasts practically bursting through her blouse.


    The mere thought made his dick twitch.


    But he knew better than to touch her. She belonged to someone powerful, someone who would chop his dick off the moment he even tried.


    That reality made his frustration boil over, twisting his thoughts into something vile.


    "Let''s make your face as pretty as a flower," he snarled, stepping toward Wang Xueying, "and teach you a real lesson."


    "Huh?"


    "!"


    Suddenly, the air turned deathly cold, as if the room itself was holding its breath in fear.


    "Who?"


    Gao felt a chill race down his spine, freezing him in ce. Something ominous loomed behind him, but before he could even process it¡ª


    BAM!

 Chapter 533: Turning face into flower—Blooming with Blood!

    Gao felt a chill race down his spine, freezing him in ce.


    Something ominous loomed behind him, but before he could even process it¡ª


    BAM!


    A strong hand mped down on the back of Gao''s neck with bone-crushing force, and his face mmed into the oak table with a sickening crack.


    Blood sprayed from his nose, sttering across the table and the polished floor.


    "Wh¡ª?" Gao barely had time to grunt before BAM! his face was smashed into the table again, harder this time.


    Wang Xiao stood above him, his grip irond and his expression ice-cold.


    "You want to teach her a lesson?" he muttered, his voice dark,"Let''s start with you...."


    BAM! BAM! BAM!


    Each brutal impact echoed through the room, a thunderous rhythm of destruction. Gao''s face bounced off the table, his nose already a shattered ruin, blood pouring from his mouth. Teeth rattled across the floor, one of them rolling to Liu Yanmei''s feet. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock.


    "Arghhh¡­" Gao''s voice was reduced to a pathetic gurgle, blood spraying from his broken nose as it sttered across the table and floor. His body twitched, helpless under Wang Xiao''s grip.


    Wang Xueying stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest. She should''ve been terrified, but instead, her lips curled into a small, dark smile. ''This pig is being turned into an actual pig,'' she thought, clenching her hands tightly. It felt satisfying, in a way she couldn''t exin.


    For a brief moment, she forgot that what Wang Xiao was doing couldnd both of them in jail¡ªor worse.


    BAM! BAM! BAM!


    Gao''s face was being pulverized into pulp. Blood sttered with every hit, his teeth scattering across the floor like shattered porcin, his flesh splitting wide open, hanging grotesquely from his face.


    His head was smashed again and again without mercy.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes were cold, his grip like the jaws of death.


    He was a storm¡ªsilent, brutal, and unstoppable. His movements were precise, each m deliberate, as he continued to smash Gao''s head into the table.


    The hardwood cracked under the pressure, stained red with blood and bits of skin.


    "Disgusting worm," Wang Xiao muttered under his breath. "I would massacare your all nine generations."


    BAM!


    BAM!


    Gao let out a whimper, his voice barely a whisper. "F-Fuck¡­ stop¡­" But Wang Xiao wasn''t done. He leaned in close, his breath icy against Gao''s ear.


    "Stop?" Wang Xiao hissed, his voice dripping with disdain.


    BAM!


    Gao''s head bounced off the table with a sickening crack, his face a bloody mess.


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    His nose waspletely gone, ttened into his skull. His lips were torn, barely hanging onto his face, his teeth long gone.


    BAM! BAM! BAM!


    Each m was more vicious than thest, the table shaking under the force. Gao''s face was now unrecognizable, reduced to a pile of blood, bone, and torn skin. His body twitched, barely alive, his breaths shallow and ragged. His whimpering had long since stopped.


    Liu Yanmei, still frozen in ce, could only watch in stunned silence. Minister Gao¡ªonce so arrogant, so untouchable¡ªwas now nothing more than a bloody mess of flesh and bone.


    The thudding sound of his skull meeting the wood echoed in her mind, over and over, each impact more brutal than thest.


    Wang Xueying''s earlier satisfaction had long since vanished, reced by growing horror pale face.


    She stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest, unable toprehend what was happening. ''W-What''s happening?'' The man before her¡ªWang Xiao¡ªlooked more like a terrifying devil than a person.


    What had begun as swift justice had quickly transformed into something far more terrifying.


    Wang Xiao''s cold, detached eyes sent a chill down her spine.


    For God''s sake, Minister Gao was already dead!


    His face hade off. His brain was being sttered across the table.


    Why won''t he stop?!


    The scene before her was nothing short of savage.


    Suddenly, Wang Xiao stopped.


    The room descended into an eerie silence, thick with the aftermath of violence. Blood dripped steadily from what was left of Gao''s face, pooling beneath his limp body.


    BAM!N?v(el)B\\jnn


    His head slumped to the side, his features so brutally disfigured that it was impossible to tell who he had once been.


    Wang Xiao released his grip, letting Gao''s mangled body fall limply onto the table. The man was barely breathing, clinging to life, though it was clear he was barely even human anymore.


    "Fucking pig wants to touch something of mine and can''t even survive a single hit," Wang Xiao muttered under his breath, cold disdaincing every word.


    He stood there, his expression unchanging, as if the brutal scene before him was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.


    His clothes were pristine, untouched by the carnage, though his hand dripped with blood.


    He wiped it off with casual indifference.


    He then turned to Wang Xueying, his gaze softening just slightly. "Let''s go," he said, his voice calm andposed, as though he hadn''t just destroyed a man''s face and life with such merciless precision.


    The guards, who had been paralyzed with fear, finally moved, their wide eyes darting between the bloodied mess of Minister Gao and the terrifyinglyposed Wang Xiao.


    "W-Wait!" one of the guards stammered, his voice trembling. He turned to his colleague in desperation. "Go and arrest him!"


    The second guard shuddered, stepping back. "Why me!? You''re the senior, you go and arrest him!"


    "Fuck this job! I am resigning!" The senior guard cursed under his breath, neither of them daring to move any closer to Wang Xiao.


    His eyes burned with a hatred that froze them in ce, making it clear that approaching him would be a death sentence.


    They had seen enough. They knew better.


    Wang Xueying''s heart raced as she struggled to steady her breath. She nced back briefly at Minister Gao''s body¡ªa gruesome heap of blood, flesh, and bone¡ªand felt a chill crawl up her spine.


    Before she could fully gather her thoughts, the sound of footsteps broke the silence.


    The wide-open doors to the meeting room revealed two groups of formally dressed individuals walking in, their conversation immediately halting as they took in the blood-soaked scene before them.


    "This would be our north wing meeting room¡ª" a professional voice began, confident and calm.


    At the head of the group was a woman with short ck hair, her sharp red eyes widening in shock as she took in the state of the room.


    She had been introducing the group behind her, her professional skirt and fitted top reflecting her sharp, authoritative demeanor.


    Now, her expression shifted fromposed professionalism to sheer disbelief. Her beautiful face, previously lovable, now showed pure shock as she gazed at the wreckage in the room¡ªthe bloodied mess, the ruined remains of Minister Gao.


    Behind her, the other dignitaries stood frozen in horror, their eyes wide as they struggled to process the scene: blood staining the marble floors, the table splintered, and Wang Xiao standing in the middle of the the chaos as though nothing out of the ordinary had urred.


    Her red eyes locked onto Wang Xiao, and a soft, surprised smile spread across her face.


    She raised a hand to cover her lips, clearly amused despite the carnage.


    "Oh my¡­" she murmured, her voice smooth and sweet, though her smile hinted at something darker. There was no fear in her eyes¡ªonly curiosity, as though she had walked in on something delightfully amusing.

 Chapter 534: Yuzuki!

    "..."


    "..."


    The meeting room had been cleaned, but only five people remained inside.


    A man sat before the projector screen, dressed in a green suit embroidered with golden threads. His long hair framed his face, radiating the aura of someone who wore the mask of goodness but exuded something far more sinister underneath.


    Renji Hayashi, the Guardian of Asia, sat there with one leg crossed over the other, sipping his tea as if the meeting had all the time in the world.


    Next to him stood Zhao Lian, her tight ck outfit hugging her body like a second skin. The professional skirt and top enhanced every delicious curve of her tall, statuesque frame. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back in perfect waves, herrge breasts pressing firmly against her fitted shirt, sending a current of sexual energy that practically charged the air around her.


    She stood like an ice queen, her piercing blue eyes sharp enough to cut through stone. Her face remained unmoved, distant, as though she couldn''t care less that everyone in the room was probably fighting to avoid staring at her body.


    "Are you done?" Renji finally broke the silence, his voice tinged with irritation. His eyes twitched as they flicked toward Wang Xiao, clearly annoyed by how long he had been made to wait.


    But Wang Xiao wasn''t paying any attention to Renji or the so-called ''meeting'' at all.


    Instead, his focus was entirely on Miyashiro Yuzuki, the raven-haired beauty seated on hisp.


    Yuzuki''s short, dark hair framed her delicate face, her red eyes gleaming with mischief. She leaned back into Wang Xiao, her tight ck dress riding dangerously high on her smooth thighs. Every inch of her body seemed to scream trouble, and she knew it.


    Wang Xiao''s hand slid slowly up her waist, teasing the fabric of her dress. Yuzuki bit her lip, trying¡ªand failing¡ªto suppress a soft moan as his fingers inched higher.


    "Master¡­ you really shouldn''t be doing that here, mmmnnn~," Yuzuki whispered, her voice sultry, but her body betrayed her words as she pressed into him, inviting his every movement.


    His fingers trailed up her inner thigh, causing her breath to hitch.


    Wang Xiao smirked, his eyes glinting with dark amusement. "Oh? And what''s wrong with here?" His voice was low, dripping with arrogance as his hand slipped further up, his fingertips barely grazing the edge of her panties.


    Yuzuki''s body trembled, her lips parting as a soft, breathy moan escaped her. "Nghnh~ You''re such a bully¡­ Sister Luna was right¡­" she murmured, gripping the sleeve of his shirt as her back arched subtly against his chest. "If you keep doing that, I might not be able to keep quiet¡­"


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, his breath warm against her ear. "Then don''t keep quiet¡­" he whispered darkly, his hand hovering tantalizingly close to her center. "Let them hear who you belong to."


    Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, her breathing quickening as her body responded to his touch. The way she squirmed in hisp, pressing herself harder against his chest, made it clear that she was loving every second of this teasing.


    Yuzuki''s red eyes flickered with a dangerous mix of lust and excitement, her lips curling into a wicked smile. "Master¡­" she moaned softly, grinding herself slightly as if daring him to push further.


    "Hey," she whispered, leaning close to his ear, her hot breath sending a shiver down his spine. "If you keep going like that, we might have to postpone this meeting."


    Wang Xiao chuckled again, his fingers stillzily exploring her curves. "Why not? It''s not like they''re in any kind of hurry," he said, throwing a smug nce in Renji''s direction.


    Yuzukiughed lightly, her hand running along his chest, her red eyes glowing with yful defiance. "Mmm, you''re right," she teased, her fingers tracing over his shirt. "They seem like the patient type."


    Just as Yuzuki let out another sultry sigh, Renji''s growled.


    "Are you done yet, or should wee back some other time?" He snapped, his tone edged with frustration as he red at Wang Xiao. His eyes burned with irritation, clearly done with the disy in front of him.


    Wang Xiao let out a sigh of boredom, lifting his hand off Yuzuki''s thigh with deliberate slowness, as if even the act of stopping was an afterthought.


    Yuzuki smiled, biting her lip as she gracefully slid off hisp, her hips swaying with that same intoxicating seductiveness. Even as she moved to stand behind him, mirroring Zhao Lian''s rigid stance behind Renji, her provocative aura heating up the cold room.


    Her tight dress clung to every curve, and the way she casually adjusted it¡ªsliding it down over her thighs while shing a knowing, sultry smile¡ªwas enough to send any man''s mind spiraling. There was no mistaking the way her body hummed from his earlier touch, as if it had left an imprint that still tingled under her skin.


    Wang Xiao leaned backzily in his chair, his gaze flickering toward Renji withplete indifference. "I guess you can start talking now," he said, his tone oozing arrogance, as if Renji''s growing frustration didn''t concern him in the slightest.


    The cold arrogance Wang Xiao exuded was deliberate and everyone in the room felt it.


    His focus remained half on Yuzuki, who met his eyes with a devilish smirk, clearly still relishing his earlier attention.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yanmei sat stiffly between the two men, her patience long gone. Her face looked as if it had aged a decade in the span of an hour, the stress weighing on her like a mountain.


    As the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Qing Dynasty, she was supposed to maintainposure, but how could she, sitting between these two titans of power?


    She had somehow been caught in this web and was now being appointed to rece thete Minister Gao after his "mysterious ident."


    An ident she wasn''t na?ve enough to believe was just happenstance.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    And who decided her fate?


    These two ''peaceful'' men decided it themselves, without even consulting her!


    Her eyes darted nervously between Renji Hayashi, the so-called Guardian of Asia, and Wang Xiao, the man they had summoned for the sole purpose of taking action against.


    The infamous Eight Prince, the one responsible for obliterating their military garrison, was sitting right in front of her. And he was treating the situation as though he were out for an evening stroll.


    ''This was not in our ns at all¡­'' she thought, the sinking feeling in her chest deepening with each passing second.


    Liu Yanmei nced toward Yuzuki, who was supposed to be representing their side, acting as the ambassador for the Qing Dynasty. Yet, here Yuzuki was, sprawled on Wang Xiao''sp just moments ago, looking more like a conspirator than a diplomat.


    And the worst part?


    Yuzuki wasn''t just seductive¡ªshe was dangerous. Liu had just learned that Yuzuki was a member of the Illuminati, sent undercover. An operative, embedded in the Qing Dynasty for years.


    ''How the hell did we miss this?''


    Nothing made sense anymore. The Qing Dynasty had acted quickly after the Eight Prince attacked their military forces. They had desperately arranged this secret meeting, calling upon their guardian¡ªRenji¡ªto protect them from further destruction.


    To solidify their influence, they even chose a Japanese-heritage ambassador, Yuzuki, hoping to curry favor with Renji and gain leverage. If a deal couldn''t be struck directly, they''d have used backchannels to get him on their side.


    But the whole n had blown up in their faces.

 Chapter 535: Want Explanation?

    Yuzuki, the ambassador they had trusted, turned out to be an enemy spy.


    And to make things worse, it appeared that Wang Xiao and Renji knew each other well¡ªperhaps too well.


    Liu Yanmei wasn''t sure if they were friends, rivals, or something worse, but judging by their casual demeanor, they certainly weren''t enemies.


    The reality hit her hard.


    This meeting was doomed from the start.


    ''It''s true what they say,'' Liu thought bitterly. ''The world''s rich and powerful are all part of the same small circle. Theypete in public, pretend to be enemies, but in truth, their only goal is to squeeze the rest of us dry.''


    She could see it now: Qing Dynasty''s very existence was at risk. She was caught in the crossfire of a game yed by men far more dangerous than she had ever imagined.


    Liu Yanmei cursed inwardly, feeling the weight of the situation suffocating her. Here she was, stuck between two men who could obliterate her entire existence with a flick of their fingers.


    ''Why didn''t I urge my Shan''er to marry sooner?'' shemented, bitterly smiling to herself. ''I might not live long enough to see my grandchildren at this rate.''


    This meeting wasn''t about diplomacy anymore. It had never been.


    It was about survival.


    Because the man they were supposed to stop¡ªthe Eight Prince¡ªwas already here, sitting calmly across from them, clearly knowing that this entire meeting was meant to be a trap for him.


    And judging by the look in his eyes, Wang Xiao was fully aware.


    He knew. He knew that this was supposed to be about him.


    Wang Xiao leaned back in his chair, azy smirk ying on his lips as his eyes flicked between Renji and Liu. "Well?" he asked, his voice mocking, "Are you going to say something useful, or is this just a staring contest?"


    Renji''s jaw tightened, his frustration barely contained, but he knew there was no turning back now.


    Renji hadn''t expected Wang Xiao to show up so suddenly, but he masked his surprise. With a quick nce, he signaled Zhao Lian. The blonde beauty moved without hesitation, grabbing a thick stack of files and mming them down onto the table with force.


    Bam!


    "These are all the crimes reported by countries around the world that want your head on a te, Prince," Zhao Lian said, her voice sharp butced with a subtle sensuality. It was like the words themselves dripped with a promise, daring men to want more. "They''re demanding an exnation."


    Wang Xiao barely looked at the files. His lips curled into a smirk, eyes gleaming with mockery. "They cane to my vi for an exnation," he said withplete indifference, his tone cold and arrogant.


    "..."


    "..."


    Everyone froze for a moment. The silence was deafening. ''Come to his vi?'' As if they didn''t know what happened to anyone dumb enough to walk through the doors of Wang Xiao''s vi.


    Once they entered, they''d either be begging for their lives or worse, leaving in a fucking body bag.


    Yuzuki, standing behind Wang Xiao, couldn''t help but smile, biting her lip to stifle augh.


    ''He''s even worse than Sister Luna suggested...'' Her heart raced as she stood there, her pulse throbbing in excitement.


    She didn''t expect to feel this way¡ªlike every word Wang Xiao said made her want him more.


    Her whole life, she was meant to be nothing but a body double for Luna, the mysterious head of the Illuminati. Fifteen years ago, Yuzuki had been kidnapped for the simple fact that her face looked like Luna''s.


    Since then, she''d been acting as the public face of the organization, letting Luna operate from the shadows.


    But now, standing here, watching Wang Xiaomand the room, her body buzzed with thrill. ''This is what I''ve been missing...'' she thought, feeling herself growing wet just from being in his presence. He radiated danger, the kind that sent a woman''s blood boiling.


    She remembered thinking Luna had exaggerated, but watching him now, she realized she was hooked. ''Fuck, I didn''t know I was into men like this.''


    She gave him a sly, knowing smile.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Lian, standing rigidly on the other side, frowned deeply, her frustration showing. Her tight ck top clung to her chest, her breasts straining against the fabric, but her gaze was locked on Wang Xiao, clearly annoyed.


    Wang Xiao caught her stare and raised an eyebrow. ''Does she think she can re at me like that?'' he thought, amused by her arrogance. ''Just because she''s standing next to Renji?''


    His smile darkened. He''d smashed Renji''s face once before¡ªhe''d have no problem doing it again. And Zhao Lian? If she wasn''t careful, her pretty little face would be next.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flickered with a cold, wicked gleam.


    Renji, trying to regain some control, finally spoke up, though his voice sounded more worn than anything else. "The countries won''t sit quietly forever. If you keep fucking with them, destroying everything, they''ll retaliate."


    Wang Xiao turned his gaze to Renji, his expression filled with scorn. "Tell them to stop harassing me first, and I''ll stop harassing them," he saidzily, clearly not giving a single fuck about the so-called threats.


    Renji''s face twitched. Harassed? When the hell has Wang Xiao ever been fucking harassed?


    Just as Renji was barely keeping his anger in check, Wang Xiao kicked his legs up onto the table with an audible thud, leaning back like a king surveying his court. His eyes gleamed with a cold, amused disdain.


    "So, what''s it gonna be?" Wang Xiao''s voice dripped with arrogance, filling the room like poison. "You alle here to gang up on me? Try to put me in my ce?" His smirk widened, almost daring them. "If yes, go ahead and start already. I haven''t smashed a few heads in a while." He paused, letting his words sink in, his gaze sweepingzily across the room.


    "Otherwise¡­" he scoffed, pensate me for wasting my fucking time here."


    "!!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Renji nearly choked on his own breath, coughing blood.


    His back stiffened as he fought the urge tosh out. His face paled, veins bulging slightly in his temples, but no words came out.


    Even Liu Yanmei felt the tension shoot up her spine, her face aging another ten years in the span of seconds. Her eyes darted between the two men, as if expecting the room to erupt into violence any second.


    Zhao Lian, alwaysposed, now showed a flicker of something¡ªshock? Annoyance? It was hard to tell, but her icy demeanor seemed to crack just a little. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. Compensate him? For his time?


    How had the tables turned so fast?


    They had thought they were here toy down thew, to corner Wang Xiao and force him into submission. But reality had hit them hard.


    People often forget that it''s the strongest who make the rules.


    In the end, strength decides what''s right and what''s wrong. God dictates what''s evil or good because he has the power to back it up.


    Otherwise, who the fuck cares about some half-naked, drunken bastard preaching morality on a street corner?


    At the end of the day, if you had the power, you are the daddy.


    And right now, Wang Xiao''s sheer presence was enough to remind them all of that hard truth.


    Renji was the first to attempt speech, his voice strained and tight. "Compensate you? Prince, you''ve¡ª"

 Chapter 536: Harassinng him?

    Renji was the first to attempt speech, his voice strained and tight. "Compensate you? Prince, you''ve¡ª"


    "Yes,pensate me," Wang Xiao interrupted, his tonepletely dismissive, like Renji was a child who hadn''t learned his lesson yet. "What, do you think your little kangaroo court means something to me? You all gather here, acting like you''re delivering some kind of justice." He leaned forward slightly, his smirk turning darker, his eyes gleaming.


    "But we both know that the moment I feel like it, I can snap my fingers and wipe your pathetic little meeting off the face of the earth. Don''t insult me."


    Renji''s mouth opened, but no words came out. His entire body screamed restraint, but it was clear he was on the edge of eruption.


    Wang Xiao continued, his tone casual but cutting. "You all talk about crimes, about me ''harassing'' countries like it''s some kind of grand offense." He shook his head,ughing softly. "Let me spell it out for you: I do what I want, when I want. You all came here thinking you could corner me, put me on trial like some weak little dog in need of taming."


    He leaned back again, throwing his arms over the chair, his gazezily sweeping across the room. "Newssh: I''m not one of your fucking soldiers. I''m the one who decides the rules here. You want to prosecute me? Fine, let''s see how that works out. I''ll break a few heads, and then we''ll talk."


    Zhao Lian''s jaw tightened, her icy blue eyes narrowing at him. She finally spoke, her voice still steady butced with venom. "You think the world will just let you continue this? People won''t sit in silence forever, Prince. Sooner orter, your reckless behavior wille back to bite you. The world is watching."


    Wang Xiao''s gaze flicked toward her, his eyes darkening slightly as he took in her words. "The world is watching?" he repeated, his voice mockingly soft. He chuckled, shaking his head. "You''re so fucking na?ve, woman Do you think I care? The world has always been watching. And yet, here I am." He gestured to himself with azy wave.


    "Still breathing. Still free. Still untouchable."


    He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his eyes boring into hers. "You all want to gang up on me because I don''t y by your rules. But here''s the truth¡ªrules are made by the ones strong enough to enforce them. And right now? I''m the strongest in the room. Which means I decide what''s right or wrong.


    Got it?"


    Zhao Lian''s lips tightened into a thin line, but she said nothing. Her anger simmered under her cool exterior, but even she knew when not to push further.


    Liu Yanmei''s thoughts were spiraling out of control. This is a disaster.


    Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to maintain herposure. ''We came here to reign him in, and now it feels like we''re the ones being dragged by the throat.'' She nced nervously at Renji, hoping he had a n. ''There''s no way we''re getting out of here alive if this goes any further.''


    Renji, barely holding his tongue, clenched his fists tighter, his knuckles white. "We''re not here to y games. No one is going to stay quiet if you keep harassing them."


    Wang Xiao smirked, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "Oh, is that what you call it? Harassing?" He chuckled, the sound low and condescending.


    "Let me make something clear, Renji. The only reason I ''harass'' them is because they don''t know their ce. They poke at me, thinking they can get away with it. So yeah, I destroy their little armies. Their cities. Their lives.


    You want me to stop? Tell them to fuck off and stay out of my way."


    Renji''s face darkened, the tension in the room reaching its breaking point. ''Harassed? He''s acting like the fucking victim?''  His blood boiled, but he forced himself to stay silent. There was no winning this. Not here. Not now.


    Wang Xiaoughed softly to himself, leaning back in his chair, thoroughly enjoying the growing tension.


    Their difort was like a sweet, intoxicating wine, and he savored every drop. His eyes gleamed with cruel amusement, but then they darkened, his gaze flicking toward Zhao Lian.


    "But hey, if you all want to start something, go ahead," he said, his voice calm butyered with menace.


    Then, his eyes roamed over Zhao Lian''s body, a hint of perverted excitement creeping into his expression. "And as for you, woman? You said my reckless behavior would bite me, right? What about your reckless behavior, opening that little chatterbox of yours in front of me?"


    The room fell into stunned silence as Wang Xiao shifted his gaze back to Renji, the smirk still ying on his lips. "This woman here? She''ll stay behind. If you can''t pay with your own hands, then she''s the price. Final offer."


    "What!?" Zhao Lian''s entire body froze, her tall, confident figure trembling as the words sunk in. Her frosty demeanor cracked, panic shing in her ice-blue eyes.


    Renji''s reaction, though, was even more shocking.


    He smiled. The bastard actually smiled.


    "Take her," Renji said coldly, his tone betraying no emotion. "And we''re even."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "!"


    Zhao Lian''s face paled, her cool, controlled expression crumbling as her eyes widened in disbelief. "You¡ª You have no right to decide this!" she snapped, her voice trembling with both anger and fear. "I''m not your property! I was hired as a trantor, a medium for this meeting, nothing more!"


    But Renji didn''t even look at her. His eyes stayed closed, as if he couldn''t be bothered by her outburst. His indifference was chilling.


    Zhao Lian''s face flushed in fury. The arrogant bastard wasn''t even listening to her!


    Renji slowly opened his eyes again, but his gaze didn''tnd on Zhao Lian, nor did it carry any regret. His expression was calm, unnervingly so. He stared straight at Wang Xiao,pletely ignoring the woman beside him. "Let''s settle this," he said, his voice even.


    ''Be calm. Be calm,'' Renji reminded himself, his thoughts icy beneath the surface. ''Every dog has its day. You may beughing now, Prince, but you''ve just made a grave mistake. You don''t even know who you''ve offended this time.''


    He nced at Wang Xiao''s smug, confident face, and a cold smile crept into his thoughts. ''You''ll regret this conversation, Prince. Just wait. He will take my revenge when the time is right.''


    A pang of mild regret stirred within him about losing Zhao Lian¡ªhe had developed feelings for her, after all¡ªbut it wasn''t enough to sway him.


    Wang Xiao, meanwhile, couldn''t care less what Renji was plotting in his mind. He knew the kind of scum that people like Renji were¡ªthe kind who smile on the outside, all while scheming like rats in the dark.


    But he didn''t give a damn. ''They could think all the evil thoughts they wanted, but did they dare say them out loud?''


    ''I say what I dare,'' Wang Xiao mused, his eyes shing dangerously.


    He''ll say I''d fuck a god, and then he''d fuck them. Every so-called divine being iming to be above him will learn exactly who they''re dealing with.


    Most people are too scared to challenge the divine, too terrified of the idea of retribution from the gods.


    But not Wang Xiao. Fucking cowards.

 Chapter 537: Asmodeus Daughter!

    He wasn''t afraid of divine retribution, not for one second. If it cost him his life, then so be it. He''d uphold his words with hisst breath if necessary.


    He shot a nce back at Renji, the man sitting there, trying to pretend he still had some dignity left. And then there''s this bastard¡­


    ''Right in front of me, your dignity''s being stripped away,'' Wang Xiao thought, almost amused. ''And you just sit there, not even defending yourself.''


    It was pathetic. Wang Xiao had no respect for men like Renji, men who would trade their dignity and lived like chained domesticated dogs.


    At that moment, Renji leaned forward slightly, his expression cool, but a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Are you sure you want her?" His voice carried an eerie calm as he tapped his fingers on the desk, the sound filling the silence. "She''s the daughter of one of your enemies. Might slit your throat while you''re asleep."


    "!"


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised for once. "Which enemy?"


    He had a long list, after all. It could''ve been anyone.


    Renji''s smile widened, a dark gleam in his eyes as he finally answered. "Asmodeus."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flicked to Zhao Lian, who stood frozen, her icyposure shattered. She was trembling, ring at Renji, the betrayal sinking in.


    Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to hold her emotions together.


    She hadn''t expected this¡ªhadn''t expected Renji to sell her out like this.


    For years, she had served him loyally, treated him like an uncle, even a father figure after her real father''s death. And this? This was how he repaid her?


    Throwing her to the wolves without a second thought.


    Liu Yanmei''s brows furrowed, her confusion obvious. She nced between them, trying to make sense of the sudden tension in the room. Meanwhile, Yuzuki was staring wide-eyed, her usual yful demeanorpletely reced by shock. She hadn''t expected this twist.


    Zhao Lian''s eyes never left Renji, her body trembling slightly, torn between disbelief and rage.


    She had grown up under his protection. Even before her father, Asmodeus, had died, Renji had sworn to safeguard her¡ªhad promised to keep her safe. She had trusted him.


    All these years, she hadn''t cared much about Asmodeus''s legacy. Sure, it had been sad when he died, but in her heart, she always knew he would meet an early end, given the kind of life he led. It wasn''t surprising. The criminal world didn''t grant long lives, and Asmodeus''s death had been inevitable.


    She had moved on, lived a good life, unaffected by her father''s sins.


    If Wang Xiao knew how indifferent she was about her father''s fate, he might''ve even pitied Asmodeus


    Renji gritted his teeth, struggling internally. He had sworn to protect Asmodeus'' daughter when she was just three years old. Even before the fall of her father, she had been raised far from Europe, hidden away in the States, a life carefully crafted to keep her away from her father''s enemies.


    He had done everything in his power to protect her, making sure she lived a quiet,fortable life. And she had¡ªworking at Boeing, then Lockheed Martin, rising to the rank of vice president, far from her father''s dark legacy.


    And now, in a single breath, Renji had thrown it all away. Without hesitation. Without a second thought.


    She hade here today only because Renji had asked her to. And now, he was handing her over, just like that.


    Renji, for his part, averted his gaze. He couldn''t look at her, not now. He had sworn to protect her, to keep her safe from her father''s enemies.


    Asmodeus had raised her outside of Europe, in the States, where she could live without the weight of his name dragging her down.


    But this? This situation was beyond what he could control. If he showed how much he cared about her now¡ªwhether as a niece, an adopted daughter, or a woman¡ªit would be the death of both of them.


    Wang Xiao wasn''t the kind of man who let sentimentality pass him by. If Renji gave any indication that Zhao Lian meant something to him, Wang Xiao would take pleasure in torturing them both to death.


    He would torture them, dragging out their pain just for the fun of it.


    He had done all he could.


    Renji''s jaw clenched as his eyes flicked back to Wang Xiao, still avoiding Zhao Lian''s tear-filled gaze. If Wang Xiao wanted to take her, even knowing she was the daughter of an old enemy, Renji knew he couldn''t stop him.


    It was out of his hands now.


    Zhao Lian, however, was far from silent. "You have no right to decide this!" she snapped, her voice shaking with anger, her once-cold demeanor now fiery. "I am not yours to give away!!" She shot Renji a furious look, but he remained cold, his eyes still closed, indifferent to her outburst.


    His silence only fueled her rage.


    Wang Xiao stood silent for a moment, watching Zhao Lian carefully, studying her face. The tears, the trembling body¡ªthere was fear, yes, but there was also fury in her eyes, a stubborn spirit that refused to break.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Interesting," Wang Xiao murmured, his voice low, almost thoughtful.


    He took a step toward Zhao Lian, his eyes narrowing. "So, you are Asmodeus'' daughter, huh?" he said, a dangerous smirk creeping onto his lips. "Do you hate your father''s enemies? Or are you just a tool, left behind to clean up his mess?"


    Zhao Lian turned and met his gaze, her teeth clenched as she spat, "I have nothing to do with my father''s past. And if I had the chance to kill you, I wouldn''t do it in your sleep. I''d make sure you were awake to feel every second of it."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes gleamed with excitement, like a predator toying with its prey. "Oh? Quite the feisty one you are." He chuckled softly, taking another step closer. "You think you can make me suffer, little girl? I''ll give you points for guts, but let''s see if you can back that up."


    Wang Xiao nced back at Renji, a smirk still on his lips. "You''d offer her up so easily, huh? Your loyalty''s pretty cheap, isn''t it?"


    Renji didn''t flinch, keeping his expression cold and unreadable. "Do what you want with her. Just know that this squares things between us."


    He couldn''t help but curse inwardly. Wang Xiao was deliberately making things worse, ensuring she hated him even more!


    That bastard is too vicious!


    If anyone saw through Wang Xiao''s words and intentions, they would definitely know how vicious he was.


    Heughed, loud and cruel, his voice filling the room. "You''re a fucking snake, Renji. Throwing her to the wolves to save your own skin." He turned back to Zhao Lian, his gaze sharp and calcting. "But fine, I''ll take her. Let''s see if she''s as much of a threat as you think."


    Zhao Lian''s fists clenched tightly at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as she red at Renji. "You bastard¡­" she whispered, barely able to contain her rage.


    Renji didn''t even nce at her. His eyes were fixed on Wang Xiao, his lips curling into a cold, silent smile. ''Be calm. Be calm. One day soon, he would regret this.''


    But for now, Renji had survived. That''s all that mattered.

 Chapter 538: *Wang Xiaos Evil Taste!* (1)

    Zhao Lian''s words slipped through her clenched teeth, "You bastard¡­"


    Wang Xiao didn''t react immediately. His mind wandered for a moment, surprised to see someone connected to Asmodeus.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    He and Asmodeus hadn''t had a deep grudge, but killing him had been necessary for survival.


    Back then, Wang Xiao hadn''t understood the brutal truth: anyone, no matter how small a threat, who could stand in your way had to be eliminated. Now, it all made sense.


    Now, he understood. He wouldn''t make that mistake again.


    "Enough." Wang Xiao''s voice cut through the air like a de, calm butmanding. It silenced the room instantly. Zhao Lian froze under his gaze, her body stiffening.


    "¡ª?"


    She turned her head, anger and confusion burning in her eyes. But all she found was Wang Xiao''s smile¡ªcold, wicked. A smile that made her stomach churn. Something was wrong.


    Swoosh!


    Before she could react, a force yanked her forward. She flew across the space,nding on Wang Xiao''sp with a sudden movement.


    Her body instinctively tensed as his hand grazed her cheek, the touch cold and deliberate. "Such a tasty face," he whispered, his voice thick with amusement. "Still full of anger, I like that."


    "!"


    Zhao Lian''s heart raced as she realized where she was¡ªher body pressed tightly against his, her chest heaving in rage. His breath warmed her neck, her pulse quickening in panic. She kept her face hard, but fear lurked underneath.


    "L¡ªLeave me!" She tried to pull away, but Wang Xiao''s grip tightened, his fingers mping down on her chin, forcing her to stay still.


    The more she resisted, the more his smirk deepened.


    "So young," he mused, his eyes roving over her. "How many men have touched you?" His fingers trailed down her jaw, slow and deliberate, teasing her as they moved toward her corbone. "Or did you save yourself for someone? A lover perhaps?"


    Zhao Lian''s eyes red with anger, her breath hitching. "None of your business," she spat, her voice trembling with fury.


    Wang Xiao chuckled darkly, his hand wandering down to her shoulder, then lower. "No one''s touched you, huh? I can tell." His fingers grazed her chest, brushing over her top lightly. "But I wonder¡­ do you touch yourself?"


    Zhao Lian''s breath caught, her body tense. "You''re disgusting," she hissed, her voice shaking as she red at him.


    Wang Xiao leaned in, his lips brushing her ear, whispering, "When you''re alone at night, do you think about someone? Or do you use your fingers to get off?"


    Hiss!


    Her eyes widened, her body trembling with disgust, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her fear. "Go to hell," she snarled, trying to jerk her head away, but his grip only tightened.


    Wang Xiao''s smirk grew darker.


    His hand moved lower, resting just above her waist, his fingers teasing the edge of her tight ck pencil skirt. "Come on, tell me," he whispered, licking her cheek disgustingly. "Are you a virgin? Or has someone already taken you...?"


    "Ugh!"Zhao Lian struggled against him, her hands gripping the arms of the chair, her knuckles white as she fought to maintain control. "I''d rather die than answer your disgusting words!" she spat, her words trembling with hatred.


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, his fingers moving lower, brushing the inside of her thigh. "Oh? Do you get wet when you''re scared? I bet you do."


    Gasp!


    Her body jerked involuntarily, but his hand held her in ce. She could feel his breath against her skin, his voice low and cruel. "You pretend to be tough, but deep down, I bet you''re just waiting to be fucked, aren''t you?"


    "!"


    Zhao Lian''s body tensed further, her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.


    Her breath came in short, angry bursts, her heart pounding in her chest. "Shut up already!" she hissed, but the words came out weak.


    Wang Xiao''s fingers slid up her thigh, his grip tightening as he pinched her soft and tender white skin. "You say that, but I can feel it. I bet if I slipped my hand under your panties right now, you''d be soaked, wouldn''t you?"


    Zhao Lian''s heart pounded wildly, her body trembling with a mix of anger and revulsion. "No¡ª!" she gasped, trying to push him away, but his grip was too strong, his hand holding her firmly in ce.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a wicked smile, his hand moving higher. "What would your dear daddy think if he knew you were sitting here like this? Do you think he''d care? Or would he just sell you off to the highest bidder?"


    Her eyes zed with fury, her entire body shaking in his grip. "You disgust me," she spat, her voice thick with venom, but her fear was evident.


    The sheer panic in her gaze was anything but a seductive spell.


    Wang Xiao leaned in closer, licking the side of her neck as she flinched. "Disgust you? No¡­ you''re just scared because you like it. You want this, don''t you? A man who can take control."


    Zhao Lian shuddered, her body stiff as his fingers brushed the edge of her panties. "Stop it!" she gasped, her breathing in ragged bursts, but Wang Xiao only chuckled in response.


    "You''d beg for it if I pushed you far enough," he whispered, his hand squeezing her thigh. "Maybe I''ll find out tonight. Or maybe I''ll make you beg in front of everyone. Would you like that?"


    Her body jerked in disgust, but Wang Xiao only smiled wider, loving every second of her struggle.


    In the corner, Renji closed his eyes, unable to watch any longer. His guilt weighed heavy on him, but there was nothing he could do now.


    Wang Xiao''s fingers hovered at the edge of Zhao Lian''s panties, his smile darkening with each passing second. "Come on," he whispered, his lips brushing against her ear as he chuckled softly. "It''ll just make this more fun. Don''t tell me¡­ you''ve never even been kissed before?"


    His thumb grazed her quivering lips, slick with moisture, almost begging to be taken. The way they trembled under his touch made his smile widen.


    Zhao Lian''s re could have set him on fire, but she realized something terrifying¡ªhe had a very twisted, very evil taste.


    One that she could feel right before her eyes.


    Without warning, Wang Xiao leaned in, his face pressing against hers with a vile eagerness.


    Her body jerked back instinctively, a shiver of disgust running through her as his lips grazed her cheek. But he didn''t stop¡ªhe bit down, sinking his teeth into her delicate skin, making her twitch and groan in protest.


    "Ugh¡­!"


    Zhao Lian felt his cold saliva drip over her skin, her eyes widening in shock and revulsion. She recoiled, but it only seemed to fuel him more.


    Behind them, Yuzuki watched in silent horror, unable to tear her eyes away from the scene.


    Her heart pounded, and a strange, unexpected heat crept between her thighs. She felt a tingle that made her shiver.


    ''What the hell is wrong with me?'' The shame of being aroused by such cruelty was maddening.


    If Wang Xiao knew that both of these sisters had a hidden masochistic streak, he might''ve stopped ying the viin altogether and sought enlightenment as a Buddha.


    But right now, his mind was far from that kind of path.


    Wang Xiao gripped Zhao Lian''s smooth, delicate cheeks between his fingers, squeezing her face so hard it forced her lips to pucker, their eyes locking.


    Her fury was evident in those quivering eyes, but he enjoyed it all. "Let me do what your father failed to teach you¡­" he muttered, his voice dripping with cruelty.


    "??"


    Zhao Lian''s eyes shed with confusion¡ªuntil it hit her.


    "...Ughhh...!"


    Her groan was muffled as his cold tongue forced its way between her puckered lips, viting her mouth with brutally.


    Slurp..slurp..


    He sucked on her lips, kissing her deeply, his tongue twisting inside, tasting her without any regard for her struggle.


    "!!"


    She pressed her hands firmly against his chest, trying to shove him away, but it was futile. His tongue pushed deeper, exploring her mouth, the bitter yet intoxicating taste of her lipstick only fueling his desire. His hand slid further up her skirt, squeezing her bare buttocks with a rough, possessive grip.


    "N...Gghhh¡­!"


    Zhao Lian''s body trembled, her face flushing deep red from a mix of suffocation and disgust. Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision as she gagged on the taste of him, her body responding involuntarily to his touch despite her hatred.


    Her mind screamed for release, but Wang Xiaohad her exactly where he wanted¡ªhelpless and furious.

 Chapter 539: *Wang Xiaos Evil Taste!* (2)

    "Cough...cough... you!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Zhao Lian coughed violently, gasping for breath as she red at Wang Xiao with a flushed, angered face. She wiped her mouth aggressively, trembling with disgust and fury, her body still shaking from his vition.


    "You¡­!" she sputtered, her voice cracking with rage, but her words failed tond any impact on Wang Xiao, who only narrowed his eyes, taking in the sight of her.


    ''Why do women look so beautiful when they''re angry?'' he mused, his lips curling into a smirk. The way her face flushed, the way her chest heaved¡ªit was irresistible.


    Without warning, his hand pinched her thighs harshly, making her jump.


    He leaned in close, his breath hot on her ear as he bit it lightly. "Has he ever touched you here¡­?" he whispered, his voice dripping with perversion.


    "??"


    Zhao Lian''s body shivered uncontrobly, confusion flickering in her eyes.


    His hand had wandered to her thigh, his fingers gripping her hot, trembling flesh. His touch sent a wave of revulsion coursing through her, and her mind raced toprehend the sick pleasure he was deriving from her.


    "Haha¡­ Keeping you fresh for me. What was Asmodeus thinking?" Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a wicked grin as his other hand slid slowly from her neck down to her chest, pausing just above her tightly wrappedrge and tender breasts.


    The feel of her hardened nipples beneath the fabric of her top made him smile. Zhao Lian''s face flushed a deep crimson, her eyes widening as the realization of his intentions hit her. Her body stiffened.


    "You sick bastard! He wasn''t like you! Not with this¡­ this filth!" she spat, her voice dripping with venom. Her entire body trembled with the urge to tear him apart, to bite into him with the full force of her rage.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback by her fiery response. "Huh?" he murmured, genuinely surprised. But then it all made sense. Asmodeus, for all his evil, had hidden his daughter away, raised her apart from his twisted life.


    He hadn''t tainted her, hadn''t left his mark on her in this way.


    ''How amusing,'' Wang Xiao thought, discovering something unexpected in her purity.


    The temptation of corrupting what someone had carefully preserved only made his amusement grow.


    Without hesitation, he grabbed both her breasts and buttocks, squeezing them with crude delight. "Oh, so he never touched you, huh? Not even here?" His fingers flicked over her erect nipples through her top, feeling the tight buds under his touch.


    "Or maybe¡­ here?" he whispered with a sinister chuckle, his other hand slipping beneath her panties, his fingers grazing her soft, wet skin as he rubbed along the edges of her folds, pushing the fabric deeper into her crack.


    "Ugh¡­" Zhao Lian groaned, her teeth clenched, her body betraying her with slight shivers of disgust and difort. She couldn''t believe the depths of Wang Xiao''s depravity.


    Her face flushed a deeper red, her body trembling in rage. Wang Xiao had an evil mind, pushing her to the brink of her control, testing the limits of how much she could endure.


    "You fucking monster¡­" she hissed, trying to fight back the tears of anger that welled up in her eyes.


    Wang Xiao''s twisted grin widened as he repeated her words. "Monster?" His hand shot forward, tearing her top apart in one swift motion.


    The fabric shredded with ease, revealing Zhao Lian''s bulging breasts, heaving with each angry breath, barely contained by a tight ck bra.


    The shock in her eyes fueled his pleasure.


    "!!"


    Zhao Lian clenched her teeth so hard it felt like they''d shatter. ''Treat it like a dog bite¡­ just a dog bite.'' Her mind chanted, trying to find control, trying to shut out the vile, degrading touch of his hands.


    But the moment his fingers gripped her breasts, squeezing her bare flesh, her body betrayed her. She shivered, feeling his hot breath on her skin.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a mocking smile. He didn''t stop there. Leaning down, his teeth caught the edge of her bra, pulling it down slowly, savoring her growing difort.


    His mouthtched onto her exposed nipple, teeth gently grazing the sensitive skin before he sucked, biting with a wickedness.


    "Ahh¡­" A breathless moan escaped her lips, unbidden. Zhao Lian''s back arched against her will as her body responded, and she wanted to scream, to tear him apart.


    Her mind filled with disgust and fury, but she couldn''t control the reactions of her own flesh.


    As she trembled, his fingers found their way down, slipping past the waistband of her panties, sliding along her wet folds. He forced his fingers inside, feeling the slickness of her skin, and his grin darkened further.


    "How do you think Asmodeus would feel," Wang Xiao whispered, his voice mocking as his fingers thrust deeper, "if he knew his precious daughter was moaning like this? Being touched like this?" He chuckled, amused by the torment shing in her eyes. "Would he be proud?"


    His hands gripped her breasts harder, squeezing until they spilled over his fingers. His mouthtched onto her nipple once again, sucking harder this time, coating her with hot, thick saliva as he moved between taunting her and savoring her like a possession.


    Hiss!


    Zhao Lian''s breath hitched. She tried to resist, tried to push him away, but the way his fingers teased her from below made her body tremble violently. She hated how much control he had over her body, how every degrading touch sent involuntary shivers down her spine.


    Her mind screamed, desperate to break free.


    "You¡­ fucking... bastard!" she gasped between trembling breaths, her voice thick with both rage and shame. Tears welled up in her eyes, her heart pounding furiously. How could she be so weak?


    Wang Xiao''s smirk never left his face as he pressed his hardened length against her buttocks. "Bastard? I''m the best you''ll ever get.. No one''s touched you like this, have they? No one''s dared¡­ but now... Ha-ha-ha"


    Zhao Lian''s mind raced, trying to block out the sickening sensation of his mouth on her skin, his fingers viting her. ''I''ll kill him¡­ I''ll kill him if it''s thest thing I do,'' she thought, but her body was shaking, overwhelmed by the mix of emotions¡ªrage, disgust, and betrayal.


    "Maybe you like this," Wang Xiao whispered against her ear, his voice low and dark, "being taken, being controlled. I can feel how your body reacts, no matter how much you hate me. It''s exciting, isn''t it? To lose control¡­"

 Chapter 540: *Wang Xiaos Evil Taste!* (3)

    "Never," Zhao Lian spat through clenched teeth, her voice trembling. She was fighting herself as much as she was fighting him. Her chest heaved, her skin flushed, every part of her wanting to scream in protest, but her body felt weak, weighed down by his dominance.


    "Keep telling yourself that," Wang Xiao said with a chuckle, his hand sliding lower to her most intimate ce. "But your body is already giving me the answer." His fingers slid between her folds, his grin widening as he felt her involuntary response.


    Wang Xiao leaned in close, his hot breath grazing **Zhao Lian''s** neck before his tongue snaked out, licking slowly along her skin. She shuddered, repulsed, but unable to stop her body from reacting. His lips brushed against her cheek, and then he bit down hard, a painful nip that made her wince.


    "You know¡­" he whispered, his voice dripping with depravity, "how many times he must have dreamed of getting inside you? Feeling this softness?" His words wereced with cruel amusement, his breath thick against her skin.


    His fingers, which had already invaded her, continued to stroke and finger her wet folds, moving in and out slowly, deliberately, as if savoring her helplessness.


    "Ugh¡­" Zhao Lian groaned, her body shuddering in a mix of disgust and unwanted sensation. She fought the urge to scream, to rip him apart with her bare hands, but her body refused to obey. The fingers probing inside her made it harder to think clearly, harder to keep herposure.


    "This?" Wang Xiao continued, his voice lowering as he squeezed her breasts with one hand, the other mercilessly viting her. "This tight little pussy that could just¡­ suck him in?" Heughed softly, the sound taunting as he watched her body betray her. Her moans, no matter how suppressed, only added to his pleasure.


    Her groans grew more frequent, her body twitching in response to his touch.


    But behind it all was an overwhelming sense of shame¡ªshame that her body was reacting in any way to this monster.


    Her hatred red again, but her mind was drowning in his cruelty, in the humiliation of being treated like nothing more than a toy.


    "You ¡­ vile beast.¡­" she hissed, her voice weak, trembling with abination of fury and helplessness. Her teeth ground together, but she couldn''t stop the involuntary reactions¡ªthe twitch of her hips, the slight arching of her back.


    Wang Xiao''s grin only widened as he sucked on her neck, biting her flesh again and again, leaving marks as his fingers continued to tease, stroke, and vite her most intimate ce. "Fight all you want¡­ but you''ll moan for me soon enough," he whispered, his words cruel and confident.


    He nced back towards Yuzuki, who was watching with a hint of excitement in her eyes. Just as she began to move, understanding the unspokenmand in his gaze, he stopped her. "Not you, not now," he said firmly.


    Yuzuki froze, confused by the sudden change in direction. Wang Xiao''s smile twisted wickedly as his eyes shifted to the woman sitting between him and Renji, who looked as though he was barely holding back his fury.


    The woman was Liu Yanmei, the foreign minister. She had been part of the n to secretly take action against him and now found herself in a dangerous position. If he didn''t spare Renji, why would he let her off?


    "You,e here. Kneel."


    His words were like amandment, and Liu Yanmei''s eyes widened in shock. She stood frozen, looking at him in disbelief.


    "I¡­ I already have a husband," she stammered, her voice trembling. But Wang Xiao chuckled darkly at her weak protest. "Even better. Nowe, unless you want everyone you care about dead."


    Liu Yanmei sat frozen in her chair, her face pale, fear gripping her body. After what seemed like an eternity of hesitation, she finally stood, moving mechanically as she approached him.


    With shaking hands, she dropped to her knees before him, the weight of humiliation settling on her like a heavy cloak.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze slid down, lingering on her cleavage as she knelt before him. Without hesitation, his hand reached beneath her blouse, his fingers squeezing her soft breasts.


    "Mmm..." Liu Yanmei bit her lip, her eyes pleading as she met his gaze.


    Her body flinched under his touch, her breasts sensitive, but that didn''t stop him. He continued, enjoying the way she squirmed beneath his grip.


    "Haa..." Zhao Lian, finally given a moment to breathe, exhaled sharply, her eyes filled with hatred as she red at Wang Xiao.


    He turned his attention back to the matter at hand, his expression wicked. "Take off my pants," he ordered, his voice low andmanding. "You know what to do."


    His eyes roamed over Liu Yanmei''s face, despite her age, she still carried an charm that he found tempting.


    Wealth and privilege had kept her looking youthful, and Wang Xiao couldn''t help but appreciate how these high-ranking officials always managed to maintain their beauty.


    Liu Yanmei swallowed hard, her eyes flicking between Wang Xiao''s towering figure and Zhao Lian, still seated on hisp. Her hands trembled as she hesitated, knowing full well what was expected of her.


    Wang Xiao frowned, his patience thinning as he watched Liu Yanmei hesitate. "Just pull back and swallow? Are you sure you''re married?" he asked mockingly, his tone dripping with confusion.


    Liu Yanmei flinched, her expression flickering with anger. No one had ever dared to speak to her like this. She looked up at him with those cold, calcted eyes. "I''m a mistress," she admitted, her voice tight with the weight of her confession.


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, feeling like he was dealing with a fool. "A foreign minister kept as a mistress?" he asked, almostughing at the absurdity of the situation.


    Did her breasts grow, but not her brains?


    Under the weight of his intense gaze, Liu Yanmei bit her lip, her voice conflicted as she continued. "My husband''s family didn''t ept me," she muttered, her guilt growing with every word.


    Hearing her speak those guilt-ridden words, Wang Xiao was taken aback. What kind of ridiculous story is this? It sounded like some kind of melodramatic soap opera.


    So, she had been living in the shadows all this time, a secret kept away?


    And why did she still call him her husband?


    Liu Yanmei''s heart pounded as she feared what might happen if she revealed the truth¡ªthat the son raised by her husband and his real wife was actually hers.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    She feared Wang Xiao would use that knowledge to ckmail her.


    The fact that she was a mistress was something many people knew¡­ but the truth about her being the real mother of their son?


    That was something closely guarded secret.


    Her husband''s family would kill the boy if they found out. Status and background were everything to them.

 Chapter 541: *Wang Xiaos Evil Taste!* (4)

    Two decades ago, Liu Yanmei had been insignificant, her background weak and barely worth mentioning. Only with her lover''s support had she risen to the position of Foreign Minister.


    But she knew all too well, he wouldn''t have supported her at all if she hadn''t been pregnant with his child.


    Wang Xiao, unaware of this messy, twisted backstory¡ªor simply not caring¡ªfelt the impatience rise. His dick twitched, and he wasn''t in the mood for her drawn-out sob story.


    He said, his voice sharp andmanding. "Just get on with it."


    Liu Yanmei flinched again but, realizing there was no escape from this humiliating situation, slowlyplied, her hands trembling as she moved closer, her conflicted gaze avoiding his as she began.


    As his dick was enveloped by Liu Yanmei''s moist mouth, her tongue flicking expertly around him, Wang Xiao exhaled sharply, a smirk forming on his lips.


    ''These milfs really are the best at sucking.''


    Gwak! Gwak! Gwak!


    The sound filled the room as she worked, her mouth wet and eager, coating himpletely. Momentster, when his cock was slick and dripping, Wang Xiao asked something that made Liu Yanmei shoot him a sharp dissatisfied re.


    ''Such evil taste...''  she thought, sharing the same bitter resentment that Zhao Lian had felt earlier.


    Without a word, Liu Yanmeiplied.


    She reached over, pulling up Zhao Lian''s skirt, revealing her smooth buttocks and panties before sliding them down just enough to expose her wet entrance.


    Holding Wang Xiao''s dick in one hand, she used her other to spread Zhao Lian''s entrance, positioning him right at her entrance and rubbing his wet cock against her sensitive folds, preparing to push it in.


    Zhao Lian''s face darkened, knowing she had absolutely no control over the situation, her body shaking with disgust and anger.


    "Mmm¡­ gghh...!"


    Pak!


    Pak!


    Pak!


    With no hesitation, Wang Xiao thrust into her, his cock forcing its way inside as he held her firmly in hisp.


    Each hard stroke drew louder and louder moans from Zhao Lian, her body writhing under his continuous pounding.


    "Aahhh¡­!"


    His dick was now fully buried in her tight, hot pussy, and he couldn''t help but let out a satisfied groan, his lips nibbling at her ear as he whispered cruelly, "You''re so tight. He would''ve loved this! Ha-ha-ha!"


    Zhao Lian barely registered the meaning behind Wang Xiao''s cruel words. Her mind was drowning in the overwhelming sensation of his massive cock stretching her far beyond what she thought possible.


    Her mouth hung open, soft gasps and moans slipping out uncontrobly.


    Tears welled in her eyes, the mix of pain and pressure too much to bear as his cock mmed into her, touching ces deep inside her that made her stomach twist in agony.


    Wang Xiao, seeing her helplessness, smirked. The words he whispered were not for her but to torment Renji, who sat there with his eyes shut tight, trying desperately to block out the scene in front of him.


    His hands were clenched, white-knuckled, as Zhao Lian''s pained moans filled the room.


    ''Bastard!'' Renji cursed silently, knowing exactly what Wang Xiao was doing. The bastard was intentionally drawing out Zhao Lian''s cries, making sure each sound sliced into his skin life a sharp knife.


    Despite his efforts to control himself, Renji felt the shame and humiliation of his own erection hardening beneath his robes, which only deepened his self-loathing.


    "Mnnngh! Annnghn!..nghnn.....nnn!"


    Zhao Lian''s moans wereced with pain and reluctant pleasure. Her body was betraying her, responding to the constant pressure, the brutal pace of his thrusts, while Wang Xiao''s hands yed with her nipples, pinching and twisting them as he pounded relentlessly.


    The sounds of her body, slick and unwilling, echoed loudly in the room.


    Wang Xiao leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered filthy words into her. "So tight¡­ so wet¡­ you must''ve been waiting for this. Was your body just aching to be fucked like this?"


    Hiss!


    Zhao Lian gasped, tears running down her cheeks as she clenched her fists, unable to stop her body''s involuntary reactions.


    His words were poison, each one burning her dignity as he thrust into her without care for her pain.


    "I bet no one''s ever touched you here before," he whispered, licking her ear with a low chuckle. "But now you''re mine. I''m going to fill you so deep that you''ll remember this for the rest of your life."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Her face flushed with humiliation, her teeth clenched tightly, trying to block out the horrific sensations and his filthy words.


    "Does it hurt?" Wang Xiao asked mockingly, biting gently on her earlobe as he continued to thrust. "I can feel how you''re squeezing me¡­ don''t pretend like you hate it. I bet your body''s been waiting for this, to be fucked open like a little slut."


    Each word felt like a dagger, driving deeper into her mind. Zhao Lian wanted to scream, to fight, but her body was paralyzed by the pain, the pressure. Her mind couldn''t process the shame of what was happening.


    Meanwhile ¡ª Under the table, Liu Yanmei was wiping her face and tongue clean, spitting as if trying to rid herself of the filth left from her previous humiliation.


    The bitter taste lingered in her mouth, and her body trembled in disgust. She had always thought she could maintain herposure, but watching Zhao Lian suffer tore at her in a way she hadn''t expected.


    Splurt! Splurt! Splurt!


    Suddenly, as Wang Xiao drove into Zhao Lian with more force, her hymen tore.


    "AH¡ª"


    The sharp pain drew a loud cry from her lips as blood spurted out, some of it sttering on Liu Yanmei''s face.


    "!"


    She recoiled in shock, nearly vomiting from the sheer disgust and anger rising in her chest. The scene was beyond her wildest thoughts, and it suddenly became clear why Wang Xiao had forced her to be part of this.


    It wasn''t just to humiliate Zhao Lian, but to involve her, to drag her deeper into this nightmare, knowing she would never be able to forget this moment.


    Zhao Lian''s sobs mixed with her moans, her body convulsing from the pain. She wanted to disappear, to w her way out of this situation, but she was trapped, physically and emotionally, under Wang Xiao''s clutches.


    "You''re bleeding for me," Wang Xiao whispered into her ear, his voice low and taunting. "Such a good girl, bleeding and crying while you take me so deep." His hand gripped her hip tightly, pulling her against him as he thrust harder, faster. "I bet you''ll remember this every time you try to sleep."


    "Ugh¡­ stop¡­" Zhao Lian choked out, her voice weak and shaking, but he onlyughed, his hands exploring her body cruelly.


    "Stop? Oh no, little doll. We''ve only just begun."

 Chapter 542: Becoming a real Guardian Officialy!

    Wang Xiao''s cruel grin widened as he leaned in closer to Zhao Lian, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered.


    "Asmodeus was a failure... He couldn''t protect you, couldn''t even keep you pure." His fingers dug into her hips, pulling her harder against him as he continued his brutal thrusts. "And Renji? He''s sitting right there, doing nothing. He''s failed you too. Useless."


    Zhao Lian''s face was flushed with a mixture of anger and shame, tears streaking down her cheeks as she felt her body being taken without mercy.


    The sound of Wang Xiao''s words cut deeper than anything else, slicing into her already fragile sense of dignity.


    "But this time," Wang Xiao whispered, his voice dripping with mockery, "you''ve chosen the right side." He licked the side of her face, his breath hot on her skin. "You''re with me now¡­ and I always win."


    Her mind was reeling, filled with humiliation, rage, and disbelief. Every fiber of her being screamed to fight, but her body betrayed her, torn between pain and the cruel pleasure he forced upon her.


    She could feel her strength slipping away, crushed under his strength.


    "Don''t worry," Wang Xiao taunted as he thrust even deeper, her body shuddering from the force. "I''ll take care of you better than they ever could. You''ll learn to love this."


    His words were venomous, meant to break herpletely.


    Each thrust was a reminder of her powerlessness, of how little control she had left over her own life.


    She had no choice.


    Zhao Lian''s eyes quivered, the flood of emotions overwhelming her as fresh tears began to spill down her already swollen, red eyes.


    Through the blur of tears, she nced back¡ªdesperate, searching for anything¡ªand there he was, Renji, sitting motionless, his eyes closed, pretending as if nothing was happening.


    The cold indifference hit her harder than Wang Xiao''s brutal touch.


    It crushed whateverst shred of hope she had left. Renji, the man who was supposed to protect her, the man she thought might intervene, was doing nothing.


    He didn''t even acknowledge her suffering.


    Her heart shattered.


    "K... kill... him..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, filled with broken desperation. Suddenly, with a burst of frantic energy, she grabbed Wang Xiao''s cor, her eyes wide and pleading, her hands trembling as she clung to him. "Please... just kill him!"


    Her voice cracked, a mixture of rage, anguish, and bitter resignation. In that moment, she didn''t care about her dignity, her past, or even her future.


    She just wanted it all to end.


    She wanted Renji to feel the same pain she was feeling now.


    Yuzuki watched them with growing interest, her eyes gleaming as she took in every detail, intrigued by the chaotic development. Meanwhile, Liu Yanmei now sitting back in her seat, was utterly confused.


    Her mind was fucked as she tried to make sense of it all.


    In her logical world, guardians like Renji were supposed to be the emperors¡ªthe highest figures of authority, feared and respected.


    The Prince, as she understood, should have been beneath them. But what she was seeing now shattered that belief entirely.


    Does this mean¡­ all this time, we should have feared the Prince and not the guardian?*


    Her thoughts spiraled in confusion as she watched Wang Xiao assert his dominance, controlling the room with such ease.


    Renji''s eyes slowly opened, a hollow look in them as he gazed at Zhao Lian. Her trembling body was pressed against Wang Xiao, her back facing him.


    The way her blonde hair clung to her skin, messily covering her bare figure, gave her the haunting appearance of a vengeful spirit¡ªher red, swollen eyes staring at him, burning with hate.


    He could only manage a bitter smile, thinking to himself, ''So, you wanted to use him to kill me?''


    His gaze shifted toward Wang Xiao, who was watching him with an unsettling grin. Wang Xiao''s smile widened further, his eyes gleaming as if he''d achieved exactly what he had hoped for.


    p!


    A sharp sound cut through the room as Wang Xiao pped Zhao Lian''s bare butt under the table, his grin twisted with amusement.


    "Enough," he said mockingly. "Do you really think you''re valuable enough for me to fall out with him over you?" His words were like daggers, delivered with a casual cruelty.


    "..."


    Zhao Lian''s face darkened, the weight of realization sinking in.


    She had been yed¡ªmanipted from the start. She thought she had some kind of control, some kind of influence, but it was all an illusion.


    Wang Xiao had fanned the mes of her anger, setting her against Renji, making her believe she was the one making choices.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    But in reality, she had fallen right into his trap. Now, with her rtionship with Renji in ruins, she had no choice but to align herself with Wang Xiao. There was nowhere else to go.


    But as for Wang Xiao doing anything for her? Was she truly valuable enough to warrant that?


    Her thoughts raced as she considered her own worth. She had not too many extraordinary powers like her father, Asmodeus. She was simply a cold beauty, a conquest for men like Wang Xiao¡ªsomeone to ravage, but not someone to protect.


    But in time¡­


    She thought desperately, ''I will be valuable enough. I have to be valuable enough¡­''


    Her eyes hardened, a new determination rising within her. Renji Hayashi had failed her.


    She would be powerful enough to make Wang Xiao kill him for her.


    Having achieved his purpose, Wang Xiao didn''t dwell further on Zhao Lian, who still clung to him with thest shreds of her broken pride.


    If she showed any sign of disobedience in the future, he would deal with her ordingly. But for now, she was just right¡ªa useful asset molded by her own fear and desperation.


    Her personality was perfect for it.


    Shifting his attention, Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed as he fixed his gaze on Renji. "What did you do with that fake guardian?" he asked, his toneced with suspicion.


    His mind wandered back to the fake Asmodeus, who had briefly posed as the Guardian of Europe. The thought of someone impersonating his enemy disgusted him.


    Renji, trying to keep his face calm despite the tension and Zhao Lian''s ring eyes, answered, "He''s dead."


    "Oh?" Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, letting out an amused sigh. The mention of skinwalkers surfaced in his mind.


    ''Interesting,'' he thought, eyeing Renji carefully.


    Could Renji have been dealing with them too?


    Naturally, Wang Xiao wouldn''t reveal his suspicions just yet. Whoever had orchestrated these events was no fool.


    Renji wouldn''t have kept the skinwalkers around once he discovered Wang Xiao knew of them. Still, it made him wonder how much Renji truly knew and what his long-term ns were.


    Wang Xiao grinned slightly, but his next question was sharp. "So, when are you announcing me as the real Guardian of Europe?"

 Chapter 543: Ji Xuehong!

    Wang Xiao grinned slightly, but his next question was sharp. "So, when are you announcing me as the real Guardian of Europe?" His voice carried a casual tone, but the implication was clear¡ªWang Xiao wasn''t going to relinquish his im on European territory.


    Renji Hayashi nodded, though the strain on his face didn''t go unnoticed.


    Officially announcing the Eight Prince as a guardian was a mere formality, but, "There is someone who wants to contest you," Renji said, his voice calm but deliberate. "She has defeated every challenger in the line and is now the top contender for the European Guardian. Unless you defeat her, the legion won''t ept your im."


    Wang Xiao paused, his eyebrows lifting in surprise. "Hm?" he murmured. He knew of the legion''s rules but had expected no one to challenge him¡ªespecially after his reputation for brutality had spread far and wide.


    ''Someone dares to stand against me?''


    The Eight Prince was infamous for not just defeating his enemies, but utterly annihting their families, erasing their roots from history.


    Anyone daring to challenge him should have known the cost wasn''t just losing¡ªit was destruction.


    And yet, it was a girl?


    Was it Amaya?


    His mind briefly considered the possibilities before he spoke, "Who is this contender? Call her here. I won''t waste more time."


    Renji nodded, his expression unchanging. "She came with us. I''ll have her brought in."


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao''s eyes widened slightly. ''She''s already here?'' That surprised him.


    ''Let''s see her then...'' he thought, leaning back with a wicked grin spreading across his face.


    A small part of him was amused.


    It wasn''t often that someone had the guts to challenge him face-to-face.


    ____


    Tap¡­ Tap¡­ Tap¡­


    Steps echoed through the cold, dim hallway, a rhythm so precise it felt like a countdown to something deadly.


    A feminine shiloutte strode forward like a shadow, her figure wrapped in tight ck armor that hugged her curves with a deliberate, almost painful precision.


    The way the armor clung to her body seemed designed to conceal, but instead, it only emphasized every inch of her sexy form.


    The prominent swell of her breasts strained against the tight fabric, pushing forward in defiance, impossible to ignore, daring anyone to look. No matter how much that dark material tried to hide, those full, luscious curves were on disy, teasing anyone foolish enough to let their eyes wander.


    Her waist, slender and delicate, gave way to round hips, the kind that made a man''s mouth go dry just imagining how they would move under him. Every step she took made those hips sway just enough to pull the eye, her firm buttocks tightly bound by the armor, leaving no room for imagination yet driving desire all the same.


    She was sexy in the most dangerous way, the kind of woman a man would dream about conquering, only to realize far toote that she was a fucking predator¡ªand he was the prey.


    But it wasn''t just her body thatmanded attention. There was something else¡ªan aura so cold and deadly that it suffocated anyone who got too close.


    Bloodlust radiated from her like a second skin, mixing with the frganance of her tight, armored form. Her blood-red hair spilled over her shoulders, framing her face like a dark halo, while her crimson eyes glowed beneath it, sharp and indifferent.


    Beautiful? Fuck yes. But not in a way that invited warmth or tenderness. Her beauty was lethal, the kind of beauty that would have a man''s heart racing, his dick hardening at the thought of breaking her, of taming that ice-cold indifferent gaze.


    But the truth hit harder than any fantasy¡ªshe''d cut him down before he could ever get close. She wasn''t someone to be conquered; she was a woman who''d kill herself before letting any man im her.


    Her figure was sexy as hell¡ªfirm breasts, narrow waist, round hips, every inch designed to tempt and torment. But even more than that, it was clear she wasn''t a woman meant for love.


    She was built for battle.


    A killing machine, merciless and emotionless.


    She moved like death, her curves drawing attention, but her aura warning¡ªanyone who tried to act on that temptation would end up bleeding at her feet.


    Her beauty wasn''t just a gift from the gods¡ªit was a weapon she wielded proudly.


    And every man whoid eyes on her felt it deep in their gut, a mix of lust and fear.


    "Who¡­ who the hell is she?" one of the guards stammered, his throat dry as he swallowed hard, trying to tear his gaze away from her.


    His eyes had lingered far too long on the tight press of her breasts against the armor, imagining just how soft and perfect they''d feel underneath.


    But fuck, she terrified him. "Just¡­ don''t look, man¡­" he muttered to himself, heart pounding in his chest.


    She''ll fucking kill you for even thinking about it.


    Another guard, standing nearby, was no better off. His eyes, too, had trailed down to her chest, imagining the softness beneath the cold, unyielding metal. His mind wandered for just a second, picturing her under him, naked, that perfect body finally exposed.


    Hiss!


    But the chill that ran through his spine snapped him out of it¡ªshe''d tear him apart if she caught him staring.


    "You fucking idiot," he hissed at hisrade, his voice shaky. "She''d slit your throat before you could even beg. She''s killed more than a hundred soldiers just today¡­"


    Gasp!


    The others around them couldn''t help but take sharp breaths, their hearts racing in fear. A hundred? That wasn''t just a number¡ªthese were elite soldiers, mages, warriors. To cut down a hundred of them in just a few hours?


    That wasn''t just skill¡ªthat was fucking terrifying.


    They all knew¡ªwhoever this woman was, she was no ordinary warrior. She was death in the form of a deadly, sexy woman, the kind who''d turn heads, then cut them off. Not one of them dared to meet her eyes again.


    They knew better than to fuck around with someone like her.


    "Imbeciles..." Ji Xuehong muttered under her breath as she walked calmly down the hall, her every step deliberate and sensual.


    Her legs moved like serpents, graceful and sinuous, with a sway in her hips that exuded pure, feminine charm. Each step was a work of art, sexy in the way her waist swayed with perfect control, more seductive and mesmerizing than any international model could ever hope to be.


    Normally, she would have ughtered every man who dared to dream of her with their pathetic strength.


    Did they think they stood a chance?


    These men were nothing more than vermin beneath her feet.


    Their desire, their longing gazes, only made her want to break them even more.


    But today, her focus was elsewhere. Her sexy, serpentine steps carried her toward the chamber in the north wing of the building, where Wang Xiao and the others were gathered.


    As she approached, the doors to the room were already open, swingingzily on their hinges. "So careless," she thought, her red eyes narrowing in disapproval. "Anyone could just barge in and kill everyone inside..."


    She imagined the simplicity of it¡ªwalking in, her de cutting down every single one of them, their blood sttering across the walls.


    Whoosh!


    But before she could step forward, an aura¡ªso intense, so overwhelming¡ªswept over her like a violent gust of wind.


    Bam!


    It froze her in ce.


    "..."


    Ji Xuehong''s breath caught in her throat, her body going rigid as she recognized what she was feeling.


    It wasn''t just bloodlust. This was something far beyond the raw hunger for killing that she radiated with every step she took.


    This aura¡ªwhich mortals couldn''t sense¡ªwas the living embodiment of death itself.


    It wasn''t wild or uncontrolled; it was calm, almost serene, but with the weight of infinite graves behind it.


    Perfection.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    A killer like her, she was always sharp, always lethal, her every movement a potential death sentence. But this aura¡­ it belonged to someone who had transcended that need.


    They no longer had to look deadly.


    They no longer had to prove they were a warrior.


    They had be something more.

 Chapter 544: Rebellion and Betrayal?

    Wang Xiao''s aura wasn''t just threatening¡ªit was a promise of death.


    The kind of power that didn''t need to sh a sword to send shivers down your spine.


    The kind of man who could be ying with children in a park, and a single nce from him would make your blood run cold.


    He could kill without ever lifting a weapon.


    Even Ji Xuehong, as cold and indifferent as she was, felt a tremor of fear deep in her heart. Her breaths became shallow as she stepped closer, trying to control the nervous flutter in her chest.


    She knew this feeling well¡ªit wasn''t her first time facing it.


    Unfortunately, his power was something she had witnessed firsthand, and each time she saw him, the memory of his strength stirred something dark and primal in her ¡ª fear.


    He was restraining himself, always holding back.


    And Ji Xuehong knew that better than most.


    The closer she approached, the deeper that fear settled in her bones. It wasn''t just the fear of his anger, of his violence, but the knowledge that, no matter how strong she had be, he was stronger.


    Far stronger.


    As she neared the chamber, she heard the low murmur of voices drifting from inside.


    "What''s her name?" one voice asked, smooth butced with an unmistakeble power


    "Ji Xuehong..."


    There was a pause, then a hum of approval. "Hm? That''s a good name."


    The response came back, quieter, "The person is even better than the name."


    She stopped just outside the doorway, listening to the conversation, her heart pounding in her chest.


    They were talking about her.


    ________


    "Lord Father."


    The cold, emotionless voice cut through the air, immediately grabbing Wang Xiao''s attention.


    "..."


    His rxed,zy demeanor stiffened, his expression instantly souring as if he had just bitten into something bitter.


    "What?" he snapped, clearly irritated, as if the very phrase had ruined his mood.


    Yuzuki and Liu Yanmei exchanged confused nces. They turned toward the source of the voice and were both momentarily stunned by what they saw.


    The figure before them had a face almost doll-like in its beauty, round and delicate, but utterly devoid of emotion. Her long, straight red hair shimmered with an eerie, mesmerizing beauty, cascading down her back. But what made the sight more chilling was the ck, spiked armor she wore, sharp and menacing, as if she were ready to rip someone apart at any moment.


    Renji nearly choked on his drink, ncing back and forth between Ji Xuehong and Wang Xiao in disbelief. ''Lord Father?'' He couldn''t mistake those words, no matter how surreal they seemed.


    His head turned, connecting the dots, but the conclusion felt almost too absurd to grasp.


    Zhao Lian, still curled on Wang Xiao''sp, felt an immediate sense of dread wash over her, as if a thousand invisible swords were slicing into her flesh.


    Ji Xuehong''s gaze was cold, piercing. She didn''t have to say a word for Zhao Lian to feel the sheer weight of her presence.


    Though Ji Xuehong''s face remained expressionless, the intense displeasure radiating from her was growing. It seeped into the air, making Zhao Lian shudder.


    It was as though Ji Xuehong''s very aura was telling her one thing: You don''t belong there.


    Zhao Lian had always carried herself with cold arrogance, a woman who prided herself on standing above others.


    But now, in the presence of Ji Xuehong, she felt like nothing more than an insignificant ant. Her heart pounded, the terrifying aura of the red-haired woman''s, her pressure crushing Zhao Lian''s confidence like it was paper.


    "Just who let you out?" Wang Xiao stammered for the first time in what seemed like forever, his eyes narrowing, blinking as if trying to make sure he wasn''t seeing things.


    Ji Xuehong, however, looked at him with slight confusion, her expression indifferent but her voice softening, a rare smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "I''ve already killed all the warriors who sought your throne. You can im it now without any significant obstacles."


    "..."


    "..."


    The room fell silent.


    Renji, who had braced himself for some sort of confrontation, suddenly felt like aplete fool. She wasn''t here to contest the throne? Not only that, but she had already killed those who sought to challenge Wang Xiao¡ªand was apparently his daughter? His daughter? How could no one have known about her?


    Wang Xiao had two well-known daughters, but this one... this terrifying creature was never mentioned.


    Wang Xiao''s face contorted as he reached up to grab his forehead, the meaning of her words sinking in. "Fiona¡­ I asked you, who let you out?" His voice sharpened, tinged with frustration and anger now.


    Ji Xuehong¡ªFiona¡ªshivered for the first time, a flicker of fear crossing her otherwise emotionless face. "Elder sister," she answered quietly.


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened immediately. If Eveline had let her out, then today might very well be thest day Eveline walked the earth.


    Ji Xuehong, or Fiona Whitehall, was second eldest Eveline''s daughter. For reasons only known to Eveline, she had kept her daughters under her own surname, deeming them unworthy of Wang Xiao''s family name.


    Normally, Wang Xiao didn''t care much about Eveline''s oddities, but these daughters¡ªthey were something else entirely.


    The memory of what had happened years ago shed in his mind, a memory too dark to forget. While he had been away, all of Eveline''s daughters, except one, had nearly killed several of his other women and children¡ªAnran, Amelia, Eleanor, Wenxi, Lan, Victoria, and Yue.


    The rebellion had been led by Fiona herself, but the mastermind behind it had been Eveline.


    If his little cotton ball¡ªsaw Fiona walking freely outside like this, she might have a heart attack on the spot.


    Of all his daughters, Fiona was the most dangerous, not necessarily the most powerful or the deadliest, but definitely the most unpredictable, the one raised like a cold-blooded killer by Eveline herself.


    Wang Xiao hadn''t known exactly what Eveline had been up to until that incident.


    After the failed rebellion, he imprisoned all of them.


    Eveline had only recently been let out of confinement, but not without restrictions.


    Fiona''s strength had long surpassed Eveline''s. She had ughtered their enemies and refined their souls as fuel for her cultivation. Wang Xiao suspected that soon she would achieve an immortal soul, like Athene, and be immortal herself.


    But even more troubling was this Elder Sister. She was the only one who hadn''t taken part in the rebellion.


    Wang Xiao had allowed her to live in seclusion, granting her ess to a temporary mountain, but anyone in contact with Eveline was untrustworthy.


    No matter how distant or unrted she might seem, Eveline''s influence over all of them like a dark cloud.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes flickered with cold anger.


    This was not the day he had expected, but now he had to decide what to do.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Fiona¡ªJi Xuehong¡ªwas standing right before him, free again.


    "When did I give permission for your elder sister to let any of you free?" Wang Xiao''s voice was cold, the sharpness of his tone growing.


    If there was one redeeming quality in the fourteen daughters of Eveline, it was their unquestionably obedience to his words.


    They had been raised differently, saw the world from a different perspective. If hemanded any of them to strip ande to his bed, they would do so without hesitation, without a second thought.


    At the same time, there were no romantic feelings involved ¡ª It wasn''t love or desire between man and woman.

 Chapter 545: Stressed!

    At the same time, there were no romantic feelings involved ¡ª It wasn''t love or desire between man and woman.


    It was something Eveline had taught them: whether they had a partner or not, whether they were married or not, if he asked, they had toply. Their willingness was irrelevant¡ªit was part of their duty as his daughters.


    It always struck Wang Xiao as odd, almost unnatural. But then again, Eveline was a product of the ancient Greek era, and her upbringing¡ªand by extension, her daughters''¡ªwas filled with strange, twisted ways.


    She had trained them meticulously, preparing them for the possibility that Wang Xiao might one day force himself on them.


    They had been taught how to endure it, how to handle the situation without resistance.


    At first, Wang Xiao couldn''t fathom why Eveline had gone to such extremes.


    But after discovering her past¡ªhow she had been Zeus''s daughter, and how Aurora had once rescued her when Zeus tried to force himself on her¡ªit became clearer.


    Eveline carried that trauma with her, and in her own warped way, she had ensured her daughters were prepared for any simr fate, making sure the cycle didn''t repeat.


    In a bizarre sense, she had seeded.


    Maybe Wang Xiao could have been tempted by them at some point. After all, each of them was breathtakingly beautiful. They carried his divinity, their auras glowing with a transcendent light that set them apart from ordinary women.


    Their cultivation was wless, flowing without bottlenecks, different from mortals.


    The divine aurabined with Eveline''s already ethereal beauty made each of them look like living, breathing goddesses, like blooming flowers, in a flower garden.


    Frganant and soft!


    Whenever Wang Xiao entered their pce, they would surround him, their soft, fragrant bodies pressing against his. So many beautiful faces, so many delicate hands reaching for him, so many sweet voices ringing in his ears...


    He found it hard not to be tempted, not to give in to the warmth and seduction.


    But after that fateful incident, where their actions nearly tore his family apart, he had no choice but to imprison them. Now, he preferred not to see their faces at all, the memories of their betrayal too fresh, too painful.


    In fact, Wang Xiao knew they weren''t entirely responsible. The mastermind behind everything was Eveline, but that didn''t absolve the sisters of their involvement.


    The fact that they had gone along with the plot still weighed heavily on them.


    Their eldest sister had seen through all of Eveline''s schemes, understanding that the peace between Eveline and Wang Xiao was only surface deep. She had refused to participate in whatever n they had been cooking up.


    But then again, she was the odd one out.


    Wang Xiao would have much preferred it if all of Eveline''s sisters had been like her¡ªstrange, but not dangerous. Instead, he had to deal with the cold, ruthless killer standing before him.


    Ji Xuehong blinked her emotionless eyes, her voice t, "Elder sister said the only way for you to ept us is if we don''t exist."


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened. What the hell was that girl teaching them?


    Ji Xuehong continued without a hint of emotion, "Lord Father, I''ve already changed my name. I''m no longer Fiona Whitehall. She doesn''t exist anymore. She''s dead. I killed her."


    Wang Xiao rubbed his temples. "..."


    Good lord, someone save him.


    "How?" Wang Xiao asked, trying to grasp the logic. "How can you just change your name and pretend to kill your old self?"


    Ji Xuehong blinked again, her hand twitching as a gleaming ck sword appeared in her grip, its de oozing with dark miasma. Without hesitation, she ced the tip against her chest, piercing through her armor. "Like this..."


    "Enough," Wang Xiao ordered sharply, halting her before she could push it further.


    Ji Xuehong stopped, looking at him nkly. She had only been about to demonstrate how she had "killed" Fiona, so why stop her?


    Wang Xiao sighed heavily, his headache growing worse. She had immense power, but her mind was so painfully simple. After spending so much time focused on warfare and killing, she hadpletely lost touch with normal human interactions.


    And then, of course, there was the fact that they had all been imprisoned for so long, their teenage years spent in darkness. Mentally, they were still stuck in that state¡ªyoung girls, not fully grown adults.


    "So, who''s going to be the new Guardian of Europe between the two of you?" Renji''s voice broke through the tense atmosphere, clearly uninterested in their family drama.


    He didn''t have time to waste on personal squabbles. Both of them¡ªWang Xiao and Ji Xuehong¡ªwere dangerous, and his own ns hadn''t even reached their peak yet. He needed to live long enough to see it through.


    "Him." Ji Xuehong answered, pointing at Wang Xiao with her usualck of emotion.


    Wang Xiao nced at her, narrowing his eyes as he observed her for a second before turning back to Renji. "Announce her as my proxy and me as the Guardian, but she''ll act as Guardian in my ce."


    Ji Xuehong remained silent, not showing any reaction. She was fine with whatever arrangement he made.


    "Noted," Renji replied curtly. "Now, I''ll be leaving. I have other matters to attend to in Japan." As he stood up, his fingers dissolved into mist, disappearing into a small ck hole that soon vanished along with him.


    Ji Xuehong didn''t take her eyes off him until he waspletely gone, her body tense, her gaze deadly. The moment he used his aura, she was on high alert. Only when he was fully out of sight did her vignce fade.


    "Lord Father!" she said, looking at Wang Xiao. He, in turn, gestured for Zhao Lian to get off hisp. There was no one left to see her exposed body, and he told her to get dressed.


    Yuzuki stepped forward to guide Zhao Lian, and though Zhao Lian didn''t like her, she followed. Liu Yanmei, meanwhile, looked awkward, unsure whether to ask for leave or remain silent, so she stayed.


    Wang Xiao turned his attention back to Ji Xuehong. "From this moment on, you will not kill anyone rted to me, except for my enemies," hemanded firmly.


    Ji Xuehong nodded seriously, as though she was mentally etching it into her brain. "Including Wenxi and Yue?" she asked with genuine curiosity.


    "Yes, including them," Wang Xiao confirmed.


    "Then, you''ll spend more time with me." Ji Xuehong blinked innocently, as if the request was the most natural thing in the world.


    Wang Xiao''s face twitched. "I don''t have time for that. If you need me, find me."


    "Mother told me not to find you when you''re with other women, but you''re always with other women," she said matter-of-factly, her tone as innocent as ever.


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened. ''Eveline...'' She truly hadn''t left any stone unturned with her teachings.


    "Forget what she said," he grumbled.


    "Okay." Ji Xuehong agreed without hesitation.


    Looking at her, Wang Xiao hesitated before adding, "Also, I need you to get signatures from everyone you''ve tried to kill before¡ªWenxi, Yue, and the rest¡ªsaying they''re okay with you being out of punishment."


    Ji Xuehong nodded. "Okay."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    She turned to leave but paused, as if remembering something important. "I can still beat them as long as they are not dead, right?" she asked, her expression innocent but curious.


    Wang Xiao''s face twisted in frustration. "No killing, no beating, and no cursing either!" he rified.


    Ji Xuehong looked as if he had just overwhelmed her with too much information at once. Without a word, she pulled out a piece of paper and began writing down the instructions.


    Once she was done, she tucked it away and left.


    Wang Xiao, now alone, could only pray that his Little cotton ball wouldn''t faint the moment she saw Fiona walking around freely again.

 Chapter 546: Was Assaulted by his own sister?

    "Finally!"


    Wang Xiao emerged from the north wing meeting room and made his way toward where Wang Xueying had been waiting.


    The moment she saw him, her eyes widened, and without hesitation, she rushed forward.


    Her figure moved with a swift movement, her long hair swaying with each step, and before he could react, she had thrown herself into his arms.


    Whoosh!


    Her soft, fragrant body pressed against his, but there was nothing delicate about her movements¡ªher hands were all over him, frantically checking him over.


    "They didn''t beat you, did they?" she asked, her voice a melodious rush of panic. "Did they hurt you?" Her slender fingers roamed over his chest, his arms, his face, feeling for any injury. "I told you not to sneak in there! What were you thinking?"


    Her beauty was undeniable, even in her frantic state. Her cheeks were flushed with concern, her lips slightly parted, and herrge, expressive eyes shimmered with worry. Her soft hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her delicate face as she fussed over him.


    "I was so scared! They took my phone, locked me up, and I didn''t know what was happening to you! What if something had happened?" Her voice wavered, but she continued speaking, her words pouring out in a breathless stream. "You always do this! You never think about what could go wrong! What if you''d died in there?


    Why did you beat him so violently, what if he did? What if I never saw you again?"


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s ears buzzed with the constant flow of her voice.


    He closed his eyes for a moment, his face betraying a slight expression of resignation, knowing that nothing he said would stop her when she was like this.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He simply stood there, waiting for her to calm down.


    But then, in the middle of her frantic tirade, she did somethingpletely unexpected.


    Without warning, she cupped his face with her hands, looking into him directly, with her lips brushing against his in a sudden, impulsive kiss.


    The warmth of her lips, soft and sweet, made him freeze for a second, the moment surreal as her beauty seemed to glow even more.


    "??????????????????"


    Wang Xiao, always in control, always the one who took charge, now found himself on the receiving end of somethingpletely unexpected.


    Him, assaulted?


    He couldn''t believe it, his mind reeling as he tried toprehend what had just happened.


    "What the hell was that?" he thought, utterly lost.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xueying stood there, equally shocked, her heart racing. She had no idea what had juste over her. One second, she was checking his face for injuries, and the next¡­ she had kissed him? Kissed him!


    "!!!"


    Her face turned scarlet as she frantically tried to make sense of her own actions. What was going through her perverted head? Her heart raced as she pulled back, hands flying to cover her face, which now felt like it was on fire.


    "I-I was just¡­ checking for injuries," she thought desperately, trying to justify the situation to herself. ''Maybe his lips were bruised?''


    She nced at his lips again, realizing how absurd that sounded even to her.


    ''No, no, maybe I was just checking if he was breathing properly...'' she reasoned, but even that sounded ridiculous in her head. ''It''s not my fault he looks so calm when he closes his eyes!''


    Then, she started to panic even more, justifying it in a worse way.


    ''And why was he just standing there, with his eyes closed? Doesn''t he know he looks way too handsome when he does that? Who stands like that? Of course, I''d get confused!''


    Her mind raced faster. ''I didn''t mean to! It just¡­ happened! It''s his fault for being so damn...''


    And before she could finish that thought, her words slipped out, flustered and loud:


    "I-I wasn''t trying to kiss you! It was... it was a mistake!"


    Wang Xiao''s eye twitched. ''What is this girl thinking?''


    "..."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao dragged Wang Xueying out of the building before she could embarrass herself any further, his grip firm but not rough.


    He didn''t bother listening to her flustered excuses as they made their way to the car. When they arrived, he made sure she was strapped in, ensuring her safety as if nothing had just happened.


    Her voice buzzed in the background, and though she was still throwing questions at him, he ignored her entirely, focusing on the drive. The story about Minister Gao being alive was already prepared. He spun the lie with such ease that it didn''t matter whether Wang Xueying believed it or not.


    Don''t believe me? Fine. It''s not like I care.


    Even if he told her he was the Prince, she wouldn''t believe that either. And if he made her believe, she''d only end up bombarding him with all sorts of ridiculous requests.


    He sighed, thinking about Wang Mei, his other sister, who never asked for anything, despite knowing he could get her almost anything in the world.


    Wang Xueying, on the other hand, was an entirely different kind of trouble.


    ________


    9th October, 2031


    Days had passed in an oddly calm silence, though each passing day, Wang Xiao found himself understanding his mother, Xinyue Zhn, better. She had long since surpassed the image he once had of her¡ªher limits seemed non-existent.


    He chuckled to himself, thinking that if it wasn''t for his own experiences and strength, he would''ve be one of those spoiled second-generation heirs. The kind with too much power and no sense of restraint. Zhenxi, that strange little creature, still visited daily, but otherwise, things were peaceful.


    Ji Xuehong hadn''t shown up again¡ªprobably because she couldn''t meet the conditions he''d set. Wang Mei, however, was diligent, continuing to fulfill her nightly duties as promised.


    And in those quiet moments, he started to get a clearer picture of Wang Xueying.


    On the surface, she was the perfectbination¡ªbeautiful, smart, and confident. But underneath that exterior, there was something off. She had be an upgraded version of a nerd, her mind constantly focused on her studies, but her attachment to him ran deep¡ªtoo deep.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but be mildly concerned, yet he found her dedication amusing. As long as the conversation didn''t involve him, she waspletely normal. He wasn''t entirely sure how her obsession with him had developed, but he didn''t mind it. In fact, there was something endearing about it.


    Today, however, Isabelle had just returned from Antia, only to leave again. This time, she was heading to the Imperial Capital to investigate a sinkhole that had swallowed up part of the city. Wang Xiao wasn''t too concerned about that¡ªhis focus was elsewhere.


    The sun was shining brightly through the windows, and Wang Xueyingy sprawled out on the couch, her phone raised above her, watching a movie. Wang Xiaoy atop her, his head restingfortably on her chest, close enough to feel her warmth, his lips brushing against her exposed skin.


    "Mmmmh... Brother, stop it!" she whined softly, her cheeks flushed as she squirmed beneath him. Her t-shirt had slipped off one shoulder, revealing her smooth, pale skin. He pressed his lips against her neck, gently nibbling, sending a shiver through her body. She let out a frustrated huff but didn''t push him away.


    Her phone wobbled in her hands, her attention torn between her movie and the sensation of his lips trailing along her skin.


    "I''m trying to watch this..." she muttered, trying to keep her focus as he continued kissing her face and neck, each kiss making her twitch.


    Her legs shifted under him, but she made no serious attempt to move away, clearly torn between the distraction and her flimsy protest.

 Chapter 547: Sleep? no chance! Lets Go Spiritual!

    "I''m trying to watch this..." she muttered, trying to keep her focus as he continued kissing her face and neck, each kiss making her twitch.


    Her legs shifted under him, but she made no serious attempt to move away, clearly torn between the distraction and her flimsy protest.


    His lips curved into a smirk as he teased her, fully aware that she wasn''t really trying to stop him.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    His kisses grew slower, more deliberate, enjoying the soft, teasing moment.


    Only when Wang Xiao''s hands started to sneak under her t-shirt, slowly pulling it up, did Wang Xueying finally shoot him an annoyed nce. She paused the movie, sighing as she set her phone down.


    "Seriously?" she muttered, rolling her eyes, clearly irritated.


    Without another word, she grabbed the hem of her t-shirt and, in one swift motion, pulled it off, tossing it aside. Her bare skin glowed under the sunlight streaming through the windows, hercy undergarments now fully visible.


    "Happy now?" she huffed, her cheeks tinged with faint embarrassment despite her confident front. She shot him a look of warning, her lips forming a slight pout. "Don''t disturb me again."


    With that, she picked up her phone again, as if daring him to keep going.


    Wang Xiao had always had a bad habit¡ªhe couldn''t stand anyone enjoying themselves on their phone when he was around. It wasn''t intentional, but seeing someone absorbed in something else made him itch to disrupt them, especially when the situation presented itself so temptingly.


    And right now, seeing Wang Xueying lying there, half-dressed, so focused on her screen, he couldn''t resist the urge. Without warning, he moved closer, his hands wandering back to her body.


    "Mngghh¡­ you¡­!" Wang Xueying gasped, her phone nearly slipping from her hands as she felt his sudden touch.


    This was the first time she had experienced this side of him, and it left her speechless beyond words, her mind scrambling to process what was happening.


    His hands cupped her soft, tender breasts, filling his palms with their perfect weight. Hidden beneath her usual loose clothes, her chest was far more generous than it appeared. Smooth, round, and pale like a piece of jade, her skin felt cool under his touch. Her small, perky nipples, like little cherries, hardened against his fingers.


    Unable to resist, Wang Xiao leaned in, his lips brushing against her chest, his teeth grazing the sensitive peak. He bit down gently, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from Wang Xueying, her body shuddering at the unexpected sensation.


    "eh?"


    She looked down, only to realize that her bra had been removed¡ªwithout her even noticing when. Her face flushed red with shame, a mixture of embarrassment and unease bubbling within her.


    Slightly fearful, she nced toward the door, sighing in relief upon seeing it was still closed.


    "You, my little dirty sister, wanted to bed me, and now you''re pretending to be innocent?" His voice dropped to a husky whisper, his breath hot against her skin as he leaned in, licking her nipples while squeezing her breasts tightly, forcing a groan from her lips.


    Her body tensed, torn between the sensations and her flustered thoughts. "Mmnghh... I didn''t mean to! Okay, can you just forget about it already?" she stammered, her voice shaky with frustration and a touch of helplessness.


    Wang Xiao chuckled darkly, his hands roaming over her exposed skin. "Forget about it?" he taunted, his fingers flicking over her hardened nipples. "You think I''ll just forget so easily how you wanted to drug me?"


    Her breath quickened as she tried to maintainposure. "I-I was not trying to drug you it''s because of you..." she murmured weakly, though the heat rising in her cheeks betrayed her words.


    "Oh, really?" His smirk deepened as he leaned closer, his lips brushing against her ear. "Then why do your nipples harden at my touch? Why does your body arch into me so eagerly? Just how hungry are you?"


    Wang Xueying swallowed hard, trying to suppress the flood of overwhelming emotions coursing through her. "I''m not... hungry, and get off me already, or I''ll scream and call everyone here. Mother would teach you a lesson about respecting your elders!" Her voice wavered between shame and uncertainty.


    "Is that so?" Wang Xiao''s voice wasced with amusement, as if her threat only encouraged him further.


    Her face burned even brighter, the mix of embarrassment and something far more confusing clouding her thoughts. "Stop¡­ annoying me," she whispered, her voice barely a breath, as if she wasn''t even convincing herself.


    "I''ll stop when you admit it," Wang Xiao murmured, his lips grazing the sensitive skin of her neck. His breath was hot and teasing as he whispered, "Tell me, how should I respect you then? Like this?" Without warning, he pressed his lips to hers, catching her off guard.


    "Mmm... N-guhh..."


    His tongue invaded her mouth, exploring every corner as if savoring her taste. She struggled for breath as he deepened the kiss, his hands expertly flicking over her nipples. "Or like this?" he murmured, before lowering his mouth to her breasts, sucking them greedily, drawing soft whimpers from her.


    "Ugh... mmm... Neither!" Wang Xueying protested, but her words were barely coherent, lost in the intense electric sensations coursing down her body.


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, his amusement growing with each of her weak denials. His hand slid from her chest down her smooth abdomen, creeping beneath her skirt with deliberate slowness.


    "Gasp!"


    Wang Xueying inhaled sharply, her body betraying her the moment his fingers brushed against the delicate skin inside her panties. He moved with practiced ease, caressing her, his fingers tracing the folds of her most intimate ce.


    "Oh, it''s wet..." hemented casually, the yful grin returning to his face.


    Wang Xueying, in a fit of frustration and panic, snapped back, "It''s always wet..."


    "!"


    The words had barely left her mouth when she realized what she had said. Her face turned crimson, mortification crashing over her. ''Why did I say that?'' she thought in horror.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes gleamed with delight, his expression brightening at her unintended confession.


    He leaned in, biting her lower lip teasingly. "Always wet, huh? How would you know? Do you y with yourself?" His voice dripped with amusement as he added, "Seems I''ve found the hidden truth about my little perverted sister."


    "!"


    Wang Xueying''s ears turned red, her voice trembling as she stammered, "Okay, just get off me already!" She could feel his fingers inching further down, teasing her to the brink, and it felt as though she''d lose her mind if he stayed a moment longer.


    But Wang Xiao didn''t stop. With a swift motion, he unhooked her skirt and tossed it aside, while revealing her smooth and white legs.


    "Why get off?" he murmured, before silencing her protests with a forceful kiss.


    "Mmghh~!"


    Wang Xueying''s hands weakly clung to his back, her body responding despite the voices in her mind. Her eyes fluttered shut, but when they opened again, her breath came in short gasps. Her flushed face watched in shock as he removed the rest of her clothes.


    "W-What are you doing?" she blurted out, her voice snapping her back to reality.


    "Taking them off," Wang Xiao replied innocently, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. His hands gripped the waistband of her panties, untying them with deliberate ease.


    "Why?" she whispered, her mind briefly going nk, the question slipping out instinctively.


    Wang Xiao paused, ncing at her like she''d said something ridiculous.


    Without a word, he grabbed her hand and pressed it against the bulge in his pants. "This thing doesn''t go down on its own... Did you forget basic biology?"


    His tone was yful, though his eyes gleamed with a hint of something darker. "My little cotton ball is angry due to you, and there''s no one else to take care of it," he added with a mocking pout, pretending to be pitiful.


    Wang Xueying''s heart shuddered, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she stared at him, her mind struggling to keep up with her body''s reactions.


    "You¡­ want to sleep with me?" she asked hesitantly, unsure of what else to say.


    "What else?" Wang Xiao rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed by her question. "Don''t tell me you''re going to spout some nonsense about ''spiritual love'' or ''untouched purity,'' because if you do¡­"


    He let the threat sink into her head, his tone sharpening just enough to let her know he wouldn''t take kindly to such ideas.

 Chapter 548: Imperial Captial!

    "You¡­ want to sleep with me?" she asked hesitantly, unsure of what else to say.


    "What else?" Wang Xiao rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed by her question. "Don''t tell me you''re going to spout some nonsense about ''spiritual love'' or ''untouched purity,'' because if you do¡­"


    He let the threat sink into her head, his tone sharpening just enough to let her know he wouldn''t take kindly to such ideas.


    Wang Xueying''s mind buzzed as conflicting thoughts swirled within her.


    ''A man and woman having sex and sleeping together¡­''


    There''s nothing wrong with that.


    But the moment she remembered that Wang Xiao was her younger brother  and she was the elder sister, a wave of difort washed over her, as though something was fundamentally wrong with the situation.


    Her face burned with embarrassment, her body heating up as her confusion deepened.


    Yet, mixed with that shame was undeniable excitement. The forbidden nature of it sent a thrill through her, and she couldn''t help but bite her lip, staring at Wang Xiao''s face.


    He seemed patient, as if waiting for her to make some decision so he could finally "fix" her.


    "Okay!" she blurted, forcing herself to suppress her buzzing thoughts. Pressing her lips together, she nodded. "But you can''t tell anyone. Not even Mei or Jiarong. And we won''t do it in my room¡ªit''ll alert everyone."


    Wang Xiao''s face twitched at her conditions.


    ''What''s with this secrecy?'' He had imagined something far more indulgent¡ªa foursome with all of his sisters eventually¡ªbut now she wanted to keep things hidden?


    He had even casually mentioned it to Mei, who merely rolled her eyes at his bold ambitions but didn''t protest, as if silently challenging him.


    If he could actually handle all three, then good luck.


    Wang Mei didn''t doubt his strength, but she certainly didn''t believe Wang Jiarong would ever submit to him like the others.


    She wasn''t the type to be easily subdued like her, nor was she obsessed with him the way Wang Xueying was.


    Suddenly, Wang Xiao grabbed her hand and stood up from the couch, pulling her along with him.


    Wang Xueying blinked in confusion, hurriedly grabbing the bedsheet to cover her body.


    "What are you doing?" she asked, frowning.


    "Let''s go to a hotel," Wang Xiao said casually, as though it were the most obvious solution.


    "..." Wang Xueying''s eyes widened in disbelief. "No," she said firmly.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, suspicion creeping into his expression. He hadn''t expected her refusal.


    Blushing deeply, Wang Xueying nced down at the floor, avoiding his gaze. "I-I have to meet Isabelleter¡­ You cane with me," she mumbled. In truth, she was trying to buy herself some time.


    If everything went well, maybe she could go to the hotel with him afterward.


    Her heart pounded in her chest as she mentally ran through a checklist of things she hadn''t prepared for. ''What am I forgetting?'' she thought, her mind filled with anxiety and nervousness.


    She needed to talk to Isabelle¡ªsecretly, of course. She wanted to ask if something could go wrong with them sleeping together, and what precautions they should take.


    It wasn''t that she had forgotten her biology lessons; on the contrary, her n had already been in motion.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Isabelle had given her advice on how to handle things, that would ensure there would be no side effects or unwanted consequences from their night together.


    If it weren''t for her needing to confirm the final details with Isabelle, there would''ve been no reason to refuse the hotel offer.


    ____________


    Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!


    The chopper des whipped through the air, the powerful sound vibrating through the cabin as the sleek machine idled outside the Center for Advanced Research.


    The rhythmic hum of the rotors added a strange thrill to the atmosphere.


    "Agh... Isabelle, I thought we were just checking out a site! Why are we in a chopper?" Wang Xueyingined, squirming in the backseat, her slender legs brushing awkwardly against the interior as she struggled to put on her headset.


    Seated next to the pilot, Isabelle looked like she belonged in some fantasy, her long, perfect legs stretched out, her graceful figure drawing more attention than any scenery. She barely nced back, her voiceced with amusement as she answered teasingly, "The site''s in the Imperial Capital."


    "..."


    Wang Xueying''s face flushed, her mind spiraling into frustration. When Isabelle had dragged her from theb, she''d made it sound like a simple visit¡ªshe hadn''t said a word about flying to the Imperial Capital!


    Now, here they were, and she hadn''t even been briefed properly.


    "T-Then why is ''he''ing?" Wang Xueying blurted, pointing at Wang Xiao. He satfortably across from her, looking far too casual, as if he rode choppers every day, his headset perfectly in ce.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes met hers, an eyebrow raised in confusion. "Huh? Why am Iing?" he asked, clearly oblivious but enjoying the view of the two women seated before him.


    Isabelle blinked, her lips curving into a sly smile as she nced at Wang Xiao. "Want to throw him out?" she asked, her voice almost too sweet.


    "No," Wang Xueying snapped, ring at Isabelle before letting out a heavy sigh.


    Her whole body felt like it was on fire, her skin sensitive under the gaze of the two of them.


    ''I was only here for guidance,'' she reminded herself, though her thoughts wandered more than she''d care to admit.


    And now, with Wang Xiao tagging along¡ªlooking far too smug and rxed¡ªit was hard to keep her head straight. Especially since they were heading to the Imperial Capital, a ce that already gave her a headache. She still had to inform her mother, too, or she''d have a freak-out to deal withter.


    Her gaze flickered back to Wang Xiao, who seemedpletely at ease. ''Of course, he''s got nothing better to do than fool around now a days...'' She bit her lip, her frustration building as she tried to focus, but her thoughts kept slipping away.


    __________


    10th October, Imperial Capital!


    The rising sun spilled its golden light across ''Phoenix Care Medical Center'', casting a soft glow on its ss windows, which shimmered with a hypnotic allure, like the gaze of a temptress just out of reach.


    The building stood tall, exuding warmth and promise for the hundreds that entered, the faint buzz of the crowd mingling with the rapid, purposeful footsteps of doctors and nurses who moved with an almost erotic grace through the hallways.


    Wang Jiarong walked down the hall with a natural sway that drew attention without effort, her curvaceous figure hugged just enough by her crisp white coat to tease those who looked too long.


    The fabric whispered against her body as she moved, her ponytail bouncing behind her with the kind of energy that suggested she was both professional and yfully untouchable. She held a clipboard, her sharp eyes scanning the day''s tasks, but her mind wandered¡ªfixated on the unexpected visit from her cousin, Qian Ruixin.


    Qian Ruixin, the ssic beauty, had always been the flower of the family¡ªa delicate bloom in full spring.

 Chapter 549: Superstitious?

    Today, Qian Ruixin sat quietly in the waiting area, her silky ck hair cascading over her shoulders like an endless waterfall, framing her petite face.


    The simple pink dress she wore clung to her slender body with just the right amount of temptation¡ªinnocent, yet daring enough to stir desire in any man who caught a glimpse.


    The gold bracelet on her wrist caught the morning light, sparkling like the seduction she didn''t even need to try for. Yet, even her serene beauty couldn''t hide the tension curling beneath her, amplified by the ever-imposing presence of her mother-inw, Madam Li.


    Madam Li¡ªnow she was a force to be reckoned with, quite literally.


    She walked in a deep red cheongsam that clung to her hourss figure like a second skin, the high slit revealing long, toned legs that seemed to go on forever. Age had done little to dull her sharp edges; instead, it had refined her, like a sword tempered in me.


    Pearls draped over her ample chest, resting just above the deep swell of her cleavage, and her high heels clicked against the floor with each authoritative step, drawing eyes to the power she exuded.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As Wang Jiarong approached, Madam Li''s eyes narrowed, a sharpness in her gaze that demanded immediatepliance.


    "Jiarong, good morning," she greeted with a voice that was as smooth as silk, yet hard as steel. "It''s been a month now, and still nothing. I trust you''ll be thorough with Ruixin this time."


    "Auntie, good morning," Wang Jiarong replied, a hint of exasperation leaking into her polite tone. Her eyes flicked over to Qian Ruixin, who seemed to wilt slightly under her mother-inw''s unforgiving scrutiny.


    Wang Jiarong bent toward her cousin, her voice low and teasing. "Rui, are you already here to check if there''s a baby on the way? It''s only been a month since the wedding, you know..."


    A blush bloomed across Qian Ruixin''s pale cheeks, her face flushing a delicious shade of pink that only added to her innocent beauty. "Rong''er, it''s not that¡­" she mumbled, her voice soft as she averted her gaze. "Actually¡­ nothing has happened yet."


    Wang Jiarong''s eyes widened, amusement dancing in them. "Nothing?" she asked, her voiceced with disbelief.


    Qian Ruixin hesitated, her expression darkening as she leaned closer, her voice a trembling whisper. "Not even on the wedding night. We¡­ we were interrupted. There was an attack again. Since then¡­ it feels like something dark is hanging over us."


    "Another attack?" Wang Jiarong repeated, her voice dropping to a scandalous whisper, intrigued despite herself.


    Qian Ruixin nodded, her lips pressed into a tight line. "Every time we try to be together, something happens. First, there was a fire at the municipal office. Then, just a few days ago, there was an explosion near the city center. It''s like we''re cursed to never consummate our marriage."


    Wang Jiarong waved a hand dismissively, though the edge in her voice betrayed her disbelief. "You''re being superstitious. It''s just bad luck, that''s all."


    "It feels like more than that," Qian Ruixin whispered, her delicate hands twisting in herp. "What if the heavens are against our marriage?"


    "I think¡ª" Before Wang Jiarong could respond, the department door swung open, and Dr. Chen emerged.


    The man was tall, his broad shoulders filling the doorway, his chiseled jaw and intense gaze enough to make even the mostposed woman falter. His eyes locked onto Jiarong immediately, a smoldering intensity sparking in them that lingered a beat too long.


    "Dr. Wang," he greeted warmly, his deep voice carrying a heat that could melt ice. "I didn''t expect to see you this early." His gaze slid over her figure in that white coat, clearly appreciating whaty beneath.


    Wang Jiarong''s body stiffened, though her smile remained polite. "Dr. Chen, good morning. Just doing my rounds," she replied coolly.


    Qian Ruixin, ever the perceptive one, smirked, leaning closer to whisper. "You never told me your department chief had such¡­ intense feelings for you."


    Wang Jiarong''s cheeks burned brighter, but she waved her cousin off. "He''s harmless," she muttered, though even she wasn''t sure if she believed that herself.


    "Harmless?" Qian Ruixin raised an eyebrow, her smile bitter but amused. "With that attitude, you''ll never find a man."


    Wang Jiarong rolled her eyes. "I have enough to deal with without worrying about men," she replied, her tone sharp, brushing off her cousin''s insinuation.


    Qian Ruixin sighed, her voice softer now. "You''re lucky. You can afford to be dismissive. Meanwhile, I''m dealing with a husband who''s never home and a mother-inw who''s breathing down my neck for grandchildren."


    Wang Jiarong peeked toward Madam Li, who was still in the exam room, her imposing figure a constant reminder of the pressure Ruixin was under. "Persistent, isn''t she?" Wang Jiarong muttered under her breath.


    "Persistent? Ha-Ha" Qian Ruixinughed bitterly, shaking her head. "She''s a nightmare. But what can I do? Refuse her?" Her smile was weary, as though she knew the futility of fighting a force like Madam Li.


    Before their conversation could go any further, a nurse rushed over, her voice breathless. "Dr. Wang, Madam Li''s check-up is done. She''s waiting for her daughter-inw''s appointment now."


    Wang Jiarong let out a soft sigh, casting onest nce at Ruixin. "Don''t worry. I''ll deal with her. Afterward, we''ll talk more."


    As she turned to leave, she could feel Dr. Chen''s eyes on her, lingering, watching.


    Qian Ruixin noticed too, her eyes narrowing in amusement. "You really should give him a chance," she whispered.


    "Not a chance," Wang Jiarong muttered, not bothering to look back as she walked away, the heat of Dr. Chen''s gaze burning into her retreating figure.


    Qian Ruixin sighed, her smile bittersweet. "And you think I''m the unlucky one."


    In just a few minutes, Wang Jiarong had sessfully managed to send away Madam Li, an aplishment that deserved a round of apuse¡ªif only she could p for herself.


    The woman was more intimidating than her own mother. Jiarong sighed in relief, brushing off the imaginary weight Madam Li always seemed to leave on her shoulders, before grabbing Qian Ruixin by the arm.


    "Let''s grab some breakfast," Wang Jiarong said, exhaling. "What''s your n today? If you''re free, my brother and sister areing over in the evening. They''re in the capital for a bit. Want to join?"


    Qian Ruixin''s eyes blinked in surprise. "Your brother? Is he really healed?"


    Wang Jiarong''s expression went nk for a second before she sighed, "That''s what my mother says. And she wouldn''t lie... but I kind of want to see with my own eyes."


    Ruixin patted her back in aforting gesture, her voice dropping dramatically. "Well, you know, if he''s healed, you should probably set him up with one of your cute colleagues. Medical students are like¡­ top tier, right?"


    Wang Jiarong stopped dead in her tracks, rolling her eyes so hard she could practically see the back of her head. "My colleagues? You mean those vixens who can''t go five minutes without trying to seduce someone? Absolutely not. Besides, my brother''s barely at the age to start thinking about marriage. What''s gotten into you?"

 Chapter 550: Sisterly Talk!

    "....What''s gotten into you?"


    Qian Ruixin''s lips tightened into a thin smile, her tone now more serious. "It''s just... he''s been sick for so long. Maybe he should start enjoying life a little, you know? After everything he''s been through....You know, like indulge before they get tied down."


    "Hah," Jiarong scoffed, shooting her a sideways nce. "He''s not like that." She paused, realizing with a twinge of uncertainty that she hadn''t really spent much time with him since he''d been ill.


    Her eyes narrowed mischievously. "But hey, since you''re so concerned, why don''t you set him up with your best friend? I''m sure he''d love to ''indulge'' her instead."


    Qian Ruixin''s smile froze, her eye twitching ever so slightly. "My best friend?" She thought about it for a second, about her little loli best friend going hand in hand together with Wang Xiao, the thought of it made her blush in embarrassment.


    It wasn''t a bad idea.


    But the idea of throwing her friend into an unknown pit--no.


    Wang Jiarong''s colleagues might have been pretty, but they were trouble.


    "At least my best friend''s decent, can''t let her be a fertilizer for your brother..." she muttered, shaking her head.


    Wang Jiarong raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what, my friends aren''t?"


    "I mean," Qian Ruixin said, with the most exaggerated shrug she could muster, "those nurses you work with are famous for a lot of... ''good'' things. You really want your brother getting mixed up with them? He might end up with more than just a girlfriend--maybe a disease."


    Wang Jiarong burst outughing, catching a few odd looks from passersby. "Okay, fair point. But I don''t think he nning on catching anything anytime soon," she replied, wiping a tear from her eye. "He''s barely healed, and you''re already matchmaking like he''s about to start his own harem."


    Qian Ruixin gave a small, calm smile, her voice soft yet teasing. "Well, someone has to make sure he gets some excitement in his life. If you''re too busy with work, maybe I should step in."


    Wang Jiarong let out a shortugh, shaking her head. "Please, if I left it to you, he''d be spoiled rotten. You are just too kind."


    Qian Ruixin''s expression remainedposed, her smile barely shifting. "Spoiled?" she said gently. "I''d just help him enjoy life a little more, you are just too strict of a sister! And don''t underestimate me--I could probably turn him into a perfect gentleman."


    Wang Jiarong sighed, giving her a sideways nce. "You''re not usually this involved in these things. What''s gotten into you today?"


    Qian Ruixin pressed her lips together for a brief moment, then spoke quietly, her eyes reflecting a hint of nostalgia. "It''s not that. It''s just... not everyone stays cute, you know? But he was. Remember how he looked when he was younger?"


    "Cute? Him?" Wang Jiarong scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I''m drawing a nk on that. And don''t you dare say that to his face, or his confidence will shatter."


    Qian Ruixin blinked slowly, unbothered by her cousin''s tone. "I don''t see what''s wrong with it," she murmured. "I wasn''t talking about now... but back then, when I used to visit, seven years ago. He had this... amusing way about him.


    Always taking things personally and holding little grudges. I found it... endearing."


    Wang Jiarong raised an eyebrow, almostughing. "Endearing? That little brat? You''ve got a strange definition of adorable."


    Qian Ruixin''s expression didn''t change, remaining serene. "Compared to my little sister, he was easier to understand. Slightly evil and plotting, yes, but at least with a little brother, you know what to expect."


    Wang Jiarong sighed again, though there was a small smile on her face now. "Well, let''s just hope he''s same ''endearing'' as you remember."


    Qian Ruixin nodded gently, "He''s been through a lot. He''s probably changed. But if you''re worried, maybe you should start vetting potential girlfriends for him."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Jiarong let out a quietugh, shaking her head. "I''ll pass on the matchmaking, thanks. That sounds like a headache."


    "Suit yourself," Ruixin replied softly, her calm smile returning. "Just don''t be surprised if he gets attention from the wrong kind of people."


    Wang Jiarong gave her a yful nudge. "That''s why I''ll leave it to you. You can deal with that while I deal with the medical crises."


    Qian Ruixin''s quietugh was barely audible, her gaze thoughtful. "If he''s still anything like the boy I remember, I''ll manage just fine. Probably even set up with my family Lingling!"


    She kept her calm smile, her voice still soft. "You know, if you''re not careful, he might get into trouble on his own. You should keep an eye on him. After all, he''s not a little kid anymore."


    Wang Jiarong chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Trouble? What kind of trouble are you talking about?"


    Qian Ruixin nced at her with an unreadable expression, but there was a subtle glint in her eyes. "You know... girls. He''s not a boy anymore, and now that he''s healed, you''d be surprised how quickly some might get interested." She paused, her tone still measured. "Especially those who might want to... nurse him back to full health, so to speak."


    Wang Jiarong gave her a yful nudge,ughing. "*Oh please, like any of those my horny friends would resist throwing themselves at him."


    Qian Ruixin raised an eyebrow slightly, her voice even softer. "And would that really be a problem? I mean, he''s grown. You wouldn''t want him to stay... innocent forever, right? He is a man, not a woman like us.


    A man''s world is different; I shouldn''t have to exin that to you, right? He doesn''t have his friends to push him forward anymore..."


    "What are you suggesting?" Wang Jiarong asked, half-amused, half-scandalized.


    "I''m just saying," Qian Ruixin replied calmly, folding her hands in herp, "he could probably use some experience. Wouldn''t want him to end up too shy around women. It might be good for him to... explore."


    Wang Jiarong shook her head,ughing. "You''re really suggesting I just let him loose with my friends? You know their reputation."


    Qian Ruixin smiled faintly. "Well, I wasn''t talking about your ''friends'' specifically," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "But, if you''re that concerned, maybe you should step in before someone else does."


    Jiarong''s face turned red, her eyes widening. "Excuse me?! You want ''me'' to--"


    "I meant introduce him to someone suitable," Qian Ruixin cut in, her calm demeanor never wavering, though the hint of amusement in her eyes was clear. "You know, before he starts making those decisions for himself. Once men start thinking with their... other brain, it''s hard to control them."


    Wang Jiarong groaned, covering her face with one hand. "Why are you like this today?"


    Qian Ruixin blinked innocently. "Just looking out for him. He''s my little brother as well, after all." Her lips twitched ever so slightly. "But he''s not so little anymore, right?"


    "Stop it," Wang Jiarong muttered, though augh slipped through despite herself. "You''ve barely been married and already turned into this? What happened to the innocent Ruixin I used to know?"


    Qian Ruixin pressed her lips together, her expression calm but her tone carrying a hint of bitterness. "What marriage? It''s just a change of houses... nothing more."


    Wang Jiarong blinked, sensing the shift in her cousin''s mood. "Rui..."


    Qian Ruixin sighed softly, her voice dropping. "He''s never home. Our wedding night never even happened. First, that attack, and then all the disasters that followed... It feels like fate doesn''t want us together." She paused, folding her hands in herp. "And don''t even get me started on my mother-inw.


    It''s less a marriage, more like... I''ve just been moved from one house to another. Nothing''s changed."


    Wang Jiarong''s expression softened, the teasing tonepletely gone. "I didn''t know it was that bad..."


    Qian Ruixin gave a small, almost resigned smile. "It''s not terrible. Just... not what I expected. I guess I thought marriage would be about something more... Instead, it feels like I''m stuck in a never-ending performance--smiling, ying the role of the perfect daughter-inw while everything else remains...


    Same."

 Chapter 551: Hollow Earth!

    10th October, Imperial Capital!


    Isabe and her team hadnded in the Imperial Capitaltest night, settling into the amodations provided by the nationalboratory at Imperial Capital University.


    The n was to investigate the mysterious site the next morning, and now, as the first light of dawn painted the sky, they boarded the chopper once again, heading towards the city center.


    Below them, thendscape shifted from the towering cityscape to a heavily isted and militarized zone--a sprawling two square kilometers fenced off, guarded, and forbidden.


    As the helicopter flew over the heart of the site, Wang Xueying''s breath caught in her throat. "What... is that?" she asked, pushing her hair behind her ears to get a clearer view.


    Beneath them, a massive crater spread out like the maw of some ancient beast, as if a portal to another world had opened.


    It didn''t look like a mere meteor impact.


    The edges of the crater were jagged and unnatural, and there was an eerie stillness about it, as if the ground itself was holding its breath.


    Even Wang Xiao, who had been quiet until now, couldn''t help but nce down with growing interest.


    Isabee, her wild hair whipped by the wind, spoke up, her voice loud over the roar of the chopper. "That, over there," she said, pointing, "we''re calling it ''Hollow Earth.'' It revealed itself just three days ago when something fell from the sky. At first, we thought it was a meteorite, but now... we believe it was a living being. A creature unlike anything we''ve seen before.


    And we''ve already lost contact with it."


    Wang Xueying startled, "A living being? You mean it''s still in there?"


    "Maybe," Isabe replied grimly, her eyes scanning the crater with intensity. "A week ago, I was in Antia--the so-called Eighth Continent. We''ve only recently confirmed its existence beneath the ocean surface. What we see as Pandora, the small ind, is merely the tip of a massive submerged civilization. A civilization far older than we ever imagined. And this..." She gestured toward the crater.


    "This may be proof that the human species isn''t just a few hundred thousand years old. It could be millions. What lies beneath us... could change everything."


    Wang Xiao frowned. "And you think that thing in the crater... is connected to Antia?"


    Isabe nodded, her face tense. "We don''t know for sure yet, but if it is, this could be living proof that our history is far deeper than we ever thought. And if that being is still alive... it could hold the key to unlocking a past we''ve never even considered."


    Wang Xiao shook his head slightly, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face, though he quickly tried to mask it.


    Isabe caught the movement and couldn''t help but frown, a hint of irritation creeping into her voice. "What? You don''t believe it even after seeing all this?"


    Wang Xueying turned to him as well, clearly confused. The evidence was right in front of them--a massive crater that seemed otherworldly. Why was he disappointed?


    Wang Xiao offered a bitter smile, but he said nothing. How could he exin? The truth was, he had already known about these things, long before they ever arrived.


    But Antia, as grand and mysterious as it was, had nothing to do with the strange phenomenon below them.


    He nced at the crater again. This wasn''t just a meteor crash, and it wasn''t connected to any ancient lost city. This was a spatial disturbance--a tear in reality, much like a teleportation device.


    It had always existed, just hidden from view. Something, or someone, had triggered it, revealing it to the world.


    Aurora''s voice echoed in his memory. She had told him about the ''Subterraneans,'' an advanced species that thrived after the Pangaeans had been destroyed and scattered.


    But Wang Xiao had always imagined them as a simple, underground civilization--nothing as sophisticated as what he was now seeing.


    This portal was proof of just how wrong he had been.


    Still, he couldn''t say any of this out loud. Not yet.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "It''s nothing," he finally muttered, brushing off Isabe''s question with a small smile. "Just thinking."


    Isabe''s frown deepened, clearly not buying his vague response, but she said nothing further.


    Wang Xueying, on the other hand, gave him a skeptical look, but didn''t press him either. She returned her attention to the crater below, still captivated by the sight.


    Wang Xiao exhaled softly. As for the being that had fallen here, it ''was'' alive--that much he knew--but he had no idea what it was or where it came from.


    And that uncertainty about that alive thing interested him, even more than the portal itself.


    For now, he would keep these thoughts to himself. There was no point in stirring up more questions. Not until he had answers.


    ________


    As theynded at the military outpost, Wang Xiao observed Isabe moving smoothly among the personnel, introducing Wang Xueying to various key figures.


    He couldn''t help but notice how Isabe seemed to be treating his sister as some kind of protege--or perhaps, her sessor.


    It was a subtle gesture, but clearly visible.


    He didn''t have an issue with it for now, but if Isabe ever decided to pull Wang Xueying into something dangerous or maniptive, Wang Xiao wouldn''t hesitate to show Isabe some "politeness"--in private, of course.


    As they walked closer to the vortex, Wang Xueying, who had been trailing slightly behind Isabe, finally spoke up. "What''s below it? Has anyone tried going inside?" Her eyes were locked on the massive swirling vortex just a few meters away.


    Up close, it resembled a brewing sea, deep and endless, as if it could swallow everything around it.


    Isabe nodded thoughtfully. "That''s what we''re here to find out. So far, it''s uncertain what''s inside. Some people fell in identally, but we never got them back." She paused, her gaze briefly darkening. "The maic field around it destroys allmunication devices and disrupts radio signals. We''ve been unable to make any real progress..."


    "So no one''s been able to survive inside?" Wang Xueying asked, her voice betraying both curiosity and concern.


    "Not yet," Isabe replied. "But that''s why we''ve brought in the military this time. Their advanced jets should be able to deploy people close enough to gather intel. If there''s any threat inside, it can be neutralized before it bes a bigger problem."


    Wang Xiao''s attention sharpened at the mention of the military, but he quickly realized that it wasn''t just any regr force. Isabe was talking about Prometheus, the elite unit within the As Initiative.


    A whole squadron was stationed here, preparing for whaty ahead.


    If the As Initiative was involved, things were more serious than they''d initially seemed.


    And to make matters more unnerving, even the Oracle Network--one of the most advanced systems for assessing potential risks--had been using the Delphi Protocol to try and predict what might happen inside the vortex.


    Yet, despite their efforts, they hade up empty-handed. No predictions. No guidance.


    "We''ve tried everything," Isabe continued, her tone slightly more somber now. "But when even the ''Oracle Network'' can''t assess the risks... we have no choice but to step in ourselves."


    Both Isabe and Wang Xueying collectively decided to ignore Wang Xiao, letting him wander off as he showed little to no interest in their ''science'' talk.


    They were used to people being indifferent when it came to such matters.


    Wang Xiao, however, had his own reasons. After all, he had already killed ''Cain'' and had no curiosity about the new leader of the As Initiative.


    But as he scanned the area, something--or rather, someone--caught his attention. His gaze sharpened, and before he knew it, he slipped past the guards, making his way toward one of the military tents.


    Inside the tent, a woman was struggling to change into what looked like a custom suit, probably designed for whatever mission was about to unfold.


    Her fiery red hair cascaded down her back, and her body was... something that would make any man pause.


    Perfectly shaped in an S curve, her hips red out into buttocks that practically begged to be spanked, while her breasts-rge enough to defy gravity--looked like they could bear the weight of the world.


    "Ugh..." she groaned, struggling with the zipper of her suit. Her lip was caught between her teeth in frustration, her movements unintentionally seductive as she muttered under her breath. "Why the hell can''t they make these damn suits more flexible?"


    Her hands kept fumbling with the zipper when, suddenly, she felt someone grab her from behind.


    She froze, her body stiffening instantly.

 Chapter 552: Screwing up?

    Ericka froze, her body stiffening instantly.


    "Ah..." Wang Xiao, hugging her from behind, couldn''t help but inhale deeply, his hands cupping herrge breasts while his manhood pressed firmly between her thighs. "Ericka, I thought you were in Antia..."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Hearing his voice, Ericka''s brows shot up in surprise. "Huh?" She nced over her shoulder, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion--until recognition dawned. The man being so unruly was none other than someone she knew. "Wang Xiao?"


    Pakh!


    He pped her breast, causing her to shudder. "Who else?" he replied with a smirk.


    Ericka gulped, her expression softening slightly. "Why are you here?"


    She nced around, a bit more rxed now that she knew who was behind her, but Wang Xiao wasn''t done questioning her. "I can be anywhere, anytime," he said, his tone yful. "But what about you? What are you doing here?"


    Ericka frowned slightly. "I''m here for work. We''re about to investigate this portal."


    "Oh..." Wang Xiao murmured, his hands still roaming across her chest, his fingers lightly teasing her. "So, you''re descending down?"


    "Yes," Ericka nodded, her face turning a shade of red, clearly flustered by both the situation and his touch. "We''re going to check what''s inside..."


    Frankly, Ericka was married, but that hadn''t stopped her from sleeping with Wang Xiao outside of her marriage.


    She med it on that dumb Sera for pushing them into it.


    Not that it mattered much to her--Ericka never took marriage or rtionships seriously. Her main focus was on scientific progress. To her, having children was more of a formality than anything meaningful.


    In fact, whether it was Ericka, Isabell, or even Wang Xueying, anyone who had pursued the path of science and knowledge seemed to have a rather unconventional view of physical rtionships.


    The emotional weight most people attached to such things simply didn''t resonate with them. It was all about convenience, momentary pleasure, and moving on.


    As Wang Xiao''s manhood pressed against her thighs again, Ericka couldn''t help but recall the shameless memories from before--the feel of his hard, long body entering her, that intense pressure, and the unexpected release.


    She never thought she could scream and moan like she had that night, but with him... it had been impossible to hold back.


    "Is Freya here?" Wang Xiao''s voice cut through her wandering thoughts.


    He suddenly remembered that Ericka had a daughter, around the same age as his sister Wang Mei. He had also heard of an older daughter, though he''d never met her.


    Ericka bit her lip, nodding. "She''s here. She''ll be helping with the project as well. She works for the Oracle Network now, though very few know about it."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, surprised but impressed. "Oh, great, great..." He praised her, but his words only made her blush an even deeper shade of red.


    Then, leaning in closer, he whispered in her ear, "Go down now..."


    The subtlemand sent a shiver down Ericka''s spine, her body reacting involuntarily to his words.


    ________


    In another tent, a girl with a fiery ponytail sat in front of aptop, her slender fingers dancing swiftly over the keyboard.


    Her posture was straight, her expression focused, and her body tightly covered by the tactical suit she wore. Though still young, her face had a natural fairness to it, a certain elegance mixed with determination.


    Her figure, while not fully developed, already hinted at the beauty she would inherit from her mother, with the same promising S curve Ericka was famous for.


    "Hm? Ericka?" she muttered to herself, noticing her phone vibrating beside her. ncing at the screen, she frowned. "Why is she calling me now?"


    She picked up the phone with a mix of annoyance and curiosity,pletely unfazed by referring to her mother by her first name.


    If Wang Xiao knew that this girl--Ericka''s daughter--called her mother by name without a second thought, he''d probably think both of them deserved some sort of global recognition award for their absurd mother-daughter duo.


    Freya answered the call, already annoyed. "What the fuck, mom? Why are you calling me now?"


    "Freya...baby..." Ericka''s breathless, shaky voice came through, barely holding it together. "Come to my tent... I... need you..."


    Freya frowned. Something was off, way off. "What do you need me for?"


    There was a pause, and Freya''s frown deepened as strange sounds filtered through the phone--soft groaning,bored breathing, and... was that a p? She strained to hear more.


    "J-Just... hurry...," Ericka gasped between breaths, "please...e here..."


    Freya froze, her eyes narrowing. Another muffled moan came through, followed by a deep, sleazy voice in the background. "Fuck yeah, that''s it, open it wider... take it... mmm..."


    "Wait a minute..." Freya muttered, disbelief dawning on her. "Mom--Are you frekin kidding me? Are you actually... having sex?!"


    There was a soft moan, then Ericka whispered, "Freya... Baby...just...e over..."


    Freya pulled the phone away from her ear, her eyes wide in utter disbelief. She could hear the man''s voice again, slurring his words like some cheesy B-movie viin. "God, you''re so fucking tight... can''t get enough of this, haha..."


    "Oh, for god''s sake," Freya groaned, rubbing her temples, trying to contain her disgust. "Are you screwing on-site? During a fucking mission?!"


    "Freya... ngh... just... get over here..."


    More obscene sounds followed, wet pping noises mixed with the guy''s mocking, over-the-top voice. "Yeah, moan for me... louder, I know you love it... Call your daughter here let her join us! ... Let her see the dirty little face of her mother..."


    Freya''s jaw clenched. "You''ve got to be fucking kidding me!" she yelled into the phone. "You''re seriously fucking someone in the middle of a military operation?!"


    Ericka''s breath hitched again, followed by a muffled, "Just...e... Freya..."


    Meanwhile, the guy in the background kept going, his voice dripping with sleaze. "Yeah, just like that... oh, you''re such a dirty little pussy, aren''t you?"


    Freya''s eye twitched, her irritation reaching its peak. "This is fucking insane!" she snapped, hanging up the phone before she heard any more of that disgusting dialogue.


    She stormed out of her tent, rage and embarrassment bubbling up inside her. "If I walk into that tent and they''re actually doing it, I''m going to kill these two disgusting beings!"


    As she made her way to the tent, her thoughts spiraled into a mix of disbelief and shame, "Who the hell screws in the middle of a mission?"


    By the time she got close to Ericka''s tent, Freya let out a bitterugh, shaking her head. "Why the fuck am I even rted to her?" she muttered to herself. "I swear, it''s like I''ve been cursed with the most dysfunctional family gics in existence."


    Pausing outside the tent, she took a deep breath, trying to mentally prepare herself. "If I walk in there and see something I can''t unsee, I''ll need therapy for life."

 Chapter 553: The Mother and Daughter!

    "Ericka!"


    Freya barged into Ericka''s tent, the thick, synthetic fabric door pping behind her as the crisp, cold air from outside briefly swept in.


    Inside, the harsh fluorescent light hanging from the ceiling cast an artificial glow over the space.


    The soft hum of a portable generator buzzed in the background, its low drone mingling with the scent of sweat, military-grade disinfectant, and the lingering metallic odor of guns and ammo..


    Gasp!


    Freya froze, her breath catching in her throat.


    "Huh?"


    Her mind momentarily short-circuited.


    "Mmmmghhh!~ Ahh!~"


    "Ha-ha-ha! Your daughter is here, Ericka!" the man''s voice boomed through the tent, deep and filled with mockingughter.


    Pak!


    Pak!


    Pak!


    The obscene pping of flesh against flesh filled the space, mingling with the asional creak of the metal folding cot and the rustle of tactical gear scattered across the floor.


    Freya''s face turned bright red, her heart racing as her eyes locked onto the scene before her.


    Ericka was sprawled across the floor, her uniform andbat vest discarded haphazardly. Her bare, voluptuous slutty bodyy exposed on the rough nylon flooring, her legs spread wide, forming an ''M.'' Between her thighs, the man''s "dragon" mmed into her with fierce force, each thrust echoing through the tent.


    "Mom! W-what are you...?" Freya stammered, unable to believe what she was seeing.


    "Ahh!~ Freya...!" Ericka gasped between her moans, her breath ragged and strained. "I... I didn''t think... you''de... so soon...!"


    Freya''s eyes darted around the tent--tactical vests, boots, and weapons were tossed carelessly to the side, a half-dismantled rifle resting near the cot.


    The cold, clinical scent of the disinfectant mingled with the sweat and musk in the air, and the portable fan whirredzily in the corner, stirring the heated air around them.


    Ericka''s body trembled beneath the man she barely recognised, her moans filling the otherwise quiet space.


    "Ahhh!~ Deeper! More!~" Ericka cried out, her voice almost breaking as her back arched off the ground, her fingers clutching at the nylon fabric beneath her.


    Her body quivered with every powerful thrust, the thin walls of the tent barely muffling the sound of their passion.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The man smirked, his eyes flicking towards Freya. "Caught us at a bad time, didn''t you? Or maybe... you want to join in?" he teased, his voice filled with amusement as he continued to pound into Ericka mercilessly.


    Freya''s face burned with embarrassment, her heart pounding in her chest. "M-Mom! How could you...!" she gasped, her voice trembling.


    Yet she found herself unable to look away, her legs rooted to the spot.


    "Ahh!~" Ericka''s moans grew louder, more desperate. "Yes! Right there! Ahhhh~! More!~" she screamed, her voice seductive filed with ecstasy.


    Her body arched once more, nipples hardened, her neck craning as the man twisted them between his fingers.


    The suffocating heat of the tent, the harsh fluorescent light, and the mix of sweat and sex filled the air, creating a heated atmosphere.


    Freya stood there, utterly dumbfounded. She had no idea her mother was so shameless as to call her in--right in the middle of a military camp, no less!


    She''s the deputy of Prometheus now!?


    ''At least care about your position!'' Freya''s thoughts raced as she stood there,pletely stunned by what she was witnessing.


    Freya hadn''t even registered who the man was yet.


    "Fill me~ Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh~!" Ericka''s shrill cry pierced through the tent, her voice filled with desperation.


    Her body flushed a deep red, her face glowing with heat as her eyes caught sight of Freya standing nearby. Despite the shock of being seen, Ericka didn''t hesitate.


    With a wanton moan, she wrapped her arms around Wang Xiao, pulling him closer, her breasts pressing against his chest as she screamed at the top of her lungs.


    Ericka, shameless when aroused, made no effort to conceal her pleasure. She embraced it fully, as though being watched only fueled her more.


    "..."


    Freya stood rooted to the spot, aplex mix of emotions swirling in her chest.


    Her breath hitched as she watched Wang Xiao''s "dragon" flood her Mother''s soaked core, making her body shudder violently.


    Ericka''s legs quivered, and with an exhausted, weak moan, she trembled beneath him, her body barely able to contain the intense pleasure.


    Squish... Squish...


    The sound was chilling as Wang Xiao slowly pulled out. Ericka''s entrance clung to him tightly, despite her busty figure, making an incredibly seductive sound.


    Freya''s eyes widened in disbelief at the sheer size of it. A wave of fear and awe coursed through her as she instinctively stepped back, wondering how on earth her mother had taken it all inside her.


    As she stood there, speechless, a gush of theirbined love fluids flowed out, flooding the space between Ericka''s trembling legs, the slick, wet sound filling the already sour air.


    Freya''s chest tightened, a surge of emotions battling within her--shock, disbelief, and an odd fascination at the unbridled passion before her.


    But she couldn''t shake the thought: My mother reduced to this shameless disy... here, of all ces.


    ___


    "Remember me, little demon?" Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a mischievous grin as he turned toward Freya, his gaze locking onto her with yful malice.


    His throbbing, erect manhood twitched, as if giving a smug little wave, saying, ''hi'' to her in its own special way.


    "!"


    Freya''s eyes widened in absolute horror. "Y-You...! Who the hell are you!?" she shouted, her voice rising in panic as she fought to suppress the embarrassment burning through her.


    Her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles whitened, her teeth grinding in frustration.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s expression turned sour, looking slightly pitful. ''Really? Am I that forgettable?''


    A shadow of disbelief passed over his face. Four years ago, this brat had been one of the world''s most powerful hackers.


    She''d given him migraines due to her attitude.


    And now, here she was, all grown up, still carrying that same bratty attitude--but with a lot more curves to her frame. He couldn''t help but feel mildly insulted. ''Didn''t think puberty would wipe your memory too,'' he muttered under his breath.


    "Baby~ listen to him..." Ericka gasped, her breath heavy with exhaustion as she turned her sweat-slicked face towards Freya. There was no shame in her voice, only anguid satisfaction. She grinned, as though this was just another Tuesday.


    Freya''s expression twisted, a mix of disgust and shock. "What? Mom, are you... are you sick!?" Her voice cracked, unable to believe what she was hearing.


    Was her mother--seriously backing up this creep while still half-impaled by him?


    With a scowl that could melt steel, Freya stormed over to her gear, her hands trembling as she snatched up two sma pistols. "That''s it," she muttered through clenched teeth, eyes burning with rage. She mmed the guns into position under her arms. "Time to erase both of you disgusting perverts from the face of the earth!"


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, utterly unfazed. "..."


    Ericka blinked in surprise. "..."


    The two exchanged nces like a pair of parents watching their toddler throw a tantrum in the supermarket.


    Ericka''s flushed face shifted from surprise to amusement. Her gazezily drifted back to Wang Xiao, and she shot him a look that seemed to say, ''I have no idea where this girl got her temper from--feel free to deal with her as you see fit.''


    Freya, meanwhile, stood shaking with a mix of fury and embarrassment, her face beet red.


    Guns aimed, her legs stiffened as if she were standing on the edge of a cliff.

 Chapter 554: Popping Cherries! Wang Xiaos second love :) (2)

    "..."


    "Why don''t you just shoot already?" Wang Xiao asked, his voice tinged with amusement as he took a step closer.


    Freya, however, hesitated, her finger hovering nervously over the trigger.


    ''Shoot? Kill someone?'' Freya''s stomach churned at the thought.


    She hadn''t even hurt anyone in real life, let alone killed them.


    Most of her life was spent behind aputer screen, safe in the world of firewalls and digital codes. The idea of actually taking a life made her bit her crimson lips unconsciously, her slender fingers holding the gun trembling in hesitation.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but smirk as he sized her up. The fiery red hair she''d inherited from her mother stood out, and while she was still maturing, her figure promised the same voluptuous curves.


    His eyes trailed down her slender legs, straight and graceful, and he imagined her waist would be soft and delicate to hold.


    She wasn''t really tall ¡ª Her size was smaller than his sisters'' and daughters''¡ªbut somehow, that just made her seem more innocent and harmless to him.


    Cute, but harmless.


    "It''s you!" Freya''s voice cut through his thoughts. As Wang Xiao got closer, she finally got a better look at his face. Her eyes widened, and suddenly it clicked.


    "That uncle... Molester!"


    Without thinking, she threw her sma gun aside,pletely forgetting the deadly weapon in her hands.


    She marched straight up to him, squinting as she inspected his face up close, her fingers reaching out as if she was about to poke him.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened. ''Molester?'' He stood there, bewildered and irritated, as Freya leaned in even closer, scrutinizing his features as if solving a puzzle.


    "You''re that perv from the za four years ago, aren''t you? The one who kept looking at me funny before knidnapping me!" Freya''s tone was usatory, her brows furrowed as if uncovering some great mystery.


    Wang Xiao blinked, feeling an actual headacheing on. "I was trying to get a phone unlocked, not stalk or kidnap a kid."


    Freya scoffed, still inspecting his face like she wasparing it to a wanted poster. "Pfft, sure. You totally looked like a creepy uncle back then too."


    Wang Xiao stared at her, deadpan. "I''m going to pretend I didn''t hear that."


    Freya, oblivious to his irritation, continued on. "I knew I recognized you! So you''re still out here being weird, huh? You know, maybe you should try¡ª"


    "Why are you not freaking out that I just... you know... ''impaled'' your mother over there? The next should be you..." Wang Xiao interrupted, gesturing toward Ericka, who was still in the samepromising position, watching the absurd exchange with growing amusement.


    Freya blinked, finally remembering the situation, her cheeks flushing a bright red. "W-what... I... I mean... ugh!" She threw her hands up, her earlier voice crumbling. "I wasn''t ready for any of this, okay?!


    I''m supposed to be hacking systems, not witnessing..." She motioned vaguely at Wang Xiao and Ericka. "...whatever this is!"


    Wang Xiao sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Kid, you really need to get your priorities straight."


    "Molester..." Freya muttered under her breath, still ring at him.


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened further. "Stop. Calling. Me. That."


    Freya tilted her head, an impish grin spreading across her face as she teased, "Uncle Molester."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s patience snapped. He had endured enough of this nonsense. Seeing her sp her hands behind her back and look at him with that mischievous twinkle in her eyes, he knew this brat wouldn''t stop until she was put in her ce.


    "You know what my favorite thing is?" His eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint shing in them as he spoke.


    Freya blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "What?"


    "Popping cherries," Wang Xiao said, his lips curling into an evil smile. "It''s my second love."


    "Eh?" Freya blinked again, utterly clueless. Second love?


    "Then what''s your first love?" she asked, her voiceced with curiosity, her eyes wide and innocent,pletely unaware of the danger lurking in his words.


    Wang Xiao''s grin deepened, his gaze darkening as he stepped closer, towering over her. "Trust me, second is already enough for you."


    Freya''s smile faltered as realization finally began to sink in. The yful twinkle in her eyes vanished, reced by a flicker of fear. "W-wait... I was just¡ª"


    "Toote for that now," Wang Xiao said, his voice dripping with menace, as he closed the distance between them.


    ...


    Freya''s heart raced as she instinctively screamed, "Someone save me¡ª!"


    But before she could finish, Wang Xiao moved with the swiftness of a tiger, his hand covering her mouth, muffling her cries.


    "Mmppph¡ª!" Her panicked muffles filled the air, but it was no use. Hisrge hand easily silenced her. In a sh, he moved behind her, wrapping his arm tightly around her waist, pulling her back into him, his body towering over hers.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Huh? Still want to say something, brat?" Wang Xiao growled into her ear, his tone dripping with dark amusement. His grip tightened, his chest rumbling with the deep, controlled breaths of a predator who had already caught his prey.


    Freya''s eyes widened in terror, her body stiffening in his hold. ''What do I do? How do I get out of this?'' Panic surged through her, but her limbs felt frozen, her mind too jumbled to think clearly.


    "!!"


    His fingers, warm yet menacing, began to trail across her waist. She flinched at his touch, her body trembling as his hand crept over her stomach, as if toying with her fear.


    Every slight movement made her realize just how reckless she was.


    Wang Xiao leaned in closer, his breath hot against her ear, his voice filled with mocking delight. "Did you forget who I am, little brat? You''ve got guts, I''ll give you that... mouthing off like that, acting all tough."


    "Do you know who you''re messing with?" His voice grew darker, the amusement reced with a more sinister tone. "I fucked your mother... And you''re running your mouth like you''ve forgotten."


    He leaned in even closer, his lips almost brushing against her ear as he whispered, "Isn''t it time you call me daddy?"


    Freya''s blood ran cold


    "Mmmmph! Mmmmmm!"


    Her mouth tried to form words, but only muffled sounds came out from under his hand.


    ''No, no, no¡ªhe isn''t my real dad!''


    Her stomach twisted in knots.


    Wang Xiao chuckled lowly, clearly enjoying the fear that had taken root in her. "What? No wittyeback? Where''s that fiery mouth of yours now, huh?" His fingers moved again, tracing along her waist like a cat toying with its prey. "You like to act tough, but when ites down to it, you''re just a scared little girl, aren''t you?"


    "Gasp... gasp..." Freya''s breath came in shallow gasps. ''Think, Freya, think!'' She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to focus, trying to push the rising panic down.


    But before she could gather the courage to act, Wang Xiao leaned even closer, his voice turning into a cold, dangerous whisper. "You shouldn''t have called me ''Uncle Molester''... Now I''m going to molest you!"

 Chapter 555: *Learning science with Mother & Daughter pair!* (1)

    "This daddy is going to teach you obedience today... Let your stepdad show you how."


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but lick his lips.


    "You''ve got quite the body for such a brat," he muttered, his hand sliding lower, fingers teasing the waistband of her pants. "A bit smaller than your mom''s, but I like ''em tight."


    Hisughter filled the tent, low and taunting, echoing . "You''ll learn your ce soon enough, don''t worry. Daddy always makes sure his lessons stick."


    Toying with Wang Xiao?


    Haha, he''s already dealt with plenty of unruly women¡ªdoes she really think she''s any different?


    Since this one is only his stepdaughter, he could definitely teach her a few lessons in obedience!


    "L-Leave me!" Freya squirmed under his grip, her voice trembling as Wang Xiao''s hand tightened around her waist.


    He finally released her mouth, letting her gasp desperately for air, her face flushed and her body trembling with unwanted heat.


    "Haha... You think it''ll be that easy?" Wang Xiao sneered, his eyes red with lust. "Ericka, get over here and hold her down."


    Freya''s heart pounded. "What...?" She couldn''t believe what she was hearing. Was he really telling her mother to help him¡­ do this?


    Ericka rolled her eyes and stood up, sighing in mock frustration. "Fine, fine..." She walked over, shaking her head, then reced Wang Xiao, locking Freya''s arms in a firm grip.


    Her legs trapped Freya''s, forcing her still, as she stood behind her.


    "Mom, what the hell are you doing!? I am your daughter!"


    Freya''s voice broke, but Ericka just smiled bitterly, tightening her hold. "Stop struggling, Freya. It''ll be easier for both of us."


    Wang Xiao chuckled, leaning in closer. "This daddy will enjoy taming you."


    With a forceful grip, he grabbed her chin, pulling her face toward his.


    Freya''s eyes filled with panic and anger, staring at him with a mixture of fear and disbelief.


    "Mmngh~!" Her muffled cries escaped as Wang Xiao crushed his lips against hers, forcing her mouth open.


    "Mmmmmmmmmm~!"


    His tongue pushed inside, dominating her, as he roughly nibbled on her trembling lips.


    She tasted sweet, like forbidden fruit ripe for the taking. Her scent was intoxicating, her body dressed in provocative clothes that teased and tempted him even more.


    He pulled back slightly, licking his lips with satisfaction.


    "You taste even better when you''re scared..." He murmured, licking her cheek before inserting his cold tongue into her mouth again.


    Splurp...


    Splurp...


    Ericka''s grip on Freya''s slender hands tightened, her face burning red with guilt and shame.


    She couldn''t believe she was doing this to her own daughter.


    First Seraphina, and now Freya.


    It was too much, but she couldn''t pull away, biting her lip in frustration.


    Freya, "Mmmm¡ªY-You bastard!"


    Wang Xiao sneered, pulling away from Freya''s swollen lips, his breath hot against her face.


    Without a second thought, he yanked her top down, exposing her pale, delicate breasts.


    Her nipples, soft and pink, looked far too tempting.


    "Look at these cute little things," he growled, grabbing her breasts roughly, his fingers twisting her cherry-like nipples. "You''ve been hiding these from me, huh?"


    "Ahhh~!N-No!" Freya shuddered, her face flushed crimson as his hands imed her.


    "Mom! Stop him! This isn''t a joke!" Freya pleaded, struggling against Ericka''s hold, her legs thrashing, her eyes welling up with tears of humiliation.


    Her voice cracked, her body betraying her as unwanted sensations flooded through her.


    "You dreamed about a perfect first kiss, didn''t you?" Wang Xiao taunted, his hand squeezing her breasts harder, pulling at her nipples until they stood tight, "Too bad, little slut. It''s mine now."


    "Mmmghh¡­ S-Stop... squeezing them so hard¡­" Freya moaned through gritted teeth, her voice faltering as his fingers toyed with her sensitive flesh.


    Her body betrayed her, each rough touch sending waves of shameful pleasure coursing through her.


    Wang Xiao smirked, leaning in to whisper against her ear, "Oh, you like that, don''t you? Don''t pretend. I can feel your body giving in."


    Freya''s eyes widened, panic and disbelief flooding her. "N-No! Y-You sick bastard... I-I hate you!"


    Wang Xiao chuckled, his hands roaming over her body, his touch harsh and cold,"Hate me all you want. It''s not going to stop me from educating you. And when I''m done with you, you''ll be begging for more."


    His hands roamed lower, teasing the edge of her skirt, his voiceced with vulgarity, "Let''s see how wet you are for me, shall we?"


    Wang Xiao''s sadistic impulses only grew stronger as he rubbed his face against her t, soft and hot abdomen, breathing in her scent before gripping her slim waist.


    "You look like you''ve been waiting for this," he muttered with a dark grin.


    Freya''s heart pounded, her body trembling beneath his touch. She could feel the humiliation burning her from the inside, but her protests were ignored.


    Her outfit wasn''t helping¡ªhot pants that barely covered her, which Wang Xiao yanked down in one swift motion, along with her panties.


    "Ah!?"


    A shocked gasp escaped her lips ¡ª His hands roughly pinched her thick and supple thighs, forcing her legs apart as his fingers slipped between them.


    "Mmm... is this your little pussy?" Wang Xiao sneered, his breath hot against her neck as his hand began to rub her wet folds, parting them and teasing her, "You''re soaked already. Looks like your body knows what it wants, even if you won''t admit it."


    "Ngh!..." Freya''s eyes squeezed shut tightly, her mind overwhelmed with disgust and confusion.


    Why was he so vulgar like some middle aged uncle?


    "Y-You''re disgusting!" she spat, but her voice cracked as heat surged through her.


    "I-I know I was wrong! Now leave me!" she stammered, her voice shaking as she clenched her eyes shut, her face burning.


    She could feel the shame wing at her, her body betraying her, burning with heat she didn''t want to acknowledge.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, his fingers pressing deeper, rubbing against her tight entrance. "You can apologize all you want, but this little pussy says something else." He thrust his hand harder, making her body jolt in unwanted pleasure.


    "See? You''re starting to like it, aren''t you?" His mocking voice was low, dripping with amusement. "I bet you fantasized about this¡­ someone taking you like this. Maybe with your mother watching, though, huh?"


    Freya gasped, her legs trembling as his hand continued its assault. "N-No... Stop... I was wrong..."


    "Wrong? How can my precious daughter ever be wrong?" Wang Xiao sneered, a wicked smile curling across his lips as he grabbed her roughly, hoisting her up and mming her against the cold steel table.


    Bam!


    "nghhhh..."


    Her bare breasts pressed against the unforgiving surface, her skin shivering from cold the chill.


    He positioned himself behind her, his eyes greedily taking in the smooth curve of her buttocks, his hands roaming over her exposed milky white soft skin.


    "What softness..." he muttered under his breath, his fingers squeezing her flesh. "Perfect. Just the way I like it."


    Freya''s breath hitched as she felt his touch, her body pinned helplessly against the table. "Uncle Wang, I-I was wrong! Stop... please..." she whimpered, her voice barely a whisper, her face burning with shame.


    But Wang Xiao''s grin only widened, his hands greedily kneading her soft rear as he leaned in close, his breath searing against her neck.


    "Oh no," he murmured with a dark chuckle, "we''re just getting started. Say ''uncle'' one more time, and I''ll deal with that naughty little tongue of yours. From now on, it''s only ''Daddy.'' Understand?"


    Freya''s face burned with humiliation, her body trembling beneath him.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She bit her lip, trying to fight back the tears welling up in her eyes.


    But in the end, her voice cracked as she gave in. "D-Daddy! I was wrong! Please forgive me daddy!"


    Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, but the words spilled from her mouth regardless, a mixture of shame and helplessness tightening in her chest.


    Wang Xiao shivered.


    Even though Freya wasn''t truly his daughter, hearing her call him ''daddy'' still ignited something within him.


    Momentster, he called Ericka over, his voice dripping withmand. "Ericka,e here. Crouch between us."


    "Huh...?"


    Ericka hesitated but obeyed, her face flushed bright red.


    The heat radiating from Freya''s bare buttocks on one side, and Wang Xiao''s throbbing dick pressing against her on the other, made her feel utterly embarrassed.


    She swallowed hard, her heart beating loudly.


    Freya clenched her teeth, her body stiff with tension.


    "Tell me, Ericka," Wang Xiao''s voice oozed with cruel amusement. "Have you ever been this close to your daughter''s pussy before?"


    Ericka''s eyes widened as she looked up at him, her breath catching in her throat. "N-No..." she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.


    "Take a good look," Wang Xiao urged, his grin wicked. "You can''t deny it''s tempting, can you?"


    Ericka''srge breasts trembled as she gulped nervously. Slowly, she turned her head and caught sight of the small, moist slit between Freya''s buttocks.


    It was tight and light pink, glistening in the dim light, exuding an irresistible seductive illusion of temptation.

 Chapter 556: *Hollow Earth* (1)

    "Take a good look," Wang Xiao urged, his grin wicked. "You can''t deny it''s tempting, can you?"


    Ericka''srge breasts trembled as she gulped nervously. Slowly, she turned her head and caught sight of the small, moist slit between Freya''s buttocks.


    It was tight and light pink, glistening in the dim light, exuding an irresistible seductive illusion of temptation.


    Gulp....


    The sight made Ericka''s breathing quicken, her face heating up even more.


    "I... I never thought..." she began, but trailed off, too embarrassed to continue.


    Wang Xiao leaned in closer, his breath hot against Ericka''s ear. "You''ve never seen it like this, have you? Not this close... not this exposed. Now tell me, what do you think?"


    Ericka''s lips quivered, unsure how to respond. "It''s... it''s beautiful..." she whispered, her voice trembling with both shame and strange excitement.


    Wang Xiao nodded, sliding two fingers against Freya''s dripping entrance, rubbing slowly.


    Her soft moans filled the ce, but he ignored them, too focused on the sensation. "So tight¡­ so smooth," he muttered under his breath, shivering with pleasure as his fingers moved deeper. "Damn, your daughter''s feels perfect."


    Ericka blinked, her face burning as a memory suddenly shed through her mind.


    Her eyes darted to Wang Xiao''s throbbing manhood, towering and radiating heat that made her hesitate.


    She gulped, her breath catching in her throat as she moved closer, unable to stop herself.


    Biting her lip, she parted her sultry lips, inching her mouth toward his thick shaft.


    "Mmm..." she moaned as her lips wrapped around him, her hot tongue moving against his skin as she slowly took him in.


    Gwak¡­ Gwaaak¡­


    She let out a series of groan, his hand instinctively gripping the back of her head.


    "Take it deeper," he muttered, thrusting harder into her throat.


    Gwak¡­ Gwaaak¡­


    Ericka gagged, her eyes watering as she struggled to amodate his size.


    "You like choking on it, don''t you?" Wang Xiao taunted, grinning down at her as he forced himself deeper. "Look at you, sucking it like a good little slut."


    Ericka''s face flushed even more, her hands gripping his thighs as she tried to keep up with his relentless pace.


    Every time she gagged, he only pushed harder, grunting in satisfaction.


    "Yeah, just like that... I knew you wanted it,"


    "What!?" Freya, overhearing their conversation, felt her face flush as though it might burst into mes.


    ''W-What are these two perverts doing behind me!?'' Her mind filled with disbelief and embarrassment.


    She couldn''t help but feel ashamed just being there.


    Unconsciously, her entrance began to throb, stimting Wang Xiao even more.


    With a hungry look, he pushed Ericka aside and positioned his throbbing manhood¡ªnow slick with Ericka''s saliva¡ªagainst Freya''s dripping entrance.


    Freya gasped as something hot and impossiblyrge began pressing and squeezing between her thighs.


    Her body shivered as she groaned, "Daddy! Don''t! I swear I''ll be a good daughter from now on¡ª"


    What she didn''t realize was that calling him ''Daddy'' only pushed him further over the edge.


    "Ahhhhhh~~..."


    Squelch! Squelch!


    Her lips parted, releasing a loud, helpless groan. Her legs trembled as the huge shaft tore through her hymen, sending sharp, stinging pain mixed with a wave of unexpected pleasure.


    It was as if thousands of tiny ants were crawling under her skin, driving her mad with sensation.


    Pak!


    Pak!


    Pak!


    Wang Xiao''s fingers dug into her smooth buttocks as he pounded her mercilessly, the sound of flesh meeting flesh echoing in the ce.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He leaned forward, pressing his chest against her back, his breath heavy in her ear. His fingers slipped into her moist mouth, making her gag slightly as he whispered dirty, filthy words into her ear.


    "You feel that throbbing in your tight little cunt?," he whispered, "You''ll never forget this, no matter how much you try."


    p! p! p!


    "Mmmmghhhhhhhh!~~!"


    "Ahhhhhhhghhhhhh~!"


    Freya''s moans grew louder as Wang Xiao''s hips moved faster, each thrust sending shockwaves of pleasure and pain through her.


    The table shook beneath them, the brutal rhythm building.


    "Say it, Freya," Wang Xiao hissed, his fingers twisting in her hair. "Say you''re mine."


    Freya whimpered between gasps, her body overwhelmed, barely able to form words. "I-I''m yours¡­ Daddy¡­ please¡­"


    Thrust!


    His pace quickened, driving her toward the edge as Ericka watched, her own body trembling, unsure of what to do.


    Fifteen minutester...


    Both Ericka''s and Freya''s faces were flushed with a mix of embarrassment and shame.


    Ericka breathed heavily, holding Freya tightly in her arms, their naked bodies pressed together.


    The air was filled with an intoxicating, seductive sweet sour scent, the heat between them increasing with each breath.


    Their eyes met briefly, but Freya quickly looked away, her lips parting asionally to release moans that grew louder as Wang Xiao continued his deep, thrusts from behind.


    Lying on her back, Ericka could feel Freya''s nipples brushing against her own, sending shivers up her spine. "Freya¡­" she whispered softly, her voice trembling, but her friend avoided her gaze, too lost in the intense sensations coursing through her.


    Freya''s moans escaped in broken breaths. "Mmmmgnhhh... D-Dadddy..." she cried out, her voice filled with both shame and reluctant pleasure.


    Wang Xiao grinned wickedly, his pace increasing. "Beg for it, Freya," he growled, leaning closer. "Tell me how much you want it."


    Freya gasped, barely able to speak between his thrusts. "I-I can''t¡­ I can''t take it¡­!" Her hands wed at Ericka''s back, her nails digging into her mother''s skin as her body tensed.


    Ericka could feel everything¡ªthe heat, the friction, and the weight of her daughter''s body on top of her.


    Each thrust from Wang Xiao sent a ripple of sensation through them both.


    "Freya... is it hurting too much?" Ericka whispered with concern, her face flushed, biting her lip as her own arousal mounted.


    As Wang Xiao finally filled Freya, her love juices mixed with the remnants of her virgin blood, the warm liquid trickling down and soaking Ericka''s thighs.


    The sensation made her gasp.


    "Mmmm~!" Ericka moaned, her own body shuddering as the hot liquid slid between her legs. Her eyes shut tightly, and she groaned, feeling Wang Xiao shift his attention to her.


    She felt his throbbing manhood pierce her deeply, entering her next.


    "... I... I can''t...!" Ericka whimpered as the feeling of Freya''s burning, trembling body on top of hers,bined with being taken by the same man, drove her over the edge.


    Her body tensed, and she cried out as an overwhelming orgasm coursed through her.


    "Good girl," Wang Xiao growled, his breath heavy as he continued thrusting. "You two are mine now...."


    "Mmmgnhhh~Baby~~ hold your mother tightly~!" Ericka moaned breathlessly, her voice dripping with both desperation and desire.


    She couldn''t help herself, her hands grabbing Freya''s soft breasts tightly, squeezing them as her own body trembled from the overwhelming sensations.


    Freya gasped at the sudden pressure, her back arching slightly as Ericka''s hands kneaded her breasts. "M-Mom...!" she whimpered, her voice shaky, but the pleasure surging through her body made it hard to resist.


    Freya''s arms wrapped around Ericka instinctively, pulling her closer, their bodies pressed even tighter together.


    "Ahhh... It feel so good, Baby... Please forgive mother for pulling you into thhhiss~!" Ericka murmured into her ear, her fingers teasing and pinching Freya''s nipples. "I can''t..¡­"


    Freya could barely speak, her body trembling under Ericka''s touch, her mind fogged with a mix of shame and disbelief.


    "Mom... I..." she tried to respond, but another moan escaped her lips as Wang Xiao''s thrusts continued to shake them both.


    Hearing her mother apologize, even while she herself was being pounded mercilessly by Wang Xiao, Freya felt a pang of guilt, and her already swollen, red eyes began to tear up.


    "M...mom..." She felt a lump in her throat, making it hard for her to speak without crying.


    Her lips trembled, and she clenched her fists, trying to suppress the sobs that threatened to escape.


    Every word felt heavier than thest, her voice barely a whisper as her body shook with the effort to hold back her emotions.


    The weight of everything crashed over her, and she blinked furiously, desperate to stop the tears from spilling over.


    Ericka was only following hismands, likely doing whatever it took to keep him from taking more drastic actions against them.


    But she didn''t have much time to think.


    Momentster, Wang Xiao''s throbbing manhood entered her tight pussy, making her gasp and groan as her walls instinctively clenched around him.


    "Mmmmghhh~!"


    The sensation was overwhelming, her body responding in ways she couldn''t control.


    Wang Xiao sighed, enjoying the feeling.


    He loved being the first to break a woman in¡ªthere was nothing like popping their cherry for the first time.


    The tightness, the resistance, the moist and soft sensation, the way their bodies squeezed him¡ªit was always a heavenly feeling that made him want toe over and over again.


    ______


    Whizzzzzz!


    The advanced jet, with four extended rotors at each corner, soared into the sky. Its massive, rectangr frame hovered like a powerful fusion of a helicopter and jet, engineered for both agility and endurance.


    Inside, the interior was far more spacious than a typicalmercial aircraft, bustling with activity as researchers and soldiers prepared for their mission.


    Rows of scientists inb coats frantically checked their instruments, their faces filled with nervousness of the mission..

 Chapter 557: Hollow Earth! (2)

    Rows of scientists inb coats frantically checked their instruments, their faces filled with nervousness of the mission..


    Across from them, soldiers sat in disciplined silence, their hands resting on their advanced rifles, eyes focused as the hum of the portal grew louder beneath them.


    "Check the readings again!" a senior researcher called out, her hands trembling slightly as she nced at the mysterious energy swirling below. "The data from the portal is fluctuating wildly!"


    One of the soldiers, gripping his weapon tightly, whispered to hisrade, "What the hell are we walking into?"


    "Whatever it is," the other soldier responded, "we''re noting back the same."


    In the middle of the chaos, Isabelle stood at the front of the cabin, effortlesslymanding attention.


    A flowing scarf hung elegantly around her neck. Her posture radiated both power and grace, her expression calm but steely.


    With a single flick of her wrist, she adjusted her scarf and addressed the room. "Everyone, stay focused!" shemanded, her voice sharp yet seductive, immediately silencing the chatter. "We''re about to enter the portal, and I need every one of you to be ready."


    She strode confidently down the center aisle, her heels clicking sharply against the metallic floor, her presence maic.


    As she passed by the soldiers and researchers, their eyes followed her, a mix of respect and admiration in their gazes.


    Turning to face the cockpit, Isabelle''s eyes narrowed, her red lips curving into a smirk. "Once we cross, there''s no turning back. Hyperions, be prepared for a bloodbath on another side. Research team, I want real-time data on the portal''s fluctuations." Her voice dropped to amanding tone. "I expect nothing but perfection."


    A few of the researchers exchanged nces, "Commander, the portal is destabilizing... We''ve never seen energy signatures like this before!" one of them reported anxiously, sweat forming on his brow.


    Isabelle turned her gaze to the swirling portal below, unbothered by the rising anxiety. "Then consider this a historic moment," she replied coolly, running a hand through her flowing hair. "We''re making history. So, hold on tight."


    The engines whined louder as the jet began its descent toward the portal.


    The glowing vortex swirled menacingly beneath them, and the entire cabin held its breath, bracing for the unknown.


    "..."


    Beep! Beep! Beep!


    As the jet approached the portal, security rms red, and red lights shed throughout the cabin.


    The entire jet began to tremble as if it had a mind of its own, slowly being sucked into the swirling vortex below.


    Isabelle''s brows furrowed.


    She moved swiftly to the side of the cabin, where two seats were bolted to the wall, much like the soldiers'' seats. She strapped herself in with practiced ease, her frustration barely concealed.


    Next to her, Wang Xueying was already seated, gripping the straps tightly as the jet shook with a life of its own. Isabelle nced at her, smiling slightly. "Still sure you don''t want to send a message back home? Could be yourst chance, you know."


    Wang Xueying let out a long-suffering sigh and shook her head. "If I send one, it''ll turn into a nightmare. Trust me." Her face betrayed the thought of Xinyue Zhn trying a thousand different ways to keep her froming here.


    Isabelle raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I can see that happening. Your brother... he''s still at the facility, right?" She leaned back, casually crossing one leg over the other. "If he somehow manages to sneak in here, I''m not responsible."


    Wang Xueying bit her lip, clearly not as calm as she wanted to appear. "He should be fine..." Her voice was steady, but the slight eye twitch betrayed her uncertainty.


    Isabelle gave a small chuckle. "Get used to heavy turbulence."


    Normally, her deputy would handle all the coordination, but right now, her eyes drifted toward one of the rooms at the back of the jet.


    It had been sealed shut from the moment they boarded, and no matter how many times Isabelle had tried to contact Ericka inside, there had been nothing but radio silence.


    ''That hatch hasn''t opened since we left,'' Isabelle thought bitterly, shooting a re toward the locked room. She had tried everything¡ªorders, threats, even a friendly knock¡ªbut still, nothing. ''What in the world is Ericka doing in there? And why do I have the sinking feeling I don''t want to know?'' Isabelle sighed, shaking her head. ''I need a more reliable team.''


    Little did she know, inside that very room, three people were quite... upied¡ªFreya, Ericka, and Wang Xiao.


    Thetter had somehow dragged both women into the jet just before departure, and, well, let''s just say they hadn''t been using the room for its intended purpose.


    As for Wang Xueying sneaking into the portal without telling him?


    Wang Xiao had already mentally added it to the list¡ªhe''d deal with herter. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    But for now, priorities.


    ______


    Beep! Beep! Beep!


    The jet rattled violently as it was dragged deeper into the swirling portal, the red warning lights shing like blood across the tense faces of everyone on board.


    The world outside became a blur of colors, an unnatural vortex that twisted reality itself.


    Isabelle gripped the armrests of her seat, her knuckles turning white.


    The air crackled with powerful energy, the atmosphere inside the jet bing one of anticipation and fear.


    They had no idea what was waiting on the other side.


    And then, just as suddenly as it started¡ªsilence.


    THUD!


    The jet surged forward with a heavy crash as if breaking through an invisible barrier.


    For a moment, the world stood still. The rms quieted, the rattling stopped, and the oppressive pressure lifted.


    The only sound left was the steady hum of the jet''s engines, as if the chaos from a moment ago had been a bad dream.


    "Status report!" Isabelle''s voice broke through the calm, snapping the crew back to attention as she unbuckled her seatbelt and stood, her eyes scanning the scene in front of her.


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    But no one responded at first¡ªnot because of shock, but because of whaty beyond the cockpit windows.


    Outside, thendscape stretched out in a way none of them could have ever imagined.


    The sky was a deep, almost surreal blue, like a forgotten dream. Below themy an expansive world of wilderness, lush and brimming with life.


    Towering trees,rger than skyscrapers, rose up like ancient guardians of thend, their canopies so thick they cast vast shadows on the earth below.


    "This is¡­ unbelievable," one of the soldiers muttered, unable to tear his gaze away from the scene beneath them.


    The ground below wasn''t barren or lifeless, but a thriving jungle of green, the air filled with the primal energy of a world long forgotten.


    Giant rivers cut through thendscape, shimmering like serpents winding their way through the dense forest.


    But it wasn''t the greenery or the rivers that drew everyone''s breath¡ªit was the beasts.


    Colossal creatures roamed thend¡ªgigantic dinosaurs, farrger than anything the world had ever seen.


    Thud-Thud-Thud!


    Herds of massive, long-necked beasts plodded through the jungle, their footsteps causing the ground to tremble even from this height.


    Their bodies were covered in scaled skin, shimmering under the strange, alien sunlight.


    Above them, massive winged creatures¡ªsome resembling dragons, others like gargantuan birds¡ªswooped through the sky, their cries echoing across the vast expanse.


    Their scales glimmered with iridescent hues, their razor-sharp beaks glinting in the sunlight.


    Some had tails that whipped through the air, creating small whirlwinds as they circled the sky like predators in search of prey.

 Chapter 558: Hollow Earth (3)

    "What the¡­?" A soldier''s voice broke the stunned silence, eyes wide as he pressed against the window. "Are those... dinosaurs? This can''t be real!"


    "It''s real," Isabelle said, her voice steady butced with confusion, "And if that''s not enough, look at the ones flying above. Those aren''t from any era we know."


    In the distance, more bizarre creatures appeared¡ªsome with spiked armor running down their backs, others with glowing eyes and ws the size of tree trunks.


    It was a world out of myth, and where beasts from a lost time still roamed freely,pletely untouched by modern civilization.


    "This¡­ this is hollow Earth," Wang Xueying whispered, her breath caught in her throat. "But... it''s alive not a barren wastnd... More alive than we ever imagined."


    Isabelle narrowed her eyes, "This ce shouldn''t exist," she muttered under her breath, but the thrill in her voice betrayed her excitement. "But it does. And it''s up to us to figure out why."


    THUMP!


    Suddenly, a loud noise shook the jet, causing everyone to grip their seats.


    Outside, a colossal shadow passed over them, briefly blocking out the sun. A massive creature¡ªa cross between a dinosaur and something much more alien¡ªslowly raised its long neck.


    Its scales shimmered with an eerie blue glow, and its eyes, glowing like moltenva, locked onto the jet with unsettling intelligence.


    ROAAAR!


    The beast let out a deafening roar, a sound so deep it made the entire jet vibrate.


    "Yeah, that''s not weing," a soldier muttered, gripping his rifle as he eyed the creature.


    Isabelle, however, didn''t flinch. Instead, she stood with a smirk, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Prepare fornding," shemanded. "We''re going in. And I want eyes sharp¡ªwe don''t know what else is down there."


    The jet began to descend, its nose tilting down as it cut through the thick clouds toward the alienndscape below.


    The trees loomedrger, the creatures clearer as they neared the ground.


    Everyone inside the jet braced themselves, adrenaline surging through their veins.


    This was the unknown, an uncharted world full of ancient dangers and mysteries.


    As the jet approached the ground, a pack of creatures with glowing eyes and razor-sharp fangs prowled at the edge of the dense forest, watching with unsettling eyes.


    Isabelle nced out the window, her heart pounding loudly in her chest for the first time in a long while.


    ''This could be an even bigger discovery than the Eighth Continent!''


    The sheer magnitude of whaty before them¡ªthe wilderness, the colossal beasts¡ªwas unlike anything she had ever seen.


    _____


    Meanwhile, back in one of the cabins of the jet...


    Wang Xiao shook his head, his dark hair shifting as he moved.


    Behind him, both Ericka and Freyay exhausted, their slender legs gleaming in the dim light.


    Their bodies were flushed, too weak to even stand after their heated session.


    The cabin smelled faintly of sweat and lust, their breathing still ragged.


    [Was this really the most important thing right now?]


    A voice echoed in Wang Xiao''s mind, interrupting his thoughts.


    A faint ck shadow circled around him, its form shifting and flickering. A ghostly hand, made of ck mist, materialized and gently brushed against his face before dissolving back into nothingness.


    Wang Xiao nodded slightly, answering the unseen entity through telepathy. ''There''s probably going to be a battle. I can''t risk being ejected from my body in the middle of it¡­''


    The presence seemed to hesitate, its form still swirling around him. There was no immediate response, almost as if the being itself was trying to process his words.


    ''How could he predict so urately that a battle was imminent? Could he foresee the future?''


    But what no one knew¡ªnot even the shadowy figure that haunted him¡ªwas that Wang Xiao''s divine sense granted him a limited form of foresight.


    His ability to perceive potential threats and oues was second nature, making it nearly impossible for anyone to fully understand his thoughts and motivations.


    Wang Xiao nced down at Ericka and Freya, both too weak to move, their flushed bodies draped over the floor.


    With a small smirk, he adjusted his posture, already preparing himself for what was toe.


    ______


    At the same time, deep within the looming forest¡­


    In the heart of a pristine patch of grass, surrounded by lush, towering trees, a heated confrontation was ongoing.


    The air filled with hostility and mistrust.


    "You told us they wouldn''t invade us!" one voice roared, filled with anger.


    "You said they were harmless!" another used, voice trembling with frustration.


    "You protected them! Why?" another growled, his voice almost a snarl.


    "What happened to all of that? We are being hunted, killed, and driven from our ownnd!" A chorus of voices erupted in agreement, their fury mounting.


    "We can''t even trust our own children¡­ or our wives!"


    "Either you do something about these disgusting creatures, or we''ll ughter everyst one of them!"


    In that patch of grass, standing slightly elevated above the enraged crowd, a small figure floated with a serene calmness.


    Draped in a flowing white robe reminiscent of those worn in rural China, she appeared almost ethereal, her long, silvery-white hair cascading down her back.


    A worn bamboo hat sat low on her head, shading her face, but beneath it, her expression was one of absolute indifference¡ªa indifferent, almost god-like authority radiated from her presence.


    She was Yuriko.


    And as for the ones using her?


    They were not human.


    Each of them stood over two meters tall, resembling dryads more than men. Their skin was like the inner bark of a tree¡ªgreen, rough, and sturdy¡ªwhile their faces were angr and broad, like rectangr bs of wood.


    Their hands and fingers stretched out like the roots of ancient trees, and embedded in their foreheads, glowing with a soft, unnatural light, were small green gems, pulsating with life.


    The leader of the group stood a staggering three meters tall, towering over the others, his voice booming with authority and wrath.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Yuriko had to hover in the air just to meet his eyes, her serene figure at odds with the raging emotions swirling around her.


    Theirnguage was alien, iprehensible to human ears¡ªguttural and deep, filled with ancient resonance.


    But to Yuriko, their words were as clear as daylight.


    "You must act now, Eternity!" the leader bellowed, pointing an using finger at her, his tree-like hand shaking with anger. "You are the one who shielded them! You vouched for them! And now, we suffer for it!"


    Yuriko''s gaze was calm, almost dispassionate, as she stared at the furious dryads below her.


    She remained silent, floating effortlessly as the usations continued to fly.


    Her white robe fluttered gently in the wind, contrasting sharply with the wild, chaotic energy surrounding her.


    "I will not let this continue," the dryad leader growled, his green gem glowing brighter as his rage peaked. "If you will not act, we will. We will wipe them out¡ªeveryst one."


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    For a moment, there was silence.


    The crowd of dryads waited, their breaths heavy, eyes locked on Yuriko. Her lips finally parted, her voice soft yet carrying an undeniable strength.


    "I warned you¡­ " she said, her tone neither defensive nor apologetic. "You chose to ignore the signs. Do what you shall..."


    The leader''s eyes narrowed, his massive form trembling with barely contained fury. "If you won''t protect us, then you leave us no choice."


    Yuriko''s expression did not change, her eyes as cold as the wind that now rustled through the trees. "Do what you will," she said softly, her voiceced with an unspoken threat. "But remember¡ª"


    The leader growled, stepping forward, his towering form casting a long shadow over the patch ofnd.


    The crowd behind him stirred, their glowing gems pulsing in rhythm with their rising fury.


    Yuriko''s eyes shed, an expression of suprise shing over her face.

 Chapter 559: The Remnants of Past Civilizations!

    Yuriko''s eyes widened briefly, a rare flicker of surprise crossing her normallyposed face.


    These creatures, the dryads standing before her, were once the remnants of two ancient, fallen civilizations¡ªthe Sr Children and the Greenwardens.


    Once proud and powerful, their bloodlines had mixed over millennia, twisting them into the inbred forms they now inhabited.


    Their existence was a just another curse of the time''s cruelty.


    It had been Yuriko¡ªat least, in one of her past incarnations¡ªwho saved them from extinction hundreds of millions of years ago.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Their civilizations had been wiped out, their creators abandoning them to their fate.


    It was only through her intervention that they had been spared.


    But now, the cause of their rage had nothing to do with the past.


    For thest few years, these dryads had been hunted, ughtered mercilessly by an alien species.


    The Sr Children and Greenwardens, already a fragile race, were on the brink of extinction again.


    Worse, the god they worshipped¡ªThe Eternity¡ªwhom they revered for millennia, seemed to favor the invaders over them.


    Their confusion and anger grew into desperation.


    Why was their god¡ªthe one they had prayed to for eons¡ªallowing these foreign creatures to ughter them?


    In just four years, their poption had been halved.


    Yet, despite their suffering, Yuriko felt no responsibility for them.


    Neither the Sr Children nor the Greenwardens were her creations.


    She had merely intervened when their original creators abandoned them. The Greenwardens were failed experiments of Aurora, while the Sr Children were created by another of their kind.


    Though she had once saved them, she felt no loyalty now.


    Still, they med her.


    "Enough!" one of the dryads suddenly roared, stepping forward with authority, trying to calm the boiling rage of the crowd.


    His bark-covered limbs crackled with life energy as he stood between Yuriko and the leader, desperation in his eyes. "We need to stop this! We need to think¡ª"


    SMASH!


    "!!!"


    A wet, sickening crunch echoed through the clearing as the leader''s enormous hand swung down.


    BAM!


    The dryad was torn apart instantly, his body shattered like brittle wood. Green gu like blood sttered across the grass as the earth trembled beneath the blow, sending shockwaves through the ground.


    "Why....?" Yuriko''s voice was low, as she narrowed her eyes at the leader in disbelief.


    ''Infighting among their kind?'' It was unthinkable. Forbidden by their ancientws.


    Yet, the leader had just killed one of his own in cold blood, right before her eyes.


    "Has your desperation driven you mad?" She can''t help but question.


    The leader, now towering over the remains of the fallen dryad, snarled, his green gem glowing with a furious intensity.


    His eyes, bloodshot and wild, locked onto Yuriko with venom.


    "He was weak!" the leader spat, his voice shaking with anger. "He would have had us bow before our enemies, beg like dogs for survival! I will not allow it!"


    Yuriko remained calm, something darker was at y here¡ªsomething far more dangerous than mere survival.


    The bonds that once held their kind together had broken already, but now¡­ now there was something sinister beneath the leader''s fury.


    "And what will ughtering your own aplish?" Yuriko''s words were cold like ice. "If you seek war, prepare for the consequences."


    Before the leader could respond, something shifted in the air. The dryads behind him began to convulse, their bodies writhing as strange sounds filled the clearing.


    Squelch! Crack!


    "Wh-What''s happening?!" one of the dryads screamed, his voice filled with panic.


    "Ahhh! My body¡­ it''s¡­!" another wailed, his limbs twisting disgustingly.


    Splurt! Saash!


    Thick, green blood sprayed violently from their bodies, hissing and sizzling as it melted everything it touched. Skin tore and bones snapped as their forms contorted, warping beyond recognition.


    The dryads'' faces twisted in agony, their eyes wide with terror as they screamed, their skin sloughing off to reveal something sinister beneath.


    CRACK! SPLASH!


    From the remains of their bodies, Skinwalkers emerged¡ªugly, mantis-like creatures that looked like abominations of nature.


    Their long, spindly limbs resembled twisted versions of a praying mantis, covered in dark, sickly green flesh that gleamed with a disgusting sheen. Their skin hung loosely off their insect-like bodies, slick and oozing, and their human faces¡ªnow distorted into insectoid masks¡ªretained a disgusting mockery of life.


    Razor-sharp mandibles clicked beneath their twisted jaws, saliva dripping in long, thick strands.


    Their eyes glowed an eerie, yellow-green, set deep into their skulls, and they moved with unnatural speed. Their forearms were long and scythe-like, ending in jagged ws that twitched with anticipation.


    "Ssssskreeee!.."


    The sound they made as they moved was like the hiss of a thousand mantises, a hungry, predatory noise that sent chills through the air.


    "They¡­ they''re inside us!" one of the remaining dryads shrieked, his voice cracking with terror. "Run! RUN!"


    Panic exploded through the clearing as those still uninfested tried to flee.


    But just as quickly, massive tendrils burst from the leader''s back.


    SWOOOSH!


    The tendrils stretched across the clearing, writhing like serpents, coiling around the terrified dryads and pulling them toward the leader''s grotesque form.


    The remaining dryads screamed in horror as the tendrils dragged them into the massive body, their limbs thrashing helplessly as they were absorbed into the monstrosity.


    CRUNCH! RIP!


    The leader''s body swelled, growingrger with every soul he consumed. His form expanded until he towered a hundred meters tall, his body a mass of pulsing veins and twisted flesh.


    His face had melted into something unrecognizable¡ªhis once noble features now a ugly, insectoid mask crowned by tendrils of pulsating veins.


    Yuriko''s eyes darkened. ''The leader had been dead for some time.''


    The thing standing before her now was not the dryad leader.


    It was something far worse¡ªthe Rakshas King.


    Its deep, thunderous voice echoed through the clearing, shaking the earth and causing the trees to tremble.


    "Another powerful being?" it growled, its glowing eyes narrowing as it surveyed the area.


    The Rakshas King had sensed a powerful energy source battling his minions in the distance.


    If he could consume that energy, he would finally have the power to face Yuriko.


    BOOM!


    With terrifying speed, the Rakshas King leapt into the sky, his enormous form disturbingly agile.


    In a single bound, he covered hundreds of kilometers, his massive body blotting out the sun as he descended toward his prey.


    Meanwhile, Yuriko stood unmoved, her expression cold. Around her, thousands¡ªno, millions¡ªof Skinwalkers skittered toward her, their hissing, insect-like noises growing louder with each step.


    "Ssssssskreeee... kill her..." one of them hissed, its voice a disgusting blend of insectoid clicks and a rasping whisper.


    "She''s all alone... crush the bitch!" another screeched, its mandibles cking hungrily as it closed in.


    The Skinwalkers lunged toward her with murder in their eyes, their scythe-like limbs slicing through the air.


    SPLAT! SPLURT!


    But they never reached her.


    The moment the first wave of Skinwalkers leaped toward her, their bodies exploded into chunks of flesh and green blood.


    Limbs and organs sprayed across the clearing, bursting like overripe fruit under the force of her gaze.


    "Die," Yuriko whispered, her voiceced with an ancient power.


    The words crackled with energy, resonating through the ground. She invoked a forgotten spell, one that vibrated through the very air around her.


    BOOOOOOM!


    A thunderous shockwave erupted from her, tearing through the Skinwalkers in a wide arc.


    Tens of thousands of them disintegrated on the spot, their bodies turning to ash in a matter of seconds, their screams drowned out by the force of the spell.


    But more kepting. For every creature she obliterated, hundreds more appeared from the shadows, swarming toward her like a horde of locusts.


    Their insectoid bodies hissed and clicked, their eyes burning with an insatiable hunger.


    "Sssssskreee¡­ we will devour you¡­" one of the Skinwalkers rasped, its voice filled with malice.


    CRUNCH! BOOM!


    Yuriko continued to unleash devastation with every word, every nce, but the tide of creatures seemed endless.


    The ground trembled under their sheer numbers, the stench of blood and decay filling the air.


    ''There are too many,'' she thought, her eyes narrowing in frustration as she prepared to face the next wave.


    Even with her immense power, this was chaos beyond reason.

 Chapter 560: Hyperions!

    Back inside the jet, the atmosphere was tense with hurried activity.


    "Should we open the hatch?" one voice called out,ced with urgency.


    "What''s the radiation level?" another voice followed, clearly concerned.


    "Environmental pressure is stable, but... what ''is'' this ce? Is it even Earth?" someone muttered, half in disbelief, staring at the readings.


    The crew rushed around, their movements frantic as the jet descended,nding softly on a patch of green grass.


    The sight outside was almost surreal¡ªlush, untouched by the devastation they had expected.


    Everything about it felt alien, despite its serene appearance.


    "Are we sure it''s safe?" one of the crew members asked, eyes glued to the screen.


    "Only one way to find out," someone answered grimly, hand hovering over the hatch release.


    Thud!


    The ground trembled violently beneath the jet, a low rumble that quickly turned into a seismic upheaval.


    Tremble... Tremble...


    Consoles rattled, and the crew exchanged panicked nces as the whole aircraft shuddered.


    Just as the trembling began to worsen, the pilots let out a scream.


    THUD!


    A monstrous figure mmed against the cockpit windshield with a force that sent cracks spiderwebbing across the reinforced ss.


    It was a Skinwalker, its pale face smeared against the ss, jaws wide open in a grin that was both feral and human.


    Its eyes glowed with a sickening yellow hue, full of malice, while its thin, sinewy body clung to the jet like a predator waiting to tear through the steel hull.


    "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" the co-pilot screamed, heart pounding as the creature''s ws screeched across the ss, leaving deep, jagged lines in their wake.


    Before anyone could respond, more of them appeared. Dozens, no¡ªhundreds¡ªof these creatures emerged from the surrounding forest with horrifying speed, their twisted limbs moving unnaturally fast as they swarmed toward the jet.


    Each one more distorted than thest, with elongated limbs, sharp, talon-like ws, and twisted faces that barely resembled the humans they once were.


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Bang!


    Their bodies mming into the jet, their nails raking across the windows, desperate to get inside. The ss held... for now. But more and more cracks formed under the endless assault.


    "They''re going to break through!" one of the crew yelled, eyes wide with terror as the Skinwalkers flung themselves against the fusge with thuds.


    The metallic groans of the jet''s frame echoed through the cabin, warning of uing disaster.


    "Launch the autonomous defense system! NOW!" themander barked, his voice barely audible over the noise outside.


    In response, the hatch opened with a sharp hiss, and thousands of raptor drones ejected from the belly of the jet like a swarm of angry hos.


    The sleek, silver drones zoomed into the air, their wings buzzing with deadly precision as they fanned out.


    Each drone was equipped with razor-sharp sma talons and micro-missileunchers designed for maximum carnage in closebat.


    They descended upon the Skinwalkers like a storm of metallic death.


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    The first line of Skinwalkers were torn apart in a matter of seconds, shredded by the drones'' sma talons.


    Limbs were severed, torsos were split in two, and heads were vaporized by pinpoint sma sts.


    Flesh burned and sizzled as the drones unleashed their fury, cutting through the horde like des through paper.


    The once-green field became a battlefield soaked in the remains of the Skinwalkers, littering the ground.


    But the horde was endless.


    For every Skinwalker the drones decimated, two more appeared from the shadows of the forest.


    Their shrieks filled the air, their bodies twisting and contorting as they leaped onto the jet, mming their grotesque forms into the windows with renewed ferocity.


    Cracks deepened, and the ss started to bow inward under the pressure.


    One particrly massive Skinwalker, easily twice the size of the others, threw itself against the side of the cockpit, its ws raking furiously at the window as it snarled, yellow eyes zing with hunger.


    "They''re *everywhere!*" a crew member cried, frantically tapping at his console. "We can''t hold them off much longer!"


    The drones, though coping, were beginning to falter. The Skinwalkers were too many. The drones cut through them in droves, but the horde seemed endless, their bodies piling up in a wall of flesh and bone around the jet.


    "Commander, the drones are being overwhelmed!" a pilot yelled, sweat pouring down his face as he looked at the readouts. "They can''t keep up with the numbers! Permission to ascend!"


    Suddenly, the jet shuddered violently, tilting slightly to one side. Sparks flew from the cockpit controls, and rms red in the background.


    The crew stared in horror as smoke billowed from the rear engines, the smell of burning metal filling the air.


    "Engines are down!" another pilot screamed, his voice cracking with fear. "We''re sitting ducks out here!"


    Isabelle, her face drained of color, rushed to the cockpit, her voice taut with disbelief. "What do you mean the engines are down? Get away, let me see! ¡ª These engines can withstand a full blow of sr res!"


    The pilot, white as a sheet, turned toward her, his hands shaking over the controls. "T-They''re gone¡­ burst. We have no power. And we''repletely surrounded by these...demons!"


    Outside, the Skinwalkers howled in unison, their  faces pressed against the cracked windows.


    With no engines, no escape, and the drones being picked off one by one, the crew''s hope began to dwindle.


    Isabelle stood still for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she turned toward the squadron of soldiers sitting calmly in their seats, utterly unfazed by the creatures that surrounded them.


    d in mechanical ck armor from head to toe, the twelve soldiers appeared almost inhuman, their presence heavy with lethal precision and confidence.


    "General, take the Hyperions and clear out all of these creatures," Isabelle said, her voice as calm with a hint of frustration.


    General Abel unstrapped his seatbelt slowly, like a predator knowing its prey had no chance of escape.


    His cold eyes met Isabelle''s, and a wicked smile spread across his face. "With pleasure."


    As soon as the words left his mouth, the ck armor covering his body shifted.


    Nanoparticles surged like a dark tide over his face, forming a sleek, predatory helmet that seemed to hum with hidden power. Behind him, the eleven Hyperions¡ªhis elite soldiers¡ªmoved in perfect unison, their armor following the same transformation, forming identical ck helmets with glowing red visors.


    "Open the back hatch," General Abel ordered, his voice metallic and distorted by the helmet.


    Themand was followed by the loud hiss of hydraulics as the back hatch of the jet lowered.


    The eerie sound of screeching Skinwalkers echoed, but the Hyperions moved with the precision of machines, stepping out into the madness as if they were stepping into nothing more than a light breeze.


    "..."


    "..."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "..."


    The crew watched in stunned silence.


    There was something unnerving about the Hyperions'' calm, their aura of invincibility making it clear they were on a whole different level than the rest.


    Isabelle didn''t bother watching them exit.


    Instead, she turned toward the cockpit, her expression unreadable. "How many creatures are out there?" she asked, her voice cold and business-like.


    The pilot quickly scanned the surrounding area. His hands shook slightly as the data poured onto the screen. "Around... seventy-one thousand, four hundred and neen in this region, ma''am."


    Isabelle''s face remained calm. "Good."


    As far as she was concerned, that number was manageable.


    The Hyperions weren''t just regr soldiers¡ªthey were the elite forces from Athena''s Cube, a research facility tied to the Order of Illuminati.

 Chapter 561: To fight monsters, you need monsters...

    Prometheus, the organization Isabelle worked for, operated impartial and ruthless, willing to borrow power from anywhere as long as it didn''t disrupt theirrger mission.


    They weren''t aligned with good or evil, simply focused on maintaining bnce and advancing their goals.


    This principle, of using any tool avable, had given Prometheus an upper hand against all other organizations in the world. Acting as a neutral mediator between forces of good and evil, they were feared, respected, and untouchable.


    Isabelle nced toward the hatch where General Abel and his Hyperions had disappeared into the chaotic battlefield.


    A storm wasing, and these creatures¡ªthese Skinwalkers¡ªwere about to learn the hard way what happens when you cross forces that don''t y by the rules of good and evil.


    As the pilot nervously monitored the scene on his disy, the first sounds of gunfire and brutalbat erupted from outside.


    ______


    HISS!


    The back hatch of the jet fully lowered, revealing the nightmarish scene outside.


    The Skinwalkers, twisted creatures of sinew and bone, wed desperately at the metal frame of the jet, their bodies hunched over like starving wolves circling their prey.


    Their eyes glowed a sickening yellow, filled with nothing but hunger and rage.


    General Abel and the eleven Hyperions stepped out into the chaos like gods descending onto a battlefield of ants.


    The moment they hit the ground, the air around them filled with bloodlust.


    The first wave of Skinwalkers leaped forward, their limbs stretched unnaturally long, their ws shing toward the Hyperions'' armored figures.


    THRUM!


    A high-pitched hum filled the air as Abel''s arm des extended from his forearm, vibrating with lethal energy. He moved with blinding speed, slicing through the closest Skinwalker''s torso with one fluid motion.


    SPLURT!


    Flesh, bone, and viscera sprayed into the air like a fountain of blood, the creature''s body falling into two mangled halves with a wet stter.


    The other Hyperions followed suit, their weapons humming to life as they tore into the Skinwalkers with brutal efficiency.


    The screams of the creatures filled the air¡ªinhuman, wails of pain that seemed toe from the depths of their twisted souls.


    A Skinwalker lunged at one of the Hyperions, its ws aiming for the soldier''s throat. But before it could even touch him, the Hyperion''s arm shot out, gripping the creature by its skull.


    CRUNCH!


    With a  bam, the soldier''s gauntlet crushed the Skinwalker''s head like an overripe fruit, blood and brain matter exploding outward in a burst.


    "AAAAAHHHHHHH!"


    The scream pierced the air, but it wasn''t human. It was the agonized wail of a Skinwalker being torn limb from limb.


    One of the Hyperions grabbed the creature by both arms and ripped it apart with a savage twist, its intestines splurting from its body like a bloody rope, sttering across the battlefield.


    The ground was soon soaked in greenish blood as the Hyperions continued their ughter.


    The air was thick with the acidic smell of blood, mixed with the stench of burning flesh as sma weapons carved through the creatures.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Skinwalker limbs flew through the air, heads rolled across the dirt, and torsos were split open like cattle in a ughterhouse.


    Kacha¡ª


    Splurt! Splurt!


    The sound of bones breaking, flesh tearing, and the wet stter of bodies hitting the ground echoed through the chaos, mingling with the unholy screeches of the Skinwalkers.


    A Skinwalker,rger than the others, charged at General Abel, its mouth wide open, rows of jagged teeth gleaming in the dim light. It let out a horrifying roar as it lunged, but Abel was faster.


    CRACK!


    His foot shot out, meeting the creature''s chest with a sickening crack as ribs shattered under the force of his kick.


    BOOM¡ª!


    The creature flew back several feet, its body limp as it crashed into the mass of Skinwalkers behind it.


    Without hesitation, Abel leapt into the fray, slicing through another Skinwalker with ruthless precision. His de carved through its midsection, spilling its entrails onto the ground in a gory mess.


    The creature''s legs copsed under it as it screamed, its body convulsing in the dirt before it was silenced by a quick stab through the skull.


    The Hyperions moved like a synchronized storm of death, cutting through the horde with brutality.


    One Hyperion grabbed a Skinwalker by the neck, twisting its head clean off with a sharp SNAP, before using its decapitated body as a battering ram to knock down another three.


    Another Hyperion plunged a de into a Skinwalker''s chest, pulling it upward to split the creature in half from the middle, its upper body peeling away like a torn sheet of flesh.


    SCREEEEH!


    The screams of the Skinwalkers filled the air, their cries blending with the constant hum of the Hyperions'' weapons.


    "AAAAHHHHH! GRAHHHH!" The Skinwalkers wailed as their numbers dwindled, their bodies stacking up like mounds of butchered meat.


    The ground was now a slick field of blood and gore, limbs and viscera littering every corner.


    One Hyperion, his armor dripping with the green flesh of the fallen, raised his weapon toward the sky.


    A barrage of sma bursts shot into the air before raining down upon the Skinwalkers, vaporizing entire groups of them in an instant.


    Their bodies disintegrated with a final, high-pitched shriek, the smell of burnt flesh wafting through the air like a sickening fog.


    Inside the jet, the crew could only watch in silence. The sounds of the massacre seeped through the walls¡ªflesh being torn, bones snapping, and the relentless howls of the Skinwalkers as they were ughtered.


    Isabelle, standing by the hatch, nced at the data on the screen.


    The count of creatures was dropping rapidly¡ªthousands in mere minutes.


    The Hyperions were doing what they were created to do: cleanse.


    Outside, General Abel stood in the center of the carnage, his de dripping with blood, surrounded by the mutted bodies of Skinwalkers.


    His evil smile, hidden beneath his helmet, grew wider as he surveyed the devastation.


    "Clean up," he muttered into hisms. The remaining Hyperions moved methodically, making sure not a single Skinwalker remained alive.


    Thest of the creatures, no longer charging, began to retreat in fear¡ªif they were even capable of such an emotion.


    One attempted to flee, its broken limbs dragging it away in a desperate crawl.


    But before it could make it more than a few feet, a Hyperion''s foot came down, crushing its skull into the dirt with a squelch.


    Puchi! Puchi! Puchi!


    The battle was over, but the battlefield was a nightmare of blood and death.


    ______


    "Good work!"


    Isabelle clenched her fists, her smile widening as she watched the massacre from the safety of the jet.


    The scene outside was one of absolute carnage¡ªSkinwalker corpses piled high, blood and entrails littering the battlefield like a work of art. Behind her, however, not everyone shared her enthusiasm.


    The rest of the crew, clearly unused to this level of gore, stared out in disgust, their faces pale and tense.


    "Are they even human?" Wang Xueying, pale and holding a hand over her mouth, approached Isabelle with a queasy expression.


    She was clearly struggling to keep herposure standing in the middle of the sea of carnage outside.


    Isabelle''s expression barely flickered as she replied, "They are, but not the kind you''d see walking in the streets. To fight monsters, you need monsters..."

 Chapter 562: Far more monstrous!

    "To fight monsters, you need monsters..."


    There was a chilling nonchnce in Isabelle''s voice, as though this was nothing out of the ordinary.


    The Hyperions were one of the most terrifying forces in the world¡ªonce human, yes, but now little more than killing machines.


    Each one a heinous criminal who had been rotting in maximum security prisons, only released on the condition that they could kill at the government''smand.


    The weight of her words sent a ripple of unease through the group.


    "What if they... turn against us?" someone in the back finally voiced the question everyone had been too afraid to ask.


    Isabelle shook her head confidently. "That won''t happen. Their control is in my hands. If they even think about it, we can kill them remotely."


    A collective sigh of relief went through the group.


    p! p! p!


    Suddenly, the sound of slow, deliberate pping echoed across the cabin.


    "!"


    Everyone spun around, instantly on edge, their eyes locking onto a figure approaching from the shadows of the jet''s corridor.


    A man, nked by two women, strode toward them, his hands still ppingzily. His presence was unnerving, as if he enjoying the tension in their faces.


    "Ericka!" Isabelle''s eyes narrowed in fury as she recognized the woman in the back.


    But her anger quickly shifted to confusion when she noticed who else had arrived with them.


    Her eyes flicked to Wang Xiao, Wang Xueying''s brother. ''What the hell is he doing here?'' she thought, confused.


    Wang Xueying''s face mirrored Isabelle''s confusion as she took a step forward. "Brother? What are you doing here? It''s not safe..." Her voice was shaky, as if she couldn''t quite believe her eyes.


    Wang Xiao ignored her question, his expression cool and distant. "The real question is," he said, his voice cold like a de, "what are ''you'' all doing here, in a ce where you don''t belong? I''ve never seen chickens so eager to throw themselves on the ughter board."


    Isabelle''s frown deepened as she caught the warning in his words. "What do you mean?" she demanded, her instincts ring.


    Before he could respond, a shout erupted from outside.


    "General!" one of the Hyperions cried out, his voice full of disbelief. "How is this possible?!"


    Isabelle''s heart sank as she turned to look out of the jet''s windows.


    Outside, the battlefield that had been littered with the remains of Skinwalkers began to stir.


    The bodies¡ªshattered, sliced, and torn apart¡ªwere moving.


    Detached hands crawled through the blood-soaked ground, seeking out torsos. Limbs dragged themselves across the battlefield, like insects drawn to a hive.


    The sight was... disturbing.


    The Skinwalkers'' remains didn''t seem to care about whose parts they picked up¡ªorgans fused with limbs that didn''t match, creating twisted abominations of flesh.


    Some creatures had massive hands attached to small, malformed bodies. Others dragged legs far toorge for their upper torsos.


    Squelch! Squelch! Squelch


    The sickening squelch of flesh merging with flesh filled the air as the monsters rebuilt themselves, undeterred by their earlier deaths.


    In mere moments, an army of Skinwalkers stood once more, ring at the twelve Hyperions who floated effortlessly above the carnage.


    Their bodies, though malformed, seemed somehow more terrifying than before.


    "What the fuck?" one of the Hyperions spat through his helmetms. Even they¡ªtrained killers and elite soldiers¡ªfelt the terror of this eerie resurrection pressing down on them.


    General Abel hovered in the air, his face hidden behind his helmet, but the tension in his voice was evident. "This is... unexpected."


    "Unexpected?" Isabelle hissed under her breath, her heart pounding as she watched the creatures below, now reanimated into an army. Her mind raced as she reyed Wang Xiao''s cryptic warning.


    "Looks like your ughter board isn''t quite as safe as you thought, who would have thought ¡ª jumping into an unknown portal could result into facing creatures ¡ª beyond ¡ª what you ever faced?" Wang Xiao said, his voice calm butced with amusement.


    His eyes glinted with a knowing look, as if he had seen this alling.


    Isabelle''s stomach twisted. "What''s going on?" she demanded, turning to him, her frustration bubbling over.


    Wang Xiao gave her a slow, deliberate smile. "You''re dealing with creatures that don''t die the way you think they do. You should have known better than to bring just monsters to fight monsters."


    SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!


    The Skinwalker army, now patched together, let out a bone-chilling roar. Their glowing yellow eyes fixed on the Hyperions as they began their second assault¡ªthis time, with even more intense, twisted forms that seemed immune to fear or pain.


    BANG!


    "How the hell do we stop these disgusting things...!" Isabelle snarled, her fists mming down onto the control panel with a resounding crack.


    Hiss!


    The sharp sting shot up her arm, but it was nothingpared to the frustration burning in her chest.


    She watched helplessly as the Skinwalkers, ugly and misshapen, reformed outside the jet, their bodies mangled yet more ferocious.


    This was far from over, and the realization struck her like a punch to the gut¡ªher prized Hyperions, once the pinnacle of human weaponry, were facing an enemy that brute force couldn''t destroy.


    These creatures defied death itself.


    Wang Xiao, however, seemed unbothered by the growing panic. He walked past Isabelle with an unsettling calm, his eyes locked on the chaos beyond.


    "By bringing an even bigger monster..." he whispered, his voice cold and ruthless.


    Isabelle blinked, her mind struggling toprehend his words. "What...?"


    The crew could only stare in nk disbelief as Wang Xiao continued walking, his movements eerily fluid.


    He didn''t stop when he reached the walls of the jet¡ªhe simply kept walking, as if the reinforced steel andyers of istion meant nothing.


    His body passed through the solid walls like a ghost, leaving no trace behind.


    "Did... did he just walk through¡ª?" one of the crew stammered, eyes wide with shock.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Isabelle''s hands tightened into fists once more. "What is he?" she whispered, but no one had an answer.


    All they could do was watch as Wang Xiao vanished, leaving them behind with only his cryptic words.


    Outside, the Hyperions hovered in the air, surrounded by the growing horde of Skinwalkers, their weapons still at the ready, but even their mechanical precision seemed futile against the creatures that refused to stay down.


    "General Abel, report!" Isabelle questioned through thems, her voice strained.


    General Abel''s voice crackled through the speakers, grim but calm. "They''re regenerating faster than we can cut them down. Something''s changed. This isn''t normal behavior for them."


    "Normal? These things are already beyond normal!" Isabelle shot back, her frustration boiling over.


    Suddenly, there was a low, rumbling noise from beyond the walls of the jet¡ªsomething deep, primal, and terrifying.


    The ground trembled beneath them, and the air outside seemed to shift as though something massive had stirred.


    The Skinwalkers paused, their bodies twitching as they turned toward the source of the sound.


    Isabelle''s heart pounded in her chest. "What... now?"


    Her question was met with silence, and then¡ªanother bone-rattling roar, far louder than before.


    This wasn''t the screech of Skinwalkers. It was something far more... far more monstrous.

 Chapter 563: Covering the sky under the palm!

    Tremble... Tremble...


    The earth itself quaked, shaking the very bones of those who stood upon it.


    Even the Skinwalkers, ugly as they were, halted in their tracks.


    A chill of dread rippled through the air, their distorted forms shivering despite their unnatural nature. It wasn''t fear¡ªit was instinct.


    Something far greater than them wasing.


    Above, the sky began to darken. What had once been a clear day was swallowed by a sudden nightfall, and the sun¡ªso strong just moments ago¡ªvanished behind an ominous eclipse.


    The light was extinguished in an instant.


    The entire sky seemed to bow under the weight of the darkness, not just over Hollow Earth but across the world.


    The eclipse spanned both worlds, signaling the unholy connection between the surface and the Hollow Earth.


    The sun shared by Hollow Earth and the surface was being devoured.


    "Look there..." someone inside the jet whispered, voice trembling.


    They pointed outside, where Wang Xiao''s figure floated above the battlefield, his silhouette barely visible against the shifting, unnatural sky.


    He was moving slowly, deliberately, toward the same forest the Skinwalkers were heading for.


    His gaze was locked ahead, as if he and the creatures were hunting the same prey.


    The jet had descended just in time to block the Skinwalkers'' path, unintentionally making itself the target of their next attack.


    Yet Wang Xiao didn''t flinch, his mind focused on something far greater.


    He had already noticed that both his destination and the Skinwalkers'' were the same.


    They were chasing the same thing¡ªa single target deep within the dense forest.


    "These pests... they''ve mutated," Wang Xiao muttered, his eyes narrowing as he watched their twisting forms.


    Their bodies were regenerating faster than normal, the pieces of their limbs knitting together with unnatural speed.


    They had absorbed the bodies of the Dryads, creatures tied to the very essence of nature.


    The regenerative ability came from them.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze darkened, the faintest flicker of rage rising within him. :These abominations... If they use the sun to regenerate, then I will take away the sun.''


    Far beyond the confines of Earth''s atmosphere, in the void of space, something stirred.


    A presence so vast, so iprehensibly massive, it dwarfed even thes themselves. It was a skeleton¡ªa hulking, white colossus, its ancient bones glowing faintly with an eerie, otherworldly light.


    Its size was beyond the imagination of any living being¡ªthis thing floated silently in the dark of space, stretching tens of timesrger than Earth.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The curve of its spine seemed to arc through the cosmos like the spine of a dead god.


    Its empty eye sockets, vast enough to swallow entire cities, stared down at the world below with a cold, eternal indifference.


    The sheer size of the skeleton was enough to drive a mortal mind mad.


    Its ribcage, spanning what could only be measured in miles, curved like jagged peaks of some long-forgotten mountain range.


    The bones themselves glowed faintly in the darkness, illuminated by the distant light of stars.


    Its skull, cracked and weathered with age, seemed to be the source of the suffocating pressure felt on Earth.


    And then... it moved.


    The giant skeleton, with hands sorge they could cradles, raised one of its bony arms slowly¡ªdeliberately.


    Each motion was as if time itself struggled to keep up with the ancient being.


    Its fingers, long and ghostly white, stretched outward, blocking the sun''s rays with a single motion.


    The effect was immediate.


    The eclipse on Earth was not just some passing phenomenon¡ªthis was a cosmic event.


    The skeleton''s enormous hand covered the sunpletely, casting Earth, Hollow Earth, and the entire sky into darkness.


    The palm of the creature stretched over the sky like the hand of death itself, fingers syed across the heavens.


    Every inch of the was now in shadow.


    From below, looking up at this thing was akin to staring into oblivion itself.


    Its form blotted out the sky, and for those rare few with the spiritual senses sharp enough to feel its presence, it was as though time itself had stopped.


    Even the dead, if they could still feel, would tremble at the sight of this ancient terror.


    Its hand didn''t simply block the sun¡ªitmanded the very light of the world, bending it to its will.


    The daylight that had once bathed the Earth was swallowed in an instant, plunging everything into cold, suffocating darkness.


    The creatures below¡ªthe Skinwalkers, the humans¡ªeveryone felt the weight of its presence, like a primal fear awakening deep within their bones.


    And then the sky responded.


    SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!


    Massive spikes, ck as the void, began to rain down from the skeleton''s hand like spears from the heavens.


    Each one was longer than ten meters, cutting through the atmosphere with the sound of a thousand swords being unsheathed.


    They descended like the wrath of a forgotten god, piercing the Earth''s surface with terrifying force.


    BAM! BAM! BAM!


    The spikes impaled everything they touched¡ªtrees, rock, flesh. Skinwalkers that stood beneath them were obliterated in an instant, their bodies torn apart as the massive ck rods drove into the ground.


    "Ssss...."


    The creatures didn''t even have time to scream as their limbs were severed, heads crushed, and torsos split open by the sheer force of the impact.


    SPLURT! SPLURT! SPLURT!


    Blood sprayed across the battlefield, ck and thick, as the spikes skewered dozens of Skinwalkers at once. Limbs and body parts flew through the air, painting thendscape in a bloody spectacle.


    Some creatures were split clean in half, their innards spilling out in an ugly heap, while others were reduced to nothing more than twitching mounds of flesh.


    The spikes kepting, forming a terrifying, isting barrier around the jet.


    The ground beneath them shook with each impact, the weight of the skeleton''s judgment pressing down upon them like the hammer of an executioner.


    From inside the jet, the crew could only stare in horrified silence.


    They couldn''t see the skeleton, but they felt it¡ªthe crushing pressure, the suffocating darkness, and the rain of death that poured from the sky.


    Outside, the Skinwalkers¡ªthose who had not yet been impaled¡ªstopped their assault.


    They seemed to hesitate, their ugly forms shifting uneasily as if sensing the presence of something far more terrifying than themselves.


    Slowly, like cockroaches scattering from the light, they diverted from the jet, retreating toward their original target deep within the forest.


    In the sky, the skeleton''s hand remained, blotting out the sun like an omen of doom.


    It held the light hostage, forcing the creatures below to grovel in the darkness itmanded.


    Its presence was no mere illusion¡ªthis was the force that could manipte entire worlds, and it had deemed this moment worthy of its intervention.


    Then, as if the judgment had been passed, the massive skeletal hand withdrew.


    Slowly, agonizingly, it pulled back, releasing its grip on the sun.


    Light began to return, but it was weak, palepared to the brilliance it had once held.


    The crew, still frozen inside the jet, barely noticed.


    They were too focused on the small figure of Wang Xiao outside, moving steadily away, his form growing smaller as he disappeared into the distance.


    He moved like a shadow, swift and silent, his hands sped behind him, as though the devastation around him was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.


    "How did you sneak into this world...?" Wang Xiao muttered to himself, his voice barely audible as he nced down at the abominations crawling beneath him.


    His tone was indifferent, but there was a faint edge of rage boiling beneath his calm exterior.


    These creatures... Deserves to die.


    He should have eradicated their kind long ago.


    This time, there would be no mercy.

 Chapter 564: Fighting Three Transcendents Alone (1)

    BAM!


    In another part of the battlefield, a massive crater carved into the earth stretched out¡ªtens of meters deep and nearly a hundred meters wide.


    In the middle of this scarredndscape, a lone woman stood, surrounded by an endless horde of Skinwalkers that crawled toward her with murderous hunger.


    The thin, nearly translucent fabric covered her hips, revealing smooth skin and teasing the lustful hunger of the beasts surrounding her.


    Her hands burned with searing mes, mes so intense they scorched the earth beneath her feet.


    Every step she took left charred ground in her wake, her white, barely-there cloth wrapping loosely around her body, hips swaying in the wind.


    The fire crackled off her fingertips, making the intricate ck tattoos that spiraled up her arm stand out even more against her pale, glistening skin.


    Her raven-ck hair flowed in disarray, wild and unkempt, framing her face¡ªa face so cold, yet so sinfully beautiful, it could drive any man to his knees.


    "Kekeke¡­" A chillingugh echoed in the distance, growing louder and more twisted.


    The ground trembled beneath her bare feet, her barely-covered abdomen glistening with a sheen of sweat as the temperature around her rose.


    She didn''t bother adjusting the top that hung dangerously close to slipping, revealing her ample chest, which moved in rhythm with her heavy breathing.


    Her body remained tense, the ck chain that hung delicately from her hips swaying with her movements.


    Her eyes darkened as she looked toward the source of the trembling earth.


    She turned her head, the movement sending her long hair cascading down her exposed back, the delicate tattoos swirling over her shoulders like marks from some ancient, forbidden power.


    And then she saw him¡ªThe King of Rakshas.


    Towering above the crater''s rim, the Rakshas King''s massive form filled the sky, its body casting a dark shadow over the battlefield.


    Its size was monstrous, making the woman look like a fragile figure inparison.


    The King''s eyes burned with wickedness, taking in the sight of her slim, sculpted body, her breasts barely restrained by the thin cloth that clung to her, as if daring him toe closer.


    *Kekeke!* The Rakshas King''s twistedugh grew louder, shaking the ground beneath her.


    BOOM!


    The soundwaves from hisughter were enough to uproot trees, snapping them like toothpicks, and yet she stood, her legs smooth and firm, unyielding to the presence that towered over her.


    "You stand alone, little insect!" The King''s voice boomed, his eyes running over her body, taking in every curve. "Let this king crush you underfoot and devour your strength today!!"


    The woman responded in anguage far older than human understanding, her lips curling into a sneer as she unleashed more fire from her hands, mes licking at her ck knuckles, which gleamed like deadly weapons.


    Her voice was like a hiss, foreign and full of ancient rage.


    "Sh''rith na''hru veshk''tal!" she growled, like the wild storm she carried within her.


    Her hips shifted as she moved, the flimsy cloth around her waist swaying just enough to reveal the smooth curve of her thighs, the Skinwalkers drawn in by her beauty, but meeting nothing but the inferno that followed in her defence.


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    Her dark, tattooed arm flexed as she threw a punch, mes crackling up her arm and searing through the air.


    Every movement of her body was fluid, like a well-practiced dance, the muscles in her abdomen flexing as she continued to incinerate the pests around her.


    Kekeke! The Rakshas King let out another twistedugh, its massive form advancing, but the woman remained unfazed.


    Her ck hair fluttered behind her, framing her angr jawline and sharp, piercing eyes that burned with more intensity than the fire she wielded.


    "Let''s see how long youst against my army..." the King sneered, its voice reverberating like thunder.


    The woman smirked, the mes on her fingertips growing fiercer, licking at her tattooed arm, the design swirling elegantly around her skin like a curse.


    Her chest rose with each steady breath, the thin straps of her top pushing tightly against her breasts as she raised her fist, ready to meet the King''s strike.


    THUD! THUD!


    The Rakshas King raised its colossal fist, veins bulging from its twisted, monstrous form, and brought it down with terrifying force.


    The very air trembled as its massive fist descended, aiming to crush her delicate form into the dirt.


    But she moved swiftly, her hips shifting ¡ª With a roar, she leaped into the air, her ck-knuckled fist connecting with the King''s massive hand.


    Her muscles flexed, her body twisting in mid-air, the heat from her power warping the ground beneath her.


    BOOOOOOM!


    The impact shook the heavens, the King''s massive form recoiling as a shockwave ripped through the ground, splitting the earth apart like paper.


    Her body hovered for a moment, framed against the sky as the ground cracked beneath the King''s feet.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    THOOM!


    "Wh¡ª"


    The Rakshas King stumbled backward, its massive form crashing into the earth with a thunderous crash, ttening trees and mountains as it fell.


    But she stood her ground, her chest heaving, the thin fabric of her top barely containing her.


    "Rath''shul ak ven''reth!" she shouted, the ancientnguage rolling off her tongue, her eyes burning with the fury of an ancient force.


    Her body was on fire¡ªboth figuratively and literally.


    But the battle was far from over. The Skinwalkers were stilling, their bodies hissing and clicking as they skittered toward her.


    "The King is angry..."


    The King of Rakshas stood up, its furious eyes zing with molten rage, glowing hotter than ever.


    The massive beast''s tendrils thrashed violently, its form trembling as it rose to its full, towering height.


    But the woman stood her ground, lips curling in disdain as she let out a sharp snort.


    In an instant, a roaring inferno erupted from her hands, mes burning with such intensity they seared through the air like a living thing.


    The inferno crashed into the King''s body, enveloping his twisted form in a sea of fire.


    Sizzzle!


    His skin, inherited from absorbing the Dryads, sizzled and cracked under the heat, the mes eating away at his flesh.


    "RAAAAAH!" The King of Rakshas screamed, his roar echoing through the sky, shaking the earth beneath him.


    His entire body trembled with fury and pain as the fire burned through him.


    Bam-Bam-Bam


    His massive feet stamped violently on the earth, each step causing shockwaves to tear through thend. His burning skin blistered, and his veins pulsed beneath the charred surface.


    Desperate to crush her underfoot, the King of Rakshas leaped high into the air, his colossal form blocking out the sun as he descended, ready to squash her like an insect.


    BOOM!


    The ground quaked beneath his weight, cracks spreading like spiderwebs as his foot hurtled toward her.


    But the woman was already moving, her body twisting and flowing like liquid fire as she evaded his attacks with graceful swiftness.


    Her hips swayed, the thin fabric around her waist barely staying in ce as she dodged the Rakshas King''s monstrous stomp.


    But just as she prepared tounch her counterattack, her attention wavered¡ªdistracted by the endless horde of Skinwalkers closing in from all sides.


    Sssss....

 Chapter 565: Fighting Three Transcendents Alone (2)

    But just as she prepared tounch her counterattack, her attention wavered¡ªdistracted by the endless horde of Skinwalkers closing in from all sides.


    Sssss....n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    And in that split second, she realized her mistake.


    She looked up¡ªher eyes widening as she saw the massive foot of the King of Rakshas descending upon her, the shadow of his attack swallowing her whole.


    The ground trembled as the monstrous foot neared her, the sheer size of it about to crush her beneath its weight.


    But then¡ª


    BAM!


    Wang Xiao appeared out of nowhere, his hand raised effortlessly to stop the monstrous foot of the King of Rakshas.


    The force of the stomp halted as if it had struck an immovable object. Wang Xiao stood there, unflinching, his eyes gleaming with calm determination as he nced toward the woman with an unmistakable glimmer of interest.


    She was the reason he hade.


    Ever since he had sensed the energy that didn''t belong to this world, he had been drawn here.


    He never expected that the source of that energy would be her¡ªa living person.


    It stunned him. How was she here?


    Did she pass through the two worlds with her physical body?


    His mind filled with questions, but the sheer fact of her existence had already thrown his expectations into chaos.


    Before he could say a word, the woman''s gaze darkened with fury, her fiery eyes locking onto him like a hunter.


    Without a single moment of hesitation, she raised her hand, and a torrent of mes exploded from her palm.


    Whoosh!


    The fire surged toward Wang Xiao like a sea of hellish fury, crashing against him with relentless heat.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened in shock as he realized she was attacking him. He had saved her, hadn''t he?


    But there was no time to ponder the "why" as the inferno swallowed him.


    His expression hardened instantly, his body bracing against the roaring mes as he shot himself through the fire like a missile, his body splitting through the mes with terrifying speed.


    WHOOSH!


    In an instant, Wang Xiao was upon her, his hand mming into her stomach, the impact knocking the air from her lungs.


    "Argh!" she groaned, her body folding from the blow as she staggered backward.


    But the moment between them was short-lived.


    The King of Rakshas, still raging in the background, lifted his enormous hand, preparing to strike both of them down with a single sweep of his massive arm.


    Before his attack couldnd, something enormous and bone-white appeared from behind.


    CLANG!


    The King''s hand was caught mid-swing by something equally massive¡ªan enormous, skeletal figure. It was a towering white bone skeleton, just asrge as the King of Rakshas, its hollow eye sockets glowing with an eerie light as it red down at the King with a wicked presence.


    The King of Rakshas stared in disbelief, its eyes widening at the sight of the bony giant that now stood before him, holding his arm in a death grip.


    The battlefield trembled under the weight of the two colossal figures as the King of Rakshas tried to yank his arm free, but the bone giant didn''t let go, its grip unyielding.


    Wang Xiao, still standing over the woman''s copsed form, looked over his shoulder, a sly smirk ying on his lips. "It seems the tables have turned," he murmured, his tone dripping with satisfaction as he turned his attention back to the fiery woman beneath him.


    She red up at him, her chest heaving with fury, but she made no move to speak.


    Her eyes burned with the same fire that had consumed the battlefield, and Wang Xiao couldn''t help but feel intrigued by her more with every passing moment.


    Without wasting a second, Wang Xiao raised his hand, his expression hardening as he looked down at the woman beneath him.


    She saw his fist approaching, her beautiful eyes widening with a flicker of panic, realizing she had misjudged him. But before she could react¡ª


    BAM!


    His fist crashed into her face, the impact tearing the air.


    BAM! BAM!


    Again and again, his punches struck, each blow harder than thest, sending shockwaves through the ground beneath them.


    Her delicate features twisted under the force of his strikes, blood sttering from her lips, staining the earth beneath her.


    Wang Xiao stood above her, his feet nted firmly on her abdomen, grinning down at her as he delivered blow after blow, hisughter echoing through the chaos around them.


    "You wanted to kill me? Like this?" he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.


    Just because she came from another world, did she think she could attack him and get away with it?


    Did she believe, for even a moment, that he wouldn''t retaliate?


    His fists continued to rain down, her blood coating his knuckles as he pummeled her, the fire in her eyes dimming under theassault.


    She had clearly seen him save her, yet she had attacked him without hesitation.


    Was her world so different that this was how she responded to help?


    Well, if this was thenguage she understood, then he would teach her a lesson in it.


    BAM! BAM! BAM!


    "Ah..." The woman groaned, blood spilling from her lips, staining her pale skin.


    The ground beneath her body caved inward with each blow, sinking a few meters deep, her frame pressed into the earth from the sheer force.


    Still, despite the brutality, her face didn''t burst into a mist of blood, her skin refusing to shatter like a normal opponent''s might.


    Wang Xiao paused for a moment, narrowing his eyes as he looked at her, surprised by her durability.


    Her strength must be at least Quasi-Transcendent. Interesting.


    "Wh¡ª?" He felt it then¡ªa sudden burning pain.


    His eyes flicked downward, and to his shock, he saw her hand gripping his leg tightly. Her skin glowed red-hot, like molten magma, burning through his flesh with searing sound.


    The heat radiated from her hand, the air around them warping from the sheer temperature.


    Wang Xiao grinned through the pain, his lips curling into a sadistic smile. "Good girl..."


    Without hesitation, he yanked his leg free from her grip, the burning sensation momentarily flooding his senses.


    But before she could recover, before she could make another move¡ª


    BAM!


    He mmed his foot directly into her face, the force of his kick snapping her head back.


    "Ah!" She cried out, the sound escaping her bloodied lips as her head mmed into the ground, the impact sending cracks through the earth beneath her.


    Wang Xiao stood over her, breathing heavily, his eyes gleaming with both rage and amusement.


    The woman, bruised and bloodied,y beneath him, her body still trembling with power despite the beating she had just endured.


    But even now, there was still a fire in her eyes¡ªsomething that only made Wang Xiao''s grin widen.


    He, for once, was loving the fight against something that didn''t break with a single punch!

 Chapter 566: Fighting Three Transcendents Alone (3)

    As Wang Xiao''s colossal bone skeleton avatar shed with the King of Rakshas below, his true self dealt with the fiery woman before him.


    She was tough¡ªsurprisingly resilient¡ªand he liked that.


    She wasn''t breaking easily, and it only fueled his hunger to crush her.


    Tremble... Tremble...


    But then, something stirred in the air.


    A sharp chill ran down his spine.


    His instincts red, and his gaze shot skyward. Hovering far above, obscured by distance and swirling clouds, was a figure, small and humanlike, but exuding an aura of immense power.


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao narrowed his eyes. "What now...?"


    The sky above them darkened as the figure''s presence grew.


    Yuriko''s eyes gleamed with a pale, ethereal glow as her lips moved in a silentmand, the clouds above roiling in response.


    Ka¡ªBoom!


    Then, without warning, an entire mass of the sky solidified, bing a colossal celestial boulder,rge enough to blot out the horizon.


    It burned as it descended, falling like a second moon, its impact threatening to shatter thend itself.


    The massive meteor zed through the sky, its surface crackling with lightning, its descent warping the air around it.


    The ground trembled beneath its approach, splitting open as the very earth seemed to recoil in fear of its collision.


    Whizz...!


    Its size and force created winds that tore trees from their roots, sending them spinning into the sky like mere leaves.


    Wang Xiao nced up, his smile fading for a brief moment.


    This was power¡ªtrue power.


    "Another Quasi-Transcended? What''s happening today?" he muttered bitterly, shaking his head.


    But even this immense disy of strength didn''t faze him for long.


    His grin returned, sharper than ever.


    Without hesitation, he seized the woman beneath him by the throat, her body still recovering from the beating she had endured.


    Her eyes widened, panic shing across her features as she struggled in his iron grip.


    He hurled her into the sky with a flick of his wrist, aiming directly at the iing celestial boulder.


    "Aghhh!" Her scream pierced the air, her body crashing into the massive rock as if she were a mere ragdoll.


    Yuriko, watching from above, felt a flicker of surprise.


    Wang Xiao had thrown the woman into the path of certain destruction, using her as nothing more than a shield.


    BOOOOOOM!


    The impact was cataclysmic.


    The boulder collided with the earth, creating a shockwave that rippled across thend, ttening mountains and sending waves of energy tearing through the ground.


    The sky itself seemed to scream in protest, the air vibrating with an otherworldly hum.


    Rumble... Rumble...


    Lightning forked across the heavens, and the ground below cracked open like ss, revealing molten rivers that ran deep beneath the surface.


    Crash!


    But through the storm of debris and chaos, Wang Xiao''s figure emerged, unscathed. In an instant, he appeared before Yuriko, hovering mere inches from her, his eyes locking onto hers with a gaze that was both amused and filled with anger.


    He was close enough for her to feel the weight of his presence pressing against her skin like an invisible force.


    His smile twisted into something more colder. "You''re Yuriko, aren''t you?" His voice was as sharp as ice, freezing the howling winds around them.


    Yuriko''s confusion shed briefly across her features¡ªshe hadn''t expected him to recover so quickly, let alone move with such blinding speed.


    But before she could respond, Wang Xiao''s hand shot out, seizing her by the leg.


    With a savage twist, he flung her with enough force to tear through mountains.


    BOOM!


    The mountain she collided with didn''t stand a chance. It crumbled into dust, the rocks and debris falling into the fissures that snaked through the ground.


    Thend itself seemed to buckle under the pressure of the battle.


    "Cough...cough..." Yuriko coughed up blood, her vision spinning from the sheer force of the impact.


    Before she could recover, Wang Xiao was upon her again, moving like a meteor as he mmed her into the ground.


    BAM!


    The force of the blow sent a ripple through thend, the earth splitting wide as her body was driven into the depths.


    But the battle didn''t stop.


    The fiery woman from earlier, her body still bruised but filled with fury, lunged at Wang Xiao from behind, her fists zing with the heat of a thousand suns.


    Wang Xiao turned with supernatural reflexes, his hand shooting out to grab her by the neck once again.


    "!" She gasped in shock, her body freezing as he lifted her into the air effortlessly, her mes flickering as if struggling against the overwhelming power of his grasp.


    "Foolish," Wang Xiao muttered, his voice low and dangerous.


    But Yuriko wasn''t finished.


    Seizing the opportunity, she transformed into mist, her body dissipating into the wind. Her form shimmered and began to slip away, attempting to escape the grip of Wang Xiao''s overwhelming power.


    Wang Xiao''sughter echoed through the sky, chilling in its confidence. "Running away?" he taunted, his gaze following her misty form as it drifted through the air.


    Still carrying the fiery woman by the neck, he shot after Yuriko like a streak of lightning, his speed impossible to follow.


    It was as if the air itself bent around him, the very fabric of reality twisting under his power.


    The difference between them¡ªbetween a true Transcended and those who had yet to ascend¡ªwas as vast as the heavens and earth.


    No amount of skill or power could close that gap.


    In the sky, their sh reached apocalyptic proportions.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The very atmosphere rippled with their every movement, the clouds parting as if in fear of the forces unleashed below.


    The air vibrated with pure energy, distorting space and time around them.


    Lightning struck with the force of divine judgment, tracing jagged paths across the heavens, while massive boulders and chunks of earth were torn from the ground and flung into the sky.


    BOOM!


    A single strike from Wang Xiao shattered the air, sending shockwaves that radiated out like ripples in a pond.


    The ground below quaked, opening wide as if the itself was crying out in agony.


    The battle of the titans¡ªthe colossal bone skeleton avatar and the King of Rakshas¡ªraged on below.


    What had once been a sh of giants now looked pitiful inparison to the devastation unfolding in the sky above.


    Compared to the three Transcended beings locked in their apocalyptic struggle, the ground battle was nothing more than an afterthought.


    BAM! BOOOOM!


    Spikes asrge as mountains rained down from the sky, crashing into the earth with the force of falling stars.


    Each impact sent tremors that ripped across thend, obliterating forests, leveling mountains, and sending ancient rivers surging into the air like waterfalls inverted by chaos.


    The entire realm of Hollow Earth was being torn apart¡ªits very existence hanging by a thread as the apocalyptic battle raged overhead.


    Snowstorms raged out of nowhere, blizzards swirling with unnatural fury, while rivers of moltenva burst from the ground, consuming everything in their path.


    Firestorms ignited across thend, zing like hell itself had risen to the surface.


    The very sky seemed to split as lightning tore through the clouds, creating webs of electricity that covered the horizon.


    Below, the once-majestic dinosaurs and ancient species that had been preserved for millennia were caught in the path of destruction.


    Their desperate roars filled the air, but they were drowned out by the chaos.


    Massive creatures, once kings of their domains, were reduced to ashes, their bodies swept away by the tidal waves of power that consumed thend.


    The ground tore itself apart, opening massive chasms that swallowed entire ecosystems whole.


    The sky rained fire and ice, while the earth bled molten rock.


    It was the end of a world¡ªan apocalypse in real-time, brought about by the sh of beings who wielded power beyondprehension.


    Above it all, Wang Xiao hovered, the fire woman still in his grasp, his eyes burning with the thrill of the battle.


    He was untouchable, his power insurmountable, and as he pursued Yuriko''s escaping form, he knew that no one could stand in his way.


    This was the might of a true Transcended.

 Chapter 567: Fighting Three Transcendents Alone (4)

    The jet was finally saved filled everyone with relief, but the moment of reprieve was short-lived.


    The earth trembled beneath them, a violent shudder that rippled through the ground, making everyone tense.


    The air felt suffocating and hot, charged with impending disaster.


    Above them, the sky was tearing itself apart, filled with explosions that illuminated the heavens with blinding intensity.


    Isabelle''s heart raced as she stepped out of the jet, her hand instinctively gripping her scarf against the wind.


    The soldiers and researchers followed, all of them looking skyward, their eyes filled with fear and confusion.


    "Commander! What the hell is happening?" a soldier shouted, his voice barely audible over the rising wind.


    "Is that an earthquake?!" another researcher screamed, his face pale, his hands trembling as he clutched his equipment.


    "No, no, it''sing from up there!" someone else shouted, pointing toward the sky as another explosion ripped through the clouds.


    BOOOOOM!


    An enormous st echoed across thend, the shockwave expanding outward, faster than anyone could process.


    It wasn''t just any shockwave¡ªthis was something catastrophic.


    A wall of pure destruction, hurtling toward them like the wrath of the gods themselves. The force behind it was so immense that the very horizon bent under its pressure.


    "Protect yourselves!" Isabelle shouted, her voice cracking with panic as the realization hit her.


    This wasn''t something they could run from.


    The sheer power of the explosion was overwhelming, and it wasing straight for them.


    "W-What the fuck is that!?" one of the soldiers screamed, eyes wide as the shockwave rushed closer.


    His hands shook, barely able to hold his weapon.


    "We''re done for¡­!" a researcher whimpered, copsing to his knees. "It''s toote!"


    Wang Xueying stood beside Isabelle, frozen in ce, her lips trembling as she stared at the approaching wave of destruction.


    The soldiers and researchers around them were in disarray, shouting over one another, some trying to flee, others bracing for the inevitable.


    FWWWWOOOOOOM!


    The shockwave hit. It wasn''t just heat¡ªit was annihtion.


    Isabelle''s body seized up as she felt her skin melt from her bones in an instant.


    Her eyes bulged, her body convulsing as the flesh on her arms burned away, exposing muscle and bone.


    "ARGHHHH!" One of the soldiers screamed, his voice rising above the chaos, before he was engulfed in mes.


    *RIIIIIIIIIP!*


    Her muscles tore, her internal organs liquefying in mere milliseconds. Pain erupted through her being, beyond anything imaginable. Every nerve in her body screamed in agony as her body began to disintegrate from the inside out.


    She could hear others around her, their cries turning into nothing but gurgles as they, too, were torn apart by the wave.


    CRACK!


    The jet¡ªonce a massive beacon of technology¡ªwas shredded like paper. The metal warped, crumpling inward before the entire craft was reduced to glowing g.


    The ground beneath them cracked wide open, molten magma bubbling and spewing forth as if the earth itself wasing apart.


    "Oh God!" someone screamed, but their voice was lost as they were torn into pieces by the shockwave.


    The air was filled with the sound of death. The screams of her crew, the cracking of bones, the sizzling of flesh¡ªit was all-consuming.


    "Wh¡ª?" Isabelle''s eyes shot open.


    She was alive.


    Her body, whole. Intact.


    She gasped for breath, her heart pounding in her chest, her mind reeling. Around her, the devastation was absolute. Everything¡ªeveryone¡ªwas gone.


    The only thing left standing was her¡­ and Wang Xueying.


    Wang Xueying looked equally stunned, her body trembling, eyes wide with disbelief.


    They should''ve been vaporized, reduced to ash. But they were still standing, untouched.


    "Aliv¡ª!" another soldier''s voice rang out, but his cry was cut short as he disintegrated into nothing, his body exploding into a fine mist of blood.


    Two forces shed above them, powerful enough to protect them from the worst of the shockwave, but just barely.


    One was a glowing, injured figure¡ªEveline.


    She stood, blood running down her chin, her face twisted in concentration as she fought to maintain the barrier.


    Her body shook with the effort, every breath a struggle, but she pushed forward.


    "Goddamn¡­ them¡­" Eveline spat blood, her chest heaving as she nced toward Wang Xueying with a bitter, furious expression. "Can you¡­ tell your damn brother to stop trying to kill us?"


    Wang Xueying froze at the words. "Brother?" she whispered, her voice shaking. Her gaze shot to the sky. The realization hit her like a hammer.


    The destruction, the chaos¡ªit was all because of him? The sky was on fire. Explosions, like mini suns, detonated overhead.


    It was as if the very sky was crumbling.


    It''s all him?


    Wang Xueying''s hands trembled as she processed it. The entire world was being torn apart by her brother''s power.


    She could hardly believe it¡ªhe was always powerful, yes, but this? This was¡­ unimaginable.


    "What the¡­?" she whispered, eyes wide. "What¡­ is¡­ is he doing?"


    Above them, the heavens continued to rage, lightning carving the sky in jagged streaks, fire raining down from the burning clouds.


    It was an apocalypse¡ªbrought on by one person.


    Another groan caught their attention.


    "Ahhh....n-no...."


    Abel. His body was little more than a charred husk, the armor that once protected him now fused to his skin, melted beyond recognition.


    His breathing wasbored, shallow, his eyes barely able to open as he crawled toward them.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He groaned, his hand reaching out as he dragged himself forward, but his body was broken, barely alive. "H-Help me¡­" he whispered, his voice a weak rasp, though it sounded more like a death rattle.


    "General?" Isabelle''s eyes shot toward him, but before she could move, another shockwave came rushing toward them, more powerful than the first.


    FWOOOOOSH!


    There was no time to react.


    SHRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP!


    The second wave hit Abel directly. In an instant, his body was torn apart. His skin, muscle, and bones exploded into a fine mist of blood, his entire form vaporized within seconds.


    The gory remains scattered into the air, disappearing as quickly as they appeared.


    "Oh God!" Wang Xueying choked, her voice catching in her throat as she saw what had be of Abel.


    He hadn''t stood a chance.


    None of them would have.


    Isabelle''s breath caught in her throat, her eyes wide with shock. If not for Eveline and the dark mist that protected them, they would''ve shared the same fate¡ªturned into nothing but blood and ash.


    The thought made her stomach churn, the weight of it nearly sending her to her knees.


    "We would''ve been dead¡­" she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    The realization sent a chill down her spine, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to steady herself.


    When a scientist meets gods, they can''t help but tremble.


    She realized this, and her eyes dimmed slightly.


    They thought they had created beings that could rival gods, but the sky told another story.


    Wang Xueying muttered, her voice trembling. "Is¡­ this all him?" Her words were barely a whisper as she looked to the sky, seeing the apocalyptic destruction caused by her brother, Wang Xiao.


    Isabelle struggled to make sense of the sheer devastation around them.


    The earth beneath their feet had be molten magma, bubbling and cracking open, threatening to consume them whole. It felt as if the entire world was falling apart.


    Above them, the sky was torn to shreds. Explosions lit up the clouds, each one sending shockwaves that rippled through the atmosphere.


    The sound was deafening¡ªBOOOOM! BOOOOM!¡ªlike the thunderous ps of the gods themselves.


    Spikes asrge as mountains fell from the heavens, crashing into the ground with earth-shattering force.


    Each impact was followed by another wave of destruction¡ªforests ttened, rivers boiled away into nothing, and thend itself torn asunder.


    Snowstorms erupted out of nowhere, freezing thend solid, while firestorms followed, burning everything in their wake.


    The very sky seemed to split apart, lightning carving jagged webs that stretched across the entire horizon.


    BOOOOM!


    Another shockwave. The ground below trembled violently, cracking wide open as the fissures spread like spiderwebs.


    All around them, creatures that had roamed this ancientnd for millennia¡ªthe dinosaurs, the towering beasts¡ªfled in terror, but it was toote. Entire species were wiped out in moments, their bodies crushed or incinerated by the falling debris and molten rivers.


    Thend that had once been Hollow Earth was turning into a graveyard.


    Yuriko, her ethereal form struggling to stay together, felt her strength failing. ''Nothing is working¡­'' Her god''s authority, the divine power she had relied on, was useless here.


    Against Wang Xiao''s overwhelming strength, it was as if she were fighting against the heavens themselves.


    The sh between transcendent beings in the sky continued, the world below crumbling beneath their power.

 Chapter 568: Another Opportunistic Bastard!

    ROAAAAAAAARRRRR!


    A deafening roar echoed through the skies, shaking the earth beneath them.


    The King of Rakshas, his grotesque body covered in pulsating tendrils,unched himself at the Bone Skeleton avatar.


    His twisted tendrils shot out like hungry serpents, coiling around the massive bone structure, tightening with terrifying speed.


    The bone cracked and groaned under the pressure before shattering entirely.


    KREEEEEEK! SNAP!


    The Bone Skeleton, once a towering force, crumbled to dust, consumed by the King of Rakshas. The tendrils writhed violently as they absorbed the essence of the skeletal giant, merging it into the King''s massive form. He grewrger, his body warping and swelling with new power, his maniacalughter filling the battlefield.


    Kekekekeke¡­


    His voice echoed like nails on a chalkboard,ced with an overwhelming wickedness.


    The King of Rakshas had ascended¡ªreaching the level of Quasi-transcended after absorbing the Bone Skeleton''s power.


    Wang Xiao, caught in the middle of the ongoing battle with Yuriko and the fiery woman, suddenly felt his connection severed.


    His brow furrowed in irritation, his head snapping toward the sky where the King of Rakshas now loomed, monstrous and ugly.


    The creature had evolved, its power surging to new heights, its bloodshot eyes locking onto Wang Xiao with bloodthirst.


    "Another Quasi-transcended¡­" Wang Xiao muttered, his frown deepening as he watched the creature approach with renewed strength.


    It had observed the power of his avatar and now sought to challenge him.


    His grip tightened, his divine energy humming beneath his skin.


    But the King of Rakshas wasn''t the only threat.


    From the right, a zing inferno roared toward him¡ªa wall of fire so intense it melted the very air in its path.


    The fiery woman, eyes filled with rage, her body wreathed in mes, charged forward, her mes zing hot enough to turn rock into molten g.


    FWOOOOOOOSH!


    From the left, Yuriko emerged from the volcano he had thrown her into.


    Her body, covered in soot and blood, shook off the molten rock as if it were nothing. Her eyes burned with cold fury, her lips curling as she raised her hand.


    With a sharp movement, shemanded the very mountains themselves¡ªhundreds of mountain peaks, torn from the earth, nowunched toward Wang Xiao like deadly spears.


    WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!


    The mountains cut through the air with deadly precision, their massive forms whistling as they hurtled toward him.


    The force of theirbined attacks created a vortex of destruction, trapping Wang Xiao between an inferno, a living mountain storm, and the monstrous King of Rakshas.


    For a moment, Wang Xiao was sandwiched between the overwhelming power of three Transcendent beings.


    The sky crackled with energy, the ground beneath him trembling as the full force of their attacks stared down on him.


    He frowned for a second, feeling the weight of thebined assaults.


    Then, heughed.


    It was a low, bitterugh that quickly grew louder, echoing through the sky.


    "Really?" Wang Xiao muttered, shaking his head in disbelief at the sheer absurdity of the situation. "All this¡­ just to take me down?"


    Hisughter stopped abruptly, reced by a cold, steely gaze.


    His aura surged outward, divine energy erupting from his body like a supernova. The force of it was so immense that the space around him shimmered, warping and bending under the sheer pressure of his power.


    BOOOOOOM!


    Divine light exploded from him like the birth of a new star, blinding everyone present.


    The intensity of the light was so great it whitened the entire sky, making it impossible to see anything.


    The ground trembled violently, the very atmosphere distorting under his unleashed power.


    CRACK! CRACK! BOOOOOM!


    A series of sts erupted in all directions.


    The fiery woman''s inferno was consumed, snuffed out in an instant as the light swallowed her mes.


    Yuriko''s mountain peaks shattered mid-air, reduced to dust before they could even reach him.


    The King of Rakshas roared in anger, but even he was caught in the overwhelming surge of energy.


    The entire battlefield was engulfed in the radiant light, and for a brief moment, everything went silent.


    The world seemed to hold its breath as Wang Xiao''s power blotted out the sky.


    FWOOM!


    When the light finally faded, the scene that was nothing short of devastation.


    "Ugh...."


    "Ah..."


    Two figures floated in the air before Wang Xiao, both groaning in pain, their bodies trembling.


    The fiery woman, once so fierce, was now barely conscious, her mes extinguished.


    Her neck was caught in Wang Xiao''s iron grip, her lips dripping with blood as she struggled to breathe.


    Beside her, Yuriko, equally battered, gasped for air, her own neck held tightly in Wang Xiao''s other hand.


    Blood trickled from the corners of her mouth, her once proud eyes filled with shock and disbelief.


    "Cough! Cough..."


    Both women coughed violently, blood spilling from their lips as their bodies convulsed in Wang Xiao''s grasp.


    The fight had been drained from them, their strength utterly eclipsed by his overwhelming power.


    Below them, the King of Rakshas stood frozen, his monstrous body trembling.


    His once mighty form, now riddled with cracks, seemed to falter under the pressure of Wang Xiao''s attack.


    Suddenly, a low cracking echoed.


    CRACK¡­ CRACK¡­ CRUMBLE¡­


    The King''s body began to crumble, the tendrils that once made him so fearsome turning to ash.


    His roar died in his throat as his massive form copsed, disintegrating before everyone''s eyes.


    THUD!


    In ce of the King''s monstrous body was a massive sword of pure energy, glowing with divine light.


    It stood as tall as the King of Rakshas himself, its de piercing through his back, pinning him to the ground like an insect.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The energy radiating from the sword was so intense that it warped the space around it, vibrating with pure power.


    The King of Rakshas let out one final groan, his body copsingpletely as it was consumed by the sword''s energy, turning to dust.


    Wang Xiao released a small, satisfied sigh, his grip still firm on the necks of the two women in his hands.


    He nced down at them, his eyes cold and detached.


    "Did you really think," he murmured, his voice mocking and filled with a sadistic gleam, "You two could take me down?"


    Both women groaned in response, their bodies trembling in his grasp, powerless to fight back.


    The battlefield was silent, the world around them in ruins.


    The sky, once filled with fire, storms, and chaos, now eerily quiet.


    The light from Wang Xiao''s divine energy still glowed faintly, casting long shadows over the brokennd.


    The fight was over. And Wang Xiao had emerged victorious.


    He continued to float above the battlefield, his eyes boring into the two women caught in his iron grip¡ªYuriko and the fiery woman from another world.


    Hisughter rang out, cold and sharp, the sound filling the ruined sky.


    But just as he gloated, his eyes locked on Yuriko, something flickered in the sky above¡ªa glint of light, like a falling star.


    FWOOOM!


    Wang Xiao''s smile faded instantly. His senses red as he felt a massive energy descending upon him¡ªan attack.


    A pulse of rage burned in his chest as he clenched his teeth, realizing that someone had taken the opportunity to strike while he was in the midst of battle.


    BOOOOOM!


    The air vibrated as the iing force ripped through the sky. It wasn''t just an ordinary attack¡ªthis was a power that carried the might of a true transcendent, aimed directly at him.


    Whoever this motherfucker was, they intended to end him right here, in the middle of his fight.


    Wang Xiao''s jaw tightened, his teeth grinding in frustration.


    His muscles tensed, veins bulging as the strength of the attack neared. "You''ve got to be kidding me," he muttered, the fury in his voice growing.

 Chapter 569: Injured Yuriko!

    Wang Xiao''s jaw tightened, his teeth grinding in frustration.


    His muscles tensed, veins bulging as the strength of the attack neared. "You''ve got to be kidding me," he muttered, the fury in his voice growing.


    He didn''t have time to think.


    He was already fighting three transcendents at once, and now this?


    His mind was already strained, his body already moving.


    Without hesitation, he made his decision.


    He couldn''t let his guard down¡ªnot with these two.


    But he also couldn''t let the woman from another world¡ªhis prize¡ªfall into someone else''s hands.


    With a violent flick of his wrist, he hurled Yuriko''s body away, sending her crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact, creating a massive crater below.


    She hit the earth with bone-shattering force, the ground cracking beneath her, dust and debris exploding upward.


    "Ah...."


    She groaned in pain, her body twitching as she tried to recover, but Wang Xiao had already shifted his focus.


    WHOOSH!


    The impact from above was seconds away. The sky above him was filled with blinding light, the force of the iing attack heating the air, scorching the clouds as it descended like a zinget.


    Wang Xiao gripped the fiery woman from the other world tighter, his hand tightening around her throat as her eyes fluttered weakly.


    She gasped, trying to catch her breath, but he held her firmly, making sure she couldn''t escape.


    "Not so fast," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.


    In that split second, his entire body exploded with energy.


    Dark matter, like an endless sea of shadow, erupted from his body, pouring into the sky above him.


    It was thick, ominous, and suffocating¡ªan inky ck void that spread like a swarm of ravenous beasts, engulfing everything in its path.


    FWOOOOOOSH!


    The dark matter shot upward, swirling into a massive barrier, stretching wide across the sky.


    The impact collided with it, sending violent shockwaves rippling outward. The pressure was immense, but Wang Xiao held firm, his eyes zing with fury.


    His muscles strained as he poured more of his power into the shield, ensuring that the attack wouldn''t touch him or the woman in his grasp.


    BOOOOOOM!


    The force of the attack mmed into the dark matter shield with catastrophic force, shaking the heavens.


    The sky lit up with shes of white-hot light, the sound of the explosion reverberating like a thousand thunderps.


    The ground below buckled under the pressure, fissures tearing through the earth as the shockwave spread across the battlefield.


    Wang Xiao grimaced, his teeth grinding as the impact pushed him downward, his feet digging into the ground.


    His skin glowed under the pressure, the heat from the attack burning into him, but he didn''t let go of the fiery woman.


    His grip on her remained firm, his fingers digging into her skin as he held her in ce.


    "Who the fuck dares to sneak attack me¡­! Come forward bastard!" he growled, his voice trembling with rage.


    His eyes shot upward, scanning the sky for a glimpse of his attacker.


    For a brief moment, he saw it¡ªan unknown entity, retreating at an incredible speed.


    The figure vanished smirked, before disappearing into the distance.


    Wang Xiao''s fury boiled over.


    This bastard must be the one who has been plotting against him for a long time, and today, he timed his strike perfectly, taking advantage of the chaos.


    "You''re dead," he spat, his voice venomous. He would find whoever had dared to interfere, and he would make them pay for this.


    But now was not the time.


    The dark matter continued to swirl around him, absorbing the remnants of the attack, dispersing the energy across the sky.


    The heavens, once blindingly bright, now grew dim, as Wang Xiao''s power settled like a mist over the battlefield.


    With a final surge of strength, Wang Xiao crushed thest of the iing force, his divine energy erupting outward, scattering the remains of the attack into the wind.


    SHOOOOOOOOM!


    The sky returned to a deathly quiet.


    The world, once filled with fire and destruction, nowy in ruins beneath him.


    Wang Xiao''s breath came in slow, controlled bursts as he steadied himself.


    His body glowed with residual energy, the sheer power radiating off him like a star on the verge of copse.


    He nced down at the woman in his hand¡ªthe fiery woman who hade from another world.


    Her body was weak, her eyes barely able to stay open, but she was alive.


    He''d made sure of that.


    Despite the iing attack, he had made a split-second decision to protect her.


    She was important.


    She had something that interested him far more than the others.


    And he wasn''t about to let some unknown fool take that from him.


    Wang Xiao''s fingers tightened around her throat, making her gasp.


    He grinned, his expression cold and dangerous as he looked down at her.


    "You''re not going anywhere," he whispered, his voiceced with amusement.


    His gaze shifted to the sky, his mind already plotting his revenge against whoever had dared to strike at him.


    But first¡ªhe had to check this piece of marvel by himself.


    Can someone pass through the portal to the another world with their body? Even he can''t do that.


    ______


    Qing Dynasty, Tibetan Region!


    Hours had passed since the battle, but the searing pain in Yuriko''s chest remained, a constant reminder of her defeat.


    Swish...


    She drifted like mist across the Yunan ins, her body barely holding together.


    Her once radiant form was now a broken shell, her skin pale, her breath shallow.


    Blood dripped from the gaping hole where her heart had been, torn from her chest by Wang Xiao''s merciless hand.


    As she approached the cave nestled within the mountains, her legs gave out for a moment, forcing her to lean against the entrance, gasping for breath.


    The fireflies inside glowed softly, their lights casting flickering shadows across the cave floor.


    But their beauty was lost on her.


    Cough¡­ cough¡­


    She hacked up more blood, staining the cave''s entrance.


    Her vision blurred, her legs trembling as she forced herself inside.


    Her blood, thick and dark, dripped with every step, sshing against the ground. Wherever her blood fell, life erupted¡ªmassive trees growing instantly, twisting skyward with shimmering silver bark.


    But even as the forest blossomed around her, her thoughts remained consumed by bitterness.


    "This timing¡­ I should have known¡­" Yuriko whispered to herself, her voice weak and trembling.


    Her breath hitched, her lips trembling as she pressed a shaking hand to her chest, where the hollow cavity throbbed painfully.


    ''Why did I go there?''


    The thought filled her, the regret piercing her mind as deeply as Wang Xiao had torn her heart from her body.


    She had entered that battlefield with confidence¡ªtoo much confidence.


    She had thought her timing was perfect, that she could seize the moment while Wang Xiao was locked in battle with others.


    But she had been wrong.


    She hissed under her breath, her teeth gritting in frustration. "I walked into ''his'' hands¡­ just like that."


    Each step sent fresh waves of agony through her body, her hands gripping the walls as she staggered forward.


    The fireflies danced around her, their soft light flickering across her gaunt, pale face.


    But her mind was lost in a spiral of regret.


    Thud.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Her hand pped against the stone wall, her legs buckling beneath her. She stumbled, barely able to keep herself upright as her blood smeared the ancient stone.


    Her life force was fading fast, but her thoughts wouldn''t stop swirling, a torrent of bitter regret and pain.


    Drip¡­ drip¡­


    Her blood continued to fall, and with each drop, the cave responded. Massive trees sprang forth from the ground, their roots spiraling out, their trunks towering high above.


    The earth beneath her feet rumbled, and from the depths of the cave, enormous figures began to rise¡ªgolems, forged from the stone and soil itself.


    But even as these ancient guardians awoke, Yuriko''s thoughts remained consumed by her failure.

 Chapter 570: Imprisoning the woman from Another World!

    But even as these ancient guardians awoke, Yuriko''s thoughts remained consumed by her failure.


    Her fingers trembling as she dragged herself further into the cave. Her legs were weak, her body barely responding.


    The memory shed in her mind, vivid and raw¡ªthe moment Wang Xiao had grabbed her, his eyes cold and merciless, his hand plunging into her chest, tearing her heart out as if she were nothing.


    The pain, the shock of it, still resonated through her entire being.


    Her feet shuffled across the cave floor, her blood continuing to trail behind her.


    The fireflies seemed to hover around her as if they sensed the weakening pulse of her life force. The cave was alive now¡ªmassive trees towering over her, the golems standing on guard, their eyes glowing faintly as they watched her struggle forward.


    But despite the ancient power she had summoned, Yuriko knew it wouldn''t be enough.


    THUD¡­ THUD¡­


    A massive golem stepped forward, its stone limbs groaning as it took its ce beside her, its eyes glowing a deep emerald green. It bowed its head slightly in acknowledgment of her presence, but Yuriko barely registered it.


    Her thoughts were too clouded, too consumed by what she had lost.


    ________


    Xianthera!


    BAM!


    "Ah¡ª!"


    The fiery woman''s scream echoed through the air as Wang Xiao flung her into the prison, a chamber crafted with his own hands.


    The prison walls hummed with a dark, pulsating energy, sealing her inside with no hope of escape. The ck mist that coiled around the bars was alive, its tendrils shifting and slithering, ensuring that her power would be suppressed.


    She hit the cold floor with a hard bam, her fiery re burning into his back as he turned away.


    Wang Xiao didn''t even spare her another nce, his expression cold and hardened.


    He ignored the searing anger radiating from her eyes, her anger meaning nothing in the grander scheme of things.


    She was no longer a concern.


    His body shifted, dissolving into a mist that rippled through the air as he left her confined in the shadows of her new prison.


    Outside, Wang Xiao reformed, standing tall as his expression flickered with brief frustration.


    His mind churned, the events of the day, the constant, unexpected disruptions.


    But then a smile curled on his lips, sharp and bitter, before he shook his head as if debating something internally.


    It didn''t matter. Not yet.


    He had already ordered Yanyan to return Isabelle and his sister, Wang Xueying, to the surface world.


    They needed to be far away from this chaos, especially after what they''d just witnessed in Hollow Earth.


    That portal had to be sealed¡ªfor now, at least. There were too many unknowns in that world, too many variables.


    "Hollow Earth¡­" Wang Xiao muttered to himself as he paced. The ce was in ruins now, torn apart by the forces unleashed in his battle.


    It was once a domain descended from the Pangeans, a race that had been adept in techniques far beyond the understanding of surface dwellers.


    They had created vast formations, bending space itself to their will.


    One of the strangest phenomena in Hollow Earth was the shared sun between it and the surface world, a direct result of the Pangeans'' maniption of space-time.


    The spatial distortion allowed the same sun to exist in two worlds simultaneously, a feat that shouldn''t be possible under any naturalws.


    But that was all trivial now¡ªnothing but shattered remnants of a forgotten past.


    Hollow Earth was no longer livable,pletely destroyed beyond repair.


    And yet, even in its destruction, Wang Xiao had sensed something¡­ something off.


    He had detected a formation, hidden deep within theyers of spatial energy. And then there were the Chromasters¡ªanother offshoot of the Pangean descendants.


    Their experiments in the past had led to the creation of Tartarus, known to the Greeks, but in the ancient realm, it was Xianthera.


    It was a ce that had crossed over many worlds, dimensions sealed inside it, where many of the strongest beings were imprisoned.


    The connection between Hollow Earth and Xianthera was something Wang Xiao couldn''t ignore.


    But even that wasn''t his primary concern at this moment.


    No, his focus was on a far greater threat.


    Wang Xiao clenched his fist, his face darkening as the memory of the attack burned in his mind. "Another true Transcendent¡­ in this ce?" he muttered, suprise filling his words.


    It was rare to encounter someone of his level in this realm.


    Most Transcendents had either died or were locked away in other dimensions.


    But this unknown assant¡ªwhoever had dared to attack him during his battle¡ªwas clearly powerful, and a serious threat to everything he had nned.


    His grip tightened, divine energy surging under his skin. If that Transcendent wasn''t eradicated, they could disrupt all of his ns for the future.


    They had to be destroyed, no matter the cost. Wang Xiao''s eyes glowed with cold, merciless determination.


    Anyone who stood against him would be eradicated.


    BOOM.


    A faint rumble echoed through the ground, a reminder of the vast destruction he had already caused.


    His fight with the Quasi-transcendents had nearly obliterated Hollow Earth.


    The chaos, the destruction¡ªit was almost unfathomable.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    And yet, the true battle, the one that loomed on the horizon, hadn''t even started.


    If they actually fought¡­


    The effects would be catastrophic, far worse than anything Hollow Earth had experienced.


    Cities,nds, and entire ecosystems would be torn apart.


    The delicate bnce of space and time itself would shatter under the weight of such a sh.


    Wang Xiao had avoided direct confrontation with this unknown enemy for that very reason.


    He didn''t want to unleash such a disaster on the world without understanding who or what he was up against.


    But that bastard had forced his hand, sneaking in a cowardly attack while he was already engaged in battle.


    His lips curled in a snarl, dark energy crackling at his fingertips. "Bastard," he growled.


    No one attacked Wang Xiao and lived to tell about it.


    "Eveline," Wang Xiao muttered to himself, turning his thoughts elsewhere for a moment.


    She was checking on Isabelle and his sister, ensuring they weren''t suffering from anysting trauma after witnessing the utter destruction of Hollow Earth.


    He needed them stable¡ªespecially Wang Xueying.


    His sister''s mind was fragile, and she was still recovering from the events that had brought them here.


    But once Eveline returned, he would need answers from her.


    He could sense there was more she hadn''t revealed, more that she knew about this mysterious assant.


    The interrogation would begin soon, and he would drag every secret from her mind if he had to.


    For now, he allowed himself a moment to breathe, his mind still reying the events of the day.


    Hollow Earth, the Pangean descendants, the Chromasters, and now, this new threat.


    Everything was converging. And the timeline for his ns had been shortened.


    But one thing was clear¡ªhe would emerge at top, no matter the cost.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes gleamed with a cold, calcted light as he stood at the edge of the destroyed battlefield, the winds howling around him.


    His enemies were falling into ce, and soon enough, they would all be crushed beneath his power.

 Chapter 571: New Ethics Committee Head!

    "Not this one..."


    A melodic voice, soft as a spring breeze through cherry blossoms, barely stirred the air of the vast library.


    She moved like a serpent through tall grass, hips swaying in a rhythm both slow and deliberate. Silver hair, tied high in a flowing ponytail, gleamed in the dim light, framing her features¡ªsharp and delicate, as if carved by the gods themselves.


    "Not this one either..." she muttered, lips curling into a dissatisfied pout.


    The white blouse she wore strained against her chest, barely able to contain the full, size of her majestic peaks. The top buttons were carelessly undone, giving a brazen glimpse of cleavage¡ªround, soft, and unapologetically inviting, like two snow-capped peaks daring someone to climb them.


    Her ck leather skirt hugged her hips tight, showing off an ass that could make monks forget their vows. It shone under the low light, every step making the fabric gleam like wet ink.


    She knew exactly what she was doing, every movement calcted, dripping with sensual confidence.


    Her stockings shimmered, hugging her long legs, teasing the eye with every shift of weight.


    The crimson bow at her swan like neck, bold and lusty, contrasted sharply with the rest of her immacte appearance¡ªan invitation amid the purity, like a red lotus blooming in untouched snow.


    The library around her was a temple of dust and forgotten wisdom, shelves stretching endlessly into shadow. Shafts of light broke through the high windows, casting a golden glow over the space.


    Fireflies driftedzily, their dim flickers like thest breaths of dying stars.


    The scent of old parchment hungzyly in the air, mingling with her perfume¡ªsomething sweet, floral, but with an edge, like honey hiding poison.


    Her fingers, tipped with nails sharp and red as blood, paused over a thick, leather-bound tome. She slid it from the shelf, holding it up to her face, lips pursed. But after a moment, she tossed it back with a snort.


    "Useless," she spat under her breath, "The audacity to call this a prehensive'' study of psychokinesis. Doesn''t even mention the fourth-dimensional spatial fold... Idiots..."


    With a sigh, she turned, leaning against the desk with casual elegance, though the look in her eyes was anything but patient.


    Her body did most of the talking¡ªlegs crossed, one heel danglingzily from her foot, fingers drumming against the polished wood.


    Her breasts rose and fell in a slow, deliberate rhythm, the exposed skin practically sparkling like a smooth jade in the dim light.


    She looked like trouble. The kind that men whispered about and women envied.


    The library stretched endlessly before her, a maze of ancient knowledge, but none of it was enough.


    Not yet.


    And she wasn''t the type to leave unsatisfied.


    ..


    "When did you start cursing?"


    The sudden voice made Xun flinch. She whipped around, her eyes widening as she saw a face she hadn''t expected for another few years.


    "Eh?" Her surprise was evident. Wang Xiao stood there, casual as ever. She hadn''t seen him since he disappeared on one of his endless journeys.


    Rising from her seat, her gaze moved over him from head to toe, lingering just long enough to make Wang Xiao''s eyebrow twitch.


    "Lan, I usually prefer to be the one inspecting women, not being inspected like a side of beef..." His voice was light, but there was a teasing glint in his eyes.


    Xun squinted at him, her suspicion growing. "Then try not to inspect every woman you pass on the street..." Her crimson lips curled into a slight pout, the fire in her words betraying a long-standing annoyance.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, moving toward her with that easy, confident gait she knew all too well. "Oh? But I wasn''t even here. How could I be molesting the women who live in this library?" He perched himself on the edge of her desk as if he owned the ce, causing her eyes to narrow, though she said nothing.


    Xun folded her arms, settling back in her chair. "That''s the thing. I was neen when you left. Now I''m twenty-two, and I honestly thought you wouldn''te back. You know, after you took your two ''cotton balls'' and vanished..." Her words dripped with sarcasm, but there was a flicker of something resentment beneath them.


    Suppressing augh, Wang Xiao leaned in closer, his face dangerously near the generous valley of her exposed cleavage. Without a word, he reached out and buttoned her blouse, his fingers working swiftly. "Even if no one visits this dusty old library, you can''t just walk around dressed like that."


    "..." Xun blinked, startled by his words.


    Her eyes darted down to her outfit, then back to Wang Xiao''s face with awkwardness.


    He gave her a once-over, from the ck leather skirt to the shimmering stockings.


    With an exaggerated sigh, he shook his head. "Who taught you to dress like this? It can''t be Eleanor... She knows how to hide the goods, unlike someone..." His voice was full of suspicion.


    Eleanor, her mother, was refined, elegant, the type to wear stockings underyers¡ªnever so openly or provocatively.


    And Xun''s current attire? Well, it certainly wasn''t the discreet type.


    "..." Xun''s cheeks flushed a light shade of red, the embarrassment creeping up her neck.


    "Don''t ignore my question," she said sharply, deflecting his scrutiny.


    Wang Xiao leaned back, "Don''t ignore mine either."


    ...


    "It was Yan..." Xun muttered under her breath.


    Her library was her sanctuary¡ªonly a handful of women ever came and went, mostly female servants she''d hired over the years. Of course, a few had been harassed by Wang Xiao in the past, so she promptly fired them.


    Her father was a walking disaster in that regard. Even Eleanor was unsure which of her servants had ended up in his bed and which hadn''t. The mess he left behind always gave Xun a headache, especially since she had to manage the weddings and political affairs in Xianthera.


    "Liar!"


    A sudden swirl of ck mist materialized beside Wang Xiao, a smooth jade-like hand with perfectly straight fingers pointing usingly at Xun.


    Xun''s eyes narrowed. "If you hadn''t burned all my clothes while I was bathing yesterday, I wouldn''t have had to break into yourb and steal yours."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The hand visibly trembled, as if Xun hadmitted a crime punishable by death. "You dared step into myboratory without permission?" Yan''s voice, shrill with outrage, seemed to echo from the mist, every syble filled with indignation.


    Wang Xiao sighed, ncing at the two. He adored beautiful women, and both of his daughters were the epitome of that beauty. The problem was, they never stopped talking, especially when they started fighting.


    Hezily swatted at the mist, causing it to dissipate with a faint "poof."


    "Daddy, let me teach her a less¡ª" Yan''s voice cut off mid-sentence as Xun shot a re toward the remaining wisp of mist.


    "Go ahead," Xun''s tone was cool, daring Yan to continue. "Next time, I''ll make sure yourb is on fire, not just your wardrobe."


    Wang Xiao groaned internally.


    He could tolerate a lot, but these two could argue for hours without taking a breath.

 Chapter 572: The Perfect Daughter!

    In momts like these, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but think of Anran''s daughters.


    Sure, they were chaotic in their own way¡ªrunning circles a the room, turning the ce upside down, and ev breaking into a wrestling match wh they got angry.


    But those outbursts were rare, maybe once a month.


    These two, though? Xun and Yanyan could sit perfectly still, and the next thing he knew, they were locked in a verbal sparring match, as if they werepeting to see who could out-grumble the other.


    ''Do wom withrge breasts have a habit of constant grumbling?'' he wondered, his eyes drifting briefly to Xun''s chest.


    She definitely took after her mother in that departmt¡ªsoft, big, and impossible to ignore.


    But th again, Eleanor rarelyined like this. She was an anomaly, though¡ªhardly someone you could use as a standard for "normal" wom.


    ---


    "Here, take this." Wang Xiao ced a stack of old books on Xun''s desk with a nonchnt air.


    "Hm? What''s this?" Xun blinked, surprised. She picked them up, and as she flipped through the brittle pages, her eyes grew wide.


    "I noticed you had simr books here before¡­ so I brought these back from the Obsidian Library," Wang Xiao said casually, as if it were just a minor errand.


    "..."


    Xun stared at him, speechless. How could he just stumble upon such treasures?


    She stood up abruptly, scouring the shelves for a particr .


    Pulling out an old, rusted tome, she oped it beside the new books andpared them. Her face lit up. "It''s¡­ so simr!"


    "What is?" Wang Xiao asked, pretding ignorance.


    "Look here!" Xun practically glowed as she showed him the intricate diagrams. "The books you brought¡ªthey''re fully fleshed out! These here detail the creation of Aetheric Talismans. The ones in Mother''s iplete book are ancit, with fragmted pages.


    But if webine the techniques, we can create a dual-circuited Runic Talisman¡ªone that can run either on Aether or on Mtal Resonance Conduits." She paused, her excitemt building. "These inscriptions ar''t just decoration¡ªthey act as Catalytic Nodes to channel raw Aether into Dynamic Amplifiers."


    Wang Xiao blinked, now mildly intrigued.


    Aether had all but vanished from the world eons ago.


    Ev in the Greek era, it was a rare and coveted resource, long reced by Psychokic Fields and Telepathic Constructs in divine bloodlines of gods.


    Those cultivated Mtal Projections and harvested ergy from the subconscious realms, like gods refining the souls of their followers.


    Zeus himself had builtplex Soul Harvest Arrays in Tartarus, where raw psychic ergy could be siphoned from mortal souls, to fuel his own ''Divinity.''


    Yet here Xun was, talking about forgott runic inscriptions.


    They were no ordinary symbols; they were ''Celestial Glyphs'', capable of interacting with universal constants¡ªtapping into Resonance Frequcies of reality itself.


    He''d se something simr in the Graveyard of the Gods, where ev the Call of Death had used an ancit form of Runic Compression.


    Yuriko, during theirst battle, had attempted to harness such power using God''s Authority, though they had no effect on him.


    Being a Transcdt Entity, Wang Xiao''s Divine Signature was tooplex for mere runes to affect him.


    His presce alone altered the flow of reality a him.


    That was the advantage of being a Transcdt,a higher being whose very thoughts were tranted into Cosmic Law. He didn''t need to learn runguages¡ªhis existce was already coded into the universe.


    Still, if he bothered to learn this system, he''d likely be able to wield Runic Energy Constructs better than anyone.


    Yuriko''s attempts were clumsy inparison, and ev the ancit Greek gods seemed like childr ying with toys they didn''t fully understand.


    Most of this knowledge¡ªwhether Talismans or Runic Frameworks¡ªwas likely handed down by the Pangeans or some surviving Gods reincarnation like Eveline''s.


    Xun continued, lost in her own world. "With a fully aligned Runic Circuit, I could bypass the need for Aether altogether, converting Mtal Energy directly into tangible effects. The Aether pockets that once existed are gone, but that''s no longer an issue! We could activate dormant formations and create functioning amulets that run on Aether, or talismans that run on Runic inscriptions!"


    Her thusiasm reminded Wang Xiao of the first time he''d countered the Amulet of Protection of Morpheus.


    He had originally be intrigued by its capabilities, butter abandoned the research wh his divine abilities proved far superior.


    Still, Xun had clearly inherited Eleanor''s reltless thirst for knowledge. Her vast library was proof ough of that.


    "Dad, I need Aether," Xun suddly said, snapping him out of his thoughts.


    "Aether? Here?" Wang Xiao blinked.


    "Yes," Xun folded her arms. "Mom mtioned she''s be nning to gradually allow Aether back into Xianthera in small quantities. Why hasn''t it started yet?"


    Wang Xiao thought back, recalling vague conversations. "Right¡­ we did have that n."


    "Th get on with it!" Xun huffed, clearly not in the mood to wait. "Aether is esstial if I''m going to stabilize these Talismanic Designs and incorporate Runic Hieroglyphs properly. The barriers you put in ce iste Xianthera''s ecosystem from Aetheric influce, and I need it reintroduced¡ªjust a small crack in the space-time fabric should do."


    Wang Xiao chuckled under his breath. "Okay," he said, shrugging.


    Oping a crack in the Temporal-Spatial Barrier isting Xianthera wasn''t hard for him.


    Without warning, Xun stepped forward, rising on her toes and pressing a quick, impulsive kiss to his cheek. "Thank you," she said, pulling away just as quickly.


    Wang Xiao blinked, tak aback.


    Though he tried to keep his expression neutral, the lingering fragrance of sweet honey filled the air.


    "Now go out," Xun added, waving him off dismissively. "I have work to do."


    "You''re kicking me out already...? Such a selfish daughter... Sigh..." Wang Xiao raised a brow, pretding to be pitful.


    "You''ve done your part," she replied, her eyes already glued to the ancit books. "Go tertain yourself with your other woman or try to hit on Yanyan; she would definitely be more than eager to throw herself at you! The longer you linger here, the more perverted you''ll be. Bye-bye!"


    With a half-smile and a sigh, Wang Xiao turned to leave.


    As he stepped out, a flicker of pride crept up on him¡ªXun had definitely inherited Eleanor''s sharp intellect, and perhaps a bit of his own stubborn streak.


    But wh it came to his daughters'' behavior, Wang Xiao had learned over time that no matter how he ''guided'' them, each reacted differtly, never in the same way.


    Wxi, Anran''s daughter, was soft and shy. She epted his touch, ev seemed to joy it, as long as he didn''t push too far.


    Yue, on the other hand, approached things with a sse of duty, as if it was something she allowed because it was expected. However, she wasn''t about to strip and throw herself into his arms until he asked her to do the same.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her demeanor was a reminisct for Eveline''s daughters, Ji Xuehong and the crew¡ªtolerant but with the thusiasm of a wet sock. "Go ahead, take advantage of us. It''s not like we can stop you¡­" they seemed to sigh with a collective eye-roll.


    Th there was Yanyan¡ªAmelia''s daughter.


    Now she was someone Wang Xiao carefully avoided.

 Chapter 573: Monsters Among Us!

    Th there was Yanyan¡ªAmelia''s daughter.


    Now she was someone Wang Xiao carefully avoided.


    Yanyan had no concept of restraint and zero social boundaries.


    If he gave her half a chance, she''d likely tear his clothes off herself.


    She was that wild. But, considering herck of interaction with anyone outside of him and, asionally, Amelia, it made sse.


    She had a rare ''disease'' or ''power'' that constantly required her to stay away from people.


    Thus ¡ª Her worldview was... unconvtional.


    And finally, there was Xun. Probably the most reasonable of them all. She had be explicit from the beginning¡ªshe had no interest in other m, and preferred to remain his daughter only, issuing frequt warnings to keep his hands off her.


    Whether that worked or not?


    Well, it worked to a degree, until he decided it didn''t.


    Their mothers, for their part, seemed to ignore anything rted to this topic, adopting a convit attitude of "out of sight, out of mind."


    Though Amelia was frequtly irritated with Yanyan''spleteck of decorum...


    Amelia''s rtionship with her daughter reminded him of Freya and Ericka, whom he had st back to the surface long before the fight started.


    In this case, the roles were reversed; just as Freya was stressed by her mother''s behavior, it was Amelia who was stressed by her daughter.


    As Wang Xiao stepped outside, his mind returned to the matter at hand.


    He subtly manipted the flow of reality, carefully oping a small crack in the Temporal-Spatial Barrier that shielded Xianthera from the outside world.


    The faintest trace of Aether began seeping in, like the whisper of a long-lost age.


    _______


    Beijing, the Imperial Capital!


    After the town square waspletely sealed off, construction began to repair the damage left behind.


    The portal had be relocated by Wang Xiao to a hidd location, suring no one else could ess it.


    Still, he knew there were many other portals leading to Hollow Earth.


    As he flew back, casually joying the cityscape below, his mind spiraled into deeper thoughts.


    ''Could Yuriko have kept Aurora trapped inside Hollow Earth?'' It started to make sse. If both he and Aura couldn''t find her on the surface, th perhaps...


    Suddly, a realization hit him. He knew exactly where Aurora was. With Yuriko injured and vulnerable, now was the perfect time to strike and retrieve her.


    However, there were still many loose ds to tie up. His emies needed to be dealt with, one by one, starting with the most vile among them.


    First, the disgusting skinwalkers.


    ____


    th October!


    The first footage appeared on social media¡ªgrainy, shaky, but the meaning was clear!


    A man, casually walking in the city square, stopped, clutching his chest as his body convulsed. His skin bubbled and stretched unnaturally before tearing op, revealing a monstrous, scaly creature beath.


    The beast''s eyes were wild, and it pounced on a nearby woman, dragging her to the g as horrified onlookers screamed.


    More footage followed in rapid session.


    "Holy sh¡ª! Look at that thing! It''s¡­ it''s a f*cking monster!" one bystander''s voice trembled as they recorded from behind a parked car.


    "Someone help her! Please! Somebody¡ª!" the woman''s desperate cries were cut short by a crunch as the creature ripped into her flesh.


    News of the transformations spread like wildfire across the globe.


    Social media exploded with posts, videos, and terrified reactions.


    #SkinwalkersUnmasked #MonstersAmongUs


    Within hours, ev high-ranking officials were exposed.


    A video from the Sate Chamber showed a sator mid-speech before his face began to twitch unnaturally.


    His skin peeled back, and the room erupted into chaos as the cameras caught the creature''s transformation.


    The chaos reached Europe wh a diplomat was revealed to be one of them, his monstrous form exposed during an emergcy summit.


    "This is the d," muttered a man in the streets of Paris, eyes glued to his phone. "They''ve infiltrated everything¡­ the governmt¡­ they''re not ev human!"


    Panic descded.


    Citizs began taking matters into their own hands. Fear-fueled mobs began hunting those they suspected of being skinwalkers.


    It didn''t take much¡ªan odd nce, a hesitation in someone''s voice¡ªand they would be dragged into the streets.


    People no longer trusted anyone.


    "You''re one of them!" shouted a man, his voice frantic, as a woman pleaded for her life before a mob.


    "No! I swear, I''m human!" the woman begged, her face streaked with tears.


    The crowd ignored her, tying her to a stake.


    Whoosh!


    "AHHHHHHHH...."


    The mes leapt high as her screams echoed through the streets.


    Innocts died by the dozs, used and executed in a frzy of paranoia.


    Society regressed into barbarism as fear consumed logic.


    The stock market took a catastrophic hit. Trading floors were flooded with sell orders as panic set in.


    An emergcy analyst appeared on CNBC, sweat beading on his brow.


    "We''re seeing the worst economic crash since the Great Reset!" he eximed. "This isn''t just a market copse¡ªthis is the copse of human trust. Without trust, the markets can''t function."


    The chaos seemed unstoppable, until 5th October, wh a tweet st shockwaves across the globe. Ji Xuehong, Guardian of Europe, posted a statemt on behalf of the Eight Prince:


    [One of our own has fall to these skinwalkers. They have crossed a line. Either they give us an exnation, or we will eradicate everyst one of them.]


    Within minutes, the tweet wt viral, shared millions of times across social media.


    The reaction was swift.


    "Ev the Eight Prince isn''t safe?" a woman gasped, staring at her phone scre.


    "Eradicate them," someone posted under Ji Xuehong''s tweet, the stimt echoed by thousands of others. "Wipe them all out."


    For the first time, the public fully supported the eradication of the skinwalkers.


    The stimt was unanimous¡ªno more fear, no more hiding.


    They wanted blood.


    But behind the sces, the seed of panic was meticulously nted by Wang Xiao.


    It was he who had fanned the mes, manipting evts to push the world into a frzy.


    Skinwalkers, ssing their uing doom, began reaching out to him, desperate for negotiations.


    ___n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Please," one of them hissed through a secure channel. Its voice was distorted, "We can work something out. We just want to survive. We''re willing to offer¡ª"


    Wang Xiao cut themunication, his face impassive.


    Negotiation wasn''t part of his n.


    Instead, Anran and Freya, with theirbined powers, tracked down every skinwalker.


    The creatures were slowly cornered, their hiding ces discovered one by one.


    The frequcy of attacks and sightings dropped dramatically.


    By the 6th of October, the once-constant outbreaks had nearly ceased.


    Newscasters reported a strange calm, the airwaves filled with a cautious optimism.


    "This is BBC News. Reports of skinwalker transformations have dramatically declined over thest 4 hours. Experts are unsure why, but it appears the wave of terror may be subsiding."


    But the reality was far more sinister.


    Ts of millions of skinwalkers had converged in an abandoned town in Country M, deep in hiding, preparing their next move.


    They were nning a counterstrike against the Eight Prince, who had be ruthlessly hunting them down.


    ____


    "We need to regroup," one skinwalker growled in a darked room, its wed hand tapping against a map spread out on the table. "The Eight Prince won''t stop. He''s be sding us a message with every impaled body he leaves behind."


    The image was ugly: hundreds of their kin impaled on spikes, a bloody warning stretched across the horizon.


    "He''s driving us to extinction," another skinwalker said, its voice low, filled with anger. "We have to act, or we''ll all be ughtered."


    The abandoned town, on the west coast near ska, was the perfect hideout¡ªdeste and far removed from civilization.


    The skinwalkers had overrun small towns in the area, killing and impersonating the locals to build their base.


    One of the creatures looked out over the icyndscape. "No one will find us here," it muttered confidtly. "We''ve wiped out the poption. This ce is ours."


    But they underestimated modern technology.


    Despite their efforts, satellite scans revealed an unusual spike in heat signatures in the region.


    The data didn''t lie¡ªwhat should have be a nearly abandoned area now teemed with activity, the sudd poption increase impossible to ignore.

 Chapter 574: Complete Anhilation!

    17th October!


    Wang Xiao lounged in his plush chair, enjoying thefort of his vi in Romania. In front of him, a massive screen disyed live footage of ska.


    Beside him stood Mary, awkwardly fidgeting, clearly unsure why she was called here.


    Meanwhile, ra, dressed in something barely there, was massaging his shoulders, her fingers working with expert precision.


    She was more curious than anyone about what wasing next.


    "We''ve received reports," ra began, her voice sultry, though business-like, "that the skinwalkers are divided. One faction was nning to join forces with Renji Hayashi and take control, but they''ve already been wiped out in Hollow Earth."


    Wang Xiao smirked, his gaze slidingzily toward her. "So, what are you telling me? The ones left on the surface are a bunch of harmless puppies I should spare?"


    ra shook her head, her hair cascading down her bare back. "No, they''re not involved in any power grabs, but let them breed, and they''ll overrun everything. Eventually, they''ll be a problem."


    Wang Xiao snorted. "So, I should be kind and let them roam around? That''s not how I do things." His voice dropped, a trace of menace slipping in. "People think they can drive me into a corner. So I''ll destroy everything they could possibly use against me."


    As if on cue, the screen flickered, and in the sky above ska, a bright arrow exploded, sending waves of light rippling across thendscape.


    A barrier of light blue energy spread out, trapping everything beneath it.


    "You can announce that tomorrow, 18th October, those creatures will be eradicated," Wang Xiao said, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. "Let them stew, panic, and unite like desperate insects before I crush them all at once."


    "Mm," Ji Xuehong nodded, standing nearby in somethingpletely out of character for her¡ªa tight, light green t-shirt that hugged her chest and short denim shorts.


    Her legs, smooth and glistening, seemed to stretch for days.


    Even Wang Xiao had to admit, he hadn''t seen her dressed down like this often.


    Usually, she was all armor and des, but now¡­ she looked downright delicate.


    Her face was soft, lips pouty, and for a moment, Wang Xiao found himself more distracted than usual.


    Once she finished sending out the announcement, Ji Xuehong hesitated briefly before stepping forward and opening a massive scroll in front of him.


    Whoosh!


    "Hm? What''s this?" Wang Xiao asked, his eyebrow raised, ncing between her and the scroll.


    Even Mary and ra, turned their attention to her, curious.


    "It''s the signatures of all the people I tried to kill before¡­ as you requested," Ji Xuehong said, her voice calm, almost indifferent.


    Wang Xiao blinked, confusion spreading across his face as he reached for the scroll and unrolled it further.


    The list was massive¡ªfar longer than he expected. His lips twisted in disbelief. "Wait a second¡­ This list is huge. Did you go around collecting the signatures of every person you''ve tried to kill, not just your sisters?"


    Ji Xuehong blinked back at him, expression nk. "Was I not supposed to?"


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help butugh, his eyes scanning the absurdly long list. "How in the world did you manage this? And what''s with this ''999 others''? Where the hell did you pull those from?"


    He grinned, genuinely amused by the ridiculousness of it all, and looked at Ji Xuehong with a mix of surprise and admiration.


    She''d actually gone and done it.


    Thorough as ever.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "I didn''t threaten Yue or Wenxi, as you instructed," Ji Xuehong exined, her tone as innocent as ever. "As for the others, you didn''t specify, so I used ''special'' methods. Some were already dead, so I got their descendants'' or rtives'' signatures. When I ran out of space, I took thumbprints for the rest and listed the number."


    Wang Xiao stared at her, then back at the scroll.


    A million thumbprints?


    He was impressed¡­ and a little rmed.


    What the hell has she been doing for thest two weeks?


    "And how did you get Yue and Wenxi''s signatures?" he asked, genuinely curious now.


    "..."


    Ji Xuehong''s lips twitched slightly, the faintest trace of a smile threatening to appear. "I told them you asked for it."


    Wang Xiao groaned, rubbing his forehead. "You tricked them?"


    Ji Xuehong''s smile grew, ever so slightly.


    He sighed, half-annoyed, half-amused. "If you told them I wanted their signatures, they probably handed them over without even questioning it¡­ You really didn''t tell them why, did you?"


    "En," Ji Xuehong hummed, her eyes gleamed with mischievous satisfaction, though she kept her expression calm.


    Wang Xiao looked at her for a long moment, torn between wanting tough and roll his eyes. "You¡­ you really outdid yourself," he said, shaking his head. "But damn, you sure know how to get things done."


    Ji Xuehong stood there, her delicate frame somehow hiding the fact that she was one of the most dangerous women alive.


    The soft appearance was deceiving, and Wang Xiao couldn''t help but feel both amused and impressed.


    "!"


    Wang Xiao''s gaze shifted as he suddenly caught ra''s pale hands running over his shoulders, her touch delicate.


    The sensation sent a shiver through her, goosebumps rising along her skin.


    She wasn''t sure whether it was from her own excitement or fear of what mighte next.


    "Leave," he said, his voice calm but final.


    ra exhaled softly, as though she''d been holding her breath, her relief evident.


    She bowed her head and left the room without a word, vanishing as quickly as she had appeared.


    His eyes thennded on Mary, who had been standing off to the side, clearly ufortable. "You''ll go and clear out everything alive in that barrier by midnight."


    "Me?" Mary pointed to herself, her soft lips parting in surprise. She hadn''t expected him to call on her for this, especially not such a brutal task.


    Wang Xiao nodded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Yes. Refine their souls and form your core."


    Mary froze, her body stiffening. She knew what he meant. This wasn''t some noble cultivation technique¡ªit was a twisted, ancient method, one more akin to Zeus'' soul-refining practices. Instead of nurturing her own soul, she would devour the souls of others, integrate them, and force them into forming her core.


    It requiredrge-scale ughter. And right now, Wang Xiao had given her a feast.


    Swallowing her hesitation, Mary nodded slowly, her voice almost a whisper. "Understood." She turned and left, her heels echoing faintly in the silence as she disappeared from sight.


    Now, only Ji Xuehong remained in the room with Wang Xiao.


    He could feel her gaze on him, a quiet voice between them.


    There was a subtle hesitation in her eyes before she took a few sudden, quick steps toward him.


    "!"


    Wang Xiao''s heart nearly leapt out of his chest as Ji Xuehong closed the distance between them in an instant. For a split second, his mind raced.


    Was she brainwashed by Eveline again?


    Was this some borate scheme?


    He had barely considered the possibility when thoughts of Eveline''s past maniptions flooded his mind.


    Was this her ploy to use Ji Xuehong as a weapon, to make him harm his own daughter?


    But then, Ji Xuehong stopped right in front of him, her actionspletely unexpected.


    The corners of her lips twitched slightly, as though she was holding back a smile.


    "Hug."


    Her voice was soft, yet firm, as she extended her arms toward him, her eyes locked on his.


    "Eh?"


    Wang Xiao blinked, caughtpletely off-guard. He looked at her, standing just inches away, her arms open, waiting with an expectant gaze.


    This wasn''t amand or some hidden agenda¡ªshe simply wanted a hug.


    For a brief moment, he stared, unsure of how to react.


    The dangerous warrior who usually kept her distance now stood before him, in a way he rarely saw.

 Chapter 575: *Spilling Rivers of Blood!*

    "Father, hug!"


    Ji Xuehong''s voice rang out again, this time more insistent.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao stared at her with aplicated expression, hesitating for a moment before finally standing up.


    With a sigh, he wrapped his arms around her.


    A delicate, almost ethereal scent filled his senses¡ªlike white lilies on a cool spring breeze. It was soft and subtle, a different contrast to the fierce warrior she usually portrayed.


    Her hands slid up his back, gripping him gently. She rested her face against his shoulder, her eyes closed, breathing deeply.


    Wang Xiao stiffened slightly as her chest pressed against him, the softness of her breasts suprising him.


    They were being squashed between them, and for a split second, he couldn''t help but notice the sensation.


    He swallowed, suddenly aware that she likely wasn''t wearing anything under the tight t-shirt, the thin fabric offering no barrier between her and him.


    The intimate closeness made heat rise to his face, but Ji Xuehong remained still, her hold warm and almost...forting.


    For once, there was no pretense, no armor¡ªjust a simple moment between them.


    "Fiona, are you... alright?" Wang Xiao''s voice was soft, almost hesitant, masking the guilt he had long buried.


    He should have asked her this a long time ago.


    One of the reasons he had never punished them too severely was the creeping guilt he had.


    If he had given them¡ªFiona and the others¡ªa bit more attention, if he hadn''t left everything in Eveline''s hands, maybe things would have turned out differently.


    Maybe they would have been better, stronger, less... broken.


    He had always trusted Eveline to handle it, but deep down, he knew that his own distance had been part of the problem.


    "En," Ji Xuehong nodded, her cheeks flushed faintly, a hint of excitement shimmering in her eyes.


    As they separated, Wang Xiao noticed her quick nce downward, almost shy, and he felt a wave of confusion wash over him. Was she really this excited just from a simple hug?


    The cold, impassive killer, showing emotion?


    "..."


    He smiled bitterly, his hand lifting almost instinctively to brush against her delicate face. Her skin was soft, smooth like polished jade beneath his fingers. Ji Xuehong blinked in surprise at his touch, her usually guarded eyes softening for just a moment.


    For someone so lethal, so unshakable, seeing her like this left Wang Xiao even more at a loss.


    Without the armour, she was just so delicate he flet.


    "??"


    Ji Xuehong''s eyes widened in surprise as Wang Xiao pulled her closer, his arms wrapping firmly around her soft waist.


    Before she could react, he gently tugged her backward, sitting down on the edge of the bed and pulling her with him.


    Her body tensed as he rested his face against her chest, his embrace tightening, almost as if seekingfort in her warmth.


    The softness of her body pressed against him, and for a moment, there was no movement, just the quiet rhythm of their breathing.


    Ji Xuehong, uncharacteristically flustered, hesitated.


    She had never seen this side of him before. In her eyes, he was supreme, like an idol¡ªthe man whomanded the whole sky alone and crushed enemies without a second thought, now holding her as if she were an anchor in his storm.


    Her hands hovered uncertainly before she slowly rested them on his back, her heart racing in a way that had nothing to do with fear.


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao''s eyes snapped open as he felt a shift. He nced up to see Fiona, or rather Ji Xuehong, tugging her t-shirt down, revealing her smooth, milky-white shoulders¡ªskin so pale it seemed untouched by the sun.


    "Fiona?" he said, a trace of confusion in his voice.


    Ji Xuehong froze, her fingers halting, her face turning a shade of crimson. Her eyes darted away, avoiding his gaze, as if she had made some sort of mistake.


    ''Did she think I meant something else?'' Wang Xiao wondered, suppressing augh. It was rare to see her, the ruthless and ever-controlled warrior, showing such weak actions.


    He couldn''t resist chuckling, his voice low and amused.


    "Fiona, do you want to sleep with daddy...?" His tone was teasing as he leaned forward, pressing his face between her supple breasts, breathing in her intoxicating scent.


    Ji Xuehong''s face flushed even deeper, her lips parting but no words came out.


    She was caught, speechless.


    Wang Xiao, still grinning, pulled her closer, lifting her onto hisp, her slender body fitting perfectly against his.


    His hand slid up to her face, his thumb gently caressing her soft cheek. He tilted her chin slightly, forcing her to meet his gaze, a mix of yful adoration and curiosity in his eyes.


    "Are you angry at me, Fiona?" Wang Xiao asked suddenly, his voice soft but probing.


    Ji Xuehong''s longshes fluttered, startled by the question.


    She shook her head, denying it without hesitation.


    "Not angry at all? About anything?" Wang Xiao repeated, his suspicion growing as he narrowed his eyes.


    Her eyes blinked, as if she were searching her mind for something¡ªanything¡ªto be upset about. But then, with the same quiet determination, she shook her head again.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao was left speechless.


    The way she kept avoiding his gaze made his heart stir, confusion giving way to something else entirely.


    Her refusal to meet his eyes, the subtle flush on her face¡ªit all seemed to evoke a primal reaction in him.


    Without thinking, his hands moved on their own. He grabbed her face gently, cupping it between his palms. His thumbs brushed over her crimson lips, the softness of them making his breath stop for a moment.


    They felt warm, tender... inviting.


    "Mmm~!"


    Ji Xuehong let out a soft, muffled sound of surprise as Wang Xiao leaned in, closing the distance between them. His lips pressed against hers, the suddenness of it sending a jolt through her.


    Her heart raced wildly in her chest, as if trying to escape.


    For a brief moment, she froze, her mind nk as his warmth overtook her senses.


    "Mnnngh~~"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Mmmmmmmmmm~"


    Wang Xiao, overwhelmed by a surge of emotions he hadn''t anticipated, acted on pure impulse, pushing Ji Xuehong down onto the bed.


    Thud!


    In that moment, nothing else mattered¡ªnot the threats from transcendent beings, nor the enemies in the shadows.


    The only thing that filled his mind was the delicate body in his arms.


    Everything else could wait.


    With a single sweep of his divine sense, he nketed the room, ensuring that no one could disturb them.


    The world outside ceased to exist.


    All that remained was them.


    Ji Xuehong squirmed beneath him, her pale, delicate face flushed as red as a ripe tomato, her breathing ragged and uneven.


    His tongue slid deeper into her mouth, savoring her sweet taste, feeding the fire that burned inside him.


    Her hands, so fragile and hesitant now, pressed weakly against his chest.


    For a moment, it was as if those same hands had never wielded a sword or spilled rivers of blood.

 Chapter 576: *Such an obedient daughter...*

    Her fragrant body was irresistible, every inch of her tempting Wang Xiao to forget everything else.


    Was it logical for him to lose control like this? Probably not.


    But logic had long been overruled by the feelings he had for her.


    He sucked hungrily on her sweet lips, his hands exploring her soft curves, taking in the warmth of her body.


    "Father..." Ji Xuehong breathed heavily, her lips now swollen and red, glistening with his touch.


    But before she could say more, he pressed a finger gently against her mouth.


    "It''s ''Daddy'', when we''re alone..." he whispered, his voice low and intimate, brushing a tender kiss against her delicate cheek.


    "Mm..." Ji Xuehong''sshes trembled, her soft sigh betraying a flicker of happiness.


    Wang Xiao''s heart twisted.


    Eveline had done this woman a great injustice by shaping her into a cold-blooded killer. Ji Xuehong, despite everything, was pure at her core¡ªinnocent in ways Eveline would never understand.


    How could Eveline have thought Ji Xuehong was suited for that life? The thought sickened him.


    But right now, none of that mattered.


    He leaned in again, capturing her lips, as if the taste of her wasn''t enough to satisfy the growing hunger inside him.


    "Daddy..." Ji Xuehong groaned, her voice shaky with surprise as she gripped his clothes tighter, her knuckles whitening.


    Her lips quivered, and her legs fidgeted nervously beneath him.


    She was caught between her own emotions, unsure of what to do but unable to pull away.


    Wang Xiao''s hands roamed her trembling body, and with every touch, the heat between them grew.


    What he was doing was certainly taboo in his world.


    The societal judgment, the rules..


    Being conditioned from birth to see certain things as immoral...


    But Wang Xiao didn''t care. If the world forbade him, he would burn down every voice that dared rise against him.


    What was all his power for if he still allowed others to dictate his actions?


    Once, he had decided that all of his ''daughters'' & ''sisters'' would belong to him, by any means necessary.


    He couldn''t allow them to form their own families, to be tied to other men.


    That would onlyplicate things, adding ''more people'' to protect, more lives tethered to his own.


    Perhaps it was self-justification¡ªa convenient excuse to keep everyone close, bound to him and only him.


    But in moments like this, with Ji Xuehong trembling under his touch, he knew the truth.


    He couldn''t stand the thought of anyone else having her. mvle,mp|y|r hosted


    Not a single foreign hand would ever be allowed to touch this delicate, fragile figure now lying in his arms.


    She was his, and only his.


    The world, thews, the unspoken rules¡ªthey meant nothing.


    His possessiveness burned through every fiber of his being.


    Only for him.


    Only for him...


    Previously, Wang Xiao had been content, or at least he convinced himself he was, with his ''daughters'' choosing not to sleep with him¡ªas long as they didn''t start rtionships elsewhere.


    He gave them that option.


    That was the deal he made with Lan, and she epted it easily enough.


    But now?


    He could only sneer at his former self.


    Being so close to these fragrant, tempting bodies and doing nothing? Impossible.


    Even if they didn''t want him, he wanted them.


    "Mmmmmmhnnnn~" Ji Xuehong''s soft lips parted, letting out sweet moans as his hands slid under her clothes, fingers gliding over the smooth, supple skin of her breasts.


    The soft mounds filled his hands, their tender warmth intoxicating.


    It felt as though his fingers would melt from the sheer softness, every touch sending electric jolts through his body.


    It was unreal, the sensation of her beneath him, yielding to his every move.


    He couldn''t believe he was crossing this line¡ªone he had been so careful not to approach before.


    But now that he had begun, there was no going back.


    This was a barrier he needed to cross.


    Ji Xuehong was perfect to be his first.


    If he chose Yue or Wenxi, they would fight over it,peting endlessly, bragging about who was with him first.


    He didn''t want that.


    Ji Xuehong wasn''t like them¡ªshe didn''t y those games.


    She was... different.


    Sweet, even.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but wonder why he hadn''t noticed this side of her earlier.


    She was quiet, unassuming, so unlike the others, yet there was something beneath that exterior, something that made her all the more charming now that he finally saw it.


    Wang Xiao, his gaze resting on Ji Xuehong''s subtle shyness, felt both amused and oddly yful.


    She was always soposed, but seeing her now, quiet and shy, stirred something mischievous in him.


    He wanted to push her, just a little, to see how far he could take it.


    "Fiona, why did you keep these two hidden from ''daddy'' for so long?" he teased, his hands slipping under her t-shirt, cupping her warm, soft breasts.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The sensation of her heated skin against his palms sent a thrill through him.


    "!"


    Ji Xuehong''s face flushed bright red, her lips glistening under the subtle light, making her look even more enticing.


    "I didn''t¡­" she murmured weakly, her voice barely audible.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes curved into a satisfied smile, enjoying her embarrassment.


    She wasn''t hiding them on purpose, but it was fun watching her squirm.


    "Oh? Then why don''t you show them to me already?" he asked, his voice light yet daring.


    "!"


    Ji Xuehong''s lips pressed together, her hesitation clear, but the way her eyes flickered with uncertainty only made Wang Xiao more eager.


    After a moment, she gave a faint nod, "En," she whispered, her voice soft, almost obedient.


    Her hands trembled as they grabbed the hem of her t-shirt, lifting it slowly.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes brightened, his heart racing as her smooth, pale skin began to reveal itself, inch by inch.


    Her abdomen, wless and soft, appeared first, and as she continued to pull it upwards, the gentle curve of her chest came into view.


    The fabric rustled like a whisper in the wind as it slid higher, unveiling her inch by inch, and Wang Xiao''s gaze, sharp as a sword, remained fixed upon her.


    The sight of her breasts¡ªfull and wless, like jade peaks¡ªmade his breath falter.


    They were more than enough to fill his grasp, with an intoxicating softness that begged for more. In the center of each smooth, ivory mound rested a delicate light-pink nipple, trembling slightly, as if awakening under the scrutiny of its rightful master.


    Wang Xiao leaned in, a devilish smile curling his lips. "Such a good girl..."


    His tongue darted out, teasing the sensitive bud before his hands enveloped her soft mounds.


    The sensation was beyond mortal pleasure, as if the very essence of heaven was pouring into him, threatening to melt his soul into hers.


    Slurp... Slurp...


    He suckled her with an intensity that made the tender nipple tremble.


    Ji Xuehong''s eyes glistened, tears threatening to spill as she stifled a gasp with one hand, the other buried in his hair, anchoring him closer.


    She looked down, watching him feast on her breasts, the strange yet irresistible heat stirring deep within her core, sending waves of sensation through her body, making her feet rub together as if trying to ground the rising desire.


    "Ngh..."


    Her lips quivered with a soft moan, his thumb brushing over her trembling nipple with slow, deliberate strokes.


    "So sensitive... You''ve been craving my touch here, haven''t you?" he murmured, more to himself than to her.


    "Y-yes..." Ji Xuehong stammered, her long eyshes fluttering shyly as she answered.


    "Hmm?" Wang Xiao raised his gaze, catching the sight of her glowing face.


    His own surprise quickly turned into amusement before he chuckled, extending his hand to gently pat her head.


    "Such an obedient daughter..." he said, his voiceced with satisfaction.


    This was truly a rare gem.


    His eyes darkened as he teased her further. "You''ve been waiting for this, haven''t you? To finally have me all to yourself?"


    Ji Xuehong bit her lip, her face flushing a deep crimson as she nodded slowly, her fingers clutching his robes even tighter, as if fearing he might slip away.


    "..."

 Chapter 577: *Sweet Little Daughter!*

    "..."


    Wang Xiao''s movements froze once more. The more he asked, the more he felt he should stop himself.


    It was overwhelming¡ªtoo much for him to contain.


    "Fiona, say, ''Daddy, please~'' or I won''t go any further..." His voice was steady, though his expression turned serious, as if he were challenging her to make a choice.


    "Mm..." Her eyes fluttered as she murmured softly, "Daddy, please..."


    "!"


    Wang Xiao felt as if a thousand-pound boulder had crashed onto his back from the sweetness of her voice.


    It struck him so deeply, it was almost physical. Just what kind of spell was this girl weaving?


    Looking at her innocent gaze as she spoke such powerful words, he didn''t know whether tough or cry.


    "Fiona, lick it..." He pressed his thumb insistently against her soft lips.


    "Mm..." The next moment, he shuddered. Her delicate hands caught hisrger one, and with seductive slowness, her small tongue began to move, licking his thumb with an tempting sensuality that made his pulse race.


    Wang Xiao, his breath quickening, lowered his other hand between them, his heart thundering in his chest.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    With trembling fingers, he reached her abdomen, unhooking her hot pants, the heat between them growing thicker, almost suffocating.


    Rustle...


    His hand ventured inside, slowly making its way between her legs. As his fingers crept closer to her core, Wang Xiao felt a strange mix of excitement and guilt.


    It was as if he weremitting some forbidden act, yet the sheer excitement coursing through him only urged him forward.


    Splurp...


    "Ahn...?" Ji Xuehong''s moan caught in her throat, her hazy gaze lifting to meet his.


    She blinked, confused for a moment as a sudden sensation between her legs made her pause.


    But her body, eager and responsive, resumed the task he had set for her¡ªher small tongue continuing top at his thumb, the wet sounds filling the room.


    Sigh...


    A low sigh of relief escaped Wang Xiao as his fingers found her entrance.


    The softness was unlike anything he had touched before, so sensitive and warm that his instincts took over, driving him to rub slowly, savoring each reaction from her body.


    "Nnnh... Daddy...." Ji Xuehong whimpered, her hips shifting against his hand.


    The pleasure made her squirm beneath him, her movements growingnguid and slow, as if drowning in the sensations overwhelming her.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t hold back any longer. He leaned down, capturing her lips with his own, his kiss deep and urgent.


    She gasped against him, but her fiery red hair spilled out across the bed like an inferno, her lips parting as she moaned into his mouth.


    Her body pressed closer, clinging to him as if seeking relief from the growing storm between them.


    m vl emp yr exclusive


    "Let me help you two..." A feminine voice, dripping with amusement, echoed through the room.


    Both Wang Xiao and Ji Xuehong stiffened in surprise.


    Ji Xuehong''s eyes immediately red with fiery anger, and she clung tighter to Wang Xiao''s neck, her voice trembling. "Daddy... I won''t go with her..." She pleaded.


    Wang Xiao was momentarily taken aback, though he knew Eveline had been watching all along.


    The idea of taking Ji Xuehong in front of her barely fazed him anymore¡ªhis shame in Eveline''s presence had long since disappeared.


    "I''m not sending you with her," Wang Xiao murmured softly, his hands gently cupping Ji Xuehong''s face, offering reassurance with his gaze.


    Then, he turned to Eveline, who stood across the room, a haughty smile tugging at her lips, her eyes brimming with superiority.


    She wore a light yellow cheongsam, her posture elegant and confident, as if she owned the world.


    "Oh, so you''re already turning your back on your ''Mother,'' hmm?" Eveline''s voice dripped with contempt, her brow raised high.


    Her eyes flicked dismissively over Ji Xuehong, who only tightened her grip around Wang Xiao''s neck, refusing to let go.


    She held him as though he was herst lifeline, unwilling to be abandoned once more.


    Thest time she''d listened to Eveline''s honeyed words, she had been locked away for years.


    She wasn''t about to listen anything again.


    Eveline''s smile faltered, her expression briefly stunned as she watched Ji Xuehong cling desperately to Wang Xiao.


    But she quickly regained herposure, her proud demeanor settling back into ce.


    "You still don''t trust me? How amusing..." she muttered, her voice dripping with disdain, as though Ji Xuehong''s actions were nothing more than a childish fit. "After everything I''ve done, you still doubt my words? Look at yourself now¡ªin your precious ''Daddy''s'' arms, seeking protection. Do you truly believe you''d be here without me?"


    Ji Xuehong remained silent, refusing to meet Eveline''s gaze, her hold on Wang Xiao growing even tighter.


    Her voice, though barely audible, held an unwavering resolve. "Mother...go away..." she whispered, burying her face deeper into Wang Xiao''s chest, her heart pounding but her voice unshaken.


    Eveline''s lips twitched.


    Wang Xiao, however, had had enough.


    Being caught between the two of them, a standoff of wills, would normally feel awkward, especially since Ji Xuehong was Eveline''s... and his... well... ''Daughter.''


    But the truth was, he had long since stopped taking Eveline seriously.


    "I''ll give you three seconds to scram," he said coldly, his voice calm butyered with warning.


    Eveline''s face darkened, her smile cracking for a moment.


    But then, instead of backing off, her confidence grew even more wicked.


    With a flick of her wrist, she grabbed the hem of her cheongsam and pulled it upward, exposing her jade-like body, wless and seductive.


    The sudden sight of her bare skin caught Wang Xiaopletely off-guard.


    "You''re really going to deflower our sweet little ''daughter'' without me?" she sneered, "Do you think I''m just going to stand by and watch while you fuck her senseless?"


    "..."


    "..."


    For a moment, the room fell into stunned silence as Eveline''s boldness left them both speechless.


    "I can control myself..." Wang Xiao muttered, narrowing his eyes.


    He didn''t need anyone''s help.


    But the thought of having both his woman and his ''daughter'' in the same bed... that temptation seduced him every second, tugging at the edges of his resolve.


    He nced back at Ji Xuehong, who stared at Eveline in a mixture of shock and shame.


    She quickly shut her eyes and covered her face, refusing to look at her ''mother''s'' naked body. Yet, between her fingers, there were small gaps where she was peeking through.


    The sight amused Wang Xiao.


    It reminded him of how she used to be six years ago, back when she was still small and innocent, before everything changed.


    Now, although she had grown into a beautiful girl, her asional actions still reflected that girl he remembered.


    How fast she had grown...


    Eveline, however, seemed utterly unfazed by their thoughts.


    Sheughed, her voice seductive and sweet, ringing through the room like the chime of delicate bells. "Is that so~?" she teased, her lips curling as she moved closer.


    Without hesitation, Eveline reached down, her fingers brushing Ji Xuehong''s body as she slid the already loosened hot pants down her thighs.


    Ji Xuehong tensed, her breath hitching, but she didn''t resist.


    Wang Xiao watched, his gaze locked on Eveline''s smooth, fluid movements as she revealed Ji Xuehong''s supple thighs, pale and smooth like polished jade.


    The sight was irresistible¡ªthose soft, perfectly curved thighs, the skin wless and inviting.


    Wang Xiao''s breath quickened at the sight of her delicate, small feet, which looked both cute and utterly kissable.

 Chapter 578: *Ji Xuehong!*

    "Now you can go all out... leave the rest to me..."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes traced the smooth curve of those wless legs, but before he could savor the sight, Eveline''s voice slipped into his ears.


    He shot a nce at her, only to find she was already behind him, fingers deftly working to strip him of his clothes. discover stories mv-l,e-mp _yr


    He could never figure this woman out¡ªnever.


    Even now, he had no clue what the hell she was ying at.


    Was she trying to buy redemption by throwing herself at him like this?


    If so, she was dead wrong. Whether she lived or died wasn''t up to her¡ªit''d be Aurora who decided, once he freed her.


    For now, though, his eyes were drawn to the delicate flower spread out before him.


    Ji Xuehongy in the middle of the bed, knees raised just enough to tease, her chest rising and falling with each breath.


    Those pale, soft nipples shivered as she slowly lifted her head, locking eyes with him.


    She waspletely bare, save for a single flimsy undergarment covering her most intimate spot.


    Her waist was slim, soft to the touch, and her whole body was a work of art.


    No words passed between them¡ªnone were needed.


    The way he stared at her, his gaze burning hot with desire, made her shift slightly, an unease creeping into her posture before a soft, knowing smile curved her lips.


    Between her thighs, ckce barely covered her, those sinful panties clinging to her, driving him wild and pulling him back onto the bed.


    Eveline? She could rot in the corner for all he cared, as long as she didn''t get in his way.


    As for killing him? She could summon all her ancestors from the depths of hell, and they''d still be too damn weak to even scratch him.


    Eveline, nowpletely naked, clearly had other ns. Just as Wang Xiao, burning with lust, was about to move over Ji Xuehong, Eveline stopped him, her interruption filling his eyes with a sh of anger.


    "First, take a look at this," Eveline said, her voice casual as if the tension in the room was of no concern to her. Without any hesitation, she pried open Ji Xuehong''s eyes, whoy there awkwardly, feeling her ''mother'' examine her in such an intimate moment.


    Ji Xuehong couldn''t help herself¡ªshe unconsciouslypared their bodies, her gaze drifting to their breasts.


    Who did Wang Xiao prefer? Hers or her friend''s? They were both beautiful, but her mother had a grace like that of a celestial goddess.


    Ji Xuehong had no idea how charming she looked from above, an absolute beauty lying there, enough to drive Wang Xiao to the edge, his desire almost forcing him to pounce on her.


    But Eveline, ever the tease, kept pulling at him.


    Her slender fingers trailed down toward the space between Ji Xuehong''s legs, parting them to reveal her most private area, still veiled. Eveline slid the fabric aside, exposing the delicate, budding flower within. The beautiful folds, soft like butterfly wings, were pulled slightly apart by Eveline''s fingers, revealing the inviting pink of her insides.


    There it was, the ultimate symbol of her purity¡ªher hymen¡ªuntouched and fragile, standing before him like a forbidden prize.


    Wang Xiao froze, his eyes glued to the sight before him, Eveline''s melodicughter filling the air. "It''s small, isn''t it?" she teased, her voice dripping with amusement.


    Ji Xuehong bit her lip, her chest rising and falling rapidly, the embarrassment and tension in the room making her breathless.


    Wang Xiao leaned in closer, cing his finger against the delicate slit and rubbing it slowly. He nodded unconsciously¡ªit was small, tight, barely enough for his finger to slide in. Yet, it was undeniably charming, tempting him further.


    His own ''daughter'', how could she not be utterly beautiful in every way?


    Eveline smiled slyly, her little prank clearly a sess in her eyes. Without hesitation, she moved behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist, her soft breasts pressing firmly against his back, her bare body molding into his.


    "Once you''re done with her, you can have both of us together..." she whispered seductively into his ear, her breath hot against his skin.


    Wang Xiao''s hardened rod throbbed with excitement at her words.


    Not that he needed her to say it¡ªhe would''ve done it regardless!


    The thought of taking both his daughter and her biological mother had already pushed him to the brink, and Eveline knew exactly how to toy with his restraint.


    "Daddy... I''m strong. I can take it all at once..." Ji Xuehong''s voice trembled with both anticipation and resolve as shey beneath Wang Xiao, her eyes blinking, feeling the intense heat of his body pressed against hers.


    Her hand moved slowly, hesitantly, over his throbbing manhood, her fingers barely able to grasp its full size.


    It was hot,rge¡ªfar bigger than she had imagined.


    Holding it for the first time made her face flush a deep red, but she still looked him in the eye, surprising Wang Xiao with her willingness.


    He hadn''t expected her to be this cooperative.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Her face, flushed with a mix of nervousness and forbidden desire, suddenly seemed more beautiful to him.


    He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek as she carefully aligned his thick shaft with her small, wet entrance, giving him a shy nod of approval.


    As his hot length pressed against her tight, slick entrance, Wang Xiao pushed forward, slowly sinking into her.


    "..."


    Ji Xuehong''s eyes widened, her expression frozen as the tip of his rod entered her, breaking her innocence.


    Hershes fluttered as she instinctively tried to turn her face away, but Wang Xiao leaned in, capturing her lips in a deep kiss.


    "Ugh..." she groaned into his mouth, her waist arching off the bed as his thick rod plunged deeper, tearing through her hymen in one swift stroke.


    Her insides stretched painfully, yet entirely, leaving no space untouched as he filled herpletely.


    "Nghhhh...!" she groaned, unable to contain herself as his thick length pushed deeper, her eyes growing blurry, tears streaking down her cheeks.


    She felt a sharp pain, which took her by surprise, but she clung to him tighter, pulling him into a deeper kiss.


    "Mngghh~~!"


    Wang Xiao wanted to be gentle, but it was impossible¡ªhe was buried inside his ''daughter.''


    Even though he had his reasons for restraint, she was just too soft, too tight, too sweet.


    He couldn''t help himself, his hips bucking on their own.


    "Ahhhhnnnn...!" Ji Xuehong moaned, her voice shaking, filling the room with a mix of pleasure and pain.


    Her body trembled beneath him as he lost control, thrusting wildly.


    Squelch! Squelch!


    With each thrust, wet sounds filled the air, her body helplessly taking all of him. His throbbing cock moved deeper and deeper, rubbing against her insides, making her gasp.


    "Ahhhh... ahhhhhh!" Ji Xuehong cried out, her nails digging into his back as his hot mouth found her nipples, sucking and nibbling on them roughly.


    Pah! Pah! Pah!


    The sound of their bodies colliding echoed in the room, relentless.


    Ji Xuehong''s moans turned louder, her tears flowing down her flushed face, overwhelmed by thebined sensation of pain and pleasure.


    Her body would heal itself, only for him to tear through her again.


    "Ahnnnn... Daddy~... ahhh...!"


    Her body shook violently, caught in the rhythm of his powerful thrusts.


    Each movement caused a wave of heat and pain that was both unbearable and addictive.


    "Mmm... My little baby, do you love your ''Daddy''?" Wang Xiao growled, his lips moving down to lick and bite at her neck, his pace unstoppable.


    "Y-yes... ahhh! Yes... I love daddy...!" Ji Xuehong gasped, her voice breathless and tearful.


    She had never experienced pain before¡ªher body was indestructible from birth, a special blessing she''d always taken for granted.


    But today, she bled¡ªfor her ''daddy''¡ªand that filled her with a strange, overwhelming joy.


    p! p! p!


    The sounds of their bodies meeting continued as Wang Xiao drove into her, filling the room with the primal rhythm of their union.


    "Nghhhh...!" Ji Xuehong''s soft moans filled the room as his thick length continued to stretch her, tears blurring her vision.


    The mix of pleasure and pain was dizzying, overwhelming her entirely, but what gripped her more was the forbidden nature of it all.


    Wang Xiao''s breath grew ragged as he kissed her deeply, unable to control the primal urges surging through him. "Fiona ¡ª You''re mine...pletely mine," he growled between heated kisses, and forbidden pleasure, his voice low and possessive. "No one else will ever touch you like this... only me."


    "Ahhh... Y-Yes...!" she gasped, her body trembling beneath him, her hands grasping at his shoulders as he pushed deeper inside her.


    His words carried a dangerous weight, the edge of something unspoken guilt, something they both knew they shouldn''t be indulging in, and yet here they were¡ªentangled, lost in one another.


    Pah! Pah! Pah!


    The wet, pping sounds of their bodies filled the air, her tight entrance stretched to its limit around his throbbing shaft.


    Each movement sent ripples of pleasure coursing through both of them, but for Wang Xiao, it was more than that¡ªthis was him marking what was his.

 Chapter 579: *Mad Love!*

    Each thrust imed her more and more, and though she felt a strange shame mixed with the pleasure, it was that very sense of taboo that drove her deeper into desire.


    "You belong to me, Fiona," he said with a wild intensity in his eyes. "Only I will ever be inside you. This body, this tight, sweet little ce¡ªit''s mine to im, mine to own."


    "Ahhhnnn... yes, Daddy... only you... Fiona is only...only... yours¡ªahhnn!" Ji Xuehong''s voice was shaky, caught between the painful throbs and the forbidden thrill coursing through her veins.


    Her mind couldn''tprehend it all, but her body¡ªher body was yielding to himpletely.


    Squelch! Squelch!


    Her entrance clung to him, wet and slippery, each thrust causing her to moan louder.


    Her tears mixed with sweat, her body unable to resist his pace.


    She was destined to be his, and today, that truth settled deep within her heart.


    Only his!


    It was instinctual; she felt him enter her, and though the pain was a foreign sensation, she loved it¡ªbecause it was him.


    Only he could mark her so deeply, sopletely.


    Her legs quivered as he moved within her. Between them, a faint streak of blood had long soaked into the sheets, blooming like an apricot flower in the snow''s untouched whiteness.


    He was her daddy, she was his daughter, and nothing would ever change that.


    After today, their bond grew even stronger, closer than ever before.


    "You''ll never let anyone else in here," he groaned, thrusting harder as if to prove his point. "Not another man, not another soul. Only me... always me."


    "Ahnn... y-yes... Daddy... only you," she managed to choke out between moans, her legs trembling as he continued to pound into her, each thrust iming her more thoroughly.


    p! p! p!


    The sound of his hips smacking against her echoed around them, the rhythm frantic and hungry. His hands roamed her body, gripping her hips, her waist, as if to remind her again and again that she was his.


    "You''re mine," he repeated, leaning down to kiss her hard, his tongue invading her mouth as roughly as his manhood imed her below. "I''ll tear anyone apart who even thinks about touching you."


    Her breath hitched, her body responding to his obsessive words. "Ahhhh... yes... I''m yours... yours forever."


    "Good girl," he growled, pushing even deeper, making her gasp as her body shook beneath him. "You''ll bleed only for me. You''ll feel this pain only for me. No one else will ever make you feel this way."


    Ji Xuehong moaned in response, her body writhing beneath him as his words ignited something inside her.


    The pleasure and the pain, his possessiveness¡ªit was intoxicating, pulling her deeper into his control.


    "... ahhnnn... so deep...!" she gasped, her hands gripping his arms tightly.


    "Remember that, Fiona," he whispered darkly, his lips brushing against her ear. "Only I can do this to you. Only I can make you mine like this."


    With those final words, his hips moved faster, mming into her with reckless abandon, his every motion an expression of his overwhelming desire to im her.


    The room filled with her moans, his grunts, and the relentless sound of their bodies colliding, both consumed by the fire of their passion.


    Snap!


    The ferociousness of their passion shattered the bed beneath them, a bed supposedly built to withstand an entire orgy.


    Eveline, standing off to the side, was left speechless, her naked body flushing in waves as she watched.


    She couldn''t help but feel a deep shame and confusion.


    _emp _y,r.


    It was her first time witnessing such a scene¡ªher ''daughter'' being taken by the same man who had imed her first.


    Her legs began to tremble, a strange heat building between them.


    Without thinking, her fingers slipped between her thighs, rubbing softly against her slick entrance.


    Eveline''s eyes fluttered closed, her face flushing deeper with guilt and embarrassment.


    She had never seen herself as promiscuous, but this was too much to bear.


    The moans, the sight of Ji Xuehong writhing in pleasure under Wang Xiao¡ªit was driving her mad.


    "Ahhhhhhh...!" she moaned softly, her fingers pressing harder. But before she realized what was happening, her eyes snapped open, and she found herself atop Ji Xuehong, who was ring up at her with resentment.


    "W-What...?" Eveline gasped, confused. She had zoned out, lost in her own pleasure, and now, somehow, she was positioned above her daughter, feeling Wang Xiao''s thick manhood filling herpletely, her inner walls clenching tightly around him.


    "Huh... mmmgh..." Eveline groaned, her mind in a haze. How did she end up here? Did she really zone out so much that she hadn''t even noticed?


    She couldn''t believe it.


    But there she was, her body pressed against Ji Xuehong''s, face flushed, caught in a web of shame and lust.


    Ji Xuehong stared up at her with usatory eyes, her gaze sharp, as if to say, ''How dare you steal my daddy, even for a moment?''


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao looked down at the two women, both of their bodies so fragrant and sweet,id one atop the other. His obsession red.


    "Both of you belong to me," Wang Xiao growled, his voice low, possessive. His eyes darkened with lust as he thrust harder, feeling the tight warmth of Eveline, her moans mixing with Ji Xuehong''s. "No one else will ever touch you... no one will ever go inside you except me," he continued, his pace pushing deeper into Eveline before shifting to Ji Xuehong beneath.


    Pah! Pah! Pah!


    The sound of flesh meeting flesh echoed loudly as he pounded into both women, his desire pushing him over the edge. "You''re mine. Both of you... only mine."


    Eveline''s moans grew louder as Wang Xiao thrust into her, her face red with both pleasure and shame.


    She was caught between wanting more and feeling guilty for taking Ji Xuehong''s ce.


    Ji Xuehong, still pinned beneath her, red at Eveline, but her body was betraying her too¡ªher moans escaping uncontrobly as Wang Xiao''s relentless thrusts shook both women.


    Wang Xiao tossed them around for hours, positioning them in every way imaginable, his hands and lips exploring their delicate, fragrant bodies.


    Two of the most beautiful women,id bare before him, feeding his insatiable obsession.


    He tried every possible position, their moans blending into the night as he imed them both, over and over again.


    Their bodies seemed to devour him, especially his ''daughter,'' who he could never resist.


    No matter how many times he stopped, the moment he saw her¡ªnaked, casually moving about, even just cleaning herself¡ªhe lost all control.


    Every time, he''d jump on her, surprising her, yet unable to stop himself from iming what was his.


    Ji Xuehong was filled with happiness, her heart pounding loudly each time he touched her.


    But Eveline, watching them go at it over and over, started to feel annoyed.


    She couldn''t understand their bond.


    How could she? With other women, Wang Xiao always felt a sense of conquest, as if they were trophies to be imed.


    But with Ji Xuehong¡ªhis ''own daughter''¡ªit was different.


    She was his, fully,pletely, even before he hadid a hand on her. She belonged to him in every sense.


    There was no conquering her, only a deep, undeniable connection that had existed long before this moment.


    She was part of his blood, his soul.


    If he wasn''tpatible with her, he wouldn''t bepatible with anyone.


    The heat of their intimacy, the closeness, was the ultimate expression of their love¡ªsomething that stretched beyond the ages.


    And Wang Xiao, though youngpared to the heavens, found he couldn''t stop himself from craving her.


    Holding her body, keeping her close¡ªeven while sleeping¡ªbrought him peace.


    Sometimes, he''d stay inside her, his body pressed to hers, unwilling to let go even as they drifted off, exhausted from their passion.


    Ji Xuehong was starting to feel overwhelmed, her body glowing like fire, her breathing in ragged bursts.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her lips glistened with a sheen of saliva, quivering as she whispered.


    "Mmm... D-Daddy... drink this..." she said softly, her voice trembling with need.


    She grabbed her own full breast and pushed her nipple toward his lips, her face flushed a deep crimson.


    Wang Xiao paused, momentarily caught off guard by her words.


    Then, realizing what she meant, his eyes darkened with a lustful hunger.


    This must''ve been something Eveline had taught her.


    With a low growl, he pulled her closer, burying his face between her breasts.


    His mouthtched onto her nipple with a wet ''slurp'', sucking hard


    The sweet taste of milk flowed into his mouth, as intoxicating as ''Fiona'' herself.


    Gulp. Gulp.


    He drank eagerly, squeezing her breast to draw out more, his lips hungrily sealed around her nipple.


    "Ahhh...." Ji Xuehong moaned, her voice shaky, her breathing in short gasps.


    Her body trembled as he devoured her, her hands cradling his head between her soft breasts. Her flushed face, eyes half-closed, showed a love so deep it overwhelmed her.


    Slurp. Slurp.


    Wang Xiao didn''t stop, sucking harder, draining herpletely.


    Her milk tasted as sweet as her lips, and he couldn''t get enough.


    Ji Xuehong had never shown this many emotions in her entire life, not until today.


    Her face was a mix of love, pleasure, and exhaustion.


    But would anyone else ever witness this side of her?


    Probably not.


    No one else was worthy of her smile.


    No one but him.

 Chapter 580: Genocide! Kneel!

    October 18th, 2031


    Wang Xiao finally had a moment of peace, a rare luxury after months of continuous battles, standing as a silent guardian against an unknown enemy.


    But the world outside was far from quiet.


    "Are you seeing this?" one of the viewers whispered in disbelief, eyes glued to the screen of a flickering livestream that hade to life at exactly midnight.


    DING!


    The clock struck twelve, the screen transitioning as the date shifted to October 18th.


    Across the world, millions watched, breath held in collective anticipation.


    The chatter buzzed through the air.


    "He''s going to move any second now!" someone shouted excitedly. "The Eighth Prince will crush them!"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The excitement was almost palpable, as people expected the Eighth Prince to lead his army and wipe out the Skinwalkers once and for all.


    ska had be a hotbed of terror, with rumors swirling about Skinwalkers hiding in the shadows.


    The world awaited the decisive moment.


    But then¡­ nothing.


    Woooosh!


    The wind howled on the other side of the transparent barriers, a chilling sound that echoed through the emptynd.


    The camera shook slightly, barely capturing anything but the bleak, deste wilderness beyond.


    "Where... where is he?" a voice cracked through the static of the livestream. "What the hell is going on?"


    The only thing visible was the barren ground, stretching endlessly under a ckened sky.


    The isting barriers surrounding ska stood still, unmoving, like a prison for something forgotten.


    Darkness sprouting inside, imprable, swallowing any sign of life.


    Thud... Thud... Thud...


    The camera picked up the subtle vibrations of distant winds mming into the barriers, their force rattling them like brittle bones.


    "This ce¡­ it''s like a ghost town," a voice in the crowd muttered, fearcing their words.


    Another chimed in, "This wasn''t how it was supposed to go down. Where''s the army? Where''s the prince?"


    But all they saw were empty ins and the haunting wails of the wind.


    No armies.


    No Skinwalkers.


    Only cold, eerie silence.


    The livestream flickered for a moment, the screen darkening before refocusing on something small¡ªa figure, barely noticeable at first, drifting through the pitch-ck sky like a ghostly apparition.


    "There!" someone shouted, pointing at the screen. "Do you see that?"


    The figure hovered in the air, a delicate silhouette, slowly passing through the imprable barrier as if it were a mere illusion.


    She moved with a grace that defied exnation, her presence both ethereal and haunting.


    The world fell silent, millions watching in awe as she ascended to the very top of the transparent dome that shielded ska from the outside world.


    Whoosh¡­


    The wind whipped around her, swirling as though it too bowed to her power.


    For a moment, everything stilled, the tension increasing with each second.


    The figure paused at the highest point, suspended in the center of the barrier, like a dark sun ready to unleash its fury.


    "What''s she going to do?" someone murmured nervously, their voice barely a whisper.


    Suddenly, without warning, her body began to dissolve.


    Crackle¡­ crackle¡­


    Tiny cracks of light split through her form, her skin crumbling into fine, blood-red sand that shimmered like celestial dust.


    The crowd gasped in unison, mesmerized by the spectacle.


    Each grain of sand sparkled, floating in the air as if weightless, before erupting outward with unimaginable speed.


    Ziiiiiing!


    The red sand grains shot outwards like missiles, spreading across the entire expanse of the barrier.


    It moved with a mind of its own, weaving and swirling through the air in a mesmerizing dance of destruction.


    The rest watched, captivated by the beauty and sheer terror before their eyes.


    Inside the barrier, hidden in the darkest corners of thend, the Skinwalkers felt it first.


    A low, chilling howl echoed from the shadows.


    Then another.


    And another.


    Awooooo!


    The monsters, previously concealed, leaped out of their hiding ces, their disgusting forms revealed under the red-tinted sky.


    Their inhuman howls pierced the silence, a deafening symphony of terror that made even the most seasoned warriors shudder.


    Millions of them. Crawling, leaping, swarming¡ªlike a living sea of nightmare.


    "Oh my God," a voice trembled through the livestream. "There''s so many of them¡­"


    But the red sand was endless.


    It moved faster, swirling through the air like a deadly storm.


    The grains, so small and so unassuming, prated the Skinwalkers'' defenses with terrifying precision.


    Swoosh!


    Puchi! Puchi! Puchi!


    One by one, the grains slipped through the cracks of their thick skin, entering through their eyes, ears, and mouths. And then, in an instant, each grain burrowed into their skulls, reaching their brains.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The Skinwalkers dropped where they stood, green blood sttering across the barrennd, pooling like a sickly flood.


    No mercy.


    No chance to fight.


    The celestial dust moved through them with surgical precision, killing without hesitation, without remorse.


    The red grains danced in the air, breaking through the creatures as if they were nothing more than paper.


    It was a massacre¡ªbeautiful, haunting, and devastating.


    The barrier, once dark and silent, now glowed with the eerie shimmer of the celestial dust, filling every corner with its deadly light.


    Each death was precise, like an artist painting a masterpiece with blood.


    The creatures, once so terrifying, fell in waves, their green blood sshing against the barrier, staining it with violent bursts of color.


    And yet, the sight was so breathtaking that the viewers couldn''t look away.


    "It''s like a storm of death," someone whispered, awe and fear in their voice.


    The red sand moved as though it had a will of its own, filling the entire barrier, flowing endlessly, killing everything in its path with cold efficiency.


    The Skinwalkers howled in desperation, but the celestial dust silenced them all.


    ____


    your m,v,l,e,m,p,y,r story


    The world trembled as the screen flickered with the final image of the crimson storm swallowing the blue icy whole.


    The howling of the wind faded, reced by a deep, bone-chilling silence that seemed to stretch into eternity.


    In New York, the corporate titan, once so confident, stood motionless.


    His reflection in the shattered ss of his whiskey stared back at him, hollow-eyed. "This isn''t power," he muttered, voice shaking. "This is something else... something unholy." The words barely escaped his lips before he sank to his knees, as though the weight of the very air had pressed him down.


    In Tokyo, the leaders who once plotted their defiance found themselves on their feet, but not for long.


    One by one, their legs gave out, as if some invisible hand gripped their throats.


    They fell.


    There was no discussion, no debate.


    Just the sound of knees hitting the cold marble floor.


    In the Vatican, a ce where faith had never wavered, something broke.


    Cardinals, bishops, even the Pope himself¡ªthose who had spent their lives worshipping angels¡ªfound themselves kneeling, their prayers twisted into whispers of fear.


    A few priests resisted, their lips quivering in defiance, but were swiftly scolded by others.


    "Kneel," one hissed through clenched teeth, gripping the cor of a younger priest who hesitated. "Do you want to bring death upon us?"


    And so, even in the holy halls of the Vatican, heads bowed, foreheads pressed to the floor, as if the fear itself had be a god to worship.

 Chapter 581: Urgent!

    In Moscow, the general¡ªonce a man of war, unshaken by death¡ªstood paralyzed.


    His voice, always somanding, now wavered with an almost childlike fear. "This¡­ this isn''t something we can fight." His words were followed by silence.


    His men, hardened soldiers who had seen the worst of humanity, dropped one by one to their knees.


    In the streets of Rio, the crowd that once watched with awe now shuddered with fear.


    Mothers pulled their children close, shielding them from something they couldn''t understand but knew, deep in their bones, wasing for them next.


    The hum of the city dimmed, and slowly, as though guided by some unseen force, they began to kneel.


    Thud.


    One after another, falling to their knees like dominos copsing under an invisible weight.


    It spread like a gue, an instinctive surrender sweeping across the globe.


    In the poorest viges, the wealthiest towers, from bustling cities to remote hamlets, people bent under the weight of something they couldn''tprehend.


    The figure in the red sand was gone, but her presence lingered like a shadow in their minds, pressing down on their chests, stealing their breath.


    This is not human.


    This is not power.


    In London, a single voice on the livestream broke the silence. "We¡­ we thought we understood power. But this¡­ this is something beyond gods."


    The anchor''s voice cracked, her eyes wide with terror as the camera caught her shaking hands.


    Then, as if in resignation, she lowered herself to the ground.


    The cameras never cut.


    In homes, in offices, in churches and temples, people knelt.


    And those who did not were dragged down by their neighbors.


    "Kneel!" they screamed. "Kneel, or you''ll bring ruin upon us!"


    In Imperial captial, the government had already copsed into silence.


    No one dared to speak.


    The officials who had once plotted war now sat trembling in their seats, too afraid to stand, too afraid to bow.


    One by one, they fell.


    Their heads touched the ground in submission.


    Across the world, hearts pounded in synchrony.


    This was not worship born from love or faith.


    This was survival.


    The kind of reverence demanded by something so ancient, so unstoppable, that it erased any hope of rebellion.


    No one knew if the Eighth Prince hadmanded this¡­ or if the figure in the sand was the true hand of God.


    But what everyone knew¡ªwhat every soul now understood¡ªwas that there was no fighting it.


    There was no standing against it.


    If there was a god, this was the one.


    _______


    The world had gone quiet.


    People no longer dared to mention the Eighth Prince''s name.


    It wasn''t out of respect¡ªit was out of sheer terror.


    They feared that even whispering something that might offend the hand of this so-called god would end them.


    Still, there were fools.


    Some people, like Wang Xiao in his younger days, still clung to delusions of grandeur.


    They dreamed of ying this god, of flipping the heavens the finger.


    Even if it meant going against the order of the universe itself.


    But thinking and doing are two very different things.


    Could another Wang Xiao be made?


    Could someone else rise up, spit in the face of ultimate power, cuck the god, and kill him?


    Could anyone else dare to challenge the cosmic order, knowing they''d most likely be obliterated before they even got close?


    Wang Xiao didn''t care about any of it.


    The changes in the world, the shifting of people''s loyalty and fear, meant nothing to him.


    He had long since stopped concerning himself with these petty thoughts.


    All of it was being handled by Anran from the shadows, manipting things while he stayedfortably ignorant.


    Today, on the morning of November 11th, Wang Xiao was far from the Imperial Capital, still resting in Romania, indulging in pleasures most men only dreamed of.


    Slurp... slurp...


    The sound of something wet filled the room as two lips collided, their tongues tangling together in a heated, messy kiss.


    It was early morning, but it didn''t stop the fire between them.


    Ji Xuehong''s lips parted reluctantly, her breath shaky as she pulled back slightly, catching her breath.


    "Exhausted?" Wang Xiao grinned, his voice low, eyeing the faint exhaustion on Ji Xuehong''s face.


    She paused, nodding slightly before quickly shaking her head, unwilling to show weakness. Her lips twitched, still swollen from their kiss, as she tried to put on a brave front.


    Hmph.


    Wang Xiao let out a smallugh, his eyes gleaming with amusement.


    Ji Xuehong blinked, a sudden wave of embarrassment flooding her as she realized he wasughing at her, or so she thought.


    Her cheeks red bright red, glowing like embers on her otherwise pale skin.


    She looked down, biting her lip, flustered as hell.


    Her smooth, porcin cheeks had that perfect flush to them, like a flower that had been properly watered, blossoming in full bloom.


    Wang Xiao grinned wider, the heat between them unmistakable.


    Thud¡ªhe shoved her back down on the bed, his body pressing against her.


    Wang Xiao''s grin softened as he hovered over Ji Xuehong, her body pressed gently beneath his.


    Her breathing was uneven, her cheeks still glowing with that unmistakable blush.


    She stared up at him with wide, almost innocent eyes, her lips trembling slightly as if she were searching for the right words.


    "Daddy¡­" she whispered, her voice soft, almost shy. Her fingers gently tugged at his shirt, her gaze lowering as she continued as if pleading, "I won''t hurt anyone close to you¡­ I swear, I''ll only listen to you from now on."


    Her words were almost too sweet, so soft.


    The tone, the way she looked at him¡ªeverything about her in that moment seemed delicate, as if she wasying her heart bare before him.


    Wang Xiao blinked, caught slightly off guard by the sudden shift in her demeanor.


    She looked so small beneath him, her usual confidence reced with something softer, more tender.


    He raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with curiosity. "What''s gotten into you?" His tone was teasing, but there was a trace of genuine wonder in his eyes. "What''s this all about? Do you want something?"


    Ji Xuehong hesitated, her expression thoughtful.


    She bit her lower lip as she considered the question, then shook her head.


    But a momentter, she paused and nodded, as if unsure.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help butugh softly. "What is it then?" he asked, his tone light but his curiosity piqued.


    She lifted a hand, her delicate finger pointing straight at him. Her eyes met his, filled with something warm and unwavering.


    Wang Xiao blinked, then burst into a wide smile. "Me?" he chuckled, hisughter soft but rich, a sound that filled the room with warmth.


    He leaned in closer, his breath brushing against her forehead as he lowered his face into her hair, inhaling the faint, sweet scent of her.


    "Didn''t I tell you," he murmured against her ear, his voice low, "you cane to me whenever you want?"


    Ji Xuehong''s eyes fluttered shut, her lips curling into a soft, contented smile.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She gave a small nod, the tension in her body easing as she pressed herself closer to him.


    "Mm¡­" she hummed softly, her agreement quiet but full of trust.


    Wang Xiao smiled, his hand smoothing down her soft silky hair.


    Eveliney naked beside them, feeling the heat of their shameless interaction as if it was suffocating her.


    She rolled her eyes, her lips curling into a sneer.


    "You two make me sick," she muttered, not really caring if they heard. She shifted slightly, the cool air brushing against her bare skin as she turned her head toward the door.


    Thud¡­ thud¡­ thud.


    The sound was unmistakable¡ªsomeone was mming on the door, and it had been going on for a while now.


    "There''s someone banging on the door," Eveline remarked dryly, her voice cutting through the room with a hint of annoyance. "Or are you two too lost in your little love nest to notice?"

 Chapter 582: Scared Anran!

    Eveliney naked beside them, feeling the heat of their shameless interaction as if it was suffocating her.


    She rolled her eyes, her lips curling into a sneer.


    "You two make me sick," she muttered, not really caring if they heard. She shifted slightly, the cool air brushing against her bare skin as she turned her head toward the door.


    Thud¡­ thud¡­ thud.


    The sound was unmistakable¡ªsomeone was mming on the door, and it had been going on for a while now.


    "There''s someone banging on the door," Eveline remarked dryly, her voice cutting through the room with a hint of annoyance. "Or are you two too lost in your little love nest to notice?"


    Wang Xiao''s brows furrowed, his amusement fading as he finally heard the persistent knocking. "Hm?"


    He had made it very clear that no one was to disturb him unless it was something truly important.


    His gaze shifted toward the door, a faint frown settling on his face. "Didn''t I tell them not toe unless it was urgent?"


    The knocking continued, more frantic now, each thud everberating through the room.


    Wang Xiao could feel it¡ªa sense of panic in the air, a desperation that seemed to seep through the walls.


    His senses sharpened, and he could feel Anran outside, her emotions swirling like a storm.


    Desperation. Anxiety. Fear.


    It all poured from her like an overflowing dam, palpable and suffocating.


    "She looks¡­ desperate," he murmured, his voice softening as he sat up.


    "What the hell is going on?" he muttered under his breath, sliding out of bed with a fluid motion.


    His bare feet hit the floor with a soft thud as he crossed the room.


    Eveline stretchedzily behind him, her lips curling in amusement as she watched him move. "Whatever it is, it better be a good news," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.


    But Wang Xiao wasn''t listening.


    Something was wrong, deeply wrong.


    And it was about to shatter the peace they had created.


    "Xiao!" Anran''s voice rang out sharply as the door swung open, her presence enough to jolt Wang Xiao out of his rxed state.


    He blinked, stunned, as he saw Anran not standing tall and confident as she usually did, but prostrating on the floor, her forehead pressed against the ground.


    This was unlike her.


    "What happened?" Wang Xiao asked, his voice filled with confusion.


    Anran lifted her head slowly, her eyes filled with hesitation. She nced into the room, her gaze sweeping over Eveline and Ji Xuehong, both naked, tangled in sheets on the bed.


    Normally, a scene like this would provoke ament or a few teasing remarks from Anran, but today there was no trace of her usual sharpness.


    Her eyes were distant, distracted.


    Without a word, she stepped inside and closed the door behind her, her movements stiff and unnatural.


    "??" Wang Xiao frowned, feeling a sharp headacheing on.


    Anran''s behavior waspletely off.


    He could feel something looming, an ominous tension thickening the air between them.


    Whatever was bothering her, it was big.


    Too big for her to speak of here.


    Minutester, they were on their way to the South Antic Ocean.


    Anran had insisted, and despite his mounting frustration, Wang Xiao agreed to follow her.


    Ji Xuehong, though still puzzled, quietly joined them.


    The wind was sharp, biting at their faces as they approached the distant waters of the South Antic.


    The volcanic ind of Tristan da Cunha, its rocky cliffs towering over the ocean like sentinels.


    The nearby inds, Inessible Ind and Nightingale, formed a triangle around their destination.


    Right in the heart of that triangle, far below the surface of the ocean,y Athena''s Cube¡ªone of the world''s most advanced, secretive facilities.


    Hidden deep beneath the waves, it housed some of the darkest secrets known to mankind.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed as they descended toward the ocean''s depths.


    As they arrived inside Athena''s Cube, the sterile, futuristic halls greeted them.


    It was eerily quiet, too quiet for a facility like this.


    They passed through secured partitions, entering thework known as the X-Files¡ªa hidden branch of the Illuminati.


    Inside, Sakura, a young researcher with a sharp mind and quick reflexes, sat hunched over a bowl of noodles, slurping them loudly as she scanned the screens in front of her.


    She didn''t expectpany¡ªnot at this hour.


    When the doors suddenly opened and Wang Xiao, Anran, and Ji Xuehong appeared seemingly out of nowhere, Sakura choked.


    Splurt!¡ª


    Noodles flew out of her mouth as she struggled to keep herselfposed. "What the¡ª" she sputtered, quickly wiping her face.


    "Cough, cough "P-Prince?!" Sakura''s voice trembled, her eyes wide with shock.


    It wasn''t like this was her first time seeing Wang Xiao¡ªin fact, she had found herself under him more than once, her nerdy look never bothering him.


    Her short pink hair had always looked great disheveled, and her body¡­ soft and inviting. She gulped nervously, trying to steady herself under the sudden tension.


    But Anran didn''t care for the pleasantries. "Get away¡­" she snapped, shoving Sakura''s chair aside with a swift motion.


    Before Sakura could even process what was happening, Anran had ced herself at the terminal. Her eyes were sharp, and her voice, cold. "Where are the call logs of my daughters?"


    Sakura froze. "Uh¡­ that¡­" Her voice wavered, clearly unsure of what had prompted Anran''s sudden outburst. "I can''t ess that," she stammered, ncing nervously between Anran and Wang Xiao.


    She could feel the pressure mounting, like a noose tightening around her neck.


    Anran''s eyes went dark, her patience thin. Without a word, she leaned forward, the quiet sound of leather shifting as she reached down, pulling a small knife from her boot.


    The de gleamed under the harsh lights of the facility. "What about now?" she asked, her voice dangerously soft, the edge of the knife lightly grazing the terminal as she spoke.


    Sakura''s heart skipped a beat. ''This is bad.'' She shot a pleading look at Wang Xiao, silently begging for mercy, but she knew better than to expect intervention.


    After all, Wang Xiao had made it clear before¡ªAnran was a force of her own, and crossing her was akin to suicide.


    Sighing in resignation, Sakura mentally cursed her luck. ''It''s not my fault,'' she thought, biting her lip. ''The boss himself asked for the logs, not me¡­'' With a shaky hand, she began typing on the console, essing what little she could of the system.


    Wang Xiao stood quietly behind them, observing. He didn''t interfere, but his eyes were fixed on Anran, studying her. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    She was unusually on edge¡ªfar more than he had ever seen. Whatever was happening, it was serious.


    As the logs began to popte on the screen, Anran''s eyes narrowed, her fingers tapping impatiently against the armrest of the chair.


    Her daughters'' phones were typically untouchable, untraceable, but that didn''t mean there wouldn''t be records of attempts, patterns, or something hidden in the system.


    The screen blinked, lines of encrypted data appearing.


    Sakura worked quickly, decrypting it in silence.


    Anran''s fingers moved swiftly over the controls, her eyes glued to the screen as the decrypted data began to load.


    She found the call logs, and with a quick nce at Wang Xiao, she tapped on one of the recordings.


    The soft ''click'' of the y button echoed in the tense room, and then, a familiar voice filled the air.


    "...I miss you.."

 Chapter 583: The One Bad Apple! Yues Betrayal?

    "...I miss you.."


    "...It''s been hard without you here. I¡­ I keep thinking about you, wondering what you''re doing. It''s strange, I didn''t expect to feel like this, but¡­"


    Anran''s grip tightened on the knife in her hand as she listened, her eyes narrowing slightly, though the storm of emotions she felt remained hidden beneath the surface.


    The voice continued, "I keep reying things in my head. All the moments¡­ I know I shouldn''t, but I can''t help it. I just¡­ I miss you so much it hurts. Every time I close my eyes, I see you."


    "I don''t know when I''ll see you again, but¡­ I just wanted to say it. Even if I can''t say it to your face."


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    The recording ended with a soft ''click'', leaving the room in silence.


    "..."


    Anran felt the tension in the room snap.


    It was very dark and venomou suddenly.


    Wang Xiao face was twisted with an anger so deep it was burning.


    She had seen him furious before, but this¡­ this was something else entirely. His eyes, sharp as daggers, bore into her, demanding an exnation.


    "What the hell is this?" His voice was low, but the danger in it was clear.


    Every word dripped with the threat of bloodshed, and everyone around him knew they were one wrong word away from being turned into blood mist.


    Anran swallowed hard.


    She could feel the pressure radiating off him like a storm about to break.


    It wasn''t just about the recording. It was ''who'' the recording was from.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Yue.


    The name was like a curse, tightening the coil of rage in Wang Xiao''s chest.


    He didn''t remember this conversation.


    He had never spoken to Yue like that.


    So, what did it mean?


    His thoughts were a chaotic mix of confusion and fury.


    The idea that Yue, of all people, could be doing something behind his back made him feel like he had been stabbed in the back with a rusted knife.


    Anran took a deep breath, knowing that if she didn''t handle this right, things would spiral out of control fast. "It''s one of many logs," she exined carefully, "That specific number has been dialed by Yue several times over thest seven months. It was gged, and after some investigation¡­ well, it became clear something wasn''t right."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes darkened further, but he didn''t let her continue.


    He already knew what the rest of those recordings might reveal, and he wasn''t ready to hear it.


    Not yet.


    The consequences would be too dangerous.


    Too final.


    His mind was already racing ahead.


    What the fuck is this supposed to mean?


    "Who owns that number?" His voice was clipped, cold.


    Anran hesitated. She looked over at Sakura, who was standing frozen, clearly regretting her entire existence at this moment.


    The silence stretched too long.


    "Are you dumb?!" Wang Xiao snapped, his patience gone, the anger now spilling over.


    His voice echoed in the room, each word ash.


    Anran flinched under his gaze, but she couldn''t lie, not now.


    "It''s¡­ it''s one of your old numbers," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened, his mind struggling to piece it together. ''One of my old numbers?''


    The betrayal hit him like a punch to the gut.


    She had taken one of his phones¡ªone of his old numbers¡ªand had been using it behind his back?


    ''Is she out of her fucking mind?''


    The image of Yue, the one person he thought was close to him, plotting behind his back made his blood boil.


    His enemies outside were a constant threat, but this? This was different.


    This was personal. This wasn''t a faceless enemy attacking from the shadows.


    This was someone within, someone he trusted.


    "She stole my phone to do this? Is she fucking dumb?" Wang Xiao''s voice had a dangerous tone now.


    He could feel the rage coursing through his veins.


    His thoughts spiraled out of control.


    A trap? Could this be a setup? Is she being used? Or is she just fucking stupid?


    He was already thinking about all the enemies he had outside, how he was nning to crush them all. But now, the battlefield had shifted.


    The real threat might be closer than he ever imagined. His mind raced with anger and betrayal, unable to reconcile the image of Yue doing this behind his back.


    His trust was shattered.


    BAM!


    His fist came down hard, smashing the terminal into pieces.


    "And all of you were fucking sleeping or what!?" he roared, his fury spilling over. "What the fuck was Mary doing? Is she just there for staring and reaping benefits, or is she actually going to do her goddamn job?"


    Anran, still trembling slightly from the intensity of his outburst, had no words.


    She had been too rxed, too caught off guard by something she never expected.


    And now, the consequences of that negligence were before her eyes.


    Seeing him angry was thest thing she ever wanted, and knowing she was one of the root causes only deepened her pain.


    "Stop crying, goddamn it," Wang Xiao snapped, his gaze falling on Anran, whose trembling eyes was starting to annoy him.


    Whoosh!


    "Were you waiting for me to kill you before showing your face?" Wang Xiao''s hand shot out, seemingly grabbing at thin air. But it wasn''t thin air¡ªMary, gasping and wide-eyed, was suddenly in his grasp, her breath ragged as she struggled to keep herself from choking.


    "I¡­" she stammered, her face drained of color, her lips trembling as if words had abandoned her entirely.


    Wang Xiao''s thoughts raced. They''re all the same. The bitterness in his heart deepened.


    Deceitful, untrustworthy, maniptive.


    How long has this been going on behind his back?


    Gasp!


    Mary''s face flushed red, her body shaking under his grip. "I¡­ I only secured them physically¡­ I didn''t overstep¡­ When they were in private ces like the bathroom or somewhere else, just as you instructed. No one has evere close physically to them, I swear¡­"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, then, without a word, he threw her aside.


    Mary hit the ground with a sharp breath, her knees buckling as she barely managed to stay upright, clutching her throat in panic.


    "Kill all of them," Wang Xiao ordered, his voice a deadly whispe sent a wave of chill through the room.


    "Hm?" Confusion flickered in the eyes of those around him.


    Wang Xiao rified, his tone sharp. "Kill every single man she''se into contact with in thest year. I don''t care if it was just one interaction¡ªwipe them out."


    Silence fell over the room.


    Anran, however, was already prepared.


    She handed him a list without hesitation. "Here."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes skimmed over it, his brows raising slightly. "So many?" He wasn''t expecting that.


    Anran responded quickly. "It includes guards, shopkeepers, and others who were in her vicinity¡­"


    Wang Xiao''s jaw tightened.


    This many?


    He handed the list to Ji Xuehong, who took it wordlessly, turning on her heel without a moment''s hesitation.


    Her movements were smooth, calcted, as if this task was no different from her daily breathing.


    But just as she reached the door, Wang Xiao''s voice stopped her. "Give it back to me¡­"


    Ji Xuehong paused, confused. She turned and handed the list back.


    Wang Xiao''s face was cold, his expression hardened. He wanted to kill each of them himself. He needed an outlet, a way to drain the fury surging through him before he confronted Yue.


    He knew if he faced her now, and she found out that her little ''activity'' had been exposed, there might be no going back.


    He needed to take control, to find the root of this!


    At the same time, he asked Anran to confirm if any of the other women or daughters he had were involved in something simr, especially Wenxi.


    However, Anran shook her head. She had onlye here afterpleting all of this research.


    She wouldn''t risk shooting an arrow in the dark with matters like this.


    Wang Xiao nodded slowly, taking a deep breath.


    At least for now, there was only one bad apple.


    The infection hadn''t spread¡­ yet.

 Chapter 584: A Normal Day!

    Imperial Capital ¡ª 12th November!


    "What''s with this sudden enthusiasm?" Wang Xiao muttered, his tone t as he sat in his room at the Shangri-La International Hostel.


    It had been some time since he, Wang Xueying, and Isabe had been staying here in the capital, and despite the passing days ¡ª He was not in the best mood, his mind still consumed with the recent events that left a sour taste in his mouth.


    He sat there, quietly checking through some things on his device, when Wang Xueying suddenly appeared out of nowhere, her bare feet making no sound on the floor.


    Without a word, she climbed onto the bed behind him and started massaging his shoulders.


    Her touch was light but firm, and for a moment, Wang Xiao blinked, bewildered.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He sighed, shaking his head. "Stop with this. Just say what you want," he said, his voice tired and devoid of patience.


    Wang Xueying''s smile didn''t falter in the slightest. In fact, it only grew wider, a mischievous glint shing in her eyes as she pulled out a small needle that gleamed sharply under the light. It caught Wang Xiao''s attention instantly, his instincts kicking in. He stiffened.


    "What are you doing?" His hand shot out, gripping her wrist firmly before she could move closer with the needle.


    Wang Xueying blinked, her expression not changing. "Taking your blood sample?" she said, her voice sweet and nonchnt, as if what she was doing was the most normal thing in the world.


    Wang Xiao stared at her in disbelief, his grip tightening. "¡­Seriously?"


    Wang Xueying blinked rapidly, an awkward expression flickering across her face as the sweet scent in the air did little to convince Wang Xiao of her innocence.


    His gaze remained cold, unconvinced, his fingers tightening around her face in a firm grip.


    "Isabelle sent you?" Wang Xiao asked, his voice low, eyes narrowing with suspicion.


    Wang Xueying''s smile faltered, her lips puckering as he held her face between his fingers. "I¡­ also¡­ need it," she muttered, her voice stretched and awkward with his hand still gripping her.


    When he finally let go, she looked up at him shamelessly, unfazed by the brief struggle.


    He sighed inwardly.


    Seventeenth time.


    Ever since she''d discovered his true identity, she had been at it constantly, trying to get something from him¡ªalways something.


    And every time, it was more suspicious than thest.


    What are they trying to do with my blood this time?


    Clones?


    Experiments?


    He wasn''t sure, but it wasn''t going to happen today.


    "Nope." His response was immediate and absolute. He shoved her away with a firm hand, dismissing her attempt without hesitation.


    "What?" Wang Xueying''s eyes widened in shock, clearly not expecting such a blunt rejection. "You''re really not going to give it to me?"


    "No," Wang Xiao repeated, his tone final. He could feel that this was more than a simple request, and he wasn''t about to y into whatever n she or Isabelle had cooked up this time.


    He swore they were plotting something deeper, and thest thing he needed was to fall into their scheme.


    Wang Xueying, still recovering from his unexpected refusal, pouted dramatically.


    "Then what''s the point of my brother being the Eighth Prince?" Wang Xueying muttered under her breath, clearly frustrated by his refusal.


    Wang Xiao closed one eye, his tone suddenly dangerous. "You want to see the point...?" he asked, his voice low, carrying a warning that immediately made her regret her words.


    Gasp!


    Her mouth snapped shut, and she shook her head quickly.


    Wang Xiao''s smile widened slightly. ''She hasn''t forgotten herst lesson,'' he thought, amused.


    "Go and tell Isabelle toe and take it herself if she needs it," Wang Xiao pointed suggestively between his legs, a smirk ying on his lips. "There are plenty of ways to get DNA, and I''m offering the most efficient."


    "!" Wang Xueying''s eyes widened in shock as her gaze followed his hand. Her cheeks flushed, her face blooming with color like a flower opening under the sun.


    But she quickly snapped out of it, her expression turning suspicious. "Forget it, brother¡­ If you''re the prince, then who was with Mei? Is someone scamming her?" she asked, her tone suddenly sharp as she pointed out the inconsistency, her suspicion growing.


    Wang Xiao''s face darkened at her question. He wasn''t ready for that particr line of thought. "Maybe," he said vaguely, unwilling to confirm anything just yet.


    Wang Xueying''s eyes widened in shock. "You met Mei before me!" she blurted, her mind jumping to conclusions.


    Wang Xiao didn''t bother to respond, his expression hard as stone.


    Wang Xueying''s eyes zed ¡ª She crossed her arms, her voice rising with every word. "I was here, waiting for you all this time, and you insensitive prick were out there ying marriage-marriage with Mei?"


    Wang Xiao nced at her out of the corner of his eye, his expression t, but she wasn''t about to let it go that easily.


    Wang Xueying stepped closer, frustration radiating off her as she ced her hands on her hips. "You met Mei before me? Really? Not just that, but you even¡­ ahhh, never mind!" She groaned, her face scrunching up in anger. "Is that what this is now? I wait here like a fool, and meanwhile, you''re off having fun, nting my head green with concubines?"


    Wang Xiao stared at her nkly for a moment, before reaching out and yfully grabbing her nose. "When I was dying, I was dying alone. Now, I''m having fun alone. Or¡­ do you want to have some concubines of your own?" His tone shifted slightly, a soft but clear warning in his voice, reminding her of her ce.


    Wang Xueying''s face flushed red with embarrassment.


    She hadn''t considered it from his perspective¡ªhow much he had gone through, and the reality that before all this, he had been just a normal person, facing challenges and pain on his own.


    Now, with the power he held, there must have been a lot before he had even gained this strength.


    Wang Xiao''s smirk deepened. "See? That''s why I prefer Mei. She stays quiet, unlike you."


    Wang Xueying, who had been on the verge of guilt, suddenly felt a wave of anger rise up again. "Then go y with your Mei! You like your quiet, oppressive girls? Fine! I''m off limits!" she shouted, her voice tinged with both jealousy and frustration.


    Wang Xiao blinked, staring at her in amusement as she threw her little tantrum and stormed out in a huff.


    He called out after her with a mocking tone, "Just because you say you''re off limits doesn''t mean I approve it."


    "Wh¡ª"


    Wang Xueying nearly tripped as she stomped toward the door, her foot catching slightly as she fumbled in her frustration. Her teeth gritted in anger as she left the room, muttering under her breath.


    ''What does he take himself for?''


    ''Some kind of emperor?''


    ''And us as disposable concubines or what?''


    Her mind filled with frustration, but the moment she had a second to breathe, panic started to set in.


    ''Oh my god, what if he really ran to Mei?'' The realization hit her like a ton of bricks.


    He is some kind of god, after all, not just an emperor.


    He could literally blink and be with her in an instant!


    Her heart raced as she imagined the worst, and she quickly grabbed her phone, firing off a flurry of apologetic messages in a panic. ''Did I just ruin everything?''


    Without wasting another second, she rushed back to his room, her anxiety eating at her.


    But when she arrived, the room was empty. Wang Xiao was gone.


    Wang Xueying stared at the empty space, her handing up to palm her face as if she had just dug her own grave. "What have I done¡­?" she muttered to herself, her thoughts swirling with regret.


    _____


    Phoenix Care Medical Center


    Wang Xiao didn''t care much about Wang Xueying''s little outburst earlier.


    She was right, though¡ªpolygamy had its disadvantages, especially for women who often didn''t get the exclusive privilege they might desire.


    In a world where a man could simply move on to another concubine if angered, being unreasonably upset was a luxury not allowed.


    But that was a human problem.


    Wang Xiao had long left behind such trivial human concerns.


    He was no longer part of that world. Now, as a celestial being, rtionships, marriage, and love were meaningless concepts.


    It was all about power.


    The strong dominated the weak. If a powerful goddess wanted a harem of thousands of men, she could simply take them. The same applied to him¡ªif he wanted a thousand-woman harem, he would kidnap and create it.


    Because he could.


    Right now, however, his focus was on something else¡ªhe was going to see his sister, Wang Jiarong.


    She had been asking him to visit for quite some time, but he had been too distracted with everything else to make the time.


    Today, though, he finally decided to visit her.


    "Such a normal day¡­" he muttered to himself as he walked through the streets of the Imperial Capital. The air was crisp, the sounds of the bustling city around him oddly familiar.


    It reminded him of his old life, before all of this.


    Back when he walked through the streets of Shanghai like any other man.


    "It''s been more than seven years, huh¡­" Wang Xiao sighed and smiled wryly, thinking back on how much had changed.

 Chapter 585: Meeting Big Sis!

    "It''s been more than seven years, huh¡­" Wang Xiao sighed and smiled wryly, thinking back on how much had changed.


    Afterall, he spent his whole life fighting for it...


    As he entered the Phoenix Care Medical Center, where his sister worked, the world seemed to move around him as though nothing was out of ce.


    People nced at him but quickly turned their attention away, unaware of the power that walked among them.


    Wang Xiao''s steps were slow and deliberate, his mind drifting between thoughts as he made his way through the hospital''s corridors.


    It was time to see what his sister had been wanting to tell him all this time.


    ____


    One hourter¡­


    "Uh... I should go see who''s calling me."


    At the canteen table, Wang Jiarong, dressed in a white coat, leaned back as she heard someone calling her from a distance. She excused herself, leaving the table in an awkward silence with only three people remaining.


    One of them was Wang Xiao, casually slurping his free noodles,pletely unfazed. The other two, however, were caught in a painfully awkward situation.


    One was Wu Shenji, a colleague of Wang Jiarong who, despite everything, still hadn''t fully abandoned his feelings for her. In truth, he had tried to give up, but by then it was toote¡ªthey had already ended up working at the same hospital.


    How did Wang Xiao know all this?


    Because sitting across from them was Feng Xiyi¡ªthe same woman who once ckmailed Wang Jiarong. Wu Shenji had been involved in that scandal, which happened seven years ago during a school trip where a group had tried to kill Wang Xiao. Although Wu Shenji hadn''t meant to harm him, the sight of Wang Xiao alive now left him visibly uneasy.


    As for Feng Xiyi, the woman who had ckmailed Wang Jiarong, Wang Xiao couldn''t care less. She avoided his gaze too, and there was a trace of fear in her eyes.


    With his experience, Wang Xiao could easily piece together what had happened between them. He didn''t need to ask. Feng Xiyi had ckmailed Wang Jiarong because the man she liked¡ªWu Shenji¡ªwas infatuated with Jiarong, creating a tangled mess of emotions.


    But after Wang Jiarong decisively rejected Wu Shenji, Feng Xiyi somehow managed to win him over.


    It was obvious now. Though Feng Xiyi didn''t work at the hospital, she hade to bring Wu Shenji food, a gesture of affection that made their recent rtionship clear.


    "Hey, man... how''ve you been?" Wu Shenji awkwardly tried to strike up a conversation with Wang Xiao.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He had no idea Wang Xiao wasn''t just alive but that fate would bring them face to face today, of all days. And now, with Jiarong gone, the atmosphere had be unbearably awkward.


    Wu Shenji cleared his throat, ncing nervously at Wang Xiao, who was still calmly eating his noodles.


    "Look, Wang Xiao," Wu Shenji started, his voice hesitant, "I know things were¡­ bad back then. Really bad." His fingers fidgeted with the edge of his coat. "I didn''t mean for any of it to happen. I never wanted to hurt you."


    Wang Xiao paused, the noodles hanging off his chopsticks as he looked up, his eyes cold and unreadable. "Didn''t mean to?" His tone was calm, almost indifferent,"That''s a strange way to put it..."


    Wu Shenji''s face tightened with guilt.


    He nced at Feng Xiyi, who was sitting quietly, avoiding both their eyes. He knew there was no escaping this conversation. "I was a fool back then. Caught up in things I shouldn''t have been. But I''m not the same person I was seven years ago."


    Wang Xiao leaned back in his chair, cing his chopsticks down. "Really? And what''s changed?" His gaze sharpened, cutting through the fragile sincerity Wu Shenji was trying to muster.


    Wu Shenji clenched his fists, forcing himself to look Wang Xiao in the eyes. "I did," he admitted, voice thick with regret. "I chose wrong. And I''ve regretted it ever since. I can''t undo what I did, but I can own up to it. I''m...


    sorry, Wang Xiao. For everything."


    Wang Xiao studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable.


    Wu Shenji''s face fell. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Feng Xiyi, who had been silent this whole time, finally spoke up. Her voice was quiet, almost trembling. "Wang Xiao, he''s telling the truth... he''s not the same as before. We both made mistakes back then."


    Wang Xiao''s gaze flicked to her, cold and distant. "Mistakes?" he echoed. "You tried to destroy my sister''s life just because of a childish grudge."


    Feng Xiyi lowered her head, her hands trembling slightly in herp. "I know¡­ I was wrong. I was jealous, and I took it out on her. I¡ª"


    "It''s not about your jealousy," Wang Xiao interrupted, his voice hard. "It''s about how far you were willing to go. You ckmailed her. You almost ruined her life."


    Feng Xiyi flinched, tears welling up in her eyes, while Wu Shenji sat there, silent, unable to refute any of it.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed as he continued. "You know, apologies are cheap. Regret is easy when the consequences are behind you. But for me, for my sister, those scars haven''t faded."


    Wu Shenji''s hands trembled, and he clenched them into fists, summoning the courage to speak again. "I know we can''t make up for what happened, Wang Xiao, but I want to try. I''ve changed, and I''ll do whatever it takes to make things right."


    Wang Xiao let out a bitter chuckle. "You can stop trying. I''ll tell Jiarong to forgive you."


    "!"


    Wu Shenji was stunned, his heart skipping a beat. How did Wang Xiao know what he truly desired? Even after working in the same ce for years, Wang Jiarong had never fully let go of her grudge against him. That lingering resentment haunted him, stealing his peace of mind.


    Across the table, Feng Xiyi''s hands clenched tightly. She bit her lip, her heart sinking. No matter what she did, no matter how much she tried, she could never erase Wang Jiarong''s shadow from Wu Shenji''s mind. The realization filling her with a sudden, crushing sadness.


    Wang Xiao grinned inwardly, pleased with the turmoil his words had caused. He knew his sister well. She could forgive Wu Shenji in time. As for himself? Wang Xiao had long since forgotten about that incident. Now that he thought about it, he should pay Hao Zemin a visit.


    That bastard might piss himself once he saw Wang Xiao again.


    As for Feng Xiyi, he sneered to himself. Her sins were beyond forgiveness.


    "Hey, everyone, what''s going on?" Wang Jiarong suddenly returned, her cheeks flushed from the cold wind as she sat back down.


    Following her was another man, who also took a seat with them. After a quick introduction, Wang Xiao learned his name was Dr. Chen, one of Jiarong''s seniors. To be frank, calling him her "senior''s senior" would be more urate.


    Dr. Chen immediately tried to assert himself,unching into a monologue about his many achievements. Wang Xiao cringed inwardly, feeling second-hand embarrassment.


    "Ah, you must be Wang Xiao, Jiarong''s younger brother," Dr. Chen said, his voice booming with confidence. "I''ve heard quite a bit about you." He leaned back in his chair, smiling proudly. "But you know, it''s not easy keeping up with a family of overachievers like yours. I myself have been leading several groundbreaking surgeriestely.


    Justst month, I performed a particrly difficult one¡ªsaved a man''s life when everyone else had already given up."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow but said nothing, letting the man continue.


    "Of course," Dr. Chen added, puffing out his chest, "that''s whates with being one of the top surgeons in the province. My name''s well-known in these circles. Even international conferences have invited me to speak." He shot a nce at Wang Jiarong, as if waiting for her to confirm his words.


    Wang Xiao barely suppressed a sigh. He gave his sister a quick nce, noticing the subtle regret in her eyes. She must''ve realized by now that bringing Dr. Chen had been a mistake.


    But Dr. Chen wasn''t finished yet.


    "Speaking of conferences," Dr. Chen continued, his tone bing more animated, "I was just recently honored for my research on minimally invasive techniques. Groundbreaking stuff, really. We''re talking about transforming modern surgery as we know it." He nced at Wang Xiao, clearly expecting some kind of admiration or awe.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but smirk inwardly. Transforming modern surgery? Brother, one of my techniques could transform your entire trajectory of life.


    Wu Shenji and Feng Xiyi exchanged ufortable nces, shifting in their seats as Dr. Chen continued to sing his own praises.


    "But enough about me," Dr. Chen said, though his tone suggested otherwise. "Wang Xiao, what about you? I''m sure you must have your own aplishments. Jiarong mentioned you were... what was it again?" His voice had the faintest hint of condescension, as though he assumed Wang Xiao couldn''t match up to his achievements.

 Chapter 586: Giving Death Threats like Vegetables!

    "Cough, Dr. Chen, my brother had a small ident seven years ago. He''s only just fully recovered¡ª" Wang Jiarong''s brows knitted in subtle anger at Dr. Chen''s shameless question, and she was about to continue when Wang Xiao interrupted.


    "It''s fine, let Dr. Chen speak," Wang Xiao said, his tone light but with a sharp edge. "I''m sure no one at home listens to him at all. With a rotten mouth like his, he must be feeling desperate for attention."


    Gasp!


    The others instantly covered their mouths in shock. Wang Jiarong stared at her brother, utterly stunned by his suddenck of decorum. Just an hour ago, he had seemed calm and collected, his usualposed self. But now? She could only manage a wry smile. In truth, she had wanted to say something simr to this old windbag for a long time.


    Wang Xiao had simply done her a favor by voicing it.


    "You¡ª" Dr. Chen''s face flushed a deep red, choking on the water he had just sipped, his anger boiling over.


    Wang Xiao smiled, casually extending his hand toward his sister.


    "Ah?"


    Wang Jiarong was caught off guard, her face flushing as Wang Xiao abruptly wrapped an arm around her slender waist. She blinked in surprise, unsure of his intentions as he turned to face the fuming Dr. Chen.


    "Doctor, I think it would be best if you found someone more¡­ suitable for your age," Wang Xiao said with a calm smile, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "We''re not exactly looking for suitors for my sister at the moment. However, if you''re truly insistent, there''s not much we can do. It''s just¡ª" He paused, his smile sharpening. "¡ªI have a history with idents, you see.


    Sometimes my car''s brakes just¡­ fail on their own. Does your car have the same problem, Doctor? Maybe we could exchange them?"


    Pfft!


    Wang Jiarong almost burst intoughter, barely managing to hold it in. She quicklyposed herself, reminding herself that she was the older sister here.


    Still, she had to admit¡ªWang Xiao had hit the nail on the head.


    "Xiao Wang, what nonsense are you talking about!? Apologize to Dr. Chen," she scolded, though there was a faint trace of amusement in her voice as she lightly swatted his hand away from her waist.


    Dr. Chen''s face was as red as a boiled lobster, his chest rising and falling rapidly in barely contained fury. He opened his mouth to retort but found no words that could regain his dignity. Instead, he spluttered, "You¡­ you arrogant brat! Do you think you can insult me and get away with it?"


    Wang Xiao merely tilted his head, his smile never fading. "Insult you? No, no, Dr. Chen. I''m simply stating facts. A man of your¡­ caliber surely understands the importance of honesty, right?


    After all, I hear you''re the paragon of virtue in your field." His tone dripped with mockery, and every word was like a thorn.


    Wu Shenji, sitting stiffly at the table, exchanged an uneasy nce with Feng Xiyi. He could feel the anger radiating from Dr. Chen, and frankly, he wanted no part of it. Feng Xiyi, on the other hand, tried to suppress a smile.


    Dr. Chen couldn''t take it anymore. His face twisted with rage. "Humph! I''m leaving. I have important clients to attend to.


    Jiarong, consider all your uing leaves canceled. We''re expecting an influx of patients next month." His voice dripped with venom as he tried tosh out at Jiarong, taking his anger out on her.


    Jiarong raised her brows in disbelief, stunned at the audacity. Before she could even react, Wang Xiao''s calm but icy voice ecohed.


    "Old foggy, mind my words," Wang Xiao said slowly, his tone chilling. "For every time you nce at my sister, one person in your family will die."


    "!"


    The canteen fell into stunned silence.


    Dr. Chen''s face drained of color as if the life had been sucked out of him. He opened his mouth, but no words came out, only a faint choking sound as his trembling hands clutched at his coat. He turned and stumbled out of the canteen, his pride shattered, leaving nothing but anxiety and anger.


    "Shhh!" Wang Jiarong immediately covered Wang Xiao''s mouth, her expression a mix of shock and panic. "Xiao Wang!? What are you doing? Giving death threats like that will get you in trouble!" Her eyes were wide with concern, searching his face for some sign of restraint.


    Wang Xiao didn''t resist, allowing her hand to linger. He found the softness of her touch oddlyforting, and for a moment, he was distracted by the depth of her worry-filled eyes.


    She was beautiful¡ªmore than he remembered, the kind of beauty that he adored. Had she always been this striking, or had he simply never noticed?


    Gently pulling her hand away, he gave her a reassuring smile. "It''s fine, sister. No one can stop idents from happening," he said, his voice calm, almost yful, though the underlying menace was clear as sky.


    His words, however casual, sent a ripple of fear through the room.


    Wu Shenji, who had been sitting frozen this whole time, was visibly shaken, his face pale and drenched in sweat.


    Feng Xiyi, on the other hand, had gonepletely rigid. Her body tensed as if trapped in a nightmare, memories of the pain and scars from seven years ago rushing back.


    She had never fully recovered from what Wang Xiao had done to her.


    Unable to bear the atmosphere any longer, Feng Xiyi grabbed Wu Shenji''s hand tightly. "Excuse us, please," she muttered under her breath, before quickly standing up and all but dragging Wu Shenji with her, their departure hurried and filled with fear.


    "..."


    The table was nowpletely empty. Silence fell over the room, save for the faint rustling of the wind outside.


    Wang Jiarong sighed deeply, rubbing her temples as if trying to relieve the headache that had suddenly formed. "You really have became too unrestrained , don''t you, Xiao Wang?"


    Wang Xiao, however, looked rather proud of his creation¡ª


    An empty table.


    Finally, the bothersome crowd had scattered. Now it was just him and his sister, as it should be. "See? Now we can finally have a proper heart-to-heart talk," he said, sounding almost triumphant.


    Wang Jiarong could only sigh again, holding her head.


    She knew her brother too well.


    However this wasn''t just about clearing space for a conversation.


    There was a deeper, more selfish intent behind his actions, one that she couldn''t quite grasp yet.


    She could not notice at all the way he looked at her, that possessiveness she hadn''t seen before.


    Wang Xiao, on the other hand, was immensely satisfied. He had no intention of letting anyone near her. The idea of her having a partner, creating a family, felt like unnecessary trouble. He preferred things the way they were¡ªjust the two of them. He had no patience for outsiders meddling in his carefully controlled world.


    As much as they hadn''t shared intimate conversations or moments in the past, he knew that needed to change.


    His sister had to stay close.


    But how? He wasn''t sure yet.


    Well, he had some ideas... but that required the right moment.


    For now, though, this was enough.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 587: Visiting Cousin? Wang Xiaos Nostalgia!

    "Okay, enough of that, little guy..." Jiarong, earlier helpless, now felt a wave of fondness for her brother as she reached out and yfully grabbed his face. "When did I give you the right to decide about my marriage? I''ll marry whoever I want. If you keep scaring people away like this, you''ll turn your sister into a lonely widow before I even get married!"


    "..."


    For a brief moment, Wang Xiao''s expression darkened, his thoughts drifting to a distant memory. In her words, he saw a shadow of someone else¡ªXinyue Zhn¡ªbefore he shook his head, freeing himself from her grasp. "It''s fine," he said, his voice more subdued. "You won''t be single for long."


    "Huh?" Jiarong''s eyes twitched in confusion. How does he even know that I''m single? She sighed inwardly, feeling both amused and frustrated by her brother''s overprotectiveness.


    She couldn''t let this behavior grow unchecked. Brothers often became skeptical of any man who showed interest in their sisters, and while it was endearing to some extent, it could quickly turn problematic. Sisters, though, often understood this instinct far sooner than they showed, taking steps to defuse it before it spiraled out of control.


    Men think they''re the protectors, Jiarong thought, a small smile ying on her lips, but women are rarely as clueless as they''re given credit for.


    However, she wasn''t sure if Wang Xiao understood any of what she was trying to convey. He still seemed so much like a child in her eyes, even with all his newfound confidence and arrogance. She had grown up, and it was really time for her to settle down and get married.


    But Wang Xiao? He still saw the world as his yground. Could he even grasp that she had her own path to walk? One that didn''t revolve around him?


    Wang Jiarong caught Wang Xiao''s lingering gaze and found it amusing, almost charming. It was clear he didn''t like the topic of her marriage at all, and his subtle irritation made her smile.


    For once, it was a break from the indifferent mask he always wore around others.


    "Let''s drop it for now," she said lightly, brushing off the tension. "I need a favor from you. Can you go in my ce today to visit your cousin Rui? It''s the aniversary party for Madam Li and Master Murong, and I can''t make it."


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao blinked, his mind momentarily nk. He had almost forgotten about Qian Ruixin.


    Ruixin... The memory of his cousin brought a flicker of nostalgia, along with something more. She had been his little crush once upon a time, a beautiful reminder of a simpler past.


    He had ensured, through some questionable means, that she would remain "clean" for him¡ªat least¡ªafter seeing her back in Icevale.


    But since then, he had been swept away by far more important matters, and she had faded into the background of his life.


    "Okay," he agreed without much thought, deciding that a visit to her might be interesting.


    To be honest, he should have been visiting Yue instead.


    One of his current responsibilities, but he wasn''t in the mood for any of that today.


    Yue could wait.


    _____


    8:00 pm ¡ª Evening!


    In the heart of Imperial Capital, nestled within the elite district of Chaoyang, the Murong family vi stood proudly, reflecting their position among the city''s top bureaucrats.


    The sprawling property, surrounded by meticulouslyndscaped gardens and towering ancient trees, seemed almost hidden from the bustling metropolis outside.


    The vi itself was an architectural masterpiece, blending traditional Chinese elements with modern luxury.


    Rednterns adorned the entrance, casting a warm, golden glow over the courtyard. Inside, the vast halls were lined with jade statues and exquisite Ming Dynasty vases, each piece a testament to the family''s wealth and influence.


    Guests, dressed in their finest, filled thevish ballroom where the celebration was in full swing.


    Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting shimmering light across the marbled floors.


    The air was rich with the scent of lotus blossoms and expensive perfumes, while the gentle sound of traditional string instruments yed softly in the background, setting an atmosphere of refinement and elegance.


    The Murongs knew how to host an event, and tonight''s celebration of their marriage anniversary was no exception.


    Every detail, from the gourmet food to the luxurious decor, was designed to impress, ensuring that their position among capital''s elite was clear.


    Murong Tianze, the powerful Chairman of the National People''s Congress, was the host of the night, along with his wife, Li Xiaoqing¡ªMadam Li. Celebrating their 50th anniversary, the event had attracted nearly all the bigshots in the political and business world.


    Wang Xiao, dressed in a sleek ck Tang suit embroidered with a golden dragon on his left chest, blended into the crowd, holding a modest gift. The elegance of the event and the prominence of the guests made it clear why his sister, Wang Jiarong, had chosen to skip it.


    Walking among these influential figures would have been overwhelming for anyone, especially someone who wasn''t eager to deal with the web of power games and subtle threats at each step.


    Murong Shan, the Murong family''s sole son and the current Minister of Health and Public Security for the Qing Dynasty, epted Wang Xiao''s gift with a nonchnt attitude. His father, Murong Tianze, however, greeted him with more enthusiasm, though the atmosphere still held an air of formality.


    Madam Li, standing beside them, remained mostly silent, her posture rigid, her face betraying only a hint of arrogance as she observed the room.


    "You can meet Ruixin upstairs. She''s getting ready," Murong Tianze said, offering a brief nod before turning back to entertain his other guests.


    Wang Xiao''s attention, however, wasn''t on the formalities. As he stood between the crowd, scanning the room, he felt two pairs of eyes watching him with noticeable tension.


    One gaze belonged to Xin Meifang, the mother of his cousin Qian Ruixin. Dressed in a striking ck cheongsam that hugged her figure perfectly, her dark lipstick gave her an almost predatory allure. She was the center of attention, her beauty captivating many, but right now, her eyes were fixated on Wang Xiao with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.


    The other pair of eyes, far more anxious, belonged to Liu Yanmei, the current Minister of Foreign Affairs. Her face paled the moment she realized Wang Xiao was here, and she quickly hid herself among the crowd, doing everything she could to avoid him.


    Wang Xiao was well aware of both women''s reactions but remained unfazed. His gaze was locked elsewhere¡ªon the tall, blonde-haired foreign woman engaged in conversation with Murong Shan.


    She exuded a cold confidence, her presencemanding the room in a way few others could.


    ''That''s her,'' Wang Xiao thought. ''The CEO of Evangeline Technologies.''


    She was the head of the verypany embroiled in a legal battle with his mother, Xinyue Zhn. Apany known for its hical encroachments,nd vitions, and more recently, their dark involvement in the production of Genesis Serum¡ªa serum that turned ordinary humans into superhumans, supplied to the army without much transparency.


    Through his own investigations, Wang Xiao had uncovered troubling connections between Evangeline Technologies and something far more sinister. Two major cases had been thrown at his mother, designed to bog her down. One involved the mysterious disappearance of girls born on the same date across the country, a case that was nearly impossible to crack due to the powerful officials behind it.


    Officials who, as Wang Xiao had found, were tied to Murong Shan himself.


    The second case was against Evangeline Technologies, used of encroaching onnd andmitting human rights vitions. No one yet knew if this foreignpany had significant backing from within Qing Dynasty, but Wang Xiao had his suspicions. Today, the CEO''s presence at the Murong family''s event confirmed it. Their ties were strong, and Murong Shan was likely deeply involved.


    It was bing clear to Wang Xiao¡ªsomeone was intentionally making things difficult for his mother, Xinyue Zhn, within herw firm. The two cases were connected, and now, the root of it was right in front of him.


    As for the team that had sent the demolition squad to their home? That hade from Evangeline Technologies'' executives.


    The poisoning of his sister, Wang Mei, however, was still unclear.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed as he watched the blonde CEO.


    She might know more than anyone else about this whole situation.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    His n formed quickly, a smirk ying on his lips. ''Kidnapping her should get the answers I need.'' He thought coolly.


    His evening''s target had been decided.

 Chapter 588: Meeting Qian Ruixin and Loli Ling!

    Wang Xiao was unconciously looking like a serial knidnapper, his eyes fixed on the female CEO.


    However, a sudden shift in the room''s atmosphere drew his attention elsewhere. Approaching him, her movements smooth and graceful, was Xin Meifang¡ªhis aunt and mother of Qian Ruixin.


    "Hey, Xiao Wang," Xin Meifang greeted him warmly, her red-painted lips curling into a knowing smile. The mature aura she carried in her ck cheongsam made her stand out even among the crowd of elites. She stopped in front of him, reaching out to ce a hand lightly on his shoulder. "It''s a suprise to see you here, how been has it been? I''ve heard about your recovery. Congrattions, nephew."


    Wang Xiao, slightly suprised , nodded politely, masking his wariness. "Thank you, Aunt Meifang. I appreciate it."


    Xin Meifang''s eyes sparkled with amusement as she studied him. "You shoulde by our house sometime," she said, her tone casual but with an hint of insistence. "We''ve missed you. Ruixin especially. She''s been wondering when you''d visit." She paused, her voice dropping slightly. "You know, after your long¡­ absence."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing, maintaining his polite demeanor.


    She continued without waiting for a reply, ncing upstairs. "Speaking of Rui, she''s still upstairs getting ready. Can you go call her for me? The show is set to start at 9 o''clock, and your cousin tends to take her time with these things."


    Wang Xiao gave a curt nod. "Of course," he said, his tone neutral.


    Xin Meifang''s smile widened, pleased with hispliance. "Thank you, Xiao Wang. Tell her to hurry, would you? This event won''t wait for her." She gave his shoulder a final, lingering pat before turning to glide back into the crowd.


    Wang Xiao watched his aunt leave, his smile quickly fading. Something felt wrong. Xin Meifang had never dressed so provocatively before, and she certainly hadn''t carried herself with that level of refinement in the past. Back then, she was crude, direct¡ªalmost brash. But now? She seemed like apletely different person.


    His instincts kicked in as he quickly checked for any signs of possession¡ªSkinwalkers, hell spirits, anything. But there was nothing. Still, what he found instead piqued his interest.


    Today''s turning out to be more fruitful than expected, he thought with a grin before heading upstairs to check on Qian Ruixin.


    ____


    Click!


    Wang Xiao opened the door, and the instant he stepped inside, a wave of intoxicating feminine fragrance hit him, filling the air with a heady mix of floral and sweetness. The sight in front of him was even more enticing.


    "Who?" came a confused voice.


    "Hm?"


    Sitting in front of arge vanity mirror was a woman dressed in a loose, flowing Hanfu, the sleeves hanging off her delicate shoulders. The sight of her bare skin, framed by the elegant fabric, made her look both ethereal and innocent¡ªlike a dream from another time.


    But what drew Wang Xiao''s attention even more was the small figure standing behind Ruixin. A girl, no more than waist-highpared to the woman, wearing a white gown that emphasized her petite frame. Despite her short stature, her ample bossom defied all logic, the fabric of her dress struggling to contain those softness inside.


    A hairpin dangled between her cute lips as she turned to face him with wide, confused eyes.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Whoosh!


    Without warning, Wang Xiao lunged forward, grabbing the startled Lingling.


    "Eh?!"


    Before she could react, he threw himself and her onto the bed with a yfulugh. The impact made a satisfying thump as theynded, Lingling sprawled beneath him, her face a mixture of bewilderment and shock.


    "W-Wh!" Lingling squeaked, her voice cracking as she tried to wriggle free. "What are you doing?!


    Wang Xiao, grinning from ear to ear, rubbed his cheek against Lingling''s flushed face. "Hey, Rui," he called out casually, still holding Lingling pinned beneath him, "can I take this one with me? She''s kinda cute."


    Lingling''s face turned beet red. "Y-You... scoundrel!" she protested, her tiny arms pushing against his chest with all her might. "G-Get off me, you pervert!"


    Qian Ruixin, having turned to see what themotion was about, blinked in disbelief. For a moment, she didn''t know whether tough or cry at the sight of her best friend being practically squeezed to death by her cousin.


    Lingling, known for her loli-like appearance, looked even more helpless under Wang Xiao''s abrupt assault.


    Qian Ruixin was also surprised at Wang Xiao''s actions¡ªthis wasn''t how she remembered him at all. She couldn''t help but smile wryly.


    "Rui! Stop staring and help me get this pervert off!" Lingling cried out dramatically, as though she were struggling for her life.


    Wang Xiao grinned mischievously. "Not today..." Before Lingling could react, he buried his face between her ample breasts, taking an exaggerated breath. Lingling''s face turned a deep shade of red, like a ripe tomato.


    "A-Ah... My innocence... It''s ruined!" Lingling''s eyes widened in exaggerated despair, tears welling up as she gasped. "I''ll never find a partner now¡­"


    Qian Ruixin, recognizing her best friend''s over-the-top performance, sighed and yed along. "Don''t you already have one?" She pointed to Wang Xiao with a teasing smile.


    "!"


    Lingling was stunned, her face going nk at Ruixin''sment. But before she could react, Wang Xiao sneakily pinched her bottom, causing her to yelp.


    "Ah!?"


    This time, there was no ying around. Lingling pushed him away with all her strength, staring at him with wide, aggrieved eyes, while Qian Ruixin tilted her head, pretending to be confused. "What just happened here?"


    A few minutester, the chaotic energy in the room had finally simmered down.


    Lingling, still flushed and fuming, had taken refuge in Qian Ruixin''s arms, her small frame trembling with indignation as she red at Wang Xiao from across the room.


    "H-He''s a scoundrel, Rui!" Lingling muttered, her face buried in Ruixin''s chest, her voice muffled but filled with frustration. "Your cousin is the worst! A shameless beast!"


    Qian Ruixin, gently stroking Lingling''s hair, fought back a smile as she looked over at Wang Xiao, who was now sitting leisurely on the bed, his smug grin still in ce. "Come now, Lingling," Ruixin said, her voice teasing. "He''s not that bad... well, maybe just a little."


    Lingling looked up at her, eyes wide in disbelief. "A little?! He buried his face in my¡ª" She couldn''t finish the sentence, her face turning red all over again as she remembered it.


    Qian Ruixin chuckled softly. "It''s just his way of saying hello, I suppose. Though he has gotten a bit... bolder." Her gaze shifted to Wang Xiao, a hint of curiosity shing in her eyes. "Speaking of which... when did you get here, Xiao Wang?"


    Wang Xiao shrugged, lounging back against the pillows. "Just recently. Thought I''d surprise you," he replied causally.


    Qian Ruixin''s nodded faintly, but she didn''t press him further. There were things she wanted to ask¡ªabout his long disappearance, the gap in her memories of him¡ªbut those were dark topics, things best left untouched, at least for now.


    She didn''t need the mood to shift in that direction.


    Lingling, still flustered and feeling utterly betrayed, pouted as she hugged tighter to Ruixin. Her best friend was clearly siding with this scoundrel, and it only made her angrier.


    "Humph! You two talk," she said sharply, pulling away from Ruixin''s embrace. "I''m leaving. I''ll go check on my mom." She threw a final, irritated nce at Wang Xiao, her lips bitten in a way that looked both aggrieved and... something else, something low-key and almost meaningful.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, watching as she hurried past the room, the door closing behind her with a soft click. He sighed, leaning back against the bed with a smirk ying on his lips. This little girl, trapped in a woman''s body... She seemed both flustered and charmed, clearly torn on how to respond.


    ''She doesn''t even realize it yet,'' he thought with amusement. Her awkward, aggrieved nces only made it more obvious.

 Chapter 589: Flustered Rui!

    Qian Ruixin sat at her vanity, her back to Wang Xiao, the silk of her Hanfu slippingzily down her smooth shoulders. She raised her arms, revealing her delicate wrists, the fabric draping even further, exposing the soft curve of her back.


    Her long hair cascaded down, framing her bare skin, her reflection almost ethereal.


    "You scared her away," she murmured, her voice teasing but soft. She had only wanted him to suffer a little for teasing Lingling earlier.


    She nced at him through the mirror, lips curling into a subtle smile. "Now how am I supposed to fix this?" Her gaze flicked toward him again. "Maybe you should go downstairs and call my mother," she added, enjoying the thought of him suffering through that awkwardness.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes darkened, lingering on her exposed skin as the fabric slipped even further.


    "Go downstairs? No need," he murmured, stepping closer. "I can fix that..." His voice dropped, sending a ripple of uncertainty through her.


    "??"


    Her heart skipped. "You?" she asked, turning her head slightly, confusion in her voice. But before she could react, Wang Xiao was behind her, his hands moving to the delicate fabric of her Hanfu.


    Swoosh!


    His fingers brushed the silk, adjusting it with surprising skill. Qian Ruixin''s breath caught, expecting him to be clumsy, but instead, his touch was controlled¡ªtoo perfect.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She barely had time to protest before his fingers grazed her bare shoulder, sending a wave of heat down her spine.


    "!"


    Her pulse quickened. His hands slid lower, brushing along the soft curve of her waist, then down toward her thighs through the silk.


    She shifted in her seat, unsure, but unable to voice her hesitation. Her breathing grew shallow as more of her skin was revealed¡ªher corbone, the top of her breasts barely covered by the fabric.


    "Xiao Wang," she whispered, trying to maintain control. "That''s enough, I can¡ª"


    But he didn''t stop.


    His fingers slid higher, grazing the side of her ribs, just beneath her breasts. Her heart raced as she nced at him through the mirror. His eyes were focused, absorbed in what he was doing, with no hint of hesitation or lust¡ªjust seriousness, which looked very attractive for a second, hitting her with a wave of shyness.


    The fabric slipped further, her chest almost fully exposed, her body reacting with heat as his fingers brushed the edge of the silk. Her breath came in soft gasps, her lips parting. She felt her body stiffen as his hand grazed just beneath her breast, his thumb barely brushing the sensitive skin.


    Her heart pound, her cheeks flushed.


    She could feel the tension building, the heat pooling in her core. It was too much¡ªshe needed it to stop, but the words wouldn''te.


    "I-I can do it myself," she finally stammered, her voice barely audible. She swatted his hands away, pulling the Hanfu up, covering her chest and corbone.


    Wang Xiao stepped back, his expression unreadable, though a faint smirk tugged at his lips. "Sure," he replied, his tone calm, as if nothing had happened.


    Her heart was pounding, her body trembling as she quickly fixed her Hanfu, standing abruptly.


    She rushed toward the door, needing to escape the ufortable atmosphere that had built up here.


    As she left, her mind swirled with confusion, guilt¡ªand something else she couldn''t name.


    She could still feel the warmth of his hands lingering on her skin.


    In the hallway, she paused, catching her breath. It wasn''t just what had happened with Wang Xiao¡ªit was everything.


    Her marriage had been cold, untouched. A month in, and they hadn''t even consummated it. That dryness, thatck of intimacy...


    ''Is that why my body reacted like this?''


    She couldn''t let her thoughts spiral. She hurriedly called Lingling back into another room, not daring to be alone with another man again.


    But one thing was certain: being in the same room with Wang Xiao was dangerous in ways she hadn''t imagined.


    Qian Ruixin realized with a subtle shock that the kid she had known had grown up.


    She had intended to test him, but now, it was clear that she was the one being tested.


    Wang Xiao, whom she had always overlooked, was actually quite handsome¡ªa detail she had ignored until today.


    The intensity in his eyes unsettled her, made her panic slightly.


    He was confident in himself, but lust had a way of spiraling things out of control, especially at his age.


    It was a dangerous time when a young man could easily lose himself.


    The rest of the event passed smoothly, with no further idents. Wang Xiao, rxed, tried some of the food, but when he reached for the drinks, both Xin Meifang and Qian Ruixin exchanged uneasy nces.


    They hadn''t seen him drink before. If his mother finds out he is dead... both thought simultaneously, sighing as they wondered what had changed.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao caught the eye of Liu Yanmei, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and asked her to join him for a drink.


    She hesitated, clearly nervous, but approached him regardless.


    "Um... Prince... Can I apany you another time?" she pleaded, her voice tense.


    Wang Xiao, already feeling the effects of the alcohol, narrowed his eyes. "Why? What''s the problem now?" he asked, his tone edging toward irritation.


    Liu Yanmei flinched under his sharp gaze. Her eyes darted toward Murong Shan, who was watching them with a dark expression, his face growing more sour by the second.


    Her anxious gaze also searched for Murong Tianze, knowing that being seen with Wang Xiao could be a nightmare.


    If Murong Tianze saw her with another man, especially Wang Xiao, it could end very badly for her.


    "Are they more frightening than me?" Wang Xiao asked, his voice low and dangerous, though there was a hint of amusement.


    His mood was unpredictable tonight¡ªone wrong word, and no one would walk away alive.


    Feeling the warning, Liu Yanmei acted quickly. She grabbed Wang Xiao''s wrist, surprising him, and tugged him away from the crowd. She led him to a secluded corner, her actions hidden from most of the guests. But one person noticed¡ªQian Ruixin.


    Her eyes followed them, stunned, knowing more about the situation than she wanted to.


    Murong Shan, who had also seen Liu Yanmei grab Wang Xiao''s hand, looked like he had swallowed something bitter, his expression darkening with each passing second.


    Outside, in an abandoned parking lot, Liu Yanmei shoved Wang Xiao against a wall, her hands trembling as she kissed him fiercely.


    "Mmmmgh..."


    She groaned, mming her lips against his, the burning taste of alcohol in her mouth. He grabbed her waist tightly in response, slightly stunned by her boldness. She really had guts.


    Unknown to them, a pair of prying eyes watched from a nearby car.


    Lingling hade out to retrieve something she had forgotten and was now frozen, hiding in the shadows as she witnessed the steamy scene.


    She mped her hand over her mouth, not daring to make a sound as she locked herself inside the car, her heart pounding.


    ''It''s him!'' she realized, recognizing Wang Xiao immediately.


    However, the woman''s face was obscured, only her back visible in the dark.


    She couldn''t tell who she was, but the intense scene left her feeling flustered and confused.

 Chapter 590: Three beauties! one car!

    "M-Mngh¡­"


    Wang Xiao''s lips pressed firmly against Liu Yanmei''s, her body melting into his embrace. She arched into him, silently pleading for more, their heated exchange oblivious to the world around them.


    Lingling, hidden in the car, stared in disbelief, her face burning. "What the hell am I seeing?" she muttered, her breath catching as Wang Xiao deepened the kiss. "Not the tongue¡­ Ah!" she gasped softly as he practically devoured Liu Yanmei''s mouth, ignoring the parking lot entirely.


    Her pulse quickened, heart pounding with shock as Wang Xiao''s hand slipped beneath Liu Yanmei''s blouse, fingers grazing her bare skin. "Oh god¡­ his hand''s inside her shirt!" Lingling squirmed, a jolt of heat coursing through her. "He is squeeshing them so hard ¡ª Wouldn''t that hurt?"


    A soft moan escaped Liu Yanmei, her body pressing more insistently into Wang Xiao''s touch, her hips shifting in response. Lingling''s eyes widened as his hand ventured dangerously close to the edge of Liu Yanmei''s bra.


    "They are continuing¡­" she whispered, barely able to believe what she was witnessing.


    When Wang Xiao''s fingers slipped beneath the fabric, cupping Liu Yanmei''s bare breast, Lingling almost squealed aloud. "He''s¡­ really doing it," she muttered, her body betraying her as warmth pooled in her core. "How can they just¡­ in public like this?"


    Lingling''s breath came in shallow bursts as Wang Xiao''s other hand slid lower, over Liu Yanmei''s hips, pulling her closer. "Are they seriously going to¡ªhere?" she whispered, pressing her back against the seat, her pulse wild. "Who does this in a parking lot?!"


    Her eyes nearly popped when his hand slipped beneath Liu Yanmei''s skirt. "Oh no¡­ he''s going for it!" she gasped, struggling to steady her breathing as the heat between her legs grew unbearable.


    "This is insane," she muttered, trembling as her body reacted despite her growing panic. "Do people actually do this out in the open?"


    Wang Xiao''s fingers hovered over Liu Yanmei''s panties, and Lingling''s mind raced. "He''s¡­ he''s about to¡ª!" She stifled a gasp, covering her mouth.


    Then Wang Xiao''s pants slid down, revealing far more than Lingling had anticipated. Her breath hitched. "So¡­ big¡­" she choked on her words, utterly mesmerized. "How is that even real?"


    Her breath quickened uncontrobly, her gaze glued to his body. "He was flirting with me earlier, and now this?" she muttered, disbelieving. "How can he be the same person?"


    "I should stop¡­ I should," Lingling whispered, but her eyes stayed fixed on the unfolding scene, unable to look away. Her hand instinctively slid between her legs, her body sumbing to the rising heat.


    Her breath came in quickened gasps, her fair skin glowing as desire overtook her. "Mmm¡­" she moaned softly, lost in the moment, her fingers moving insistently.


    But then, something shifted in the shadows outside.


    "What¡­" Lingling''s eyes snapped open, her heart leaping into her throat. A faint, hazy figure approached from the distance. She froze, quickly ducking lower in the car, holding her breath as she peeked nervously at the shadowy silhouette.


    ___


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao remained still, his manhood buried deep inside Liu Yanmei, who trembled against him, her breath ragged. His gaze sharpened, as if sensing something was off.


    Tap. Tap. Tap.


    Hurried footsteps echoed through the quiet parking lot. Liu Yanmei''s eyes flew open, fear recing the lust that had consumed her moments earlier.


    Wang Xiao, ever calm, nced toward the approaching figure, his expression unreadable


    ___


    "Where did they go?" Qian Ruixin muttered, her brows furrowing as she wandered away from the party. Something about Wang Xiao and Liu Yanmei''s sudden departure had unsettled her, and she found herself following them.


    As she approached, the dim light ahead revealed two shadowy figures. Her heart skipped a beat.


    "You two¡ª"


    Her voice died in her throat as she took in the scene. Wang Xiao stood half-naked, his pants hanging low, with Liu Yanmei pressed against him, her blouse disheveled. Heat rushed to Qian Ruixin''s face, and she stumbled back, hand flying to her mouth in shock.


    "Ah¡ªW-What are you doing!?" she squeaked, turning around in panic, unable to fully process the sight before her.


    Liu Yanmei, flustered and panicked, fumbled with her clothes. "Ruixin! It''s not what it looks like!" she gasped, her face pale.


    Qian Ruixin''s voice rose in a flustered pitch. "It¡­ it looks exactly like what it looks like!" Her face flushed deeper as she avoided their gaze. "Why are you two like this?!"


    Wang Xiao, unfazed, adjusted his pants with azy smile. "Rui, you''re overreacting."


    "Overreacting!?" Qian Ruixin squeaked, hands clenched at her sides, her chest heaving from embarrassment.


    Liu Yanmei, her voice desperate, pleaded, "Ruixin, please! Don''t tell Tianzu or Shan''er. Please!"


    Wang Xiao nced between the two women, a wry smile tugging at his lips as the awkward silence stretched on.


    "Are you¡­ done?" Qian Ruixin finally managed, her voice trembling as she slowly turned back toward them, her heart hammering in her chest.


    When her gaze met Wang Xiao''s nonchnt expression, her face burned with embarrassment. But it was Liu Yanmei''s disheveled, guilty appearance that made her want to disappear.


    "Ruixin¡­" Liu Yanmei muttered, her voice heavy with shame.


    "You two know each other?" Wang Xiao asked casually, as if the entire situation was merely an inconvenience.


    Qian Ruixin, still reeling from the shock, couldn''t bring herself to answer.


    Liu Yanmei hesitated before quietly revealing, "Murong Shan is my son."


    Wang Xiao''s calm facade faltered, the all new discovery sinking in.


    Very few knew the truth behind Liu Yanmei''s rise to power and her rtionship with Murong Tianzu. But now, the pieces had fallen into ce, and Wang Xiao''s expression darkened.


    "So that''s how it is¡­" Wang Xiao muttered, lighting a cigarette, his expression distant as if this drama was more than he could tolerate.


    Qian Ruixin shot aplicated nce at Liu Yanmei. She had learned some of the family''s forbidden secrets after marrying into it, but the truth about Murong Shan''s parentage had unsettled her deeply.


    That Liu Yanmei was his real mother made everything more twisted. If Murong Shan ever discovered that his own brother-inw had been making out with his mother, he would likely explode in fury.


    Liu Yanmei bit her lip, guilt clear on her eyes.


    She couldn''t allow this secret to surface¡ªnot now, not ever.


    Just as the three of them found themselves trapped in their awkward silence, footsteps echoed through the quiet parking lot.


    Wang Xiao, Qian Ruixin, and Liu Yanmei exchanged tense nces, all thinking the same thing.


    "Ruixin..." A voice called out, sharp & loud.


    He had sent Qian Ruixin to find out why his mother had disappeared with another man. It was every man''s worst fear, seeing his mother or daughter sneaking off with someone elsete at night. But when Qian Ruixin hadn''t returned, he''de to investigate himself.


    Panic shed through Liu Yanmei''s eyes.


    Before anyone could react, Wang Xiao tossed away his cigarette. "Come with me," he ordered, grabbing both Qian Ruixin and Liu Yanmei by their hands. One was soft and plump, the other fragile and trembling. Without hesitation, he dragged them both.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "W-Wait, what?" they both stammered in shock, but they let him lead¡ªthere was no time to argue.


    Meanwhile, from the nearby car, Lingling watched in stunned silence. "Why are theying this way?" she whispered, eyes wide as she saw the trio heading toward her.


    Click.


    Lingling froze as Wang Xiao reached her car. Before she could even think of an excuse, Wang Xiao yanked the door open, surprising her.


    "You¡ª!" she began, but he cut her off, pushing her aside. In one swift motion, he stuffed both Qian Ruixin and Liu Yanmei into the back seat beside her.


    "Stay quiet," Wang Xiao ordered, his voice low and urgent as he squeezed into the car, mming the door behind him.


    ______


    "Ugh! My leg¡­ What the hell are you guys doing?" Lingling groaned in frustration, trying to shift in the cramped car.


    She was jammed up against Wang Xiao, her chest ufortably mashed against him, her legs tangled awkwardly.


    Wang Xiao, trapped in the middle, could barely move with the three women pressing into him. His right hand was caught under Liu Yanmei, resting against her firm ass.


    She squirmed in the tight space, but her movements only pushed her harder into him, her body responding despite herself.


    Liu Yanmei bit her lip, her breath catching as she felt his hand squeeze reflexively. She didn''t say a word, but a flush spread up her neck, her heart pounding in her chest.


    "Damn it¡­ this is too cramped," Wang Xiao muttered, his voice strained as their bodies closed in from all sides.


    Yet, inwardly, a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.


    It was all going ording to n.


    Qian Ruixin had fallen on top of him, her chest pressed flush against his, her face so close to his neck that he could feel her warm breath.


    Her thighs straddled his leg, squeezing tighter each time she shifted. "Is he gone¡­?" she whispered, her voice trembling, lips brushing against his ear.

 Chapter 591: *Three Beauties! One Car* (2)

    "Is he gone¡­?" she whispered, her voice trembling, lips brushing against his ear.


    "No, and you¡ªLoli¡ªstop squirming," Wang Xiao growled through clenched teeth, inhaling her soft pleasing fragrance. His lips brushed lightly against her neck, making her shiver.


    Qian Ruixin''s eyes flickered with conflict, her hands gripping his shirt tighter, trying to maintain someposure. But the soft contact against her skin sent ripples of confusion and heat through her.


    Meanwhile, Lingling''s thigh rubbed against Wang Xiao''s crotch, while Liu Yanmei''s soft ass kept pressing into his hand, making it nearly impossible to maintain control.


    "I''m trying!" Lingling hissed, her face flushing deeper as she tried to adjust. Her thoughts spun, still stunned at what he had called her.


    But now wasn''t the time to fight.


    Her chest was crushed against his side, and her hand had fallen onto his thigh. She nced down, her eyes widening as she realized how hard he''d gotten. "Shit¡­" she muttered under her breath.


    Qian Ruixin''s face lifted slightly, her expression curious. "Huh? What happened?" Her gaze flicked to Lingling, whose face was glowing red.


    "I-It''s nothing..." Lingling stammered, unable to say more, her voice shaky with embarrassment.


    Beside Wang Xiao, Liu Yanmei kept shifting ufortably, her ass pressing harder into his hand, her breathing in soft, unsteady bursts. Her body reacted to every slight movement.


    Qian Ruixin, still lying on top of him, could barely catch her breath. Her chest heaved with each inhale, her hips involuntarily rocking against his leg.


    "..."


    The heat radiating from his body made her feel lightheaded.


    Her lips brushed his neck, and before she could stop herself, a soft moan escaped.


    "Xiao Wang¡­ m-move your head away¡­" she whispered, her voice trembling with both shame and frustration.


    "Ugh¡­ what the hell?" Lingling groaned as well, squirming ufortably on top of Wang Xiao.


    Her chest pressed against his, her legs tangled awkwardly as she struggled for space.


    Wang Xiao smiled wryly, inhaling the mix of fragrances around him, a primal urge ring up.


    For a brief moment, he wanted to ravish all three of them right there.


    Qian Ruixin''s hazy eyes met his, her gaze pleading as she hovered above him.


    Something stirred deep within Wang Xiao.


    "Mmngh!?"


    Before Qian Ruixin could process it, Wang Xiao lifted his face and kissed her¡ªhard, his lips pressing into hers.


    "You¡ª" She jerked her head back, ready to scream, but before she could, Wang Xiao freed his hand, trapped between Lingling''s breasts, and gently pushed Qian Ruixin''s head against his chest, silencing her.


    "Shhh... He''s close¡­" Wang Xiao whispered into her ear.


    Qian Ruixin''s eyes widened in shock, her heart hammering in her chest as she quieted, anxiety and confusion mixing in her.


    Wang Xiao, satisfied with her stunned reaction, couldn''t help but savor the sweet taste lingering on his lips.


    "..."


    "..."


    Lingling and Liu Yanmei exchanged speechless nces, both having witnessed his brazen move.


    Tap. Tap. Tap.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Murong Shan''s footsteps echoed closer, making everyone freeze in ce. He was just outside, the thudding of his shoes louder with each step.


    "Shit! He''sing this way," Lingling whispered, panic shing across her face. But even as she spoke, her body betrayed her, shifting again and rubbing up against Wang Xiao''s growing bulge.


    Wang Xiao groaned softly, barely able to restrain himself. "If you keep moving like that, I''m not gonna be able to hold back," he warned, ring at her.


    "I..." Lingling immediately stiffened, her face turning bright red.


    Liu Yanmei''s breath grew shallow, her body trembling as Wang Xiao''s hand inched closer to the hem of her skirt.


    "Don''t¡­ we can''t¡­" she muttered, but her body''s reaction told a different story. She half expected him to take things further, part of her wondering if he would go through with it despite the risk.


    Qian Ruixin, still pressed against him, flushed as his words sank in.


    Even though he was talking to Lingling, the vulgarity of it made her cheeks burn with embarrassment.


    ''He''s so vulgar¡­'' she thought, not remembering him being like this before.


    But her body couldn''t help reacting.


    "Mmn.."


    A soft whimper escaped her lips as her hips shifted involuntarily against his leg, making her even more aware of the heat between them.


    Murong Shan''s shadow was outside, the car door rattling as he tested the handle.


    Everyone held their breath, almost instantly.


    Lingling bit her lip hard, enough to draw blood as she struggled to stifle the whimper in her throat.


    Her hand, trembling, brushed against Wang Xiao''s hardened shaft, the contact sending a surge of heat through her.


    "Fuck¡­ what are we gonna do?" she whispered, her voice shaky.


    Wang Xiao exhaled sharply, losing control inch by inch.


    His grip tightened on Liu Yanmei''s ass, his fingers slipping beneath the fabric, grazing along her crack.


    "?!!"


    Liu Yanmei''s eyes widened in shock, a muffled gasp escaping her lips as she covered her mouth, looking at Wang Xiao pleadingly.


    But his fingers didn''t stop, squeezing and pressing into her soft flesh, the hot sensation making her body tremble uncontrobly.


    "Mmmm¡­" she moaned softly, her voice muffled as she bit her lip to keep quiet.


    Qian Ruixin heard Liu Yanmei''s muffled sounds and shuddered, her soft body instinctively pressing harder against Wang Xiao.


    The heat between them was unbearable, and the growing tension made her chest rise and fall more rapidly.


    "Rui... If you don''t stop grinding against me, I''m going to fuck one of you right here," Wang Xiao growled, this time not holding back as he issued the warning directly.


    "Huh?" Qian Ruixin couldn''t believe her ears, her wide eyes filled with shock.


    But as she looked down, she noticed Wang Xiao''s re fixed on Lingling. Her hand had slipped into his pants, her fingers wrapping around his length as she stroked him, her movements slow and deliberate.


    Wang Xiao had enough.


    With a quick motion, he released his grip on Qian Ruixin''s head, letting her move freely, and used that hand to grab Lingling''s breast.


    His fingers twisted her nipple harshly, forcing a reaction out of her.


    "Ah!?" Lingling gasped, her body jerking, but as she felt three sets of eyes on her, she instantly mmed up, guilt written all over her flushed face.


    She had gotten carried away.


    The heat in the cramped space had clouded her judgment, and now, the itching desire between her legs was unbearable.


    Tap. Tap.


    Murong Shan lingered outside, his voice calling out once again. "Ruixin?"


    The door rattled again, sending a wave of panic through them, but they stayed still, their breath collectively held.


    Finally, the footsteps receded, and Murong Shan''s presence faded into the distance.


    Even with the threat gone, the tension inside the car remained.


    The heat from their bodies made the air feel stifling, and none of them dared move, their desire keeping them locked in ce.


    Qian Ruixin''s shallow breaths filled the space, her chest still pressed tightly against Wang Xiao. "That was¡­ way too close¡­" she whispered, her hand sliding down to his chest, her fingers grazing his bare skin. She knew what she was doing, but with nowhere else to ce her hand, she let it rest there.


    Liu Yanmei, still trembling from the sensation of Wang Xiao''s fingers on her bare skin, let out a shaky breath.


    Her hips shifted against him, her body craving more of his touch despite her whispered warning. "We can''t stay here¡­ we need to leave¡­" she murmured, but even as she spoke, her body betrayed her, leaning into his hand.


    Lingling, her face flushed with heat and guilt, didn''t remove her hand from his pants. Her eyes were zed with a mix of fear and lust. "This is¡­ so fucked up," she whispered, but her body refused to pull away, the thrill keeping her rooted in thepromising position.


    Wang Xiao let out a slow, deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he struggled to control himself. The heat, the pressure, and the closeness of the three women were driving him to the edge. "If any of you keep moving like this," he growled, his voice rough with desire, "I''m going to make sure you pay for it."


    "..."


    "..."


    "..."


    As the footstepspletely faded into the distance, Wang Xiao let out a slow, deep breath, his patience worn thin. W


    Bang!


    Without hesitation, he kicked the car door open, startling the women.


    The door swung wide, and the cool night air rushed in.


    "Out. Now," Wang Xiao ordered, his voice low andmanding, his body tense from the heat that had built up inside the car.


    Qian Ruixin stumbled out first, her legs shaky, breathing in shallow gasps. "So hot¡­" she mumbled, fanning her flushed face with trembling hands.


    The fresh air was a relief, cooling her burning cheeks.


    Liu Yanmei followed, her legs trembling as well, her skin still tingling from the sensation of Wang Xiao''s hand on her earlier.


    She bit her lip, struggling topose herself. "That was¡­ insane," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, her heart still pounding from the fear of being discovered by her own son while making out with someone else.

 Chapter 592: *Three Beauties! One Car* (3)

    Wang Xiao swung his legs out and stepped into the night air, stretching his arms, trying to shake off the lingering heat coursing through his veins.


    A smirk yed on his lips, satisfied with how things had progressed.


    But inside the car, Lingling remained, panting, her face flushed, legs still trembling. Her hand gripped the edge of the seat, her chest rising and falling with eachbored breath, her body still lost in the moment. "H-Hey¡­" she managed to mutter, her voice shaky. "You''re just gonna leave me like this?"


    Qian Ruixin nced back, now moreposed, her gaze sharp. "What were you even doing here?" she asked, her voiceced with suspicion.


    Wang Xiao turned, his eyes narrowing as he took in Lingling''s disheveled state¡ªher petite figure, flushed face, messy clothes barely covering herrge breasts and smooth, pale skin.


    His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he smirked. "What? You want me to finish what you started?" His voice was a mix of amusement and warning.


    Lingling''s breath hitched, her eyes darting between him and the others. "I-I didn''t¡­" she stammered, guilt and desire swirling inside her.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her thighs pressed together as if to suppress the heat spreading through her body. "Damn it¡­" she whispered, trembling.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze darkened, a flicker of something primal crossing his face. ''This loli''s too damn tempting,'' he thought, his control slipping.


    Without a second thought, he threw himself back into the car,nding right on top of her.


    "Wh¡ª!" Qian Ruixin''s hands flew to her mouth, her eyes widening in shock.


    Wang Xiao''s lips crashed against Lingling''s, his tongue invading her mouth as he tore at her clothes, their bodies locked in a fierce struggle of passion.


    Lingling moaned into the kiss, her hands pushing weakly against him but betraying her as she melted under his touch.


    "You two¡ªstop!" Qian Ruixin shouted, rushing forward to grab Wang Xiao.


    She pulled at him, panic rising as she saw Lingling struggling beneath him, her voice muffled as Wang Xiao forced himself over her.


    "Haaa¡­ nngh¡­" Lingling gasped, her chest rising and falling rapidly, beads of sweat glistening on her flushed skin.


    Slurp¡­ slurp¡­


    Wang Xiao''s lipstched onto her breasts, his tongue flicking over her sensitive skin, sucking hard while his teeth tugged at the fabric, tearing it apart.


    He pinned her wrists above her head, trapping her beneath him.


    "Mmmghhh¡­ stop¡­ please¡­" Lingling whimpered, her body shivering under his relentless assault, but Wang Xiao only grunted, his mouth moving greedily over her exposed chest.


    "Xiao Wang! Stop it! It''s too much now!" Qian Ruixin''s voice cracked as she tried to push him away.


    She pulled at his shoulders, practically hugging him from behind, but he was too strong, his weight pressing down, trapping her in ce.


    "H-Hey!" She struggled, her face a mix of panic and frustration.


    Liu Yanmei, standing nearby, sighed, her expression conflicted.


    She tapped Qian Ruixin on the shoulder. "It''s no use. You should leave," she said, her tone calm but resigned.


    "What? We can''t just leave her!" Qian Ruixin protested, her voice desperate as she nced at Lingling, who was writhing beneath Wang Xiao, her legs forced apart. "Help me push him off!"


    Liu Yanmei shook her head, knowing it was pointless. "If you stay, you''ll end up in the same situation." She sighed again, her gaze shifting to Wang Xiao''s firm grip on Lingling''s trembling thighs. "Trust me, just go."


    Qian Ruixin hesitated, her heart racing. Wang Xiao had already forced Lingling''s legs open, and she was moaning uncontrobly beneath him.


    "N-No¡­" Lingling''s voice quivered, her body betraying her as Wang Xiao''s hands roamed over her bare thighs.


    "Go check on Shan''er," Liu Yanmei urged. "If hees back here, things will get even worse. I would handle it here."


    Qian Ruixin''s face was a mix of fear and confusion.


    She shot onest helpless nce at Lingling, who was panting, eyes half-lidded with a mix of terror and desire.


    After a moment, she nodded, her face pale. "Fine¡­ just¡­ don''t let him hurt her."


    With one final look, Qian Ruixin hurried toward the mansion, her footsteps growing distant in the night.


    As soon as she was gone, Wang Xiao''s arm shot out, grabbing Liu Yanmei by the waist.


    "Ah!" she yelped as he effortlessly pulled her into the car.


    BAM!


    The door mmed shut with a loud noise, locking them inside.


    "Mmmgh¡­ s-slow down¡­" Liu Yanmei groaned, her breathing in ragged gasps as Wang Xiao''s hand gripped her waist tightly.


    His fingers dug into her skin, making her shudder.


    She squirmed beneath his weight, her body unable to resist his rough touch.


    Momentster, Lingling''s voice filled the air.


    "Ahhh¡­ no! N-Not inside¡­ it''s too big!" she cried out, her voiceced with both fear and panic. "Ugh...It''ll tear me apart¡­!"


    Wang Xiao smirked, his hands exploring their bodies with increasing hunger. The car filled with the sound of heated gasps and frantic moans.


    "Ahhh¡­ nnngh¡­!" Liu Yanmei moaned loudly, her hips pressing against Wang Xiao''s as his hand slipped beneath her clothes, fingers teasing her sensitive skin. "W-Wait¡­ nngh¡­!"


    Lingling''s back arched as another cry escaped her lips. "Ahhhh¡­ n-no, stop¡­ I-I can''t¡­!" Her voice trembled, but her body bucked against him, unable to resist the overwhelming sensation.


    Pakh! Pakh! Pakh!


    The parking lot echoed with the sound of their shared cries, their voices rising with each heated movement.


    Pakh! Pakh! Pakh!


    The car was shaking and bouncing wildly, moving with intense activity inside, producing creaking noises.


    "Mmmm¡­ ahhhhnnn¡­!" Liu Yanmei''s moans mixed with Lingling''s, both of them lost in the intensity of the moment.


    "Nnnngh¡­ too much¡­!" Lingling gasped, her hands clutching at the seat, her legs trembling as she struggled beneath Wang Xiao''s advances.


    Wang Xiao growled softly, his breath hot against their skin as he pushed them further into the heated rhythm. "You asked for this¡­" he muttered, his lips brushing against their necks, sending shivers down their spines.


    "Ahhh¡­ oh my god...!" Liu Yanmei moaned, her body pressing into him, her breathing out in shallow bursts.


    Outside, theirbined moans reached the ears of passersby.


    Those who approached the car stopped abruptly, their faces flushing as they heard the unmistakable sounds of pleasure echoing.


    "Ahhh¡­ it''s too much¡­!" Lingling''s voice broke through again, her body writhing helplessly beneath him.


    "W-Wait¡­ ahhhh!" Liu Yanmei gasped, her body trembling as she moaned louder. "Nnnnghhh¡­!¡­ ahhhnnn¡­!"


    The sound of their pleasure echoed across the parking lot, causing those nearby to recoil in shock and embarrassment.


    Some shook their heads, muttering under their breath as they hurried away.


    "Damn kids these days¡­" one older man grumbled, walking off quickly. "Too much for me to handle¡­"

 Chapter 593: Two done, one remaining!

    "Ahh..." Lingling''s soft groan slipped from the car as Wang Xiao mmed the door shut, leaving the two spent women inside. A gust of wind swept over him, magically cleansing his body, leaving him as fresh as if nothing had happened.


    His clothes shifted into pristine condition, like he hadn''t just spent thest hour using that car for far more than transportation.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Well, that''s convenient," he muttered with a smirk, ncing down at his newly donned attire. He cracked his neck, as he hummed his way back toward the party.


    It was barely 10 p.m., and these high-ss shindigs usually dragged on until 2 a.m., at least. Plenty of time for him to stir up more trouble.


    As he stepped into the mansion, a bit of chatter caught his ear. "Sick?" Wang Xiao frowned, genuinely confused.


    Xin Meifang, quick to fill him in, waved him over. "Rui''s back in her room. She said she wasn''t feeling well."


    "Sick, huh?" Wang Xiao mused, though the grin pulling at his lips said otherwise.


    ''She wasn''t sick an hour ago.'' He figured her "illness" was more about what she saw in the car. Not that it mattered¡ªshe wasn''t the focus tonight anyway.


    The real attention was on her inws.


    Murong Shan, on the other hand, had apparently bolted, something about his office catching fire.


    Wang Xiao stifled a chuckle.


    Yuriko''s spell really flipped his world upside down, didn''t it?


    Yuriko, that real witch, was proving herself to be one hell of an asset. The way she could throw someone''s life into chaos with a flick of her wrist? He needed more of that.


    ''I must enve her this time!'', he thought, appreciating how convenient it was to have someone who could ruin a man''s life before dessert.


    Wang Xiao''s thoughts darkened with a wicked grin. ''I should''ve taken Liu Yanmei right in front of Murong Shan. The look on his face would''ve been priceless.'' The idea of seeing his expression while he had his mother beneath him made his blood rush.


    And why stop there? He could throw Madam Li into the mix too. Father, son¡ªit didn''t matter.


    He''ll fuck every woman in the Murong family if he feel like it.


    The mental image of both men wearing the proverbial green hat was too good to pass up. The ultimate humiliation.


    He grinned wider, walking upstairs through the mansion like a man with a n.


    "Why''s he looking so pleased with himself?" Xin Meifang muttered to herself, her eyes narrowing as she watched him.


    Earlier, Wang Xiao had shown up looking like he was ready to break something. Now, though? He was practically glowing with satisfaction.


    She shook her head, baffled. "I don''t understand this younger generation at all."


    ______


    Qian Ruixin sat at the edge of her bed, her face still burning red despite the steaming bath. Her light pink pajamas hugged to her slender frame, the soft fabric barely hiding her flushed skin. She stared at her phone, waiting for a message from Lingling or Liu Yanmei.


    "..."


    She bit her lip, torn between guilt and cowardice. She should''ve gone back, but her legs had refused to move. After cleaning off the sweat, the feeling of his hands still lingered on her body, no matter how much she scrubbed.


    Her heart clenched, guilt twisting deeper as she recalled the taste of his lips, still fresh on hers.


    "Should I tell her...?" Her fingers hovered over Wang Jiarong''s contact, her thumb trembling with hesitation. Her heart pounded with anxiety, knowing Wang Xiao had crossed the line tonight. Was it the alcohol that made him lose control?


    In the end, she sent the message, keeping the details vague, calling it a "ruckus." Her chest loosened, a breath of relief escaping her lips. She didn''t have the strength to confess it all, but knowing Wang Jiarong''s sharpness, she would pry every secret from him soon enough.


    "I should check on Lingling..." she murmured, standing, her mind set on leaving the room.


    Click.


    As the door swung open, her body froze.


    Whoosh.


    "The pink suits you, I like it..." Wang Xiao''s voice came through the room as his eyes swept over her, taking in every inch of her body.


    It was not very curvy, but it should be veryfortable to hold while sleeping


    The light pink pajamas was soft and tempting, a sight that stirred him. Without a second thought, he stepped inside, his presence filling the space.


    The door clicked shut behind him, locking them in.


    "Yue wears the same color," he mused, his eyes darkening as they locked onto her shocked face, amusement dancing in his gaze.


    "...What are you doing here?" Qian Ruixin''s voice came out strained, her back pressing firmly against the door, fingers quietly fumbling with the doorknob behind her. Her sharp eyes red at Wang Xiao, but her effort to hide the fear beneath herposed expression was clear.


    Wang Xiao, with a casual shrug, grinned. "I don''t know¡­" His voice was soft, almost careless. He didn''t need a reason. He was simply following his whims, and those whims had led him here tonight, to her.


    Click. Click. Click.


    Qian Ruixin''s heart quickened as the doorknob refused to turn. Panic crept into her chest, but her face remained stone-cold. "!!"


    Before she could act further, Wang Xiao was suddenly in front of her. His hand darted out, gently grabbing her chin. "Nice try," he murmured, leaning in close, lips brushing against her forehead in a quick, deliberate kiss. "¡ª*smooch*¡ªBut it won''t open."


    Her body froze, stiffening beneath his touch. "!!!" Her lips trembled, though no words escaped. She looked up at him, startled, with the growing danger.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, his fingers lingering on her face for a moment longer. The thrill of toying with her, this older cousin of his, stirred something deep within him.


    He was always drawn to the challenge of toying those who thought they could resist.


    And after the frustration with Yue, this was the perfect release.


    "Haaa¡­ you''ve kept things so neat, only if Lan kept her room this organised..." he said, his eyes sweeping over her room. His gaze rested on her bed, the soft pink sheets immactely arranged.


    The faint scent of red rossed floated through the air, mixing with the lingering smell of her bath. "Your bedsheets... They smell just like you." His voice held amusement as he casually turned his back on her and walked toward the bed.


    Qian Ruixin''s hair, tied up in a tight bun, had begun to loosen. Stray strands framed her face, which was flushed from the panic and heat of the moment. Her delicate hands, still trembling, released the doorknob.


    He turned, a smirk curling at the corner of his lips. "So proper, even now," he murmured as he sat on the edge of her bed.

 Chapter 594: Nostalgia!

    His presence was so heavy and imposing.


    The silver pin in her hair trembled slightly as she moved. Her fingers, delicate and pale, instinctively reached up to touch the bun that was beginning toe undone. Her years of holding dignity and grace in front of others felt like evaporating...


    Whoosh!


    She darted for the bed, reaching for her phone lying on the sheets¡ªherst lifeline.


    Just as her fingers brushed the device, Wang Xiao''s hand shot out, grabbing it easily, holding it just out of her reach.


    "Hmm," he saidzily, twirling it between his fingers. "You know it''s against the rules, Rui. No phones."


    "Give it back!" Qian Ruixin''s voice rose in frustration. "Xiao Wang, I''m warning you!" Her sharp tone masked the tremor in her words, but he wasn''t fooled. She was always the older, but tonight, she felt small under his gaze.


    Wang Xiao let out a low chuckle, inhaling the sweet, subtle scent of her.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her hair, though neatly pinned, seemed ready to open at the slightest touch making her even more beautiful.


    "I''m just a little drunk, cousin," he said, his voice lowering as he finally tossed the phone back into her hands. She grabbed it, instantly retreating a few steps to maintain distance. "Can''t you find a quiet room for me? Somewhere I can sleep off this... feeling?"


    Her hands clutched the phone tightly, her breath uneven as she stood still, the distance between them not nearly enough to make her feel safe.


    She didn''t trust him, not tonight.


    "You should leave," she managed to whisper, pointing towards the door with her one trembling hand.


    She didn''t want to make things difficult for him, but if she don''t show strictness with him today, he would definitely go overboard.


    Wang Xiao leaned back on the bed, propping himself up with his arms, his eyes never leaving hers. "You''re too tense, Rui," he said softly, though there was nothing innocent in his tone. "We''re family... you wouldn''t throw me out like that, would you?"


    Qian Ruixin clenched her jaw, her fingers gripping the phone even tighter as her heart continued to pound in her chest.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes stayed on Qian Ruixin''s back, her hair now loose and cascading down her shoulders. He smirked to himself. "You know, Rui," he said casually, "it''s strange how much younger you look with your hair down."


    She stiffened but didn''t respond, her back still to him.


    "With your hair in a bun, you''re more...posed, mature," he continued, tilting his head as if remembering something. "But like this... you remind me of that eighteen-year-old girl from seven years ago. The one who used to wear those loose full sleeved tops." He chuckled, his voice soft but sharp.


    He paused, his mind drifting. "Funny thing is, I prefer you like this. But Anran, now she''s different. When she lets her hair down, she looks too young¡ªalmost like a child. It makes me ufortable."


    "But you..." he trailed off, smirking again, "you wear it well."


    "Xiao Wang... Who is this Anran? What nonsense are you talking about? What did you do to Lingling? It''s not good at all! It''s a crime!" Qian Ruixin''s eyes narrowed.


    She watched him closely, wondering if his memories from seven years ago were resurfacing. The thought made her chest tighten, but as the words sank in, she unconsciously lowered her guard.


    "Uh-huh¡­" Wang Xiao stood up, a sly grin spreading across his face.


    Qian Ruixin immediately tensed, her body going rigid. "What are you nning, Xiao Wang?" Her voice wavered, her eyes darting around for an escape.


    Without a word, Wang Xiao took a yful step forward, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You know you can''t run from me, right?"


    Qian Ruixin''s heart pounded. Oh no.


    Whoosh!


    She darted to the side, scrambling around the room.


    "Stay away!" she called out, her voice strained with panic as she dashed toward the bed, running like a panicked bird.


    "Oh,e on, Rui, run faster, or I''ll catch you!" Wang Xiao teased, his steps quickening as he chased her.


    Thud!


    She leapt onto the bed, grabbing the first thing she could find¡ªa pillow¡ªand threw it at him.


    Whoosh!


    Wang Xiao dodged it effortlessly. "You''ll have to do better than that!"


    "Stay back!" she cried, grabbing another pillow and hurling it at him with all her might.


    Thwack! It hit him squarely in the chest, but Wang Xiao justughed, shrugging it off.


    "Oh, how cute, attacking my poor heart¡­" he muttered, spreading his hands in a mock defeated posture.


    Whoosh!


    In one swift move, he lunged forward, and with a soft push, he tackled her onto the bed, pinning her down with ease.


    "Wh¡ª"


    Qian Ruixin gasped as his arms wrapped around her from behind, hugging her tightly.


    "Got you," he whispered, his voice low, almost teasing, as she struggled beneath him. "You really thought you could run from me?"


    "X-Xiao Wang, let me go!" Her breath came in quick, shallow bursts, her hands weakly pushing against his arms.


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Not until you calm down. Can''t have you running around like a wild rabbit, can I? What if you break your leg? I''m fine with you in a wheelchair, but how would you help me in bed then?"


    Her heart pounded in her chest, her body tense. She was trapped, but Wang Xiao''s hold, though firm, wasn''t hurting her. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to think of a way out, but his grip remained steady.


    "Rui, you''re shaking. Afraid I''ll bite?" he added, though there was an odd gentleness to his tone.


    "Xiao Wang¡­ please¡­" she whispered, her voice barely holding steady.


    "You''ll be fine," Wang Xiao murmured, loosening his hold just a bit. "I''m just ying... You know I wouldn''t hurt you. But you do look cute when you''re scared."


    She stiffened at his words, but Wang Xiao only sighed softly, settling in, as if this little game of cat and mouse was nothing more than a way to pass the time.


    Wang Xiao buried his face in the curve of Qian Ruixin''s neck, inhaling deeply, the intoxicating scent of her skin making her squirm beneath him. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the sweet, seductive fragrance.


    Why does such a gentle girl smell so much like a red rose¡ªso dangerous up close?


    Qian Ruixin shuddered, her body tensing as she felt his breath against her skin. "Xiao Wang... stop," she whispered, but her voice was shaky, her panic clear.


    "Rui..." Wang Xiao began, his lips brushing her ear, his tone casual, like they were reminiscing about old times. "Do you remember thatst sleepover at our ce? You were staying over, and I was there too..."


    "I don''t!" she shot back quickly, her voice sharper than she intended. She bit down on his hand, trying to force him off, but it barely phased him. If anything, it seemed to amuse him.


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly. "You can nibble on it all you want," he teased, rubbing his hand against her lips. "Might make me feel something... eventually."


    "!"


    Qian Ruixin''s heart stuttered, panic ring as she pressed her lips tightly together, trying to block him out.


    Ignoring her resistance, Wang Xiao leaned in closer, kissing the side of her face as she writhed beneath him. "You''re so smooth..." he muttered, his lips trailing over her cheek before nting another kiss, lingering just long enough to make her skin crawl.


    "Xiao Wang, please stop this," Qian Ruixin whispered, her voice pleading now, but there was a helplessness in her tone.


    Wang Xiao''s grip around her waist tightened, his fingers slipping under the hem of her pajamas. "Thest time you slept over..."

 Chapter 595: *Qian Ruixin! Youll Remember this Time* (1)

    "Thest time you slept over," he murmured, his voice dropping lower as he traced the curve of her waist. "You were next to me all night..." His hand traveled lower, brushing over her burning thighs, soft and supple beneath his touch.


    Qian Ruixin''s body froze as she felt his fingers move across her skin. "Xiao Wang..." she stammered, her voice trembling. "What are you talking about?"


    Wang Xiao smirked, his breath hot against her ear. "I touched you that night, everywhere," he whispered, "It was thrilling... wondering if you were really asleep or just pretending. I''ve thought about it ever since..."


    He paused, his fingers lingering on her thigh, tracing slow circles. "So... were you awake, Rui? Do you remember anything?" His voice was filled with curiosity, almost as if he was genuinely interested in her answer, though the dark undertone remained.


    Qian Ruixin''s heart shook violently. He had touched her before? The suprise hit her like a wave of cold water. Her mind spun with fear and disbelief, her body tensing under his grip.


    No... it couldn''t be true.


    She squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to block out his words, just the thought of his hands on her skin as she slept defenseless sent chills down her spine.


    Wang Xiao, oblivious to her panic¡ªor perhaps reveling in it¡ªgently kissed the back of her neck, pushing her hair aside. The soft strands brushed his face, and he couldn''t help butpare her to his daughters.


    ''They were all like her,'' he thought, a mix of amusement and nostalgia. He often teased them at night, not with malice, just innocent exploration. Nothing harmful¡ªjust a game, or so he told himself.


    Lan, for instance, despite her attitude towards him, surprisingly ¡ª never objected.


    She pretended to sleep, only resisting when things went too far, or if he dared bring up the topic of bing her "man."


    She hated that idea.


    Or maybe she hated how Eleanor was so... amodating of him...


    Eleanor, who gave him free rein, allowing him to do whatever he wanted without so much as aint...


    Too amodating, in fact¡ªit made Lan furious.


    Then there was Yanyan, Amelia''s daughter. Now, she was different. If Wang Xiaoid beside her, she''d grab his hand and ce it directly on her breasts, unbothered by the intimacy. She didn''t need coaxing, that one was difficult.


    Wenxi, on the other hand, was shy. As long as he didn''t panic her, she allowed him to explore, timid butpliant.


    A cute girl¡ªhard on the outside, soft on the inside.


    He liked that contrast, but she should smile more.


    Then there was Yue...plicated.


    She pretended not to notice when he touched her, brushing off his advances until thest time she confronted him. Wang Xiao chuckled to himself.


    The outside world had corrupted her.


    He had brought them all out here deliberately to see how they''d react¡ªto test their resolve against two contrasting worlds.


    He never believed in caging their minds; it was more interesting to watch them confront these changes.


    Yet, even with this freedom, he had safeguards in ce. If any man dared touch their skin, they''d pay dearly. He would never allow another to im what was his.


    But now, his thoughts turned back to Rui. Had she known that night? Had she been pretending too? He studied her reaction carefully, watching as her body trembled in his hold.


    With the way she shivered now, it seemed clear¡ªshe hadn''t known.


    Wang Xiao sighed, almost disappointed.


    He had been hoping she remembered, that she had been awake, just like Lan or Yue.


    But her fear, her confusion¡ªit was real.


    "It''s okay if you don''t remember... This time, I''ll make sure you do," Wang Xiao muttered, a sinister smile curving his lips.


    "Xiao Wang¡ªmmphhgh!?" Before she could finish, he silenced her, his hand mping firmly over her mouth.


    "Shhh... no more talking, Rui. Now, just feel." His voice was low, dripping with authority. His other hand slipped inside her pajamas, fingers sliding against her warm thighs, pressing firmly as if savoring the softness beneath his touch.


    Shhhht.


    The fabric of her pajamas rustled as he moved, his hand trailing slowly upward.


    His lips brushed against the curve of her neck, kissing the sensitive skin just above her shoulders.


    Smack.


    He tugged her clothes down a little, exposing more of her pale skin. "How does it feel now, Rui?" he whispered into her ear, his breath hot and mixed with frganace of red wine, his teeth grazing her earlobe. "Will you remember this?"


    Qian Ruixin''s body trembled. Her mind raced with fear, her heart pounding in her chest. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block him out.


    Wang Xiao''s lips kissed a trail down her neck.


    Smooch. Smooch.


    "Your skin... it''s so soft," he muttered.


    He took another deep breath, savoring her scent, before slowly sliding his hand higher. His fingers danced over her abdomen, tracing soft, deliberate circles. "Now, now... let''s see what we''ve got here," he murmured, his voice almost yful.


    His hand slipped higher still, and Qian Ruixin''s breath hitched. Her chest tightened, her body frozen as his fingers finally reached her soft mounds on the chest...


    She hadn''t worn anything to bed, and his touch sent a sharp chill through her.


    Shhfft.


    His fingers brushed against her bare skin, lightly tracing the curve of her breast. Her body stiffened, her breathing shallow, a soft whimper escaping her lips.


    "Aahh... still as soft as I remember, but it''s bigger now..." Wang Xiao said softly.


    He cupped her breast fully now, squeezing gently.


    His thumb brushed over her nipple, circling it slowly before pinching it between his fingers.


    Pinch.


    "Mm... such a cute little thing," he murmured, his lips curving into a smile. "Just like you, Rui."


    Qian Ruixin''s body trembled uncontrobly beneath him, her eyes glistening with tears she refused to let fall. No... Her thoughts screamed, but she was powerless, trapped beneath his grip.


    Wang Xiao leaned in, his lips grazing her cheek as he nted a soft kiss there. Smooch. The tenderness of the act only heightened her terror.


    "How does it feel, Rui?" he whispered, his breath hot against her skin. "You can try to forget again... but I won''t let you this time." His fingers curled more firmly around her breast, squeezing it once more, before his lips hovered near her ear.


    "Do you remember now?" His voice held a teasing lilt, as though this were all just a game. "Do you remember how it felt that night... when I touched you?"


    "Stop..." she managed to whisper, her voice weak and trembling. Her body felt like it was on fire, the mixture of fear and shame overwhelming her.


    "Stop?" Wang Xiao''s chuckle vibrated against her skin. "Oh, Rui... You can''t say no to me. You never could, maybe you are just drunk...."


    His hand slid back down, tracing her abdomen once more. "I wonder..." he mused aloud, his fingers moving lower, teasing the edge of her panties. "Should I remind you of everything? Would you remember better that way?"


    Qian Ruixin''s breath came in ragged gasps. "... don''t..." Her voice cracked.


    Wang Xiao paused for a moment, his smile fading slightly. "Hmm... but where''s the fun in that?" he murmured, his fingers gently brushing against the waistband. "You''ve forgotten so much... I can''t let that happen again."


    His hand hovered there, teasing, testing her reaction. "Come on, Rui. I''m just trying to help you remember." His voice was smooth, almostforting, but his touch was anything but.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    He kissed her neck again, pulling her closer into his embrace, hugging tighter.


    "You''ll be fine," he whispered, a grin creeping back onto his face. "You''ll remember... and this time, you won''t forget."

 Chapter 596: *Qian Ruixin! Youll Remember this Time* (2)

    "Shh... Do you remember now?"


    Wang Xiao''s hand slipped inside her clothing, tracing slow circles over her abdomen.


    He turned her around, locking eyes with her terrified gaze, wide and tearing up with panic.


    "!!"


    "Xiao Wang... ahh!" she pleaded, her voice muffled by the tight grip of his hand.


    Wang Xiao smiled and pushed her pajama top upward, revealing the tender, milky-white skin of her abdomen. His hand moved higher, his breathing hitching as he uncovered her soft, round mounds.


    "Ngh¡ªah! Stop...!"


    She gasped, panic rising as she felt warmth engulfing her sensitive skin. Looking down, she saw his hands gripping her breasts, fuller and softer than he remembered.


    Unable to resist, he kneaded them like dough, rough and eager, pulling and pinching her nipples between his fingers and grazing them with his teeth.


    "Mm... Rui... you''ve grown," he whispered.


    "Ahh! No¡ª!" she moaned, her proud light pink nipples swollen, glistening with his touch, as her face flushed a deep red.


    Electric currents surged through her body, making her shudder and scream, "ohhh... no...!"


    She screamed and moaned at the same time, her cries echoing through the room. "Ahh¡ªno... ahhh!" Her voice was so loud that it only stirred Wang Xiao further, fueling his intense desire as he sucked and licked over her sensitive breasts.


    Her cries, however, never reached beyond the room, swallowed by the air around them.


    "Mmmmgh!?" she gasped, her teary eyes widening as he silenced her with a rough, consuming kiss, his tongue plunging deeply into her mouth, tasting her fully.


    Slurp... Slurp..


    "Mmmmgnn... st-stop... ahh..."


    Her flushed face looked even more irresistible as he devoured her, only pausing for breath before continuing.


    "Haaah..."


    Then, he pressed his lips to her cheeks, tracing his tongue over her heated skin.


    Qian Ruixin''s body stiffened, feeling his hot breath and the searing path of his tongue as it glided over her trembling flesh.


    "Ahh... mm..." she whimpered softly, her resistance fading as her body yielded, everyst thread of strength slipping away.


    Her eyes softened, lids heavy with surrender, her breathing shallow as she gave in fully, her lips parting as a quiet sigh escaped.


    She was crying, yet her lips met his in a deep, desperate kiss, as if her emotions and body were betraying each other.


    Her trembling hands clung to him, even as silent tears traced down her cheeks, adding a conflicted touch to her beauty.


    Wang Xiao''s desire ignited, seeing her respond, and he kissed her over and over, their tongues entwining, each kiss deeper and more consuming than thest.


    Slurp... Slurp...


    Her back arched slightly, her flushed neck exposed as his hand slipped inside her pajama bottoms, his fingers tracing over her most forbidden ce, separated by only a thin barrier of fabric.


    Her breaths grew shallow, the warmth of his touch breaking through every thought as she surrendered to the sensations overtaking her.


    "Haaa¡­ haa¡­ Xiao Wang¡­ s-stop it¡­ please¡­" she whimpered, her voice soft and trembling with helplessness.


    A few momentster, as Wang Xiao pulled away from her swollen lips, he trailed his kisses down to her breasts, teasing and sucking on the sensitive flesh.


    "Ahh¡­ ngh¡­ no¡­" Her skin was unbearably sensitive, and as he continued to stimte her, a warm trickle of milk began to flow unexpectedly, her body betraying her resistance.


    The overwhelming sensation drained her remaining strength, her swollen, reddened eyes shimmering with exhaustion and confusion, making her look almost ethereal.


    "Ahh¡­ haa¡­ I¡­ can''t¡­" she gasped weakly, her breaths uneven and shallow. Her voice was hoarse from all her earlier cries, leaving her unable to scream anymore, only soft moans escaping her lips.


    She was bewildered, unable to understand why her body was reacting this way.


    She had never explored herself like this before and was unaware of any condition that would make her body respond so abnormally.


    As Wang Xiao suckled her hardened nipples with insatiable thirst, she felt waves of heat radiate through her. Unable to stop the feelings overtaking her, she whimpered softly, her voice a mixture of desperation and confusion. "Xiao Wang¡­ ah¡­ I''m¡­ like your big sister¡­ what are you doing¡­ this is¡­ wrong¡­"


    Her words faded into a faint gasp, herst bits of strength slipping away as he continued, and her heavy-lidded eyes filled with a resigned, helpless softness.


    She squirmed beneath him, having tried everything to push him away¡ªshe''d even tried biting him, every ounce of resistance she could muster¡ªbut nothing worked.


    Finally, defeated, she could only plead with a hoarse, trembling voice.


    Wang Xiao paused, the lingering taste of her sweet milk still on his lips. "Rui¡­ you don''t understand." He leaned down, pressing a kiss onto her swollen lips, locking his intense gaze with hers. "The only person who will every a hand on you will be me."


    His words rang in her ears like an unbreakable decree, spoken so casually, yet to Qian Ruixin, they felt like an unshakeablemand, etched into her heart.


    "Haa¡­" She gasped as warmth flooded her body, igniting a deep blush over her cheeks and neck. Slowly, he raised her soft hands above her head, stripping away her pajamas, tossing the fabric aside as if discarding any remaining barriers between them. He moved down, peeling away her pajama pants, leaving her fully exposed before him.


    Now, shey there, her body bare and trembling, her smooth white skin flushed, her chest rising and falling with rapid breaths. Her legs clenched together, her hands pinned above her, her tender skin marked red from his touch. Every part of her seemed to burn under his gaze.


    "Xiao Wang¡­" she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of apprehension and helplessness.


    She watched as he removed his own clothes, his jacket slipping from his shoulders, revealing his well-built form. Her breath caught as his body came into full view, her gaze trailing over him until she saw his throbbing manhood. Heat surged through her face, and she instinctively clenched her legs together, onest, desperate act of resistance.


    But Wang Xiao only smiled, his eyes gleaming. "Rui¡­ it wouldn''t be fair if I''m the only one burning up inside."


    "??" Confusion flickered in her eyes, her chest rising and falling faster, her heart pounding.


    Then, unexpectedly, he stood up.


    "Ugh¡­" She tried to move, to pull herself away now that his weight was off her, but her body refused to respond,pletely drained and numb.


    Wang Xiao walked over to a nearby cab, opening it to reveal rows of bottles and drinks. He reached inside, pulling out a bottle of rich, concentrated red wine, his eyes returning to her with a glint of intent.


    Pop!


    Wang Xiao held the bottle of rich red wine firmly, uncorking it with a soft pop.


    His gaze stayed fixed on Qian Ruixin as he moved closer, bringing the neck of the bottle to her trembling lips.


    "Wh¡ª!?"


    Without warning, he tilted the bottle, pressing it gently between her parted lips.


    The wine began to trickle down in a slow, steady stream.


    drip¡­ drip¡­ drip


    A few drops spilling over her face and tracing red trails along her cheeks.


    "N-no¡­!" she whimpered as the cool liquid sshed over her, instinctively squeezing her eyes shut and shaking her head.


    But each movement only caused more of the wine to spill, the rich, heady aroma filling her senses.


    Forced to gulp it down, she made small, soft swallowing sounds.


    glug¡­ glug.


    The warmth of the wine spreading through her chest and mingling with the flush already burning across her skin.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Good¡­ just let it in, Rui," Wang Xiao murmured, his voice low and coaxing as he continued, the gurgle of each sip creating an intoxicating rhythm.


    Once she had gulped down half the bottle, Wang Xiao pulled it from her lips, watching as she coughed and gasped, the bitter taste in her mouth.


    With a flick of his wrist, he threw the bottle to the ground, where it shattered with a loud crash, splintering ss echoing like the quiet copse of her own hopes.


    Her flushed face glowed a deep crimson, her mind spinning from the effects of the wine and the overwhelming sensations flooding through her body. She barely registered the moment he spread her legs, positioning himself against her entrance, her skin quivering beneath his touch.


    He pressed his searing hot manhood against her, where her entrance, slightly wet from all the earlier stimtion, trembled in response. The softness of her folds, delicate and smooth like petals of a flower, seemed to react instinctively as he rubbed his tip against them.


    slick¡­ slick¡­.


    "NOOOO~!" Qian Ruixin''s scream tore through the room as he began to push inside, the tip stretching her entrance. Her body tightened instinctively, her inner walls clenching around him with a resistance that made him groan in satisfaction.


    "Ahhh¡­ you''re so tight¡­" he murmured, savoring the warmth that wrapped around him as he moved deeper.


    Her insides throbbed, contracting around him, as if torn between drawing him in and pushing him out, her body pulsing with a moist heat that seemed to respond to his every movement.


    Splurt!

 Chapter 597: *Clarify Things!*

    Splurt!


    "Ugh¡­ stop¡­ please¡­" she gasped, her hands gripping his shoulders tightly as Wang Xiao leaned down, capturing her lips with an intense, hungry kiss.


    As he pressed deeper, her body tensed, a sharp pain coursing through her as herst barrier was broken.


    A warm trickle of blood appeared between her legs, staining the white sheets¡ªlike a blooming apricot flower in white snow.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes darkened, his lips curling into a grin as he watched her face twist in pain. "You''re all mine now, Rui," he murmured possessively. "No one else¡­ will ever touch you like this." His voice was low, tinged with an obsession.


    "It¡­ hurts¡­ so much¡­" she whispered, her voice quivering with a mixture of pain and guilt, the words escaping her in soft, breathless gasps. "We¡­ shouldn''t be doing this¡­"


    But the thoughts only twisted deeper in her mind. Not even her husband had touched her, and now her cousin was inside her?


    The shame welled up in her chest, burning hotter than the pain.


    How is she supposed to live with this? she thought, feeling a hollow ache alongside every touch.


    He brushed his lips against hers, silencing her protest with another consuming kiss. "It won''t hurt for long¡­ soon, you''ll want this as much as I do."


    Allowing her a brief pause, he held her close, his touch bing gentle for a fleeting moment.


    But then, he began to move again, his thrusts deep and unyielding, filling the room with rhythmic sounds as he quickened his pace.


    "Ahh¡­ ngh¡ªno¡­ please¡­Xiao... my mind is... spinning..." she whimpered, her voice choked with guilt, yet her body was betraying her, responding involuntarily to his movements.


    "You say no," he whispered roughly against her ear, "but your body is begging for more." He grinned, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "You''re so tight¡­ so perfect¡­ just for me."


    Pakh! Pakh! Pakh!


    The room filled with the sound of their bodies colliding, the wet sounds intensifying as he moved faster, her fingers digging into his back in a desperate, conflicted grip.


    Each gasp and cry from her lips only fueled his desire, her resistance fading as her breaths turned to reluctant, broken moans.


    "Ah¡­ Xiao Wang¡­ ngh¡­ this is¡­ soooo...wrong¡­" she moaned, her voice heavy with guilt, yet unable to fully resist the sensations overwhelming her.


    "Wrong?" he murmured, his voice possessive and dark. "No, Rui. You''re mine¡­ and nothing will ever change that."


    Slurp.... slurp¡­


    Each movement deepened the mix of pain and pleasure, her breaths shuddering as she struggled with the flood of emotions within her, guilt battling against the pull of his touch.


    "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhnnn!~"


    Her scream echoed through the room, her body arching helplessly as waves of heat surged through her.


    Her flushed skin glistened, every inch of her trembling as he released his hot seed deep inside, flooding her with a warmth that overwhelmed her senses.


    "P-please¡­ Xiao Wang¡­ I¡­ I''m so tired¡­" she whispered, her voice barely more than a broken whimper. "My body¡­ it''s numb¡­ I can''t take anymore¡­ I w


    Her breath came in shallow gasps, her eyes half-closed with exhaustion, and she shivered as the lingering heat continued to pulse through her, her body unable to fight the overpowering sensations any longer.


    Swish...swish...


    Her hands iled weakly, pushing against nothing but empty air as her strength faded. Her legs mped tightly together with thest of her resistance.


    Her entire body was drenched in sweat, strands of hair sticking beautifully to her flushed skin. Her voice, once soft and sweet, had turned hoarse and exhausted, barely a whisper now.


    "Ah¡­ ngh¡­" she murmured, her eyes unfocused, lost in a hazy daze as her senses blurred.


    Wang Xiao, after finishing inside her, had climbed off the bed, his grip firm as he tugged her back toward him, repositioning her with a gentle scrape across the sheets.


    The alcohol had fully overtaken her, dulling her mind and leaving her submissive in his hands.


    ____


    Her body arched backward, head tilting as her hair cascaded over her shoulders, beads of sweat tracing down her neck.


    "Ahhh... it''s¡­ filling me up¡­" she slurred, her voice thick with drunkeness.


    Pakh! Pakh! Pakh!


    The rhythmic sound of his thrusts echoed through the room, his manhood plunging deeper with each thrust, pressing fully into her tightness.


    "You''re¡­ so good¡­" he murmured, his voice rough with need.


    She shudder beneath him as he held her hips in ce, each motion leaving her moaning.


    _____


    She was on her knees now, hands gripping the mattress as her body trembled beneath him.


    Squeak¡­ squeak


    Went the bed beneath them, her fingers digging into the sheets.


    "Mmm¡­ I-I can''t take it¡­ but¡­ more¡­" she whimpered, barely coherent.


    "You''ll take it, Rui¡­" he whispered roughly in her ear, his fingers pressing firmly into her waist. "Everyst bit." His voice low and dark, he drove deeper, his rhythm sped up as he watched her arch and writhe.


    Pakh! Pakh! Pakh!


    ______


    Shey on her stomach, her cheek pressed against the pillow, hair spilling across her flushed face, her half-lidded eyes zed with a mix of exhaustion and surrender.


    "Xiao Wang¡­ ngh¡­ I-I¡­" she whimpered hoarsely.


    "You want it? Say it," he demanded, his voice fierce, leaning down until his lips brushed against her ear, his hands keeping her pinned.


    His grip tightened as he pushed deeper, savoring the feeling of her walls clenching around him, each gasp pulling him in further.


    Pakh! Pakh!


    ____


    Her legs wrapped around him instinctively, her toes curling as her body seemed to respond against her will. "Yes¡­ ngh... I¡­ can''t hold on¡­" she gasped, her breaths mixing with soft moans.


    A smirk crossed his face as he held her tighter, her warmth surrounding him.


    "You don''t have to hold on, Rui¡­ just give in¡­ let me have all of you," he murmured possessively, his movements pressing deeper.


    Pakh! Pakh!


    ____


    Shey on her side, chest rising and falling withbored breaths, her body slick with sweat, her hair clinging to her flushed skin.


    haa¡­ haa¡­


    "It''s¡­ too much¡­ everywhere¡­ I am dying..." she mumbled, her voice faint, eyes barely open, her entire body weak and trembling.


    He trailed his fingers down her side, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes as he took in her form. "You''re mine, Rui¡­ you won''t die...."


    _____


    After three long hours, Qian Ruixin finally gave up, her body numb as she fainted onto the bed.


    Wang Xiao chuckled bitterly, pulling a bedsheet over her. Seeing her tear-streaked face and swollen eyes, he felt a twinge of guilt. "Shouldn''t have made her drink¡­" he muttered, shaking his head as he realized his own frustration had clouded his judgment.


    "Yue¡­ what the hell did you do to me?" he muttered to himself, one girl now upying his mindpletely and making his head spin.


    Deciding he needed an outlet, he resolved to avoid his current entanglements. Instead, he nned to track down Sophia and ask her to arrange few women not rted to him so he could clear his head.


    His current state felt too vtile to continue like this.


    He tore a page from a diary, writing a brief note for Qian Ruixin, then left it on the table before disappearing with a swift movement.


    Whoosh!


    The next day, Qian Ruixin woke, staring nkly at the wall. After a few moments, she reached down, wincing as she felt the lingering pain.


    Liu Yanmei and Lingling, her closest people, were the first to visit her. Wang Xiao had already struck a deal with Lingling, and she had been unexpectedly supportive, not minding his forcefulness.


    She had harbored a slight attraction to him initially, especially after learning he was the Eighth Prince¡ªa information that had made her decide, reluctantly, that staying in his good graces could benefit her struggling family.


    After bedding her, he hadn''t even waited for her to wake up. But when Liu Yanmei and Lingling visited Qian Ruixin the next day, they understood why he had left in such a hurry.


    He had already set his sights on his next target ¡ª his own cousin!


    Lingling''s mind shook at the scene in front of her.


    She had been amodating of Wang Xiao''s advances, seeing a benefit in supporting her family''s safety. But she hadn''t anticipated the extent of his actions with his own cousin.


    Though they couldn''t reveal Wang Xiao''s identity to anyone, they offered Qian Ruixin a restorative tonic provided by his associate, Anran, who managed his affairs quietly. After drinking it, Qian Ruixin began to recover.


    As they spoke quietly, Lingling found something on the table and gasped.


    "Lingling¡ªwhat is it?" Liu Yanmei asked, turning to her.


    Lingling hesitated, ncing at Qian Ruixin''s somber expression. "It''s from him," she said, her voice tense.


    At the mention of Wang Xiao, Qian Ruixin''s face darkened. She debated telling her extended family about everything that had happened, feeling lost.


    Liu Yanmei urged caution, aware that Wang Xiao''s identity was still closely guarded even within the family. This disagreement created friction between them.


    "What does it say?" Liu Yanmei asked.


    Lingling read the note aloud: "He wants her to meet him at Twin Towers tomorrow morning¡­ to ''rify things.''"


    "What?" Liu Yanmei''s eyes widened as Qian Ruixin''s face turned unreadable.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 598: Hei Lian!

    November 14th ¡ª Twin Towers, Imperial Capital!


    "Ahh...nooo!~"


    "Dad, stop it!"


    "Mom, say something!" Wenxi groaned, her eyes darting desperately toward her mom, Anran, who was too busy shoveling food into her mouth to care.


    She barely looked up, watching withzy amusement as Wang Xiao tortured Wenxi with his "fashion sense."


    Wenxi stood in front of the vanity mirror, looking like she was ready to explode. Her lips were stuck in a pout, her expression was halfway between annoyed and embarrassed, and her bare feet tapped impatiently on the floor.


    Wang Xiao was holding up one dress after another, each one more mboyant than thest.


    And, of course, ''not a single one'' was white.


    Wenxi, the princess of pristine whites, red at her dad like he''d just suggested she wear a garbage bag.


    "Dad, seriously? This is harassment!" she huffed, her face flushed with equal parts rage and humiliation.


    He wasn''t just picking dresses¡ªhe was making her try every single one of them. Her dignity was practically in shreds by this point.


    On the bed, Anran snickered between bites, perfectly content to watch the beautiful chaos.


    ''Honestly'', she thought, ''if he ever did this for me, I''d frame the damn dress.''


    But her "little princess" here? Wenxi wouldn''t know gratitude if it bit her.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Wenxi turned to her, eyes pleading. Anran raised an eyebrow, biting back a smirk.


    "Yeah...nope," she muttered, taking another bite.


    Suffer alone, sweetheart.


    "Ahhh... you''re both demons!" Wenxi groaned dramatically as Wang Xiao held up a striking red dress embroidered with golden threads. "Try this," he said, casually.


    Wenxi''s eyes widened as she took in the dress¡ªa one-piece with exposed shoulders, full sleeves, and a slit that ran daringly up the side.


    "I... I can''t wear this outside," she stammered, cheeks ame.


    The red was so intense it felt like she''d be wearing fire itself.


    If he wasn''t the one holding it, she''d have set it aze on the spot.


    Wang Xiao gave her a pat on the back. "Then wear it and just kill anyone who stares. Problem solved."


    "Eh?" Wenxi blinked, torn between horror and disbelief. What kind of twisted logic is that?


    With a frustrated huff, she stomped off to try it on anyway, Wang Xiao following along.


    Just then, a smooth, mocking voice chimed in from the doorway. Leaning against the wall was a woman in a scandalously cut ck outfit¡ªa sleeveless top that barely covered her chest, and loose ck shorts that hung just below her knees. She wore sheer, see-through sleeves, giving her an otherworldly charm.


    She was none other than Hei Lian, Wang Xiao''s former enemy from the hollow Earth, now forced to live among them.


    "Do you guys do this every day?" she drawled, biting into an apple. After her defeat, Wang Xiao had taught her theirnguage, freed her with a few "conditions," and even gave her a name to blend in.


    Anran shrugged, unbothered by the ongoing chaos. Wenxi''s muffled screams echoed from the dressing room. "If you mean putting Wenxi through hell? Yeah, that''s pretty much daily. But him ying fashion show host? Nah, that''s rare¡ªyou probably won''t see it again in your lifetime."


    Anran thought back¡ªshe couldn''t remember thest time he bothered picking out clothes for anyone except his little daughters, who seemed to tolerate his fashion whims with a lot more grace than others.


    Hei Lian snorted, shaking her head. "Aren''t you supposed to be training and getting stronger? Not putting on¡­ this."


    Anran''s eyes sharpened as she looked Hei Lian up and down, her tone casual but mocking. "Funny talk,ing from someone who got her ass handed to her by him."


    "..."


    Hei Lian scowled, speechless.


    The apple suddenly tasted bitter in Hei Lian''s mouth.


    She watched Wang Xiao return with Wenxi trailing behind him, head down and cheeks zing red. She hid behind his back as if she''d just been through some unspeakable harrasment inside alone with him.


    "Why are you hiding? It looks good on you," he teased, grinning.


    Wenxi shook her head furiously, her entire face practically glowing.


    Didn''t she wear way more revealing stuff just to impress him before? Wang Xiao thought, stifling augh.


    "Ahem," Hei Lian interrupted with an annoyed cough. "Do I need to remind you I''m here to find the strongest warrior of this realm?"


    Wang Xiao nced at her with mild amusement. "Oh, right. You mean that whole speech abouting from some underworld realm, how it''s on a collision course with our universe, and how only the ''strongest warrior'' here can help? And yet, you''ve given ''zero'' specifics."


    Hei Lian''s face darkened. If they wouldn''t take her to this realm''s most powerful figure, how was she supposed to share the rest?


    "Listen, if you don''t get serious, everyone in both worlds will die!" she snapped, only to watch Wang Xiao ignore herpletely, turning his attention back to Wenxi with yet another smile. "Daddy~!" He was poking and prodding her like she was his personal cotton-ball doll.


    Hei Lian''s eye twitched. ''How was he this s¨¦ about a crisis?''


    "..."


    "..."


    Silence fell as Wenxi and Anran exchanged nces, then looked back at Hei Lian, struggling to hold back theirughter.


    ''How long was she going to keep asking to see the strongest warrior when he is right in front of her?'' they thought, trying not tough.


    ''Did she really not have eyes?''


    "Ugh¡­" Hei Lian groaned, throwing open the door to leave. Anran, noticing her retreat, grinned and waved cheerfully. "Don''t go shing your strength around out there!"


    Bang!


    Hei Lian mmed the door in response, fuming. ''Why does no one here just focus on getting stronger?'' she thought, frustrated.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao looked thoroughly unbothered by her departure. His real interesty in how she''d crossed realms with her physical body intact. But no matter how many times he asked, she''d refused to spill her secrets. Reading her mind? Tried it¡ªshe was strong enough to block him, annoyingly. So he''d pped a few restrictions on her and handed her over to Anran.


    When in a problem, give it to Anran.


    Problem solved!


    Anran: Problem count, +1!


    She shot Wang Xiao a rueful look, thinking, ''I really regret that whole ''I can handle all your problems if you marry me'' speech.''


    Sighing, she left the room, leaving just Wang Xiao and Wenxi.


    Now alone, Wenxi got bold, flopping back onto the bed, her legs swinging yfully as she gave him her biggest, most innocent eyes. "Daddy~" she cooed, "once you''re done with aunt Rui, will youe back and see me?"


    Wang Xiao gave a distracted nod, barely ncing at her. But Wenxi, seizing her chance, leaned in and nted a kiss on his lips. He froze, arching a brow at her cheekiness.


    In one swift move, he tossed her back onto the bed, leaning over her with a mischievous grin. If she thought one kiss was enough, she had another thinging.


    "No, no, no¡ªahhh! Stop, not there!" she shrieked as his hands roamed to her waist, his touch sending heat straight through her thin dress. "Your hands are too hot! Don''t touch my legs!"


    "Oh? Here?" he teased, moving his hand higher as she squirmed, trying to wiggle free.


    "Ahhh! No! Not my waist, either! Daddy you are so bad~!" she squealed, her face flushing as his hands wandered up to her back, pressing just hard enough to make her skin tingle. "Stop it, don''t harrass me again¡ªahh, not even there!~"


    Wang Xiao chuckled, his grin turning devilish as he pulled her deeper into the sheets, giving her no chance of escape.


    "¡­ nooo~!" Her cries echoed through the room as he mercilessly ughtered her, making sure his little cotton ball knew the consequences of ying with him.


    ____


    A Few Minutes Later


    Bang!


    Wang Xiao strolled out of the room with a smug grin, stretching his arms. The scent of soft white roses lingered around him, and the kiss marks scattered across his face were undeniable proof of his recent "victory."


    Just as he rxed, his gazended on a familiar figure.


    "Yue?" he murmured, blinking. There she was, Yue, standing before him with a faintly puzzled look. She wore a snug, full-sleeved, skin-colored sweater that clung to her frame. Without a word, she stepped closer, stood on her tiptoes, and took her scarf to start wiping his face, brushing off the evidence of Wenxi''s enthusiastic kisses.


    A momentter, she gave a small, satisfied nod and walked off without a word.


    Wang Xiao stood there, bewildered, watching her retreating form. ''This girl¡­ wiping lipstick off my face?'' The idea of Yue even ncing at another man seemed absurd to him, but he knew better than to trust his own biases entirely.


    With a sigh, he decided to leave this sort of thing to Anran. She''d dig up anything he missed.


    His own instincts might be sharp¡ªbut his rtionship with her, it seemed, made even him a little blind.


    ____


    Room Number ¡ª 124


    This was the designated spot for Wang Xiao''s meeting with Qian Ruixin. Outside the door, a young woman in a red, knee-length tunic and modest trousers stood with a scarf draped around her neck, fidgeting nervously as she stared at the door.


    Qian Ruixin, who couldn''t usually step outside without an entourage, had spun a web of lies to sneak out for this meeting.


    It had taken every trick in the book to dodge her guards and make it here alone. Now, just a few feet from Wang Xiao, she hesitated, wondering how to confront him.

 Chapter 599: Taking the help of Elder Sis!

    Click!


    "Oh, so you finally made up your mind toe in after standing outside for precisely five minutes and thirty-two seconds¡­"


    As the door swung open, Qian Ruixin jumped, startled by Wang Xiao''s voice. He sat casually at the desk, fiddling with something on his tablet as if he''d been waiting all along, utterly unfazed.


    Qian Ruixin froze, eyes locked on him. Hisid-back attitude was almost infuriating.


    "You¡­" Her lips parted, but the words refused to leave, her frustration clear. Wang Xiao''s grin widened. He loved nothing more than turning people''s expectations upside down, savoring the little storms he left behind him.


    He''d known she woulde. Someone like her¡ªdesperate to control everyst detail¡ªwouldn''t storm off or fileints that might risk her own reputation. And, of course, he knew how people could cling to their little delusions of power.


    "Xiao Wang, I need to talk." Qian Ruixin finally gathered herself, taking a deep breath to keep herposure. ''Remember,'' she thought, ''you''re in control here.''


    "Oh, by all means,e in and sit." Wang Xiao motioned to the edge of the bed, not even ncing up as he continued sketching on his tablet. After a moment of hesitation, she took a few cautious steps, then perched awkwardly at the bed''s edge, her suspicion barely masked.


    Silence fell as he kept his focus on his drawing, barely acknowledging her presence. His calm indifference began to wear on her nerves, making the empty room feel more like a trap than a safe ce to negotiate.


    "Y-you¡­ two nights ago¡ª" Qian Ruixin''s voice trembled, but before she could continue, Wang Xiao spun his chair to face her directly.


    "Two nights ago, I was drunk and ended up sharing a bed with you, Rui. Is that what you''re here for?" he said, his smile unsettlingly calm, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes.


    Her heart clenched at his casualness, theck of guilt that seemed to seep from every word. "You¡­ you also forced me to drink," she whispered, the memory burning behind her eyes, vivid and inescapable.


    "Oh, right." Wang Xiao gave a small nod, as if she''d merely reminded him of some trivial detail. "But who would have thought that my own cousin cherished me enough to save herself for me¡­ even after marriage?"


    Qian Ruixin''s face med with shame and anger, his words shing through herposure. How had he known something so personal, so private? She took a shaky breath, forcing herself to stay steady, to keep the fury simmering beneath her voice. "It doesn''t matter¡­ what you did was wrong¡ªsinful, even. We¡­." Her voice faltered, the words twisted on her tongue, making it sound as if she were hinting something that should never have been.


    Wang Xiao''s smile only widened. "So, what now? Since things havee to this, how exactly do you n to ''make it right''? Or would you rather I throw myself off a cliff for you?"


    Her hands shook, her nails digging into her palms. She wanted nothing more than to stap him, to make him feel even a fraction of the pain she felt. But even as anger red within her, a cruel truth was: what could she demand?


    Her dignity was tarnished, her marriage fractured.


    What did she want him to do?


    An apology would be hollow, a mere mockery of what he''d taken from her.


    Finally, she took a breath, her voice soft and trembling. "I don''t need your apology. An apology from you would be meaningless."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Oh? So, no apology. Then tell me¡ªwhat''s the better idea?"


    She fell silent, battling with the mix of helplessness and frustration boiling inside her. She could tear his life apart if she wanted¡ªbut the damage to herself would be just as ruinous.


    And so she was left with only one desperate plea.


    "I¡­ I want you to never mention it to anyone again. Not a word."


    A smirk flickered across his face. "And?"


    Her jaw clenched. "And¡­ you will apologize to me," she forced out, though she knew it would feel hollow.


    "Anything else?" He leaned forward, enjoying her struggle.


    Qian Ruixin looked down, hands clenched in herp. "You''ll apologize to me¡­ in front of Aunt Zhn," she said.


    Wang Xiao''s brow lifted in surprise, "You''d tell my mother already?"


    She shook her head. "Not yet. But I will. And after that, you stay away from me, Xiao Wang," She steadied her voice, forcing a tone of cold resolve. "I don''t want to destroy you over this, but if you try to meddle in my life again, I''ll have no choice...."


    Her thoughts wandered briefly to Lingling''s advice¡ªto keep things private and avoid further scandal¡ªand to Liu Yanmei''s urging to "discuss this quietly."


    Even they couldn''t know how deeply this betrayal had shattered her.


    But theirck of support in pursuing it definitely discouraged her a bit.


    Wang Xiao tapped his fingers on the desk, an air of indifference around him as he considered her demands. "Anything else?" he asked, as if he were closing a simple business deal.


    For her, though, this was the only chance at preserving whatever was left of her dignity.


    "..."


    Qian Ruixin''s fists tightened as she stared at Wang Xiao, struggling to keep herposure. She had expected him to be shaken, maybe even desperate¡ªbegging her to keep silent, to cover up what he''d done.


    She''d even prepared herself to stay strong if he tried to twist her emotions.


    But his gaze was calm, almost amused.


    "Alright, since you''re done making demands," Wang Xiao said, a smug smile curving his lips, "why don''t we continue?"


    "Continue what¡ª" she began, but her words were cut off as he moved faster than she could react, grabbing her wrist and pulling her close.


    "Mmmghhh!?" Her protest was smothered as he pressed his mouth against hers, his grip iron tight.


    She tried to push him away, her hands clenched tight against his shoulders, but he forced her back onto the bed, the world spinning as she struggled, her mind shaking.


    She gasped for breath, trying to scream, but he covered her mouth, her words muffled as her voice broke against his hold. "No¡ª! Stop¡ª!"


    Her hands clutched at the sheets, nails digging in, her heart pounding in her chest. Every time she tried to twist away, he pulled her back, tearing at her defenses, ignoring her cries and resistance. Her clothes came apart in his hands, fragments falling to the floor as her body burned, her mind clouding with a helpless fury.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ____


    One Hour Later!


    Qian Ruixin''s breaths came raggedly as shey there, exhausted, her voice raw from shouting, her body bruised from resisting.


    She managed to raise her gaze to him, ring, the anger in her eyes sharp, though her bodyy motionless, numb from exhaustion. "You¡ª"


    But her words failed her, cut off as he grabbed her waist again, pulling her up.


    "Wh¡ªnghhh!" she whimpered, her voice caught in her throat as he held her close, the intensity overwhelming. She shuddered, the helplessness making her feel as though her own body were betraying her, every nerve alight with fatigue and pain.


    The world blurred around her until, two hourster, her voice was hoarse, her breathingbored, as she gasped for air.


    "Haaa¡­ haaa¡­" she whispered, her voice nearly a whimper as she stared at him, her eyes red with tears that refused to fall.


    Wang Xiao gave her a once-over, an unreadable expression on his face. "You still have some strength left," he said, worried.


    He noticed the faint lines her nails had left against his skin.


    "Stay¡­ away¡­" Qian Ruixin''s voice trembled, her body filled with fear as she watched him move closer. She tried to pull herself back, but her muscles wouldn''t obey. Her legs shook, her skin felt red and swollen, as though her whole body was on fire, each heartbeat painful.


    He brushed a hand along her cheek, forcing her gaze up to his. "Rui, you still don''t understand. Either it''s me¡­ or no one."


    Her face paled, her lips parting in a final protest. "¡ªmmmgh!" But he silenced her again, pressing her back, thest glimmer of resistance fading from her tear-streaked face as the struggle left her.


    ____


    Evening, 5 PM!


    The sun was dipping low as Wang Xiao stood on the balcony, shirtless, smoking quietly as he watched the city below.


    His spirit flickered, his energy tinged with satisfaction.


    Behind him, the room was littered with broken objects¡ªa vase, the television, shattered ss scattered across the floor from Qian Ruixin''s desperate attempts to fight back.


    He cast a nce over his shoulder at her sleeping form, curled up on the bed, the nket pulled tightly around her, as if to shield herself from the world. Shey there, her body coiled and tense even in sleep, and he knew the tears woulde the moment she awoke.


    This one had been different.


    Unlike Mei, who''d resisted only briefly before giving in, Ruixin had fought him with everything she had.


    Her resistance had been fierce, and if he hadn''t exhausted her to the point of copse, she''d still be hurling anything within reach at him.


    As he took a final drag on his cigarette, he made a decision and dialed a number on his phone.


    "Hey." His tone shifted, softening as he spoke.

 Chapter 600: Negotiating!

    As he took a final drag on his cigarette, he made a decision and dialed a number on his phone.


    "Hey." His tone shifted, softening as he spoke.


    On the other end of the line, a feminine voice answered, rxed but curious. "Xiao Wang? What''s going on?"


    "I''ve got a situation here," he replied, his voice low and grave.


    "A situation? Are you alright?" The voice sharpened, turning concerned.


    He smiled slightly. "I''ll send you the address. Juste."


    "Wait, Xiao Wang¡ªwhat happened? I''m in the middle of a case¡ª"


    But he had already hung up, ncing briefly at the missed calls that followed.


    He sent her the address and room number, then ignored his phone as he turned back to the city, knowing she''de.


    There would be consequences. And he would be ready.


    ____


    Thirty Minutes Later!


    p!


    A sharp silence descended before¡ª


    Bang!


    The door mmed shut, leaving Wang Xiao outside, a hint of a smile ying on his lips. His satisfaction was interrupted by a voice.


    "Do you enjoy being hit?"


    Hei Lian had just arrived, her gaze lingering on the clear five-finger mark on Wang Xiao''s face, courtesy of his elder sister, Wang Jiarong.


    Hei Lian had seen everything: Wang Jiarong''s shock, her face buried in her hands, as if trying to make sense of the absurdity Wang Xiao had just confessed.


    He''d gone so far as to suggest that she should help ''convince'' Qian Ruixin to ept him.


    The ridiculousness of it had only made Wang Jiarong more outraged.


    It was absurd, Hei Lian thought, how he''d expected his sister to support his twisted obsession with their cousin, Qian Ruixin.


    Inside, muffled voices could still be heard¡ªWang Jiarong''s frustrated attempts to reason with Qian Ruixin, her childhood friend and cousin, whoy broken in the aftermath.


    Wang Jiarong''s shock wasn''t merely from what she''d witnessed but from the realization that she barely knew her brother.


    Until now, she''d seen him as a steady presence in the family. She had never suspected his fixation on Ruixin or the lengths he was willing to go.


    Wang Xiao''s smirk widened at Hei Lian''s question. "No," he replied, his voice filled with mockery, "but you look like you''re tempted to take a swing yourself¡­ right now."


    Hei Lian didn''t flinch. She was unbothered by his warning, her gaze causal. "I didn''t sense an ounce of aura from either of them," she remarked, raising an eyebrow. "They''re weak. Why let her hit you?"


    A slight chuckle escaped him. "That one''s my sister," he replied casually, "and the one inside is my cousin."


    "..."


    Hei Lian''s expression shifted to something between shock and bewilderedment.


    She nced between him and the closed door, piecing together the strange rtionship she''d observed.


    How could someone as strong as Wang Xiao belong to a family this weak?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It didn''t make sense to her why he, with all his power, would y such mind games rather than simply exert his strength.


    But Wang Xiao seemed amused by her confusion. "Where''s the thrill in just forcing my way through?" he said, almost as if reading her thoughts. "Strength is forst resorts¡ªor for when you''re impatient to get what you want."


    Hei Lian fell silent  as he continued, almost to himself, "Right now, I''m enjoying myself. Watching my family react to ''normal'' me, seeing how far they''re willing to go before they break." His smile grew. "And if things really fall apart¡­ well, I could just show them what I''m truly capable of, rewrite the rules of this world, or wait a few thousand years and watch them change on their own."


    He gave azy shrug, a glint of mischief in his eyes.


    For Wang Xiao, this twisted test of his family''s actions was a game¡ªa source of entertainment to pass the time and, perhaps, a calcted assessment of their loyalties and weaknesses.


    He was taking notes, predicting how each one might behave in the future.


    "You''re weird," Hei Lian snorted, clearly baffled by his motivations.


    Wang Xiao smirked. "If you were as clever as I am, you''d be standing here, not there as my prisoner."


    Hei Lian''s eyes narrowed. She hadn''t realized just how arrogant he was. With a shake of her head, she shifted topics. "I''m leaving to take a stroll. Anran told me to ask your permission first."


    Wang Xiao''s brows raised, and his voice turned cool. "Permission denied."


    "What¡ª?" Hei Lian turned back, her expression a mix of disbelief and annoyance.


    "She told you to ask permission, not simply inform me," Wang Xiao pointed out, a smug smile creeping across his face.


    Hei Lian''s jaw clenched, her pride wounded. Never in her life had she needed anyone''s permission¡ªnot even her father''s. With a stiff, forced smile, she asked through gritted teeth, "Can I leave the building?"


    Wang Xiao''s smile widened as he nodded, dragging out the moment. "You can. Now scram."


    As she turned away, she felt an invisible cor tightening around her neck, like she was on a leash. She shook off the feeling, her pride already bruised enough.


    ___


    Thirty Minutes Later!


    "You¡ª" Wang Jiarong''s voice cut through the hallway as she emerged from the room, her face twisted from relief to fury in a heartbeat.


    She fixed her gaze on Wang Xiao, her voice sharp. "You''re not going back in. She doesn''t want to see your face again. She''s agreed to leave things alone for now, but any further discussion will be on her terms, not yours. If you force her again, don''t expect me to cover for you."


    "Oh," Wang Xiao replied, nodding with a faint smile, hiding his satisfaction. He hadn''t expected his sister to handle things so quickly.


    Wang Jiarong''s anger was growing. She''d learned that he hadn''t just pressured Qian Ruixin today, but two days ago as well.


    That left her stunned and speechless.


    For a brief moment, she wanted to lecture him on how to respect women.


    But she could see it was useless. This wasn''t the brother she thought she knew, and she doubted words would reach him now.


    She''d never imagined that within a single week of his recovery, he''d manage to sow such chaos.


    After Wang Jiarong left, Wang Xiao chuckled inwardly. She''d told him that Qian Ruixin didn''t want to see his face again¡ªfor now. But did he care?


    Of course not. He had his own ns.


    "Rui¡­" he murmured as he quietly opened the door, stepping in with an amiable smile. Qian Ruixin, fresh from her bath, froze at the sight of him, her face paling as she clutched a towel tightly around herself.


    "What are you doing here!?" she shouted, panic and anger mixing in her voice ¡ª To Wang Xiao, it sounded almost sweet.


    "Oh, nothing," he replied casually, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Just thought I''d deliver the clothes you asked for." He held up a neatly folded outfit, though his gaze inspected her sneakily, admiring the curve of her bare shoulders, her corbone, and the way her damp hair clung to her flushed skin. His eyes traced the line of her slender neck down to her slim waist and smooth, pale legs that seemed to go on forever.


    Qian Ruixin''s eyes narrowed, her grip on the towel tightening as she tracked his every move. "Leave them on the table," shemanded, gesturing to the farthest spot in the room, trying to keep as much distance as possible.


    Wang Xiao ced the clothes down, but sensing her tension, he couldn''t resist adding with a smile, "Rx. After three rounds, even a man needs a breather. You''re perfectly safe."


    "You¡­" Qian Ruixin felt her face burn with anger, her head pounding. She could barely stand the sight of him, her every nerve on edge.


    Then, the doorbell rang, and her face paled even more. "Don''t¡ª" she started, clutching her towel closer, but Wang Xiao ignored her and opened the door anyway.


    "Oh, thank you," Wang Xiao said casually, taking a tray from a young waitress at the door. Originally sent to deliver clothes, he''d sent her back to fetch food, a slight smirk on his face as he dismissed her again.


    "What¡ª?" Qian Ruixin watched, bewildered and increasingly wary as he closed the door behind him, setting down a tray.


    Her heart raced as she eyed him, realizing he was settling in, her confusion and tension rising, unsure of his next move.


    "Oh, rx. It''s just food, nothing poisonous," Wang Xiao said, gesturing to the tray with a smirk.


    Qian Ruixin took a deep, shaky breath, her voiceced with frustration. "Just leave. Now."


    Ignoring her, Wang Xiao picked up the tray and closed the distance between them, his eyes never leaving her. She instinctively backed away, her heart pounding as her back pressed against the wall.


    "You must be tired. Let me feed you," he murmured, his grin widening.


    "Stay back!" she hissed, darting sideways, but he blocked her path smoothly.


    "I don''t want this¡ª" she snapped, her voice growing louder. "I don''t need anything from you!"


    He sighed as if she were the one being unreasonable. "Come on, Rui. Just sit. One bite."


    "No! I don''t want anything from you, Xiao Wang. Just go." Her eyes were fierce, sparking with anger and frustration, but he only seemed more amused.

 Chapter 601: Negotiation — Successful!

    Wang Xiao, "Come on, Rui. Just sit. One bite."


    "No! I don''t want anything from you, Xiao Wang. Just go." Her eyes were fierce, sparking with anger and frustration, but he only seemed more amused.


    Setting the tray down on the bed, he moved closer, catching her wrist and pulling her forward before she could slip away again. "You''re making this so much harder than it needs to be..."


    "Let go!" she spat, twisting to escape as he held her firmly, maneuvering her toward the bed. She struggled, her wordsing out in rushed rebellion. "I don''t want you here! I don''t want your food!"


    Without loosening his grip, he wrapped his legs around her waist, pinning her securely as she wriggled against him.


    "Ugh..."


    Every attempt to push him off only pulled her closer as he leaned in, his arms around her, steadying her. "Stop struggling, Rui. Just rx."


    Finally, he managed to settle her back against the bed, his grip firm as he ced the te beside her.


    "There." His tone softened, almost as if speaking to a child. "Now can we eat without the theatrics, can we?"


    Qian Ruixin red, her breathing fast as she looked away, frustration simmering beneath her silence.


    Wang Xiao picked up a piece of food, bringing it close to her lips. Qian Ruixin twisted her head sharply, refusing him at every turn.


    "Come on, just a bite," he murmured, his voice low and insistent, but she red back at him, her jaw set close.


    "I''m not eating anything you give me," she hissed, her eyes fierce.


    He gave a small sigh, his patience thin but his smirk widening. "You''re going to make this difficult, huh?" With a sudden, swift motion, he pressed the food against her lips. When she attempted to turn away again, his grip tightened around her jaw, forcing her to face him.


    "Stop fighting it, Rui," he whispered, his voice a harsh whisper, "and don''t waste food."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She responded by trying to spit, but he held her jaw firm, his fingers pressing into her cheeks until her resistance softened. He slid the morsel past her lips, his eyes watching her every move as she swallowed, anger ring in her gaze.


    She clenched her teeth at first, resisting even as the taste hit her tongue, but the exhaustion of the long day left her defenses faltering.


    Crunch. She bit down slowly, the crisp sound filling the tense silence. Chew¡­ chew¡­


    To her dismay, the warmth of the food brought a small measure offort, a bitter satisfaction settling in. Her body, worn from the struggle, weed it despite herself, and her jaw moved reluctantly, each bite softening her resistance just a fraction.


    But as she swallowed, a wave of bitter realization hit her¡ªthis momentaryfort, this small relief, was brought to her by the person she despised most.


    A tear slipped down her cheek, unexpected and unwee, betraying the conflict tearing at her heart.


    Wang Xiao watched the shift in her expression, smiling.


    "See?" he murmured, releasing her jaw, his tone both mocking and strangely gentle. "It''s not so hard, is it?"


    "..."


    But her silence spoke volumes, her gaze hardening even as more silent tears escaped.


    Wang Xiao picked up another piece of food, bringing it to her lips. Qian Ruixin clenched her jaw but then reluctantly opened her mouth, chewing begrudgingly.


    The silence was tense, she navigating the bitterness between each bite.


    Crunch, chew, swallow.


    She narrowed her eyes, her voice a harsh whisper as she broke the silence. "You¡­ I hate you. You''ve ruined everything. My life, my marriage¡ªyou destroyed it all." She forced herself to take the next bite, her gaze fixed on him with a piercing re. "Why did you do it, Xiao Wang?"


    He paused but remained silent, continuing to feed her as if her words hadn''t struck him. His gaze was steady, unreadable.


    "Answer me!" she demanded, her tone a mix of desperation and fury. "Why? You didn''t just break me¡ªyou made me question everything I am. I can never look at my life the same way."


    She was made to cheat on her marriage.


    Then she was forced to stay silent about it and swallow it all, pretending nothing happened.


    Where were her own principles?


    Another bite.


    He gently pushed a morsel past her lips, and she took it reluctantly, eyes still filled with anger, waiting for his response. Seconds passed, each one thick with tension, before he finally spoke.


    "I didn''t have a choice," he said, voice low.


    Qian Ruixin blinked, stunned by his simple response, her jaw tightening as she swallowed. "No choice?" she repeated, her voiceced with disbelief. "You had every choice! You didn''t have to take this path!"


    His gaze softened, just slightly, as he picked up another bite. "Would you have epted me any other way?" He knew the answer but pressed forward, his thoughts weighing heavily in the quiet. ''Of course, there were other choices¡ªplenty of ways I could have approached her. But I wanted to see what it would take, to explore this as a mortal, to experience the limitations of desire and consequence, even if it meant bending her will.''


    Qian Ruixin''s breath caught as she absorbed his words, everything Jiarong had told her echoing in her mind, though hearing it directly from him struck a different chord.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze remained steady as he spoke, his words chillingly sincere. "I''ve cared for you¡­ longer than you know. And this was the only way I saw to make you see me. If it''s wrong, so be it."


    Qian Ruixin turned away, staring nkly at the wall, her lips parting in disbelief. A bitter, helplessugh escaped her, a hollow sound that carried her anger and despair.


    She finally found her voice, quiet but sharp. "You think¡­ you think this is love? Destroying everything I had? Everything I was?"


    He didn''t flinch. "I had a choice to make, Rui.. And I made it."


    She shook her head slowly, the enormity of his actions weighing down on her. "A choice? You think any of this was your right to choose?" She gritted her teeth, unable to hold back the fury. "I was happy, Xiao Wang. I had a life¡ªa life you decided wasn''t worth keeping intact."


    He let out a sigh, his tone almost wistful. "Happy? You were going through the motions. Married to a man who didn''t know you, chained to a family that couldn''t see past tradition."


    She scoffed, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, so you ruined me to save me from my own life? How noble of you."


    "Not to save you, Rui.. To save ''us.''" He leaned closer, his gaze unwavering. "By the time I came back, you''d slipped from my grasp. Talking normally would''ve gotten us nowhere. You''re my cousin¡ªthere''s no way you''d have considered it."


    Her fingers clenched tightly, knuckles white as she held back tears of frustration. "And that''s how you justify this? That because we''re cousins, you had to tear apart my entire world?"


    "Yes," he said, unyielding. "I knew you''d never see it otherwise. And maybe¡­" he paused, choosing his words carefully, "maybe you never will. But I''m willing to live with that. I couldn''t bear to watch you drift away. Not again."


    Her eyes finally met his, filled with a hollow bitterness. "So you forced my hand. Made me feel trapped. Made me feel worthless. Just so you could get what you wanted."


    "If that''s what it took." His expression was calm, disturbingly so. "You were never going to understand any other way."


    A bitter tear slipped down her cheek, her voice barely a whisper. "You didn''t give me a choice. You never gave me a choice."


    He watched her, his gaze still, almost tender. "No. I didn''t."


    "..."


    Qian Ruixin drew a shaky breath, unable to bear the sight of him any longer. She turned her head, eyes fixed on the cracked, broken remains of the television on the wall.


    Wang Jiarong''s words echoed in her mind¡ªhow she''d warned her about his twisted obsession, his descent into desperation, and that he was regretting it.


    Yet hearing it now, seeing his face so close, was different. Her anger simmered, but the trembling had stopped, reced by a bitter resolve.


    Wang Xiao''s smile widened as he leaned in, resting his chin over her shoulder, his face brushing against hers. She flinched, instinctively pulling away, but his grip remained steady, his voice a whisper against her ear. "You know¡­ for thest seven years, every single day, I''ve been working hard. Every step, every struggle, was so I coulde back home¡­ and see you."


    "!!"


    Her heart skipped as his words sank in, her mind racing. Seven years? Did he¡­ remember everything?


    She turned to him, shock mingling with anger. "Seven years¡­? You remember all of it?"


    He nodded slowly, a shadow of something deeper in his eyes. "Every moment. Every day, I thought of you, and of everything I''d do toe back."


    Her voice caught in her throat, unable to hide the tremor. "Where were you? And what¡­ what did you do to get here?"


    His smile softened, yet his expression remained unreadable. "I was¡­ somewhere cold... Not something you would like to hear..."


    As he spoke, he pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, his words flowing so smoothly that she barely noticed the way his touch exploited her again...

 Chapter 602: Back to Magic City!

    He trailed another kiss along Qian Ruixin''s temple, his face close, his voice smooth as his words slid in between kisses, twisting her mind.


    The lies he fed her were clear like sky, and he knew it¡ªhell, maybe she even knew it.


    But lies were what kept things running, weren''t they? Especially for someone like her, who''d resist his every move if she knew the truth.


    Thier kind might im to hate lies, but deep down, they needed them, especially when it came to sweet-talking and spinning stories that made the bitter pills go down easier.


    And, to his satisfaction, Qian Ruixin started to falter, her stiff resolve softening just a bit. She was finally listening, torn between her anger and the familiarfort he was feeding her.


    Seeing her almost give in, Wang Xiao felt a twisted satisfaction, but a flicker of disappointment too.


    Part of him had wanted her to be...wiser..


    But no¡ªshe was slowly folding.


    Without a word, they''d settled into an "agreement."


    She''d stay, she''d y along, and if it didn''t work, she was "free" to walk away¡ªan arrangement proposed by Wang Xiao.


    She hadn''t openly agreed, but she hadn''t refused, either.


    Wang Xiao knew from experience that the real issue was never that he''d forced her, but rather how he''d treated her afterward. Now that he was treating her with a strange kindness, she was growing confused, caught between her anger and the twisted reality he was feeding her.


    The "freedom" he''d dangled in front of her, the notion that she could leave anytime she wanted, felt like enough of a choice to keep her in line.


    Both men and women, no matter how much they try to move on, tend to hold a ce for their first, and Wang Xiao knew that as long as he showed her he could change, she''d stay conflicted...


    But soon, she''d realize that her so-called freedom was nothing more than a carefully crafted illusion.


    Over the next few hours, he got her to spill more secrets. She let slip about Murong Shan, a supposed husband of hers, and how things had nearly gone somewhere between them.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help butugh, thinking about all those little "idents" that had pushed her to distrust Murong, as if equating him for a bad omen.


    One time Murong had crashed through her floor,nding in the basement below¡ªthat was still a favorite of his.


    It wasn''t even subtle; it just worked.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She''d never know that he''d been behind every one of those little disasters.


    As he left her, he felt smug, knowing he had her exactly where he wanted.


    Her mind was easy to y with¡ªlike a child''s, really.


    Or maybe it was just that he''d been at this game so long, with so many others, that getting what he wanted from her felt like child''s y.


    ____


    Later, he strolled over to Wenxi''s room, where she bounced up excitedly.


    "Dad, next year I want to go hiking with my friends!" she said, practically glowing.


    He didn''t bother with a pause. "Nope."


    "Eh?"


    The reply hit her like a brick, and he left the room before she could react, a grin stered on his face as he listened to her fuming behind him.


    "Wait!"


    "Dad!"


    Sure, hiking was fine, great even, but he knew her friends would be bringing boyfriends along, and watching her stew over it was far more entertaining than just giving her the green light.


    Besides,st time she''d introduced her friends to him, it hadn''t ended well for her.


    One by one, her girlfriends had ended up in his bed, each one bing his "spy," as she''d put it, and he knew the memory still made her furious.


    Chuckling to himself, Wang Xiao left, satisfied with another day of keeping everyone right where he wanted them.


    _____


    15th November


    Magic City ¡ª Shanghai!


    Wang Xiao and Wang Xueying boarded an early-morning flight back from the Imperial Capital after several days away. The moment they arrived home, they were greeted by Xinyue Zhn, who was already in a rush, preparing to leave for work outside the city.


    "Don''t give Mei any trouble, you two. I''ll be back as soon as possible!" she called as she hurried out.


    Wang Xiao and Wang Xueying exchanged nces, thetter shrugging nonchntly. Wang Xiao had plenty of unfinished work back in the Imperial Capital, but it didn''t bother him; a flick of his hand could get him there anytime.


    As they approached Wang Mei, she looked up, surprised, watching as Wang Xueying offered her a small smile¡ªsomething unexpectedly kind¡ªand then brushed past her without a word.


    "??"


    Confused, Wang Mei nced over her shoulder, wondering what she''d missed. Before she could say anything, Wang Xiao took the warm towel from her hands, chuckling, "Be careful with her." His cryptic warning only left her more bewildered.


    What did she do?


    She thought to herself. She was innocent¡­ mostly.


    Left alone as the sole man in the house, Wang Xiao had every intention of ruling over both of his sisters.


    But before he could put any ns in motion, a small "fight" broke out in the living room. Voices shed as Wang Xueying confronted Wang Mei over her secret rtionship with Wang Xiao, bringing up every episode from Icevale.


    Wang Xiao''s patience wore thin, his ears buzzing with their bickering.


    He decided to leave them to it, mentally filing away ns to "deal with them"ter that evening.


    _____


    Evening ¡ª Inside Wang Xiao''s Room


    On the wall, bound and helpless, hung a woman with striking blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, now wide with confusion and fear. Her wrists were secured high above her, toes barely touching the floor, and her mouth was sealed shut with duct tape. Her gaze was a mix of anger and terror as she struggled silently.


    Wang Xiao sat casually on the edge of his bed, watching her with a calm, almost bored expression. "So¡­ what should I do with you?" he asked, voice steady and unhurried.


    "Mmmghhh¡ª!" The woman''s muffled voice cracked with frustration as she tried to speak, her cheeks flushed with fury.


    She was Elizabeth Monroe, the powerful CEO of Evangeline Technologies.


    He hadn''t brought her here to add her to his collection or indulge in fleeting pleasure¡ªshe wasn''t worth his time.


    Perhaps, though, she could serve a different purpose¡­ a potential "live subject" for some of his more experimental ns.


    Elizabeth''s eyes darted around the room, her mind filled with disbelief.


    How had she been kidnapped so easily from her hotel? She''d barely had time to realize she was missing before she''d found herself here, bound and trapped.


    Wang Xiao studied her carefully, tilting his head in mock consideration. "Should I kill you first? Or torture you first?"


    Her eyes went wide, the fear intensifying. "!!!!!!!"


    "MNGH!!!" Elizabeth shook her head wildly, silently begging for mercy. She would do anything if it meant escaping his clutches.


    Why did he want to kill or torture her? ¡ªWas he a serial killer!?


    Wang Xiao chuckled, ignoring her pleas, his tone chillingly nonchnt. For now, he had no rush in dealing with her. Interrogation could wait¡ªhe was curious to see what kind of rescue attempt would be mounted for someone as prominent as Elizabeth Monroe.


    Who woulde for her? And where might that lead him?


    Though he''d already probed her memories, her interactions with her contacts were kept solely to encrypted messages.


    Still, one thing was clear: she was the one who''d ordered his family''s home to be demolished. All to pressure Xinyue Zhn, hoping to make her drop the case against Evangeline Technologies over environmental encroachment¡ªan investigation that could open Pandora''s box on the infamous Genesis Serum.


    Wang Xiao leaned back with a satisfied smile. He''d already sent a sample of the serum to Isabelle earlier in the day. Now, all that was left was to see just how far Elizabeth''s allies would go to keep their secrets safe.


    Click!


    "Brother¡ª"


    The door flew open, and Wang Xiao, poised in full viin mode with Elizabeth bound to the wall, shot his sister an annoyed nce. Wang Mei''s eyes widened, and then her expression shifted to sheer disbelief, like she''d just caught him red-handed doing something unmentionable. She shook her head slowly, as if disappointed inwardly.


    ''Really? This is what he is up to? Tying women to walls before ying with them?''


    She rolled her eyes. "She''s here to see you. Every day¡ªonce in the morning and once in the evening..."


    Wang Xiao felt his eye twitch. He knew ''exactly'' what she was implying, and he had to bite back the urge to set her straight. As if  he''d waste time ying games with Elizabeth when he had far better options. But her tone had a jab to it, and for a moment he couldn''t decide whether tough or kick her out.


    Then his brain caught up with her words. Someone here to see him?


    "Daddy¡­"


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao nced down, and there, peeking out from behind Wang Mei''s legs, was a little figure with wide, curious eyes. As soon as she spotted him, she charged forward with all the force of a battering ram.


    Poof!


    She crashnded right into him, and Wang Xiao managed to catch her just in time. Little Zhenxi.


    He''d almost forgotten about her...yet again!


    Holding her close, a faint grin crossed his face.


    He really did need to catch up with her mother soon!

 Chapter 603: Family Meet!

    Five minutester!


    "Now, let''s resume¡­" Wang Xiao muttered, setting Zhenxi down as she finally let go.


    He turned back to Elizabeth¡ªher blonde hair tousled, blue eyes wide with terror¡ªbound to the wall like a bird in a trap, her beauty only intensifying the fear in her gaze.


    Soft footsteps sounded as Wang Mei entered, her presence calm yet striking, like the pause before thunder. d in deep blue robes that set off her dark hair, she reached quietly for Zhenxi, hoping to pull her away, but the girl slipped behind Wang Xiao, curiosity glinting in her eyes.


    Wang Mei gave him a chiding look, as if to say, Must you show her things like this?


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    With a flick of his wrist, a set of sleek, meter-long needles appeared behind him, floating like sharp petals. Elizabeth''s eyes went wide, her muffled screams caught behind the tape, while Wang Mei instinctively drew Zhenxi closer, her gaze flickering with unease.


    "¡­Can''t this wait?" she murmured, her voice soft, almost reverent. Her gaze shifted from Elizabeth''s terror back to her brother, quiet concern in her eyes.


    Wang Xiao only smirked, inching the needles closer, until¡ª


    Knock, knock!


    His jaw tightened, irritation shing in his eyes. "Who now?" He gestured for Wang Mei to answer.


    "Mmm¡­" she responded, casting Elizabeth ast, guarded nce before gliding to the door.


    Outside stood Wang Xueying, dressed casually in a loose off-shoulder sweater and fitted leggings, her dark hair gathered back with an easy elegance. Her eyes took in the scene quickly¡ªElizabeth bound, Wang Xiao ready with the gleaming needles.


    "You¡­ have visitors," she announced, a hint of intrigue sparking in her calm tone as her gaze lingered on the needles. "Are those mechanical? Could I¡­ borrow a set?"


    Kacha¡ª!


    Wang Xiao sighed, letting the needles shatter like ice. Brushing past Xueying, he muttered under his breath. Whoever was behind thistest interruption had no idea what wrath awaited them.


    ___


    "..."


    "..."


    A few minutester, Wang Xiao''s fury was practically steaming off him, filling the entire living room with a deadly silence.


    Yet, in front of him sat two girls, smiling as if this were the most amusing thing in the world, their eyes roaming around with the curiosity of tourists.


    Behind him, Wang Mei and Wang Xueying leaned in, just as interested in the bizarre neers, while Zhenxi squirmed out of Wang Xiao''s hold, hopping down and marching right over to the two doll-faced girls.


    With a determined leap, she poked one of them square in the cheek, as if inspecting a strange creature, then quickly retreated to Wang Xiao, looking mildly disappointed.


    "Oh, uh, hi," Yue greeted, waving cheerfully despite the face-poke, while Wenxi raised a brow, clearly impressed. She gave Zhenxi a once-over, then shot Wang Xiao a suspicious look.


    "Another secret daughter?" Wenxi asked, already filing Zhenxi under ''one more daughter he''d hidden somewhere.'' She''d rarely seen him hold kids, so what else was she supposed to think?


    Wang Xiao sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, where''s your mother?" he asked, bracing himself.


    The two girls exchanged knowing looks, both sighing as if they''d been through this a thousand times. "She¡­ disappeared," they said tly. "Dropped us off, poofed into thin air."


    "..."


    Wang Xiao groaned. He''d been ready for a quiet night, but instead, Anran had seen fit to dump her daughters on him like an unexpected delivery and vanish.


    Just gone.


    Yue and Wenxi looked at him expectantly, like he was supposed to have a n.


    They didn''t have a cent to their name, didn''t even have a clue what to do next.


    And Mary? Wenxi thought, ncing around the room. ''Where the hell was she hiding these days, anyway?''


    They hadn''t seen their mom in days, and while their bank cards held a "modest" million a year, that was pocket change when hanging out in the same circles as Seraphina and her crew.


    Between luxury outings and splurges, they''d burned through it faster than a cheap candle.


    The backup cards? Anran kept those under lock and key, doling them out based on her mood. And when she wasn''t around, Mary was the next option.


    Right now? They were t broke.


    Wang Xiao sighed, rubbing his face as Wang Xueying poked him in the back, leaning in and whispering, "Are these¡­ actually your daughters?"


    He shot her a look. "Yes."


    "But they''re so¡­ grown?" She squinted, as if trying to find a family resemnce.


    "It''s a long story¡­" he muttered.


    Wang Xueying shook her head, then leaned toward the girls, squinting. "Wait¡­ aren''t you the same two that greeted us at Icevale?"


    Wenxi perked up, beaming. "Yep! Dad told us to, and don''t worry¡ªwe know everything! No need for introductions!"


    Wang Xueying and Wang Mei exchanged horrified nces.


    Technically, the girls were their nieces ¡ª But that''s definitely not the vibe they were getting.


    Then Wenxi, oblivious¡ªor maybe just brazenly honest¡ªcontinued with a mischievous grin. "You''re Wang Xueying, Auntie number¡­ twelve? Or is it eighteen? Eh, who cares¡ªyou''re the one who almost drugged Dad!" She winked. "And you''re Wang Mei! Don''t worry, we caught the whole hotel ''show'' live, so we know all your secrets!"


    "..."


    "..."


    Silence.


    Absolute silence!


    Wang Xueying''s face went scarlet. "You¡­ saw¡­ that?"


    "The whole thing," Wang Mei muttered, horrified, her face heating up. They saw the hotel scene? The whole embarrassing mess with Wang Xiao? She''d cried all morning afterward.


    If she could vanish right now, she''d dly do it.


    Yue pped a hand to her forehead, wondering, Is Wenxi this clueless, or just that good at it?


    Wang Xiao raised a brow, giving azy wave. "Alright, permission granted. Beat the shit out of them."


    "!"


    The words had barely left his lips before Wang Xueying and Wang Mei lunged forward, all embarrassment morphing into fury.


    "Oh, you''re dead!" Wang Xueying shouted, storming toward the girls.


    "That white one''s going down first," Wang Mei whispered, her rarely seen temper ring.


    "!!"


    Wenxi and Yue''s eyes went wide as they realized he wasn''t bluffing.


    "RUN!" Wenxi shrieked, grabbing Yue by the arm as they bolted toward the stairs, hair flying, their shrieks echoing through the hall.


    Thud! Thud!


    Heavy footsteps pounded after them as they scrambled up the stairs. Wenxi nced over her shoulder, catching sight of her furious aunts closing in.


    "Wait, wait!" Yue gasped,ughing breathlessly. "Dad~Just throw us a little cash, and we''ll disappear!"


    "Pfft!" Wang Xiao called up, leaning against the doorway, smirking. "Why leave? Stay a while."


    "What? NO!" Wenxi yelped, horror on her face. "They''ll beat us!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It''s been years since they got a beating! Wenxi thought. They''re practically adults now!


    Getting smacked at this age?


    Mortifying!


    "Toote for regrets!" Wang Xueying yelled, practically growling. "Should''ve kept those big mouths shut!"


    BAM! Yue tripped over the top step, catching herself. She threw Wenxi a panicked look. "This is your fault!"


    "My fault? You''re the one who wanted to bring up the hotel scene!¡ªI just did it on your behalf!" Wenxi snapped, dodging a vase as they sprinted.


    "Yeah, and you''re the one who blurted it out!" Yue shot back, matching her sister''s stride, both of them moving as if they shared one mind.


    "You two watched us..." Wang Mei muttered, mortified.


    How could Wang Xiao just let his daughters witness that entire mess? They were both naked, doing all those dirty things!


    The girls tore down the hallway, footsteps pounding as they tried to escape.


    Thump-thump-thump!


    The floorboards shook beneath them.


    "We''re sorry!" Yue called, halfughing, half-panicking. "We''ll take it all back! Just don''t beat us!"


    "Oh, no," Wang Xueying muttered, eyes narrowed as she closed in. "You''re not getting out of this."


    Desperate, Wenxi shouted back down the stairs, "DAD! Seriously, just give us some cash, and we''ll leave!"


    Wang Xiao chuckled, folding his arms. "Where''s the fun in that? Stay and enjoy some family bonding..."


    "NOOO!" Yue and Wenxi screamed as they threw open a random door, diving inside to hide, while Wang Xueying and Wang Mei charged in after them, war cries echoing down the hall.

 Chapter 604: More daughters?

    "Hehe~"


    After a few minutes, Wenxi settled back into her spot, smiling, while Yue gave a sheepish smile beside her, both of their faces slightly flushed.


    Somehow, they''d actually managed to escape by ¡ª flying out of reach.


    Poor Wang Xueying and Wang Mei hadn''t been able to catch them.


    But then reality set in¡ªthey were still broke. So, shamelessly, they came slinking back.


    Now, Wang Xiao sat holding his fuming sisters around their waists, keeping them in ce. He looked calm, but inside, he was enjoying the feel of holding their soft, willow-like waists.


    Seven years ago, he''d never have imagined such a scene in his own house.


    "It''s so unfair¡­" Wang Xueying muttered, half-pouting. "They can fly!" She huffed, still catching her breath. "I mean, sure, if you''re some god, it makes sense they wouldn''t be ordinary, but how''re we supposed to catch them?"


    "Mm¡­" Wang Mei agreed with a defeated nod, giving Wenxi and Yue an annoyed re. It didn''t feel like a fair fight.


    Wang Xiao sighed, rubbing his temples as he tried to keep the peace. "Aren''t you two supposed to be the grown-ups here? Maybe act like it?"


    The two sisters exchanged a nce, then immediately shook their heads in unison. "No chance."


    Wenxi and Yue were trouble wrapped in innocent smiles, and they weren''t about to let these little demons off that easily.


    "Alright, you two, go upstairs..." Wang Xiao''s voice was steady, a faint smirk ying on his lips as he directed his daughters. Wenxi and Yue rose with ease, gliding toward the stairs with little Zhenxi toddling along, her small hand tucked in Yue''s.


    But as they neared the doorway, Yue paused, her expression thoughtful. She cast a look back at Wang Mei and Wang Xueying.


    "Um¡­ which one of you is her mother..?" she asked, her tone as casual as if she were inquiring about the weather.


    "Huh?"


    The question struck Wang Mei and Wang Xueying like a thunderp, leaving them frozen.


    They exchanged a bewildered nce before their eyes fell to the small figure of Zhenxi, who stood there innocently, eyes bright with curiosity.


    Could they really be her mother?


    Then, their gazes shifted to Wang Xiao, suspicion mingling with disbelief. If they were her mother, then he¡­ he must be¡­?


    The white-haired one is sly... Wang Mei thought, her heart pounding...but the blonde might be even more ruthless!


    Wang Mei''s cheeks flushed, herposure slipping as she leaned subtly toward Wang Xiao, caught between disbelief and mortification. Wang Xueying''s gaze, meanwhile, lingered on Zhenxi, a tangled web of confusion and wonder written across her face.


    Yue tilted her head, sensing something amiss in their silence. Had her innocent question stirred something unintended?


    Wang Xiao''s deep sigh broke the tension, and he shook his head with a weary chuckle. "Zhenxi is my friend''s daughter," he said, his tone soft but firm, dispelling their imaginations. "Not every child I hold is my own. Perhaps stop assuming so." Despite his calm words, he couldn''t shake the strangeness of the question.


    Children with his own sisters?


    The thought had never crossed his mind, yet their expressions suggested they''d entertained it fully.


    "Oh¡­ I see." Realizing she''d struck a hidden chord, Yue quickly looked away, giving a polite nod.


    She and Wenxi hurried up the stairs, leaving behind the echo of their innocent yet deeply unsettling question.


    "Uh¡­" Before Wang Xueying could voice her thoughts, Wang Xiao rubbed his temples, cutting in with a sigh.


    "Let me stop you there. I have no ns for more daughters¡­ I already have plenty." He chuckled, half-amused, half-exasperated. Fate seemed to enjoy cing daughters in his path, yet he could already see the question in Xueying''s eyes.


    She flushed, herposure slipping as she blurted, "When did I say I wanted daughters?" Her voice dropped, a rare softness surfacing. "I just¡­ wanted to know¡­ if, well, if we¡­ had something, would it be¡­ safe?"


    Wang Mei''s gaze flickered with interest, a glimmer of curiosity tempered by her calm demeanor.


    Wang Xiao exhaled deeply, "You doubt I can''t do that?" he replied, voice steady, yet edged with humor.


    As if matters of lineage or gic challenges were anything he couldn''t handle.


    "Mmm¡­ then it''s safe." Wang Xueying nodded, though a rosy tinge on her cheeks, her gaze flicking away as she wrestled with her own thoughts.


    But it was Wang Mei''s reaction that caught him off guard. She seemed more thoughtful, introspective, rather than eager¡ªa response he wouldn''t have expected from her.


    He''d always thought she would have wanted children first.


    "You don''t¡­ want children?" he asked, his tone gentling with a hint of genuine curiosity.


    "!" The question hit her unprepared, and her eyes widened slightly before she quickly shook her head, her usual calm slipping just a fraction.


    "Ah." Wang Xiao nodded, letting her answer rest without prying.


    Her reaction held a depth he couldn''t quite ce, but he''d allow her that privacy.


    Meanwhile, Wang Mei gazed down, ncing at her slender, bare feet, before casting a thoughtful look over herself.


    She looked every bit the refineddy, but at only eighteen, perhaps neen soon, she still lived in a world of academia, her youthful freedom intact.


    The idea of walking that world with a child seemed like something out of reach, another lifetime entirely.


    She knew Anran had handled her own twins at a young age, but Anran''s life as a spy had forged her with an iron will¡ªa discipline that Mei could hardly rte to.


    Then Wang Xueying spoke up, gently pulling his face toward hers and drawing him from his thoughts. "You didn''t ask me," she teased, her voice like silk.


    Wang Xiao sighed, catching the familiar glint in her eye. "Don''t tell me you''re serious?" he muttered, entertained by her insistence. He thought he''d made it clear enough he wasn''t seeking any more daughters.


    Yet Xueying was different¡ªalready in her mid-twenties, experienced, a woman who could handle the demands of family while navigating her own life without batting an eye.


    She tilted her head, a yful smile dancing on her lips. "I''ll need some time to think it over¡­"


    He shook his head, knowing full well what game she was ying. She thought she''d uncovered some clever leverage, that she could barter with this whim of hers.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    But she underestimated him; Wang Xiao''s skin was thick as iron, and he saw her scheme as clear as day: she''d ask for some minor favor first, only to up the ante with requests for a childter, weaving a grand tale of her "tragic" longing.


    It was the sort of charm that might work on a softer-hearted man. But on him? Not a chance.

 Chapter 605: Living the Dream (1)

    "I''ll need some time to think it over¡­" Xueying murmured, tone sweet but eyes full of mischief.


    "Sure¡­" Wang Xiao replied, chuckling as he gave her a light pat on the head. Xueying''s expression darkened. ''A head pat? Seriously?''


    Just then, Wang Xiao''s thoughts were interrupted by a buzz in his mind. [I''ve located all gods linked to Zeus¡ªalive and dead, no stone unturned¡­] Eveline''s crisp voice broke through, snapping him out of the moment.


    [Good. Keep tabs on them all, and if they so much as blink, report me, if needed ¡ª bring in Athene for your help,] Wang Xiao replied, an amused grin spreading.


    His own game was well underway, and every one of them would eventually dance to his tune.


    He had shared thest memory imprint of his attacker from Hollow Earth with Eveline, who confirmed it was none other than Zeus. How Zeus was still alive, let alone powerful enough to pull this off, he didn''t know.


    But one thing was sure¡ªWang Xiao wasn''t about to sit around and wait for another godly ambush. Nope. It was time toy some traps of his own, and he couldn''t help but enjoy the thought.


    The best part? This was also a test for Eveline. She might be loyal, but Wang Xiao knew better than to trust anyone blindly. She was under someone else''s watch, and the whole thing would let him see who could hold their cards and who couldn''t.


    While he appeared to live his life as the arrogant, unsuspecting powerful fool, his real work had begun.


    The Skinwalkers? Done. Reincarnated gods? Next in line, and he''d happily have them go at each other for sport. The Guardians were under Ji Xuehong''s eye, the Church and dynasties would follow, and eventually, every single nuisance in his way would drop like flies.


    Even the original Pangeans would find themselves on his list once Aurora was close at hand.


    Everyone would y their part.


    His eyes flicked briefly to Yue. That little girl had almost derailed things, but thankfully, he''d kept his ns to himself.


    If she had known anything, his whole setup might''ve been ruined.


    With a quietugh, he knew that soon, everyst one of them would fall in line¡ªor fallpletely. Either way, he''d enjoy the show.


    Whoosh!


    "Where do you two think you''re sneaking off to?" Wang Xiao''s voice cut through his thoughts as he noticed Wang Mei and Wang Xueying getting up to leave. In a sh, he caught both their wrists.


    "Mm?"


    "??"


    They both looked at him, surprise shing in their eyes.


    Around them, the living room felt overly bright for the evening, casting a strange glow over the ce. The room was spacious, yet sitting this close on the same couch suddenly felt¡­ ufortable. Unnerving, even¡ªespecially here, in their own home.


    Sure, their mother wasn''t around, which technically meant they could do whatever they wanted, but something about it felt off.


    Old habits die hard, apparently.


    Wang Xiao noticed the subtle tension in both of their stances and smirked. "Why don''t you two tell me about this little ''deal'' you''ve made?" he asked, his grip still firm around their wrists.


    "What deal?" Wang Mei replied, feigning innocence, though her hand remained caught in his.


    Wang Xueying shot her a quick, rmed nce, but Wang Mei either didn''t see it or pretended not to, falling right into Wang Xiao''s trap.


    Wang Xiao grinned, casting Xueying a look of triumph. "The one where you two agreed to stop bickering and suddenly y nice?"


    "!!"


    Xueying''s cheeks reddened. Of course, he''d figured it out.


    But Wang Xiao wasn''t done. With a hint of amusement, he added, "Didn''t you two even agree to form some sort of ''sisters'' faction''?" He chuckled. "Trying to team up against my other women? Other than Anran¡­ do you even know who they all are, by the way?"


    "!!!"


    Their faces turned even redder, clearly caught off guard.


    Wang Mei looked at him, wide-eyed. "How¡­?"


    "Idiot," Wang Xueying sighed, shaking her head. "He could''ve just ''heard'' us," she muttered, realizing toote how obvious it was. Why hadn''t she thought of that before?


    Wang Xiao gave a low chuckle, as if reading her mind. "I could hear you both from the other end of the world, if I felt like it¡­"


    "You¡ª" Xueying stopped, stunned. She''d been thinking about taking their future "talks" miles away, to be safe. But this? He could hear them from that far?


    It felt way too much, even for him.


    "So, now that we''re all on the same page, don''t you think it''s about time you stop ignoring your only husband and focus on making him happy?" Wang Xiao added smoothly, barely flinching as he shamelessly dered himself their "husband."


    "Husband¡­ and who decided that?" Wang Xueying rolled her eyes, her cheeks heating up despite her attempts to y it cool.


    Beside her, Wang Mei pressed her lips together, avoiding his gaze. She''d called him far worse in the quiet of the night¡ªusually under his "persuasion"¡ªbut she wasn''t about to admit that.


    Wang Xiao had no intention of letting either of them slip away tonight. In one swift move, he pulled both sisters onto hisp, their faces mere inches from his, eyes wide with surprise.


    "Ah!" They both yelped, caught off guard, their hearts pounding. But his grip was firm, his gaze steady, and they quickly fell silent, heat creeping up their cheeks.


    "Of course I decided that," he said with a smug grin. "Or do you have some hidden man you''re keeping from me?" His gaze slid over to Xueying, who shook her head, her cheeks bright red. He leaned in and nted a kiss on her cheek, breathing in the soft, tempting scent of peonies.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Wang Xueying''s eyes went wide, her face turning crimson as he kissed her in front of Wang Mei. But before she could even think to react, his hands tightened around their waists, pulling them in even closer.


    "Wh¡ª?"


    It happened too fast to resist. His lips pressed against theirs, one then the other, deepening the kiss. Wang Xueying''s pulse raced, her face burning hot, but when she stole a nce at Wang Mei, she saw her sister had already melted into it, her face just as red but her lips moving in sync with his, giving in without hesitation.


    "Mmmmgnn~"


    Not one to be outdone, Xueying ced her hands firmly on his chest, ignoring the embarrassment burning through her.


    "Mmmmghhhhhhhh..."


    She matched her sister''s movements, her touch hesitant but unwilling to fall behind.


    Wang Xiao chuckled inwardly. If "unity is strength" was the motto of their little faction, then he''d happily support it¡ªfor he was a master at turning unity into his own game of divide and conquer.

 Chapter 606: *Living the Dream* (2)

    Slurp¡­ Slurp¡­


    "Mmmmnnn~!"


    What began as a simple kiss deepened quickly as Wang Xiao pulled them closer, slipping Wang Xueying''s sweater down over her shoulders, revealing a tempting hint of her pale skin beneath.


    She jerked back, startled. "Brot¡ªwhat do you think you''re doing...?" she demanded, though her voice wavered, an flicker of uncertainty softening her tone.


    Beside her, Wang Mei let out a quiet breath, face flushed, eyes half-lidded as she looked at him, lips parted and hazy with warmth.


    Wang Xiao smiled, brushing a kiss across Mei''s lips before turning his gaze on Wang Xueying. "What else should a man and woman do?"


    "But¡­ we''re¡­" Wang Xueying nced around, as if the familiar walls might chide her, a faint unease stirring. It felt almost dangerous here, in their own home.


    Ignoring her hesitation, Wang Xiao slowly tugged her sweater lower, baring her smooth, porcin skin to the cool air. She bit her lip, instinctively folding her arms around herself, her gaze unsure but fixed on him.


    "Someone mighte¡­" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.


    But Wang Xiao simply leaned in, slipping a hand behind her to undo her ck bra. She gasped softly as he let go, the fabric slipping down, baring her delicate beauty to his eyes, unshielded in the bright light.


    "!!"


    "Mei, look the other way! Stop staring at me¡­" Wang Xueying protested, hurriedly shielding her round, pale breasts from her sister''s gaze, her cheeks flushed.


    But Wang Xiao only chuckled. "What happened to the ''sisters'' faction''? Already falling apart?"


    "You¡ªstop trying to stir things up!" Wang Xueying huffed, but her words faltered as he gently moved her hands aside, exposing her delicate skin, the faint trembling betraying her nervousness.


    "Mmmmghhhhh¡­"


    Her fingers tightened, grabbing his head as he leaned in, brushing his lips over her soft skin, his breath warm as he lingered, tasting her. Wang Xueying''s grip held him close, and Wang Xiao let his hands slip to her waist, fingers slipping under the fabric of her leggings, his touch electric against her bare skin.


    It felt like a dream.


    But if it was¡­ she wanted to sink deeper.


    Her eyes drifted shut, soft sounds escaping her as his hands moved, kneading and exploring, drawing her inpletely.


    Wang Mei, watching from beside them, felt a strange mix of emotions¡ªthinking her sister might have had more restraint.


    But deep down, it seemed Wang Xueying was only waiting for a chance to give inpletely.


    "Haaa¡­ You¡­ stop¡­ mngh¡­ please¡­" Wang Xueying gasped, her cheeks flushed, her voice barely holding steady as Wang Xiao continued.


    "Ah! Br¡ª!" she started, but her words cut off as Wang Mei, who had been watching silently, was suddenly pulled over and set on top of her, making her groan under the unexpected weight.


    "Ugh¡­ get off me¡­" Xueying muttered, though her voice came out softer than she intended.


    Wang Mei''s face grew pink, her lips parting slightly as Wang Xiao began to undress her, his touch steady and firm. "brother¡­ are you¡­?" she murmured, but her breath hitched as he leaned in, causing a soft moan to escape. "Mmmmgh~¡­"


    "Mei¡­ I swear, if I don''t make it through this¡­" Wang Xueying whispered breathlessly, her face zing. "You two are so¡ªah¡­!"


    Her words faded as she felt the warmth of Wang Mei''s bare skin pressing against hers, their bodies close. Above them, Wang Xiao''s eyes on each of them, drawing them both into his hold.


    "It''s too much¡­" Wang Xueying murmured, though her words carried a mix of reluctance and surrender.


    Within minutes, he had both sisters stripped bare, their eyes fixed on him with a mix of embarrassment and frustration as he sat back on the couch, rxed, while they knelt close to his legs, ncing down.


    But their res weren''t aimed at his face¡ªthey were focused lower, on his "little brother," standing firm like a heated iron, intense and throbbing.


    Their faces burned from the warmth radiating off it.


    "...Well? What are you waiting for?" Wang Xiao''s voice broke the silence, making Xueying, who was new to all this, freeze up.


    "H-Hey, quit ordering us around¡­" she muttered, trying to sound tough. But the moment he turned his gaze on her, she fell quiet.


    "Ordering you?" His eyes glinted with amusement. "Do you really want to see what an order looks like?"


    "!!" Wang Xueying''s lips pressed into a tight line, suddenly feeling something ominous creeping into the air.


    Wang Mei cast a sideways nce at her sister, a small smile creeping onto her lips. For once, her bossy sister looked like a tamed bird, flustered and hesitant. It was almost too amusing to resist.


    "Pft¡­"


    "You¡ª!" Wang Xueying''s face flushed even deeper, irritation sparking in her eyes as she caught Wang Mei''s quietugh.


    Wang Mei just shook her head, trying to hide her own embarrassment. "If you don''t do what he wants, he''ll just keep at it¡­" she murmured, cheeks red as she leaned down, moving toward the center of his legs.


    With a soft breath, her lips grazed his heated skin, her tongue tracing along him in slow, deliberate strokes.


    Slurp¡­


    "Ugh¡­" Wang Xueying peeked through her fingers, but quickly covered her eyes again, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It was almost too much to watch.


    Meanwhile, Wang Mei continued, seemingly unbothered, letting her lips press against him in a series of gentle kisses.


    Smooch¡­ slurp¡­


    Her warm breath brushed against him as she kissed the tip, her lips trailing down, covering him with the heat of her hot saliva.


    "mmm¡­"


    His manhood felt like it was plunged into a small, hot me as Wang Mei took the tip into her mouth, making Wang Xiao groan.


    Her lips pressed tightly against his skin as she teased him for a moment, then gently squeezed his balls with her soft, slender hands before letting her tongue glide along his length once more.


    Wang Xueying looked up, half-expecting Wang Xiao to make ament, but he wasn''t even looking at her¡ªhis gaze was fixed on the ceiling, lost in the sensation.


    Emboldened, she bit her lip, leaned closer, and, as Wang Mei shifted aside, stuck out her tongue and began to mimic her sister''s movements.


    Slurp... Slurp...


    As Wang Xueying took over, Wang Mei moved down to his balls, taking them into her hot mouth and sucking gently.


    Wang Xueying hesitated, her eyes widening at the sight. "Mei¡­ you¡­" She couldn''t believe her calm, quiet sister could do something so bold.


    Taking a shaky breath, Wang Xueying leaned down again, steeling herself.


    Wang Xiao exhaled a deep sigh of satisfaction, his fingers tangling in their hair as he grasped their heads. The fragrance of their hair and the soft warmth surrounding him was almost overwhelming.


    With each of his testicles held gently in their warm mouths, he could feel distinct sensations of heat on either side.


    It was nearly perfect.


    Almost.


    His eyes gleamed with newfound determination. ''If only Jiarong was here toplete the set.''

 Chapter 607: Shuras!

    "...Ugh... It''s my first time... slow down~~!"


    In the living room, Wang Xueying bit into a silken soft pillow, her delicate fingers clutching the edge of the table as if it were herst anchor. Her porcin skin gleamed under his gaze, bare and trembling.


    "Mmmghhh..." Behind her, Wang Xiao held Wang Mei close, his mouth trailing over her chest as he positioned his manhood between Xueying''s legs, pressing firmly against her entrance.


    "Wait, let me prepar¡ªUgh..." Her protest was cut short as the tip of his manhood pressed into her, slipping deeper into her warmth. Her entrance tightened around him, wet and searing, drawing him further inside before she could fully catch her breath.


    A single drop of red touched the marble floor, a final reminder of innocence lost, like a solitary petal drifting in spring.


    Pak! Pak! Pak!


    "Ahhhhnnnnm~~"


    Within half an hour, the living room had transformed into a battlefield of tangled limbs and heavy breaths. Wang Xiao moved them from couch to table, to the kitchen, and finally to the floor, iming each space.


    "Mmmmghhhhhhhh..."


    Now on all fours, Xueying''s bruised knees bore silent voice to the price of passion, as she came to understand that love wasn''t just spiritual; it took its toll on the body too.


    Her neck and face glistened with sweat, tendrils of hair clinging to her flushed cheeks. Beneath her eyes, dark shadows hinted at the exhaustion from their endless pace. Beside her, Wang Meiy panting, her legs twitching from the aftermath.


    Xueying''s own legs trembled, unable to help cursing Wang Xiao and moaning at the same time.


    "You... you''re such a beast!" she gasped, voiceced with both irritation and surrender.


    Wang Xiao chuckled lowly. "I thought you''d enjoy it rough, Xueying..."


    "Bastard... who said... I would?" she retorted breathlessly, stifling another moan as he pressed deeper.


    Next to her, Wang Mei let out a soft sigh, leaning back with a weary smile. "You two... keep it down," she murmured.


    "...At least let us catch our breath..." Xueying pleaded, as his fingers sank into her hips once again, his searing heat pressing against her sensitive entrance.


    Wang Xiao tightened his grip, pulling her closer. "Not so soon, Xueying. Didn''t you say you couldst all night?"


    "Ahhh... you''re..." Xueying''s face flushed as she recalled her own words, spoken in the heat of the moment.


    Before she could reconsider, she felt him filling her once again, and her lips parted in an unrestrained moan.


    ____n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Fufu~... Do you think they''ll ever be done down there~?" Wenxi murmured, face red as a ripe cherry. Below, her father and aunts were tangled together, moving with a pace that echoed through the house like a thunderstorm.


    The ''p-p'' of flesh meeting flesh filled the air, loud and unrestrained.


    Pakh! Pakh!


    She smacked her own cheeks, trying to cool down, while keeping one hand firmly over little Zhenxi''s eyes. "You don''t need to see this, little one... One day, maybe... but definitely not today."


    "Not a chance they''ll stop..." Yue whispered, her face equally flushed. They hadn''t intended to listen in, but with the room practically vibrating and the sounds of moans  wafting up, ignoring it was as impossible as stopping the tide.


    "..."


    "..."


    Wenxi and Yue exchanged a look of pure, silent suffering.


    "You two up there ¡ª stop hiding around like thieves and juste down if you''re so curious!" Wang Xiao''s voice boomed up, tinged with irritation and a bit of a challenge.


    "Ah!?"


    "Shit!"


    They froze, feeling caught, then scrambled back to Wang Xiao''s room like startled rabbits, almost tripping over each other in their hurry.


    Watching their shadows vanish, Wang Xiao chuckled to himself, shaking his head. Those two had zero understanding of privacy.


    ____


    Two hourster, Wang Xiao tossed his sisters into their respective rooms, calling for two attendants to help them clean up, all while directing Eveline to get the living room and the rest of the house tidied up.


    It was utter chaos¡­


    Chairs were broken, ss was scattered, and the floor looked like a battlefield.


    But within minutes, when Wang Xiao came back downstairs to check, everything was gleaming like new. They had been in a rush, after all¡ªZhenxi''s mother was expected soon to pick her up.


    Or rather, it was Chen Meili he was really waiting for. Watching her helpless expression as she looked at the newly pristine room, Wang Xiao couldn''t help but admire her glow. Her soft, brown hair cascaded around her, giving her an effortless beauty that hadn''t gone unnoticed by him.


    Since leaving Zhenxi with her caretaker, he felt a pang of loss. ying with that little girl had been his daily joy¡ªwhy take her away?


    And he was certain both Wang Mei and Wang Xueying would grumble tomorrow. Neither was particrly keen on any kind of deep, intimate action during the day, much less in the open living room. But knowing Wang Xiao''s persistence, they had eventually surrendered.


    Now, with the house finally quiet, he stood there, feeling a strange emptiness.


    "Hmm... I still have two more¡­" he murmured, a smile ying on his lips. He suddenly remembered his two daughters were still living with him.


    ____


    Back in Imperial Capital!


    "Sigh... People here are so damn clueless."


    Hei Lian strolled down the crowded streets, a bewildered expression ying on her face as she took in the city''s glitzy lights and fancy cars. Everything here screamed "shy," but all she saw were people wrapped up in their dull little routines.


    "Are they all this boring?" she muttered, eyeing the crowds around her like they were some sort of disappointing zoo exhibit. To her, the whole scene wasughably tame, almost¡­ quaint.


    Then something caught her eye¡ªa gaudy mix of shing lights and spinning rides in the distance. "What''s that?" she mumbled, perking up. An amusement park. A curious expression spread across her face as she made her way over.


    Fast forward an hour, and Hei Lian was letting loose on a roller coaster,ughing and screaming like she''d never seen a thrill ride before. Her dress¡ªa barely-there ensemble that hugged her curves in all the right ces¡ªdrew more than a few weird stares, but she didn''t give a damn.


    She was having a st, and the gawkers could go entertain themselves.


    After stumbling off the Ferris wheel, she bumped into something solid.


    Rubbing her head, she muttered, "Watch it, asshole¡ª" before trailing off, her brows lifting.


    Standing before her was a literal giant, a hulking seven-foot mountain of muscle with his hair tied back and dressed in an ominous ck robe. His face was all stern and mysterious, but that wasn''t what caught her attention.


    No, it was the massive bat behind him¡ªpping its wings and hovering like a flying fortress.

 Chapter 608: *Wenxis sister?*

    "Shura King?"


    Hei Lian''s voice held a note of disbelief, her eyes widening at the sight before her. The massive bat, asrge as a small airne, hovered ominously in the air.


    Behind it, seventeen smaller¡ªbut stillrge enough¡ªbats hovered, each carrying a soldier upon its back.


    The sight immediately darkened her previously carefree expression.


    _____


    In the heart of Magic City, tucked within the Wang family mansion¡­


    SMOOCH!


    "Mm¡­ is that enough yet?" Wenxi murmured, her cheeks turning an even deeper pink, ncing aside as his arms held her close. What was meant to be a quiet night was, yet again, a lesson in Wang Xiao''s endless torture.


    He smirked, tightening his hold. "Enough? Not even close," he whispered, "You wanted to sleep in ''my'' room.. Didn''t think there''d be a ''guest fee''?"


    Wenxi pouted, nting another quick kiss on his lips before pulling back, flustered. "Honestly, dad, you''re too much! It''s cold, and I just wanted some cuddles¡ªnot¡­ whatever this is!"


    He chuckled, eyes full of mischief. "Cuddles? You''re cute. By now, you should know I don''t stop at just cuddling." He tilted her chin, meeting her gaze before stealing another kiss, slow and deliberate.


    Wenxi huffed, rolling her eyes. "Fine, but don''t get greedy, or I''ll fall asleep right here!"


    "Greedy?" he echoed, leaning closer, his voice low and teasing. "A little greed never hurt anyone¡­" he murmured, lips grazing her neck.


    She shivered despite herself, sighing. "You know, you really are exhausting."


    He ran a hand through her silken white hair, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction. "Then maybe you''re due for a bit more ''torture'' before you drift off."


    "¡­" Wenxi was speechless. How had he gotten so shameless?


    She swore he wasn''t like this until he took that Ji Xuehong, half-sister''s of her to his bed.


    Now here he was, hands already slipping under her pajamas with a grin.


    Realizing her mistake, Wenxi groaned inwardly. A peaceful night was clearly not in her stars tonight. "Daddy~! Go bother my sister if you''re so full of energy! Let me get some rest for once!" She waved him off with a dramatic sigh.


    Normally, he''dugh and ''teach her a lesson'' on the spot. But tonight, he surprised her by standing up, shrugging casually. "Alright," he said, straightening his night robe.


    "Eh?"


    Wenxi blinked, her heart skipping as she scrambled to fix her own rumpled clothes, watching him in disbelief.


    "Wait¡­ is he actually going to see Yue?" she wondered, a strange pang of confusion.


    Just as he stepped out, she found herself almost wishing he''d stayed¡­ though she''d never admit it aloud.


    ______


    Whiste~~


    Wang Xiao paused outside the room where Yue was staying, which happened to be his elder sister Wang Jiarong''s spare room.


    He cast a quick nce around, making sure he wouldn''t walk in on anything¡­ *


    unexpected.


    "Hmm? Dad?"


    Inside, Yue was seated at the study desk, immersed in a thick book on formations he''d recently bought her. She looked up, her golden hair swishing over her shoulder as she turned, her scent¡ªa mix of something sweet and alluring¡ªdrifting toward him.


    Wang Xiao took one look and felt his pulse quicken. Wenxi was all delicate, subtle charm, but Yue¡­ Yue was on another level, her presence practically oozing temptation.


    She had that "just ripe" look that made him want to pull her close and squeeze her.


    She wore a loose, cozy white sweater, soft and inviting, with probably nothing else beneath, judging by her usual bedtime habits.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t suppress the sly grin tugging at his lips as he moved toward her. "Yue, still awake at this hour?" he murmured, voice low and amused.


    Yue gave him a suspicious look, her eyes drifting to the clock on the wall. Nine o''clock. Barelyte. The only one with ''bedtime'' on his mind here was clearly him, and she knew it.


    "Dad¡­" she began, her tone half-warning.


    Before she could say more, he slipped into her chair, pulling her down into hisp with surprising ease. His hands found their way around her, one resting warmly on her thigh, the other slipping under the soft fabric of her sweater.


    Shhhk...


    His fingers brushed against her bare skin, traveling upwards until they settled just beneath her chest, his thumb tracing idle circles above her soft breasts.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but marvel at her warmth, letting his hand rest there, savoring the softness.


    Yue was still, watching him with wary eyes, but she didn''t pull away. Herck of resistance only emboldened him further. He pressed a kiss to her cheek, then another along her neck, his breath warm against her skin.


    "Dad...I¡­ I can''t focus like this," she whispered, her voice wavering, as her body shifted instinctively in hisp. She felt his hot and hard manhood poking between her legs.


    The memories of earlier in the evening were still fresh, reminding her of the mighty "dragon" thaty beneath the fabric, sending a fresh wave of heat through her cheeks.


    Wang Xiao chuckled lowly, feeling her squirm. "You''re really distracting me too, you know," he murmured, his hand slipping further beneath her sweater, fingertips grazing the sensitive skin around her chest until they found her small tender nipples, caressing them gently.


    Mm...


    He felt her tense, a soft gasp escaping her lips as he circled his thumb over her, teasing.


    Her hands tightened around the edge of the desk as she let out a breathy sigh.


    Wang Xiao smiled. Although she''d told him before that if he wanted to do anything to her, it was his wish and she wouldn''t stop him, he was still surprised to find her words true in this moment.


    She really didn''t seem to be stopping him at all.


    Then why?


    It just confused him further.


    He smiled stiffly. "Yue, look at me¡­"


    "Huh?" Yue turned her head around, meeting his eyes, just as he leaned in and nted a kiss on her face.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Mm¡­" He held her face and began sucking gently on her cheek, as though she were a ripe peach ready to be devoured. Her scent was sweet and tempting, urging him to lick along her skin, his teeth grazing lightly as he nibbled on her.


    Yue''s eyes trembled with a hint of nervousness as his hands wandered further beneath her clothes.

 Chapter 609: Old Friend!

    "Alright, you can study in peace now..." Wang Xiao said with a smirk, standing up after a few minutes of thoroughly ''harassing'' her.


    "¡­"


    Yue looked up at him, eyes wide and watery, cheeks flushed as she rested her head on the table, lips forming a small, helpless pout. She looked like a scolded kitten, adorably flustered and unable to do more than stare at him with a confused, almost pleading look.


    "Peace¡­?" she mumbled under her breath, barely a whisper. How was she supposed to study in peace now? Every spot he''d touched was tingling, her skin practically burning with heat she couldn''t shake off.


    Wang Xiao had just wanted to see how she''d react¡­ but instead of getting flustered or resisting, she''d been too stunned to even protest.


    Her dazed expression left him unexpectedly thrown off, and with an awkward little excuse, he turned and left.


    As his figure disappeared down the hallway, Yue let out a small, shaky breath, lifting her head from the table and gently patting her warm cheeks.


    "What¡­ what just happened?" she muttered to herself, voice barely above a whisper.


    Did he really juste in here¡­ to harrass me? she thought, blinking in confusion. "Does he¡­ does he do this with all of his daughters?" Her voice was so soft, as if saying it aloud made it even stranger.


    Heart still pounding, Yue let out a quiet sigh, her small pout returning as she tried to process it.


    -lem-pyr


    ''Was this some new whim of his?'' To barge in,pletely fluster her, then just leave without a word?


    She puffed her cheeks slightly, muttering, "It''s like some kind of¡­ torture."


    She couldn''t believe he''de up with such a creative way to torture his daughters...


    ncing at the doorway, she muttered, "What''s next? Another¡­ ''visit''? Like this?"


    "Mm..." Fully misunderstanding, Yue gave a determined little nod to herself, cheeks still pink, deciding that Wang Xiao was the kind of father who enjoyed randomly tormenting his daughters for his own amusement.


    She''d just have to be ''ready'' for the next time he appeared out of nowhere.


    ______


    16th November, 2031


    "Mmnn¡­"


    Wang Xiao blinked his eyes open, only to realize he waspletely pinned down. Limbs tangled and warmth all around, he found himself buried under a cozy yet overwhelming pile of bodies.


    Last night, he''d onlye to Wang Mei''s room for a chat, and somehow ended up asleep between his sisters, Wang Mei and Wang Xueying. But now, he was trapped beneath not just the two of them, but with two additional bodies sprawled atop him¡ªhis daughters, Yue and Wenxi, who must have quietly sneaked in during the night.


    Each had their own distinct scent¡ªjasmine, peach blossoms, peonies, fresh rosesbined with refreshing chilly mountain air¡ªthat mingled in the room, creating a heady, almost enchanting fragrance.


    He could feel Yue''s head resting against his chest, her hair tickling his chin, while Wenxi''s army draped over his shoulder, her lips pursed in a faint, adorable pout.


    Wang Mei and Wang Xueying nked him on either side, still snoozing softly, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.


    Rustle, rustle... he tried to shift his arm, but Yue''s weight held him firmly in ce. He sighed, a quiet huff, as he began the delicate, inch-by-inch task of freeing himself without waking the entire pile of sleepers.


    But as he slipped out, the bed creaked with a small creak, and four pairs of sleepy eyes blinked open,nding on him.


    His sisters and daughters stared at him in drowsy unison, each giving him a different variation of a sleepy, disapproving look.


    Wang Mei raised an eyebrow, confused; Wenxi squinted up at him, her face adorably confused.


    "Leaving already...?" Yue mumbled, voice muffled as she rubbed her eyes, her tone carrying a hint ofint.


    "Just¡ªyawn¡ªwhere are you sneaking off to so early?" Wang Xueying added, eyeing him suspiciously, though she was still half-asleep.


    Wang Xiao suppressed a chuckle, waving them off as he rose from the bed with a soft whoosh of nkets. He knew better than to linger and endure their sleepy protests, as he had pressing tasks today.


    After freshening up and donning proper attire, he left the room quietly, heading towards the Huangpu River.


    Today, he intended to catch up with Chen Meili and finally settle a mystery that had been there for too long: discovering the true identity of Zhenxi''s mother.


    But his ns didn''t end there. Tonight, he''d be heading deep into Hollow Earth to free Aurora. Aura had scouted the area, confirming Aurora''s coordinates, so he was ready to take action.


    On his way, he''d also be picking up Zhenxi''s two dragon cubs, Lanmei and Baixue, who would be reunited with Aura. With a full day ahead, he felt excitement simmering within as he made his way to the river, the crisp morning air filling his lungs with a sense of purpose.


    ____


    Huangpu River!


    Ding-a-ling!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The small bell above the bakery door chimed as Wang Xiao stepped inside. Instantly, he was met with the sweet, warm aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries. The smell was so tempting that he considered trying a few treats¡ªsomething he rarely did, as others usually brought food to him.


    As he approached the counter, his eyesnded on someone unexpected.


    "Hey, Wang Xiao!" a familiar voice called out.


    Wang Xiao blinked. It was Chen Li, an old schoolmate who, he noted with some surprise, had put on a considerable amount of weight.


    Chen Li used to be his partner in mischief back in the day, sneaking off to splurge on street food whenever they''d scraped together some stolen change.


    But that was years ago¡ªhe hadn''t seen Chen Li in at least seven years.


    "Chen Li?" Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, still processing his surprise. "What are you doing here?"


    Chen Li chuckled, scratching the back of his head.


    After signaling for a helper to cover the counter, he led Wang Xiao outside, weaving through the crowd along Huangpu River.


    Whoosh~!


    The air was filled with the scent of fresh bread, but as they stepped outside, the cool breeze cut through,  bringing with it the familiar bustle of the city.

 Chapter 610: In Love? Pftt!

    Whoosh~!


    The air was filled with the scent of fresh bread, but as they stepped outside, the cool breeze cut through,  bringing with it the familiar bustle of the city.


    At first, they exchanged lighthearted catch-up questions, oldughs about the reckless days they''d shared. Chen Li¡ªnow a bit rounder and softer around the edges¡ªseemed stuck in the past, reminiscing with a sparkle in his eye.


    Wang Xiao couldn''t help but feel a strang; it had been years since he''d seen someone who remembered him before all the power and titles.


    Then Wang Xiao finally asked, "So what are you doing here, really?"


    Chen Li''s face reddened slightly. "Well¡­ I think I''m in love."


    Wang Xiao almost choked on his cigarette.


    now


    Pfft!


    He raised a brow, half-amused, half-stunned, as Chen Li awkwardly added, "With Chen Meili. I don''t know, man¡­ she''s just¡­ different."


    Trying to stifle hisughter, Wang Xiao took another drag of his cigarette, listening as Chen Li exined.


    Chen Meili had worked with his father for a while, having been referred by Wang Xiao himself, but then she''d suddenly left, deciding to open this little bakery. Chen Li''s father had sent him here now and then to lend her a hand.


    He figured she was on her own, so he had her back. Somewhere along the line, though, Chen Li''s admiration had turned into full-blown infatuation.


    Wang Xiao bit back a sigh, nodding as if deep in thought. But his mind wandered, the nostalgia hitting him like a slow burn. If Chen Li knew the whole story¡ªknew the girl he worshipped once worked as a receptionist in a seedy brothel, and that Wang Xiao had ''had her''¡ªhe''d probably drop dead.


    The memory crept back, vivid and a little wild. Meili, back then, with that mix of charm and cheerfulness, her gaze sharp as a de even as he coaxed her into his bed.


    Thump, thump, his heart beat faster as he remembered the thrill of it, the taste of it all very vividly.


    She''d been untouchable to most men who saw her, yet somehow, he''d managed to leave his mark on her.


    And it wasn''t just her.


    His mind drifted further back, to Fu Yuxin¡ªFu Chao''s younger sister. She''d been six years his senior, an untamed spirit, and he''d managed to bed her as well.


    He''d cornered her, caught her off guard, forced her into situations she couldn''t refuse ¡ª Even now, he remembered the heat of her skin beneath him, the way she''d struggled at first, then yielded in a way that left him feeling... invincible.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Those encounters were dangerous games; one misstep, and he would''ve been tossed in prison, a kid daring to y with fire beyond his years.


    But back then, he had nothing but nerve... No power, no status¡ªonly his wild hunger to conquer everything in his path.


    Click.


    He flicked his cigarette away, a half-smirk tugging at his lips.


    Here he was now, far removed from those days, with more strength than he could''ve dreamed of back then.


    Now, he could crush anyone who stood in his way, cover the sky with his hand. But as he listened to Chen Li babbling on about his innocent crush, he felt a pang of something¡ªalmost nostalgia, almost amusement.


    Chen Li nced at him, oblivious, pouring his heart out with wide eyes.


    He might be adult, but in Wang Xiao''s eyes, he looked like a kid, naive to the world''s harsh edges.


    With a quiet sigh, Wang Xiao looked out over the river, feeling the weight of years and decisions that had shaped him into something beyond the innocent boy Chen Li remembered.


    "Hey?"


    A shadow moved swiftly, brushing past him with an unexpected bump. Her shoulder collided with Wang Xiao''s¡ª


    thud


    ¡ªand the faint scent of wild roses and freshly baked bread filled his senses.


    The woman froze, turning around in surprise. Her eyes went wide as she took in the sight of him and Chen Li. "Wang Xiao? Chen Li?"


    "Meili¡ªHa-Ha!" Chen Li''s face lit up, practically glowing. "We were just¡­ catching up!"


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, amused by Chen Li''s enthusiasm. "Didn''t expect to see you darting around here. You look like you''re on some urgent mission." he chuckled.


    Chen Meili let out a small, embarrassedugh, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Just a quick errand," she replied. "But¡­ both of you here together?" Her gaze flickered between the two men, lingering on Wang Xiao. "It feels like a strange reunion."


    "Well, it wasn''t nned," Wang Xiao replied, a faint smile on his lips. "Chen Li here couldn''t resist sharing a few things with me."


    "Oh?" She raised an eyebrow, ncing at Chen Li, whose cheeks instantly turned pink.


    "Just¡­ updates, you know?" Chen Li mumbled, looking everywhere but at her. "Keeping him informed about the¡­ uh¡­ school and¡­ stuff."


    Chen Li nced at Wang Xiao with a look that said, ''Why on earth are you spilling our secrets?''


    Wang Xiao only shook his head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. This guy had no clue¡­ but the truth was, Chen Meili was well out of Chen Li''s reach. If he''d had a chance, he would''ve made a move long before now. And with the way things stood, it was even less likely.


    In fact, Wang Xiao''s mind drifted to less innocent thoughts, a dark thrill sparking within him. The idea of making Chen Meili moan again¡ªthis time knowing she was the secret crush of his friend¡ªwas more than a little tempting.


    When had he developed such an¡­ evil character?


    But it shouldn''t be hard, either. After all, they''d already shared a night that she hadn''t forgotten, no matter how she yed it.


    Chen Meili, noticing the silence, nced between the two of them, a little crease in her brow. Then her gaze lingered on Wang Xiao, catching him staring at her with a gaze she hadn''t seen before.


    For a moment, she faltered, her cheeks warming under his look.


    "Well, you two¡­ wait here," she said, a bit flustered. "I just need to put my things inside. I''ll be right back." She shot them a quick smile, then hurried back toward the bakery door, her steps a little faster than usual.


    As she disappeared inside, Wang Xiao''s gaze followed her, that wicked thought flickering in his mind. He couldn''t deny it¡ªsomething about this situation was too deliciously twisted not to enjoy.

 Chapter 611: She is....Your Daughter!

    Buzzzzz~!


    Chen Li''s phone buzzed as they settled into a cozy booth at the Lost Heaven Restaurant. He nced at the screen, his expression twisting into one of mild annoyance.


    "Ah¡­ looks like my old man needs me for something." He sighed, getting up reluctantly. "Sorry to bail, guys. You know how he is. I''ll catch up with you bothter."


    With an apologetic grin, Chen Li waved and headed out, leaving Wang Xiao and Chen Meili alone. As the door swung shut behind him, the atmosphere suddenly felt a lot more¡­ intimate.


    Clink.


    Wang Xiao''s fork tapped against his te as he hacked into his French toast, each slice aggressive, like it had personally wronged him.


    Across from him, Chen Meili''s eyes flicked toward the door where Chen Li had just exited, her expression a mix of difort and silent contemtion. She looked like she was already plotting a polite escape.


    Too bad Wang Xiao had no intention of letting her slip away that easily.


    "He seems to like you¡­" he remarked, stuffing a piece of toast into his mouth and nodding toward the door where Chen Li had disappeared.


    "Huh?" Chen Meili blinked, clearly caught off guard. A faint, resigned smile curved her lips as she shook her head. "He''s¡­ a bit too hopeful, that''s all."


    Wang Xiao nearly snorted, imagining Chen Li''s reaction if he''d heard that. The poor guy would probably hurl himself into the Huangpu River on the spot.


    "Guess you got picky now that you''ve got some cash?" he teased, a smirk pulling at his mouth. "Too good for an innocent puppy like Chen Li?"


    Chen Meili blinked, taken aback by his bluntness, and let out a soft, reluctantugh. "That''s¡­ not it," she replied, trying to keep herposure but clearly flustered.


    "Oh?" Wang Xiao leaned in, tapping his fork against the te again¡ªtap, tap¡ª giving her a yful, knowing look. "So what''s the issue?"


    Chen Meili hesitated, tracing her finger along the rim of her teacup, her gaze dropping. After a moment, she sighed. "He''s¡­ too young," she murmured.


    Wang Xiao didn''t miss a beat. "So was I," he replied instantly, eyebrow raised.


    Chen Meili looked away, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks as she muttered, "That¡­ was different." She clearly didn''t want to go down that road, her fingers fidgeting with the napkin in herp.


    But Wang Xiao wasn''t about to let it go that easily. He remembered every detail. This was the same damn ce where they''d once talked about everything¡ªright be before she ended up in his bed.


    Her first time, and, if he remembered correctly, her only time with anyone. He could tell by the way she kept stealing nces at him, as if fighting off memories she didn''t want stirred up.


    "Different, huh?" He grinned, watching her reaction. "Don''t worry, I''m not here to judge you for making a ''strategic choice.'' You took a shot and leveled up. I can respect that."


    Chen Meili''s lips tightened, clearly trying not to look at him. If the same situation happened now, she''d probably refuse outright. Back then, it had been her ticket out of a tougher life, and she''d taken it without a second thought.


    People only crave what they don''t have. Now that she''d built her own stability, she didn''t need those shortcuts.


    Sensing her reluctance to keep digging into the past, Wang Xiao shifted the topic with a light chuckle. "Anyway, speaking of old friends¡­ What''s Lin Xue up to these days? Did she shut down the show and skip town?" He smirked, recalling the faint memory of her. "Stopped by Velvet Shadows the other day, but the ce was shut tight."


    Chen Meili tensed visibly, her hands stilling on her cup. "You¡­ you didn''t hear?"


    "Hear what?" Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed, curiosity sparking in his eyes.


    Chen Meili hesitated, then said quietly, "She''s¡­ in jail."


    "What?" Wang Xiao was bewildered. Lin Xue, in jail?


    He couldn''t wrap his head around it. Lin Xue had always been smart, running her brothel quietly, keeping herself under the radar, and maintaining enough connections to stay out of trouble.


    She wasn''t the type to make enemies who''d throw her behind bars, especially with the security she''d spent years weaving.


    "Jail? How the hell did that happen?" he muttered, more to himself than to her, still trying to process it.


    "That¡­" Chen Meili took a deep breath, clearly uneasy as she began to exin.


    "Right after you disappeared, a couple of monthster, it hit the news¡ªLin Xue got herself mixed up in some serious trouble. Apparently, she¡­ well, she ''murdered'' the city mayor." She paused, letting that sink in.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened. Murder? Lin Xue? That was already shocking enough, but Chen Meili wasn''t finished.


    "And before she did it¡­ she sold off everything she owned and transferred most of her assets to me and a few of her close aides..."


    ''The biggest portion came to me, with the instructions to ''take care of the child,'' She added inwardly, carefully leaving out thatst part to avoid Wang Xiao''s probing gaze.


    Wang Xiao leaned back, crossing his arms as he processed the news, his expression a mix of surprise and frustration. ''What the hell were you thinking, Lin Xue?'' he cursed inwardly, shaking his head.


    She''d done a lot for him in the past, and now this¡­


    He sighed, deciding he''d have to pay her a visit eventually. Whether he''d free her or not¡ªthat was a whole other question. But knowing Lin Xue, he couldn''t just leave her to rot there¡­ at least, not without understanding what happened.


    Chen Meili, meanwhile, was watching him with a wary eye, clearly uncertain of his next move. Her tension spiked when he casually asked, "By the way, where are you introducing me to Zhenxi''s mother?"


    "!"


    She tensed, scrambling for excuses, but her hesitation only seemed to amuse him. Before she knew it, Wang Xiao had managed to drag her along, and they found themselves near the riverside vi where Zhenxi and her mother were staying.


    Chen Meili resigned herself to it¡ªshe knew this couldn''t be kept hidden forever.


    Even Fu Yuxin, after a few weeks of wrestling with the situation, had given her the go-ahead, agreeing to step into the role of Zhenxi''s mother.


    Chen Meili clenched her fists.


    She didn''t need any more reason to want to strangle Fu Yuxin, but it was toote now. Wang Xiao was already stepping up to the vi door.


    Knock, knock.


    Her heart pounded as they waited outside.


    _______


    "Mummy!"


    "Mummy!"


    "Daddy''s outside!" Zhenxi squealed, her voice bouncing around the room as she tugged at her mother''s arm.


    "??"


    Fu Yuxin sat on the sofa, rolling her eyes as she attempted to tame Zhenxi''s hair, braiding the soft, messy strands that seemed to resist all her efforts.


    Dressed in her crisp school uniform, Zhenxi looked every bit the adorable troublemaker she was¡ªwide-eyed and full of boundless energy.


    Her face glowed with excitement, cheeks flushed, while her two dragon cubs napped on top of the snoring panda in the corner, blissfully unaware of the morningmotion.


    Fu Yuxin let out a long, frustrated sigh, pausing her work to give her daughter a t look.


    With her dark, silky hair cascading down her back and her sharp, beautiful features, Fu Yuxin looked as if she''d stepped out of a magazine cover¡ªif only she didn''t have that "done-with-this-kid''s-nonsense" expression.


    "Zi''er, how many times are you gonna call every random car ''Daddy''s''? Go to school,e back, and maybe Meili will actually take you to see him. But right now, just sit still and stop driving me up the wall!"


    But Zhenxi stood up suddenly, huffing, hands on her hips as she dered, "No, Mummy! Look outside! It''s his car!" Her little finger pointed straight at the window with all the confidence of someone who''s already won the argument.


    "Hm?" Fu Yuxin frowned, ncing out the window. Sure enough, a sleek Porsche was parked outside, shining under the morning sun. ''Since when did he get a Porsche?'' She shot a look at Zhenxi, a flicker of doubt creeping in.


    Still, she wasn''t convinced. "Zi''er, not every fancy car is ''Daddy''s,'' alright?" she muttered, shaking her head.


    Knock! Knock!


    But as she tried to settle back down, a loud knock echoed from the door.


    "!"


    Fu Yuxin froze, her heart skipping a beat. She looked over at Zhenxi, who was grinning like a little devil, her face practically saying, ''Told you so.''


    With a reluctant sigh, Fu Yuxin straightened up, casting a quick nce at herself in the mirror to make sure she looked at least halfway decent.


    She pushed a stray lock of hair back, her eyes narrowing slightly. ''Great,'' she thought with a twinge of anxiety.


    Despite herself, faint trace of nerves stirred in her chest. Most likely, it wasn''t who she was thinking of. Some random visitor or delivery, maybe. But if it ''was'' really Wang Xiao¡­ how was she supposed to face him now?


    After all, this was the man who had, once upon a time, drugged her, bedded her, and turned her whole life upside down.


    Thanks to him, she''d been tossed from her own house, left to scrape together a life out of the mess he''d created.


    Her fingers tightened on the edge of her sleeve as she remembered it all.


    ''Bastard.'' And yet, despite everything, she couldn''t deny the uneasy thrill simmering beneath her frustration. ''If it really is him¡­ he better be ready...''n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 612: Wang Xiao — stop acting like a Bully!! (1)

    Click!


    The door creaked open, and Wang Xiao, who''d been idly flicking his watch, looked up with a casual "Hey¡ª"


    The word froze on his lips.


    In the doorway stood Fu Yuxin, her eyes sharp as daggers, lips pressed in a tight line. She hadn''t changed much¡ªsmooth, pale skin framed by dark, flowing hair, dressed in a simple ck sleeveless top that hugged her figure and a pair of fitted jeans. She looked effortlessly stunning, but her gaze was anything but weing.


    Right now, that icy stare was directed squarely at him.


    There was a charged silence. Memories he hadn''t wanted to relive rushed back unbidden¡ªthe night seven years ago. Her anger clearly hadn''t faded. If anything, it seemed sharper.


    "I told you!" Zhenxi''s triumphant voice broke the tension,pletely oblivious to the mood. "Daddy''s really here!"


    Wang Xiao nced between the two of them, his mind working overtime, the resemnce sparking some dangerous thoughts that he''d rather not entertain.


    "Ahem," Chen Meili interjected, stepping forward quickly. "Why don''t we all¡­ move inside to catch up?" She forced a smile, eyes darting between Wang Xiao and Fu Yuxin, who looked like she''d rather strangle him than talk.


    What happened to Yuxin''s earlier confidence about "handling things calmly"? Because right now, Chen Meili wasn''t seeing an ounce of calm in her at all.


    ______


    Fifteen minutester!


    Inside the vi, Wang Xiao sat stiffly on the couch, a spread of snacks and teaid out in front of him, untouched. Like hell he was in the mood for snacks.


    Every time he nced over, he saw Zhenxi, happily oblivious, getting ready for school. And there was Fu Yuxin, entirely focused on Zhenxi¡ªbraiding her hair, adjusting her bag¡ªall without giving Wang Xiao so much as a sideways look. She might as well have turned him into a damn ghost.


    Chen Meili, caught between them, looked like she''d rather be anywhere else, ncing between the two with growing dread. ''Heaven help us,'' she thought. ''This is awkward.''


    "So¡­ nice weather, huh?" she finally muttered, voice shaky as she tried to break the heavy silence.


    Wang Xiao ignored her attempt at small talk, turning instead to Chen Meili with a sudden, razor-sharp focus. "What''s Zhenxi''s full name?" He asked.


    Chen Meili blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Uh¡­ that''s¡­"


    She hesitated, clearly doubting if now was the time to say it.


    But Fu Yuxin finally looked up, shooting him a re that could probably crack stone. "It''s Chen Zhenxi," she spat, "Got a problem with that?"


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened. Oh, he had a problem, alright. His gaze shifted between Zhenxi, Fu Yuxin, and Chen Meili, pieces falling into ce. Memories stirred¡ªnights with both of them, one consensual, the other¡­ let''s sayplicated.


    And now, Chen Zhenxi? They took him for a damn fool?


    Even Zhenxi, who''d been babbling a second ago, went quiet, sensing the crackling anger in the air.


    Chen Meili, clearly noting the storm gathering in Wang Xiao''s eyes, cleared her throat and scrambled for an exnation. "Fu Yuxin was¡­ too young back then. She couldn''t register Zhenxi under her name for¡­ certain reasons."


    The more she said, the worse it got.


    "Too young?" Wang Xiao sneered, his voice like poison. "How young exactly? You both think I''m some clueless idiot?"


    Fu Yuxin''s eyes narrowed, but Wang Xiao leaned in, a twisted smile on his face. "Cute kid, by the way. Who''s the father? Or do I have to guess?"


    "!"


    Fu Yuxin''s expression turned ice-cold, but before she could even start to respond, Wang Xiao cut her off, his voice dropping to a growl. "When exactly were you nning to tell me the truth? Or were you hoping I''d never find out you''d hidden my daughter from me?"


    Chen Meili looked away, her difort clear as daylight, while Fu Yuxin met his gaze directly, her silence screaming volumes.


    He let out a bitterugh, shaking his head. "Unbelievable. You two knew all along, and neither of you thought I had a right to know."


    "¡­"


    Fu Yuxin''s patience snapped. Her hands clenched as she red back at him. "She''s not yours, so stop acting like you need to be involved!"


    "Oh, really?" His angry scowl twisted into a mocking smile, but his eyes were cold.


    Fu Yuxin, her gaze turning wary, reached to cover Zhenxi''s ears¡ªnot realizing the little girl''s heightened senses probably caught every word. "Zhenxi isn''t yours, and I''d prefer you stopped meeting her altogether. Unfortunately¡­ I can''t stop her from finding her way to you." Her tone was pure ice.


    Wang Xiao''sugh was short and humorless, barely able to process the absurdity. ''Not legally his?'' Was this the start of some twisted viin arc?


    He''d heard enough stories to see where this was going, and it would be funny if it weren''t about him. ''Hell, he was twelve,'' for heaven''s sake.


    How the fuck was he supposed to impregnate anyone back then?


    But reality didn''t seem to give a damn about logic.


    Looking at Zhenxi now¡ªthose sharp red eyes, that faint resemnce, her overly sensitive eyes¡ªit all clicked into ce. And the realization left a bitter taste. She had his rare eye condition, the reason she''d spent six years with limited vision.


    A fury simmered deep, molten. He''d fixed her sight now, but knowing she''d been stumbling around half-blind all this time, while he held the power to tten nations if he wanted¡­ and didn''t even know she existed?


    His fists clenched, and he shot a scathing look at both Fu Yuxin and Chen Meili. Great,dies.


    Zhenxi had nearly died the first time he met her, and only his intervention saved her.


    If either of them had the brains toe forward, to tell anyone in his family, his daughter could''ve been safe and cared for instead of barely scraping by, in the dark.


    But instead¡­


    WHOOSH!


    "Huh? Why did it get dark all of a sudden?" Chen Meili muttered, ncing at the window. The daylight had vanished, an unnatural darkness pressing against the ss, thick and dangerous.


    "Is it going to rain?" Fu Yuxin murmured, blinking, though the chill seeping into the air made her tense.


    But this wasn''t any normal weather. Wang Xiao''s dark domain had expanded, nketing the vi, swallowing every scrap of light and sound from the outside.


    He sat there, gaze cold as iron. "One reason," he said, his voice deadly calm, "not to end this here and now¡­ and take my daughter."


    "??"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "??"


    Chen Meili and Fu Yuxin stared at him, mouths slightly open in shock. They could feel the anger radiating from him, the prickling chill raising the hair on their skin, though the idea of him actually following through seemed almost unreal.


    To them, he sounded like a man who''d simply been pushed too far.


    Oblivious to the tension, Zhenxi reached over and tugged his sleeve. "Daddy," she murmured, "Don''t be mad...."


    Wang Xiao''s gaze softened as he looked down at her, the tightness in his eyes loosening just a little.

 Chapter 613: Wang Xiao — stop acting like a Bully!! (2)

    "Who''s mad?" Wang Xiao scoffed, shing a quick grin. "C''mon, let''s get you to school."


    He picked up Zhenxi, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek, catching both Chen Meili and Fu Yuxin by surprise.


    "Wait¡­" Fu Yuxin began, but Wang Xiao had already grabbed Zhenxi''s school bag, his intent clear. Chen Meili caught Fu Yuxin''s eye and gave a slight shake of her head, signaling her to let it go.


    ______


    Vroom!


    As the car shot forward, Wang Xiao suddenly realized he didn''t even know which school the girl attended.


    "Zi''er, what''s your school''s name?" he asked, hoping he wouldn''t have to call around and search for it.


    Luckily, the kid seemed to have it handled. She tapped on the car''s GPS, quickly entering the coordinates herself, making him raise an eyebrow in surprise.


    "Smart, huh¡­" he muttered, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.


    "Mmm¡­" Zhenxi had a pleased little smile on her face as she settled back, quiet and confident. Wang Xiao couldn''t help but grin¡ªsmart, sharp, and even a bit reserved.


    This kid had to be his.


    If his body constitution hadn''tpletely transformed, he could''ve probably confirmed her DNA on the spot. But for now, he''d just double-check with Yue or Wenxiter.


    Both were born before he''d disappeared into the Graveyard of Gods...


    Official or not, he was sure about one thing¡ªthis kid was his, and there was no way he''d let anyone keep her from him.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As they cruised down the road, a faint hint of jasmine from Zhenxi''s shampoo filled the car, mingling with the crisp morning air wafting through the windows.


    She looked up at him, eyes wide with curiosity. "So¡­ are you my official daddy now?" she asked, tilting her head in that serious little way, her tiny fingers adjusting the cor of her school uniform.


    Wang Xiao let out a roughugh, hah! ncing over at her. "Official? What''s this ''official'' nonsense? I''m the only one you''ve got!"


    She giggled, "heehee~" as he ruffled her ck hair, her light, sweet scent filling the air. "Then¡­ does that mean I get to live with you now?" she asked, eyes bright and hopeful.


    Wang Xiao smirked, catching the faint smell of fresh linen from her schoolbag, and shook his head at how direct she was. "Why not?" he shrugged. "I wouldn''t mind dragging you back to my ce." He gave a dark chuckle "Though, fair warning, telling my mother about you is probably gonna make her faint on the spot...But hey, she''ll get over it soon."


    Zhenxi looked thrilled for a second, but then her face turned serious. "Can¡­ can Mummye too?"


    Wang Xiao raised a brow, staying silent for a beat. ''Of course she''d ask that.'' But Zhenxi wasn''t fooled by his hesitation; she lowered her gaze, fiddling with her backpack strap, which still carried the scent of warm bread from breakfast. "Mummy''s¡­ she''s always sad. I heard her crying sometimes after fighting with Auntie Meili. And she doesn''t like you¡­" she added softly, her voice trailing off.


    With a sigh, Wang Xiao reached over and patted her head. "Doesn''t matter if your mother hates me... I''ve got a spare room," he said with a devilish grin. "I''ll just lock her in it if I have to. Problem solved."


    Zhenxi broke into giggles, covering her mouth. "No need to tie her up, Daddy! I''ve got tricks¡ªeasy ones¡ªthat''ll make her like you."


    Wang Xiao''s eyebrows shot up, impressed and amused. "Oh? You''ve got tricks now, huh?" heughed, half-surprised. This kid wasn''t just eavesdropping¡ªshe''d sized up the whole situation.


    With a smirk, he reached over and ruffled her hair again, "Guess I don''t have to worry, do I? With a sharp little mind like yours, we''ll have everything settled!"


    After dropping Zhenxi off, Wang Xiao noted that her teacher looked particrly good¡ªa perk, he supposed, of primary school teachers being freshly graduated and still looking like they belonged in a magazine.


    After exchanging contacts with her (for school matters, naturally), Wang Xiao turned back toward Fu Yuxin''s ce to clear a few things up. But just as he was about to hit the road, his phone buzzed with an alert from Anran.


    His face stiffened immediately.


    Neither Anran nor Mary had vanished¡ªthey''d been instructed by him to keep tabs on Yue in secret. Yet, here was Anran sending an alert, and momentster, Mary''s message chimed in, confirming they''d both picked up on something unusual.


    "Hah¡­" He chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. ''Just great.'' He''d barelye to terms with Zhenxi, a daughter he didn''t even know existed¡ªprobably his first child, no less¡ªand now he had to deal with another headache.


    A "bad apple" that had been spoiled beyond reason.


    With a resigned sigh, he parked the car around the corner, his body fading into mist as he disappeared from sight. One way or another, he''d have to face Yue¡ªand if need be, correct her with some¡­ disciplinary measures.


    ____


    Meanwhile, back at the vi near Huangpu River, things were far from quiet.


    Fu Yuxin, startled by the racket outside, yanked her jacket over her exposed shoulders and hurried to the door. Near the gate, Chen Meili was arguing heatedly with someone, their voices practically echoing through the courtyard.


    "What the hell''s going on?" she muttered, stepping outside. But the sight that met her stopped her dead in her tracks. Not one, but an entire line of ck cars stretched along the vi''s front, with a team of people in sharp suits standing at attention.


    The whole setup screamed "official business" in the least friendly way possible.


    At the gate, Chen Meili was nose-to-nose with a middle-aged man in a stiff suit, nked by several uniformed assistants, all clutching stacks of documents.


    Their badges bore the seal of the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau¡ªthe very department that handled child welfare and custody issues.


    Fu Yuxin strode over, a frown etched across her face. "Uh¡­ may I help you?" she asked, trying to keep her tone calm, though her mind was in chaos. What on earth could warrant a whole government convoy?


    The suited man turned to her, giving a polite but firm nod. "Ms. Fu Yuxin, correct?"


    She nodded, stomach twisting. The man flicked through his papers with all the grace of a drill sergeant. "Tang Wei, Deputy Director of Child Welfare and Family Affairs here in Shanghai. We''re here about the custody arrangements for Chen Zhenxi."


    Fu Yuxin''s brow furrowed, her pulse picking up. "Custody arrangements?" she repeated, disbelief coloring her tone. "And¡­ I''m sorry, but why would someone at your level be here personally for this?" She threw a bewildered nce at Chen Meili, who looked equally floored.


    Tang Wei offered a tight-lipped smile, though his eyes stayed cold. "This case has been brought to our immediate attention by certain¡­ high-level sources," he said. "We''ve been instructed to carry out a full review, and ensure all protocols are followed without dy."


    "..."


    And just like that, it clicked.


    Her face darkened, realization sinking in fast.


    This wasn''t some random welfare check or routine red tape. No, this entire damn paradeplete with the deputy director and his suited army¡ªwas courtesy of none other than Wang Xiao himself.


    He was flexing his influence, making it crystal clear he wasn''t messing around.


    Fu Yuxin clenched her fists, her jaw tightening. She''d expected some kind of pushback from him, but this?


    This was on a whole other level.

 Chapter 614: Truth! — Conflicted Wang Xiao!

    Inside the Wang family vi, the morning was stirring in its usual quiet chaos.


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    Wang Mei had darted off to university, Wang Xueying was off to work, leaving the ce in the "capable" hands of Wenxi and Yue¡ªthe queens of so-called "idental" chaos.


    Wenxi, the little cotton ball, was still snuggled deep in nkets, dead to the world. But Yue was already up and had imed Wang Xiao''s private bathroom as her morning sanctuary.


    Hissss...


    In the bathroom, steam curled thickly around her as she stood under the shower. Hot water beat down, fogging up the ss and wrapping her like a warm cocoon.


    Droplets ran over her, slow as honey, tracing every curve¡ªslipping along her smooth shoulders, rolling down to the soft, rounded mounds on her chest, where two pink cherries tightened from the heat.


    Drip¡­ drip¡­ Little droplets trailed from her corbone, winding over the subtle curve of her waist and down her thighs, vanishing at her ankles.


    Her blonde hair stuck to her back in damp strands, framing her cheeks as she tilted her face into the stream, eyes closed, lips parting with a faint sigh.


    Running her fingers through her wet hair, she pushed it back, water trickling down her neck and along the hollow of her throat before disappearing over her skin.


    "Ha...."


    A soft gasp escaped as a cool draft brushed up her legs, teasing her thighs and pulling a slight shiver from her.


    Ssh¡­


    Yue let her eyes drift shut, savoring the hot cascade, steam thickening around her, wrapping her like a warm, heavy nket. The water poured over every inch of bare skin as her mind reyed the memory ofst night¡ªWang Xiao barging into her room, his hands tracing ces that left her heart racing.


    "Mmm¡­" She pressed her lips together, catching herself with a sigh as water slipped over them.


    This was the one time she was free from surveince.


    Mary had strict orders not to peek during moments like these, to keep them fortable." Naturally, Yue and Wenxi had discovered and exploited that loophole to the fullest.


    But it was a loophole Wang Xiao would one day regret.


    Her hand drifted toward her phone, fingers dialing the familiar number with a sneaky nce over her shoulder, even though she knew she was alone.


    She bit her lip, the little ring tone buzzing in her ear, anticipation building.


    "Hm?"


    The call picked up, but no voice answered. She frowned, checking the screen.


    "Something wrong?"


    "Yea¡­" Yue muttered instinctively, still fiddling with the phone, unaware of the shadow now cast over her.


    "!"


    When she finally looked up, her heart stopped. Wang Xiao stood there, half-drenched by the water from the shower, his eyes fixed on her.


    She froze, breath caught in her throat, the heat of the moment evaporating fast.


    Hearing about her actions from Anran was one thing; seeing them firsthand was another. His face held something she hadn''t seen before¡ªa mix of shock, disappointment, and anger that flickered in his eyes.


    This girl¡­ Did she know no fear?


    He had never wanted to frighten them, to impose his power like that. But at this moment, he regretted that restraint.


    "Yue," he said, his voice low and cold.


    "Dad..." She opened her mouth, but no words came.


    SLAP!


    Yue flinched, startled, as if all the blood drained from her face in an instant, her eyes wide with the shock of being caught.


    It was like she''d been caught red-handed doing something bad.


    She tried to hurriedly hide the phone behind her, but hisrge hand moved faster, striking her cheek, leaving a sharp, burning red mark.


    "¡­"


    "¡­"


    _____


    Hiss!


    "Don''t¡­" Anran''s hand shot out, seizing Mary''s wrist as she instinctively lunged forward, her eyes widening at the sight of Wang Xiao''s hand striking Yue.


    Mary, who had practically raised his daughters, felt a surge of anger boiling in her gut, torn between fierce loyalty and protective instinct.


    Anran''s tense expression served as a silentmand¡ªthey were here to watch, nothing more.


    "¡­"


    Anran hadn''t expected things to go like this. Every passing moment felt like a coil tightening¡ªa spectacle of Yue standing there with that phone, unting every ounce of freedom Wang Xiao had grudgingly given her.


    Wang Xiao had warned Mary not to look during moments like this, out of respect, out of trust.


    But Yue had taken that trust and twisted it into something ugly, something he had never intended.


    Near Yue, Wang Xiao extended his hand, voice like ice. "Give it to me." He didn''t need to exin.


    Yue clutched the phone behind her back, swallowing hard, her face ghostly pale.


    "..."


    She moved slowly, trembling, her gaze fixed downward as she extended the phone toward him, fear flickering in her downcast eyes.


    Her feet shifted anxiously, and a raw sting burned in her chest¡ªshe couldn''t piece together how it had all spiraled so fast, why he was here, and why it felt like the ground was crumbling beneath her.


    Snatch!


    Wang Xiao tore the phone from her hand, his gaze narrowing as he checked the screen. His old number red back at him, and he frowned. Without a word, he dialed it, each ring punctuating the tense silence.


    Ring¡­ Ring¡­


    When the line connected, Wang Xiao felt his pulse hitch for reasons he couldn''t exin. But as a ''very'' familiar voice resonated through the phone, his expression twisted as if he''d tasted something foul.


    "You..."


    He looked at Yue, her face turned down, showing only the back of her head, shoulders shaking as silent tears streamed down, pooling at her bare feet.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao''s gaze hardened, a conflicted expression in his eyes. Words failed him¡ªhe wasn''t even sure if there was anything left worth saying.


    Crack¡­


    The phone splintered in his grip.


    "Come with me." His voice was low as he seized her hand, wrapping her in a towel before pulling her along.


    Yue didn''t look up, didn''t try to keep pace, letting herself be dragged, half in a daze.


    "Hey, what''s going on?" Anran''s voice was sharp with rm as she rushed over, blocking his path. "It can''t be that bad¡­ right?" Her gaze flickered between Yue''s tear-streaked face and Wang Xiao''s thunderous expression, her own concern growing.


    "Mom? Mary?"


    Yue looked up, startled to find Anran and Mary both watching. Realization hit¡ªshe''d been exposed, and they''d seen everything.


    "It''s none of your concern," Wang Xiao replied, his grip firm. "Dial that number yourself and see." With a final, grim nce, he flung the cracked phone toward them before pulling Yue along, his steps brisk.


    Whoosh!


    "What the¡ª?" Anran stood frozen as he disappeared around the corner, while Mary, frowning, picked up the cracked phone and dialed his old number.


    Beep!


    The line connected, and Mary''s eyes went wide, mirroring Wang Xiao''s shock from moments before.


    "What¡ª" She bolted upright, visibly shaken.


    "Let me hear it!" Anran grabbed the phone, pressing it to her ear.


    The moment she heard the familiar voice on the line, her face went conflicted as well. "It''s¡­ his voice¡­."


    "¡­"


    "¡­"


    Both Mary and Anran shared a bewildered look, caught in the same cold, strange realization.


    It was¡ªWang Xiao''s own voice, echoing back from the past on the other end of the voicemail.


    They understood now, and the shock that had shaken Wang Xiao hit them just as hard.


    _____


    Xianthera!


    Right beneath the Board of Studies¡ªa sleek, futuristic dome that housed Xianthera''s only institution of "higher learning"y a hidden basement that had once been Amelia''sb.


    But it was hard to imagine now.


    The whole ce was dimly lit, spotless, and filled with a plush bed draped in curtains, like someone actually ''lived'' down here.


    A subtle, sweet fragrance filled the air, covering through any hint of stale basement smell.


    And that someone was Yanyan, Amelia''s daughter, seated in front of a mirror with a knowing smile, adjusting the thin strap of her barely-there top.


    Her back was all you''d need to know she had every curve in ce¡ªa perfect hourss with hips that could turn heads twice over.


    Pale, smooth skin stretched down her back like she hadn''t seen the sun in a decade, and dark hair spilled over her bare shoulders, shadowing her in just the right spots.


    She was the kind of beauty that didn''t need more than a nce to make anyone''s head spin.


    She nced at the mirror, catching sight of movement behind her, and raised her hand, a smile already on her lips. "Oh, hi, Daddy!"


    But her greeting didn''t even register.


    Whoosh!


    Wang Xiao stormed past her, gripping Yue''s hand with that ''don''t mess with me'' look, barely sparing Lan a nce. "Go outside and keep watch," he ordered coldly.


    "Eh? Wait¡­ Daddy?" Yanyan yelped, a bit stunned.


    ''Was he actually here?'' She couldn''t remember thest time he''d shown up in her space ¡ª personally!


    But that no-nonsense tone was all the confirmation she needed¡ªit was really him.


    There wasn''t a man on this side of heaven who could ignore her charms quite like him.


    She didn''t even recognize Yue¡ªor, more like, didn''t care enough to. With a sly smile, she slipped out to guard the door, not because he''d told her to, but because this time¡­ he wasn''t slipping away so easily.

 Chapter 615: The Little Worshiper!

    Thud!


    "What the hell were you thinking¡­?"


    Wang Xiao set Yue down on the edge of the bed, exhaling sharply as he poured himself a drink¡ªnot to calm his spirit this time, just to ease the pure headache.


    "¡­"


    Yue fidgeted, eyes darting away, her small, bare feet brushing against the cold floor. "I''m¡­ sorry¡­" Her voice was barely a whisper, like a child caught sneaking sweets.


    "¡­"


    Wang Xiao fought the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. He''d dragged her here to save her from the public embarrassment, to keep this mess private between them, at least.


    In his territory, where not even a stray breeze dared move without his say-so, he could guarantee no one else would intrude.


    "Yue¡­" His voice softened, but irritation lingered in his tone. "This isn''t about making me angry. Do you realize what you''ve stirred up with that little stunt? Do you know how many misunderstandings you''ve thrown into the air just because you used my old phone?"


    He sighed, reaching out to tilt her face up, hoping for some kind of answer in her eyes¡ªbut she only avoided his gaze,shes downcast, silent.


    This girl was something else.


    Somehow, she''d managed to hook her own phone to his old voicemail, mixing in recordings she''d made from who-knows-when. The result? Anyone who called would hear ''his'' voice, his own damned words, all praising her in ways he barely even remembered saying.


    She''d stitched together memories and whispers from years ago, weaving her own little ghost out of his forgotten words.


    And now¡­ he got it.


    He saw what she''d been doing, felt all of it¡ªand he didn''t know if he was furious or¡­ damn it, moved.


    Those messages, all those little memories¡­ they were meant for him.


    Why hadn''t he seen it? Why hadn''t he noticed she was this¡­ tangled up in him?


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    What had she been feeling all this time?


    Theirst serious talk had been back at Frostguard, in that stiff office of hers. She''d hinted at a few things, sure, but nothing that screamed, ''Hey, I''m over here, making love letters out of your voicemail.'' How had she buried it so well?


    "Haa¡­" He rubbed a hand over his face, frustration weighing him down. She sat there, looking so damned small, and every second of silence felt heavier, leaving him with one burning question: Why did he have to lose Yin Yue?


    If she were still here, she''d have told him exactly what this little nightmare was about before it got this far.


    But Yin Yue was gone, and all he had was this stubborn little shadow named after her.


    "Stay here a while¡ªand don''t go stirring up trouble with Yanyan," he said, finally, deciding maybe they both needed a little breathing room.


    But just as he turned to leave, she tugged at his sleeve.


    "Don''t¡­ leave¡­"


    He blinked, baffled.


    She wouldn''t exin a damn thing, wouldn''t say a word about what had possessed her to do all this¡ªyet here she was, clinging to him like he was the only thing keeping her afloat.


    And who made her his daughter, anyway?


    He sighed, resigned, sinking back down beside her.


    The longer he sat there, the more he realized just how¡­ warped things had gotten between them.


    This wasn''t like her ¡ª She never clung, never reached for him like he was herst lifeline. It was so out of character he didn''t know whether to be annoyed or to pull her closer.


    ncing down, he gave a wry smile, voice low. "You two really give me trouble for no damn reason¡­" He let out a weary chuckle, the earlier frustration loosening just a bit.


    No one was seriously hurt. No one was dead. So what was he stressing over, really?


    But just as he was about to let it go, Yue''s voice came, muffled against his chest, a small whisper: "If you don''t want us¡­ just say it directly. Don''t keep talking in circles."


    Wang Xiao froze, blindsided. ''Where the hell did thate from?''


    He shook his head, muttering, "When did I even say that? Innocent here, alright?"


    Was she seriously trying to paint him as the viin here? Since when did his own daughters start pulling this victim card?


    "Stop twisting things to make me look like some kind of viin here," he added, a flicker of exasperation in his tone. "Maybe I''m not the best, but don''t make me worse than I am."


    He lifted her chin, his gaze steady. "Look at me."


    "!"


    Her eyes flickered up, and there it was¡ªa faint red mark on her left cheek where he''d pped her earlier, a single tear glistening on hershes.


    Her lips parted, trembling like she wanted to say something but couldn''t find the words.


    "Are you really just going to sit there staring at the floor?" His voice softened, unwillingly gentler.


    Her gaze met his, her eyes misty. "You always¡­ think I''m trouble," she whispered, so quietly it was like the words would shatter if they were any louder.


    He cursed inwardly. That red mark felt like a scar on him. He brushed his thumb over her cheek, trying to erase it, whispering, "When did I say you''re trouble?"


    "Just now¡­" she muttered, clutching the towel he''d wrapped around her when he''d pulled her here.


    He paused, thrown off. Had he actually said that? He could hardly remember anymore. Maybe it was just the damned wind¡­


    "It''s¡­ Wenxi who gives you trouble, not me," she murmured, wiping her tears, her gaze steadying as she looked straight at him.


    "Wenxi?" He blinked,pletely caught off guard. How''d she drag Wenxi into this?


    He could admit his daughters were a handful and too clever for their own good¡ªbut he hadn''t realized it had gotten this deep.


    He brushed a damp strand of her hair back from her face, his expression softening. "Yue, do you really think I ignore you?"


    "¡­"


    She stayed silent, but he could see it, in as day in her face. It was like a damn confession, sitting right there between them.


    He let out a slow sigh, trying to piece things together. "How long¡­ have you been doing this?"


    "¡­ A few months¡­" she replied.


    "A few months¡­" He calcted quickly. That''d put it right around when they''d left Xianthera¡ªjust a few weeks after he''d switched his old number.


    So she''d been keeping up this strange, lonely charade for months.


    Wang Xiao felt a strange, heavy ache that wasn''t anger, wasn''t disappointment¡ªjust¡­confusion.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "I won''t make you angry again¡­" Yue murmured, her hands loosening around him as she nced back at the floor. Wang Xiao nearlyughed.


    Make him angry? Did she really think it was that simple?


    "You won''t pull something like that again," he emphasized, voice firm.


    "Hmm¡­" She pressed her lips together and gave a small nod, clutching the towel tighter, like it was a shield.


    "And if something''s on your mind, you''lle to me directly¡­ no more of these games," he added, eyes sharp on her.


    Another nod, but her lukewarm response made Wang Xiao''s brow twitch in frustration. Was she even listening?


    With a sigh, he leaned forward as an idea crossed his mind. Without a word, he reached out, fingers slipping under the edge of the towel to pull it away.


    "Huh¡­?" Yue''s eyes widened, stunned, as her clear white shoulders and delicate form were exposed, her gaze searching his in disbelief.


    "No one else is here, Yue. Stop hiding from me¡­" His voice was low, almost amand, and though he struggled not to look down, his focus stayed on her face.


    "¡­"


    She didn''t even try to cover herself, and that¡ªthat¡ªwas the damn thing about her. This quiet rebellion, this willingness to give everything, and yet she''d nevere out and say it, never ask him outright.


    He''d misunderstood it so many times¡ªher silence, her little remarks. She''d already given herself to him,id it bare, yet every time he twisted her words into something else. Even thatst time, when she''d told him he could do whatever he wanted, he''d taken it wrong, reading into her tone instead of seeing the truth right in front of him.


    Wang Xiao grabbed her shoulders, steadying himself. He took a deep breath, muttering Buddha''s name under his breath for patience before pulling her against him, wrapping his arms around her and easing back onto the bed.


    Yanyan would have his head for using her bed like this, but he''d deal with thatter. She was easy enough to manage when he needed to.


    "¡­"


    Yue''sshes flickered, and her breath was warm against his neck as she settled beside him, silent.


    "Dad¡ª¡­" she whispered, her voice caught between surprise and disbelief as he cupped her face, pulling her closer.


    "!?"


    Her eyes widened, a flicker of confusion in their depths, but he didn''t give her a chance to question him. His lips met hers¡ªcold and damp from the bath, but warming under his touch. Her skin still carried that contrast, chilled from the water but radiating a hidden warmth that seemed to pull him in.


    She froze, stunned, as his hand brushed along her jaw, tilting her face up to him, as if he was grounding her there, no room to escape.


    Her lips parted in a quiet gasp, and he deepened the kiss, feeling the softness of her breath, tasting the lingering hint of cool water on her skin.


    In that moment, her confusion melted away, reced by something softer...

 Chapter 616: *The Little Worshiper* (2)

    "Huh?"


    Outside the door, Yanyan was humming quietly, her gaze flicking to her nails with a smug glint in her eye. Dressed in a vibrant purple clothes, she looked every bit the cunning she was.


    Wang Xiao hade to her, ''personally'' this time, and the thought made her smile. No more clever escapes.


    But her satisfied expression quickly darkened as she heard footsteps echoing down the hall. Her posture stiffened, and her eyes narrowed as she recognized the intruder. She stood tall, crossing her arms over her chest and fixing her best stare on the approaching figure.


    "Stop right there! He told me not to let anyone in!" Her voice rang out, firm and crisp.


    "Hm?" Amelia''s arched brows lifted as she stepped into view, her silhouette casting a long shadow.


    Her gaze fell on Yanyan¡ªher daughter¡ªwhose eyes shed with a rare rebellion. Amelia, with her dark hair, graceful features and air of effortless authority, frowned, taken aback by her daughter''s nerve.


    She''de here expecting Wang Xiao, not her reclusive daughter, standing guard at the door like a sentinel.


    "I''m not just anyone, Yanyan. Step aside, I want to meet him." Amelia''s tone was soft yet held the chill of steel. She moved closer, a wry smile pulling at her lips as she observed her daughter''s expression, not unlike a cat sizing up a mouse.


    But Yanyan didn''t flinch.


    Yanyan shot her a bold look, the fire in her eyes unmistakable. "Nope," she replied, stretching her arms across the doorframe, as if daring her mother to push past.


    She wasn''t about to let Amelia take one step closer.


    "Yanyan, move." Amelia''s voice dropped to a low, warning tone, her eyes glinting with barely concealed annoyance.


    But Yanyan''s mouth curled into a mocking smile, her voiceced with mischief.


    "Amelia¡ªgo back. Daddy''s words first." Her wordsnded like a p, and she watched with satisfaction as her mother''s face clouded.


    "You...!"


    Amelia''s chest rose with an indignant breath. Her father''s constant disregard was one thing she''d grudgingly epted, but her own daughter challenging her?


    The realization stung more than she''d admit. She clenched her jaw, irritation shing in her dark eyes. How had letting Yanyan address her by her first name led to this open rebellion?


    Anran''s daughters had tried something simr, but she''d set them straight quickly.


    But Yanyan¡ªher own flesh and blood¡ªseemed determined to assert her im.


    As the two stood in a silent standoff, muffled sounds from behind the wooden door caught Amelia''s attention.


    Her gaze flicked toward it, suspicious.


    "Is he inside¡­ with someone?"


    "Yue," Yanyan said tly, not bothering to hide her irritation.


    Amelia''s brow arched slightly as she caught the faint sounds filtering through the door. Her lips curved in a sly smile as she caught the troubled look in Yanyan''s eyes. "Odd. Those noises¡­"


    "..."


    Yanyan''s own brows knitted, but she looked away, jaw tight. Amelia leaned in, her voice taking on a teasing lilt. "Seems like your precious Daddy''s already been ''stolen.''"


    The very core of their conflict was simple: Yanyan didn''t just see her as a mother; she saw her aspetition.


    It was a bitter rivalry, and Yanyan was determined to be the first daughter Wang Xiao shared a bed with. Now, seeing her daughter so calmly defeated and even guarding the door, Amelia didn''t know whether tough or sigh.


    Yanyan''s face clouded. "Impossible."


    Amelia''s eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh? Why not?" Her tone was smooth, enjoying her daughter''s irritation.


    "Because you don''t understand," Yanyan snapped, giving her mother a dark look.


    Amelia''s amusement faded, her voice sharpening. "I don''t understand? Don''t get ahead of yourself, Yanyan."


    Yanyan''s lips curved into a smirk, chin lifted proudly. "Those two? Daddy would ''never'' touch them."


    It was clear she was talking about Anran''s daughters¡ªYue and Wenxi. Somehow, Yanyan''s confidence in her answer was so unshakable that it made Amelia pause, almost in spite of herself.


    "Oh?" Amelia''s brows rose slightly. "And you''re so sure?"


    Yanyan folded her arms, the red fabric of her robe shimmering with her movement, like embers ring in the dark. "Of course," she said smugly, exining with a glint of pride. "They''re his little trophies. And what do you do with trophies?"


    Amelia''s expression twisted into a confused frown. She''d grown almost immune to her daughter''s shameless talk, but even she wasn''t prepared for this bizarre turn of logic.


    "Trophies are meant to be polished, admired, kept untouchable," Yanyan continued, a gleam of satisfaction in her gaze. "Take them down, and they lose their shine. He''d never risk that¡ªnot worth it ¡ªnot with them."


    Amelia''s eyes darkened slightly, her own irritation momentarily giving way to realization.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Perhaps Yanyan was right.


    Wang Xiao did seem to draw a particr ''guilty'' pleasure from Yue and Wenxi''s untouchable, innocent presence.


    The thrill, it seemed,y in the closeness without crossing that line.


    It made an odd, twisted sense. And, for once, Amelia felt the sting of reluctant agreement with her daughter''s logic.


    Yet Amelia had no idea that something entirely different was going on behind those closed doors.


    ____


    Gasp!


    Yue stumbled forward, and Wang Xiao''s strong hands caught her, gripping her delicate shoulders. Her skin felt soft, almost ethereal, like the petals of a fragile flower¡ªso delicate that even the slightest pressure might leave a mark.


    A slender finger rose to her lips, brushing them in disbelief. Her wide eyes searched his, a mixture of shock and something deeper stirring beneath her gaze. Wang Xiao met her look with a faint, mischievous glint, as though he''d just yed a trick and enjoyed every second of her reaction.


    In his arms, her body felt small and cool, but her flushed face betrayed the warmth building beneath her skin. She could barely find her voice¡ªwords slipped away, every inch of her feeling thoroughly¡­ handled.


    Her lips, still warm from his kiss, trembled slightly. A smirk tugged at the corner of Wang Xiao''s mouth. "Be careful what you wish for," he murmured, his hands slipping down to her lower back, caressing her with deliberate slowness.


    His touch continued, pressing into the curve of her smooth, firm backside, the contrast of cool and warm as his fingers traced along her skin. There was something almost addictive about the way she felt under his hands.


    "You wanted this, didn''t you?" Wang Xiao''s voice dropped to a low murmur, filled with yful amusement as his gaze held hers. "Could''ve saved us both a lot of time if you''d just said so¡­ And here I was, wondering what to do with you."


    He leaned in, his lips brushing against the heated skin of her cheek, leaving a trail of soft, teasing nips along her jawline.


    Nibble. Kiss. Nibble.


    His touch was feather-light but sent shocks down her spine, making her tense and shiver all at once.


    Poof! Explore more at m,v l''e-NovelBin


    Yue''s cheeks med, her face and neck flushing a fiery red, her pulse racing so intensely she could almost hear it¡ªthump, thump, thump.


    Her lips still burned with the warmth of his kiss.


    She bit her lip to ground herself, but the effort only made her heart pound harder, betraying her. Her gaze darted away, but his hand slipped under her chin, guiding her face back to his. "Look at you," Wang Xiao smirked, his thumb brushing her flushed cheek. "You set daddy in fire and now you''re acting all innocent?"


    "I..." Her throat tightened as she swallowed, unable to find words, her breathing in short, sharp gasps. Set a fire in him? Her mind spun.


    "Not answering, huh?" he teased, leaning in closer. "But I can feel it. You''re burning up¡­ here¡­" His lips found hers again, capturing the warmth radiating from her mouth as his hand slipped lower, tracing the curve of her back.


    His touch slid down between her thighs, finding her heated entrance, and the sensation made her shiver, her toes curling in response.


    Wang Xiao felt a surge of heat as he caressed her forbidden flower, his own body responding instantly.


    The room grew warmer, the scent of her soft and intoxicating. He couldn''t resist, leaning down to capture her lips once more¡ªthis time harsher.


    "Mmmghhh¡­"


    Yue let out a surprised sound, but her small hands found their way around him, clinging to him for support.


    She might have forgotten she was lying bare above him¡ªif not for his hands exploring her every small little detail.


    "D-Daddy¡­ don''t pinch¡­" Yue''s breath hitched as she pleaded with misty eyes, her lips parting in a soft gasp as his hands moved over her, gripping and kneading her soft, round mounds, each squeeze sending her heart thumping wildly.


    She tried to squirm away, a low groan slipping out, but he pressed his lips to her neck, murmuring against her skin, "Take it¡­" He took her small hand, guiding it between them, cing it right at the center of his legs.


    "!!"


    Yue froze, stunned as her fingers wrapped around something hot and mighty, the heat and size growing with each passing second.


    Words died on her lips as an unfamiliar thrill pulsed through her, her slender fingers tightening instinctively around the hard length.


    She''d always been curious about how ''that'' would feel, and now, holding it in her hand, her heartbeat thundered in her chest.


    ''This so warm¡­'' she thought, remembering thest time she''d identally caught a glimpse.


    But feeling it now, hot and pulsing beneath her grip, was something else entirely¡ªa different, almost overwhelming sensation.

 Chapter 617: *The Little Worshiper* (3)

    "Mmm¡­"


    A soft moan escaped Yue''s lips as her entire body pressed flush against Wang Xiao''s, her warmth seeping into him like fire spreading through silk.


    Her presence, soft and unguarded, awakened something fierce within him, a smoldering heat he hadn''t anticipated¡ªa touch that bound them closer than either had intended.


    As shey above him, his hardened length throbbed subtly against her delicate entrance, the faintest movement creating a friction that tested his control.


    For a brief moment, Wang Xiao''s gaze filled with hesitation, a quiet pulse of tension flickering across his features.


    If she shifted even a breath lower¡­


    But why hold back now?


    "You want this, don''t you¡­?" he murmured, as he watched her tear-bright eyes, lost in a daze. Her soft gaze, filled with unspoken longing, sent a thrill through him.


    This¡ªthis tender, willing expression¡ªwas as much his doing as hers, and he knew he''d let himself get caught up in the moment.


    Yue''s gaze lifted slowly, her breath catching as she nodded, her cheeks flushed with a warmth that softened her every feature.


    A smile touched his lips, sharp with a teasing edge. "You have a voice, don''t you?" he said, brushing his thumb over her lips, pinching lightly. "Ask me for it¡­"


    Yue''s eyes widened, surprised, and her lips trembled before her voice came, soft and unsure. "I¡­ want it." Her delicate hands reached up, curling around his muchrger one, her fingers clinging to him with a quiet, tender conviction that made his heart pause.


    "!"


    Wang Xiao stilled, her touch stirring a quiet pang of memory.


    Her fingers, small and soft against his, fit in a way that tugged at something deep within him. She''d held him like this so many times before¡ªinnocent gestures, hands entwined, as if holding on could draw them closer.


    But here, now, that simple touch ignited something electric between them, a familiar warmth deepening into something forbidden, something that felt as near as a breath and as distant as a dream.


    A faint smile drifted across his lips.


    He felt a sudden urge to tease out the thoughts lingering in her mind, to uncover every delicate desire behind her gaze¡ªbut that could wait.


    Right now¡­n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    A soft gasp parted her lips as he shifted, his hardened length pressing between her thighs, slipping further as her body softened, yielding to his.


    A warmth bloomed through her, a sensation that sent shivers up her spine as he entered her depths.


    "!?"


    Wang Xiao paused, momentarily surprised, his vision blurring as her hands found their way to his hair, soft fingers tangling as she leaned in. Her lips brushed his in a tentative yet daring kiss, a boldness in her touch that made him smile against her mouth.


    He let out a low chuckle, inwardly amused by her spirit. Drawing her closer, he tightened his grip, pressing his lips to hers as he deepened their embrace, pulling her flush against him.


    "Ah¡­!" she whimpered, her voice catching as his presence filled her, and her nails dug gently into his shoulders.


    The sound only fueled his desire, and he watched her through half-lidded eyes, his own breath quickening.


    Wang Xiao''s hand slipped to the small of her back, urging her closer, his voice a rough murmur. "Take it all¡­ don''t hold back." His words wereced with a possessive tenderness, each syble resonating through her.


    "Mmm¡­" Yue''s voice trembled, her body arching instinctively toward him, her fingers tightening their grip as she gave in to the sensations.


    She moaned softly, lost to his touch as their breaths mingled.


    Their movements grew slower, more intense, and the rhythm of their breaths blended with the soft sounds of their bodies drawing closer, more attuned.


    Yue''s lips parted, eyes misty as she murmured, "daddy¡­ please¡­"


    Her plea was soft, but it broke thest of his restraint, and with a low groan, he held her tighter.


    A deep, satisfied hum escaped him, his breath steadying as he traced his fingers through her hair, pulling her close onest time. "Mine," he whispered, sealing the moment with a lingering kiss that left no question of his intent.


    "Mm¡­ yes," she breathed, her voice barely a whisper, her head resting against his chest as her heartbeat slowed in time with his, leaving them both in a quiet, fulfilled embrace.


    _____


    Half an hourter¡­


    The room had finally grown quiet, the earlier warmth in the air like the afterglow of a storm. Though the sheets beneath Yue''s legs were faintly stained with red, marking her first experience, her expression was one of contented exhaustion.


    Wang Xiao, however, didn''t seem the least bit tired; his steady gaze held hers as hey beside her, his arm wrapped around her, his fingers idly stroking her flushed cheek.


    "Happy now?" he murmured, a teasing smile tugging at his lips as he brushed a stray strand of hair from her face.


    Yue managed a soft smile, though her legs still tingled with a dull ache. "Mmm¡­ happy," she whispered, her voiceced with a quiet satisfaction.


    She was exhausted, yes, but also at peace, feeling a strange, gentle emptiness now that she''d fully given herself to him.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes glinted mischievously. "Now, now¡­ why don''t you tell me where you got this idea that I don''t want you?" He pinched her cheek lightly, just enough to make her lips part in a surprised gasp.


    "Ahhh¡­" Yue gasped, her lips parting as his hand tugged gently, a groan escaping her. "D-Daddy¡­ stop it¡­"


    "Oh, stop it?" he teased, a smirk on his lips. "Now it hurts?"


    Yue''s face flushed pink, her cheeks heating under his touch. It had hurt before, but that was different¡ªan ache mixed with an odd, embarrassed thrill. How could both sensations feel so different?


    "Hm¡­" His hand released her cheek, leaving her to rub it with a small pout as she looked back at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of embarrassment and warmth.


    After a pause, he leaned closer, a glint of amusement in his eyes, "Do you think you''ll have a baby?" His thumb brushed her lips, his gaze softening as he watched her expression shift from surprise to thoughtfulness.


    "!"


    The question stunned her, her heart skipping a beat.


    The thought hadn''t crossed her mind¡ªnot yet.


    But now, the reality of his hot essence within her, warm and potent, stirring an idea both thrilling and frightening.


    His baby¡­ could it be?


    The idea spiraled, her head whirling. Would their child be a daughter?


    And if so¡­ would she be her sister?


    Ugh...


    The thought made her head spin.


    Still watching her, Wang Xiao chuckled softly, rubbing his cheek against hers. "You don''t want to give ''daddy'' a baby?"


    Yue''s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red. "It''s not¡­ that¡­" she murmured, ncing away, uncharacteristically shy, yet unable to hide her soft smile.


    "Oh? So if it''s not that, then tell me," he pressed, amused by her embarrassment. "What should our little baby be like? Should she be as cute as you? And what name should we give her?"


    He chuckled, letting his lips brush hers again, murmuring as if lost in thought.


    "Mmmm..." Yue squirmed, her face reddening as his words sank in, making her pulse race.


    A name¡­ what would she even call their child?


    Her mind whirled, dozens of names shing through her thoughts, one after another, the embarrassment momentarily forgotten as each idea slipped past.


    "Let''s see¡­ if it''s a daughter, hmm? We could name her Yue¡­" Wang Xiao''s voice suddenly trailed off as he watched her face curiously.


    "Yue¡­ good," she whispered unconsciously, nodding.


    "!"


    But the realization hit her, and she looked up, stunned. Her eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise, while Wang Xiao''s brows lifted with a yful gleam.


    "Dad!" She blurted, cheeks flushed, before burying her face against his chest to hide her embarrassment.


    Why did he tease her so badly!


    "Haha¡­" A warmugh rumbled from him as he stroked her silky hair. "You''re only eighteen¡­ and already thinking about a baby?" he asked, amused.


    She muttered softly, still hiding against him. "I¡­ don''t know."


    He looked down at her, amused. "So you''d just go along with it, wouldn''t you?" he murmured, shaking his head in disbelief.


    After a moment, she gave a small nod, her voice barely a whisper. "If¡­ if you wanted it¡­ then yes."


    "Huh?"


    Wang Xiao blinked, her quiet devotion catching him off guard.


    With a gentle chuckle, he flicked her forehead lightly. "Little fool," he said softly. "Raising a child isn''t the same as ying with toys, you know¡­"


    Yue winced, rubbing her forehead, looking at him with a hint of reproach in her eyes. "If ''daddy'' wanted it, then¡­ I''d want it too."


    "..."


    For a moment, he was speechless, his heart swelling with something he couldn''t quite name.


    How could someone be so willing to follow him, to share so much of themselves?


    "Haa¡­" he sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Enough of this ''daddy'' worshipping, or you''ll be the death of me." Heughed quietly, pulling her closer, feeling the steady beat of her heart against him.


    She blinked, surprised at his softened expression, but she felt an undeniable satisfaction watching him surrender like this. Leaning in, she nestled against his chest, her head resting where she could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, warm and familiar, perfectly in sync with her own.

 Chapter 618: Angry Wenxi! Furious Yanyan!

    16th November, Magic City ¡ª Evening!


    The Wang family vi was quiet¡­ or so it appeared from the outside. Inside, however, the chaos was in full swing.


    BONK!


    "Ah¡­ Daddy! Make her stop!"


    At that moment, Yue was perched on the edge of the bed, dressed properly for once, looking slightly dazed. Across from her, Anran was grinning ear-to-ear,dling rice pudding into Yue''s mouth with an enthusiasm that bordered on maniacal.


    Yue''s cheeks were stuffed full of it, but her real problem wasn''t her mother''s overzealous feeding. No, the true menace was standing right behind her, wielding a wooden spat like a sword.


    BONK!


    "Daddy, huh? Slept with him one time and now you''re acting all spoiled?" Wenxi said with a smirk, her grip on the spat tightening as she delivered another perfectly aimed whack.


    BONK!


    "Ow!" Yue yelped, rubbing her head, her face full of pudding and outrage. "Wenxi, if you hit me again, I swear I''ll¡ª"


    BONK!


    "Oh, yeah?" Wenxi scoffed, unfazed. "And what happened to ''we''ll both sleep with him together,'' huh?"


    Yue''s face turned red, not from the hits, but from the memory. "That was six years ago, Wenxi! How is that even relevant?"


    BONK!


    "Wenxi!" Yue shouted, clutching her head. Today of all days, her usually calm sister had transformed into an avenging fury with no chill whatsoever, much to Wang Xiao''s silent amusement from the sidelines.


    Meanwhile, Anran,pletely unbothered, continued shoving spoonfuls of pudding into Yue''s mouth. "Hehe ~ eat, eat! You need to keep your strength up!"


    "M-Mom¡ªnum¡ªmmph!" Yue tried to protest, her voice muffled as she attempted to swallow around the onught of pudding and fend off the spat attacks at the same time.


    Anran only smiled wider. Just yesterday she''d been convinced Yue was in some big trouble, but today her little girl had surprised everyone by announcing some very¡­ ''delightful'' news.


    Ovee with excitement, Anran had immediately made sweets to celebrate¡ªand had somehow even roped Wenxi into helping. Only when the treats were upstairs and halfway down Yue''s throat did Wenxi realize what, exactly, they were celebrating.


    "Wait¡­ why the special treatment?" Wenxi had asked, suspicious.


    "Oh, didn''t you hear?" Anran had replied casually. "Yue slept with Wang Xiao!"


    And with that, the chaos had begun.


    Wenxi''s face had turned as red as a firecracker, her indignation sizzling in every re. Not only had her sister beaten her to it, but she''d unknowingly helped make the treats to celebrate it.


    Too much to handle? Just a bit.


    From the doorway, Wang Xueying and Wang Mei watched themotion in bewildered silence. They exchanged nces, clearly wondering if they''d missed some kind of family announcement¡ªor if this was just another typical day.


    As the sisters exchanged confused nces, Wang Xiao finally sighed, "Alright, Wenxi, you''ve hit her enough. Give your sister''s poor head a rest."


    Wenxi froze, betrayed. "Daddy! This is ''our'' fight¡ªdon''t get in the middle!" she protested, clutching her spat with rebellion.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, unfazed. "If you keep whacking her like that, she might actually be dumb¡­"


    Wenxi gritted her teeth, stomping her foot in frustration. "Maybe that''d be better! At least then I wouldn''t have to live with the fact that she got to you first!"


    Yue''s face flushed pink, but she kept her head down, spooning another mouthful of pudding with as much innocence as she could muster.


    But Wang Xiao blinked, surprised. "You know," he said, "she wasn''t the first."


    *!!"


    "Huh?" Wenxi''s jaw dropped.


    "Eh?" Yue nced up in surprise, a spoon halfway to her mouth.


    Both sisters stared at him, equally floored. If Yue wasn''t the first, then who was? Their minds raced through the options. Lan? No way. Yanyan? Also unlikely, since she was practically fighting for her life just to get through a portal at the moment.


    "Daddyyyyyyy! Let me at her¡ªI''m gonna tear her to pieces!" At that very moment, Yanyan, halfway through a small portal, was trying to lunge at Yue, held back only by Wang Xiao''s hand pressed firmly against her forehead. Her eyes were wild, like a hungry ghost.


    Having just learned Yue had not only gotten to Wang Xiao first but had done so in her own room, Yanyan was easily the most furious of them all. She wriggled in his grasp like a trapped beast.


    Wang Xiao gave her a t look. "Calm down, Yanyan. And anyway," he said, keeping a steady grip on her, "the first was actually Fiona."


    "What!?"


    "..."


    "..."


    Silence fell over the room.


    "F-Fiona¡­?" Wenxi repeated, her face a picture of horror.


    Yue, spoon frozen midair, stared at him with a mixture of shock and disbelief. Fiona? That girl, the first? How was that even possible?


    If there were a list of his daughters ranked by who had the best rtionship with him, Fiona would rank deadst.


    Even Yanyan stopped struggling, her jaw dropping in shock.


    Meanwhile, Anran simply looked on with a knowing smile, unfazed.


    Wang Xiao shrugged, unbothered. "If you three have any issues with it, feel free to consult her personally."


    "!!!"


    Instantly, all three girls shivered, their faces going pale, and they shook their heads furiously in unison. ''Consult her personally?'' Fiona only acted like a girl around Wang Xiao.


    To everyone else, she was the reincarnation of death itself, a girl who barely recognized her own siblings, let alone anyone else.


    She had a reputation of pure terror, and the idea of confronting her sent chills down their spines.


    In perfect harmony, all three of them mumbled, "Never mind."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Even though Yanyan had once been the only one able to stop Fiona''s rampage when Wang Xiao wasn''t around, she wouldn''t dare try it again unless her life depended on it.


    She shot a look of reluctant respect toward her father, wisely deciding to let go of her vengeance for the moment.


    But Wenxi? She was not so easily satisfied.


    BONK!


    "Wha¡ª?"


    Another whacknded on Yue''s head, making her whirl around, startled. "Why''d you hit me again?" she cried, looking at Wenxi in disbelief. "Didn''t you hear him? I wasn''t even the first!"


    Wenxi just grinned, a mischievous gleam in her eye. "Oh, I heard. I''m just taking out my frustration¡­ please bear with me, dear sister."


    "Huh?" Yue blinked, stunned. Bear with her?


    Her patience finally snapped. Gritting her teeth, Yue snatched the spat out of Wenxi''s hands.


    But, predictably, the oue?


    A few minutester¡­


    Whoosh!


    "Daddy, save me!" Yue lunged toward Wang Xiao, clutching him in desperation, her eyes brimming with tears as she hid behind him. Wenxi, standing triumphantly behind her, wore the grin of a viin in a drama.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, sighing as he patted Yue''s head. "Alright, everyone, enough bullying her for today. Go on, give her a break."


    Wenxi gave a huff of annoyance, tossing the spat aside, "Fine, I''m done." She crossed her arms, shooting Yue onest re before sauntering off.


    Anran, dusted off her hands and followed.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xueying and Wang Mei, still lurking at the door, exchanged nces, their brows furrowed in utter bewilderment.


    They''d caught pieces of the conversation, sure, but the whole situation seemed so¡­ impossible, they were left questioning reality itself.


    "Sleeping with a sister¡­ that''s already crazy." Xueying thought, her expression one of disbelief. "But¡­ with a daughter?"


    The two sisters backed away from the door slowly, deciding that perhaps some questions were better left unanswered.

 Chapter 619: The Spoiled Kitten!

    "Alright, they''re  gone¡­"


    Wang Xiao sighed in relief, seated at the edge of the bed, and reached out to pat Yue on the back. Yet, rather than letting him go, she only nestled closer, her face buried into his shoulder, clinging to him with all the stubbornness of a spoiled kitten.


    He chuckled softly, already anticipating the days of pampered attention she''d demand. Not that he minded.


    With a gentle lift, he eased her back onto the bed.


    Thud!


    Yue''s arms fell open beside her, her eyes half-lidded and dreamy, watching him with that unspoken, starry look he knew well.


    She was waiting, like a flower waiting for rain.


    "Dad¡­" Her voice was soft, almost a plea.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Wang Xiao''s mouth curved into a grin as he reached down, lifting her shirt slowly, uncovering her smooth skin inch by inch. The cool glow of her bare form beneath his hands felt like touching fine, polished jade. The sight of her left his heart pounding, awed by the graceful beauty before him.


    He leaned down, brushing his lips to her skin, tasting the warmth, the softness beneath him. She drew in a quick breath, her arms finding their way around him, pulling him close.


    "Mmmghhh..."


    Yue''s lips pressed tightly together as a moan slipped free, her arms wrapped firmly around Wang Xiao, pulling him close. After living with him, she knew exactly how to stir him, how to set his heart racing.


    The thrill of being so intimately close to him, feeding him like this, sent a rush through her.


    Even she knew their rtionship was unconventional¡ªstrange, yes, but thrilling in a way that always kept her on edge.


    For Wang Xiao, tasting the sweet milk of his own ''daughter'' felt almost surreal, a sensation that left him lost in a daze.


    Yue''s hand gently caressed his head, fingers weaving into his hair as she whispered, "Dad¡­ Can you keep talking to me? I love hearing your voice¡­" Her face was flushed, her words soft.


    Without pausing, Wang Xiao continued, responding only with a quiet murmur of satisfaction, "Mmm..."


    Yue''s voice, a shy yet eager tone. "I just¡­ I like your voice so much."


    Wang Xiao lifted his head, catching her gaze, a trace of milk glistening on his lips. He smiled faintly, a teasing glint in his eye. "Oh? What else do you like?"


    "Everything," she admitted, her cheeks growing warmer. "I love everything about you!" There wasn''t a hint of hesitation in her voice.


    He chuckled at her earnestness, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he lowered himself, returning to his ''meal''.


    For a brief moment, Yue let out a soft smile, her eyes shining. "For a while, I almost thought you didn''t want me¡­" The thought crossed her mind, surprising her even now.


    The truth was, she never minded his advances.


    If anything, she would have given herself willingly to anything he asked, so long as it meant he would stay by her side¡­


    "Sometimes," she continued softly, "I feel like you spend so much more time with Wenxi... touching her, ying with her... while I''m left here¡­"


    Wang Xiao sighed to himself, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. He hadn''t ignored Yue out of ack of desire; his reasons were moreplicated, rooted in a misunderstanding that had held him back for far too long.


    He thought back to that night, the one that set it all in motion. He had shared his bed with both Yue and Wenxi, each of them nestled beside him, their soft, fragrant forms clinging to him, stirring his mind and tempting his restraint.


    It was too much to ignore, and he couldn''t resist testing his luck.


    First, he reached for Yue, letting his hand drift to her, but the moment his touch met her skin, she had gone rigid, her hand sping his, her gaze meeting his with eyes wide and brimming with tears.


    The innocence, the confusion in her expression held him frozen.


    From that night on, he''d stopped himself around her, no longer daring to cross that boundary.


    Meanwhile, Wenxi had responded differently¡ªoffering silent eptance, a warmth that didn''t push him away.


    Since then, he''d only teased Yue in passing, never going beyond a gentle touch, still haunted by the sight of her tearful gaze.


    But now, seeing her here, her longing, he realized the misunderstanding had only been there because she hadn''t known how to respond.


    She had been as uncertain, as unsure, as he''d been, and they''d both grown up in the shadow of that single misstep.


    A gentle fire sparked in his chest, a determination to finally show her what he''d withheld all these years.


    "Ah¡ªdad¡ªmmmgh¡­" Her moans filled the air as his grip on her tightened, pulling her close, his lips pressing firmly to hers, iming her with an intensity that made her gasp.


    "Mmmghhh¡­" she responded, her voice muffled as he drew her closer.


    The bed creaked beneath them, the sounds of their voices rising to echo through the quiet house.


    Pakh!


    Pakh!


    Pakh!


    Crack!


    The bed shuddered, and with onest thrust, a sharp crack rang out as it finally broke.


    Yue''s eyes widened in disbelief, her body left trembling, her breath shallow and her skin flushed.


    It felt different this time, as if her very mind would shatter beneath his touch, consumed by a pleasure that threatened to overwhelm her.


    By the time he was finished, Yue could hardly stand, her legs quaking as she clutched at him, unable to fully recover from the rush he had left her in.


    He had held nothing back, leaving her entirely breathless, her body still burning from his touch.


    "Good girl... Take care..."


    He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before rising to leave, his form disappearing as he went to find Aurora.


    Yue watched him go, a faint, bittersweet smile on her lips, even as her limbsy heavy, spent.


    Only now did she fully grasp the source of that hollow ache she''d felt earlier.


    Before, it had always felt iplete, as though something essential was missing, like he was holding back, restraining some part of himself from reaching her.


    But now, there was no restraint. He had taken her fully, and her entire being felt as if it were ignited from within, her body sore yet strangely satisfied, filled to the brim with a warmth that left no emptiness behind.


    ncing down, Yue noticed her smooth, fair legs trembling slightly, the signs of his lingering presence.


    She smiled, bemused at the thought that she might not be able to stand steadily for the next few days.


    As he left, a peculiar quiet settled over the room, matching the stillness in her heart. It was a silence that felt profound, as if all the unspoken words and emotions had finally found their ce, leaving her with a strange andforting peace.

 Chapter 620: Rescuing Aurora!

    WHOOSH!


    Through the dense, smoky air above the charred ground, a massive dragon tore across the sky, its scales shimmering like molten metal under the moonlight.


    SWOOSH!


    The creature''s wings sliced through the air with a swift gush, leaving a powerful gust behind, yet Wang Xiao stood unfazed atop it, steady and unfazed.


    In his arms, he held two small dragon cubs, Lanmei and Baixue¡ªprizes he''d managed to "borrow" from Zhenxi while she slept, a feat not easily aplished.


    Now, with the bright moon illuminating their path, all three set their sights on the same destination, a shared purpose guiding their journey through the night.


    BAM!


    A sonic boom exploded behind them as they surged forward, the shockwave shaking the destendscape below.


    After Wang Xiao''sst battle, the once-thriving Hollow Earth was reduced to scorched, barren wastnd¡ªa realm left barely habitable.


    "Are you sure you saw her?" Wang Xiao called out, his voice growling through the roaring winds that whipped past his ears as he stood atop the dragon.


    [Yes!] Aura''s voice echoed in his mind, a firm mental confirmation.


    Over time, Wang Xiao had learned to delegate, allowing those around him to handle tasks while he directed from above. Though he may have looked idle, there were always countless hands working on his behalf. While he moved across the surface, Aura had already tracked down Aurora''s exact location with precision.


    Now, with their target in sight, both he and Aura surged forward, closing in on their destination.


    _____


    Meanwhile, deep inside a damp, musty cell¡­


    Shkkkk¡­


    "It''s gonna fail again¡­ needs more juice. Damn it!" a woman grumbled ¡ª weary ¡ªgrinding a chunk of rock against the wall. The walls were a graffiti of desperate escape ns, half of them angrily crossed out¡ªone spectacr failure after another.


    She squinted at the half-finished doodle, looking like a mad genius on the brink. "This time¡­ it has to work," she muttered, tongue poking out in concentration, eyes zing.


    Seven years trapped in this dingy, soul-sucking artifact-prison, and she was this close to snapping.


    But of course, this wasn''t any old prison. No, she was stuck in some ancient relic that only a sadistic genius like Yuriko would''ve dug up¡ªsomething that held even the worst of the worst back in her era.


    One side of the cell was "open," barred with enchanted metal rods that blocked every single escape attempt she''d thrown at them. And where did Yuriko hide this precious artifact? Oh, just in the depths of a massive underground forest teeming with deadly creatures and golems.


    Probably snickering the whole time.


    And as if that wasn''t enough, this wasn''t even Earth¡ªat least, not the regr one. She was in ''Hollow Earth'', a world-within-a-world with so manyyers of security it''d take a millennium before anyone could even think of finding her.


    Good times.


    Then came the usual shaking.


    BAM! BAM!


    The ground rumbled as chunks of rock dropped from the ceiling. Outside, twisted vines rustled as if they''d just been woken up, their tendrils twitching like they were waiting to devour anyone dumb enough toe close.


    "Another earthquake?..." Aurora groaned as a clump of dust fell on her head. Every few weeks, this ce shook like it was about to copse. And honestly? She was over it.


    "What the hell''s going on out there?" she snapped, running a hand through her tangled hair, looking like a woman on the verge of losing it.


    Seven years normally felt like nothing to her, but seven years in this stale pit? She''d had it. If one more rock fell on her head, there''d be hell to pay¡ªif only there was someone around to actually suffer for it.


    At least it was livable now. Just a few weeks ago, the underground structure had trembled with violent quakes, the walls groaning as if about to copse. Aurora had been sure the entire ce would cave in around her, never suspecting that it was her own "kind" husband''s actions that had nearly brought it all crashing down.


    "How did Naomi manage to survive in prison for millions of years¡­" Aurora muttered, sighing as she adjusted her position within the dim confines of her cell.


    ___


    A few minutester¡­


    "BURN!"


    WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!


    A st of me erupted through the prison corridors, sweeping across the dark stone walls in a roaring wave.


    "Huh?" Aurora''s head snapped up, eyes wide as she caught sight of the ze tearing through the overgrown vines that snaked along the prison walls.


    The fire licked hungrily at the flesh eating vines, igniting each twisted tendril, and as it consumed them.


    SSSSSSSZZZZZ¡­


    The vines writhed and coiled as if alive, their ckened forms shrinking and curling up under the mes'' scorching touch. The thick, oily leaves blistered, popping and shriveling, releasing dark smoke that twisted and curled toward the ceiling.


    SCREEEEEEEECH!


    The mes crawled up the prison walls, engulfing the cursed vines that had wound themselves around every stone surface, like parasites. Screeches filled the air, as if the prison itself were howling in pain, echoing and rebounding through the halls.


    Aurora shielded her face from the st, eyes narrowing as she watched the vines in their torment, finally begin to wither. The fire zed in deep oranges and blues, licking at each tendril consuming everyst trace.


    "What¡­ now?" she whispered, her heart shook, as dread and awe swirled within her.


    CRASH! CRASH!


    Outside her cell, two massive stone pirs¡ªeach over twenty-five meters tall¡ªbegan to tremble, cracks splintering across their ancient surfaces. With a deep rumble, the stones split apart and then rejoined, forming an enormous golem, its glowing fissures pulsating with power.


    Enchanted by Yuriko herself, these were no ordinary rocks; they were walking weapons, each one radiating enough destructive energy to turn a small country to dust.


    The golem rose, towering in the mes, its fiery cracks zing, casting eerie light across the smoldering prison. Then, with a deep roar, it turned its burning gaze toward the smoke-filled corridor ahead, ready to face whatever wasing.


    ROARRR¡­


    The golem''s voice filled the prison, its power radiating outward, and through the thick smoke, a smaller shadow began to take shape, moving steadily toward them.


    Then¡ª


    WHOOOOOOOSH!


    A colossal dragon''s form burst into view behind the shadow, scales glinting in the firelight, eyes glowing with death sentence.


    With a fierce hiss, it reared back, gathering energy, then unleashed a beam of pure force.


    ZZZZZZZAAAP!


    The beam struck the golems head-on, the sheer intensity shattering their rocky forms into shards.


    BAM! BAM!


    SHATTER!


    The enchanted stones exploded into fragments, scattering across the ground in a cloud of dust and debris.


    As the smoke began to clear, Aurora stared, mouth open in astonishment. Her gaze fell upon the dragon¡ªAura.


    The same dragon she''d saved hundreds of millions of years ago, now fully grown, strong, and radiant with power.


    Her heart skipped a beat, the frail creature she''d once protected now towering like a true force of nature.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Aura¡­" she whispered, her voice filled with awe as memories flooded back. She could hardly believe that the weak, fragile dragon she''d once fought to keep alive now looked back at her as a force that could trample the world.


    But then her eyes shifted, her breath catching as the figure behind Aura came into focus.


    It was him.


    As Wang Xiao''s shadow appeared through the haze, her heart hammered, leaving her frozen¡ªcaught between anticipation, disbelief, and a feeling she couldn''t yet name.


    CRASH!


    "Ah¡­ it won''t open like that¡­" Aurora''s voice wavered as she snapped out of her daze, watching Wang Xiao as he reached out and wrapped his hands around the iron bars of her cell, gripping them tightly.


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao paused, ncing through the bars with a flicker of surprise. She was still as striking as he remembered, her beauty untouched by time. Shouldn''t she be an old hag by now? Then he recalled¡ªwith a slight smirk¡ªthat he''d spent an eternity in that graveyard, while for her, only seven years had passed. Of course, the "old witch" had managed just fine.


    Misunderstanding his silence, Aurora added hurriedly, "These bars were forged by the Aegis, meant to hold warriors who defied the throne. You need a key to open it. It''spletely immune to all forms of energy¡ª"


    "¡­"


    Wang Xiao just blinked at her, faintly amused, watching her lips move quickly in worry. She looked almost cute like this, flustered and concerned. He shrugged, dismissing her warning, and tightened his grip on the bars.


    "You''re not listening!" Aurora said, startled, her voice rising. "The more energy you put into them, the stronger the barrier bes! It''ll be impossible to break!"


    But Wang Xiao only grinned, clearly, pouring his energy directly into the bars. Find your next read at m_v l|e-NovelBin


    CRACK!


    The bars began to glow brightly under the force, straining under the pressure, until a loud, splintering sound filled the air.


    Cracks spread across the metal, energy sparking from the fissures as Wang Xiao continued.


    "Wh¡ª"


    Aurora took a step back, eyes wide with disbelief.

 Chapter 621: Witchs Home!

    BANG!


    The iron bars glowed a furious red, snapping apart like twigs under a boot, shards scattering as if burned from the inside out.


    Aurora just stood there, lips parted, staring at the twisted wreck of what was once her prison cell. Her gaze flickered to Wang Xiao, then back to the mangled metal, then to him again, as if she had to double-check he hadn''t sprouted horns.


    "¡­Wang Xiao?" Her voice was barely a whisper, her wide eyes scanning him from head to toe, as though wondering if this was the samezy rascal she once knew.


    Wang Xiao arched a brow, shifting ufortably under her scrutiny. "What''s with the look?" he snorted, a grin tugging at his lips. "You nning to stand here till you grow roots, or are youing along?"


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    Aurora hesitated, ncing between the still-smoldering bars and the smug curve of his smile. She finally huffed, shaking her head in disbelief. "You know¡­ that should have been impossible." Her lips quirked in a reluctant smile. ''Maybe tossing him into the Graveyard of Gods wasn''t such a terrible idea after all.''


    Wang Xiao shrugged, ncing around with a casual air, his gaze skipping over the cell''s details. "Not the kind of ce I''d design for you. You were stuck here for all seven years?"


    Aurora nodded, her expression darkening as she watched him inspect her grim little quarters. "Yes¡­ all seven," she muttered, ncing around as if the walls themselves would confirm her story.


    Noticing her slight unease, Wang Xiao chuckled, tapping one of the bars thoughtfully. "Interesting setup¡­ Not nearly as strong as I''d make it, but clever. It feeds off the prisoner''s energy, keeps itself locked tight with their own power." He tilted his head, lips curling in a crooked smile. "But if I slipped into the astral ne, I''d rip it open without breaking a sweat."


    Aurora shifted ufortably, watching him as if he were some lunatic wandering loose. "Wang¡­ maybe we should leave before Yuriko returns," she murmured, trying for casual but not quite pulling it off.


    He waved her off. "Rx, she won''t be back anytime soon."


    "Oh?" Aurora raised a brow, her curiosity slipping through despite herself. "And why''s that?"


    "Left her in need of¡­ repairs," he said, shrugging as if he''d just mentioned the weather. "She won''t be back until someone screws her head back on."


    "Oh¡­" Aurora blinked, a bit thrown, still processing the thought. ''Did he really just¡­?''


    Wang Xiao straightened, turning back to her with a mischievous glint. "What''s the rush?" he teased, ncing toward the walls. "Afraid you left something embarrassing?"


    Aurora''s cheeks red red. She shook her head a bit too quickly, fighting to keep a serene expression. "No¡­ nothing like that."


    But his gaze lingered, brow arching in a way that said he saw through her. "So, how''d you kill time? Got creative?"


    "Nothing special," she replied, forcing a calm smile, though she could feel a bead of sweat trickling down her neck.


    In truth, the walls held quite the collection¡ªsketches, thoughts, schemes, a hundred failed escape ns. Most were harmless, but a few¡­ let''s just say, not meant for his eyes. Perhaps, he wouldn''t understand thenguage¡­ or so she hoped.


    Wang Xiao let out a sigh, clearly used to her evasions, but there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Seven years should''ve been a blink for someone like you."


    He paused, then shot her a sidelong look. "But if you could break out, why didn''t you?"


    Aurora''s serious expression softened as she replied smoothly, "Because¡­ I knew you''de for me."


    If he didn''t already know her tendency to y innocent, he might''ve fallen for that.


    He chuckled, lips curling in a wry smile. "Oh, really?"


    "Mm¡­" Aurora nodded, though her gaze darted nervously toward the walls.


    Wang Xiao tilted his head, clearly entertained. "So¡­ about those ''drawings'' on the wall?" he prodded.


    "!!"


    Aurora froze, realizing he''d noticed.


    She tried for innocence. "What drawings?"


    "The one you just erased," he shot back smoothly, not even needing to turn around to catch her sneaky attempt.


    "¡­."


    She held back a grimace, knowing she''d lost.


    There was no point covering it up now.


    Wang Xiao grinned, leaning in close. "Didn''t know you were into that kind of stuff¡­ A prince saving the¡ª"


    "Okay, enough," Aurora groaned, taking a step forward and covering his mouth with her hand, effectively silencing him.


    These were silly things she''d sketched to pass time, and here he was, far more interested in her idle doodles than her borate escape ns.


    It made her wonder if he''d forgotten entirely why he came here.


    Behind them, a low rumble of amusement echoed. Aura, the dragon, snorted, watching the scene with mild, sarcastic disinterest. [What exactly are they on about?]


    WHOOSH!


    The wind swept around them as Aura finally soared through the sky, carrying Aurora and Wang Xiao on her back. As they ascended, Aurora leaned in close, her voice soft and coaxing.


    "Forget what you saw¡­ and ¡ª I''ll take you somewhere special, a ce only I know."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, curious by the sudden promise in her voice. He smirked, sensing a hint of mystery, and decided to y along.


    "Alright," he replied, his smile growing. "deal."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Aurora''s lips curved in a secretive smile, her eyes sparkling.


    _____


    November 17, 2031 ¡ª Midnight!


    WHOOSH!


    A sharp wind sliced through the night as Auranded them within the Okuchichibu Mountains, her dark wings folding around them like shadows unfurling under a silvered moon.


    CRUNCH!


    Frostden leaves crumbled underfoot as Wang Xiao and Aurora stepped into the frigid embrace of the mountain air, November''s breath biting their skin like icy needles.


    The mountain stood silent yet watchful. Shadows sprawled and coiled, stretching over twisted pines that reached toward the heavens like ancient hands grasping for the stars.


    Sparse moonlight filtered through, casting spectral patterns across the forest floor, as though the earth itself held its breath, waiting, judging.


    Aurora''s breath misted in the cold, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mystery. "Follow me," she whispered, her voice like the rustling leaves.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze swept the forest, taking in the crooked trees, bent like elderly sages.


    The wind murmured¡ªa low, mournful sound¡ªrustling through the branches, as if carrying the voice of something old and watchful, stirring from deep within.


    He did not know where she was leading him, but after several paces, it all became clear as she guided him into the shadows of a hidden cavern.


    "¡­"


    "You really don''t hesitate, do you?"

 Chapter 622: Secret Hideout! Auroras Treasure Room!

    "You really don''t hesitate, do you?" Wang Xiao murmured, leaning against the rough-hewn stone wall.


    They were no longer beneath the open sky but within a secret grotto that seemed, impossibly, to be a home.


    Rooms branched out like corridors of a forgotten realm, the cavern aglow with ghostly fireflies that stirred as they entered, their light casting an otherworldly shimmer over strange artifacts and herbs strewn in odd corners.


    The faint scent of incense lingered in the air, mingling with the damp, earthy aroma.


    He could tell at a nce that this was a ce uniquely tied to Aurora. Explore more at mvl


    ''Yes¡­ this is certainly a witch''s home,'' he thought with an inward sigh.


    The caverncked any traditional furniture, but arge, tranquil pool of water dominated half the chamber, its still surface like polished obsidian beneath the glow of the fireflies.


    A flicker of amusement danced in his gaze as Aurora let her cloak slip away, pooling at her feet like a silken shadow. Beneath, her snow-kissed skin glowed faintly in the dim light, bare and unadorned as she stepped forward, her figure as artful and fluid as a brushstroke.


    The graceful delicate curves and slopes that rose like hidden jade hills¡ªcaught the fireflies'' glow, casting soft reflections across the still water.


    A blush of warmth traced her cheeks despite herself, as she moved with the effortless confidence of someone unbound by mortal modesty.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As her form merged with the water, ripples fanned out in silken waves, caressing her as she leaned against the edge, half-submerged in shadow, her gaze smoldering.


    "Not that you would look away, even if I asked," she teased, a sly glint in her eyes.


    Wang Xiao let a faint, challenging smile tug at the corners of his mouth, his tone dry. "This is your idea of a secret ce? I was expecting¡­ more."


    "¡­" Aurora''s eyes narrowed, though the faintest smile yed at her lips.


    She tilted her head,"The true suprise is beyond this door," she said, her fingers lifting to point toward a shadowed wooden door in the far corner¡ªa door veiled by the flickering light, leading deeper into the mountain''s heart.


    Wang Xiao extended his divine sense, expecting a scene of indulgent luxury, yet what he glimpsed sent a spark of surprise through him.


    "What¡­?"


    All four walls of the chamber bore carved alcoves, each filled with glimmering, jewel-toned fruits¡ªrich crimson, deep amethyst, and bright gold¡ªthat pulsed with an otherworldly glow.


    They looked exotic, unfamiliar, and each seemed to hum with a faint, unnatural life force. But at the center of the roomy something even more unsettling.


    A coffin!


    Its dark, rugged surface shone faintly under the firefly light, casting ghostly reflections across the room. The wood was adorned with arcane symbols that seemed to shift and shimmer in the dimness, almost as though whispering secrets only the dead could understand.


    Wang Xiao stared at it, feeling an uncharacteristic chill crawl up his spine.


    He couldn''t tell who¡ªor what¡ªrested within.


    Turning to Aurora, his gaze questioned her, but she only smiled, her expression mischievous, as though delighting in his unease.


    "Surprised?" she murmured, a sly glint in her eyes, her brows lifting in innocence.


    "You¡­ Why would you keep something like this here?" he muttered, exasperation mingling with wariness.


    He had called her a witch in jest before, but now he couldn''t help wondering if there was more truth to it than he''d intended.


    Herughter was soft, teasing, as though she enjoyed every moment of his difort.


    "..."


    "Huh¡ª"


    Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed in mild irritation as he took a step toward her, feeling that perhaps she needed an asional reminder not tough at him so boldly.


    SPLASH!


    Without warning, he slipped into the water, his movements swift. Aurora''s eyes widened in surprise, her voice catching as she tried to stop him, but it was already toote.


    "Wait¡ªMmm!"


    Aurora gasped, her words cut off as his closeness enveloped her. She hadn''t had time to exin that this pool held a unique, sacred energy¡ªits waters meant for pure cultivation rather than indulgence. Now, that thought would have to wait.


    Meanwhile, outside the cave, Aura, the dragon, stood sentinel, her vast form coiled like a protective statue watching over her two "cubs."


    Her amber eyes glowed with quiet approval¡­until a series of soft yet unmistakable sounds began to filter from within the cavern.


    Her nostrils red, and she gave an exasperated snort, lifting her head toward the night sky.


    With an indignant huff, she gathered her wings and took flight, soaring into the heavens, her silhouette a majestic sweep against the moonlit clouds.


    The sight of a dragon winging over Japan that night sparked a frenzy on the news, though no one could guess her reason for departing.


    ____


    A Few Hours Later


    Click!


    "Don''t¡­ eat anything inside¡­" Aurora warned, her voice still rough, each word catching on her breath.


    She shot Wang Xiao a tired but wary look as he dressed and reached for the door of her secret chamber. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair tousled¡ªa rare sight that had him smirking to himself.


    She hadn''t expected him to be so fierce, and now her usual teasing had vanished, reced by a caution he found almost charming.


    "Yeah, yeah¡­" he muttered with a dismissive wave, not bothering to look back.


    He pushed open the door and stepped inside, greeted by a shadowy chamber carved from stone, its rough walls dressed with wooden carvings and strange symbols.


    In the center, that damned coffiny, half-draped in darkness. He barely spared it a nce. No, he''d leave that forter, once she was close enough to give him some answers.


    Right now, his mind was on her little warning about not touching a thing.


    That only made him want to touch everything.


    His eyes traced the walls, each one carved with niches, each niche stuffed with fruits of every color¡ªripe, exotic, their skins like polished jewels in shades of midnight blue, blood red, and dark gold.


    They almost seemed to glow, like they''d been soaked in the light of the heavens. He could feel the faint hum of aether pulsing from them, so subtle it was nearly a whisper, but it was there.


    "Are they filled with aether¡­?" he muttered under his breath, feeling the heat of greed spark inside him.


    Aurora had been hiding some treasures, alright.


    These fruits were practically humming with power.


    He couldn''t help but wonder if the coffin itself held something even more forbidden.


    Without another thought, he reached for a dark purple fruit, its skin smooth as a polished stone.


    He brought it to his mouth and took a bite, feeling the sweet, almost electric juice burst over his tongue.


    Crunch¡­


    "Damn," he murmured, tasting the rich, forbidden sweetnessced with a rough edge that hit just right.


    Ignoring every ounce of sense and her warning, he reached for another, and then another.


    The fruits were too good to stop, each one a different shade of strange and powerful, the vors practically daring him to keep going.

 Chapter 623: Aurora the Stealer!

    "H-How many did you eat¡­?"


    Aurora returned, now dressed in her silken white gown that flowed like morning mist. Her skin held a faint glow, and her scent¡ªa mix of midnight blossoms and cool mountain springs¡ªfilled the room. But when her gaze fell on the scene before her, her elegance almost faltered.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her eyes widened in shock.


    Wang Xiao was mid-bite into another glowing fruit when she appeared.


    He froze, then coughed, trying to look casual. "Oh¡­ not too many. I saved the rest for you." He shrugged, feigning innocence, though remnants of her precious collectiony scattered around him¡ªa full fifth of her store gone.


    Aurora didn''t know whether tough or cry. She''d hoped he''d exercise caution, not devour them like some insatiable beast.


    This left her both amused and annoyed, though the memory of his touch earlier softened her irritation.


    "You''ll die before dawn at this rate," she sighed, shaking her head. "Those aren''t just snacks¡­"


    "Hmph," Wang Xiao scoffed, wiping his mouth. "Pretty sure I can handle it." He gestured to the colorful fruits. "What even are these? They''re¡­ pretty good."


    She hesitated, eyeing him. Slowly, she raised her hand. "Alright¡ªhow many fingers?"


    Wang Xiao raised a brow, smirking at her question. But instead of answering, he gave her an amused look.


    Aurora sighed. "It''s already affecting you¡­"


    Wang Xiao blinked, his lips curving up. "Affecting what?" Without waiting, he reached out, brushing his fingers against her cool cheek. Her scent filled his senses as he leaned in, pressing a soft, teasing kiss to her lips, feeling her breath catch.


    Aurora''s eyes widened, a faint warmth rising to her cheeks. "You¡­"


    He pulled back with a smug grin. "See? Perfectly fine."


    She sighed again, caught between annoyance and something else. "Why are you so careless?" She nced at the scattered remnants of her treasure, clearly reluctant but knowing she had to exin. "These fruits are thest harvest from the Immortal Garden. A single one can extend a mortal''s lifespan by hundreds of years."


    "Hm? That''s all?" Wang Xiao raised a brow, unimpressed. To him, mere life extension wasn''t worth the fuss.


    Aurora''s eyes met his with a calm intensity. "Because¡­ consuming enough grants true bodily immortality¡ªfreedom from illness and even death itself."


    Wang Xiao''s brow furrowed. "So? If it''s just bodily immortality, what''s the harm in me eating them?" He scoffed slightly. "Even Eleanor could manage that."


    Aurora''s lips twisted with a bitter smile. Her voice softened, almost mncholic. "Forget it. Thest time a reckless creature got their hands on these, it was a stupid monkey¡ªate a few, and went on a rampage, wild and intoxicated. These fruits reach into your spirit and twist whatever they find there."


    Wang Xiao nced down at the fruits with a hint of unease. "Intoxicated?"


    "These fruits are thest of their kind," she said, her frustration clear. "I''ve tried countless times to recreate them, but the magic of the Immortal Garden¡­ it''s beyond replication."


    Aurora''s gaze softened, her worry evident. "And you''ve eaten so many¡­ who knows what will happen if it takes hold."


    "Oh." Wang Xiao''s smirk faded, a rare flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "So¡­ that''s actually a problem."


    "..."


    Aurora stared at him in silence, her expression unreadable.


    "..."


    Wang Xiao, equally silent, nced back at her.


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    After a moment, they both looked at each other, a shared thought passing between them.


    "It''s a serious problem¡­ right?" Wang Xiao thought aloud, almost questioning himself.


    Aurora nodded slightly, "Mm¡­"


    She drifted into her thoughts, recalling a time when his going haywire wouldn''t have mattered. But now¡­ if he lost control¡­


    Wang Xiao cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "Cough, never mind that. What''s this thing for?" His gaze shifted to the ominous coffin lying at the center of the room, almost as if it were waiting.


    Why was it just¡­ lying there?


    "It''s a skull¡­" Aurora said with a mysterious smile, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. This was the real surprise she''d been holding back.


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao looked at her, intrigued, his gaze following her movements as she, without any further warning, reached out and removed the coffin''s heavy lid.


    CRASH!


    The ancient coffin''s lid hit the floor, the sound echoing through the chamber like a thunderp. Insidey an ominous, weathered skull, dark as midnight, etched with intricate, glowing runes that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. Shadows danced over its surface, giving it a sinister, almost sentient quality.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed as he took in the sight, a blend of intrigue and unease settling in his chest.


    Aurora''s expression turned grim, as if the room''s temperature had plummeted.


    "This is¡­" He took a deep breath, the uneasiness growing. The skeleton wasn''t just any relic; it was a seven-foot-tall skeleton, radiating a dormant strength that seemed to pulse, like an echo from the past.


    Even after centuries, traces of aether clung to it, far surpassing the energy in all the fruitsbined. Just how powerful had the original being been?


    "It''s Aegis," Aurora said, dropping the revtion like a thunderp.


    "Huh?" Wang Xiao looked at her in shock.


    The Emperor Aegis?...


    The one from hundreds of millions of years ago?


    The one she had once been betrothed to during the Pangean Age?


    Aurora seemed prepared, her gaze clear as she continued. "After the battle, he was defeated, and this¡­ this is his skull. I stole it, along with a few other things."


    "You¡­ stole? And what other things?" Wang Xiao''s confusion grew, trying to piece together her intentions.


    Something about this didn''t feel right at all.


    A shadow crossed his mind, a doubt he''d long buried but that now resurfaced with disturbing rity. She wouldn''t¡­ she wouldn''t be asking me to possess this skull, would she? Did she somehow believe he was Aegis, reborn?


    His expression darkened. He''d thought he understood her, trusted her motives, but seeing the resolute look in her eyes unsettled him. Had she approached him with this n in mind all along?


    While he wrestled with his suspicions, Aurora casually closed the coffin lid, her small hands moving the heavy stone with surprising ease.


    Without a word, she walked past him, heading toward the wall behind him.


    It seemed like she was approaching him, but her focus was on something else.


    Reaching the wall, she pressed her hand against it, and a section of it sank inward, revealing a hiddenpartment.


    "This is another thing I salvaged that day¡­" she murmured, her voice a mix of nostalgia and anticipation.


    "Uh¡­ why are you standing in the corner?" Aurora asked, tilting her head in bewilderment as she watched Wang Xiao press himself against the far wall with a tense expression.


    But from Wang Xiao''s perspective, the scene was entirely different. Aurora was gripping the hilt of a sword with one hand, casually tapping the de against her other hand as if it were some harmless toy.


    His divine senses red, urging him to keep his distance.

 Chapter 624: Suspicious Aurora!

    "Uh¡­ why are you standing in the corner?"


    This woman, standing there with a sword in such a careless posture, right after revealing a dead emperor''s skeleton¡ªhonestly, even Buddha himself would have lost patience by now.


    "Just exin from there¡­" Wang Xiao asserted, his tone firm.


    Aurora blinked, ncing down at the sword resting casually in her hand, then back at him. "Really?"


    Her first reaction was disbelief, a faint smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth.


    "Just¡­ stay there." Wang Xiao held up a hand to keep her froming closer, a cautious smile barely masking his wariness.


    He liked women, sure¡ªbut he valued his life even more. If life had taught him anything, it was not to dive into holes whose depths he couldn''t measure...


    And right now, Aurora, with that sword in hand and that unreadable look in her eyes, felt like a bottomless chasm.


    "Whatever¡­ keep it. It might help you," Aurora said, slightly exasperated by his skittishness, and tossed the de toward him.


    SWOOSH!


    Wang Xiao instinctively caught the hilt, his initial reaction one of bewilderment, which quickly morphed into surprise as he felt the de''s aura.


    "This was the weapon used by Aegis''s enemy to kill him," Aurora exined, her voice echoing through the silence. "It severed his soul, altered its structure¡­ an irreversible cut into the spirit itself."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened. Aegis''s skeleton and his killer''s de¡­ both in her possession? Just how powerful were these items, and why did she have them?


    ''Who was this woman, really?'' The thought sent a chill through him. Could she have been pulling strings even hundreds of millions of years ago? Was she somehow¡­ involved?


    His gaze turned suspicious, his thoughts spiraling. Have I ended up with a killer for a wife?


    Aurora noticed his wary look, and for once, she actually looked embarrassed. "I''m innocent¡­" she started, as if to exin herself, but seeing the doubt in his eyes, she shook her head, realizing her words might only make it worse.


    "Wait¡­ you mean Aegis was killed?" Wang Xiao finally grasped her words and looked down at the de in his hand. If this de had truly severed Aegis''s spirit, then shouldn''t that mean¡­ he waspletely gone?


    "Yeah¡­" Aurora muttered, a hint of exasperation in her tone. Hadn''t she already said as much?


    "So¡­ you''re not trying to revive him?" Wang Xiao asked cautiously, still eyeing the de as if it held some hidden threat.


    Aurora''s expression shifted to one of pure bewilderment, her gaze practically asking, ''Why would I?''


    "But¡­ Athene¡­" Wang Xiao muttered, wondering if that woman had just been stirring up trouble.


    "Athene what?" Aurora''s eyes narrowed, her posture shifting as a spark of suspicion shed in her gaze. It seemed someone had been feeding him ideas.


    Noticing her reaction, Wang Xiao shrugged, feigning innocence as he recounted Athene''s words, painting himself as the unwitting bystander and subtly shifting the conflict toward an Aurora vs. Athene scenario.


    "That woman!" Aurora''s face flushed with disbelief, unable to hold back her frustration. She could hardly stand it, listening to how Athene had been ndering her character behind her back.


    She, who had no real home of her own, now had to endure Athene''s attempts to tear apart what little she''d managed to build here?


    Aurora clenched her fists, her irritation clear, a silent vow to settle this discord clear in her eyes.


    "You¡­ you don''t believe her, right?" Aurora asked softly, her voice carrying the faintest wisp of uncertainty.


    Wang Xiao nodded, his arms circling around her as he pulled her close. "How could I?" he murmured, warm and reassuring. ''Did she think he was so easily swayed?''


    "Mmm¡­" She smiled, snuggling into his embrace, savoring the warmth. But his next words froze her in ce.


    "It''s just¡­ if you knew going into the Graveyard of Gods could kill me, why did you let me?"


    Aurora looked up at him, momentarily speechless. ''So much for trust.'' He shrugged with that innocent look of his, but she could see his suspicion. ''Does he think I''d plot to take him out in his sleep?''


    With an exasperated sigh, she threw her hands up. "It''s not even me who pushed you in!"


    Didn''t he jump in all on his own? And a good woman should support her man''s choices, right?


    Wang Xiao gave a grudging nod, seeing her point. But before he could press her any further, Aurora lifted a hand, cutting him off.


    "Don''t even ask!" She huffed, a rosy blush coloring her cheeks. "Even Immortals make stupid decisions ¡ª sometimes¡­"


    She trailed off, a soft smile tugging at her lips. Though, letting him stay¡­ it might just be the best ''stupid'' decision she''d ever made.


    Her gaze softened as she looked into his eyes, feeling her long-frozen heart stir. She had a thousand reasons for letting him into her life, a thousand excuses she''d whispered to herself.


    But if she were honest¡­ it was all a whimsical, foolish mistake.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    She smiled to herself, remembering that night¡ªa memory she''d never admit out loud.


    Naomi was hiding in him, and on that fateful evening, she''d nned to obliterate them both.


    But a fleeting, random thought held her back.


    ''Let him do whatever he''s doing¡­''


    Stupid, right? But somehow, it felt right in that moment.


    She had no real threat from him. After all, living so long can twist one''s mind a bit.


    She''d seen it in herself¡­ and in him too, with his reckless chocies¡ªdevouring her precious fruits without a second thought, even if it was the worst survival choice possible.


    It was the kind of foolishness that made him both infuriating and oddly endearing.


    Yet somehow, the ridiculousness of it all had softened her. She''d even let him "assault" her that day, the memory so absurd it made herugh even now.


    How could he have looked cute, trying to take liberties with her, mistaking her for a mere service girl?


    Only someone with a strange, twisted mind like hers could look back on that day fondly. She nced at him again, marveling at how that silly mistake had grown into something so¡­ real.


    Now, this guy could actually take liberties with her if he wanted, and she''d be helpless to stop him. Oddly enough, that didn''t bother her at all.


    Watching her flushed face, Wang Xiao grinned, cupping her cheeks between his fingers. "Haha¡­ I knew it. How could my little wife be so dangerous?"


    Aurora rolled her eyes at his cockyughter. And what about him practically jumping back when she pulled out the sword? A bitter smile tugged at her lips.


    Honestly, it was for the best¡ªif he was too trusting, it''d be his downfall, especially with that bad habit of his: putting himself, and certain other things, into every beautiful "hole" he came across.

 Chapter 625: The Truth of the World!

    "Wang¡­"


    "Stopughing¡­"


    "I''m serious!"


    Aurora''s voice trembled with both embarrassment and frustration, but Wang Xiao was already grinning like a rogue. His hands roamed shamelessly over her soft, delicate body as they sat on the cold stone floor. Her freshly cleaned gown was now crumpled, dirt smeared on it as he indulged himself.


    "Hey¡­ c''mon," he teased, his tone dripping with mischief as he leaned closer. "We should just do it here¡­ right by Aegis''s grave. Don''t you think it''s fitting?" The thrill of the forbidden¡ªdefiling her in such a space¡ªlit his eyes with a wicked spark.


    Aurora''s face turned a deep crimson, her thoughts spinning at the indecency of his words. "You...!" she sputtered, swatting his hands away as she pulled her gown back down. But her shaky resolve betrayed her, and he noticed.


    "What''s the problem? A little history in the making, right?" His grin widened, and his words sent a chill down her spine¡ªnot because of fear, but the dangerous temptation of his words, "Imagine the stories they''d tell if they knew."


    "Stop!" Aurora''s voice rose, her tone a mixture of exasperation and shame. She ced a firm hand on his chest, pushing him back as her breathing quickened. "I mean it. This is serious. Will you listen for once?"


    "Hm?" Wang Xiao raised a brow, his attention only half there as he grinned at her flushed face. Between her reactions to his earlier suspicions proving false, he wasn''t exactly in the mood to take things seriously.


    "Serious?" he repeated, "We''re sitting on cold stone, surrounded by ghosts of the past, and you''re thinking serious thoughts? What could possibly be that important right now?" He leaned backzily, his expression daring her to exin.


    Aurora''s expression hardened, her earlier embarrassment melting into something more somber. The flush of her cheeks dimmed as her gaze met his with a sincerity that pulled him from his arrogance.


    "It''s really important¡­" she said softly. "I need to tell you about the truth of this world¡­ the truth about us, where we came from, and the beginning of everything."


    "!?"


    Her words erased thest of Wang Xiao''s smirk. His teasing demeanor vanished as he sat up straighter. "What are you talking about?"


    Aurora hesitated, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words came. Her eyes searched his face, as if daring him tough or mock her again.


    But this time, his gaze was steady.


    She drew in a deep breath, her voice growing stronger.


    "Do you ever wonder why this world feels¡­ broken?" she began, her tone calm but heavy. "Why the heavens above seem so distant and cold, and the earth below feels barren? It''s because this ce¡­ isn''t a home. It''s a prison."


    "A prison?" Wang Xiao echoed, his tone stunned.


    Aurora nodded solemnly. "Our ancestors weren''t born here. They were exiles¡ªcast out from other worlds and banished to this wastnd to mine aether. Back then, this universe overflowed with it. Gxies thrived on its energy, and civilizations flourished. But the otherworlders¡­ they drained it dry. And when nothing remained, they discarded this ce like trash, leaving behind prisoners¡ªour ancestors¡ªto rot."


    She gestured to the faintly flickering stars above. "This is their dumping ground, a cosmic graveyard where convicts worked until there was nothing left to harvest. And when thest scraps of aether were gone, the portals were sealed. They abandoned us."


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed . "So, we''re just¡­ descendants of criminals?"


    "Not just criminals," Aurora corrected, her voice softening. "Survivors. Innovators. But yes, that''s the truth. The early humans wandered from to, scavenging for what little aether they could find, desperately trying to tear open the void and return to their homes. But each attempt ended in failure. Each failure brought them closer to ruin."


    She sighed, her gaze heavy with centuries of pain. "Eventually, they settled here¡ªEarth. Thest world with any meaningful trace of aether. Civilizations rose and fell, clinging to the hope of escape. But every one of them made the same mistakes, consuming what little aether was left until even the greatest empires fell."


    "The War of Aegis," Wang Xiao murmured, his voice hollow.


    Aurora nodded. "That war burned through the final reserves. After that, the survivors adapted, turning to psychokinesis to manipte the world around them. But even that had limits. Over time, those with the gift faded away, their bloodlines diluted, their powers diminished. And now¡­" Her gaze bore into him. "Now we''re what''s left. Weak. Dependent on technology to fill the void our ancestors once bridged with their minds."


    Wang Xiao exhaled slowly, his thoughts storming. "And why are you telling me this now?"


    Aurora hesitated, her hands fidgeting in herp. "Because I believe you might be the key. You came back from the Graveyard of Gods, Xiao. You touched aether from beyond this world, something no one has done in millennia."


    He frowned. "What are you saying?"


    "I''m saying¡­" Her voice faltered before she found the words. "I''m saying that the portal you opened¡ªit cracked something. Aether is seeping back into this universe. And it''s because of you."


    Wang Xiao smiled, "So, what now? You want me to lead a grand escape? Is this sword for some heroic battle?" He chuckled darkly, holding up the de.


    Aurora shook her head, her expression serious. "We don''t need a hero anymore. We have aether again. We could live in peace. But¡­"


    "Let me guess," he interrupted, "You''re worried about more than just the hell spirits. Other creatures might slip through too?"


    Her silent nod confirmed his suspicion.


    Wang Xiao leaned back, ''Of course, there''s always a catch. That woman, Hei Lian¡­ even she managed to cross over. It''s not just spirits anymore. And if more powerful beings start arriving¡­''


    His thoughts trailed off. He didn''t need to finish. This universe, however wed, was his domain now.


    If some outer force threatened his reign, all his efforts would have been for nothing.


    Aurora''s voice broke his thoughts. "Do you think I''m lying?" she asked, her tone uncertain.


    Wang Xiao shook his head, his smile dark. "Not at all."


    "??"


    Aurora stared at him, confused. Wang Xiao, however, had already anticipated much of what she said and had begun scheming long before this... Though the part about them being descended from prisoners was new, it wasn''t something he had dwelled on or even considered before.


    "You''re not mad?" Aurora asked, her voice low, almost disbelieving. She couldn''t wrap her head around his calm.


    When she first learned the truth, it had been like fire burning her insides. Trapped in a ce with no way out¡ªhow could anyone stay calm?


    And yet, here he was, acting like none of it mattered.


    Wang Xiao gave azy blink, "Should I be?"


    "..."


    She was stunned into silence. His answer was like a p¡ªnot cruel, but enough to shake her.


    She had thought he''d understand, that he''d feel the same anger as her. But Wang Xiao wasn''t her.


    He wasn''t trapped.


    If anything, he looked amused, like the whole situation was some kind of game.


    "You think he too knew everything?" Aurora said after a moment, her voice quieter, the edge of frustration fading.


    Wang Xiao didn''t answer right away, but his thoughts churned beneath the surface, wild and restless.


    The man in the grave...


    That man had always been a puzzle. He moved without emotion, taking wives for alliances, treating love like strategy.


    His battles weren''t fights¡ªthey were steps in arger n.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    And yet, that same man had faced a foe so strong it had created the legend of Aegis, a weapon even now shrouded in legend.


    What had really happened? What truths were buried with him in that coffin? And had he¡ªcould he¡ªbeen the first to rise from the Graveyard of the Gods?


    The possibility of all of it...


    Aurora''s gaze flickered. She''d heard the stories long after the dust had settled, when Aegis was just another name in history.


    But what if it was true? What if that man had known more than anyone thought, and returned from death itself before anyone else?


    Both of them turned their eyes toward the coffin.


    For Aurora, the coffin was more than a resting ce. It was a vault of secrets, locked tight, mocking her inability to uncover its truths.


    She had been one of the most defiant voices against the marriage agreement, her resistance almost instinctual. Not because there was anything wrong with the man himself¡ªAegis was as much a legend as he was a leader¡ªbut because youth often carries a fire that burns hottest when denied choice.


    Young women, especially, were like unbridled phoenixes; the more one tried to cage them, the fiercer their rebellion became.


    And Aurora had been young then, so very young. Her rebellion wasn''t personal¡ªit was primal. When Aegis fell, she hadn''t mourned. Instead, she had thrown herself into stripping away every piece of his legacy that she could find. To her, his downfall wasn''t a tragedy; it was her victory.


    For Wang Xiao, the coffin was more than a relic of the past¡ªit was a symbol of what he had already surpassed.

 Chapter 626: Smashing Heads?

    For Wang Xiao, the coffin was more than a relic of the past¡ªit was a symbol of what he had already surpassed.


    The man within had once stood like a titan, his name carried on the winds as a force too vast to challenge. But to Wang Xiao, he was no longer a figure of awe, only a shadow cast by a fading legend. The coffin stood as proof that even the mighty would one day fall, and Wang Xiao had no intention of following that path.


    To him, surpassing the past wasn''t just a matter of power¡ªit was inevitability. The world didn''t belong to the dead; it belonged to those strong enough to im it. And Wang Xiao? He had already taken what the man in the grave had left behind and made it his own.


    Rustle... rustle...


    The sound of fabric snapped Aurora out of her thoughts. She nced over, startled, and froze. Wang Xiao had started stripping off his outer robes. His movements were unhurried, his muscles shifting under the dim light like a predator in no rush.


    "Talk''s over," he said with a grin that was half-challenge, halfmand. He leaned back against the coffin, utterly at ease, as if even the presence of the dead couldn''t unsettle him. "Get back to work."


    Aurora blinked at him, caught off guard by his actions.


    She didn''t know whether tough or be angry.


    That smug grin of his¡ªit was infuriating. And yet, it pulled her in like gravity.


    She stepped closer, a shadow of shyness passing over her face. Wordlessly, she sank to her knees before him.


    There was no hesitation, no awkwardness.


    Her slender fingers reached for the heavy length that awaited her, warm and firm like tempered steel in her grasp.


    Slowly, her lips parted, brushing against the tip before taking him into her moist mouth.


    Her warm breath met the heat of his skin before her mouth closed around him, slow and deliberate.


    Wang Xiao let out a low sigh, his head tilting back slightly.


    The tension in his body seemed to melt away, years of weight slipping from his shoulders. His fingers found their way to her hair, threading through it lightly, though his touch carried a quiet authority.


    Power¡ªit wasn''t just about the strength to crush mountains or split seas. It was the ability to control, tomand.


    In this moment, Wang Xiao didn''t feel trapped, didn''t feel burdened by anything. The man in the coffin? The past? None of it mattered.


    The world didn''t revolve around that dead man anymore. He was alive, and this moment was his.


    Aurora moved with steady rhythm, Wang Xiao''s smile returned, his confidence growing with each passing moment.


    A man''s power, after all, was not just a weapon¡ªit was a crown.


    And the woman who stood beside him?


    She was the jewel that reflected his radiance.


    _____n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    21st November, Magic City.


    "Humph!"


    Zhenxi huffed angrily, clutching the two dragon cubs Wang Xiao had "borrowed" from her a few days ago. The fiery glint in her eyes made it clear she was far from forgiving him.


    Wang Xiao scratched the back of his head, his tone light. "I just took them for a few days... didn''t think you''d miss them so much."


    "..."


    Standing at a distance, Aurora watched the exchange with mild curiosity. Her gaze on Zhenxi¡ªa little girl, barely half Wang Xiao''s size, but with a fiery spirit that seemed far too big for her frame.


    A small smile yed on Aurora''s lips. ''His daughter?'' The thought surfaced before she could stop it.


    Slowly, fragments of memory floated back¡ªyes, she remembered now.


    They had a daughter as well...


    Nearby, Fu Yuxin stood stiffly, her expression unreadable, though her eyes betrayed her. Her gaze flickered toward Aurora, standing quietly under the morning light.


    ''His... girlfriend?'' The thought struck Fu Yuxin like a bolt. Unconsciously, her mind began topare them, the way stars might envy the sun.


    Aurora radiated an effortless brilliance that made Fu Yuxin feel small, like she had no ce in the same sky.


    Biting her lip, Fu Yuxin finally spoke, her voice sharp to mask the vulnerability creeping into her heart. "Can you move now? I''m taking her out."


    "..."


    Aurora''s eyes widened slightly, blinking as she studied the girl.


    ''How will he handle this?'' she wondered silently.


    Before Wang Xiao could answer, Zhenxi, still clutching her dragon cubs, piped up with a bold deration. "I''ll go with Dad!" Her voice was cheerful yet firm, her big eyes filled with certainty. She grabbed Wang Xiao''s hand without hesitation.


    Fu Yuxin froze, her face darkening as she stared at her daughter. "Zhenxi, we agreed I''d take you out today."


    Zhenxi barely spared her a nce. "I want to go with Dad," she repeated stubbornly, her small fingers tightening around Wang Xiao''s hand.


    Fu Yuxin''s frustration was obvious. "You.... good! Go with him!" Her lips trembled slightly, but she said nothing more. Instead, she turned on her heel and stormed back inside, the door mming shut behind her.


    BAM!


    As the door mmed shut, Zhenxi flinched, her grip on Wang Xiao''s hand tightening. Her wide eyes darted to him, uncertain.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze flickered toward the door, his eyes narrowing briefly before softening as he looked down at her. "Leave her be," he said, his tone calm, almost dismissive. "Your mother just has... anger issues."


    He ruffled her hair lightly, his touch carrying a casual reassurance. "She''ll cool down soon enough. Let''s go."


    Zhenxi hesitated for a moment but then nodded, her trust in him evident as she clutched his hand tightly.


    Aurora, standing off to the side, raised a brow, watching the exchange. ''Anger issues? That''s putting it mildly.''


    Today was the weekend, and Wang Xiao had nned to take this girl on a dragon ride.


    As for stopping him, they couldn''t. Last time, the officials had already warned Fu Yuxin and Chen Meili. They hadn''t done anything substantial, only inspected a few documents, but the message was clear: stop him from meeting his daughter, and he could easily take custody without any issues.


    As they soared high above the skies of the Qing Dynasty, it was Chen Meili who called and informed Wang Xiao that Zhenxi had to visit school with a guardian today.


    When he asked the reason why, he nearly dropped the phone.


    "She... smashed someone''s head?"


    He nced at Zhenxi in disbelief. She sat atop Aura''s back, smiling and giggling, her innocent joypletely at odds with the usation.


    "¡­?"


    For a moment, he thought she hadn''t heard him. But then, without stopping herughter, she tilted her head, herrge, sparkling eyes meeting his¡ªand nodded.


    His mouth twitched.


    This little girl¡­ smashed someone''s head?


    He couldn''t help but sigh, shaking his head.


    Aurora thought this was the moment Wang Xiao would reprimand Zhenxi for her behavior. Instead, he surprised her by asking, "Did they fight with you?"

 Chapter 627: Devil Zhenxi?

    "Did they fight with you?"


    "Mmm¡­ it''s Lulu. She''s always making fun of you¡­" Zhenxi nodded casually,pletely unbothered. If anyone dared to make fun of him again, she''d dly smash their head once more.


    She certainly didn''t seem to care.


    "Oh?" A sharp glint flickered in Wang Xiao''s eyes. "Why stop at smashing her head? Let''s smash her entire generation."


    "Uh¡­ isn''t that a bit too much?" Aurora''s brows twitched, her voiceced with disbelief. It was a children''s squabble, yet here he was, ready to escte it like a battlefield general.


    Wang Xiao, however, didn''t spare her a nce. With a light pat on the dragon''s back, he signaled it to change course, steering directly toward Zhenxi''s school. "Let''s go meet this ''Lulu'' of yours."


    Seeing him genuinely excited about confronting a child, Aurora sighed in exasperation, rubbing her temples. She could only hope that whoever this ''Lulu'' was, they''d somehow survive the impending disaster.


    ____


    The principal''s office at ''Qinghai Experimental School'' felt like a pressure cooker ready to explode.


    The air-conditioning wasn''t working properly, and the stale air only added to the tension.


    Principal Li Fanghua, who looked like she''d rather be anywhere else, sat behind her oversized desk with an expression that screamed, ''I don''t get paid enough for this shit.''


    Across from her, Dong Feng, the type of guy who wore his expensive suit like armor, leaned forward with an air of authority.


    His tone was sharp enough to cut ss. "This is outrageous, Principal Li. My daughter¡ªmy only daughter¡ªwas attacked! This ''Zhenxi'' kid is a menace, and I won''t stand for it."


    His wife, Lei Xei, nodded furiously, clutching her designer handbag like it was some kind of moral high ground. "A child who resorts to violence like this? Clearly, there''s something wrong with her upbringing. What kind of guardian lets this happen?"


    Principal Li nodded along, already regrettinging to school on a weekend. "I understand, Mr. Dong. Rest assured, we''re taking this matter very seriously. A report will be sent to the school board immediately."


    Lulu, sitting between her parents, fidgeted. She had that ssic bully look: overconfident until shit hit the fan. Now, she was just a kid trying not to get grounded for eternity.


    "She just went crazy!" Lulu piped up, her voice shaking. "I only said her dad doesn''t exist! I didn''t mean anything by it!"


    Principal Li winced. ''Oh, for fuck''s sake, kid, shut up.''


    "You see?" Dong Feng banged his fist on the desk, making the decorative pen holder wobble. "What kind of savage child reacts to a harmlessment like that? This is uneptable. I want that little brat expelled. No¡ªbetter yet, I''ll sue them! I''ll drag them to court if I have to!"


    SWOOSH!


    Before Principal Li could say anything, a low rumble shook the office.


    BAM! BAM! BAM!


    The windows rattled, and everyone froze.


    "What the hell was that?" Lei Xei asked, clutching her handbag tighter.


    Principal Li frowned, getting up to peer out the window. "Probably just construction¡ª"


    Then she saw it.


    A goddamn dragon.


    WHOOSH!


    It soared across the sky like something out of a fantasy novel, its massive wings blotting out the sun for a moment. Its white scales gleamed, and its roar sent shivers down her spine.


    "What the actual fuck¡ª" Principal Li whispered, her usual professional facade crumbling.


    "Oh my god," Lei Xei gasped, scrambling to her feet. "Is that a¡ª"


    "¡ªdragon," Dong Feng finished, his authoritative tone suddenly gone. He looked like someone had sucker-punched him.


    Lulu, now pale as a sheet, croaked, "It''s her. It''s Zhenxi. She told me her dad rides a dragon¡­"


    "Don''t be ridiculous," Dong Feng snapped, though his voice cracked halfway.


    The dragon roared again, a sound that shook the very air. It didn''t stop ornd¡ªit just flew by, casual as a fucking airne, as if mocking everyone watching.


    Principal Li, still glued to the window, muttered, "This can''t be real. What is this schooling to?"


    Dong Feng recovered enough to try and save face. "I don''t care if they ride unicorns or flying pigs. That doesn''t excuse violence! This is about principles!"


    Principal Li turned to face him, her hands trembling just slightly. ''Principles? Principles? Mr. Dong, there''s a goddamn dragon in the sky! Principles don''t mean shit right now!''


    Lulu buried her face in her hands. "She''s going to smash me again, isn''t she?"


    "Oh, don''t be dramatic," Lei Xei said, though her voice wavered. "Principal Li, you have to do something. Call someone! The police, the military¡ª"


    "The military?" Principal Li snapped, throwing her hands in the air. "What do you want me to say? ''Hello, yes, there''s a dragon flying over my school. Could you send a tank?''"


    The dragon was almost out of sight now, its massive form shrinking in the distance.


    Principal Li sank into her chair, her head in her hands. ''Why did I ever take this job?''


    And as the dragon disappeared beyond the horizon, one thought lingered in everyone''s minds: ''What kind of psycho flies a dragon over a school on a weekend?''


    Knock! Knock! Knock!


    At that moment, all of their hearts collectively shook for no apparent reason. The sound was sharp, deliberate, and heavy enough to make everyone in the room pause.


    Principal Li''s brow furrowed. She raised a hand and signaled the doorman, anky janitor who had been standing awkwardly in the corner, to open the door.


    Click!


    The door creaked open, and before the doorman could even fully pull it back, a voice cut through the air.


    "Oh, hi, Teacher Lei¡­"


    It was Wang Xiao, who barged in with the kind of confidence that demanded attention, his sharp eyes immediatelynding on a woman seated near the window.


    Lei Xei, with her dyed blonde curls, fashionable sses, and fairplexion, sat with an air of cultivated indifference that screamed too good for this shit. Her bodynguage¡ªlegs crossed, fingers tapping on the armrest¡ªradiated bitchiness in waves.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed slightly as recognition clicked in his mind. "You are¡­?"


    For a brief moment, Lei Xei looked taken aback. She adjusted her sses, leaning forward to get a better look. "Wait¡­ You''re¡­ Wang Xiao?"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    She blinked, visibly startled. "You''re that kid I taught in¡ª"


    Wang Xiao cut her off with a casual wave, already bored. He ignored her for a second, stepping further into the room as if it was his personal domain.


    Following closely behind him was Aurora, her elegance contrasting sharply with the chaos her presence brought, and then Zhenxi, who marched in like she owned the ce, her smile barely hidden.


    "..."


    "..."


    The room fell into stunned silence.


    Principal Li''s jaw visibly tightened. The Liu family, who had been mid-rant just minutes ago, froze in their seats like deer in headlights.


    Wang Xiao''s lips quirked in an almost-smile as he looked back at Lei Xei. "Fancy seeing you here, Teacher Lei. Small world, huh?"


    His gaze drifted, almost unconsciously, to a man seated near the corner¡ªDong Feng, middle-aged, well-dressed, but with an air of someone trying too hard to appearposed.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed slightly as he studied him, silently confirming what he''d already suspected: it wasn''t Zhao Yang''s father.


    But the sight of Lei Xei brought back memories, and not the fond kind. If his recollection was right, this woman had been tangled up in scandal back in the day. She''d been having an affair with one of his ssmate Zhao Yang''s father¡ªa mess that had been whispered about in the hallways of their school like wildfire.


    Zhao Yang, the same hot-headed kid who had picked fights over every little slight, now possessed by a Hell Spirit.


    Lei Xei blinked again, clearly thrown off her game. "I¡­ I haven''t taught in years. What are you doing here?"


    "Handling some business," Wang Xiao replied casually. He turned his attention to Principal Li,pletely dismissing Lei Xei as if her presence no longer mattered.


    "Principal," he began, "I hear there''s been some trouble with my daughter."


    The mention of "my daughter" made Lei Xei family visibly flinch.


    Zhenxi, now standing beside her father, looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "Daddy...Can I smash her head again?"


    Hiss!


    The room collectively gasped.

 Chapter 628: Young Mistress!

    "Daddy...Can I smash her head again?"


    Hiss!


    The room collectively gasped.


    "Again?" Wang Xiao muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose as he nced at the little girl sitting across from him.


    Her wide eyes darted nervously between him and Lulu, her head wrapped in arge bandage that spoke everything about her previous encounter with his daughter.


    The girl was already cowering, her small hands clutching the edges of her chair as if it might shield her from the inevitable.


    He sighed, leaning back in his chair. ''Great. Just great.'' Thest thing he wanted was to bebeled a child molester for stepping into this mess.


    But then his gazended on Zhenxi, who was sitting beside him with her legs swinging carelessly, looking as innocent as a cherub despite being the reason for all this chaos.


    Wang Xiao smirked faintly. "Well, one kid beating the crap out of another? That''s fair game, right?"


    "Ahem¡­" Principal Li coughed, breaking the awkward silence that had settled over the room. Her stiff posture betrayed her internal struggle. Talking about smashing heads in front of her¡ªthe principal, for heaven''s sake¡ªwhat the hell was wrong with these people?


    She shot Wang Xiao a sharp re, but he seemed utterly unbothered, like this was just another Tuesday for him.


    Click!


    The door creaked open again, and all heads turned toward the neer.


    "Uh¡­ Sorry, everyone. I''mte¡­"


    In stepped a towering man, at least six and a half feet tall, his broad shoulders nearly brushing the doorframe. He looked slightly awkward in his casual jacket, as if he''d dressed in a rush. His eyes scanned the room briefly before he froze.


    Dong Feng, seated stiffly in the corner, snorted in annoyance. His son was alwayste, and this was just another reminder of why he had so little patience for him.


    But Dong Kai''s reaction was far from indifferent. The moment his eyesnded on Wang Xiao, his entire demeanor shifted.


    "Wang Xiao¡­?"


    His voice was filled with disbelief, his expression contorting into something between shock and fear.


    For a moment, it was as if he''d seen a ghost. He rubbed his eyes, as if trying to convince himself he wasn''t hallucinating.


    Wang Xiao leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting casually on his knees. A cold smile yed on his lips. "What''s the matter, Dong Kai? You look like you''ve just seen the Devil."


    "??"


    Principal Li''s eyes darted between the two men, confusion etched into her face. Lei Xei, who had been trying to avoid drawing attention to herself, suddenly sat up straighter, her eyes narrowing.


    Dong Feng, on the other hand, looked unimpressed, though his furrowed brow betrayed some unease.


    Dong Kai swallowed hard, his towering frame suddenly looking a little less intimidating. "You''re¡­ still alive?"


    Wang Xiao''s smile widened, though his eyes remained cold. "Alive and well, as you can see. Surprised?"


    Dong Kai didn''t answer immediately, his gaze flickering toward Zhenxi, then back to Wang Xiao. His hands clenched into fists, but he didn''t dare take a step closer.


    Zhenxi, oblivious to the weight of the moment, tilted her head curiously, tugging on her father''s sleeve.


    "Daddy, do you know this giant uncle?"


    Wang Xiao chuckled softly, ruffling her hair. "Oh, we go way back. Don''t we, Kai?"


    Dong Kai''s jaw tightened, but he forced a stiff smile. "Yes¡­ way back."


    Principal Li, sensing the mounting tension butpletely lost on the context, cleared her throat again. "Mr. Dong, if we could¡ª"


    "Let''s skip the pleasantries," Wang Xiao interrupted, his tone sharp. He stood, his presence suddenly dominating the room despite being a head shorter than Dong Kai. "I didn''te here to reminisce. Let''s get to the point."


    "Young man, being rude at such an early age won''t take you far¡­" Dong Feng sneered, his voice dripping with condescension.


    He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms like he had just delivered the most profound life lesson of the century.


    Wang Xiao didn''t even blink. His expression remained neutral, though the slight tilt of his head betrayed his amusement.


    Dong Feng, mistaking the silence for submission, smirked. "See? Even a brat like you can learn some¡ª"


    BANG!


    The sound echoed through the office, followed by the unmistakable shattering of ceramic.


    "ARGH¡ª!" Dong Feng clutched his head, his face twisting in pain.


    The ornate vase, which had been peacefully perched on Principal Li''s desk moments ago, was now a pile of shards scattered across the floor. The crimson streak running down Dong Feng''s forehead made it abundantly clear where the vase hadnded.


    "...YOU¡ª!" Dong Feng sputtered, his voice rising to a pitch that wasn''t particrly dignified.


    Wang Xiao, still holding the base of the shattered vase with azy grip, smirked. "Oh, sorry about that. My hand slipped. Also," he added casually, tossing the broken ceramic onto the desk, "I''m more interested in going above in life, not far."


    Aurora''s eyes blinked rapidly, as if holding back a smile, while Lei Xei looked absolutely horrified. Her gaze flickered between the blood dripping from Dong Feng''s head and the shards of the priceless vase now scattered across the floor.


    Principal Li shot to her feet, her face pale. "Mr. Wang! That vase was a gift from the Minister of Education!"


    Wang Xiao shrugged, dusting off his hands as if he''d just done a chore. "It wasn''t my style anyway."


    Dong Kai, who had been standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, looked between his father and Wang Xiao, his jaw ck. He sighed heavily and walked over, clearly the only one willing to diffuse the situation.


    "Hey, man," he began, raising his hands in a cating gesture. "Can we just drop this and talk outside? My father isn''t¡­ in his right mind nowadays."


    Wang Xiao turned to him, a brow raised in genuine surprise. "Hm? You never told me Lei Xei is your mother."


    Dong Kai grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. "She''s not. She''s my stepmother. My mom¡­ She died during the Great Reset."


    Wang Xiao paused, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Oh," he said simply, as if that exined everything.


    Without another word, he nodded and stepped out of the room, leaving Aurora behind with a pat on her shoulder to handle the aftermath.


    "..."


    Aurora nced around her¡ªDong Feng clutching his head, Lei Xei still looking like she''d seen a ghost, and Principal Li looking two seconds away from a meltdown.


    _____


    "Hahaha!"


    Wang Xiao burst outughing, the kind of unrestrained, chest-shakingugh that turned heads even in an empty hallway. After hearing Dong Kai''s story, he couldn''t help himself. This guy''s life was a soap opera written by the gods for their amusement.


    "¡­"


    Dong Kai stood there, his face stiff, his fists clenched at his sides. He already regretted spilling his guts to Wang Xiao. Of all the people to confide in, why had he thought ''this'' guy would have an ounce of sympathy?


    Wang Xiao wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, still grinning. "Man, your life is really tragic. I mean, I''ve heard of bad luck, but you''re living proof that karma is a bitch..."


    Dong Kai''s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. What could he say? It was all true.


    Lei Xei, his so-called stepmother, wasn''t just a gold-digger¡ªshe was a professional. She''d started her career as a mistress, specifically to Zhao Yang''s father, back when Dong Kai was still in school. When she got pregnant, the guy must have panicked and dumped her like yesterday''s trash. And Lei Xei, hadtched onto her next target: Dong Kai''s father.


    The poor fool had fallen for her hook, line, and sinker, marrying her without a second thought and, of course, raising her child as his own. That child? Lulu¡ªDong Kai''s stepsister and the apple of his father''s eye.


    And if that wasn''t bad enough, the cherry on top of this tragic cake was that his idiot father had recently updated his will. He''d left almost everything to ''Lulu''. Dong Kai, the biological son, was left with scraps.


    "Your dad''s really something," Wang Xiao said, shaking his head in mock admiration. "Raising another man''s kid and giving her the whole inheritance? That''s some next-level cuckoldry."


    "Shut up," Dong Kai muttered, his voice low and strained. His face was a mix of shame, frustration, and exhaustion.


    Wang Xiao, "You know, I think Lei Xei deserves an award. Most ambitious vixen of the year, maybe? She really yed the long game, huh?"


    Dong Kai clenched his fists tighter, his knuckles white. "I said shut up."


    But Wang Xiao wasn''t done. "Come on, don''t take it so hard. At least you know who the real viin is. Maybe you should start calling Lulu ''Young Mistress'' to get in her good graces."


    That was the final straw. Dong Kai snapped, "You think this is funny?! You don''t know what it''s like to live like this!"


    Wang Xiao didn''t flinch, his smile widening with a casual, almost devil-may-care air. "C''mon, why don''t you just finish off Lulu if she''s the main problem?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "WHAT!?"

 Chapter 629 Dealing with Shura King!

    Wang Xiao didn''t flinch, his smile widening with a casual, almost devil-may-care air. "C''mon, why don''t you just finish off Lulu if she''s the main problem?"


    "What?" Dong Kai froze, his eyes widening as he stared at Wang Xiao. He looked genuinely stunned, as if he hadn''t expected those words to leave the man''s mouth.


    Wang Xiao shrugged nonchntly, his expression unchanging. He''d already anticipated this reaction¡ªthis kind of hesitation was what separated mortals from those who truly ascended. Rising to godhood wasn''t about brute strength or lineage; it was about mindset. A willingness to do whatever was necessary, no matter how extreme.


    But Dong Kai, clearly misunderstanding the glimmer in Wang Xiao''s eyes,ughed nervously. "Man, stop joking. You can''t be serious. And for the record¡ªyour life''s no less tragic than mine."


    Wang Xiao tilted his head slightly, his smile softening, though it didn''t reach his eyes. "You think so?"


    He leaned back, his arms casually crossed, as memories flickered in his mind. He had shared his story before¡ªthe same sanitized version he''d told his mother. About returning back, about the struggles...


    But those memories, were nothingpared to what he''d endured and the choices he had made since.


    Dong Kai wouldn''t understand. Their lives weren''t even remotely simr.


    Wang Xiao nced at the man, the corner of his mouth quirking up as his thoughts darkened. Sure, his life was rough¡ªbut at least Wang Xiao had options. Hell, if he wanted to, he could grab that stepmother of Dong Kai''s, Lei Xei, throw her into a bed with that uptight Principal Li¡ªwho, despite her age, carried herself like she belonged in a luxury magazine¡ªand make it a night to remember.


    Maybe even add Lulu to the mix, just for the hell of it.


    Yeah, his life had struggles too. But his struggles weren''t shackles¡ªthey were stepping stones. Challenges to ovee. Toys to break. Compared to Dong Kai, whose existence was trapped in the web spun by his stepmother and clueless father, Wang Xiao''s path was wide open.


    "No," Wang Xiao said finally, "Our lives might have their simrities, but they''re definitely not the same."


    Dong Kai frowned, sensing the shift in Wang Xiao''s tone but not entirely understanding it. "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    Wang Xiao didn''t bother answering. Instead, he turned and started walking away, his posture rxed as if the conversation hadn''t happened at all.


    "Hey, wait! Since you''re here, why don''t we n a reunion?" Dong Kai called out, his voice echoing slightly in the empty hallway. Most of their old ssmates didn''t even know this bastard was back in town, let alone alive.


    Wang Xiao paused mid-step, ncing back over his shoulder. "Hm? Text me the time and ce."


    His tone was nonchnt, as if he were agreeing to grab coffee rather than meet a group of people who''d probably gossip about him the moment he left. His social contacts hadn''t changed, and if they had, it wouldn''t be hard to track them down.


    Dong Kai nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He watched as Wang Xiao strode back toward the office, exuding that same unshakable confidence he''d always had.


    By the time Wang Xiao returned, Aurora had already handled everything.


    He didn''t ask what she''d done¡ªhe didn''t need to. The subtle smirk on her face, coupled with the utterly defeated expressions of Principal Li, Dong Feng, and even Lei Xei, told him everything he needed to know. Whatever she''d said or done, those people had flipped their attitudes a full 360¡ã.


    "Let''s go," Wang Xiao said simply, taking Zhenxi''s hand. The little girl skipped along beside him, looking as carefree as if they''d just left a park rather than a tense showdown.


    On their way out, they ran into Dong Kai again.


    The man''s gaze flickered between the three of them¡ªWang Xiao, the foreign-looking woman who walked beside him with an air of quiet authority, and the little girl holding his hand. His expression shifted, his brows furrowing as realization struck him.


    "Wait¡­" he muttered, his eyes widening as his brain finally caught up.


    Wang Xiao had a ''daughter''. At the age where most guys were still shuffling between girlfriends or figuring out their careers, this bastard had somehow gone and had a kid.


    And not just that¡ªthe woman beside him was stunning. Incredibly beautiful, with striking features that made her stand out even more.


    She didn''t just look foreign; she looked otherworldly beautiful.


    Dong Kai''s mouth fell open slightly. "You¡ª" He stopped himself, shaking his head with a bitter smile.


    Wang Xiao barely nced at him, raising a brow. "Something on your mind?"


    Dong Kaiughed softly, more at himself than anything else. "Our lives really are different¡­"


    Wang Xiao smiled faintly, his usual air of detached amusement returning as he disappeared from Dong Kai''s view, walking away with Aurora and Zhenxi by his side.


    Dong Kai stood there for a moment, staring at the empty space where Wang Xiao had just been. His mind shook, thoughts of what could''ve been and what was.


    "Yeah," he muttered to himself, the bitter smile lingering. "Definitely different¡­"


    ______


    "He''s the one who captured you?"


    The Shura King''s voice boomed across the skies, a deep rumble that seemed to make even the wind stop. High above the city, he hovered atop a massive bat, its leathery wings pping slow and heavy, like the heartbeat of a giant. His armor was cker than a moonless night, each te shimmering with a dull, menacing gleam.


    Eyes like twin shards of obsidian red down, locking onto Wang Xiao, who strolled below with his daughter and Aurora at his side.


    This was the same warrior who had intercepted Hei Lian, brought her here. Now, he stood tall and unyielding, his presence like a storm brewing, his gaze sharp enough to cut steel. The Shura King wasn''t alone¡ªbehind him, a swarm of Shura warriors floated on their smaller bats, their crimson eyes glowing like embers in the dark.


    Hei Lian hovered nearby, her arms crossed, her lip curled in a half-sneer. She snorted, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Yeah, it''s him. But didn''t Father say we''re supposed to find the strongest warrior first? Not just pick fights for fun?"


    Her tone was sharp, her re enough to pierce even the Shura King''s pride.


    He didn''t flinch. "The strongest warrior of this world? I''ll know him when I see him. And this one¡ª" his gaze snapped back to Wang Xiao¡ª"looks strong enough to bleed."


    Hei Lian''s scowl deepened. ''Idiots.'' The Shura King''s hot temper had always been a problem. Her father''s orders had been clear: find the strongest, but don''t make a mess.


    Yet here they were, ready for chaos above a human city like a scene straight out of a nightmare.


    Still, a part of her, a small part she wouldn''t admit to, wanted to see Wang Xiao suffer.


    That cocky bastard had captured her, humiliated her. Now, these trained Shura warriors would show him what real power looked like. Even if he survived, he''d learn his ce.


    Her lips twitched into a faint smile. ''Let''s see how your arrogance holds up against them''


    SCREECH!


    The Shura King''s bat screeched, its voice a high-pitched wail that sent shivers down even Hei Lian''s spine. Around him, the smaller bats followed suit, their cries filling the air like a war cry.


    Below, oblivious to the tension building above, Wang Xiao walked casually, his daughter skipping at his side.


    Aurora kept her usual calm, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings, sensing the faint tremors of hostility in the air.


    "They''ve been hunting him for weeks," Hei Lian muttered, her voiceced with irritation. "And now they finally find him."


    Her gaze dropped to Wang Xiao, his carefree stroll like he owned the ground beneath his feet.


    She clenched her fists, her frustration bubbling over. Coming all the way from Purgatory, crossing worlds to reach this ce, she never imagined she''d be bested and captured.


    Yet here she was, left to hover in the shadow of her own defeat, watching this like a reluctant spectator.


    The Shura King''s voice echoed, loud and sharp. "Prepare the swarm."


    Hei Lian sighed, her irritation now mixed with dread. This wasn''t going to end cleanly, and she knew it. If her father found out about this mess, there''d be hell to pay. But for now, all she could do was watch.


    ''Let the fool learn the hard way,'' she thought, her smile returning.


    And Wang Xiao? He didn''t even look up.


    "Going somewhere?"


    "!!"


    "!!"


    The voice echoed through the air like a p. The Shura King, mid-motion to descend, froze. Hei Lian stiffened too, her head snapping downward.


    Wang Xiao was still strolling below¡ªor so it seemed. But when they turned, they saw him somewhere else entirely.


    He was standing on one of their bats, right next to a Shura soldier who hadn''t even noticed him yet. The soldier flinched as if realizing toote that the Reaper hade knocking.


    SWISH!


    The de came down fast, no hesitation.


    SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!


    Blood sprayed wide as the Shura warrior''s body split clean down the middle, the halves tumbling into the sky.


    No scream, no time for one.


    Everything went quiet.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 630 One against the whole Army!

    "..."


    "..."


    "So many¡­"


    Aurora arrived, her expression serene, though her sharp eyes narrowed as she took in the swarm of Shuras encircling them. Their numbers ckened the skies, each warrior radiating an aura of power that rivaled immortals like her. Yet there was something profoundly unsettling about them.


    "They don''t have immortal souls," she murmured, "Just the strength to mimic one."


    At the heart of the encroaching army, the Shura King stood atop his colossal bat. The beast''s leathery wings stretched wide, their shadow swallowing the faint light.


    His obsidian armor shimmered with a sinister energy, his eyes two gaping voids fixed coldly on Wang Xiao.


    The Shura King spoke, his voice a symphony of grinding sybles. "Rraakh-toh''shh¡­ Ul-karesh¡­!" The alien tongue reverberated, its harsh tone like shards of broken ss scraping against stone.


    "What''s he saying?" Wang Xiao didn''t bother hiding his indifference, his gaze flicking briefly to Aurora.


    She gave a small shrug. "Probably something like, ''Kneel or die.''"


    "!!"


    The Shura King snarled, roaring anothermand in his iprehensiblenguage. "KLAHHH-VOR''SAHH¡­ VORTHH!" The alien sounds mmed and his army surged forward at once.


    FWOOOSH! Their movements tore through the sky, wings beating with a thunderous WHUMP-WHUMP-WHUMP as they readied for the kill.


    Before they could act, Hei Lian, hovering nervously nearby, tapped the Shura King''s shoulder.


    "What?" he snapped, his voice filled with irritation. "Two people. What can they do?"


    Hei Lian''s lips trembled as she pointed downward. Her voice cracked. "Look¡­ around¡­"


    The Shura King''s head snapped toward the horizon, and his eyes widened.


    "!!"


    From the shadows of the earth and the mist rolling off the far mountains, countless glowing eyes began to emerge.


    Kekek...


    Hundreds¡ªno, thousands¡ªof them. Cold, unholy light pierced the air, and the silhouettes of monstrous figures began to take form.


    Humanoid shapes, and unnatural, with movements as fluid as shadowed smoke and as silent as death itself.


    RUMBLE¡­ The sky shook beneath their presence.


    Their auras pressed down like a leaden fog, making even the powerful Shuras falter.


    "Not good¡­" The Shura King''s voice cracked.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curved into a grin, his tone mocking. "Didn''t anyone tell you? When you hunt, make sure you''re not the prey."


    WHOOSH!


    The shadows surged forward, a tide of ck rage that collided with the Shura army.


    The first wave of Shuras screamed as they were torn apart. "AAAAHHHH!" One soldier''s chest caved in with a CRUNCH as a wed fist ripped through his ribcage, blood spraying in crimson arcs.


    Another warrior''s bat shrieked as shadowy talons shredded its wings mid-air, sending it spiraling downward with a high-pitched¡ªKEEEEEE!¡ªThe moment it hit, shadow creatures pounced, tearing flesh and snapping bones.


    SNAP-CRACK.


    "ARGHHHH¡ª"


    "Ugh...sa¡ª!"


    Their cries of desperation dissolved into blood.


    Above the massacre, Aura transformed, her massive draconic form towering over the battlefield. "ROOOOAAARRR!" The deafening roar shook the heavens, and her mouth opened wide.


    Torrents of ice me erupted with a searing FWOOM that reduced Shuras and their mounts to vapours in an instant.


    BOOM! A bat exploded mid-flight, its rider''s charred remains tumbling into the bloody mess below.


    Hei Lian hovered above, paralyzed by the scene before her. She''d never seen anything like it. This wasn''t a battle¡ªit was a ughter.


    Her gaze flickered to Wang Xiao. Back when she''d faced him in Hollow Earth, she''d thought him powerful¡ªuntouchable, perhaps ten levels above her. But now? Now he was untouchable in a way that defied understanding.


    If that Wang Xiao was ten levels above, this one stood a thousand above her reach.


    Sheughed bitterly, her voice trembling. ''I really thought bringing battle-hardened soldiers would give us a chance.''


    Below, the Shura King howled in frustration, his fury boiling over. "GRAHHH! VRAL''KOTH HHHAKH!" He stomped on his bat, which screeched in response, spitting streams of molten fire.


    He raised an obsidian spear crackling with dark energy, ready to unleash its power.


    But before he could act¡ª


    BOOM!


    A sonic explosion erupted as Wang Xiaounched upward, moving faster than the eye could follow. In one fluid motion, he seized the Shura King by the face, his grip like iron.


    "RRRRRAHHHH!"


    The King screamed as Wang Xiao''s fingers dug deep into his flesh, blood spurting with every movement.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The Shura King''s bat disintegrated into a mist of blood and gore, raining down on the battlefield in a gruesome shower.


    WHOOSH! In the blink of an eye, Wang Xiao shot into the heavens, dragging the Shura King like a ragdoll.


    The sky tore open as they broke through the atmosphere.


    Wang Xiao''s flight ended on Mars, mming the Shura King into its rocky surface with earth-shattering force.


    CRAAAAAASH!


    The impact split mountains and sent shockwaves rippling across the, clouds of red dust spiraling upward.


    The Shura King''s body skidded across the ground, his blood painting the barrennd.


    Wang Xiaonded softly, his steps eerily calm as if he hadn''t just hurled an immortal across the stars.


    His voice was cold, devoid of emotion. "You came to fight. So fight."


    The Shura King groaned, his armor cracked, his vision blurring. But his rage burned hotter than ever. With a roar, he activated the orbs embedded in his armor.


    "VLOR''SAKH-RAHHHHH!" Dark smoke erupted outward as the orbs surged toward Wang Xiao.


    ______


    Meanwhile, back on Earth, the massacre continued.


    "AHHH¡ª!"


    "ARGHHH!"


    The once-proud Shura army was reduced to chaos, their bodies obliterated by Wang Xiao''s shadow beasts or incinerated by Aura''s mes.


    Hei Lian remained motionless, her faceplicated. Even Aurora, who rarely showed surprise, watched the battlefield in stunned silence.


    Her lips parted slightly as her gaze followed Wang Xiao''s figure vanishing into the stars.


    Her voice was soft, almost inaudible, as she whispered, "... He handled it all by himself."


    Aurora had thought about calling for backup, maybe even assembling a whole damn army. But then she saw it¡ªWang Xiao ripping through the Shura forces like they were made of paper. She couldn''t help but shake her head.


    "An entire army of immortals," she muttered. "And he''s shredding them like weeds."


    Her sharp gaze flicked upward to where the Shura King had stood moments ago. "Thatmander''s probably on Yuriko''s level... except he doesn''t have her scars or her years. No battle history to back it up."


    She sighed, her lips curving into a faint, bitter smile. Somewhere deep down, she felt a pang. It wasn''t jealousy¡ªit was the cold realization that she wasn''t needed anymore. Wang Xiao had outgrown her, climbed far past where she stood.


    "You!"


    The sudden shout pulled her from her thoughts. Aurora turned, her calm demeanor unshaken as Hei Lian stepped forward, mes crackling around her like a sun about to explode.


    Hei Lian wasn''t thinking anymore¡ªshe didn''t have time to. Shit had hit the fan, and the n, whatever the hell it used to be, was long dead. They weren''t supposed to attack Wang Xiao. Hell, they weren''t supposed to attack anyone. But the Shura King had screwed it all up, and now there was no fixing it.


    Her target? Aurora.


    Not as strong as Wang Xiao, not surrounded by his hellish shadows, just... there. Easy pickings.


    mes surged around Hei Lian, their heat roaring with her desperation. She had to act. Now or never.


    Aurora raised an eyebrow, her sharp eyes meeting Hei Lian''s. A faint smile yed on her lips.  "Not the decision I''d make¡­"


    "..." Hei Lian hesitated for a fraction of a second, scanning the chaos around them. The shadows were still busy tearing the Shuras limb from limb, Wang Xiao was gone, and there was no immediate threat.


    Perfect.


    WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!


    Just as Hei Lian''s mes roared toward Aurora, the air behind thetter seemed to split open.


    BAM!


    Whizzzzzz!


    Golden swords. Millions of them. They materialized like a sea of stars, each one glowing with a divine radiance that turned the sky into a dazzling inferno. Together, they formed a colossal shield, the sheer brilliance of it casting light so bright that even from the ground, thousands of kilometers below, people shielded their eyes and stared in awe.


    Hei Lian''s mes faltered. Her confidence cracked.


    And then ''she'' appeared.


    Athene.


    Stepping forward like the queen of some ancient battlefield, Athene didn''t hesitate. No words, no grand promations¡ªjust a wave of her hand, sending the entire swarm of golden des hurtling toward Hei Lian.


    WHOOSH!


    Hei Lian flinched, but she wasn''t about to fold. mes surged from her once more, burning brighter than the sun.


    Power exploded outward, meeting the oing storm head-on.


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    But power wasn''t enough. Not against Athene. Hei Lian had strength, sure¡ªshe could burn down mountains if she wanted¡ªbut she didn''t have the scars, the instincts, the battle-worn rage of someone who''d fought for countless eons.


    WHOOSH!


    She braced herself for the sh, for the storm of des that would undoubtedly overwhelm her. But then...


    Something cold.


    The sensation slithered up her neck, sharp and icy, making every hair on her body stand on end.


    "You wouldn''t wanna move~"


    The voice was sweet, too sweet, like honey with poison.


    "!"


    Hei Lian froze.

 Chapter 631 All Guardians — Dead!

    "You wouldn''t wanna move~"


    The voice was sweet, too sweet, like honey with poison.


    "!"


    Hei Lian froze.


    Swooshhhh... Her mes dimmed, instinctively recoiling as if they, too, felt the danger. Slowly, she turned her eyes, and what she saw made her blood run cold.


    Behind her, a portal had opened silently, unnoticed amidst the chaos. A hand¡ªno, not a hand, something wrong, something twisted and ck as sin¡ªemerged from the void. Mist-like cold fingers stretched toward her, brushing against her neck.


    Her mes roared, trying to burn it away, but the hand didn''t flinch. It ignored her fire entirely, as if it wasn''t even ying by the same rules of existence.


    Hei Lian''s throat tightened. She couldn''t move, couldn''t think. Her eyes darted to the woman standing in front of her¡ªAthene, her cold gaze¡ªand to the glowing swords hovering like a storm, waiting to fall.


    And then, behind her, that voice again, soft and mocking:


    "Good girl. Stay still."


    Hei Lian''s lips tightened. "..."  Her mes flickered once, twice, and then extinguished. She sighed, a sound of defeat and resignation, her shoulders slumping slightly as if surrendering.


    The golden shield behind Aurora slowly dimmed, the brilliance fading into the cloud.


    But down below, the world was anything but silent.


    Images and videos of the battle had already flooded social media. Clips of shadows tearing through the Shura army, Aura''s mes consuming everything in their path, and, most strikingly, the massive golden shield illuminating the skies.


    It was chaos online.


    The government, however, stayed silent¡ªno statements, no coverage, nothing. It was like they were trying to smother the story before it could catch fire. But how could they? The image of the glowing shield had already gone viral, turning into a symbol of mystery and awe.


    _____


    At home, in Wang Xiao''s quiet living room, chaos had a face.


    "Hey, where''s your dad?" Wang Xueying stood in front of Wenxi, her voice tense, her expression tight with worry.


    Wenxi, curled up on the couch with a book, nced upzily. She shrugged. "How should I know?" Her tone was light yet sweet, almost dismissive.


    Wang Xueying blinked. "..."


    She clenched her jaw, pulling out her phone and shoving it in Wenxi''s face. On the screen was the image of the golden shield glowing above the city, majestic and otherworldly.


    "Above the city, these weird things were happening," she said, her voice rising with frustration. "I think it''s rted to Xiao. And he''s not picking up his calls! Call your mom and ask her where he is¡ªshe should know."


    Wenxi tilted her head, her gaze finally settling on the phone. Her eyes widened slightly in recognition. "Oh," she said, almost casually. "It''s from Athene."


    Wang Xueying''s eyes narrowed. "Who the hell is Athene?"


    For a second, Wenxi looked hesitant, her lips twitching as if holding backughter. It was funny, watching her aunt spiral into worry over something she wasn''t even remotely concerned about.


    Wang Xueying''s frustration deepened at Wenxi''s reaction. Why weren''t these girls ever worried? Did they even have hearts? Are these kids even filial?!


    "You''re all so useless..." she muttered under her breath, shaking her head as Wenxi smiled quietly to herself.


    ____


    Meanwhile, the world''s space research organizations were losing their collective minds.


    Mars had been behaving¡­ strangely for hours. First, seismic activity spiked, though it shouldn''t have. Then came the dust storms¡ªviolent enough to cover the entire. Telescopes strained to catch any details, but every feed showed the same thing: destruction.


    And then, just as suddenly as it started, it stopped.


    What was left behind wasn''t Mars anymore. Experience more on empire


    The surface was obliterated¡ªmassive craters the size of entire countries, mountain ranges shattered into rubble, and deep, gaping wounds torn into the, exposing its core. It was a scene ripped from post apocalyptic movie.


    The reports came in rapidly:


    "Mars¡­ it''s¡ª"


    "It''s not Mars anymore."


    "We''ve never seen anything like this. It''s¡ª"


    Confusion, theories¡ªall pouring in at once. Scientists scrambled for answers, but nothing made sense. Whatever had happened, it had reshaped an entire, leaving behind destruction on a scale they could barelyprehend.


    And amidst it all, one name whispered in the halls of power: ''Wang Xiao.''


    ____


    November 23rd¡ªTwo Days Later


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Wang Xiao stirred in his massive, luxurious bed, the silky sheets barely rustling across his body as he groaned and stretched. It had been two grueling days of nning, cleaning house, and dealing with treachery, but he''d finally caught a moment to rest¡ªor so he thought.


    The sound of something heavy hitting the floor snapped him awake.


    "??"


    His sharp gaze locked onto the bundle rolling across the polished floor¡ªheads. Severed heads wrapped in blood-soaked cloth.


    He sat up, his cold expression softening slightly when he saw her. Ji Xuehong stood near the edge of the bed, her red hair glowing like a me in the dark. Her eyes gleamed, but there was a faint smile at her lips.


    "You killed them all?" he asked casually, though his voice carried a tone of approval.


    "Mm." She nodded, wiping a speck of blood from her cheek with the back of her hand. "All five, except Maliketh...He''s hiding well."


    Wang Xiao''s gaze flickered to the severed heads. These were the guardians who had dared to work against him in the shadows, sowing discord while he dealt with external enemies. He hadn''t expected Ji Xuehong to find them so quickly, let alone kill them all without drawing attention.


    He nced back at her, noticing the faint pride in her posture. Waiting for praise, was she?


    With a faint smile, he leaned forward, brushing his lips across her cheek. Ji Xuehong''s eyes closed briefly, her expression softening. She didn''t flinch, didn''t react to the grisly remains lying just meters away.


    The severed heads could wait¡ªthis was her moment.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Wang Xiao''s thoughts, however, were already elsewhere. He didn''t even nce toward Renji''s lifeless head¡ªwhy would he?


    That relic of a guardian had already fulfilled his purpose.


    Now, it was time to finish what Renji couldn''t: removing thest remnants of disloyalty.


    "These new guardians¡­ They''re be too bold," he muttered. "Toofortable plotting against me."


    Ji Xuehong said nothing, but the faint tilt of her head spoke¡ªshe agreed.


    "Gather the remaining gods," Wang Xiao ordered, his tone sharper now. "I''ll choose new guardians myself. No more weakness."


    His words weren''t directed at Ji Xuehong but at Eveline, who always in the shadows of the room. She had grown quiet recently, submissive in a way that felt almost unnatural.


    Wang Xiao didn''t know what Aurora had said to her during their private talk, but it had clearly worked.


    Eveline had turned into obedience a little concubine.


    Aurora''s presence was a safety¡ªEveline feared her for reasons Wang Xiao didn''t fully understand, but he didn''t need to.


    As long as Aurora kept Eveline in check, she wasn''t his problem.

 Chapter 632 Netherworld! Purgatory! Yang clan!

    The vi they were in¡ªa sprawling estate nestled deep in Romania''s countryside¡ªwas quiet, the kind of quiet that came with thick stone walls and carefully ced wards. But the bed was far from empty.


    Hei Liany at the edge of the mattress, her wrists and ankles bound with cold, enchanted chains that glinted faintly in blue light.


    Her body was bare, her skin gleaming softly in the yellowish glow of the bedsidemp. Her dark hair fell messily over her face, partially covering her closed eyes.


    The sheets beneath her were stained, a mix of blood and sweat from the hours before. She wasn''t moving, unconscious from exhaustion, her breathing shallow but steady.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze lingered on her briefly. Hei Lian had pushed too far after the Shura attack, and he''d been left with no choice but to "educate" her thoroughly.


    She needed to understand her ce, and he had ensured she wouldn''t forget.


    He stood, his expression thoughtful as he turned to Ji Xuehong. "Let''s check on the Shura King."


    Ji Xuehong gave a small nod, ncing briefly at Hei Lian before following Wang Xiao.


    The faintest hint of amusement tugged at her lips.


    Hei Lian had learned the hard way: beneath Wang Xiao''s unnerving calmness lurked a monster far more wicked than she''d imagined¡ªand Ji Xuehong had no doubt that this brutal lesson had been etched into her very soul.


    ____


    In the basement!


    Sizzzzzle...


    The fire beneath him burned steadily, its heat searing through his flesh. The Shura King, chained to the wall of the stone chamber, hung limp, his body battered and bruised, his oncemanding presence reduced to a smoldering ember.


    Wang Xiao stood before him, the mes reflected in his eyes as he examined his handiwork, satisfied with the setup.


    "You¡­"


    The Shura King''s voice rasped from the silence, hoarse but still filled with fear. His bloodshot eyes cracked open, ring at Wang Xiao with what little strength he had left.


    "Our King wants to meet you!" he spat, each word a struggle.


    Wang Xiao turned slightly, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "He cane here if he''s so eager. I''m not in the business of making house calls."


    The Shura King growled, his fury growing, but the fire beneath him red once more, silencing his rage with a sharp hiss of burned skin.


    For two days, Wang Xiao had worked both the Shura King and Hei Lian, extracting every detail they had to offer.


    "Purgatory," the Shura King had said, his voice trembling with both anger and fear. "It''s a part of our world¡ªone of the most important zones in the Netherworld."


    The Netherworld, as they called it, wasn''t a mere realm. It was an ancient, titanic world, far beyond the scale of Earth. Where Earth had itss and stars, the Netherworld had once been a collection of celestial bodies that their ancestors had torn apart and fused into one colossal globe.


    Now, it was divided into zones, each serving a specific purpose.


    Purgatory, it seemed, was at the heart of everything.


    "Why send Shuras here?" Wang Xiao had asked, his tone casual but his eyes piercing.


    "To test," the Shura King had admitted begrudgingly. "Our King wanted to see if your world was worth... taking."


    "Taking?" Wang Xiao''s lips twitched, amusement flickering across his face. "Bold of him to think he could."


    The Shura King didn''t reply, but Hei Lian, in a separate session, had confirmed Wang Xiao''s suspicions.


    "He seeks strength," she had said, her voice cold but resigned. "If you''re the strongest in this world, he wants to meet you. If you''re weaker than him¡­" She trailed off, the implication clear.


    very. Subjugation. The Yang Faction didn''t negotiate¡ªthey conquered.


    The Yang Faction, Wang Xiao learned, was one of four dominant powers in the Netherworld.


    Their name, like much of theirnguage, didn''t trante perfectly.


    ¡ª "Yang" was the closest equivalent, representing light, the sun, and masculinity. Aggression and domination were their calling cards, with Shuras serving as their elite warriors.


    But the Netherworld wasn''t limited to the Yang Faction. The Shura King had hinted at the other factions, each ruled by its own king. Their power structures were ancient and rigid, and their world was governed by a history so old it predated anything Wang Xiao had ever known.


    What intrigued him most, however, was the mention of "arrays."


    "They''re the gates between realms," Hei Lian exined. "Only the strongest can survive the passage. Lesser beings would be destroyed."


    Wang Xiao''s mind raced with possibilities. These arrays were the key to controlling ess to the Netherworld.


    If he could learn how to manipte them, he wouldn''t just defend¡ªhe''d take the fight to them.


    But there was more.


    Hei Lian had said hesitantly. "Your Hell Spirits¡­ we''ve encountered them before."


    The made his blood run cold.


    If this was the same realm Yin Yue hailed from, it wasn''t just a coincidence¡ªit was a link to something farrger.


    The Shura King and Hei Lian had also hinted at an impending disaster: the collision of their world and this universe.


    "We don''t know what caused it," the Shura King admitted, his voice hollow. "But the signs are clear. Purgatory is destabilizing."


    Wang Xiao didn''t need further exnation. If the Netherworld and this world collided, it wouldn''t just be a battle¡ªit would be annihtion.


    Two realms weren''t meant to upy the same space.


    Standing in the upper halls of the vi, Wang Xiao gazed out at the dense forests below. His mind filled with possibilities and contingencies, but one thing was clear¡ªhe couldn''t afford to wait.


    The Netherworld was vast, far too vast for him to conquer alone.


    And while the Shura King''s condition made it clear that he held the upper hand for now, there were undoubtedly beings in the Netherworld who could rival him¡ªor worse.


    He couldn''t act blindly. Enjoy new stories from empire


    For now, preparations were his priority. Building defenses, gathering intelligence, and finding a way to exploit the Netherworld''s ancient transportation arrays.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    If they sent more, he would handle them.


    And if it came to it, if the Yang King forced his hand, he would step into the Netherworld himself.


    "I''ll burn it all down if I have to," Wang Xiao muttered, his voice low but filled with cold determination.


    But not yet. First, he needed to know the rules of the game.

 Chapter 633 Running a Harem Circus!

    25th November


    "You''re back..."


    It was just another boring early morning for Wang Xueying¡ªuntil she saw her brother on the couch. He was sprawled out like a dead man, and on top of him were three very much ''not-so'' dead bodies.


    Her gaze swept over the scene: Anran, his woman, clutching him like he was her personal body pillow, and Yue and Wenxi, her nieces, stacked like pancakes on top of the mess.


    Ignoring the ridiculous pile of limbs and faces, her jaw tightened. ''This guy''s finally back?'' Thest time she saw him, he''d vanished without a trace like some second-rate magician.


    "Mm?" Wang Xiao blinked blearily, like her words were the chirping of a particrly annoying bird. "Was I gone?"


    Wang Xueying''s eye twitched. Was he seriously gaslighting her right now? "Yes! For more than a week!"


    She sighed and muttered under her breath. Then she grabbed Yue by her cor and hoisted her up like a sack of potatoes. The girl protested loudly.


    "Ow, Auntie!" Yue sequeled, clutching at her father''s shirt even as she dangled midair.


    "Off," Xueying snapped, shaking her niece like a disobedient cat.


    "..."


    "..."


    On cue, Yue and Wenxi shot identical res at her¡ªsharp enough to cut steel. But after a lot of grumbling, elbowing, and whining, the two teenagers finally let go of their father. Wang Xueying dumped them unceremoniously onto the other couch, where they flopped over and "died" again.


    That left Anran.


    She clung tighter to Wang Xiao, her face buried in his chest. Clearly, she had no intention of letting go anytime this century.


    Wang Xueying pped her forehead in resignation . "Where did you pick this one up?"


    "...uh?" Wang Xiao scratched his head, looking vaguely confused. "I forgot."


    ''Of course you did,'' she thought bitterly. She wasn''t even surprised anymore. "Just... get up. Mother''sing back."


    "Hm?" Anran''s ears perked up, and her previously "asleep" daughters jolted upright like they''d been hit by a lightning bolt.


    "She''sing back already?"


    "Back?" Wenxi echoed, panic creeping into her voice.


    "Shit," Anran muttered, clutching Wang Xiao''s arm like a lifeline.


    Wang Xiao frowned, rubbing his chin. "She''s early..." His calm tone didn''t match the chaos brewing in the room.


    "Yes, she''s early," Wang Xueying hissed. She fixed him with a deadly re. "Now, my dear, arrogant brother, are you going to clean this up, or are you going to let her walk in and assume you''re running a... a harem circus?"


    Wang Xiao smirkedzily. "What''s wrong with a harem circus? Sounds fun."


    "Sounds like a death wish," Wang Xueying snapped. "Do you have any idea what''ll happen if she finds Yue and Wenxi in bed with you? I can already see her face! She''s still traditional, you know! Hell, if she found out about you and me¡ª" She broke off, shuddering.


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, looking all too amused. "About you and me?"


    Wang Xueying''s cheeks flushed, and she jabbed a finger at his chest. "You know what I mean, you idiot!"


    "Sure, sure," he said with an infuriating smirk. "Don''t worry. I''ll handle it."


    "Like you will." She snorted, ring at the mess of bodies surrounding him. "Start now. Otherwise, I''m not covering for you when she gets here."


    Anran, Yue, and Wenxi exchanged panicked looks. They clearly didn''t trust Wang Xiao to "handle" anything, but none of them dared to say a word.


    Xueying sighed, muttering under her breath again. "I''m too young for handling so much stress..."


    "So don''t handle it," Wang Xiao murmured, his grip firm as he caught her soft hand. Before she could react, he pulled her down onto hisp.


    "!!"


    Her eyes widened in shock as her kneesnded on either side of him, and she froze, aware of the amused grins aimed their way from across the room.


    "Wh-what are you¡ª"


    Her voice cut off when she felt it¡ªhim. Hard and unapologetic beneath her. Heat rushed to her cheeks, but before she could leap away, his hand slid up her back, keeping her firmly in ce.


    "Stop looking at them," he ordered, his voice low and rough as his other hand came up to cup her jaw. Her head turned under his guidance, her wide, nervous eyes locking onto his.


    Her lips parted, but no words came out. She could feel the heat of his breath mingling with hers, his thumb brushing against her cheek.


    "You think you can walk around looking like this," he murmured, his gaze dropping to her slightly parted lips.


    "Don''t¡ª" she started, but her words were swallowed as his lips crashed against hers.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The kiss was anything but gentle. His teeth grazed her lower lip, tugging it just enough to make her gasp, and he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, his tongue iming hers without hesitation.


    She whimpered softly, her hands gripping his shoulders for bnce, but the sound only seemed to encourage him. His hand slid under her loose top, his fingers tracing the soft curve of her waist.


    "Xiao¡ª!" she hissed, breaking the kiss to re at him, but her breath hitched when his lips found the sensitive spot just below her ear.


    "I''m not stopping," he muttered against her skin, his teeth nipping lightly at her earlobe. "Not when you''re in my hands like this."


    "Damn it, not here!" she snapped, ncing nervously at the couch across the room.


    Sure enough, Yue, Wenxi, and Anran were all still watching¡ªthough now Yue had buried her face in a pillow, Wenxi looked like she wanted to die from secondhand embarrassment, and Anran was smiling with shameless amusement.


    "Get a room, you two," Anran called outzily, her smile widening as she stretched out on the couch like a satisfied cat. "By the way, why don''t you two have a child as well? See, I have two!"


    She grabbed Yue and Wenxi by their cors, pulling them close like trophies,pletely ignoring their horrified expressions.


    "Mom!" Yue groaned, her face going crimson.


    Wenxi added, trying to wriggle out of her grasp. "This is so embarrassing!"


    The two teens exchanged desperate looks, silently wishing they could disappear into the nearest crack in the floor.


    Meanwhile, Xueying froze. Her ears burned as the implication of Anran''s words sank in. She wasn''t just blushing¡ªshe was seething with embarrassment. "You¡­" Her voice wavered, caught somewhere between outrage and disbelief. "You shameless woman!"


    Anran grinned devilishly, resting her chin on Yue''s head. "Shameless? I call it ambitious. You''ve got a man right there. What''s stopping you? He''s already warmed up, isn''t he?"


    "!!"


    Xueying''s head snapped toward Wang Xiao, her face a deeper red than ever. She was half expecting him to brush it off, to roll his eyes at Anran''s antics like he usually did. But instead, he tilted his head, an unreadable expression on his face.


    "Hm," he mused, rubbing his chin as if seriously considering it. "It''s not a bad idea."


    "B-Brother! Don''t take them seriously!" Xueying stammered, feeling herposure crumble under his steady gaze.


    "Anran''s got a point," he continued, his voice calm but unmistakably smug. "If we had a child, maybe Mother would get off our backs ''your'' marriage."


    Her jaw dropped. "You¡ª! Are you actually entertaining this nonsense?!"


    "Why not?" he said with a shrug. "It''s practical."


    "Practical my ass!" she snapped, her hands balling into fists. "You¡ª!"


    Anranughed evily, clearly enjoying the chaos she''d unleashed. "Look at her blush!"


    "Enough!" Xueying finally exploded, pointing an usatory finger at Wang Xiao. "Not a word. Not one more word about this!"


    Wang Xiao smirked, leaning back with the kind of arrogance that made Xueying''s blood boil. "Okay then. I''ll just have one with Mei."


    "!!"


    "Me?" a voice squeaked from the stairs.


    All eyes turned to Wang Mei, who had just started descending, wearing a light peach top and denim shorts. She froze mid-step, her wide, panicked eyes darting between her brother and the others. Her bewildered expression practically screamed, ''Why am I in this conversation?''


    She looked like a startled rabbit caught in a predator''s gaze. Mei was younger than Xueying, barely out of her teens, and as far as marriage talk went, she hadn''t even been dragged into those discussions by their mother yet.


    She finally managed, her voice trembling as she clutched the railing. "Take that back. Now."


    Instead of apologizing, Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow and gave her a slow, deliberate once-over,"Why should I? You''d look good holding a baby."


    Poof!


    Wang Mei''s face turned crimson, and she clung to the railing as if it was the only thing keeping her from falling over. She nced pleadingly at Xueying, silently begging for rescue.


    But Xueying had her own problems.


    "Enough," she snapped, her voice sharper than usual. "First of all, leave Mei out of this. She''s not your backup n, you idiot."


    "Backup?" Wang Xiao feigned offense, cing a hand on his chest. "I''m being serious. Mei has that soft, obedient-wife energy. Don''t you think?"


    Wang Mei''s face burned brighter, but despite her embarrassment, a soft, almost shy smile tugged at her lips.


    Unlike Xueying, who could hold Wang Xiao at bay, she wasn''t so bold. If Wang Xiao really decided to¡­ impregnate her, she doubted she''d even have the courage to stop him.


    Her heart raced at the thought, her eyes flickering to him before quickly looking away, as if afraid someone might catch on to the traitorous idea forming in her mind.


    "Second," Xueying continued, ignoring her brother''s shamelessness and Mei''s protests, "if there''s going to be any marriage talk, Jiarong is first in line, not me!"


    At that, everyone paused.

 Chapter 634 Maliketh... Dead?

    "Jiarong?" Wang Xiao repeated, tilting his head.


    "Yes!" Xueying huffed, crossing her arms. "Mother is always pestering her about settling down. She''s the oldest. She should go first!"


    "Oh, so you''re saying you''ll wait your turn?" Wang Xiao asked, smiling as if he''d just caught her in a trap.


    Xueying''s cheeks flushed. "I¡ªI didn''t say that!"


    "Sounds like you''re stalling," Anran chimed in from her spot on the couch, grinning wickedly. "You''re scared to tell your mother about your rtionship with him, aren''t you?"


    "Shut up, Anran!" Xueying snapped, her face burning.


    Anran shrugged innocently. "Just saying. It''s about time your mom knew, isn''t it?"


    Xueying''s shoulders tensed as her thoughts spiraled. Telling their mother about her rtionship with Wang Xiao? The idea made her stomach churn. What if Xinyue Zhn fainted? Or worse¡ªwhat if she died on the spot?


    "She''d have a heart attack," Xueying muttered, running a hand through her hair. "No, scratch that. She''d kill me, and then have a heart attack."


    Wang Xiao chuckled, clearly unfazed. "She''ll find out eventually, you know. Better to get it over with."


    "Easy for you to say!" Xueying shot back, ring at him. "You''re not the one who has to face her wrath!"


    "True," Wang Xiao admitted with a shrug, though his smirk didn''t waver. She was older, after all, and their mother would absolutely use that against her. Xinyue Zhn would probably say something like, ''He''s younger! At least you should have the brains to think before doing something so reckless!'' That would be followed by a dramatic gasp and a head-grabbing gesture, the signature move of every exasperated mother.


    He chuckled quietly at the mental image. Even so, he couldn''t help but wonder how their mother would actually react to¡­ well, everything. His gaze flickered toward Yue and Wenxi, who were still sprawled on the couch trying to look like they weren''t eavesdropping.


    The two little cotton balls were undeniably his daughters¡ªhis spitting image, even¡ªbut they were also old enough to look like his younger siblings. Hell, even he struggled to fully process it sometimes.


    How was Xinyue Zhn supposed to handle the bombshell? Her son, who had barely reached his prime, not only had two teenage daughters but also brought along a woman with all the subtlety of a crashing meteor?


    Wang Xiao let out a breath, shaking his head. If nothing else, it would be entertaining to watch. But there was no denying that when the Pandora''s box of surprises finally opened, their mother would need time¡ªprobably a lot of time¡ªto recover.


    Depression for a month? Definitely.


    Wang Xiao nced at Xueying, shaking his head as the weight of the mess he''d created pressed down on him. Another fire to put out. With a sigh, he stood up, brushing imaginary dust from his shirt.


    "I''m going to meet Jiarong," he announced casually, strolling toward the main entrance as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    "Hm?"


    Both Xueying and Mei turned to look at him, their expressions mirroring surprise.


    "Already?" Xueying asked, frowning. "You just got back."


    Mei nodded, tilting her head.


    But Wang Xiao didn''t slow down, his steps steady and unhurried. Neither of them chased after him¡ªthey simply sighed, their shoulders slumping in resigned unison.


    "Get used to it," Xueying muttered, "One minute here, the next minute gone...."


    Mei gave a small, forced smile, though a hint of concern lingered in her eyes. "Maybe it''s better we don''t ask¡­"


    Unbeknownst to them, Wang Xiao wasn''t heading to see Jiarong. Not yet, at least. His lips curved into a smile as he walked down the stone path outside, a smile that carried no warmth.


    It wasn''t Jiarong he needed to deal with first.


    It was someone else.


    His best friend¡ªMaliketh.


    The name sent a faint chill running through his veins, one he weed. Memories of theirst encounter shed through his mind, sharp and vivid. Maliketh, smug and confident, had walked away that day without a scratch. But Wang Xiao¡­


    He hadn''t forgotten.


    He would never forget.


    That humiliation, that helplessness¡ªit still burned in his chest, smoldering like embers waiting to ignite.


    And now, it was Maliketh''s turn.


    Wang Xiao''s smile deepened as he quickened his pace, his aura growing colder with every step. Revenge wasn''t just a fleeting thought¡ªit was a promise carved into his very bones. Maliketh would understand what it truly meant to be powerless, to have everything ripped away.


    By the time Wang Xiao reached the end of the path, his smile had turned into a sharp, evil grin, the kind that could make even the bravest soul shudder.


    ______


    Country M!


    The District ¡ª White House!


    The underground chamber was vast and silent, a suffocating void where shadows danced like restless spirits. The leftover metallic stench in the air, sharp and bitter, forcing its way into Wang Xiao''s lungs.


    Blood stained the walls in violent streaks, pooling in dark rivers across the stone floor. At the center of it all stood a grand throne¡ªa mass of ck iron.


    Once a symbol of dominance, it now stood as a monument to death.


    Slumped upon it was a body.


    The corpse was broken and bloodied, its chest torn open in a disy. Blood drippedzily from the throne, pooling at its base.


    "Maliketh," Wang Xiao muttered, his sharp gaze narrowing.


    This was the end of his hunt? After years of pursuit, Malikethy dead before him.


    Not by his hand, but someone else''s.


    He stepped closer, his expression unreadable, though the tension in his jaw betrayed his irritation.


    "Who got to you first?" Wang Xiao murmured


    The question in the air, unanswered, until¡ª


    "Ah..."


    A faint groan shattered the silence.


    "!" Wang Xiao''s eyes flicked to the far wall, where shadows were thickest, he stepped forward, his gaze sharp.


    A figure came into view slowly¡ªa woman, bound in chains of glowing gold. The chains coiled tightly around her wrists, pulling her high against the wall. Her legs hung limply, her body sagging against the pull of her restraints.


    Her armor gleamed in the darkness, a silver masterpiece etched with the images of dragons and phoenixes. It hugged her figure, elegant yet battle-worn, like something forged for a warrior whomanded armies.


    Her long, pale hair spilled over her shoulders, streaked faintly with silver, framing a face that was both delicate and arrogant.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes narrowed. She wasn''t just beautiful. No, there was something far more dangerous about her. Even now, suspended and drained, her presence was filed with an aura like the heat of a de fresh from the forge.


    "Who are you?" he asked, curious.


    The woman stirred, her head lifting slowly. Her eyes met his¡ªsharp, glowing faintly, and filled with a pride that refused to be broken.


    She didn''t answer, but Wang Xiao felt the weight of her gaze.


    His eyes flicked to the golden chains. They pulsed faintly with power, alive with suppression. These weren''t ordinary bindings¡ªthey were designed to hold something far beyond mortalprehension.


    "Did Maliketh put you here?" Wang Xiao asked, ncing back at the corpse. "Or was it the other way around?"


    The woman said nothing, her silence heavier than words.


    Wang Xiao turned away, deciding this wasn''t his fight. Whatever grudge had yed out here was their business, not his.


    But just as he began to step away¡ª


    WHOOSH!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    A re of energy ripped through the air. Wang Xiao reacted instantly, twisting around as a glowing sphere of light formed behind him. It crackled violently, expanding before erupting into a beam of destruction aimed at his back.


    KACHA!


    A shard of ck metal appeared in an instant, summoned by Wang Xiao''s will. The beam struck it with a deafening crack, scattering sparks across the chamber.


    CRASH! SHATTER!


    The attack fizzled out, leaving only silence.


    Wang Xiao lowered his hand, letting the ck shard dissolve into the air. His expression was calm, but his gaze sharpened as he turned back toward the woman.


    She hadn''t moved, though her faint smile suggested she''d been watching closely.


    "Testing me, huh?" Wang Xiao muttered. His voice was quiet, but the confusion in his stance betrayed his rising caution.


    His instincts urging him to look deeper. He let his body dissolve, his soul slipping into the astral ne. Hovering above the chamber, he watched silently.


    Time passed slowly, but then the truth revealed itself.


    The corpse on the throne began to twitch. Slowly, Maliketh''s body started to reform. Flesh crawled over broken bones, blood reversed its flow, and his obsidian eyes snapped open, burning with hatred.


    But before Maliketh could rise¡ª


    BAM!


    Ance of radiant energy tore through the air, piercing his chest. His body disintegrated into ash, scattering across the throne.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze flicked to the woman. Her chains rattled as her body trembled, and her eyes burned with newfound fire. Whatever strength she had managed to gather, she poured into that single attack.


    And then the cycle repeated.


    Maliketh''s ashes swirled together, his body regenerating. The woman struck again, obliterating him before he could fully rise.


    Wang Xiao hovered above them, his expression darkening.


    "They''re trapped," he murmured. "She''s too strong to let him recover, and he''s too immortal to stay dead. This isn''t a battle..It''s a prison."

 Chapter 635 Startled Rui!

    ".... It''s a prison."


    The realization hit Wang Xiao like a hammer. Neither of them was truly free. Maliketh''s cursed immortality ensured he would rise again and again, while the woman¡ªher strength immense¡ªwas shackled to this eternal cycle of destruction.


    For a long moment, Wang Xiao simply stood there, silent, watching the battle of wills repeat itself.


    Finally, he let out a breath, stepping back into his body. His eyes on the throne and the golden chains.


    "An endless fight," he muttered, his voice low. "What kind of hatred traps two people like this?"


    A part of him wanted to intervene, but another part¡­ didn''t.


    Maliketh, locked in eternal torment, was oddly satisfying. Oh, Wang Xiao had no qualms about Maliketh suffering forever¡ªhe just wanted to be the one doing the torturing. Still, this situation smelled too strange to ignore. Something deeper was happening here, and he needed answers.


    Reaching into the sky, he sent out a silent signal. If anyone could shed light on this, it would be her.


    ___


    A few minutester, a ripple in the air announced her arrival.


    Athene stepped through the void, her presence sharp and precise, like a drawn sword. Her glowing silver eyes locked onto Wang Xiao instantly. "What do you need?" she asked, her tone curt as always.


    Wang Xiao didn''t bother with pleasantries. He simply gestured toward the scene. "Any idea what''s going on here?"


    Athene''s gaze shifted, following his hand to the throne¡ªand then to the woman. Her reaction was immediate. Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second before narrowing, sharp and calcting. Her usually stoic face twisted into a scowl.


    "Elyria?" she whispered, almost to herself.


    Wang Xiao''s lips curved into a faint smirk. "So, you do know her," he said. "I had a feeling."


    Athene didn''t reply immediately. Her expression turned grim, her lips pressing into a tight line. For a moment, the sharp, untouchable warrior looked genuinely shaken.


    Without another word, Athene moved toward the woman¡ªElyria, as she''d called her. The chains holding her shimmered faintly, resisting as Athene ced her hand on them. A soft glow spread from her fingers, and the golden locks began to crack.


    Wang Xiao watched, arms crossed, as Elyria''s body slumped forward. Athene caught her easily, cradling her with a gentleness Wang Xiao had never expected from her.


    He raised an eyebrow. "Didn''t know you had a soft side."


    Athene shot him a re, but she said nothing, carefully shifting Elyria''s weight onto her shoulder.


    "Taking her somewhere safe?" Wang Xiao asked casually, though his mind was already spinning with questions.


    "Yes," Athene said curtly. Her tone carried no room for argument. "She needs time to recover before we get any answers."


    Wang Xiao didn''t protest. Watching Athene like this¡ªcalm, almost protective¡ªwas more than enough to pique his curiosity. He made a mental note to follow upter.


    Once Athene disappeared with Elyria, Wang Xiao turned his attention to Maliketh.


    The man''s body was already reforming again, his ashes swirling together in that twisted cycle of revival. But Wang Xiao wasn''t about to let him getfortable.


    "Not so fast," he muttered, his eyes cold. With a snap of his fingers, a ck vortex opened beneath Maliketh''s throne. The immortal''s half-formed body tumbled into the void, disappearing into the endless darkness.


    Wang Xiao smirked. "Enjoy the solitude. Let''s see how long it takes before you lose your mind."


    This was just the start. Wang Xiao had no intention of letting Maliketh off easy. First, he would iste him, let the madness of loneliness break his spirit. Then, when the time was right, he''d begin the real torture. After all, Maliketh had answers¡ªanswers Wang Xiao would extract one way or another.


    And if Maliketh happened to break in the process? Well, that was just a bonus.


    As Wang Xiao left the chamber, his mind shifted to therger picture. This Elyria¡ªAthene clearly recognized her.


    She wasn''t just another random warrior trapped by Maliketh''s schemes. No, Elyria had to be one of them.


    A Pangean.


    It all lined up now¡ªthe golden chains, the power radiating from her even in her weakened state. She was one of the ancient warriors who had walked the shatterednds of Pangea, wielding strength that could shake the heavens.


    Whatever had happened here, it wasn''t just about Maliketh. It was something far older, far more dangerous.


    Wang Xiao frowned, his thoughts churning.


    "This isn''t over," he muttered to himself.


    For now, though, he had other priorities. ording to his sources, his mother''s flight wouldnd back in Shanghai on December 1st. That left him with four days.


    Two names burned in his mind like smoldering coals:


    The Netherworld. Zeus.


    His enemies were closing in, but Wang Xiao had almost dealt with his all ''internal'' threats. The path ahead was clear, and it would be paved with blood and answers.


    Smiling to himself, he stepped into the shadows, vanishing without a sound.


    _____


    26th November, 2031!


    "Here."


    Morning''s cold grip lingered over the Murong estate, seeping through the walls like an unwee guest.


    Qian Ruixin moved up the stairs, a tray of tea in her hands, her steps soft but her thoughts loud. She wore a modern white hanfu, its fabric light and flowing, the faint floral embroidery brushing against her wrists. Her hair, tied in a loose bun, left her slender neck exposed, a clear stark contrast to the rigidity in her expression.


    It should have been a routine morning¡ªdelivering tea to her mother-inw. Yet nothing felt routine anymore.


    Wang Xiao.


    His name had lodged itself in her chest, heavy and restless. Ever since that incident, he''d made her life a quiet mess, stirring emotions she''d couldn''t forget.


    She paused at the door, exhaling slowly to steady herself.


    Click!


    "Mother, your tea."


    She opened the door and stepped inside, her voice light and practiced.


    But as her eyes adjusted to the light, her breath caught. Her fingers tightened around the tray.


    "You¡ª?!"


    Li Xiaoqingy peacefully on the bed, her violet silk robe flowing like water over the sheets. But next to her, in the space no man should upy, sat Wang Xiao.


    He lounged like it was his throne, propped up against the headboard, a book in one hand and a teacup in the other. His ck robe hung loose on his frame, exposing the sharp cut of his corbones and a hint of his chest. His dark hair, messy, framed a face that was equal parts smug and infuriatingly handsome.


    What stood out most, however, was the amused glint in his eyes as he looked at her over the rim of his teacup while standing up and walking closer to her shocked self.


    "Ah, Rui," Wang Xiao said, his voice low and smooth, filled with a teasing warmth that made her pulse quicken. "You''re just in time. I was wondering when you''d show up."


    Casually, he picked up the teacup and took a slow sip, his movements unhurried, as if the entire situation werepletely ordinary.


    Qian Ruixin''s fingers tightened on the tray, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure even her sleeping mother-inw could hear it.


    What the hell is he doing here?!


    Her pulse pounded in her ears. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, and for a moment, all she could do was stare.


    Snap!


    The spell broke.


    Qian Ruixin stepped inside quickly, closing the door behind her with more force than she intended.


    She set the tray down on the nearest table, her hands trembling as her thoughts scrambled to catch up. Crossing the room in a few quick, almost soundless steps, she reached him before he could say another word.


    "Rui, you shoul¡ª"


    Whoosh!


    Her palm mped over his mouth, abruptly silencing him as her body leaned in close.


    "What the hell are you doing here...?" she whispered harshly, her voice trembling but sharp.


    His breath was warm against her hand, scented faintly with the tea he''d stolen. Her soft floral perfume creating a pleasant private domain between them, the tension crackling like a storm just waiting to break.


    Wang Xiao''s eyes crinkled at the corners, his amusement deepening as he made no effort to pull away. He looked at her like a cat toying with a mouse, daring her to scold him further.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Shh," she hissed again, ncing nervously at the bed.


    Li Xiaoqing stirred, her breathing hitching for a moment before settling back into the slow rhythm of sleep.


    Qian Ruixin let out a quiet sigh, her hand still over Wang Xiao''s mouth. She turned her re on him, sharp and burning¡ªuntil he moved.


    His fingers slid up, firm but unhurried, cupping her face. He tilted her chin up, and her breath caught.


    "Huh?"


    Her heart jolted as his dark eyes held hers. She was supposed to be the calm one here, the one with control. But he didn''t stop.


    Wang Xiao leaned in, and before she could even blink, his lips were on hers.


    "Mmm¡­"


    The kiss wasn''t soft. It was slow, deliberate, and hungry. His lips moved over hers, firm, like he was iming her. His tongue slid against her lower lip, teasing, coaxing her to respond.


    Her lipstick tasted faintly sweet, a lingering trace of rose. But beneath that, there was her¡ªwarm, soft, maddeningly intoxicating. Her scent surrounded him, rich and floral, like a rose on the edge of blooming.


    His hand tightened slightly against her jaw as he deepened the kiss, his tongue slipping past her lips, exploring. She tasted clean, fresh, with just enough sweetness to drive him mad.


    Her body stiffened, but she didn''t pull away. She froze, her thoughts scrambling, her hands twitching uselessly at her sides.


    When he finally pulled back, his lips hovered just over hers, his breath brushing her skin.


    "Stop overthinking, girl," he murmured, his voice low, teasing, and soaked in heat. "You''re supposed to kiss me back."

 Chapter 636 Wife, Mother & Mother-in-law!

    "G-Get away!"


    Qian Ruixin''s voice shook, her delicate hands struggling against Wang Xiao''s iron-tight grip. He leaned closer, his shadow casting over her like a stormcloud.


    "Not until you kiss me," he murmured, his voice calm, yet filled with a rhythm that made her pulse race.


    "!"


    Her face flushed, and she red at him, but her nervous nce darted toward Li Xiaoqing, sleeping peacefully on the bed. The sunlight filtered through the curtains, bathing her mother-inw in an ethereal glow.


    "Xiao Wang, stop joking!" she hissed. "If she wakes up¡ª"


    "If she wakes up¡­" Wang Xiao''s lips curled into a dangerous smile,"Then we''ll deal with her together."


    Her breath hitched. "You''re¡ª insane"


    "Perhaps," he said without hesitation, his tone as steady as the earth. His eyes flicked to Li Xiaoqing''s motionless figure. "But insanity serves me well in a world where I fear no one."


    Those words struck her like thunder. Fear no one. Wang Xiao''s arrogance was legendary in their family, but this was different.


    There was no bravado, no empty boasting. It was a simple, chilling truth.


    And why would he fear anyone? She didn''t know the full extent of his power, but whispers about his unparalleled strength had spread like wildfire.


    Cousin or not, this man standing before her was nothing short of a monster.


    "Don''t test me, Rui," he added softly, his tone devoid of warmth.


    Her mind spun. This wasn''t the yful cousin she remembered from childhood.


    This man had long since shed the constraints of family bonds. Her mother-inw, her marriage, her reputation¡ªnone of it mattered to him.


    "Why are you even here?" she finally demanded, her voice trembling. "You shouldn''t be in this house!"


    Wang Xiao tilted his head,"Why not? You''re here, aren''t you?"


    Her face burned with indignation. "I''m¡ª"


    "And I''m still your man." He leaned closer, "A bond that excuses anything. Or does it?"


    Her heart thundered in her chest, a tempest of guilt and confusion warring within her. She turned her gaze away, her thoughts spiraling. When had he be like this? When had his gaze grown so heavy, his presence so suffocating?


    Yet, as her resistance crumbled, she felt herself surrendering. Slowly, she rose onto her toes, her trembling lips brushing his.


    "Rui," Wang Xiao whispered, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "Why do you look at me like I''m the enemy?"


    The intimacy of his words made her heart ache. She hated him, didn''t she? Yet his touch¡ªso firm, so resolute¡ªunnerved her in ways she couldn''t exin.


    His quiet chuckle shattered the fragile moment. "Why do we look like lovers sneaking away?"


    Her eyes snapped open, and she quickly pped her hand over his mouth, her cheeks zing. "Quiet! Do you ''want'' her to wake up?"


    He grinned behind her hand, his gaze dropping to her flushed face. "Would it matter?"


    The audacity of his words left her speechless. This man truly feared nothing¡ªnot her husband, not her mother-inw, not even the heavens themselves.


    For the first time, she wondered if she should fear him.


    "Ah¡ª"


    Wang Xiao inhaled deeply, the intoxicating fragrance of roses enveloping him. It hugged to her skin, charming and wholly inappropriate for someone of her restrained demeanor. The contrast stirred something primal within him, sharpening his senses.


    Without hesitation, he mped a hand over her mouth, silencing her gasp. His other arm wrapped around her slender waist, dragging her toward the bathroom. Qian Ruixin''s hands iled wildly, like a bird caught in a trap. Her struggles only seemed to excite him further, his touch searing against her skin¡ªhot ice, both scalding and numbing.


    CLICK!


    The bathroom door mmed shut behind them, a finality that echoed in her racing heart. To her, it felt like the door of fate had closed, trapping her within the inescapable storm that was Wang Xiao.


    Half an hourter, the door creaked open.


    Wang Xiao emerged, his muscr frame shamelessly exposed. He stretchedzily,pletely unbothered by Qian Ruixin''s frantic protests muffled within the room.


    Ignoring her warnings, he opened the wardrobe, retrieved a towel, and carelessly draped it over his shoulder before sauntering out.


    It would be some time before Ruixin dared step out herself. She had pleaded with him to stay hidden, to act discreetly, but discretion was a foreign concept to Wang Xiao.


    He strode into Madam Li''s bedroom as though he owned it, his footsteps unhurried, his expression as calm as a predator surveying its territory.


    Li Xiaoqing, oblivious to the intruder,y fast asleep on her side.


    The silken sheets draped over her shifted slightly as she turned, her back arching just enough to reveal smooth, unblemished skin.


    Wang Xiao''s gaze darkened, a dangerous gleam flickering in his eyes.


    Without a word, he sat beside her, his weight sinking into the mattress. His hand moved with deliberate slowness, sliding beneath the hem of her deep purple gown.


    The fabric was soft against his fingertips, but it was her skin¡ªvelvety, warm, and impossibly smooth¡ªthat truly captivated him.


    For a moment, he paused, caught off guard. How could her skin be so wless, even at her age?


    His arm circled around her, pulling her closer, his chest pressing against her back as his arousal throbbed against her. The heat between them growing like his hot libido, his breath grazing her neck as he whispered to himself.


    "Dangerous¡­ so dangerous," he murmured, almost as if chastising her.


    His hand ghosted across her hot rosy lips, careful yet prating, his fingers brushing the softness of her mouth. He whispered a spell under his breath, a gentle incantation to keep her asleep, her breathing even and undisturbed.


    "Enchanting," Wang Xiao thought, his gaze roaming over her. The mature charm of a woman like Li Xiaoqing was impossible to resist. The temptation was a crime waiting to happen, yet he convinced himself it was nothing more than curiosity¡ªan inspection of the goods, as he so boldly justified.


    "X-Xiao Wang?!"


    Qian Ruixin''s trembling voice pierced the air as she stepped out of the bathroom, her damp skin glowing beautifully in the sunlight. Nervousness flickered in her wide eyes, her posture tense as she clutched the towel tightly around her curves. She froze in ce, her gaze locking onto the scene before her.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Her mother-inw, Li Xiaoqing,y sprawled on the bed beneath Wang Xiao. Her smooth, fleshy legs were parted in a shameless disy, his powerful hips pressing firmly against hers. His ''hot rod'' was buried deep inside her, moving with a slow, deliberate rhythm that left no question of his intentions.


    Oh heavens¡­


    Qian Ruixin''s mind went nk, her thoughts derailing into a haze of disbelief and horror. She could only stand there, frozen, as Wang Xiao lowered his head, his lips closing around Li Xiaoqing''s hardened nipple.


    His teeth grazed the sensitive peak, earning a faint, unconscious moan from the mature woman beneath him.


    "Sweet," Wang Xiao remarked inwardly, savoring her taste. Her body responded so beautifully, so eagerly, even in her slumber. His movements quickened for a moment, his lust driving him as he lost himself in the heady scent of her skin and the fiery warmth enveloping him.


    A smirk tugged at his lips as he remembered Murong Shan¡ªthe pathetic fool who had dared to challenge him.


    That man had schemed to steal what was his.


    Now, Wang Xiao had taken everything: his wife, his ''real'' mother, and now his stepmother.


    ''What a victory,'' he thought darkly, his grin widening.


    His thrusts grew deeper, more primal. With a low growl, he spilled his seed inside her, marking her as his in the most intimate way possible.


    Spurt, Spurt, Spurt!


    Li Xiaoqing''s legs twitched involuntarily, her body quivering as thest waves of pleasure coursed through her. Wang Xiao pulled her closer, kissing her swollen lips with an intensity that left her moaning even in her unconscious state.


    The mature taste of her ignited something untamable within him, but he forced himself to stop. She would wake to this ''gift'' soon enough.


    Satisfied, Wang Xiao straightened, adjusting his posture as if the act had been nothing more than routine.


    He turned, his sharp gaze falling on Qian Ruixin, who still stood frozen in the doorway.


    Her face was ghostly pale, her lips parted in silent shock. Her knees gave out, and before he could say a word, she copsed to the floor in a faint.


    "Tch," Wang Xiao clicked his tongue, walking over to her. He crouched down, his strong arms scooping her up with ease.


    Holding her limp body close, he shook his head, though his smirk betrayed his amusement.


    "I may have gone a little overboard," he muttered, carrying her toward the bed. His gaze flicked briefly back to Li Xiaoqing, who remained syed out on the mattress, her gown disheveled, her flushed body still glistening with a faint sheen of sweat.


    The sight stirred some thing in him once more, but he pushed it aside¡ªfor now.


    Laying Qian Ruixin down gently, he brushed a damp strand of hair from her face.


    She looked so innocent, so fragile in her unconscious state. He chuckled softly, the sound low and almost menacing.


    "Sometimes," he murmured to himself, his voice rich with satisfaction, "evil is necessary to fight evil."


    His gaze lingered on the two women for a moment longer before he turned, stretchingzily. ''It was all worth it,'' he thought, his smirk widening as he left the room, the lingering scent of lust and roses gently drifting in the air.

 Chapter 637 Blind Date!

    After a Few Hours!


    "You girls auditioning for tragedy queens now?"


    Wang Xiao sprawled on the bed, arms stretched behind his head, azy grin tugging at his lips. His tone was light, but his eyes¡ªsharp and unblinking¡ªcut through the room.


    Li Xiaoqing had bolted hours ago, hurling something about "police" before mming the door. A performance, really. Dramatic, but forgettable.


    Qian Ruixin? She just sat there, perched on the edge of the bed like a bird that didn''t know if it could still fly. Her hair hung in damp strands, her eyes hollow and swollen. The sheets clung to her like a shield, but it didn''t hide the tension in her shoulders.


    Wang Xiao sighed, tilting his head. "Come on, Rui. Don''t act like I drowned your puppy."


    Still, she said nothing.


    Wang Xiao amazed, added, "Silent treatment? Huh ¡ª That''s cute. Didn''t think you had it in you."


    Just sat there, hands clutching the sheets as if they might anchor her to something solid.


    Then, barely a whisper: "She told me¡­ you''re evil."


    That hit differently.


    His grin faltered, eyes narrowing. "Come again?"


    "She said you kill people," she murmured, her voice brittle, cracking under its own weight. "That you take and take until there''s nothing left. That fighting you is pointless."


    Her gaze finally met his. Not angry. Not pleading. Just¡­ searching.


    It was questioning. Doubting.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Wang Xiao stared at her, unmoving, unblinking, as if he were trying to decide whether tough or break something.


    So someone told her.


    The analogy hit him like a brick to the back of the head: it was like being mid-game, ying dumb, and then some idiot shouts, "Boss iing!" Game ruined. Fun obliterated. Now what?


    Wang Xiao''s smirk disappeared entirely. Then, slowly, he sat up, the casual air around him hardening into something colder.


    "Who told you that?" His voice, low and clipped, carried an edge sharp enough to draw blood.


    Her lips parted, but no answer came.


    Wang Xiao dragged a hand through her hair, exhaling sharply. "Doesn''t matter," he muttered, the grin sliding back onto his face, razor-thin. "Whoever it was¡­ well. They''ve got problemsing their way."


    "Don''t," she said suddenly, her voice cracking. Her hand shot out, gripping his wrist. "She''s innocent."


    "Oh?" Wang Xiao''s grin widened, his eyes sparking with amusement. "So it''s the little loli. Lingling."


    The way her grip tightened told him everything he needed to know.


    Heughed softly, leaning closer until his breath ghosted against her cheek. His voice dropped to a mock whisper. "Rx. What kind of monster do you take me for? You think I kill girls for fun?"


    Her silence was louder than any scream.


    "Damn," he drawled, pulling back. "You really do." His grin sharpened. "You''re colder than I thought, Rui. What, you think I only kill big people for fun?"


    "¡­"


    "No, seriously. Don''t just sit there pouting. It''s bad for morale." He stretched, standing like he owned not just the bed, but the entire world beyond it. "Stop looking like I betrayed you or something. You''re married, aren''t you? Shouldn''t disappointment be old news by now?"


    Her hollow gaze flickered with the faintest spark of a re.


    "Ah, there it is," he said, smirking. "That''s the Ruixin I know."


    "¡­"


    "Anyway," he continued, waving a hand like swatting away a fly, "maybe I should start with Murong Shan."


    The air around them rippled. The walls shimmered and vanished, dissolving into nothingness. Suddenly, the room was no longer a room. Instead, they stood in a vision of the Ministry of Health''s gardens, where Murong Shan paced near the gate, oblivious.


    Ruixin froze, her breath catching in her throat.


    Wang Xiao leaned in again, his voice soft and mocking. "No begging? No ''please don''t kill him''? Cold, Ruixin. Real cold."


    "¡­"


    He stepped back, chuckling as he tucked his hands into his pockets. "You''re worse than me, you know that?" His smirk turned dark, his eyes gleaming. "Maybe that''s why we get along so well."


    Qian Ruixin''s lips twitched, her voice soft but clear, "We¡­ are not the same."


    Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, her words stirring something between amusement and indifference. His grin stretched wider, just enough to make her uneasy.


    "That''s good," he said lightly, like he was humoring a child. "Then you do what you''re good at, and I''ll stick to what I''m good at."


    "Huh?"


    She blinked, caught off guard.


    "y your game, Rui," Wang Xiao continued, his tone maddeningly casual. "Spend money, dream big, act like every other woman in your shoes. Want to leave the Murong family someday? Do it. Hell, I''ll even apud you for it. Just ¡ª  don''t try to be me, and don''t expect me to be you."


    Ruixin opened her mouth to respond but hesitated. She clenched the sheets tighter instead, her knuckles pale against the fabric.


    People are results of their circumstances. They pick up habits that keep them alive¡ªthings that work. The strong, those who sit at the top, can afford kindness. They were untouched by the grit of this world, still pristine in their ideals, because they had enough leverage to protect their innocence.


    Not everyone was so lucky.


    There were women like Linda, the brothel worker he''d met in Icevale, whoseughter masked desperation... Then there was Lin Xue, who carved her path through blood and ash...


    Everyone became what they had to be.


    Survival demanded no less.


    "Your world, Rui, is different from mine," he said quietly, almost to himself. "It''s better you understand that now thanter."


    She flinched, but he wasn''t finished.


    "I''m not changing," he said, his voice firm. "Can''t. Won''t. If I did, it wouldn''t just break me¡ªit''d crush everyone behind me."


    An emperor doesn''t just throw away his crown and pretend the world won''t notice. He can''t walk away and assume his enemies will forget. A road like his, once chosen, had only one end: the peak of the summit¡ªor death.


    His presence shielded many people. People who didn''t even realize how much they relied on him. Even people like Qian Ruixin.


    He nced at her, "So live your life, Rui. Do what you want. But don''t waste it trying to figure me out. You wouldn''t like what you find."


    Her grip on the sheets loosened, her hands trembling slightly. She wanted to argue, to push back, but deep down, she knew he was right.


    It felt like swallowing shards of ss, the truth cutting its way into her.


    Wang Xiao chuckled, breaking the tension. "What, no smart remarks this time? Don''t tell me you''re losing your voice."


    Her re flickered briefly, but her lips pressed into a thin line. She thought she saw something behind his grin¡ªsomething darker, almost fragile¡ªbut it was gone in an instant.


    Reced by his maddening arrogance.


    He turned away, his voice low but amused. "Yeah, that''s what I thought."


    Ruixin stared at his back, her mind swirling. For the first time, she realized she didn''t hate him. Not for what he was, or even for what he wasn''t. What scared her was that maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªhe was right.


    ______


    Rustle ~~


    The imperial captial inte November was a damn mood: cold enough to bite but not enough to kill, gray skies threatening rain like a drunk man threatening a fight¡ªhalf-hearted and more annoying than dangerous.


    Wang Xiao had half a mind to stay inside, but no, someone always had to piss him off.


    So here he was, dragging Qian Ruixin along. She''d protested, naturally.


    But her objections had all the weight of a paper umbre in a storm. Wang Xiao wasn''t in the mood for arguments; he''d already decided.


    As for Li Xiaoqing? Someone else would clean up after her. He had no patience for petty drama today. His name alone was enough to make most people shut up and sit down. That''s what names were for¡ªbreaking noise into silence.


    "Umm¡­ this would look good on you."


    Ruixin''s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. She held up a jacket, her tone soft, almost sweet and calm, like an old docile wife. The contrast from earlier was so sharp it gave him whish. Hours ago, she''d been sulking like a wronged princess; now, she was acting like the perfect little wife, efficient and obedient.


    Wang Xiao preferred it this way. Not because he cared about appearances¡ªhell no. But peace and quiet were rare luxuries in his life, and he wasn''t about toin if she handed it to him on a silver tter.


    While she browsed, he leaned against a nearby counter, half-watching the shop attendants pretend they weren''t eavesdropping. The boutique was warm and cozy, but outside, the streets were alive with the kind of chaotic energy only the capital could muster: umbres bobbing in the drizzle, couples arguing about who forgot to bring one, and old women hawking roasted chestnuts with voices loud enough to shatter ss.


    Their original n had been to meet Wang Jiarong ¡ª That had gone to shit pretty fast.


    "Busy," Jiarong had said over the phone, her tone so curt it might as well have been a p.


    He knew better than to push.


    However ¡ª She''d told Ruixin more, of course.


    The air of discrimination was obvious. He didn''t say anything, though. It wasn''t worth the effort.


    Something about Xin Meifang arranging a blind date. Typical. Wang Xiao had felt his lips twitch in annoyance when he heard that part.

 Chapter 638 Persephone! Accident!

    A blind date?


    For Jiarong?


    What, was Meifang trying to marry her off to some asshole in a suit so tight he couldn''t breathe? Wang Xiao didn''t even want to imagine it. He didn''t say anything, though. Not worth the energy.


    So instead of wasting time waiting for Jiarong to "not be busy," he''d taken Ruixin out for a bit of distraction.


    The boutique they''d stopped at was directly across from a caf¨¦.


    Through the ss, Wang Xiao could see Jiarong sitting inside, her face set in a scowl that matched his mood. She stirred her coffee like it had personally offended her, and for a second, he almostughed.


    "She''s pissed," he muttered under his breath.


    Qian Ruixin didn''t respond, too busy holding up another coat for his opinion. He didn''t care about the coat. He didn''t care about the caf¨¦. But the sight of his sister ring daggers into her drink felt weirdlyforting.


    Misery lovedpany, after all.


    _______


    Above the bustling mortal city, Eveline stood at the edge of a skyscraper, her silhouette sharp against the night.


    Beside her was Penelope¡ª once known to mortals as the first woman to build a billion-dor empire through funeral homes during the chaos of the Great Reset.


    Her rise was darkly poetic: burying the dead while others struggled to stay alive. And just as quickly as she had risen, she disappeared, her name wiped clean from history.


    Now she stood here, her hair a ck cascade down her back, her emerald eyes glinting like cold fire. Mist coiled at her feet, obscuring the ledge as if the world itself hesitated to let her fall. Yet this wasn''t the Penelope of legend anymore¡ªthis was Persephone, queen of the underworld, cloaked in mortal skin.


    Penelope''s gaze drifted to the figures below. "Do you think she''s found him?" she asked softly. "Does Tyche''s magic work on herself, or is she as blind as the rest of us?"


    Eveline scoffed. "If Tyche''s involved, it''s misfortune disguised as luck. That girl''s not lucky¡ªshe''s cursed." Her tone was clipped, her eyes fixed on Qian Ruixin, who hovered around Wang Xiao like an innocentmb.


    Qian Ruixin had no idea what she carried.


    Deep in her soul, a shard of Tychey dormant¡ªtoo weak to guide her now, but strong enough to twist fate if awakened. And that wasn''t the end of it. Her existence was bound to the Sansara Knot, a cursed union that tied together fragments of three gods: Tyche, goddess of fortune; Nemesis, goddess of retribution; and Kubera, god of wealth.


    Once enemies, these deities now shared a fragile bnce within the Knot. Without it, their fragments would have ceased to exist. Nemesis had already awakened, her shard thriving within Xin Meifang, while Kubera''s presence had pushed Qian Yifan to unimaginable wealth.


    Yet Qian Ruixin remained blissfully unaware, carrying Tyche''s slumbering essence like an ember waiting for a spark.


    "Leave it," Penelope said, her voice cold. "You said he could help me."


    Eveline nced at her, a faint sneer on her lips. "He can¡ªbut not at a price you''d want to pay." Her gaze sharp with meaning.


    Penelope''s confidence didn''t waver. "Every man has a price. If he desires beauty, I can offer him a kingdom of it."


    Eveline chuckled, low and mocking. "Oh, Persephone... He won''t take your gifts. He''ll take you. Do you think you can afford that?"


    For a moment, Penelope''s mask slipped.


    The thought of being imed¡ªof bing someone else''s possession¡ªleft her silent.


    But the moment passed, and her usual confidence returned. "I have ways. He can have women far more beautiful than me."


    Eveline said nothing. Wang Xiao, ying by the rules? Laughable. Whatever Persephone thought she could offer, he would take it all¡ªand her, if it suited him.


    Eveline didn''t need to warn her; Wang Xiao''s actions would make it clear soon enough.


    Luck seemed to follow Wang Xiao like a loyal dog, and Qian Ruixin was no exception. Whether Tyche''s shard awakened or not, just having her near was enough to stack fortune in his favor.


    The gods might call it coincidence, but Eveline knew better. Everything flowed toward him as if the heavens themselves conspired to make him invincible.


    But luck alone wasn''t what made Wang Xiao dangerous. He didn''t just ride the waves of fate¡ªhe tore them apart and reshaped them to his will. If the gods held something he wanted, he would seize it, no matter the cost. He refused to bow, even to the heavens or the...Netherworld. That fire, that rebellion, made him unstoppable.


    Eveline frowned.


    She couldn''t decide if the fate was aiding him or if he was forcing their hand. Either way, his ambition knew no bounds.


    He wasn''t used to living under someone''s hand. The thought alone scratched at Wang Xiao''s pride like a thorn stuck beneath his skin. For a man like him, dominance wasn''t just a goal¡ªit was his right. The heavens, the Netherworld, even fate itself, all existed to serve him.


    Eveline, watching from her perch above, couldn''t help but smirk faintly. With the Netherworld now in y, she wondered just how far his arrogance could carry him. Would he conquer that too? And if he did, what would be left for a man who couldn''t tolerate limits?


    Her thoughts shattered as a sound rose from the streets below.


    Vroom.


    Her eyes snapped downward, catching the yellow Lamborghini tearing through the street like a streak of lightning.


    Its roar was deafening, its speed reckless.


    The car wobbled slightly, the driver clearly out of control. Eveline''s sharp gaze followed its erratic path, and her expression darkened.


    The car was heading straight for the boutique.


    ____


    Inside, Wang Xiao stood near the ss wall, handing his card to Qian Ruixin.


    "Go settle it," he said, his tone as casual as if the world beyond the ss didn''t exist.


    Qian Ruixin took the card, nodding as she turned toward the register. But something caught her attention.


    Her eyes shifted to the street outside, where the yellow Lamborghini roared toward them, its hood gleaming under the streetlights. She froze for a second, her heart pounding as the car screeched¡ª


    Screech!


    The sound rattled her nerves. In that moment, instinct overpowered thought.


    The card slipped from her fingers, fluttering to the floor. Without hesitation, she turned, shoving Wang Xiao hard in the chest.


    "Move!"


    Her push caught him off guard, forcing him back just enough.


    Eveline''s lips parted slightly, her focus narrowing on the girl.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    This idiot¡­


    Before she could act, the ss wall exploded.


    ____


    "Fuck! This thing is out of control!"


    Inside themborghini, Lian Shen, an overconfident entrepreneur with a taste for speed, gripped the steering wheel of his car in a panic. What was supposed to be a quick drive to an important meeting had turned into a nightmare. His brakes had failed.


    Hooooonnk!


    He hammered the horn, weaving through traffic, sweat dripping down his temples. His heart pounded as he saw the curve ahead.


    "No, no, no!" he shouted.


    The boutique loomed ahead, its ss walls shimmering under the streetlights. Figures moved inside, oblivious to the danger racing toward them. Lian Shen stomped on the brakes, but they didn''t respond. His heart dropped into his stomach.


    "Shit! Move! Somebody move!"


    The Lamborghini hurtled forward, and his vision blurred as he braced himself for the inevitable.


    _____


    CRASH!


    The car smashed through the boutique with a thunderous impact. ss shattered in every direction, a jagged rain in the air.


    The screech of steel grinding against stone reverberated through the street. Smoke sted from the hood as the vehicle came to a violent stop, its front end crumpled like a crushed can.


    _____


    Across the street, Wang Jiarong sat peacefully in the caf¨¦, absentmindedly stirring her coffee as she waited.


    CRASH!


    The sound ripped through the air, shattering her moment of calm. Her head snapped toward the noise, her breath catching as destruction before her eyes.


    For a moment, she froze, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing. Through the haze of dust and debris, she spotted the source¡ªa yellow Lamborghini, crumpled against the boutique''s shattered ss wall.


    Her voice trembled, panic creeping into her tone. "Xiao Wang... Rui!?"


    Her eyes widened as she squinted at the scene. In the aftermath, she thought she saw two figures¡ªsilhouettes inbetween the wreckage that looked eerily like her younger brother, Wang Xiao, and her cousin, Qian Ruixin.


    The coffee cup slipped from her hand, ttering onto the table as she pushed her chair back


    BAM!


    The caf¨¦ chair scraped loudly against the floor as she shoved it aside, rushing to the door. Her heart pounded as she pushed through the gathering crowd.


    "Did you see that?"


    "Who the hell drives like that?"


    "Someone call ambnce!"


    The voices of onlookers buzzed around her, a mix of panic and morbid curiosity. Dust and debris swirled around the crumpled Lamborghini, catching the flickering light from a nearby streemp.


    "Is anyone hurt?"


    "I think it hit someone!"


    "Where''s the driver?"


    The shattered ss glittered on the ground like jagged stars. Smoke curled from the car''s hood, driftingzily upward as if mocking the chaos below.


    People craned their necks, some snapping pictures with their phones while others frantically dialed emergency services.


    Jiarong shoved her way through the throng, her voice cracking as she called out again. "Rui!"


    The crowd parted slightly, revealing the wreckage inside the boutique.


    Her stomach twisted at the sight of a figure on the floor amidst the rubble. For a split second, she thought she saw them.


    Her steps faltered, panic flooding her veins.


    "Move aside! Let me through!" someone yelled, their voice rising over the murmurs of the crowd.

 Chapter 639 Solving Problems like Pro!

    "Are... you okay?"


    Qian Ruixin groaned, her eyelids fluttering weakly. She had braced herself to find the cold, unforgiving ground beneath her, but to her surprise, she was cradled in strong arms.


    Wang Xiao stood a few meters from the mangled wreckage, his expression unreadable. A faint smile touched his lips, though even he wasn''t sure why.


    "Alive and well," he murmured, his voice steady as he gently handed her over to the stunned receptionist. Qian Ruixin''s mind swirled, half in shock, as Wang Xiao strode toward the crash site.


    The wrecked vehicle groaned ominously as he reached in, his fingers closing around the driver''s cor like an iron vice. In one fluid motion, he yanked the man through the shattered window.


    CRASH!


    "You should keep your eyes open when driving," Wang Xiao said, his voice dangerously calm, "but since you''ve chosen to ignore that, perhaps I should take them from you."


    The man, dressed in a gray suit now marred with dirt, groaned pitifully. Miraculously, he bore no injuries¡ªan evidence to modern car safety standards. Yet the onlookers could only gasp in shock, their breaths caught in their throats as Wang Xiao''s thumb pressed cruelly against the driver''s eye.


    "Aaaahhh!" The man screamed, his cries reverberating through the street like a dying animal.


    From the crowd, a voice broke through the tension: "Move aside! Let me through!"


    Wang Xiao''s expression darkened as a familiar figure forced her way forward. "Tch... Your luck is good today," he muttered, releasing the man. With a casual toss, he flung the driver back into the twisted remains of the car.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    CRASH!


    The broken frame rattled violently, drawing fearful gasps from the crowd.


    Wang Jiarong stepped into view, her sharp gaze narrowing as itnded on him. Her presence alone was enough to set the gathered people murmuring in confusion.


    Spotting Qian Ruixin being tended to at the edge of the crowd, she frowned deeply.


    "What are you doing here!?" she demanded, her tone a mix of outrage and disbelief.


    Wang Xiao sighed inwardly. Fighting an army? Simple. Negotiating a truce with demons? Child''s y.


    But exining this situation? That was the real challenge.


    "What the hell were you two thinking?"


    Wang Jiarong''s voice cut like a whip. Thirty minutes after the crash, she still couldn''t wrap her head around it. Her blind date stood her up, and instead of a decent distraction, she got this: her cousin and her little brother, sitting in a caf¨¦ like nothing had happened.


    Wang Xiao leaned back in his chair, calm as ever, like a wolf stretched in the sun. He sipped his tea with the kind of ease that could make a saint want tomit murder. Across from him, Qian Ruixin sat stiff and quiet, her hands folded in herp like a perfect porcin beautiful statue¡ªexcept for the faint tremble of her fingers betraying the storm she wasn''t voicing.


    "And you," Wang Jiarong snapped, ring at Ruixin. "You said you were shopping today."


    Qian Ruixin''sshes fluttered, but her gaze didn''t leave the table. "I didn''t think it mattered," she said, voice soft enough.


    "Mattered?" Wang Jiarong''sugh was sharp and bitter. "You''re here with him."


    The meaning of her words settled over the table like smoke. Weeks ago, she''d barely stopped Ruixin from pressing charges. Now, the girl was sitting beside the man who ruined her, looking like amb that couldn''t decide if it should run or stay.


    "Blind date went well, I see," Wang Xiao drawled, crashing through her thoughts.


    Her temper snapped. "Don''t you dare!" She pointed at him, her nails digging into the edge of the table. "You''re not the one asking questions here."


    "I could be," he said, a smirk curling his lips. "Why not?"


    "Y-You''re way too mouthy!"


    "I know." He tilted his head slightly, his eyes gleaming with mockery. "But I''m not the one ring like a bad-tempered wife after a night without sleep. Take it easy, Jiarong, your wrinkles are showing."


    Wang Jiarong''s face burned red. "You¡ª!"


    Liang Chen, who had been trying to vanish into his chair for the past ten minutes, cleared his throat awkwardly. "So, uh... about the ident?"


    "No one cares about your car, shut up," Wang Xiao said tly, not even sparing him a nce.


    "Hey! I almost died back there!"


    "You''re alive, aren''t you?" Wang Xiao shrugged, his tone so casual it might as well have been a yawn. "Besides, no one would''ve noticed if you didn''t make that god-awful cough every five minutes. Drink some water, for heaven''s sake."


    Liang Chen flushed, fidgeting in his seat.


    "Enough!" Wang Jiarong mmed her hands on the table, drawing stares from the other patrons. "Ruixin, why are you even near him? After everything he''s done¡ª"


    "Don''t."


    The single word stopped her cold.


    Qian Ruixin''s voice was quiet but firm, and for the first time, her dark eyes lifted to meet Jiarong''s. "Don''t... talk about it here."


    Wang Jiarong blinked, caught off guard. This wasn''t the trembling, broken girl she remembered. Qian Ruixin wasn''t fine, not even close, but she wasn''t crumbling either.


    "You don''t get to make that choice," Wang Jiarong growled, though her tone softened slightly. Her anger turned to Wang Xiao. "And you¡ªwhat game are you ying now? What the hell do you did to her this time?"


    Wang Xiao''s smile faded, his gaze sharpening. "Do you think I''m the viin here, Jiarong?" His tone was low, almost dangerous.


    "That''s all you''ve ever done!"


    He leaned forward, his presence suddenly overwhelming. "Then ask better questions, Jie."


    The word hit like a p. Rarely did he call her "sister," not since their family had fractured into shards they couldn''t pick up. For a moment, the fire in her chest dimmed, reced by something colder.


    Before she could respond, Wang Xiao rose abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "If you''re going to sit here and nder my innocent character, I''ll take my leave."


    He straightened his jacket, his tone calm butced with mockery, as if her usations were beneath him.


    "??"


    Qian Ruixin nced between Wang Jiarong and Wang Xiao, her quiet gaze lingering on Jiarong''s flushed face. She sighed softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Jiarong, can you stop yelling at him?"


    "You''re taking his side?" Jiarong''s eyes widened in disbelief. Her outrage hung in the air, hot and palpable.


    He flew all the way to Beijing just to spy on her blind date, dragged Ruixin along for the ride, and now she was defending him?


    "Yes, I am." Qian Ruixin''s gaze flickered, her voice calm but firm.


    "..."


    Wang Jiarong stared at her, stunned, her chest tightening with a mix of betrayal and confusion.


    Meanwhile, Wang Xiao had the good sense to stay silent. Years of experience had taught him one thing: never get between two women fighting. With an exaggerated stretch, he walked over to Liang Chen, leaving the sisters to their brewing storm.


    "Brother Chen," Wang Xiao drawled, his tone dripping with faux camaraderie. "I didn''t think a bit of money would make you think so highly of yourself."


    Liang Chen, who had been trying his best to blend into the background, gave a stiff smile. "Wang Xiao, believe me, I was set up. I only came here to clear things up."


    "Set up?" Wang Xiao''s brow arched as he crossed his arms.


    In truth, Wang Xiao hadn''t known that the blind date their aunt arranged for Jiarong was Liang Chen. Only after the ident, during a closer inspection, did he recognize him. Liang Chen¡ªthe same guy who once lent them bikes for fun, only for Wang Xiao to nearly break his skull in a stupid stunt.


    And now this man wanted to marry his sister?


    Wang Xiao''s lips twitched into a smirk. "I didn''t know you were so eager to die."


    Liang Chen''sugh was strained, the kind of sound someone made when they realized they''d walked straight into a lion''s den.


    He hadn''t realized just how much of a devil Wang Xiao truly was. The incident from half an hour ago still lingered in his mind, a fresh scar on his psyche. If PTSD had a fast-track application process, he''d already be approved.


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